Tag: FMQs

Poverty Alliance: Politicians can avoid division and build better future for all

WITH welfare and benefits in danger of becoming a political football in the Holyrood election campaign (see today’s FMQs for starters – Ed.), Scotland’s Poverty Alliance has spoken out:

Poverty Alliance Policy & Campaigns Manager Gary Christie said: “When it comes to ending the injustice of poverty and investing in a better future, the Poverty Alliance works constructively with leaders from all political parties.

“One of the things we ask of all is that they avoid creating false division between people. Very few politicians would criticise someone for using our NHS or claiming Pension Credit. So, it’s morally wrong to point at others who use our shared social security system.

“Nearly 40% of the people on Universal Credit are in work. Nearly 1 in 3 people referred to Trussell Trust foodbanks are in working households.

“We all pay into our shared public services, and we all benefit. People who don’t pay income tax contribute every time they buy something that has VAT on it. And many people on the lowest incomes in Scotland have higher tax rates than the wealthiest in society. We are all in it together.

“Instead of risking stigmatising and hurting our friends, neighbours and fellow citizens, it would be good for politicians to look at their own responsibilities first. They have the power to move towards a Minimum Income Guarantee based on fair work, strong services, and a just social security system for all of us. These must be pursued together, not traded off against one another to score political points.

“The Scottish Child Payment is a vital building block of that future. It helps give a decent start in life to more than 300,000 of Scotland’s children.

“Rather than talking about unjustly cutting some children off from that vital help, politicians can boost the value of the payment as one important stepping stone towards the Minimum Income Guarantee.”

MSP calls for review of NHS policy that may unfairly remove vulnerable patients from waiting lists

During First Minister’s Questions this week at the Scottish Parliament, Foysol Choudhury MSP raised concerns about an NHS policy which he warned could be unfairly disadvantaging vulnerable patients. 

Mr Choudhury highlighted the case of a constituent currently on an NHS waiting list who recently received a letter from NHS informing that, if they did not confirm within 21 days whether they wanted to remain on the list, they would automatically be taken off.    

He stressed that, while the policy reflects current government guidance, its impact is far more troubling. Mr. Choudhury cautioned that vulnerable groups, including older people, and those with additional support needs, may easily miss such a tight deadline, leaving them unknowingly removed from the queue for essential care. 

Calling for urgent action, Mr Choudhury asked the First Minister to instruct Ministers and officials to review the policy to ensure that no vulnerable patient is struck off a waiting list unfairly. 

Patients left in the dark: MSP demands clarity on NHS waiting times

During the First Minister’s Questions on Thursday MSP Foysol Choudhury questioned the Scottish Government on the accuracy of the expected wait times given to patients seeking specialist treatment from the NHS.

He raised concerns about why patients are being left in the dark regarding NHS wait times after being referred to see a specialist. 

“Patients and families need to know what to expect. Right now, they’re left in limbo,” he said.

In the exchange, Mr Choudhury pressed the First Minister for a response: “How is the government working to ensure that patients are accurately informed of waiting times for NHS treatment following referrals to a specialist?”.

This question followed a distressing story shared by one of his constituents, whose referral to be seen by a specialist has far exceeded any acceptable limits, with no set date for an appointment after over a year of waiting since the initial referral.

Mr Choudhury also questioned whether the First Minister would acknowledge that his Government has lost control of escalating waiting times for specialist care, as these excessive delays leave patients experiencing prolonged periods of distress and uncertainty, significantly impacting their mental health.

This is not an isolated incident and is a genuine, growing concern across Scotland, with patients being told they are “on the list” without any clear indication as to when their appointment will be. This is illustrated by the following:  In NHS Lothian, the number of people waiting over 52 weeks to see a dermatologist has doubled in the last year.

Mr Choudhury hopes the First Minister will consider some steps to improve patient experience and restore trust in the system.

He has called for greater transparency so that every patient can receive a clear idea of how long they may have to wait before accessing specialist treatment. He also emphasised the need for greater certainty around whether and when patients will receive care, alongside improved visibility of waiting times and targets made publicly available.

“Patients cannot, and must not, be left in the dark. We need a system where every person knows when they will be seen and what care they can expect. Until then, I will continue pressing this Government to act.”

Nicola Sturgeon to be quizzed at FMQs on refusal to give shopworkers a break on New Year’s Day

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw welcomes a question to Scotland’s First Minister about her government’s refusal to close large stores on New Year’s Day, which would give retail workers a much-deserved day off.

Mark Griffin MSP (Labour, Central Scotland) will ask in tomorrow’s Scottish Parliament First Minister’s Questions: “To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will require large retail stores to close on New Year’s Day 2022 so that retail workers can spend the day with their loved ones.”

Tracy Gilbert – Usdaw’s Scottish Regional Secretary says: “It was deeply disappointing that the Scottish Government refused to enact powers given to them, in the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading Act (Scotland) Act, to stop the opening of large stores on 1 January. We simply don’t believe they listened to the 98% of Scottish shopworkers who want stores to close.

“That decision was a kick in the teeth for retail staff who have worked throughout the pandemic, faced unprecedented levels of abuse and are now dealing with very busy run up to the festive season. We hope this question will prompt the First Minister to rethink and give the nation’s shopworkers a break.

“Our survey found that 98% of retails workers wanted stores to be shut on New Year’s Day, three-quarters said they spent too little time with friends and family, and working over New Year affected their ability to enjoy the holidays.

“The very least that key workers in retail can expect is that the Scottish Government shows their appreciation for the essential work they’ve done through this appalling pandemic by giving them a proper festive break.”

First ever First Minister’s Question Time for children and young people announced

In a landmark participation project, children and young people will have the opportunity to scrutinise the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, as First Minister’s Question Time is taken out of Holyrood and across Scotland. Continue reading First ever First Minister’s Question Time for children and young people announced