Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 03 December 2025
03 Dec 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Social Care
I know that Jackie Baillie does not want to hear that, so instead I will share with her some comments from the sector. In May, Donald Macaskill of Scottish Care said:
“When the United Kingdom Government, without consultation and engagement with the care sector … unilaterally decided we can no longer recruit from abroad, they did so with little appreciation of just how damaging their actions could be.”
In November, he then urged Scottish Labour to challenge the latest migration proposals on settlement, after 15 years of branding them
“insensitive to Scotland’s distinct needs”.
He went on to say:
“Their impact especially in Scotland’s remote and rural communities is incalculable. They also send a damaging message that the invaluable contributions of migrant care workers are not fully recognised or valued.”
Does Jackie Baillie support the UK Government’s approach to migration that is undermining our communities? I will take her intervention.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-19977, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on crisis in social care. I invite members who wish to participate ...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
My constituent Charles McGarvey was an English teacher, but in 2018, his life changed forever. Following an accident, he became quadriplegic. He cannot use h...
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Neil Gray)
SNP
I start by thanking those in our incredible social care workforce for all that they do. Their hard work and resilience ensure that those who need care receiv...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Neil Gray
SNP
If I can get the time back, Presiding Officer, I will take an intervention.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You can get the time back, cabinet secretary.
Paul Sweeney
Lab
On collaboration and co-operation, the cabinet secretary might be aware of my constituent six-year-old Brie McCann, who is urgently waiting for a transfer to...
Neil Gray
SNP
That is not directly related to social care, but of course I am aware of the issue. I spoke about the issue on BBC Radio Scotland’s “Breakfast” programme thi...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Neil Gray
SNP
I know that Jackie Baillie does not want to hear that, so instead I will share with her some comments from the sector. In May, Donald Macaskill of Scottish C...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
That is fantastic. This challenge has been on-going for years now. Year after year, there have been vacancies in social care that the Government has been una...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Thank you, Mr Gray.
Jackie Baillie
Lab
You had the power to do something about it, but you have failed.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Always speak through the chair, Ms Baillie.
Neil Gray
SNP
I challenge Jackie Baillie to defend her Government’s approach to migration, which, in the words of the industry, is undermining our approach to recruitment ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
You need to conclude.
Neil Gray
SNP
—to undermine our critical services; it is a disgrace.
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Made a request to intervene.
Neil Gray
SNP
I think that I need to conclude. Scotland has many talented and compassionate social care workers who have settled here and who call our communities home. W...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I discourage members on the front benches from carrying on a conversation while someone else is on their feet. 15:08
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
I declare an interest as a practising NHS general practitioner. Scotland’s social care system is in crisis—not by accident but because this SNP Government ...
Neil Gray
SNP
I recognise that there will be differences in viewpoint on the issue between us and the Conservatives, but I hope that you can see quite clearly that I have ...
Sandesh Gulhane
Con
It is very clear that the Labour budget was damaging to our social care sector and our charities, but we cannot get away from the fact that the SNP has had 1...
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
I pay tribute to the social care staff and unpaid carers of all ages who work so hard to take care of people under often very difficult circumstances. Low pa...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Will Mark Ruskell take an intervention?
Mark Ruskell
Green
I am in my closing sentences. I urge the Scottish Government to redouble its efforts, using all the powers that it has, to fund and reform a social care sys...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I am grateful to Labour for making time to discuss this important issue. As we convene in the chamber this afternoon, any number of our constituents might be...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will Alex Cole-Hamilton take an intervention?
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
I am afraid that I have a lot to get through. It has been revealed that, notwithstanding the people I have just talked about, more than 11,000 people are cu...
Jackie Baillie
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?