Miles Briggs
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party · Scotland
“Angela Constance: It was always going to be the case that the old hospital would continue to be used while the new hospital was being built, which means that important investment is required in that regard.”
“The Sunday Mail reported on 26 April that ministers had failed to sign off on the business case for the new Monklands hospital prior to the election, so it is important that the cabinet secretary publishes the information that Scottish ministers knew during that period and that she explains why there was no statement to the Parliament bef…”
“I am happy to furnish Mr Briggs with further information about the process. When we deal with any full business case, it is important that that is thoroughly examined and scrutinised, out of respect for those who have compiled it.”
“The Nuclear Industry Association estimates that Scotland’s civil nuclear industry could have supported more than 10,000 jobs if the sector had experienced the same growth as has been evident south of the border, in England. The Scottish Government must reflect on the opportunities that the country will miss out on in years to come.”
“Whatever views members may hold on the nuclear power sector, there should be broad agreement that Torness has been one of the most significant economic and industrial assets that our country has ever had.”
“With the ongoing instability in the middle east and the consequent volatility of global gas prices, households and businesses are vulnerable to price shocks. New nuclear energy would put energy back in our own hands, protect us from fossil fuel price volatility and deliver much-needed energy security.”
The complete record
Every one of 469 lines we hold for Miles Briggs, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 10.
“I am happy to furnish Mr Briggs with further information about the process. When we deal with any full business case, it is important that that is thoroughly examined and scrutinised, out of respect for those who have compiled it. Final decisions are not made until the final business case has been thoroughly scrutinised by the Government, and I hope that Mr Briggs, and other members, will take heart from the fact that I have come here very early in my tenure as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care to put all of that on the record.”
“Angela Constance: It was always going to be the case that the old hospital would continue to be used while the new hospital was being built, which means that important investment is required in that regard. I hope that I may say to Mr Briggs that any commitment to the Monklands replacement project was absent from his party’s manifesto and that he has also been a powerful advocate for the eye pavilion in Edinburgh. The cost of the Monklands project is currently estimated to be £2.1 billion, and there is a risk that the final outturn costs will increase. If I were to allow that to happen, I think that Mr Briggs might be worried about another project that we are committed to. We will deliver for the people of Lanarkshire, but we are also going to deliver for the people of the Lothians and people elsewhere in Scotland.”
“The Sunday Mail reported on 26 April that ministers had failed to sign off on the business case for the new Monklands hospital prior to the election, so it is important that the cabinet secretary publishes the information that Scottish ministers knew during that period and that she explains why there was no statement to the Parliament before the election so that voters would have the opportunity to judge the Government on that. Minutes from NHS Lanarkshire board meetings suggest that any delays to building a new Monklands hospital will cost almost £4 million a month—an estimated £45 million a year—in maintenance. What contingency plans has the cabinet secretary seen that will ensure that there is a plan B if the hospital closes because of any system failure? What are the estimated costs of the delay?”
“I agree with Liam Kerr, and I urge SNP Government ministers to follow the evidence, to pursue informed choices and to acknowledge the need for nuclear to be part of our future energy mix. I thought that more voters would have responded to the issue in the recent election. In five years’ time, Green and SNP members will pay a heavy price for their opposition on what is a key energy issue. 18:33”
“With the ongoing instability in the middle east and the consequent volatility of global gas prices, households and businesses are vulnerable to price shocks. New nuclear energy would put energy back in our own hands, protect us from fossil fuel price volatility and deliver much-needed energy security. As we start this new session of Parliament, we have an opportunity to reflect on the opportunities that our country can realise over the next five years. The Scottish Government must review and end its political opposition to nuclear power so that it can be part of what we should all want—a balanced energy mix that takes account of not only our country’s current energy needs but its future energy needs and the future threats that it faces.”
“The Nuclear Industry Association estimates that Scotland’s civil nuclear industry could have supported more than 10,000 jobs if the sector had experienced the same growth as has been evident south of the border, in England. The Scottish Government must reflect on the opportunities that the country will miss out on in years to come. Nuclear power in Scotland delivers cheaper and cleaner electricity more reliably than any other source. Sadly, the Scottish Government is not taking into consideration those key factors. Political parties can often become entrenched in arguments that are not fit for the times that we live in and that are not appropriate for the science and policy choices that we should be taking for the long term when it comes to safety, sustainability and providing opportunities for our young people.”
“Given that Torness generates about £45 million annually for the East Lothian economy, its closure will hit local contractors, hotels, restaurants, pubs, taxis and shops. As has been said, since operations commenced in 1988, Torness has produced more than 307 terawatts of energy. We need to reflect on that. SNP members have all been sharing on social media the fact that it is Scotland’s energy, but, as we heard last night, it might not be Scotland’s energy—in years to come, we might be reliant on nuclear power produced south of the border. Stephen Kerr and Paul Sweeney made important contributions to the debate. Scotland has led the world in the training and development of nuclear technicians, and we are about to throw all that away.”
“Whatever views members may hold on the nuclear power sector, there should be broad agreement that Torness has been one of the most significant economic and industrial assets that our country has ever had. During the election, I was pleased to meet many residents of Dunbar and East Lothian who have made their careers at Torness and who are hugely proud of the professionalism of the workforce and the plant’s safety record, but there is great concern about the economic impact of ending nuclear power generation at Torness. Torness has been one of the largest employers in East Lothian for decades, with the site providing hundreds of highly skilled jobs. The impact of its closure will be felt not only at Torness but in small and large businesses across the county.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this debate on nuclear power in Scotland, and I congratulate my friend and colleague Liam Kerr on securing it. Like others, I recognise the immense contribution that Torness power station has made not only to East Lothian but to the wider Scottish and UK energy supply sector for almost four decades. When I visited Torness power station last October, I was impressed by the apprentices I met. However, as has been noted, many of them were already looking towards their future careers being south of the border, so we should all reflect on the human cost of switching off nuclear power in Scotland.”
“Careful consideration must be given to the fact that any changes would not necessarily have the impact that Mr Briggs desires. There is an underlying complexity when it comes to NRAC funding, but I am happy to discuss the matter further with him.”
“It has been estimated that, over the past 10 years, NHS Lothian has lost out on more than £200 million of public funding under the Scottish Government’s NHS Scotland resource allocation committee funding formula. Given that the area has the fastest-growing population in the country, that is totally unsustainable. Is the cabinet secretary willing to chair a cross-party meeting to discuss how the situation can be addressed during this session of Parliament? Angela Constance: I am happy to discuss the matter further with Mr Briggs. I believe that we have a meeting arranged in the not-too-distant future. I am aware that a number of factors underpin NRAC funding, just as I am aware of the population growth across the Lothians region, not least in my constituency.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what further assessment it has made of any impact on the environment following the granting of planning consent for the Berwick Bank offshore wind farm, in light of the significant updates and changes to guidance and regulations since consent was granted. (S7O-00057)”
“We need to address the aftercare of affected women in Scotland. I hope that the debate is just the start of our work to ensure that such aftercare is delivered during this parliamentary session. 18:31”
“Delivering the aftercare for life that individuals will need following pre-eclampsia should be the subject of the next campaign and is something that we should all strive for. We must return to the issue of health inequalities. From speaking to constituents, I know that the ability to access testing and other health services continues to be a postcode lottery. I pay tribute to Action on Pre-eclampsia. I printed off its debate briefing from 2020. At that point, APEC wanted to see an end to the postcode lottery when it came to testing, whereby women in Scotland were being unfairly and inequitably deprived of a test that could be life saving. I am concerned that, now, women and babies across Scotland are fighting to access the aftercare. This debate is very welcome, but it is not the end in any way.”
“I am concerned about the many tales and stories that I have heard of individuals who have had a test and got care, but have then not been provided with that lifelong care—after they have had a successful pregnancy, the NHS decides that that is it. People go home, celebrate their baby and get on with life, but the aftercare and the future impact of pre-eclampsia on people’s health is not being taken seriously and the necessary future testing is not being put in place. I did not have time to check, but I do not think that the Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland has done any work on or made recommendations on what such lifelong care should look like. It has taken 10 years for the NHS to get to a place where it is willing to test for pre-eclampsia.”
“Throughout his time as an MSP, he has also advocated for more action and has spoken in every one of the members’ debates on the issue in the Parliament. It is important to put that on record. I pay tribute to and thank Jack Middleton for sharing his personal and family stories. Every new MSP has the opportunity to bring their personal stories to the chamber to ensure that we bring to life the campaigns and issues that we need to act on collectively. The testing that I have mentioned is welcome. It is taking forward early intervention and I hope that it will provide the opportunity to put in place a preventative pathway for pregnant women. However, clearly, the aftercare is not being delivered.”
“I welcome the fact that health boards in Scotland, including my health board in Lothian and NHS Fife—which I think was the first to do this—have implemented the testing from 2024 for pregnant women who are at increased risk of pre-eclampsia. However, I do not think that we are capturing everybody, and, in considering the asks that the member has put to the minister, we need to understand that. We must ensure that the testing captures those who are in their first pregnancies in particular. Nonetheless, I welcome some of the positive progress that has been made by the Government. We need to continue to campaign on the issue and I very much welcome the fact that this is the first members’ business debate of the parliamentary session. I pay tribute to the Presiding Officer.”
“I start by paying tribute to Patricia Gibson for securing the motion for debate and for campaigning on the issue over many years. In 2019, when she was a member of the House of Commons, she secured the first-ever debate in the Parliament on pre-eclampsia. As the Conservative Party health spokesperson at the time, I saw the debate and wanted to ensure that we had the opportunity to debate pre-eclampsia in the chamber. The following year, in March 2020, I secured a members’ debate in Conservative Party time. I put on record that I do not feel that we have necessarily made the progress that we all want to see. In 2016, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended that testing should be made available.”
“It is important to note that, when I was young and growing up in Perthshire, Perth royal infirmary was seen as a university hospital; it was aligned to treatments and it pushed our health service. Nowadays, it feels like our health service is simply trying to keep up. I hope that we will see a change in attitude that once again aligns our health service to our university sector, which will help with many of the Government’s outcomes, especially around economic growth. I will close for the Conservatives later, so I will make some comments on members’ opening or first speeches then. To conclude for now, I hope that this session can genuinely be one in which we work together towards a more sustainable NHS for all of us. We all rely on our NHS, and those of us who are lucky to serve our constituents here need to ensure that it works.”
“In order for the Government to achieve preventative health goals, we will need to look not only at the NHS doing that, but at other providers and our whole system doing it. Education is at the heart of that. We need to look at how we adapt and deploy innovation, including cutting-edge treatments and vaccines, and ensure that those are seen as a strategic investment, rather than a cost. We are lucky, as a country, to have a pipeline of innovation highly aligned to the needs of our Scottish health system. There is enormous potential there. I grew up in Perthshire, and I very much welcome Helen McDade to her position as Reform health spokesperson. I have known Helen for many years, and her advocacy around ME shone today in the chamber.”
“Often, funding is not confirmed for those services until a new financial year has started. That provides complete uncertainty for front-line staff and, more importantly, for vulnerable service users, there is an annual fight to keep the services that they rely on simply to live. We need to look at reforms such as regional commissioning as positive solutions. I hope that the cabinet secretary can investigate that sort of model and look at how it could be taken forward in any reform that the Government is minded to introduce. I also think that we have a great opportunity. All members who will cover the health portfolio over the next five years will stand up and talk about how we need to look towards the preventative health agenda. I pay tribute to my former colleague, Brian Whittle, who used to bring that to the chamber almost weekly.”
“I will touch on a number of aspects where I think reform needs to take place, notably in relation to the third sector. Although, quite rightly, the Scottish Government talks about the importance of the third sector, we look too often at the third sector as a place where we can make cuts. If the Government is looking at where it can make changes and reform the health service, I am concerned that the third sector, as it has always been under the integration joint boards, will be the first point of contact. For example, the Scottish Huntington’s Association provides a nationwide specialist service for families that have been impacted by Huntington’s disease. Statutory funding is typically provided only on a 12-month basis via a patchwork of scores of local funders that have different reporting requirements.”
“The publication of the “Palliative Care Matters for All” strategy is a welcome step forward, with the principle that anyone who needs palliative care should be able to access the best quality support. I welcome the progress on pay parity, for example. I believe that the cabinet secretary now needs to look towards a vision that we should all have for Scotland, by the end of this session, to be the best country in which to access palliative care. I welcome the cabinet secretary’s opening comments in the debate. We should all be able to collectively agree on the establishment of cross- party work with the sector to develop a new funding model for hospices, to ensure that annual public funding keeps pace, and to agree on the need to guarantee that pay parity be maintained throughout this session of the Parliament.”
“I raised the issue in my first speech in the Parliament when I spoke about the love and support that was given to me and my family when my mum died from cancer when I was just seven. We should all celebrate the hospice movement in our country and we should all want to see it improve and grow. The national debate about assisted dying and access to palliative care services, which took place prior to the 2026 elections, resulted in cross-party support in all our party manifestos that were developed for the election. In those manifestos, we looked towards how we would take forward new funding models for the hospice sector and the delivery of palliative care services in each of our communities, in order to support people across our country. I welcome the progress that has been made.”
“I am pleased to lead, once again, for the Scottish Conservatives on health and care. I served in the role between 2016 and 2021 and I relish taking it up again. I have to say that it feels as though not a lot has changed during the time that I did not have this portfolio. From speaking to many health representatives, I know that there is a sense of frustration about the lack of reform. We need to focus on a number of priorities that can make a real difference. The Scottish Conservatives have a number of priorities in this session. I have always been a proud advocate for our wonderful hospice sector, as were colleagues Bob Doris and Marie McNair in the previous session of the Parliament.”
“One of my greatest concerns is the fact that most of my time has been spent as an advocate for patients who, for some— or no—reason, have not been able to access services. New members will find that lobbying for people to access our health service is sometimes one of the hardest aspects of the job. That should not be happening in Scotland today. I hope that the start of this parliamentary session gives us an opportunity to genuinely change that. I thank Neil Gray, because a lot of the work that I did behind the scenes with him was lobbying for constituents to get what they should have been entitled to. I also thank the many health organisations and charities that have reached out to me and I look forward to working with them over this session of the Parliament.”
“I welcome the cabinet secretary to her new role in government, and I look forward to working with her in that role. The cabinet secretary and I, as Lothian MSPs, have worked cross-party during all the time that I have served in Parliament, mostly on health issues. I think that it is important that MSPs, as part of their job, are able to speak to cabinet secretaries about issues. I very much look forward to working with the cabinet secretary on such issues, and I welcome both Maree Todd and Alison Thewliss to the health team as well. I pay tribute to Neil Gray, because health secretary is probably one of the hardest jobs in government. Those of us who have returned to Parliament have, I hope, taken a bit of time to reflect on what we, as MSPs, can do.”
“I move amendment S7M-00208.2, to insert at end: “; recognises that sport should be accessible to all people in Scotland, irrespective of background or personal circumstances; recognises the commitments made to ensure physical education is supported in schools, including swimming lessons, and considers that sport in school and in extracurricular activities is the best way to ensure access for all young people; believes that physical education should reflect the sporting opportunities in local communities and local clubs, and considers that investment in sport should reflect the positive impact that it can have in the health of the nation and attainment in Scotland's schools.””
“They will include para athletics, swimming, track cycling, bowls and power lifting, and also wheelchair basketball. Finally, I take the opportunity—as the minister did—to pay tribute to, and to thank, the more than 3,000 volunteers who are known as the Glasgow 2026 legends. I met many of them when the games were last held in Scotland, when we hosted the diving here in Edinburgh. They really helped to make those games a success—that was so welcome, and I know that they will do the same again. This summer has the potential to truly inspire us all. Scottish Conservatives send our best wishes to all Scotland’s athletes who are competing.”
“Organisers of the schools baton relay invited children and young people to design batons and then relay them between classes or schools to enable them to take part ahead of the games themselves. I hope that, after the games, we will be able to look back at how the sporting stars who will soon become household names across the country inspired our young people, helping to turn a summer of elite sport into opportunities for participation, learning, confidence and wider engagement. The work that is being done to make these games some of the most para inclusive on record is welcome. Glasgow 2026 will feature 47 para sport medal events, making it the largest integrated para sports programme in Commonwealth games history. Para sport will be fully integrated across six of the 10 sports in the 2026 games, which is a really welcome step forward.”
“However, I have been impressed by Glasgow 2026’s organisers and the realistic goals that they have set to date. For example, the Glasgow 2026 schools programme invites every school and youth organisation in Scotland to get inspired, to get active and to get involved as the city prepares to welcome athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations. The programme is designed to be inclusive and accessible, with flexible activities that can be delivered in classrooms, assemblies, playgrounds and youth settings. School and youth leaders can draw on free, ready-to-use learning resources covering different subjects around curriculum areas, from early years to upper secondary.”
“It is telling and important that all the amendments to the motion, including my own, recognise that sport should be accessible to all people in Scotland, irrespective of their backgrounds or personal circumstances, and also recognise the commitments made to ensure that physical education is supported in schools— specifically, as Jackie Baillie outlined, in relation to the manifesto commitments that we all made on swimming. It is important that we see a timetable for how that policy, which has cross-party support, can be implemented. As is always the case when countries host major sporting events, there is concern about overpromising, about legacy, and about how sporting events can deliver a positive impact on the health of a nation.”
“I hope that it will inspire our nation, especially given the pressure that is being placed on Scotland’s men’s football team as it competes in the 2016 FIFA world cup, as well as on our athletes who will compete in the Commonwealth games here at home in July. I am sorry and disappointed that, to date, the Parliament has had little or no opportunity to host an event relating to the Commonwealth games ahead of our summer recess. I hope that that can be urgently corrected and that such an event can be hosted for our athletes, to inform MSPs and our communities about the games and to ensure that, ahead of the opening ceremony, our Parliament has welcomed them here. Glasgow 2026 presents Scotland’s opportunity to turn a landmark summer of international sport into lasting participation, pride and opportunity for communities across our country.”
“I distinctly remember our former colleague Bruce Crawford saying to me, when I was elected 10 years ago, that my five years would fly by and I should ensure that I used my voice in this place to make a difference. I did not believe that those five years would fly by, but they certainly did. Therefore, my advice to any new members who will take it is to make sure that, in this session, they do what they want to do as MSPs for their communities, because that is what we are here for. I wish them all well in that. This debate offers a great opportunity to highlight the cross-party support that exists for the summer of sport that we are all about to enjoy, and how it could make a real difference.”
“This is my first contribution since being returned to serve as a member for the Edinburgh and Lothians East region, so I will start by paying tribute to a number of colleagues who have not been returned. In particular, I thank my former Lothian MSP colleague Sue Webber for her service to my region over the past five years. I also pay tribute to my former colleagues Ash Regan, Martin Whitfield and Angus Robertson for their service to my community. As is the case at the start of every parliamentary session, it has been refreshing and positive to hear new members make their first speeches, and I look forward to hearing more of those this afternoon. I think that it takes new members about six months of being in this building before they start to become cynical, but it is good to hear the positive energy that they bring to our debates.”
“The summer of sport is about much more than a single summer. It is a strategic investment in Scotland’s future. It is about ensuring—”
“As part of the summer of sport, we are also working with the Scottish Football Association to deliver a celebration of football fund that is aligned with the momentous occasion of the FIFA world cup. It will support organisations to use football to drive positive outcomes in communities. We are also delivering a health in the community programme to target those with the lowest activity levels and help them to become and remain active. In Glasgow, the Commonwealth games will be accompanied by a free, family-friendly live site in Kelvingrove park that will bring people together to celebrate sport, watch live action and take part in accessible activities. Together, those activities represent a comprehensive approach that connects inspiration at the elite level with participation at the grass roots.”
“Ultimately, we hope that more children and young people in poverty will access sport regularly. We want to ensure that no child is left behind, no matter where they live or what barriers they face. Of course, achieving that ambition requires more than funding alone. It also requires leadership, collaboration and the dedication of partners across Scotland, and I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been or will be involved in designing and delivering the programme, from local authorities, leisure trusts and governing bodies to coaches, volunteers and community organisations. Work is well under way, with plans continuing to be developed and refined, and I am very much looking forward to seeing the plans in action and visiting projects across the country over the coming months.”
“What unites all those examples is a clear commitment to inclusion, partnership and sustainability. We hope that the summer of sport will lead to an enhancement of the sporting system in a number of ways. We want more children and young people to access local sport, facilitated by the wider partnerships that have been developed through the investment, which will support the transition from summer of sport activities into club and community activity. We hope that the programme will result in more inclusive provision that is facilitated by the inclusive training that will be made available to the delivery workforce across Scotland. I have spoken quite a lot about partnerships, but we expect stronger and more effective partnerships to be formed, leading to better joined- up local delivery.”
“I would be more than happy to pick up those issues with Miles Briggs over the course of this session. They are a passion of mine, and I would be more than happy to work with him to ensure that we are delivering for children in schools. At local authority level, the project that is planned for delivery in Stirling focuses on community provision—on strengthening clubs, developing the workforce and ensuring that activity is available not just during the summer holidays but all year round. In Renfrewshire, there are proposals for a planned focus on co-ordinated local delivery, inclusive programmes, additional support needs provision, the development of young leaders and work to ensure that programmes are shaped by the needs and voices of young people.”
“I welcome some of what the minister has outlined, but does she agree that it is concerning that the percentage of children who engage in one hour of physical activity per day has declined by 8 per cent since 2016? How will those initiatives help to turn that around in the school setting? Maree Todd: The member will be aware that schools are expected to deliver at least two hours of physical education for all primary school pupils, and at least two 50-minute periods of PE for all pupils from secondary 1 to secondary 4, in each school week. Scotland also developed, and has given to the world, the daily mile programme, which encourages 15 minutes of walking, wheeling or running three times a week. There is a huge body of evidence to support the impact not just on physical and mental health but on learning ability in schools.”
“I am sure that he would agree with me that it is important that due process is followed, but I share his frustration and that of those who want progress to be made. I commit to him that we will come back to the chamber as soon as possible to give further detail. The Presiding Officer: I call”
“What the cabinet secretary has had to say is incredibly frustrating. When I raised the matter before we went into the election, the former transport secretary said that she was angry and frustrated that we did not have an opportunity for a decision to be taken. For 10 years, I have been asking different transport secretaries to get on and take a decision. What timetable can we expect for the transport secretary to come back to Parliament? Before summer recess would be ideal. Stephen Flynn: I reiterate the points that I have already made. I understand Mr Briggs’s frustration, but I re-emphasise to him that there were 2,770 objections and that more than 1,200 pieces of evidence were given to the public local inquiry.”
“I, Miles Briggs, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me”
“I hope that this debate has started the action that is needed to deliver a ban and that members in the next session of Parliament will do just that. 13:10”
“We also need to send out a wider message to parents and carers. Based on a number of meetings that I have had, I know that it is not easy to ask young people to put down their phones or to implement a ban, but it is quite clear that Scotland can be world leading on that, as Australia has become. If we understand the negative impact that phone use is having on our young people, we as a Parliament, and councils, need to take action. I hope that there will be cross-party action early in the next session of Parliament. I think that our manifestos will demand that. If we do not do that, the negative impact—as Alex Cole-Hamilton touched on—of this growing public health emergency is absolutely clear.”
“They are delivering great results for the whole school community and, most importantly, young people say that they welcome the fact that they have finally woken up to the wasted time and the negativity that social media brings to their lives. We are also seeing that pilot rolled out across primary schools. However, a ban is not an easy solution. I know that the cabinet secretary will talk about the Education Act 1980 in her closing speech, and we need to understand that if we, as a Parliament, want to send that message about mobile phones, we will have to take the next step. It is therefore important that during the next session of Parliament, we create a bill that clearly defines the understanding that we want a national ban on mobile phones in our classrooms. There should be no more excuses on that.”
“We know of cases in which young people have taken their own lives because of bullying and harassment on their mobile phones, but we also know about the negative impact that phones are having on a wider part of our young people’s development. Statistics now show that young people spend as much time on their devices as they do sleeping. An average 10-year-old will spend more time on their device than on any aspect of their personal development. We need to understand our young people and the time that they are growing up in. I support a ban on mobile phones in schools and believe that we need to implement it urgently. I welcome the work that Scottish Conservative councillors in the City of Edinburgh Council have done to drive the two pilots that have taken place in Portobello and in South Queensferry, which the cabinet secretary has visited.”
“As Audrey Nicoll touched on, we all need to understand the toxic environment that our young people are growing up in, because of the devices that they have in their hands. Yesterday, I attended the launch of Change Mental Health’s manifesto, “Put Kids First”, which is on standing up for Scotland’s next generation. Interestingly, the two key asks of that manifesto are for a ban on mobile phones during the school day and a ban on social media for under-16s. We are all, on a cross-party basis, acutely aware of the negative impact that phones have on our young people. I attended a round table last month to hear the views of parents and carers about the impact that phones are having on their young people.”
“I thank my friend and colleague Pam Gosal for securing the debate and for the work that she has carried out on domestic abuse during the five years that she has served in this session of Parliament, which she should be proud of. I certainly would not like to be a voter in East Dunbartonshire if her team knocked on my door and I told them that I was not voting for Pam. I look forward to her being returned to Parliament. I also pay tribute to Audrey Nicoll for an excellent speech and for her distinguished time as convener of the Criminal Justice Committee. I know how much members from across the Parliament have enjoyed being part of that committee, and her stewardship of it has been central to that.”