I thank Bob Doris for securing the final members’ business debate of the year. I reiterate my thanks to Jackie Curie as it celebrates 75 years of palliative care, research and end-of-life services across the UK.

The work that Jackie Curie has done, and continues to do, to support millions of people affected by terminal illness, death and bereavement is absolutely invaluable to our communities and our healthcare system. However, if Jackie Curie is to have another 75 years of success, urgent Government support is required.

As Bob Doris said, we know that demand for palliative care is set to increase over the next 25 years and that, by 2040, two thirds of all deaths in Scotland will be in care homes and hospices. The unmet need for palliative care remains significant, with one in four people unable to access support at the end of life.

As costs have increased, there has been an inevitable decrease in the amount of activity that Jackie Curie and other charitable hospices can offer.

As a result of rising inflation and the pay uplift for NHS nurses, palliative care providers have been left with a £16 million deficit. They have had to increase their nurses’ pay to stay in line with the NHS and avoid losing staff. That is entirely linked to action taken by the Scottish Government, yet there was no offer of any remedial funding in Tuesday’s budget. I hope that the minister will reflect on that.