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Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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Showing 60 of 2,095,827 contributions. Latest 30 days: 2,655. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 09 Jun 2026.

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Gender Recognition Act 2004 Review

Over the past few months, my trans constituents have had their very existence questioned. They have faced hateful rhetoric and have been told that they are psychologically unwell. All that they want is to have a birth certificate that reflects who they are. They are not ill, b...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time · Care System (Outcomes for Young People)

Despite the limited progress that has been made, in this country we still have a care system in which more than 60 per cent of children do not attain even one national 5 qualification, care-experienced young people are around 10 times less likely to go on to higher education a...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Planning (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (Day 2)

I support amendment 156 and oppose amendment 157. I commend Andy Wightman for his thorough work over a number of months and years; he has done detailed work on the legislation and has taken colleagues with him. He has provided opportunities for briefings and has met the indust...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Planning (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (Day 2)

I am grateful to the member for giving way. Will she admit to the Parliament that amendment 157 is a wrecking amendment to the work of Andy Wightman? If she is not wrecking his proposal, can she explain why, as a Conservative, she is arguing for a more bureaucratic and time-co...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Planning (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 (Day 2)

Will the member take an intervention?

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Pension Scheme (Fossil Fuels)

I simply remind the member that that is beyond the scope of the responsibilities of the corporate body, and I refer him to his own party’s representative on the fund.

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Pension Scheme (Fossil Fuels)

I welcome Claudia Beamish’s response and I reiterate how aware we are of our responsibilities not to go beyond the scope of the 2009 act. I add that the fund manager operates an environmental, social and corporate governance policy that is in line with the United Nations princ...

Kezia Dugdale (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body) Lab Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Pension Scheme (Fossil Fuels)

I recognise Claudia Beamish’s longstanding commitment to the just transition agenda. However, I say to her from the off that there is a clear separation of duties between the SPCB and the fund trustees, in order to avoid any sense of a conflict of interest. To set it out in d...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

I congratulate George Adam on securing this debate. I did not intend to speak today, but I am speaking on behalf of Claire Baker, who, like a number of MSP colleagues, failed to make a flight this morning as they were returning home as part of a parliamentary delegation. I kno...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Teachers’ Mental Health

The survey is full of grim statistics for the Government, so I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for acknowledging that it is “worrying”. The survey reveals that 54 per cent of teachers say that job satisfaction is in decline, and that 55 per cent have considered leaving th...

3. Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Teachers’ Mental Health

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recently released National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers’ survey on teachers’ mental health. (S5O-03274)

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Edinburgh International Festival (Meetings)

The festivals are, indeed, a wonderful time of the year, but staff who work on the festivals are often quite vulnerable to exploitation. What work has the cabinet secretary done in the past 12 months to promote the fair fringe charter?

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Foster Care Fortnight

I thank members for signing the motion and for staying to hear the debate. Let me say at the outset that although this will not be my final speech in the chamber, it will be my final members’ business debate. Throughout my eight years here, I have tried to use these slots for...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

General Question Time · Tattoo Parlours (HIV)

Will the minister confirm that it is a breach of the Equality Act 2010 to refuse service to somebody because of their HIV status? Will he encourage local authorities where such tattoo parlours exist to revoke the licences of those that are discriminating against HIV-positive p...

8. Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

General Question Time · Tattoo Parlours (HIV)

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that some tattoo parlours are refusing services to customers who disclose their HIV status. (S5O-03219)

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Support for Midwives

Does the minister recognise the role of midwives in providing postnatal contraception for women, particularly those in poorer communities? If so, how will she ensure that the money goes to deprived communities so that midwives there can do that crucial work?

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Support for Midwives

Will the minister take an intervention?

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time · Rape Victims (Disclosure of Data)

This week, women in England and Wales were told that their entire email, message and photograph history would be subjected to police examination if they reported a rape to the police. Whether the issue is what they wear, their sexual history or who they text, women are again b...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Hutchesons’ Hospital Transfer and Dissolution (Scotland) Bill: Final Stage

I am grateful to the member for that intervention. In this debate, I speak as the committee convener on the specifics of the bill, but she will know that I share her concerns regarding the tax liabilities of private schools. That is an issue on which I have personally campaign...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Hutchesons’ Hospital Transfer and Dissolution (Scotland) Bill: Final Stage

I am pleased to open the final stage debate on the Hutchesons’ Hospital Transfer and Dissolution (Scotland) Bill. I again thank my committee colleagues: the redoubtable Stewart Stevenson, as deputy convener, Ruth Maguire and Maurice Corry for their contributions to the work o...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Rail Passengers (Standing)

I am grateful for that response, but it was not an answer to my question, which was about discounted fares. Transport Scotland’s own definition of capacity counts overcrowding only when the carriages that are on are fewer than the number that had been planned; it does not cap...

2. Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Rail Passengers (Standing)

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on rail passengers being charged peak fares when they have to stand. (S5O-03103)

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Topical Question Time · Integration Joint Boards (Funding)

The cabinet secretary needs to lift her head from a spreadsheet and look at exactly what is happening in the real world. In order to balance its books, the Edinburgh board is considering cutting mental health services and slashing its drug and alcohol partnership funding. On t...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Topical Question Time · Integration Joint Boards (Funding)

The leaders of the Edinburgh board have refused to accept its funding deal, which was due to start yesterday. It has made £11.6 million worth of cuts already, but it still faces a further funding black hole of £12.6 million. Board member Mike Ash said: “We can’t go on pretend...

2. Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Topical Question Time · Integration Joint Boards (Funding)

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support integration joint boards with funding shortfalls. (S5T-01593)

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Scottish Parliament Staff (Support for Carers)

We are, indeed, a carer positive employer. The SPCB continues to demonstrate its commitment to staff with caring responsibilities and, more widely, to supporting staff to lead independent, healthy and active lives. I can reassure Tom Arthur that we are committed to achieving ...

Kezia Dugdale (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body) Lab Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Scottish Parliament Staff (Support for Carers)

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body recognises that many staff face significant caring responsibilities and is committed to helping them to balance their home and work lives. We appreciate the demands that that might place on staff and that, at times, it might be difficu...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Car Park (Barrier System)

There is no increased security risk when the barrier system is out of service, because there are roller shutters in front of the car park entrance. I share the member’s concern about asking security staff to be out in the cold, which is why we try as much as possible to avoid...

Kezia Dugdale (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body) Lab Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Car Park (Barrier System)

The car park barrier system was installed in 2007. In January this year, we experienced a series of component failures that led to the car park barrier system being out of service for 10 days. Following those component failures, a comprehensive root-cause analysis of the equip...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Car Park (Booking System)

We are keen to look at the option of an online booking system. We have looked at it before; the software does not currently exist for what we want to do, but we will continually review that. A lot of people do not know that they can book spaces for half a day—people automatic...

Kezia Dugdale (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body) Lab Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Car Park (Booking System)

The car park policy is aimed at maximising the number of spaces that are available to members on business days, and the car park booking system has been in place since we moved to Holyrood. We have reviewed the system several times and have found the current process for bookin...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Post (Delivery)

I appreciate that the member is a keen bean and that he wants to get to work as quickly as possible. However, returning to the old system would have an additional cost of about £100,000 every year. I ask him to carefully consider whether the additional time would be worth a co...

Kezia Dugdale (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body) Lab Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Post (Delivery)

As members will appreciate, for security reasons it is important that we screen all mail that comes to the Parliament off site. In 2011, it was agreed that we would no longer pay Royal Mail for the early extraction of the Parliament’s mail and that we would bring the sorting i...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

General Question Time · Home Adaptations (Funding)

The minister is aware that Scottish Government cash for home adaptations has been frozen for seven years. Now that it has been absorbed into the IJBs, it is almost impossible to track the number of adaptations that have been made or, indeed, what money has been spent. Given th...

1. Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

General Question Time · Home Adaptations (Funding)

To ask the Scottish Government how the housing minister aims to improve the transparency, accessibility and reporting of home adaptation funding. (S5O-03034)

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Student Support

I have a long-standing interest in student support, so I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate this afternoon. My first job was as a welfare adviser in a students association, and I vividly remember dealing with hugely distressed students who were trying to prov...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Student Support

Will the member take an intervention?

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Tourist Tax

Despite what Miles Briggs said, there is widespread support for a tourist tax across Edinburgh, not least from the Scottish National Party and Labour council administration. Last week, the cabinet secretary was reported as saying that the tax would not be in place until 2021....

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Brexit Preparations (Funding)

Yesterday, the chief executive of Morrisons reported a 7 per cent increase in the purchase of basic medicines and toilet paper; Tesco and Marks and Spencer have also increased their orders of tinned goods. Is the minister stockpiling anything ahead of Brexit? What is the Gover...

8. Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Brexit Preparations (Funding)

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has received from the United Kingdom Government to prepare for Brexit, and how much of this has been spent. (S5O-02996)

The Convener Lab Committee

Hutchesons’ Hospital Transfer and Dissolution (Scotland) Bill: Consideration Stage

That ends consideration stage. Now that the committee has completed its consideration of the bill, this is likely to be our final meeting, and the bill will now proceed to the final stage, which will take place in the chamber. I thank the promoters and the members for their a...

The Convener (Kezia Dugdale) Lab Committee

Hutchesons’ Hospital Transfer and Dissolution (Scotland) Bill: Consideration Stage

Good morning and welcome to the first meeting in 2019 of the Hutchesons’ Hospital Transfer and Dissolution (Scotland) Bill Committee. I remind all present, including members, that mobile phones should be turned to silent. Agenda item 1 is consideration stage of the Hutchesons...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

In preparation for this afternoon’s debate, I went back to the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill, which led to the creation of the Scottish Sentencing Council. During stage 1 consideration of that bill, Kenny MacAskill said: “we believe that inconsistency in sent...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

I have heard the minister say that victims’ voices should be heard throughout the justice system. Can he explain how their voices are heard in the Scottish Sentencing Council? I have read all three annual reports and that is not referenced anywhere.

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

LGBT History Month

Thank you for calling me to speak, Presiding Officer, knowing that I have to leave the chamber immediately after my contribution. I advised you of that 24 hours ago, and am grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to speak. To Jenny Gilruth, I want to say congratulations...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

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

I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for bringing us back to reality. I say to him that “care provision in Edinburgh is not good enough.” Those are not my words; they are the words of Jeane Freeman in a letter that I received this morning. Before 5 o’clock, can Derek Macka...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Hutchesons’ Hospital Transfer and Dissolution (Scotland) Bill: Preliminary Stage

I am pleased to open the preliminary stage debate on the Hutchesons’ Hospital Transfer and Dissolution (Scotland) Bill. I thank my colleagues Stewart Stevenson—the deputy convener—Ruth Maguire and Maurice Corry for their work in getting the bill to this stage. I also thank th...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Budget (Scotland) (No 3) Bill: Stage 1

I think that the closure of the Pilton community health project is one of the most dangerous and short-sighted things that I have seen in my history in the Scottish Parliament. I wonder whether the finance secretary knows that it supports women who are in abusive relationships...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Budget (Scotland) (No 3) Bill: Stage 1

If that is such a good deal for local government, can the cabinet secretary explain why my constituents are facing £41 million of cuts from their SNP-led council?

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland

On behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, I invite members to agree to the appointment of Caroline Anderson as the new Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland. By way of background, I note that the Scottish Parliamentary Commissions and Com...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

St John’s Hospital (Paediatric Services)

The announcement is welcome news in West Lothian and for any family with a child who has required hospital attention. The cabinet secretary will be aware that there will be a degree of scepticism about the announcement, given that the ward has opened and closed three times si...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

I agree whole-heartedly with Jeremy Balfour’s point. As he would like credit unions to set up on high streets, does he agree with Labour that we could do more to support credit unions to do that, perhaps by offering rates relief or reduced rents? That would allow operators tha...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

I will start by declaring a number of interests. I am a member of Capital Credit Union and of Castle Community Bank. As a Co-op sponsored MSP, I also believe fundamentally in co-operatives. In particular, I see credit unions not just as some sort of couthy, feel-good service b...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

European Union Citizens (Contribution to Scotland)

I commend Fulton MacGregor for his initiative of holding a surgery for EU nationals in his constituency. That is a hugely positive step, and I am sure that constituency members across the chamber might replicate that work, now that they have heard about it. I fully support th...

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

European Union Citizens (Contribution to Scotland)

Will the member give way?

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

European Union Citizens (Contribution to Scotland)

Today, the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, commented that there was no reason to think that cutting down immigration would harm the economy. What is the minister’s response to that?‘

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time · Social Care (Edinburgh)

This week, the Care Inspectorate produced a progress report into services for older people in Edinburgh, following its damning report 18 months ago. Its findings are stark and deeply distressing—the city is failing hundreds of its most vulnerable residents. When NHS Lothian re...

7. Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Castlebrae High School

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make money available for a new Castlebrae High School before the 2021 new school building cycle. (S5O-02645)

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab Chamber

European Union Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration

I am interested in the member’s view. Does she think that democracy is just an act of putting one cross in a box every four years, or does she believe that, when the facts change, people should be entitled to change their minds?

Kezia Dugdale Lab Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Castlebrae High School

I am afraid that that does not address my question. Castlebrae high school hopes to start building next year, but it cannot do that if it has to wait until 2021 for additional resources. Will the cabinet secretary confirm whether it should go ahead with the scaled-back version...

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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 20 June 2019

20 Jun 2019 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Gender Recognition Act 2004 Review

Dugdale, Kezia Lab Lothian Watch on SPTV

Over the past few months, my trans constituents have had their very existence questioned. They have faced hateful rhetoric and have been told that they are psychologically unwell. All that they want is to have a birth certificate that reflects who they are. They are not ill, but this sustained deliberation over their right to exist is damaging to their mental health and wellbeing.

Now that we have put the public spotlight on the trans community, what additional support can the Government offer its members?

In the same item of business

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

The next item of business is a statement by Shirley-Anne Somerville, to update Parliament on the Scottish Government’s review of the Gender Recognition Act 2...

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People (Shirley-Anne Somerville) SNP

In my statement, I will set out the background to the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and the case for its reform. I will consider the relationship between gende...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I will allow up to 30 minutes for questions. I ask any member who wishes...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con

I thank the cabinet secretary for early sight of her statement. I am very pleased that we have had an update from the Scottish Government on the issue. I sp...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

I thank Annie Wells for her questions and the tone in which we are having the conversation. I hope that, as we move forward, I will be having a conversation ...

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of the statement. It is a comprehensive statement, and I welcome the fact that we have had one. As a member w...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

I recognise the history that Scottish Labour has on equality issues in general, including on this one. Parliament, too, can be exceptionally proud of the wor...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Before we move to open questions, I note that the front-bench questions have taken a long time. I know that many members want to ask questions, and I ask mem...

Angela Constance (Almond Valley) (SNP) SNP

In her balanced and thoughtful statement, the cabinet secretary reminded us that all parties that are represented in the chamber made manifesto commitments t...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

The Government has an absolute determination to ensure that we have equality for all groups in our community, which includes the trans community, whose membe...

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green) Green

I am grateful for sight of an advance copy of the cabinet secretary’s statement. I welcome the fact that it contains a commitment to the principle of reformi...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Please conclude, Mr Harvie.

Patrick Harvie Green

—in good time to be completed before the end of this session of the Parliament?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Before I call Shirley-Anne Somerville to respond, I point out that lots of members wish to ask questions. If everyone insists on making statements before the...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

I fully appreciate that some people will be frustrated by my proposals and will feel that the pace of reform has not been fast enough for them. I want to see...

Jenny Gilruth (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) SNP

The Equality Act 2010 and the Gender Recognition Act 2004 have been in place for more than a decade. The 2010 act provides a clear exemption for transgender ...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

Presiding Officer, with your permission I will repeat what I said earlier on that. It is an exceptionally important point that, quite rightly, has raised a g...

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD) LD

Scottish Liberal Democrats asked for reform of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 in the previous parliamentary session, because it was harming trans people the...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

No, I do not think that those aspects can be done concurrently. It would not be advisable. If I did not express it clearly enough when I answered Patrick Ha...

Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the commitment to a full equality impact assessment, replacing the schools guidance and reviewing the statistics, which I hope will include crime s...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

On the final point, I reiterate my point that the Government has absolutely no intention of making any changes to the Equality Act 2010 or the exemptions tha...

Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con) Con

We are being asked by many whether we support trans rights or women’s rights. I think that we can do both, and it is right and proper that every one of us in...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

That goes back to one of the areas that I raised in my statement. In general, people have to have trust and transparency around policies and how they have be...

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP

There is no doubt that learning about gender recognition has been a journey of discovery for many. However, I have realised that the facts of what reform is ...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

I agree with the member. It is a complex area. It raises emotions. In many areas, but perhaps in this area in particular, social media is not always the most...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

Over the past few months, my trans constituents have had their very existence questioned. They have faced hateful rhetoric and have been told that they are p...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

I agree with the sentiment behind Kezia Dugdale’s question—all that they want is a birth certificate that reflects who they are. As I said during my statemen...

Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) SNP

I, too, would like to thank the cabinet secretary for her very measured statement. I have been particularly concerned about the damage that the current deba...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP

That leads on well from the discussion that Kezia Dugdale and I have just had about the impact that the current debate is having on the trans community. I ve...

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Con

I strongly support the position that the cabinet secretary has set out and her tone in doing so, but does she agree that other people have a legitimate right...