The final First Minister’s Questions of the year saw MSPs unite to thank those in public services, the armed forces and other organisations who are working over the Christmas period.
In the very last question of the Scottish Parliamentary year Highlands and Islands MSP, Edward Mountain, described the hard work and sacrifice of those who work during the festive period.
In the spirit of consensus the First Minister welcomed Edward Mountain’s sentiments and thanked emergency service workers for their hard work over the festive period.
Edward Mountain MSP asked the First Minister: “what alternative holiday arrangements have been made for staff from the emergency services who will be working over the Christmas period.”
The First Minister replied: “I am enormously grateful, as we all are, for the hard work of all our emergency services workers—at all times of the year but particularly over the festive period. I thank them and their families for the sacrifices that they make in order to support us to feel safe and well. Emergency workers receive either time off in lieu or an additional payment for working on public holidays.”
Edward Mountain then asked: “I thank the First Minister for those comments. I agree with her that we should all take time to remember and thank those who work over Christmas and the new year. They do so in order that we can celebrate that festive time with our families. They are working not only to keep us safe but to provide help, should we need it. Will the First Minister join me in thanking again all those who work on our behalf over the festive period? Will she encourage everyone to pause briefly over the Christmas period and remember those from the emergency and armed services who, because they have given us their all, will always be on duty?”
The First Minister replied: “Yes, I am happy to endorse those comments and that sentiment. I thank all those who work in our emergency services for what they do all year round but particularly for the sacrifices that they make at this time of year, in order to keep the rest of us feeling safe, secure and well looked after. Therefore, I offer my grateful and heartfelt thanks to our nurses, doctors and everyone who works in our national health service; to our police officers, our firefighters and to those in the armed forces. Over this festive period, I encourage everybody to take that moment to pause and remember the great sacrifices that they make on behalf of the rest of us. I wish all of them a very happy Christmas. I wish the Presiding Officer, all members in this chamber and all members across the country a very happy Christmas.”
Following First Minister’s Questions, Edward Mountain commented:
‘As Parliamentarians we have a duty to recognise and pay tribute to hard graft of all those working over the Christmas and especially those who will be working away from their families this year.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”