FMQs: Recap what happened as Humza Yousaf questioned on cancer waiting times
Recap what happened at FMQs.
FMQs: Follow along live as Humza Yousaf faces questions
Key Events
- Humza Yousaf will face FMQs after he criticised the decision to develop the Rosebank oilfield
- This comes only hours after rebel backbencher Fergus Ewing was suspended from the SNP - and leadership rival Kate Forbes stood by his side in support
- We are expecting a question on drug consumption rooms after Glasgow was given the go-ahead to introduce one
Juryless rape trials
We are now talking about juryless rape trials.
Conviction rates for rape and sexual assault is very low in Scotland, and there are calls to introduce juryless trials for rape to help with this, particularly as a jury trial can be very traumatic for survivors of rape.
Humza Yousaf says more needs to be done to improve the experience of rape complainers, and understands there is an assumption of rape myths amongst juries.
He said when he was justice secretary he was told many survivors describe the process of going to court more traumatic than the rape itself, something which is not acceptable in any justice system.
Russell Findlay MSP from the Scottish Conservative said many senior judges are boycotting juryless trials and say it is political meddling in the independence of the judiciary. He asks if the First Minister will ignore these concerns and “simply hope for the best”, which got a round of applause from the Conservative benches.
Mr Yousaf said the proposal is coming from the second most senior judge in Scotland and the government is going on that, and said it doesn’t do the issue justice by throwing around terms like “political interference”.
Sue Webber from the Scottish Conservatives now asking about the use of antidepressants and says patients are asking for more than pills to treat depresdsion, they need critical access to mental health services.
Humza Yousaf says he is “disturbed” by her insinuation that antidepressants are not a legitimate treatment for depression. He added he is proud of the SNP’s investment in mental health services and staffing.
Paul Sweeney from Scottish Labour says 58% of people think too little is spent on mental health by the government, and says the sector is £180 million short this year. He asks what he will do to ensure the target of 10% of health budget being spent on mental health is being met.
Mr Yousaf said it is the government’s aim to meet this target and said since 2007 spending on mental health has doubled from £651m to £1.3 billion.
Drug consumption rooms
Kaukab Stewart now talking about drug consumption rooms. Earlier this week Glasgow was given the green light to open the UK’s first drug consumption room: https://www.scotsman.com/health/uks-first-drug-consumption-room-approved-for-glasgow-4350420
Ms Stewart went on to criticise the UK Home Office, saying they are limiting how far Scotland can go on this, which has caused a lot of reaction across the chamber, which has caused the First Minister to say Labour are acting as a shield for the Conservatives on this matter.
Let’s take a look at Twitter/X
Jamie Halco Johnston MSP from the Scottish Conservatives noting the reaction to FMQs from the SNP backbenches, referencing the split we seem to have seen last night at the vote to suspend Fergus Ewing.
Monica Lennon reflecting on cancer waiting times after FMQs and looks to an article on this from The Sunday Post
Fergus Ewing takes to the stage
Fergus Ewing now asking about dualling the A96 - clearly not deterred by his suspension last night.
He asked the government has committed to dualling this road including the Nairn bypass, and was told the public would get more information on this within a matter of weeks, but it has now been a year.
He asks if the transport secretary wil give a statement in parliament on this.
Humza Yousaf said he is happy to consider giving a ministerial statement on this later down the line, and said it remains a manifesto commitment to dual the A96, but adds the government needs to take its climate obligations into account here.
Jamie Greene MSP from the Scottish Conservatives also going in on roads, saying a 14% cut to road traffic officers in the last decade could link to the amount of road deaths.
The First Minister said the government has increased its funding to Police Scotland, and says there are other measures to prevent road deaths such as signs and speed cameras.
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