Anne McTaggart: 5. To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed procurement reform bill will seek to ensure that public sector contracts should be awarded only to companies that pay the living wage. (S4O-02266)
Anne McTaggart: As the cabinet secretary has explained, the forthcoming procurement reform bill provides an opportunity to amend the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2012 to enable local authorities to promote payment of the living wage among organisations that are in receipt of public funding through local authority internal procurement processes. Can the cabinet secretary confirm that she has...
Anne McTaggart: I am delighted to contribute to this debate on the subject of the recently announced credit union expansion project. I congratulate John Wilson on securing time in the chamber to consider the positive effects of the project for people on low incomes. I welcome to the public gallery members from the Scottish Parliament cross-party group on credit unions and the director of the Association of...
Anne McTaggart: As a member of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, I am delighted to contribute to this debate on Scotland’s third national planning framework and to consider how best we ensure that planning contributes to wider economic recovery. I am keen for the third framework to build on the commendable principles that were contained in previous planning strategies, and I encourage the...
Anne McTaggart: Well, we have all learned something new today. I would like to extend my support to the themes of supporting sustainable development and the transition to a low-carbon economy. I acknowledge the benefits that are brought to the overall strategy through the close working relationships that have been developed with VisitScotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, ClimateXChange and other key...
Anne McTaggart: I am delighted to contribute to this important debate on challenging negative racial and religious stereotypes and to add my congratulations to Amina—the Muslim Women’s Resource Centre. I welcome people from it to the chamber, including Faten Hameed, who is one of its directors. We are here to talk about the launch and success of the I speak for myself campaign. I thank my colleague...
Anne McTaggart: I congratulate the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on its comprehensive report on the scale and effects of underemployment in Scotland. I am keen to contribute to discussions on what is a growing economic problem and to highlight the effects of underemployment on women and young people in particular. Underemployment is a deeply concerning social problem that has the ability to mask the...
Anne McTaggart: I am delighted to contribute to this debate on the subject of protecting tenants’ deposits. I thank Patrick Harvie for recognising the growing importance of the issue surrounding the private rented sector, and I congratulate him on securing time in the chamber to consider the implementation of the new tenancy deposit schemes in greater detail. Protecting the deposits of tenants in privately...
Anne McTaggart: I am delighted to contribute on the important subject of Age Scotland’s still waiting campaign, which promotes the extension of the existing national concessionary travel scheme. First, I congratulate Alison McInnes on securing the time in the chamber to highlight the campaign’s work. I commend Age Scotland for the excellent work that it has done to support Scotland’s older people....
Anne McTaggart: 4. To ask the Scottish Government what recent work it has carried out in partnership with the Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector. (S4O-02168)
Anne McTaggart: In June last year, the Government published “Action for Jobs—Supporting Young Scots into Work: Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy”, which highlighted the importance of the third sector in the Government’s plan to address growing unemployment. Given that the youth unemployment rate is now estimated to be more than 16 per cent, is the cabinet secretary satisfied that the objectives...
Anne McTaggart: I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to today’s debate and I thank the members of the Equal Opportunities Committee for their time on, and commitment to, the important subject of homelessness among Scotland’s young people. We know that all forms of homelessness are on the rise as a consequence of the challenging economic circumstances that we face. However, homelessness among...
Anne McTaggart: I am genuinely delighted to bring the campaign to recognise Mary Barbour’s achievements and legacy before the Scottish Parliament, and I thank members across the chamber for their cross-party support and for joining me in calling for a statue to be dedicated to the memory of Mrs Barbour. The impact that Mary Barbour had on the lives of women, children and ordinary families in Govan is...
Anne McTaggart: 2. To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it will provide to HMYOI Polmont and Education Scotland, following the decision to increase access, quality and consistency of teaching for inmates as a result of the report on HMYOI Polmont in February 2013. (S4O-02136)
Anne McTaggart: I was encouraged to learn that, on 8 May, Education Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service met various organisations, including colleges of further education, to discuss the process that will enable HMYOI Polmont to provide a secure and effective learning environment. What tangible steps have been taken to implement that new initiative, and what difference should the current young offenders...
Anne McTaggart: At the outset, I declare an interest: I once worked for North Ayrshire Council as a community worker that covered the isle of Cumbrae. I am delighted to contribute to the debate because I know how important the subject of the exceptional biological science facility based in Millport and the recent decision to close this important national resource are. I thank my colleague, Margaret McDougall...
Anne McTaggart: 2. To ask the Scottish Government what projects it is funding to promote social, cultural and business links with Poland. (S4O-02106)
Anne McTaggart: Recent research by the University of the West of Scotland illustrates that ethnic minority entrepreneurs often fail to seek support from readily available Government sources and that immigrants in Scotland are less likely to make use of key public services. An estimated 80,000 Polish nationals are resident in Scotland. Does the minister agree that such research suggests that the Scottish...
Anne McTaggart: As a member of the Public Petitions Committee, I welcome this debate on Professor David Crichton’s petition, in which he calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to represent Scottish interests in the current discussions between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the United Kingdom insurance industry. Before I start, I want to wish the...
Anne McTaggart: I am delighted to take part in this debate on the subject of the blacklisting of Scottish construction workers. I thank my colleague Neil Findlay, not only for securing this time to discuss the disgraceful practices of some of the best-known names in the construction industry but for his tireless campaigning to achieve justice for those who have been left unemployable as a result of their...
