Parliament

Investing in preventive care is vital if we want to support our communities, reduce health inequalities & take the pressure off our hospitals. The next parliament must focus on recovery from Covid-19 and developing a preventive care system. Critical for Scotland’s future is: investing in green spaces & affordable, healthy eating, in cancer screening, prevention …

Debate: what should primary care look like for the next generation? Read More »

At the Ministerial Statement on Parliamentary elections 2021, I asked the Minister to address concerns over staff & voter safety at polling stations & the need for clarity on postal votes. It’s also vital to see the assessment carried out of the impact that the upcoming election campaign will have on the prevalence of Covid …

Ministerial Statement on Parliamentary elections 2021 Read More »

Yesterday, I called for an increase in capital spend for our councils. This is vital if we want to #BuildBackBetter, support our communities, protect jobs & invest in social housing, schools & zero carbon infrastructure. From a high point of 27%, capital has been cut to 12% – at a time when we need new …

Debate on Local Government Funding Read More »

Tuesday’s debate on Heat Networks Stage 3 Bill was constructive. New heat networks will help us tackle the climate emergency & present opportunities to create local jobs & training. But our councils will need Scot Govt funding & to learn lessons from projects elsewhere. We need to make sure that our infrastructure is affordable & …

Heat Networks Stage 3 Bill Read More »

Today I asked the First Minister how the consequentials from the £3.5 billion of funding to replace unsafe cladding in England will be allocated, and whether buildings under 18 metres will be included in any grant scheme.The Scottish Government already has £97m in consequentials from an earlier UK Gov fund. This money has not been …

FMQs Read More »

Glad that I was able to contribute to the Green Recovery Inquiry yesterday in Parliament. It’s vital that our response to the economic crisis and the climate emergency involves bold action to deliver a more equal society as we recover from the pandemic. That means applying a holistic approach to procurement, shifting away from the …

Green Recovery Inquiry Read More »

Yesterday, I asked Ivan McKee about what support will be available to small businesses to boost their exports? Following the continued restrictions and the added pressure of Brexit, many small businesses struggling to survive. Good to hear about the Trading Nation agenda – but critical we see the action proposed implemented urgently. Our full exchange …

Ministerial Statement Read More »

Powerful contributions at the the Local Government and Communities Committee this morning on the need to address fuel poverty, invest to insulate homes & switch to affordable low carbon heat in our homes & communities. That means increased information & support for home owners is critical. Plus, wider benefits from creating green jobs & supply …

Local Government and Communities Committee Read More »

I spoke in Scottish Labour’s Health debate in the Scottish Parliament yesterday. Too many people have been let down by failings in handling of the pandemic such as rules in care homes & in front-line care delivery settings that are not always followed, shortages in PPE and lack of asymptomatic testing roll-out. Health & social …

Scottish Labour’s Debate: Protecting Scotland’s Health and Care Workforce – 20th Jan Read More »

I asked the FM today about when the numbers of vaccinations of staff & residents completed in our care homes can be published. Its a key issue for relatives. She said it would happen, but didn’t give a commitment on when. The full exchange: Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab):  Will the First Minister publish the rate …

The Question to the First Minister on vaccinations of staff & residents completed in our care homes. Read More »