Former Labour MSP for North East Scotland
When I moved an amendment identical to amendment 1 at stage 2, the minister said: “I support the principle behind the amendment.” Therefore, it is really welcome that the Government will support amendment 1. The minister also said: “Funeral costs have been debated repeatedly throughout the bill’s passage. The bill’s central purpose is to improve legislation governing burial and...
I thank the Government for agreeing to support amendment 1. We need to recognise that this is the start of the process of eradicating funeral poverty in Scotland. During stage 2, I recognised that power over social fund funeral payments and other consumer protection measures will come through the Scotland Bill. However, the provision on guidance that amendment 1 sets out in the bill is an...
As many members have said, the bill covers many sensitive topics. I have focused on funeral poverty because of my experience as a councillor and, as I mentioned at a previous stage, because of a close friend’s experience. Empathy has been mentioned a few times; politicians ought to be able to empathise so that we can understand how we can best serve the people who we are here to represent....
Former Labour MSP for North East Scotland
Entered the Scottish Parliament on 13 January 2016 — appointed
Left the Scottish Parliament on 23 March 2016 — Election
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