Anas Sarwar
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“Before I begin, I join others in condemning the appalling anti-Muslim attack in Edinburgh. No Scot should live in fear and every Scot should live in safety. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and with the wider Muslim community. I put on record my thanks to all the emergency services that responded so quickly and effectively.”
“It says that the “sector faces significant challenges”, that the Government “lacks a clear plan”, that reforms have “not been adequately resourced” and that there is a risk that it “will not achieve the intended outcomes.” In 2022, Audit Scotland concluded that the Scottish National Party Government had “not provided the necessary leaders…”
“Seven months after a national review into maternity services was committed to, Professor Christine McCourt has finally been appointed as its chair. Although that is welcome, more urgency is needed. Earlier this month, Healthcare Improvement Scotland published its report into the Queen Elizabeth university hospital.”
“I put on the record my thanks, and the thanks of the Scottish Labour Party, for the work done by Dorothy Bain KC as Lord Advocate over the past five years. Dorothy Bain is a highly regarded professional who has given dedicated service to her country and her profession, and we thank her for that service.”
“The law must serve the public; it must not serve the convenience of institutions, the comfort of ministers or the interests of those who are already in positions of power.”
“Ruth Charteris is someone whom I like, respect and hold in high regard, as I do her predecessor, and I have no doubt that she will do the job to the best of her ability and to the standard that the people in this country expect.”
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“In my statement, I cited the various improvements that have been made in the performance of the national health service, which have been based on the new funding that the Government has made available. That funding will be more significant in the coming financial year. We are helping the national health service to recover from the impact of the Covid pandemic and delays in treatment. Mr Sarwar managed to breeze his way through that whole question without mentioning the impact of the global pandemic and the disruption that it caused to our healthcare services. On schools, much higher levels of literacy and numeracy have been recorded in our schools, and the attainment gap is at its narrowest in a number of the key aspects of literacy and numeracy assessments that are made.”
“Instead, all that we are left with is sticking plasters to cover and distract from the damage that the SNP has caused. The SNP Government is running down the clock. Next year, Scots will face a choice: a third decade with the SNP or a new direction and new leadership for Scotland. [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear Mr Sarwar. Anas Sarwar: SNP members do not want to hear it, but John Swinney has been at the heart of Government for nearly two decades. How can the man who broke it now pretend that he is the one who can fix it? The First Minister: I will respond to the various issues that Mr Sarwar raised. On the health service, there were increases in in-patient and day-case activity over the 12 months up to December 2024.”
“The statement contains no recognition of the scale of the crisis in the NHS that has been delivered by the SNP, with one in six Scots on a waiting list. Where is the plan to fix that? There is no recognition of the fact that our schools are falling down the league tables, which has been delivered by the SNP. There is no plan to fix that. There is no recognition of the fact that 10,000 children in Scotland are homeless, which has been delivered by the SNP. Where is the plan to fix that? There is no recognition of the billions of pounds of public money that have been wasted, which has been delivered by the SNP. Where is the plan to fix that? The truth is that the SNP has no plan. That is because, after nearly two decades in government, if the SNP had had a good idea, it would have delivered it by now.”
“Is that it? After 18 years in power and what could be John Swinney’s last year in Government, is that the best that he can do? [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear one another. Anas Sarwar: It is embarrassing. Nicola Sturgeon is probably messaging right now to say that it is awful—although it was interesting to see that she turned up to do a press huddle outside the chamber but did not bother to come in for John Swinney’s programme for government. Do not get me wrong. There are some things in the statement that I agree with, especially the bits that he nicked from Scottish Labour. Those are not exactly the borrowing powers that I thought the SNP had in mind. However, the statement fails to meet the challenges and ambitions of the people of Scotland.”
“This week, statistics that have been revealed through freedom of information requests have shown that young Scots are being shockingly failed by the Scottish National Party Government. All over Scotland, children and young people who are at crisis point and in desperate need of mental health support are having to wait not just months, but years, for treatment. One young person in NHS Lothian was forced to wait six years for mental health treatment. That is scandalous. Why, on John Swinney’s watch, are people’s sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, waiting six years to get the treatment that they need?”
“Yesterday, I joined political leaders, faith leaders and representatives of charities at the summit against polarisation and disenfranchisement. As I warned at that summit, this Parliament must not look like some kind of Scottish establishment talking to itself, distant from the realities that Scots face. However, as I feared, what was missing was any reflection on Scottish National Party Government failure and how that drives people towards divisive politics. Why does John Swinney not recognise that, if we are to tackle division and polarisation, we need a Scottish Government that actually delivers for the people?”
“Eternal rest grant unto him. Requiescat in pace. 14:17”
“All of Francis’s actions were driven by his deep Catholic faith, his personal devotion to Our Lady and his spiritual connection with the great peacemaker and ecologist, St Francis of Assisi. He was, in short, a humble labourer in the vineyard of the Lord; a man who spoke to all faiths and none, who broke down barriers and broke bread with all, who opened his heart to the world and who dedicated his life to making our world a better place. We can unite in our deep hope that he now hears the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In these dark and, at times, violent times, it is worth reflecting on how much better and safer our world would be if we all strived to live a little more like Pope Francis. On behalf of the Scottish Labour Party, I put on the record our prayers and our condolences on the passing of the Holy Father.”
“He literally washed the feet of prisoners and those whom society had shunned. Only last week, he was washing the feet of inmates in one of Rome’s largest prisons. He was a constant voice for social justice in our world, standing up for the rights of workers, demanding action on the climate crisis and giving voice to the plight of refugees and the dispossessed worldwide. Pope Francis used his final public address to call once again for peace across our world. He called for a ceasefire in Palestine, the release of hostages and dialogue towards peace. He called out all forms of prejudice and hate and used his final hours to call for justice and peace—yes, in the middle east, but also beyond.”
“From his humble origins in Buenos Aires to the seat of St Peter in Rome, His Holiness never lost sight of what drove him or lost touch with the feelings and realities facing the people he served. Throughout his ministry, Pope Francis dedicated himself to the corporal works of mercy—feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned and burying the dead. In the midst of war and depression in his native Latin America, Pope Francis was a voice for peace and reconciliation. He called again and again for peace in Ukraine, Palestine and Israel, phoning the parish priest in besieged Gaza every single day until the end. As Pope, he threw himself at the feet of warring leaders in South Sudan to beg for peace.”
“On behalf of the Scottish Labour Party, I put on the record our deep sorrow on the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. The death of the Holy Father will come as a source of mourning and reflection for Catholics in Scotland and around the world, but the fact that it came on Easter Monday—the day when Christians reflect on Christ’s conquering of death—will, I am sure, have been a source of solace in what is a trying time. While Pope Francis was loved by Catholics worldwide, he was also deeply respected and loved by people of all faiths and none. I saw that when I attended mass at St Andrew’s metropolitan cathedral in Glasgow yesterday. Pope Francis was not only a remarkable Pope and shepherd of his flock, but a remarkable man.”
“The chamber will know of my long-standing concerns about the leadership and culture at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Today’s Healthcare Improvement Scotland report into emergency departments across Greater Glasgow and Clyde is devastating. Corridor care was normalised, and repeated concerns from front-line accident and emergency staff were ignored. Worse still, staff were bullied and silenced, and patient care was compromised, often with devastating consequences. Does John Swinney think that that is acceptable?”
“I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Christina McKelvie. I know that the pain of her loss will be felt most deeply in the Scottish National Party, but it will also be felt across the Parliament. My thoughts and those of the entire Scottish Labour Party are with Keith Brown, Christina’s wider family, her friends and all her colleagues across the Parliament. She was a dedicated local MSP, and her campaigning on women’s health, particularly as she battled breast cancer herself, brought many of the issues that are too often ignored into the public eye. Although she could be fierce politically, she was also great fun. Across the chamber and, I assure members, across all parties, many have lost a friend. Our deepest condolences go to all her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.”
“Scotland is a country renowned worldwide for its reputation for shipbuilding. For generations, we have been a leader in engineering, manufacturing and craftsmanship. Why, therefore, does John Swinney think that Scotland is not capable of building its own ferries?”
“However, our outdated skills system holds Scotland back, with businesses warning of workforce shortages and modern apprenticeships being at their lowest level in a decade. Does the First Minister accept that we need to build a skills system that is fit for the future, so that we can take full advantage of the investment that is coming to Scotland?”
“Global events are reshaping the world before our eyes. This is a generation-defining moment, and all political parties and both of Scotland’s Governments must adjust to the new reality and rethink previous red lines. That means having a renewed focus on national security—that is, defence, energy and economic security. I support the United Kingdom Labour Government’s decision to increase defence spending, which will not only help to keep us safe, but will deliver more investment and jobs in Scotland. Scotland’s proud history and present- day strengths in shipbuilding, engineering and manufacturing mean that the increase in defence spending can disproportionately benefit us.”
“That is why, as we honour those we lost, we must also renew our commitment to those who are still in need today. Our reflections must be matched with action, so that we learn from the past and build a stronger future. On behalf of the Scottish Labour Party, I commit myself to learning the lessons of the pandemic, restoring our public services and ensuring that we honour everyone who lost their lives with meaningful action. Ahead of the day of reflection, my thoughts and prayers, and those of my entire party, are with all the families who lost a loved one and everyone who was impacted by the pandemic. 14:41”
“For too many families, the pain of losing loved ones without a proper goodbye remains raw. Perhaps most of all, we remember the children who, even today, are still paying the price for lockdown and who, if we do not act with urgency, will be left to bear the scars of two years of missed learning for a lifetime. While we reflect today on the human cost of the pandemic, we cannot pretend that it is just a memory. For too many Scots—young and old— the wounds remain unhealed, the pain remains fresh and the support that was promised has, in some cases, not come. Before the last election, this entire Parliament committed to a national recovery, and we must all ask ourselves whether we are living up to that promise. In remembering the people we lost, we cannot forget our debt to those who live and who contributed so much.”
“People stepped up to support one another, looking after the vulnerable in their neighbourhoods; businesses adapted to support their communities; and, week after week, the public clapped to recognise the incredible dedication of NHS and care workers, who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others. As we reflect on the past five years, we must acknowledge the strength that we showed and the lessons that we must learn. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in our society and placed extraordinary pressure on our public services. Mistakes were made and, too often, people on the front line did not get the support that they needed. Today, we remember not just the emotional and social toll of the pandemic but the challenges that remain for communities that were once thriving but are struggling to recover.”
“Five years ago, our country and our world were turned upside down. After weeks of rising warnings from across the globe, Covid-19 reached Scotland and the UK. We all remember the anxiety and uncertainty of those early days—a country plunged into lockdown overnight, with restrictions on daily life unseen in generations. Yet, in the face of such upheaval, people came together. Sacrifices were made not out of obligation but out of care for family, friends and neighbours. It was a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the kindness that defines our communities. However, the human cost of the pandemic was profound: lives were lost, families were separated and communities faced unimaginable challenges. Amid it all, the spirit of the nation shone through.”
“The First Minister: Mr Sarwar can talk to the Parliament all he wants about his intentions for the years to come—if he gets that opportunity—but in the here and now, when Parliament was faced with deciding whether to fund the NHS to the required level, Mr Sarwar was posted missing. Energy (Heat in Buildings) 3.”
“We are finding difficulty in meeting the 62-day standard, but the median wait is 49 days from urgent suspicion of cancer referral to first treatment. In addition, through the work that is under way, the Government is putting in place provisions to deliver more than 150,000 extra appointments and procedures. In relation to some of the additional sites that we are bringing forward to undertake orthopaedic appointments—which Mr Sarwar asked me about—we expect to be able to deliver more than 2,500 extra procedures in those sites. That is possible only because the Government’s budget has been approved by Parliament and will invest a record amount of money in the national health service. The Presiding Officer: Briefly, please, First Minister.”
“I will declare a waiting times emergency and do whatever it takes to cut waiting lists across the country, so that Scots get the care that they need. Is it not the case that the SNP broke our NHS, but can never be the party to fix it? The First Minister: I think that Mr Sarwar has used that line on me once or twice before, and I dare say that I will hear it a few more times between now and the elections in May 2026. I will try to address the substance of Mr Sarwar’s points. I am concerned about those points, and I will happily look in more detail at the issues that he has raised. On cancer care, under the 31-day standard, 94.3 per cent of patients were treated within 31 days of a decision to treat, with a median wait for treatment of just four days. That is exceptional performance.”
“Based on the data for the first nine months of 2024, Scots have had to pay an estimated £17.6 million of their own money on cataract treatment, £30.8 million of their own money on hip replacements and an estimated £16 million of their own money on knee replacements. Most shocking of all is that Scots have had to pay thousands of pounds of their own money to fund 700 rounds of chemotherapy: Scots have had to pay for cancer care under John Swinney and the SNP. That cannot go on. That is why, as First Minister, I will declare a waiting times emergency. [Interruption.] It is their constituents whom I am talking about, who are having to pay thousands of pounds for care, so SNP members should reflect on why they are groaning.”
“It comes down to their being able to deliver more hip and knee operations, and to undertake more diagnostic activity. The investment that has been made available through the Government’s budget for the next financial year will help us to strengthen delivery through increased numbers of procedures. As Mr Sarwar will know, there has been a significant expansion in waiting lists because of the interruption that was caused by Covid, which disrupted our healthcare services. We are working to recover from that as quickly as we can. I give him my assurance that ministers are entirely focused on that, and that we have put in place the financial support to ensure that we will be able to undertake more procedures than we have been able to undertake in the current financial year. Anas Sarwar: That NHS worker is not alone.”
“She took the difficult decision of withdrawing from her modest pension to pay for a private hip operation. The total cost of that to her was £24,000. That was almost her entire annual salary spent on an operation that should have been free. That is scandalous. Is John Swinney proud that even NHS workers are being forced to pay thousands of pounds of their own money to get the treatment that they need? The First Minister: I do not want that to be the case. I want individuals—particularly those who are in circumstances such as Mr Sarwar has put to me—to be able to access healthcare services when they require them. That is why the health secretary and I are working so intensively with health boards to increase the capacity and capability of health boards around the country to deliver more procedures.”
“The point that Mr Sarwar put to me, in principle, of an NHS being available free at the point of need when people require it, is exactly what I want to deliver for the people of Scotland. Anas Sarwar: I think that that was an admission that the First Minister wants to deliver that, but that it does not exist for patients across the country. The sad truth is that the NHS is not even free and available for all the people who work in it. Let us take the experience of an NHS support worker from the west of Scotland. She has worked in our NHS for 35 years. Due to being increasingly unable to walk because of her hip, she was left hobbling to work on crutches. She faced up to three years on an NHS waiting list and being forced to retire nine years early or paying to go private.”
“I recognise that people are waiting too long for treatment in Scotland today, so the work that the health secretary and I are doing is very focused on reducing waiting list numbers—indeed, that was the subject of a lengthy discussion yesterday between me, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and NHS chief officers from around the country. We are in a position in which progress has been made. Figures that were published in February show a 4 per cent decrease in the total waiting list size for diagnostic tests, which is one illustration of the improvements that are being made. We are determined to focus on further improvements by ensuring that we increase the capacity of the national health service, increase productivity at the local level and are able to meet the needs of the population.”
“The First Minister: First, I thank Mr Sarwar for his generous and kind comments about the birth of my first grandson. I also welcome his characterisation of me as “a young grandfather”. That is the most precious remark, and it is helping me to come to terms with all that is going on in my life just now. His kindness and good wishes are deeply appreciated by my daughter, her husband and Rua—as are those of many other members of the Parliament. I am grateful for them. In relation to the NHS, Mr Sarwar knows from our exchanges that the issue commands my attention and is an absolute priority for me.”
“I start by congratulating the First Minister on the wonderful news that he has become a grandfather. [Applause.] I emphasise that he is a young grandfather. [Laughter.] I am sure that everyone across the chamber sends their best wishes to all his family on the birth of baby Rua. A national health service that is available and free when we need it is the founding principle of our NHS, but under the Scottish National Party, that principle and promise have been broken. Right now, more than 100,000 Scots have been waiting more than a year for hospital treatment, so it is not there when they need it. In the past nine months, more than 36,500 private procedures have been paid for by Scots, so treatment is not free when they need it. Why is the NHS no longer available and free at the point of need under John Swinney and the SNP?”
“There will, of course, be difficult issues that flow from the plans that the Prime Minister has set out, not least the possibility of armed personnel from this country being deployed in Ukraine. That is some way off, as we all know, but it is important that we contemplate and discuss those issues properly, fully and openly as a society with democratic scrutiny, so that we can come to the right conclusions. I fundamentally agree with Mr Sarwar that the future of European democracy is very much in play at this moment. What happens in the course of the next few days, weeks and months will shape much of the future that lies ahead of us, and we have to make sure that we take actions that will protect the democratic values that we have all experienced during our lives and which are so precious in our society today.”
“I welcome the role that the Prime Minister has taken in recent months, weeks and days—particularly intensively in recent days—to try to establish a way through the very challenging situation that we now face. The engagement with European leaders and the leaders of other countries, including the Prime Minister of Canada, has been particularly effective in drawing together a body of opinion that can help to create some of the cohesion that is required to support Ukraine at this particular moment. Those discussions are fundamental to assembling the correct approach, and I have publicly made it very clear that we support the Prime Minister in his endeavours.”
“The Prime Minister is assembling a coalition to find a path that will end the war and ensure that Ukraine’s sovereignty is backed up by strong security guarantees. That means working together for long-term peace in Europe and taking tough decisions, such as prioritising defence spending. Security is the first responsibility of every Government, and all our actions should be guided by the need for peace. Scotland and all of the UK stand alongside Ukraine in its hour of need. We should all recommit to the cause of peace and freedom across Europe and the cause of peace and freedom across the world. Does the First Minister agree that, if the result of that diplomacy and those actions is lasting peace in Europe, it will be worth it? The First Minister: In short, yes.”
“Last week, I, like the First Minister and other party leaders, stood with the Ukrainian community in Scotland to mark the anniversary of the Russian invasion and to commemorate the lives that have been lost. The events of the past week were a defining moment for peace and security in Europe. They require serious grown-up leadership, not Twitter diplomacy. This is an issue of war and peace and of life and death, so politicians should not resort to childish attacks on social media for perceived party interest, but instead prioritise peace and the national interest. Keir Starmer is right to say that he will only take actions that help to achieve peace, not actions to undermine it. That is what should guide all of us. That is why he spent the weekend meeting with President Zelenskyy and the leaders of 18 nations.”
“I join others in welcoming the consul general of Ukraine to the Parliament. I spoke to him just before we came into the chamber, and he emphasised how much it means to the great people of Ukraine to know that they have the resolute support of the people of Scotland and across the United Kingdom. I thank the First Minister for his statement today, which I welcome. No one wanted to see the scenes that unfolded on Friday night at the White House. For three years, Ukraine, led by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has defended itself against the odds. The world has looked on in admiration and respect as the people of Ukraine have heroically stood up to brutal Russian aggression.”
“He said: “The Scottish Government has failed to plan effectively”, and he went on to say that “it is unclear whether all children’s right to have an education that fully develops their personality, talents and abilities is being met.” Is it not the case that Scottish education—once the envy of the world—is going in the wrong direction under the SNP?”
“Almost a decade ago, when John Swinney was education secretary, he said that the defining mission of the Government was education. On Tuesday, it was revealed that, under the Scottish National Party, attainment in Scotland’s schools is declining across the board and that, shamefully, outcomes for young working-class Scots are getting worse compared with outcomes for those from wealthier backgrounds. Today, the Auditor General for Scotland said that the SNP had failed to properly provide support for pupils with additional support needs.”
“We stand for peace and freedom in Europe and around the world. [Applause.] 12:04”
“For 1,099 days, the people of Ukraine have felt the full force of Russian aggression. There have been 1,099 days of invasion, bloodshed, indiscriminate bombing, drone attacks, sheltering underground, and fear and heartbreak, but, today, Ukraine still stands and is still strong. The front line of democracy remains resolute thanks to the bravery of Ukraine and its people. Scotland and the United Kingdom have reason to be proud of the role that we have played in giving Ukraine the tools that it needs to defend itself. As the Prime Minister has made clear, nobody wants the bloodshed to continue, but, as we seek an end to the war, there can be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine. The people of Ukraine must have long-term security. A thousand and ninety-nine days later, and for as long as it takes, we stand with Ukraine.”
“I invite Labour members, even at this late stage, either individually or collectively to vote for the budget today and show that they are participants in change and not just spectators. With that in mind, I urge Parliament to support the budget. I move, That the Parliament agrees that the Budget (Scotland) (No. 4) Bill be passed. 15:37”
“If the finance secretary wants me to come in, I am more than happy to come in. Can she tell me why the Scottish National Party voted against £5.2 billion of spending for the Scottish Government—the very spending that she is now talking about? Shona Robison: I thought for a minute that Anas Sarwar was going to abstain from his intervention, just to keep the record of sitting on the fence going. As Anas Sarwar knows fine well, our objection was to the tax on jobs through the hiking of employer national insurance contributions, which is being felt the length and breadth of Scotland. Those job losses can be laid at the door of Anas Sarwar and his Labour colleagues. As I said, it is not enough to will the ends—we must also will the means.”
“One in six Scots are on a national health service waiting list. There is an NHS crisis, with lives being lost. When will John Swinney, Neil Gray and the Scottish National Party Government stop focusing on disciplining a nurse and, instead, focus on supporting NHS staff, getting patients treated, clearing the backlogs, stopping the need for patients to spend thousands of pounds to go private and ending the 8 am rush for a general practitioner appointment?”
“Today, I have come to Parliament recognising that, with the regrettable issuing of redundancy notices, which I wish had not happened, we are now in a different place. My Government is responding to that and I invite the United Kingdom Government to do likewise. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I advise members that there is an awful lot of interest in asking questions. I hope to get everybody in, but that will require brief questions and responses.”
“Over a number of years, the Scottish Government has been involved with the company in taking forward a number of different projects to try to transition towards a better future. For example, I think of the biofuels production options review that was undertaken in July 2022, the study of decarbonisation interventions for Petroineos in July 2021, which was supported by the Government, and the appraisal of the viability of a blue hydrogen production plant at Grangemouth in July 2022. The Scottish Government has been engaged in working with the company to find an alternative course. I welcome the change in engagement that took place with the change of UK Government last July. We have taken part in that engagement constructively—I had a very positive conversation with Ed Miliband yesterday—but we have reached a different moment now.”
“In the spirit of co-operation, will the First Minister commit that, whatever other political disagreements we may have, both Governments will continue to support the workforce and work in partnership with the unions, the company and potential investors to deliver a future for Grangemouth and a real transition that ensures that we do not repeat the mistakes of the Thatcher years? The First Minister: I am happy to associate myself with that sentiment, because I lived through the damage of the Thatcher era and we are still living with the consequences of that damage in many aspects of our society. That degree of economic recklessness is something in which I have no interest whatsoever.”
“I thank the First Minister for the tone and the content of his statement. I know that he will share my deep frustration at the intransigence of the company in the face of UK and Scottish Government attempts to avert the closure. I note his thanks to Labour ministers Ed Miliband and Michael Shanks, and I put on record my thanks to John Swinney and Gillian Martin for their co-operation on the issue. Governments have known of the company’s intentions for five years but have failed to put plans in place. However, over the past seven months, the UK and Scottish Governments have worked collaboratively to deliver the Falkirk and Grangemouth growth deal, joint working on project Willow and joint attempts to secure incomes for workers for the next 18 months. I have been clear that more needs to be done, and today is progress on that.”
“Today, the United Kingdom Government has announced plans to speed up the development of new nuclear power. It is obvious that the plan has the potential to bring billions of pounds of investment to communities, to jump-start growth and to create high-skill jobs, all while ending our reliance on dictators such as Vladimir Putin to meet our energy demands. Will John Swinney end the Scottish Government’s ideological block on nuclear energy to ensure that Scots also can benefit from that opportunity?”
“Why does John Swinney think that he is right and that Scotland’s nurses, doctors and patients are wrong?”
“This week, the Scottish National Party attempted to launch yet another NHS recovery plan. Having been in charge of Scotland’s NHS for 18 years, it has lost touch with reality and all credibility. The Royal College of Nursing has said: “Many nursing staff will not recognise the first minister’s description of a resilient and robust NHS in Scotland. Their current experience is of a service struggling to meet the needs of patients and leaving them to carry the burden of not being able to deliver the care and treatment required.” The British Medical Association Scotland has said that the plan lacks “the detail and comprehensive vision needed to make any plan a reality.” Unison has said that the First Minister’s hollow promises of “jam tomorrow” will not solve the critical problems facing the NHS in Scotland.”
“How have John Swinney and Neil Gray allowed the situation to get so bad?”