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Showing 60 of 2,355,091 contributions. Latest 30 days: 148. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 14 May 2026.

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Thank you. One of the other issues that arose was the potential for much longer-term planning, whereby we would have a joint vision for Scotland and would spread that political message, highlighting how we wanted people to work together to prevent all kinds of things, includi...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

I quite agree that getting everyone to take fewer prescribed drugs is desirable but, at the same time, do you agree that there are questions to be raised about pharmaceutical companies, how we buy drugs, the cost of drugs and the potential for saving on the drugs industry? Th...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Perhaps that is what she meant. I did not have time to ask. We hear people talking every day about the fact that they got a prescription with 40 pills but they could not take them after the third one, they had to take them back, they were on a trial or they did not use them. A...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Good. One statement that has stayed in my mind from the earlier discussion was from Aileen Bryson of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, who said that we use only 50 per cent of prescribed medicines and that that expenditure is second only to salaries—I am sure that she said tha...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

The submission from the Scottish community justice authorities cited John Carnochan as having made a case to you in, I guess, the previous parliamentary session “for the Scottish Government to invest in 1000 new health visitors rather than 1000 new police officers”. We now h...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

I want to pick up on Nick Watson’s point that what is right for the Gorbals is not necessarily right for anywhere else. It is true that a good example cannot just be rolled out everywhere, but it can still inspire other people. We would not say, “That’s what they’ve done and y...

Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Committee

I want to ask about language and position. This discussion has been very interesting but the fact is that, at a local level, agencies sometimes come together and use a completely different and really quite exclusive language that I call bureaucrese. For local people who do not...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

We will have to agree to differ on that. There is a bit of a discrepancy between the vow and the Smith recommendations, and a lot of people—including, I think, in your Government—are concerned that the vow was a declaration made in desperation when it looked as though we migh...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

I do not doubt that the arrangements have merits, but they will not make Scotland the most devolved regional Government in the world. Anyway, I will not go on with that. In talking about the tax base, you highlighted a number of risks to Scotland with regard to tax per head o...

Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

Good morning, Mr Hands. Early in your opening remarks, you stated—I am paraphrasing—that, under the new powers, Scotland becomes one of the most powerful devolved Governments in the world. That is patently untrue. Research shows that many devolved Governments are more powerful...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

Should the Scottish Government introduce a new tax—a land tax, for example—would that affect the block grant? Is there any challenge to Scotland growing taxes?

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

That will give us full control of the Crown Estate, too, I presume.

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

Net of the costs of running it.

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

There will be no effect on the block grant.

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

Yes, but we are still talking about its affecting the block grant. The agreement says: “The Governments have agreed that a baseline deduction to the Scottish Government’s block grant will be equal to the net revenues generated by the Crown Estate”. Does that mean that all th...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

Right. So why, in that case, would there be any transfer of income? If the Crown Estate in Scotland is to be an independent entity, why would it affect the Barnett formula or any other calculation or Westminster tax? Would it not operate like an independent department in Scotl...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

But those costs are also going to be deducted from the amount that will be transferred.

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

Page 13 of the agreement refers to devolution of Crown Estate powers. I know that I should get this, but I am a bit confused. The agreement says that “the ... Government’s block grant will be equal to the net revenues generated by the Crown Estate assets in Scotland”, which ...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

Thank you. The Barnett formula is still a mystery to most people. Throughout our evidence taking, there has been reference to whether people understand the Barnett formula. Do you understand the Barnett formula?

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

The agreement quite often mentions things that need to be agreed by the JEC. What does the JEC look like and how open will its discussions be during the negotiations?

Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

The administration and implementation costs are covered on page 5 of the agreement. Paragraph 31 talks about a £200 million payment. I think that the amount was initially estimated to be between £400 million and £600 million. The agreement is for £200 million. The last sentenc...

Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Chamber

Israel (Cultural Engagement)

I, too, thank Jackson Carlaw for bringing this debate to the chamber. I also declare an interest as a member of the cross-party group on Palestine and a member of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign. First, I must challenge Jackson Carlaw on his remark about anti-Semit...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

I am pleased that you are content that we have an agreement, but although the Barnett formula will be adjusted and you are content that there will be no detriment, and all of that, it seems to me that we will still have no power to grow our population. In many ways, we will be...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

The no-detriment principle was open to interpretation. Given Scotland’s much smaller tax base and tax revenues, and given that our population growth has been and is expected to be slower than population growth in the rest of the UK, are we sure that the principle will kick in ...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

However, if the tax was specifically raised for a reserved matter, Scotland would have a share of it. For example, if the UK Government raised tax to pay for Trident, would there not be Barnett consequences in Scotland because we would be paying equally? As you say, if there w...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

If taxes in the rest of the UK were increased for a reserved matter—you mentioned defence—how would that affect taxes in Scotland?

Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Committee

Fiscal Framework

I was also really quite interested in the Barnett formula because, although the committee has taken evidence from lots of people, there was always a mystery surrounding Barnett and how it works, including among people who are involved with the Treasury. Throughout everything, ...

Jean Urquhart Ind Chamber

Budget (Scotland) (No 5) Bill: Stage 3

As well as being creative when it comes to managing a cut budget, we need to politically oppose the Tories root and branch. That means supporting anti-cuts movements; it means making sure that the SNP members of Parliament are agitational at Westminster; it means that we in Sc...

Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Chamber

Budget (Scotland) (No 5) Bill: Stage 3

As we discuss and debate the Scottish budget today, it is important that we set the political and economic framework at a UK level to provide the backdrop and context to our deliberations. The UK economy is weak and unbalanced, and it is inextricably tied to the Tory economic ...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Finally, you mentioned a change fund, and I believe that you also gave an example of something that had been put in place but which had been weakened when the funding came to an end. Do you find that a challenge from the very beginning of a piece of work? There might be fundin...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

I think that you mentioned that there were 15 labs in 2014. If you were to give a presentation, what would you use as an example of the most interesting or successful lab? What made that one the most successful? What was the magic formula?

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Do you look for solutions within the lab, or do people come to you with solutions? Do people come with problems and ideas? Is the lab generally known about in your respective areas? Do you have links with researchers at universities and so on who can introduce ideas? Would the...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

I will follow on from Mark McDonald’s point about good ideas not travelling. The Finnish lab sounds very exciting and has clearly been inspirational. Do you try to incorporate pointers from its experience into the work of Nesta and the work in Northern Ireland?

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Scottish Fiscal Commission Bill: Stage 2

You might also say that the establishment of the Scottish Fiscal Commission is a preventative measure. The approach offers a degree of reassurance and security. We should accept the bill as it is, on the basis that things can always be reviewed.

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Scottish Fiscal Commission Bill: Stage 2

Not really. The Parliament has been here for 17 years, and we are at the start of a process. We must acknowledge that we have professional people on the Scottish Fiscal Commission—people whom the Parliament accepted were the people for the job—and we should hear what they have...

Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Committee

Scottish Fiscal Commission Bill: Stage 2

John Mason has summed up what I was going to say. I, too, wanted to mention our experience in Dublin. Some forecasting was done by the Irish commission, but that approach had developed. What we are doing here is very new; we are at the very start of the Scottish Fiscal Commiss...

Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Chamber

Broadband and Mobile Phone Coverage (Rural and Island Communities)

I congratulate Tavish Scott on bringing this timely debate to the Parliament tonight. Like other members, I welcome the Scottish Government’s investment in delivering broadband to the rural and island communities that I represent. Even in the almost five years that I have be...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

It is also a test of legislation being made at Westminster and how we react to it. Potentially, legislation could be made within months of a new tax year and there would simply not be time for us to respond. We need to be prepared for that kind of scenario in any case, do we not?

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

You said that when a lot of time is allowed for legislation, it sometimes turns out to be no better than legislation that is just rushed through. I hear what you say, but comments have been made on the matter. I presume that, in an ideal world, you would have given more time t...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

So we can take it from what you are saying that the two basic principles behind this measure are, first, protection of, encouragement for and availability of properties to first-time buyers so that they can get on the ladder and, secondly, fairness.

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

A couple of questions have been raised about larger rather than smaller developments. Do you agree that, because larger developments might be eligible for different forms of finance, they should be seen in a different light from, say, a one-bedroom flat that someone might rent...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

You might not agree, but it seems to me that there are other ways of protecting first-time buyers. If first-time buyers were the principal reason for bringing in the tax, did you look at any alternatives in that respect?

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

In your opening remarks and in answer to members’ questions, you have said that the feeling that first-time buyers are being disadvantaged is part of the principle behind the introduction of the new tax. Is that your biggest concern?

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I will follow a familiar theme. Did you consider not introducing this tax?

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I think that we will have to disagree about that statement, but I suppose that that is a discussion to be continued.

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I hear what you are saying. You suggested in your submission that your proposed approach would incentivise investment and advance tourism, but why would we single out that particular aspect of tourism for tax relief, when no other aspect of tourism is singled out?

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I am sure that the Deputy First Minister will be listening to your comments on that. In paragraph 9 of the paper from the RICS, you acknowledged that Scotland’s rural population is in decline and that there is a lack of housing in rural areas, but in paragraph 26 you recommen...

Jean Urquhart Ind Committee

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Committee

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I want to follow on from the point that Gavin Brown has just raised and your explanation in response. I am interested in the fact that your recommendations are that there should be no difference. You say that people should understand the market and the tax, that it should be...

Jean Urquhart Ind Chamber

Topical Question Time · Single Farm Payment Applications

The cabinet secretary will know that many crofters in the Highlands and Islands region are having a difficult time. Late payments, combined with winter feeding, poor weather and low prices for beasts, are not helping. There is still deep resentment about the €230 million that ...

1. Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Chamber

Topical Question Time · Single Farm Payment Applications

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of single farm payment applications in the Highlands and Islands and in the rest of Scotland has been paid as of the end of January. (S4T-01304)

Jean Urquhart Ind Chamber

Immigration Bill

I agree with all that the member is saying. It is important to recognise that not every case concerns an immigrant. Often, immigrants have married local people, and the bill puts us in danger of asking somebody to make up their mind about whether they will leave the country wi...

Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Chamber

Immigration Bill

Will the member take an intervention?

Jean Urquhart Ind Chamber

General Question Time · Commission on Local Tax Reform

Can the minister at least declare today that this will be the last year of the unfair and regressive council tax?

2. Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Chamber

General Question Time · Commission on Local Tax Reform

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action that it is taking to take forward the proposals of the commission on local tax reform. (S4O-05285)

Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind Chamber

Jobs in Scotland’s New Economy

Unlike Dennis Robertson, I think that Patrick Harvie’s motion reflects the reality of the present situation with regard to jobs in Scotland’s new economy. Even if we were not to recognise that the oil is not infinite, we should be making a plan now. Politicians and Government...

Jean Urquhart Ind Chamber

Jobs in Scotland’s New Economy

The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago. The second best time is today. Please support the motion and start our 100-year plan today. Thank you. 16:19

Jean Urquhart Ind Chamber

Jobs in Scotland’s New Economy

I have no doubt that there are some community-owned energy schemes, and I could cite some very good examples. However, we have to be realistic. The targets are not being met by community renewables and the economic driver of renewables is not in local communities. We have to ...

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Committee

Finance Committee 09 March 2016

09 Mar 2016 · S4 · Finance Committee

Item of business

Prevention

Urquhart, Jean Ind Highlands and Islands Watch on SPTV

Thank you.

In the same item of business

The Convener SNP

Our second item of business is to take evidence, in a round-table format, on prevention. We have been monitoring progress throughout the current session on t...

Rachel Cackett (Royal College of Nursing Scotland)

Thank you for the opportunity to open the discussion. I emphasise that it is our opinion that there is an awful lot of good practice around prevention. That ...

The Convener SNP

Thank you very much.

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP) SNP

I enjoyed the paper from the RCN, as usual. You say that you feel that very little has changed in the past five years. I would be interested to know whether ...

Rachel Cackett

If only life were that simple. In the comment that you mention, we were referring specifically to some of the issues that we raised with the committee when w...

John Mason SNP

The Convener SNP

Thank you. Colin, to be followed by Justina.

Justina Murray (South West Scotland Community Justice Authority)

I think that everyone sitting round this table today will largely reflect what Rachel Cackett has been saying in terms of—oh, sorry; did you say Colin, follo...

The Convener SNP

The discussion is free-flowing.

Justina Murray

I give you the floor, Mr Mair.

Colin Mair (Improvement Service)

I think that Justina Murray was going to be much more interesting than I will be. However, I want to pick up on two of Rachel Cackett’s points. I focused bri...

Justina Murray

I will come in now. A lot of people around the table will reflect what Rachel Cackett and Colin Mair said about all the themes across different policy area...

Alan Staff (Apex Scotland)

In the third sector, there is a strong feeling that there can be no decisive shift in policy unless there is also a shift in the way that funds are allocated...

Professor Nick Watson (What Works Scotland)

I would like to open by endorsing what all the previous speakers have said. We see a lot of evidence of prevention from small-scale projects such as operatio...

Elaine Wilson (Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland)

I want to talk about the third sector. Lots of really small organisations are doing significant pieces of work that are fundamental to prevention. That is wh...

Aileen Bryson (Royal Pharmaceutical Society)

I echo and reiterate everything that has been said so far on the themes of using the resources that we already have and being much smarter about how we do th...

John Mason SNP

I have two follow-up questions on two of the contributions so far, the first of which is for Alan Staff. I am a fan of the third sector, but I will be devil’...

The Convener SNP

I will let Colin Mair come straight back on that specific question.

To me, prevention is about how we prevent negative outcomes from happening to people and how we promote positive outcomes. The Community Empowerment (Scotlan...

John Mason SNP

So prevention is the same as outcome.

We often use different languages in quite similar ways. The language around co-production, for example, is often about saying, “Do it this way because the wa...

The Convener SNP

I see that Alan Staff wants in. I will let you in, Alan, but there are a few people ahead of you, I am afraid.

Andrew Strong (Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland)

I agree with what Colin Mair has just said. Our submission to the committee highlighted a number of examples of preventative work in the third sector. For ex...

John Sturrock QC (Core Solutions)

I do not have the subject and sector-specific knowledge that many colleagues round the table have so my remarks are probably more general. I am struck by the...

The Convener SNP

As we all have. Laughter.

John Sturrock

It is writ large in this world. Love prevails. As a mediator, I am interested in what I think is a global trend, which is a move from unhelpful competition ...

The Convener SNP

That brings us swiftly on to the challenges that lie ahead. I hope that folk will look to ensure that there is a shift towards prevention in addressing the c...

Mark McDonald (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP

It is handy that we have moved on, convener, as my questions are tailored around the second theme more than the first.

The Convener SNP

I hoped that they might be.

Mark McDonald SNP

I am always happy to help. My first question is about how we tackle the silo mentality that still exists. I am not necessarily talking about a silo mentalit...