Chamber and committees

The bill’s financial memorandum anticipates that savings or efficiencies will be made through shared services. However, SOLACE has argued that it

“does not acknowledge the corresponding loss of economies of scale for local government.”

How does the Government respond to the concerns about the bill’s financial implications for local authorities, in particular the smaller councils that are involved in the process?

Yes, of course you can.

Does Andrew Burns want to come in on that?

That is great—you both answered the questions, so I thank you for that.

Good morning, panel. SOLACE notes that the bill’s financial memorandum describes savings or efficiencies being made through shared services, but argues that that

“does not acknowledge the corresponding loss of economies of scale for local government”.

Do panellists have further insights into that?

Thanks very much. I will return to something that Eddie Follan from COSLA touched on, about assets. Councils are obviously now reluctant to look at assets over the next four to five years because they might lose them in that time. Does anyone else have anything to say on that? What impact could that have on local councils?

Good morning. CCPS’s submission suggests an alternative model in which the primary change drivers will be

“cultural in the form of relationships and behaviours embodied in the system.”

Yvette Burgess, could you expand on what is meant by that, and how that approach could be reflected in the bill?

If no one else would like to come in on that, I will hand back to the convener.

It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to speak in today’s debate.

“When you go home,
Tell them of us and say,
For their tomorrow,
We gave them our today.”

For me, those immortal words sum up the incredible service of the United Kingdom’s armed forces. Today, we stand together in the chamber to thank our service personnel for their exceptional service, while taking a moment to remember those who have paid the ultimate price.

Day in and day out, our armed forces work to keep the British public safe, while supporting our allies further afield. Throughout the past two years, their professionalism and dedication have been clear for all to see. The British Army was instrumental in roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine and played a key role in supporting our NHS staff, thereby allowing us to jab our way to freedom.

During the pandemic more than 100 armed forces personnel were brought in to support the Scottish Ambulance Service in assisting vulnerable people and people facing medical emergencies. Let us also not forget how, more recently, the Royal Regiment of Scotland played an invaluable role in assisting at events surrounding the passing of our late Queen Elizabeth II. The images of our boys carrying the Queen’s coffin up the Royal Mile to St Giles’ cathedral will stay with us forever.

Just as our veterans have faithfully served the British people, the Scottish Government must live up to its responsibility by supporting them to adjust to daily life back home. We want servicemen and women who choose, on leaving the armed forces, to settle in Scotland to know that they and their families will be supported. With around 250,000 veterans in Scotland, we need a comprehensive strategy to support their wellbeing and provide them with opportunities to thrive.

I welcome the Scottish Government’s collaboration with the UK Government to secure a long-term veterans strategy, which has also been welcomed by key stakeholders, including Veterans Scotland. By focusing on key themes, including employability training and financial education, to ensure that our veterans adapt to life back home, the strategy will equip them with vital tools to reintegrate into the communities that they have so faithfully served.

Conservative members would like Scotland’s two Governments to build on that collaborative approach to further strengthen the existing strategy, so we can support our soldiers, because the evidence is clear that, unfortunately, many veterans experience challenges on their return home—not least because they are at higher risk of developing physical and mental health conditions.

The Scottish Conservatives propose an armed forces and veterans bill that would enshrine in law the armed forces covenant for devolved public bodies, including NHS Scotland, in order to equip veterans better with the tools and support that they need in order to transition to civilian life.

No one could doubt the dedication, professionalism and sacrifice of the United Kingdom’s armed forces. They must be supported and, in turn, rewarded. In the chamber today, let us with one voice thank our armed forces for their heroic efforts, and let us commemorate the fallen, whose sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Good morning, panel, and thank you for coming along.

We all want to see more women in politics. I have certainly campaigned for that for the past seven years, and I want to make sure that all parties are making the effort to bring more women into front-line politics.

My first question is for Jessie Duncan. Research by Engender shows significant variation in the rates of women candidates across Scotland. I know that you have already touched on this, but what are the reasons for such variation? I note, for example, that the rates are 16 per cent in the Western Isles, 22 per cent in South Ayrshire and 44 per cent in East Lothian. Can you give us some background on your research in that respect?