Angus Robertson
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“As Ukraine works to consolidate recent gains and secure further political and financial backing, the Scottish Government continues to respond to urgent Ukrainian requests for support by working closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
“Those are acts of terrorism by the Russians, and they need to be described as such. He said that there should be no slackening of our commitments and that we should encourage the United Kingdom and other countries to provide everything that Ukraine requires to defend itself and to liberate the occupied territories.”
“He has served as a member of the Scottish Parliament representing the city of Aberdeen and as a Government minister in a number of portfolios, during which time he discharged his duties with tremendous engagement and professionalism—and we must not forget his local government background in Aberdeen.”
“Never forget what was agreed with Nazi Germany in relation to the Sudetenland in 1938 and what followed from that. Murdo Fraser paid tribute to Scottish volunteers and charities, and he was absolutely right to say that we need to do more.”
“I thank colleagues for their thoughtful contributions to this debate. The Scottish Parliament speaks with one voice in solidarity with Ukraine. If one was watching proceedings, one would not be able to guess which party any of us represented. We are speaking with one voice.”
“Stephen Kerr: Does the cabinet secretary agree that the seized assets that belong to Russian oligarchs and other friends of Putin should be put immediately at the disposal of Ukraine’s defence? Angus Robertson: The simple answer is yes, and we should be getting on with it.”
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“Many Ukrainians have already begun to rebuild their lives here, contributing to our communities as valued friends, neighbours and colleagues. Their courage in the face of profound uncertainty continues to inspire us. As we look forward to a future of peace, it is vital that we restate our unwavering support for all who have found safety here. Scotland will stand beside you for as long as you need us. Our country remains a place of refuge and, if you choose, a place to call home. Slava Ukraini. Heroyam slava. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate, and I suspend this meeting of the Parliament until 2 o’clock. 13:35 Meeting suspended. 14:00 On resuming— Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time Non-Government Bills Unit 1.”
“As we reflect on the urgent need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, it is important that we also recognise the extraordinary humanitarian effort that has taken place in Scotland. Since the war began, more than 29,000 Ukrainian people have arrived in the UK, under sponsorship from either an individual in Scotland or the Scottish Government, and more than 21,000 of those arrivals have come through Scotland’s supersponsor scheme. I place on record my deep gratitude to local authorities, third sector partners, schools, volunteers and the many Scots who opened and continue to open their homes to offer safety and stability. Through that partnership, Scotland has been able to provide a safe and warm home for those displaced by the horrors of war.”
“Vital infrastructure in strategic locations in eastern Ukraine will be protected by draping the nets overhead to catch exploding drones. Following the continued escalation of missile and drone attacks that deliberately target critical energy infrastructure, the Scottish Government is also looking at how we can support the Ukrainian Government’s most recent request for energy equipment to help communities across Ukraine to regain access to reliable heating and power during this critical period. This week, with the kind support of the Energy Industries Council, the First Minister wrote to energy businesses across Scotland, setting out what is needed and seeking to identify any available equipment.”
“As Ukraine works to consolidate recent gains and secure further political and financial backing, the Scottish Government continues to respond to urgent Ukrainian requests for support by working closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross. We have helped to ensure that medical equipment, including beds, mattresses and oxygen concentrators, are donated to hospitals and health structures in need. That includes support for burns centres, most of which are in close proximity to front lines, including Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, to support the most vulnerable. We have joined the likes of Denmark, Sweden and France in supporting Ukraine’s defence against Russia by arranging for aquaculture nets at the end of their working life to be sent from Scotland to help the nation to defend itself against deadly Russian drone attacks.”
“Stephen Kerr: Does the cabinet secretary agree that the seized assets that belong to Russian oligarchs and other friends of Putin should be put immediately at the disposal of Ukraine’s defence? Angus Robertson: The simple answer is yes, and we should be getting on with it. I appeal to the European Union in particular to look at that matter closely. I also take the opportunity to appeal to Hungary and Slovakia to not stand in the way of supporting Ukraine. I am meeting the Slovakian ambassador immediately after this debate, which is why I gave a short answer, and I will make that point to him directly. Ukraine is a key part of the European family. Western unity cannot fracture, and we must continue to stand in international solidarity and steadfast support of Ukraine.”
“Increased access to military technology, including Ukrainian- manufactured drones, has enabled the Ukrainian army to make those gains, while minimising its own troop losses. However, events in the middle east are clearly having unintended impacts on the conflict in Ukraine. Increased global oil prices are bringing an additional $150 million a day into Kremlin coffers, and there has been some easing of economic sanctions on Russia. Today, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy is reminding EU leaders in Brussels that continuing to support Ukraine, including by releasing the €90 billion of EU loans that are currently held up and doing whatever it takes to defeat Putin, is in Europe’s best interests.”
“I join him in paying tribute to Scottish volunteering efforts and volunteers. Willie Coffey highlighted that Scotland has recently supplied fishing nets to Ukraine to counter the use of drones. He said that we need to back Ukraine to the hilt and that there must be a just end to the conflict. As we heard, it is now more than four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The human cost remains shocking, but the past few months have at least seen Ukraine strengthen its position on the front line. We pay tribute to the men and women of the Ukrainian armed forces, who are paying for it in blood and treasure, and we welcome the increasing possibility of Ukraine retaking territories in the south.”
“Those are acts of terrorism by the Russians, and they need to be described as such. He said that there should be no slackening of our commitments and that we should encourage the United Kingdom and other countries to provide everything that Ukraine requires to defend itself and to liberate the occupied territories. Jamie Hepburn recounted the cost of the conflict and the solidarity that exists in Scotland. He also underlined the importance of our collective defence. Colin Beattie spoke of his concerns, which I share, about the lifting of sanctions against Russia and the diversion of attention and armaments to the middle east. Paul Sweeney recounted his experience of volunteering and of visiting Ukraine, and he spoke about the necessity of resilience there and here, which is an important lesson for us.”
“He has served as a member of the Scottish Parliament representing the city of Aberdeen and as a Government minister in a number of portfolios, during which time he discharged his duties with tremendous engagement and professionalism—and we must not forget his local government background in Aberdeen. I have known him for a long time, and he has been a remarkable servant to the Scottish National Party and the cause of independence. I pay tribute to him, but I know that he will not leave the political stage, even though he might be leaving the Parliament. Stephen Kerr reminded us of a really important point: Ukrainians are not fighting only for Ukraine; they are fighting for us all in Europe. We need to stand by them. He reminded us of the targeting of Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
“He has not replied to my letter yet—at least, I have not seen a response. If the Scottish Government can do anything, I encourage it to assist that charity, because it does vital work. If it runs out of cash, it will have to stop sending vital supplies to Ukraine. Angus Robertson: I hear the concerns that Murdo Fraser has raised. I will look very closely and as sympathetically as I can at the correspondence. After he intervened earlier, Kevin Stewart made a very moving speech—his last of the parliamentary session. With your indulgence, Deputy Presiding Officer, I will pay tribute to him. He has been a remarkable public servant for 27 years.”
“Never forget what was agreed with Nazi Germany in relation to the Sudetenland in 1938 and what followed from that. Murdo Fraser paid tribute to Scottish volunteers and charities, and he was absolutely right to say that we need to do more. Yesterday, I had discussions with the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, the head of Caritas Ukraine, who has been in Scotland this week, and the head of Caritas Europe. We need to do more and to continue to do everything that we can. Murdo Fraser: I have written to the cabinet secretary about Tayside and Strathearn Help for Ukraine, which is still being overwhelmed with donations from people across Scotland, but it is running out of money due to how expensive it is to run trucks to Ukraine every week because of fuel costs and so on.”
“I thank colleagues for their thoughtful contributions to this debate. The Scottish Parliament speaks with one voice in solidarity with Ukraine. If one was watching proceedings, one would not be able to guess which party any of us represented. We are speaking with one voice. Kenneth Gibson, to whom I pay tribute for bringing this debate to the chamber, reminded us of the Putin playbook in Crimea and eastern Ukraine in 2014. It is really important to remember that, because it is happening again. For anybody who is not aware of it, I draw their attention to what has been reported as happening this week in the so-called people’s republic of Narva in Estonia. They are doing it again—be warned. Kenneth Gibson reminded us of the lessons of history. Never forget appeasement.”
“The stage 1 report on the bill said that the Scottish Government should “provide appropriate support and guidance to help responsible providers of non-surgical procedures to make the transition successfully to the new regulatory framework.” A previous amendment that I lodged was deemed to be inadmissible due to the cost that would be involved, but amendment 24 absolutely does not involve a cost. All I seek to do is to ensure that there is something available for businesses. I move amendment 24. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Gillian Mackay to speak to amendment 6 and both amendments in the group.”
“Amendment 18 disagreed to. Amendments 19 to 22 moved—[Colin Beattie]— and agreed to. Amendment 23 not moved. After section 13A The Deputy Presiding Officer: That takes us to group 5. Amendment 24, in the name of Sandesh Gulhane, is grouped with amendment 6. Sandesh Gulhane: Amendment 24 would require that “HIS must publish information on additional resources available to businesses providing non-surgical procedures”. That should include information on the advice, support and funding that is available to those businesses. [Interruption]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I encourage members to keep their devices switched off or set to silent. Please continue, Dr Gulhane. Sandesh Gulhane: As we know, businesses are concerned about the impact of the bill and about how they would be able to make the transition to the new regime.”
“For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 6, Against 89, Abstentions 19.”
“Amendment 17 disagreed to. Amendment 18 moved—[Ash Regan]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 18 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 6, Against 89, Abstentions 19.”
“Amendment 5 disagreed to. Amendment 17 moved—[Ash Regan]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 17 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. Angus Robertson: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am still having trouble connecting to the system. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Robertson. I will ensure that that is recorded.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Unfortunately, I could not connect. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Robertson. I will ensure that that is recorded. For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 6, Against 87, Abstentions 19.”
“Amendment 54 agreed to. 11:45 Amendment 260 moved—[Miles Briggs]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 260 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is now closed.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Unfortunately, I could not connect. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Robertson. We will ensure that that is recorded. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Abstentions Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the vote on amendment 54, in the name of Bob Doris, is: For 101, Against 18, Abstentions 2.”
“Amendment 234 disagreed to. Amendment 235 not moved. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We will have a 20-minute comfort break. We will return at 19:15. 18:55 Meeting suspended. 19:17 On resuming—”
“For Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 21, Against 96, Abstentions 5.”
“Amendment 233 disagreed to. Amendment 19 not moved. Amendment 234 moved—[Brian Whittle]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 234 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Abstentions Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 13, Against 102, Abstentions 6.”
“Amendment 18 disagreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I remind members that, if amendment 233 is agreed to, I will be unable to call amendment 19 due to pre- emption. Amendment 233 moved—[Brian Whittle]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 233 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Unfortunately, I could not connect. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Robertson. Your vote will be recorded. For Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Abstentions Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 41, Against 74, Abstentions 7.”
“Stage 2 feedback from the committee was that the amendment needed to be clear that it restricts only information about the person’s wishes to access assisted dying, not their entire medical record, as we recognise that those who are terminally ill can have rapidly changing healthcare needs and concerns. I have tidied up the amendment, which now requires that the independent registered medical practitioner “has not been provided with any other notes prepared by the coordinating registered medical practitioner regarding the person’s request to be provided with assistance to end their own life since the date of the first declaration”. Amendment 193, which is consequential to amendment 174, would require that the statement from an independent assessor be recorded in an adult’s medical record. I move amendment 150.”
“Amendment 155 seeks to address the concern that the medical professionals’ opinions must be truly independent of each other. It would place limitations on the availability of notes to the independent registered medical practitioner to ensure that they are making their assessment on the exact same evidence as was available to the co-ordinating registered medical practitioner at the point of request. It should be the case that the independent registered medical practitioner cannot have consulted the co‑ordinating registered medical practitioner on the case, except for referral, nor have had access to the notes of the co‑ordinating registered medical practitioner regarding the assisted dying request beyond the date on which the request is made.”
“Amendments 150 and 304 are designed to tackle the concern that assisted dying becomes a preferred option to patients because of a lack of palliative care. Amendment 150 seeks to allow the Scottish ministers to define minimum standards of palliative care for those accessing assisted dying. Amendment 304 is consequential. I have engaged with the third sector on this issue. I understand that it is hesitant that this may become a barrier to accessing palliative care, but access to an acceptable level of deliverable palliative care is an important consideration of the bill. At stage 2, I drafted the amendment to include a requirement that the plan should be costed, to make a point about deliverability. Following feedback about its workability, I have removed that requirement.”
“Amendment 78 would add a reference to a social care assessment to the medical practitioner’s statement in schedule 2, and amendment 78A would add a reference to a palliative care assessment to the medical practitioner’s statement in schedule 2 in relation to Bob Doris’s amendment 23. Amendment 83 would add a reference to a social care assessment to a medical practitioner’s statement in schedule 3, and amendment 83A would add a reference to a palliative care assessment to the medical practitioner’s statement in schedule 3 in relation to Bob Doris’s amendment 23. At one point, the amendments read “social care or palliative care”. I place on record my thanks to Liam McArthur for agreeing to move to “social care and palliative care”. Both serve different needs and should be assessed in their own right.”
“Brian Whittle: I will start with amendment 22, which is a tidying amendment. The concern here is that those accessing assisted dying should be provided with all options of support, including social care and palliative care. Amendment 34 would add a reference to a social care assessment to the medical practitioner’s statement under section 8, and amendment 34A would add a reference to a palliative care assessment to the medical practitioner’s statement under section 8 in relation to Bob Doris’s amendment 23, which would introduce a requirement to assess palliative care.”
“Amendment 149 agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 7 is on assessments, including support, of terminally ill adults. Amendment 150, in the name of Brian Whittle, is grouped with amendments 22, 23, 153 to 155, 157, 26, 28 to 32, 161, 163 to 171, 173, 34, 34A, 176, 179, 9, 183, 183A, 184, 185, 37, 186, 91, 92, 188, 38, 95, 39, 193 to 195, 40, 196, 197, 300, 301, 304, 306, 307, 67, 78, 78A, 79, 81, 83, 83A and 85. I remind members that, if amendment 161 is agreed to, I cannot call amendment 162, which was previously debated in group 2, on eligibility to be provided with assistance. I also remind members that, if amendment 125, which was previously debated in group 5, on training, qualifications and experience of health professionals, is agreed to, I cannot call amendment 301, due to pre-emption.”
“On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Robertson. Your vote will be recorded. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Against Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 63, Against 52, Abstentions 4.”
“I am pleased to confirm that the Scottish Library and Information Council is receiving a £100,000 uplift in funding in 2026-27.”
“At every stage of the introduction of the visitor levy, we stated that that is exactly what would happen, and that the intention that proceeds would be used to enhance the local tourism offer would not come to fruition. Does the cabinet secretary share my concerns that councils are being pushed into alternative funding sources to provide basic council services, such as rural libraries? Angus Robertson: I gently say to Roz McCall that, again, I am getting calls from members on the Conservative Party benches to intervene in the democratic decision making of local councils, which is something that they normally oppose. In answering her question, I draw her attention to the fact that, since 2014, 140 projects have been funded, including 127 individual projects and 13 collaborative projects, reaching a total value of nearly £2.4 million.”
“The Scottish Government will provide an increase of £100,000 in funding to the Scottish Library and Information Council in 2026- 27. This will take funding to £1.035 million. That is on top of our general revenue funding to local authorities and includes £450,000 for the public library improvement fund, which has been awarded annually since 2006, with £200,000 going to support creative, sustainable and innovative public library projects throughout Scotland. Roz McCall: The financial pressures that our local authorities face are well known and are a result of almost 20 years of the choices of this Scottish National Party Government. In its latest budget, the SNP administration in Perth and Kinross Council has indicated that it intends to use the proceeds from the visitor levy to support the long-term sustainability of rural libraries.”
“Intervention is possible only where funding conditions are breached, and its funding approach is shaped by equalities and access priorities. However, if Tess White would like to write to me about the specific case, I would be content to write back to her. Public Libraries (Rural Areas) 8.”
“This is yet another chilling example of state-funded censorship in Scotland’s cultural sector. I am glad that the cabinet secretary says that he will take action in relation to any organisation under his wing that is acting unlawfully. Will Creative Scotland defund Gutter for discriminating against Polly Clark for her lawful beliefs—yes or no? Angus Robertson: The first point that I will make is that—as I hope that Tess White knows— Creative Scotland operates at arm’s length from Government. It does so for very good reasons, because it is not for a culture secretary to order an arm’s-length organisation when it comes to creative content. In relation to the case that Tess White mentioned, Creative Scotland has clarified that it does not regulate editorial content.”
“The Scottish Government recognises freedom of speech as an essential part of a healthy culture sector and democracy. At the same time, the exercise of that right must never be used to justify behaviour that is harmful, intimidating or unlawful. The Scottish Government works with publicly funded culture bodies to ensure adherence to public sector frameworks that govern the use of public funding. Those principles, and the legal frameworks within which all organisations must work, also apply to cultural organisations in receipt of public funding and are subject to the regular scrutiny of the awarding public body. Tess White: Poet and novelist Polly Clark was shamefully cancelled by literary magazine Gutter for her gender critical beliefs. Gutter is funded by Scottish National Party quango Creative Scotland.”
“It would be incorrect to leave the impression that Scotland’s People is not available around the world. It is open to everybody. I acknowledge that Scotland’s People is the official site for searching and viewing public records and archives. The records available to search include historical statutory registers, church records, census returns, tax and legal records, poor relief and migration records, prison registers, historical employment records and the Scottish Cabinet records. I will repeat the last part of the reply from the chief executive of the National Records of Scotland: she said that NRS is exploring options to let commercial partners integrate a digital interface so that customers can search the Scotland’s People database directly. That should answer the concerns that Mr Simpson has raised.”
“Thousands of people across the world like to research their family connections to Scotland, but that is very difficult due to the restrictive nature of the Scotland’s People website. The vital information that it contains is not shared with other sites and, if people use it, they have to buy credits in order to see or order records that may not even be relevant to them. It is either that, or they have to physically go into records offices in Edinburgh or the Mitchell library in Glasgow, neither of which may be convenient. Would the cabinet secretary agree to look at opening up Scotland’s records of births, deaths, marriages and divorces not only to Scotland, but to the world? Angus Robertson: Clearly, Graham Simpson is a keen genealogy buff, as am I. I have an account on Scotland’s People, as he does.”
“I asked Alison Byrne, the chief executive of National Records of Scotland, to respond. The answer is as follows: as well as through the Scotland’s People website, National Records of Scotland provides access to its records at General Register House in Edinburgh, local family history centres across Scotland, and through its extract services. Scotland’s People offers a unique service, with around 1.3 million global users and no restrictions on who can access the records. Searches are free, with charges applying only to viewing or saving records. NRS is exploring options to let commercial partners integrate a digital interface so that customers can search the Scotland’s People database directly. Graham Simpson: I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer, which is entirely accurate. However, let me explain the issue.”
“That commitment will continue. I acknowledge that it is important that national and local government work together to protect and support the cultural infrastructure across the country.”
“In the Western Isles, for example, the council has removed all secured annual investment in the arts. Therefore, after nearly two decades of SNP power, councils have been so financially squeezed that access to the arts and culture in communities across Scotland is being put at risk. What is the Scottish Government doing to reduce that risk? Angus Robertson: I regularly hear, particularly from the member’s side of the chamber, that local decision making is important. I agree that it is right that local councils should make decisions, but I appeal to them to protect and support cultural provision in their local authority areas. The member knows the figures for the increases in council funding. He also knows that I am working closely with the council culture conveners in the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.”
“Although it is for local authorities to decide how they allocate their funding, the Scottish Government’s budget for 2026-27 provides, in addition to the block grant, a further £20 million in funding for culture. That provides on-going funding for our flagship culture collective and creative communities community-led arts programmes and supports local authorities to promote culture and the arts. The Scottish Government is working with culture conveners on how local and national organisations can work together to continue to support and promote culture. Alexander Stewart: Creative Scotland’s chief executive has warned that he is increasingly concerned about the risk to arts funding due to pressures on local authority budgets. Culture is vital to communities across Scotland, yet councils are being forced to cut arts funding.”
“Angus Robertson: —for the national performing companies and culture, to actually vote for them in the future.”
“Scottish Opera will receive £8.6 million in 2026-27, which will ensure that it is the single highest publicly funded performance organisation in Scotland by some distance. I acknowledge the point that he makes about talent. It is important to retain talent, and I acknowledge that funding is an important part of the picture in ensuring that that happens. I have stated a number of times my desire to introduce multiyear funding for the national performing companies and to look at the last 30 per cent of the increase of £100 million for culture that the Government is delivering with a particular focus on the national performing companies. I encourage Liam Kerr, should he be returned to this place, instead of voting against those record increases— Liam Kerr: Unsustainable!”
“Liam Kerr: I thank the cabinet secretary for that, but, in fact, Scottish Opera has suffered a 66 per cent real-terms cut to its grants since 2007-08, and its general director has warned that “The current position is unsustainable” and that it risks losing the talent that underpins Scottish Opera’s international reputation. How will what is a standstill budget in 2026-27 impact the unsustainable position highlighted in that warning? Does the cabinet secretary accept that the Government’s funding decisions are directly threatening jobs and Scotland’s cultural standing? Angus Robertson: I would take Liam Kerr’s calls for more funding for the national performing companies seriously if he had actually voted for the record increase in culture funding, but he voted against that.”
“The Scottish Government will provide £8.6 million in funding to Scottish Opera in 2026-27 as part of £24.6 million in funding for the five national performing companies. The Scottish Government aims to provide additional funding in future financial years as part of the commitment to an additional £100 million per year by 2028-29. I recently met with all five national performing companies, and my officials will continue to work closely with them over the coming months to develop plans to support the long-term sustainability of our world-class national performing companies.”