Michael Marra
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“I thank Jack Middleton for bringing the debate to the chamber. Its subject is of widespread concern, and will impact significantly on communities across the north of Scotland and in my North East Scotland region.”
“Indeed, the decline of quality local journalism that is embedded close to people is a tragedy. As many local newspapers face increasing issues with sustainability, it has become more, rather than less, important for the biggest companies and corporations to ensure that their journalism is rooted in communities.”
“More broadly, I believe—Jack Middleton has touched on some of this—that the decision is an act of surrender to what is a wildfire of commoditised fear that is weaponised by tech oligarchs to purposely undermine real freedom in pursuit of power and profit.”
“Although it is a commercial decision from STV, backed by the regulator to this point, it is also the latest example of what is becoming an ever- growing list of services being centralised away from communities in Scotland. Those in the north- east and further afield have, over the years, seen the same situation before.”
“The absence of regional journalism will only hasten that process, and whatever we might think, collectively, about the barrier and where the balance should sit, local people should have that accountability and the opportunity to make their case about where power is situated.”
“I welcome the hard work that Our Union Street is doing to re-energise Union Street and the centre of Aberdeen. The project is working along with partners to bring together a shared vision of the future of the city centre.”
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“I am in full agreement about the need for joint working across the UK on these issues. However, let us be clear that the UK Government inherited a policy disaster from the Tories, who broke the asylum system. Under Labour, double the number of asylum decisions have been made, removals have increased by 30 per cent and the number of asylum hotels is down by close to 50 per cent from its peak under the Tories. It is going in the right direction, and we want to see that. The use of military barracks as a temporary measure is a practical step that will deliver better value for the public. Mr Swinney and his Cabinet ministers certainly talk the language of supporting asylum seekers, but when the Scottish National Party-run Glasgow City Council wanted to pause refugees coming to Glasgow, the First Minister backed it to the hilt.”
“I hope that that, along with my answers to Ms Regan and other members, demonstrates that we are very serious about tackling those who seek to harm, control and exploit.”
“I point to the work that we have been able to do as a result of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015, which was passed unanimously by the Parliament. I wonder whether legislation of that nature would pass unanimously today. I am sure that many of us recall the passing of that legislation and were very proud to support it. Other legislation that is crucial in this area includes the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007. The Minister for Victims and Community Safety will be bringing forward further measures, such as the duty to notify. Ministers have the power to place a duty on public services to report when they come across or encounter someone whom they believe to be a victim of human trafficking.”
“Does the cabinet secretary recognise that tackling such crimes is all the harder in Dundee, given that the number of local front-line police officers has reduced by 71 in recent years? Angela Constance: Let me start by agreeing whole-heartedly with the first part of Mr Marra’s question. There are people in this country associated with the hard right, particularly in communities where there are vulnerable people and high levels of poverty, who are exploiting the pain of members of our society, whether they are new Scots or old Scots who were born and bred in Scotland. He is right to say that we need to stand united against that. In relation to the need for us to probe deeply, there is no room for complacency. There is never any room for Scottish exceptionalism when it comes to the protection of vulnerable adults and our children.”
“I, too, thank the police officers who have investigated what is an absolutely heinous crime. The offenders ruthlessly preyed on the weak, entrapping and abusing their victims, with lifelong consequences. Since the sentencing, members of the online hard right have been trying to link this incident to others involving migrants in Dundee, painting a picture of a broad criminal conspiracy tied together by race. We should all be clear that they are doing that without evidence, without concern for victims and without care for my city. The questions posed on systematic grooming should be fully answered by the Government. What evidence has it seen? What questions is it asking of Police Scotland? How will it update the Parliament on those matters?”
“Amendment 284 would do the same regarding the modification of powers relating to the community right to buy and the registration of interests of large landholdings. Amendment 304 would do the same regarding the section on lotting. However, I have listened carefully to what the cabinet secretary has said and have taken on board her comments, so I will not move those amendments.”
“Amendment 75 would do the same for the exempt transfers and the various time periods associated with land transfers. Amendments 113 and 114 would make the ancillary provisions subject to the affirmative procedure. I cannot understand why the cabinet secretary does not like those amendments. I voice my support for Rhoda Grant’s amendments 275, 284 and 304, which were proposed by the Law Society of Scotland and would bring a bit more sense to this somewhat clouded and unhelpful bill. Rhoda Grant: My amendment 275, which was originally proposed by the Law Society, would insert a pre-laying procedure into the section that empowers the Scottish ministers to modify the chapter that deals with land management plans in order to afford more scrutiny and consultation— basically, it would be a super-affirmative order.”
“Amendment 39 would subject changes to legislation, including those that relate to the list of landholdings on which community engagement obligations may be imposed, the list of persons who may report a breach and the maximum amount of fine, to the super-affirmative procedure. That would ensure that any retrospective changes to legislation are properly scrutinised—specifically, by a committee of the Parliament that has regard to land reform. It would also ensure that the draft regulations are laid before the Parliament for at least 90 days. That seems to be the correct use of parliamentary procedure and of the committee procedure, which is incredibly important, as I said earlier. 20:30 Amendment 51 would do the same for the prohibition on transfer period and the land that is subject to prohibition.”
“Edward Mountain: As I have only five amendments in this group, I am pleased that I will not be incurring your ire for going too long over my time limit, Presiding Officer. I do not think that I shall use all that time, but maybe I will. My amendments in this group are to ensure that modifications to legislation are properly scrutinised before they come into effect. Frankly, I see the amendments as a test of whether the Government believes in the parliamentary process of scrutiny. That is something that I am incredibly proud happens and which I want to ensure happens in such situations.”
“Those would require a report by the land commissioners regarding “the impact and effectiveness” of part 1 of the bill, as well as any response by the Scottish Government, to be laid before the Parliament. Such a report would allow additional routes for the relevant committees to be aware of significant proposals for amendment, including those that arise from such a report, and to take further evidence should they consider that to be necessary. I therefore ask members to oppose those amendments. I also ask that members oppose Edward Mountain’s amendments 113 and 114. The inclusion of the ancillary regulation-making power and the level of scrutiny that is attached to such regulations in the bill are standard practice. I move amendment 152.”
“The use of the powers might sometimes be for quite technical things—for example, to modify references to other legislation in the definition of “connected person” in order to reflect changes to that other legislation—yet each and every proposed change would require an additional 90 days of parliamentary scrutiny. Therefore, I disagree with the premise that we require a pre- laying provision for text that has been scrutinised extensively by the Parliament. Many of the proposed amendments today have stemmed from such scrutiny. There are also the review provisions that have been proposed by Martin Whitfield MSP, which will be debated in group 12.”
“Although there will be regulations to set out how the provisions will operate in the future, much of that detail is already in the bill and has been scrutinised by the Parliament in great detail for the past 18 months. Two of the reasons why we use delegated powers in the Parliament are to allow sufficient flexibility in the future to respond to changing circumstances and to ensure proper use of parliamentary time. I fully accept that making any future changes will require further scrutiny, yet there are already statutory requirements to consult on each of the powers and the use of the affirmative procedure requires the Parliament to scrutinise and agree to any subsequent regulations.”
“The changes that are proposed in my amendments will allow section 36 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003—which lists what the register of community interests in land should contain—to be modified, by regulations that are subject to the affirmative procedure, to require registration of further information once the requirements are fully known. I move to the other amendments in this group. I will focus on Edward Mountain’s amendments 39, 51 and 75 and Rhoda Grant’s amendments 275, 284 and 304. Those amendments would add pre- laying provisions—often known as super- affirmative regulations—to the powers in part 1 of the bill to modify the community engagement, pre- notification and transfer test provisions.”
“However, stakeholders representing landowners and community interest groups agree that, as well as setting a de minimis threshold, there should be an ability to exempt certain types of transfer from pre-notification measures. Amendments 156, 158, 165, 168 and 174 will allow future regulations to do just that. My third set of amendments—amendments 170 to 173—relate to how the new pre-notification prohibitions will interact with the register of community interests in land, which is maintained by Registers of Scotland. For completeness, I add that I will not move amendment 171, because it is a consequential amendment that is no longer required. The key aim of the remainder of my amendments is to ensure that the necessary documents that stem from the pre-notification procedure can be properly shared with Registers of Scotland.”
“Amendment 274 disagreed to. Amendment 151 moved—[Mairi Gougeon]—and agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 8 is on powers to modify. Amendment 152, in the name of the cabinet secretary, is grouped with amendments 39, 275, 156, 158, 165, 167, 168, 51, 284, 170 to 174, 195, 75 and 304. Mairi Gougeon: My amendments in this group do three things. First, amendments 152, 167 and 195 are technical drafting amendments to ensure that regulations can be used to clarify provisions in the bill—for example, if references in the bill need updating. Secondly, the next set of amendments stem from a change to the bill at stage 2 that allowed for exemptions for the pre-notification provisions based on the size of the land that is being sold or transferred. That is known as the de minimis threshold.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) 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) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (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) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) 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) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) 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) 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) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) 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) 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) 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) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 28, Against 82, Abstentions 0.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My proxy vote for Paul O’Kane did not register. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Marra. I will ensure that Mr O’Kane’s vote is recorded.”
“Michael Marra’s party has accepted that the EPL needs to be replaced; the difference between his party and mine is that we do not think that we should wait five years to do that if we can see the harm that the levy is causing to jobs right now. We want to protect jobs in the north-east as they stand, right now, and we call on the Chancellor of the Exchequer—I hope that Michael Marra will join me in doing so—to use the opportunity in her budget next month to replace something that she accepts needs to be replaced. The Presiding Officer: I call Liam McArthur for a brief supplementary.”
“What advice would she give to the First Minister on the judicious and sensible use of his social media accounts? Kate Forbes: I do not think that the First Minister is in need of any advice from me. I hope that Douglas Lumsden was listening to Michael Marra’s question, because it set out some facts in relation to the holding company. We have engaged with Petrofac as a company and with Michael Shanks—both Gillian Martin and I have had two separate meetings with him—and we are very hopeful that there will not be an impact on jobs in the north-east. However, I want to speak to the wider sectoral issues.”
“Yesterday afternoon, the First Minister tweeted: “This is incredibly concerning news for employees of Petrofac, their families, and the wider community. The UK Government must urgently revisit the Energy Profits Levy.” Had he read the BBC News story that he hastily retweeted, he would have found out that it was actually the holding company of Petrofac that had gone into administration as a result of the cancellation of an offshore wind contract in the Netherlands. I can tell the First Minister that the EPL does not apply in the Netherlands. Petrofac has said clearly—as I am sure it has said to the Deputy First Minister—that its North Sea business will continue “to operate as normal”. Does the Deputy First Minister agree that confidence in the company is critical?”
“I know what I think, and I believe that most Scots would agree with me. Just last month, Audit Scotland confirmed that position in its report on adult disability payment, noting: “there is no timescale for when Social Security Scotland can consider incorrect payments due to client error or fraud.” It is no wonder that Scotland’s finances are in such a mess when that is the approach taken by this incompetent, knackered SNP Government. 17:12”
“The First Minister’s statement yesterday that devolution has reached its limits is rather ridiculous when the SNP Government has not even bothered to enact the full powers that are currently at its disposal. The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice makes much of the different approach that she wants to take in Scotland. That different approach means, reportedly, having no plan to recover the £36 million in fraudulent benefit claims in Scotland. In her speech, she made reference to some belated moves to develop a plan. Last month, it was revealed that the SNP Government has a 10 per cent recovery rate for benefit fraud and error, which means that £9 in every £10 is lost. When I asked the cabinet secretary at the Finance and Public Administration Committee whether she thought that that was good enough, she refused to say.”
“Two and a half years ago, when I launched the injury time campaign alongside GMB and the Professional Footballers Association Scotland, calling for repeated head injuries in football to be classified as industrial injuries, the cabinet secretary told me that the benefit could not be transferred because the records were on paper and case transfer would take too long. Just last month, the same SNP Government extended its agency agreement with the DWP until 2027—a decision that was rightly condemned by Amanda Kopel, widow of Dundee United legend Frank Kopel, who tragically lost his life to dementia. It begs the question: what on earth has the SNP Government been doing for the past two years? If you do not start a process, there is no hope of ever finishing it.”
“Scottish Labour will support the legislative consent motion. It is absolutely right to say that the UK Government is seeking to update the welfare system and deliver value for money for taxpayers. The legislation will give the DWP the ability to gather necessary information and to fully investigate fraud and error. Those are sensible updates that will improve the system and bring it into the 21st century. The main reason why the legislative consent motion is needed is that the Scottish Government is continuing agency agreements for severe disablement allowance and industrial injuries disablement benefit. The latter benefit was devolved to Scotland nearly a decade ago, yet the SNP Government has sat on its hands.”
“No genuine solutions have been brought to the table. The numbers remain far too high. Every year, my constituents pay with their lives. It is my sincere hope that the bill will pass stage 1 today and that the debate surrounding it can be a catalyst for much-needed change in my city and in the rest of the country. 16:08”
“In the context of the bill, which Douglas Ross has introduced with the support of his colleagues, we must recognise that there is no one path or solution for this most serious of crises. The Government should be doing everything that it can and exploring every avenue to address the issue. It cannot shut down one priority to address another. If this is genuinely a crisis, the Government and service providers should be using every tool at their disposal to save lives as part of that national mission—to use the language of religion that we have heard from the Government. The explosion in drug deaths in this country is unique in character and was preventable—it should have been prevented. It is the Government’s single biggest categoric failure in public health, for which the previous First Minister has admitted culpability.”
“Done properly, those services can help people to get to a place where they can take the necessary steps from chaotic drug use to accessing residential rehabilitation where it is—as it should be—available. That can support them to beat addiction and to get their lives back on track. At present, in far too many areas, stabilisation and transition services simply do not exist at all. Beyond committing the funds, the Government must work at pace to make sure that those services are available on the ground, because I am led to believe that some funds in the Scottish Government budget remain unspent because there are no options for spending the money. Each of the measures that I have set out would help people on the path to recovery and would save lives.”
“However, we need to shorten the timescales for forensic toxicology, so that we give policy makers the information that we need while simultaneously protecting people from harm as best we can. We also need drug-checking services as a priority. The minister knows that I want the Dundee facility to be operational as soon as possible. In the past week, I have been in conversation with the University of Dundee to see how that might be progressed at greater pace, and I know that the minister shares that aspiration— she said as much at the joint committee meeting last week. It is crucial that we get services right at moments of potential change for individuals. The often neglected area of transition and stabilisation services is critical to that.”
“If services are to have any chance of achieving lasting change, they have to meet people where they are. Far too often, that does not happen. The pace of change that people have experienced with the services in Dundee has been glacial. I remain deeply sceptical about the assessment of the MAT standards. The green rating that has been attributed to many of the services in Dundee does not reflect the experience of service users— or of service providers—of the availability of those services. There also remains a significant data issue. If we are to do what works, we need to know what works. We need proper live data. There have been clear improvements in the RADAR system in relation to warnings about the kinds of drug mixes that are on our streets and that are a risk to people daily.”
“The pragmatic solution that is set out in the Labour position is that we will support what works. My home city of Dundee is in the top three areas in Scotland for drug deaths, and the city and the community bear the scars of that crisis. The number of drug deaths in Dundee in 2024 was nearly double the number in 2010. That is nothing short of scandalous, and it always bears repeating. Those lives were needlessly lost while inadequate services were left to decline, and necessary interventions to save lives were ignored. There has clearly been service failure in Dundee, as was laid out in the Dundee drugs commission report, and many lives have been lost as a result. That failure was characterised by a system that was overly clinical and medicalised but that was punitive in nature and lacked flexibility for the individual.”
“No one who has engaged in this most serious of issues and met people with lived experience would argue against giving people a route out of addiction and a pathway to recovery. There has to be respect for the individual and recognition that a one-size-fits-all approach simply does not work. Where practical abstinence measures work for people, they should be available, but abstinence is not the only possibility or the only pathway to recovery. As Jackie Baillie said, there should not be a policy choice between harm reduction and residential rehabilitation—that cannot be allowed to be the case. However, I am afraid that parts of the debate are turning on a balance between the two, so, at times, the debate moves from the practical towards the philosophical.”
“I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I was previously employed by Dundee’s Leverhulme research centre for forensic science, which is involved in the development of drug-checking services. I acknowledge the work of Douglas Ross, his colleagues, stakeholders and campaigners, many of whom have lived experience, who have contributed to the bill and given their views on it, often by reliving trauma and discussing difficult situations in their lives. For many people, such conversations do not come up without cost. I know that everyone who is engaged in the work is motivated by a deep desire to save lives and protect people from the harm that addiction causes for individuals, families and communities.”
“Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-19253, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on backing Scotland’s colleges and apprenticeships, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“For 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) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) 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) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (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) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) 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, 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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (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) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) 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) 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) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) 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] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) 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) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S6M-19253.2, in the name of Lorna Slater, is: For 60, Against 51, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S6M-19253.2, in the name of Lorna Slater, which seeks to amend motion S6M- 19253, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on backing Scotland’s colleges and apprenticeships, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For 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) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) 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) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (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) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) 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, 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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (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) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) 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) 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) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) 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] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) 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) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S6M-19253.3, in the name of Richard Lochhead, is: For 61, Against 51, Abstentions 0.”
“The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S6M-19253.3, in the name of Richard Lochhead, which seeks to amend motion S6M-19253, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on backing Scotland’s colleges and apprenticeships, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“Motion, as amended, agreed to, That the Parliament notes that the suspension of local connection referrals in 2022 did not change the rights of newly recognised refugees to choose where they settle in Scotland, nor did it prevent Scottish local authorities from referring households presenting as homeless to an English or Welsh local authority with which they have a local connection; reaffirms that Scotland is a welcoming nation to people fleeing persecution, seeking safety and who have been granted refugee status, ensuring that they can rebuild their lives in the country through the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy; highlights action in Scotland to tackle homelessness and destitution, including new prevention measures in the Housing (Scotland) Bill, increased investment in affordable homes and the £4 million investment in homelessness prevention pilots, alongside the extension of rapid rehousing transition plan funding of £8 million into 2026-27, and calls again on the UK Government to urgently uphold the European Convention on Human Rights, 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol.”
“For 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) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) 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) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (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) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) 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, 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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (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) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) 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) 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) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) 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] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) 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) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-19252, in the name of Russell Findlay, as amended, is: For 61, Against 51, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is that amendment S6M-19252.4—[Interruption.] My apologies—since amendment S6M-19252.5 was agreed to, amendment S6M-19252.4 has fallen. The next question is, that motion S6M-19252, in the name of Russell Findlay, on stopping illegal immigration and recognising its impact on housing, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My proxy vote for Paul O’Kane failed to register. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Marra. We will ensure that that vote is recorded. For 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) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) 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) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (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) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) 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, 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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (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) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) 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) 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) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) 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] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) 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) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S6M-19252.5, in the name of Màiri McAllan, is: For 61, Against 51, Abstentions 0.”
“It gave the same warning in 2023 and again in 2024. Just last week, the auditor general continued to bang his head against the SNP’s brick wall and gave a damning verdict for 2025. Setting aside the spin and the bluster, he has confirmed that, since 2021-22, there has been a staggering 20 per cent real-terms cut in funding for college budgets. I am afraid that that is a lamentable start to the Minister for Higher and Further Education’s tenure in office.”
“I can think of few policy areas that better sum up the knackered SNP Government than the state of Scotland’s colleges. For years, colleges have asked the Government to give them a clear purpose as part of a wider economy and skills system. Audit Scotland’s 2022 report was damning of the Government’s lack of leadership of the skills system in general. That is part of the reason behind the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill. The Cumberford-Little report has sat on the shelf, gathering dust, for half a decade. For years, colleges have warned about the impact of budget cuts, which the SNP has delivered time and time again. In 2022, Audit Scotland warned that change was needed to ensure that the college sector would be financially sustainable in the long term.”
“To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of rising levels of knife crime in Dundee over the summer, how it is supporting Police Scotland and local partners to prevent and reduce incidents of violent crime. (S6O-05035)”
“Can the First Minister provide proper clarity on the standing of that zombie plan, so that the remaining staff, who are looking on ever more anxiously, can know what on earth is going on?”
“This week, hundreds of staff left the University of Dundee, ending countless years of collective service. Their loss is keenly felt by their colleagues and students, and results from a crisis for which they bear no responsibility. I know that the First Minister will join me in sending them best wishes and thanks. Has the First Minister had the chance to catch up on the astonishing scenes at yesterday’s Education, Children and Young People Committee? The trade unions and I and other MSPs were told by ministers that the latest version of the university’s recovery plan from management had been rejected, and rightly so. Yet yesterday, the Scottish Funding Council said that it had been neither rejected nor approved—it is not alive and not dead.”
“New remit: To consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, with the exception of matters relating to just transition; and on matters relating to land reform, natural resources and peatland, Scottish Land Commission, Crown Estate Scotland and Royal Botanic Garden within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands. The Presiding Officer: That concludes decision time. Nuclear Incidents”
“New remit: To consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, and matters related to homelessness and rough sleeping, fuel poverty, and welfare and debt advice services within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Housing. Name of Committee: Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Remit: To consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, with the exception of matters relating to just transition; and on matters relating to land reform, natural resources and peatland, Scottish Land Commission, Crown Estate Scotland and Royal Botanic Garden within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands.”
“New remit: To consider and report on matters relating to local government and planning falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, matters within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, with the exception of matters related to homelessness and rough sleeping, fuel poverty, and welfare and debt advice services; and matters relating to local government boundaries, local governance review and democratic renewal. Name of Committee: Social Justice and Social Security Committee Remit: To consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice excluding matters relating to housing and tenants’ rights.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill be passed. The Presiding Officer: The final question is, that motion S6M-18923, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on committee remits, be agreed to. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees to the following revisions to the remits of committees— Name of Committee: Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee Remit: To consider and report on matters relating to local government and planning falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, matters relating to housing and tenants’ rights within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, and matters relating to local government boundaries, local governance review and democratic renewal.”