Claire Baker
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“Motion, as amended, agreed to, That the Parliament condemns xenophobia, racism and hatred in society, including recent instances of intimidation, violence and disorder; further condemns the actions and language of those who seek to stoke such sentiments and division; agrees that such beliefs and actions do not reflect those of the vast ma…”
“The UK Government has updated its planning policy, and there is a clear strategic approach to where data centres are sited, which is what members are calling for in Scotland. On the question around environmental impact assessments, at the moment, it is not mandatory for local authorities to carry out such assessments.”
“The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S7M-00461, in the name of Neil Gray, on the National Security (State Threats) Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. Please cast your votes now. The vote is closed.”
“We need to be clear that climate change is an emergency that affects communities across the world and increasingly here in Scotland. We are seeing more extreme weather events, increased flooding, risks to biodiversity, pressures on food production, and growing risks to public health and infrastructure.”
“The Scottish National Party Government will go even further, putting in place the £2 bus fare cap across the whole of Scotland by the end of this session of Parliament. Climate action is improving the quality of our lives.”
“As I have made clear, collectively across the Parliament, we have agreed that we need to make progress on the targets, which are also legally binding by an agreement made here, and the committees have an important role to play. However, ultimately, the Government has to show leadership on the issue.”
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“By identifying the number of rapes and sexual assaults taking place in hospitals in Scotland through freedom of information requests, they have highlighted the extent of the problem, and the figures are shocking. Almost 250 sexual assaults and rapes have taken place in Scottish hospitals over the past five years. Some 163 of those rapes and sexual assaults happened on hospital wards, although it is important to say that we do not know whether they are single-sex or mixed-sex wards. The figures from Police Scotland are more shocking, as they reveal that those incidents took place in only 57 of the 198 hospitals in Scotland.”
“I thank Tess White for securing this debate on the research that has been undertaken by the Women’s Rights Network into safety in hospitals. I was able to highlight that research in a debate last week, and I have raised the report at First Minister’s question time. I felt that the response that I received on that occasion could have been more expansive, so I hope that the minister is able to engage more fully with the topic this evening. I thank the Women’s Rights Network for its work in exposing the levels of sexual assaults and rapes in our hospitals. It was not an easy task. It was laborious, as, at first, the figures were not available, but the researchers persisted.”
“Since I took on the role of Labour transport spokesperson, barely a week has gone by in which I have not been asked to comment on the latest development in the ferries fiasco. Time and again, there are reports of failings in the network, and the cracks—literal and figurative—are clear to see. The cost to taxpayers of the Government’s mismanagement has been significant and the impact on those who rely on the services continues. Delays to the completion of the MV Glen Rosa mean that it will be eight years late. The four new ferries that are being built in Turkey are also delayed, and just this week there has been another blow, as the preferred bidder for the contract for the small vessel replacement programme is a shipyard in Poland rather than the shipyard in”
“If CMAL had made an alternative decision—it is important to stress that CMAL acted independently of ministers—there would have been questions about what else ministers had been doing. The member asked about investment support. The bottom line is that we have agreed to invest £14.2 million in equipment for the yard so that it can compete on a global basis. She also talked about stability. The yard’s commercial strategy is very clear about the potential work that it can secure, and the yard has secured additional work. It would be nice to see the yard being recognised for the work that it has secured to date while it completes the Glen Rosa. Perhaps if we talked more about the skills and ability of people at the yard, instead of constantly talking them down, the yard might have greater potential to win work.”
“It is a sorry state of affairs when a shipyard that the SNP Government nationalised is not competitive and is unable to successfully bid for work that was widely recognised as being a good fit for Ferguson’s. To secure work, Ferguson’s needs investment and support as well as stability. In the light of the failure to secure the work for Ferguson’s, does the Scottish Government believe that the current procurement process for our ferry fleet is fit for purpose? Kate Forbes: I find that question remarkable. The member has, in essence, told me that she does not think that the procurement process is fit for purpose because Ferguson Marine did not win the contract. The procurement process needs to be fair and to inspire confidence.”
“It is important that guidance exists and is clear, that public authorities know that they will be supported when they make decisions, that they are able to explain and justify the decisions that they make, and that everyone in society is treated with respect, has their rights protected and has safe and dignified spaces across public services. 16:05”
“Alternatively, it might be because public authorities are not confident that an exclusion meets the threshold of the 2010 act or they do not believe that something merits exclusion and they have assessed any risk to be low— Rachael Hamilton: Will the member take an intervention? The Deputy Presiding Officer: The member will be concluding. Claire Baker: I am sorry—I think that I am short of time. It could be that the exemption has not been applied because the authority does not believe that exclusion is merited and they have assessed any risk to be low, or they believe that it promotes inclusion.”
“That states that, where there is “a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim”, exclusions would include not only members of the opposite sex but also people who hold a gender recognition certificate. However, although the 2010 act underpins the guidance from the EHRC, there can be reluctance to apply it. That may be a result of the debate that preceded the Scottish Government’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill or the debate that raged alongside it, which led to policy decisions preceding the legislation and the mainstreaming of gender self-ID policies, which are at times counter to the 2010 act.”
“There is little evidence that the figures have been taken seriously as a collective issue by the NHS or the Government. There is little reflection on why this is happening in hospitals and what steps must be taken to prevent further rapes and assaults. That leads to an inadequacy in safeguarding policies and guidance for NHS boards. There is a clear responsibility to record all instances and for reports to be made to the police. The report from the Women’s Rights Network makes a number of recommendations, and I urge the Scottish Government to take them forward. In the examples of single-sex wards, toilets and changing rooms, I argue that discrimination on the basis of sex applies and that, in most cases, the single-sex exemption in the Equality Act 2010 would apply.”
“The limited nature of the information that is available means that we cannot identify whether assaults were carried out by other patients or staff or whether they were carried out on patients or staff, although the high number of incidents on hospital wards suggests that patients are often the victims. The research also found that assaults were not routinely recorded or reported. It appears that they are sometimes underplayed or minimised, as if the setting excuses some behaviours. Offences are not recorded as taking place in a hospital setting. There is no recorded data for 133 hospitals. There is no interrogation of those figures. There is little understanding of why Stobhill hospital, the Edinburgh Royal infirmary and the Cygnet Wallace private hospital have the highest rates.”
“The figures therefore highlight what we do not know as much as what we do, and they shine a light on those horrendous crimes. A patient in a hospital is vulnerable, frail and dependent on others for meeting their needs. At times, they will be unconscious or disoriented. They are often in a state of undress. A recent report from the Royal College of Nursing describes a collapse in care standards across Scottish hospitals, with increasing reports of corridor care leaving people vulnerable and in undignified settings. All those conditions could lead to opportunistic assaults.”
“Through freedom of information requests, it identified the number of rapes and sexual assaults taking place in hospitals, and the figures are shocking. Around 250 sexual assaults and 15 rapes have taken place in Scottish hospitals over the past five years, and 163 of those rapes and sexual assaults happened on hospital wards, although we do not know whether those were single-sex or mixed-sex wards. However, the data, which comes from Police Scotland, covers only 57 of 198 hospitals in Scotland, and the period that is covered includes the pandemic years, when the hospital population was reduced and heavily restricted. Furthermore, the figures are likely to reflect underreporting, as we know that those offences are often underreported across society.”
“All young people should feel safe at school and be entitled to privacy and dignity. Single-sex toilets and changing rooms are part of achieving that, and the Government should provide clear direction to support that provision. It is hard to see what progress has been made on the policy of single-sex wards in hospitals. When the SNP was in opposition, it criticised the Scottish Executive for a lack of progress on single- sex wards, yet it is now difficult to determine the extent of the use of mixed-sex wards. It appears that NHS Dumfries and Galloway is the only board to have solely single-sex wards. Our amendment highlights research from the Women’s Rights Network about safety in hospitals.”
“There is an impression that there has been a steady move away from that provision, and a figure of one in 20 schools providing only unisex toilets has been suggested. The intention behind introducing gender-neutral toilets might have been to reduce bullying and vandalism and increase equality and inclusion. However, there are isolated reports of voyeurism and sexist behaviour towards girls, and those are just the incidents that are reported. Lorna Slater: Such incidents have been due to the poor behaviour of boys, not of trans women— is that not correct? Claire Baker: The next line in my speech is that evidence from the reports shows that the offensive behaviour is carried out by boys. That is why I am arguing that we need to have single-sex toilets and that girls should have a space where boys are not allowed.”
“As I have done in previous debates on such topics, I will focus on what we know to be the case, the legal position, and the implications for the safety of women and girls. I will not deny that the debate is difficult. For those of us who recognise the rights of everyone to be accepted for who they are and recognise that everyone has the backing of the law to protect them from harassment and stigmatisation, there are sensitivities and tensions, and people’s rights have to be balanced. That is often the case with the application of rights, and the law is there to guide us. I will start with what I think are the issues of broader agreement. We should have single-sex wards in hospitals and there should be access to single-sex toilets and changing rooms in public facilities, including schools.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what additional focus areas it has identified, following the publication of the “Women’s Health Plan 2021 to 2024: Final Report”. (S6O-04421)”
“[Interruption.] The UK Government did not know what it was doing, it did not know that its changes would be the death knell for family farms, and it will continue to go down that road and to alienate the people who feed this country. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Mr Smyth, I would be grateful if you did not provide a running commentary while the minister is responding.”
“Does the minister recognise that the UK Government has said that around 520 agricultural estates will be affected, that that has been confirmed by a “BBC Verify” report and that up to three quarters of farmers will pay nothing as a result of the changes? What will that mean for farming in Scotland? Jim Fairlie: I am sorry, but I simply do not accept Claire Baker’s assessment. We have been told by the industry that far more people will be affected by the family farm tax. [Interruption.] The UK Government did not even recognise the issue around tenant farmers. [Interruption.] I am sorry, but anything that members want to present to the chamber on behalf of the UK Government needs to be fully informed, because it is clear that it is not.”
“The short forming will also be relieved by diesel availability from other parts of the network once electrification takes place, which is more imminent in relation, for example, to the East Kilbride line. Hydrogen Production and Usage 7.”
“The cabinet secretary knows that the performance measure does not take account of short-form trains. It is in effect a cancellation for passengers if they are unable to board a train. In my region, across December and January, one train was short formed 65 per cent of the time. Why are those routes targeted for short forming, and when can we see improvements? Fiona Hyslop: There will shortly be an important improvement in the Fife service, with two trains running an hour, which will relieve pressure on the availability of spaces in trains. That will be an improvement. For the period that ended on Saturday 1 February, the Fife circle service was performing at 90.2 per cent. That is a stronger performance than in other parts of the network, such as Mr Gibson’s area.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it will reach a decision regarding extending the terms of reference for the inquiry into the death of Sheku Bayoh. (S6O- 04363)”
“The panel’s unanimous decision was to recommend Malcolm Bell to the Parliament for appointment as a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland. Malcolm Bell, who is in the public gallery this afternoon, brings a wealth of public sector experience, having served as a senior police officer and having been an elected councillor in and convener of Shetland Islands Council. He has also held a number of public appointments, including as vice-chair of NHS Shetland. Mr Bell is a member of the Accounts Commission for Scotland and an honorary sheriff, and was recently appointed as a justice of the peace. I am confident that he will be an asset to the commission.”
“I am delighted to speak to the motion inviting members of the Parliament to agree to the appointment of Malcolm Bell as a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland. As members might know, the Standards Commission is part of the ethical standards framework, and its role is to encourage high ethical standards in public life by promoting and enforcing the codes of conduct for councillors and members of devolved public bodies. The commission issues guidance to councils and public bodies and adjudicates on alleged contraventions of the codes that are referred to it by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland. As members of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, Jackson Carlaw, Christine Grahame and I sat as a recruitment panel on 13 January 2025.”
“I move amendment S6M-16572.2, to insert at end: “; recognises that ScotRail requires investment and sustainable funding, but believes that passengers should not carry the burden of this while services are underperforming.” 16:20”
“The number of bus routes has plummeted by 44 per cent since 2006, although many were critical for rural and peripheral urban areas. Before the bus partnership fund was paused, in 2024, it had allocated hardly 5 per cent of the £500 million that was intended for infrastructure improvements. The zero emission bus challenge fund is now scrapped, and there is glacial progress on franchising. The bus and train services that are being delivered to the public are far from good enough. Getting them right would mean more people using public transport and a reduced reliance on cars. However, to achieve that, the services must be reliable and affordable.”
“Workers who have to physically attend work—those who are in retail or service delivery—must still travel at those peak times while the “middle-class passenger” whom the Transport Scotland report identifies as benefiting often has more flexibility to work at home and avoid travelling at peak times. It is time to remove the inconsistent and unfair application of varying prices that makes people pay a premium for travelling to work by rail. Although we are focusing on rail fares today, the Government’s amendment also mentions bus provision and asks us to consider progress on buses. However, the progress that it has made is extremely limited. Rather than improving services for passengers, the Scottish Government has overseen a reduction in routes.”
“Transport Scotland’s analysis of the peak fares pilot is one of the most inconclusive that I have read. Data was routinely not collected, particularly at busy stations, which suggests that the 6.8 per cent increase could be an underestimate. The costs are not exactly clear, but, if the top figure of £40 million is accepted and the Scottish Government said that it required a 10 per cent increase to be cost neutral, almost 7 per cent is not far off. Although the pilot ran for a year, it was not actively promoted, so how would someone who did not regularly use the train know that the offer was available? The majority of the pilot also took place during a period of industrial dispute and a reduced timetable—hardly favourable conditions. Post-pandemic, there is an argument that peak fares are increasingly unfair.”
“The plethora of restrictive cheaper deals is confusing and complicated, and pressing ahead with ticket office closures does not help passengers to navigate the system. The process of how and when peak periods are applied is inconsistent and unnecessarily complex. The cabinet secretary has been keen to highlight the flexipass as a money-saving option for passengers, but it does not apply to all stations or routes. Indeed, two of Scotland’s cities—Stirling and Perth—were added to the scheme only recently. The Government’s amendment suggests that, since the pilot ended, passenger numbers have continued to grow. However, the reasons for that can be questioned. For example, are fewer service reductions taking place? Is that comparison really like for like? Can we expect that trend to continue in the face of ever-increasing fares?”
“The ending of the pilot removal of peak fares came between two ticket price increases, so passengers were hit with three price increases in just over a year. Before drawing comparisons with the rest of the UK, the cabinet secretary might want to reflect on the inflation- busting 8.7 per cent increase in prices that we had in Scotland last year. Greater reliability is key to increased patronage and revenue, but, if prices continue to rise— particularly in the face of service performance issues—people will just be unwilling or unable to pay them. Household budgets are challenging, and the reality is that the car is, far too often, the more affordable option. If we are serious about reducing car use and related emissions, the approach of making other travel options more and more expensive by comparison is counterproductive.”
“Scottish Labour agrees that rail fares in Scotland must be more affordable and that rail travel must be an attractive alternative to car use. We are committed to the removal of peak fares as the first step in making rail travel more accessible and affordable, so that we can deliver a rail service that works for passengers and increase patronage. I recognise the need for investment in ScotRail. We need to make progress on rolling stock replacement and we need a long-term investment plan for upgrading rail infrastructure, which will require the Government and private businesses to work in partnership. However, increasing the burden on passengers at this point in time places downward pressure on passenger numbers as the gulf in affordability between rail travel and the alternatives grows.”
“I move amendment S6M-16572.3, to leave out from first “fares” to end and insert: “and bus fares must be affordable to encourage the use of public transport; welcomes that rail passenger numbers, since the off-peak all-day pilot ended, have continued to grow, with demand in each four-week period being an average of 4.5% more than the same period in 2024, when the trial was in place; notes that the Scottish Budget for 2025-26 includes provision for a pilot of a £2 bus fare cap; recognises that the results of the off-peak all-day pilot mirror the results of Transport for London’s similar trial, which also saw no significant increase in travel as a result of lower fares; further recognises that reinstating off-peak fares all day from 1 April 2025 would cost up to £40 million of resource funding, which would require a commensurate reduction elsewhere in the Transport portfolio’s resource budget; recognises that not implementing a fares rise in 2025 would require an additional £11 million, which would require a commensurate reduction elsewhere in the Transport portfolio’s resource budget, and believes that any further consideration of off-peak fares all day should take account of the Transport Scotland and Transport for London research, be part of future budget planning and must also consider progress on bus affordability, availability and reliability across Scotland.” 16:11”
“They are the thoughtful and well-planned interventions that we need, whereas the poorly timed proposals in the motion sadly seem to be more about defeating the Government than about having a rational and creative debate about funding and support for rail travel in Scotland.”
“Last month, ScotRail announced the extension of a digital tap-and-pay trial, which means that passengers who use the app will be charged the best-value fare automatically, based on the day and time when they travel. If they make the same journey regularly, Monday to Sunday, their fare will be capped at the weekly season ticket price. Paul Sweeney: Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention? The Deputy Presiding Officer: The cabinet secretary is about to conclude. Fiona Hyslop: I apologise to Mr Sweeney. Those price and fare innovations are designed to encourage people to switch from car to train and to simplify journey planning.”
“Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention? Fiona Hyslop: I have limited time. We are seeking to keep fares down for regular passengers and commuters through the 20 per cent discount on all ScotRail season tickets— weekly, monthly and annual—until the end of September 2025. I have also permanently improved the value of a flexipass to allow 12 single journeys to be made within 60 days for the price of 10. That provides passengers with a 32 per cent saving, compared with the cost of six any- time return tickets, so the Glasgow to Edinburgh return fare becomes £21.25. Super off-peak return fares have also returned, so there are even cheaper fares on offer for people who can travel at less-busy times.”
“One aspect of increasing bus patronage is ensuring that buses and bus stations are places where people, including the staff, feel safe. Following the cross-party meeting and the Labour debate on antisocial behaviour on buses, how is the minister progressing work to improve safety on buses for passengers and drivers? Jim Fairlie: The member is absolutely right to bring up that on-going issue. We are continuing to consider it. We are still looking at the things that we need to do in order to progress some of the issues that we talked about in the past, and I will update the chamber and the member as we come to some conclusions. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Question 2 has been withdrawn. A96 Dualling (Compensation) 3.”
“Some are also exploring management models and considering whether direct council control would be more efficient. All members will agree that libraries are invaluable resources, as well as part of our communities. I hope that a solution can be found that means that they can continue to be so. 17:40”
“In particular, I urge the council to reconsider its plans for the North Inch in Perth, given its importance as a school library. I hope that that will be taken into account in forthcoming budget considerations. Of course, libraries have running costs, and the financial pressures on our local authorities mean that they need to look at where savings can be made. Campaigners are keen to explore different funding sources. They also know that, if a library closes, it is unlikely to reopen, which is why they are calling for time to develop sustainable solutions that acknowledge and leverage the pivotal role that libraries play in our communities. For example, consideration could be given to targeted funding that could support libraries as part of our educational and social infrastructure.”
“The proposed closure of a number of libraries in Perth and Kinross, most of which serve rural communities, has prompted many constituents, who are concerned about the plans, to contact me. Libraries such as Alyth, Scone, Birnam and Comrie are key parts of those communities, and people are worried that they will be lost. I have corresponded with Perth and Kinross Council and with Culture Perth and Kinross about the plans, and they have made it clear to me that the decisions have been driven by financial considerations—that point was repeated in a reply that I received from them today. I have asked the Scottish Government to consider what action it could take to prevent closures from being required. I have also asked Perth and Kinross Council whether it could look again at its funding decisions following budget announcements.”
“Libraries provide access to a diverse range of books, fostering a love of reading through various challenges and encouraging the exploration of new genres. Programmes such as bookbug not only introduce young minds to the joy of stories but offer new parents a platform to connect and build social bonds and support maternal mental health. For adults, libraries offer quiet spaces that are conducive to work and study, helping to reduce household expenses by providing a warm and free workspace. They can serve as hubs for skills development, digital access and community engagement. As others have recognised, for older people, libraries are vital in helping to combat social isolation. They offer opportunities to engage in lifelong learning, participate in community events and access resources that might otherwise be out of reach.”
“The report states: “Nowhere else in modern life, whether urban or rural, is there a public space where anyone can enter and remain without the expectation of payment or labour. Nowhere else is there a public space where people can access information, combat digital poverty, learn new skills, socialise with others, express themselves creatively and seek to self-improve, entirely for free. These institutions are vital for every person in Scotland, and they are endangered.” For our children, libraries are gateways to literacy and learning. I know how important Kelty library was for me, and I remember the excitement of graduating to an adult library card at 14—I even remember the book that I took out.”
“I thank Mark Ruskell for bringing the debate to the chamber, and I join other members in welcoming campaigners who have joined us in the public gallery. Unfortunately, I was unable to meet the campaigners at lunch time today, due to a prior commitment in Fife, but I recognise the work that those who are involved in the campaigns have been doing and continue to do, and I acknowledge the correspondence that I have received from concerned constituents. Last year, the Scottish Book Trust published “The value and impact of Scotland’s libraries” report. A quote from that report is highlighted in one of the briefings that we have received for the debate, and I would like to share it.”
“The First Minister will be aware of reports regarding the sudden death of Demi Hannaway in May 2021. Demi’s parents are calling for an examination into her death, which was recorded as suicide, and have lodged a formal complaint about the police response, saying that there was absolutely no investigation. Demi was subject to physical and mental abuse at the hands of her partner, who was jailed last year after admitting to threatening and abusive behaviour. Her family believes that obvious lines of inquiry regarding her death were not pursued. It has also emerged that the pathologist in the case was not informed by the police that Demi’s partner had a history of strangling her. Will the Scottish Government consider ordering a review of the investigation of Demi’s death?”
“For the reassurance of the member and the Parliament, I can say that, as with all storms and major resilience operations, we will go through a lessons learned operation. I will convene meetings with partners to review and reflect, and I will take the issues raised to Cabinet. The Presiding Officer: There is great interest in the statement, as you would expect. I would be grateful for concise questions and responses, which will enable me to ensure that as many members as possible can ask a question.”
“I have written to all MSPs on this three times now, and some of the feedback that I have had from many colleagues relates to members’ frustrations regarding some of their constituents still being without power. There is also a positive reflection to be made: that, since storm Arwen, there has been much learning and much improved communications from utility companies in particular. Regarding businesses, I assure members that the whole purpose of the Scottish Government resilience room is for communicating with or having follow-up discussions with particular businesses or sectors, for example retail and supermarkets and road haulage. There were concerns around businesses, and all employers have a duty of care to their employees. I and the Government are very clear about that.”
“Angela Constance: On the red weather warning and the advice to stay at home, as I outlined in my statement to Parliament, at the stage that the weather warning emerged at the start of last week, the scale and severity of the storm that we all ended up having to endure was certainly not predicted. As soon as that information was available from the Met Office, however, Police Scotland worked hard with the Met Office, resilience partners, the Scottish Government and partners across the UK to get that red alert issued. I refute any suggestion that the red warning could have been issued any earlier. I welcome the fact that, for the first time, the red alert was issued over registered mobile phones. We should always review the standard and quality of communications, whether in Government, between partners or to members of the public.”
“The Government must also reflect on whether the advice was sufficient. What advice was given to businesses? For example, does the Government know how many businesses have a severe weather policy in place? The Scottish Trades Union Congress says that the majority of businesses do not have one. On Friday morning, the Government issued an alert that said: “Stay indoors if you can. It is unsafe to drive in these conditions”, However, some businesses were still open and employees were still expected to go to work. Should the advice to stay at home have been given earlier, and should it have been more unequivocal, given the extent of the storm?”
“Presiding Officer, please accept my apologies for the delay in taking my place this afternoon. I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of the statement. My thoughts are with those families who have experienced bereavement and injuries during this period. Storm Éowyn has caused significant damage, and households, businesses and local authorities are beginning the recovery process. However, there are still homes in Fife without power, and people are frustrated by the lack of definitive information on when they will be reconnected. What assurances are the energy companies giving the Government in the resilience room meetings? Is the cabinet secretary confident that communications with customers—in the broadest terms, not just in relation to telecoms—is the best that it can be?”
“The delay and dither have not only damaged Scotland’s economy and hindered growth, as well as having a negative impact on communities’ wellbeing; they have led directly to loss of life and to despair and anguish for too many families. 15:33”
“For the communities who have waited so many years and who were promised that dualling would be completed this year, that response will be another disappointment. The cabinet secretary has said that the current timetable is “robust and practical”, but what faith can those communities have, given that there has been such slow progress to this point? Each delay puts drivers at risk and deprives communities of safe and reliable transport links. There must be a guarantee that the latest timescale will not slip further. This is a serious issue, which the committee has robustly scrutinised, and the Scottish Government has been shown to have come up short.”
“As the committee shifts its focus to the 2035 target, although changes to procurement and funding are welcome, concerns remain over poor risk management and transparency of decision making and information sharing. There will always be factors that are outwith the control of the Government; the test is how effectively it responds to those. Although we can see improvements in communication and ministerial direction, those do not detract from the Scottish Government’s failures on the project, the broken promises to constituents from Perth to Inverness on its projected completion, and the lives that have been lost while progress has stalled. Earlier this week, Transport Scotland published its response to the committee’s request to accelerate dualling, saying that to do so would mean risking the 2035 end date.”