Miles Briggs - Member of the Scottish Parliament - Lothian region

Standard Responses

VAT on Independent Schools

Thank you for contacting me about Labour’s plans to charge 20% VAT on private school fees.

Private schools currently qualify for a VAT exemption across the United Kingdom. Private schools provide a service which would otherwise have to be provided for by the public purse and whilst powers to change the VAT status of school fees are a matter for the UK Government, the Scottish Conservatives support the VAT exemption for private schools.

 Labour’s plans to impose a 20% tax on private school fees would make private education unaffordable for many parents who send their children to private school or have aspirations to do so, meaning they would have to move into the state school sector. This would mean a substantial increase in the number of additional pupils who will need to be accommodated for by the public purse.

In Scotland, the SNP Government are responsible for funding our state schools and they are already struggling to cope due to 17 years of SNP neglect. If they suddenly had to cope with thousands of extra pupils as a result of this Labour policy, it will make education standards suffer further. Under the SNP’s watch, school standards have already plummeted, with Scotland’s scores in reading, maths and science falling to their lowest ever level in the most recent Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).


Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures

Thank you for contacting me about non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

I have been working with industry leaders to address the issue and bring it to the attention of the Scottish Government. In June, I hosted a roundtable at the Scottish Parliament to discuss the regulation of invasive cosmetic procedures.

The UK Government has affirmed that it is committed to improving the safety of cosmetic procedures through better training, robust qualifications for practitioners, and clear information so that people can make informed decisions about their care. This is a very welcome commitment.

The Scottish Conservatives are aware of the dangers of unregulated procedures taking place. Unfortunately, with health being a devolved issue in Scotland, the country is at risk of being left behind, with unlicensed practitioners moving to Scotland to continue offering dangerous cosmetic procedures.

The growth in non-surgical treatments increases the need for consumer protection and it is vital that the Scottish Government does not underestimate the dangers associated with this.

Although I know that the majority of people working in the aesthetics industry show good practice when it comes to patient safety, I welcome any action to ensure consistent standards and protect individuals from those without licences, including from the potentially harmful physical and mental impacts of poorly performed cosmetic procedures.  

I have written to the UK Health Secretary about difference in Aesthetic medicine regulation in Scotland and England and will continue to campaign for proper regulation of aesthetic medicine in Scotland.

I urge anyone seeking a cosmetic procedure to take the time to find a reputable, insured and appropriately qualified practitioner who is either subject to statutory regulation or on a voluntary register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.


Additional Support Needs Provision in Scotland

Thank you for getting in touch with me about Additional Support Needs (ASN) services in Scotland.

I share you concerns about ASN provision in Scotland. Over 250,000 pupils in Scotland have ASN and they have been consistently let down by an SNP Government which overpromises and underdelivers.

The Education, Children and Young People’s Committee Report on Additional Support for Learning recently found that the SNP Government’s presumption of mainstream education has created an ‘intolerable’ situation for pupils with ASN, and that authorities have failed to properly implement this policy.

Furthermore, the SNP’s consistent underfunding of local authorities has placed ASN services in a precarious position and the number of ASN teachers has consistently declined since 2010.

Pupils with ASN deserve better and the SNP should take heed of the Committee’s recommendations and outline how they will improve the learning experience of Scotland’s ASN pupils.

Thank you again for getting in touch with me.


Natural Environment Bill

Thank you for getting in touch regarding the proposed Natural Environment Bill.

I share your concerns about the state of Scotland’s natural environment, as well as the declining biodiversity we are witnessing across the country.

I fully understand the value that Scotland’s natural environment has to the country, particularly the vital role it plays in our fight against climate change. That is why it is so concerning that in Scotland, nearly half of our species have decreased in abundance and 11% are under threat of extinction.

My Scottish Conservative colleagues and I believe restoring Scotland’s natural landscape needs to be a priority for the Scottish Government. That is why we proposed a Nature Bill of our own in our Scottish Parliament manifesto, which would strengthen environmental protections on land and sea for Scottish species and their habitats.

Furthermore, we also want to establish a £25 million Cleaner Seas Fund - to fund projects that will take harmful products including plastics out of our seas and create more ambitious woodland and peatland restoration targets.

I want to see nature restoration targets that will improve our natural environment, but the Scottish Government must make sure they take steps to achieve these targets and they don’t fall woefully short as they have with their climate emission targets.

Finally, I want to see the Scottish Government publish their Natural Environment Bill as soon as possible, so that my Scottish Conservative colleagues and I can scrutinise the bill and take the necessary steps to restoring Scotland’s Natural landscapes.


Housing Emergency 

Thank you for contacting me about the SNP Government’s declaring a housing emergency. 

The latest homelessness figures clearly indicate that Scotland is going through a housing crisis. Specifically, for the fiscal year 2022-23, there were more than 39,000 homeless applications, with more than 16,000 children being assessed as or treated as homeless. 

In addition, it is appalling to see that the number of households in temporary accommodation has climbed to more than 15,000, while almost 10,000 children do not have a permanent home. 

Instead of taking this issue seriously, the SNP Government has presided over a series of cuts to the budget of local authorities as well as to the overall housing budget. At the same time, their bad track record on housebuilding and their flawed rent cap legislation risks had made the situation even worse by decreasing the availability of housing stock. The fact that five local authorities have now declared housing emergencies demonstrates how the SNP have failed to address the housing problem.

This situation is entirely of the SNP’s making. Shirley-Anne Somerville has typically tried to blame Westminster, but the SNP have received a record block grant and it is them who shamefully slashed £200 million from the affordable housing budget.

Finally declaring a housing emergency must be more than lip service from the SNP. We must see ministers now reverse their deeply damaging cuts and take the urgent action required – including bringing thousands of empty properties back into use – to tackle Scotland’s housing crisis.

My Scottish Conservative colleagues and I are continuing to push the Scottish Government to ensure that their Housing Bill addresses these issues to ensure that every person has access to housing. 

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.


Keep Grangemouth Working

Thank you for getting in touch with about Unite the Union’s Keep Grangemouth Working campaign.

I understand your concern regarding the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery, and the impact this will have on jobs and the local economy. I am aware that this has been a commercial decision by the owner Petroineous in response to global pressures affecting the oil refinery market.

However, the UK Government is currently seeking assurances from Grangemouth on how they are supporting employees and the long-term future of the site. I understand that Petroineous is set to develop a terminal in the refinery's place that would be able to import petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and kerosene into Scotland.

I therefore remain confident in our fuel supply and the fact that the UK Government will continue to back the North Sea oil and gas sector and green industries, such as offshore wind and carbon capture and storage, to protect our energy security, attract investment and create opportunities for communities in Scotland and across the UK. The UK Government is boosting our energy security by committing to hundreds of new oil and gas field licences in the North Sea, making sure we are not reliant on expensive, foreign imports. It is also investing in Carbon Capture and Storage, delivering on our net zero ambitions while creating 25,000 jobs and driving £10 billion of investment.

Reports that the hydrocracker has started up again at the refinery will have brought hope to employees and now the SNP’s energy secretary must build on that, rather than just repeatedly referring to commercial decisions. Grangemouth is a huge asset for both the local and national economy, and I applaud the campaign led by Unite the Union to fight against its closure.

By working closely with the UK Government, the local council and businesses surrounding Grangemouth, there can be a successful resolution at the refinery. I will continue to urge the SNP Government to pull out all the stops to protect jobs and ensure the refinery plays a role in achieving our net zero ambitions.


Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill

Thank you for getting in touch with me about the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill.

I am grateful for the farmers, crofters, and agricultural workers who work hard to supply our food and conserve our landscapes for future generations.

Six years after it was decided that Scotland would need a new agricultural policy, the SNP-Green Government have still not decided on what will come next for our farmers. Agriculture is central to Scotland’s economy and provides countless benefits to the food security, nature and biodiversity, climate change, renewables, agri-tourism, and land management sectors.

The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill provides the Scottish Ministers with powers to implement a new payment system for farmers and crofters. However, the Bill only provides a framework for future funding and more substantial details will not be provided until further down the line. My Scottish Conservative colleagues and I supported the legislation at Stage 1 but remain concerned about the SNP Government’s use of framework legislation to implement a new agricultural payment system and will demand that MSPs are given the opportunity to have a say on matters of importance.

I understand your concerns about moving away from direct payments toward a system that is weighted towards smaller producers. However, the Scottish Conservatives support the retention of direct payments as the best way to support the sector’s net-zero ambitions, promote food security, and enhance the livelihoods of our rural communities.  We also believe that large- and small-scale enterprises can work in harmony to support one another to achieve localised biodiversity goals through more regional land use partnerships.

Humza Yousaf announced that 70% of future agricultural support will be direct payments. The remaining 30% of support will be for targeted measures like creating wetlands or restoring peatlands. My Scottish Conservative colleagues and I will use our scrutiny of the Bill at Stages 2 and 3 to ensure that farmers and crofters are provided with clarity on how future funding will be implemented.

We have concerns about the SNP-Green Government’s ability to support the agricultural sector. The recent Scottish Budget for 2024-25 resulted in a real terms cut of over £98 million in the rural budget. Furthermore, we are continuing to press the government on when the £46 million in ring-fenced Bew Review will be returned to the rural portfolio.

In contrast to the SNP-Green Government’s ambiguity over farming support, the Scottish Conservative’s plan for ‘Scotland’s Food Future’ will not only help the country reach its net-zero targets in a sustainable manner but will help to secure agricultural funding and support the latest technological advances to ensure that Scotland has a sustainable food supply.

The Scottish Conservatives are the party of rural Scotland. Our farmers and agricultural workers have been repeatedly let down by an SNP-Green Government that focuses on the central belt and does not understand the needs of rural communities. We will continue to hold the SNP-Green Government to account over its failure to provide clarity on farming support and will always have the interests of rural Scotland at heart.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.


Cass Review

Thank you for contacting me about the Cass Review.

 The final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review is a historic moment for our understanding of how to care for children who are struggling with difficult questions about who they are. We simply do not know the lifelong impact of medical interventions, such as puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, on young minds and bodies to be clear that they are safe. There has been a marked change in the age and sex of those seeking help and I am greatly troubled by the rapid rise in the referral of teenage girls and the stressors that Dr Cass highlights like social media and degrading pornography.

 While Dr Cass and her team reviewed services in NHS England, the findings should also apply to NHS Scotland. However, despite repeated calls from medical experts, campaigners and the Scottish Conservatives, the SNP Government has refused to undertake a review of gender clinics here in Scotland. They must implement the 32 recommendations. Failure to do so, will let children and young people down. 

Furthermore, clinicians from across disciplines in NHS Scotland need to come together to build better, more holistic care teams. Teams that treat the whole child and all of their needs. Children and young people must have healthcare that is caring and careful.

Following a period of intense pressure, the Sandyford Clinic in Glasgow confirmed it would pause the prescription of “gender affirming hormones” to 17- and 18-year-olds. This raises more questions than it does provide answers. We will continue to press the Scottish Government on what this means for young people who are currently prescribed puberty blockers, and whether the pause will be made permanent.

 The Scottish Government must urgently ensure the other recommendations from the Cass Review are implemented in Scotland to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people.


Scottish Government Climate Change Targets

Thank you for getting in touch with me about the Scottish Government’s decision to abandon its target to reduce Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030.

The 2030 target was set by the Climate Change (Emissions Reductions Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019. This legislation also committed Scotland to reach net zero by 2045 and was supported by my parliamentary colleagues and I. The Scottish Ministers were also required under this legislation to produce legally binding annual targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The Scottish Government have consistently failed to meet these targets since they came into force. Indeed, the Government has failed to meet eight of their last twelve emission targets and have now only recently accepted the report of the independent Climate Change Committee that Scotland’s 2030 targets were beyond reach. The Government have therefore announced that they would scrap the 2030 target, along with annual emissions targets, and move towards five-yearly targets while retaining Scotland’s commitment to reach net zero by 2045.

My parliamentary colleagues and I have consistently warned the Scottish Government that it was failing to deliver on its supposedly “world-leading” targets and, since they key areas of emissions are devolved, this mess is solely the Scottish Governments responsibility. This is evident by the fact that they have repeatedly delayed the publication of their Climate Change Plan and the scrapping of the 2030 target casts further doubt on whether this plan will be delivered. By ignoring the recommendations of the Climate Change Committee and undertaking policies that have been centred more on virtue-signalling and grievance-mongering, rather than helping Scotland reach net zero, the Scottish Government have hindered our progress to this goal.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.


Hate Crime Bill

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, which came into force on 1 April this year.

Bigotry, racism and prejudice are unacceptable in a civilised society and hate crime is already unlawful.

However, the Scottish government's new legislation risks the right to freedom of expression and will potentially criminalise people for what they say in the privacy of their own homes.

Most respondents to the Scottish Parliament justice committee’s public consultation on the legislation raised concerns.

The Scottish Police Federation stated the bill could ‘devastate’ the relationship between the police and the public. Furthermore, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents believe that activists will abuse the hate crime laws and divert officers from serious crimes.

The Scottish Newspaper Society have also said it ‘poses a serious threat to freedom of expression’ and the Faculty of Advocates said there was ‘no alternative but to reconsider the draft bill’.

Amendments from my parliamentary colleagues and I, which would have protected free speech, were voted down by the all other parties.

As a result, we voted against the legislation as it threatens freed speech and fails to protect the right to privacy.

For three years, the legislation was not enacted due to concerns about its impact on people and how it would be enforced.

It still remains unclear how it will be policed and prosecuted with various groups warning about the impact on freedom of speech.

My parliamentary colleagues and I would repeal the SNP’s Hate Crime Act and replace it with a Protection of Free Speech Bill.

We have an ongoing campaign which you can support on this issue: Scrap the SNP Hate Crime Act.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me on this issue.


 Housing (Scotland) Bill

Thank you for contacting me about the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

The Bill introduced by the SNP-Green Government proposes several welcome provisions such as placing a duty on bodies to act to prevent homelessness, along with provisions for tenants experiencing domestic abuse.  However, it also introduces a long-term system of rent controls which risks disrupting the housing market and having the opposite effect of what it intends to do, which is to keep rents low.

The now-expired rent cap in the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Scotland Act has led to rents in Scotland increasing faster than anywhere else in the UK. Furthermore, evidence received by the Scottish Property Federation suggested that in the first four months since the emergency legislation was introduced, over £700 million of residential investment had been paused or lost from the rented housing sector. This represented nearly 4,000 modern energy efficient homes that may now not appear in the Scottish rented sector at all.

Rent controls in other European countries and cities have caused more harm than good when imposed, such as a decrease in the number of properties available for rent, long waiting lists for renters to secure properties, and the creation of ‘grey economies’ whereby landlords have demanded that tenants pay ridiculous prices for furniture, kitchen appliances, and other basic amenities as a condition of renting.

The best way to keep rents low is to increase the number of homes available for rent. Unfortunately, the SNP Government missed their interim target of building more than 50,000 affordable homes by March 2021, while at the same times they have chosen to cut the housing budget by £200 million in the latest budget. That is why the Scottish Conservatives have brought forward policies such a £250 million fund to convert empty properties into suitable housing.

My Scottish Conservative colleagues and I will be keenly scrutinising this Bill, and we will be carefully considering the evidence that is presented as the Bill progresses through Parliament, to ensure that it provides a workable solution to Scotland’s housing problem.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.


Assisted Dying

I appreciate your concern on this very sensitive issue. Coping with terminal illness is of course hugely distressing and difficult, both for the patient and their family. These cases are truly moving and evoke the highest degree of compassion and emotion. Should the law in this area ever be altered, I believe it is neither a matter for Government to decide nor a matter for the judiciary, but ultimately a matter for Parliament, and individual MSPs in a free vote.

You may be aware that the original End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill was defeated at Stage 1 in the Scottish Parliament in 2010, and Margot MacDonald’s Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill was also defeated in 2015.

I sympathise with your views and will consider any draft legislation presented in future.


Buffer zones around abortion clinics

I understand that the Scottish Government is currently considering taking forward legislation to introduce antiprotest or buffer zones around abortion clinics.

Abortion clinics are an essential legal medical service. No women should feel that they are being stigmatised against and discouraged from accessing abortion services.

As such, I will engage constructively with any proposals that are brought forward by either the government or an individual MSP to enhance protections for women who are accessing these services.

While I acknowledge that there is a right to protest, this must not come at the expense of women’s health and their right to access medical services free of prejudice.


Minimum Unit Pricing

Thank you for getting in touch with me about Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP).

I recognise the significant harm that the misuse of alcohol can inflict on a minority of individuals, the families of those affected by addiction and local communities.

It is concerning that alcohol related fatalities are so high across the country.

The Scottish Government have failed to give people the necessary support and implement the systems needed across health boards to allow people to recover from alcohol addiction.

I fully agree that treatment services, that are accessible to all, are a vital part of reducing alcohol harm in Scotland.

The Scottish Conservatives have brought to Parliament the Right to Recovery Bill, which will enshrine in law the right to treatment for alcoholism.


Transgender prisoners

Thank you for contacting me about the issue of prisoners who say that they identify as transgender.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) published its policy in 2014 which states that “the social gender in which the person in custody is living should be fully respected regardless of whether or not the person in custody provides any evidence of having a gender recognition certificate”. This is known as gender self-identification.

This policy became subject to widespread public concern when a double rapist called Adam Graham (aka Isla Bryson) was initially sent to a women’s prison, having said that he identified as a woman.

In response to these public concerns, the SPS published an updated trans prisoner policy in December 2023.

The new policy states that male criminals who identify as trans will not be transferred to the female estate if they have been convicted of “any offences that perpetrate violence against a female that results in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to a female”. This is welcome.

However, the new policy also states that violent male-bodied prisoners who say they identify as female may still be housed in the women’s estate.

The SPS says that this will be allowed if there is “compelling evidence” that they do not “present an unacceptable risk of harm to those in the women’s prison” despite this risk not being defined in the policy.

The policy also does not say whether female prison staff have the right to refuse to conduct intimate searches of male-bodied inmates who claims to be trans.

Campaign groups and women across Scotland have warned that the SNP government is imposing its gender self-ID ideology on Scotland’s prison service, which is subject to ministerial oversight.

No trans-identifying man convicted of violent or sexual offences should be sent to a women’s jail. They should also never be placed into a women’s prison if they have male genitalia.

I would urge the SNP government and SPS to update this policy. They could start by looking to emulate the policy for the rest of the UK, which was published by the Ministry of Justice in February 2023 and which campaigner say prioritises the rights of women.

Genuine transgender people are not the problem. The problem is that predatory men are and will continue to exploit the SNP’s flawed and dangerous policy.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.


 Enable Scotland and Unison: Fair Pay for Care Staff Dispute

Thank you for getting in touch with me about the pay discussions between Enable Scotland and Unison.

I am grateful for care staff who have worked incredibly hard over the past three years as Scotland has gone through the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

I understand your concerns about the pressures that individuals and organisations that deliver social care across Scotland currently face, particularly during the current cost-of-living crisis.

I also share your concerns about the SNP Government’s failure to implement Fair Work principles in the social care sector. Care staff have been repeatedly let down by this SNP Government, and I would call on the SNP to work more effectively with the care sector to ensure that patients and staff are supported.

We would support a meeting or dialogue between Enable Scotland, Unison, and the Scottish Government to that a mutually beneficial solution on payment and employment concerns can be reached. We will continue to press the SNP Government on this issue to ensure that social care staff are supported.

Furthermore, I am also very I am very concerned that the SNP Government is failing to grip the scale of the problem when it comes to retaining social care professionals in Scotland. Recent statistics have shown that the number of people leaving the social care sector is now at a record high. This is damning indictment of the SNP’s record on healthcare and patients and staff deserve better.

Rather than encouraging staff recruitment and helping to support care staff, the SNP Government would prefer to divert billions into their planned National Care Service. This bureaucratic overhaul will not only undermine local services, with local authorities set to be stripped of their existing and longstanding responsibilities, but it will not resolve the issues with staff recruitment and retention and is completely inappropriate at a time when the sector is crying out for help.

The Scottish Conservatives believe that the social care sector in Scotland deserves better. Rather than wasting money on a centralised care service, we would directly support the recruitment and retention of staff to ensure that that the social care sector remains valued and would strive to maintain the provision of care services in local communities.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.


Short-term lets licensing scheme

From 1 October 2023, the law around short-term lets changed and now requires hosts to apply for a short-term let licence before they can accept bookings or receive guests, after which it will be a criminal offence for them to let out a room in their home, or an entire property.

 I support the right of homeowners and tenants to enjoy the use of their property, but I know that the SNP Government’s regulations will significantly impact self-catering businesses, as well as Airbnb and similar short-term let providers.

 Now is not the time to regulate short-term lets and enact a licensing scheme that will unnecessarily burden an already struggling tourism industry.

 Only the Scottish Conservatives warned the SNP that this scheme was unworkable. Tourism businesses across Scotland have been devastated by the pandemic and the last thing they need is to be burdened by more red tape.

 In 2023 we forced a vote to pause the licensing scheme for another year to allow short-term let properties and businesses to adapt. I was disappointed that most of the SNP and the Greens voted to continue with the scheme in its current form.

 The SNP Government must listen to the concerns raised by the tourism and self-catering sectors. Going forward, the Scottish Conservatives will continue to challenge the SNP Government on this issue with the aim of ensuring that the concerns of the tourism and self-catering sector are listened to and that any changes to the law in this area are both necessary and proportionate.


Baby loss and parental bereavement

This issue tragically affects many people, and I offer my sympathy to those who have suffered miscarriages, stillbirths, or the loss of a child. I applaud my colleagues who have recounted this painful experience in their lives in Parliament to raise awareness of baby loss and inspire changes in policy.

As you may be aware, healthcare laws and policies are devolved to the Scottish Parliament. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Scottish Government to provide support to baby loss and parental bereavement services. I welcome the introduction of a Compulsory National Bereavement Care Pathway (NBCP). These new standards will ensure that bereavement care is carried out in a suitable and sensitive manner.

However, it is unacceptable that many families are being denied maternity services, particularly bereavement care. The Scottish Government must take immediate action to increase the number of midwives and maternity specialists in hospitals across the country. 

The Scottish Conservatives have consistently highlighted the concerning state of Scotland’s maternity services. We have lobbied the Scottish Government to reopen maternity services at Dr Gray’s hospital in Moray and have also called for Michael Matheson and Jenni Minto to address the NHS workforce plan, so that services across NHS Scotland can work better.

My Holyrood colleagues have assured me they will continue to lobby the Scottish Government to produce a revised NHS workforce plan and commit more funding to maternity services.


Student Housing

I share your concerns about the housing struggles that students are currently facing. Every student deserves suitable and appropriate housing, and the best way to address this issue is by building more homes. Unfortunately, the SNP Government has presided over a poor track record when it comes to housing, along with a series of cuts to the overall housing budget. Though possibly well intentioned when introduced, the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act, has made the current situation worse.

The SNP-Green Government, along with Labour, must realise that the rent cap risks the removal of vital housing stock from the market, making the housing crisis even worse and, with it, higher rents and increased homelessness in the long-run. Even though the cap is currently set at 3%, we have seen an exponential increase in rents, reaching over 22% in certain areas in the past year. This, along with the failure to extend the rent cap to purpose-built student accommodation, has placed students in a precarious situation.

Rent freezes in other European countries and cities have caused more harm than good when imposed. In Ireland, where rent controls have been imposed, the number of available properties for rent plummeted. In Stockholm, renters have had to wait multiple years on waiting lists to rent properties. In Berlin, rent controls have created a ‘grey economy’ with landlords demanding tenants pay ridiculous prices for furniture, kitchen appliances, and other basic amenities as a condition of renting.

With regards to the ban on evictions, I am still concerned that the Act’s definition of substantial rent arrears (the point at which a landlord can evict someone for not paying rent) is six months of non-payment. This could present significant financial difficulties for homeowners who are renting their property as they may not receive any rental income for half a year but all the while must continue to make mortgage payments.

The student housing crisis has been apparent for years and is a direct result of the SNP-Green Government’s failure to meet their own housebuilding targets and their decision to close schemes. I believe that the best way to address this crisis is through increased home building across all sectors. This will ensure that more homes are available for students who can then continue their studies without disruption to their accommodation.


Winchburgh Train Station

My colleague Sue Webber MSP launched a campaign last year calling for the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland to come together to fund and build a new train station at Winchburgh. You can sign the petition at the following link if you would like to: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/winchburgh-train-station-campaign

In July 2023 Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Minister Rachel Maclean MP came to Winchburgh to discuss the campaign for a new railway station with Sue. Sue has since had meetings and correspondence with the Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper MP, UK Government ministers, Scottish Government ministers, West Lothian council, and have spoken to Network Rail and ScotRail. You can view these letters here: https://www.suewebber.uk/winchburgh-train-station-campaign

The Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, Patrick Harvie MSP, will be attending a multi-agency meeting including Transport Scotland, West Lothian Council, Winchburgh Developments Ltd and Network Rail to further discuss a proposal for a train station in Winchburgh. Winchburgh Developments Ltd have also invited Sue to attend this meeting. I fully support the campaign for a train station in Winchburgh and will work cross party to see one delivered.


Rape Crisis Centre Funding

In the past year, almost 15,000 sexual crimes were recorded in Scotland, with the reported number of rapes and attempted rapes reaching more than 2,500. Rape and sexual crimes are never acceptable, and those who perpetrate these crimes should receive the strongest possible punishment.

Victims of sexual assault should be properly supported, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the work done by Rape Crisis Scotland in helping victims across Scotland. Every person in need of support should be able to receive it as soon as possible, without being placed on a waiting list.

My Scottish Conservative colleagues and I will continue to press this issue in Parliament to ensure that every victim of sexual violence receives the support they need.


Declaring a Scottish Housing Emergency

The Scottish Government has presided over a housing crisis coupled with an increase in homelessness and thousands of vulnerable people in temporary accommodation.

Instead of taking this crisis seriously, the Scottish Government has blamed others for an issue that is entirely under its own control and has made it worse through its rent control policy.

My parliamentary colleagues and I are calling on the Scottish Government to use the powers at its disposal and declare a housing emergency to help the most vulnerable in society.


Fireworks

I understand your concern about the dangers posed by the sale of fireworks. While many people enjoy fireworks on special occasions, they are very dangerous and are particularly hazardous when sold to irresponsible people. I am glad the use and sale of fireworks is controlled. Events where fireworks are used should be well planned and safety should be paramount.

The Scottish Conservatives think a balance must be struck between the safe enjoyment of fireworks and robust laws to prevent antisocial and illegal behaviour. We will work with both of Scotland’s governments to seek consensus on the further steps that should be taken to monitor the sale of fireworks and to prosecute those who use them irresponsibly.

The Fireworks (Scotland) Regulations 2004 allow fireworks for home use to be sold during the traditional firework periods of Bonfire Night, New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali. The regulations created a curfew preventing the use of fireworks between 11pm and 7am all year round with the exception of 5 November, when the curfew starts at 12 midnight, and New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali, when the curfew starts at 1.00 am on the night of celebration.

In August 2022, the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act received the royal assent after its passage by the Scottish Parliament in June. The Act introduced a fireworks licensing system, powers for local authorities to designate fire control zones, restrictions on the days fireworks can be sold to the general public, a new offence criminalising the sale of fireworks and pyrotechnics to those aged under 18 and a new offence of being in possession of fireworks and pyrotechnics while travelling or at certain places without a reasonable excuse, although most of these provisions are not yet in effect at the time of writing.

During the Act’s passage the Scottish Conservatives secured important amendments to the legislation, such as ensuring those who use fireworks to assault emergency workers are properly punished and forcing those applying for a fireworks licence to disclose convictions relating to the misuse of fire. We also tried to beef up provisions in the Bill by introducing nearly 100 amendments over the course of its passage. For example, to introduce a Fireworks Safety Plan to improve public awareness, as well as amendments to create genuine ‘No Fireworks Zones’ and empower local authorities to do what is right for the needs of their communities. Sadly, all of these were rejected by the SNP and disappointingly were not added to the legislation.

The licensing scheme in the Act still lacks clarity, with the Scottish Government stating they will be dealt with in future regulations. This is not good enough as tackling firework misuse needs clear public understanding and the Scottish Government have not elaborated on how they will prevent the rise of a black market in fireworks because of the Act’s provisions.

The Scottish Conservatives want to ensure that the full range of existing legislation governing the misuse of fireworks is used to its full potential. We support taking tougher action on the misuse of fireworks. As always, we will work constructively with the government and would welcome an opportunity to debate future legislation to act against the reckless use of fireworks by irresponsible people.


Gaza

Thank you for contacting me about the situation in Gaza.

The UK recognises the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and supports a lasting solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

However, the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas are heinous and unprecedented, and I support Israel’s right to defend itself, as guaranteed by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

The loss of every innocent life is a tragedy, and the above must be done in line with international humanitarian law. The UK Prime Minister has called on and will continue to call on the Israeli Government to take every possible precaution to avoid harming Palestinian civilians.

The UK is working via all diplomatic channels—bilaterally and collectively in the region—to ensure that this conflict, which has cost so many lives already, can be brought to a halt.

The rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza is also extremely troubling.

The UK has long been a significant provider of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and I welcome that on 16 October, the UK Government announced that it will increase aid by a third, with an additional £10 million of support. Furthermore, the UK has deployed significant military support to the region to help facilitate the humanitarian response and mitigate escalation of the conflict.

It is also vital that the international community works together to relieve the impact on civilians, a point the UK Prime Minister emphasised during his meeting with the Prime Minister of Sweden ahead of the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit in Gotland on 13 October. I understand that he has also spoken with the Egyptian President to underscore the importance of opening the Rafah crossing to allow for humanitarian access and provide a route for British and other nationals to leave Gaza. UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials have also been closely engaged with UN efforts to secure humanitarian access and scale up the response.


Edinburgh College

Edinburgh College has been hit hard by cuts to several of its courses and a vast chunk of its teaching budget. This has included aa massive increase in temporary and contract staff at the college, greatly undermining the expertise of its long-running staff members.

Under the SNP Government, college budgets have become increasingly constrained and staff costs, in some cases, account for up to 80% of a college’s total budget. Colleges have been asked to do more with less and this is unfair to both the support staff and the students.

My parliamentary colleagues and I believe students and support staff deserve better than the managed decline of the college sector that the Scottish Government has presided over. The fact that the Scottish Government recently cut £46 million worth of funding for universities and colleges earlier this year demonstrates that they have no desire to fix the mess in the college sector that they created.

Short-term lets licensing scheme

On 1 October 2022, the law around short-term lets changed and now requires hosts to apply for a short-term let licence before they can accept bookings or receive guests.

The application deadline for existing operators has been extended to 1 October 2023, after which it will be a criminal offence for them to let out a room in their home, or an entire property.

I support the right of homeowners and tenants to enjoy the use of their property, but I know that the Scottish Government’s regulations will significantly impact self-catering businesses, as well as Airbnb and similar short-term let providers.

Now is not the time to regulate short-term lets and enact a licensing scheme that will unnecessarily burden an already struggling tourism industry.

Neil Gray has also said that the Scottish Government has no plans to further extend the deadline for the licensing scheme on short-term lets despite concerns that up to 80% of short-term let properties could close.

My parliamentary colleagues and Iwarned that this scheme was unworkable. Tourism businesses across Scotland have been devastated by the pandemic and the last thing they need is to be burdened by more red tape.

The Scottish Government must listen to the concerns raised by the tourism and self-catering sectors. Going forward, I will continue to challenge the Scottish Government on this issue with the aim of ensuring that any changes to the law in this area are both necessary and proportionate.

 


Cuts to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Last

I am grateful for all the SFRS staff who work incredibly at keeping us safe in their pivotal role as first responders. I share your concern about the recent announcement that £11 million in cuts was required for SFRS to its meet its budget obligations for 2023/24, and that an additional £36 million in cuts will be required over the next four years. SFRS is an essential service that saves lives, and it deserves to be fully supported.

Under the Scottish Government the amount of support given to SFRS has declined. The service faces a massive vehicle and property maintenance backlog that will cost almost £400 million. Due to this neglect, SFRS vehicles run the increased risk of breaking down and many fire stations do not provide basic services like showers or decontamination facilities.

As a result of this the number of fire firefighters has declined, safe crewing levels have not been reached, and numerous fire appliances have been left unmanned. This, in turn, has resulted in an unacceptable rise in the response times to incidents.

My parliamentary colleagues and I believes that SFRS should be fully supported and have called on the Scottish Government to provide proper investment into estate maintenance and to improve appliance levels. The underfunding of these services by the Scottish Government has contributed to the current situation and the proposed budget cuts will only make things worse.

If the Scottish Government are serious about protecting the safety and wellbeing of the people of Scotland, then they must protect funding for this service. The recent announcement that the Scottish Government underspent its budget for the last financial year by £244 million demonstrates that they are not using all of the resources at their disposal to support our public services.


End Young Parent Poverty Campaign

Thank you for getting in contact with me about the End Young Parent Poverty Campaign.

I understand the struggles that parents under 25 are facing right now during the current cost-of-living crisis and their desire to be treated equally so their children can grow up with the same chances as other children.

 Universal Credit provisions for parents under 25 is a matter reserved to the UK Government and the Department of Work and Pensions. We recognise that the current provisions for parents under 25 is not the same as for those over 25.

The Scottish Conservatives believe that young parents should be supported. We are engaging in meaningful discussions with UK Ministers and the Scottish Government to see what can be done to support parents under 25 and I support a review of the Universal Credit provisions for parents under 25.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.


Filmhouse Cinema - Edinburgh

Unfortunately, the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) is not in a position to purchase or commit monies. There was an annual funding commitment that went to support CMI for Filmhouse and EIFF, which equalled £478,998 over financial years 18/19-22/23. Ultimately, the sale of the building is in the hands of Savills, the administrators, who have legal obligations regarding the sale and CEC has limited ability to intervene. CEC is, however, continuing to meet with Creative Scotland and Screen Scotland.

The current stories have, I am led to believe, been sparked by a combination of social media activity and an article in Wednesday's Scotsman where "a publicly-funded rescue attempt" for the building is referenced. The current situation, as I understand it, is that the original preferred bidder for the property has now pulled out and I believe that there is now another developer speaking to the administrators and may be in a position to sign a deal very soon. CEC Culture officials are still regularly speaking to Screen Scotland and have contacted the administrators for further clarity. I am believe that there may be at least one other privately-funded bid being worked on that would endeavour to retain the Filmhouse as a cultural cinema and they are asking Screen Scotland and the Scottish Government for support. This support would be for the purposes of programming and technical equipment rather than the purchase of the building, which would be privately-owned/managed. There has been no conversation about any financial contribution from CEC.

CEC is continuing to explore options for preserving and showcasing cultural cinema in Edinburgh and this plan will be published before the summer. I am certainly glad that CEC has managed to work with EIF to support an EIFF programme this year, and CEC has also worked collaboratively to support workers at CMI in the interim.


Teacher strikes in Scotland

I recognise the huge importance of the work teachers do. The education of future generations is vital to the success of this country. I know the last thing teachers want is to be on strike over pay and as a result unable to educate our children and young people.

As you will be well aware, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) teaching union is currently in the midst of strike action until at least the 21st April.

On the 15th of February the EIS unanimously rejected the Scottish Governments latest pay offer branding it ‘inadequate’ and unacceptable’.

The lack of urgency on the part of the Education Secretary to resolve this dispute is stark and the continuing disruption is a damning legacy of a party who claim education is their top priority.

Already, Scottish pupils and parents have had to deal with rescheduled preliminary exams and now face additional disruption because of the failure to reach a deal with the teachers’ union.

I do not want to see the education of children and young people further disrupted and I urge the Scottish Government to recognise the hard work teachers put in, fully engage in negotiations and propose a fair pay offer to teachers so these strikes can end and get teachers back to teaching.


Student cost-of-living crisis

I appreciate fully how hard it is for many students to cope with the rising cost of living. The global supply-chain crisis and Russia’s war in Ukraine amongst other issues are creating huge pressures on bills and in particular energy prices.

Recent figures show the Scottish Government is not grappling with this crisis seriously with university students from the most deprived backgrounds less likely to receive a bursary and or grant in 2021-22 than in 2020-21 and almost 6,000 fewer full-time students receiving a living cost loan in 2021-22 than in 2020-21.

The Scottish Government must use the vast array of powers at their disposal to properly get a grip of this crisis and support students through this difficult time.

The UK Government is responding the global cost of living crisis with a comprehensive package of support.

The UK Government is already spending £37 billion in 2022-23 on a package to address the cost of living crisis. This includes a rise in the National Living Wage, meaning an extra £1,000 in the pockets of the lowest earners. The UK Government has also cut the Universal Credit taper rate and increased work allowances, representing an effective tax cut for low-income working households in receipt of Universal Credit. The point at which National Insurance is paid has also been raised, putting more money in the pockets of the lowest earners. The UK Government has also cut fuel duty by 5p per litre to ease rising costs on motorists, saving drivers £100 this year.

The UK Government’s number one priority during a global cost-of-living crisis and increased inflation is to secure the country’s finances, so that ordinary families can be supported through the tough times ahead.


Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)

My parliamentary colleagues and I recognise the climate emergency and the need to reduce our impact on the environment. We believe that a circular economy and Deposit Return Schemes are part of the solution and support the implementation.

Deposit Return Schemes can increase the amount of disposable drinks containers being returned for recycling and help tackle litter for those items. We would like to see a well-designed, accessible and fair DRS that operates throughout the whole of the United Kingdom. One which offers benefits in terms of consumer behaviour change and jobs in reprocessing and manufacturing of DRS machines.

Even though the scheme was scheduled to be delivered in 2022, Lorna Slater has now confirmed the scheme is now due in 2023. This is shaping up to be yet another embarrassing Scottish Government failure on the environment.


Creative Scotland Cuts

In the Scottish Government Budget 2023-24, funding for ‘Creative Scotland and other arts’ proposes a real-terms reduction in funding of around £7 million, which is more than 10%.

The Creative Scotland Board has agreed to use a proportion of its National Lottery reserves to maintain funding for Regulatory Funded Organisations at 2022-23 levels. It is, however, unacceptable that Creative Scotland is forced to use these finite reserves to maintain funding, which will ultimately dry up.

It is ridiculous that the Scottish Government failed to act when there were warnings of a “perfect storm” in the culture sector. Their inactions and funding cuts will significantly impact Creative Scotland’s ability to maintain funding at standstill levels for the 120 regularly funded organisations and put thousands of jobs in Scotland at risk.

I recognise that improving access to high-quality arts and culture in Scotland is critical to giving people pride in the cities, towns and villages in which they work and live, helping people in every part of the country to prosper and to fulfil their full potential.

My parliamentary colleagues and I are committed to listening to the creative sector and to protect its contributions to our society and economy. The Scottish Government must consider the contributions of the creative sector, and we will continue to put pressure on them to do so.


Gender Recognition Reform Bill

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding the Stage 1 vote on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.

I have taken considerable time to reflect upon the merits of this Bill over the last year. It is important to see the progress that such a Bill would make for transgender people in Scotland and those wishing to transition. However, it is vital that appropriate safeguards are embedded within the proposed legislation.

At this early stage of the legislation’s progress in the Scottish Parliament, I do have profound reservations. These arise in consequence of the Scottish Government’s failure to include appropriate safeguards for women within the Bill. The Scottish Government has failed to engage with women’s organisations. There has not been a serious or genuine effort to ensure that the legitimate concerns about the safety of women are reflected in the Bill as currently drafted. Instead, the record demonstrates that there has been significantly more consultation with those strongly backing the change.

It is for these reasons that I have resolved to neither vote for nor against this legislation at this early stage in the legislative process.

I hope to see sensible and substantive amendments proposed and passed during the course of the Bill and the potential to achieve this exists at both Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the process. At that point I will take a view on the final scope of the proposed legislation. However, I should make clear that without amendments addressing my concerns, I will not be able to vote for the Bill at its final stage.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me on this important issue.


Energy Charter Treaty

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT).

I agree with you that certain aspects of the ECT were holding both Scotland and the UK back from effectively tackling climate change. The UK Government needs the right to change its own energy systems to reach emissions reductions targets in line with the Paris Agreement without facing the risk of costly legal challenges.

That is why I and my Scottish Conservative colleagues welcome the news that the UK Government has reached an agreement to modernise the ECT. Once the agreement is signed in November, new investments in all types of fossil fuels would lose protection under the ECT in investor-state disputes.  This means that corporations will no longer be able to take legal action against the government for simply putting in place  policies to tackle climate change.

Existing investments from foreign companies into fossil fuels will lose protection ten years after the modernised treaty comes in to force’, except for existing investments in coal which would lose protection from 1 October 2024.

Furthermore, this modernised treaty will have a much stronger focus on promoting clean, affordable energy.

For the first time, overseas investments into the UK in green technologies, such as Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage and low-carbon hydrogen production will have legal protections. This will further incentivise green investment in the UK, creating growth and jobs whilst also helping Scotland achieve its net zero goals.

Whilst we welcome any move to incentivise investment in green energy, the Scottish Conservatives remain steadfast supporters of our oil and gas industry and believe that continued support for this industry is a vital component in our goal of reaching net-zero by 2045.

Unfortunately, I will be unable to support this motion, as I believe many of the issues you have highlighted will be addressed when the treaty is officially revised in November. I also believe that to stop climate change, we need to cooperate with our international partners. The best way to achieve this is through a modernised, bespoke ECT which is supported by the international community.

With that being said, I do agree that bold action is needed to stop climate change, and I will carefully consider any measures laid before the Scottish Parliament in the future.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me on this issue.


TV licence fee

It was announced in 2016 by the UK Government that the TV licence fee would increase with inflation over the first five years of the next Charter period (2016-21). The annual TV licence fee currently stands at £159, and the Culture Secretary confirmed in January 2022 that the licence fee will remain at £159 until 2024 and then rise in line with inflation for the following four years.

I recognise that the licence fee represents a significant expense to households and therefore the Scottish Conservatives welcome the decision to freeze the fee which will shield licence fee payers from the current inflationary pressures. In our view, the settlement strikes the right balance between protecting households and allowing broadcasters to deliver their vital public responsibilities, while also encouraging them to look at making further savings.

However, we also believe a wide-ranging and informed debate is also required about the future of the BBC which would incorporate a discussion about the best way to fund the BBC in the future to make it fit for the 21st century.



Rent Freeze 

We are still waiting on the full details from the SNP Government on their plan to impose a rent freeze until March. However, I believe that it is unacceptable that Nicola Sturgeon announced a freeze without consulting landlords and with no opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny of her plans.

Scotland is already experiencing a housing shortfall and the SNP-Green Government and Labour, must realise that this measure risks leading to the removal of vital housing stock from the market and, with it, higher rents and homelessness.

It is also unfair that that this protection is being made available to renters while there is no similar support for homeowners, who are at the mercy of rising interest rates when it comes to their mortgage repayments.

Rent freezes in other European countries and cities have caused more harm than good when imposed. Just last month, the number of available properties for rent in the Republic of Ireland plummeted to 716, while people in Stockholm have had to wait multiple years in waiting lists to rent properties. In Berlin, rent controls have created a ‘grey economy’ whereby landlords begun demanding that tenants pay ridiculous prices for furniture, kitchen appliances, and other basic amenities as a condition of renting.

The housing crisis has been apparent for years and is a direct result of the SNP’s failure to meet their own housebuilding targets and decision to close down schemes, such as the Help to Buy Scheme and the First Home Fund which help first time buyers. The Scottish Conservatives believe that the best way to address this crisis is through increased home building across all sectors and have set out plans to build 25,000 new homes across Scotland each year.


New oil and gas fields

Thank you for contacting me regarding new oil and gas fields.

The Scottish Conservatives believe few things are as urgent as tackling the climate emergency and preventing its disastrous consequences for people all over the world, and so we support Scotland reaching net zero emissions by 2045.

We need to gradually reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources, rather than take knee jerk decisions that will see us import oil and gas from other countries which would lead to increased pollution, but will not create jobs in Scotland.

We need to recognise the importance of the oil and gas sector as a major employer, and just turning off the taps on that right now would cause significant economic harm. Scotland’s oil and gas sector is a major employer supporting over 100,000 jobs. As mentioned above, we need to transition away from non-renewable energy sources eventually but we need to do that gradually and sensibly in a way that ensures we protect those jobs and deliver a real future for the sector and the North East. The North Sea oil and gas sector can have a decades long future, even as we reduce emissions.

Furthermore, Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine has shown that it has become more important than ever that we have a secure domestic supply as part of our future energy mix if we are to meet our future energy needs. New oil fields will help provide this energy security during the transition to net zero, without leaving us dependent on volatile and more polluting foreign imports.

The Scottish Government’s obligation should be to bring Scotland in as a full partner in the North Sea Transition Deal, to protect jobs and reduce emissions in that sector. We would support emerging renewable technologies, such as tidal, and expand Scotland’s pumped hydroelectric energy storage and carbon capture capacity.


National Care Service

I have deep concerns about the Scottish Government’s plans to establish a National Care Service. Social care provision in Scotland is in crisis and the last thing we need right now is a major bureaucratic overhaul of services, which would see precious recourses - up to £1.3 billion  - diverted away from the frontline. Nearly £500 million has been earmarked just for the establishment of the body; this is clearly completely inappropriate at a time when the sector is crying out for help.

 The Scottish Government’s plans also represent a direct attack on localism, with local authorities set to stripped of their existing and longstanding responsibilities. This is likely to have a very significant impact on local services and the understanding of local needs and local accountability, which will be superseded by a top-down, blanket mindset.

My greatest concern however is that the National Care Service will centralise care, with less input for people accessing care and a poorer service for rural and remote areas. We cannot afford to see an increase in the number of people being transferred out of their local area for care, which is why we are calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a local care guarantee, which would ensure that support is delivered as close as possible to those who need it.


Establishing a food commission as part of the Good Food Nation Bill

My parliamentary colleagues and I support establishing a food commission as part of the Good Food Nation Bill. An independent commission would provide more scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s Good Food Nation Plans and would consult widely with stakeholders, from agricultural organisations right through to prison boards to ensure that the Good Food Nation Plans delivered for Scotland.


Us For Them (Start Prioritising Children)

Thank you for contacting me concerning the wearing of face masks in Scottish schools, following confirmation from the First Minister that the current face mask requirements in schools are set to continue despite more general relaxations in Covid restrictions being implemented.

Throughout this pandemic the Scottish Conservatives have been supportive of any measures taken to protect the safety of children, parents and teachers, wherever these measures are justified and proportionate. However, given the continued success of the vaccination programme, and the limited role that school settings play in the transmission of the virus, it is not clear that the continued requirement for children to wear face masks in schools is still proportionate and justified at this stage.

Additionally, since the introduction of face masks into schools many months ago, there have consistently been mixed messages around their use, and the SNP have failed to address a number of outstanding issues, such as how these masks affect pupils who depend on lipreading or those with additional support needs. We would therefore urge the SNP to look closely at the available evidence as they re-evaluate this policy over the coming weeks.

We are also concerned to hear of reports that children in certain schools are unable to access drinking water, following reports of this taking place when schools first reopened full-time last August.

While health restrictions remain in place across all schools, access to drinking water remains a legal right for all children, and we are clear that schools must ensure water is available in a safe way regardless of continuing restrictions.

Throughout the pandemic, the Scottish Conservatives have fought to ensure that young people’s education is protected to the highest extent possible, and we were the only party to call for the full-time reopening of schools to be brought forward earlier this year. We will continue to hold this SNP Government to account to ensure that continued restrictions in schools do not remain in place any longer than is absolutely necessary.


Ukraine

Thank you for contacting me about the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine. 

President Putin has unleashed a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by land, sea and air. This is a premeditated and wholly unprovoked attack on a sovereign democratic state. My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people and their President, who have shown incredible defiance, courage and patriotism in the face of foreign aggression.

The UK and allies have been clear all along that there would be a severe cost for any further Russian military incursion into Ukraine.

I commend the leadership shown by the Prime Minister in support of Ukraine over these past months, and the role he has played in encouraging the West to impose the most severe and coordinated package of sanctions Russia has ever faced in response to Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine. 


Hunting with Dogs Bill

The previous legislation that has regulated hunting with dogs, the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 has been an effective piece of legislation making it an offence for a person to deliberately hunt a wild mammal with a dog, and for landowners or dog owners to knowingly allow this to occur. Where the Act permits dogs to be used to flush out foxes for pest control, there are rigorous requirements for their swift dispatch.

The Scottish Conservatives support further legislation to close any loopholes in the law governing hunting with dogs in line with the recommendations of the independent review conducted on behalf of the Scottish Government by Lord Bonomy. We will scrutinise carefully the Bill that the Scottish Government has brought forward to ensure that it is in line with those recommendations.

It must be noted that foxes can cause significant harm to livestock and other wildlife and this bill should not remove effective, efficient and humane control measures so that farmers and landowners can still control fox numbers.   

We will engage constructively with the legislation that has been brought forward.


Public sector pay policy

Thank you for contacting me about public sector pay in Scotland.

Many of those in the public sector have played an integral part of the national effort to combat Coronavirus. I recognise this, and welcome that many public sector workers in Scotland received an above inflation pay rise in 2020. Public sector pay is largely devolved to the Scottish Government in line with policy areas such as health and education.

Scottish medical and dental staff received a three per cent pay increase in 2021/22. With regard to nurses’ pay, I understand that the Scottish Government has drawn on the significant additional allocations it has received from the UK Government to implement a pay increase of four per cent for NHS Agenda for Change employees in pay bands 1-7.

In 2021/22, public sector pay has been capped at two per cent for those earning between £25,000 and £40,000. For those earning under £25,000, an £800 payment has been be issued. While this is welcome, I would add that the Scottish Government was only able to offer these increases as a result of generous funding from the UK Government. Since the start of the pandemic, the UK Government has provided over £14.5 billion in additional funding to Scotland through the Barnett formula.

The 2022-23 pay policy introduces a Scottish public sector wage floor of £10.50 per hour and provides a guaranteed cash underpin of £775 for all staff who earn £25,000 or less. The 2022-23 pay policy provides a basic pay increase of £700 for public sector workers who earn between £25,000 and £40,000, and £500 for those earning over £40,000.

I welcome that the UK Government is properly funding the Scottish Government, and that as a result, ministers in Scotland are free to make their own decisions with regards to public sector pay.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.


I’m calling for uplands that work for people, climate and for wildlife

Thank you for writing to me regarding Scotland’s uplands.

I believe that our natural environment is Scotland’s greatest asset, and we must do everything we can to protect and nurture it.

However, in recent decades we have experienced catastrophic loss of species and their habitats, accelerated by climate change. We have heard warm words from the Scottish Government on climate change, but that must be backed up by urgent action. They have failed to meet their own critical emission reduction targets for the last three years running, which is simply unacceptable.

In our recent manifesto we proposed a Nature Bill to strengthen environmental protections on land, in our rivers and at sea - so that we can reverse the decline in native species.

This included a commitment to ending the extraction of peat for use in compost and increasing peatland restoration to 20,000 hectares annually by 2024. As you know, peatland is a vital carbon sink, sequestering more tonnes of CO2 a year than all other types of vegetation in the world combined.

Also included was a commitment to increase new tree planting in Scotland to 18,000 hectares annually by 2024. We believe that trees are nature’s carbon capture technology and the basis of many natural habitats, however quality and biodiversity are also important, so we would increase the proportion of new planting that are of native species, while ensuring that Scotland’s forests are productive.

We also put forward plans to create Scotland’s third national park in Galloway, which would protect the environment, encourage tourism and provide benefits for health and wellbeing, as a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the scenery and wildlife, as you suggest.

I want to see Scotland’s natural ecosystem thrive, so it can be enjoyed by future generations.


Transgender young people in schools guidance

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Scottish Government’s guidance on transgender young people in schools.

I recognise the strong feelings that this issue has raised on all sides

While I welcome any action to reduce bullying and discrimination, I believe that this guidance strays into territory that should be a matter for parents and children at home, not teachers.

I am concerned that this guidance continues a wider pattern of government interference in schools and will oppose any attempt by this Scottish Government to bring politics into our classrooms.

Ultimately, I believe that this is an issue that should be between young children and their parents.


Justice for Reggie Campaign / Reggie’s Law

Thank you for contacting me regarding the ‘Justice for Reggie Campaign’. The Scottish Conservatives are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare. We are clear that those who abuse and inflict cruelty on animals should be punished with the full force of the law. We joined animal welfare charities in demanding that the Scottish Government increase the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty from on year to five. After years of campaigning this passed into law in 2020.

In my opinion, puppy farming is a form of animal cruelty as it puts defenceless puppies through unnecessary trauma and often results in the deaths of pups, such as in the case of Reggie. Not only is the practise cruel for the animals themselves, but it is also unfair to the owners of puppies that have been farmed and traded illegally. In most cases, the families that have bought such puppies have done so unwittingly and mean no harm but are left with the trauma of unhealthy puppies that often pass away soon after they have joined the family.

It is for that reason that my parliamentary colleagues and I would be supportive of moves suggested by the campaign, namely the licensing of breeders to allow inspection, ensuring all mums and puppies are seen within 14 days of birth and increasing the penalties for puppy farming.

During the election to the Scottish Parliament in May 2021, my parliamentary colleagues and I made a number of manifesto commitments to improve the welfare of dogs across Scotland. We pledged to introduce an Animal Welfare Bill that would ban the sale of dogs with cropped ears in Scotland. Our Bill would also follow Wales in banning the use of electric shock collars. We would also amend the Dangerous Dogs Act, so that dogs are not automatically put down due to their breed.  

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank for your raising this subject with me. Issues such as animal welfare and the welfare of Scotland’s dogs in particular are of great importance to myself and my constituents. I will therefore gladly support the campaign and hope to see an end to the abhorrent practise of puppy farming as soon as possible.


Women who are pregnant again following the death of a baby should have access to Continuity of Carer

Thank you for contacting me on this sensitive and important issue.

The loss of a baby is a tragedy for a mother and an entire family, and therefore they should be able to access all the physical and mental health support required.

Continuity of Carer is important, as many mothers understandably prefer to have contact and interaction with one, or a small number of, midwives during the course of their pregnancy.

We will question the SNP government on how they plan to ensure that, as the Continuity of Carer model rolls out, how woman who are pregnant following the death of a baby are able access it as a priority.

You are also right to highlight the impact that COVID has had on maternity services. As we emerge from this pandemic they must be supported, that is why the Scottish Conservatives called for guaranteed NHS funding increases in every year of this Parliament. We would introduce legislation that would guarantee real terms increases every year.

Thank you for contacting me.


Please protect Scotland's inshore waters

My parliamentary colleagues and I value the rich biodiversity and natural resources of Scotland’s marine landscape, and believe it is essential to maintain and restore them to the highest environmental standards.

In recent decades we have experienced catastrophic loss of species and their habitats accelerated by climate change, with performance failing to improve on more than half of the Scottish government’s own biodiversity indicators.

That is why in our recent manifesto we proposed a Nature Bill to strengthen environmental protections on land, in our rivers and at sea - so that we can reverse the decline in native species.

Our Nature Bill proposed a review of Marine Protected Areas, with a view to expanding their extent. We also proposed the introduction of Highly Protected Marine Areas to go further and truly lead the world in protecting our seas.

Regarding the three mile limit on inshore trawling we are carefully looking at the evidence surrounding this practice and would consult on it within our Nature Bill. We continue to want coastal communities to thrive and livelihoods be protected.

Ultimately, we believe that our natural environment is Scotland’s greatest asset, and we must do everything we can to protect and nurture it - so it can be enjoyed by future generations.

 



Hate Crime Bill

Thank you for contacting me about the Scottish Government’s Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill.

Intolerance, bigotry, racism or prejudice of any kind should not be accepted anywhere in a civilised society.

We must recognise the profound harm which hate crimes cause to the victim and the community they belong to, but there is a vital balance to be struck between freedom of expression and cracking down on prejudice. I do not believe the Scottish Government’s proposed legislation strikes this balance.

In general, I support the findings of Lord Bracadale’s review in 2018 that the best way to punish hate crime is by aggravators which can be added to existing crimes, rather than standalone hate crime offences.

The current proposed offences of ‘stirring up hatred’ threaten freedom of speech, and fail the simple tests of being clear, certain and capable of enforcement. There was an unprecedented response to the Justice Committee’s call for views on the Hate Crime Bill and most of those published so far raise grave concerns about this area. The Scottish Police Federation stated the bill could ‘devastate’ the relationship between the police and the public. The Scottish Newspaper Society said it ‘poses a serious threat to freedom of expression’ and the Faculty of Advocates warned that the Bill’s flaws mean there is ‘no alternative but to reconsider the draft bill’.

My parliamentary colleagues and I called a debate to focus Parliament’s collective mind on how to prevent the most problematic parts becoming law – but it was voted down in parliament. As our concerns were ignored, we voted against this Bill at Stage 1.

At Stage 3 of the Bill I will support further amendments to protect free speech. ButI will not support the Bill if it includes the current stirring up of hatred offences.

I am disappointed that the Scottish Government have decided not to create an aggravator for criminals who target vulnerable persons like the elderly. Tougher sentences for these sorts of offenders is something the my parliamentary colleagues and I have campaigned on for a number of years and was recommended by Lord Bracadale and Police Scotland. We also regard this Bill as a missed opportunity to make meaningful steps towards restorative justice – where the victim of crime is put at the heart of the justice process.


Unsuitable Accommodation Order

The Unsuitable Accommodation Order has been a vital means of providing further protections to pregnant women and families with children who are homeless and have been placed in temporary accommodation. The Order has protected these individuals and families from being placed in sub-standard accommodation, which is not suitable for long-term settlement, for more than a week.

My parliamentary colleagues and I recognise the importance and urgency of extending these protections to everyone who experiences homelessness and has been placed in temporary accommodation.

While it has been important to place people who are homeless and sleeping rough into hotels and B&Bs during the coronavirus pandemic to give them safety and security, this is not a long-term solution. Extending the Unsuitable Accommodation Order has already been delayed, so the Scottish Government cannot afford to kick this into the long grass again and deprioritise the plight of people experiencing homelessness. They should be prepared to properly resource councils with the funding and means to implement these changes, so that no one is forced into unsuitable accommodation for more than a week – regardless of their situation.

The Scottish Government have been failing families and individuals who have been experiencing homelessness for too long, with record levels of children in temporary accommodation and the number of people assessed as homeless at a six-year high. My parliamentary colleagues and I are committed to taking urgent action to curb this unacceptable trend. That is why we have committed to ending rough sleeping by 2026, building more affordable homes and improving the access that everyone has to the private rented sector.

Everyone deserves a secure roof over their head and a safe place to call home.


Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill

This long-overdue Bill aims to improve forensic medical services for victims of sexual crime, who have been repeatedly failed by the Scottish Government.

In their ‘Stage 1’ report, the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee recommended that the Bill be amended to guarantee an individual's right to choose the sex of the forensic medical examiner, in preference to the word ‘gender’.  

In line with this recommendation, my parliamentary colleagues and I will support the amendment in the name of Johann Lamont MSP which seeks to change ‘gender’ to ‘sex’ in regards to the request of a forensic medical examiner.

Victims of sexual crime go through the most appalling circumstances, and the system that is meant to support them often makes things worse.

This Bill is an important first step, but the Scottish Government must do more to create a justice system that finally puts victims first.


Tied Pubs Bill

Thank you for contacting me about the Tied Pubs Bill currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament.

My parliamentary colleagues and I know that pubs are an important part of our cultural heritage and play an important role in our communities. My parliamentary colleagues and I want to create a thriving and diverse pub sector in Scotland.  In this time of crisis, it is also critical that we do all we can to help support pubs facing financial hardship.

The Bill would introduce a Scottish Pubs Code which would set out rules and procedures to govern the relationship between all pub owning businesses and their tied tenants. If the Bill is passed by the Scottish Parliament, tied publicans will have the option of paying market rent on a property without having to buy into the landlord’s products and services. It will also give tenants the right to sell one ‘guest beer’ with no restrictions on the brands and products that can be sold on the premises. 

We will support this Bill at its first stage in the Scottish Parliament and look to improve it at stages 2 and 3.

We will always stand up for local pubs, especially now as COVID-19 restrictions take their toll on the hospitality industry.  


Shelter's calls for social housing

My parliamentary colleagues and I agree that it is a priority to increase the housing supply across Scotland. The Scottish Government have failed to reverse Scotland’s housing crisis, instead overseeing unacceptably high rates of homelessness across the country and missing housebuilding targets. For example, it is of great concern that the number of children in temporary accommodation is at a six year high. This cannot continue – action must be taken to support some of Scotland’s most vulnerable individuals.

To tackle homelessness there needs to be enough accessible and affordable homes, and that is why a clear programme for housebuilding will be central to to reduce homelessness in Scotland.

My parliamentary colleagues and I will set out our vision for Scottish housing as we approach the election and be assured that it will include an ambitious housing programme that will increase the social housing stock available across the country.

I am committed to increasing Scotland’s housing supply and taking urgent action to end the upward trend of homelessness in Scotland. As you have outlined, a safe place to call home is central to so many other issues being improved: helping more people into work, decreasing child poverty rates and improving people’s mental health.



Unison's 'Plug The Gap' Campaign

Thank you for contacting me about the important issue of funding for local authorities. 

Our local councils have been struggling for years under this Scottish Government and must be commended for coping with the extraordinary challenges presented by COVID-19 despite huge pressures on funding. Local authorities went into this crisis under-funded and under prepared and my colleagues and I are determined that that will not happen again.

The Scottish Government have been continually raiding council budgets to fund their pet projects, running down local services like roads, schools and rubbish collection. That’s why my parliamentary colleagues and I would introduce fair funding for our councils, so that they receive a set amount of the Scottish Government’s budget each year - in the same way Scotland receives funding from the UK Government.

The Scottish Government have grabbed cash from our local authorities for years. My parliamentary colleagues and I will focus on rebuilding our communities from this pandemic by funding our local services fairly.