In Parliament - James Kelly MSP

Recorded Crimes (North Ayrshire)

Scottish Parliament debates

One area of concern in the recent statistics is the rise in crimes of a sexual nature, which have gone up by 8 per cent and are at the highest level since 1971. In Glasgow, where the figure has...

Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

Scottish Parliament debates

It has been an interesting debate. As I said in my initial contribution, the committee, under Jenny Marra’s stewardship, has done an excellent job in setting the scene for post-legislative...

Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

Scottish Parliament debates

I thank the Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee for the work that it has undertaken on the issue, which highlights the important role of post-legislative scrutiny. We pass a lot...

“Thematic Inspection of the Scottish Police Authority” (Response)

Scottish Parliament debates

In setting the culture and tone of an organisation, leadership rules are important. Bearing in mind his first response, does the cabinet secretary agree that it is unacceptable for the chair and...

“Thematic Inspection of the Scottish Police Authority” (Response)

Scottish Parliament debates

While I was listening to the cabinet secretary’s response, I started to wonder whether he had been reading a different report from the one that I read, because the verdict in that one was...

“Thematic Inspection of the Scottish Police Authority” (Response)

Scottish Parliament debates

2. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the HMICS report into the Scottish Police Authority, including the finding that it has “no clear vision, strategy or plan in...

Universal Credit Housing Element

Scottish Parliament debates

Research by Citizens Advice Scotland has shown that rent arrears have shot up by 40 per cent since 2012. That is why the Social Security Committee heard evidence that paying rent directly to...

Universal Credit Housing Element

Scottish Parliament debates

2. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Social Security Committee’s recommendation that universal credit housing element should be paid directly to a landlord by...

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Week 2019

Scottish Parliament debates

Like others, I thank Colin Smyth for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I genuinely thank him for telling his dad’s story, which shone a light on IPF and some of the issues that...

Common Frameworks

Scottish Parliament debates

I thank the Finance and Constitution Committee for the work that it carried out in producing its comprehensive report on common frameworks. I recently left the committee, so I know how much work...

Supreme Court Judgment (Response)

Scottish Parliament debates

Boris Johnson should resign as Prime Minister. His position is untenable, and he has treated the public, the courts and Parliament with utter contempt. Does the First Minister agree that we...

Criminal Sentencing

Scottish Parliament debates

I am sorry, but I am short of time—I have only four minutes. Prisons have been mentioned a great deal. There are clearly issues to do with how we address overcrowding and how we get the...

Criminal Sentencing

Scottish Parliament debates

Having reflected on the debate, I think that the Conservatives’ choice of subject is unfortunate. I have listened to the speeches from members across the chamber, and the Conservatives...

Criminal Sentencing

Scottish Parliament debates

There are different ways to look at reducing the prison population—some of them have come up in recent days—but if we consider the central thrust of Liam Kerr’s various...

Criminal Sentencing

Scottish Parliament debates

Criminal Sentencing

Scottish Parliament debates

I am a bit short of time. I am sorry.

Criminal Sentencing

Scottish Parliament debates

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this Conservative business debate, which has been brought to the chamber by Liam Kerr. I am not closed to the idea of a discussion or debate about the idea...

Student Support (Higher Education)

Scottish Parliament debates

On 20 March, Parliament voted to implement the recommendations of the independent review of student support—crucially, a minimum student income. Students throughout Scotland have had enough...

Student Support (Higher Education)

Scottish Parliament debates

3. To ask the Scottish Government how it supports students in higher education. (S5O-03535)

Credit Unions

Scottish Parliament debates

It has been a good and consensual debate. As a number of members have said, it is key that we take the central points from the debate that will help with the extension of credit unions. I think...