Ariane Burgess
Scottish Green Party · Scotland
“I want to briefly mention an issue that is connected to what David Barratt said about a national emergency briefing. In January, the UK Government published its national security assessment on global biodiversity loss, which states: “Collapse impairs an ecosystem’s ability to provide vital services including clean water, food production,…”
“In my rural and island communities, it is sometimes really hard for people to even find a bus. We need the clean heating systems that our EU neighbours have enjoyed for decades. We also need a thriving natural environment, which will be the key in supporting us to adapt to climate change.”
“The Scottish Greens campaigned on the idea of an agricultural transition insurance fund—we want to see £500 million of the agricultural budget put into it, because farmers need certainty. We are now in unknown territory when it comes to what we are doing in respect of our land use.”
“I sat on two committees in the previous session—the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee— that scrutinised the climate change plan, and we heard evidence from countless stakeholders that they did not feel confident that there was an adequate delivery plan in place.”
“We must support farmers to move to nature-friendly, regenerative farming. Those pioneers have moved away from nitrogen use, they understand soil biology and they are choosing smaller herds and mob grazing. We have legislated for regenerative agriculture, but we do not have the underpinning training.”
“I started working on climate change and nature restoration in New York City in the 1990s. When I came back to live in Scotland, I was heartened, because I had arrived in a country where the people, through the Parliament and the Government of that time, had recognised the science-based evidence on climate change.”
The complete record
Every one of 413 lines we hold for Ariane Burgess, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 9.
“As we close our debate on the bill, let us return to the fundamentals: who the bill should serve and what we must demand if we are serious about delivering justice in housing. Too often, in the Parliament and in the media, discussions about housing are dominated by landlords, developers and big finance. We must recentre our debates so that they reflect the needs of the people and communities who rely on us to speak up for them. The Scottish Greens have always insisted that housing is a human right, not a profit engine. That is why we have pushed hard for rent controls that have real teeth, tougher standards to improve housing quality for everyone and the rectification of the unjust imbalance between tenants’ rights and landlords’ rights. The very fact that a housing bill is in front of us is due to the Scottish Greens.”
“Amendment 112 disagreed to. Amendment 244 moved—[Jamie Halcro Johnston]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 244 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) [Proxy vote cast by Willie Rennie] 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) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) 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) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (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) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (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, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] 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) 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) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 28, Against 76, Abstentions 0.”
“I brought the amendment back at stage 3, in part because of the change of cabinet secretary between stage 2 and stage 3, and in part following my discussions with stakeholders, who expressed frustration about the lack of action, which has led to mistrust. Support for a Scottish model of co- housing could unlock a powerful form of housing in Scotland. Scottish Greens will also be supporting the amendments from Mark Griffin. I press amendment 112. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 112 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“However, I hope that that is not the case here, and that the consultation will actually lead to action. We have too many properties sitting empty in Scotland, so it has to lead to something. Màiri McAllan: The consultation is on-going. It is not to be started—it has started. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I invite Ariane Burgess to wind up and say whether she wishes to press or withdraw amendment 112. Ariane Burgess: Other European nations already support co-housing—Denmark, for example, has embedded the model in its housing culture. Amendment 112 would bring forward a relatively small amount of work that could deliver a real difference, and I urge members to back it.”
“I therefore ask members to support his amendments 366, 367 and 387 and oppose the other amendments in the group. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Graham Simpson for a brief contribution. Graham Simpson: It will be brief, Presiding Officer—I just want to speak briefly about the amendments from Maggie Chapman about compulsory sale orders. The subject has been a frustration for many of us in the Parliament over many years—I think that the commitment from the SNP dates back to 2018; it might have been from even earlier than that. The SNP committed to legislate on the issue, and that was backed by parties on all sides of the chamber, but nothing has happened. I hear that there is going to be a consultation— that is often Governmentspeak for kicking the can down the road.”
“Until we have the results of that consultation, however, the amendments would be premature. I turn to Mr Griffin’s amendments 366, 367 and 387. I have met Mr Griffin on a number of occasions, and we have agreed that tackling the housing emergency is of the utmost importance and that we must use the opportunity that the bill affords us to drive the agenda forward. I note that the members should be cognisant that, on 2 September, the Government published “Tackling Scotland’s Housing Emergency: Housing Emergency Action Plan”, which will help us to deliver around 8,000 affordable homes this year and 36,000 over the coming four years. That aside, I am grateful that Mr Griffin agreed to make amendments to section 51F to ensure that the provision is as impactful as possible in tackling the housing emergency.”
“Amendment 21, and consequential amendment 51, would go a step further than amendment 256 and introduce a power for local authorities to order the compulsory sale or lease of property that has been vacant or derelict for a specific period. That is identical to an amendment that was lodged at stage 2. I reassure Maggie Chapman and the Parliament that we are committing to doing all that we can to support the best use of land and property in Scotland, and I absolutely believe that it should be used to provide high-quality housing. I am mindful of the potential usefulness of the measures in the amendment—indeed, that is why, as I said, we have delivered on the commitment that we made to consult by including various questions on both compulsory sale and lease orders in the consultation that was published on 19 September.”
“Amendment 256 would introduce an enabling power—it does not require you to do something. You could use the powers in amendment 256, depending on what the consultation that you have launched says. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Always speak through the chair. Màiri McAllan: I absolutely take the point, but I am confident and comfortable that, whatever the results of the consultation, which has just opened and is currently on-going, the Government will be able to find the appropriate legislative vehicle to implement whatever, from among its results, we decide is necessary. It would be inappropriate to pre-empt that.”
“I support exploring those tools and how they can help us to respond to the housing emergency, but it would be premature to commit to legislating for such powers while we await the results of the consultation that is under way. With those issues in mind, and taking into account the work that has been started, I ask Maggie Chapman not to move her amendments. Maggie Chapman: I understand that the cabinet secretary is saying that the consultation is happening and that the amendments would, therefore, be premature. Surely, however, giving ministers powers to act in the event that the consultation leads down a particular path to require action would speed up the process in the future, which would mean that we do not have to wait for yet more primary legislation.”
“There are also a number of amendments in the name of Maggie Chapman in this group, relating to compulsory sale and lease powers. On amendment 255, I am pleased to confirm to Ms Chapman that we published a consultation on 19 September on exactly that point, and that ultimately makes amendment 255 obsolete. Its provisions have been fulfilled, so I ask her not to move amendment 255. Amendment 256 seeks to commit ministers to introduce legislation within specific timeframes to give local authorities the power to require the owners of derelict land and buildings to offer for sale or rent such land or buildings for use as residential housing. That is essentially compulsory sale or lease.”
“However, given the need to boost housing supply, which all members agree is crucial, we should be using the bill to send a clear signal that we will no longer tolerate houses being left empty when people are homeless. Màiri McAllan: I will begin with amendment 112, in the name of Ariane Burgess that requires ministers to publish guidance on co-housing. The amendment is identical to an amendment that she lodged at stage 2 that was not pressed at the time on the basis that we do not need a statutory obligation to publish such guidance. Ministers can publish guidance on the issue without a statutory duty to do so. There was agreement at stage 2 that the Government would do just that, and I reconfirm that commitment today.”
“Introducing a whole new bill would add more delay; it would also not be needed. The English empty dwelling management orders did not need a stand-alone bill, because the powers were introduced in a general housing bill, just like the one that we have in front of us tonight. As we contemplate further delay, England is forging ahead. The UK Government backs reducing the threshold for EDMOs to six months, which Westminster City Council says would help to bring 11,000 homes into use. As with the 12- month ban on evictions being introduced south of the border, Scotland risks falling behind. I am grateful that Shelter Scotland has supported my amendments. I am not shying away from the fact that this is a technically and legally complicated area, which is why I have left parts of it to secondary legislation.”
“The manifesto on which the SNP was elected in 2021 says: “We will strengthen compulsory purchase powers for local authorities and introduce new compulsory sale orders.” There are only eight months to go before the next election and, other than the bill, there is still no legislation on the books. If it is not going to happen in this bill, it will not happen within the current parliamentary session. The least that the Scottish Government could do in acknowledging that delay would be to agree the general principle of compulsory sale and lease orders now, and support amendments 255 and 256. It could then use amendment 255 to review the compulsory purchase system, consult and then, if needed, introduce secondary legislation early in the next parliamentary session under the powers that would be provided by amendment 256.”
“However, we also have 32,000 homes that could be rented or sold for people to live in now. That has to change, and my amendments seek to do that. Amendment 256 would empower local authorities to order a property or land that has been left vacant for a specified period to be sold for housing or to be rented. It would also empower communities to tackle the blight of empty homes and derelict land as community groups could apply to the local authority for such an order. Compulsory sale and lease orders are not a new idea. England’s empty dwelling management orders, which allow privately owned properties to be managed by local authorities, have been in place for about 20 years. The Scottish Land Commission published proposals in 2018 and the Scottish Government has been slow to act on them.”
“Maggie Chapman: We have heard criticisms that the bill does not do enough to increase the supply of homes. In many ways, I agree. My amendments 21, 255 and 256, along with the associated consequential amendments, seek to address that. The Scottish vacant and derelict land survey in 2023 showed that there were more than 9,000 hectares of derelict and vacant land in Scotland. That is the size of about 18,000 football pitches. Roughly two thirds of vacant and derelict land, if it is eventually brought into use, is used for residential housing. We also have many houses that are not in use, such as the 31,596 homes that have been empty for more than a year. We have a housing crisis. People are living in unsuitable accommodation. Local authorities are suspending social housing allocations as that housing is needed for temporary accommodation.”
“The declaration of a housing emergency must be more than a headline; it must come with a duty to act and to be held accountable for delivering real change. The housing emergency cannot be brushed aside when the news cycle moves on. It is a daily reality for thousands of families and children, who deserve better. That is why it is so important that the bill now places responsibility for action squarely on the Government of the day. I am pleased that the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee supported that approach, and I ask the Parliament to agree to the technical changes to the amendments that were agreed to at stage 2. Let us ensure that any Government that is faced with a housing emergency is required to set out clearly what it will do to end it and is judged on its actions, not just its words.”
“I have been raising concerns about the growing housing crisis for years—long before the Parliament and the Government formally recognised the housing emergency. The declaration, when it was finally made, was a necessary first step, but the obvious next step is action. What matters is what happens next. Despite the volume of amendments to the bill and the scrutiny that it has received, there remains a glaring absence of measures that will increase the supply of homes for the hundreds of thousands of people in need. The intention of my amendments has always been to ensure that future Governments cannot simply sidestep responsibility for addressing the scale of homelessness and housing need in Scotland.”
“That is why it is crucial that the provisions that amendment 112 would insert are added to the bill. I move amendment 112. Mark Griffin: The amendments in my name in this group relate to the declaration of a housing emergency. I acknowledge that the Government has now accepted the principle of my amendments that were agreed to at stage 2 and has provided me with technical changes to address some of the finer details. It is important that we get this right, so I welcome the Government’s willingness to work constructively to ensure that the bill is robust. I look forward to seeing how ministers will now put the provisions into practice and demonstrate leadership in tackling Scotland’s housing emergency.”
“They also get bounced between councils and public bodies that do not know what to do with them. That means that the wide variety of public good that the model offers is being lost. One specific public good relates to the prevention agenda. Co-housing is known for resulting in people becoming immersed in an experience of wellbeing, and it can lead to a sense of community that removes the isolation that many people experience. Some co-housing is intergenerational, with younger people engaging with older people, which we desperately need in our society today. A fully functioning co-housing sector would deliver significant cost benefits. We cannot continue to make promises that are not kept, particularly when taking action would be of significant benefit to communities and those with specific housing needs.”
“The current pace of change has been too slow and has threatened to kill off the model before it can get started. That is despite the Government’s policy aim to increase co-housing in Scotland and the significant amount of support for the model from engaged and passionate communities that wish to build homes that suit their needs. We need better understanding and support for co-housing in the public sector. We need to understand that, under the model, everyone has their own home and that, together, they share some common facilities, such as a laundry facility, common room or workshop. Such facilities build a sense of community and a culture of looking out for one another rather than after one another. 18:00 Co-housing projects struggle to access public funding at all levels, which leaves them stranded at the planning stage.”
“For two decades, politicians have told the co-housing sector that they support the model, yet no significant progress has been made. Amendment 112 would require the Scottish Government to produce guidance on co-housing. Specifically, it would give ministers the option of developing definitions that outline how the model could develop and how the public sector should support co-housing. I wish to underline that the amendment includes no obligation on what must be included in the guidance. The only obligations are that the guidance must be published within two years and drafted in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, which would provide ministers with plenty of flexibility. The Scottish Government must be active in facilitating the co-housing model.”
“Does she accept that the attempted asset stripping of £180 million of community housing should be of concern to the Government? Màiri McAllan: Of course, that may or may not be of concern to the Government, and I am happy to speak to Mr Sweeney about it some more. The question that is in front of me just now, however, is whether a change to primary legislation is required. When I see that 21 of the 22 transfers that have been proposed since 2010 have all received approval by well over two thirds of tenants, I do not think that there is a case for change.”
“Moreover, I have looked into the matter and it appears that, since 2010, 21 transfers out of a proposed 22 have all received approval by well over two thirds of tenants. That indicates, I think, that there is not a great case for change to be made. Given the fact that there has been no consultation with the sector, with either landlords or tenants, coupled with the questionable need for change in the light of the paucity of evidence and the fact that all the transfers that have been agreed since 2010 have received a majority of well over two thirds, I will not be supporting the amendment. Paul Sweeney: Does the cabinet secretary agree that the requirement for agreement by a two-thirds majority of shareholders in the Co- operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 is justified?”
“If the amendment is agreed to, we could create a culture of supporting co-operatives in the sector to flourish and provide more affordable social housing options for people. Màiri McAllan: I will begin with amendment 101, in Mr Sweeney’s name. The Government’s position on this issue has not changed since stage 2. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2010 sets out that, in order for a transfer to proceed, “a majority of tenants” should agree to it. I was not initially clear on the rationale for Mr Sweeney’s amendment, but I listened carefully to what he said. Nonetheless, I fear that moving to a requirement for agreement by two thirds of tenants could be viewed as setting out a position whereby the expressed wish of a simple majority of tenants could be ignored.”
“On the one hand, the Scottish Housing Regulator is performing its duty to protect tenants, homeless people and others, but on the other hand, it is depriving those same people of a form of housing that could make a significant positive difference to their lives. My amendment 337, which has been drafted with the support of Co-operatives UK, is reasonable in its scope and is within the spirit of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010, which sets out the regulator’s obligations. It is worded in a way that would not place co-operatives above other forms of social housing, nor does it seek to be overly prescriptive in what it would require of the regulator. It would mean, however, that the Scottish Housing Regulator would have to take a slightly different approach to governance.”
“18:30 I have spoken with several co-ops, which find that the regulator does not fully understand the model. It also expects them to operate in the same way that a major housing association might, when they do not have the same level of resource available to them. That means that what may be a simple, single step for a typical housing association translates into a complicated process for a registered social landlord co-operative. That is simply not fair. These co-ops routinely deliver high levels of tenant satisfaction and prove, time and again, that they can operate effectively as social landlords. We are now at a point at which the number of RSL co-ops in Scotland has tumbled from 20 to just seven in the space of two decades.”
“I apologise for arriving slightly late to the chamber for this grouping. Before I speak to my amendments, I note that I will support the amendments of Paul Sweeney and Mark Griffin, for the same reasons: they support community and co-operative housing. Amendment 337 would require the Scottish Housing Regulator to “have regard” to different models of social housing, such as housing co- operatives. At present, the regulator adopts a blanket approach to all forms of social housing. However, that system does not take into account the fact that social housing comes in a variety of models, and regulations that rightly apply to one form of housing can be to the detriment of other forms. That particularly disadvantages non- traditional forms of housing, such as co- operatives.”
“Neil Gray: First, I am confident in the service that is being provided at Portree hospital, but we are currently in discussion with the British Medical Association and the Royal College of General Practitioners about future funding models to ensure that a sustainable general practice model comes forward and includes the recruitment of additional general practitioners in order to improve access. As I set out in my statement, we have taken steps with rural and island medical provision to ensure that we have foresight on the issues and know what is required in rural and island communities. I have taken a number of steps, including with the Scottish graduate entry medicine programme—ScotGEM—to recruit more staff into rural and island communities.”
“Although out-of-hours hospital care is vital, most healthcare on Skye is delivered in the community. With GP recruitment and retention across the Highlands in a fragile state, will the Government take action to prevent community services following the same path as Portree hospital by committing to a whole-system approach that will support rural workforce retention, improve access to training and career progression and ensure sustainable primary care for rural communities?”
“Ariane Burgess: It is time that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you. I call Ben Macpherson, to be followed by Tim Eagle. You have up to four minutes, Mr Macpherson. 13:22”
“It was a fire waiting to happen, and it is time that we considered banning disposable barbecues altogether. Meanwhile, rural fire crews—often on-call volunteers—are stretched to their limits. Communities step up, but they cannot be the last line of defence; we need a national strategy that joins up land use, climate action, biodiversity restoration and emergency response. Let us not forget the public. Expanding the reach of the Scottish outdoor access code, increasing the number of countryside rangers and ensuring that people understand their responsibilities outdoors are all essential. This is not only about how we respond to fires once they are raging but about how we build landscapes and communities that are resilient in the first place— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you.”
“We should not conflate muirburn with other fire management techniques, such as creating firebreaks or tactical burning during an emergency, which are very different in practice and risk. If we are serious about prevention, we must confront the reality that large-scale burning of moorland is adding to, not reducing, the danger. The issue connects directly to climate change. As our summers become hotter and drier, the risks multiply, and that makes it urgent for us to properly investigate and publicly report the causes of every wildfire. We need to learn, adapt and prevent repeat incidents. Prevention is also about behaviour. Disposable barbecues are a known risk. Indeed, a constituent of mine told me of flames coming from a bin in a forestry car park; inside were three still- smouldering disposable barbecues.”
“Fire strips hillsides bare, destroys habitats and undermines our climate targets. Healthy ecosystems are our greatest defence. Rewetted peatlands and restored native woodlands are far more fire resistant than degraded moorland that is dominated by heather, and healthy soils hold more water, too, slowing the spread of flames. Where natural processes are restored, resilience increases; in North America, wetlands created by beavers have acted as natural firebreaks. We must be honest about land management— Jim Fairlie: Will the member give way? Ariane Burgess: I do not have time. Muirburn is often claimed as a prevention tool, but evidence shows that it is frequently the cause of wildfires getting out of control.”
“I am also working with constituents who were traumatised by the lack of communication when the fires came close to their homes this summer. Wildfires are no longer rare, and I am grateful that Emma Roddick has brought this issue to the chamber. Their frequency and intensity are increasing, driven by climate change, human activity and land management, and the Highlands are especially vulnerable, due to extensive peatlands, open moorland and remoteness. Communities, living landscapes and emergency services are bearing the brunt. The environmental costs are staggering. Peatlands that should be locking in carbon instead go up in smoke, releasing vast amounts of greenhouse gases. One fire in the flow country released 700,000 tonnes of CO2 in six days, doubling Scotland’s emissions for that period.”
“For years, I have travelled across the Dava moor, making my way to the Cairngorms, Kingussie and onwards to the south and west, but nothing prepared me for the devastation that I encountered when I came over the brow of the hill on the moor this summer. Everywhere I looked, the land was black and charred. As I drove, it went on and on, with trees burned and whole hillsides ravaged by wildfire. Earlier this summer, from the top of Cùl Mòr, I watched the fire on the side of Stac Pollaidh unfold in great yellow smoke clouds. In the aftermath of the Cannich wildfires, I met people who were on the ground at the time to understand the extent and impact of the event. I followed that up with visits to Inverness fire station to discuss the challenges that our fire and rescue teams face and what resources they need.”
“In specific terms, tier 4 of the framework is about continuous personal development, and it will continue to help farmers to get to a place where they can deliver the vision of the agriculture programme. Flood Resilience Strategy (Islands) 4.”
“Scotland has legislated for sustainable regenerative agriculture, but stakeholders— farmers and other people who are employed in the sector—are concerned that little has been done to provide the education and training opportunities that are needed for that urgent shift. Without a properly funded long-term education and skills pipeline, there is a real risk that the transition in agriculture will stall before it has had a chance to get started. What consideration has the minister given to allocating a greater proportion of funding to the education and skills tier of the farm support budget, to ensure that the agricultural workforce has the skills and training that it needs? Jim Fairlie: I am sure that Ariane Burgess knows that a range of things happen in agriculture that help knowledge exchange between farmers and among the community.”
“Given the massive hikes that renters are facing, will she acknowledge the plight of tenants and support the Green amendment to reinstate temporary controls until the Housing (Scotland) Bill comes into effect? Màiri McAllan: Affordability of rents is one of the key points that require attention as we respond to the housing emergency. I made clear my commitment to that when I met Living Rent over the summer. The Housing (Scotland) Bill, which is currently going through Parliament and which is approaching stage 3, contains a system of long- term, national and evidence-based rent control provisions, which I will be glad to see on the statute book, subject to Parliament’s approval, so that we can support tenants with affordability across”
“Renters across Scotland have been hit by outrageous rent demands. Earlier this year, the Scottish Government ended temporary rent controls that were meant to protect tenants from large hikes until permanent rent controls came into force. Living Rent reports that, since the end of those controls in April, there have been 175 cases in which landlords have requested a 20 per cent increase on average. Forty-one landlords proposed rent increases above 30 per cent, and some went as high as 88 per cent. The cabinet secretary has clearly been listening to the landlord lobby, given some of the rent controls exemptions that she has announced today.”
“Amendment 13 disagreed to. Amendment 14 not moved. Amendment 15 moved—[Pam Duncan-Glancy]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 15 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. Richard Leonard: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Apologies. Again, my system would not connect. If it had, I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Leonard. I will make sure that that is recorded.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app did not connect. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Burgess. I will make sure that that is recorded. For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) 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) 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) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) 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) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) 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) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (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) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) 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) 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) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 13, Against 91, Abstentions 0.”
“The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee was clear that any relocation of farms to more exposed or offshore locations must be based on a full understanding of environmental, animal welfare and social impacts. Concerns were raised about stronger tidal conditions, colder waters and more extreme weather, all of which could harm fish welfare and increase the risk of escapes. The committee called on the Scottish Government to commission new research and consider the development of dedicated research pens before taking such a step. I believe that the SSI moves ahead of any of the evidence on that. That is why I called for a pause to allow proper research, strategic planning and safeguards to catch up before further expansion proceeds.”
“I acknowledge that we all share a common goal: to manage our marine environment in a way that is responsible, non-polluting and forward looking. The aquaculture sector is an important part of Scotland’s economy, particularly in rural and coastal communities, and I support its development—but only when that is evidence led and environmentally sound. I have serious reservations about approving this SSI today. Although I understand that the intention behind it is to clarify consenting powers, we cannot ignore its wider implications. This is a significant geographical and regulatory shift that risks getting ahead of the science and the processes that we need to support it, and it raises more questions than answers.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what funding allocations it has made, and plans to make, to enable local authorities to fulfil their statutory duties to uphold the statutory right of access to outdoor spaces, commonly known as the right to roam. (S6O-04776) The Deputy Presiding Officer: Before we continue, I ask for Ms Burgess’s microphone to be checked. I thought that the sound was a bit faint. However, the cabinet secretary will at least be able to respond to the principal question.”
“We must start the conversation to build a system that works for everyone, and we must back it up with urgent action. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We now move to the open debate. 16:25”
“The proposals for new care models and the inclusion of neurodevelopmental conditions in the mental health and wellbeing strategy are all steps forward. The NAIT report gives us a direction, but efforts should be stepped up. So far, the pace has been too slow. Community-based models show promise but, at present, many people still access GPs or secondary care referrals. Monitoring and on-going support in the community are patchy and inconsistent. This is the moment to be ambitious. The Scottish Government needs to expand and create adult neurodevelopmental pathways and stepped care models. They have been recommended by the NAIT and by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the 2021 “National clinical ADHD Pathway Feasibility Study”. That has to be backed by leadership, funding and accountability.”
“We need to move away from a single-condition model. Many people experience multiple overlapping challenges. For example, a person with autism may have not just autism but several other conditions. We need integrated neurodevelopmental pathways in all 14 health board areas and to replace siloed systems with co-ordinated whole-person approaches. The national autism implementation team’s “Adult Neurodevelopmental Pathways” report makes that clear. It calls for consistent national standards, early access to support and proper accountability. We need to stop treating neurodevelopmental support as an optional extra. National leadership is essential, as is long-term investment. Third sector organisations have long echoed that. Promising work is under way.”
“That is an important first step in initiating the conversation. I hope that the minister will commit to ensuring that people with lived experience are not only heard but play a central role in shaping solutions and decisions going forward. Another critical issue is the lack of accurate data. We do not know how many people are waiting for assessment or how long they have to wait. Without transformation in that area, we cannot accurately measure progress. Significant action can and should be taken to address those issues. The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland calls for strong national leadership and a clear focus on delivering support across four key levels of care. It has devised a model with practical solutions to many of the immediate and medium-term challenges, and it is clear that that must be paired with a long-term strategy.”
“The result is years-long waits for diagnosis. Without a diagnosis, many cannot access the basic support that they need to participate fully and confidently in education, work and community life. Long waits and unclear pathways are standing in the way of effective treatment. That is particularly true for ADHD, for which treatment can be highly effective and truly transformative. I hope that this debate can serve as the starting point for a constructive conversation about what needs to change. We need clear action and strong commitments from the Scottish Government to begin fixing a system that is currently failing too many people. I welcome the call for the Government to convene a cross-party summit that would focus on reducing waits for neurodevelopmental support and increasing mental health capacity.”