Katy Clark
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“I welcome the fact that we are taking steps to reduce the prison population, but there needs to be a wider discussion—I think that we are all agreed on that. Community justice must be expanded.”
“The chamber has been designed so that members speak through the chair, which also means that the microphones will work. If you face me, your microphone should work. Alyn Smith: I am grateful to Amanda Bland for her comment. She is a good colleague on the Criminal Justice Committee, and, as ever, that was a sensible question.”
“Yesterday, I met constituents outside the Parliament who are concerned about the potential impact on local communities and the environment of the energy consumption of proposed AI data centres in Irvine, Bishopbriggs and Hunterston, in my region. At least 24 controversial sites are being considered across Scotland.”
“The member cannot take an intervention, as she is already in additional time. Pauline McNeill: I will conclude with a specific point on deaths in custody, which the Criminal Justice Committee had a brief chat about on Wednesday morning.”
“I move amendment S7M-00469.2, to insert at end: “; is concerned that the current prison population crisis is chronically hampering effective rehabilitation; calls on the Scottish Government to increase its investment in GPS technology and speed up its roll out, and notes that the current approach to rehabilitation, community justice and e…”
“I understand that there is a request for national guidance, but that would be a deviation from where we are as a Parliament. However, if the mood of the Parliament is changing, the Government is open to listening, and that is a conversation to be had.”
The complete record
Every one of 635 lines we hold for Katy Clark, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 10 of 13.
“I will speak to amendments 288 and 289, in my name. Amendment 288 relates to eviction orders for occupied properties on grounds of sale when the landlord seemingly abandons plans to sell. Generation Rent found that, in 2022, nearly a third of private landlords who evicted tenants in order to sell their property had failed to sell the property more than a year later. We know of many situations in which tenants have been evicted on grounds of sale and the property has been put back on the rental market at a higher rent. Amendment 288 is intended to address that scenario. The amendment would restrict landlords from letting, or attempting to let, the property in question within six months of an eviction order being granted.”
“That is why we cannot support exemptions in two specific areas. First, we cannot support them for the build-to-rent sector. That is seen by many as a way to increase private investment in housing supply, and it is attractive to investors if they can be sure of high rental yields. However, because of the requirement for high rental yields, the accommodation tends to be high-end luxury housing or at least to be priced at the higher end of the private rented sector. Such developments do not sit well with the desire for mixed communities or for an affordable element of large- scale housing developments.”
“To say that they are able to “weasel” out of rent controls is unfortunate, because we cannot solve the housing crisis without everybody being involved, whether that is the state, councils, registered social landlords, charities or the private sector. To describe landlords as weaselling out sums up exactly the problem that we have got ourselves into: we are deterring investment. Please, let us tone down the language and respect everybody who has a role to play in investing in properties. Maggie Chapman: I thank Willie Rennie for his intervention, but he will not be surprised that I disagree with him. The hundreds of tenants, renters and activists who gathered outside the Parliament last night would echo the concern that rogue landlords have got away with really poor practice for far too long.”
“Adding various exemptions for different types of landlords or different types of properties will make the system excessively complicated. Many renters are already unfamiliar with their rights. Bringing in a system of rent controls but taking it away again from significant numbers of tenants will only add to that problem and to their confusion. We do not believe that there should be such a wide-ranging scope for exemptions. Renters need clarity, and landlords should not be able to weasel their way out of rent controls. Therefore, my amendments in this group remove exemption provisions, and I want to say a little about two specific areas that are much talked about. Willie Rennie: I regret some of the language that is being used in the debate about landlords and property investors.”
“Amendment 64 agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: As I indicated, because amendment 64 has been agreed to, I cannot call amendment 270 due to pre-emption. Section 14—Properties exempt from or subject to modified restrictions The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 3 is on exempt properties. Amendment 138, in the name of Maggie Chapman, is grouped with amendments 65, 153, 154, 66, 156, 157, 67 to 69, 158 to 161, 278, 279, 162 to 164, 70, 172, 267, 268, 122 and 269. I draw members’ attention to the procedural notes on the amendments in the group, which are set out in the groupings. Maggie Chapman: The Greens oppose exemptions to rent control. To work for renters and to work for landlords, the system needs to be simple and transparent.”
“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) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (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) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) 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) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (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) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] 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) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) 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) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 59, Against 52, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 63 agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I remind members that, if amendment 64 is agreed to, I cannot call amendment 270 due to pre-emption. Amendment 64 moved—[Màiri McAllan]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 64 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not vote. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Clark. Your vote will be 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) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (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) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) 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) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] 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) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) 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) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 58, Against 51, Abstentions 0.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a direct award to the Ferguson Marine shipyard for the replacement of MV Lord of the Isles. (S6O- 04952)”
“Yesterday, I spoke about some of the international examples in which victims have been given stronger voices and more access to information.”
“Even if extra resource were put into the new courts, the result would be less resource for the High Court and the sheriff courts, which may continue to deal with many rape and sexual offence cases. We would have been more supportive if the proposals had been more radical, with new buildings and infrastructure, so that a very different environment was created. However, the reality is that the new courts will use the same buildings and rooms, and complainers are likely to be walking into a similar set-up but with new signage. We support radical cultural change and embedding trauma-informed practice throughout the system for victims and witnesses. We believe that the experience of other countries is that one of the most effective ways of delivering justice for victims is by empowering them within the system.”
“We welcome the fact that the Scottish Government did not proceed with the most polarising part of the original bill: non-jury rape trials. These were controversial, and we do not believe that they were the top demand of victims. Indeed, many of the rape survivors whom we spoke to said that the jury was not an issue for them. It is unclear how the changes to jury size and jury majority and the abolition of the not proven verdict will impact conviction rates. One of the most significant complaints from complainers is about the delay that they experience in the system. We are concerned that an unintended consequence of the bill could be further delays, given the massive reorganisation that will be required to create new courts.”
“I am pleased to close the debate on behalf of Scottish Labour. We remain concerned that the bill might have unintended consequences and disappoint victims. We are also concerned about the significant amendments—for example, on victim notification and the rape shield—that were lodged by the Scottish Government at stage 3 but not considered by the committee. We are not opposed in principle to those proposals, but they are major changes that require consultation and scrutiny. Much of what we proposed and argued for at stage 2 on victim notification—such as a single point of contact—was agreed to and accepted by the Government, whereas the amendments that the Government lodged at stage 3 extend to many areas that were not scrutinised by the committee.”
“Greenock police station has not been properly maintained for many years and is earmarked for closure. Police Scotland’s estates master plan also noted that Greenock needs a new station. Will the cabinet secretary give an update on the progress on delivering a new station for Greenock and confirm that it will have a custody suite? Angela Constance: It is important that Police Scotland carefully considers the location of custody suites. It is a matter to which it has given—and continues to give—serious consideration. As I said earlier, specific responsibilities around police stations rest at an operational level with the chief constable and Police Scotland, but I would be happy, after consulting with Police Scotland, to provide an update to Ms Clark. Women Prisoners (Preparation for Release) 3.”
“In doing so, it has to recognise that juries will come to their decisions in different numbers and in a different way. I do not plan to press amendment 157 but, if I had not lodged it, there would have been no debate on something that has taken a long time to come to pass and is very significant. I move amendment 157.”
“If I had not lodged amendment 157, that would not have been mentioned at all at stage 3, although I am sure that we will debate it tomorrow. Saying that there should be training may not be the right way forward, but it should certainly be recognised that, if the bill is passed, we will have a fundamentally different jury system, and we will not know whether that is for better or worse until the bill is enacted. The Government moved from a jury size of 12 to a jury size of 15 with a majority of 10. Not everyone agreed with that. It is important to highlight that, and there should be some way for the Government to mark how it will be taken forward. The bill is massive and the Government has set out its timescale for when it will enact which aspects.”
“Amendment 157, in the name of Pauline McNeill, is the only amendment in the group. Pauline McNeill: Amendment 157 would ensure that specific training is given to judges, sheriffs principal, sheriffs and members of staff in the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service before the change in the jury size comes into effect. I am pretty certain that the Government will oppose the amendment. I just want to be honest with members. It is half past 8 in the evening and members are tired. It has been a long day for everyone. However, I want to draw to members’ attention an issue in the bill that the Government and the Criminal Justice Committee have wrestled with: despite widespread agreement on the removal of the not proven verdict, there was widespread disagreement on the size of the jury.”
“Pauline McNeill: I thank the cabinet secretary for working with me on the corroboration issue. I did not say this from the outset, but it is important to review the interaction between the new provisions to remove the not proven verdict and the very fine balance of the new jury size. It is important to continue to review the different elements and, as corroboration is a significant part of the process, that was one reason why I felt that it should be reviewed. Amendment 1 agreed to. Amendment 2 moved—[Pauline McNeill]—and agreed to. Amendment 153 moved—[Katy Clark]—and agreed to. Amendment 154 not moved. Amendments 155 and 156 moved—[Katy Clark]—and agreed to. Section 71—Commencement The Presiding Officer: Group 22 is entitled “Changes to jury size and verdict”.”
“I recognise Pauline McNeill’s views on continuing to monitor developments in corroboration, which is a distinctive part of our criminal law that has been refined and modernised by the courts for decades. At stage 2, I confirmed to her that the Government would engage with her on how best to achieve that, and I am pleased that we have been able to work together on her amendments. I am proud to take forward a bill that contains landmark reforms that will improve how survivors of sexual offences—the majority of whom are women and girls—are treated in our justice system. Katy Clark’s amendments will ensure that the review of the act will consider the “experiences of victims and witnesses, in particular women”. I am happy to support amendments 153, 155 and 156 in her name.”
“For example, in Denmark and Norway, victims are entitled to legal representation at the reporting stage, before the trial and during the trial. In Spain, the law allows female victims of gender violence free legal assistance regardless of the existence of resources to mitigate the cost. Many other legal systems—some similar to ours and some less so—outside Europe also provide legal representation for victims. I intend to move amendments 153, 155 and 156 and I hope that, in the review of the legislation, further consideration is given to expanding independent legal representation, advice and advocacy for rape victims and other victims. Angela Constance: I am pleased to support all the amendments in the group apart from amendment 154, which Katy Clark has confirmed that she will not move.”
“My amendments seek to ensure continued consideration of the impact of the welcome measures that are included in the bill—particularly those that allow advocacy in court when the defence is seeking access to medical records—as well as of other initiatives, such as the legal advice work that is being undertaken at the University of Glasgow. 20:30 We hear repeatedly that rape victims find the justice system retraumatising. In many other jurisdictions, there has been a significant expansion of independent legal representation over recent decades, which has helped to empower victims. Scotland still lags behind much of Europe and many other parts of the world when it comes to legal representation of victims.”
“I lodged my amendments in the group following from previous amendments that I lodged at stage 2 on independent legal representation for rape victims, and further to discussions with the Scottish Government. I am grateful to Scottish Government officials for their engagement. I will speak to amendments 153, 155 and 156. I will not move amendment 154. Amendment 153 will require the Scottish Government to set out in the review measures to improve the experience of women. Amendments 155 and 156 will expand the reporting requirements on the Scottish Government to include engagement with the lived experience of women. The amendments follow from representations that I made at stage 2 about extending independent legal representation and advocacy for rape victims, to empower survivors in the justice system.”
“Amendment 101 disagreed to. After section 29A The Deputy Presiding Officer: We turn to group 8, on the victim notification scheme and rights to make representations. Amendment 66, in the name of the minister, is grouped with amendments 66 to 82, 85, 94, 95 and 161.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. There was a technical problem. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Clark. Your vote will be recorded. For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) 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) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (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) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) 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) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) 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) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (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) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) 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) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) [Proxy vote cast by Willie Rennie] Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) 16:00 The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 53, Against 61, Abstentions 0.”
“Ahead of the Scottish Government’s budget, I hope that ministers will engage seriously with unions, and those of us in the Parliament, on the issues that are being raised in today’s debate. 15:32”
“I would therefore be grateful if the minister could provide any detail about which services will be subject to cuts and job losses, and how they will deal with that deficit. Ivan McKee: Will Katy Clark take an intervention? The Deputy Presiding Officer: The member is about to conclude. Katy Clark: I apologise, but I do not have time. In its fiscal sustainability development plan, the Scottish Government outlined steps that it would seek to take on tax. One of those was for ministers to undertake engagement regarding the taxation of wealth and to publish a literature review on the subject. I would appreciate it if the minister could outline how that would work and, indeed, how work on land taxation more generally is progressing.”
“Public sector workers and public services should not pay the price for the Scottish Government’s mishandling of public finances, yet its plans for public sector reform will result in precisely that. There is still a lack of detail from ministers on what services will be subject to cuts and which jobs will be lost, but the Scottish Trades Union Congress has warned that up to 10,000 jobs could be lost. Scotland has already lost more than 1,000 firefighters, 1,000 police officers and around 65,000 local government workers since 2006. Those are the very people who keep vital front-line and local services running. A loss of an additional 10,000 workers will undoubtedly have an impact on those, and on the delivery of wider public services, at a time when they are more needed than ever.”
“As has already been mentioned in the debate, the Scottish Fiscal Commission forecasts that Scotland faces a funding gap of roughly £4.7 billion a year by 2029-30. That is equivalent to 4 per cent of day-to-day spending and 23 per cent of the capital budget. Recent GERS figures highlight that Scotland’s public spending deficit now stands at more than £26 billion, or around 12 per cent of GDP. Scotland’s finances are undoubtedly in a challenging state, but addressing the state of our public finances comes down to political choices. We can choose to protect public services, save jobs and invest in our communities, or we can repeat the failed experiment of austerity. The Scottish Government’s political choice, as set out in its medium-term financial strategy, appears to be one of further cuts to public services.”
“The title of the debate is “Improving Scotland’s Finances”. To do that, we need to produce an economic strategy, based on growth; to develop an industrial strategy; to address productivity; to rise to the challenge of the green industrial revolution; to be at the forefront of the technological changes that are required to address the climate challenge; and to recognise the changing demographics, with an ageing population and low birth rates. We need to increase funding, but to do so in a way that does not increase taxes for working people, who are already worse off than they were in 2010, and who have suffered with austerity, wage stagnation after the financial crash, increased costs and higher interest rates.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recently published report by National Records of Scotland, “Healthy Life Expectancy, 2021- 2023”. (S6O-04906)”
“I hope that the cabinet secretary will outline what steps the Scottish Government is taking to improve the safety of rail services for women and girls. The UK Government’s proposals to create a single, publicly owned and nationally integrated rail network are welcome. I hope that Scottish and UK ministers will be able to work together to ensure that the proposed Great British railways and ScotRail deliver improvements to infrastructure, reliability and safety, and I hope that we continue to have debates of this nature in the chamber. 16:39”
“Reported crime has increased by a third since before the pandemic. The number of reported sex crimes has increased by two thirds over the same period. More than 200 women and girls were assaulted or harassed or faced unwanted sexual behaviour on Scotland’s rail services in the past year alone. Rail workers, too, are facing an unacceptable level of abuse and violence, and rail workers have raised concerns about the abuse that they receive. Women transport workers, in particular, have told me about the increase in threatening behaviour that they are subjected to. ScotRail staff were subjected to more than 100 attacks on trains and at stations last year, which is more than double the number that was reported in 2022.”
“More than 17,000 services were cancelled last year, and more than 55 per cent of services failed to arrive at their scheduled time. Last year, I raised concerns about the punctuality and reliability of the Largs to Glasgow line. More than 200 trains were cancelled on that line alone last year, and more than 500 services were late. In 2023, a total of 455 services on that line were either fully or partially cancelled, which is simply not good enough. The repeated failure to deliver rail services for the people of Largs, Ardrossan and the wider area is unacceptable and, unfortunately, that is not an isolated example. I hope that action is now being taken to improve infrastructure, reduce cancellations and ensure that trains run on time. As I said, crime on Scotland’s rail network is increasing.”
“I take on board what Jamie Greene is saying, but women, in particular, and other groups tell us repeatedly that they feel safer if there are staff available. However, many stations across the West Scotland region are being affected by cuts to ticket office opening hours. Ticket offices at Ardrossan South Beach, Irvine, Largs and Saltcoats stations, along with many others, are seeing opening hours reduced by at least one hour or more. There are on-going issues with the punctuality and reliability of ScotRail services, which the Scottish Government must address. ScotRail, as has been said, is still running fewer services than it ran before the pandemic. ScotRail ran more than 63,000 services this July, which is 6,000 fewer than in July 2019.”
“That leaves many passengers—women, the disabled and the elderly, in particular—unable to seek assistance, and it leads to passengers feeling unsafe at a time when crime on Scotland’s rail network is increasing. Jamie Greene: I agree with what Katy Clark is saying about the closure of ticket offices, but we should remind the wider travelling public about the enhanced closed-circuit television and help point monitoring that is in place in every station. I have been to the centre in Paisley that monitors that, and I hope that Ms Clark can do the same. We should promote that and encourage people to feel that that makes our stations as safe as they can be without ticket offices. Katy Clark: Scottish Government research has shown that passengers feel safer at staffed stations.”
“That is why the Scottish Government’s decision to end the pilot scheme last year was strongly opposed by both passengers and rail unions, and it is a testament to their tireless campaigning that the Scottish Government has now changed its position and has scrapped peak fares. I congratulate the cabinet secretary on that decision. While the scrapping of peak fares will make rail travel more affordable for many, people in many parts of Scotland will not benefit. It is important that rail travel is truly accessible for all passengers, and that is why the rail unions and campaigners have repeatedly warned about the impact of cuts on ticket office opening hours. Reducing ticket office opening hours means that some stations will no longer have guaranteed staffing for notable periods of time.”
“I refer to my entry in the register of members’ interests. It is a pleasure to follow Christine Grahame. I was very pleased that she raised the Beeching cuts, which I believe have proved to be a disaster for many communities. I hope that we all now accept that supporting and extending rail services is vital to meeting our climate change targets and to making transport more sustainable. The scrapping of peak fares, which came into effect last week, is very welcome. Ending peak fares is important for increasing passenger numbers by making rail travel more affordable for working people.”
“Children in Gaza have borne the brunt of the war; thousands of children have been killed and many more are living with life-changing injuries. There are verified reports of children dying from starvation and disease. Any plan for peace must include Palestinian voices. I hope that the political groupings come together—it would be disappointing if the vote today were not unanimous. The Scottish Parliament must support the Palestinians and must support recognition today. 16:33”
“Since the horrific events of 7 October 2023, there have been at least 20 UN votes expressing concerns and condemnation of Israel’s actions and calling for a ceasefire and for self-determination of the Palestinian people—but Israel is not listening. Israel annexed land by force in 1948 and 1967; illegal Israeli settlements have been built on Palestinian land since 1967; and the Israeli state has a formal system of legalised discrimination against Palestinian people. Over the past two years, there have been some of the highest known death tolls among journalists, health and humanitarian workers and UN staff. Hundreds of Palestinians have been detained and have been subject to arbitrary detention in the West Bank.”
“However, successive UK Governments have failed to recognise Palestine. As the cabinet secretary and Alex Cole-Hamilton have said, the state of Palestine has been recognised by 147 of the 193 member states of the UN, and it has been a non-member observer state since 2012. As Anas Sarwar pointed out earlier, France, Australia, Canada and the UK recently stated their intention to recognise Palestine by September 2025—this month. This debate is therefore timely, and I urge the UK Government to recognise the state of Palestine without condition. The backdrop, of course, is the extensive media coverage of human suffering, the mutilation and slaughter of children, the levelling of Gaza and destruction of infrastructure, starvation, famine and a blockade. Nobody can say that they are not aware of the human misery.”
“I welcome the fact that the motion has been lodged by the Scottish Government, and that the debate is taking place in Government time. I also welcome the earlier statement from the First Minister. I appreciate that there are those who say that this Parliament should not be debating international issues, but I believe that it is right that we are holding this debate, as it affects all of us and our security, and we cannot stay silent as we watch the carnage and the multiple breaches of international law. The main argument against the Scottish Government’s position seems to be that now is not the time. Given the slaughter that we have all seen, now is the time—in fact, we should have recognised Palestine many years ago. The UK Parliament voted in favour of recognition of the Palestinian state in 2014, in a non-binding vote.”
“Fiona Hyslop: No, I do not, and I would be interested to know whether compulsory purchase of ports and harbours in Scotland is a new Labour Party policy; that might be news to a lot of investors who want to create jobs and provide services. The member was not a member of this Parliament at the time, and she is rehearsing an argument that is more about propaganda— [Interruption.] Presiding Officer, this matter is very important to the people of Ardrossan. The Presiding Officer: Let us hear one another. Fiona Hyslop: The member, in her anger, perhaps betrays her regret that progress is in fact being made. If she thinks that compulsory purchase is, or was ever, a legal solution for Ardrossan or for other ports, the Labour Party needs to look seriously at its economic case. The Presiding Officer: That concludes topical questions.”
“In February, after years of the Scottish Government ridiculing those arguing for the public ownership of Ardrossan harbour, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport announced, during rural affairs portfolio questions, that the Scottish Government now supported it. The Scottish Government knew more than 10 years ago, when it decided to commission the two Arran ferries, that the ferries did not fit into Ardrossan harbour, that the Scottish Government did not own Ardrossan harbour, and that it was going to be very difficult to get a deal with the owners, but it spent years failing to take the necessary compulsory action. Does the cabinet secretary accept that the Scottish Government has failed the people of Arran and Ardrossan?”
“The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions in the Employment Rights Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 10 October 2024, and subsequently amended, relating to the protection of workers in relation to relevant outsourcing contracts (amended clause 30), and the establishment of the Social Care Negotiating Body for Scotland (amended clauses 36 to 46 and 48 to 52, alongside related amended clauses 153 and 155), so far as these matters alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-18081, in the name of Natalie Don-Innes, on a legislative consent motion on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is UK legislation, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.”
“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) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) 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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) 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] 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) 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) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) 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) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Abstentions Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-18075, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on a legislative consent motion on the Employment Rights Bill, which is UK legislation, is: For 88, Against 1, Abstentions 27.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that all relevant provisions of the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, introduced in the House of Lords on 4 September 2024, so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, should be considered by the UK Parliament. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-18075, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on a legislative consent motion on the Employment Rights Bill, which is UK legislation, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“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) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) 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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] 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) 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) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-18080, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on the legislative consent motion on the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which is UK legislation, is: For 80, Against 0, Abstentions 34.”
“The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-18080, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on the legislative consent motion on the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which is UK legislation, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 30 January 2025, relating to the provision and sharing of trailer registration information (amended clauses 30 to 33), the provision of biometric information at ports in Scotland (clause 36), the repeal of certain provisions of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 (clause 38), the detention and exercise of functions pending deportation (clause 41), powers to take biometric information at detention centres (clause 44), offences relating to articles for use in serious crime (clauses 49 and 50), applicants for making of orders and interim orders (clause 54), and the validation of fees charged in relation to qualifications (clause 57), so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament and alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.”