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I, too, thank Marie McNair for securing this debate in the chamber. I also thank AMMF for all the work that it does to support research on cholangiocarcinoma, raise awareness and support those who have been diagnosed. Its campaign and Marie McNair’s call to ensure the funding for testing are so important, and I look forward to the minister’s response to them.

Although it has often been documented that cholangiocarcinoma is rare, I was really interested in Marie McNair’s point about the changing reality of that rarity—I had not picked up on that, so I was glad to hear about it in the debate. Bile duct cancer is aggressive and it is on the rise: it is considered to be the second most common primary liver cancer in the world. As we have heard from others, the incidence is higher in Scotland than in England; we must seek to understand why that is and what we can do about it.

The debate will help to highlight the causes of and risk factors for bile duct cancer, as well as to increase awareness. That is why it is so important that debates such as this are secured. Marie McNair is excellent at using her members’ business debates to do that.

We have already heard that timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial, and we also know that the diagnosis of bile duct cancer can often come late, resulting in poorer outcomes. I want to highlight—as I often do—the health inequalities that others have mentioned. People in more deprived areas have higher rates of preventable cancers and are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages. When we are speaking about bile duct cancer, which tends to be diagnosed at a late stage, it is important to have that in our minds. We must always seek ways to ensure that the cancer inequality gap is closed. I know that the minister has spoken about that in the chamber; she might mention it again in her closing speech.

As we read in the motion, bile duct cancer symptoms are difficult to spot, particularly at an early stage. The risk factors are largely unknown and it is believed that the cause of bile duct cancer is likely to be a combination of factors, including other illnesses that cause chronic damage to the liver and bile ducts. Although it is most common in people over the age of 60, incidence of the cancer is increasing across all age groups, including among younger people, which emphasises the need to increase public awareness of symptoms, risk factors and treatment options.

Although there is no guaranteed way to avoid bile duct cancer, people can take proactive steps to reduce their chances of developing the disease. When I was researching this, I looked at information from NHS Inform, which suggests that healthy lifestyle factors such as quitting smoking would also have positive impacts on people’s health in that way. Smoking is a leading and silent killer. When smoking rates reduce across Scotland, people’s health, lifestyles and outcomes improve. It is important that the Parliament commits to funding for smoking cessation and other health-improvement measures.

In relation to the link to liver damage, other measures that have come to light are reducing alcohol intake and minimising exposure to hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. Doing those will, we think, help with this cancer and others.

We know that there should be a greater focus on Scotland’s relationship with alcohol and its culture of binge drinking. Through targeted interventions to lower excessive drinking rates, we will reduce people’s chances not only of developing cancers such as cholangiocarcinoma, but of developing other diseases.

I repeat my appreciation to Marie McNair for bringing the issue to the chamber. Awareness of the condition is so important, and I know that the minister will give a good response to the debate.

Like others, I was not going to speak in the debate, but I want to make a short contribution.

The Parliament has been commended on the way in which it has handled the bill. The debate was very sensitive, and the bill has been steered through very well by Liam McArthur, as has been commented on many times.

In my view, it is important to allow the bill to go to the next stage. To do that, we have to support the financial resolution. As Mr McArthur said, we can further debate the issues at stage 2. Members have had a real opportunity to submit amendments, with 300 or so having been lodged. We will debate those amendments to try to strengthen the bill and will allow members to vote for or against it in a free vote. In that process, we will also be able to discuss the financial implications of the legislation.

I hope that members will ensure that the financial resolution gets through at this stage.

The Scottish Government has tightened its criteria for Covid vaccinations in the NHS, which means that boosters will no longer be offered to adults who are under 75. I understand that that decision follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. However, as winter approaches, many people are concerned.

What reassurance can the Scottish Government offer those who are no longer eligible for the Covid booster? Is it not concerned that removing the booster from under-75s might lead to an increase in Covid cases, which will put pressure on services as we head into winter?

For years, midwives have issued warnings about the sustainability of services, but it seems that the cabinet secretary has not fully listened. The cabinet secretary has been told many times by the profession that our hard-working, dedicated staff face mounting pressures and an increasing workload. Junior midwives are being forced to enter the profession with limited mentorship and support. The Government mentioned an increase in midwife numbers, but what about the numbers of whole-time equivalent staff, the unfilled shifts and the changing complexities of cases, all of which have been raised by the profession? Staff on the ground are burned out, and it is clear that urgent action is needed.

Today, the cabinet secretary announced a new Scottish maternity and neonatal task force, but, after months, many of the nursing and midwifery task force recommendations have not actually been implemented—some of the work has not even been started. How can the Parliament be confident that the new task force will ensure the delivery of better outcomes for staff and patients on the ground? Has the cabinet secretary ensured that tight timeframes are in place for reporting on that?

The sustainability of funding has been raised with the committee and, I am sure, with other members. Does the minister feel that, in the long term, we have security of funding for the work? We are taking a long-term look at how we can change and improve services. Is there any thinking around not only maintaining funding but providing additional sustainable funding to change the models?

I have one last question; I know that we are tight for time. The link between health and education is so important in this area. How do you feel that the work to implement the autism in schools action plan is going?

I will ask about the workforce and training. When a previous health minister gave evidence to the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee in 2024, they recognised that we need to consider the issue across NHS boards. Are you encouraging NHS boards to develop their workforces together, particularly given the lack of certain professionals and the training that people need?

I want to talk about the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the impact that the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales has had. Why did Wales feel the need to legislate for the definitions of sustainable development and wellbeing and then establish a commissioner? Was it the right decision to legislate in that way?

Are there any lessons that we should learn from the way in which you legislated at the time?

Good morning. The young carer grant is being extended to include 19-year-olds. The SCOSS report said that an alternative policy choice could have been to give full access to the carer support payment to 16-year-olds. Some stakeholders said that that was their preferred choice. Does the cabinet secretary have a response to that?