Chamber and committees

Yet again, catastrophic system failures have been brought to light by brave survivors and interveners. That shows that there is a problem in the system. A child’s background, behaviour and perceived social status must never impact on how they are protected in a civilised society; the mere fact that they are children must be enough. The fear of creating offence must never overshadow the instinct and the duty to protect children.

Let me be very clear that the right to and expectation of protection from abuse that the children in question had must be judged solely on the fact that they are children, and failure is not an option.

Will the Government outline what it will do to urgently address the serious safeguarding failures that have been brought to light?

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported details of abuse that came to light during sentencing at Glasgow High Court yesterday, what its position is on whether child safeguarding in Scotland has failed.

As a mother, my heart broke when I heard about the tragic circumstances of the abuse that was suffered by those children.

Of course, the Scottish Government has a duty to safeguard vulnerable children, yet the case reeks of institutional failures. Those children were on the child protection register, yet they were failed. Those children were known to agencies with a duty of care to protect them, yet they were failed. Those children were chronically absent from school, yet they were failed. Those children showed blatant signs of neglect, yet they were failed. The Scottish Government has presided over that catastrophic failure at every single level. Minister, are the children of Scotland safe?

Our schools must be places where our children can thrive and where our teachers can excel. Too many classrooms are undermined by disruption and sometimes even by violence. I fear that they are lacking clear, decisive policy that is backed up by strong leadership. The wellbeing of pupils and teachers alike is sometimes at risk, and that must change.

Strong leadership begins here, with all of us in the Parliament—that is a theme that has developed over the debate—and with our taking responsibility for the safety and success of our schools. Schools are our children’s first independent communities; they teach children things about respect, conflict management and the shared values that underpin our society. Yet I feel that many schools have been left ill-equipped to address the challenges that they are facing, which the pandemic has exacerbated. I must be very clear with the Government that empowering headteachers without providing robust national support to underpin that empowerment is—I am sorry to say—not leadership but passing the buck.

We have to ensure that our schools have clear policies and protection and that we are enforcing consistent behavioural standards. Mobile phones are rightly being discussed—they are clearly having an impact on our young people’s mental health and we need to focus more on them. We know that smoking, drugs and alcohol cause harm, and I believe that we are approaching the point at which we understand that the use—or overuse, I should say—of mobile phones and social media is also harmful to our young people and to their mental health.

We did not leave the smoking ban up to the discretion of venue managers, and neither should we leave the issue of mobile phones in classrooms up to individual schools. A nationwide ban is now necessary, and it should be brought forward as quickly as possible to safeguard the learning and wellbeing of our children. The Government needs to step up; its suggestion of a task force is just not going to cut it.

To ask the Scottish Government what strategy it plans to implement to grow the Scottish economy at a level that is in line with countries with similarly sized populations, such as Norway. (S6O-04190)

Economic stability and resource security are pressing priorities in a world of increasing volatility. I believe that Scotland is crying out for an industrial strategy that complements the need for inward investment and ensures a profit from Scotland’s resources that meaningfully benefits inwards and does not simply flow straight outwards, and is underpinned by a north star of serious commitment to nurturing success at all levels of Scottish business. The Government must ensure that economic benefits flow throughout Scotland to support world-class infrastructure, public services and community wellbeing. Will it now act like the independent nation that we want to be by committing fully to delivering a real plan of economic ambition for an independent Scotland?

I commend Mr Gibson for bringing this important debate to the chamber, and I, too, welcome the WASPI campaigners to the gallery.

Tonight, we debate another injustice that has been inflicted on women in our country—the betrayal of WASPI women. This is an injustice that has been inflicted not by accident but as a result of deliberate Government failure. The women whom we are talking about, who were born in the 1950s, worked hard and did everything right—they planned for their retirement and they contributed to our society in every way. Their resilience in the face of injustice is truly inspiring.

This issue is not a matter of policy; it is, of course, a matter of principle. When Governments make decisions that affect millions of lives, they have a duty to communicate them clearly, fairly and in good time. That did not happen. Too many women were left unaware, unprepared and unsupported as they faced years of financial hardship. Now, when those women seek justice, they are met with excuses and delays. The failure to properly inform WASPI women has had real and lasting consequences. It has forced many to work longer than they had planned to work, to struggle financially and, in too many cases, to suffer alone in silence.

The issue that we debate tonight is not only about pensions; it is an issue of fairness. It is about ensuring that Governments do not change the rules without warning, that people are treated with dignity and that those who have been affected by the changes in question receive the recognition and the compensation that they deserve. Scotland cannot stand idly by while our mothers, grandmothers and sisters are treated with such contempt.

The UK Government must be held accountable, and proper support for Scotland’s WASPI women must be delivered. The ombudsman found that, in the light of UK Government failures, the women should be given compensation, saying that the UK Government must “do the right thing”—and so it should.

We had excuses and delays from the Tories, and we now have more broken promises from the Labour Party. The UK Government must do the right thing. I am very glad that, this evening, this Parliament is sending out that message loud and clear.

I know that the minister has already been asked this question, but he did not put any specifics on the record. Specifically, what metrics will be used to assess the success of the Thistle? In addition, what lessons will the Government draw from global examples such as analysis by Stanford University’s Professor Humphreys to ensure that safer consumption rooms are part of a balanced and recovery-focused strategy to tackle drug deaths?

I am delighted to announce to members that this is my party’s first members’ business debate. I have chosen to use it to address the future of our great nation’s connectivity by air, rail, sea and road. When we enhance our connections within Scotland and outwardly to the world, we secure economic empowerment and the prospect of opportunity for all, with no community left behind.

I will begin with the skies. Edinburgh airport is one of our key gateways to the world, and it has set its sights on obtaining US preclearance status. That is more than just a stamp on a piece of paper; securing preclearance would put Scotland on a par with some of the world’s most advanced travel hubs and smooth international departures while sparing travellers the delays and uncertainties that can stifle tourism and business growth.

Removing administrative barriers showcases Scotland as an open and outward-looking nation that is ready to seize global opportunities. However, ambition alone will not suffice, and we need to ensure that access to Edinburgh airport remains unimpeded. Currently, congestion at certain times can bring parts of our capital city to a standstill, which risks our losing out on the benefits of growth.

When people cannot reliably get to and from the airport, that is a problem. We need the second access point via Gogar, which is essential not just as transport infrastructure but as a statement about our forward-thinking approach to planning—planning that accommodates the needs of residents who live in that area, businesses and visitors, and that provides a solid foundation for the next generation of Scots to build on.

We should also continue to invest in the Edinburgh tram line. It is not simply a novelty; over the past few years, it has become a reliable lifeline for many residents across our city and tourists by linking the airport to the heart of our capital city and, I hope, beyond. Extending and upgrading that system would make our capital city more accessible and more dynamic, and it would appeal to investors when they decide where to land their next venture. The Edinburgh tram line can be a model for sustainable, integrated city transport.

The member is probably aware that a number of future lines have been proposed. I am most keen—as he might understand—on the one that would come into my constituency, which would go to the Edinburgh royal infirmary.

On rail, Glasgow—one of the world’s great cities—should not be left behind, either. The city lacks the direct airport connectivity that most other major cities enjoy. The Glasgow airport rail link should be more than an aspiration; it is a necessity. That was understood more than 50 years ago when the Clyde metro was first discussed in the 1970s. The link would spur increased tourism and economic development. A traveller should be able to disembark a flight and board a train that carries them swiftly and efficiently into the heart of Scotland’s largest city. Glasgow, with its growing reputation for hosting major sporting events, should be hamstrung no longer by the lack of integrated transport systems that we all expect in a modern major city.

Equally important is the Edinburgh south suburban rail line. That project could elevate the quality of life for thousands of residents, expand the city’s liveable footprint and promote balanced development that does not rely purely on car-based commuting.