Meeting of the Parliament

Time for Reflection Reverend Kenneth I. MacKenzie, Minister of the Parish of Braemar and Crathie, and Domestic Chaplain to His Majesty The King. followed by Topical Questions Jackie Baillie S6T-01364 1. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to avoid industrial action by junior doctors, in light of the decision in favour of action by almost 97% of BMA Scotland members who voted. Russell Findlay S6T-01368 2. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding reports that a new contract has been awarded by the Scottish Police Authority, valued at around £663,000, for the provision of additional forensic testing in relation to suspected cases of spiking. followed by Scottish Government Debate: The Coronation of King Charles III and The Queen Humza Yousaf S6M-08864 That the Parliament congratulates Their Majesties The King and The Queen on the occasion of Their Coronation; expresses its gratitude for Their Majesties’ public service to Scotland, and affirms the deep respect that is held for Their Majesties in Scotland. followed by Ministerial Statement: Europe Day 2023 – The Scottish Government’s Commitment to Remain Aligned with EU Laws followed by Scottish Government Debate: Transforming Justice in Scotland – Person-centred and Trauma-informed Approaches for Victims and Witnesses Angela Constance S6M-08865 That the Parliament notes the publication of Trauma Informed Justice: A Knowledge and Skills Framework for Working with Victims and Witnesses, which identifies six key aims of a trauma-informed justice system; recognises that victims and survivors of crime and witnesses can be affected by trauma in many ways, and that there is, therefore, an imperative for the criminal justice system to be designed to be person-centred and trauma-informed, so that victims, survivors and witnesses are supported to recover from the harm and trauma and possible re-traumatisation that they have experienced; recognises the critical importance of staff having a shared understanding about the impact of trauma, and the knowledge and skills to minimise re-traumatisation and support recovery, and notes the opportunity for the Parliament to further consider these issues through its scrutiny of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, which puts victims and witnesses at the heart of the justice system. Jamie Greene S6M-08865.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-08865 in the name of Angela Constance (Transforming Justice in Scotland – Person-centred and Trauma-informed Approaches for Victims and Witnesses), insert at end ", and believes that, through its scrutiny of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill, fairness for victims will be further achieved by the removal of proposals to allow for time spent by offenders on bail, under electronic monitoring, to be considered as part of their overall sentence, and that additional measures, such as affording victims a greater voice in decisions concerning the bail, remand and release of offenders, better protections around their safety once an offender is released and any other practical measures that can better protect victims and their families, ought to be positively considered by the Parliament." Pauline McNeill S6M-08865.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-08865 in the name of Angela Constance (Transforming Justice in Scotland – Person-centred and Trauma-informed Approaches for Victims and Witnesses), insert at end "; further notes recent reports of poor experiences of victims within the justice system, including long waits for court cases to be heard and the re-traumatising effect of the legal process for victims of domestic abuse and rape; invites the Scottish Government to explore the potential benefits of expanding the independent legal representation available to victims, particularly in cases of rape; understands that reform of the justice system will only be successful if the current pressures on the justice system are addressed, and expresses its belief that further reforms must be developed and implemented cooperatively with those who work in the criminal justice sector in order to bring about effective and practical change for victims and witnesses." followed by Decision Time followed by Members' Business — S6M-07973 Jackie Dunbar: VAT Burn Campaign That the Parliament welcomes the VAT Burn campaign that was launched by Amy Callaghan MP on 4 February 2023 to coincide with World Cancer Day, an international awareness day to encourage the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer; notes that the campaign is seeking the removal of VAT from sunscreen products of sun protection factor (SPF) 30 and above and with at least a 4-star UVA protection rating; further notes that the NHS advises people to use sunscreen that offers this level of protection, and understands that 90% of cases of melanoma could be prevented by staying safe in the sun; considers that taking such measures could both save lives and protect NHS budgets, including in the Aberdeen Donside constituency; understands that, in September 2022, Amy Callaghan coordinated the preparation of a cross-party letter, supported by 48 MPs from every major UK political party, to the former chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, calling for VAT to be removed from sunscreen products; recognises Amy Callaghan's personal experience of skin cancer, and believes that she has been able to draw on this experience while campaigning on the issue; notes the calls for people to show their support for the VAT Burn campaign by signing the petition at amycallaghan.scot/vat-burn, and further notes the calls urging the UK Government to remove VAT on sunscreen products of SPF 30 or above with at least a 4-star UVA protection rating.