In Parliament - James Kelly MSP

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)

Children (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Scottish Parliament debates

I support Rhoda Grant’s sensible amendments, which would bring more consistency to the bill as amended at stage 2. I, too, oppose Liam McArthur’s amendment 26. I understand why he...

Children (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Scottish Parliament debates

Scottish Labour will support all the amendments in group 1. The Government amendments, lodged by Ash Denham, build on amendments that I lodged at stage 2 in order to give voice to the...

Littering

Scottish Parliament debates

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I ask that the Parliamentary Bureau reflect on how these sessions are run. There was no time in that session for supplementaries to be taken on important...

United Kingdom Internal Market

Scottish Parliament debates

The message that is coming out loud and clear from the debate is that the devolution process must be respected, and that the majority of parties in this Parliament will reject the attempt by the...

Fly-tipping

Scottish Parliament debates

Sadly, fly-tipping is a scourge on many local communities, with areas such as the Clyde walkway suffering from people dispersing litter at sites that people enjoy using for walks and leisure. I...

Fly-tipping

Scottish Parliament debates

2. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to tackle fly-tipping. (S5O-04469)

Covid-19

Scottish Parliament debates

Earlier in the pandemic, the Scottish Human Rights Commission raised concerns about prison service regulations that were introduced and the restrictions that were placed on prisoners’...

Internal Market

Scottish Parliament debates

The devolution settlement must be protected, but any change to powers or trading relationships must have regard to economic impact. What tests does the Scottish Government propose in order to...

Court System (Backlog of Cases)

Scottish Parliament debates

The delay in court cases is particularly challenging for victims of crime, those who are on remand and witnesses. It is important to make progress but to safeguard the important principle of fair...

Court System (Backlog of Cases)

Scottish Parliament debates

7. To ask the First Minister what action is being taken to minimise the backlog of cases in the court system. (S5F-04251)

Scottish Qualifications Authority (Grading Process)

Scottish Parliament debates

As the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills will appreciate, for many young people throughout Scotland, the process of grading is a stressful and worrying time. It...

Scottish Qualifications Authority (Grading Process)

Scottish Parliament debates

6. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the SQA grading process is fair and transparent for all pupils. (S5O-04433)

Justice Sector Response, Recovery and Renewal

Scottish Parliament debates

I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of his statement, and I echo his comments in complimenting those in the police, prison and court sectors who continue to work in very difficult...