Chamber and committees

It would be extremely helpful if you could provide us with a copy of that.

The Scottish Government has set out ambitious plans for developing the Scottish rail network, including the creation of a Glasgow metro rail system. What are your views on them? Are they deliverable? Perhaps I can start with Michael Clark.

Do you have anything to say, Robert?

I thank Alasdair Allan for securing this important members’ business debate. Before I go into the body of my speech, I would like to state that I will be discussing a member of my team and that I will be doing so with her full knowledge and blessing.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions in the world, with the World Health Organization estimating that the condition affects around 50 million people worldwide. In Scotland, it is estimated that around 55,000 Scots are affected by the condition. It is important to note that anyone can develop epilepsy at any time in their life; eight people develop the condition each day.

It has been shown through Epilepsy Scotland’s research that there are significant gaps in data and in our understanding of the impact of epilepsy, and that employers right across the country still have poor awareness of the condition and tend to often have negative views about the abilities of individuals who live with epilepsy—we heard about that from Alasdair Allan—which leads to a situation in which the employment rate of those who live with epilepsy is just under 37 per cent.

Under the Equality Act 2010, individuals who live with epilepsy, as well as those with other medical conditions, are protected from unlawful discrimination in the workplace. When an individual with epilepsy applies for a job, the employer cannot reject their application from the outset, with the exception being the armed forces. It is important to note that, through the 2010 act, there is a duty on UK employers whereby, if a person with epilepsy is the best candidate for the job, the employer must carry out risk assessments based on the individual’s seizures and, where any risks are identified, the employer has a duty to make reasonable adjustments, where possible, to allow the individual to perform their work tasks.

One of my office team lives with epilepsy, so I am fortunate that she has been able to advise me of how the condition affects her. Gemma was diagnosed with photosensitive epilepsy at the age of nine and has lived with the condition since then. Gemma worked part time while studying at university. She informs me that, when she declared to her employers that she had epilepsy, they were more than understanding but that, once she actually started working, she found that some of her colleagues treated her differently when they found out that she had epilepsy.

When Gemma joined my team and told me that she suffered with epilepsy, I asked whether there was anything that I could do to support her. Her response was quick. She said:

“I do not want to be treated with kid gloves and be treated like a child; I want to be treated like everyone else. When I mention to folk that I have epilepsy, I see the nervousness and uneasiness of individuals and then I am later treated like a child. I don’t want my epilepsy to define me and my ability to do my job.”

I took her at her word. I hope that Gemma feels as supported in my constituency office in Aberdeen Donside as she is at home.

Gemma’s mam, Donna Clark, has just raised funds for Epilepsy Action by walking more than 50 miles in February. Knowing Donna as I do, I was not surprised that she had to go that wee bit extra and ended up doing more than 150 miles for the charity. I say well done to Donna. I believe that the charity has raised more than £440,000 so far and the money is still pouring in.

I am fortunate that I can, and am, willing to learn more about epilepsy, not only about how it affects Gemma but how it can affect others who live with it. I can learn what to do in the instance of someone having a seizure.

Although Gemma has felt comfortable disclosing to me that she has epilepsy, others may not feel as comfortable about disclosing that to their employer, which in turn would mean that they would miss out on the opportunity to have the reasonable adjustments made that would benefit them.

Although employment law is still reserved to Westminster, it is critical that the Scottish Government does more to help raise awareness of epilepsy and to show those living with epilepsy that their condition does not define them and does not limit their abilities within the workplace.

Not really—to be honest, you are answering the questions very fully, which is much appreciated. I just wanted to highlight that, when we talk about flying, we sometimes think about flying abroad, which is not always the case. I am very thankful to the panel for their answers.

Good morning. With regard to what has been said about frequent flyer levies and increasing the air departure tax, did the assembly consider the just transition impacts of implementing such measures, especially in the Highlands and Islands, where flying is sometimes the only mode of transport?

Absolutely. Everybody should be made aware of the trigger signs and have the information at hand about where to get support so that they can pass it on.

In addition to the work that Beat undertakes to raise awareness of eating disorders, I have been made aware of an excellent support group in my area, North East Eating Disorders Support (Scotland), which is a self-help group that welcomes all adults who are affected by an eating disorder whether as a sufferer, partner, relative or friend. I believe that it continues to meet on the first Monday of every month at 7:30 pm. I will give the group a wee plug. It allows people who are suffering with an eating disorder to interact with others who are in a similar situation, share experiences in a safe and confidential setting and offer support to each other while looking towards recovery.

It is essential that anyone who is, or who believes that they might be, suffering from an eating disorder seeks help and support as soon as possible. I make that absolutely clear. Support is available and I encourage folk to reach out, take that help and begin the journey to recovery.

How can I follow the powerful speeches by Oliver Mundell and Emma Harper? I will try.

I am pleased to participate in this members’ business debate, brought to the chamber by my colleague Emma Harper, highlighting eating disorder awareness week. I thank her for bringing this important subject for debate. Like her, I am pleased to welcome the guests in the gallery from Beat. I also take the opportunity to recognise the work that former MSP Dennis Robertson did in initiating the debates on eating disorders, which have been taking place for more than 10 years, and in raising awareness.

Eating disorders are incredibly challenging mental illnesses that affect one person in 50. They include but are not limited to binge eating disorder, bulimia and anorexia. People with eating disorders typically develop severe physical health problems and their quality of life can be severely impacted by those illnesses. Therefore, it is welcome that the Scottish Government is committed to carrying out a national review of eating disorder services to improve the support for people who live with an eating disorder. Recovery is possible with access to the right treatment and support. We politicians must do all that we can to raise awareness of eating disorders to ensure that people do not suffer in silence but are aware of the options that are available to them.

I note that the national review will provide a more complete picture of the current system of support for people with eating disorders and make recommendations about how services and the wider support system should be constructed to ensure that people have access to the right treatments so that support can be provided to all those who are affected by an eating disorder, whether individuals or their wider support network and families.

This year’s theme for eating disorder awareness week is medical training. An average medical student receives less than two hours’ training on eating disorders throughout their degree, with a fifth of medical schools offering no training on the subject. That lack of training for students must be addressed, and I am pleased to see that Beat and other eating disorder charities are engaging with universities to ensure that our medical professionals receive adequate training and have an understanding of the difficulties that face those with eating disorders. However, that training should not just be rolled out to medical students. All healthcare and social service professionals should have an awareness of eating disorders, know how to identify someone affected and know where to signpost them should they wish to receive treatment.

The SNP group in Aberdeen has already said that it will not introduce the car parking levy. That is local democracy. My colleague Douglas Lumsden is laughing—this from a man who has a private car parking space in the middle of Aberdeen city centre because he is a councillor while his own council staff have to pay car parking charges. I will not take lectures from the Conservatives.

It is right that the Scottish Government has introduced a blanket exemption for blue badge holders, healthcare workers at national health service premises and parking places at hospices. However, local authorities will be able to use their local knowledge and provide additional exemptions where those are required to fit the local circumstances by listening to the requirements of the area through consultation and community empowerment. Nottingham City Council, the only local authority in England to have introduced a workplace parking levy, has created a system that works for its area.

I am pleased that any revenue that is raised by the workplace parking levy will be reinvested in local transport strategies and the promotion of more affordable, greener transport choices.

I will finish off, Presiding Officer. I am sorry that I will probably be a little bit over time, if you do not mind.

In his motion, Mr Simpson criticises the Scottish Government for its investment in electric vehicle infrastructure at a time when commitments have been made to provide up to £60 million to local authorities over the next four years. That funding has the potential to double the size of the public charging network in Scotland. The workplace parking levy is about funding alternative transport options.

With all that in mind, I will support the minister’s amendment at decision time.

Empowering local authorities to take ownership of the workplace parking levy is key to ensuring that the legislation fits each local circumstance.

Yesterday, I said that what fits in Aberdeen might not fit in Edinburgh. That is true even between areas in Aberdeen: what suits Aberdeen Donside might not suit Aberdeen Central or Aberdeen South. Local authorities need to consult our citizens and businesses to ensure that the legislation meets the needs of their workers, and they need to undertake the necessary impact assessments and decide whether a scheme fits with their local objectives.

Graham Simpson rose—

I would like to get started, if the member does not mind.

Time and time again, I hear from my Tory and Labour administration colleagues in Aberdeen City Council, where I serve as a councillor, that power is centralised to Holyrood and that we need more powers coming to local authorities, because they think that they know what is best for the city of Aberdeen. We now see those powers being given, along with the flexibility to tailor the levy to local circumstances, but their Holyrood party colleagues are putting more emphasis on the Government creating further exemptions and strings on the legislation and, in effect, taking away that power.