James Dornan: 8. To ask the Scottish Government how its programme for government aims to tackle climate change through support for the green economy. (S5O-04564)
James Dornan: Those announcements are all welcome—in particular, those on multiannual funding, which will create the certainty that is required. In addition to the 5,000 jobs connected with the heat and energy efficiency investment programme that she mentioned, will the cabinet secretary outline what else the programme for programme will deliver on green jobs, which will be so central to our recovery...
James Dornan: Does the First Minister share my concerns that the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill will limit Scotland’s ability to legislate in the area of building regulations to maintain the highest standards that protect Scottish householders from catastrophic events such as the Grenfell disaster?
James Dornan: I welcome the international day for older persons, purely for personal reasons, because my younger brother is elderly. Many of the stories that we have heard today evidence the profound impact that the coronavirus has had on those who are involved in care, whether that is the carers—paid or unpaid—those who visit their loved ones in care homes or other settings, or those who require care....
James Dornan: The Jenniburn Centre in Castlemilk, in my constituency, has sensibly and understandably been closed since March. Given that it is a free-flowing and multifunctional community facility, its trustees believe that it is still not safe for the centre to reopen and return to use. The UK Government’s furlough scheme replacement—the job support scheme—will support only businesses whose...
James Dornan: 5. To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in enabling the transfer of community assets under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. (S5O-04717)
James Dornan: I thank the minister for her answer. Although she cut out a bit towards the end, I got the gist. I have been made aware that arm’s-length external organisations are exempt from the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, which makes it harder for community organisations to finalise asset transfers in a timely manner, if at all. Can the minister look into that anomaly, as at least two...
James Dornan: 5. To ask the First Minister what additional support the Scottish Government has made available for mental health services to help cope with the long-term effects that lockdown and on-going restrictions have had on people’s mental wellbeing. (S5F-04532)
James Dornan: Are any specific actions being taken to address the dangers to the mental health of elderly people of a lack of interaction with others, primarily at home but also in care homes or hospital settings, against the ever-present dangers of Covid?
James Dornan: 3. To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to communities to support a green recovery from Covid-19. (S5O-04739)
James Dornan: It is clear that communities across Scotland have risen to the challenge of Covid by looking after one another while having to stay apart. The cabinet secretary says that they will be central to a green recovery. Can she outline what lessons can been learned from her experiences during Covid restrictions and how they can contribute to a greener, fairer future for Scotland’s communities?
James Dornan: As a non-member of the Public Petitions Committee, I place on the record my appreciation for the work of the convener, Johann Lamont, Gail Ross and the rest of the committee for their hard work on the issue. Most of all, however, I thank the petitioners, Willie Smith and Scott Robertson, who I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the past few years, and who have recently been...
James Dornan: I am delighted to hear that, Presiding Officer. Thank you. As the only MSP who did not support the bill at stage 1, and as the convener of the Local Government and Communities Committee, I am delighted to speak today about my support for the bill as it is now, and about the committee’s work in scrutinising what has become a truly collaborative piece of policy making. It is always good to...
James Dornan: Yesterday, we saw the Parliament at its finest, working across parties to pass an important piece of legislation for people across the whole of Scotland. It gave us a glimpse of what this place is capable of being and doing. Today, unfortunately, we are back to normal—political opportunism, point scoring and desperate attempts to gain some headlines as we head towards the Scottish...
James Dornan: Thank you, Presiding Officer—although I have to say that pointing out the hypocrisy of the Tories is very important to what the debate is all about. As my colleague Stewart Stevenson said, there have been a lot of examples in the Scottish Parliament of previous Governments not providing legal advice. It is a long-standing practice across the United Kingdom. The Deputy First Minister has...
James Dornan: Before I start, I will just say that I feel a bit embarrassed, if not ashamed, to be sitting here debating this, particularly after listening to the last four speakers—no disrespect to Stuart McMillan, but the three female members who have just spoken have, more than anything, highlighted the importance of women’s voices being heard on a regular basis, particularly on something that is so...
James Dornan: 5. To ask the Scottish Government what its latest engagement has been with the United Kingdom Government regarding plans to replace EU funding. (S5O-04821)
James Dornan: That is a depressing answer. Scottish ministers have successfully delivered EU funding programmes for decades. Is there any further clarification of whether full control of replacement funding will be given to Scotland? Does the cabinet secretary agree that a failure to do so would clearly constitute a power grab?
James Dornan: While the Chancellor of the Exchequer was announcing a £27 billion increase in UK capital expenditure, he was cutting the Scottish Government’s capital budget by 5 per cent. What impact will that have on Scotland’s need for an infrastructure-led economic recovery to deliver new jobs and speed up the transition to net zero?
James Dornan: —[ Inaudible .]—until March 2021, but could the cabinet secretary outline what additional interventions the Government has made to protect renters during this difficult time?