Brian Whittle
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party · Scotland
“As Jamie Halcro Johnston said, roads, rail networks and ferries—we keep coming back to ferries—are key to keeping those communities where they are and stopping migration away from them. The chamber will welcome the fact that this— eventually—is my last speech in this parliamentary session.”
“Speaking as somebody who got his first mobile phone—a brick of a thing—at the age of 32, I find that quite astonishing. It is important that pupils have the opportunity to put their phones down in school, but also important is what happens outside school.”
“As always, I want to introduce a slightly different approach to the subject and so I will talk about how we should develop health policy. We must start from the position that services should be available to our communities no matter where they are, whether they are urban, rural or on islands.”
“It is interesting that the girls attitudes survey carried out by Girlguiding UK in 2025 found that girls are restricting their online activity in order to protect themselves, with more than a third of respondents reporting that they avoid using certain apps and platforms in order to protect themselves.”
“It is a pleasure to follow Beatrice Wishart, who, as we all know, has been a real champion for her communities in the time that she has spent here.”
“That was an interesting question from Mr Harvie, as the Scottish Greens have spent the majority of this session of Parliament demonising our farmers and food producers.”
The complete record
Every one of 750 lines we hold for Brian Whittle, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 13 of 15.
“Every year, the A9, A96 and A82 have a body count that would result in our diggers being out widening the roads if we saw it on the M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The A9, in particular, remains one of the UK’s most dangerous roads. After John F Kennedy pledged to get to the moon, it took NASA only nine years; it has taken the SNP nearly 20 years to make glacial progress towards dualling the A9, which the SNP promised to do when it came to power in 2007. The issue is so important, not only for the Highland economy but for its users’ safety. Since 1979, 335 people have been killed on the A9’s Perth to Inverness stretch. In 2022 alone, 13 people died.”
“Will the member give way? Alex Cole-Hamilton: I am afraid that I need to make progress. Forgive me—I have only four minutes. By doing that, the council set back the interest that community might have had in improving what was already quite a low-traffic neighbourhood. Lib Dems have also made it crystal clear that the dualling of the A9 is an absolute priority. At our spring conference in Inverness, my party backed the campaign to dual the A9 and made it a manifesto promise for next year’s election. Jim Fairlie: Will the member take an intervention? Alex Cole-Hamilton: I am really sorry, but I must make progress. Dualling the A9 is about saving lives—it is not a charter for motorists but a charter for road safety.”
“I apologise to the chamber for my tardiness. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the delivery of the Ayrshire growth deal. (S6O-04579)”
“The system is very much based on the Covid-19 pandemic new vaccine recording system that was built and the vaccine management tool, as well as the national clinical data store, which stores the information that is collected via the vaccine management tool. That gives us a good platform on which to build the very system that Brian Whittle is asking for. Social Care Package Assessments (North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership) 5.”
“The issue that Fergus Ewing raised in NHS Highland highlights the need to start to adopt a basic national collaboration and communication platform. That would allow all healthcare professionals, with the permission of patients, to access basic health data that is important to the delivery of safe patient care, and would bring the Scottish national healthcare service into the modern world. Does the cabinet secretary agree? Neil Gray: I believe that the new NHS app and the digital front door will allow a greater expansion of that. I am pleased that NHS Lanarkshire will start the roll-out of that later this year.”
“We need to consider a whole-system approach and how we ensure that such children can interact with, take part in and be a part of community and society. I had not thought about getting to my feet in this debate, but I felt compelled to do so. Once again, I thank Daniel Johnson for compelling me with his very powerful speech. We need to make a societal change in this matter across all the portfolios that we look after in the Parliament. 18:02”
“The problems started after that was withdrawn, because they had no outlet for their thoughts and processes. As I have said before in the chamber, one of the most fulfilling times in my coaching career was when I worked with a couple of children with autism and with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. It was extraordinarily fulfilling to be involved in the impact that that routine had on their lives. We need to consider how we structure our education system. Despite what the minister and the Government might say, there is no question but that there has been a reduction in children’s ability to participate in such outlets in schools and communities. When I spoke to the autism campaigners, I learned that that has a more profound impact on people with neurodivergent conditions.”
“I was struck by Elena Whitham’s point about the need for a whole-system, holistic approach, and I will be focusing some of my speech on the societal approach in education. I might well bore members with it, but I will never tire of talking about how we must give kids outlets to express themselves. I raised with the autism campaigners the withdrawal of the ability to be physically active or involved in music, drama or art and how the impact of that on those who are neurodivergent can be much more significant. In that respect, I remember a couple of issues that my constituents raised with me. In one case, there were a couple of children who loved to do art. They could remain in the mainstream as long as they had quiet time to themselves to do their art.”
“I thank my friend and colleague Daniel Johnson for continuing to shine a light on this issue. The fact that we need to continue to shine that light should bring shame on us all. It had not been my intention to speak in the debate; instead, I wanted to listen to those speaking today. However, when I was speaking to some of the autism campaigners, I asked their permission to talk about some of the issues that I want to raise, and they gave it to me. Last week, I met representatives from the Royal College of Psychiatrists and heard about its report. Shockingly, there was, between 2019 and 2021, a rise of up to 800 per cent in referrals for ADHD. At the same time, we have a reduced psychology sector in which, as Jackie Baillie has said, people are hitting burnout and moving to the private sector to get a work-life balance.”
“Politicians always want to put benchmarks in place or to know which targets have been met, but some of the learning experiences found in outdoor education cannot be quantified, although many can. It is life changing for so many young people and the relationships that they build with their fellow pupils and with teachers sustain them in education. That is the value of outdoor education that we heard about in committee. I support the motion and I support the bill in my colleague Liz Smith’s name. 15:56”
“If we are to do that, we must do it as a country and Parliament must send our young people, parents, guardians and teachers the message that we will invest in and value them. I have time to take the intervention from Brian Whittle now. Brian Whittle: In listening to Miles Briggs, I was struck by a quote from the president of World Athletics and International Olympic Committee president-elect, Seb Coe, who said: “Sport is the most potent social worker in all our communities.” Does Mr Briggs agree that we have the opportunity to fund either prevention or the outcome of not funding prevention? Miles Briggs: I absolutely agree. All of us in this chamber are guilty of wanting to measure absolutely everything.”
“Fast forward to today, and we know that many children are disconnected from their learning, having just come through the traumatic and life- changing experience of a global pandemic. As Liz Smith has stated, the bill is about what is in the best interests of our young people in the post-Covid age, when so many indicators tell us that they are facing more challenges than ever before. As we continue to assess the negative impacts of the educational disruption that was caused by the pandemic and the consequences that that has had for our young people, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, I believe that the bill represents an opportunity to again give our young people hope and a positive outlook in their lives.”
“Will Miles Briggs give way on that point? Miles Briggs: If there is time in hand. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I am afraid that we have very limited time. Miles Briggs: I am sorry in that case—I cannot. In the light of the lessons from that study, I believe that, as a Parliament, we need to understand that the proposed expenditure on the bill can be regarded as preventative spend that will help to build the resilience in our young people that is missing. The most recent significant piece of legislation to have been passed on outdoor education is the Education Act 1944, which is known as the Butler act. After the second world war, the nation wanted to give its children and young people—who had come through the traumatic and life-changing experiences of the war and were disconnected from society—hope and a positive outlook in life.”
“In response to employer demand, Skills Development Scotland has ensured that requests for engineering apprenticeships have been met through in-year contract allocations. We are aware that Ayrshire College plays an important role in supporting the Ayrshire regional economy. Skills Development Scotland oversees the national apprenticeship programme and administers funding on the Scottish Government’s behalf. It conducts an open procurement process via Public Contracts Scotland and, throughout the year, implements in-year reallocations of modern apprenticeship starts to ensure flexibility in responding to employer demand. We encourage Ayrshire College to continue to liaise with SDS and raise any concerns about its contract with the organisation in the first instance.”
“The minister will recognise the necessity of building a skilled workforce and growing the green economy to encourage investment. He will also recognise the invaluable contribution that our colleges make in fulfilling that task. Given that, can he explain why Ayrshire College has been told that its core teaching grant has been cut, and why, despite 5,000 skilled engineers being required by the area’s businesses, including many related to the green economy, engineering is not being prioritised as an area of growth? Tom Arthur: Engineering, energy-related apprenticeships and the information technology and digital sectors are being prioritised, because of their role in driving economic growth.”
“Leisure boaters take to the sea for many reasons: some for the challenge of pitting themselves against the elements or fellow sailors in competition, some for the camaraderie of meeting others with a shared passion, and many simply for fun. Whatever the reason, we should be encouraging more people to enjoy the pleasures that boating has to offer, not putting up barriers. Peel Ports does not have to listen to the outcry from organisations such as the Royal Yachting Association or a number of local boating organisations that have objected to the plans. However, if it does not listen and if it does not change course, it will do profound harm to communities up and down the Firth of Clyde. I once again thank my colleague Stuart McMillan for bringing this issue to the chamber. 17:26”
“Sadly for them, their main rowing skiffs are longer than 6m, so they will now have to stump up to Peel Ports if they want to regularly row anywhere north of Irvine. The dozens of other clubs in Scotland that might visit the area to compete in a regatta will be hooked for a visitor fee. I understand the position that Peel Ports is in. Its costs are rising and it argues that it has issues dealing with abandoned vessels and wrecks. However, all those vessels belong to someone and those individuals should be pursued for the costs. Responsible owners and seafarers should not be punished for the negligence of a few. Scotland is an island and seafaring nation. Whether for leisure or commerce, seafaring is an important part of our history and culture.”
“Turning to my point on the public health impact of the proposal, many of the smaller craft that will be impacted by the proposals are not superyachts or gin palaces; they are small sailing craft that are crewed by members of the public who enjoy a day out on the water as a way of being active or to relax. Many of them are coastal rowing skiffs that are built by members of the community and rowed for fun or competition. I am particularly aggravated by the idea that community groups such as coastal rowing clubs could be affected by the plan. Those are exactly the kind of community groups that I want to see more of. They offer a welcoming environment in which people of all ages and abilities can learn new skills, make new friends and keep fit.”
“Although I recognise that Peel Ports has the right to impose reasonable fees and charges to cover its costs relating to services and upkeep within the Clydeport area, the proposals are far from reasonable. More than that, they have the potential to cause significant harm to the area, damaging marine tourism, deterring investment and, in my view, potentially impacting public health by creating barriers to access. The lack of public engagement and public consultation by Peel Ports is hugely disappointing and only serves to reinforce the view that it is acting in a high-handed way with no consideration for the wider impacts that the decision will have.”
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak in the debate. My colleague Jamie Greene had hoped to participate, as the area that is covered by Peel Ports falls within his West Scotland region rather than mine. Nonetheless, I know many owners of leisure craft in my South Scotland region who will be affected by the proposals, and Mr Greene and I are aligned in our views on them. I am grateful to Stuart McMillan for bringing the debate to the chamber and for his efforts, through the CPG on recreational boating and marine tourism, to highlight this unfair, ill-thought-through and ignorant proposal from Peel Ports, to which— as members might have gathered—I am utterly opposed.”
“In all my visits as cabinet secretary, I see it as a pillar of our approach to education in Scotland, particularly in relation to our younger, early years settings, where I see it routinely used. I am not necessarily sure that I accept the final premise of the member’s question about a reduction in that area. Co-ordinated Support Plans 4.”
“Jenny Gilruth: The member spoke to some of the challenges in relation to neurological conditions and in particular the increases that we have seen. I mentioned in my response to Mr Whitfield the rationale behind some of those increases, which I accept. Brian Whittle also spoke to the need for diagnosis and the waiting times that are perhaps associated with that. I again put on record that, from an educational perspective, there is no requirement for a formal diagnosis in order for a young person to obtain support. That is really important in relation to how young people receive support in school. The member mentioned outdoor education, which is hugely important.”
“Related to ASN delivery, I had a meeting yesterday with the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, which warned that there has been an unprecedented rise in referrals for neurological conditions, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder levels rising by up to 800 per cent in just two years across health boards. Conditions in the health service mean that waiting lists are now of up to eight years, which has an impact on education services and ASN. The RCP in Scotland highlights that one of the reasons for the situation is the lack of access to activities such as outdoor learning and sport—activities that give children an outlet for their anxiety and enthusiasm. When will the Scottish Government recognise the need to reverse the decline in such activities in our schools, to the betterment of pupils’ mental health and education?”
“That question is another example of student politics. Does the member agree with me that, if we were to extrapolate what is being asked for here, we would need to look at the whole supply chain behind any manufacturers or investments and that that would be an impossible task? Maggie Chapman: I gave a pretty full answer in my response to Mark Ruskell. It is clear that the fiduciary duties of the scheme trustees are taken seriously and that supply chain considerations are taken into account. As I said, the corporate body will have further discussions about how best to consult members of the pension scheme, whether or not that is part of our role and responsibility, and will come back to Parliament on that. LGBTQ+ Staff (Support) 5.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is sufficiently resourced to provide appropriate planning guidance or able to respond to planning consultations when required. (S6O- 04454)”
“The work that is done by the MacDiarmid’s Brownsbank SCIO will give him an enduring legacy that is hugely worth while in terms of not only his own work, but how the initiative speaks to Scotland’s cultural confidence and identity and to our commitment as a nation to valuing and protecting that heritage. As Clare Adamson’s motion highlights, we cannot afford to see buildings such as Brownsbank fall into disrepair. The cottage and other buildings like it have offered a spark of inspiration to many of Scotland’s most successful and influential literary figures. There are many arguments for their preservation, but Hugh MacDiarmid himself put it quite succinctly when he said, “You cannot light a match on a crumbling building.” The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Emma Harper—you have around four minutes, Ms Harper. 17:23”
“It is to the credit of everybody who is involved in those groups that they do not see the objective purely as preserving Hugh MacDiarmid’s past; they are also looking to the future, using his works to inspire and encourage the next generation of writers. I am delighted that, from the reinvestment in a writers-in-residence programme to the creation of a poetry board scheme for pupils in South Lanarkshire to showcase their efforts, aspiring writers will have the opportunity to build their talents on such strong foundations. Although he may have been a controversial figure at times, there is no doubting the cultural impact of Hugh MacDiarmid.”
“However, both buildings have become synonymous with their occupants, and both bring their own insights into the minds of those two gifted writers. While Burns cottage has been preserved by the National Trust for Scotland, however, Brownsbank is reliant on the hard work of members of the Scottish charitable incorporated organisation that was created to preserve both the cottage and Hugh MacDiarmid’s legacy. The organisation is funded—as Clare Adamson’s motion points out— principally through the generosity of grant funding from the likes of the SSE Clyde wind farm development fund, the Architectural Heritage Fund and the William Grant Foundation, as well as through the generosity of individual members of the public who are committed to preserving Hugh MacDiarmid’s cultural legacy.”
“If we want to truly understand these writers and the minds that crafted their immortal works, therefore, we need to look beyond the words and to the world in which they were crafted. That is why initiatives such as MacDiarmid’s Brownsbank are so important in preserving the wider works of poets such as Hugh MacDiarmid. As a proud son of Ayrshire, I could not allow the debate to pass without drawing parallels between Brownsbank and Robert Burns’s cottage in Alloway. As members will know, Burns’s cottage offers visitors an insight into the world in which Robert Burns was born, with the surrounding area providing the inspiration for many of his later works. In contrast, Brownsbank cottage was a feature of MacDiarmid’s later years.”
“I am really pleased to speak in support of the motion and I thank Clare Adamson for bringing the debate to the chamber. We do not get enough opportunity to talk about Scotland’s long and proud cultural history. Scotland is the homeland of many nationally and internationally recognised artists, writers, musicians and dramatists, and no more so than in the world of poetry, in which the national bard, Robert Burns, has introduced people around the globe to Scottish culture and drawn many of them to Scotland to see what else it has to offer. Poetry, perhaps more than any other form of writing, is often shaped by the writer’s direct experiences and the places where they live.”
“We spoke about the quadruple helix and buy-in from the public, but staff buy-in is the most important thing. It will have to happen eventually so that healthcare does not collapse, so why not commit to it now? I welcome the way in which the cabinet secretary has communicated and discussed this subject with me, so perhaps we can actually have some real progress. 16:49”
“We have an NHS, but we need to do two things that have come out of this debate, which I urge the Government to consider. There is no halfway house here. We have to get things right at foundation level to allow the on-going, fundamental and transformative change needed in our healthcare system. We need a universal platform that has basic architecture to host all the fantastic software that we have discussed today and gives us the ability to share successful trials and evolve as the technology evolves. So much of our tech fails because it becomes obsolete, and that cannot be allowed to happen. Just as important, we need a commitment to the adoption and innovation of tech on the front line, and not just by those who are early adopters. That is the number 1 reason why tech fails.”
“There is work in Dundee on the gamification of technology as well as on fintech. Could we look at more and deeper collaboration on that? Brian Whittle: I thank the member for the intervention because I was just about to mention him. He brought up the subject of Estonia, which is the gold standard in this area because the Estonians started from scratch and had to build their technology from the base up. Clare Haughey: Will the member accept an intervention? Brian Whittle: If I have time. This is a good debate. Clare Haughey: I will be brief. Does Brian Whittle realise that, by quoting developments in Estonia, he has just made the case for Scotland to be an independent country? Brian Whittle: I do not think that we are starting from scratch.”
“The reality is that we need a basic architecture that allows primary and secondary care, pharmacies, social care and the third sector to integrate and collaborate nationally. Paul Sweeney: Will the member take an intervention? Brian Whittle: If I have time, I will happily take another intervention. Paul Sweeney: I thank the member for indulging me in a second intervention. He makes an interesting point about silos and about harnessing the technology that Scotland is good at. For example, we have one of the biggest fintech clusters in the world. We know how advanced financial services applications are and how easy it is to access banking services by phone, but there is no such development in the healthcare system. Could we tap into some of the existing centres of excellence that the member mentioned?”
“That is against the current situation, in which everyone eventually has to be sent for a costly MRI. It would save time and money, not to mention giving the patient peace of mind or, at least, an earlier diagnosis. There are literally hundreds of innovations with the potential to deliver effective and time-saving solutions, many of them invented and developed in Scotland’s academic institutions or in our life science and technology businesses. The problem always comes from the ability to adopt and integrate that technology, much of which is bought and taken for development overseas in the early stages. If Alexander Graham Bell had gone to NHS Scotland procurement with a view to introducing the telephone we would still be waiting on the results of the consultation to decide whether we should buy a second handset.”
“We are not talking here about saving money in the health service; we are talking about being able to redeploy money much more effectively. Imagine if the cabinet secretary had that money and the ability to use it in pay negotiations with our health professionals, and picture how much easier his job would be. What if we could speed up scanning and screening or even evaluate patient need before those tests are required? I seem to come across potential advances in technology every day that would do just that. Last Tuesday, my friend and colleague Alexander Stewart hosted an event for brain tumour awareness month at which a technology company presented its development of a blood test that takes just 15 minutes to get a response, which can, in turn, help practitioners to decide whether an MRI scan is needed.”
“That would involve their doing only one procedure, being highly tuned in and effectively utilising the assets that we already have. That is the core of the issue, and we need to look at that more— [Interruption.] Brian Whittle: I heard the cabinet secretary muttering, “That is coming.” When it comes to how we adopt technology, the issue is how effective that model can be. We need to create more time for healthcare professionals to spend on delivering healthcare. For that to happen, they need to spend less time dealing with administration and red tape. With basic AI, we could rationalise the back-office functions of the 14 health boards in one centre. That might be a bit contentious, but it is definitely something that we need to do.”
“In my view, the problem that we are trying to solve here is one of time. Our healthcare professionals do not have the time to deliver the healthcare that they are trained to provide and which they are passionate about. That only leads to frustration and pressure on our healthcare professionals, which, in turn, can affect our ability to retain staff. Paul Sweeney: Brian Whittle makes an important point about time. One thing that surgeons have told us is that national treatment centres might not be the panacea. The issue is not necessarily the facilities; it is more to do with their efficient utilisation. When it comes to how we treat operating theatres, perhaps we should think about Formula 1 pit stops. Maybe we should specialise theatres so that they can roll patients through.”
“Key to this debate is the issue of how we ensure not only that early-stage innovation is tested properly but that it is adapted and adopted timeously, rather than—as Paul Sweeney mentioned—being snapped up and developed by foreign agencies, with the result that we do not benefit from it. Roz McCall mentioned Mr Blackwood’s comment that the lack of strong national leadership was one of the problems. I hope that this afternoon’s debate signals a change in that respect. Today, the Parliament has an opportunity to instruct the Scottish Government to move more quickly on that element. Mr Sweeney mentioned Covid. One of the things that came out of the pandemic was an ability to rapidly adopt technology when we absolutely need it. Somehow or other, that seems to have fallen away.”
“I am very grateful to the cabinet secretary for using Government debating time to address innovation and technology in the health and social care service and for his pragmatic approach to the motion, none of which we disagree with. I am not sure that such collaboration will take off, but I think that it is the way forward. We have heard a great deal about innovation. As I listened to Kevin Stewart extolling the virtues of the innovative technology that comes from his constituency, I could not help noticing that Joe FitzPatrick was sitting behind him. It was inevitable that Mr FitzPatrick would speak in the debate, because Dundee has always been a great hub for such innovation.”
“It is with an unusual degree of enthusiasm, excitement and hope that I close this debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. I should note at the outset that we will support the Government motion and, indeed, the Labour amendment. The potential exists for the debate to have a really positive outcome and to move things forward in a positive way. Debates about health and social care seem to be dominated by waiting times, missed Scottish Government targets, shortages of consultants, nurses and midwives, and record investment or the lack thereof. In the political maelstrom of blaming one another, we seldom seem to get the opportunity to take a step back and offer sustainable and effective solutions. In other words, we do not seem to get the space to work the problem. This debate has, in the main, given us that opportunity.”
“We will invest £4.5 million over three years to create a new national digital intensive weight management programme, which will significantly expand our weight management capacity and support 3,000 people who have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. We expect that more than a third of people will achieve remission at the end of their first year on the programme, with a majority benefiting from a clinically significant average weight loss of 10 per cent. Reducing the number of people living with type 2 diabetes reduces pressure on the health service and has life-changing implications for those whom we can help to achieve and sustain remission. A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes at 40 lowers life expectancy by about 10 years. The first patients will be recruited on to the programme in”
“Although some people will be fast tracked for testing based on assessment at digital triage, the programme will help to reduce waiting lists and to provide assurance to patients who are worried about their condition. For those with skin cancer, it will also reduce the time before they receive treatment and increase their chances of a positive outcome. The programme is already available to more than 400 general practices across six territorial health boards, and it will be rolled out across Scotland by the spring. We must maintain momentum. That is why I am announcing today that the Scottish Government will commit a further £6.4 million to support the next two ANIA programmes.”
“Last year, we committed to supporting all children living with type 1 diabetes to access that technology and to increasing the provision for adults. We are on track to deliver closed-loop systems to more than 2,000 people in this financial year. That was followed by our £1.8 million investment in the ANIA digital dermatology programme. Too many people in Scotland are waiting for a dermatology out-patient appointment. Launched in December, the pathway enables general practitioners to take photographs of a patient’s skin issues and securely attach those images to a dermatology referral. Evidence suggests that that will allow about half of those patients to be returned to their GP, with advice or reassurance, without the need for an in-person appointment with a consultant.”
“That is why, in partnership with the NHS, we have established the accelerated national innovation adoption pathway. That brings together expertise from across our national health boards to identify proven innovations, produce robust business cases and, if those innovations are approved, support our territorial health boards to adopt them at pace across Scotland. The pathway’s first programme was the creation of a national onboarding service for closed-loop systems. Closed-loop systems are an incredible asset for people living with type 1 diabetes. They not only improve sugar control and reduce the risk of long-term complications but remove a lot of the burden that people living with type 1 diabetes face on a day-to-day basis.”
“We want to get the economic benefit and, most importantly, the benefit for patients. I will speak about that in just a second. To embed the work of the triple helix, we have established three regional innovation hubs. Together, they represent all 14 territorial NHS boards and provide support to those who want to test and develop new technologies in the NHS. The partnerships are already trialling the use of drones to deliver medications with a short shelf life and the use of artificial intelligence to improve chest X-ray screening, and they are working with CivTech to improve access to treatment for menopause. However, we can no longer afford to have only islands of excellence in our health service; we must universalise the best service through the national adoption of proven innovations.”
“I agree with the cabinet secretary that we have a fantastic tech and innovation sector in Scotland, but we have always had that. The problem has been about taking that embryo of an idea or that small company and developing it and embedding it in the NHS. Even with the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre, we have still struggled. How will we make sure that innovation is available to the healthcare service? Neil Gray: Brian Whittle has neatly pre-empted the paragraphs in my speech about how I want us to foster innovation to de-risk some of the investment decisions that are being taken, and how we can make sure that there is genuine partnership between industry, academia and the health service to ensure that what is being done is commercially viable and most applicable to our health and social care service.”
“I know that work is already happening with schools and colleges in that sector. I am delighted that we will be working with skills agencies to ensure that we grow construction skills and encourage growth across the whole sector. Affordable Housing (Glasgow) 7.”
“Scotland’s 2032 affordable housing target is at very real risk of being missed. It is clear that we need to do more to consistently increase the number of new homes being built. In East Ayrshire, the number of new builds started last year was fewer than half as many as were started in the year ending September 2023. Does the minister accept that we need to facilitate the building of more homes? Does he also recognise the importance of working with schools, colleges and universities to ensure that the construction sector has the workforce that it needs in that process? Paul McLennan: Mr Whittle makes a good point. Skills interaction is very important. There is no doubt that there was an impact when Brexit occurred, because we lost many construction staff across Scotland.”
“I had so much to say, Deputy Presiding Officer, but I realise that time is short. However, I will highlight that there is now an opportunity to correct the situation, as legislation is currently passing through Parliament and is at stage 3. I believe that measures could have been brought forward in secondary legislation before now, but we are where we are. It is incumbent on us, in this place, to give that bill all the support that we can. We must continue to recognise the huge contribution that young carers make, to support them and their families and to ensure that they get all the help that they possibly can. 13:23”