First Minister’s Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament am ar 21 Tachwedd 2024.
Brian Whittle
Ceidwadwyr
The First Minister will be aware of the recently published “Valuing Carers” report, which highlights that, according to data collated from the 2022 census, the value of unpaid carers to Scotland is £15.9 billion, which is not far short of the total national health service budget for 2022. Will the First Minister join me in recognising the contribution of unpaid carers? What more can the Scottish Government do to ensure that they are properly supported?
John Swinney
Scottish National Party
I am happy to associate myself with Mr Whittle’s comments. Last Friday morning, as part of the lead-up to carers week, I met a group of carers’ representatives in my Constituency. I listened with care to the issues that they raised with me.
The Government has put in place, for example, measures to support short-term breaks for carers and measures to enhance carers allowance. We will reflect on such issues as we consider the contents of the Government’s budget.
I agree whole-heartedly with Mr Whittle that the contribution that is made by carers is absolutely fundamental to the delivery of care support in households and communities around the country. We simply could not provide the level of care that is provided by unpaid carers to support their loved ones and our society in these days.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
In a general election, each Constituency chooses an MP to represent them. MPs have a responsibility to represnt the views of the Constituency in the House of Commons. There are 650 Constituencies, and thus 650 MPs. A citizen of a Constituency is known as a Constituent
