Hansard

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

21 Feb 2024

Portfolio Question Time · Health and Social Care Services (Glasgow) (Access)

I recognise the situation that is faced by people across Scotland, especially disabled people, who are disproportionately impacted by the cost of living crisis that is affecting people across the United Kingdom. Across the Government—not just in my portfolio but in the likes o...

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

16 Nov 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Independent Theatres (Support)

The Scottish Government provides support to theatres through funding to Creative Scotland, which supports world-class theatre through a portfolio of regularly funded organisations. Independent theatres in Scotland are eligible to apply to Creative Scotland’s open fund, which i...

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

01 Mar 2023

Portfolio Question Time · Sistema Scotland

Sistema Scotland is a brilliant example of how lives can be changed and enriched through culture. Its work contributes to many Scottish Government policy outcomes—in particular, our ambitions to tackle child poverty. The Scottish Government has supported Sistema Scotland with...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

22 Mar 2023

Portfolio Question Time · Culture (Highlands and Islands)

Thank you, Presiding Officer. With regard to the culture portfolio response to ensuring that we provide support networks in the Highlands and Islands, I assure Rhoda Grant that, having been born and brought up in Orkney, I understand and recognise the picture that she paints o...

The Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

03 May 2023

Portfolio Question Time · Granton Waterfront

The Scottish Government is represented on the Granton waterfront strategic partnership, which enables regular engagement with the City of Edinburgh Council and partners on the development and delivery of their plans for the regeneration of the Granton waterfront area. Through ...

Neil Gray SNP Committee

22 Jun 2023

Written Authority: Completion of Vessel 802

My predecessors in my portfolio, transport portfolios and others have made themselves more than available in the inquiry that has been conducted in this case. They can, obviously, speak for themselves on the decisions that they have taken. However, my overriding concern is to ...

The Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

22 Nov 2023

Portfolio Question Time · Scottish National Investment Bank (Wellbeing Economy)

Now that the Scottish National Investment Bank is fully established, with a growing portfolio of investments, work is under way to establish the advisory group. We receive assurances on the bank’s support for a wellbeing economy through the fact that the missions that minister...

Neil Gray (Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy) SNP Committee

31 Jan 2024

Budget Scrutiny 2024-25

Good morning, convener and colleagues. Thank you very much for inviting me to be here. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the wellbeing economy, fair work and energy portfolio spending plans as set out in the budget for 2024-25. You will have heard the Deputy First Minister...

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

19 Jun 2024

Portfolio Question Time · Health and Social Care Services (Impact of Inflation)

Spiralling United Kingdom inflation has had a devastating impact on all public services, including health and social care. In spite of that, we have provided more than £19.5 billion for the health and social care budget, which gives our national health service a real-terms upl...

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

27 Jun 2024

General Question Time · Air Service between Uist and Stornoway (Access for People with Reduced Mobility)

I am aware of the difficulties that Rhoda Grant mentions and I have been working with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport to continue to understand those challenges, which is why we are working on possible solutions in collaboration with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and NHS Weste...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

02 Oct 2024

Portfolio Question Time · NHS Ayrshire and Arran (Cost of Repairs)

I would like to see an improved situation in the capital position for the NHS and investment in our infrastructure, partly for the reasons that Katy Clark outlined. She will be well aware of the infrastructure investment review that is going on across Government, and I am doin...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

05 Nov 2025

Portfolio Question Time · NHS Grampian (Financial Scrutiny)

No. Progress continues to be made on the delivery of the Baird family hospital and the ANCHOR, and I very much look forward to the additional capacity that that will bring. On the national treatment centre programme, Liam Kerr will be aware of the capital position that the Go...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

26 Nov 2025

Portfolio Question Time · National Health Service Patient Complaints and Feedback

I am grateful to Ruth Maguire for putting that detail on the record. Clearly, it is unacceptable for a response to take that long. I am very sorry to hear about her constituent’s experience, which I know that she has written to me about and to which I will be responding in wri...

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

21 Jan 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Walk-in General Practitioner Clinics

We are committed to making services more accessible for patients. As part of that, we are investing £36 million in walk-in general practitioner services to provide the distinct benefit of allowing patients to see a GP without an appointment. The funding for those walk-in serv...

Neil Gray SNP Committee

27 Jan 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Ms Harper is absolutely correct. She mentioned the undoubted linkage between housing and good health; another example of a policy area in which health and social care is probably the greatest beneficiary is our action to address child poverty. We know that poverty is one of th...

2. Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) SNP Chamber

27 Oct 2021

Portfolio Question Time · Covid-19 Recovery (Cross-sector Labour Shortages)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its policies and actions across Government to support the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and how these have been impacted by the reported cross-sector labour shortages. (S6O-00270)

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

27 Oct 2021

Portfolio Question Time · Covid-19 Recovery (Cross-sector Labour Shortages)

Some large employers in Airdrie and Shotts, across all sectors, have expressed concern to me about labour supply. There is a particular concern about food production in the run-up to Christmas, and some employers are worried that they may not be able to honour contracts. Will ...

Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) SNP Chamber

04 Nov 2021

Portfolio Question Time · Devolved Administrations and the United Kingdom Government (Interactions)

A constructive relationship between the Governments of the UK—whether devolved or independent—is in everyone’s interests, and I commend the cabinet secretary for his work in that regard. However, would he agree with me and the First Minister of Wales that maintaining a healthy...

5. Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) SNP Chamber

10 Nov 2021

Portfolio Question Time · Antisocial Behaviour (Fireworks)

To ask the Scottish Government what impact its revised rules on the use of fireworks have had on antisocial behaviour complaints related to bonfire night. (S6O-00341)

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Nov 2021

Portfolio Question Time · Antisocial Behaviour (Fireworks)

I reiterate the minister’s tribute to emergency services personnel who responded to complaints over the weekend. I am really pleased that the Scottish Government has taken action to restrict the sale and use of fireworks. Bonfire night is normally great fun for families, but ...

Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) SNP Chamber

10 Nov 2021

Portfolio Question Time · Employment Gap (Disabled People)

It is vital that we press ahead to reduce and remove the barriers that prevent disabled people from benefiting from our economic recovery. Will the minister provide an update on the Scottish Government’s latest assessment of the disability pay gap and give information about th...

8. Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) SNP Chamber

24 Nov 2021

Portfolio Question Time · Child Disability Payment

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the roll-out of the new child disability payment. (S6O-00437)

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

24 Nov 2021

Portfolio Question Time · Child Disability Payment

I welcome the new payment. Will the minister expand on how he will make sure that people are aware of the changes and how they can apply for the payment?

5. Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) SNP Chamber

15 Dec 2021

Portfolio Question Time · Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out (NHS Lanarkshire)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out in NHS Lanarkshire. (S6O-00528)

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

15 Dec 2021

Portfolio Question Time · Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out (NHS Lanarkshire)

I thank everyone in our national health service, and the volunteers, who are delivering the fastest vaccine roll-out in the UK, which is even more important given the new omicron threat. Can the health secretary advise us what health boards can do to deliver booster vaccines ...

The Convener SNP Committee

13 Jan 2022

Budget Scrutiny 2022-23

As there are no further questions, I thank the cabinet secretary and her colleagues Kevin Stevens and Shirley Laing for their time this morning. It is greatly appreciated. We have covered a significant amount of ground across what is a very wide portfolio. We very much appreci...

Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) SNP Chamber

19 Jan 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Waiting Times (Conditions other than Covid-19)

Getting access to primary care treatment is of fundamental importance. The health secretary will be aware of the challenges that NHS Lanarkshire faces, which are driven by demand and staffing pressures and have resulted in NHS Lanarkshire scaling back some of the services that...

Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) SNP Chamber

19 Jan 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Local Authority Decision Making (Support)

The Social Justice and Fairness Commission, of which I had the pleasure of being deputy convener, reported last year. It recommended an increased use of participatory budgeting in local government to ensure that local people had a greater say in their local communities and fel...

Neil Gray (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) SNP Chamber

20 Jan 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Independence Referendum (Staffing Resources)

I welcome the allocation of resource to honour the SNP’s manifesto commitment to deliver a referendum in this session of Parliament. I welcome, too, the Scottish Government’s programme for government. I wonder whether those preparations might include looking into whether the b...

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

10 Feb 2022

Portfolio Question Time · International Development Programme (Climate Change)

Our climate justice fund supports communities that are on the front line of the global climate emergency. At the 26th United Nations climate change conference of the parties—COP26—the First Minister committed to treble the fund to £36 million over the parliamentary session and...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Feb 2022

Portfolio Question Time · International Development Programme (Climate Change)

I thank Foysol Choudhury for his kind words at the start—flattery will get him everywhere. It is greatly appreciated. Clearly, we have a commitment to our partner countries, but our commitment to international development and our climate justice work does not stop there. We a...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Feb 2022

Portfolio Question Time · International Development Programme (Climate Change)

Yes. The Scottish Government believes that the cutting of official development assistance spending from 0.7 per cent to 0.5 per cent of GNI was a deplorable decision that has hit the world’s poorest and most marginal communities at a time of huge need, as we have already heard...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Feb 2022

Portfolio Question Time · International Development Programme (Climate Change)

Yes, I do. I would be happy to engage with Maurice Golden on the issue and on any ideas that he has for how we can support that further.

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

10 Feb 2022

Portfolio Question Time · International Development Programme (Vaccines)

On 8 December, the First Minister wrote to the Prime Minister to urge the United Kingdom Government to join more than 100 countries that are now supportive of a temporary trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights waiver for Covid-19 vaccines. By waiving patent prot...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Feb 2022

Portfolio Question Time · International Development Programme (Vaccines)

We are in constant discussion with our partner countries about those issues, which is why it has been identified that that support would be welcome. We are continuing that support, but—and this is an early priority for me—we must ensure that we enhance on-going vaccine equity ...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Feb 2022

Portfolio Question Time · International Development Programme (Vaccines)

I would be happy to update Sharon Dowey in writing on the work that has been done via the humanitarian effort.

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2022

Topical Question Time · Ukraine War (Women and Children)

Conversations with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities are active. In the context of my ministerial portfolio, the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has had discussions with COSLA, as has the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Hou...

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Ukraine (Support and Aid)

We have provided £4 million in humanitarian aid as part of global humanitarian efforts: £1 million has been allocated to the British Red Cross and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund; £2 million has been allocated via the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal that has ...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Ukraine (Support and Aid)

Yes, I do. I support the passionate way in which Fiona Hyslop made her case. The UK Government’s response has been an international embarrassment. The UK’s offer to Ukrainians is not a refugee route, but a bureaucratic family immigration route that is leaving thousands out in ...

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Ukrainian Refugees (Accommodation)

Scotland has a proud history of welcoming refugees and people seeking sanctuary from war and violence. The Scottish Government and Scotland’s local authorities have made it clear to the United Kingdom Government that we stand ready to offer refuge and sanctuary, where necessar...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Ukrainian Refugees (Accommodation)

Mark Griffin is absolutely right: the glacial pace at which things have been moving is desperate; it is an international embarrassment. I can confirm that we are working on all the aspects that he raises as potential routes to ensuring that we can provide safe, secure, long-te...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Ukrainian Refugees (Accommodation)

For “doing everything possible”, read “doing the least that they feel they can get away with”. We continue to call on the UK Government to urgently develop a proper resettlement programme. One reason why the Syrian resettlement programme was successful was that it was a compre...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Ukrainian Refugees (Accommodation)

I agree with Sarah Boyack. She has given me the opportunity to, once again, thank the people of Scotland for their incredibly generous support to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal. More than £10 million has been raised in Scotland. That ensures that we are quickly and e...

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Scene Stirling (United Kingdom City of Culture 2025)

I congratulate Stirling on reaching the current stage in the competition. We expect the shortlist to be announced around the end of the month. Officials met the Stirling bid team to offer support and help to make connections with relevant partners. Additionally, officials work...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Scene Stirling (United Kingdom City of Culture 2025)

Yes, I do. My alma mater is the University of Stirling, so I have an affinity there. I can see the obvious benefits that the status would bring to Stirling and the local area, and I wish the bid team every success in the shortlisting process. We stand ready to continue to supp...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Scene Stirling (United Kingdom City of Culture 2025)

Yes. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have announced £256 million of support for cultural sectors, allowing libraries to reopen, supporting organisations and freelancers to keep working, bolstering the creative industries and ensuring the continuation of children’s crea...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Scene Stirling (United Kingdom City of Culture 2025)

I thank Foysol Choudhury for recognising the challenges that exist for the cultural scene across Scotland, including in Stirling. We continue to do what we can to ensure that the sector is supported. Since January 2022, we have committed £81 million to the culture, heritage an...

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

30 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time

We have been working closely with the UK Government on the operation of its homes for Ukraine scheme, and Scotland’s supersponsor offer to provide a safe place of refuge and sanctuary to displaced Ukrainians as part of that scheme is now open. The people who come here from Uk...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

30 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time

Yes, I do, and I thank Gillian Mackay for raising that important and concerning development. I said in my previous answer that we have been working closely and well at the official and ministerial level, so it is all the more disappointing that the first that we heard of the d...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

30 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time

I thank Clare Adamson for raising such an important issue. It should go without saying that people arriving here who are escaping the trauma of war should be afforded dignity and privacy so that they can rebuild their lives here in Scotland. I hope that that will be respected ...

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

31 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Ukrainian Refugees (Warm Scots Welcome Scheme)

We have worked rapidly with a number of partners to set up our warm Scots welcome programme and supersponsor scheme, linking in to the United Kingdom Government’s visa and homes for Ukraine scheme. We have established welcome hubs to support displaced Ukrainians who are arriv...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

31 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Ukrainian Refugees (Warm Scots Welcome Scheme)

Yes. It is, of course, vital that those who are fleeing the illegal war in Ukraine are protected as they seek to find a place of safety. Any form of human trafficking or exploitation is completely unacceptable, and I encourage anyone who has concerns about human trafficking to...

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

31 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Ukrainian Refugees (Support)

Multi-agency teams will be on hand at our welcome hubs to triage people, assess their needs and provide support such as healthcare, translation services, clothes, food, temporary accommodation and trauma support. The people who come here from Ukraine have a right to work and ...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

31 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Ukrainian Refugees (Support)

I thank Siobhian Brown for giving me the opportunity to thank people around Scotland for their incredible generosity in wanting to open their homes to those forced to flee Ukraine. Scotland has a wealth of experience and learning from previous refugee schemes. As set out in t...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

31 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Ukrainian Refugees (Support)

Sharon Dowey will share my frustration at the slow pace of receipt of data from the United Kingdom Government. At the end of the day, we are still reliant on the UK Government’s immigration system in order to work at speed. To be fair, an incredible effort was made following ...

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

31 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Cultural Attractions (Support for Local Authorities)

In 2021-22, we have provided councils with an overall Covid-19 support package of up to £1.5 billion. It is for locally elected representatives to decide how best to use resources to deliver culture services. We are continuing to work with the Convention of Scottish Local Aut...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

31 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Cultural Attractions (Support for Local Authorities)

We place great value on the cultural recovery that we want to see in our facilities, events, attractions and arts and creative sector. We have a great understanding that it is not just an economic recovery that will be important, but a wellbeing recovery. Over the past two yea...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

31 Mar 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Cultural Attractions (Support for Local Authorities)

Yes, I will. This week, we announced the final tranche of the support through that fund. Seven libraries received, I think, £200,000, which brings the total funding through that fund to £1.25 million. We will continue to support public libraries, because we understand the clea...

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine (Neil Gray) SNP Chamber

04 May 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Energy Efficiency Measures (Cultural and Heritage Buildings)

The Scottish Government is working with stakeholders, including Historic Environment Scotland, to develop approaches and solutions that will decarbonise Scotland’s historic buildings and places while respecting their special characteristics. Although I have not met with Mr...

Neil Gray SNP Chamber

04 May 2022

Portfolio Question Time · Energy Efficiency Measures (Cultural and Heritage Buildings)

As I have just outlined, the Scottish Government has a commitment that all buildings reach a good level of energy efficiency, where it is technically feasible and cost effective, by 2033. I know that Historic Environment Scotland and others are doing a fantastic amount of wor...