Chamber and committees

Would witnesses prefer a levy to take the form of a public health supplement or for it to be a social responsibility levy? What should that revenue be put back into?

So far, in talking about a public health levy, we have focused on the big retailers and rateable values. However, in some communities, small shops might be the only ones there, and they will sell alcohol to the community around them. Given that, as you correctly identified, it is the amount that people drink that causes them harm, what is your view on a public health levy being linked to the volume of sales—and, therefore, the harm that a shop might be doing to the community around it—rather than the rateable value of premises?

Good morning to the panel. If MUP was to continue, would witnesses support the introduction of a levy to recoup the additional revenue from retailers as outlined in the Scottish budget? Justina Murray is nodding so I will go to her first.

What would be the total benefit of minimum unit pricing and bringing back the public health supplement or having a social responsibility levy? What would be the impact of the public health benefit of minimum unit pricing—we have seen that make a difference—and the additional revenue going back into treatment and preventative services? What does that whole bundle look like?

Is 16 per cent the average?

I, too, thank Ben Macpherson for bringing this debate to the chamber, and I thank the SFSA for co-ordinating and publishing a fan-led review of the game in Scotland.

Before I get into the detail of the “Rebuilding Scottish Football” report and the much-needed steps that I believe we could and should take to enhance Scottish football, it is vital, as others have said, to highlight the fantastic work that football clubs and their supporters across Scotland are already carrying out, and to celebrate the positive impact that football has had on this country in recent years.

As others have highlighted, we should welcome the brilliant work of our senior teams. Steve Clarke and his team have managed to lift the mood of the nation and bring us a sense of hope in the game that was missing for many years. I wish the national team all the best in Germany this summer, and I am sure that we will all be cheering it on with every kick of the ball.

Our women’s game continues to go from strength to strength. In the Scottish Women’s Premier League last season, the title race went down to the very last game of the season, with three teams within touching distance of the trophy. Glasgow City Football Club came out on top, much to the disappointment of Celtic and Rangers. We witnessed record crowds at various grounds, and we saw the first women’s ties played at Celtic Park and Ibrox. Long may that continue.

However, we need to tackle the on-going issues that women’s football faces. In recent months, we have seen a sustained amount of abuse towards women commentators and pundits. That has to stop, and there is a duty on all of us to call that out where and when we see it. Alex Scott is one of those who has had such behaviour targeted at her. I hope that what she said in the wake of the abuse will resonate with many in respect of how far we still have to go in changing culture and how important representation is. She said:

“To all the women in football, in front of the camera or behind it, to the players on the pitch, to everyone that attends games—keep being the role models that you continue to be to all those young girls that are told ‘no, you can’t’.

Football is a better place with us all in it.”

In my Central Scotland region, clubs such as Motherwell, Falkirk and Stenhousemuir are leading the way in their local communities, delivering classes that bring health, wellbeing and social benefits. I am constantly impressed by the phenomenal work that those clubs do through their community foundations and trusts.

The Scottish Greens believe that our national team is for all of us, but—particularly during this cost of living crisis—far too many people are being priced out of our beautiful game. If we want children to look up to our athletes or to be inspired by them, they must be able to see both the men’s and women’s teams in action. I have been calling on the Scottish Football Association to work with broadcasters to ensure that Scotland’s international fixtures appear on free-to-view television channels. The team has done the nation proud, but the games were shown only on subscription services, so not everyone was able to experience them live. That must change.

Scottish football needs fundamental change. We must look at a fairer distribution of resources and marketing our game better to attract further ethical investment that does not come from health-harming products or from gambling. The game must also be more accessible, especially to those who can least afford it, with a particular emphasis on tackling the inequalities that can be barriers to participation.

We have a passionate supporter base in Scotland and it is vital to recognise that fans are the lifeblood of our game and a key source of revenue. We must ensure that fans can have an ownership stake and a strong voice in how their clubs are run, as happens at Motherwell and Falkirk, which are in my region, and that those same fans have a strong input in how the game is structured and governed.

I echo the views of supporters’ organisations, which have said that the transparency, good governance and oversight that this culturally important industry needs depend on having an independent regulator:

“Drawing on lessons from the new Independent Regulator for English Football, new owners’ and directors’ tests for clubs should be established by replacing the existing procedures and ensuring that only good ‘potential custodians’ and qualified directors can run these vital assets.”

We must also look at the process for appointing of the president of the SFA, which I believe should be replaced with a fair voting structure whereby both clubs and season ticket holders can vote for nominated candidates from both inside and outside football.

Fans contribute more than 50 per cent of the game’s revenue. That should be recognised in order to support a positive culture change across the game and to bring an additional focus on football as Scotland’s national sport, showcasing it to the world as being progressive, democratic, attractive and not afraid to do things differently.

I place on record my thanks to the campaigners and organisations involved, and to the Daily Record for working with me and other MSPs in campaigning for the ban. The proposals are a huge victory for them, and I thank the Government for the positive conversations that I have had with it throughout the campaign.

As we move forward, other tactics might emerge in the evolution of vapes. What conversations is the minister having with colleagues across the UK on how we can anticipate some of the changes and ensure that any legislation that we introduce appropriately tackles any measures that we might see?

First, I acknowledge the progress that Scotland has made in improving infant nutrition overall. The act that many members have mentioned, as well as several policies and initiatives aimed at creating a supportive environment for nursing mothers, have helped to make progress. All those efforts are a commendable step forward towards a healthier and accepting environment for breastfeeding mothers, and they make up a strong legislative framework to protect those mothers and their infants across a broad range of public spaces, while serving to encourage the practice across our country.

I take this opportunity to mention the incredible work that health boards and third sector partners are carrying out across the country. In Central Scotland, initiatives such as the Breastfeeding Network Forth Valley and breastfeeding groups across the NHS Lanarkshire area offer an incredible range of support to mothers and their infants. Several groups run weekly and offer mums the opportunity to get advice on breastfeeding and to share their concerns with experts and one other.

There is no doubt that those are all significant steps towards supporting breastfeeding practices, but there is still work to be done, especially to overcome the barriers that remain in place. We cannot talk about breastfeeding without addressing the fact that infant feeding differences are strongly tied to a mother’s socioeconomic status. Wealth disparities affect how long a mother can continue to breastfeed. Factors such as poverty, food scarcity and income insecurity are all significant challenges to breastfeeding. Therefore, we must also tackle social determinants of health, alongside the legal protections that have been put in place. Supporting mothers and acknowledging the barriers that they face is key to addressing the gaps in breastfeeding practices and the uptake of breastfeeding across our country.

For many, returning to work is a time when breastfeeding stops or is supplemented with formula, due to practical issues such as shift times, storing breast milk safely or even being able to pump while at work. The practical challenges will be markedly different for those working in an office environment with supportive colleagues, as opposed to working in a public-facing role or a manual role, where even wearing a pump may be difficult. As I have said, we have made great strides in what we want to see, and I am sure that there are some phenomenal workplaces that support women to breastfeed, but the practicalities are one of the issues that we need to overcome. I am very pleased that it is the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health who is leading the debate, but a lot of work needs to be done in some of her colleagues’ portfolios to ensure that we can make the next strides forward.

Mothers, as many members have said, should be supported, not shamed, regardless of how they choose to feed their babies. We must acknowledge that breastfeeding is a personal choice and, while promoting the benefits of breastfeeding, we must also respect and support those who, for various reasons, cannot breastfeed. Every mother’s journey is unique, and creating an environment of understanding and acceptance is crucial in dispelling judgment and fostering inclusivity. For some, there are physical, emotional and practical reasons why breastfeeding is just not for them and their baby. We need to ensure that, in our pursuit of higher rates of breastfeeding and better experiences of breastfeeding, we do not stigmatise those who cannot. We need to ensure that the most important thing is good growth and nutrition for the baby.

Even though we have come a long way, several of the barriers to breastfeeding are rooted in stigma and societal attitudes. Even in spaces where breastfeeding is encouraged, many mothers continue to feel uneasy breastfeeding in public, because they fear conflict or judgment from strangers. That fear is not always felt evenly, with mothers who are younger, experiencing poverty or from marginalised communities often reporting increased surveillance and stigma. That is why several women routinely choose not to breastfeed outside the home. For those who do, the experience is often uncomfortable. The legal protections for breastfeeding in public are often present, but they are not always widely respected.

It is crucial that we empower mothers with the knowledge that they need to make decisions based on their individual circumstances, free from judgment. One key aspect of that is the need to dispel myths surrounding breastfeeding, as misinformation often contributes to unnecessary anxiety and deters some mothers from choosing to breastfeed. By promoting accurate and accessible information, we can empower women to make decisions that align with their personal circumstances, and we can work towards countering the stigma and changing many of the attitudes that weigh down on mothers.

We must also work harder to tackle the socioeconomic barriers that make breastfeeding impossible for some. It is important to point out that safe breast milk, infant formula that is prepared correctly with safe water, or a combination of both, are fine choices for full-term infants. For meaningful interventions that lead to positive outcomes for infants, we need support for the logistical needs of disadvantaged families, as privilege and better health outcomes go hand in hand.

The debate around celebrating and supporting breastfeeding in Scotland is an opportunity for us to unite in our efforts to support families and their newborns. We commend the progress that has been made, but we also recognise the need for continued advocacy, education and targeted measures to deal with the socioeconomic barriers that burden many mothers across Scotland. By promoting informed decision making, dispelling myths and addressing the stigma that surrounds breastfeeding, we can work together to create a society in which mothers feel empowered and supported in their choices. However, we must always approach that discussion with empathy and a shared commitment to valuing and supporting each family’s distinct journey.

In my speech, I mentioned how many of the factors for improving breastfeeding rates lie outside the minister’s portfolio. Will she take into conversations that she has with other ministers and cabinet secretaries the need for them to look at how workplaces and others enhance their support for breastfeeding?

That is okay. Thank you.