Chamber and committees

Just to further underline the issue that we are discussing, stories have been running in the media this year discussing the increase in “women” committing sex crimes, when the reality is that those crimes are committed by men and are being recorded as women’s crimes. That is offensive to women, and it is grossly disrespectful to the victims of those crimes. Why are Scottish institutions still acting as if self-identification is the law when it is not?

Institutions, however, have legal obligations, through the public sector equality duty, to record sex accurately. Will the First Minister show leadership and address this horrible situation urgently?

Adult and child patients must have healthcare that is appropriate to their clinically assessed medical presentation. Can the Government confirm what the milestones will be for Scotland’s Cass compliance for the 32 recommendations? What clinical evidence informed the national standards? Can the minister confirm that GPs, primary care clinicians and health boards fully support the national standards and their funding, training and implementation? Reports that are reaching me suggest that that is not the case.

Predictably, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice continues to downplay the importance of today’s amendment bill. However, it is a crucial step to align the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 with the Court of Session ruling that the Scottish Government’s redefinition of “woman” was outwith the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament and, therefore, not law.

The 2018 act was the Scottish Government’s misguided attempt to redefine “woman” ahead of self-identification becoming law in Scotland. Of course, self-ID is not law in Scotland. So, what has the Government actually done to clarify that self-identifying as a woman is not enough to be eligible for a woman’s place on a public board? Are we now reliant on members of small, self-funded campaigns and policy groups such as For Women Scotland and Murray Blackburn Mackenzie, some of whom are with us in the public gallery today, to be the Parliament’s unofficial revising chamber? If so, would it not be more prudent for the public purse for the Scottish Government to listen to them during the legislative process, rather than responding to them in court in response to their judicial reviews?

I have repeatedly called for competence in Government to raise the bar in the Parliament to rebuild that fragile public trust, but we can only do that when lessons are learned and acted on. The unlawful definition of “woman” was not in the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill when it was introduced to the Parliament; it was added later, at stage 2, following the publication of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee’s stage 1 report. It is very concerning that such a core parliamentary committee did not understand the Equality Act 2010.

As a Parliament, we can and we should learn and improve our committee stage, by listening widely to those who want to contribute. I am very disappointed that the Government is continuing to show contempt for half of the population of Scotland by not admitting that it has made that mistake—and then not apologising for it. If the Government is still struggling, I will clear it up for ministers now: a woman is, and always has been, an adult human female.

Will the Government commit to protecting vulnerable women in crisis by ensuring that temporary accommodation in Scotland is single sex?

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that homeless women are not safe in hostels. (S6O-03608)

The most recent figures, which go up to 2022, show that 67 women in Scotland had died in homeless accommodation over a three-year period. The fact that the situation is getting steadily worse as a result of systemic failure is acknowledged by the Scottish Housing Regulator.

Sinead Watson, a 33-year-old woman who spent 40 weeks in homeless accommodation, spoke of her experience. She said:

“Over the past months, I have stayed in three separate hostels. I have been threatened, assaulted and robbed. I have had no sense of security or safety, and women with addiction are bribed into sex. I saw it in all three hostels that I stayed in. The women in these hostels are fair game.”

We urgently need to provide safe and secure same-sex emergency housing to stop more women dying. That would be a simple first step in ensuring that these vulnerable women in crisis are not put at further risk of rape, sexual assault and trauma.

Recent analysis from the House of Commons library paints a very concerning picture, and suggests that Scotland’s block grant will consist of just 3.5 per cent of the United Kingdom’s Government spending in 2023-24 and 2024-25, according to autumn statement plans. Does the Government agree that that underscores the need for a detailed explanation of how the fiscal framework affects Scotland’s block grant and the overall fiscal autonomy of our country? Is it not time for a thorough review of the fiscal framework and the reprioritising of delivering independence to ensure that future Scottish Governments have all the fiscal levers of a normal country?

I note that the First Minister has stated that his number 1 priority is eradicating child poverty. I welcomed the announcement that the Government made in February on school meal debt, which the First Minister spoke about again today, but it is just a temporary reprieve. We know that the attainment, behaviour and attention of children in schools is much improved when they are not going hungry. When will the Government fulfil its promise on free school meals?

Can the cabinet secretary confirm what substantive steps the Government will take to rebuild public trust by ensuring full transparency and good governance across all organisations that are receiving Government funding, or will the Government just risk waiting for the media to uncover further scandals?

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the impact of the updated fiscal framework. (S6O-03460)