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

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Personal Independence Payments (Descriptors)

As of next year, the Scottish Government will have legislative power over a number of benefits, including those associated with the extra costs of living with a disability. What consideration has the Scottish Government given to further devolving disability benefits at local l...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Employment Barriers (Disabled People)

In Scotland, the statistics on disability and employment vary substantially across the country. In the Shetland Islands, the disability employment rate is nearly 88 per cent, but in Glasgow it is less than 25 per cent. What action will the Scottish Government take to address t...

6. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Air Quality (Glasgow)

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to monitor and improve air quality in Glasgow. (S5O-00494)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Air Quality (Glasgow)

Data from the World Health Organization puts Glasgow among 11 urban areas in the United Kingdom and Ireland that regularly exceed safe levels of air pollution. Given that that is bad not only for people’s health but for the wider environment, what action will the Scottish Gove...

1. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Economic Performance

To ask the Scottish Government how it measures economic performance. (S5O-00639)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Economic Performance

In its latest Scotland performs document, which was published alongside the draft budget, the Scottish Government was found to be stagnating or getting worse in 46 out of the 47 key indicators that it set itself. Does the cabinet secretary consider that to be a success? If not...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Celtic Connections 2017

It has been well documented in the media that a T in the Park sister festival will take place in Glasgow this summer. What discussions has the Scottish Government had with the organisers and Police Scotland about managing the potential impact of antisocial behaviour on local r...

5. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Violent Crime (Prevention)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to prevent violent crime. (S5O-01083)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Violent Crime (Prevention)

Knife crime is a significant problem in some communities in Glasgow. What update can the Scottish Government give on action that it is taking to educate young people about the dangers of carrying a knife?

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Islamophobia (Schools)

Statistics released last week showed that cases of religiously aggravated crimes have increased by 14 per cent over the past year. In Edinburgh, funding has been made available by the Scottish Government, in collaboration with the council and police, to eradicate Islamophobia ...

3. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Environmentally Friendly Initiatives (Glasgow)

To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to initiatives that aim to make Glasgow more environmentally friendly. (S5O-01227)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Environmentally Friendly Initiatives (Glasgow)

I am pleased to see that an inquiry into air quality has been launched by the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee and that the Scottish Government made a number of commitments last week as part of its new climate change bill. However, three streets in the cit...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Anti-Bullying Week

New figures show that cybersex crime offending numbers have jumped by 50 per cent in the past three years, with the analysis showing the median age of victims to be 14. How will the respectme anti-bullying week incorporate the spreading of awareness about that subject?

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn (Cultural History)

Glasgow has a fabulous culture, which has been rightly celebrated over the years. What discussions has the Scottish Government had with Glasgow City Council ahead of its upcoming budget to ensure that proper support and funding are given to local communities to encourage tourism?

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” (Support)

What actions is the Scottish Government taking to address the disparities that can exist between rural and urban areas when it comes to service provision for victims of rape and sexual assault, particularly in relation to travel issues, forensic examination and access to speci...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Healthy Weight Strategy

We can no longer ignore Scotland’s obesity epidemic. Individually, many of us worry daily about our weight—two thirds of Scots are concerned about their weight or the weight of someone in their family. Whether we are made to feel ashamed of our bodies by images in the media, o...

12. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Ministerial Working Group on Gypsy/Travellers (Meetings)

To ask the Scottish Government when the Gypsy/Travellers ministerial working group last met. (S5O-01918)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Ministerial Working Group on Gypsy/Travellers (Meetings)

I am pleased to hear that the group met in February. Considering the broad scope of the ministerial group and that it is working across Government portfolios, how will the cabinet secretary seek to record and measure data that are specific to the Gypsy Traveller community so t...

5. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Low-emission Zones (Glasgow)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with developing the Glasgow low-emission zone. (S5O-01981)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Low-emission Zones (Glasgow)

A report last year by the World Health Organization found that Glasgow is one of the most polluted areas in the United Kingdom, with poorer air quality than London. I am pleased to hear that the low-emission zone will be implemented by the end of the year, particularly now tha...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · “Everybody In: How to end homelessness in Great Britain (2018)”

Statistics last week showed that the number of homelessness applicants in Scotland who were formerly in the armed services increased by 11 per cent between 2016-17 and 2017-18. Given that housing is a devolved issue, what action is being taken by the minister to ensure that ve...

9. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Hate Crime

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle hate crime. (S5O-02277)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Hate Crime

Figures that have been released by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service this month show a massive spike in some forms of hate crime. Since 2010-11, sexual orientation hate crime has increased by 146 per cent, transgender identity hate crime has increased by 250 per c...

1. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · “Scottish Government Intervention—Assessment Report” (Action)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken since the publication of the Scottish Information Commissioner’s “Scottish Government Intervention—Assessment Report”, which found that it was operating a two-tier system for managing freedom of information requests, whic...

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · “Scottish Government Intervention—Assessment Report” (Action)

As the minister will be aware, the report found that a number of cases featured “unjustifiable, significant delays and disregard for the statutory timescales.” Is the Scottish Government now fully compliant with FOI legislation?

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Human Rights Defenders (Support and Protection)

Like other members, I welcome Christina McKelvie to her new role. I know that she will be determined and full on when it comes to fighting for equalities and human rights in her portfolio. As other members in the chamber today have said, it is great to have the opportunity to...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Meetings)

The most recent statistics reveal that, in the last quarter, less than 80 per cent of cancer patients in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde received their first treatment within the 62-day Scottish Government target. I appreciate that the cabinet secretary talked about waiting time...

6. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · General Practice (Community Link Worker Recruitment)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making with its commitment to recruit up to 250 community link workers to work in GP surgeries by the end of the parliamentary session. (S5O-02494)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · General Practice (Community Link Worker Recruitment)

Despite a pledge by the Scottish Government to recruit 250 community link workers by the end of the parliamentary session, it was revealed last month that, as of September, just three workers had been recruited in nine months, taking us to a grand total of 56. Not only are we ...

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · General Practice (Community Link Worker Recruitment)

What action will the minister take to drastically improve this extremely slow progress?

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Meetings)

Last week, I was contacted by Anne Hughes, a 75-year-old lady who was unable to visit the out-of-hours general practice service at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth hospital due to staff shortages on 1 December. Interruption. I am trying to rush now. Instead of being able to access t...

5. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Small Businesses (Climate Change)

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings of a recent survey by WWF Scotland, how it supports small businesses to prepare for the risks posed by climate change. (S5O-02763)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Small Businesses (Climate Change)

Last month, a survey by WWF revealed that five out of six small firms in Scotland do not feel that their sector has direction from the Scottish Government about their role in tackling climate change, with 60 per cent saying that they felt underprepared. Climate change poses...

4. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Active Travel

To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes active travel. (S5O-02792)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Active Travel

It is estimated that it will, at the current rate of progress, take about 239 years to reach the Scottish Government’s target of 10 per cent of journeys being made by bike by 2020. Although setting an ambitious target is positive—I welcome the steps that the cabinet secretary ...

7. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Programme for Government (Timetable for Introduction of Legislation)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish an up-to-date timetable for the introduction of legislation included in its programme for government. (S5O-02995)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Programme for Government (Timetable for Introduction of Legislation)

Only a third of the bills that were announced in the 2017 programme for government progressed beyond stage 1 in 2017. Will the Scottish Government commit to do better in this coming year?

6. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Strengthening the Economy (Glasgow)

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to further strengthen the economy of Glasgow. (S5O-03201)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Strengthening the Economy (Glasgow)

Earlier this year, Mark Johnston, who is Glasgow airport’s managing director, forecast that the airport was set to lose 1 million passengers from the levels that it had in 2016. The failure to cut air passenger duty meant that Ryanair cut many of its routes that served Glasgow...

5. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Additional Support Needs (Co-ordinated Support Plans)

To ask the Scottish Government whether the number of pupils with additional support needs who have a co-ordinated support plan in place is increasing. (S5O-03276)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Additional Support Needs (Co-ordinated Support Plans)

We are seeing in Scottish schools record high numbers of pupils who have additional support needs. It seems, therefore, to be obvious that we should also have seen a huge increase in the number who have co-ordinated support plans in place, but that has not happened: unbelievab...

7. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Farm Tenancies

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the new agricultural tenancy legislation is having on the number of farm tenancies. (S5O-03607)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Farm Tenancies

Will the cabinet secretary outline what measures the Scottish Government has taken to extend the scheme to new entrant farmers, and whether they have been successful?

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Institute of Occupational Medicine 50th Anniversary

I thank Gordon MacDonald for bringing the motion to Parliament. I enjoy the opportunity that members’ business debates offer me to learn about charities and organisations at an in-depth level. That has been the case with the Institute of Occupational Medicine, because, prior t...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · “MHA monitoring report 2018-19”

Significantly, the report highlights that rates of emergency detention vary considerably across Scotland, with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde having the highest rate at 84 per 100,000 of the population. When it comes to compulsory treatment orders, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde...

7. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Scottish Growth Scheme

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it and Scottish Enterprise have provided to companies as part of the £500 million Scottish growth scheme. (S5O-03709)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Scottish Growth Scheme

Nicola Sturgeon stood in this very chamber and said that she would deliver a £500 million vote of confidence in Scottish businesses. As we have just heard, the truth is very different. Why should anyone believe a word that this SNP Government says when it said that it would de...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Deposit Return Scheme

I have been in my role only for a few weeks, but already businesses at almost every single stage of the supply chain are raising concerns about the DRS. We are fully behind the principles of the scheme, as most businesses are. However, businesses are worried—

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Deposit Return Scheme

Businesses are worried that the Government is rushing the scheme. I say to the cabinet secretary, “Let’s do this, but let’s get it right.” Will she agree to delay the deposit return scheme until small businesses are on board and ready to make it a success?

2. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Trade Negotiations (Fishing Rights)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the position of the United Kingdom or the European Union on fishing rights in relation to the trade negotiations between the two Administrations. (S5O-04245)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Trade Negotiations (Fishing Rights)

The choice for the Scottish National Party Government is pretty simple: either it wants the UK to take back control of our waters and for us to become an independent coastal state, or it wants to drag us back to the hated common fisheries policy. Instead of the usual waffle, c...

3. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Covid-19 (Shared Premises)

To ask the Scottish Government what the economic impact of Covid-19 has been on businesses occupying shared premises. (S5O-04422)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Covid-19 (Shared Premises)

Again, the Scottish Government has moved the goalposts. “Are they actually trying to help? This is pathetic.” That is what a small business owner at the Forge Market who wrote to me said about the Scottish National Party’s false promises on grant support. Numerous others hav...

4. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Homelessness (Emergency Accommodation)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that emergency accommodation to tackle homelessness is provided throughout the duration of the Covid-19 outbreak. (S5O-04447)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Homelessness (Emergency Accommodation)

As the minister said, the Scottish Government’s rough sleeping action group is worried that, once the pandemic ends, homelessness could spike. What is the Government doing to ensure that that is not the case, especially when councils including Glasgow City Council have been ac...

5. Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Independence Referendum

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the constitution secretary’s comments to the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee on 18 June, whether it has revisited planning for a second independence referendum. (S5O-04504)

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Independence Referendum

I am pleased to hear that the cabinet secretary has not instructed work on independence to be revisited. Does he agree that securing people’s jobs, protecting public health and restoring our schools should remain the utmost focus for the Scottish Government? Will he commit to ...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Covid-19 (Vulnerable and Older People)

Today, more than 100 charities in Glasgow got a temporary reprieve from huge proposed cuts to their funding through the Glasgow communities fund, but it is not yet clear what the council will do to fill the financial gap. Organisations—Inaudible.—have contacted me, and they ar...

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Edinburgh-Glasgow Transport Links (Improvements)

We have heard that there are major disruptions on the Glasgow to Edinburgh train line as we speak, and the M8 does not have the capacity to deal with increased demand at peak times. The key to increased economic activity is having transport links to support businesses and work...

Annie Wells Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Edinburgh-Glasgow Transport Links (Improvements)

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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 07 December 2016

07 Dec 2016 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Portfolio Question Time

Personal Independence Payments (Descriptors)

Communities, Social Security and Equalities

Wells, Annie Con Glasgow Watch on SPTV

As of next year, the Scottish Government will have legislative power over a number of benefits, including those associated with the extra costs of living with a disability. What consideration has the Scottish Government given to further devolving disability benefits at local level, to health boards, local authorities or new partnerships, to allow for personalised care packages?

In the same item of business

5. Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP)

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to amending the descriptors for the activity “Moving around” that are used to assess personal ...

The Minister for Social Security (Jeane Freeman) SNP

As the member knows, we have carried out an extensive consultation exercise to help to inform our approach to social security in Scotland, and we will publis...

Richard Lyle SNP

Is the minister aware that, presently, the descriptor requires people to stand and then move more than 1m but not more than 20m, either aided or unaided, if ...

Jeane Freeman SNP

I assure the member that I am aware of the changes that have been made in that descriptor, not only from my work as a minister but as a constituency MSP. Man...

Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Is the minister considering the removal of the private sector from a new Scottish disability assessment process? Will the assessments be run purely by a publ...

Jeane Freeman SNP

The question of how assessments will be done—where we think that they are necessary—is part of the consultation exercise. It would be contradictory of me to ...

Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con) Con

As of next year, the Scottish Government will have legislative power over a number of benefits, including those associated with the extra costs of living wit...

Jeane Freeman SNP

As Ms Well knows, the next key step that we have to take is to bring a draft bill to Parliament before next summer to create the legislative platform that we...