Humza Yousaf: This is a deeply important issue and I can inform the chamber that the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care, Michael Matheson, will use his statement to the chamber this afternoon to confirm that the Government has decided to commission a full independent public inquiry. That decision comes after very careful consideration of the recent due diligence review, which stated...
Humza Yousaf: Scotland has the skills, talent and resources to become a global renewables powerhouse. We are investing almost £5 billion over this session of Parliament in the energy transition, and finalising an onshore wind sector deal. That will include halving the average determination time for new section 36 onshore wind applications, as well as maximising the benefits for Scotland’s economy and,...
Humza Yousaf: We certainly do not want communities to be disturbed or inconvenienced in the way that Alexander Stewart described. I will ask the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs to write to him to see what more can be done. The Prison Service takes seriously its obligations to the young people in particular who are in its facilities, in order—we hope—to aid rehabilitation. It also takes...
Humza Yousaf: I noticed that Christine Grahame took a bit of time there as she was not sure whether she was going to be called. Forgive her, Presiding Officer—she is quite new to Parliament. On the serious question that Christine Grahame raised, the numbers cause us all to pause and reflect. I know that NatureScot takes licensed control of wildlife very seriously. That is done only when no alternative...
Humza Yousaf: I am not aware of any problem with the vaccination programme or with the vaccine supply or stock. My understanding is that we have good supply and good stock, but I will ask the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care to examine that point in more detail and write to Jackie Baillie. Jackie Baillie is absolutely right that the vaccine is the best form of defence against...
Humza Yousaf: This summer, we had encouraging statistics that showed that more than 93 per cent of 2021-22 school leavers were in a positive destination nine months after the end of the school year. That is the highest level since comparable data was first gathered in 2009-10. The member is, of course, right to note that Brexit has narrowed opportunities for young people. One of the most damaging examples...
Humza Yousaf: Roz McCall is absolutely right. Those are despicable acts. There can be no words of condemnation strong enough to articulate and express our collective horror at such acts of desecration. On what more can be done, I am more than happy for the appropriate minister to have conversations with our local government partners to see whether we can do anything further collectively to deter such acts....
Humza Yousaf: Absolutely. I have no idea why those proposals have been touted in Scotland. I have no idea why the UK’s traffic commissioner and the UK Government think that the proposals have any place in Scotland. The proposals are for voluntary guidance so I suspect that they will be ignored, and I would support that action. I align myself closely with the Scottish Football Association, the Scottish...
Russell Findlay: ...a shorter prison sentence due to new sentencing guidelines for under-25s. Since then, countless other violent criminals—adults, by any definition—have also had their sentences reduced. Can Humza Yousaf tell the victims, most of whom are women, why his Government will not step in and scrap this weak and dangerous practice in the Scottish justice system?
Humza Yousaf: I am happy to confirm that we are absolutely committed to the eye pavilion. Sarah Boyack is right that there is a review of the capital projects that we are funding right across Government. That review is very much still on-going, which is why we are not able to confirm the timelines. There has been a significant reduction in our capital budget by the Westminster UK Government, which I am...
Alison Johnstone: The next item of business is consideration of a motion of condolence, in the name of Humza Yousaf, in tribute to Winnie Ewing—an inspiring and hugely influential politician. An MSP, MP and MEP, she was also, of course, the first person to chair the reconvened Scottish Parliament in 1999. The flags outside the Parliament are lowered today as a mark of respect. I call the First Minister to...
Jackie Baillie: ...? Although the issues may, indeed, be new to him, they were not new to Shona Robison, the former health secretary, who refused an inquiry; to Jeane Freeman, who initiated a case review; or to Humza Yousaf, who followed, and who also said no to a public inquiry. Finally, let me welcome the independent case review and ask the cabinet secretary whether he will ensure that patients who have...
Alison Johnstone: There are four questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that motion S6M-10350, in the name of Humza Yousaf, on a motion of condolence for Winnie Ewing, be agreed to. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament expresses its deep sadness at the death of Winnie Ewing; offers its sympathy and condolences to her family and friends; recognises the historic place she...
Meghan Gallacher: I welcome the opportunity to debate equality in relation to the programme for government, because yesterday’s programme was nothing short of disappointing. Humza Yousaf promised us that he would be his own man and set out his own plan, but there is not a single word in the programme that could not have come from his predecessor. It is quite telling that Nicola Sturgeon is taking part in...
Alison Johnstone: The next item of business is a statement by Humza Yousaf on the programme for government 2023-24. The First Minister’s statement will be followed by a debate, so there should be no interventions or interruptions during the statement.
Douglas Ross: .... SNP members are laughing. In the First Minister’s statement that we have just heard, independence was mentioned before education, before the national health service and before the economy. Humza Yousaf has already told us that independence will be “page 1, line 1” of the SNP manifesto and it is right at the front of the programme for government. It could be so much better than...
Kirsten Oswald: ...’s doctor, has spoken out about that. If we will not listen to the views of children’s doctors about the impact of vapes on children’s health, who will we listen to? I am heartened that Humza Yousaf, our First Minister, says that a ban on disposable vapes is under consideration, and by the incredible hard work being done by the campaign group ASH, which absolutely deserves our...
Anne McLaughlin: ...change in society.” That is what the Met should do and what the Government should do—just acknowledge it. It is a start, but it is a really good start. Why can they not just say the words? Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s First Minister, said that this statement was “monumental” and “historic”. He said: “I hope that it also serves as a reminder to all of us that, whatever...
Douglas Ross: 1. At the weekend, members of the Scottish National Party met in Dundee to have an independence conference. During Humza Yousaf’s speech, a brave woman spoke out. Theresa Mallett protested on behalf of herself and a group of more than 100 other patients of the disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel. Dr Eljamel left NHS Tayside patients who came for help scarred, broken and devastated. Theresa wants...
Humza Yousaf: I thank Anas Sarwar for raising an incredibly important issue. He will be observing the UK Covid inquiry, which has a number of Scottish witnesses in front of it today. As an experienced member of this Parliament, he will know that it would be deeply inappropriate for me as the First Minister to interfere or intervene in an independent public inquiry. Of course, we want the Covid inquiry to...
