Neil Bibby
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“Thanks to Scottish National Party cuts, health and social care partnerships across Scotland face a £0.5 billion gap in their budgets this year.”
“The Presiding Officer: That concludes decision time. Meeting closed at 17:20. 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.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Craig Hoy is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Willie Rennie will fall.”
“Published in Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP All documents are available on the Scottish Parliament website at: www.parliament.scot Information on non-endorsed print suppliers is available here: www.parliament.scot/documents For information on the Scottish Parliament con…”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S7M-00249.5, in the name of Willie Rennie, which seeks to amend motion S7M- 00249, in the name of Jenny Gilruth, on wealth taxation for public services, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The final question is, that motion S7M-00249, in the name of Jenny Gilruth, on wealth taxation for public services, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
The complete record
Every one of 333 lines we hold for Neil Bibby, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 7 of 7.
“The reality is that the common denominator in such situations is SNP mismanagement. The NHS workforce, patients and our constituents deserve better. Our NHS needs a new direction and a proper workforce plan. 15:53”
“I have also spoken to workers at Inverclyde royal hospital, who are deeply concerned about the impact of staffing shortages there. The accident and emergency department does not have enough staff, particularly at night, and the overreliance on agency staff working in the accident and emergency department, who, through no fault of their own, are not familiar with working there, creates what the staff have warned is a dangerous situation. That sticking-plaster approach is simply not good enough. Although staff there have not seen instances of corridor care, they have seen instances of care in ambulance queues, which puts even more pressure on our Ambulance Service. Like their counterparts at the RAH, staff at Inverclyde royal are working extremely hard in difficult circumstances.”
“We heard from Jackie Baillie that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the First Minister had a meeting last week to discuss the NHS but, regrettably, did not invite Unison. Unison reps, who raised concerns about staff morale at the RAH, want to meet the cabinet secretary to discuss the need for a consultation and to keep ward 36 open. I have said repeatedly that the cabinet secretary should attend sporting events when appropriate, but if he has time to attend football matches and intends to stay in post, surely he has time to take the ministerial car to the RAH in Paisley and meet representatives of the staff there who are working on the front line. If it helps, we can call it a boxing match. I look forward to hearing from the cabinet secretary whether he will take time to accept that invitation from NHS staff or duck it.”
“As we heard from Jackie Baillie, that process started while John Swinney was finance secretary, and now John Swinney as First Minister plans for a further 22 beds to be cut at the RAH in Paisley, with the proposed closure of ward 36 for older adults. That is despite the views of nearly 6,000 local people who signed a petition opposing the closure of that important ward. Serious concerns about the impact that that will have on patients and the pressure that it will put on the wider hospital have been raised and, so far, ignored. There should be a full public consultation, but there has not been any, and the health board is pressing ahead with its controversial plans. Unison reps at the RAH tell me that they want to work in partnership, but not on the closure of that ward. The Scottish Government therefore needs to intervene.”
“It is clear that despite the very best efforts of our staff, our NHS is in crisis, is inefficient and, on too many occasions, is failing to get the basics right for patients. One of those key basics is having enough beds. It is no wonder—although it is shocking—that people are being treated in corridors when the SNP has significantly reduced the number of beds over time. Compared with 2012, there are nearly 100 fewer beds at the Royal Alexandra hospital in Paisley, which is a reduction of nearly one in eight. The Vale of Leven hospital has had one in eight beds cut during that time, too. Over the past decade, more than 60 beds have been lost at Inverclyde royal hospital, which is a cut of almost one in six beds.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of the motion in the name of Jackie Baillie, which calls on the Scottish Government to urgently bring forward a 10-year health and social care workforce plan. As Jackie Baillie said, we will not solve the crisis in our NHS if we do not solve the staffing crisis that is affecting patient care. As Alex Cole-Hamilton and Carol Mochan said, we are reminded by our constituents every day of the impact that the crisis is having on them. Just this week, I was contacted by a concerned and terrified constituent who will have to wait three to four weeks just for results to be sent to their GP from an urgent X-ray appointment. Such situations induce even greater anxiety in patients. That is just one of the countless stories that I hear from my constituents day in, day out.”
“I look forward to answering his questions in more detail, and I hope that he will be as enthused as I am about what will be, I believe, a foundational change to the funding of cultural and arts organisations across Scotland. Cultural Venues and Theatres (Lothian) 3.”
“Cultural organisations in rural areas, like those in urban areas, are awaiting Creative Scotland’s multiyear funding decisions. Given what the cabinet secretary has said about increased funding for the culture sector, is he confident that all the cultural organisations that are currently in receipt of Scottish Government funding will not lose that funding by the time that he gives his statement to the Parliament tomorrow, and that those organisations will not be left, in effect, on standstill funding? Angus Robertson: I thank Neil Bibby for inviting me to pre-announce both Creative Scotland’s announcement, which is to be made at 10:30 tomorrow morning, and my statement, which will also take place tomorrow. He will understand that it is not appropriate for me to give any indications about those statements.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill be passed. The Presiding Officer: The Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill is passed. [Applause.] Meeting closed at 18:16. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit. Published in Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP All documents are available on the Scottish Parliament website at: www.parliament.scot Information on non-endorsed print suppliers is available here: www.parliament.scot/documents For information on the Scottish Parliament contact Public Information on: Telephone: 0131 348 5000 Textphone: 0800 092 7100 Email: sp.info@parliament.scot”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Bibby. We will ensure that that is recorded. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) 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) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) 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) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (Con) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Gillian Mackay] Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) 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] 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) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McKelvie, Christina (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] 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) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) 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) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-16120, in the name of Christine Grahame, on the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill at stage 3, is: For 114, Against 0, Abstentions 0.”
“We should not just assume that the legacy of Burns will live on for future generations. His writings have shaped our history and the Scotland that we live in today, and that is why we must work together to support organisations such as Robert Burns Ellisland museum and farm, and our Burns clubs, to ensure that our schools and our young people have available to them every possible avenue by which to learn about one of Scotland’s greatest sons. 17:55”
“It has angered many who believe that it is wrong that, while our very own people’s poet is recognised internationally, he is sadly less so now by the Scottish Qualifications Authority in his own country. Graham Bell, the chairman of the Castle Douglas Burns club—who has already been mentioned—told me that the decision is “very disappointing”, and commented that Burns’s “values and humanity are things that this modern world needs reminding of and schools are the perfect place.” Marilyn Rowan, who is a committee member of the St Andrews Burns Club, told me: “To say that we, as members of the St Andrews Burns Club, are extremely disappointed with this change to the curriculum, is a gross understatement.” Burns famously wrote: “There is no such uncertainty is a sure thing”.”
“I raised the matter with the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture at the constitution committee last week; he has since written to me denying that there has been any downgrade. Burns famously said that “facts are chiels that winna ding”. Well, ding-dong, Deputy Presiding Officer, because one can come to the conclusion that there has been no downgrade only if one ignores the fact that the SQA has made the sad decision to remove Burns as a stand-alone author in the higher English curriculum. The decision has angered many who believe that we should not be cutting away the foundations of Scottish literature, and who believe that it is a slight on Scottish culture.”
“The first secretary of the club was Burns’s fellow poet, Robert Tannahill, who was inspired by Burns to follow in his footsteps. It is vitally important that we continue the legacy of Burns, and the legacy of Tannahill, so that we can inspire young people to learn about our history and get involved in poetry and music. I commend the work that is being done to commemorate Burns in our primary schools, by Burns clubs at home and abroad, and at places such as Alloway cottage, the Burns birthplace museum and Ellisland farm. That work demonstrates the importance of Burns to our culture and heritage. However, as Oliver Mundell said, it was deeply disappointing to hear recently that the Scottish Qualifications Authority has downgraded Burns in the curriculum, citing interest being on the wane in our schools.”
“Those visitor attractions are vitally important. On that note, I join Oliver Mundell and others in praising the important work that Joan McAlpine and her team are doing to progress the Robert Burns Ellisland museum and farm project. Ellisland farm was the first family home of Robert Burns, and it holds significant importance. The project clearly has huge potential, and I wish everyone well with their plans for it. More generally, I know from visiting Dumfries with the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee last year just how important Burns’s legacy is to the whole community. In my own home town of Paisley, we have the Paisley Burns Club, which was founded in January 1805 and is therefore celebrating its 220th anniversary this year.”
“I thank Oliver Mundell for bringing to the chamber this timely debate to celebrate the continued social, cultural and economic importance of Robert Burns. This Saturday, people across Scotland and around the world will celebrate Burns night. It is an opportunity for people to pay tribute to the life and influential work of Robert Burns, Scotland’s most famous and esteemed poet, 266 years after his birth. Like many of us, I fondly remember first learning about Burns as a child in primary school, where I quickly understood his significance to our country. I am pleased that my own children are now learning about our national bard. In November, I was pleased to take them to Alloway cottage, where Burns was born and spent the early years of his childhood, and to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.”
“Mr Gray made the point yesterday that, in answering the question that Mr Bibby posed to him, he was clear that he would need to clarify whether there was, in fact, a note of every meeting. What has been released is not inconsistent with that fact either. We are referring to Mr Gray’s answer to Mr Kerr. He has accepted that he inadvertently set out something that was not the case. He has come to this chamber and he has apologised for that, and I think that most people should accept that.”
“I have said repeatedly that the attendance of ministers at sports events, where appropriate, should be supported by the Government. The issue now is about the conduct of the cabinet secretary, Neil Gray, and his two apologies. As the cabinet secretary referenced yesterday, he told Parliament in an answer to me on 14 November 2024: “I will need to double check, but I believe that officials attended all the events with me and there will be a note available on what was discussed”.—[Official Report, 14 November 2024; c 53.] On what date was the veracity of Mr Gray’s answers to Parliament double checked, and how is that confirmed in civil service records? Jamie Hepburn: In terms of that specific question, we would of course need to revert to Mr Bibby. However, the fundamental point has been made.”
“Can you also confirm that both of those avenues are available to Mr Gray, either to clarify his own remarks or to confirm whether the Government is deliberately withholding information that he stated would be available? The Presiding Officer: Mr Bibby is correct with regard to rules 13.1 and 13.2. If such a request were to be received, I would certainly consider it. Women’s State Pensions (Compensation)”
“My question today is about the apparent inconsistency between what Mr Gray told Parliament and what the Government has published. There is the significant risk of a perception that the cabinet secretary might have misled Parliament, and that situation cannot be allowed to stand. More than two months have passed, but the Official Report has not been updated. Given the amount of time that has passed, it is my view that Mr Gray should therefore give a further statement to explain that glaring inconsistency. Presiding Officer, can you confirm that, under rule 13.1, a member can request a personal statement and that, under rule 13.2, a ministerial statement can be requested?”
“In response to my question, Mr Gray said: “there will be a note available on what was discussed”— [Official Report, 14 November 2024; c 53.] and, in answer to Mr Kerr, he said: “summaries will be available for all the engagements that I have been participating in.”—[Official Report, 14 November 2024; c 57.] However, as we have heard, subsequent freedom of information responses from the Scottish Government have not included summary notes for all the events in question. Attendance by ministers at sports events, where appropriate, should be supported by the Government. I have never questioned that, but the question that I asked in November was about whether the cabinet secretary had followed the correct rules and protocols.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Further to that point of order, I raise a point of order concerning standing order rules 13.1 and 13.2. On 14 November, I asked the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray, to publish minutes showing what issues were discussed for all and not just the majority of the matches that he used the Scottish Government car service to attend.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of children and young people leaving school unable to swim. (S6O-04203)”
“I presume that it is because, after years of uncertainty and standstill funding since 2018—as Creative Scotland reminded us last week—the cabinet secretary believes that the Government finally has something positive to say or, in other words, it has stopped adding to the financial problems that the sector has been facing.”
“Scottish Labour welcomes the debate on valuing and supporting Scotland’s culture sector, because Scottish Labour has consistently supported the sector’s efforts to receive proper funding. We recognise the funding crisis that has engulfed cultural organisations and workers for far too long: indeed, we have used our debating time in Parliament to lead calls for supporting the culture sector and for the Scottish Government to do the right thing and to keep its funding promises. Scotland’s cultural organisations have faced a perfect storm of crises and a constant cycle of promises followed by cuts. People are right to question why we are now having a debate in Government time about support for the culture sector.”
“The partnership with the University of the West of Scotland is an exciting development, and I wish both institutions all the best with it in the future. 17:24”
“It was also fantastic to hear last month that the university is celebrating its highest ever number of sport scholarships, with 37 people receiving tailored support to achieve success in their chosen fields. The partnership with a Scottish premiership side will only enhance a sport department that is already excelling. I am delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate the partnership alongside colleagues today. I do not know whether this is a consequence of the fact that Mr Whittle is no longer doing the training, but it is fair to say that St Mirren is a team that is on the up, having secured European football for the first time in 37 years and consecutive top six finishes in the past two seasons. However, the club’s work off the pitch is equally impressive.”
“Moreover, since 2009, St Mirren has run a free youth programme called street stuff alongside Renfrewshire Council, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Engage Renfrewshire. The activities include multisports gaming, and statistics show that, in the areas visited by the programme, there has been a sustained reduction of up to 65 per cent in youth disorder and antisocial behaviour. Last summer, I had the opportunity to visit the University of the West of Scotland’s Paisley campus with my colleague Alison Taylor MP. We met the principal and vice-chancellor, Professor James Miller, and heard about the institution’s positive impact on Paisley and beyond, and I commend him and his team for their leadership and commitment to the community.”
“I have been pleased to meet St Mirren’s chief operating officer, Keith Lasley, on a number of occasions over the past year, and I commend him and his team for their leadership as well as their commitment to the local community, building on the excellent work of his predecessor and club ambassador, Tony Fitzpatrick. St Mirren is, of course, fan owned, and it is clear that, over the past few years, it has made a real attempt to enhance its connection with the people of Paisley and Renfrewshire. There are many great examples of that. Early last year, I met volunteers including Jim Crawford, Ian McLaren and others at St Mirren park who are part of the buddie bin it campaign, which aims to reduce the club’s carbon footprint by recycling waste and making the stadium lighting as energy efficient as possible.”
“Since the partnership was announced in September, 30 students have been on placement at the club. They have had the opportunity to observe the coaches and staff in action and, as a result, have had direct access to ask questions and learn from professionals at the top of their game. As we have heard, journalism students from the university have been supporting the club’s media activities across the men’s and women’s first teams, as well as the academy teams. That has noticeably improved the club’s capacity and social media reach, as, with the students’ assistance, all teams are able to be covered.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate and thank George Adam for securing it. I also thank the University of the West of Scotland for its helpful briefing ahead of it. As has been said, St Mirren Football Club and the University of the West of Scotland are two of Paisley’s greatest institutions. It is important that we celebrate their efforts in working together, and I join Mr Adam, Mr Whittle and Mr Gibson in congratulating them on this new and exciting partnership, which looks to combine the best aspects of sport and education through understanding and learning. It gives students the best opportunity to fully appreciate how a top-flight professional football team is run and allows St Mirren to fully utilise the university’s significant and valuable expertise to develop as a club.”
“Angus Robertson: As Neil Bibby knows, the Scottish Government budget proposes an increase in support for Screen Scotland, which is Scotland’s national agency that deals with film and television. He will also be aware of the Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting the availability of cinema to communities. Screen Machine has played a leading part in all that. I gently say to colleagues from Opposition parties that there is absolutely zero credibility in turning up to the chamber and saying that one wishes for more to be spent on culture and the arts when—apparently—they are going to abstain when the question comes before the chamber.”
“Many areas in Scotland do not have access to any cinemas at all and rely on the Screen Machine to experience film. The Scottish Government has previously stated that it would consider all options for purchasing a new Screen Machine, because the current one is leased and is not suitable for all locations. In the light of the record funding settlement for the Scottish Government by the new United Kingdom Labour Government, and the fact that the two previous Screen Machines were procured by the previous Labour and Liberal Democrat Scottish Government, what support is the Scottish Government proposing to provide in order to purchase a new Screen Machine?”