Martin Whitfield
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any impact on its energy policy and strategy, and in light of reports that Torness nuclear power station is due to close by 2030, what its response is to the United Kingdom Government’s new fusion strategy, which aims to deliver thousands of jobs and long-term energy security. (S6O-05690)”
“I ask members to note my entry in the members’ register of interests. As we come to the conclusion of today’s debate, I rise to offer the full support of Scottish Labour for the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill.”
“The last few motions before us today are the final motions from the committee designed to put the standing orders book in its best possible state for the next session. The first motion, regarding the sixth report, relates to cross-party groups. We have had some challenges this session with the compliance of cross-party groups.”
“Last year’s fostering and adoption statistics show that children who are going through the adoption system face significant delays, with some waiting for six months or longer.”
“I will dwell on the comments he made as convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee, because it is a tribute to him that he saw, in that committee, the ability to fulfil a role that is crucial for committees in a unicameral Parliament.”
“The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-21167, in the name of Graeme Dey, on a motion on legislative consent for the Armed Forces Bill, which is UK legislation, be agreed to.”
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“To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any impact on its energy policy and strategy, and in light of reports that Torness nuclear power station is due to close by 2030, what its response is to the United Kingdom Government’s new fusion strategy, which aims to deliver thousands of jobs and long-term energy security. (S6O-05690)”
“We have an opportunity to build on the excellent work that the minister and the Government have done with regard to the bill. The Government that will come after the election needs to build on that. I reiterate the point that I made last week that far more experienced politicians could learn from the minister’s approach of reaching out. Drift and delay in the development of young people are massively important issues. However, the report speaks to the fact that, if we listen to the voices of adoptive families, to the children and to the practitioners, we can ensure that this often forgotten group of children are given the tailored support that they need and deserve. 19:23”
“Last year’s fostering and adoption statistics show that children who are going through the adoption system face significant delays, with some waiting for six months or longer. That goes back to matters that I raised when talking about the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill last week about permanency and decision taking. We cannot overstate the challenge that our young people feel if they do not have a settled environment in which to live. Teachers and parents have knowledge of Maslow’s pyramid of needs. Sitting right at the bottom of that is the need for a home, a family and security. Without those, children are unable to develop the skills that others do not even know that they are developing, because they are in a sort of flight or fight mode for far too long.”
“Again, it is crucially important, both for those who adopt and for adoptees, to understand what we mean by adoption breakdown and how it can be anticipated, as issues becomes more apparent, to try to prevent breakdowns before things go too far. In my short contribution, I want to concentrate on the report’s call for a review of adoption allowances to enable applications to be made throughout the course of adoption as family circumstances change and as children’s needs change and emerge. In that very small area, I have had a significant amount of casework relating to the challenge that our system throws up—it is almost a postcode lottery. We need an understanding in local authorities of what the expectation is and what the guidance suggests should happen.”
“There is a call for data collection and to look at national adoption practices, with the understanding that adoption is not just a snapshot in a person’s life. When a child is put up for adoption, which often happens at a very early age, their experience is carried throughout their life. Just as parents continue to feel responsibility for birth children, communities should feel responsibility for all their members. Adoption goes on, although it changes and develops. With young people who have been adopted, some challenges that were not apparent early on often become more apparent at a later stage. I whole-heartedly agree with the point in the cross-party group’s report about seeking a clear definition of adoption breakdown.”
“I am absolutely certain that the minister’s future will be massively successful. It is a pleasure to speak in the debate. I thank Fulton MacGregor not just for bringing the motion to the chamber but for all his work throughout this parliamentary session on a crucial matter. Stage 3 of the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill last week shone a light on some of the most incredible people in our communities. Tonight’s debate allows us to shine a very specific light on a much smaller but very important group that sits within that community. I agree with much of what the motion calls for, and much of what we have heard from David Torrance and Roz McCall.”
“As no member has objected, the final question is, that motions S6M-21190 and S6M-21191, on approval of two Scottish statutory instruments, in the name of Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, be agreed to. Motions agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the Antisocial Behaviour (Fixed Penalty Offences) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] be approved. That the Parliament agrees that the Marine Licensing (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] be approved. The Presiding Officer: That concludes decision time. Point of Order 18:20”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament, in exercise of the power conferred by section 15 of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”) makes The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026 and— (a) resolves that with effect from the day after the first dissolution of the Parliament following the day on which this Resolution is made the provisions which are contained in paragraphs 1 to 4 of this Resolution shall come into force; and (b) notes that in accordance with section 48(1) of the 2016 Act the Parliament has consulted the Scottish Ministers. The Presiding Officer: I propose to put a single question on the two Parliamentary Bureau motions, unless any member objects.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 10th Report, 2026 (Session 6), Standing Order rule changes – Miscellaneous and minor amendments (SP Paper 1052), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in (a) Annexe A of the report be made with effect from 1 April 2026 and (b) Annexe B of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-20942, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee motion on the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026, be agreed to.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 7th Report, 2026 (Session 6), Standing Order rule changes – Miscellaneous and minor amendments (SP Paper 1032), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in the Annexe of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-21048, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 10th report 2026, be agreed to.”
“The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-21051, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s sixth report 2026, be agreed to. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 6th Report, 2026 (Session 6), Code of Conduct changes – Cross-Party Groups (SP Paper 1017), and agrees that the changes to the Code of Conduct set out in Annexe A of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-21050, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s seventh report 2026, be agreed to.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Railways Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 5 November 2025, relating to clauses 4, 7 to 10, 12, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28 to 35, 39, 43, 48, 66, 75, 78, 80, 81, 87 and 90, paragraphs 1, 2, 8 to 14 and 16 of schedule 2, paragraphs 4, 8, 9, 12 to 18, 22, 25, 26, 33 and 53 of schedule 3, new clauses 61, 62 and 64, new schedule 1, the amendments to clause 7 and clause 90, and the amendments to schedule 3 (inserting new paragraphs 22A, 23A, 24A, 25A, 32A, 33B, 34E, 34F, 34J, 34K, 34N, 35A and 36A to schedule 3), so far as these matters alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.”
“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) 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) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) 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) (Ind) 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) 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) 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) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (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) 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) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) 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 Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Abstentions Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) 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) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (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) 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-21168, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on a motion on legislative consent for the Railways Bill, which is UK legislation, is: For 91, Against 1, Abstentions 28.”
“The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-21167, in the name of Graeme Dey, on a motion on legislative consent for the Armed Forces Bill, which is UK legislation, be agreed to. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Armed Forces Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 15 January 2026, relating to clauses 2, 50, 52, 54, and 55, 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-21168, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on a motion on legislative consent for the Railways Bill, which is UK legislation, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-21166, in the name of Jenni Minto, on a motion on legislative consent for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is UK legislation, be agreed to. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 5 November 2024, and subsequently amended, relating to filters, advertising for public health, technology in devices and intermediary liability for internet service providers, 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.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Crime and Policing Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 25 February 2025, and subsequently amended, relating to clauses 15 to 29 and schedule 4 (online advertising etc of unlawful weapons: civil penalties), 31 (offensive weapons), 35, 37 and 38 to 40 (remote sale of crossbows and knives), 44 (duty to report bulk sale of knives), 50 and 51 (offence of child criminal exploitation), 66 and schedule 7 (child criminal exploitation prevention orders: Scotland), 67 to 69 and part 2 of schedule 9 (cuckooing), 76 (child sexual abuse image generators: Scotland), 78 (possession of advice or guidance about creating child sexual abuse or CSA images), 106 (pornographic images of strangulation or suffocation), 110 and 111 (technology testing defence), 117 to 121, 124(1), 125 and 126 and schedule 14 (management of sex offenders), 148 and 149 (offences relating to electronic devices for use in vehicle theft), 167 (powers for British Transport Police), 173 to 180 and schedule 18 (remotely stored electronic data), 181 (access to driver licensing information), 192 (proceeds of crime: expenses protections), 208 to 216 and schedule 24 (creation, maintenance and checking of barred and advisory lists for National Crime Agency/British Transport Police/Ministry of Defence Police/Civil Nuclear Constabulary), 248 to 250 and 262 (implementation of law enforcement information sharing agreements), 254 (criminal liability of bodies corporate and partnerships where senior manager commits offence) and schedule 22 (Proceeds of Crime Act 2002), 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.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill be passed. The Presiding Officer: The next question is that motion S6M-21179, in the name of Angela Constance, on a motion on legislative consent on the Crime and Policing Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation, be agreed to.”
“For Adam, George (Paisley) (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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (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) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) 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) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-21104, in the name of Jim Fairlie, on the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill at stage 3, is: For 119, Against 0, Abstentions 0.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill be passed. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-21104, in the name of Jim Fairlie, on the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill at stage 3, be agreed to. As this is a motion to pass the bill, the question must be decided by division. Members should cast their votes now.”
“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) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (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) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) 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) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) 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) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-21103, in the name of Ivan McKee, on the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill at stage 3, is: For 119, Against 0, Abstentions 1.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill be passed. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-21103, in the name of Ivan McKee, on the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill at stage 3, be agreed to. As this is a motion to pass the bill, the question must be decided by division. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed. Jim Fairlie: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I apologise; I am having trouble with my machine. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, minister. We will ensure that that is recorded.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app failed to connect in time. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Whitfield. We will ensure that that is recorded. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (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) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) 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) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) 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) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-21120, in the name of Daniel Johnson, on the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill at stage 3, is: For 121, Against 0, Abstentions 0.”
“I move, That the Parliament, in exercise of the power conferred by section 15 of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”) makes The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026 and— (a) resolves that with effect from the day after the first dissolution of the Parliament following the day on which this Resolution is made the provisions which are contained in paragraphs 1 to 4 of this Resolution shall come into force; and (b) notes that in accordance with section 48(1) of the 2016 Act the Parliament has consulted the Scottish Ministers. The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Parliamentary Bureau Motions 18:06”
“Members may wish to note that updated parliamentary guidance on the act is being prepared and will be published by the lobbying register team. It will be of incredible interest to all members who return in the next session. As is required by the act, the Scottish ministers were consulted on the proposed resolution and the updated guidance. They had no comments—for which I am grateful.”
“I sense members’ relief that this is the final motion that I will speak to tonight. It comes under section 15 of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016. I will take a moment to put on record my deep thanks to colleagues across the chamber who sat on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee during this session, in what were some challenging times. I thank the clerks, the Scottish Parliament information centre, researchers and all who supported the committee over the session—thank you. The modifications in the motion relate to the communications that clerks can give to registrants to provide updates, notices and reminders. They also introduce the use of an email address rather than a postal address, to ensure that information can be passed on.”
“I move, That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 10th Report, 2026 (Session 6), Standing Order rule changes – Miscellaneous and minor amendments (SP Paper 1052), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in (a) Annexe A of the report be made with effect from 1 April 2026 and (b) Annexe B of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026. The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026”
“Any members who are paying particular attention will understand the challenge that the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee has with regard to the post-European Union landscape. We are suggesting an extension until 2 October 2026, which is a temporary rule change to continue the committee’s remit so that the issue can be looked into at the start of the next session and to ensure that, in the future, the committee is appropriately titled and its work appropriately defined. There are some minor rule changes, which clarify conflicting interpretation as to the locations in which committees can meet.”
“The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Standing Order Rule Changes (Miscellaneous and Minor Amendments)”
“Our seventh report deals with miscellaneous and minor amendments, particularly one proposed by the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, which recommended the removal of references to “the EU” from standing orders, because such references are now outdated. The other items contained in the report relate to guidance that will be published by officials and will take effect from the start of the next session, if agreed tonight. I move, That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 7th Report, 2026 (Session 6), Standing Order rule changes – Miscellaneous and minor amendments (SP Paper 1032), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in the Annexe of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026.”
“The purpose behind that is to enable the CPG system to be sustainable, so that both members and external stakeholders can benefit from the valuable work that CPGs do. I move, That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 6th Report, 2026 (Session 6), Code of Conduct changes – Cross-Party Groups (SP Paper 1017), and agrees that the changes to the Code of Conduct set out in Annexe A of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026. The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Standing Order Rule Changes (Miscellaneous and Minor Amendments)”
“The last few motions before us today are the final motions from the committee designed to put the standing orders book in its best possible state for the next session. The first motion, regarding the sixth report, relates to cross-party groups. We have had some challenges this session with the compliance of cross-party groups. Following a consultation, we propose extending the period of re-registration for cross-party groups, which will allow members to have a better understanding of what their workload is like before they commit to CPGs. We also propose the introduction of a limit to the number of CPGs of which an MSP can be a member or office bearer. Finally, we are also introducing some new deadlines for the provision of information about CPG activities, in the hope that they can more easily be complied with.”
“I will dwell on the comments he made as convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee, because it is a tribute to him that he saw, in that committee, the ability to fulfil a role that is crucial for committees in a unicameral Parliament. Those who return in the next session could do a lot worse than to look at some of the reactions and strategies that the convener chose to use to hold the Government to account and consider the legislation that came before the committee. Finally, I pay tribute to Daniel Johnson, whose determined and principled leadership has brought his member’s bill to its final stage. It seems that he is getting quite good at member’s bills, so let us see what the election brings, in the hope that he will be working on a Government bill next time. 15:41”
“It will establish a clear legal duty, requiring all instances to be recorded and communicated to parents and ensuring that staff have access to high-quality training that is aligned with national best practice. I will touch on a couple of contributions before I close. The first was from Douglas Ross, who has just sat down. It is always a pleasure to follow Douglas Ross. I note his incredibly useful confirmation that one of my party’s members attended a Conservative group meeting and will file that away. As a wise parliamentarian, Douglas Ross acknowledged those who support us here. In this case, it was the non-Government bills unit, but there are many people around us who allow us to do our jobs.”
“The bill is a culmination of more than a decade of uncompromising advocacy by individuals such as Beth Morrison and Kate Sanger, who fought not for personal recognition but to ensure that no other family would experience what they had to go through. Their tireless campaigning alongside the children’s commissioner, Enable Scotland, the National Autistic Society and others has ensured that children’s voices and their rights are now central to this legislative approach. The Parliament should be in no doubt that the practices that we are legislating for are serious intrusive interventions that must be governed by robust rights-based and trauma-informed standards. That is what the bill will do.”
“The case for the bill was driven by families, campaigners and organisations that refused to let experiences remain unseen. Reports from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, “No Safe Place: Restraint and Seclusion in Scotland’s Schools”, and Enable Scotland, “In safe hands?”, have made clear the scale of the challenge and the lack of proper systems for reporting and accountability. The findings are reflected in the fact that Scotland has fallen behind other United Kingdom nations, particularly Northern Ireland, in providing a clear statutory obligation to protect children in schools.”
“I ask members to note my entry in the members’ register of interests. As we come to the conclusion of today’s debate, I rise to offer the full support of Scottish Labour for the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill. At its heart, the bill is about dignity, rights, protection and transparency for some of our most vulnerable children. The purpose of the bill is to minimise the use of restraint and seclusion and to ensure that such practices are used only as a last resort and only when there is an immediate risk of harm. The bill will place a statutory duty on ministers to issue national guidance, to set consistent national training standards and to require the recording and reporting of all such incidents to parents and guardians, ending the unacceptable inconsistency that has persisted across Scotland for too long.”
“It can also support public perception that committees operate independently of the Government and political parties, and it can afford committees the opportunity to create a distinct identity.”
“In these challenging times, we need to remember that the proposals for amendments to standing orders are about getting the next session of Parliament off to the best possible start without any periods of wondering. This final report is the committee’s eighth report of 2026. It recommends that the Parliament agree to standing order rule changes in order to provide for conveners of the subject and mandatory committees to be elected by the whole Parliament. During the course of our committee effectiveness inquiry, those in favour of elected conveners emphasised that having conveners elected by the whole chamber can bring a degree of confidence and visibility to the role. We also heard that, for conveners, that can create a sense of legitimacy and of accountability for the activities of their committee.”
“That change formalises an existing Scottish parliamentary norm and we consider that that will protect and embed that norm for the future. The third change relates to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. We gave serious consideration to the proposals for introducing an acting SPCB member but, as we detail more fully in our report, we understand that that is likely to require a change to the Scotland Act 1998. Therefore, we decided that we did not wish to pursue that recommendation at present. However, we have recommended changes to the wording of standing orders to strengthen gender balance as an issue for consideration at the nomination stage for corporate body membership.”
“The committee’s role has been to consider the audit recommendations within the context of potential rule changes and how they would operate on practical levels, as well as whether there are any potential unforeseen circumstances. The first rule change relates to the Parliamentary Bureau membership. We recommend strengthening the wording in standing orders to increase the prospect of gender balance on the bureau from the start of a session and when nominating a new member if a current member ceases to hold office. The second change relates to the election of Presiding Officers and Deputy Presiding Officers. We recommend that the rules be changed so that those who are elected cannot all be of the same gender.”
“There is a phrase about a bad penny, but I will try to recall that later on. Our fourth report of 2026 sets out the committee’s proposals for standing order rule changes relating to the Parliament’s gender- sensitive audit recommendations for Parliamentary Bureau membership, elections of the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers and membership of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. In making these proposals for standing order rule changes, we are keen to ensure that progress is made towards a gender-sensitive Parliament in which equality truly exists between men and women in relation not only to representation but to participation in the Parliament.”
“Parliament endorsed those changes in the committee’s debate on its inquiry, which was held on 6 November 2025. Members may wish to note that the proposal relating to elected conveners will be considered under a separate motion later this evening. The key rule changes that are proposed in the report include reducing from 15 to 10 the maximum number of members who may sit on committees, implementing the recommendation in the gender- sensitive audit that no single-sex committees be permitted in the next session, ensuring that committee membership normally reflects the gender balance of the Parliament, and enabling committees to meet in private at the same time as the chamber without requiring prior permission to do so.”
“Unlike the previous two motions, our motions do not include our entire reports. If they had, they would perhaps have made the Business Bulletin the longest in the entire session. This evening, I will speak to three motions that mark the conclusion of two important pieces of work that the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee did in this session—our inquiry into committee effectiveness and our consideration of the recommendations in the gender-sensitive audit that the Presiding Officer established. If the changes that I will speak to are agreed, they will take effect from the start of session 7. Our third report of 2026 sets out a number of standing order rule changes that the committee recommends following its report on strengthening committee effectiveness.”
“She is a highly skilled and articulate politician who has defended the Scottish Government, has listened to care-experienced people and sometimes to buffooning politicians around the chamber, and has done everything that she could to get the bill into place. I confirm that Scottish Labour will support the bill tonight, and I thank the minister specifically for that work. Six years ago, parties across Parliament came together to make a Promise. We now need to build on that consensus. We must keep being ambitious but, most of all, where we fall short, we must keep being accountable to the people who really matter, and that is our care-experienced community. 18:04”
“The hard-won victories in the bill will mean nothing if its provisions are not properly resourced and effectively implemented. In the short time that I have left, I wish to make some genuine comments about a minister who is, as she leaves Parliament, probably at her most valuable. She has crafted a way of reaching out, through stages 2 and 3 of the bill, that I think many people with far more experience could learn from. I hope that whoever follows her builds on that. I hope that they do not start again and need to learn again but that they look at what she has achieved. From discussions that I have had with the minister and from her contribution, I know that she has had imposter syndrome. In my view, she absolutely should not think that she is an imposter—she is not an imposter in any way.”
“During the proceedings on the bill, I have sought to highlight the need for our legislation to be guided by the UNCRC, to reimagine our approach to children’s hearings and to acknowledge the vital contribution and immense value of foster carers. The provisions in the bill and the discussions surrounding them must provide an impetus to act on those issues. That is what the bill actually is: an impetus to act. It is an instruction to act. It is a call to capture the voices of our young people telling us to act. It does not fulfil commitments to the care-experienced community—we are still not where we need to be. Corporate parenting and social work are still operating in incredibly challenging environments. Too many care-experienced young people are still not being given the nurturing that they need to thrive.”
“We must learn the lessons that this process has taught us as politicians in Parliament and the Government. I am proud, however, that we managed to reach a point at which legislation can start to make real and tangible differences to the lives of people in one of the most vulnerable groups in our country. The bill introduces the right to return to care, and that in particular is worthy of celebration. It has provided an opportunity to shine a light on the incredibly important work that the independent advocacy services do. Under article 12 of the UNCRC, young people have the right to have their voices heard, and that must always guide our policy making. Independent advocacy empowers young people to use those voices.”
“Engagement during the early stages of the bill’s development, before it came to the chamber, was extremely poor. Not all the people who had the most experience and knowledge to contribute to the bill were listened to, and it is much poorer legislation for that. The bill should not have been left to the last moment; it is far too important. The independent care review told us in 2020 that legislation was needed to simplify the legal landscape, and the Government promised us in 2022 that that would happen. The bill is a lot of things, but simple it is not. Unfortunately, further legislation will be required in the next parliamentary session to clear up the messy legislative landscape, as well as to properly redesign the children’s hearings system.”
“I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on behalf of Scottish Labour in this debate. Last night, it was striking to note the significant levels of agreement on the stage 3 amendments. That demonstrated three things. First, there has been much-improved engagement by the minister and the Government to deliver on issues that I and colleagues across the chamber raised at stage 2. Secondly, there is still an encouraging level of consensus and commitment across the chamber on fulfilling the Promise. Thirdly, many people across Scotland, including people in the care- experienced community and those who support them, want to see change. Unfortunately, the fact is that improved engagement was an absolute necessity.”
“Jackson Carlaw: Yes, I think that we can agree on that. I hope that such matters will be properly explored further when the corporate body is able to engage with the successor SPPA Committee on the issue. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We can squeeze in question 8, if the questions and answers are brief. Lobbying Register 8.”