Clare Adamson
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“That concludes the debate. I wish members, their staff and everyone else who works on the parliamentary campus a wonderful recess. Meeting closed at 18:10. This is a draft Official Report and is subject to correction between publication and archiving, which will take place no later than 35 working days after the date of the meeting.”
“I am reminded again of my discussion with the family of the man on licence in the community. They reported that there is a broken community payback system and that hours have been wasted by a poorly managed scheme.”
“Home detention as part of a wider set of tools to manage a prison population does work, yet the number of prisoners on home detention curfew is lower now than it was 10 years ago. Between 2016 and 2018, an average of 288 prisoners were on home detention at any one time; during the same period ending in 2025, the average number was 87.”
“I call on the Scottish Government to do what Pauline McNeill described clearly and take the action that is needed to clear the backlog in the justice system. We need to reduce the number of people who are held on remand.”
“He committed an act of violence and punishment is appropriate, but we agree with the Scottish Government that to assume prison is a panacea for all crime is to simplify the most complex of issues. As my colleague from across the chamber emphasised today, the aim of our justice system is twofold: to punish and to rehabilitate.”
“We now move to closing speeches. I call Yi-pee—sorry, Yi-pei—Chou Turvey to speak for up to four minutes. 15:50 Yi-pei Chou Turvey: Do not worry, Deputy Presiding Officer—Yi and pei are both pronounced like EE, the phone company, if that makes it easier to remember.”
The complete record
Every one of 640 lines we hold for Clare Adamson, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 11 of 13.
“Amendment 94 ensures that the provisions applying to appeals to the SSDT include appeals under section 12D(2A) of the 1980 act. Amendments 95 and 96 correct terminologies to make it clear that the power of the SSDT or of the court is to “order the restoration of” the foreign lawyer’s name to the register rather than to carry out the restoration itself. Amendment 97 will ensure that the SSDT has consistent powers to award expenses in relation to all matters that it deals with, including applications for restoration, rather than just complaints and appeals, as is currently provided for. I ask members to support the amendments in my name. I move amendment 92. The Presiding Officer: Does the minister have anything else to add in winding up? Siobhian Brown: No, thank you. Amendment 92 agreed to.”
“Amendment 91 disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: Group 13 is on rolls and registers. Amendment 92, in the name of the minister, is grouped with amendments 94 to 97. Siobhian Brown: Amendment 92 will allow the Law Society to contact a solicitor who was required to complete training before being enrolled to ask whether they plan to complete the training, and, if they do not respond within eight weeks or if they fail to complete the training within six months of entering a training contract, the Law Society may remove the solicitor from the roll. Section 12D of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 was amended at stage 2 to give registered European lawyers the right to appeal to the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal where the Law Society decides not to restore the lawyer to the register.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Adamson. We will ensure that that is recorded. For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 28, Against 87, Abstentions 0.”
“I asked for any documentation and negotiating positions a number of days before the discussions took place, in the run-up to yesterday’s summit, but we received absolutely nothing back—zero—from the UK Government. This is the Government of a party that said that it was in favour of supporting the culture sector and touring artists, and that understood—at least in its rhetoric—that creative Europe is a good thing to be part of. It is therefore a shame that we have a missed opportunity and that the agreement does not deliver on any of those things.”
“I welcome closer integration with our EU neighbours. The EU is the world’s biggest economic bloc and it is critical to our economic and cultural prosperity. Brexit has been an unmitigated disaster, not least for our culture sector and for touring artists. It is, therefore, very disappointing that those areas did not form part of the negotiations. Labour promised change and a reset of the relationship with the Scottish Government. Does the cabinet secretary see any discernible difference between the attitude of the Labour Government and the previous Tory incumbents? Angus Robertson: On that question, sadly, I do not. It took the Scottish Government to raise the culture sector, touring artists and rejoining creative Europe with the UK Government and ask where it was on those issues.”
“During your discussions with the UK Government, has there been any detail about an agreement that was sought involving the potential fisheries arrangements—a policy that is devolved to the Scottish Parliament? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Always speak through the chair. Angus Robertson: I confirm to Clare Adamson and to the Parliament that the United Kingdom Government has had no detailed discussion with the Scottish Government, the Northern Ireland Government or the Welsh Government on that issue, which is, of course, devolved. More than that, the interministerial group that would discuss environment, fish and rural affairs issues has been cancelled the last three times that it was due to meet. The last time, only two hours’ notice was given.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what support is currently available for those experiencing long waiting times for an ADHD assessment. (S6O-04617)”
“I believe that that will be a crucial part of the future of energy security and energy delivery in Scotland, and I welcome everything that the Scottish Government is doing to support the industry and to create proof-of-concept projects that will let us start rolling out hydrogen across many areas of industry and in our homes. I look forward to seeing that work developing in the coming years and contributing to Scotland’s economy. 16:16”
“Although I appreciate that some concerns have been raised, we must explore the opportunities, and that proof of concept is the first stage in looking at how we might be able to roll that out around the country. That has gone from being a concept in 2011 to being delivered in 2025, when we see people using that technology in their homes. The Scottish Government has funded two North Sea energy alliance bilateral Scottish-German research projects to investigate hydrogen pipeline infrastructure between Scotland and Germany.”
“Addressing the climate crisis is both an economic and environmental necessity. Our European allies are pivoting away from reliance on Russian gas in response to Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine, and that threat to energy security is also a reflection of the need to move to sustainable energy sources, as an environmental imperative and an economic strategy. I first became aware of the interest in hydrogen during my first session in Parliament, when I hosted an SGN event. At that point, it was talking about the possibility of using hydrogen in a domestic setting in Scotland. Following the Government’s investment of £32 million in the Fife hydrogen hub for H100 Fife, we have seen the first hydrogen-powered homes being opened by the First Minister in February this year.”
“We need to work across different sectors and different types of sustainable energy generation, and hydrogen will become a more important player. The need for the energy transition is an existential reality for us in Scotland, because the climate crisis is an existential threat. It is depressing that I feel the need to reiterate that point, but anti-scientific sentiment is rife. Bad faith actors are intent on obscuring the reality of climate breakdown, because many perceive it as a threat to their profit margins or political interests. The fact remains that we need to shift to sustainable energy sources. The natural disasters that we have become used to seeing in the news cycle are not natural in the true sense; they are the result of accelerated climate breakdown that is caused by human activity. The science is clear on that.”
“The Scottish Government has implemented funding schemes to kickstart green hydrogen projects across the country, and such projects will be an integral part of the energy mix in the transition to a more sustainable society. Our hydrogen economy is growing rapidly. The Scottish electrolytic hydrogen production market is estimated at 126 terawatt hours. Scotland is one of Europe’s largest offshore renewable energy zones, which makes it ideally placed for large- scale hydrogen projects and inward investment, while also giving us the tools that are required to become a major green hydrogen exporter—we heard earlier about the money that would be involved in that. That critical demand for hydrogen looks set to grow. Let us be clear: hydrogen is not our only green energy market but is part of a mix.”
“Quantum tech, semiconductors, photonics and wireless all have a role to play in healthcare, net zero, communications, financial services and space— you name it. We need to celebrate the work that is going on in Scotland more and recognise just how much research, development and delivery is taking place here. Last month, my colleague Kenny Gibson hosted an event for Scotland’s critical technologies supercluster in which the following sub-sectors were included: photonics, quantum tech, semiconductors, wireless and sensing technologies—and hydrogen. We do not hear enough about that incredible work. In my research for this debate, I found that the same problem is apparent for hydrogen. I confess that I was not aware of the scale of Scottish hydrogen projects.”
“Today’s debate brings to mind a recurring problem that we have in Scotland—one that I have seen across a number of areas, particularly in science. We do not talk up the incredible scientific developments that are taking place here enough. We are all familiar with the country’s rich scientific and engineering legacy. At the height of the industrial revolution, the prodigious Scots practically invented the modern world, but what about more modern developments? What about the genuinely world-leading research in life sciences, our burgeoning renewables industry, our tech sector and our games ecosystem? I recall a meeting of the cross-party group on science and technology that I chaired that focused on the groundbreaking work in Scotland on quantum tech and semiconductors.”
“That brings the focus of this year’s world asthma day theme into sharp relief: “Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for ALL”. I thank Emma Harper and other members who have contributed to the debate. I hope that it will go some way to raise the importance of the management of asthma among those who watch the debate. 13:05”
“Her mother, Rosamund, understandably could not describe her settlement as a win in that situation, given the unimaginable tragedy that was inflicted on her family, but it puts a stark emphasis on the importance with which policy makers and legislators should treat clean air strategies. Rosamund’s sobering words, after a mammoth legal saga, were that “The fact that in 2024 children continue to die from asthma is not acceptable.” Ella’s death was preventable. Indeed, according to the Global Initiative for Asthma, most of these deaths are preventable. Asthma is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases. It affects more than 260 million people and is responsible for more than 450,000 deaths each year worldwide. Managing the condition and managing attacks is often a matter of basic accessibility to inhaled treatments.”
“Planning proposals around schools and nurseries need to be cognisant of the danger that air pollution presents for children, in particular. Members may remember the awful case of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah. Ella died following an asthma attack in 2013, with an inquest later finding air pollution as a material contribution to her death in London. That was the first time in the UK that air pollution was recognised as a factor in such deaths. The levels of nitrogen dioxide—which Emma Harper talked about—near Ella’s home had exceeded World Health Organization and European Union guidelines.”
“Asthma is a relatively well-understood condition and it is common, but—as Maurice Golden said— that does not mean that it should be treated lightly. As the motion notes, “2023 saw the highest number of asthma deaths recorded in Scotland in over 30 years”. That speaks to the seriousness with which we should all treat the basic checks and the importance of advocacy of the global initiative for asthma and charities such as Asthma and Lung UK. We are taking respiratory health more seriously. Air pollution is now getting much-needed prominence in public policy, and it has been a recurring subject of the cross-party group on accident prevention and safety awareness, which I have the privilege to convene. The group tends to raise it in the context of child safety.”
“I, too, thank Emma Harper for bringing the debate to the chamber, and for her continued dedication to everything about lung health. The subject is timely. Spring brings welcome warmer weather, but increased pollen levels can lead to flare-ups of respiratory issues, including asthma. With asthma being the most common respiratory condition, and given that it affects people of all ages, it is disappointing to hear that only 24 per cent of people who live with asthma report receiving the three basic checks for asthma care. The three checks are an annual review, inhaler technique check and written action plan. If people take one thing away from the debate, I want everyone to know that, if they are living with asthma, they can speak to clinicians, their general practitioner or those in front-line services about the basic checks.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to parents, carers and pupils to help with stress during the exam season. (S6O- 04596)”
“In the circumstances where that has not happened, a specialist neonatal transport— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Ms Adamson, I must ask you to bring your remarks to a close, please, because you are quite a wee bit over your time. Thank you. Clare Adamson: Oh—my apologies, Deputy Presiding Officer. I thank the people who work in the Wishaw neonatal unit, and I look forward to hearing the minister’s response to the queries that Ms Gallacher and I have raised. 18:09”
“The options appraisal happened in 2023, and the recommendations for the new neonatal model of care are underpinned by strong evidence that population outcomes for the most premature and sickest babies are improved by delivery and care in units that look after a critical mass of such babies. Under the new model of care, it is intended that mothers who it is suspected will have an extreme pre-term labour will be transferred before labour—and preferably before giving birth—to the maternity unit at one of the hospitals with intensive care expertise, allowing mother and baby to receive the best care. We know that, practically, that will not always be possible, and reassurance based on other cases is vital.”
“It is a redesign of the system, and Wishaw will be designated as a local neonatal unit, still providing care for neonatal babies. The three proposed neonatal intensive care units in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are units that have already conducted specialist services, including neonatal surgery, which is not available at Wishaw, as it has neither the capacity nor the expertise to facilitate it. The redesign of services will not affect the vast majority of those attending the local prenatal unit at Wishaw. In the example of Wishaw, the changes have been said to apply to a tiny minority of one or two babies per month, who are most at risk and whose survival chances would be improved in one of the three specialist units. All local neonatal units across Scotland will continue to provide that care for babies born later than 27 weeks.”
“Providing reassurance to new parents is critical, too, and in that respect, issues such as overnight accommodation, access to specialist support and certainty that their baby will receive the best possible care will all be crucial to making a success of the new national model. In 2017, the “Best Start” report was published, with recommendations on a new model of neonatal care based on the British Association of Perinatal Medicine’s definitions of levels of care, and proposals to move from the current model of eight neonatal intensive care units to a model of three units, supported by the continuation of the current units. That is important: the three specialist intensive care units are to be supported by the current neonatal units, including the one at Wishaw.”
“I agree with the substantive points about implementation, and the need for assurance and certainty about the way forward. We all want a new model of care to have the very best standards, driven by clinical recommendations that seek the best life chances for babies, including the best chances for the sickest babies and for those for whom an early pre-term birth is predicted. The clinical analysis with which we have all been presented shows that, in order to achieve the best outcomes for the small number of very premature babies, care is best delivered in units that regularly see the most complex cases and have ready access to specialist support services. Without a doubt, the new model must be underpinned by adequate and sustainable funding, as must all our public health services.”
“The care and support offered during an acutely difficult and uncertain time is invaluable to families, so I know why the issue brings up such strong feelings and can be emotive. Nevertheless, we have a responsibility not to add fuel to the fire of that anxiety. We all want the best outcomes for constituents, and for new families at an uncertain time. I know without a doubt that every one of my colleagues, whatever their party affiliation, wants the best for their constituents. As policy makers, however, we have to be guided by the evidence. We cannot ignore the clinical expertise; the Scottish Government cannot do so either, and nor should it. I agree with many of Meghan Gallacher’s points, and I know of her commitment in this area.”
“The birth of a new baby is one of the most exciting times in a family. There is nothing more precious than the birth of a baby, and for parents and families, concerns for safety around that time are huge. As a mother and a step-grandmum, I understand those concerns only too well, and I share the concerns of my constituents in that regard. However, for people who have had to go through the most difficult experience of pre-term birth, when their hope is simply to celebrate a new family member, it must be heartbreaking, and I can only imagine their stress and worry. I am very proud of the record of the team at the neonatal unit in University hospital Wishaw, in my constituency.”
“Let us fight for the stories, voices and people that make Scotland’s creative life vibrant and visible. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Pam Duncan- Glancy will be the final speaker before I ask the cabinet secretary to respond to the debate. 13:17”
“A long- running drama such as “River City” creates the opportunity to develop that talent further and to give people second chances, because we all know that not everyone will be successful with their first chance in the creative industries. We have to give people the ability to develop their talent further and to move on. It is also important to have that conversation and that Scottish voice so that we can see our lives on television. That is something that I keep going on about, and this Parliament should go on about it. I am asking myself what BBC Scotland’s long- term plan is and what its end game is. Is this just another cut of Scottish talent and TV programming, or is there any real commitment to Scottish storytelling? Let us not allow “River City” to be quietly written out of our cultural future.”
“I absolutely agree with everything that Mr Adam has said about snobbery. I once attended a talk by Sergio Casci, a British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards and Palme d’Or nominee. His favourite of the lines that he wrote for “River City” was one that was delivered by Scarlett: “This place smells like a bus full of wet students.” Sergio started his career on “River City”. It should be absolutely clear to everyone that the talent of the people who produce and work on “River City” is world class; we should not judge their contribution to Scotland’s film and TV industry as being anything other than first class. George Adam: I agree whole-heartedly.”
“However, we should not stand back and blame them, without asking the question why inequality is rising. The impact is not equal on everyone. The rich are getting richer, and Labour has chosen to try and balance the books on the backs of the most vulnerable. 15:56”
“Over the past 14 years, the SNP Scottish Government has invested a staggering £1.2 billion in shielding Scots from the worst impacts of Westminster policy through discretionary housing payments, the Scottish welfare fund, money advice services and universal credit Scottish choices. We are investing in programmes that counter the bedroom tax, the benefit cap and the worst of Westminster austerity, and we brought in the Scottish child payment to lift children out of poverty. Now, Labour is choosing to push children into poverty. Is that the limit of its ambition when it is in power? There is another aspect of all this. We may say that getting more people into economic activity would be good. Yes, that would be of benefit to people, who would find independence through the working process.”
“The UK Government cuts spending, there is a reduction in Scotland’s spending and we are just told to lump it. We have almost become numb to the concept of mitigating the worst impacts of Westminster policy decisions, so what real choice do we have? We cannot abandon people to the worst excesses of UK Government austerity, so we have to spend that money, but it comes at a cost to our fixed budget. Labour could end that cycle by taking meaningful actions on policies that are driving people into poverty. Instead, however, it has chosen to cut, cut, cut, just like its Tory predecessors. Labour’s rhetoric treats people with hostility and suspicion, rather than compassion or respect.”
“Evidence from the Citizens Advice network in Scotland shows that disabled people already find that their income is not enough to live on. The proposed reforms will result in a reduction of £5 billion in social security expenditure. In the words of Citizens Advice Scotland, “this will further entrench the disproportionate impact of poverty and destitution on disabled people. It will also result in costs elsewhere: crisis care, NHS, poverty, homelessness.” We have become too used to talking about mitigation in the chamber. I have often talked about it under the guise of devolution. The notion of devolution is about making different policy choices, but some people of the unionist persuasion often make that argument while casually ignoring the impact on Scotland of budgetary decisions made at a UK level.”
“It is about standing up for people who are facing the imposition of poverty by design and by Labour. Are anti-poverty charities scaremongering? Are sick and disabled people who fear for their financial security scaremongering? It bears repeating that the UK Government’s own analysis has shown that its welfare cuts will push 250,000 people into poverty, including 50,000 children. The Resolution Foundation said that the cuts would result in between 800,000 and 1.2 million people losing support of between £4,200 and £6,300 a year by 2029-30. The cuts will fall hard on disabled families. From previous work in this Parliament on the Tories’ welfare reform, we know that it will have a significant impact on single-parent families, many of whom are women.”
“Those cuts will hurt people hard in my Motherwell and Wishaw constituency. I quote: “Partly owing to our industrial heritage, my constituency has relatively high levels of disability and chronic illness— as a result of old injuries from those days—and that has made my community particularly vulnerable to the welfare cuts.” Those are not my words, but the words of Labour MP for Airdrie at the time and now Labour MP for Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke, Pamela Nash. Those words of condemnation of cuts came when George Osborne and the Tories were cutting critical social security support for disabled people. Now that the Labour Party is doing it, many Labour MPs have abandoned their principals and their constituents. I have been accused of scaremongering on the issue, but this is not about scaremongering.”
“I have to say that am a bit incredulous at the lack of humility in the debate this afternoon, given that Labour has said that it is making the cuts because of the ridiculous Liz Truss budget that crashed the economy and left additional black holes that even Labour did not anticipate when it came into power. Let us not dance around it—these welfare reforms are appalling. Shamelessly trying to balance the books on the back of the sick and disabled is just not plausible. To channel Mr Kinnock from a Labour conference debate that I remember well, that is coming from a Labour Government—a Labour Government—that is abandoning the most vulnerable. The strategies and cuts to social security that it used to oppose when the Tories were in charge, Labour now enthusiastically supports. The only change that I see is the final erosion of Labour values.”
“Christina lit up all our lives, and our world will forever be duller without her. [Applause.] 14:43”
“Christina was the first to offer a hand of friendship to support those in need and to give a voice to those who had none. She was the last person who would ever have let anyone down. She had yet more hats: she was an amazing mum, granny, sister, partner, aunt, daughter and friend. All in her and Keith’s lovely blended family adored her. I will always remember a magical summer evening in Dubrovnik in 2019. An orchestra played beside us while we ate dinner. As the “Ode to Joy” finale was echoing round the square, we all stood alongside the many Europeans who were there that night, hands on hearts, tears in our eyes, mourning what we were about to lose. But, of course, it only fired her spirit to fight all the more for our independence, and to have Scotland rightfully back in the family of European nations. So, you have been telt, folks.”
“She was the first person to champion the cause of MND and MND nurses. She was the first committee convener to champion eradicating the scourge of human trafficking. Her outstanding work with the Gypsy Traveller community has also been mentioned, as evidenced by Tommy’s lovely poem that was shared by Jack on his Facebook. She was the first to raise the issues of revenge porn and menopause stigma, and to fight for Clare’s law. She was the first in line at any pride march. She was the first with a boot on the ground as we walked up the hill to protest at Dungavel with the other Lanarkshire lassies. Christina was the first on the dance floor, the tables and, occasionally, the bar at the legendary Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Burns suppers, with her great friend Councillor Lynn Adams. I hope that they are dancing together today.”
“There were a lot of hats in Christina’s life, from the iconic pink berets, bowlers and cowboy hats to the pussy hat that she wore in this chamber. What we forget about that day is how she so powerfully decried Trump and what he was doing in America. Thank you, Martha, for the crafting. My heart goes out to Dionne, Alex, Neil, Marianne and Lindsey; to our shared staff, David and Claire; and to all those who worked with Christina over the years. My heart also goes out to the wider Parliament community and to our staff here, including Kirsty, the barista; Audrey in security; and our mace-bearer, Robert, all of whom were favourites. Christina also had many friends in the consular corps of Edinburgh, and I know that they are hurting today. Christina was the first SNP group trade union liaison in this Parliament.”
“I expect all stakeholders who are involved in this journey to provide me with regular updates, and I give Parliament a commitment in that regard—in whatever shape or form Parliament wishes.”
“I offer my condolences to the families and friends of Katie Allan, William Brown and Jordan Burns, who have been mentioned this afternoon, on the tragic loss of those young people. The cabinet secretary spoke about the detailed conversations and assurances that she has had on enhanced measures in those first crucial 72 hours in custody. Can she provide more detail on how recent actions address some of the recommendations in Sheriff Collins’s determination? Angela Constance: Presiding Officer, I do not want to incur your wrath, so I will not repeat what I have said in previous answers about our work to overhaul the talk to me strategy or some of the work to enhance self-safety through the anti- ligature risk assessment tool that is being developed and will be rolled out.”
“To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish budget 2025-26 will improve local services in Motherwell and Wishaw. (S6O-04488)”
“The relevant legislation has existed since 2003, and only now is the company coming forward with its proposals to impose a fee on leisure and tourism in Scotland. We have a proud history of protecting the rights of people to roam in Scotland, and that should extend to our waterways. I understand that ports need to be maintained, but that comes with a responsibility to provide services, too. I feel that, as the area that is involved is unique and vast, the impact of the proposals will be detrimental to the whole of it. I have holidayed many times in Rothesay and, while we were on holiday, it was always a joy for our family to spot the Waverley whenever we could. It would be absolutely appalling for Scotland if that environment were to change as a result of people deciding not to come to the west of Scotland. 17:35”
“I am a member of the cross-party group on recreational boating and marine tourism as a result of my involvement in the cross-party group on accident prevention and safety awareness. Given the amount of water safety work that we do in those groups, I understand the complexities of Scotland’s waters. We have one of the longest coastlines in Europe, and the nature of that coastline means that the proposed fee area vastly encroaches into our waterways, including Loch Fyne and all the places that are traditionally known to us as areas for leisure boating and where people can access the water. The proposed area covers a whole section of the coastline of the Isle of Arran, and people will not be able to sail round there or around the Isle of Bute, or to Millport, without incurring the fees.”
“All the work that the society still does, now as the Glasgow Humane Society, might not have happened. I have also seen work done with drug and alcohol interventions that involved people building coracles to go on the Clyde. Those interventions often involved work with young people to help them to understand that rivers are a great source of leisure and sporting activity, and are for everyone’s use. To see that use curtailed in the way that is proposed, therefore, is absolutely at odds with Scotland’s tradition of the right to roam. I know that we are talking about waterways, but I ask members to imagine if a charge were suddenly to be imposed on people accessing Glencoe or other hillsides and walking areas across Scotland. There would be outrage, so I absolutely understand why so many people are against the imposition of fees.”
“I grew up virtually on the banks of the Clyde, just beside Strathclyde park, and “Song of the Clyde” was one of the first songs that I remember being taught when I was a youngster. The Clyde was integral to our leisure and to the community in North Lanarkshire, and it borders most of my Motherwell and Wishaw constituency along the south side. Much has been said about what the Clyde has meant to people, and how it belongs to the people. I think that it is worth remembering some of the things I have seen that might be lost if the proposal goes ahead. I think of Mr Savage, who founded the then Clyde Humane Society and volunteered for years, saving people in distress in the Clyde and being there to rescue people who were in trouble, and unfortunately bringing many bodies back when there had been a tragedy in the Clyde.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that local authorities provide co-ordinated support plans for pupils who need extra support. (S6O-04469)”
““It’s hauf like a bird and hauf like a bogle And juist stands in the sun there and bouks Its a wunder its heid disna burst The way it’s aye raxin its chouks Syne it twists its neck like a serpent But canna get oot a richt note For the bubblyjock swallowed the bagpipes And the blether stuck in its throat.” [Applause.] The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Adamson. Indeed, I can also confirm that Matthew Fitt was a somewhat tenacious midfield player for the Mylnes Court Warriors—a passion at the University of Edinburgh in the late 1980s. With that, we move to the open debate. 17:19”