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I, too, congratulate the member on securing the debate.

I take members back to a time when the only method to manage diabetes—indeed, it is still the case for too many—was the constant pricking of fingers to obtain a blood sample, checking it and then having to inject insulin to redress falling blood glucose levels. That had to be done not just once in the course of a day—a person’s type 1 diabetes dictated their daily life.

I have had colleagues, and I have family members, with type 1 diabetes who were once required to use that system. Often, it was only when they became aware that their levels were falling that they tested their glucose levels. If the level had gone too far, there was the danger of a hypo, with all the health problems that would follow. That was a particular worry for children with diabetes.

Today, there are very welcome technical devices—I am not good on technicalities, so I will tread warily. For example, there is the flash glucose monitor and there is the continuous glucose monitor, and there are hybrid variations thereof. With a CGM, as I understand it, a person’s latest sugar levels show up on their device or mobile phone automatically, transmitted by Bluetooth. With a flash glucose monitor, it is only when they wave or scan their device over the sensor—the little white button on their arm—that they get their sugar readings. I have seen that in operation with a family member, who has also added to it an automatic pump for insulin. That is what I mean by talking about hybrid variations.

Those systems have to be tailored to the individual; it is not simply a matter of the NHS handing over the devices. First, they must be clinically recommended, and then an individual must be taught how to use them and must feel confident in their use. However, it makes such a difference to everyday living, as I have observed with my family member. Managing diabetes becomes an everyday thing, without a constant and inhibiting concern about blood sugar levels. With experience and the right technical device, the technology takes care of itself. As I said, I have seen that with the experience of my family member, who has—as I explained—a hybrid flash device plus the automatic pump, which is very discreet. For parents and carers of children, it is a godsend. As members will appreciate, the technology can be accessed and monitored by a parent or carer, including overnight, when worries may grow.

Last year, the Scottish Government provided Scotland-wide funding of £8.8 million for the expansion of access to diabetes technologies to support the purchase of new kit, although that funding is not allocated directly to NHS boards but is, as I understand it, part of their overall support. I very much welcome the investment, not only—as others have mentioned—as preventative spend, but, more importantly, because it releases those who are living with diabetes from the worry and travail of the old methods.

I know that issues remain with the supply of pumps and associated technologies, as others have mentioned, so I will check again with NHS Borders the position for 2025, and I await the minister’s comments in her summing up. Enabling access to such technologies seems to be the right and decent thing to do for people with type 1 diabetes, and it will prevent more serious health issues in the mid to longer term.

People with type 2 diabetes are sometimes blamed for their condition, with people saying that it is a lifestyle issue. That is wrong. I know perfectly well that that is not the case, because a member of my family who is as fit as a fiddle and who has a handicap of 2 at golf was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I just want to put that on the record. There is a blame game attached, sometimes.

On food waste and the responsibility of large businesses, although BOGOF—buy one, get one free—offers have largely been consigned to the bin, “buy one, get one half price” offers have not. Does the cabinet secretary agree that much of that food is not eaten and is thrown away? Would it not be better if businesses and supermarkets simply brought down the prices of single items, particularly for those who live alone, such as pensioners?

Will the First Minister take the opportunity to commend the responsible breeders and rescue centres that will not home dogs, puppies or kittens over the festive period? The disturbance, bright lights and noise are the last thing those animals need as an introduction to their new home.

Anyone who has concerns that puppies are being trafficked should report that to the police or the SSPCA. Anyone who sees a puppy being advertised online or is buying it out of the back of a van in a car park will have no idea where that puppy came from or the misery that brought its journey to an end.

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will encourage the public not to buy puppies or dogs during the festive period, in light of the reported possibility that these may be the product of irresponsible breeders, including illegal puppy farms. (S6F-03648)

As we know, we are talking about family farms that have been worked through the generations. It is not an ordinary job or business; it is a way of life. Many of those families will now be worried sick as to whether they can continue to the next generation. Does the minister agree that the irony is that, if the farms are taken over by individuals not to farm but to reduce their inheritance tax liability—to do a Jeremy Clarkson, if you like—that would help rich hobby farmers to the cost of real farmers? Does Sir Keir Starmer understand rural Scotland at all?

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the provision of support for children with additional support needs, what assessment it has made of any impact of the reported delays to ADHD assessments for children on their education. (S6O-04085)

I can advise the Parliament that Mr Sweeney took part in all the challenges while I watched from the sidelines and applauded his skill.

I am privileged to have in my constituency Glencorse barracks, in Penicuik, which is the home of 2 Scots, the second battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and across the road and up the hill at Milton Bridge there are Army family homes. I have visited both, and I know that the support of families is essential in sustaining the morale of those who are serving. However, partners and families need support, too, and I agree with Willie Rennie on the special circumstances for the children as they move often from place to place.

The first, obvious observation to make is that the term “veterans” embraces many different people, as Jamie Greene mentioned. There are those who have had a short service career; those who were long serving; those who have been on the front line in places of conflict, in combat or peacekeeping, and those who have not; those who live alone; those who live with parents or partners; those with parental responsibilities; those who have suffered life-changing injuries; and those with combat stress—and that list is not exhaustive. One size therefore does not fit all, but there are common experiences.

Our servicemen and women face particular challenges as they re-enter the civilian community. They have lived and worked in a culture of conformity, structure, obedience and rank; of service tours taking them away from family, partners and friends for months on end; of access to housing and health services being provided; and of a guaranteed income. That contrasts starkly with life in a civilian community—being at home in the world of the civilian in which decisions and choices have to be made that, perhaps, were previously made for them. Now they are at home most of the time. They have to make their own health provision, find work and fit in. The comradeship that came with the job may be distant, and they may have to make new social ties.

Often, that is hard not just for them but for their family. A household will have run without them for months on end. Their partner will have made all the day-to-day decisions, so, even when they are on leave, there have to be adjustments all round—which is also true for any children. They have to fit back into a domestic household that functioned well without them. If they have returned from some horror overseas, that must also be factored in.

Funding to provide routes to adjustment helps, as does all the person-to-person support. I note that, from 2021 to 2023, £750,000 was put into supporting work on health, wellbeing and quality of life that was expanded to include all veterans over 60 instead of 65.

I will focus on health, including the Scottish Government’s commitment to better supporting access to and engagement with primary healthcare providers by veterans and their families. The general practice armed forces and veterans recognition scheme opened to GPs across Scotland in November 2023, providing easily accessible training materials. The scheme’s aim was to raise awareness among general practice teams of some of the unique health challenges that veterans and armed forces families face as a result of military service. It is therefore disappointing to learn of the issues with uptake.

I said “unique”. That is a reference not simply to PTSD but to challenges that might seem mundane but are equally important. For example, on discharge, a home has to be found. We have heard of the difficulties of homelessness and GP registration, and the importance of the MOD ensuring prompt transfer of medical records for the veteran and their family,

Mental wellbeing was referenced by the minister. For some, the transition simply does not work. There can be marriage and relationship break-ups, with all the fallout that can be predicted. Some turn to alcohol and, indeed, drugs, which might lead in time to homelessness, criminal activity and even imprisonment.

That brings me to the withdrawal of NHS Lothian’s financial support for Veterans First Point, to the tune of £200,000 or thereabouts. The Scottish Government remains committed to its 40 per cent share. I already raised the matter in an intervention, and I note the meeting that is to take place next week with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the Minister for Veterans.

As the minister knows, Veterans First Point Lothian is a bespoke service that has been jointly funded by the Scottish Government and NHS Lothian as a one-stop shop, offering support, advice and mental health care for veterans. It is a multi-award-winning service that has provided support, including peer support, to more than 2,500 veterans over the past 15 years.

Notwithstanding that meeting, I have written to the MOD to say that, if NHS Lothian remains intransigent about removing the funding, the MOD should step in. It is only £200,000, for goodness’ sake. After all that those men have done in serving to protect us, that is peanuts.

In the light of what the minister says, does he share my disappointment that NHS Lothian is withdrawing its funding—a paltry £200,000 or thereabouts—to support the vital service that is provided by Veterans First Point Lothian? I know that the Scottish Government is still chipping in, but that funding was money well spent. Does the minister share my concerns about that?