Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-15380, in the name of Aileen Campbell, on celebrating the success of Scotland’s young people and youth wo...

The Minister for Children and Young People (Aileen Campbell) SNP

This debate is, as the motion suggests, an opportunity for us to highlight the contribution that youth work and, specifically, youth awards make to our socie...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

I apologise to you for the distractions during your speech, minister. 16:13

Cara Hilton (Dunfermline) (Lab) Lab

I am pleased to open this short debate for Scottish Labour. I would like to begin by joining the minister in welcoming the success of Scotland’s young people...

Aileen Campbell SNP

Will the member take an intervention? Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) rose—

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

From whom are you taking the intervention?

Cara Hilton Lab

I will take the intervention from the minister.

Aileen Campbell SNP

I record our willingness to work with Cara Hilton and others on that. We want to capture all the achievements that young people take from the youth awards. T...

Cara Hilton Lab

I very much welcome the minister’s comments. We are not talking about a stand-alone certificate, as the amendment possibly implies. I hope that the minister ...

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I welcome the debate. Scottish Conservatives fully support youth awards in Scotland, which help young people to be successful, confident, effective and respo...

Linda Fabiani (East Kilbride) (SNP) SNP

This is a really interesting subject. Every one of us who has the privilege of representing people in Scotland could reel off loads of examples in which youn...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Right, on you go then. We will see whether the lights resume. We expect them to kick back in. Keep going, please.

Linda Fabiani SNP

I do not consider it a criticism that aspects for further development are mentioned in the report. It is an opportunity that we can use. We must try very har...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

You should draw to a close, please.

Linda Fabiani SNP

I also want more of a focus on building stuff around the youth award work that is there for those who, for whatever reason, choose not to participate. Again,...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Can you close, please?

Linda Fabiani SNP

Certainly. My last point is that very good work is being done. The young people and organisations involved are fabulous, and the professionalism of the staff...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Well done. That was a valiant effort in extraordinary circumstances. Mr Smith, if you can see, you may have four minutes or thereby. 16:32

Drew Smith (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I read Education Scotland’s report with interest, and I wondered whether I should declare an interest as a recipient of the Rotary International youth leader...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Well done—an excellent speech in very difficult conditions. 16:36

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

It has always been said that I could speak in the dark, and it is literally true that I am doing so this afternoon. Drew Smith is quite right that it is diff...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

You are in your final 10 seconds.

Tavish Scott LD

That is 10 seconds going on a minute and a half, I guess, based on what happened earlier. The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust transforms the lives of disadvantaged ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Graeme Dey has four minutes or thereby. 16:41

Graeme Dey (Angus South) (SNP) SNP

Although I absolutely acknowledge the success of the awards network and formal youth work in general, I will focus my speech—given the clock, it will be curt...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Thank you for your brevity—I appreciate it. 16:43

Jackson Carlaw (West Scotland) (Con) Con

This has been quite a debate and it has at times been full of all the atmosphere and excitement of a Barry Manilow concert, or at least what I imagine that t...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

I trust that you are not challenging the chair, Mr Carlaw.

Jackson Carlaw Con

I compliment the opening speakers on their briskly delivered speeches. In the past few years, a number of strategies have been launched in Scotland concerni...

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab) Lab

Members will know how keen I always am to find opportunities to celebrate the success of Scottish Government initiatives. On many occasions I struggle to fin...