In Parliament - James Kelly MSP

Scottish Prison Service (Auditor General’s Report)

Scottish Parliament debates

I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of his statement. The Auditor General’s report is serious and it highlights the overcrowding crisis in Scottish prisons. Our prisons are...

Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

I have participated in a number of debates on the subject, having returned to the justice portfolio. One of the drivers that we consider in relation to reducing the prison population is reducing...

Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

I am pleased to take part in this afternoon’s debate on the general principles of the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill. As others have done, I thank the Standards,...

Justice System (Victim Experience)

Scottish Parliament debates

The victim surcharge fund is a welcome support for victims whose lives have been disrupted as a result of crimes having been committed against them. It is important that all victims are able to...

Homelessness Services (Glasgow)

Scottish Parliament debates

The First Minister will be aware of the tragic death of a homeless man in Glasgow at the weekend. He was found dead in a car park in freezing conditions. That was reported on the day that Shelter...

Rape Victims (Mobile Phone Charges)

Scottish Parliament debates

I draw the First Minister’s attention to reports in the Sunday Post that rape victims whose mobile phones have been retained by Police Scotland for investigation purposes are still being...

Police Stations (Sale or Lease Termination)

Scottish Parliament debates

The discussion about police stations highlights the issue of the £43 million shortfall in the capital budget, as evidenced in Police Scotland’s submission to the Justice Sub-Committee...

Sheku Bayoh

Scottish Parliament debates

I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of the statement and I offer my deepest sympathies to Mr Bayoh’s family. The circumstances in which Mr Bayoh lost his life are shocking in...

Good Food Nation Bill

Scottish Parliament debates

Prompt action would be welcomed by all parties. Will job insecurity and low wages in the food industry be considered in the bill, in order to ensure that workers in that industry are better paid...

Good Food Nation Bill

Scottish Parliament debates

6. To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the good food nation bill. (S5O-03724)

UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

Another important issue is engagement and consultation with local communities. If that is done properly, that will address some of the concerns that have been raised and will ensure that the...

UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

Yes. Anyway, I spent a bit of time outside the venue just looking at how everything operated, which was interesting. I looked closely at the activities of the ticket touts and saw the way that...

UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

My wife and daughters did not buy me a ticket. They took me down to escort them to the venue and look after them.

UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

I welcome the opportunity to take part in this debate on the bill in support of next year’s European championship matches at Hampden. First and foremost, the hosting of the games by Glasgow...

Social Security Benefits (Two-child Cap)

Scottish Parliament debates

The Tory two-child cap is an abhorrent policy, restricting payments to families on the birth of a third child and treating those families with total contempt and disrespect. Does the minister...

Social Security Benefits (Two-child Cap)

Scottish Parliament debates

6. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to alleviate the impact of the two-child cap on social security benefits in Scotland. (S5O-03690)

Glasgow School of Art Fire

Scottish Parliament debates

I welcome the opportunity to take part in this afternoon’s debate. I thank the committee for the important work that it has done in the inquiry to highlight the key issues in respect of the...

Asda Walmart (Contract Imposition)

Scottish Parliament debates

I thank Pauline McNeill for securing tonight’s debate, which allows us to send the message, loud and clear, that parliamentarians who represent constituencies and regions across Scotland...

Fireworks

Scottish Parliament debates

I thank the minister for advance sight of her statement. We welcome it and the setting up of the fireworks review group. The minister is right that fireworks displays, when they are properly...

Her Majesty’s Prison Barlinnie (Overcrowding)

Scottish Parliament debates

This week, the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service, Colin McConnell, told the Justice Committee that a replacement for Barlinnie prison in Glasgow will not be operational until 2025,...