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 do not necessarily have an objection to marrying up rewilding and large-scale native tree planting with a renewables scheme, but it is clear from all the Langholm locals who have been campaigning against the goat culling actions of the owners that they have not been engaged with properly about the prospect of another wind farm being erected in their back yard. I do not envy the planning authorities or the Scottish Government in making decisions about wind farms or the infrastructure that supports them. I am proud that we have a Government that takes the transition to net zero seriously, and that has put in place a framework to make that happen. Craig Hoy: Will the member take an intervention? Emma Harper: I do not think that I have time.”
“Some members will be aware of the goat culling west of Newcastleton, which has caused outrage locally, as the new owners of the estate try to clear the majority of a goat population that has been there for more than a millennium. Oxygen Conservation purchased the Blackburn and Harsgarth estate two years ago, and has made a big play of its plans for rewilding across the 11,000 acres. However, in the middle of its rewilding pitch to the community is buried a reference to building the UK’s biggest onshore wind farm. When I raised with it its intentions for the estate, Oxygen Conservation revised its estimate and said only that there would be a wind farm, not that it would be the UK’s biggest.”
“Finlay Carson: It is a very simple yes-or-no question. Does Emma Harper think that there are too many wind farms in Dumfries and Galloway? Emma Harper: I can see the argument that there are too many wind farms in Dumfries and Galloway. However, I also think that we need to reflect on where we are in relation to achieving net zero, developing a renewables sector and getting communities to benefit from all that. There is not an easy yes-or-no answer when we are looking at how we support our communities and the environment, and how we tackle biodiversity, the nature crisis, the climate crisis, and all that—that is a whole other debate.”
“There are different objections to each development. The Sandy Knowe wind farm at Sanquhar in my region has developed a good record of community engagement and action and has worked together with local residents as a matter of normal business. However, I believe that the common thread through all the proposals that are currently on the table in the south is the lack of community involvement and community ownership. Finlay Carson: Will the member take an intervention? Emma Harper: I will in one second. Some feel that they are being frozen out of the benefits and management of renewables, while being expected to thole the presence of all those wind turbines. That point was reflected by Michael Matheson when he stated that communities feel that they are being done to, and not done with. I will take the intervention now.”
“Not for nothing was unemployment benefit known in the 1980s as “oil money”. Clearly, the days of drilling for hydrocarbons with no regard to the wider environmental implications are gone. However, Norway shows what real community ownership on a national scale looks like, as opposed to having revenues frittered away by a Parliament far, far away. We can take the successful model of Norway but decentralise it and put communities in charge of their own energy destiny, and work with them to ensure that the benefits of the green industrial revolution lie with them, rather than being expropriated elsewhere. In the south, a number of wind farms are at various stages of the planning process, and it is fair to say that, as we have just heard, none enjoys universal popular support; however, all enjoy some public support.”
“Please accept my apologies, Presiding Officer, for not being present at the beginning of the debate. I cannot help but make at least a passing mention of the history of Norway’s community- owned energy sector—in its case, the entire oil and gas sector, as well as a hefty chunk of hydro. Decades ago, the Norwegians took a groundbreaking decision to ensure that their Government, on behalf of the people, would have strategic ownership of oil and gas developments from the 1980s onwards. The result of that is that, today, the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund is worth more than £1.7 trillion. The biggest debates in Norway’s Parliament are on how much can be spent without overinflating the economy. At the same time, the UK Government used North Sea revenues to subsidise tax cuts and the destruction of huge swathes of our industrial base.”
“The process sums up UK energy policy in a nutshell: it is short- termist, deregulated, last minute and profit maximising, with shareholder dividends being protected off the backs of consumers. The UK Government’s head is in the sand. I ask the Scottish Government to do all that it can to support consumers ahead of the fast- approaching June 30 deadline. We need regulatory updating yesterday rather than in the future. 18:26”
“I know that the engineers will be working flat out to do what they can, but the people who work with the householders day to day have told us of their real concerns. We have heard from Citizens Advice Scotland and Age Concern Scotland about some of the problems that are being faced, such as suppliers needing to do more to increase the number of engineer appointments. Securing engineer visits can be a challenge. Once someone manages to secure one, is the appointment being honoured? People have been told that they need to replace their meters with smart meters. That might not be appropriate for them, but no alternative is offered. Deputy Presiding Officer, I know that I am approaching the four-minute mark. There have been 14 years to prepare, but here we are, with six weeks to go.”
“That would apply to about 40 per cent of rural Dumfries and Galloway homes. Another aspect is whether their energy is cheaper at different times of the day, such as is the case with economy 7, economy 10 or total heating, total control tariffs. If people are unsure, they need to contact their energy supplier. Just as we saw with the spike in energy prices a few years ago, it is householders and bill payers who will have to bear the consequence of the energy industry squeezing them for every penny and refusing to invest in the staffing capacity to switch the meters. The UK-controlled regulator Ofgem has not so much taken its eye off the ball as kicked it through the nearest window.”
“Extension after extension to the cut-off has been put in place over the years, in large part to allow the distribution companies the time that they claimed they needed to switch over the RTS meters. Yet, here we are, 14 years on and only six weeks from the long wave switch-off, and the most recent numbers that I have show that more than 7,500 households in Dumfries and Galloway and more than 6,000 in the Scottish Borders are at risk of cessation of the service or of receiving sky-high bills once the switch happens. How do consumers know whether they have an RTS meter? There are a few things to look out for. Do they have a separate box near the meter with a radio switch label on it? Is their property heated using electricity or storage heaters? Is there no mains gas supply?”
“I thank Beatrice Wishart for bringing this members’ business debate to the chamber. She has outlined extremely well the problems that will be caused for her constituents in the northern rural Shetland Islands, and I will highlight issues for Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. Beatrice Wishart highlighted that the RTS switch-off is due to the equipment coming to the end of its operational life, and she mentioned how that will affect the rates payable on some meters and, therefore, consumers’ energy bills. The BBC first outlined its plans for closure of the long-wave broadcasts in 2011. More than a year ago, Radio 4 discontinued its long-wave opt-out programming. A year before that, it began running down opt-out programming on long wave.”
“That multimillion-pound development will include hydrogen production, storage, associated logistics, advanced manufacturing, energy and enterprise campuses. There has already been significant interest from businesses outwith the south that are keen to move into the region, which I think we would all welcome. Those include Green Cat Hydrogen, which is developing a 45-megawatt green hydrogen production facility at the site. That will potentially transform the local economy by creating around 50 high-skilled jobs. The Presiding Officer: We are over the time that has been allocated for this item. I am keen to get all members in, so please let us be concise.”
“Scotland’s renewable energy sector has the potential to be a great export opportunity for Scotland as part of the just transition and our climate ambitions. Can the cabinet secretary speak to the importance of redevelopment of energy sites, such as Chapelcross at Annan, in my South Scotland region, in ensuring that Scotland is equipped with the powers to harness our clean energy and with help to drive down emissions while encouraging growth in the renewables sector? Gillian Martin: The Borderlands inclusive growth deal includes a project to deliver infrastructure to support the redevelopment of the former nuclear site at Chapelcross. The development of Chapelcross in the energy transition zone will transform the local economy, creating the conditions for growth and actively kick-starting and building a market with high-value jobs.”
“We are also committed to building on the success of such programmes through our additional investment of £29 million this year to support the ASN workforce.”
“It is vital that pupils with dyslexia are supported to reach their full potential. Will the cabinet secretary outline how the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s dyslexia and inclusive practice professional recognition programme is supporting teachers to do that? Jenny Gilruth: The GTCS-accredited dyslexia and inclusive practice programme supports teaching professionals to be well equipped to identify and support learners with dyslexia and to share their learning with colleagues. It is a popular programme, and a record number of teachers participated in it last year. The programme’s modules have a strong focus on the dyslexia identification process and the supports that can be put in place in schools.”
“The direct cost to adult social care is £84 million—it could be up to £100 million—and we estimate a cost of £30 million for the not-for- profit sector in Scotland. It is unbelievable. Those costs are for each and every year, and they need to be met only to stand still. There are 100 better ways in which I could spend that money. At every opportunity, my ministerial colleagues and I have stridently opposed the issue. We have tried to engage with the UK Government. Our budget and funding will be spent on mitigating UK policies.”
“The minister and many colleagues have mentioned the UK Government’s employer national insurance contribution hike. That hike could cost the social care sector in Scotland £84 million a year. I think that the minister mentioned that the cost could even be £300 million. That is a huge cost for the sector, including in Dumfries and Galloway. Can the minister reiterate how the Scottish Government is engaging with the UK Government on the issue and provide reassurance that the Scottish Government will continue to press it on the costs? Maree Todd: It is important that people grasp the scale of the issue. We estimate a cost of £300 million across health and social care, including GP contractors.”
“My question relates to the first question and not the anti-trans supplementary. Can the cabinet secretary say any more about how revising the framework document to permit more financial freedom will benefit Historic Environment Scotland? Angus Robertson: Those greater freedoms mean that, for the first time, Historic Environment Scotland will be able to invest every penny from commercial income to protect our historic environment for future generations, mitigate the impacts of climate change, improve visitor experiences and deliver for Scotland. I hope that we will all welcome that. Brexit (Impact on International Relationships) 5.”
“I am content to support the general principles of the bill at stage 1, so that we can continue to probe, debate and engage with one another, and so that the concerns that have been raised by members across the parties continue to be addressed as we go down the road. 16:51”
“Professional representatives such as the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland and the Royal College of Nursing were clear that staff should not face discrimination of any kind if they chose to exercise their rights under the bill. Lastly, I thank every constituent who has contacted me about the bill. Many personal experiences have been conveyed, including those of healthcare professionals who have contacted me, either in support of or opposition to assisted dying, citing the fact that I am still a nurse. Medical science has improved immeasurably over time, including in my 40 years as a nurse. First-rate, world-class medical professionals apply care to their patients, and I thank them all.”
“People living in Glasgow or Edinburgh whose GP exercised their absolute right to conscientious objection would have options and other professionals to be referred to in their area. That is not always the case elsewhere, where alternative GP practices or hospitals may be an hour, or 100 miles, away. We do not want a situation in which, if the bill passes, those in more rural areas face higher practical barriers than those in cities to their exercise of their right to assisted dying. I hope that that will be addressed if the bill passes stage 1. We also heard concerns about those who might exercise conscientious objection and how that might impact their careers.”
“On conscientious objection, I would want to make sure that healthcare providers who objected on the grounds of their personal preference, including carers in the community, as a minimum referred persons to a health professional who would engage to address what they wished to pursue in terms of assisted dying. Allowing health practitioners to not only exercise conscientious objection but extend that to refusing to pass on a patient’s wishes to another practitioner would risk creating a kind of postcode lottery. Evidence to the committee also highlighted the particular challenges in more rural areas, where there are fewer GPs and other medical professionals in comparison with urban Scotland.”
“I note what Rona Mackay said about evidence showing that coercion has not occurred elsewhere. However, we in Scotland would need to support the medical professionals assessing persons who have indicated that they seek to pursue assisted dying. We would need to make sure that those medical professionals could confidently assess whether a person who chooses to pursue assisted dying had been influenced and coerced. On the issue of opposing assisted dying in favour of supporting palliative care, I note that assisted dying should not be seen as opposite to palliative care. Assisted dying should be seen as one choice that people have to face the end of their lives with compassion, dignity and autonomy.”
“Any process must therefore consider whether the decision is genuinely free of coercion and whether it reflects the person’s authentic wishes, recognising society’s responsibility to honour individual autonomy. Has all possible community and hospital support been made accessible, with adequate consideration of social factors that might influence decision making? How do we protect those who may be at risk of coercion? I note that Edward Mountain described active, passive and state coercion. We need to make sure that the medical practitioners are educated well enough to assess for any coercion of vulnerable persons. The protections that are contained in the Human Tissue Act 2004 in relation to living donor organ donation are robust and could be a model for comparison.”
“I know that this is a difficult debate for many—we have witnessed that already this afternoon. It is a complex and challenging subject for all of us. Before I pursue the detail of my concerns, I thank my Health, Social Care and Sport Committee colleagues, including the convener and the clerks, and everyone who provided evidence to us. I remind members that I am a registered nurse—I have been a nurse since 1988. I also thank Liam McArthur for his diligence, his ability to listen and his professionalism in presenting the bill. I started out with a typed speech, but it has been altered somewhat over the course of the afternoon. The purpose of assisted dying legislation is to promote choice and dignity.”
“As I mentioned in my answer to the previous question, the funding that we are putting in—the £200 million to address waiting list backlogs and improve capacity—will be targeted at key priority areas such as gynaecology. Prostate Cancer Treatment Gap 8.”
“Can the minister outline how the Scottish Government has increased funding for gynaecology services, which has helped to drive down waiting times in women’s health? Maree Todd: As a result of last year’s additional investment of £30 million to address the longest waits, health boards exceeded the commitment to deliver 64,000 appointments and procedures in 2024-25. As of March 2025, health boards are reporting delivery of 105,500 appointments and procedures. For gynaecology, boards have reported a final position of just under 3,500 extra appointments and procedures delivered, which is due to an investment of £630,000. We will continue to build on that momentum.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the rural affairs secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding whether anaerobic digestion facilities can support the decarbonisation of the agricultural sector by providing low-carbon fertiliser and the creation of biogas. (S6O-04614)”
“It invited a proponent of the local slow fashion movement from Dumfries, Marie McKinnon, into the school to talk about fast fashion and about how everybody is into disposable clothing instead of promoting a more reusable type of clothing. There was a fashion show in the school, which spurred on the children to take action to be more sustainable in the clothes that they were choosing and wearing. That was one example that I learned about in preparation for this afternoon.”
“I wisnae intending to speak in this debate, but, on reading about the Eco-Schools programme, I thought that I would push my button. I thank Christine Grahame for bringing the debate to the chamber. She has set out very well the Eco- Schools sustainable schools programme and celebrated St Andrew’s RC primary school in Gorebridge, in her constituency. I have had the opportunity to learn about the global Eco-Schools programme, and I will be pleased to highlight some schools in Dumfries and Galloway. Lockerbie academy is participating and Shawhead primary school is another example of a school that is involved in the programme. Georgetown primary school won awards last year for its climate action project.”
“A report will be published in the coming weeks that will summarise responses from all NHS boards on implementation of the recommendations in “The Best Start: A Five-Year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland”.”
“In addition to what the minister has described about actions in adverse event reviews, can she advise what updates the Scottish Government has had from health boards across the country regarding the steps that are being taken to sustain and enhance maternity services, including in Wigtownshire in the west of the NHS Dumfries and Galloway region? Jenni Minto: On 6 February 2025, the Scottish Government published a suite of documents for implementation by NHS boards that were produced to support the aim of improving maternity and neonatal care in Scotland. They are the product of a co-development approach that has drawn on the expertise of our clinical and third sector partners. We are currently developing a robust process for monitoring progress towards implementation.”
“I am conscious that we often talk about the north and the north-east, and that is absolutely the right thing to do, but there are also places in the south that are doing a great job as part of the just transition. Hydrogen is a key strand of the green industrial strategy, and I am delighted that the Scottish Government is taking that seriously rather than kow-towing to the interests of Whitehall and Westminster and the short-termism that was on display only this week from the former Prime Minister Tony Blair. I hope that ministers give his latest outburst all the respect it deserves, and I hope that colleagues will support the motion in Gillian Martin’s name at decision time. 16:29”
“I want to highlight the carbon capture and storage work of The Carbon Removers at Crofthead farm, near Crocketford, just off the A75, which is making inroads into carbon capture and the sequestering of biogenic carbon. The cabinet secretary and the First Minister have visited that site to see for themselves the potential of what The Carbon Removers can achieve. That is another fantastic project based in the south-west of Scotland. Part of what it is doing is carbon sequestration of carbon dioxide for the whisky industry, and The Carbon Removers was a crucial business during the pandemic when it provided dry ice for vaccine storage and transfer. That is another project that it is worth us shouting from the treetops about to get Dumfries and Galloway on the map as part of the just transition.”
“If Scotland gets in early—and that is exactly what the Scottish Government plan for hydrogen aims to do—we can be for the hydrogen industry what Denmark has been for the wind industry for decades: we can be a world leader and an exporter of technology, industrial plants and expertise, with all of that boosting our industrial sectors and our economy. Scotland has seen more than five decades of the dead hand of Westminster frittering away our energy future. We cannot allow the new energy technologies of the 21st century to suffer the same fate. Our green industrial strategy aims to harness the full benefits of our natural bounty to the betterment of our economy and ultimately the people of Scotland.”
“That is only one example of how the Government’s backing of hydrogen is reaping economic dividends for Dumfries and Galloway, South Scotland and the rest of Scotland. Anyone who knows the history of renewables on these islands and further afield knows of the opportunities for wind generation that the UK missed time after time. Meanwhile, small, independent Denmark was leading the way, and today the Danes remain world leaders in wind tech, which, importantly, has brought high-skilled, high-value jobs to that part of the world.”
“It was great to hear colleagues mention Green Cat Hydrogen, at Creca, near Annan. In fact, it was positive to hear the south of Scotland mentioned in the chamber at all during the debate. Just six weeks ago, Green Cat Hydrogen announced plans for a green hydrogen facility at the new energy transition zone at Chapelcross. If the plans get the go-ahead, 150 jobs will be created during construction and another 50 long- term, high-skilled jobs would be in place once the plant is complete. That is a large number of long- term, high-skilled jobs, and that amount of jobs is important for our rural region. Schemes like that would not even make it on to the drawing board without the support of the Scottish Government and South of Scotland Enterprise.”
“Using surplus electricity generation to produce and store hydrogen will allow for the reconversion of that stored hydrogen back into electricity and into the grid. The technology is there, and it has been for decades, but only now is there the political and organisational will to make that a key priority for Scotland’s energy future. This cannot involve only the Government; we need business and industry to work collaboratively with the state to drive things forward. That is why last year alone, £7 million-worth of funding was on the table for businesses as seed money for green hydrogen projects In my South Scotland region, schemes such as the Chapelcross initiative in Annan are repurposing the facilities of the 20th century nuclear power plant and putting in place the technology of the 21st century.”
“Marrying up hydrogen production with the clean renewables of which Scotland has an overwhelming abundance is not just the right thing to do in our quest for a just transition when we are aiming for net zero, but also means smarter and cleaner management of our natural resources, creating better places for our people and making sure that the economic dividends of the hydrogen industry are put to good use right here in Scotland. The UK has spent decades wasting finite natural resources and putting our energy eggs in one basket, including with the dash for gas of the 1990s. Marrying up renewables generation with the production of hydrogen will provide load balancing across the grid just as pumped storage hydro does for peak demand, but it will do so across much longer periods of time.”
“Therefore, some of those journeys will have been undertaken outwith the local authority areas that I mentioned, and figures are subject to change due to late data being received. However, the figures represent a brilliant result for young people. The scheme is making those connections more affordable and, I hope, helping to develop positive travel patterns for young people. Emission and Energy Cost Reductions (Support for Households) 3.”
“Transport connectivity is important for people in the south-west of Scotland. How many free bus journeys have been made to date by young people in the south-west of Scotland as a result of the action of the Scottish National Party Government? Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government’s launch of the young persons free bus travel scheme has most definitely improved connectivity, particularly for young people. As of 30 April 2025, through the young persons free bus travel scheme, 3 million journeys have been made in Dumfries and Galloway, 3.1 million in South Ayrshire and 5.4 million in East Ayrshire. The figures refer to smart journeys that are recorded and are attributed to the local authority in which the card was issued.”
“She has been excellent in engaging with the cross-party group on lung health and she has kindly provided us with much of her time at the health events that I have hosted in Parliament, including those on asthma. This year’s world asthma day is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to ensuring that everyone with asthma has access to the care, treatment and support that they need to live life as fully and healthily as possible. 12:56”
“In 2023, Scotland recorded the highest number of asthma deaths in over 30 years, which is a sobering reminder of asthma’s potential severity. That situation underscores the need for continued vigilance and dedication to improving asthma prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care across the country, including in NHS Dumfries and Galloway and NHS Borders. There is a lot to cover, and in the few minutes that I have in this debate I cannot do justice to all the work that expert national health service clinicians do every day to support their patients. However, I thank them for that. I look forward to hearing an update from the minister.”
“One inhaler manufacturer is transitioning its pressurised metered-dose inhalers—PMDIs—to a new propellant called HFO-1234z, whose global warming potential is 99.9 per cent lower than those of the propellants that are used in conventional inhalers. That change of propellant for multidose inhalers aims to reduce the environmental impact of respiratory medicines. We must also consider the recycling potential of inhalers. Some do not have a lot of components and are relatively easy to recycle, but some have multiple plastic components that are glued or fixed and some are manufactured thousands of miles away from the end user. Although the new guidelines offer a road map for improved asthma care, challenges persist. I turn to deaths from asthma.”
“The new guidelines from SIGN and the BTS cover managing chronic asthma by using pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies, with inhaler device selection and strategies for improving adherence to prescribed inhalational medication, and the management of acute asthma, with recommendations for those managing exacerbations. The pathway includes the management of difficult and severe asthma with specialist therapies and has specific management guidelines covering issues during pregnancy and labour or while breastfeeding, as well as asthma in adolescence. I hope that I have covered enough of those guidelines, which I know are detailed and complex. I will now touch on the environmental impact of inhaler devices and the reduction of environmental harm.”
“One key aspect of the asthma pathway is diagnosis, and the pathway includes recommendations for initial clinical assessments and objective tests to diagnose asthma in adults, young people and children. Testing recommendations include the use of fractional exhaled nitric oxide, which supports the diagnosis and management of asthma by measuring nitric oxide levels in exhaled breath. Elevated FeNO levels can indicate airway inflammation, which is a hallmark of asthma, and can help to guide treatment decisions. The pathway also includes monitoring, which is important in adjusting treatment plans and making interventions.”
“The 30 per cent figure highlights the need for concerted efforts to improve the delivery and accessibility of basic asthma care. I know a number of the clinicians who are involved in taking forward work on lung health improvement. Dundee’s Dr Tom Fardon led the creation of the respiratory care action plan and that work is now being delivered by the centre for sustainable delivery. In November 2024, significant strides were made with the launch of new asthma guidelines by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence along with the British Thoracic Society and the Scottish intercollegiate guidelines network, which is known as SIGN. Those guidelines are a collaborative effort to update practice in asthma management.”
“Asthma is the most common respiratory condition impacting individuals of all ages and its management requires a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach. As someone who is still a nurse and has a sister who was a respiratory nurse consultant during her time in the national health service, I recognise the critical importance of providing the basic elements of asthma care, which are an annual asthma review, inhaler technique check and written asthma action plan. Those elements empower individuals to manage their condition effectively. Asthma and Lung UK reported that 30 per cent of asthma patients received all three of those essential components in 2025, which is an increase from the 24 per cent figure that was stated in my motion and came from 2024. It is good to see that that number is increasing.”
“This year’s theme from the Global Initiative for Asthma—GINA—is “Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for ALL” and emphasises the need to ensure that everyone, regardless of their global location or socioeconomic status, has access to inhaled medications that they need both to control the underlying disease and to treat asthma attacks. That is one reason why having the right inhaler and the right inhaler technique feature in the advice for treatment, which I will come to. Asthma is a pervasive condition that affects approximately 360,000 people in Scotland, including 72,000 children, although it was interesting to read a recent study in The BMJ that estimated that the prevalence in Scotland could be as much as 720,000.”
“I thank colleagues for signing my motion, which has allowed us to bring the subject of world asthma day to the chamber. I thank Asthma and Lung UK Scotland for all its work as secretariat to the cross- party group on lung health, which I co-convene with my colleague Alexander Stewart, and for the briefing that it provided ahead of today’s debate. I also thank Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland for its briefing. Asthma and Lung UK Scotland has campaigned, advocated and made great efforts that have been crucial in driving improvements in asthma care. As we approach world asthma day, which falls on 6 May this year, it is important to reflect on the progress that has been made in asthma care and on the challenges that remain.”