Meeting of the Parliament 18 January 2024
I cannot at the moment.
Another key matter that was discussed was the role of carers. The Scottish Government absolutely values the support that Scotland’s young carers provide, and we want to ensure that there is appropriate support in place for them. We recognise that the issues that young carers face are often exacerbated when they live rurally. That is why it is so important that we hear from young people directly, in order to better understand and address those issues.
Finally, there was a very specific ask of me. I was honoured to have been asked to act as the spokesperson in the chamber for delegates at the Scottish rural and islands youth parliament, and to commit to publicly demonstrate what was learned from the event in Fort William last year and take tangible actions. That is why I am delighted to be holding this debate in the chamber today, and to bring to Parliament directly some of those issues that we discussed at the inaugural Scottish rural and islands youth parliament. I am delighted that the young people who are here in the public gallery today have also had the opportunity to put their issues directly to the First Minister and to each member of the Government just prior to this afternoon’s session.
In closing, I say a massive thank you to all the youth delegates in the gallery today and those whom I met in November. I thank them for their ideas, energy and passion. In particular, I thank Ellie Moore, who I know is also in the gallery today, for representing the youth delegation and presenting the statements to the audience on the final day of the Scottish rural and islands youth parliament.
Finally, I reiterate the Government’s commitment to listening to rural community and youth voices and acknowledging the important contribution that the Scottish rural and islands youth parliament makes in influencing policy development. The Scottish rural and islands youth parliament is a unique success in the UK—