Latest news with #FirstMinister'sQuestions
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
We owe it to Milly Main to give power to NHS patients instead of health board bosses
In his regular column for the Record, the Scottish Labour leader vows to continue his campaign for justice for Milly Main's family. This week marks a decade since the opening of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. There is no doubt that so many amazing lifesaving treatments have been performed by exceptional NHS staff over that decade, but all has not been well. Soon after opening, it became clear that the hospital had major issues that needed to be addressed, with people being put at risk. Whistleblowers raised concerns over a breakdown in communications, issues related to the water supply and risks posed by potential hospital-acquired infections. In response, the health board and Scottish Government flatly denied that there were any issues. Gradually a scandal of enormous and deadly significance was uncovered. The uncovering of this scandal was down to the intrepid journalism of this newspaper, but also the result of the testimony of brave families seeking answers and of NHS staff who were not willing to stand by and do nothing. I first became aware of serious issues when I was contacted by whistleblowers working at the QEUH. They described to me in great detail the issues with the water supply, the scale of infections in immunocompromised children and that there had been tragically at least two deaths of children as a result. These issues had been raised with the board leadership who rather than take action chose to deny it, bully the staff and cover it up instead. Most shockingly of all they told me that the parents of the two children that had lost their lives had not been told the true cause of their deaths. That shook me to my core. Imagine that was me or one of my loved ones. This couldn't be allowed to happen. I had to do something. One of those children was ten year old Milly Main, a young girl full of charm and light, who was in remission and looking forward to getting home when she acquired a deadly infection and died in the QEUH. Milly's mum Kimberley Darroch, one of the most inspiring people I have ever met in my life, read that I had raised the scandal at First Minister's Questions. She believed that one of those children may be Milly. Kimberley contacted me and from that day in 2017 it has been my honour to stand with her and her family in their fight for justice. And what we uncovered is nothing short of the biggest scandal in the history of devolution. In the face of cover up and denial from the health board and disinterest from the SNP government, Milly's family and other campaigners have fought tirelessly for justice. And what has been revealed? Serious mistakes and oversights that led to the opening of the hospital despite reports clearly stating infection of the hospital's water supply - with deadly bugs detected in the water system and cryptococcus from pigeon droppings. This led to serious infection outbreaks and played a role in the death not only of Milly but of several other patients. And as the health board fought against transparency, the full details of their failure became apparent. Serious warnings were missed or ignored. Senior clinicians who raised the alarm were subject to bullying. And the concerns of families and patients were ignored to save the health board's leadership blushes. This is scandalous. But while these families fought tenaciously for justice, they were also failed by an SNP government that at first denied any issues at the hospital and going on to defend the health board leaders at every turn. The health board is now the subject of a corporate homicide investigation. The first time in Scottish history. We can never again allow patients and victims to be ignored and dismissed by an out of touch bureaucracy and a government that is indulging in cover-up. That's why - as First Minister - I will introduce Milly's Law to put power into the hands of families. Our plans would fundamentally re-balance the power between families and the powers that be. And our plans would create an independent public advocate with the authority to investigate incidents to establish the truth. We owe it to Milly all the families impacted to deliver justice. Greedy touts are ripping off music fans This summer, thousands of music fans will have been making the most of the good weather watching their favourite artists at festivals such as TRNSMT and Glastonbury. And in just a few weeks', Oasis will be taking to the stage at Murrayfield in Edinburgh as they embark on their long-awaited comeback tour. But, while these events are the highlight of the summer for many, unfortunately greedy ticket touts are snapping up tickets and flogging them for extortionate amounts. We saw this earlier this month when tickets for Lewis Capaldi's upcoming tour went on sale and were quickly being sold on for more than £400. This is unacceptable, and it is why the UK Labour Government is taking action on this issue by clamping down on ruthless touts gaming the system. The UK Labour government has set out plans to cap resale prices and ban ticket hoarding – actions that will benefit not only music fans, but sports fans, here in Scotland. This will ensure that Scots are not left out of pocket by unscrupulous ticket sellers and are not priced out of big events that they can enjoy with their friends and family. A UK Labour government putting Scottish concertgoers first.
Daily Record
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Ayrshire road maintenance jobs at risk as Amey plan cuts
Up to 100 road maintenance workers could be made redundant after trunk road operator Amey announced job cuts. Road maintenance workers in Ayrshire could be facing redundancy after trunk road operator Amey announced job cuts. The firm has began a 45-day consultation period with "a very small proportion of employees" after an operation review of their business. Up to 100 workers could be made redundant across Southwest Scotland including many in Ayrshire as a result of the plans. Unite the Union have said that they will "do all we can" to support the people affected and have called on Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop to take action. Transport Scotland have said they are aware of the situation but are awaiting further details from Amey. South Scotland MSP Carol Mochan raised the issue at First Minister's Questions last week and highlighted the A77, one of the trunk roads maintained by Amey, as "one of the most dangerous roads in Scotland". Ms Mochan has also said she will fight to ensure no one employed by Amey in Southwest Scotland loses their job. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, she said: 'The First Minister might be aware that Amey plans to make up to 100 road maintenance workers in Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway redundant. 'Those workers are funded by a Scottish Government contract. The A77 is one of the most dangerous roads in Scotland and causes constant disruption to the economy of the southwest due to its poor state of repair. 'My constituents have frequent lengthy waits at road works and often face miles of diversions. 'Will the First Minister travel that road with me and explain to my constituents why 100 workers who should be helping to maintain that important road are losing their jobs?' In response, First Minister John Swinney said: 'I understand that those issues are the subject of consultation between Amey and the relevant trade unions. 'I want to make sure that that consultation is done properly and in accordance with the Government's fair work principles. I understand the importance of Carol Mochan's point, but there is a process to go through on those issues, and the outcome that will be achieved through that might not be the one that Carol Mochan fears. 'I will ask the Cabinet Secretary for Transport to consider the issues that have been raised and to reply to Carol Mochan about how those points can be properly and fully addressed.' David McGurk, Unite industrial officer, said: "Unite has been informed by Amey that up to 100 jobs are at immediate risk. The workers are currently employed on a road maintenance contract funded by Transport Scotland and directly supported by the Scottish Government across Dumfries and Galloway, Glasgow and Ayrshire. "Unite will do all we can to support these highly skilled workers who are ensuring that our nation's infrastructure is safe, reliable and up to the highest possible standard. "We have asked Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, for action from government to ascertain what can be done to save these jobs including an immediate review of the contracts awarded to Amey." A spokesperson for Amey said: 'Due to the changing needs in the delivery of the service we have reviewed the operational structure of the business. As a result, Amey has entered a 45-day consultation process with a number of employees on our South-West Scotland Network Management contract. 'A very small proportion of employees will be impacted with most of these achieved through the offer of voluntary redundancy. 'We will continue to deliver value for money services and will work closely with all affected employees and trade union representatives to ensure the consultation is fair, transparent, and supportive.' A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: 'We have been made aware of the situation at Amey and are awaiting further details of the confidential process they are currently undertaking. 'It is essential that a robust level of service is maintained as part of our maintenance contract in the South West trunk road unit.'
STV News
26-06-2025
- Health
- STV News
Swinney faces questions after Scotland's cancer waiting times worst on record
John Swinney is set to face questions about cancer waiting times hitting the worst level on record. A report from Public Health Scotland on Tuesday revealed that waiting times in Scotland are at an all-time high, with nearly a third of patients with an urgent suspicion of cancer waiting longer than 62 days to start treatment. Only 69% of patients started treatment within the 62-day national target in the first three months of 2025, compared with 74% in the previous quarter and 84% at the end of 2019. One of Swinney's ministers later admitted that people may be dying as a result of later cancer diagnoses. Public health minister Jenni Minto said the situation is 'not where we should be' and admitted that the Scottish Government could do more, while speaking to STV News. The figures are expected to be raised at First Minister's Questions on Thursday, and Swinney will likely be forced to defend his SNP Government's record on health care. It's also the last chance for opposition leaders to question Swinney before the Scottish Parliament breaks for summer recess. FMQs will be streamed from Holyrood at noon on Thursday. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
19-06-2025
- Business
- STV News
FM to face questions over winter fuel payment recovery from better-off pensioners
John Swinney is set to face questions from opposition parties at First Minister's Questions on Thursday, following the Scottish Government's announcement that new winter fuel payments will not be issued on a universal basis. On Wednesday, the Scottish Government set out plans for a slightly more generous winter fuel payment, with some households receiving up to £5 more than other areas of the UK. The benefit will be made available to all Scottish pensioners with an income below £35,000. However, Scottish ministers said they are in discussion with the UK Government to recover payments from pensioners with income over £35,000 a year through the tax system – matching the UK government system. Speaking to STV News on Wednesday, social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said ending the universal aspect of the benefit would ensure the payments were helping those with the greatest need. The First Minister is likely to face scrutiny for the decision on Thursday. Tory MSP Maurice Golden is also set to challenge the First Minister to respond to reports that up to 100 truckloads of Scotland's waste will be moved each day to England as a result of the landfill ban on biodegradable waste. The Scottish Tories have been critical of the reports, calling on the SNP to 'get a grip of this situation' before the ban comes into force in December. The First Minister will also be asked about the Government's most recent position on University funding. Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy is preparing to ask the First Minister about his Government's up-to-date position on funding Scotland's universities. The question comes less than 24 hours after MSPs were told Scotland's colleges have been left in a 'fragile' state following years of underinvestment. Angela Cox, chair of the Colleges Principals Group at Colleges Scotland, told Holyrood's Education Committee on Wednesday that the further education sector was 'hanging on by our fingernails'. FMQs will be streamed live from Holyrood at noon on Thursday. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
12-06-2025
- Business
- The National
John Swinney and Anas Sarwar clash over reports SNP secret meeting
It came as the pair discussed the hundreds of job losses at a Scottish bus manufacturer during First Minister's Questions (FMQs) on Thursday. The Scottish Labour leader pointed to reports that senior SNP figures had held a meeting to discuss Swinney's future as party leader, during an exchange discussing the closure of the Alexander Dennis factory in Falkirk. On Wednesday, Alexander Dennis announced it will look at consolidating its UK bus body manufacturing operations into a single site in Scarborough as part of a restructuring which is putting 400 jobs at risk. Swinney said he was 'deeply concerned' by the looming closure and said that ministers are engaging 'closely and firmly' to avoid any 'negative implications' for Scottish workers. Sarwar claimed that the Scottish Government procured more busses from China than Scotland, and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had bought more than Scottish ministers. READ MORE: Fraser of Allander calls out Labour's Spending Review claim He then said that the FM had given a 'weak response', before bringing up reports that SNP figures had given Swinney two weeks to come up with ideas to save his job. 'If he hasn't come up with a good idea to improve Scotland in 18 years, what chance have you got coming up with something now?' Sarwar asked. The FM replied: 'What I'm doing, and what the workforce of Alexander Dennis will not be surprised at, is that I'm focussing on the situation facing Alexander Dennis. That's what I'm doing.' He added that the Scottish Government had provided £58 million in funding for the firm for zero emissions buses, and that Scottish Enterprise has also given the firm £30.3m for research and development. The FM continued: 'The stark reality is that current UK policy does not allow for the incentivisation or reward of local content, job retention or creation, nor does it encourage any domestic economic benefit. 'That is the implication of the subsidy control act.' (Image: Scottish Parliament) Sarwar replied: 'If John Swinney can't figure out a way to order busses in Scotland, I suggest h picks up the phone to Andy Burrnham and see how he managed to do it five times, almost five times as many bus orders. 'John Swinney and the SNP are out of ideas, out of steam, and out of time. 'Failing to support Scottish manufacturing jobs is just one example.' He added: 'One SNP MSP said about John Swinney, there is no energy, no fire, no boldness, no long-term vision. 'They're right, aren't they?' Swinned fired back: 'Listen, Mr Sarwar can conjure up all the stuff he wants. 'He can go through his press cuttings, he can practice it in the mirror in the morning to see how it sounds. 'I'm going to be focussed on delivering answers and solutions for workers who face difficulty in the country. 'And while Mr Sarwar postures, I'm going to deliver for the workers of Scotland.' More to follow…
