HOLYROOD’S presiding officer has said hybrid working is likely to be made a permanent feature of Scottish Parliament life as a means of increasing flexibility and diversity in the chamber.
Alison Johnstone told BBC Radio Scotland there are discussions ongoing about keeping the hybrid model used during the Covid-19 pandemic in place “well into the future” to help MSPs in far-flung constituencies, those with caring responsibilities and those who struggle with movement or disabilities to access Parliament.
To limit the spread of the virus, some MSPs attended Parliament while others video-called in from home, but many have argued it is a system that has many other benefits.
Johnstone said while talks are ongoing, parties across the chamber were on board with keeping hybrid working in place.
She told the BBC: “Our standards committee has been looking at this, as to the extent to which the new way of working continues.
“MSPs perhaps previously - those who are in far-flung constituencies for example or those with caring responsibilities - have thought Parliament could be more flexible and that’s a discussion that is happening across the industry the length and breadth of the country.
“We adapted to the situation we found ourselves in [during the pandemic], Parliament responded very quickly, there was a fabulous effort to ensure business could continue in that hybrid format.
“I’m fairly certain that parties across the Parliament - as I say this discussion is ongoing at the moment - appear to be very keen that we keep part of the hybrid working that has enabled greater flexibility. I cannot imagine a situation where we would lose that entirely.
“I think we are forging on with that flexibility. Nothing will take the place of those live debates in the chamber, but I think it’s fair to say too that flexibility can be a very useful thing, to increase diversity for example.”
Johnstone went on to say an audit is being carried out which will look at the barriers to equal representation and why the Parliament is in the best position it has ever been in in terms of diversity, with 46% representation of women, ethnic minorities and disabilities.
Kaukab Stewart and Pam Gosal became the first women of colour to be elected to Holyrood last year, while Pam Duncan-Glancy became the MSP to be a permanent wheelchair user.
Johnstone added: “We’re carrying out an audit at the moment which looks at the barriers to equal representation, why it’s the case that Parliament is in a better position than it’s been before with 46% women representatives, and what can we do to ensure there are no unnecessary barriers there.
“The hybrid model certainly has something to offer in that regard. I’m sure it’s something we can continue to use well into the future.”
