Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 19 December 2018
19 Dec 2018 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Water Charges (Single-person Households)
As is normal, I thank Jackie Baillie for securing the debate. However, I am deeply disappointed in the tone of her motion, and I am also surprised that it was allowed in the first place. The motion talks as if it is a formal and proven fact that the Scottish Government is penalising Scots. However, Jackie Baillie knows that that is clearly not the case. In this fantasy motion, Jackie Baillie goes from, “They’re going to lose their Scottish Water rebate,” to, “They’re going to lose their council tax rebate,” when neither of those things is factually accurate.
Our record clearly shows that this is a Government that takes the necessary action to protect people who are on lower incomes and supports the poorest people in our society, whether it is through our commitment to tackle child poverty—
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S5M-14677, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on the Scottish Government to penalise Scots for...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
You can call me Jackie any time you like, Presiding Officer.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
It is too close to recess. I am drifting. I call Jackie Baillie to open the debate. Motion debated, That the Parliament disagrees with the Scottish Water p...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
Almost 950,000 people in Scotland receive a discount for their water. For the overwhelming majority of those people, the discount is worth 25 per cent of the...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
Does Jackie Baillie accept that some of us who are single and live on our own would happily pay a bit of extra money?
Jackie Baillie
Lab
If John Mason wishes to do so, I am sure that Glasgow City Council would welcome him paying extra. However, that is not the point. The majority of people in ...
James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP)
SNP
As is normal, I thank Jackie Baillie for securing the debate. However, I am deeply disappointed in the tone of her motion, and I am also surprised that it wa...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
James Dornan
SNP
Only if it is not coming of my time.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
There is time, Mr Dornan.
Daniel Johnson
Lab
I gather, based on his remarks, that the member is asking the Scottish Government to rule out removing the single-person discount for water. Is that correct?
James Dornan
SNP
I thought that Daniel Johnson had been here long enough to know the difference between a consultation and something that is not a consultation. The consultat...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
The member should be concluding, Ms Baillie.
James Dornan
SNP
I reiterate that no decisions have been taken on the issue. However, when the decision is taken, it will be about ensuring that the help that we provide goes...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you, Mr Dornan. Just for—Interruption. I ask members to please be quiet. Mr Dornan, you said that you did not know why the motion was allowed. The proc...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Sit down, Mr Dornan.
James Dornan
SNP
I raise a point of order.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Tread carefully—it had better be a point of order.
James Dornan
SNP
Do we have clarification of what the boundaries are for a member’s debate?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Sit down, Mr Dornan. Sit down. That is not a point of order. You asked why the debate was allowed and I have explained the parliamentary process. That is why...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
My speech completely misjudges the tone of the debate, but I will continue. I thank Jackie Baillie for bringing this important subject to the chamber. As t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I have been quite indulgent, because you did not read the motion properly.
Finlay Carson
Con
You are absolutely right.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Do not test my indulgence by giving me a big list of all the organisations that you want on the record.
Finlay Carson
Con
I certainly will not do that.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
No, you will not.
Finlay Carson
Con
At this time of year, when the focus is on goodwill to all men and women, Scottish Water needs to look again at its misguided plans that will punish people s...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you very much. I see that you have found your card and I have found my glasses, so things are improving. 17:25
James Kelly (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I start by paying tribute to my colleague Jackie Baillie for securing the debate and lodging her relevant motion. Jackie has a formidable record as a campaig...