Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 27 November 2024
27 Nov 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Bus Drivers (Abuse)
I am not asking the cabinet secretary to lobby bus companies. I am saying that the Government is putting millions upon millions of pounds into those bus companies and should be making absolutely it clear to them that we expect to see the kind of actions that I have mentioned. It should be making it absolutely clear that it is not acceptable that workers are going to their work and being attacked, and that they are driven out of their jobs because of the threat of that. We have to make it clear to those who are carrying out such actions that their bus passes will be removed and that they will be banned from travelling on buses. That is the action that we demand, and the one that the Government must take.
16:37In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-15612, in the name of Claire Baker, on tackling abuse of bus drivers. I invite those members who wish to...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I draw attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests and my membership of Unite the union. I send our deepest condolences to the family of Kei...
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport (Fiona Hyslop)
SNP
The report’s actions have been carried out. I hosted a summit on that with all relevant bus partners. If Claire Baker has not seen the actions that have take...
Claire Baker
Lab
My understanding is that more could be done from the previous report, such as improving lighting, staffing, reporting and training for staff. If that was imp...
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
To be clear, does Claire Baker also support sanctions for fare-paying adult passengers who commit antisocial behaviour on our buses?
Claire Baker
Lab
Yes, I certainly do. The last line of our motion does not make a distinction in relation to the age of the person who would be sanctioned for their behaviour...
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
I associate myself with Claire Baker’s comments about the tragic death of Keith Rollinson. That was devastating, and our thoughts go out to his loved ones, f...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Will Mark Ruskell take an intervention?
Mark Ruskell
Green
If there is time in hand, I certainly will.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
There is no time in hand. It is up to the member whether he wishes to absorb the intervention.
Mark Ruskell
Green
I will take a very brief intervention.
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Mark Ruskell is right that employers absolutely have a responsibility to drivers, but do passengers not also have a responsibility to uphold the decent norms...
Mark Ruskell
Green
Absolutely. That is enshrined in law and in the conditions of carriage, and I will come on to that. I am shocked that many of the buses that we have in Scot...
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport (Fiona Hyslop)
SNP
I thank Claire Baker for highlighting this important issue. Bus drivers are at the front line of delivery of vital public transport services. Our communitie...
Claire Baker
Lab
I understand that under Andy Burnham’s scheme in Manchester, people have to sign a code of conduct before they get access to a pass. Is the Government consid...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
Yes, we are looking at that for all passengers who have a concessionary bus pass. Perpetrators of antisocial behaviour can be of any age, and the basis of o...
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
I need to make progress. There is limited time in the debate. Fairness and consistency must underpin that work. I recently met Unite to discuss its 15-point...
Sue Webber (Lothian) (Con)
Con
During the past fortnight, we have spent a significant amount of time discussing the topic that Claire Baker has brought to the chamber this afternoon—tackli...
Claire Baker
Lab
Graeme Simpson’s members’ business debate was a year ago, so does Sue Webber share my disappointment that not much has changed in the past year? I appreciate...
Sue Webber
Con
We all would, and it is helpful that it appears to be the case that, in the debate this afternoon, we are all in the same place. That acceptance will go a lo...
Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
I thank Claire Baker and the Labour Party for bringing this serious and important debate to the chamber this afternoon. Scottish Liberal Democrats will suppo...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to the open debate. I remind all members who wish to speak in the debate to check that they have pressed their request-to-speak buttons. I advise me...
Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
Members who have spoken in the debate so far have rightly stressed that it is a minority that causes the problems, but I suggest that it is a growing minorit...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
Will the member give way?
Alex Rowley
Lab
If the cabinet secretary is quick.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Very briefly, cabinet secretary.
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
The member is asking me to lobby bus operators, but does he realise that the UK Labour Government could now use its responsibilities in relation to vehicle r...
Alex Rowley
Lab
I am not asking the cabinet secretary to lobby bus companies. I am saying that the Government is putting millions upon millions of pounds into those bus comp...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, welcome the debate, which was unfortunately prompted by dreadful, tragic circumstances, and I send my condolences to Keith Rollinson’s family and fri...