Rona Mackay
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Màiri McAllan: I express the Government’s sympathy with those who are wrestling with dramatically increased oil prices, which will have come as a very unwelcome shock to households.”
“Our islands cost crisis emergency fund will continue into the 2026-27 financial year, with an additional £1 million allocation. This year, we have also invested a further £5.5 million in the Scottish welfare fund, which provides vital support in difficult times. Rona Mackay: I thank the cabinet secretary for that welcome response.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking through its fuel poverty programmes to support low-income rural and off- grid households that are unable to heat their homes due to the recent increase in heating oil prices.”
“I was pleased to see that the Scottish Prison Service has piloted non-pain-inducing control and restraint techniques that reduce the risk of injury to staff and prisoners. Can the First Minister assure me that the pilot approach will be rolled out across the prison estate, with staff being given the appropriate training?”
“The other two that I want to mention are the much-missed Christina McKelvie and Jeane Freeman. What a privilege to have known and worked with those freedom fighters. They fought for equality, fairness and, of course, independence. What a legacy they leave. I know that they will always be in our hearts.”
“I am pleased to speak in today’s important debate for many reasons. First, I want to acknowledge the legendary Christine Grahame and her passionate dedication to the cause of animal welfare. There are not many people we can call a legend, but I think that Christine qualifies.”
The complete record
Every one of 390 lines we hold for Rona Mackay, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 8 of 8.
“I suspect that the cabinet secretary will agree that the time for warm words is over. The time for proper, evidence-based policy making with proper resources and honesty in sentencing is now. I move amendment S6M-16532.1, to leave out from “Scotland” to end and insert: “as a result of, non-exhaustively, significant and long- standing pre-COVID-19 pandemic court backlogs, a high remand population and a failure to timeously build additional prison capacity, Scotland’s prison system is now struggling to house the number of prisoners incarcerated and sentenced as a result of independent decisions made by judges; further notes with disappointment that these capacity issues still persist, despite numerous Scottish Government policies, which were aimed at reducing the prison population, such as changes to automatic early release, which allows many offenders to leave prison after serving 40% of their sentence, a general presumption against short sentences, sentencing guidelines that treat under 25-year-olds differently and an increase in diversion from prosecution; raises concerns that, despite repeated warnings about the need for new prisons, HMP Highland and HMP Glasgow are both delayed and over budget, with the former rising from £52 million to £209 million, and the latter increasing from £100 million to £998 million; understands that reoffending rates were up 2.6% for the 2020-21 cohort; recognises that one-in-eight of those released as a result of emergency early release reoffended, and believes that the role of the independence of the judiciary should not be undermined by government, and that any review of penal and sentencing policy should always prioritise victims over offenders.” The Deputy Presiding Officer: I remind members who wish to speak in the debate to check that they have pressed their request-to- speak buttons.”
“It was a simple one-sentence demand that urgent action, including the abolition of automatic early release, be taken to restore public trust in the justice system. The then justice secretary, the never knowingly effective and now rarely seen Humza Yousaf, amended it to have a go at the United Kingdom Government. However, in an unusual and unexpected dalliance with sound policy making, his amendment said that “future reforms to sentencing policy should be informed by evidence of what works to reduce reoffending and take appropriate account of Scotland’s current internationally high rate of imprisonment.” Lamentably, it seems to have taken six years for the Government to get to that point, while instead making panic-stricken, unevidenced, knee-jerk responses such as early release of criminals.”
“There has to be a holistic strategy and a holistic policy that look at the whole environment to ensure that the right people go to prison, that public safety is protected and that those who should not be in prison are not in prison. If the new group that the cabinet secretary has put together is looking at that, I am absolutely with her on that, and I look forward to contributing to it. To finish my point, in summer, 477 prisoners were released early, but one in eight re-offended within weeks. That is why we need—and should have had previously—action, resources and evidence-based policy making, not warm words. The reason why I want to finish on this point is that, six years ago, I brought a motion to the Parliament.”
“Angela Constance: I appreciate very much that Mr Kerr wishes to campaign for changes in the victim notification scheme. I will certainly be with him on at least part of that journey, depending on what his proposals are. On the need to reduce the prison population, would he like to outline any specific proposals and what he is for as well as what he is against? Liam Kerr: That is a fair challenge. What we would have done is build capacity such that the new HMP Barlinnie would not be 10 times over budget—it costs nearly £1 billion and is going to be delayed again. We would have ensured that that would not happen. I agree with the cabinet secretary on many things.”
“It is no wonder that a furious Linda McDonald, survivor of a brutal attack by Dundee murderer Robbie McIntosh, says in The Courier: “I worry about public safety and believe there will be more victims.” Indeed, Kate Wallace, from Victim Support Scotland, is surely right when she says that “resources are taking priority over victim and public safety.” It certainly sounds like it, when only 2 per cent of victims of prisoners released early by the SNP last summer were informed, and nothing substantive has been changed in the victim notification scheme since then. That is the real issue. The motion has warm words, but we have heard them all before and they have never before been backed by plans, resources or holistic thinking. That is why the reconviction rate rose in 2020- 21—with the CPO reconviction rate rising significantly.”
“I thought it instructive when Lynn Burns, who is the victims expert on the Scottish Sentencing Council and whose son, Sam, was murdered in 2013, said on Tuesday that “40 per cent of a sentence” is insufficient time “to rehabilitate.” What is even more concerning in what has hitherto been an unevidenced knee-jerk policy is that, as the cabinet secretary admitted on Tuesday, the Government does not even know how many of those who are released are violent offenders. The cabinet secretary’s Tuesday interview was instructive, because she said that “the raison d’être of the legislation is that we need to achieve a sustained reduction in the prison population.” I would have thought that the safety of the people of Scotland should be the overriding objective.”
“In that case, if it had not been for the sentencing guidelines, “the court would have imposed a significant custodial sentence.” In 2019, the Government introduced a statutory presumption that a court must not pass a sentence of imprisonment for a term of 12 months or less. If a criminal got a sentence of four years or less, that used to mean automatic release at the halfway point, without restriction, supervision or consideration of the crime or the victim, regardless of whether the criminal was rehabilitated. I used the past tense there because, just this week, that timeline changed to less than half the sentence.”
“In 2022-23, only 13 per cent of convictions for a crime resulted in prison, which is hardly surprising when we consider the Government’s introduction in 2022 of an instruction that criminals under the age of 25 would not get prison unless “no other sentence is appropriate” and that any prison sentence for them would be shorter than for an older person committing that offence. The result of that was a 31 per cent reduction in the number of under-25s being given custodial sentences, including a teenager who left a fire officer with life-changing injuries but got a community payback order.”
“Does the member recognise that England and Wales are going through exactly the same situation and have encountered exactly the same problem as we have, and are taking steps to address it? Liam Kerr: My starting point is always to consider bespoke Scottish solutions to Scottish challenges. It is very important that, where we have a fully devolved matter and different systems, we do not blindly mirror solutions in other legislatures. That is why I lodged the amendment that I did: the time for the warm words that we see in the Government’s motion is long past. If we are going to have a sentencing review, that has to start with levelling with the people of Scotland. It is quite difficult to be sent to prison these days.”
“The relationship between local and national Government is key to delivering the required change. Collaboration to develop the Promise progress framework, and engagement through the network of local authority Promise leads and the programme board, including the national leadership group, are good examples of the joint working that is helping to drive progress. The Scottish Government and local government have put in place appropriate structures to monitor and review progress, and we all have a key part to play. The Scottish Government continues to fund The Promise Scotland and Fiona Duncan in her role as independent strategic adviser. I put on record my thanks to Fiona, Fraser McKinlay and the Promise team for their continued work in their role as a critical ally to Government and bodies across”
“Keeping the Promise will require partners across Scotland to work together. The oversight board’s report says that “local authorities”, as corporate parents, “play a critical role.” How is the Scottish Government working with local government to drive progress? Natalie Don-Innes: The scale of the work that is required to keep the Promise calls for a cross- portfolio, cross-department and cross-agency response at both national and local levels. As corporate parents, the Scottish Government, local authorities and all public bodies have a collective responsibility to help to shape lives and provide opportunities for looked-after children with care experience and young people who leave care. We require visibility, transparency and accountability at all levels.”
“We will work with all interested parties to ensure that that agenda is pursued with all the energy that it can be pursued with.”
“Can the First Minister advise when he expects project willow to publish its phase 1 report and what the next steps are in taking forward the options for transitioning the Grangemouth refinery site to a new low-carbon fuels hub? Given that the UK Government has instead made the perplexing decision to provide a loan to Petroineos to invest in a refinery in Belgium, how confident is the First Minister that the UK Government will step up and support those next steps? The First Minister: We expect the project willow findings to be published in the coming weeks. Obviously, we are working on developing the propositions with a view to ensuring that they can be taken forward. The purpose of my statement today is to reinforce the absolute urgency that is required in addressing these issues.”
“Building capacity at the local level often presents a challenge as enterprises struggle to meet the scale that is required for larger contracts. Can the minister say more about how the Scottish Government is continuing to encourage and create opportunities for local procurement in a way that is achievable for local businesses, social enterprises and community groups? Tom Arthur: Yes. We work very closely with our partners in procurement across the public sector. Local authorities are centres of expertise for procurement and we have a strong legislative framework for procurement. As I touched on in my statement, we will be looking at the thresholds for regulated procurement as well.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Monica Lennon, who will have up to five minutes, given how Labour has sought to allocate its speaking time today. 16:18”
“As we have heard, the “Delivery Framework for Miscarriage Care in Scotland” ensures that work is improved and updated and that it will standardise and bring an end to the variation in the care and support that is delivered across Scotland for women and families who experience miscarriage and pregnancy loss. The framework will outline a plan for the introduction of a graded model of miscarriage care in Scotland. It has been developed by an expert short-life working group, which included representation from health professionals and third sector organisations. In conclusion, there is an abundance of support organisations out there, such as Sands. Miscarriage matters, and I hope that grieving families will take comfort from knowing that they can get help to get through it.”
“Our Government-funded national bereavement care pathway for pregnancy and baby loss and accompanying care standards are clear that women and families who experience pregnancy or baby loss should be treated compassionately and that difficult news should be delivered in a quiet, private space. We fully support taking forward the findings of the report by The Lancet and supporting the development of individualised care plans after a woman’s first miscarriage. That also includes ensuring that women’s services and health boards have dedicated facilities for women who are experiencing unexpected pregnancy complications. The SNP is also committed to emulating New Zealand, where families who experience miscarriage or stillbirth are entitled to three days of paid leave, by delivering that within the public sector.”
“As has been mentioned by other speakers, breaking the silence and reducing the stigma and isolation associated with pregnancy loss and baby death are of the utmost importance. For too long— and certainly for my generation—it was an unspoken trauma, almost secretively guarded by families as they attempted to cope with their grief. People were often told by doctors, “At least it proves that you can get pregnant. Try again and everything will be fine.” Although that might be true, it gives no comfort to grieving parents at the time of such a tragic loss. The Scottish Government believes that, by delivering good-quality, supportive and compassionate miscarriage and bereavement care, we can break the stigma and begin normalising conversations about miscarriage and stillbirth.”
“It affects around 8 to 24 per cent of pregnancies, although it is difficult to obtain an accurate figure, because it can often occur before a woman knows that she is pregnant. Throughout it all, the Scottish Government expects all women who are receiving maternity care to be treated with dignity and respect. We have made clear progress on maternity care in the past five years, and we are committed to progressing that further. In 2023, we launched a memorial book and certificate for those who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss prior to 24 weeks. Many hospitals already have separate spaces for women who suffer pregnancy or baby loss, and the Scottish Government will ensure that all major hospitals and NHS boards with maternity units do. It is a simple but humane and necessary measure to ease the pain of baby loss.”
“I thought that that was a very disappointing tone in Sue Webber’s contribution. Today, we are debating an emotive and heartbreaking issue, which is sadly very common. Sue Webber: Will the member take an intervention? Rona Mackay: No, I have just started. The loss of a baby at any stage is tragic. It is a traumatic experience that can have a profound impact on families—going from the elation of being pregnant and the happiness that comes from planning to welcome another life into the world and to enhance your family, to suffering devastating heartache and disappointment. Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before viability, which is currently defined as 23 weeks and six days’ gestation. It may occur spontaneously or as a missed miscarriage, which may require medical or surgical management.”
“Essentially, it will be an enabling power that will allow us to make the changes in conjunction with employers and other stakeholders to get it right for the future. That is what we intend to do.”
“The outline business case for reform talks about building on the best of what we have. Can the minister speak to the strong foundations of Scotland’s post-school education and skills system and about how simplifying the funding body landscape can unlock further potential in the sector? Graeme Dey: We are trying to create a more transparent and agile system. There is no doubt that the system as it is currently configured, as well as being quite complex and confusing, does not make best use of public money—I do not think that anyone believes that it does. The bill provides an opportunity to take forward a series of reforms. I am not going to stand here and pretend that it is the endgame—it is far from that.”
“Alcohol brief interventions, which Elena Whitham mentioned, are a good example of that approach, but that could be strengthened through more consistent delivery and by improving options for diversion to appropriate services. It is abundantly clear that alcohol misuse disorders in the justice system are a significant problem that has been overlooked for too long. Our prisons are overcrowded, and hard-working prison staff are dealing with a multitude of problems. A targeted programme of support and of treatment for alcohol abuse—of course, that should include prevention in wider society, where Scotland’s drinking culture has been a long- standing problem—should be available to reduce the pressure on our justice system. 13:00”
“Turning Point Scotland, which is an excellent third sector organisation, delivers a range of harm reduction approaches in relation to problematic alcohol use across our services. It believes that its programme of harm reduction should be incorporated into the justice system to help identify and act on a risk of alcohol-related harm. Time does not allow me to detail the organisation’s initiatives, but it is well worth having a look at its excellent website. To an extent, people coming into the justice system provide an opportunity to recognise and, crucially, address alcohol use disorders by offering treatment and support.”
“I am grateful to SHAAP for its research, which shows that, of the 12,000 people who had community payback orders imposed in 2021-22, only 1 per cent received alcohol treatment as part of their order. I know that there can be complex reasons for that but, on the face of it, we must do better. Forty per cent of prisoners reported that they were drunk at the time of their offence, and almost one fifth were worried that alcohol misuse would be a problem for them on their release. However, 41 per cent said that, if offered help for their alcohol use, inside or outside prison, they would take it. In addition, people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which is an entirely preventable condition, are overrepresented in the justice system.”
“All deaths due to alcohol are a tragedy but, as convener of the cross-party group on women, families and justice, that statistic really concerns me. It is estimated that as many as 90 per cent of women in custody in Scotland have addiction problems, whether that involves alcohol or drugs. It is further estimated that 80 per cent of women in prison have brain damage due to head injuries that have been caused by domestic violence, and that a similar number suffer from mental illness to some degree. Whether those women should be in prison at all is for another debate, although I am certain that we should have that debate soon. I submit that prison is entirely the wrong place for women whose addiction and chaotic life experience have led them down the wrong path.”
“I am pleased to speak in this important debate, and I thank my colleague Elena Whitham for securing it. I congratulate her on her long- standing commitment to tackling the problem of alcohol and drug abuse and thank her for her customary informative and inspirational opening speech. Alcohol abuse and addiction is a significant and pressing issue in the justice system in Scotland— indeed, the rate is disproportionately high. Almost two thirds—63 per cent—of people in prison have an alcohol use disorder, with almost half of those possibly dependent on alcohol. The risk of death from alcohol causes is three times higher for men who have been in prison and nine times higher for women who have been in prison than for the general population, as Elena Whitham articulated.”
“To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s work to keep the Promise, in light of the fifth anniversary of it being made. (S6F-03794)”
“I apologise for being late to the chamber, Deputy Presiding Officer. Will the cabinet secretary outline the resources that are being provided to recruit, train and retain staff in the ADP workforce? Neil Gray: We have given greater clarity in the budget for alcohol and drug partnerships, and we have baselined more of their funding to give greater certainty for their investments. We are also investing in the Corra Foundation so that the work that it does from a community perspective can deliver. I would be happy to write to Rona Mackay with more details on all of that.”
“I agree that it would be helpful if the UK Government could provide more certainty around multiyear budgets. I recognise the importance of providing multiyear capital budgets for the wider public sector, including for our national collections, as well as for the third sector, business and other organisations.”
“It is welcome that, in the Scottish budget, the National Galleries of Scotland will receive a 9 per cent increase to its overall budget, including a capital allocation above what it requested in the last capital spending review. Does the cabinet secretary agree that the United Kingdom Government needs to give urgent clarity on the future capital budgets of the devolved administrations so that the culture sector and the wider public sector can have more certainty for the future? Angus Robertson: I commend Rona Mackay for her question, because she is absolutely right. Understandably, we spend a lot of time talking about revenue budgets and how they impact the culture sector, and perhaps pay too little attention to the capital side of things.”
“I assure the member that we pay very close attention to the number of available spaces on a daily basis.”
“At the age of 16, William Lindsay should have been in secure accommodation, not prison, but there were not enough spaces. Although I welcome the fact that no under-18s are now in prison, can the cabinet secretary assure me that there are enough secure accommodation spaces to accommodate the people who need to be housed there? Angela Constance: Members will be aware that, as a result of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024, as of 28 August 2025, no under-18s will be detained in a young offenders institution; instead, they will be held in a suitable setting such as secure care. Secure accommodation capacity can be tight and capacity can change on a daily basis but, as of 9 o’clock this morning, there were six places available. I also confirm that I expect on-going work to further alleviate those pressures shortly.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the current cost of living crisis on the prevalence of food insecurity and reliance on food banks. (S6O- 04249)”
“As part of our enterprise package, we will continue to support innovative and high-growth companies that operate in the life sciences sector.”
“The Scottish Government has openly supported continued innovation in life sciences and public health research for the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, to provide the capability to respond to novel threats when required. Can the Deputy First Minister outline what investment will be made in that sector in the Scottish budget for 2025-26, and how it will benefit Scots across the country? Kate Forbes: The member is absolutely right that life sciences are not only a critical driver of growth in our economy; they are potentially life saving, because they provide life-saving therapies and contribute significantly to that. In our programme for government, we set out measures to grow the sector, which currently contributes more than £10 billion to the economy and supports 42,500 jobs.”
“They include the actions that we are taking collaboratively with partners to increase accommodation capacity by, for example, exploring opportunities such as the establishment of a new national resource. We are also considering effective alternatives to secure care, such as health interventions, to ensure that children and young people receive the care that they need in the setting that most appropriately suits those needs. We are laying the groundwork for a resilient and reimagined future for secure care and, equally, for the children who will rely on that.”
“I welcome the minister’s statement and the reassurance about the current capacity in the system. What plans does the Government have to increase the capacity of secure accommodation, and how does the Government plan to meet increasing demand in future? Natalie Don-Innes: As I set out in my statement, through a new secure care contingency plan, which was developed in collaboration with COSLA, Social Work Scotland and the Care Inspectorate, we are tackling the issue head on. The contingency plan is designed not just to manage the current challenges but to strengthen the secure care system and accommodation for the future. In my statement, I set out some of the immediate actions that we will take in the coming weeks and months.”
“That uplift demonstrates our commitment to shifting the balance from custody to justice in the community and follows the evidence on what works to reduce reoffending. One example of the progress that has been made is that bail supervision cases are at their highest level of the past decade, and the use of electronic monitoring as a condition of bail has increased by 51 per cent to 1,140 individuals in orders that were imposed across Scotland in 2023-24. Court Backlogs 8.”
“Can the cabinet secretary expand on how the investment in community justice services that is contained in the proposed Scottish budget will continue the Scottish Government’s shift to the use of more community-based sentences and help to reduce reoffending? Angela Constance: The 2025-26 budget further increases the overall community justice budget by £11 million, which builds on the £14 million of additional funding that was committed for this financial year. As I said, that will bring our total budget to £159 million. That investment will support justice social work services across Scotland to build capacity and to deliver a range of community justice services, including, crucially, alternatives to remand and community services.”