Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 26 April 2017
26 Apr 2017 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Carers and Social Care
There can hardly be a job that is more important than providing care for the most vulnerable members of society. The home carers workforce is among the most adaptable and committed workforces in the country. Home carers have a complex role that requires a wealth of knowledge. A home carer might be asked to work with children or those with a disability or, of course, to assist our elderly.
I recently read a carer’s post on Facebook, which went viral. Facebook is an online thing that people contact one another through, Presiding Officer.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-05312, in the name of Alison Johnstone, on carers and social care. 14:43
Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green)
Green
I am proud to lead a debate that calls for greater recognition and support for all those who provide care, whether by working in our overstretched social car...
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport (Shona Robison)
SNP
I am pleased to take part in a debate that raises these important issues. The Scottish Government’s vision of a healthier, fairer and wealthier Scotland plac...
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary confirm whether housekeeping staff will also be paid the living wage?
Shona Robison
SNP
The focus has been on workers who deliver social care. It has been a very unusual step to have a Government putting public money into what are, in essence, p...
Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to speak in the debate today and to show my gratitude to the hundreds of thousands of social work staff members and unpaid carers who work tirel...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
The member recognises the importance of social care work, as well as the challenges of recruitment and retention. Why, then, does the Tory amendment delete a...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
I should say that there is time in hand for all members who want to make interventions in the debate. We can be quite generous.
Annie Wells
Con
I think that we all agree that the living wage is a good thing, but there are problems with its implementation. Providers are struggling to cover the increas...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Colin Smyth. Mr Smyth, I can give you a generous six minutes—which means that you will get more than six minutes. 15:09
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Thank you very much indeed, Presiding Officer. I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am a local councillor, and I was previou...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We now move to the open debate. As I have said, we have time in hand. 15:16
James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP)
SNP
There can hardly be a job that is more important than providing care for the most vulnerable members of society. The home carers workforce is among the most ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
You should not antagonise me so early in your speech: I can be vindictive.
James Dornan
SNP
I am kind of hoping that you will cut my time. The post sums up the feeling that has been outlined in the debate. It was by a carer—Jessica Gentry—in Englan...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I remind the member to use the member’s name rather than “you”, for the Official Report.
James Dornan
SNP
Sorry. I was addressing that to Annie Wells, Conservative MSP for the Glasgow region.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
That is just a wee bit cheeky—
James Dornan
SNP
While we are discussing—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
No—sit down, Mr Dornan. You are verging on being a wee bit cheeky, and it is not going down well with me.
James Dornan
SNP
Sorry, Presiding Officer. You asked me to identify her. While we are discussing care, it would be wrong of me not to mention home carers who are not employe...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank the Greens for bringing the issue to Parliament, because it is important that we discuss social care and carers. It is an issue that affects people d...
The Minister for Public Health and Sport (Aileen Campbell)
SNP
The member is articulating a case that services require more investment. This Government has given local government a fair settlement. What is the member’s v...
Graham Simpson
Con
The impact on councils comes from the money that this Government gives them, which has been cut year on year—that affects carers. The number of adults in n...
Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Graham Simpson
Con
Not just now. There are huge challenges. Audit Scotland said: “Social work departments are facing significant challenges because of a combination of finan...
Shona Robison
SNP
The member has said on three occasions that he thinks that local government should get more money. Will he say how much more money and where that money has t...
Graham Simpson
Con
The cabinet secretary knows that that is a matter of choice. The SNP Government—her Government—has taken the choice year on year to cut councils’ budgets. Th...
Kate Forbes (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP)
SNP
A person who was far better and wiser than I am said: “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” In today...
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
I declare an interest in that I am a councillor. This is probably the final time that I will declare that interest. I also declare my financial contribution ...