Chamber and committees

In the previous evidence session, we heard the Scottish Human Rights Commission talk about quality assurance. Will the Scottish Government—you are the cabinet secretary, and we have the minister here, too—ensure that there is quality assurance so that the organisations that you fund are not operating unlawfully? That is my final question.

I will pass back to the convener.

In the interests of time, convener, I will pass back to you.

Thank you. This evidence session is about accountability. You used the terms “should be”, “obliged”, “must” and “minimum protections”. Yet, the Scottish Human Rights Commission has been operating for 17 years without any legal enforcement powers, and its remit is still based on the legislation that created it, the Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act 2006. Scottish National Party ministers, including yourself, have recently shelved the human rights bill that could have at least given the SHRC some teeth, which it needs because it cannot otherwise enforce. How can the SNP Government claim that it is committed to human rights when it has not delivered the legislation to improve scrutiny of its human rights record?

My question is a supplementary on the equality and fairer Scotland budget statement. There is a published analysis by protected characteristic. The minister talked about the importance of looking at data by protected characteristic.

Let me take breastfeeding as an example of a minimum core standard. Breastfeeding inequalities, relating to the protected characteristic of pregnancy and maternity, are highlighted on page 19 of the report. If the Scottish Government is serious about tackling breastfeeding inequalities, which affect young mothers and those from deprived areas, why are vital support services in NHS Lothian and Greater Glasgow and Clyde, for example, being cut?

My questions are on the theme of the third sector and accountability. My colleague talked about accountability and who is responsible. There is a big emphasis on lived experience. I will give the example of an accountant. An accountant can have lived experience of accounts, but that does not make them a formally qualified accountant.

I have three questions in relation to the delegation of accountability in the third sector. My first question is about an organisation, Scottish Trans, which is funded by the SNP Government and which has publicly argued that men can breastfeed babies despite the risks to the infant and the risks of synthetic hormone-induced secretions. That has not been clinically trialled because of the risks.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women face huge restrictions on what they can eat and drink. A recent example that one mother gave me was that pregnant women cannot even have a Lemsip Max. Pregnant women are being told that there are restrictions on what they can eat, drink and put into their bodies. However, Scottish Trans is advocating for a process that uses synthetic hormones. It openly criticises the Equality and Human Rights Commission for a perceived lack of protection for men who want to “breastfeed”. The whole thing, minister and cabinet secretary, is unsafe and completely bonkers.

Earlier, I referenced the cuts to breastfeeding support services for women that have been made because of the SNP Government’s funding decisions. Why are ministers continuing to fund Scottish Trans, given that its position is undermining health and safety and evidenced-based policy making?

What is your message to women from the Women’s Support Project and the Alnisa service who have concerns? As I said, the Alnisa service reported a 50 per cent increase in the number of FGM cases in 2023. What is your message to such services about your personal commitment to delivering the required changes?

Good morning, minister. I have a couple of questions. In its response to the committee, the Women’s Support Project talked about the delay in refreshing the national FGM guidance and implementing the act. It mentioned the perception that there is a lack of capacity in the Scottish Government’s equalities team. Are you satisfied that that team has the resources to deliver progress?

You will be familiar with the Alnisa service for women and girls across the NHS Lothian area who have experienced FGM. It reported a 50 per cent increase in the number of FGM cases in 2023. Members of that service will be watching today. What is your message to organisations such as the Women’s Support Project and the Alnisa service, particularly those that are massively concerned that the act has not been implemented yet?

That, however, feels very wishy-washy because if we have an act that received royal assent 10 years ago—and we are having four sessions on this—and the evidence demonstrates that there is a lack of implementation, that is a huge issue. Might you be willing to consider a change in approach, because you cannot manage what you do not measure?