Shirley-Anne Somerville
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Laura Moodie: Does the cabinet secretary recognise the distress that is being caused to constituents, including a disabled veteran in my region, by the continued uncertainty around the scheme?”
“The Scottish Government has been working closely with Motability since March, and its notification of changes from 1 July in England, Wales and Northern Ireland—the 1 July commencement—is not set to apply in Scotland.”
“The Scottish Government is committed to working with East Lothian Council and private partners to unlock investment and growth at the strategic site at Blindwells, and we are providing £2.4 million of funding flexibility to support the development of the outline business case.”
“What reassurances can investors be given that the Scottish Government will work with them to deliver the project? Shirley-Anne Somerville: As I mentioned in my original answer, my ministerial colleagues and I recognise the strategic importance of Blindwells not just to housing but to the East Lothian economy.”
“Motability will continue to work with the Scottish Government to see what can be done, because it also recognises the distress and inconvenience that the situation is causing.”
“She said that she did not want to call out only Reform. Will she call out Alex Cole-Hamilton for mentioning the Third Reich or Daniel Johnson for making insinuations about fascism?”
The complete record
Every one of 503 lines we hold for Shirley-Anne Somerville, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 9 of 11.
“I welcome the publication of the research and recognise the positive impact that volunteering has on people’s wellbeing. That is why Scotland’s volunteering action plan aims to create a Scotland where everyone can volunteer more often and throughout their lives. The 10-year plan, which has been co- produced with the third sector, seeks to increase volunteering participation. To support the plan, the Scottish Government provides direct funding to national and local intermediaries, including Volunteer Scotland. I am also pleased to announce that this year we will invest £1.1 million in the volunteering support fund to support people who experience barriers to their volunteering. Foysol Choudhury: Given the concerning fall in volunteering participation, we must ensure that volunteers are treated well and that standards are upheld.”
“Will the member take an intervention? Paul O’Kane: I am about to conclude, so I will begin to draw my remarks to a close. The Deputy Presiding Officer: You will conclude, Mr O’Kane. Paul O’Kane: It is important that we base ourselves in the reality of the situation that we face. There is a grave global context to the spring statement, which we must have at the forefront of our minds if we are to have a serious and genuine debate in this place about our public finances. 17:23”
“However, I share his deep concerns about the proposals that are coming forward—from a Labour Government. Whether or not the proposals have been consulted on, there is real concern about their impact. I will meet with disabled people’s organisations this afternoon, and I have written to the secretary of state once again, asking for an urgent meeting and for the publication of the equality impact assessments. However, we must recognise that the changes that are being pushed through by the UK Labour Government will push more disabled people into poverty. This is austerity on the backs of some of the most vulnerable in our society. Housing Emergency (Fife Council) 6.”
“James Dornan: Does the cabinet secretary agree that the transfer of disability benefits to Social Security Scotland cannot come quickly enough, given the draconian policies that have been promoted by the current and previous Westminster Governments, and that, without Social Security Scotland, some of our most vulnerable citizens would be left without the support that they need? Does the cabinet secretary also agree that the behaviour of the two principal unionist parties towards the most vulnerable in our society highlights why we need independence—and soon? Shirley-Anne Somerville: James Dornan is quite right on both counts. I reassure him that the case transfer process will be completed on time. All the estimations are that that part of the project is going very well.”
“The Scottish Government calls on the UK Government to recognise the anger and the real anxiety that it has caused disabled people right across the UK and to scrap the cruel reforms, which drastically reduce financial support for disabled people. As we were given no prior notice of the announcement and as we still await many of the details of the proposals, we will scrutinise what we can to understand the impacts on devolved disability benefits and on the people who rely on this support.”
“It is very important that the rights of all those who are involved are considered and respected in everything that is done. In respect of the Scottish Prison Service, the member will be aware that new rules with provisions on visitors were introduced in 2023. The law states that visitors are to be searched in accordance with rule 106 of those rules. Consent is required. Rule 106(3) makes it clear that general searching of the person or their clothing is to be done by an officer “of the same gender as the visitor”. The search must be completed “as quickly and decently as possible” and the use of force is not permitted. Rule 106(4) states: “A visitor who is being searched ... cannot be required to remove, and a search ... must not involve the removal of, any clothing other than an outer coat, jacket, headgear, gloves and footwear.””
“The Scottish Prison Service is in the spotlight once again because it is allowing trans-identifying prison officers to perform intimate and utterly unacceptable rub-down searches of vulnerable women who are visiting the prison estate. Violent trans-identifying men can still be housed in the female prison estate in certain circumstances. Will the Scottish Government finally do the decent thing, lay down the law for Scotland’s public bodies and tell them to withdraw ill-informed and insidious guidance that allows the rights of male-bodied individuals to transcend those of women and girls? Shirley-Anne Somerville: With regard to the part of the member’s question relating to the Care Inspectorate, I note that everyone in Scotland deserves to receive safe and high-quality care that meets their needs and respects their rights and choices.”
“Shirley-Anne Somerville: The provisions of the Equality Act 2010, including those relating to single-sex spaces and the general exception relating to communal residential accommodation, apply to Scotland. Any issues of how those are operating in particular situations are matters for the EHRC as the enforcement body for the act and for the relevant public body concerned. Tess White: The answer is “no”. That is a ludicrous and, frankly, a chilling statement from a regulator that is supposed to protect Scotland’s most vulnerable children and young people. There are massive safeguarding issues arising from that reckless guidance. However, it is not just the Care Inspectorate.”
“The updated code of practice has yet to be published. The Scottish Government expects all relevant organisations to comply with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and other legislation in their role as employers. Tess White: The cabinet secretary may be interested to know that the Care Inspectorate’s “Guidance for children and young people’s services on the inclusion of transgender including non-binary young people” makes the following statement: “The provision of gendered facilities such as toilets is social convention. There is no law in Scotland about this.” Does the Scottish Government agree with the Care Inspectorate’s statement?”
“In April 2022, the Equality and Human Rights Commission published some revisions to its guidance, “Separate and single-sex service providers: a guide on the Equality Act sex and gender reassignment provisions.” In that guide, the commission clearly states that, as the regulator for the Equality Act 2010, it provides “guidance on the law to help organisations comply with their legal obligations.” The commission has recently completed a consultation on its statutory code of practice, which “sets out the steps that should be taken to ensure people are not discriminated against.” The code of practice explains “how the Equality Act 2010 works in relation to the provision of services, public functions and associations” and provides practical examples to illustrate how the law can be used to protect equality.”
“I hope that the UK Government will take up the recommendations that will come from the working group in due course.”
“What does not help pensioner poverty is the United Kingdom Government refusing to compensate WASPI women—women against state pension inequality—or taking away winter fuel payments. Nonetheless, despite those strong headwinds from the UK Government, we are keen to do what we can, within our mainly fixed budget, to support older people. We absolutely appreciate that there is a cost of living crisis for many older people. That is exactly why the Government is committed to free bus travel for everyone aged 60 and over. It is why we have investment in income maximisation support, why we are helping with energy efficiency and heating, and why we are looking at crisis interventions. We will continue that work—it is exceptionally important that we do that. Another part of the work is around the social tariff, which will help many older people.”
“It is little wonder that polling by Independent Age shows that more than 90 per cent of older people back calls for a long-term strategy from the Scottish Government to reduce that poverty. Will the cabinet secretary give a clear commitment that, when the Government sets out the refreshed “A Fairer Scotland for Older People” framework, it will contain new, comprehensive measures across all Government departments that will increase older people’s incomes and cut their costs? Will it contain a clear commitment to reducing the level of pensioner poverty? Shirley-Anne Somerville: Colin Smyth raises an important point, which is that this involves work right across Government and not just in social justice. I gently say to him that it also involves work right across all Governments.”
“The Scottish Government’s “A Fairer Scotland for Older People: A Framework for Action” contains a dedicated strand focused on activity that we are undertaking to ensure that people are financially secure and supported as they age. Independent Age is a valued member of the older people’s strategic action forum. We engage regularly with the group on actions that we take to support the needs of older people in Scotland. In addition, we provide funding of £2.2 million, through the equality and human rights fund, to older people’s organisations and age equality projects. That funding is delivering a range of initiatives that tackle poverty among older people. Colin Smyth: Despite the framework that the cabinet secretary referred to, one in six pensioners in Scotland are living in poverty, and that number is on the increase.”
“Shirley-Anne Somerville: I thank Mark Ruskell for lodging his question, because it gives me an opportunity to once again reaffirm the Scottish Government’s firm commitment to ending conversion practices in Scotland. I think that it would be helpful if my colleague Kaukab Stewart writes to him to update him on the work that is being undertaken on the non-binary action plan and so on. Work on the proposed bill is absolutely continuing. The situation is complex, and we need to ensure that we take into account the right to practise religion and the right to family life. As we balance that delicate approach, I hope that Mark Ruskell is reassured by my personal commitment, and by the Government’s full commitment, to ending conversion practices in Scotland. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Question 3 is from Graham Simpson, who joins us remotely.”
“We have had no new human rights bill, minimal progress on the non-binary action plan, gender recognition reform being blocked at Westminster and slow progress on the misogyny bill, and it now looks as if the proposed law to end conversion practices has stalled in this Parliament. That inaction sits against a backdrop of rising prejudice, particularly against trans people, both in our society and in this building. For me, the recent debates have marked an absolute low point in the 25-year history of this Parliament. I urge the cabinet secretary to listen to the LGBTQ+ community and give people the support that they need to live their lives with dignity and respect. Will she ensure that progress is made to end conversion practices by March 2026?”
“Conversion practices that seek to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are harmful and abusive. Both the Scottish and UK Governments have committed to ending harmful conversion practices, and it is right that we explore complementary approaches. That could bring consistency and demonstrate cross-Government and cross-party leadership, and I hope that it sends a clear statement that conversion practices are unacceptable right across the UK. Engagement is on-going, both with ministers and at official level, while we consider the options, but we continue to prepare legislation for introduction to the Scottish Parliament should that be necessary. Mark Ruskell: I appreciate the sentiment of that response from the cabinet secretary, but the LGBTQ+ community in Scotland feels really let down and frustrated.”
“As an example, in 2023, during a state visit to the United Kingdom, the United Nations-appointed independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity commented: “Abusive rhetoric by politicians, the media and social commentators has trickled down to create a culture of increasingly abusive and hateful speech against LGBT persons in the United Kingdom.””
“I will approach today’s debate with a clear statement of fact at the outset. As our amendment states, the Scottish Government stands firmly behind the Equality Act 2010. I take the opportunity at the outset of the debate to say that we all have a duty and responsibility in relation to the language that we use and the conduct that we display today—and, indeed, on all days. Public discussions on equality issues can be polarised and can sometimes include misconceptions. We should be mindful of the negative impact that polarised and sometimes inaccurate public discussion can have on the groups and individuals who are impacted by what we will speak about today.”
“That is why I was pleased to attend the Social Justice and Social Security Committee last week to confirm in law the annual uprating of benefits in line with inflation. In the coming financial year, we will invest £768 million to boost delivery through the affordable housing supply programme, which we estimate will support the delivery of at least 8,000 affordable homes. However, stakeholders, including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, have highlighted that the biggest pressure on household bills is from rising rents. Although the Scottish Government is doing what it can, by introducing measures such as rent controls in the Housing (Scotland) Bill, the Labour UK Government continues to drag its feet on critical measures such as the local housing allowance.”
“The budget is about investing in the people of Scotland and our communities. As many families struggle with the cost of living and soaring energy bills, our budget provides immediate support for day-to-day costs. It commits more than £6.9 billion for benefits expenditure, which is almost £1.3 billion more than the UK Government gives to the Scottish Government for social security. Within that, £644 million of our package of payments is for payments that are available only here in Scotland. That is essential support, such as the Scottish child payment, which puts money directly into the pockets of low-income families. We know how important certainty is in addressing competing household costs.”
“As a result, the Government continues to take immediate action through our budget, with more than £3 billion to tackle poverty and help with the cost of living crisis for households. That package spans a range of support for energy bills, childcare, health and travel, as well as social security payments that are either not available elsewhere in the UK or are more generous here. As the First Minister has said, the budget delivers the things that make the difference to people today, and it lays the foundation for a hopeful future in which Scotland can grow and further prosper. Our interventionist approach to delivery addresses the issues that have a direct and immediate impact, day in and day out, on families in Scotland. That begins with the essentials of food, warm and safe homes, good jobs and money in people’s pockets.”
“Let me be very clear that the Scottish Government will never accept that, and we are urgently calling on the UK Government to scrap those plans ahead of the spring statement later this month. I certainly hope that Labour MSPs and their leader will join me in that call. The Scottish Government’s foremost priority is ending child poverty in Scotland, and I strongly reiterate that commitment today. Poverty limits a child’s opportunity, health and wellbeing, and the on-going cost of living crisis is only worsening the poverty premium that those at the sharpest end face. However, we know that the reality is that the cost of living affects many people—even those on middle incomes—in their daily lives.”
“I welcome the opportunity to open the debate on supporting households with on-going cost of living pressures. As the motion notes, the recent energy price cap hike by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets is the third increase in a row; the price cap is 9.4 per cent, or £159, higher than this time last year. That again emphasises the relevance and importance of such issues to people across Scotland. I will take a moment to add further context for all of us in the chamber. Last week, we read news reports—indeed, there were more again this morning—about the Labour United Kingdom Government’s planned £6 billion cut to welfare spending. That is turbocharged austerity on the backs of some of our most vulnerable constituents.”
“Will the member take an intervention? Craig Hoy: I do not have time, unless I can have the time back, Deputy Presiding Officer.”
“The Government absolutely expects all public bodies to fulfil their obligations under the regulations under the Equality Act 2010. For the benefit of the member, I say once again, the answers are similar because that is our clear expectation. There has been no change in the Government’s policy. As I said in my original answer, we stand firmly behind the 2010 act and the exemptions that are within it. That has been the policy of this Government all along. The Presiding Officer: We are now past the scheduled time for this item of business. I will allow it to continue for a few minutes, but I absolutely must insist on concise questions and responses.”
“Scottish National Party ministers keep trying to ride two horses with regard to single-sex spaces, but they cannot keep reading out the same script that says that sex is protected under the Equality Act 2010 while arguing in the United Kingdom’s highest court that sex does not mean biological sex. My question is: will this SNP Government protect single-sex spaces for biological women in Scotland’s public services—yes or no? Shirley-Anne Somerville: The member refers to another live court case, and, therefore, of course, I will not comment on that. With the greatest respect to Tess White, the reason why the answers from Scottish ministers are the same is that they are based on the legislation that is in place—the Equality Act 2010 and the regulations that I mentioned in my previous answer.”
“Tess White: The EHRC was clear in its correspondence that the Scottish Government— we are talking about the Scottish Government— has a role in ensuring that NHS Scotland and other public bodies are meeting their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010. I am glad that the cabinet secretary says today that it will fulfil its duties. Caroline Lamb is the chief executive of NHS Scotland and sits at the Scottish Government’s top table as director general for health and social care. Failings such as these lead straight to the heart of the Scottish Government.”
“However, in general, as I also made clear in my original answer, ministers are very clear that they stand firmly behind the provisions in the Equality Act 2010 and the exemptions that are contained in it. We absolutely expect public bodies to conduct their policies and procedures in line with the legislation that is in place. As the EHRC said in its letter, it is the statutory regulator for equality in Scotland and it promotes and enforces compliance with the Equality Act 2010. Ministers are, as we always have been, happy to discuss with the commission how the Scottish Government and the commission can help public bodies to comply with their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.”
“Tess White: The equalities regulator wrote to NHS Fife last week, pointing out that, under statutory public sector equality duties, the health board must “assess and review proposed new or revised policies or practices”. The Herald reports today that NHS Fife skipped that vital step when it allowed a trans-identified male doctor to use a female changing room. This is serious. It means that the health board might have failed to comply with its legal obligations to assess the impact of its policies on women. So, let me ask the cabinet secretary a very simple question: does she know how many other national health service institutions are operating this potentially unlawful policy? Shirley-Anne Somerville: As ministers have made clear on a number of occasions, we cannot comment on on-going cases such as the one in NHS Fife.”
“The Scottish Government is considering the letter from the Equality and Human Rights Commission and will, of course, engage with the commission. Under the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012, public authorities are under a duty to assess and review proposed new or revised policies and practices. This Government stands firmly behind the separate and single-sex exemptions that are provided in the 2010 act. Members will be aware that that allows for trans people to be excluded when that is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. Public bodies are responsible for complying with the 2010 act and its regulations.”
“We would wish the UK Government to abolish the two-child limit and to make progress towards an essentials guarantee. However, if the UK Government does not listen to the Scottish Government or to the debates in this Parliament, I suggest that it should listen to the chief executive of the JRF, who said last month that the UK social security system “is not only failing to do its job but, worse, actively pushing some people into deeper poverty, through cruel limits and caps.” The UK Government has the ability to act, but it does not have the will. Scottish Income Tax Rate Resolution 2025-26”
“Does the cabinet secretary agree that that can be attributed to Scotland-specific policies, including those relating to welfare, and that the report must act as a clarion call for the UK Labour Government to work in tandem with the Scottish National Party Government on its efforts to end child poverty, including by abolishing the hugely damaging and pernicious two-child limit? Shirley-Anne Somerville: I agree that the JRF was clear that, “if the rest of the UK were to see the same reduction” as was predicted for Scotland, “800,000 fewer children would be in poverty.” Policies unique to Scotland, such as the Scottish child payment and the baby box, are important parts of our work to eradicate child poverty, and that now includes abolishing the two- child limit.”
“The Government remains absolutely committed to the statutory targets on child poverty, and we will continue to work, within our powers and budgets, to meet them. Elena Whitham: I know that the cabinet secretary agrees with me that no child in a country as prosperous as Scotland should live in poverty. Recent analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation indicated that Scotland will be the only place in the United Kingdom where child poverty will fall over the next five years.”
“Despite our differences on welfare and social security systems, the discussions have been constructive, even under the previous Conservative Government. At this point, I have no concerns that that attitude has changed, but I am sure that I will update the chamber if there is a change. Single-sex Spaces (Public Sector Buildings) 7.”
“Is her overall feeling that Westminster and the DWP are positive about the Scottish Government’s proposals or that they will drag their heels? Is there a deadline by which she will have to say that what is planned will not be possible for 26 April? Shirley-Anne Somerville: I reassure John Mason that we are not anywhere near that stage at the moment. We have had reassurances directly from the Prime Minister to the First Minister and from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to me that they will work constructively with us. The easiest and quickest way to make progress would be for the DWP to remove the two-child cap at source, so that the Scottish Government does not have to mitigate Westminster policies. However, as I said, officials are having constructive discussions.”
“We will invest £3 million in the next financial year to develop systems at pace, but we need the DWP to work with us in order to deliver the work as quickly and as safely as possible. Therefore, I have written three times to the DWP and provided it with a detailed breakdown of our data requirements. Although I have received a welcome response to my first letter, I am still waiting for replies to my follow-up letters. In the meantime, our officials are continuing constructive discussions with the DWP, as has been the case throughout the social security devolution programme. I anticipate continuing to work collaboratively to deliver the payment to families as quickly as we can. John Mason: It is a bit concerning that the cabinet secretary has not had replies to her letters.”
“Children and young people represent the views of their peers in the annual meetings with the Scottish Government Cabinet and the executive team, for example. Policy teams across the Government also support meaningful engagement with children and young people on matters that affect them. My ministers and I endeavour to do that as efficiently and effectively as possible. We are developing a comprehensive UNCRC awareness plan, including a targeted focus on those whose rights are most at risk, and we are co-designing a resource to help children to understand how to access and claim their rights if they feel that they are not being respected. The Deputy Presiding Officer: A number of members want to ask supplementary questions on this matter and others, but I will get to them only if answers are a bit briefer.”
“Does the cabinet secretary agree that, in order to ensure success, be it through legislation, policy or action, children and young people must be at the heart of decision making? What steps is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that children understand their rights and how to access and advocate for them? Shirley-Anne Somerville: I thank Bill Kidd for that important question, which is all about bringing rights to life for our children and young people. On my visits as a constituency MSP and as a minister, I am always impressed by the work that goes on in our schools, for example, to ensure that children understand their rights. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the views of children and young people are a primary consideration in the decisions that affect them, and that is an important part of their rights.”
“We are committed to fostering a proactive culture of everyday accountability for children’s rights and to ensuring that our legislation aligns with UNCRC requirements. That is why we introduced the act, which requires us to publish child rights and wellbeing impact assessments when developing new bills and Scottish statutory instruments. The act also introduces a duty to publish statements of compatibility for most legislation. That demonstrates our commitment to children’s rights, and we look forward to sharing our first children’s rights scheme later this year. The scheme will outline how we plan to give better and further effect to children’s rights. Bill Kidd: I welcome the direction that has been taken.”
“Ash Regan points to a very important life skill that is, and will continue to be, part of that curriculum development. Education Scotland has provided financial education resources, such as “Money Talks: Family Finances”, that cover topic insights, including on bank statements, job opportunities in the finance sector and dealing with unexpected expenditure shocks. Again, I note that Ash Regan is right to point to the importance of prevention as well as helping people in times of crisis. There is an important role for the education sector to play in that, whether through the pupil equity funding that the Scottish Government distributes to headteachers or through the work on financial literacy.”
“Although the Scottish child payment is crucial, we cannot merely react to poverty outcomes: we must change outcomes by breaking the cycle that traps so many families in poverty by going upstream to stop people falling into debt. Education is critical in tackling the scourge of financial exploitation by empowering Scotland’s children with financial literacy from primary school age, so will the Government commit to supporting game-changing financial literacy initiatives, such as those that RedSTART Educate runs in my constituency, to break at its roots the cycle of generational child poverty? Shirley-Anne Somerville: In line with the curriculum improvement cycle, we are updating the curriculum framework to better reflect the place of financial knowledge, skills and attributes that prepare learners for life after school.”
“We are absolutely committed to meeting our statutory child poverty target and will continue to do everything that we can within our powers and budget to deliver the change that is needed. We recognise the importance of financial education in equipping learners with important life skills. That is why financial literacy is embedded in the curriculum in Scotland through numeracy and maths, business studies and personal and social education. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills already engages with Education Scotland on the development of the curriculum to ensure that it meets the needs of learners across the country. Ash Regan: The programme for government prioritises eradicating child poverty, but the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reports that 26 per cent of children in Scotland still live in relative poverty.”
“I wish that we did not have to and that the UK Government had listened to the recommendations on compensation from the report, but while that is not the case, we will continue to do everything that we can. It is disappointing that we have not had a response to the letter that I signed with Scottish Liberal Democrats and Scottish Green Party colleagues asking the Prime Minister to reverse his decision. Because of Clare Haughey’s continuing campaign, the WASPI women’s continuing campaign and the Scottish Government’s continuing support, the matter will not go away, either. I am pleased to say that many members across the parties continue to campaign alongside the WASPI women. Financial Literacy (Children) 4.”
“Before taking power, countless Labour politicians pledged a resolution, yet now they try to gaslight the very same women, claiming that most were aware of the state pension age changes and should not be given compensation. That is certainly not the view that is held by many of the WASPI women who have contacted me over the years. Can the cabinet secretary advise whether she has had any correspondence—other than the cross-party letter that she said she has not had a response to—on any of the issues that have been raised in the chamber about the alleged informing of those women about the changes? Shirley-Anne Somerville: I pay tribute to Clare Haughey for the work that she has done, and will no doubt continue to do, on the issue, particularly by ensuring that members get regular opportunities to meet the WASPI women.”
“The Scottish Government has always supported the WASPI campaign and has repeatedly called on successive UK Governments to compensate the affected women in line with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report recommendations. We have written to the current and previous UK Government on three occasions since that report was released. Most recently, following the debate and unanimous agreement in this Parliament for compensation to be paid, I joined colleagues from the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Scottish Greens in writing to the UK Government. It is disappointing, but perhaps not surprising, that neither Labour nor the Conservatives took up the offer to sign that joint letter. Clare Haughey: The Labour UK Government, like the Tories before it, has failed the WASPI women.”
“I point the member to the progress that has been made on the budget, and to the fact that the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Greens took advantage of having the kinds of meetings that he is suggesting. Those can happen, but it takes two sides. If only Scottish Labour had been part of that process, its members might not be sitting on their hands at stage 3. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will give you a bit of time back, Mr Whitfield. Martin Whitfield: I mean this with the greatest respect, but perhaps therein lies the challenge for those who are in the Government. The challenge is to reach out across the chamber and to work harder to seek consensus. Perhaps then, Scotland will have a Parliament that it can remember and respect. 16:42”
“There is no forward thinking. The budget will not address the fundamental problems that the Scottish Government has stored up for the past 17 years. The other area that I will touch on when it comes to the inability to tackle child poverty, which I mentioned, is local government. The local government budget has increased—which is welcome—but it will not cover the past 10 years’ worth of budget cuts, which amount to a cumulative £6 billion. It is clear that the biggest demonstration in the budget is that the Government has run out of ideas and that we need the new direction that comes with a new Labour Government. 16:12”
“Mark Griffin: In dialogue with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government and ministers, my front-bench colleagues have constructively asked for that funding to be used for the transformation of the public sector in Scotland, not for fixing the problems that the SNP has made for itself in the past. That has been borne out by the reaction to this budget by organisations— Kevin Stewart: Will Mark Griffin give way? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Mr Griffin does not have time at this stage. Mark Griffin: I am in my last minute, and I am told that there is no time in hand. Organisation after organisation, and report after report from Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission, from which we heard this morning at the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, have made it clear that this budget is a short-term fix.”
“Can we get down to how much Mr Griffin’s party asked for during the budget negotiations, and what he did to deliver that? He heard what the First Minister said: if Labour wants to get on board, it needs to come forward with proposals. The door is still open, but we are looking for constructive opportunities, and Mr Griffin is not taking that up. Mark Griffin: We have been clear that the reason that this Government has extra money to spend—£5.2 billion—is because of a Labour Government delivering for Scotland. We expect to see transformation in our public services— [Interruption.] The Deputy Presiding Officer: Listen to the member.”