Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 05 September 2012
05 Sep 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Humankind Index
I congratulate Ken Macintosh on bringing this debate to the chamber. I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak in favour of the motion and in favour of Oxfam’s vital work in the area. As members know, it is common for us to receive briefings or points of view from interested parties on the debates that we have in the chamber, but it is uncommon for those contributions to be unanimous in their tone. The overwhelming and sincere support for the humankind index from groups across Scottish civic society is welcome and telling.
For too long, Scotland and the developed world as a whole have relied on GDP figures to paint a picture of a prosperous society. However, as Oxfam has succinctly remarked, GDP is a
“consumption-oriented and distribution-blind measure”.
Sadly, a high GDP and endemic and crippling poverty are not mutually exclusive but in fact often go hand in hand, as the growing inequality of the past 30 years in the United Kingdom has shown. A reliance on GDP figures and purely economic statistics by policy makers can harm the common weal, rather than helping to ameliorate society’s scars.
The Oxfam humankind index is specifically designed to avoid those statistical pitfalls in measuring the health of our society. To Oxfam’s credit, it has gone the extra mile in reaching out to as many parts of the community as possible. It has involved those on lower incomes who, unfortunately, feel disengaged with the political process and asked them what really matters in their life. We can learn a lot from that method of consultation and participation, particularly from the efforts that Oxfam has made to accommodate participants through provision of childcare and expenses.
It should come as no surprise that the index has shown that, for most people, good health, strong communities and a healthy local environment are the priorities. Perhaps the lasting contribution of the index will be that policy makers such as us will reach decisions on the basis of how policies will help to achieve those laudable aims, rather than purely on the basis of the effect on the nation’s finances. In our future policy deliberations, it is vital that we use the humankind index. We have been provided with a tool to help deliver social justice for Scotland, so I hope that we can use it. I support the motion.
17:44
For too long, Scotland and the developed world as a whole have relied on GDP figures to paint a picture of a prosperous society. However, as Oxfam has succinctly remarked, GDP is a
“consumption-oriented and distribution-blind measure”.
Sadly, a high GDP and endemic and crippling poverty are not mutually exclusive but in fact often go hand in hand, as the growing inequality of the past 30 years in the United Kingdom has shown. A reliance on GDP figures and purely economic statistics by policy makers can harm the common weal, rather than helping to ameliorate society’s scars.
The Oxfam humankind index is specifically designed to avoid those statistical pitfalls in measuring the health of our society. To Oxfam’s credit, it has gone the extra mile in reaching out to as many parts of the community as possible. It has involved those on lower incomes who, unfortunately, feel disengaged with the political process and asked them what really matters in their life. We can learn a lot from that method of consultation and participation, particularly from the efforts that Oxfam has made to accommodate participants through provision of childcare and expenses.
It should come as no surprise that the index has shown that, for most people, good health, strong communities and a healthy local environment are the priorities. Perhaps the lasting contribution of the index will be that policy makers such as us will reach decisions on the basis of how policies will help to achieve those laudable aims, rather than purely on the basis of the effect on the nation’s finances. In our future policy deliberations, it is vital that we use the humankind index. We have been provided with a tool to help deliver social justice for Scotland, so I hope that we can use it. I support the motion.
17:44
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-02703, in the name of Kenneth Macintosh, on the humankind index. The debate will be co...
Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)
Lab
More than a decade ago, when Scotland’s school examination system almost collapsed during the Scottish Qualifications Agency debacle, there was a revealing e...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
A number of members wish to participate, so I ask for speeches of up to four minutes.17:41
Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate Ken Macintosh on bringing this debate to the chamber. I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak in favour of the motion and in favour of...
John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, congratulate Ken Macintosh on bringing this debate to the chamber. I draw attention to my entry in the register of interests, which states that I am ...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I am afraid that the member is concluding.
John Park
Lab
I am sorry, but I am over my time. It is important to capture that difference—I can see it first hand—and ensure that we develop policies so that all our com...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I congratulate Ken Macintosh on securing the debate and not only commend his motion but commend Oxfam Scotland for its valuable work in developing the humank...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
I add my thanks to Ken Macintosh for bringing the debate to the chamber and for his recognition of the small role that I played, along with my colleagues Lin...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Many of the themes that the member discusses and which have emerged in the debate fit in nicely with the people’s charter, which will soon come before the Pa...
Patrick Harvie
Green
Absolutely. I will make every effort to attend the event that I know will take place soon.As I said, Greens have made the case for a long time, but we are by...
Marco Biagi (Edinburgh Central) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Ken Macintosh for allowing us to debate the subject. GDP is not a flawed measure, but it is definitely limited. Perhaps economists are more aware of ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Due to the number of members who still wish to speak in the debate, I am minded to accept a motion without notice from Ken Macintosh, under rule 8.14.3, that...
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
The fact that the debate is being held today is significant, as is the strength of cross-party support, along with support beyond the chamber, that it has se...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
You must conclude.
Claudia Beamish
Lab
The time for those alternatives has come. I know that we will move forward on this issue.18:06
Roderick Campbell (North East Fife) (SNP)
SNP
Like other members, I congratulate Ken Macintosh on securing this members’ business debate.I welcome the publication of the first results from Oxfam’s humani...
Drew Smith (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
It is customary to congratulate members on securing these debates and to remark on the importance of what is being discussed. It is a custom that is largely ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney)
SNP
It is a pleasure to close the debate and to respond to the issues that were raised by Ken Macintosh and other members in the course of the debate. I genuinel...
Patrick Harvie
Green
I accept and agree with what the cabinet secretary says about the intentions of the national performance framework, and I welcome the inclusion of, for examp...
John Swinney
SNP
I suppose that that point gets to the nub of some of the difference of opinion that might exist around the national performance framework. The Government has...