Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 December 2024
11 Dec 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Changing Places Toilets (Funding)
I thank Jeremy Balfour for bringing the debate to the chamber. Although I disagree with most of the points in his motion, we both agree that changing places facilities are not a luxury but a lifeline for those in our society who rely on them.
This year, I have been engaging with parents of children in Inverclyde who have a range of additional support needs, and with many constituents who have physical disabilities. Both groups have highlighted how the lack of changing places toilets in Inverclyde is a barrier to their being able to leave their homes. For families, it means travelling to Glasgow or other local authority areas that have more changing places facilities on their patches.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-14427, in the name of Jeremy Balfour, on reversal of £10 million funding for changing ...
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I am often asked which achievement I am most proud of from my time in Parliament. When I look back over my time here, one of the things that comes to mind is...
The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport (Maree Todd)
SNP
I can confirm to members that there is money coming to changing places this year. I will provide a full summary in my summing-up speech. I would say that muc...
Jeremy Balfour
Con
I start by thanking the minister, and I look forward to seeing that money, but the problem is that we have heard that money promised before, and then it has ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We move to the open debate. 17:38
Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Jeremy Balfour for bringing the debate to the chamber. Although I disagree with most of the points in his motion, we both agree that changing places ...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Mr McMillan is making a fine speech, and I do not intend to make this intervention political; I am genuinely seeking information from him as a member of the ...
Stuart McMillan
SNP
As Mr Kerr will know, I am a member of the governing party, but I am not a member of the Government. The minister has already stated that she will provide a ...
Jeremy Balfour
Con
I welcome what the member has said up to now. However, is he, too, disappointed that the £10 million that was previously in the Scottish Government’s budget ...
Stuart McMillan
SNP
Mr Balfour will be aware of the Scottish Government’s financial situation this year. There were reductions in a variety of funds, as has been well documented...
Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in this evening’s debate, and I thank my colleague Jeremy Balfour for bringing it to the chamber. To be clear, ch...
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
As convener of the cross-party group on changing places toilets, I welcome another opportunity to discuss this important issue in the chamber. Indeed, it is ...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I start by saying to Stuart McMillan, who referenced free prescriptions, that 96 per cent of all prescriptions in England are free, so it is likely that all ...
The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport (Maree Todd)
SNP
I have to say that I was somewhat taken aback by the tone of Jeremy Balfour’s motion, because I have recently spent time at the CPG reassuring members, disab...
Jeremy Balfour
Con
I am conscious that your time is running out. Can you tell us—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Please speak through the chair.
Jeremy Balfour
Con
I am sorry. Can the minister tell Parliament how much that figure is and whether it will be spent by the third sector in this financial year?
Maree Todd
SNP
As the member would expect, there is still some underpinning detail to work through. I expect to be in a position in the new year to give detail about the am...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Will the minister give way?
Maree Todd
SNP
I would like to finish my points, because we are a little short of time. More generally, the Scottish Government has done a great deal to support disabled ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
That concludes the debate and I close this meeting of Parliament. Meeting closed at 18:08.