Emma Harper
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“I welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling child poverty and its investment through the whole family support third sector delivery fund. Will the cabinet secretary say more about how the delivery model will work alongside existing local partnerships?”
“Given the challenges that Christine Grahame outlined and the Scottish Government’s commitment to a just transition, how can the Government support investment in biofuels and anaerobic digestion to reduce reliance on heating oil and provide greener, more secure energy for rural industries such as those in Dumfries and Galloway and the Bord…”
“That is why there is so much emphasis placed in the action plan on whole family support. It is about giving support to families where and when they need it and delivering it in a way that is right for communities. I look forward to continuing to work with Emma Harper on how we can take that forward in the south of Scotland and elsewhere.”
“However, the barriers are not only physical, but also cultural: we heard consistent evidence of negative attitudes from boys, girls being sidelined in physical education and playgrounds being dominated by boys’ activities.”
“As a member of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, I had the privilege of contributing to our inquiry on female participation in sport and physical activity. What we heard was clear. Although the benefits of sport are universal, access to those benefits is not.”
“Her work has never been about making short-term headlines; it has been about achieving long-term change founded on compassion and justice. During this parliamentary session, Christine introduced her member’s bill, the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill, which strengthened protections for animals and built on years of advocacy on issues such…”
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“I also highlight recommendation 7, on early intervention, which states: “Key Stakeholders and Healthcare professionals should be able to identify the signs and symptoms of all eating disorders including at early stages and know how to support and sign post people into treatment.” The Scottish intercollegiate guidelines network’s guidelines from August 2022 contain key recommendations on early intervention, support for family and carers and achieving and maintaining recovery, as well as healthcare professional training. I remind members that I am a healthcare professional, as I am still a registered nurse. Beat has developed training for health professionals that has the potential to save lives, and it is free.”
“presentations related to the Covid-19 pandemic.” The recommendation prioritised physical health stability, risk reduction, supporting in-patient discharge and preventing admission to hospital. Recommendation 4 was to establish a lived experience panel to “advise the Implementation Group and work alongside the National Eating Disorders Network.” That recommendation advised that “The ... panel should include patients, families and loved ones, and third sector representatives”, with diversity of membership, including representatives of “all eating disorder diagnoses, men with eating disorders, LGBT representatives and people from ethnic minorities.” Again, I welcome members of the lived experience panel to the public gallery.”
“It would also be good to hear feedback on the uptake of the Turas online learning platform, especially in rural health boards such as NHS Dumfries and Galloway and NHS Borders. The national review of eating disorder services in Scotland published its report in June 2021. The “Scottish Eating Disorder Services Review—Full Report” contained 15 short-term, medium-term and long-term recommendations. Subsequently, the national eating disorders network has been established, chaired by Professor Cathy Richards, to take forward the remaining medium-term and long-term recommendations. It is interesting that the first recommendation related to the Covid-19 pandemic. It asked for emergency funding to “be provided ... as a direct result of an increase in the number and severity of ...”
“The population prevalence of ARFID is not known, largely because it is a relatively new diagnosis and is still not well known. At the Scottish Government’s request, NHS Education for Scotland has delivered education seminars as a response to the high number of children and young people presenting. That is providing support and learning to staff who work in acute paediatric settings in order to help better support children and young people and their families. I am keen to hear from the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport about the uptake of those seminars, including attendance rates by NHS board and by clinician specialty, including general practitioners. It would be good to hear how GPs are engaging with assessment and onward referral for persons who have a suspected eating disorder.”
“Last year, the number of children and young people who presented to child and adolescent mental health services and were then admitted to hospital with an eating disorder increased rapidly. Children and young people are presenting to paediatric settings later and are often more physically unwell. In the past seven years, there has been a significant increase in the annual incidence among 10 to 14-year-olds. The prevalence of anorexia nervosa in the general population is approximately 1 per cent among women and 0.5 per cent among men. It is reported that half of those who meet diagnostic criteria in the community do not access treatment. Bulimia nervosa is reported to have a prevalence of about 2 per cent, and binge-eating disorders a prevalence of up to 4 per cent.”
“Last year’s debate highlighted ARFID, and those in previous years have included a debate on diabulimia, which is a condition where a person with type 1 diabetes deliberately omits taking their life-saving insulin in order to help them to lose weight. Eating disorders have the highest mortality of all mental disorders and have serious medical consequences, as well as risks of suicide. A lot of work has been done in recent years, and there have been advances in treatments, as well as in tackling associated stigma. Inclusive services have been created to treat all people, regardless of age and severity, with the development of all- age services and early intervention approaches.”
“We know that the signs and symptoms are not always visible or easy to pick up, but people’s symptoms can include spending a lot of time worrying about their weight and body shape; avoiding socialising when they think that food will be involved; eating very little food, making themselves sick or taking laxatives after they eat; exercising too much; having very strict habits or routines around food; and changes in their mood, such as being withdrawn, anxious or depressed. Each year, eating disorders week takes a different theme that focuses on the many types of eating disorders. They include anorexia and bulimia nervosa; avoidant restrictive food intake disorder—ARFID—and binge-eating disorders; and variants that are classified under other specified feeding or eating disorders, or OSFED.”
“I thank them all for being here. It is necessary to continue to raise awareness so that, as knowledge improves, better care can be provided. An estimated 1.25 million people in the United Kingdom, and one in 50 people in Scotland, are living with an eating disorder right now. These devastating illnesses can affect anyone of any age, size, gender or background, and they can easily go undetected.”
“Dennis Robertson MSP led the first debate in Parliament on eating disorders awareness week in 2012, following the loss of his daughter, Caroline, in February 2011; she had been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. This is what Dennis said then: “I want people to be aware of the symptoms and get help as soon as they can. I’m trying to ensure GPs and other medics become more aware of the dangers.” As Dennis said, people need to get help as soon as they can. I thank colleagues across the chamber for signing my motion to bring the debate to the chamber. This year, eating disorders awareness week runs from 24 February until 2 March. The eating disorders charity Beat provides so much support, and I welcome to the public gallery Alex Jones from Beat, along with members of the lived experience panel and trustees of SupportED.”
“We have recently published new national guidance for eating disorder services to ensure that everyone has access to a high standard of care across all stages of care and treatment. We have also made good progress in responding to the short-term recommendations that were made by our national review of eating disorder services.”
“As the minister is aware, many of the young people in Skye house were diagnosed with eating disorders. We know that compassionate care and treatment are essential parts of optimal recovery. This week marks eating disorders awareness week. Can the minister advise how the Scottish Government is working to support improvement of in-patient eating disorder services and wider services in Scotland, including for people who require further care and treatment? Maree Todd: As Emma Harper said, this week is eating disorders awareness week. Later this afternoon, I will be pleased to speak in Emma Harper’s members’ business debate on the issue, and to talk about our work to improve the support and services that are available.”
“Does the First Minister share my disbelief and outrage regarding the United Kingdom Government consulting on giving English whisky a geographical indication, which would give it the same status as Scottish single malt? If approved, that move— which has been entirely enabled by Brexit—would trample on the reputation and tradition of our whisky industry and our Scottish brand. Does the First Minister agree with the Scotch Whisky Association’s view that the integrity of our single malt would be damaged by inferior whisky product, which could potentially harm industry, jobs and trade, including in the new distilleries in the south of Scotland and, indeed, across wider Scotland?”
“That can partly be explained by the long legacy of land reform, which has created a visceral cultural memory of the vital importance of the question of ownership in relation to the economic resilience and economic equity of a particular area. That is what community wealth building is about, fundamentally—the question of ownership, equity, control and fairness—so it is an absolutely vital policy intervention in promoting resilient regional economies and a more equitable and fairer”
“It is important that everyone in society benefits from economic growth, and I welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to a sustainable and inclusive economic model. Can the minister say any more about how community wealth building initiatives will work to address regional wealth inequalities, including rural wealth inequalities, in areas such as Dumfries and Galloway? Tom Arthur: I draw the member’s attention to the work of South of Scotland Enterprise on community wealth building. Community wealth building has seen some of its most enthusiastic adoption in our rural communities, including in the south of Scotland and in the west Highlands.”
“That is supported by the full weight of the £21.7 billion that is going to health and social care and specifically by the £200 million targeted investment as part of our budget. We will shift the balance of care from acute to community, by ensuring that every A and E department has a frailty service that is linked to community re-enablement. That will enable people who are experiencing frailty to be referred directly by general practitioners and the Scottish Ambulance Service to specialist frailty services as an alternative to admission or attending A and E, where their needs might not be met in the same way. Additionally, we plan to deliver 150,000 extra appointments and procedures this year, with more GP access, which will ease accident and emergency pressure.”
“I am sure that we all agree that any long wait for patients in our A and E departments is regrettable. Will the cabinet secretary set out any further measures that we have outlined in the upcoming budget as we look to alleviate pressures on A and E services across Scotland to ensure the optimal and most efficient care possible for patients? Will he again encourage members across the chamber to support the budget at stage 3 so that the key funding is put in place? Neil Gray: Absolutely. I thank Emma Harper for her point about the importance of the investment that is coming through the budget. Our health and social care services need the budget to be passed, so, of course, I pass on that encouragement. We have a clear plan to reduce waiting times and delayed discharges.”
“The investment will be used for a range of initiatives, including to increase capacity in general practice and to make it more consistent across Scotland. It will deliver a new acute anterior eye condition service during 2025, which, with the community glaucoma service, will free up to 40,000 hospital appointments a year. We will also be expanding the pharmacy first service, so that more clinical conditions can be treated by pharmacists, and targeted investment in the dental workforce will improve capacity and patient access, with a review of existing incentives for rural practices.”
“Last week, the First Minister outlined that a greater proportion of new NHS funding will go towards primary and community care, and the cabinet secretary has just outlined greater collaboration and the hospital at home service as examples of that. Will the cabinet secretary say something more about how the 2025-26 budget will ensure that general practitioners and services in communities across D and G will have the resources that they need to play a greater role in our health system, including helping with delayed discharge? Neil Gray: Absolutely. Scottish Government officials are currently determining how best to allocate the additional funding for primary care to ensure that we realise the maximum benefit from that investment.”
“Recent statistics from Public Health Scotland show that more than 75 per cent of people who are at risk of an opioid overdose have been supplied with a kit. The supplementary question that Emma Harper posed was about the reduction of stigma, which is absolutely critical. The discussions that I have had with families who have lost a loved one to a drug dependency or who live with a family member with a drug dependency point to the reduction in stigma and the ability of people to access treatment as being key areas of improvement under the national mission, which can only be a good thing.”
“In November, my office took part in naloxone training with the professional, diligent and caring specialist addictions nurse Ruth McCall. The more people who are trained in the use of naloxone, the quicker we will be able to address the issue and reduce the associated stigma. Can the cabinet secretary say more about the uptake of naloxone training across Scotland, especially in rural areas such as Dumfries and Galloway? What further action is being taken to reduce stigma? Neil Gray: I thank Emma Harper for taking the time to get herself and her office trained in the use of naloxone. I encourage everyone to take up the opportunity to do so as and when they can. Naloxone distribution has been a key priority for this Government, and we continue to work to ensure that it is available to anyone who wants it.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an assessment of the economic impact on Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders of the South of Scotland Enterprise agency, since its inception in 2019. (S6O-04287)”
“Given that the man who has been charged has denied building the bomb, it is important that, under the Lockerbie Victims Access Act, the court is directed to make “reasonable efforts” to provide video and telephone access to the case for people affected by the bombing. I agree with the First Minister’s response to Christine Grahame at First Minister’s question time last month. I think that it is right to allow the US trial to progress and therefore not to make any comment that could prejudice proceedings. In closing, I acknowledge the work of the emergency services at the scene during that time, which I am sure was traumatic. I reiterate my respect for the resilience of the families of the justice for Lockerbie campaign, and for the people of the town for keeping the memory of the victims alive. 17:19”
“That night will always stick with me. I pay tribute to the people of Lockerbie and of Syracuse, including Lockerbie academy and Syracuse University, for everything that they do to keep the memory of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing alive. I attended the 35th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing at Lockerbie academy, with the launch of a photographic exhibition of the people of Lockerbie going about their normal lives, rebuilding. For many families, the search for justice continues. The upcoming US court case, involving the trial of a Libyan man, is scheduled for May this year in Washington DC. A section of the fuselage from Pan Am flight 103 was transported to the US as evidence. I understand that US prosecutors will use evidence from the first trial and new information that has been obtained since then.”
“Under professional, calm, efficient and effective instruction from the senior charge nurse, the theatre team were initially told to anticipate mass casualties, and we prepared for that. We prepped theatres 1 and 2 for major trauma, theatre 3 for orthopaedic trauma and theatre 4 for minor injuries, and we primed intravenous fluids and set up trolleys for general anaesthesia and intubation for arterial lines and for central venous access line placement. At 10 pm, the theatre staff were crowded in the coffee room, glued to the news as the facts were beginning to unfold. There would be no casualties coming to theatre. This was not a military plane crash—it was Pan Am flight 103, which, with 259 humans on board, had exploded at 7.02 pm, four days before Christmas. Later, we found out that 11 people on the ground in Lockerbie were also killed.”
“There are many parts of the motion with which I agree, and I pay tribute to the families of the justice for Lockerbie campaign. On the night of the bombing, I was working in the operating theatre at Dumfries and Galloway royal infirmary. When I first heard the news, the report said that a military plane had crashed over the border here in Scotland. My dad called my sister—we were flatmates at the time—and said that he had been out checking the dairy cows in the maternity paddock as they were about to calve. He was just going about his routine dairyman duties. He said that he had heard a “boom in the night sky overhead just after 7pm ... mebbes an explosion”. After he phoned us, we turned on the news; there would be news for many months. These are some of my memories. My sister and I were summoned to the hospital where we both worked.”
“I congratulate Christine Grahame on securing the debate. I know that she has been an advocate on matters relating to the Lockerbie air disaster for many years, and she laid out the history very well in the short time that she had. I thank her for her work, and for her support for Jim Swire and the other families in their search for truth and justice in relation to the Lockerbie bombing, and for Jim Swire’s search for truth and justice in relation to the murder of his daughter, Flora. It was the worst terrorist bombing in the UK. Lockerbie is part of my South Scotland region and I spent my teenage years growing up 8 miles from the town. I know the strong emotions that are still felt locally and the huge impact that the bombing had on Lockerbie and the wider area.”
“Emma Harper is absolutely correct to suggest that we should recognise the impact of festivals beyond the central belt, which is why, separately from multiyear funding, we are more than doubling support for the festivals expo fund and expanding its reach beyond Edinburgh and Glasgow. That is an example of how the strategic partnership for Scotland’s festivals will provide further opportunities to explore how best to support festivals in rural areas. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can squeeze in a question from Mr Smyth if he is brief.”
“I have worked with the organisers of many festivals in Galloway, such as the Big Burns Supper, Stranraer oyster festival, Kirkcudbright festival of light and Wigtown book festival. One thing that they raise is the need for festivals in rural areas to receive the same recognition and funding as those in the central belt do. The cabinet secretary mentioned the festivals expo fund. Will he describe further that fund and how it will support festivals beyond Edinburgh and Glasgow, including in Galloway and the Borders? Angus Robertson: First, I am delighted that a number of organisations in Dumfries and Galloway will receive awards, including four that have not previously received core funding from Creative Scotland.”
“There is £2.2 billion for social care and integration, which exceeds our commitment to increasing funding by 25 per cent by more than £350 million.”
“The budget includes almost £200 million to reduce waiting lists and reduce delayed discharge—to ensure that, by March 2026, no one waits more than 12 months for a new outpatient appointment or day case treatment. I took a note of what Douglas Ross said about sleep apnoea assessment. I am co-convener of the cross-party group on lung health. We have taken lots of information about new AI technology that can be used to aid assessment, then diagnosis, more speedily. I look forward to hearing that NHS Grampian picks up that process, which is being trialled in Inverness and other areas, including Dumfries and Galloway. In addition, £16.2 billion is allocated to front-line NHS boards to improve health in communities and to assess and deliver the most effective care for the people whom they serve.”
“He said: “All roads lead back to Westminster” and added: “The NHS is in crisis and all decisions that are taken in Westminster don’t just affect England—but Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.” Scotland is not alone in facing challenges that relate to the NHS, but the SNP Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that our health service is not just the best in these islands but the best that it can be. The Scottish Government is choosing to invest more than £21 billion in health and social care in 2025-26. That will be record funding to ensure that people have access to high-quality health, mental health and social care services, driving forward the vision of a Scotland in which people live longer, healthier lives.”
“The SNP Scottish Government values Scotland’s NHS workforce and is committed to investing in it. The staff in our NHS are the backbone of our nation’s healthcare, and I thank every member of staff for all the care and support that they provide. I remind members that I am still a registered nurse and am a former employee of NHS Dumfries and Galloway. The challenges that Scotland’s NHS faces are not unique. Labour’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, admitted that, when it comes to NHS funding, Westminster is damaging Scotland’s NHS because of the austerity that we have suffered for 14 years.”
“The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations estimates that the national insurance hike will cost the third sector £75 million, which will affect many of our most valued cultural organisations, such as local theatres, museums and galleries. The UK Treasury must fully fund the actual costs for Scotland’s culture sector. However, it has indicated that the sector will instead receive a much lower-value Barnett share of the spending in England. On 3 January, the First Minister and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities president, supported by 48 public and voluntary sector organisations, wrote to the chancellor to raise concerns about the impact of the increase to employer national insurance contributions and to seek clarity on funding.”
“I am sure that members share my concern about the impact of the United Kingdom Government’s increase to employer national insurance contributions on culture organisations in Scotland, including those in rural communities. It will no doubt put huge pressure on their resources. Can the cabinet secretary provide any update on the assessment that the Scottish Government has made of the impact on the sector of the national insurance hike? Angus Robertson: We estimate that the increase to employer national insurance contributions could add around £500 million in costs for the public sector as a whole unless it is fully reimbursed.”
“When those vital negotiations begin, does it side with Scottish fishermen, or with Keir Starmer if he throws our fishermen under the bus? I hold out little hope, given the SNP’s record in Government, but I will continue to fight for my constituents so that we can truly realise the untold benefits that Brexit could bring us in the long term. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I encourage members who have something to say to try to make an intervention, rather than shouting it across the chamber. 17:42”
“However, the fishing industry is beginning to feel the benefits of Brexit. Just last month, the Scottish Government’s own data showed that the fishing fleet is up year on year since 2021, with the value of fish landed also rising year on year. That is despite the many challenges that the sector faces, which include the challenge of attracting new entrants, and spatial squeeze in our seas. The sector has had to navigate the UK-EU trade and co-operation agreement, which comes to an end next June. When that deal ends, the Labour Government will be faced with a stark choice: does it back our fishermen by increasing their access to our own domestic fishing waters, or does it cede more access to EU states and their vessels? The SNP also faces a stark choice.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek your guidance. When a member stands up in the chamber and misquotes what another member has said, for instance in committee, what measures could a member take? The Deputy Presiding Officer: That is not a point of order. The member is well aware of the measures that members can take if they feel that the record needs to be corrected. I call Tim Eagle to continue—I can give you a little bit more time, Mr Eagle. Tim Eagle: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Our fishermen, by voting to leave the EU, as they did overwhelmingly, opened the door to a sea of opportunity for Scottish fishermen— [Interruption.] As I stated with regard to farming, the transition has not been easy, and I know that there are specific issues in different sectors.”
“The motorway network and the trunk-road network are now operational, I am pleased to say, although we have to be alert to the secondary impacts that I mentioned in my statement. Regarding members of the public and households who are reliant on electrical medical equipment, it is the job of health and social care partnerships, in collaboration with utility companies, to ensure that all those in that category are registered on the priority services register, because those customers are of the utmost priority when it comes to power outages— through restoration of power, access to generators, accommodation or other bespoke solutions.”
“Wigtownshire and other parts of D and G were particularly hard-hit by excessively high, gale-force winds during the storm, with communities, including in the Machars, being left without power, some until yesterday. The storm closed the entirety of the A75 and impacted key infrastructure. I thank the emergency responders, including the Dumfries and Galloway Council and SPEN teams, for their efforts to support local residents. Can the cabinet secretary set out what further action can be taken in rural areas, particularly for people who have electrical medical requirements? Angela Constance: I of course appreciate the member’s interest in and championing of the particular issues that Dumfries and Galloway and Wigtownshire have had to endure. She is right to reflect on the impacts on the A75.”
“Does the First Minister share my concern about the news that Brymor, the owner of the uniquely Dumfries and Galloway brand, Cream o’ Galloway, is planning to move manufacturing of the brand from Galloway to North Yorkshire? It is a huge letdown for local people and will be of considerable concern to my constituents. Can the First Minister provide an assurance that the Scottish Government’s PACE—partnership action for continuing employment—will support anyone who has lost a job?”
“Given the current struggles that people around the globe are facing, these words are pretty powerful and worth repeating: “Then let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a’ that, That Sense and Worth, o’er a’ the earth, Shall bear the gree, an’ a’ that For a’ that, an’ a’ that, It’s coming yet for a’ that, That Man to Man the world o’er, Shall brithers be for a’ that.” 17:46”
“This year, Eddi Reader and Wet Wet Wet are performing, and a big Burns supper on a bus—and even an underwater Burns supper—are just a few of the events that are happening. Along with colleagues across the parties, I hosted meetings with the Big Burns Supper and partners to ensure that the festival could go ahead this year. I appreciate the time that Colin Smyth and Oliver Mundell gave to support that cross- party approach. It is great, therefore, to see the return of the Big Burns Supper, and I thank the trustees and the team for their work. I remind members that my husband is one of the volunteer trustees. I finish with some words from our national bard, which are written on the foundations of our Parliament—his words hold up our Parliament.”
“President Lincoln certainly had a fondness for Burns and Scottish culture, and he asked for a passage to Scotland to be booked so that he could visit our precious country, but he was assassinated before he could travel to Scotland. However, his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, visited Scotland in 1869, and she said: “Beautiful, glorious Scotland has spoiled me for every other country”. Those are fabulous words. One festival that promotes Burns is the Big Burns Supper—I will elaborate on that a wee bit. It is the United Kingdom’s largest celebration of Burns and involves a jam-packed schedule of events spanning from 17 January to 2 February. The Big Burns Supper is supported by Dumfries and Galloway Council, the Holywood Trust, the National Lottery Community Fund, EventScotland and others.”
“I agree with Mr Mundell that the centre has been crucial in highlighting Burns’s economic, social and cultural contributions to Scotland. Its projects promote Scotland and our culture at home and internationally, and they include so much information. I explored the interactive map of Burns suppers, which was funded by US donors. It is a thorough repository of excellent information. I have spoken about the US connection to Robert Burns in my own immortal memories at Burns suppers. I encourage members to delve into the words that the USA’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, used about the inspiration that he gained from reading the ploughman poet’s work.”
“In the schools competition that is organised by Dumfries and Galloway Burns Association, the number of entrants has increased year on year— there are more than 200 this year. The performances of poetry, song and music demonstrate the talent of the young people and the great effort that they and their teachers put in through their rehearsal time. The competition went online during the Covid pandemic, which has proved to be pretty successful. My husband was involved in that, because he has really useful digital skills. The people involved are dedicated to keeping the memory of Robert Burns alive for future generations. I, too, want to mention the work of the centre for Robert Burns studies at the University of Glasgow.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate, and I congratulate Oliver Mundell on securing it. I have been involved in the world of Robert Burns for 25 years, and I enjoy Burns season very much. I am privileged to be a past president of Dumfries ladies Burns club number 1. I join Oliver Mundell in highlighting the many events, projects and initiatives that are taking place across Dumfriesshire and Galloway. He mentioned the schools competition, to which I will turn in a moment; the Big Burns Supper; and the collaboration between Annandale Distillery and the Globe Inn. He also highlighted the excellent work done by the team behind securing Robert Burns’s farm at Ellisland.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Dumfries and Galloway regarding the provision of dentistry. (S6O-04230)”
“The question for Scottish Labour MPs is this: will they do the right thing and stand up for older people in Scotland, or will they stand up for a pledge-breaking Prime Minister? My WASPI women constituents do not have much hope. The UK Government must reverse its decision. It must accept the ombudsman’s findings in full and provide compensation to WASPI women urgently. 15:27”
“Many colleagues, including Clare Haughey and Christine Grahame, should also be thanked for their campaigning. I was in the chamber last week for the debate that Kenneth Gibson led, although I did not speak in it. Following recent events, in the past few days, my office has been in contact with local WASPI women. The one thing that they say is how shocking it is that Labour MPs, who, when they were in opposition, stood with placards with the WASPI women, calling for justice, are now defending their Labour bosses and throwing WASPI women out in the cold. It is galling and shows the true heart of Labour members. After so many public commitments, the Labour UK Government’s position is utterly indefensible.”
“Many were already in ill health or worse, and others had taken early retirement and were planning to get by until the age of 60, when they thought that they would receive their state pension. While the UK Government delays in the hope that WASPI women will just go away, the campaign for justice continues, but as many as 40,000 women are dying each year without getting any form of compensation. That is absolutely shameful. During the previous session of Parliament, I held several WASPI engagement events across Dumfries and Galloway. I was supported by the fantastic older persons champion from Scottish Borders Council, Councillor Elaine Thornton-Nicol, as well as by a local Dumfries resident and WASPI and pensions campaigner, Ann Ferguson MBE. Both should be thanked for their dedication to pension equality and their support of WASPI.”