Meeting of the Parliament 11 January 2024
I would take Stephen Kerr’s intervention if I could.
We need to grasp the thistle. Reform is possible if there is a will to do it. The SNP’s raising of taxation to record levels in the history of devolution, while the capacity of public services continues to be reduced, demonstrates that its public sector model is unsustainable. A major review of Scotland’s public sector is required and must be implemented, lest our services face a disastrous collapse.
I move amendment S6M-11831.2, to leave out from the first “welcomes” to end and insert:
“recognises the valuable role that public sector workers play in delivering vital public services in Scotland; further recognises the urgent need for reform within the public sector for the reasons set out by the Finance and Public Administration Committee; believes that the principles of the Christie Commission remain important, but that the delivery of these principles has been undermined by the economic mismanagement of successive Scottish National Party administrations and the failure to properly support local government, which is on the front line of so many public services, and urges the Scottish Government to implement a comprehensive re-organisation of the Scottish public sector to prioritise efficiency, preventative care and productivity.”
15:18Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.