Anne McTaggart: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in today’s debate. The subject is of great interest to me, given that I am a mother of three, all of whom are currently in full-time education—well, I hope they are. [Laughter.] Devolution has brought positive change in education and early years. The Labour Party has sought to raise the level of achievement through increased public investment and...
Anne McTaggart: One of the Scottish Parliament’s fundamental values is transparency in government for the benefit of the Scottish people. The petition is an important step towards upholding the simple value of honesty. At its core, the petition calls for the creation of a register of interests for members of the judiciary in order to ensure fairness in our courts. With a register, potential biases can be...
Anne McTaggart: I thank Jackie Baillie for securing this evening’s important members’ debate. The development of appropriate respite services for young adults is an on-going matter that is of great concern to many of my constituents in Glasgow. At the outset, I record my admiration for the dedication of carers throughout Scotland and for the outstanding work that they achieve daily. Let us recognise how...
Anne McTaggart: As a member of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, I have had ample opportunity to consider in detail the proposals in the bill and the subsequent amendments to it. I would once again like to thank Dennis Robertson for bringing this important issue to the attention of the Scottish Parliament, and I commend his efforts in raising awareness of the damaging consequences of the...
Anne McTaggart: I am delighted to contribute to this interesting debate on the dearest Scotland campaign, which celebrates our wishes, hopes and aspirations for the future of Scotland. I congratulate my dearest colleague Bill Kidd MSP on securing time in the chamber to discuss this exciting project, and I share his view that the campaign, which is politically neutral, has the potential to produce exciting...
Anne McTaggart: 8. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the reported 22 per cent increase in homophobic hate crimes in the last year. (S4O-03398)
Anne McTaggart: In the past 12 months, there has been a 12 per cent rise in disability hate crime and a 3 per cent rise in racial abuse. In light of those worrying statistics, what action is the Government taking to reverse the trend and ensure that prejudice and discrimination are eradicated in every community in Scotland?
Anne McTaggart: I am keen to contribute to the closing of today’s stage 3 debate on the Buildings (Recovery of Expenses) (Scotland) Bill for the Scottish Labour Party. I, too, thank David Stewart for all his hard work in making these important proposals in the Parliament. Huge thanks are also due to the convener and members of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, of which I am a member. In...
Anne McTaggart: 4. To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages the availability of affordable housing in the private rented sector. (S4O-03370)
Anne McTaggart: One in four people who rent privately live in poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that private renters in Scotland spend 23 per cent of their income on housing, which is up from 18 per cent just a decade ago. In order to improve the situation for the 300,000 households that find themselves in that position, Scottish Labour has proposed a cap on rent rises and the introduction of a...
Anne McTaggart: I am delighted to contribute to tonight’s debate on the importance of local development plans, and I sincerely congratulate Cameron Buchanan on securing time in the chamber to consider the important issues raised by the second south-east Scotland strategic development plan. As a Glasgow MSP, I have no direct association with the work of the south-east Scotland plan or its associated local...
Anne McTaggart: I am keen to contribute to this debate on delivering improvements in the participation in and the administration of local government elections, given that I am a member of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, that I was previously a Glasgow city councillor and that I have a huge interest in encouraging people to vote. From my experience, I, too, recognise the pattern of chronic...
Anne McTaggart: 1. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve street safety in cities at night. (S4T-00732)
Anne McTaggart: Last night, I took part in the midnight march that was organised by two astonishingly brave young women residents, marching in solidarity in Govanhill against the series of rapes and sex attacks that have recently taken place across Glasgow. I joined thousands of Glaswegians who want to reclaim their streets from sex offenders and who object to the idea that they should have to stay indoors...
Anne McTaggart: I am grateful for that response, but I remain concerned that the number of police patrolling our streets has been negatively affected by the backfilling of administration and clerical roles following the introduction of Police Scotland. We know that, under this Government, there are at least 1,727 fewer police support staff than there were in March 2010. Current statistics do not take account...
Anne McTaggart: Will the member take an intervention?
Anne McTaggart: I am pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this important debate, and I, too, support the calls for the greater participation of women in Scottish business. First of all, though, I want to highlight what I believe to be a roadblock to the full inclusion of women and young people in entrepreneurial activities: the continuing cuts to further education courses. It is simply...
Anne McTaggart: 1. To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to local authorities to help reduce carbon emissions and contribute towards the 2013 to 2027 emissions reduction targets. (S4O-03296)
Anne McTaggart: I thank the minister for that comprehensive response. A key part of Glasgow’s bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth games was the designation of several low-emission zones around each of the sporting venues. How does the Scottish Government intend to work with Glasgow City Council to ensure that air quality in those areas continues to meet national air quality standards after the conclusion of...
Anne McTaggart: 19. To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has put in place to increase the number of business start-ups in Glasgow. (S4O-03284)
