Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 08 February 2023
08 Feb 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Social Care
I thank Alex Cole-Hamilton for introducing the debate, which gives us an opportunity to rehearse the arguments that we will use against the Government’s ill-thought-out plan for the national care service when we debate it at the completion of stage 1.
The Scottish National Party Government has been repeatedly warned of the risks that those sweeping, centralising and anti-democratic reforms pose. The SNP consults but does not listen; it makes mistakes but never learns. Albert Einstein once said:
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-07813, in the name of Alex Cole-Hamilton, on investing in the future of social care. I advise members tha...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
Hello again. I am pleased to rise once again to speak for the Liberal Democrats in this afternoon’s debate and to move the motion in my name. Social care st...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
I take the member’s point, but does he accept that, in the coming year, actually very little money is being put into that, and that there is not enough money...
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
John Mason’s idea that £56 million is “very little money” to spend on a vast and unnecessary bureaucracy that nobody wants says a lot about his priorities. I...
The Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care (Kevin Stewart)
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to, once again, set out to the chamber the principles of and ambitions for the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill. We have hear...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
Has the Government decided whether children’s services will be included yet?
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Mr Rennie knows the answer to that. We said that we would carry out more analysis of children’s services, which we are doing. Our aim is to establish a soci...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Very briefly.
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Will the minister advise on the number of social care vacancies and whether that figure is rising or falling?
Kevin Stewart
SNP
We keep a close eye on social care vacancies. There are vacancies around the country. That is why a recruitment process is going on at this moment, backed by...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The minister must conclude at this very second. Thank you.
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Those boards will be accountable not only to ministers—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
At that very second, minister.
Kevin Stewart
SNP
—but to the people who use and support our services. I move amendment S6M-07813.3, to leave out from “but” to end and insert: “and welcomes that increased ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Craig Hoy to speak to and move amendment S6M-07813.2. 16:49
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank Alex Cole-Hamilton for introducing the debate, which gives us an opportunity to rehearse the arguments that we will use against the Government’s ill-...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Will the member give way?
Craig Hoy
Con
No, I will not. If that is the case, the definition of ministerial arrogance is asking well-qualified professionals for their views over and over and ignori...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Craig Hoy
Con
Yes. Mr Stewart could perhaps tell us whether there is one third sector organisation that agrees with his plans.
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Many third sector organisations agree with our plans, and some third sector organisations think that other parts should be added to the national care service...
Craig Hoy
Con
Given that the committees of the Parliament, including the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee, do not know what the bill means, how can people in the ...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Will the member give way?
Craig Hoy
Con
No, I will not. However, the criticism goes way beyond Parliament. Johanna Baxter, who is the regional organiser and head of local government for Unison Sco...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Hoy, I have to ask you to conclude and to move the amendment in your name.
Craig Hoy
Con
Fine. Unite the Union, responsible for co-designing the workforce, has also walked out on ministers. This Government must listen. It must scrap the plans fo...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, Mr Hoy. You are out of time.
Craig Hoy
Con
I move amendment S6M-07813.2, to leave out from “, backed” to end and insert: “; further calls on the Scottish Government to explain why it took back £331 m...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Paul O’Kane to speak to and move amendment S6M-07813.1. 16:55