Meeting of the Parliament 24 May 2023
This debate is taking place because we need to address the unacceptable level of violence and disruption in our schools. My colleagues can attest to the fact that I am a very generous soul. Now my generosity of spirit extends to the Scottish ministers who are sitting opposite me because, today, I think that we have helped them. I am pleased that they have accepted the motion in my name, so I accept their amendment in the same spirit. There—it can be done. We can work across the chamber.
In her amendment, the cabinet secretary seeks to change one or two things in my motion—for example, she wants to add in a bit about what the Government is doing to collect and collate missing data. She sets out measures that I am calling for and agrees that the Government will hold a summit, which I believe will inevitably lead to the setting up of a working group, as my motion calls for.
The Government’s amendment is a testament to the work of my colleagues over many months to highlight what is happening in our schools. The cabinet secretary could hardly do anything other than what she has done today in embracing the motion that the Scottish Conservatives lodged on Monday, because I know, and Jenny Gilruth knows, that what the motion sets out is what is now needed, and that the approach that is taken will be supported by teachers, pupils and parents across Scotland if and only if it leads to action.
The summit should meet without delay, and it should be inclusive.