Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 14 December 2023
14 Dec 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023
I was a little surprised to see that we would be debating in the chamber today UK legislation that was proposed, amended and passed by the UK Parliament. It seemed odd that, rather than debate the shocking programme for international student assessment figures that came out last week, which show the decline of education after 16 years of SNP Government, which it left the Scottish Conservatives to do in our business time, or perhaps the housing crisis in Scotland that has arisen due to SNP failures, which it left Labour to debate in its business time a few weeks ago, the SNP Government decided to debate UK legislation, the provisions of which are reserved and almost entirely apply outside Scotland, save in relation to border security, Network Rail and nuclear decommissioning.
However, to ensure that I was fully familiar with what had happened in the UK Parliament, I got my hands on various documents, including the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023. I noticed that it amends the 1992 act in such a way as to recognise that the ability to strike is a vital part of industrial relations in the UK—it is rightly protected by law—while seeking to maintain a balance with protecting the safety of the public and maintaining essential services.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-11652, in the name of Neil Gray, on the application of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 in S...
The Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy (Neil Gray)
SNP
Today, I seek the Parliament’s support for the Scottish Government’s continued opposition to the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 and any associated...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
The cabinet secretary is quite right that at the heart of this is the role of trade unions in representing workers, but is there not a much more fundamental ...
Neil Gray
SNP
Absolutely—I whole-heartedly agree. Daniel Johnson and I share that principle, which is why I hope that we can secure Labour’s support for the motion at deci...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I advise the chamber that there is a bit of time in hand for this afternoon’s debate. I call Murdo Fraser to speak to and move amendment S6M-11652.1, for ar...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I will start with two expressions of regret in relation to this afternoon’s debate. First, I am very sorry that I am not able to be in the chamber in person ...
Neil Gray
SNP
First of all, I wish Murdo Fraser well. Having seen him the morning that he injured himself, I can understand why he would be housebound. I wish him well for...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you the time back, Murdo Fraser.
Murdo Fraser
Con
I thank the cabinet secretary for his very kind words. I hope to be back in the chamber next week. In relation to the point about the impact on devolved mat...
Neil Gray
SNP
In that case, how does Murdo Fraser explain the consultation that is currently under way on the education front, which includes schools, colleges and univers...
Murdo Fraser
Con
The cabinet secretary surely understands that the notices are a matter for the employer. In this case, the employer is the local authority or the Scottish Go...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Murdo Fraser
Con
I am not going to take another intervention at this stage. I have taken two, and I need to make some progress. The Government has to strike an appropriate b...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Thank you, Mr Fraser. I, too, wish you a speedy recovery. I call Daniel Johnson to speak to and move amendment S6M-11652.2, for around six minutes. 15:15
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests and my declarations regarding trade union membership. It was somewhat striking that Murdo...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Daniel Johnson
Lab
I will in a moment. Fundamentally, the Conservative Party has been seeking to wind back the clock and invoke memories of Longbridge and industrial dispute. ...
Brian Whittle
Con
Does Daniel Johnson recognise the fact that he and I are both in opposition at the moment?
Daniel Johnson
Lab
It will be interesting to see what 2024 brings. What I have to say about the legislation is threefold: it is wrong in effect, it is wrong in its analysis an...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
The member seems keen to argue about the UK situation and UK legislation, notwithstanding that we are in the most powerful devolved Parliament in the world. ...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
South Edinburgh is well served by Mr Ian Murray, and I would not want to get in his way as he seeks to fight the next election. Let me be clear: the legisla...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I sound a cautionary note about electioneering in the chamber. We have probably stayed just about the right side of that line, but it is worth a reminder. ...
Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
The Liberal Democrats are opposed to the application of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023, and my Westminster colleagues made their opposition cl...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We move to the open debate. 15:24
Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP)
SNP
I refer members to my entry in the register of interests, as I am a member of the trade union Unison and I hold a bank nurse contract with NHS Greater Glasgo...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
If Clare Haughey supports the new deal for working people, which the STUC and the TUC back, will she vote for it by supporting Labour’s amendment?
Clare Haughey
SNP
We have been accused of grievance politics by the Tory party. I am aggrieved; I do not trust what I hear from the Labour Party and I do not trust it to enact...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member give way?
Clare Haughey
SNP
The only way for Scotland to get rid of—for good—Tory Governments that we do not vote for and, by extension, anti-worker and anti-trade union policies is for...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I was a little surprised to see that we would be debating in the chamber today UK legislation that was proposed, amended and passed by the UK Parliament. It ...