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Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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1999–2026

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Official Report

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Showing 60 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Motion of Thanks

This has been a hugely challenging session, so I want to be a wee bit more light hearted before turning to thanks for the Presiding Officer. I thank parliamentary and MSP staff, as others have done, for their work this session. We would not be able to do our jobs without them....

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · World Cup Bank Holiday

6. Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · World Cup Bank Holiday

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether MSP staff and Scottish parliamentary service staff will benefit from the new national bank holiday introduced to mark Scotland’s participation in the men’s football world cup. (S6O-05680)

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time · Prestwick Airport (Military Use)

I am pleased that the First Minister is concerned, but I am really disappointed by that answer. Last weekend, he said that an independent Scotland could ban foreign militaries that are involved in illegal wars from the country, and we welcome that commitment. However, Scotland...

3. Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time · Prestwick Airport (Military Use)

Since the Scottish Greens last raised the issue of Prestwick airport in the chamber, investigations by the BBC, the Sunday Mail and The National have confirmed that the airport has been used by US military refuelling jets. Those jets have gone on to fly missions in the US-Isra...

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Vaping Shops (Licensing)

I thank the minister for that answer, but the register is clearly not working. There is no mechanism to remove shops from the register, and The Ferret discovered that the shop that went on fire in Glasgow was not even on it. It is vital that we have a robust licensing system t...

1. Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Vaping Shops (Licensing)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a licensing system for local authorities to address the growing number of vaping shops. (S6O-05656)

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill

I begin by extending my thanks to the legislation team, which, as always, has been incredibly helpful and responsive throughout stages 2 and 3. A special mention from me must go to Cleft Lip and Palate Action, which worked with me on my amendments at stage 2; I know that the b...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I thank the Scottish Government for working with me on my amendment. At stage 2, a number of members proposed amendments that would have required the production of guidance. The proposals for that guidance covered a range of issues, and I thank the minister for working with me...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Inclusive Parliament Review

The allegations, and the volume of them, are shocking and will be hugely concerning for everyone using the parliamentary estate. I thank those who have come forward and shared their experiences to help to improve the culture and conduct in Parliament. In 2018, in response to t...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Dunblane Shootings (30th Anniversary)

Thirty years ago tomorrow, 16 primary 1s and their teacher went to school and did not come home. Fifteen more were injured. Those children would have been the same age as me.When the news came over the radio, my mum was in hospital, having just given birth to my brother. The p...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

The inspection report highlighted that the social work post at Skye house has been vacant for around three years. It is unclear whether there are plans to replace that role or, if not, how social work views and knowledge can be accessed. The report states that“this is clearly ...

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Given the range of powers that are in the bill and how far it will stray into devolved competence, and given that, so far, nothing has been done to tackle vapes on a cross-UK basis, what room will the bill leave for Scotland to be able to take targeted measures, rather than ne...

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Public Health Scotland

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Public Health Scotland

That was really helpful—thank you.Would the panel support moves to tackle certain social determinants of health? For example, vapes could be put under covers and treated in the same way as tobacco products in order to prevent what we have at the moment: massive shop fronts ful...

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Public Health Scotland

My next question is for the councillors. When it comes to tackling the social determinants of health, a lot of what we need to do, in making the public environment better, lies with local authorities. Greater numbers of licences are granted for takeaways and pubs in areas of h...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Committee

Public Health Scotland

Building on what we have already been talking about, I want to cover some of the issues around the social determinants of health. The panel has already recognised that many of the drivers lie outside the public health sphere or even the health policy sphere. How is Public Heal...

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · New-build Housing (Adaptations)

In my region, there have been instances of disabled people having to wait for lengthy periods for housing that meets their needs. None of us knows when we might need accessible housing, and, with an ageing population, it seems sensible to invest in that type of housing stock. ...

5. Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · New-build Housing (Adaptations)

To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that newly built housing is adaptable for future needs. (S6O-05607)

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Sport and Physical Activity

:That is useful. Thank you, Kim.I have one question for the whole panel. What further actions could be taken to ensure that Scottish sport is welcoming and inclusive to people from all backgrounds?

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Sport and Physical Activity

:That is great. What wider appetite is there across the different governing bodies that sit under sportscotland to adopt something similar or to develop their own version—particularly given what happened with Cricket Scotland in recent times?

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Committee

Sport and Physical Activity

My first question is directed to Forbes Dunlop. When you gave evidence last March, you informed the committee that sportscotland was working with the University of the West of Scotland to develop an anti-racism framework for Scotland’s sports sector. Can you give us an update ...

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Childcare Support for Parents

Other things that we need to resolve include the issue that I raised at First Minister’s question time on cross-boundary placements. It is not an easy picture, but I hope that, given the consensus across the chamber, we can make progress on the issue in the next session. I aga...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Childcare Support for Parents

I thank Roz McCall for her motion and for this debate.We have heard from parents up and down the country not only about how expensive childcare is but about how difficult it is to find a place and how inflexible the hours are. At the heart of the issue must be a recognition th...

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time · Childcare (West Lothian Council)

The Scottish Greens want to deliver free places for every child in Scotland from six months up, but the Scottish Government is not delivering the current commitment on funded childcare once a child turns three, which is an issue that we raised with the First Minister ahead of ...

3. Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time · Childcare (West Lothian Council)

High-quality, affordable childcare should not be a luxury in Scotland, but the current system is not delivering. This week, West Lothian Council voted to cut all funding for cross-boundary placements, meaning that parents where I live, Falkirk, who use private nurseries in Lin...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

War in Ukraine(Fourth Anniversary)

Today, we recognise four years of Ukrainians’ brave resistance of Russia’s illegal and immoral aggression. Putin’s war has caused immense suffering and displacement, leaving tens of thousands—if not hundreds of thousands—dead, with civilians paying a heavy price.From the very ...

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Football Clubs and their Fans (Contribution to Society)

It is important to recognise that one club in the top flight is already implementing £25 tickets for away fans. Falkirk has been doing that for a while, and its stadium is absolutely jumping every week. There is a balance of affordability to be struck, but the question is also...

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Football Clubs and their Fans (Contribution to Society)

Does Mr Bibby recognise that the cap that we are looking for is on away tickets? Although there are great initiatives at individual clubs, there is an issue to do with people being priced out of following their clubs on the road.

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Football Clubs and their Fans (Contribution to Society)

Sorry.Fans need to have a strong voice in how the clubs are run. Scottish football is a unique melting pot of passion, colour, joy and—at times—heartbreak. We must ensure that fans are centred at the heart of it, and I thank members for supporting my motion.18:59

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Football Clubs and their Fans (Contribution to Society)

Warning noted, Deputy Presiding Officer.It does not take politicians speaking in the chamber to highlight just how much football means to the people of Scotland. We can see from the jubilant scenes up and down the country last November, when Steve Clarke’s men’s squad qualifie...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Scottish Parliament (Recall and Removal of Members) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I think that my vote has been recorded. However, if it has not been, I would have voted yes.

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

:I have nothing further to add. I press amendment 26.Amendment 26 agreed to.Amendments 53, 54 and 93 not moved.

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

:Dr Gulhane will appreciate that any fine in any case would be for the judge who is in charge at that point. They might decide that a lower fine for a first offence may be applicable, so it probably should not be in the bill with us deciding that.I move amendment 26.

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

:I thank the minister for her support and engagement on the amendments.Amendments 26 and 27 in my name would increase the penalty that could be imposed on a person who is found guilty of an offence under the bill. Section 5(4) of the bill sets out that the maximum penalty that...

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

:Amendment 93 would require the Scottish ministers to consult patient representatives, people with relevant clinical expertise and appropriate regulatory or enforcement bodies before making regulations under section 5. Non-surgical procedures raise issues that span public heal...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Committee

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

My amendments in the group have been developed with the Cleft Lip and Palate Action group and they probably speak to some of the issues that Sandesh Gulhane has already raised.My amendment 83 would place a duty on the Scottish ministers, when making regulations under section 5...

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

General Question Time · Population Health Framework

Giving evidence to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, the chief medical officer stated:“Our prevention agenda is one of the most important things that we can try to do nationally to ensure that we have a sustainable health and care system for the future.”—Official Re...

2. Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

General Question Time · Population Health Framework

To ask the Scottish Government how the population health framework will help to tackle the commercial determinants of health. (S6O-05532)

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Airports (US Military Use)

We must move beyond rhetoric and sentiment on this urgent issue. Evicting the United States Air Force from Prestwick and blocking its passage and refuelling through our publicly owned airports across the Highlands and Islands is the most effective way for Scotland not just to ...

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Airports (US Military Use)

Greens around the world are very clear that we do not support the proliferation of nuclear weapons, but that is not what we are debating today. We are debating the routine use of public airports for military actions. We absolutely need co-operation on the world stage, but that...

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Airports (US Military Use)

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Airports (US Military Use)

I do not dispute the point that Sharon Dowey makes about jobs, but there is no security for those jobs in basing them—and others in the local economy—on servicing the military of a foreign state, given its unpredictable nature and, in particular, the unpredictable nature of Mr...

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Airports (US Military Use)

I absolutely recognise that, but when vessels come into our waters, our laws apply. Those people were taken in contravention of what the Court of Session said should happen, so it is right that we call the US Government out on it.Those are not occasional stopovers. That is the...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Airports (US Military Use)

When Prestwick airport was nationalised, in 2013, the then Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, presented it to the Parliament as an opportunity to revitalise the aviation industry in the west of Scotland. In the hopeful pre-referendum days, we were encouraged to imagine ho...

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Food Standards Scotland and the First National Good Food Nation Plan

That is great. Thank you.

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Food Standards Scotland and the First National Good Food Nation Plan

The committee has covered both in this evidence session and in other sessions how we reduce emissions from food, but there is the other side of the coin—that is, increasingly poor weather, with repeated patterns of flooding and so on. Is there anything in the plan to mitigate ...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Committee

Food Standards Scotland and the First National Good Food Nation Plan

Good morning. How will the good food nation plan, and the work of Food Standards Scotland align with wider Government strategies on agriculture, food manufacturing and dietary goals, so that production, consumption and emissions reduction are addressed in a consistent policy f...

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

I thank the cabinet secretary for that.Along with the public inquiry, the oversight group will, we hope, help to answer any questions that patients, families and staff have about what went wrong at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital, who is responsible, how they will be h...

Gillian Mackay Green Chamber

Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

At the heart of this debate are patients and families, many of whom will be hurt, traumatised and angry. That is why it is so important that we get the tone of such debates right, that we air concerns without worsening their trauma and that we share stories without invading th...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

I follow others in acknowledging the sudden passing of Jeane Freeman and offer our condolences to Susan, the wider family and SNP colleagues, who I know keenly feel her loss.I open by paying tribute to the patients, families and staff who have campaigned for years, often at gr...

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Given that the committee has concluded a large piece of work on this topic, I would be content to close the petition. However, as there is on-going work in relation to the issue that the petition concerns, we could recommend in our legacy report that, a couple of years into th...

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

This petition should be left open, with something put into our legacy document about how the next committee could take it forward. I do not think that the issue that it concerns has concluded yet, and a new iteration of this committee should definitely look at it.

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill

Beyond the bill, what can be done to ensure that international graduates feel welcome here? There has been a lot of anti-migrant rhetoric across the UK recently, and the bill could be seen as adding to the idea of not wanting people to come to this country to work. I appreciat...

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill

Other committee members have covered most of the issues that I wanted to cover. Others have mentioned concerns relating to the need for international medical graduates, because they go into specialties that are not usually preferred by UK graduates. The British Association of ...

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Draft Climate Change Plan

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Draft Climate Change Plan

I think that I was using electronic prescribing as an example of a quite basic thing that we have not achieved yet. Where, in your mind, is the blockage in that respect? Is it a lack of money to do these things? Is it a matter of prioritisation and getting the bigger things ra...

Gillian Mackay Green Committee

Draft Climate Change Plan

One of the ideas that we have been talking about for a very long time now is electronic prescribing, which is one of the most basic ways in which we could save something as simple as paper within the NHS, as well as time and all those sorts of things. It is one little idea amo...

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Committee

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee 10 March 2026 [Draft]

10 Mar 2026 · S6 · Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Item of business

Public Health Scotland

Paul Johnston Watch on SPTV

Yes, exactly.

In the same item of business

The Convener SNP

Our second item is an evidence session with representatives from Public Health Scotland. I welcome to the committee Councillor Nairn Angus-McDonald, who is a...

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP

Good morning, everyone. What is the status of the public health priorities that were published in 2018, and what progress has been made against them?

Paul Johnston (Public Health Scotland)

Thank you for the opportunity to give evidence this morning. I am delighted to be here.The public health priorities were developed as part of the public heal...

David Torrance SNP

Is there a gap between evidence and practice in public health? Do we lack evidence to help practice?

Paul Johnston

Scotland’s has fantastic evidence about what needs to be done to improve the health of the nation, but that evidence can always be developed further. Public ...

Alastair Boyle (Public Health Scotland)

I will add to that. First, we are very grateful to be here. We are also quite excited, as this it is the first time that Public Health Scotland, as an organi...

David Torrance SNP

I have no further questions, convener.

Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

We have heard at committee that five-year-olds in the United Kingdom are up to 7cm shorter than their counterparts in Europe, although that evidence is being...

Paul Johnston

I am afraid that I do not have the specific details—I cannot tell you how our evidence sits alongside what you have just said about the height of children. I...

Emma Harper SNP

Height is only one measurement, is it not?

Paul Johnston

Alastair Boyle

We will absolutely get back to you on that. Our organisation is very grounded in the why. I remember young children coming to Scottish Fire and Rescue Servic...

Emma Harper SNP

The good food nation plan will work alongside the climate change plan, the population health framework and everything else in order to address what we need t...

Paul Johnston

We are working closely with others to support the implementation of the good food nation plan. We absolutely agree that the Scottish Food Commission has an i...

The Convener SNP

On the theme of national strategy and public health priorities, I note that priority 3 in the “Public Health Priorities for Scotland” is to have a“Scotland w...

Paul Johnston

We do recognise the importance of mental wellbeing. In our Public Health Scotland strategy, which was published in the past few weeks, we set out a vision fo...

The Convener SNP

Do you recognise that there is a difference between mental wellbeing and mental ill health?

Paul Johnston

Yes, absolutely. We also speak about the importance of connection and of a sense of purpose, which takes us into the importance of communities where individu...

The Convener SNP

I place on record my entry in the register of members’ interests, which says that I hold a bank nurse contract with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and that I ...

Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) SNP

Paul Johnston, you have already touched on the theme that I will cover, which concerns the ways in which persistent health inequalities can stall life expect...

Paul Johnston

I am happy to start and am sure that colleagues will want to say more.That is absolutely at the heart of what Public Health Scotland wants to address. Pretty...

Alastair Boyle

In a second, I will bring in board colleagues who are representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.As a board, that is exactly where we ar...

Councillor Julie Bell (Public Health Scotland)

The question speaks to the sense and opportunity in that co-sponsorship arrangement with COSLA. Much of the delivery will be down to local authorities, commu...

Elena Whitham SNP

That leads me to the next question, which I was already starting to formulate. We understand that we can directly link stalling life expectancy and the widen...

Alastair Boyle

I will bring in Nairn Angus-McDonald in a second, but I think that that is exactly the challenge. That is where we are. Early on during Covid, there was an e...

Councillor Nairn Angus-McDonald (Public Health Scotland)

I am mindful that we are before a Scottish parliamentary committee with former ministers and shadow ministers, but I think that if we are to tackle Scotland’...

Elena Whitham SNP

When resources are definitely tighter, the fact that we will not see the benefits until perhaps a decade later makes the argument difficult.Paul Johnston sai...

Paul Johnston

That is a great question, and it shows why evidence is so important. We must proceed on the basis of the clear evidence about what will work, and not on the ...

Elena Whitham SNP

Maybe we should be looking at the Marmot principles and the Christie principles together when we make any decisions across all public services. Thank you.

Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con) Con

Good morning. I have been listening intently to what the witnesses have been saying. I am looking at prevention. After hearing about the causes of good healt...