Hansard

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Sport and Activity as a Force for Good

Tapadh leibh, Oifigeir Riaghlaidh—thank you, Presiding Officer. I thank Mr Whittle for bringing this important motion to the chamber and all members for their contributions this morning. I have had the great privilege of serving as the minister for sport since May 2021, and I ...

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted no.

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

13 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted no.

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. I would have voted no.

Maree Todd (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) SNP Chamber

26 Feb 2026

Substance Misuse in Prisons

Tapadh leibh, Oifigeir Riaghlaidh. I thank all committee members for their contributions to the debate. Drug and alcohol use in prison is a public health challenge as well as a justice challenge, and it is pleasing to hear so many members reflect that in their speeches. It is ...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

25 Feb 2026

Football Clubs and their Fans (Contribution to Society)

I absolutely agree that a creative response is at the heart of the issue, as Gillian Mackay and George Adam have said. Clubs need to look at what they can manage. It is a delicate question of keeping tickets affordable but also keeping clubs alive. The answer to the question o...

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

25 Feb 2026

Football Clubs and their Fans (Contribution to Society)

Tapadh leibh, Oifigeir Riaghlaidh. In Scotland, football is more than a sport. It is a cultural anchor—a weekly ritual that is passed from generation to generation—that makes a significant economic contribution to society.Gillian Mackay referenced the recent independent academ...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

19 Feb 2026

General Question Time · Care Pathways (Postural Tachycardia Syndrome)

I thank Elena Whitham for raising the concerns of her constituents in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley. Although NHS boards are responsible for local service configuration, the Scottish Government is supporting improvements in the recognition, diagnosis and management of PoTS....

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

19 Feb 2026

General Question Time · Care Pathways (Postural Tachycardia Syndrome)

We expect national health service boards to provide safe, person-centred care for people with postural tachycardia syndrome.Although responsibility for specific clinical pathways lies with NHS boards, we have allocated more than £137 million to boards this year to help tackle ...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

19 Feb 2026

General Question Time · Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism (Primary Care)

The Scottish Government extends its deepest sympathies to all families affected by DVT and PE, and we recognise the importance of strengthening early identification.National health service boards are responsible for developing and maintaining local clinical pathways to support...

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

19 Feb 2026

General Question Time · Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism (Primary Care)

Primary care teams play a key role in recognising and assessing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Those teams have access to Healthcare Improvement Scotland tools that support evidence-based care for patients at risk, and the Scottish intercollegiate guidelines netw...

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

17 Feb 2026

Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I, too, would have voted yes.

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

12 Feb 2026

Decision Time

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not vote. I would have voted yes.

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

12 Feb 2026

Edinburgh South Community Football Club and Grass-roots Football

I was about to say that I am not sighted on the proposals or the specific issues. From what has been said today, I understand that, although the City of Edinburgh Council is not being obstructive, it is not providing much active support to the club as it seeks to develop its p...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

12 Feb 2026

Edinburgh South Community Football Club and Grass-roots Football

Absolutely. Volunteering is undoubtedly good for the person who volunteers. We think that it is an altruistic act, but it is actually pretty good for the volunteer, too. I am very proud of the number of young people who volunteer in sport in Scotland, and I would be delighted ...

Maree Todd (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) SNP Chamber

12 Feb 2026

Edinburgh South Community Football Club and Grass-roots Football

Tapadh leibh, Oifigeir Riaghlaidh. Thank you, Presiding Officer, and thank you to everyone who has contributed to this very interesting debate on the vital role that grass-roots football clubs such as Edinburgh South play in supporting and strengthening Scotland’s communities....

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

29 Jan 2026

General Question Time · Young Athletes Representing Scotland (Support)

::The member will be aware that the investment that the Scottish Government makes in sport is funnelled through sportscotland, which is our national sporting organisation, and it works closely with the governing bodies for each individual sport to ensure that athletes are supp...

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

29 Jan 2026

General Question Time · Young Athletes Representing Scotland (Support)

::Tapadh leibh, Oifigeir Riaghlaidh. Thank you, Presiding Officer. We are looking forward to a spectacular summer of sport, with the men’s football world cup finals and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth games. No doubt there will be outstanding performances from Scottish athletes ...

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

27 Jan 2026

Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to connect to the voting system. I would have voted yes.

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

20 Jan 2026

Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Apologies—I would have voted no.

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

14 Jan 2026

Football

Absolutely, and that is what the extra time programme is about. It supports Scotland’s most deprived communities and is targeted at primary school children who are most at risk of living in poverty. It also contributes to our national mission to end child poverty and will help...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

14 Jan 2026

Football

Absolutely. I would not be a true Todd if I was not completely aware that, when we talk about football coming home, we mean home to Queen’s Park. The network of football clubs across Scotland is absolutely incredible. Football is the country’s number 1 sport. There are more t...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

14 Jan 2026

Football

I think he is offering me a vintage shirt, Deputy Presiding Officer. I thank George Adam for bringing this debate to the chamber today. It is only right that we recognise the many and varied positive impacts of football on communities right across Scotland. Many people are in...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

14 Jan 2026

Football

I absolutely understand that, but the member will understand the challenges around that in terms of sending a mixed message. However, as I said, we are always content to hear from the football authorities about the evidence-based approach that they are currently piloting withi...

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

14 Jan 2026

Football

Tapadh leibh, Oifigeir Riaghlaidh. I thank everyone who has contributed to what has been a really positive debate. As was very evident during the debate that Keith Brown led in December following the draw for the world cup group stages, football clearly means a lot to a great...

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

13 Jan 2026

Decision Time

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes, too.

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

10 Dec 2025

FIFA World Cup 2026

That is certainly still our ambition, Mr Bibby, but, as I said, it would be much appreciated if Labour would, this year, engage in the negotiations and, crucially, vote for any extra investment that is forthcoming. Thousands of Scottish fans will be inspired to travel to nort...

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

10 Dec 2025

FIFA World Cup 2026

I thank everyone who has contributed to a lovely debate. It clearly means a lot to members in the chamber and people across the country. It is estimated that 900,000 people a week engage with football in Scotland, which is not bad for a nation of 5.5 million people. The Scotti...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

26 Nov 2025

Portfolio Question Time · Sport (Child Poverty Reduction)

The Scottish Government recognises the incredible impact and reach of sports organisations and community clubs such as Pollok United. I know that, when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care met the club last month, he was incredibly impressed by the work that it doe...

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

26 Nov 2025

Portfolio Question Time · Sport (Child Poverty Reduction)

Eradicating child poverty in Scotland is a national mission and is this Government’s top priority, with ministerial collaboration across portfolios to identify and implement effective measures such as the Scottish child payment. We know that sport can change lives, creating m...

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

20 Nov 2025

General Question Time · Neurodevelopmental Assessments and Treatment

The Scottish Government welcomes the report of the Royal College of Psychiatrists on meeting the needs of autistic people and people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Scotland. I agree with the royal college that the demand for neurodevelopmental assessment and ...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

20 Nov 2025

General Question Time · Neurodevelopmental Assessments and Treatment

I understand the member’s concern. Long waits for support are unacceptable, and I am committed to improving timely access to support, diagnosis and support for autistic people and people with ADHD. In July, we announced the reopening of our £2.5 million multiyear autistic adu...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

20 Nov 2025

General Question Time · Neurodevelopmental Assessments and Treatment

I confirm that we have now received responses from all of the health boards, and we are considering the findings in more detail and what next steps should be taken. The information is not publicly available yet, so there are no findings to share at this time. However, I recogn...

The Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

19 Nov 2025

Rural Communities (Challenges)

I thank Finlay Carson for bringing this important debate to the chamber, and I thank all members for their contributions. I wish to respond specifically to a number of contributions towards the end of my speech. I will also try to pick up on some of the issues as I go. As th...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

19 Nov 2025

Rural Communities (Challenges)

I have taken a good number of interventions. Let me wrap up with some of the specific points that were raised during the debate. I say to Douglas Ross that I am more than happy to chase that response for the save our surgeries group. Sharon Dowey raised some issues about audi...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

19 Nov 2025

Rural Communities (Challenges)

I have a number of issues to cover before I finish.

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

19 Nov 2025

Rural Communities (Challenges)

I am proud of the Near Me technology, which is now used all over the UK and in Ireland. It came into its own during the pandemic. It was developed in Caithness, in my constituency, because of the challenge of travelling down to the hospital and it is now well used all over the...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

19 Nov 2025

Rural Communities (Challenges)

Brian Whittle talked about increasing digital access to healthcare. It sounds to me as though there was no need to put hands on Douglas Lumsden’s dad, so that should have been a Near Me consultation rather than a 10-hour round trip. Those are issues that we face all over Scotl...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

19 Nov 2025

Rural Communities (Challenges)

That is fine.

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

19 Nov 2025

Rural Communities (Challenges)

I am quite short of time.

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

19 Nov 2025

Rural Communities (Challenges)

I am certainly more than happy for colleagues—it would probably be the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care—to look into that issue and get back to Douglas Ross. I recognise the need to access angiograms promptly, and there is certainly a need for prompt diagnosis and ...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

19 Nov 2025

Rural Communities (Challenges)

I recognise the challenges that the local health board is facing with recruitment for midwifery. Home births that are supported by a midwife are available, and there has been a step forward in the increasing of local services, such as scanning and antenatal care, which reduces...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

13 Nov 2025

Tourette Syndrome

I absolutely understand the point that my colleague has made. The film “I Swear” will probably do more for public understanding than anything that the Government can do. I commend the creative effort that went into the film. Sometimes, creative projects such as that can shift ...

The Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

13 Nov 2025

Tourette Syndrome

I am delighted to respond to the debate on behalf of the Government as we discuss the support that is available to people with Tourette syndrome and the awareness of the condition. I thank all members who have spoken for their thoughtful contributions. In particular, I thank S...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

11 Nov 2025

Topical Question Time · Drug Deaths

Members will understand the challenges that are associated with the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which were such a barrier to the introduction of the Thistle in the early stages. We have overcome those challenges for the Thistle with the support of the Lord Advocate and her prose...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

11 Nov 2025

Topical Question Time · Drug Deaths

It is clear that the Government and the Parliament had some significant concerns about the bill’s overly medicalised approach. It did not reflect the evidence-based, person-centred, trauma-informed model that we are committed to. We believe that enshrining rights must be done ...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

11 Nov 2025

Topical Question Time · Drug Deaths

Increasing the provision of residential rehab and ensuring that it is available to everyone who wants it and for whom it is deemed to be clinically appropriate at the time when they ask for it in every part of the country is a key pillar of the national mission. We have improv...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

11 Nov 2025

Topical Question Time · Drug Deaths

I have already outlined the clinical and practitioner role in developing evidence. I assure the member that, in last year’s figures, one of the substantial areas of improvement was Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where we saw a reduction of, I think, 25 per cent. I may need to chec...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

11 Nov 2025

Topical Question Time · Drug Deaths

I agree that it is really important that we follow the evidence, and the Scottish Government is committed to taking an evidence-based approach to the issue, using a wide range of evidence. Clinical advice plays a key role in the making of drug and alcohol policy, along with s...

The Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

11 Nov 2025

Topical Question Time · Drug Deaths

The latest drug deaths statistics show a 13 per cent decrease and the lowest number registered since 2017. That is welcome, but we know that there is more to be done. The national mission has always made clear that its aim is to reduce drug-related deaths and to improve the l...

The Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

28 Oct 2025

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted no.

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

09 Oct 2025

Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

We say about our MAT standards that when people come forward, they should get access to treatment immediately. In standard 1, we say that they should get same-day access to prescribing. We are absolutely aware of the issue that the member raises, and we are determined to rise ...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

09 Oct 2025

Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

As I said, I am confident that everyone in this chamber shares the ambition to tackle drug and alcohol deaths in this country, and I am more than willing to work with members and with Opposition parties on the issues. Our new drug and alcohol strategic plan will embed the hum...

The Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd) SNP Chamber

09 Oct 2025

Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

First, I make it clear that the belief in a right to recovery is something that unites us all, wherever we sit in this Parliament. No one in Scotland should be denied the chance to access the support and treatment that they need to heal, recover and thrive. That will not be di...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

09 Oct 2025

Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I am on my last sentence. Our approach offers a broader, more inclusive, more sustainable path forward that truly meets the needs of individuals, families and communities across Scotland. 16:48

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

09 Oct 2025

Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I reiterate to him that, if residential rehab is what he is seeking, we have increased the level of residential rehab and have invested £38 million in building more facilities and in increasing the bed capacity nationally. We are on target for 1,000 funded places a year, and w...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

09 Oct 2025

Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

In closing, I thank all the members who contributed to the debate, and I reiterate my thanks to the many stakeholders who have made important and constructive contributions throughout the stage 1 scrutiny of the bill. I will begin by recognising the intention behind the Right ...

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

09 Oct 2025

Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I confirm that the Scottish Government’s intention is to vote against the motion.

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

09 Oct 2025

Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I have already said that there are fundamental issues and that experts who have scrutinised the bill and who have given evidence on it have raised the potential for the bill to cause more harm than good. Interruption.

Maree Todd SNP Chamber

09 Oct 2025

Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

In a moment. However, the committee was clear in its final report, which drew on evidence from expert witnesses, including people working in clinical fields, that progressing the bill in its current form could lead to unintended consequences that would threaten to outweigh it...