In Parliament - James Kelly MSP

Youth Football

Scottish Parliament debates

I thank the petitioners, Scott Robertson and Willie Smith, for continuing to pursue the issues in the petition over a period of 10 years. I also thank the committee for the work that it has done...

Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

It is a fair point, which I will address as I go through my speech. I commend the committee for introducing the Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Bill. Jackie Baillie said that...

Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

Ben Macpherson said that the debate is a distraction. I do not think that it is a distraction. It is an important debate because it gets to the heart of the way in which the SNP Government...

Community Crisis Grants

Scottish Parliament debates

I raise with the First Minister concerns about the disparity in community crisis grant payments, which are administered under the Scottish welfare fund. Data from the Poverty and Inequality...

Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

Thank you, Presiding Officer. This is the first time that I have spoken virtually in a debate in the Scottish Parliament, so you will be glad to know that I have set my stopwatch running so as...

Covid-19 (Suspension of Outdoor Amateur Sports)

Scottish Parliament debates

Does the minister agree that stress levels are helped by participation in sport? On what basis will a review of the decision be set out?

Covid-19 (Suspension of Outdoor Amateur Sports)

Scottish Parliament debates

The minister will be aware of the extent of the stress and mental health problems that have been caused by the pandemic. When amateur football returned early in the summer, it was demonstrated...

Covid-19 (Suspension of Outdoor Amateur Sports)

Scottish Parliament debates

6. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will revisit its decision to suspend outdoor amateur sports such as football across the central belt, in light of the benefits that sport offers for...

Shielding (Supermarket Deliveries)

Scottish Parliament debates

I draw the First Minister’s attention to research that was published yesterday from the Scotland in Lockdown project, based at the University of Glasgow, which highlighted the plight of...

Covid-19 Restrictions (Impact on Health and Economy)

Scottish Parliament debates

Yesterday’s reports that North and South Lanarkshire are being considered for tier 4 restrictions have been met with anxiety across the region. A move to tier 4 would undoubtedly result in...

United Kingdom Internal Market Bill

Scottish Parliament debates

I rise to speak in favour of the Government’s motion opposing legislative consent and against the Conservative amendment. There are two central issues that need to be addressed in assessing...

Alexander Thomson Hotel (Deaths)

Scottish Parliament debates

I raise with the First Minister the sad case of the eight deaths at the Alexander Thomson hotel in Glasgow. The hotel is used as temporary accommodation for homeless people. It was a tragic case...

Social Housing (Affordable Rent)

Scottish Parliament debates

Earlier in the week, Shelter Scotland revealed that 70,000 children are on social housing waiting lists, which is a completely unacceptable situation. That is compounded by years of Scottish...

Staff Cost Provision (Review)

Scottish Parliament debates

As was highlighted earlier, there is no doubt that there has been substantial growth both in the number of queries that members’ offices have received during the Covid-19 pandemic and in...

Staff Cost Provision (Review)

Scottish Parliament debates

4. To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it will publish the terms of reference and timeline of its review into the staff cost provision. (S5O-04608)

Voting System

Scottish Parliament debates

Everyone appreciates the hard work that staff are putting in to ensure the integrity of the voting system, but there is no doubt that it is causing anxiety. When somebody’s vote has not...

Covid-19 (Health Inequalities)

Scottish Parliament debates

Yesterday’s report from Public Health Scotland highlighted the fact that high excess deaths over lockdown could result from the health service not being used by those who most need it....

Covid-19 (Health Inequalities)

Scottish Parliament debates

3. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle health inequalities arising from COVID-19. (S5O-04527)

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill

Scottish Parliament debates

Action on hate crime is welcome and important, but it is clear that there is a serious problem with the offence of “stirring up hatred”, as proposed in the bill. The Law Society of...

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill

Scottish Parliament debates

7. To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to address concerns that the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill is an attack on free speech. (S5F-04319)