Fulton MacGregor: took the oath.
Fulton MacGregor: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I congratulate you on your recent appointment—I congratulate the other Presiding Officers, too. It is a great privilege to be delivering my first speech as the new member for Coatbridge and Chryston. As members can see, I am not wearing my kilt today—after hearing that I had made the dizzying heights of the Daily Mail for wearing it at the oath-taking...
Fulton MacGregor: It gives me great pleasure to speak in this debate and specifically to address the named person legislation. I have been a qualified social worker for the last 12 years and—as I said in my first speech a couple of weeks ago—I have worked predominantly in the field of child protection, so I can speak from first-hand experience on how I feel the legislation will benefit Scotland’s young...
Fulton MacGregor: I confirm to the chamber that the First Minister has asked me to be the parliamentary liaison officer for the justice secretary. I look forward to working with colleagues across the chamber over the coming period. How do armed policing levels in Scotland compare with those in England?
Fulton MacGregor: Can the cabinet secretary ensure that the investment in and focus on closing the attainment gap will also deliver for our looked-after and accommodated young people?
Fulton MacGregor: I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to speak in this important debate. I welcome the substantial difference that the Scottish Government has made in relation to the gender pay gap. The advances in recent years are incredibly encouraging, and I think that the improvement is due in no small part to the Government’s progressive policies on, for example, the living wage and...
Fulton MacGregor: It is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead a debate on what is a very important subject, and I thank colleagues from across the parties for supporting my motion congratulating the Diana Award charity for its stand up to bullying campaign. The Diana Award was set up as a legacy to Princess Diana and her belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better. The aim...
Fulton MacGregor: Will the minister confirm, for the avoidance of doubt, that the guarantee that the Scottish National Party gave 10 years ago, when the Labour Party voted to close down the Monklands A and E department, still stands and that, as long as there is an SNP Government, there will be A and E services at Monklands?
Fulton MacGregor: It is important to go back to basics and remember why the legislation matters. Will the cabinet secretary outline what difference the policy will make to the wellbeing of children, and particularly to Scotland’s most vulnerable children?
Fulton MacGregor: I am extremely pleased to see the Scottish Government delivering on yet another manifesto commitment and continuing to make progress on giving every child the same opportunity to succeed. Will the cabinet secretary outline how long the review will last, and the role that the national improvement framework will have in supporting parents and communities?
Fulton MacGregor: I welcome the proposed legislation and believe that it is a huge step on the way to tackling the true nature of domestic abuse. As many other members have said, domestic abuse is traditionally thought of as involving physical violence. However, non-physical forms of abuse including emotional abuse, controlling behaviour and coercive behaviour can have deeply damaging impacts on families. As...
Fulton MacGregor: I take the opportunity to declare that I have been appointed as the parliamentary liaison officer for the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport. I am sure that I am not the only one who finds it ironic that, almost 10 years to the day since Labour voted to close the Monklands hospital accident and emergency department and downgrade the hospital to a grade 2 hospital, it has now lodged a...
Fulton MacGregor: Not just now, Mr Leonard. Those changes are being made temporarily with concern for patients’ lives and wellbeing as the priority. I welcome the long-term plan to have all specialist orthopaedic services in one centre of excellence in Lanarkshire. I fully support amendment S5M-01510.1, lodged by Alex Neil, which calls for Monklands to be that centre. I will fight for that. It is important...
Fulton MacGregor: I am struggling for time as it is.
Fulton MacGregor: Dr Iain Wallace highlights that a temporary transfer of 2 per cent of the most complex trauma cases is the only viable option to ensure that services remain safe and sustainable in the interim period. Dr Jane Burns, who is the medical director for NHS Lanarkshire’s acute division, has acknowledged that trauma and orthopaedic services in Lanarkshire have been under pressure for some time and...
Fulton MacGregor: I have secured an additional NHS-led public meeting on 10 October specifically on this matter. I urge everyone with an interest to come together, get involved in the consultation and attend the meeting.
Fulton MacGregor: Can I just finish—
Fulton MacGregor: Yes.
Fulton MacGregor: The minister may have seen the heartbreaking appeal at the weekend from a mother in my constituency who has been sanctioned and will not receive benefits for four months, which has left her unable to buy food, clothes or nappies for her child. While the actions of the Lanarkshire baby bank and Coatbridge citizens advice bureau in supporting the family should be applauded, does the minister...
Fulton MacGregor: 7. To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will seek to improve systems supporting children in care. (S5F-00396)
