Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 12 March 2014
12 Mar 2014 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Women
I have very little time.
That possibility was voted down, although we know that 64 per cent of those earning less than the living wage are women. When we make a decision to invest in full-time college places, we must understand the consequences being borne by women who need part-time places because of their caring responsibilities and their ability to learn. Cuts in local government and public services mean that women workers are stretched and the gaps that come in the provision are filled by women. The solutions for those situations are not for one party, but we have at least to acknowledge the challenge that they present and resolve to do more.
We should draw on the strength and abilities of women not through manifesto offers but by developing policy with women. We need to take bold and positive action measures not to do women a favour but to tilt back to level the playing field that disproportionately benefits men at present.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-09293, in the name of Johann Lamont, on women in Scotland. I invite Johann Lamont to speak to and move t...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab)
Lab
I hope that, if I do not use my full 10 minutes, other people will be afforded the opportunity to contribute to what I think is an important debate. It is a...
Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Johann Lamont
Lab
I have very little time. That possibility was voted down, although we know that 64 per cent of those earning less than the living wage are women. When we ma...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
I am afraid that you really must close.
Johann Lamont
Lab
We must always be alive to the impact on women’s lives of decisions that are made, because ultimately, in freeing women, we create a society that is better a...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I remind members that we are very tight for time. I call Angela Constance to speak to and move amendment S4M-09293.1, in the name of Shona Robison. Minister,...
The Minister for Youth Employment (Angela Constance)
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I start my contribution to the debate by paying tribute to the feminist economist Ailsa McKay, whom we lost last week. Ailsa w...
Jenny Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Angela Constance
SNP
I will take one brief intervention.
Jenny Marra
Lab
Will the minister take the opportunity that this debate affords to look at the fact that there are 80,000 fewer women in our colleges than in 2007? Will she ...
Angela Constance
SNP
The cabinet secretary announced only recently more funding for more part-time courses, childcare and places for women. However, it is important to remember t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Order, please.
Angela Constance
SNP
That, of course, has to be balanced—it is helpful if members listen to all of the answer—with the needs of women who are at different points in their lives a...
Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
The minister is closing.
Angela Constance
SNP
We will now consult on women’s representation and the use of quotas to ensure that, if a decision is made to take mandatory steps to achieve gender balance, ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I am afraid that you must close.
Angela Constance
SNP
However, I will say that, for the first time ever, we have a plan to achieve universal childcare in this country. As an employment minister, I know how impor...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I notify members that I think that we will lose a member from the debate. I call Mary Scanlon, who has five minutes. 16:15
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I thank the Labour Party for using its time to talk about the role of women in Scotland. I associate the Conservatives with everything that has been said abo...
Annabel Goldie (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
Hear, hear.
Mary Scanlon
Con
Thank you. I turn to statistics about gender equality in education. As Jenny Marra said, in the academic year 2005-06, there were 257,000 female enrolments ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
We are very tight for time. Speeches of no more than four minutes, please. 16:20
Christina McKelvie (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP)
SNP
Many members who are here supported the motion that I lodged last week, which pays tribute to the late Professor Ailsa McKay. As professor of economics at Gl...
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, pay tribute to Ailsa McKay. I knew her when she was an adviser to the Equal Opportunities Committee, of which I was a member, and we were working on ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
You are in your final minute.
Malcolm Chisholm
Lab
The wider issues of socialisation and stereotyping in the bringing up of young children are absolutely central to the issue. A small but significant example ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Unfortunately, as everyone has gone over time, it is unlikely that I will be able to call everyone who wants to speak in the debate unless the next three mem...
Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, pay tribute to Professor Ailsa McKay for her work in the promotion of women’s issues, and I regret her all-too-early passing. Her wise counsel will b...