An important marker for Scotland


Society Patrick Harvie Scottish Green Party Co-Convenor


Public attitudes regarding same-


sex relationships have changed dramatically over recent decades, and the notion of a moral distinction between mixed-sex and same- sex relationships seems increasingly antique and eccentric. Public opinion is not the same as moral argument of course. Happily


in this case, as in the case of changing attitudes to sexism, racism and other forms of prejudice, public opinion is steadily aligning with the principles of equality and human rights. Tis is entirely welcome, but remains a work in progress.


I would urge the Scottish


Government to legislate as soon as draft legislation can be produced. It is clear that this debate, like others relating to LGBT equality in the past, is an intensive one. While that is generally to be welcomed, there are certain groups peddling disinformation, stereotypes and


distortions as part of this debate, such as the notion that polygamous marriage will be a consequence of this change, or that religious bodies will be subject to human rights challenges to “force” them to carry out same-sex marriages. It would be regrettable, and harmful, if this nonsense was left to run for another year. I would urge the Scottish


Government to commit to see legislation introduced to Parliament in 2012 to open both marriage and civil partnership to all loving, committed couples on equal terms, and to do so regardless of the progress


of this issue at UK level. Scotland has the opportunity to lead on this issue, as we did with the repeal of homophobic legislation in Session 1 of the Scottish Parliament, and the introduction of Europe’s leading LGBT hate crime legislation during Session 3. If the Scottish Government


introduces this legislation, and if the Scottish Parliament agrees it as I believe it would, this would be an important marker of the kind of society – indeed the kind of country – that Scotland wishes to become in the 21st century.


Scottish education performs well Vital to fund advice services


Education Louise Wilson Assistant Secretary, Education & Equality The Educational Institute of Scotland


It is disappointing that


Keir Bloomer, the Chair of the Commission on School Reform, has seen fit to criticise the performance of Scottish education, its teachers and its pupils. He should be aware that – quite contrary to his claims that Scotland lags behind – Scottish education continues to perform


well in all recognised international comparators. Scotland’s teachers are amongst the best qualified in the world, and continue to show their dedication by working some of the longest hours in international education. Scotland has rejected the selective,


market-driven, and divisive approach to education that some have urged us to adopt. We should be proud that our comprehensive education system continues to perform well, and even more proud that our system continues to offer equality of opportunity for all pupils, no matter where they live or what their social background.


Register of concerns required


NHS Theresa Fyffe Director, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland


While the new guidance on whistleblowing in the NHS is extremely welcome, it sets out a minimum standard that health boards should adhere to. We believe that, in addition, a register of all staff concerns should be recorded by every health board and then reported on, with subsequent action taken, at board meetings


and to local trade unions. Tis would allow a senior overview of staff concerns, systematically identifying hotspots and trends, and would reassure our members that their concerns were being addressed. In the interests of safe and effective patient care, we would urge the Scottish Government to take this measure forward and ask health boards to demonstrate they are addressing staff concerns at each of their annual reviews. Tis would not just be good news for NHS staff, but for NHS patients as well.


Welfare reform Matt Lancashire Social Policy Officer, Citizens Advice Scotland


We are pleased that the Health and


Sport committee and others have listened to our concerns on the UK welfare reform bill. When I gave CAS evidence to the committees evidence session last month, I joined with other charities urging the Scottish Parliament to establish a special welfare reform committee. It looks like MSPs have listened to that. We hope that this committee can be set up as soon as possible, to mitigate the impacts of the Welfare Reform Bill and put in place the support services that people will need. It’s hard to over-stress the


devastating impact this Bill will have on Scotland. Tere is no doubt that some aspects of the welfare system needed reform, but some of


these changes are set to hit the most vulnerable people in our society - including pensioners, parents with young children and sick and disabled people. £2bn will be lost to the Scottish economy as a whole; £1bn of that will be taken from those who are so severely disabled that they need help with their most basic living costs. With both the people and economy of Scotland taking a huge financial blow, it is the CAB service that many people will turn to for support and help. It is vital therefore that both Governments and local authorities continue to fully fund the CAB and that advice services become part of any additional funding available e.g., from the Scottish Government’s ‘preventative spend’ budget. Without those pots of funding our bureaux would struggle to meet the increased demand they will undoubtedly see when these reforms hit, and those people affected will have nowhere to turn.


12 December 2011 www.holyrood.com 71


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76