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From YouTube: First Minister's Questions - 4 October 2018
Description
Read the full transcript of First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament Official Report: https://bit.ly/2NmMp2n
A
B
You
presiding
officer,
when
you
visit
schools,
people
are
most
likely
to
tell
you
what
you
want
to
hear
through
fear
of
repercussions.
That's
the
message
from
a
primary
school
teacher
in
today's
press
to
the
education
secretary
speaking
anonymously,
because
she
fears
being
disciplined
for
speaking
out.
How
does
the
First
Minister
think
that
reflects
on
her
government
First.
C
I
should
say
that
teachers,
parents,
sometimes
older
people's
email,
me
regularly
I'm
sure
it's
the
case
for
the
Deputy
First
Minister
openly
telling
us
their
views
on
schools.
Often
they
will
talk
about
the
the
very
many
positives
about
school
education.
At
other
times.
They
will
point
out
things
that
they
think
we
should
be
doing
better.
So
my
message
to
any
teacher
I've
read
the
light
of
the
truth.
Davidson
has
referred
to
is
that
nobody
should
feel
unable
to
come
to
me
or
to
the
education
secretary
and
raise
concerns
at
any
time.
C
I
encourage
that
I
have
always
encouraged
that,
and
I
always
will
encourage
that.
But
I
also
think
it's
important
that
we
remain
very
focused
on
making
sure
we're
investing
properly
in
our
schools,
reducing
where
we
can
unnecessary
what
clued
for
teachers
and
taking
the
action
through,
for
example,
the
people
equity
fund
and
the
governance
reforms
in
our
schools
to
do
what
I
have
said
is
such
a
driving
priority
for
this
government,
which
is
to
rest
and
us
and
cause
the
attainment
gap,
and
we
will
remain
absolutely
focused
in
doing
exactly
that.
Miss.
A
B
The
First
Minister
talks
about
reducing
workload,
but
if
that
works
been
undertaken,
why
do
international
studies
show
that
our
teachers
are
among
the
most
overworked
in
the
world?
But
let's
just
read
out
a
little
bit
more
from
the
letter
that
went
to
mr.
Sweeney
that
we
all
received
in
the
last
week.
In
it,
the
teacher
says
that
the
Scottish
Government
are
not
tackling
the
real
underlying
issues
in
education,
but
are
rather
just
putting
a
plaster
over
a
gaping
wound
and
speaking
directly
to
mr.
Sweeney,
she
adds
the
most
concerning
thing
that
has
happened
so
far.
B
Is
that
one
of
my
colleagues
arranged
to
meet
with
yourself
to
discuss
issues
that
would
have
great
concern
to
them.
However,
this
person
was
warned
by
their
manager
that
if
they
went
ahead
with
this
meeting,
they
would
be
disciplined
could
either
the
education
secretary
or
the
First
Minister
say
today
whether
they
knew
that
that
had
happened,
what
action
they
took
and
whether
they'll
end
this
culture
of
fear
right
now.
First.
A
C
Think
it's
very
important
to
be
clear
on
this.
I
want
to
be
crystal
clear
on
this
and
I
would
say
not
just
to
people
across
this
chamber,
but
parts
particularly
to
local
authority
employers.
In
this
regard,
in
the
case
that
Ruth
Davidson
has
mentioned
the
Deputy
First
Minister
agreed
to
meet
with
the
teacher,
it
was
not
the
Deputy
First
Minister.
They
said
that
meeting
could
go
ahead.
C
So
I
am
very,
very
clear:
it's
not
acceptable
for
local
authorities
to
say
to
any
teacher
or
any
member
of
staff,
whatever
job
they're
doing
that
they
will
be
disciplined
if
they
approach
or
raise
concerns
with
government
ministers.
So
I
can't
be
any
clearer
about
that.
I
will
go
on
being
clear
about
that
and
I
hope.
That's
a
message
that
is
here'd
loudly
and
clearly
by
local
authorities
right
across
the
country
and
I
hope.
Ruth
Davidson
would
agree
with
that
and
join
with
me
today.
In
sending
that
message,
Ruth.
B
I'm
not
sure
the
First
Minister
fully
gets
this,
because
it's
her
government,
that
is
decree
into
local
authorities
and
we're
not
talking
we're
not
talking
about
a
political
opponent
here.
This
teacher
isn't
point-scoring
we're
talking
about
a
teacher
who,
in
the
letter,
makes
clear
that
she's
an
SMP
supporter
and
vote
her,
and
yet
she
now
feels
that
she
isn't
being
listened
to
and
has
to
speak
out
under
the
cloak
of
anonymity
in
order
to
avoid
being
stamped
on.
B
C
Have
to
say
that
haven't
read
the
letter
that
Rose
Davidson
opened
within
a
first
question.
There
are
many
serious
issues
in
that
letter
that
Rose
Davidson
could
have
race'
D
issues
that
this
government
is
working
hard
to
address,
with
the
teaching
profession
and
with
others,
but
I
think
on
this
issue.
She
is
on
extremely
weak
ground.
Indeed,
so
let
me
recap
for
Ruth
Davidson's
benefit.
In
this
case
the
Deputy
First
Minister
agreed
to
me
a
teacher.
It
was
the
local
authority
advised
that
teacher
not
to
meet.
C
C
Me
as
First
Minister,
the
Deputy
First
Minister,
does
education
sectors
are
indeed
any
member
of
my
government,
so
I'm
not
sure
how
I
can
make
that
any
clearer
for
Ruth
Davidson,
and
perhaps
she
would
be
doing
a
greater
service
to
teachers
instead
of
standing
here
and
pretending
that
there's
some
other
policy
on
the
part
of
the
government
would
actually
be
underlining
the
fact
that
any
teachers
anywhere
in
the
country
are
perfectly
free
to
approach
any
member
of
the
government.
She
would
do
greater
service
to
teachers
if
she
got
that
message
across
loudly
and
clearly.
B
Presenting
officer
I
think
the
transparency
and
openness
of
government
is
a
serious
issue.
Those
were
highlighting
and,
as
the
teacher
says
in
the
letter
today,
their
issue
isn't
just
about
resources.
It's
about
workforce
planning,
it's
about
a
failure
to
implement
policy
properly.
It's
about
a
failure
to
listen
to
people
in
the
front
line,
a
charge,
that's
made
front
and
center,
it's
about
a
culture
of
fear
and
secrecy
that
is
currently
stopping
people
from
speaking
out
because
of
the
repercussions
for
their
careers.
B
C
Let
me
issue
this
message
to
teachers.
Any
other
public
sector
worked
it
across
the
country,
come
and
tell
the
government
how
you
feel
about
your
job
and
your
public
services,
whether
that
is
good
or
bad,
whether
that's
about
positives
or
things.
We
want
to
do
better
and
actually
Ruth
Davidson
would
be
better
advised
to
join
me
in
putting
that
message
out
there,
openness
and
transparency.
It's
hugely
important!
That's
why
the
Deputy
First
Minister
is
in
schools
every
single
week.
C
That
message
is
one
that
we
should
all
convey
to
teachers
so
and
for
what
the
third
or
fourth
time,
let
me
be
clear
to
teachers
that
they
can
come
and
raise
anything
they
want
with
the
government,
and
let
me
be
very
clear
to
every
single
local
authority
of
every
party
administration
across
the
country
that
it
is
unacceptable
to
say
to
any
teacher
that
they
will
be
disciplined
for
doing
so.
So
I
think
I've
made
that
pretty
clear
and
I
hope
it's
widely
understood,
not
just
by
Drew
Stevenson,
but
but
everybody
across
Scotland.
D
Presiding
officer
this
week
the
highly
respected
Joseph
Rowntree
Foundation
published
its
annual
poverty
in
Scotland
report.
It
showed
that
one
in
four
children
in
Scotland
today
live
in
poverty.
The
First
Minister
has
set
a
target
to
make
that
less
than
one
in
ten
by
2030.
But
what
is
her
target
for
2019
First.
C
Firstly,
we
welcome
the
Joseph
Rowntree
Foundation's
report.
It
clearly
outlines
the
challenges
we
all
face
in
tackling
poverty.
Of
course,
the
Scottish
Government
has
said
targets
I
think
we're.
No,
the
only
part
of
the
UK
that
has
binding
statutory
targets
in
place,
we've
also
set
out
a
range
of
initiatives
were
going
to
take
to
meet
those
targets
in
terms
of
our
child
poverty
action
plan,
but
I
think
it's
important
to
look
at
some
of
the
detail
of
the
Joseph
Rowntree
report.
I
mean
Jim
McCormack.
C
The
director
Scottish,
director
of
the
Joseph
Rowntree
Foundation,
said
on
Good
Morning
Scotland
on
Tuesday.
It's
right
to
say
that
the
bagel
single
biggest
reason
why
child
poverty
is
now
going
in
the
wrong
direction
again
at
the
first.
Sustained
rise
in
20
years
is
down
to
the
long
run,
benefits
freeze
at
UK
level,
the
to
child
limit
and
the
freeze
in
tax
credits
and
Universal
Credit.
C
So
perhaps
the
attack
by
Richard
Leonard
on
the
Scottish
Government
would
have
more
credibility
if
he
was
arguing
for
welfare
to
be
completely
devolved
to
this
Parliament
and
finally,
of
course
the
report
also
goes
on
to
praise
the
forthcoming
Scottish
government
strategies
on
Disability
Employment
on
the
gender
pay
gap,
describing
them
as
transformational
and
also
praises
our
approach
to
the
new
Social
Security
system.
So
where
we
have
power,
we
act.
The
problem
is
we
don't
have
enough
power
to
do
enough.
That
needs
to
be
done.
C
D
Layers
so
let's
be
clear:
the
First
Minister
has
a
target
for
12
years
time,
but
not
for
12
month
time.
One
Act
one
act
that
would
make
an
immediate
difference
to
child
poverty
is
increasing
child
benefit.
Over
the
last
year,
this
parliament
has
passed
a
social
security
act
and
a
child
poverty
Act
in
voting
through
both
of
these
acts.
Snp
MSPs
opposed
proposals
to
increase
Child
Benefit.
Yet
this
policy
has
support
across
civic
Scotland,
from
anti-poverty
organisations
to
faith
groups
from
children's
charities
to
the
Scottish
to
UC.
D
C
So
what
we're
looking
at
is
the
best
way
to
do
that,
because
the
policy
that
Richard
Leonard
is
proposing
seven
out
of
every
ten
pounds
invested
through
that
policy
would
go
to
families
who
are
not
living
in
poverty.
So
the
question
is:
if
we're
going
to
invest
this
scale
of
money,
how
do
we
live
left?
Not
just
20,000
children
out
of
poverty?
How
do
we
use
that
money
to
left
even
more
children?
Out
of
that's
the
work
we
are
doing
and
I
hope
Richard
Leonard
and
his
party
will
get
behind
it.
Richard.
A
D
D
No,
because
what
we
have
instead
is
the
child
care
policy
that
fits
on
an
SMP
leaflet,
but
not
around
the
lives
of
working
people,
a
housing
policy
which
offers
help
to
buy
to
those
earnings
over
a
hundred
thousand
pounds
a
year
and
the
labour
market
strategy
that
has
been
gathering
dust
on
the
shelf
for
over
two
years,
presiding
officer,
the
SNB
SNP,
has
been
in
office
for
11
years.
Nicola
Sturgeon
has
been
First
Minister
for
four
years.
This
is
challenge
poverty
week.
So
let
me
challenge
the
First
Minister.
C
The
points
that
were
raised
in
that
I'm
not
sure
if
there's
a
question
rather
than
a
speech
but
tik-tok
here
we
are
in
the
process
right
now,
of
doubling
child
care
for
three
and
four-year-olds
and
vulnerable
two-year-olds.
It
were
midway
through
the
biggest
house.
Building
project
in
the
history
of
this
parlor
I
seem
to
recall
it
was
six
council
houses
that
the
last
Libra
administration
managed
to
build.
C
Let's
look
at
what
the
Joseph
Rowntree
Foundation
says
about
some
of
our
policies
that
the
Disability
Employment
strategy,
our
work
and
gender
pay
gap
and
I'm
quoting
right
now.
This
could
be
transformational
for
tackling
poverty.
It
approach
to
the
new
Social
Security
system
could
change
the
family,
incomes
and
prospects
of
thousands
of
children
for
the
better.
C
If
we're
serious
about
tackling
choke
poverty,
that's
the
right
approach
to
take,
and,
lastly
presiding
officer,
I,
don't
know,
but
my
tenure
is
first
minister,
but
Richard
Leonard
has
been
leader
of
the
Scottish
Labour
Party
for
a
lot
less
time
than
I've
been
First
Minister
of
Scotland
and
here's.
What
somebody
in
his
party
said
about
him
this
week,
Richard
Leonard
has
no
authority
over
his
group.
If
he's
serious
about
leading
Scottish
Labour,
he
should
be
apologising.
E
You
presiding
officer,
the
First
Minister
will
be
aware
that
this
chorus,
Land
Court,
has
refused
an
application
to
evict
a
constituent
of
mine.
Jim
Jim
tell
for
a
tenant
under
small
and
tall
to
Scotland
act
1911
in
order
to
sell
the
land
to
developers
to
build
the
Pentland
film
studio
that
scottish
ministers
granted
planning
consent
to
in
December
2017.
C
Well,
firstly,
the
judgment
by
the
Scottish
Land
Court,
of
course,
is
a
legal
matter.
I
understand
that
there
is
likely
to
be
an
appeal
of
that
decision.
So,
for
obvious
reasons,
I
cannot
comment
on
the
specifics
of
it.
The
same.
What
I
will
see
is
the
Scottish
government
backs
the
expansion
of
the
screen
sector.
C
We
welcome
private
sector
proposals
to
develop
a
range
of
studio
infrastructure,
but
ultimately
this
is
a
matter
for
the
current
owner
of
that
say
ahead
of
a
potential
sale
to
the
studio
developers
and
although
we
have
a
rule
in
planning
surrounding
the
project,
the
issue
of
land
ownership
and
tendencies
is
properly
considered
by
the
Land
Court,
of
course,
separately.
To
that
issue,
creative
Scotland
is
seeking
to
launch
a
tender
in
the
autumn,
seeking
investors
to
operate
a
public
sector
backed
film
studio.
F
You
is
the
First
Minister
aware
of
the
situation
facing
tenant.
Farmers
David
and
Alison
Taillefer
have
been
forced
off
cliff
foot
farm
near
land
by
the
Duke
of
the
clew.
Next
week,
the
Duke
plans
to
voucher
that
have
to
cheap,
which
have
been
on
the
hill
for
centuries
to
be
sold
to
make
way
for
trees.
F
C
I
am
aware
of
this
particular
case
in
that
I
would
say
that
I
share
Joel
McHale
Payne's
concern
guidance
for
landowners
me,
it's
very
clear
that
communities
should
play
a
part
in
decisions
about
her
land
is
used
and
managed,
and
all
that
the
Scottish
Land
Commission
has
written
to
Berkeley
estate
to
advise
them
of
how
the
community
should
be
involved
and
has
offered
to
provide
further
advice.
Human
rights
are
also
reflected
in
the
guidance
which
land
owners,
including
Berkeley
cities,
should
take
into
consideration
during
this
or
any
process
relating
to
land
transactions.
C
Guidance
on
the
forestry
grant
scheme
state
that
applicants
must
have
control
of
the
land
and
a
legal
right
to
plant
trees
on
the
land
where
control
of
land
changes
or
comes
out
of
farming.
There
must
be
no
doubt
about
the
applicants
legal
right
to
plant
trees
that
we
intend
to
add
additional
guidance
to
clarify
that
with
an
applicant's
control
of
the
land
or
legal
right
to
plant
trees
is
subject
to
a
live
legal
challenge
or
review.
We
would
not
consider
the
land
to
be
eligible
for
a
forestry
grant
until
any
legal
process
had
been
concluded.
G
You
presiding
officer
this
week,
we've
seen
church
police,
GP
surgery
and
Moffat
closed
its
doors
forever
due
to
staffing
issues.
Meanwhile,
patients
in
neighbouring
Johnston
Bridge
have
been
told
that
there
are
no
appointments
available
because
there
are
no
doctors
to
see
them.
Does
the
First
Minister
think
that
this
is
acceptable
and
in
light
of
these
feelings,
will
she
back
local
calls
to
accelerate
plans
for
a
new
purpose-built
health
center
in
Upper
Annandale?
First.
C
We
will
always
discuss
with
health
boards
plans
for
new
health
centres
and,
of
course,
it's
very
much
for
local
health
boards
to
decide
on
local
priorities.
More
generally,
we
have
an
in
to
increase
the
number
of
GPS
working
in
Scotland
by
at
least
800
over
the
next
decade.
Investment
in
primary
care
is
rising,
were
taking
a
range
of
actions
to
increase
the
numbers
of
medical
students
going
into
GP
training.
In
fact,
the
graduate
entry
medicine
program,
which
will
have
a
focus
on
general
practice.
C
They
starts
the
sheera
health
secretary,
Jean
Freeman
visited
the
start
of
the
program
earlier
this
week.
Jean
Freeman
is
also
been
at
the
RC
GP
conference
this
morning
and
many
of
the
tweets
I've
seen
from
that
were
suggesting
that
the
UK
government
should
look
to
what
the
Scottish
government
is
doing
and
learn
lessons
from
that.
So
perhaps
the
member
might
want
to
pass
that
one
I
think
the
the
tweet
that
most
drew.
My
attention
was:
can
someone
please
give
them
at
Hancock
a
copy
of
Jean
Freeman's
speech.
H
You
very
much
presiding
officer
members
across
the
chamber
were
pleased
earlier
this
week
when
the
sports
minister
agreed
to
engage
with
all
relevant
parties
about
a
SPF
Elle's
plans
to
hold
both
League
Cup
semi-finals
in
the
same
venue
on
the
same
day
and
even
more
pleased
when
those
plans
were
dropped
yesterday
evening.
Well,
the
First
Minister
continued
that
engagement
and
ensure
that
this
is
the
very
last
time
that
those
scheduling
such
major
events
do
so
without
taking
the
interests
of
supporters
into
account.
First
Minister
well.
C
These,
of
course,
our
decisions
for
the
footballing
authorities,
in
this
case
the
SPF,
although
they
should
listen
to
police
advice
and
I'm
glad
that
the
change
of
opinion
has
happened
this
week
in
terms
of
making
sure
that
any
appropriate
lessons
are
learned
that
just
the
secretary
is
and
I
think,
perhaps
has
already
arranged
a
meeting
between
police
Scotland
and
the
SPF
fail
to
look
at
what
happened
this
time
and
how
we
can
make
sure
that
these
things
don't
happen
again
in
future
and
I
hope.
Football
fans
of
all
teams
and
all
colours
will
welcome
that.
I
Worried
about
the
First
Minister
she's,
not
quite
herself.
These
days,
our
country
is
facing
economic
meltdown,
but
the
First
Minister
is
frozen
with
indecision
for
months.
I've
encouraged
her
to
back
our
people's
vote
on
braixen,
but
she
just
can't
make
up
her
mind.
Then
I
hear
this
week
that
she's
delayed
another
independence
referendum.
That's
great
news,
but
I
do
wonder.
Does
the
First
Minister
believe
in
anything
anymore,
I
want
to
encourage
the
First
Minister
I'll
be
with
her.
If
she
commits
her
government
to
back
a
people's
vote,
time
is
running
out.
C
Presiding
officer
can
I
just
make
clear
to
the
chamber
that
I've
been
worried
a
bit
we'll
hear
any
for
an
awful
long
time,
so
I'm
glad
the
long
last
huge
reciprocating.
That
mutual
concern
was
obviously
the
start
of
a
long
and
happy
friendship
there
and
on
the
issue
of
the
the
people's
vote,
I've
made
clear
in
this
chamber
of
me
clear
to
others,
the
SNP
or
not
gonna
stand
in
the
way
of
that.
C
So
perhaps
really
rainy
should
learn
to
it's
that
taking
yes
for
an
answer,
but,
as
I
said
the
last
time
he
reached
at
this
question,
there's
also
an
issue
that
it
would
be
interesting
to
hear.
Willie
Rennie
address
what
happens
if
yet
again,
just
as
in
2016
Scotland
votes
to
remain
and
the
rest
of
the
UK
vote
to
leave.
Is
it
Willie,
Rani's
proposition
that
Scotland
should
simply
be
ignored?
All
over
again,
isn't
really
will
hear
Annie's
position
that
the
only
people's
vote
on
the
EU
that
counts
for
nothing
is
the
Scottish
people's
vote.
I
But
even
even
our
own
party
doesn't
agree
with
her
on
that
anymore
either.
This
is
getting
serious.
Last
week
the
car
manufacturers
spoke
out
yesterday.
A
life-saving
drugs
trial
was
cancelled
because
of
braixen.
Today
is
the
Royal
Bank
of
Scotland.
They
are
all
warning
about.
Braixen
more
people
are
coming
on
board
with
the
people's
vote
to
the
First.
Minister
is
not
leading
the
country
she's
falling
behind
the
country.
Look
at
the
West
former
Conservative
cabinet
ministers,
senior
Labour
politicians
and
listen
to
this
and
know
the
whole
SNP
council
group
in
Aberdeen.
I
C
We
don't
stand
in
the
way
of
people's
voice.
There's
a
people's
vote
I'll
be
perfectly
happy
with
that,
but
it
doesn't
guarantee
salvation
for
Scotland,
as
we
saw
in
2016
so
well.
Here,
Annie
is
right
about
one
thing:
it
is
really
serious.
The
Tories
are
leading
Scotland
to
disaster
and
the
last
few
days
we've
had
warnings
of
recession,
medicine
shortage
pressure
and
food
supplies.
We've
seen
the
cancellation
of
a
clinical
trial
at
the
Golden
Jubilee
Hospital,
but
that,
for
me,
makes
this
point
clearer
than
ever.
J
Many
thanks
presiding
officer,
the
First
Minister
will
be
aware
that
the
golden
jubilee
hospital
and
my
constituency
conducts
numerous
world-leading
trials
on
heart
disease
and
heart
failure.
It
was
reported
yesterday
clinical
trials
of
a
new
drug
have
been
stopped
at
the
hospital
because
of
concerns
over
brexit
the.
What
kind
of
taken
that
Golden
Jubilee
is
of
national
f,
not
global
significance.
C
Is
it
a
very
telling
that
as
Gail
Patterson
was
asking
that
really
important
question?
Almost
every
member
of
the
Scottish
Conservative
benches
that
were
looking
at
the
phones
or
engaging
in
conversations
because
they
do
not
want
to
hear
they
do
not
want
to
engage
in
the
real
damage
that
their
brexit
policy
is
doing.
C
Yo
Paterson
is
absolutely
right
to
raise.
This
issue
is
incredibly
serious.
The
golden
jubilee
hospital
is
particularly
active
in
the
field
of
cardiovascular
research.
We've
invested
a
father,
431
thousand
pounds
this
year
to
continue
to
support
its
research
activity,
and
this
is
the
first
clinical
study
we
are
aware
of
to
be
suspended
in
Scotland
as
a
result
of
breaks.
That
is
deeply
concerning
and
a
real
sign
of
what
could
happen
down
the
line.
I
understand
these
trials
are
continuing
elsewhere
in
Europe,
which
just
underlines
the
serious
of
Nesta
Scotland.
C
We
are
working
hard
and
we
will
continue
to
work
hard
to
protect
Scotland's
interests
and
spite
of
a
lack
of
clarity
and
meaningful
engagement
from
the
UK.
We
will
continue
to
push
the
UK
government
for
answers
to
legitimate
questions
and
concerns
about
the
very
real
risk
breaks
it
poses
to
research,
clinical
trials
and
access
to
medicines
and
staff.
Neil.
K
Bibby
Rosalia
officer,
immersed
in
a
company
with
profits
of
2.5
billion
dollars
and
which
has
received
more
than
3.5
million
of
Scottish
public
money
has
finally
agreed
to
pay
its
employees.
The
living
wage
affecting
300
workers
in
the
West
of
Scotland,
the
First
Minister,
has
welcomed
us,
as
we
all
would,
but
is
she
concerned
that
reports
today
that
many
workers
were
very
any
consultation,
will
be
financing
their
own
pianned
eyes
with
cuts
the
stock
options
and
benefits,
including
the
seasonal
incentive.
K
Just
as
we
approach
Christmas,
many
workers
apparently
believe
that
they
will
be
worse
off
as
a
consequence.
If
that
is
the
case
well,
she
agree
with
the
GMB
that
this
could
be
a
case
of
giving
with
one
hand
and
taking
with
another
and
before
handing
out
any
more
money,
Thomas
and
well.
She
take
into
account
this
and
other
bad
employment
practices,
including
their
continued
failure
to
recognize
the
trade
union
First
Minister.
A
C
Firstly,
I
welcome
the
I
am,
is
an
earlier
this
week
about
payment
of
the
living
wage.
The
Scottish
government,
trade
unions
and
others
have
been
a
significant
amount
of
pressure
on
Amazon,
so
this
announcement
is
particularly
welcomed.
I
should
say
you
know
new
baby
talks
about
public
money
given
by
this
government
to
Amazon
at
the
previously,
but
administration
give
public
money
to
Amazon
as
well,
but
it's
this
government
that
has
pressured
Amazon
to
pay
the
living
wage
and
perhaps
a
bit
of
recognition
of
that
from
Newberry,
wouldn't
have
gone
amiss
on
the
issue.
C
That's
been
reported
today
about
shared
options.
We
will
seek
further
detail
on
that
from
Amazon.
If
that
is
true,
it
is
completely
unacceptable
and
I
would
absolutely
unequivocally
condemn
that.
That
is
the
case
and
we
will
seek
to
meet
with
Amazon
both
to
find
out
what
the
situation
is
there
and
continue
to
put
pressure
on
Amazon
and
on
all
other
companies
to
treat
all
of
their
workers
fairly
James.
A
A
C
Than
75
thousand
caterers
have
no
received
at
the
first
instalment
of
the
carers
allowance
supplement.
The
supplement,
of
course,
is
an
additional
payment
of
442
pounds
made
in
two
installments
throughout
the
year.
That's
a
big
investment.
It's
an
increase
of
13%
on
the
current
caterers
allowance,
avid
lots
of
messages
over
the
course
of
the
last
couple
of
weeks
from
cater
saying
how
much
this
means
to
them.
C
Obviously,
in
practical
terms,
that
money
is
important,
it
taquitos,
who
often
be
struggling
to
make
ends
meet,
but
I've
been
struck
by
how
many
of
them
have
said
to
me
that
it's
actually
about
more
than
the
money.
It's
the
message
we're
saying
about
how
much
we
value
the
contribution
that
Kyra's
make
to
our
society.
So
let
me
add
today
yet
again
put
on
record
at
my
heartfelt
thanks
to
them
for
all
that
they
do.
M
John
Scott
Thank,
You,
presiding
officer,
the
first
mayor
still
be
aware
of
the
audit
scope
and
reporting
to
NHS
funding,
particularly
NHS
air
chanel.
Ireland's
ability
to
work
within
its
budgets
has
the
first
minister
any
advice
for
any
chair,
Sharon
and
who
might
live
within
its
means
in
future,
and
does
she
share
my
concerns
on
this
matter
or
the
growing
indebtedness
of
any
chair?
Sharon
are
the
Scottish
Government
First.
C
Obviously
is
referring
to
the
audit
Scotland
section
22
reports
issued
this
week,
referring
to
NHS,
issued
an
add-on
and
also
NHS
Highland.
We
are
working
closely
with
these
boards
to
ensure
that
we
firstly
have
a
full
picture
of
their
position
in
relation
to
financial
management,
operational
performance
and
quality
of
care,
and
following
that,
what
we
will
consider
the
need
for
any
further
action
to
be
taken
or
support
to
be
provided.
C
C
Scheme
for
domestic
abuse
in
Scotland,
introduced
after
clear
wood,
tragic
death
has
enabled
over
three
and
a
half
thousand
people
to
request
information
for
themselves
or
for
someone
they
feel
may
be
at
risk
of
domestic
abuse
at
the
police,
Scotland
scheme,
which
I
was
proud
to
help
announced
when
it
was
introduced
nationally
in
2015,
has
informed
almost
1600
people
about
the
partners
abusive
past
and,
put
simply
this
me
whale
have
saved
lives.
It's
one
of
a
number
of
measures
which
make
a
difference
for
victims.
C
N
The
First
Minister
for
that
answer,
based
on
the
figures
out
this
week,
it's
hard
to
argue
that
this
scheme
ruled
out
after
a
successful
trial.
Inertia
has
been
anything
other
than
a
success.
Scottish
women's
aid
acknowledges
I,
could
eat
tool
for
breaking
the
silence
around
coercive
control
and
the
violence
of
domestic
abuse,
helping
women
who
may
have
been
unaware
of
their
partner's
past.
How
will
the
Scottish
government
continue
to
promote
this
scheme
and
other
supports
to
those
who
face
the
threat
or
live
with
the
reality
of
a
violent
or
abusive
partner?
First.
C
Scheme
has
indeed
been
a
success
and
I
think
it's
a
credit
to
the
dedicated
police,
Scotland
officers
and
victim
support
organisations
who
work
tirelessly
to
support
people
through
the
disclosure
process
and
to
prevent
people
becoming
victims.
Applications
from
individuals
using
their
right
to
ask
have
increased
by
almost
40%
in
the
last
12
months,
which
demonstrates
that
the
scheme
is
being
used.
C
The
Scottish
Government
is
investing
record
levels
of
funding
to
support
victims
of
gender-based
violence
through
a
range
of
frontline
services
that
includes
funding
to
Scottish
women's
aged
between
a
pool
of
expert
coercive
control,
trainers
throughout
Scotland
and
development
of
a
range
of
resources
to
support
groups
and
external
organisations,
including
local
violence
against
women
partnerships,
and
we
will
continue
this
support
to
make
sure
that
domestic
violence
is
reduced
and
that
victims
have
as
much
protection
as
possible.
Christine.
O
You
presiding
officer
on
promoting
the
scheme
in
this
week
when
we
celebrate
older
people
in
aged
Scotland
75
years,
can
the
First
Minister
advise
if
the
government
has
linked
up
with
action
on
elder
abuse
to
make
older
people
aware
of
this
disclosure
scheme?
As
domestic
abuse
knows
no
age
boundaries
First.
C
Grahame
is
absolutely
right:
domestic
abuse
is
an
abhorrent
crime
and
she's
absolutely
right
to
point
out
that
occurs
across
society,
regardless
of
age,
gender,
race,
sexuality
and
wealth.
To
deliver
the
scheme.
Pleased
Scotland
already
works
closely
with
a
number
of
independent
domestic
abuse,
advocacy
and
support
services.
The
disclosure
scheme
and
I
want
to
stress
this
point
is
open
to
anyone,
including
concerned
relatives,
neighbors
or
friends,
who
can
make
an
inquiry
if
they're
worried
about
someone
being
at
risk
of
domestic
abuse.
C
In
addition,
the
police
have
appointed
safe
lights,
to
train
14,000
officers
in
identifying
controlling
behaviors,
to
support
the
introduction
of
the
new
Act,
and
that
will
reinforce
the
fact
that
domestic
abuse
can
occur
in
all
parts
of
our
society
and
will
include
examples
of
abuse
involving
older
persons.
In
light
of
Christine
question
I'm
happy
to
ask
officials
to
look
at
whether
that
is
more
in
conjunction
with
the
police
that
can
be
done
to
draw
attention
of
this
scheme
and
the
way
to
legislation.
Our
own
domestic
abuse
to
older
people
in
our
society.
Question.
A
C
We
have
set
out
in
our
sexual
health
and
blood-borne
virus,
for
my
prevention
of
HIV
transmission
remains
a
priority
in
Scotland
I've,
a
proud
that
Scotland
was
the
first
part
of
the
UK
to
make
HIV
prep
available
on
the
NHS
last
year,
we're
working
closely
with
NHS
boards
to
reduce
blood-borne
viruses
and
we're
providing
third
sector
funding
of
over
two
million
pounds
over
the
next
three
years
to
organisations
dealing
with
sexual
health
and
blood-borne
viruses.
Of
course,
a
significant
risk
factor
for
people
who
inject
drugs
being
exposed
to
HIV
is
the
shilling
of
injecting
equipment.
C
That's
why
we
strongly
support
Glasgow's
proposals
for
safer,
injecting
facilities
and
the
Minister
for
Public.
Health
is
meeting
with
his
counterpart
in
Westminster
later
this
month
to
discuss
the
case
for
urgent
action
to
consider
that
proposal
or
to
devolve
the
necessary
powers
to
allow
this
government
and
Parliament
to
consider
it.
P
The
First
Minister
for
the
answer
in
2016
funding
for
Alcon
of
drug
partnerships
was
cut
by
15
million,
and
the
Scottish
government
asked
health
boards
to
make
up
the
difference.
They
did
not
make
up
that
shortfall
and
in
total,
alkalyn
dock
spending
has
been
reduced
since
last
year.
Therefore,
can
I
ask
in
this
year's
budget?
Will
the
first
minister
and
her
government
commit
to
being
completely
transparent
and
provide
the
Parliament
with
a
single
figure
for
spending
across
these
treatments?
First.
C
Of
course,
in
last
year's
program
for
government
I
indicated
increased
resources
for
drug
and
alcohol
treatment
services.
Our
budget
this
coming
year
will
continue
to
prioritize
action
in
those
areas.
I
think
perhaps
a
subsidiary
question
is
whether,
when
it
does
so,
the
Scottish
Conservatives
will
actually
vote
for
the
budget
or
vote
against
it,
because
they
prefer
tax
cuts,
the
richest
in
our
society,
which
would
remove
the
funding
we
need
for
these
very
issues.
So
we
will
continue
to
provide
the
funding.
C
We
will
continue
to
work
with
the
relevant
organizations
and
we
will
continue
to
argue
for
the
innovation
and
public
policy
that
can
help
us
tackle
these
issues.
That's
why
the
safer,
injecting
facility
proposal
is
so
important
and
I
would
say
in
all
sincerity
to
the
member.
Perhaps
he
can
help
us
and
trying
to
persuade
his
colleagues
at
Westminster
to
stop
being
a
block
on
that
proposal.
C
Q
Call
Hamilton,
Thank,
You,
presiding
officer,
Freedom
of
Information
request
by
the
Liberal
Democrats
reveals
that
in
nHS
Lothian
there
are
currently
125
people
waiting
up
to
84
days
for
repeat
prescriptions
for
prophylactic
HIV
medication.
Prep,
given
HIV
is
growing
in
13%
of
Scots,
who
have
it
don't
know
they
have
it?
Will
the
first
minister
and
her
cabinet
secretary
work
with
nHS
Lothian
to
end
this
delay,
which
is
the
largest
in
this
country?
First.
C
The
availability
of
prep
is
important,
as
I
said
in
my
initial
answer
to
this
question.
Scotland
was
actually
the
first
part
of
the
UK
to
make
available
on
the
NHS,
and
that
was
the
right
thing
to
do.
I
will
certainly
discuss
it
with
the
Public
Health
Minister
and
the
health
secretary
how
we
can
work
with
nHS
Lothian
to
make
sure
that
it
is
available
to
people
who
need
it
as
quickly
as
possible
and
I'm
sure
Alec
called
Hamilton.
We
disagree
on
many
things,
I
think
on
these
issues.
C
C
It's
of
course,
a
year
ago
that
allegations
emerged
about
Harvey
Weinstein
and
through
the
me2
movement,
the
one
who
woke
up
to
the
experiences
that
many
women
face.
In
light
of
these
concerns,
I
asked
the
Permanent
Secretary
to
review
the
Scottish
Government's
policies
to
ensure
that
staff
could
have
confidence
that
all
complaints
would
be
fully
investigated
and
properly
addressed.
C
As
part
of
this,
the
fairness
that
what
policy
was
reviewed
for
all
staff
and
also
a
new
procedure,
was
put
in
place
that
allows
any
historic
cases
to
be
considered
and
ensures
that
staff
are
clear
about
how
they
can
make
a
complaint.
It's
absolutely
vital
that
we
give
people
the
confidence
to
come
forward
in
the
knowledge
that
they
will
be
listened
to
and
that
their
complaint
will
be
fully
investigated,
irrespective
of
who
the
complaint
relates
to
or
when
they
occurred.
C
A
R
The
first
minister
talked
about
the
me
to
campaign,
and
it
has
raised
hopes
that
we
did
develop
a
very
different
culture
from
the
one
that
swept
these
issues
under
the
carpet.
However,
it
would
appear
from
place
reports
that
some
historic
complaints
were
not
recorded
and
not
dealt
with
appropriately
or
taken
seriously,
and
if
this
is
indeed
the
case,
perpetrators
may
have
gone
without
challenge,
as
there
was
no
way
of
seeing
if
this
behavior
was
a
course
of
conduct.
Is
the
First
Minister
aware
of
any
such
cases
and
what
is
she
doing
about
them?
C
I'm
not
aware
of
any
complaint
having
been
swept
under
the
carpet
and
let
me
be
very
clear,
as
First
Minister
I
would
not
taller
that
tolerate
that
being
the
case.
Indeed,
it's
because
I
believe
and
believe
so
strongly.
The
complaint
shouldn't
be
swept
under
the
carpet
that
I
signed
off
the
new
procedure
in
December.
That
I
referred
to
in
my
opening
answer,
I'm
very
clear
and
have
been
consistently
clear.
It
has
has
the
Permanent
Secretary
of
the
Scottish
government
that,
when
complaints
are
raised,
they
should
be
properly
investigated.
C
No
matter
the
seniority
or
the
political
affiliation
of
the
person
being
complained
about,
and
what
is
important
in
all
cases
is
that
there
is
due
process
applied,
and
the
final
point
I
would
here
is
a
thing,
and
this
is
directed
at
all
of
us
across
this
chamber.
I
think
all
of
us
should
refrain
from
seeking
to
play
party
politics
on
issues
that
demand
proper
due
process,
because
to
do
that
risk
doing
a
disservice
to
those
who
Rhys
complete.
S
The
First
Minister
agree
with
me
that
the
behavior
that
we've
seen
last
week
from
President
Trump
and
several
US
senators,
who
have
effectively
Peter
women,
who
says
she's
been
a
victim
of
abuse
on
trial,
is
utterly
disgraceful
and
that,
furthermore,
we
should
stand
together
and
not
allow
those
who
complain
to
be
re-victimized
as
part
of
any
political
or
a
media
scrutiny
of
any
harassment.
Investigation.
C
Think
many
of
us,
perhaps
women
in
particular,
have
been
horrified
at
what
we
have
watched
unfolding
in
the
United
States
over
the
last
couple
of
weeks
and
I.
Think
in
this
area,
leadership
is
very
important
and
these
issues
are
not
always
comfortable.
I,
perhaps
know
that
more
than
most
at
this
point,
but
it
is
times
when
things
there
are
not
comfortable
that
leaders
are
tested
about
whether
the
rhetoric
is
just
that
or
whether
they're
prepared
to
put
that
into
action.
C
I
think
it
is
really
important
that
when
people
come
forward
with
complaints,
they
are
not
put
on
trial,
but
there
is
due
process
for
all
concern
for
those
bringing
forward
complaints
and
indeed,
for
those
being
complained
about
we
mustn't
aloe
completes
to
be
swept
under
the
carpet.
We
certainly
mustn't
allow
that
to
happen
because
of
the
identity
of
the
person
being
complained
about.
A
Thank
you
very
much,
and
that
concludes
press
ministers.
Questions
we'll
move
on
shortly
to
members
business
in
the
name
of
Aleen
Smith,
on
challenging
poverty,
but
before
we
do
so
we'll
just
take
a
short
suspension
too
low
the
gallery,
the
public
gallery
particular
to
clear
and
for
new
members
the
public
to
come
in
to
listen
to
this
debate,
a
short
suspension.