Hansard

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

09 Jun 2026

General Question Time · GP Walk-in Centres (North Ayrshire)

It is disappointing that Mr Hoy does not welcome the prospect of a GP walk-in service for Stranraer. The important point is that the purpose of GP walk-in services is to free up capacity in the primary care system, so that people across our constituencies and regions can be se...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

09 Jun 2026

General Question Time · GP Walk-in Centres (North Ayrshire)

I expect the Glasgow site to open later this month. I very much appreciate the health board’s hard work to get the services up and running. I am sure that Michelle Campbell will join me in welcoming the opening of the sites and thanking our hard-working national health service...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

09 Jun 2026

General Question Time · GP Walk-in Centres (North Ayrshire)

Ms Gibson has made an important point about reducing health inequality by improving access to healthcare. The Government is committed to providing a North Ayrshire walk-in service, which was one of the 14 additional services that were announced. That brings the total number of...

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber

09 Jun 2026

General Question Time · GP Walk-in Centres (North Ayrshire)

I have committed to expanding the walk-in service programme and will set out how I will do so in the first 100 days of this Government. Health boards were previously asked to generate proposals that considered their populations’ needs, taking into account local issues and circ...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

04 Jun 2026

General Question Time · Access to Justice (Patients of Sam Eljamel)

I appreciate the member’s advocacy for the former patients of Sam Eljamel. He raised a point of principle that I am sure the chamber will understand.The Scottish Government was very encouraged by NHS Tayside’s decision in February this year to reset the time bar for former pat...

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber

04 Jun 2026

General Question Time · Access to Justice (Patients of Sam Eljamel)

The Scottish Government expects any legal cases raised by former patients of Eljamel to be considered fairly and on a case-by-case basis. All claims brought by former patients will ultimately be determined by the courts. The judicial process in Scotland is independent and mini...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

04 Jun 2026

General Question Time · Lochgelly Health Centre

If the member is not already aware, it is important that I inform her that, in 2022, an outline business case was submitted for the replacement of Lochgelly health centre, and detailed feedback was provided.At this stage, it is crucial that we unlock these much-needed projects...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

04 Jun 2026

General Question Time · Lochgelly Health Centre

I am more than happy to meet Mr Barratt. I assure him that the Scottish Government is engaging with NHS Fife, and it is my expectation that NHS Fife will engage with the communities and MSPs in the area.Despite the financial challenge, we are developing a whole-system national...

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber

04 Jun 2026

General Question Time · Lochgelly Health Centre

As announced in the Scottish Government’s infrastructure delivery pipeline on 13 January, an initial tranche of 12 primary care projects is being developed, including projects in Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath. Work has already commenced on the development of a standardised approac...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

03 Jun 2026

National Health Service

Does Ms Baillie agree that reform is necessary and not optional? Does she also agree that it is right to implement innovation? People who have busy working lives, as I do, need an appointment when we need it, but people such as my mother will indeed want continuity of care. It...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

03 Jun 2026

National Health Service

I will come to that very issue in a moment—there is some important progress for us to update the Parliament on. I hope that it will reassure Mr Simpson in relation to that functionality and how we will end up with the best app on these isles. If he bears with me, I will come t...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

03 Jun 2026

National Health Service

I very much appreciate Finlay Carson’s contribution, and I assure him that what he touches on is an important issue for every minister—for me, Maree Todd and Alison Thewliss—as we work to renew and reform the NHS. I will be happy to ensure that Finlay Carson is briefed about t...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

03 Jun 2026

National Health Service

I very much appreciate Mr Baxter’s intervention. I have been advised that significant progress has been made, but I will want to test that, and I would welcome a discussion with Mr Baxter on those matters.Our commitment to tackling long waits is unwavering. Although we did not...

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber

03 Jun 2026

National Health Service

I very much welcome the opportunity today to give my first speech in my new role as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care. I commit to the Parliament that I will do absolutely everything in my power to protect, renew and reform our national health service, which is our most pr...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

03 Jun 2026

National Health Service

Does Ms Baillie agree that reform is necessary and not optional? Does she also agree that it is right to implement innovation? People who have busy working lives, as I do, need an appointment when we need it, but people such as my mother will indeed want continuity of care. It...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

03 Jun 2026

National Health Service

I will come to that very issue in a moment—there is some important progress for us to update the Parliament on. I hope that it will reassure Mr Simpson in relation to that functionality and how we will end up with the best app on these isles. If he bears with me, I will come t...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

03 Jun 2026

National Health Service

I very much appreciate Finlay Carson’s contribution, and I assure him that what he touches on is an important issue for every minister—for me, Maree Todd and Alison Thewliss—as we work to renew and reform the NHS. I will be happy to ensure that Finlay Carson is briefed about t...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

03 Jun 2026

National Health Service

I very much appreciate Mr Baxter’s intervention. I have been advised that significant progress has been made, but I will want to test that, and I would welcome a discussion with Mr Baxter on those matters.Our commitment to tackling long waits is unwavering. Although we did not...

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber

03 Jun 2026

National Health Service

I very much welcome the opportunity today to give my first speech in my new role as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care. I commit to the Parliament that I will do absolutely everything in my power to protect, renew and reform our national health service, which is our most pr...

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber

28 May 2026

Decision Time

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect to the app. I would have voted yes.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber

28 May 2026

Decision Time

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect to the app. I would have voted yes.

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

Mr Brown is quite correct to say that, despite pitch invasion being a specific offence in England and Wales, pitch invasions still occur there. However, I will look at the issue in good faith. We intend to legislate for football banning orders, and we can widen the scope of ou...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

Let me assure Ms Baker that I and my officials will reach out to her local team and Police Scotland in the hope that we can reassure her with regard to this weekend.

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I appreciate Mr Simpson’s point about pitch invasions and the law. In Scotland, we have breach of the peace and section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010. Although I am of the view that the legislative provision is broad enough to enable a range of b...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I say candidly to Mr Kerr and to the chamber that it is imperative that we see good, strong local leadership. That must involve local authorities, but it must also involve football authorities and football clubs. I draw a contrast—based on a briefing that I had from the chief ...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I agree with the cut and thrust of Ms Thewliss’s question and that action is required now. It is clear from evidence in Scotland and further afield that, when we connect fans’ behaviour to consequences, that has an impact. As with many issues, there will be more than one solut...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

There is an important role for CCTV and for other tactics that Police Scotland, in partnership with local authorities and other stakeholders, has at its disposal. I hasten to add that, as events this week show, Police Scotland and prosecutors have a good record of bringing to ...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

One advantage of having a national police force is that more than 900 police officers were deployed. I mentioned in an earlier answer that if there had been an organised celebration event, the requirements placed on policing would have been less. At the risk of raking over the...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I appreciate thoroughly that the good people of Glasgow and the communities impacted by the disorder will be at their wits’ end. As Mr Sweeney said, aspects of that behaviour are predictable, as we have seen over the years.Mr Harvie will be aware of the action that this Govern...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I have to be candid with members—as justice secretary, I had a full briefing from Police Scotland on Friday about the preparations that had been made, irrespective of the result. I contrast the preparations that were made in one half of the country with the preparations that w...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

As I intimated in my original answer, which I will repeat for clarity, governing bodies and individual clubs must step up and use their influence to help to tackle this continued misconduct. My view is that nothing should be off the table now. I will do what I can within my po...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

It is useful to note two things. First, if the result had been different, there was a well-planned and co-ordinated arrangement for a celebration in Edinburgh.The second factor is that, with good, visible, local leadership, operation moonbeam has taken action all year round in...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I thank Mr Harley for his question and congratulate him on being the first member to lodge an urgent question successfully in this new session of Parliament.He is quite correct to state that the majority of sports fans and football fans are law abiding, but we have seen the co...

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

As the First Minister has stated, the Scottish Government utterly condemns the incidents of violence, vandalism and antisocial behaviour that took place on Saturday. Although the vast majority of fans are well-behaved, it is clear that when a minority are not, the impacts on p...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

Mr Brown is quite correct to say that, despite pitch invasion being a specific offence in England and Wales, pitch invasions still occur there. However, I will look at the issue in good faith. We intend to legislate for football banning orders, and we can widen the scope of ou...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

Let me assure Ms Baker that I and my officials will reach out to her local team and Police Scotland in the hope that we can reassure her with regard to this weekend.

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I appreciate Mr Simpson’s point about pitch invasions and the law. In Scotland, we have breach of the peace and section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010. Although I am of the view that the legislative provision is broad enough to enable a range of b...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I say candidly to Mr Kerr and to the chamber that it is imperative that we see good, strong local leadership. That must involve local authorities, but it must also involve football authorities and football clubs. I draw a contrast—based on a briefing that I had from the chief ...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I agree with the cut and thrust of Ms Thewliss’s question and that action is required now. It is clear from evidence in Scotland and further afield that, when we connect fans’ behaviour to consequences, that has an impact. As with many issues, there will be more than one solut...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

There is an important role for CCTV and for other tactics that Police Scotland, in partnership with local authorities and other stakeholders, has at its disposal. I hasten to add that, as events this week show, Police Scotland and prosecutors have a good record of bringing to ...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

One advantage of having a national police force is that more than 900 police officers were deployed. I mentioned in an earlier answer that if there had been an organised celebration event, the requirements placed on policing would have been less. At the risk of raking over the...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I appreciate thoroughly that the good people of Glasgow and the communities impacted by the disorder will be at their wits’ end. As Mr Sweeney said, aspects of that behaviour are predictable, as we have seen over the years.Mr Harvie will be aware of the action that this Govern...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I have to be candid with members—as justice secretary, I had a full briefing from Police Scotland on Friday about the preparations that had been made, irrespective of the result. I contrast the preparations that were made in one half of the country with the preparations that w...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

As I intimated in my original answer, which I will repeat for clarity, governing bodies and individual clubs must step up and use their influence to help to tackle this continued misconduct. My view is that nothing should be off the table now. I will do what I can within my po...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

It is useful to note two things. First, if the result had been different, there was a well-planned and co-ordinated arrangement for a celebration in Edinburgh.The second factor is that, with good, visible, local leadership, operation moonbeam has taken action all year round in...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I thank Mr Harley for his question and congratulate him on being the first member to lodge an urgent question successfully in this new session of Parliament.He is quite correct to state that the majority of sports fans and football fans are law abiding, but we have seen the co...

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

As the First Minister has stated, the Scottish Government utterly condemns the incidents of violence, vandalism and antisocial behaviour that took place on Saturday. Although the vast majority of fans are well-behaved, it is clear that when a minority are not, the impacts on p...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

Mr Brown is quite correct to say that, despite pitch invasion being a specific offence in England and Wales, pitch invasions still occur there. However, I will look at the issue in good faith. We intend to legislate for football banning orders, and we can widen the scope of ou...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

Let me assure Ms Baker that I and my officials will reach out to her local team and Police Scotland in the hope that we can reassure her with regard to this weekend.

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I appreciate Mr Simpson’s point about pitch invasions and the law. In Scotland, we have breach of the peace and section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010. Although I am of the view that the legislative provision is broad enough to enable a range of b...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I say candidly to Mr Kerr and to the chamber that it is imperative that we see good, strong local leadership. That must involve local authorities, but it must also involve football authorities and football clubs. I draw a contrast—based on a briefing that I had from the chief ...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I agree with the cut and thrust of Ms Thewliss’s question and that action is required now. It is clear from evidence in Scotland and further afield that, when we connect fans’ behaviour to consequences, that has an impact. As with many issues, there will be more than one solut...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

There is an important role for CCTV and for other tactics that Police Scotland, in partnership with local authorities and other stakeholders, has at its disposal. I hasten to add that, as events this week show, Police Scotland and prosecutors have a good record of bringing to ...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

One advantage of having a national police force is that more than 900 police officers were deployed. I mentioned in an earlier answer that if there had been an organised celebration event, the requirements placed on policing would have been less. At the risk of raking over the...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I appreciate thoroughly that the good people of Glasgow and the communities impacted by the disorder will be at their wits’ end. As Mr Sweeney said, aspects of that behaviour are predictable, as we have seen over the years.Mr Harvie will be aware of the action that this Govern...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I have to be candid with members—as justice secretary, I had a full briefing from Police Scotland on Friday about the preparations that had been made, irrespective of the result. I contrast the preparations that were made in one half of the country with the preparations that w...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

As I intimated in my original answer, which I will repeat for clarity, governing bodies and individual clubs must step up and use their influence to help to tackle this continued misconduct. My view is that nothing should be off the table now. I will do what I can within my po...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

It is useful to note two things. First, if the result had been different, there was a well-planned and co-ordinated arrangement for a celebration in Edinburgh.The second factor is that, with good, visible, local leadership, operation moonbeam has taken action all year round in...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

I thank Mr Harley for his question and congratulate him on being the first member to lodge an urgent question successfully in this new session of Parliament.He is quite correct to state that the majority of sports fans and football fans are law abiding, but we have seen the co...

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

As the First Minister has stated, the Scottish Government utterly condemns the incidents of violence, vandalism and antisocial behaviour that took place on Saturday. Although the vast majority of fans are well-behaved, it is clear that when a minority are not, the impacts on p...