Monica Lennon
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“The views of clinicians are important, but I was struck by the words of Rhona Baillie OBE—the chief executive of the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice—in a letter to all of us, and I hope that all MSPs have had a chance to read her words. Rhona is a supporter of change, with more than 40 years’ nursing experience.”
“Death is a universal experience, yet it remains a difficult subject. We all approach this debate with a profound desire to live. People who are asking us to support the bill would certainly rather live, but for many of them, that choice has been removed by a terminal diagnosis.”
“I also honour those who shared their most painful moments, so that others might not face a similar lack of choice. In a recent interview, I listened to Lorna Slater, who spoke movingly about her father’s beautiful death in Canada.”
“Assisted dying is not a replacement for palliative care—it is additional. Our views on how healthcare should be in the future must not be used as a cover to deny individual choice today. Whatever our own beliefs and preferences, our decision must be transparent and honest. Vote on this bill, not on one that does not exist.”
“The SNP went into the 2021 election promising universal free school meals for all primary pupils. When in government, the roll-out to all primary 1 to primary 7 children was promised by August 2022, but thousands of children are still waiting, years later.”
“Shirley-Anne Somerville: I am very proud of what the Scottish Government has delivered with the universal provision up to P6, our work to deliver based on Scottish child payment eligibility in P6 and P7, and the work of the pilots in our secondary schools.”
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“Assisted dying is not a replacement for palliative care—it is additional. Our views on how healthcare should be in the future must not be used as a cover to deny individual choice today. Whatever our own beliefs and preferences, our decision must be transparent and honest. Vote on this bill, not on one that does not exist. Our responsibility is not to judge but to provide a compassionate and safe choice for terminally ill people who want to have that choice. Voting for the status quo is not a neutral act. It will deny safeguards, hope and compassion to many. Tonight, I will vote yes for choice, agency and dignity for dying Scots. 20:27”
“The views of clinicians are important, but I was struck by the words of Rhona Baillie OBE—the chief executive of the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice—in a letter to all of us, and I hope that all MSPs have had a chance to read her words. Rhona is a supporter of change, with more than 40 years’ nursing experience. She is advocating for a rights-based approach that is centred on the patient. I am heartened to hear that, should the bill be agreed to, her hospice is adequately prepared to engage with the new legal clinical framework. I have seen the work of our hospice movement at first hand, even walking through fire for Kilbryde hospice. I say to those who argue that this is not the time because our systems are underfunded that they must join me in demanding that hospice- led palliative care no longer relies on bake sales and raffles.”
“I also honour those who shared their most painful moments, so that others might not face a similar lack of choice. In a recent interview, I listened to Lorna Slater, who spoke movingly about her father’s beautiful death in Canada. I know that holding a loved one’s hand at the end is a sacred privilege, but for some, the law makes that peaceful holding of our loved ones impossible. The Scottish Government has confirmed that the bill is within our legislative competence and is deliverable. We have vital clarity that commencement will only happen once employment protections and conscientious objection rights are in place, as well as requirements for training and qualifications.”
“Death is a universal experience, yet it remains a difficult subject. We all approach this debate with a profound desire to live. People who are asking us to support the bill would certainly rather live, but for many of them, that choice has been removed by a terminal diagnosis. I think of my constituent Joanne and her father Robert, a retired firefighter. The unbearable reality of Robert’s terminal illness led him to beg his family to help him die. Too many families have been in that position. Too many people have experienced an agonising death against their wishes, yet it remains taboo—consigned to the too-difficult box. I thank Liam McArthur for creating a respectful space for the stories of dying Scots and his immense capacity to listen.”
“Shirley-Anne Somerville: I am very proud of what the Scottish Government has delivered with the universal provision up to P6, our work to deliver based on Scottish child payment eligibility in P6 and P7, and the work of the pilots in our secondary schools. I am particularly proud that the education secretary has announced this week that school meal debt has been scrapped. That shows that, once again, the Scottish Government is delivering for families across Scotland. We know that times are difficult for them, and we have delivered to help them with that.”
“The SNP went into the 2021 election promising universal free school meals for all primary pupils. When in government, the roll-out to all primary 1 to primary 7 children was promised by August 2022, but thousands of children are still waiting, years later. Does the cabinet secretary agree with the education secretary, who admitted this week that school meal debt is still an issue and a burden that no child or family should face? Does the cabinet secretary accept that the support from the school meal debt fund is a sticking plaster, and can she advise the Parliament when— The Deputy Presiding Officer: That is enough questions. Monica Lennon: —the SNP will fulfil its promise to Scotland’s children? The Deputy Presiding Officer: It is not three, four or five questions: it is one question.”
“Amendment 59 agreed to. Section 24—General interpretative rules Amendment 60 moved—[Graham Simpson]— and agreed to. Amendment 33 moved—[Sue Webber]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 33 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. I call Ariane Burgess for a point of order.”
“I think that I am finally off mute. I apologise. I could not connect. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Lennon. I 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) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) 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) (Ind) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) 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) 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) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (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) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (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) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against 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) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 83, Against 21, Abstentions 0.”
“I move, That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Ecocide (Scotland) Bill. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Edward Mountain to speak on behalf of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. 14:32”
“That report, which was produced by the UK intelligence community, adds to the evidence base for the need to have an apex environmental law. I will probably return to that in more detail in my closing remarks, as I respond to colleagues’ questions about particular suggestions for amendments. Our purpose today is not to resolve every technical detail but to agree on the general principles of the bill, so that we may proceed to stage 2. The committee’s main concern is time, not principle. I reassure members that the work to address concerns is well under way, for which I am extremely grateful to the cabinet secretary, her officials and the Parliament’s non-Government bills unit. To allow that work to continue at pace tomorrow, we can say yes today and take this urgent step towards preventing environmental destruction for generations to come.”
“It is not designed to target businesses that are operating responsibly under current regulations or to impact planning decisions. Members should think of it as a regulatory pyramid, with ecocide law overarching at the top. Secondly, on the existing law that we have in Scotland, some people have asked whether we can simply amend the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. I do not believe that that is sufficient. The 2014 act deals with strict liability, but ecocide requires a stand-alone crime with a high threshold and corresponding penalties. Last month, the United Kingdom Government published a national security assessment that identified ecosystem collapse as a direct threat to security and prosperity.”
“We are committed to consulting key stakeholders to ensure that their expertise fully informs stage 2. I turn to the offence. The bill defines ecocide as causing “severe environmental harm” that is either reckless or intentional. Severe harm means harm that is either widespread or long-term. Critically, the bill allows for both individuals and organisations to be convicted. Penalties are significant: individuals could face up to 20 years in prison, and, for organisations, there is no limit on fines. Furthermore, the courts will be empowered to require compensation to repair or mitigate the damage caused. I want to be clear on two points that were raised during scrutiny. First, on permits, I note that the bill would not criminalise legitimate licensed activities.”
“This year, 2026, is the year of green activity, an initiative that was recently launched by Unison to underscore the movement of workers who demand greener and safeguarded workplaces and communities to live in. Today is the culmination of stage 1 scrutiny. I thank the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee and the other committees involved for their diligent work. I am encouraged by the cross- party support for strengthening environmental law, and I warmly welcome the Scottish Government’s support for the general principles of the bill. I acknowledge the committee’s concerns regarding the limited time that is left in this parliamentary session. To that end, my bill officials and I have been working intensively with the Scottish Government to draft amendments that address the themes that were raised during the evidence sessions.”
“There is a growing international recognition that existing laws are insufficient to protect our planet. The bill has received wide-ranging support from the public, businesses, workers and experts, echoing a trend that has been seen in Belgium, in France and far beyond. I am deeply inspired by the work of Polly Higgins, the late Scottish lawyer and environmentalist. Polly understood that, to protect nature, we must change the rules. By criminalising ecocide, Scotland would show solidarity with those nations that are most affected by climate change and biodiversity loss. As Polly once said, it is a “simple law to protect the Earth”. I agree. It is a necessary guardrail for our fragile planet, not just globally but locally.”
“I begin by declaring a financial interest, which is listed in my entry in the register of interests: I have received in-kind support from Stop Ecocide International. Today, we have a historic opportunity to join a global movement and take the first step towards introducing ecocide law in Scotland. The bill recognises a simple truth: the most egregious acts of environmental destruction must be treated as the serious crimes that they are. Scotland must be more ambitious. The aim of the bill is to prevent mass environmental destruction by introducing severe penalties, including a new offence under criminal law. That is a deterrent that is designed to change corporate culture and to send an unmistakable signal that Scotland values our nature above illegal profit.”
“When I became a South Lanarkshire councillor in 2012, Robert Brown was the first person to say hello and greet me as a fellow councillor, and we used to sit together on the licensing committee. I was pleased to see Councillor Brown expertly chair the AGM a few months ago. I know that he is completely dedicated, as are all the committee members. A big thank you to all the volunteers, everyone who is sponsoring events and local businesses. I hope that everyone has a good time, and I look forward to hearing whether the cabinet secretary will partake in any of the events. 13:12”
“When I went along to the annual general meeting of Rutherglen 900 last year, I was pleased to see some former town planning colleagues of mine who live locally. They are very active on the heritage side and in bringing together the volunteers. Clare Haughey: I thank Monica Lennon for giving me the opportunity to put on record our joint thanks and the community’s thanks to Robert Brown, formerly of the Scottish Parliament, who chaired the Rutherglen 900 committee, and all the other committee members, who have worked hard over the past year. I hope that Monica Lennon will share my congratulations to them. Monica Lennon: Absolutely, and if I had stuck to my speaking notes, Councillor Robert Brown would have been one of the first people I would have mentioned.”
“It is a chance to bring people together for a happy occasion. Whether you are from Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow or beyond, this is a cause for national celebration. Rutherglen is a community with a deep, enduring place in our national story. I hope that everyone will feel welcome to come to Rutherglen to take part in these events or just to discover Rutherglen for the first time. Members have mentioned some of the fantastic organisations that are at the heart of Rutherglen 900, including the Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust. I wish a fond farewell to Brendan Rooney, the chief executive, who is retiring. Bob Doris also mentioned Camglen Radio and Rutherglen Heritage Society.”
“Efforts have also been made to capture the oral history of Rutherglen through the time capsules and the oral history podcast, an episode of which Michael Shanks, the local MP, recorded at Burgh primary school in the past few weeks. All those things will help to ensure that the stories that we tell one another will be safely passed on to the next generation. It is a pity that we will not see Bob Doris partake in some Irish dancing, but you never know. If the organisers are listening—[Interruption.] The cabinet secretary agrees. It is not too late to add that to the programme. We often discuss challenges and difficult issues in the chamber, but this is an opportunity to think about all the things that make our communities vibrant, all the great work that goes on and all the unsung heroes.”
“Rutherglen 900 is a grass-roots endeavour, although funding and support are being provided by Clyde Gateway, South Lanarkshire Council, local businesses and—I hope—the Scottish Government. I am sure that the cabinet secretary will be most welcome at all the events. In particular, the book festival jumps out at me. As Annie Wells and Clare Haughey have said, the events celebrate Rutherglen’s past and retell it for a new generation. The involvement of children and young people, especially through the schools, means that the project will have a lasting legacy. It is not simply a case of coming along to some events and then moving on. The educational work that is being done is striking.”
“I congratulate Clare Haughey on securing the debate. It has been lovely to hear the contributions so far. Everyone has been so enthusiastic about Rutherglen and the many things that it is famous for. The longer you sit here, the more likely you are to think of something else that is worth mentioning. I will add to the list the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, which was founded in Rutherglen. In recent months, there was a wonderful mass in St Columbkille’s church in Rutherglen to celebrate SCIAF’s anniversary. That is another reason to celebrate the wonderful town that is Rutherglen. Of course, 2026 is the year of Rutherglen. The calendar of events and projects that Rutherglen 900 has pulled together is a testament to its communities.”
“Motion moved, That, under Rule 8.14.3, the debate be extended by up to 30 minutes.—[Fulton MacGregor] Motion agreed to. 17:47”
“We need to look at the chronic staffing shortages that leave families feeling left behind and abandoned. Adult care, in particular, appears to be totally unacceptable. We need accountability. We need dedicated metabolic dieticians and a commitment to those new technologies. We cannot allow the clock to tick backwards. Mags and Carys and many others have fought for long enough, and we need to make sure that we have PKU services for everyone in Scotland that we can all be proud of. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Before calling the next speaker, to allow all those who want to participate in the debate a chance to do so, I am minded to accept a motion without notice, under rule 8.14.3, to extend the debate by up to 30 minutes.”
“In those trials, nearly 73 per cent of participants saw a significant reduction in blood phenylalanine— again, from my pronunciation, members will be able to tell that I am not a clinician—and some were even able to double or triple their daily protein intake. For a PKU patient, that is the difference between a life of medical formula and the ability to eat a more normal meal. However, innovation is no use if it does not reach the patient. Carys was able to trial sepiapterin only because her mum would not let the issue go. Even then, Carys was at only half the European guideline dosage. I ask the minister to take a look at why, in Scotland, we are seeing patients receiving treatment that goes against international guidelines and the standards that are set across the rest of the UK.”
“To see those services erode to the point at which she believes that we have “gone back 30 years” is simply heartbreaking, so we need to get a response to that. The motion highlights two game changers: home blood monitoring and sepiapterin—I have probably not said that properly. Currently, patients use dry blood spots. They have to prick their finger, mail a card to a lab and then wait days for a result. That is like a person with diabetes having to wait a week to know their blood sugar level. That would not be acceptable. New trials of point-of- care devices allow for results in under 30 minutes via a smartphone app. That does not just provide data; it provides freedom and the ability to make real-time dietary adjustments. Likewise, the APHENITY phase 3 trials for sepiapterin have shown incredible promise.”
“Their bravery in sharing the realities of their lived experience is what drives policy change. It was a pleasure to meet them all—I can see some of those faces in the public gallery. I mention Mags Lappin from my home town of Blantyre. Mags first contacted me a few years ago to tell me about the condition and her daughter Carys. Carys is an adult, so Mags has a lot of experience. She is a tireless campaigner, but she should not have to be. Parents and caregivers are exhausted. What has struck me, and what I want the minister to take from my contribution, is that Mags has an adult daughter and she describes the current state of Scottish clinical services for adult PKU patients as “frightening”. In her own words, Mags has witnessed a “demise” in care. She recalls a time when Glasgow had a world-class metabolic team.”
“I thank Fulton MacGregor for securing the debate, and I thank the colleagues who have taken part. It is important that the voices of the PKU community are heard in the Scottish Parliament. As we have heard, PKU is a rare inherited metabolic condition that demands an extraordinary level of discipline. It is a relentless 24/7 commitment to a diet that is so restrictive that most of us would struggle for even a single day, never mind a lifetime. Yet, for the PKU community, that is a necessity to prevent irreversible neurological damage. I join colleagues in paying tribute to the National Society for Phenylketonuria. Its advocacy is the reason why we are here. I also thank the individuals and families who attended the recent drop-in event, which was excellent.”
“We will increase the SFRS capital budget to £48.4 million to ensure that it can develop its asset base across property, fleet, operational equipment, and information and communications technology. The continued resource and capital investment will support the SFRS in its ambition, through its strategic service review programme, to better align resources with current and future risks and to continue to keep our communities safe, for which I thank the service.”
“Scotland’s firefighters are demanding urgent funding to end the SNP’s decade of dangerous underinvestment, which has cut one in six firefighters since 2013—that is 1,250 posts—and delivered a real-terms reduction of £84 million in the fire and rescue resource budget. Will the cabinet secretary explain why her budget does not reverse those cuts and why it fails to fix the £800 million maintenance backlog relating to our fire stations, equipment and ageing vehicles, which are vital to protecting Scotland’s people, environment and infrastructure against fire, flood and storms? Shona Robison: We have allocated almost £436 million to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in 2026-27—an uplift of 5.4 per cent.”
“I put on the record my support for the petition that went to the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee and the motion that we are debating today. I hope that we can all work together to work with the Scottish Government to get the change that we all want to see. 13:23”
“In preparing for the debate, I noticed that, just in December 2025, there was a big conference in Lancashire that brought together key stakeholders to shine a spotlight on non-fatal strangulation. Ministers may know about that conference, but if the cabinet secretary does not, it may be something to look into. It would be good to see something like that happen in Scotland, if nothing is already planned. What public health messages can we get out there? EmilyTest’s mission is to ensure that no other student ends up in Emily’s shoes. That mission sits in my heart today as we bring our debate to a close and before we hear from the cabinet secretary. We can look at the data and the legal arguments, but we know that it is the human stories that have an impact and change behaviours.”
“Fiona and I met to discuss the work of EmilyTest at South Lanarkshire College, which is another institution in my parliamentary region. Knowing that that discussion is happening in our colleges and universities gives us extra peace of mind. However, we need to do much more. I think that we would all recognise that this issue is not down to one minister, one department or one agency. Just as we are showing cross-party working in the Parliament today, there needs to be a partnership approach. I will not talk about the worrying statistics, because those have already been covered. However, I was alarmed to read in the report from the Institute for Addressing Strangulation that the most common age at which respondents report first starting to strangle others or being strangled is 18 to 20.”
“We need action to reduce such violence, to prevent harm and, as we have heard powerfully today from so many colleagues, to save lives. We stand here today with more research and knowledge than ever before. I am grateful that the research that other members have touched on covers multiple international jurisdictions, so we are not looking at just a Scottish or UK context. Like my colleagues, I pay tribute to Fiona Drouet—who is courageously with us today in the gallery—and to EmilyTest for the organisation’s fantastic work across the spectrum of gender- based violence, which we must tackle. I say that not just as a politician but as a mother who can now sleep a little better at night knowing that my daughter is studying in an institution that is fully signed up to the EmilyTest charter.”
“I thank Claire Baker for securing this important debate and I thank all colleagues for their contributions—in particular, Tess White and Michelle Thomson, who have worked on a cross- party basis to combat violence against women and girls, a subject that is close to my own heart and which I know is important to all of us. In today’s debate, I add my voice in support of the calls for the creation of a stand-alone offence of non-fatal strangulation. We cannot ignore the growing trend of sexual strangulation that is being normalised to a large extent by pornography and harmful so-called influencers, who are taking us backwards in society in so many respects. We cannot ignore that, because there is a link between intimate partner homicides and non-fatal strangulation.”
“To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the recent Educational Institute of Scotland findings that young people with additional support needs are being let down, and teachers are experiencing stress due to inadequate resourcing, in light of the reported reduction of nearly 20 per cent in specialist ASN staff since 2010, despite a rise of over 710 per cent in the number of pupils requiring such support since 2007. (S6F-04540)”
“We need everyone, including retailers, to be responsible. However, I would like to hear from the minister today on the point about policing, because I feel that the big issue is a lack of enforcement. I will leave that point with the minister. 18:24”
“We all understand that, with regard to young people and children, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 14 to ride an e-bike in Scotland, and privately owned e-scooters cannot be used legally on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes or other public spaces. We want our pavements, streets and communities to be safe for everyone. In the wrong hands, used in the wrong place, these e-scooters and e-bikes can be dangerous weapons. I am not trying to ruin the spirit of Christmas, but I know that parents are under real pressure to buy these e-scooters for their children. I was recently upgrading my mobile phone in a local electrical store in Hamilton that sells household goods as well, and the minute you walk in the door, there is an array of e-scooters in front of you, and parents feel real pressure.”
“I hear what Liam Kerr says about his party’s response on these matters, but Anas Sarwar has very recently made it clear that the issue has to be a higher priority, and Scottish Labour has set out our plans on resourcing our police and making sure that we have clarity about community policing in every ward. I think that that is what the public wish to hear. Liam Kerr: Monica Lennon might also be very interested in my justice paper. Would she like me to send it over after the debate? Monica Lennon: I am always looking for bedtime reading, particularly when I am struggling to get to sleep at night. [Laughter.] Liam Kerr knows how to get the paper to me. Those serious points are well made.”
“I am not asserting that those incidents are actually recorded anywhere, but one man told me that his wife was almost knocked over by an e-scooter on the street, and he has a very young grandchild. They are very concerned about the issue. There is a wider point about policing. I think that people want more visibility from the police, and they want to know who is in their community policing team. With regard to resources for police officers, we need to ensure that our police are safely equipped to deal with these matters. I understand that if there is an incident involving an e-scooter or an e-bike, the police need to respond to that in a safe manner.”
“I was concerned to read that, between May and October this year, more than 30 children required emergency care at the Royal hospital for children—that is an increase from four cases in the same period last year. Mark Lilley, who is the major trauma co- ordinator at the hospital, said: “We know eScooters are popular and may feature on many Christmas wish lists, but the risks are significant.” Some of the injuries that have been sustained by children aged between seven and 14 include “major head trauma, broken femurs, chest injuries, and severe lacerations.” Those are really serious matters. In the conversations that I have had locally, people describe near misses.”
“I thank Sue Webber for securing the debate and raising the important issues that her motion highlights. It is good to hear cross-party agreement from Clare Adamson and Liam Kerr, who I know both campaign on issues of community and public safety. I want to speak in the debate because the issue of e-scooters has been coming up a lot in my local communities. It has been raised by local constituents—last week, it was raised by some local postal workers, who were almost victims of e- scooters at the hands of very young children. They described a situation where it was quite dark and the postie was nearly knocked off his feet. For me, it is a matter of community safety and public health. We have very recently had some stark warnings from Police Scotland and from medics at the Royal hospital for children in Glasgow.”
“I hope that the minister will hear tonight that, across the Parliament, there are MSPs who are willing to help her with that work and who will raise the issue with her and colleagues to ensure that it is a priority. We need to leave the chamber tonight knowing that the Government has a plan and that people will be able to find some reasons to be hopeful. 19:20”
“We also need to support the workforce, who are often at the sharp end of the situation, which has an impact on their mental health as well. I would be interested to hear from the minister tonight what work is being done on workforce planning. I will reinforce some points that have been made in the debate. It is clear to me that we need an urgent plan from the Government to address and reduce waiting times. We need investment in distributed service models, so that care is not concentrated only at the Sandyford clinic—as Mercedes Villalba said, people need to access healthcare in their own communities. We must address staffing shortages and training gaps. On the current strategy, there have been multiple health secretaries and many different health ministers, and we cannot keep passing the issue on to the next person.”
“I share colleagues’ fear that, when people are told that the best estimate of the wait for their first appointment is 80 years—an entire lifetime— they will lose hope and there will be an impact on their mental health. It is important that we remember the human stories behind the statistics. I will not name constituents or people who have been in touch with me, in order to respect their privacy and dignity. However, when we hear people say that they feel that they are being tortured, that they cannot cope with the menstruation that they experience every month, that there is no support and that they have to access the internet and the dark web to get hormones and medication without medical supervision, that is not okay. We need to think about the safety of people right across Scotland.”
“We are here collectively to appeal to the Scottish Government to do something. In my view, the actions that people and organisations, including the Equality Network, are calling for are within the gift of the Scottish Government. We need to look to every health board in Scotland and ask them to step up. There needs to be some accountability. From the statistics in front of me, I can see that around one in five referrals to the Sandyford clinic involves a person from Lanarkshire—my community. What is NHS Lanarkshire doing? I know that the Scottish Government made additional funding available, but that did not lead to any new services and it did not change the outlook.”
“I join colleagues in thanking Patrick Harvie for securing the debate. I also put on record my thanks to Paul McLennan for his recent motion marking trans awareness week and trans day of remembrance. I know that both motions mean a lot to trans and non-binary Scots, their families and their friends. The fact that we are having this debate tonight reminds people that they are not alone. I should not be shocked, but when I consider the data in this area and listen to colleagues discuss the waiting times, I find the situation truly shocking. If the issue that we were debating involved people waiting 80 years for cancer treatment or an appointment for diabetes, heart disease or any other medical issue, it would be on the front page of every paper. There would be an emergency piece of legislation and something would be done.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in discussing Scotland’s draft climate change plan 2026 to 2040 with stakeholders and MSPs. (S6O-05186)”
“I do not think that a task force with representatives from inside the current system will be enough to address all the issues that I have highlighted this afternoon. The one thing that is for sure is that, for the families who are in the gallery today, we must do everything that we can to make changes so that we reduce the possibility of this ever happening again. I move amendment S6M-19512.1, to insert at end: “; notes that, following the downgrading of the consultant- led maternity unit at Caithness General Hospital in 2016, women in Caithness can face a 100 mile trip down the A9 to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to give birth, and calls on the Scottish Government to commission an independent review of maternity services in Caithness.” 15:38”
“[Made a request to intervene.] Willie Rennie: I am sorry, but I am short for time. I do not know how often that happens, but if it happened in the number of cases that I have heard about, it is far too often. The number of stillbirths in Scotland has dropped quite significantly, but it has plateaued in the past few years. We have not made further progress on the reduction, and we do not have a target like there is in England. We should be aiming to have a target. My final point to the cabinet secretary is that I can understand the pragmatic way in which he is going about this. He believes that the task force is the best way to proceed, but I think that the issues are bigger. We need somebody with authority from outside the system—crudely—to rattle the cage and to make the necessary changes.”
“I recently visited the national training centre in Cambuslang, and firefighters there told me that they have examples of out-of- date kit that cannot be used in emergency situations. There are many concerns about health and safety, and I pay tribute to Mercedes Villalba and Maggie Chapman for the work that they have done on that issue. I ask the minister to please think again. She must not dismiss the Labour motion out of hand because of politics. We cannot go on cutting the service to the bone. It will risk lives. The cuts leave scars campaign tells us that, but tonight I am thinking about that sister—that aunt—who said that her family had been wiped out in a fire. If the minister does not show some political leadership and deal with the reality, I fear for the future. I urge all colleagues to back the motion tonight. 16:39”