I thank the cabinet secretary for that welcome response. One of my constituents has seen their heating oil bill triple overnight, has no savings and has been told to wait until April for support that amounts to pennies per household. Does the cabinet secretary agree that the £4.6 million that has been allocated to Scotland is wholly inadequate? Will she join me in calling on the Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer to do far more to protect the off-grid households that Westminster’s energy price cap has left behind?

I was pleased to see that the Scottish Prison Service has piloted non-pain-inducing control and restraint techniques that reduce the risk of injury to staff and prisoners. Can the First Minister assure me that the pilot approach will be rolled out across the prison estate, with staff being given the appropriate training?

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking through its fuel poverty programmes to support low-income rural and off-grid households that are unable to heat their homes due to the recent increase in heating oil prices. (S6O-05715)

I am pleased to speak in today’s important debate for many reasons. First, I want to acknowledge the legendary Christine Grahame and her passionate dedication to the cause of animal welfare. There are not many people we can call a legend, but I think that Christine qualifies. As this is my last speech in this place after 10 years, I want to thank Christine for being an incredible colleague who is full of wisdom and advice—even if you do not want it. She does not suffer fools gladly and, boy, don’t they know it. As chief whip for our party, I have to be honest and say that she has at times been a challenge, but you really cannot stay mad at Christine for long.

Presiding Officer, Christine is just one of the incredible and inspirational women that I have worked with since being elected in 2016. The other two that I want to mention are the much-missed Christina McKelvie and Jeane Freeman. What a privilege to have known and worked with those freedom fighters. They fought for equality, fairness and, of course, independence. What a legacy they leave. I know that they will always be in our hearts.

There is much more that I could say about my time here as an elected member, which has been so memorable. It has been an absolute privilege to represent the fantastic constituency of Strathkelvin and Bearsden and to work with my terrific constituency team.

I turn now to Christine’s important motion. I totally agree with her that animal cruelty sentencing does not reflect the serious nature of such offences. There should be specific sentencing guidelines covering these offences and better awareness of the available powers. This is 2026. Animal suffering should not be tolerated at any level. We are an animal-loving, compassionate nation, and I know that animals are sentient beings who are entirely dependent on the human kindness and care that we should always give them.

I have nothing but contempt for those who exploit animals for human entertainment or profit, be that puppy farming, greyhound racing—thankfully, since last week, that has been banned in Scotland—or any other form of exploitation. Christine has done a great job of highlighting all those issues and more in the cross-party group on animal welfare, which she has chaired for more than a decade. I am a member of the group—although, in truth, I have not been a very good attender.

To mark Christine’s amazing dedication to the cause of animal welfare, I am delighted to have been asked to present her with a gift from several animal charities, including Humane World for Animals, OneKind and the Scottish SPCA, to name but a few, and it will be my honour to do so after the debate. Parliament needs more dedicated, passionate elected members such as Christine Grahame, although I doubt that we will ever see her like again.

11:17

This will be my final speech in this place before stepping down next week after 10 years. It is a short speech and, of course, it is not political. However, that is okay, because what we are debating is not about me. The debate and the days that we spent agreeing to amendments last week are for terminally ill people who are pleading with us to be given the choice to die a dignified, pain-free death of their choosing.

I respect those members who do not share my views on the bill. I do not agree with their views, but they have a right to hold them. They have the choice to vote for or against the bill. That is the point. We, in this Parliament, have a choice. Terminally ill people who are terrified of what they might face at the end of their lives do not. Who are we to deny them that choice and to put our values and preferences before theirs because we have the power to do so?

If the bill is passed tonight—and I hope with all my heart that it will be—it will be the most heavily safeguarded bill in any jurisdiction. The respectful and collegiate way in which Liam McArthur and his hard-working team have brought the bill to this final stage is to be commended. No one has worked harder, and, after last week, no bill in any jurisdiction in the world with assisted dying will be more heavily safeguarded.

The bill has always been about creating a compassionate, regulated, safe and legal option for terminally ill adults who choose to end their suffering. We know that many terminally ill Scots face a bad death and are forced to contemplate a series of desperate, traumatic decisions that do not belong in a compassionate 21st century Scotland. International evidence proves that assisted dying is safe and compassionate and that it is a comfort blanket for those who are able to choose whether or not to use it. What makes Scotland so uniquely different that it could not be the same here?

The most recent polling found that 81 per cent of people in Scotland want assisted dying to be introduced as an option for those who are diagnosed with a terminal illness. There is clear majority support for the bill across every constituency, so Scotland is not on the fence on assisted dying.

I said earlier that the bill is not about me or any other member at this time, so I want to give terminally ill people who have had all agency stripped from them by their illness a voice. One woman opened her heart and said:

“Assisted dying would be a lifeline. It would let us live the rest of our lives in peace, making precious final memories with our loved ones, without the constant dread of how our lives will end … Voting against this Bill will not stop us from dying, but will deny us a lifeline to a safe, peaceful death surrounded by our loved ones.”

Too many families are left traumatised by what they have witnessed at the end of a loved one’s life. Now is the opportunity to make things right for those who have died, so that no one has to suffer as they did. The status quo abandons people at the moment they most need compassion, safety and support. The most dangerous thing that the Parliament can do is nothing. In the name of humanity and for those who depend on us, I urge members to support the bill.

18:44

What steps is Police Scotland taking to ensure that there is a good recruitment pipeline into our national force? Can the cabinet secretary provide any reassurance that the Scottish Government’s record funding to Police Scotland will maintain police officer numbers?

This will be my final speech in this place before stepping down next week after 10 years. It is a short speech and, of course, it is not political. However, that is okay, because what we are debating is not about me. The debate and the days that we spent agreeing to amendments last week are for terminally ill people who are pleading with us to be given the choice to die a dignified, pain-free death of their choosing.

I respect those members who do not share my views on the bill. I do not agree with their views, but they have a right to hold them. They have the choice to vote for or against the bill. That is the point. We, in this Parliament, have a choice. Terminally ill people who are terrified of what they might face at the end of their lives do not. Who are we to deny them that choice and to put our values and preferences before theirs because we have the power to do so?

If the bill is passed tonight—and I hope with all my heart that it will be—it will be the most heavily safeguarded bill in any jurisdiction. The respectful and collegiate way in which Liam McArthur and his hard-working team have brought the bill to this final stage is to be commended. No one has worked harder, and, after last week, no bill in any jurisdiction in the world with assisted dying will be more heavily safeguarded.

The bill has always been about creating a compassionate, regulated, safe and legal option for terminally ill adults who choose to end their suffering. We know that many terminally ill Scots face a bad death and are forced to contemplate a series of desperate, traumatic decisions that do not belong in a compassionate 21st century Scotland. International evidence proves that assisted dying is safe and compassionate and that it is a comfort blanket for those who are able to choose whether or not to use it. What makes Scotland so uniquely different that it could not be the same here?

The most recent polling found that 81 per cent of people in Scotland want assisted dying to be introduced as an option for those who are diagnosed with a terminal illness. There is clear majority support for the bill across every constituency, so Scotland is not on the fence on assisted dying.

I said earlier that the bill is not about me or any other member at this time, so I want to give terminally ill people who have had all agency stripped from them by their illness a voice. One woman opened her heart and said:

“Assisted dying would be a lifeline. It would let us live the rest of our lives in peace, making precious final memories with our loved ones, without the constant dread of how our lives will end … Voting against this Bill will not stop us from dying, but will deny us a lifeline to a safe, peaceful death surrounded by our loved ones.”

Too many families are left traumatised by what they have witnessed at the end of a loved one’s life. Now is the opportunity to make things right for those who have died, so that no one has to suffer as they did. The status quo abandons people at the moment they most need compassion, safety and support. The most dangerous thing that the Parliament can do is nothing. In the name of humanity and for those who depend on us, I urge members to support the bill.

18:44

This will be my final speech in this place before stepping down next week after 10 years. It is a short speech and, of course, it is not political. However, that is okay, because what we are debating is not about me. The debate and the days that we spent agreeing to amendments last week are for terminally ill people who are pleading with us to be given the choice to die a dignified, pain-free death of their choosing.

I respect those members who do not share my views on the bill. I do not agree with their views, but they have a right to hold them. They have the choice to vote for or against the bill. That is the point. We, in this Parliament, have a choice. Terminally ill people who are terrified of what they might face at the end of their lives do not. Who are we to deny them that choice and to put our values and preferences before theirs because we have the power to do so?

If the bill is passed tonight—and I hope with all my heart that it will be—it will be the most heavily safeguarded bill in any jurisdiction. The respectful and collegiate way in which Liam McArthur and his hard-working team have brought the bill to this final stage is to be commended. No one has worked harder, and, after last week, no bill in any jurisdiction in the world with assisted dying will be more heavily safeguarded.

The bill has always been about creating a compassionate, regulated, safe and legal option for terminally ill adults who choose to end their suffering. We know that many terminally ill Scots face a bad death and are forced to contemplate a series of desperate, traumatic decisions that do not belong in a compassionate 21st century Scotland. International evidence proves that assisted dying is safe and compassionate and that it is a comfort blanket for those who are able to choose whether or not to use it. What makes Scotland so uniquely different that it could not be the same here?

The most recent polling found that 81 per cent of people in Scotland want assisted dying to be introduced as an option for those who are diagnosed with a terminal illness. There is clear majority support for the bill across every constituency, so Scotland is not on the fence on assisted dying.

I said earlier that the bill is not about me or any other member at this time, so I want to give terminally ill people who have had all agency stripped from them by their illness a voice. One woman opened her heart and said:

“Assisted dying would be a lifeline. It would let us live the rest of our lives in peace, making precious final memories with our loved ones, without the constant dread of how our lives will end … Voting against this Bill will not stop us from dying, but will deny us a lifeline to a safe, peaceful death surrounded by our loved ones.”

Too many families are left traumatised by what they have witnessed at the end of a loved one’s life. Now is the opportunity to make things right for those who have died, so that no one has to suffer as they did. The status quo abandons people at the moment they most need compassion, safety and support. The most dangerous thing that the Parliament can do is nothing. In the name of humanity and for those who depend on us, I urge members to support the bill.

18:44

This will be my final speech in this place before stepping down next week after 10 years. It is a short speech and, of course, it is not political. However, that is okay, because what we are debating is not about me. The debate and the days that we spent agreeing to amendments last week are for terminally ill people who are pleading with us to be given the choice to die a dignified, pain-free death of their choosing.

I respect those members who do not share my views on the bill. I do not agree with their views, but they have a right to hold them. They have the choice to vote for or against the bill. That is the point. We, in this Parliament, have a choice. Terminally ill people who are terrified of what they might face at the end of their lives do not. Who are we to deny them that choice and to put our values and preferences before theirs because we have the power to do so?

If the bill is passed tonight—and I hope with all my heart that it will be—it will be the most heavily safeguarded bill in any jurisdiction. The respectful and collegiate way in which Liam McArthur and his hard-working team have brought the bill to this final stage is to be commended. No one has worked harder, and, after last week, no bill in any jurisdiction in the world with assisted dying will be more heavily safeguarded.

The bill has always been about creating a compassionate, regulated, safe and legal option for terminally ill adults who choose to end their suffering. We know that many terminally ill Scots face a bad death and are forced to contemplate a series of desperate, traumatic decisions that do not belong in a compassionate 21st century Scotland. International evidence proves that assisted dying is safe and compassionate and that it is a comfort blanket for those who are able to choose whether or not to use it. What makes Scotland so uniquely different that it could not be the same here?

The most recent polling found that 81 per cent of people in Scotland want assisted dying to be introduced as an option for those who are diagnosed with a terminal illness. There is clear majority support for the bill across every constituency, so Scotland is not on the fence on assisted dying.

I said earlier that the bill is not about me or any other member at this time, so I want to give terminally ill people who have had all agency stripped from them by their illness a voice. One woman opened her heart and said:

“Assisted dying would be a lifeline. It would let us live the rest of our lives in peace, making precious final memories with our loved ones, without the constant dread of how our lives will end … Voting against this Bill will not stop us from dying, but will deny us a lifeline to a safe, peaceful death surrounded by our loved ones.”

Too many families are left traumatised by what they have witnessed at the end of a loved one’s life. Now is the opportunity to make things right for those who have died, so that no one has to suffer as they did. The status quo abandons people at the moment they most need compassion, safety and support. The most dangerous thing that the Parliament can do is nothing. In the name of humanity and for those who depend on us, I urge members to support the bill.

18:44

This will be my final speech in this place before stepping down next week after 10 years. It is a short speech and, of course, it is not political. However, that is okay, because what we are debating is not about me. The debate and the days that we spent agreeing to amendments last week are for terminally ill people who are pleading with us to be given the choice to die a dignified, pain-free death of their choosing.

I respect those members who do not share my views on the bill. I do not agree with their views, but they have a right to hold them. They have the choice to vote for or against the bill. That is the point. We, in this Parliament, have a choice. Terminally ill people who are terrified of what they might face at the end of their lives do not. Who are we to deny them that choice and to put our values and preferences before theirs because we have the power to do so?

If the bill is passed tonight—and I hope with all my heart that it will be—it will be the most heavily safeguarded bill in any jurisdiction. The respectful and collegiate way in which Liam McArthur and his hard-working team have brought the bill to this final stage is to be commended. No one has worked harder, and, after last week, no bill in any jurisdiction in the world with assisted dying will be more heavily safeguarded.

The bill has always been about creating a compassionate, regulated, safe and legal option for terminally ill adults who choose to end their suffering. We know that many terminally ill Scots face a bad death and are forced to contemplate a series of desperate, traumatic decisions that do not belong in a compassionate 21st century Scotland. International evidence proves that assisted dying is safe and compassionate and that it is a comfort blanket for those who are able to choose whether or not to use it. What makes Scotland so uniquely different that it could not be the same here?

The most recent polling found that 81 per cent of people in Scotland want assisted dying to be introduced as an option for those who are diagnosed with a terminal illness. There is clear majority support for the bill across every constituency, so Scotland is not on the fence on assisted dying.

I said earlier that the bill is not about me or any other member at this time, so I want to give terminally ill people who have had all agency stripped from them by their illness a voice. One woman opened her heart and said:

“Assisted dying would be a lifeline. It would let us live the rest of our lives in peace, making precious final memories with our loved ones, without the constant dread of how our lives will end … Voting against this Bill will not stop us from dying, but will deny us a lifeline to a safe, peaceful death surrounded by our loved ones.”

Too many families are left traumatised by what they have witnessed at the end of a loved one’s life. Now is the opportunity to make things right for those who have died, so that no one has to suffer as they did. The status quo abandons people at the moment they most need compassion, safety and support. The most dangerous thing that the Parliament can do is nothing. In the name of humanity and for those who depend on us, I urge members to support the bill.

18:44