Working effectively together

June 8th, 2009

Politicians from different parties have a reputation for squabbling with each other over every last detail.

But in actual fact, they often work effectively together on cross-party lines to address matters of concern.

An example of this is the parliamentary committees, where MSPs work together to scrutinise legislation and hold inquiries into issues of concern.

Having served on the health and enterprise committees in the past, I took on the convenership of the Local Government and Communities Committee two years ago.

This term, we have looked into important issues like planning legislation, equal pay and child poverty.

I believe this provides a genuine opportunity to influence and impact for the better on people’s lives, a point brought home to me again this week.

Liked everyone else who watched it, I was shocked by the recent Panaroma investigation into homecare for the elderly.

The secret cameras uncovered neglect as over-worked and low-paid carers were forced to cut half-hour visits down to just minutes.

At the heart of the scandal was the e-auction process, a kind of on-line reverse auction like e-bay or a home shopping channel, to procure home care providers.

It led to costs being forced down so low that concerns were raised by trade unions and elderly campaigners that standards were being compromised.

I immediately called for an investigation and was delighted that the Local Government committee agreed unanimously to look into it.

As a result, the process just didn’t stand up to scrutiny and was consigned to the dustbin after just one meeting of the committee this week.

The local authorities who gave evidence confirmed they will be returning to more acceptable methods of procurement that focus on quality rather than cost.

I for one was glad to see the back of this practice and I am sure anyone who watched Panaroma that night will agree.