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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 26 December 2024
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Displaying 2338 contributions

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Meeting of the Parliament [Draft]

Bus Drivers (Abuse)

Meeting date: 27 November 2024

Mark Ruskell

This has been a positive debate. I might not agree with everything that Sue Webber and Claire Baker said, but it has been positive and I look forward to continuing the discussion with them and to finding solutions at the round table in Parliament next week.

It is important to understand and to reflect on the root causes of antisocial behaviour in a minority of young people. Karen Adam just spoke very well about that. Post Covid, there are individuals who face enormous social isolation, who have grown up in absolute poverty or who have grown up in an abusive household and ultimately have a lack of any kind of positive destination when they leave school. I think that we all understand that. Therefore, I would ask members to reflect on how positive free bus travel for under-22s has been for those individuals in giving them the opportunity to continue their lives and to be part of society.

I agree with Beatrice Wishart and Monica Lennon, who both underlined the importance of youth services and of engaging with disaffected young people. That is hugely important. We should not be demonising young people; we should be seeking to understand them and to work with them to ensure that they drop their antisocial behaviour. It is also important to recognise what antisocial behaviour is. Maurice Golden described it as vile or illegal behaviour, and as abuse.

Meeting of the Parliament [Draft]

Bus Drivers (Abuse)

Meeting date: 27 November 2024

Mark Ruskell

I will take a very brief intervention.

Meeting of the Parliament [Draft]

Bus Drivers (Abuse)

Meeting date: 27 November 2024

Mark Ruskell

I do not have time.

I often receive in my email inbox complaints from constituents about young people who perhaps lack understanding of how to use buses and who, at times, might exhibit a lack of courtesy in how they use services. We can tackle those issues through appropriate education, such as those programmes that are identified in CPT’s briefing. When young people transition to high school, they receive their Young Scot cards, which is a good opportunity to educate them about how to use a bus. Some young people may not have been on a bus, and they may not be in families who have used bus services throughout their lives.

A good point was made about the adoption of a behaviour code in Manchester. It is good that the Scottish Government is looking at that. I think that a code could be introduced here and could be part of young people’s education when they go into secondary 1 and receive their Young Scot card for the first time.

I will say again that I do not think anything should be off the table when considering how to tackle illegal antisocial behaviour, including the suspension of bus cards. However, it is good to hear that the Government is looking at fixed-penalty notices. CPT underlined the fact that there are technical and legal issues associated with suspending cards, and, at the back of my mind, I have doubts about whether, on its own, that approach would be enough to tackle antisocial behaviour. Even if someone’s card is taken off them, they will still be able to get on a bus; they will just pay a fare or swap cards with their mates, they will force their way on, or they will hang around in bus stations where, again, they would be free to commit antisocial behaviour unless we have CCTV and the enforcement that is required at bus stations. We need a multi-agency approach.

In the most recent members’ business debate on the topic, the cabinet secretary spoke about work that was being done in Kilmarnock to identify those who were causing antisocial behaviour and to address the problems on the ground. I say to Alex Rowley that that is the solution for Dunfermline. Simply removing free bus passes may have a marginal effect, whereas getting in on the ground to do the hard work of tackling antisocial behaviour is what is needed. There needs to be functional CCTV and the footage needs to be followed up by the police and agencies. I am proposing a much broader approach.

I hope that members will reflect on that and support the Green amendment. Like Karen Adam, I thank everyone who works in public transport every day to serve us.

16:58  

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 26 November 2024

Mark Ruskell

Other members might want to come in on that point. Earlier, we talked about thresholds, but, in the evidence that the committee has received, there has been quite a consensus on the importance of sites of community significance. It is not a case of saying, “Here’s a threshold. Either you fit within it or you don’t,” because there are sites that are of huge significance to communities, particularly rural communities, so it is important to provide for the local context. Calum, do you want to comment on that?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 26 November 2024

Mark Ruskell

Thank you.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]

MV Glen Sannox (Hull 801) and MV Glen Rosa (Hull 802)

Meeting date: 26 November 2024

Mark Ruskell

The Government said in July that discussions between you and BAE about the frigate programme were in their final stages, but it is now almost December.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]

MV Glen Sannox (Hull 801) and MV Glen Rosa (Hull 802)

Meeting date: 26 November 2024

Mark Ruskell

What are the themes of barriers? Are they caused by sign-offs or technical specifications?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]

MV Glen Sannox (Hull 801) and MV Glen Rosa (Hull 802)

Meeting date: 26 November 2024

Mark Ruskell

I appreciate that, and I think that every member of the committee wishes you well. We want to see the business expand and grow in the future.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]

MV Glen Sannox (Hull 801) and MV Glen Rosa (Hull 802)

Meeting date: 26 November 2024

Mark Ruskell

I want to ask about subcontracting more generally. David Tydeman said at the time that 801 and 802 were more complex than a type-26 frigate; I do not know whether you agree or disagree with that.

Is there something about the size of yard and the expertise that you have, and your place in the market, that points towards subcontracting or building smaller vessels being more of an opportunity for the business in the future than very complex bespoke engineering contracts like 801 and 802?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 26 November 2024

Mark Ruskell

Calum MacLeod, do you have any thoughts? Was anything missing from the bill? Did anything surprise you?