Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 23 March 2023
23 Mar 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Supporting Taxi Drivers
Before you move on to that, I want to highlight something that Paul Sweeney talked about. It is a good point that has also been made to me in conversation. Do you have any influence in your post—I wish you well in it in the future—to talk about how local authorities such as Glasgow could sit down with companies in other parts of the sector and bring them together a bit more?
I have called for a new deal for taxi drivers. Part of the issue is that Glasgow was the most locked-down city, and the city is obviously not returning to what it was. I know that you are talking to lots of people, minister. That suggests to me that perhaps you could encourage authorities such as Glasgow to make a deal encompassing companies that can bring something to the table.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I encourage those who are leaving the public gallery to do so as quickly and as quietly as possible, as we are resuming business with a members’ business deb...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Follow that, as they say. I do not apologise for bringing people back down to earth, though, and I thank members for staying, because it is time to stand up...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
One of the services that taxis offer is transportation of particular groups of young people to and from school. Without an adequate replacement, those young ...
Pauline McNeill
Lab
I could not agree more. There are so many dimensions to the issue that impact on the Scottish economy, including how people, particularly young people, get t...
David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Pauline McNeill for securing the debate on such an important topic. Provision of taxis is a vital part of our transport system, and I very much share...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I thank my friend and colleague Pauline McNeill for bringing the debate to the chamber and for all the work that she has done to support the taxi trade, incl...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank Pauline McNeill for bringing this really important debate to the chamber. When I was driving into Glasgow earlier this week, I saw a rather depressin...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate my Glasgow colleague Pauline McNeill on bringing this important motion to the chamber for debate. I hope that the minister has heard the word...
Foysol Choudhury (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I thank my colleague Pauline McNeill for highlighting this issue in the chamber. The motion highlights the important service that taxi drivers provide to th...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Jenny Gilruth to respond to the debate. 13:55
The Minister for Transport (Jenny Gilruth)
SNP
I start by congratulating Pauline McNeill on securing this afternoon’s important members’ business debate. Pauline McNeill was right to say that our taxi dri...
Pauline McNeill
Lab
Before you move on to that, I want to highlight something that Paul Sweeney talked about. It is a good point that has also been made to me in conversation. D...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Speak through the chair, please.
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
I am more than happy to consider the member’s suggestion. In relation to licensing, I have been in discussions with officials on that point this morning. Of ...
Paul Sweeney
Lab
To develop the point about taxi renewal and a product being available, the switched-on taxis loan scheme is not attractive to older drivers, for the reasons ...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
The member makes an important and valid point. I will not give him a commitment on the record today, for reasons that he will well understand. However, there...
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
On that basis, does the minister agree that there is a case to be made that Glasgow should delay the implementation of the low-emission zone for taxi drivers...
Jenny Gilruth
SNP
Obviously, that is a matter for the city council, but I hear the member’s point. It is, of course, for Glasgow City Council to outline its position, but I r...