Christine Grahame
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding whether any of the support announced in response to the increased cost of heating oil will help the agriculture sector and other rural industries in Scotland that are dependent on that fuel. (S6O- 05695)”
“At a recent First Minister’s question time, I raised the matter of the successful prosecution against the Hamiltons, who are part of the cruel puppy- farm trade. That case was concluded after a five- year investigation by the SSPCA that started when 33 puppies were found in dreadful conditions.”
“Of course, some can go online or use an app, but there will be many who cannot, and for them, it is essential that they speak to a real person at the bank, not a chatbot. Therefore, I would impress upon the Bank of Scotland the need for it to take up my suggestion of reintroducing mobile services, which I understand it abandoned in 2024.”
“My first prize at school was for an essay on animal welfare, but being a vet was out of reach for a girl from a council house scheme. However, I got to the right place at last, chairing the cross- party group on animal welfare for more than a decade, with two acts of Parliament—the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Welfare of Do…”
“I made my first speech in June 1999, and one Mary Scanlon, a Conservative, broke my peroration—I thought that I was doing rather well—with a point of order that challenged the relevance of my contribution to the motion. I was devastated, but I ploughed on.”
“The Scottish Sentencing Council is developing guidelines for environmental and wildlife crime, but companion and farm animal welfare cases, which make up the vast majority of investigations, are not included.”
The complete record
Every one of 727 lines we hold for Christine Grahame, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 9 of 15.
“We will work with the third sector, in the absence of UK Government movement on exempting it, to look at multiyear funding, for example, because certainty of funding is something that it would greatly welcome.”
“As the pressure of Labour austerity and inflation continues to attack funding for our public services, and as the increase in employer national insurance continues to bite, ever more will probably fall to be delivered by the third sector— our charities—yet they, too, fall foul of that employer national insurance hike. Does the cabinet secretary agree that charities should be exempt from that job tax, and that it should be fully funded if they are not exempt? Shona Robison: I agree with Christine Grahame on that point. The analysis was, I think, that the national insurance increase would cost the third sector more than £80 million—which will, of course, be a cost to the services that that sector provides.”
“I would have voted yes but I am unable to connect. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will make sure that that is recorded.”
“We have already had commitments on the regulations for the strategic advisory council. It would certainly be my expectation that teachers and lecturers are consulted through their recognised trade unions. I cannot see any way that that could happen and be effective without the consultation being done through their unions. However, unless we pass amendment 148, it will be something of a moot point, because we will have created an inoperable section of the bill. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Could you confirm that you are pressing amendment 146? Ross Greer: I am pressing it—thank you. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 146 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. Christine Grahame: On a point of order, Presiding Officer.”
“Otherwise, we would be relying on the goodwill of the organisation to do that. Does he recognise that that would be a problem? Ross Greer: I am grateful for the intervention and I recognise the concern, but it does not address the issue that I have set out, which is that the language that is in the bill would essentially make the section inoperable unless we clarify it. It is not just about teachers and lecturers, which Pam Duncan-Glancy’s amendment 149 would address, because it is about their representatives through their trade unions. We need to clarify that there is not a requirement to consult every single learner and employer in Scotland. For that reason, I will move amendment 149. We have discussed the role of trade unions in relation to a number of other parts of the bill.”
“Ross Greer: I am afraid that I will have to say to Pam Duncan-Glancy that I will move amendment 148, because the section is in danger of not being workable if we do not make these points of clarification. It would not be workable or practicable to have consultation requirements that include every employer in Scotland, every young person in Scotland, every teacher, every lecturer and so on, and for the reasons that the cabinet secretary has outlined. Pam Duncan-Glancy: Does Ross Greer also understand that amendment 149 makes it explicit that it is representatives from recognised trade unions that represent the interests of persons mentioned in section 14(3A)? That is very specifically about the subsection, but it is also about giving a voice to recognised trade unions.”
“Secondly, it would remove the language of “relevant qualification” and “relevant teaching or training” from the bill, which is important because those terms are only defined for the purpose of paragraph 3 of schedule 1, so it would otherwise be unclear what that meant. Therefore, given that a choice has to be made between amendments 148 and 149, I urge members to support amendment 148 for the reasons that I have set out. However, I reassure Ms Duncan-Glancy that Mr Greer’s amendment 148 would leave paragraph (d) of subsection (3A) intact. That paragraph requires consultation with “such other persons as Qualifications Scotland considers appropriate”. Trade union representatives will therefore still be able to be consulted, and I fully expect them to be as part of the preparations for qualifications Scotland’s corporate plans.”
“Those amendments build on section 14(3A) of the bill as it stands just now, but they are incompatible with Mr Greer’s amendment 148, as we have heard from Ms Duncan-Glancy. If amendment 148 is agreed to, subsection (3A)(b) will be replaced with a new paragraph, so the cross-references in Ms Duncan-Glancy’s amendments would no longer apply and the provision would not have any effect. It is important that Mr Greer's amendment 148 is made to the bill, as it would clarify many points in relation to the consultation duty. First, it would make it clear that qualifications Scotland would not have to consult every single person who meets the eligibility criteria.”
“The stage 1 report noted that teachers felt reforms were sometimes done to them rather than with them. The amendments would respond to that concern by placing partnership on a statutory footing. Successful reform depends on consent as well as command. I therefore ask members to support amendments 149 and 151 so that Scotland’s new qualifications authority begins work side by side with the teaching professionals on whom it will rely. Jenny Gilruth: I am supportive of all Mr Greer’s amendments in this group and I thank him for bringing them forward to build on the amendments that he proposed at stage 2. However, I am unable to support Ms Duncan-Glancy’s amendments in the group.”
“Amendment 148, in the name of Mr Greer, unfortunately pre-empts amendment 149 and would impact the ability of recognised trade unions to be represented in the consultation process. I therefore ask Mr Greer to reconsider moving his amendment 148 in favour of the current wording in the bill and to support my amendment 149 to ensure that trade unions have a voice in shaping the direction that our new qualifications authority takes. Scottish Labour is otherwise happy to support the other amendments in Mr Greer’s name—amendments 146 and 150. The duty that would be imposed by my amendments 149 and 151 is modest, but it matters. Trade union engagement at the planning stage would mean fewer unintended consequences later, and it would help to avoid policies that look efficient on paper but prove unworkable in a busy classroom.”
“Pam Duncan-Glancy: A corporate plan is the road map that turns legislation into day-to-day practice. If it is to succeed, the people who deliver Scotland’s qualifications in classrooms and lecture theatres across the country must help set the course from the very start. Amendments 149 and 151 would make that expectation explicit. They would require qualifications Scotland, when drafting its corporate plan, to consult the trade unions that represent teaching staff. Those unions bring three indispensable assets: direct experience of how assessment works in real time, a national view of workload and resource pressures, and the trust of the profession whose co-operation the new body will need.”
“The amendment also includes a bit of tidying up of the language from my stage 2 amendment, given that “relevant qualification” and “relevant teaching or training” are not defined for the purposes of this section. Amendment 148 pre-empts amendment 149, as the Deputy Presiding Officer has already mentioned, because subsection (3A)(b) would be replaced with new lettering. However, subsection (3A)(d) would remain in the bill, and that covers other groups. I would certainly expect that trade unions would be consulted under the provision. Given the commitments that we have already had on the record from the cabinet secretary about trade union involvement in relation to other provisions in the bill, I am satisfied that they will be consulted as part of the process. I move amendment 146.”
“It would ensure that the requirement for the corporate plan to be voted on applies to every corporate plan, including any resubmitted or revised ones, making sure that it does not apply just to the first one. Amendment 148 would modify section 14(3A) of the bill to make it clear that it refers to such persons who are within the groups that qualifications Scotland consults before preparing a corporate plan, not every single person who falls within those groups. As such, qualifications Scotland would not need to consult every person who is “undertaking” or has “recent experience of undertaking” a qualification. It would not need to speak to every teacher, lecturer or employer in Scotland; it would just need to speak to representative samples thereof.”
“It reflects the lack of effective engagement by the board of the SQA, which has been a significant weakness of that organisation for a number of years. I place on record at this point that there has been a dramatic improvement under the current board chair, but Shirley Rogers will not be in post for ever and we need to bake into the bill provisions that will ensure robust governance and scrutiny, regardless of the individuals appointed to the board. Ensuring that board members will vote on the plan is quite a light-touch requirement, but it would ensure that plans are not nodded through and that board members take individual responsibility to scrutinise what is put in front of them because they have to exercise an individual vote. That is the intention behind amendment 146. Amendment 150 is consequential to amendment 146.”
“Amendment 143 disagreed to. Amendments 144 and 145 moved—[Pam Duncan-Glancy]—and agreed to. After section 13 Amendment 5 moved—[Miles Briggs]—and agreed to. Section 14—Corporate plan of Qualifications Scotland The Deputy Presiding Officer: That takes us to group 8, on the corporate plan of qualifications Scotland. Amendment 146, in the name of Ross Greer, is grouped with amendments 148 to 151. I point out that, if amendment 148 is agreed to, I cannot call amendment 149, due to pre-emption. Ross Greer: Amendment 146 makes provision for the corporate plan of qualifications Scotland to be approved by a majority vote of the board. The purpose of the amendment is to ensure that every corporate plan is voted on and agreed to by the board before it is submitted to ministers.”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) 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) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) 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) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 47, Against 68, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 141 disagreed to. Amendment 142 moved—[Pam Duncan- Glancy]—and agreed to. Amendment 143 moved—[Pam Duncan- Glancy]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 143 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) 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) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) 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) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 49, Against 68, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 140 disagreed to. 18:15 Section 12—Reviewing and revising the charters Amendment 141 moved—[Pam Duncan- Glancy]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 141 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. I am locked out of both of my devices. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will make sure that that vote is recorded. For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) 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) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) 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) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 49, Against 66, Abstentions 0.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am in a similar position, because my app is still not connecting. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Grahame. Your vote will be recorded.”
““An island of strangers”—perhaps it is for Sir Keir Starmer, but not in Scotland and not in our name. 16:13”
“After four years, restrictions would have lifted and migrants would have been free to work anywhere in the UK outside their community pilot area. In 2019, the UK Migration Advisory Committee, giving evidence to a committee in this Parliament, accepted that “the current migration system is not very effective in dealing with the particular problems remote communities experience.” What happened to the rural visa pilot scheme? It was blocked and binned by Sir Keir Starmer because he is desperate to keep tight reins on devolution, saying, “Keep and know your place,” and he is trying to keep Reform UK at bay. That is some message from him. He should remember that, at the election, Labour got only 33 per cent of the vote on a turnout of under 60 per cent. He hardly speaks for the UK, let alone for Scotland.”
“It is abundantly clear that Scotland, unlike the overheated and pressurised south of England—I do have sympathy, given the pressures on public services there—needs a tailored migration system. The Scottish Government proposed a rural visa pilot scheme for Scottish remote and rural areas, which was jointly led by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. It set out a practical and robust approach to delivering a pilot scheme between the UK Government, the Scottish Government, local authorities, employers and communities. Participating employers, in collaboration with Scottish Government and UK Government organisations, would have been responsible for ensuring that the scheme’s terms and conditions continued to be met.”
“In the health debate yesterday, I advised that, currently, over 1 million people are over the age of 65, and that is predicted to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. That is 25 per cent of the population. In addition, the birth rate is falling. The ramifications are that we are short of people in necessary workforces, particularly in our health and care services, and that the tax take is reducing, which impacts on the delivery of public services, not simply through the workforce but in terms of revenue and funding. Asylum seekers are trapped for long months and even years in the UK system and they are not permitted to work and contribute to the economy. Rural areas feel the brunt because of the nature of the employment there, which often involves farming, fishing and hospitality.”
“The phrase “taking back control” is provocative. It is the language and policy of Sir Keir Starmer, but it comes straight from the Boris-Trump-Farage playbook. Let me start with the following facts. Brexit has had a substantial impact on the mobility of employment in this country and, as others have said, it has particularly hit the hospitality, horticulture and care sectors and—I say this to Michael Marra—the construction industry. Brexit brickies. Polish plumbers. The majority of migrants are here legally. The sad high-profile images of desperate people crossing the Channel in flimsy dinghies represent a small portion of migration to the UK. Scotland has an increasingly ageing population.”
“If members take interventions, they will certainly get the time back. 15:50”
“The UK Government is getting on with the job, and the SNP Government should do the same. I move amendment S6M-17906.2, to leave out from first “notes” to end and insert: “supports the move towards a more sustainable immigration system for the whole of the UK; regrets that the care sector has become overly dependent on low wages and exploitative working practices for migrants; believes that Scotland’s stagnant economy cannot be fixed through migration alone; calls on the Scottish Government to grow the workforce through using its devolved powers to build more housing, strengthen public transport, increase pay for social care work and incentivise skills development, and welcomes the UK Government’s deal with the EU, which includes increased trade, negotiation to rejoin Erasmus+ and co-operation on a youth experience scheme.” The Deputy Presiding Officer: I advise members that we have a little bit of time in hand.”
“Could it be as a result of the Government’s failure to provide enough homes, with record homelessness and thousands of children in temporary accommodation? Could it be down to the failure to invest in Scotland’s infrastructure? There is no infrastructure plan; nothing is set out for years at a time, or projects are delayed time and again, and there are no plans to invest for the future. It makes it difficult for people to live in rural areas. The SNP has an awful lot of tools at its disposal that could make Scotland a much more attractive place in which to be, live, work or study. However, the Government chooses not to use them. It limps along, trailing other parts of the UK and looking for the next grievance. The public know that we need to get a grip of our immigration system.”
“As set out by Liz Smith, the SNP might also ask itself why, given that net migration to the UK is at record levels, people are choosing not to come to Scotland. From 2020 to 2023, Scotland received only 5.7 per cent of net international migration to the UK. That is well below our population share, and it is a trend in the wrong direction over time: five years ago, we exceeded our population share of net migration in the UK, and it is now going in the wrong direction. The SNP Government might want to ask itself about its failure to grow the economy, with Scots paying higher taxes but, as set out by the Scottish Fiscal Commission, losing more than £1 billion as a result of the Government’s incompetence.”
“Will the member take an intervention? Michael Marra: I do not have the time, Ms Grahame—apologies. However, the Scottish Government has not even managed to train enough workers to meet the current demand. Instead, it presides over the decimation of college budgets, is damned by independent report after brutal public assessment for its lack of leadership, and a skills system that is directionless, fractured and misfiring. That is at the core of the issue. None of those assessments is addressed. Watered down and rudderless legislation is limping by in this Parliament—that will the case in respect of the Education (Scotland) Bill in the coming weeks. The SNP Government is running down the clock with weak leadership and no ideas. That is not my assessment—it is the assessment of SNP members and even MSPs.”
“On its 60th anniversary, I hope that I have helped to publicise the real, in-depth significance of the Scottish Law Commission to Scotland’s everyday life. I hope that I have also made it sound a wee bit sexy. 17:38”
“Quietly working off stage, in the wings, out of the spotlight of political dramas, the commission is invaluable in seeking out solutions to changing legal requirements, casting its collective beady eye over Scottish Government- proposed changes in the law or, indeed, suggesting changes that the Government ought to be considering—or not considering, as the case may be. Politicians are often in too much of a hurry, driven by tabloid headlines and public clamour—of course, I exclude myself from that; my deliberations are measured. In contrast, the Scottish Law Commission, with its expertise, takes its time. Although it is ultimately the politicians who decide what form laws are to take, it is wise for the Scottish Government and, indeed, the United Kingdom Government to pay heed to the Scottish Law Commission’s comments.”
“In 2010, the commission established links with the Malawi Law Commission, and, in 2020, it conducted a review of cohabitation law. In addition, the commission ran a social media campaign entitled, “60 bills for 60 years”—I do not know whether it deliberately made sure that it had one for every year, but that is how it has worked out. The Scottish Law Commission must be distinguished from the Law Society of Scotland, the professional body for more than 13,000 Scottish solicitors, which was established in 1949. It aims to be “a world-class professional body, understanding and serving the needs of its members and the public.” I took that straight from the society’s website, so I am not making any comment about it. The Scottish Law Commission is completely different from that.”
“Outdated or unnecessarily complex law makes for injustice and inefficiency and leads to law being out of step—or even being bad law—instead of fulfilling the needs of ordinary people. That is bang on. The Scottish Law Commission offers the Scottish Government independent—I stress the word “independent”—advice on law reform. Public consultation is an essential step in the process to ensure that the recommendations are workable and acceptable. For example, as we have heard, the Scottish Parliament has passed legislation to implement the commission’s recommendations on the abolition of feudal tenure of land and on the protection of the rights and interests of adults who are incapable of managing their own affairs. The commission has issued reports over many decades, such as the report in 2000 on real burdens.”
“Oh! You have caught me on the hop, Presiding Officer—not for the first time. “What on earth is the Scottish Law Commission?” I hear you ask—or perhaps not. I say that even knowing that commissioners and staff are in the public gallery. Is that a brave or a foolhardy move? I leave that to the jury. As for Michael Clancy, we go back a long way, especially as I twice convened the Justice Committee—I will leave it at that; my lips are sealed. Quietly and effectively in the background, understated to the point of invisibility—that is a compliment—the Scottish Law Commission recommends reforms to improve, simplify and update the law of Scotland. It constantly keeps its eye open to the development of the law and ensures that it keeps pace with changes in the way that we live and work.”
“The visa restrictions and the dreadful burden on employers through the increase in their national insurance contributions are all UK Labour policies to which I have referred in this very short debate, which, as I anticipated, is only about chasing tabloid headlines—it has nothing to do with reality. 15:28”
“The figure in the Scottish deal is significantly higher than the 3 per cent that was recommended by pay review bodies in England and Wales, where pay negotiations are continuing and strike action is a real threat. The hospital at home service has a role in reducing the time that people spend in hospital and leads to better recovery. All such interventions, preventative measures and modern ways of treating people are reducing—and will, in time, further reduce—pressures across our healthcare landscape. We need a wider review, given the value and cost of interventions to reduce health pressures. The Labour Party has to be honest about the impact of the labour gaps that have been exacerbated by Brexit, which Sir Keir Starmer is now embracing, even though he used to oppose it.”
“In relation to staffing, there are fewer people in the working population, but UK visa restrictions, Brexit and Labour’s policy to increase employer national insurance contributions, which will cost NHS Scotland an additional £191 million in one financial year, all have an impact on staffing pressures across the entire health landscape. That includes general practices and pharmacies, which I know are not recruiting because of the added NI burden—it is a tax on jobs. In relation to pay and conditions, NHS nurses, midwives, paramedics and other healthcare staff across Scotland have voted to accept an 8 per cent pay deal over two years.”
“In relation to policy interventions, the Scottish child payment, which has cost £1 billion since 2021, supports more than 326,000 families and mitigates Labour’s two-child benefit cap. Poverty equals disadvantage equals ill health. There are many Scotland-only preventative measures that will, in time, reduce pressures on our healthcare system. That is why the U-turn on the winter fuel payment by UK Labour—which was shamed into the change by pensioners and the Scottish Government—is welcome, before another Scottish winter hits home and hearth. It is a pity that we cannot shame Labour into ditching the two-child benefit cap. [Interruption.] I have four minutes—of course I will not give way.”
“Research by the University of Strathclyde states: “The challenges faced by NHS Scotland are not unique and reflect broader global trends within healthcare systems.” In relation to demographics and the ageing population, it was estimated that a million Scottish residents were aged 65 years or older in 2020, but that number will rise to an estimated 1.4 million by 2040, which will represent 25 per cent of our population. I am one of those people. As we age, we require to use our medical services, including GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals, more and more. At 80, I can testify to that. An ageing population also means that there is a depleted available workforce.”
“First, I do not accept that the NHS in Scotland is in crisis. It avoided being in crisis even at the height of the Covid pandemic, which was due, in the main, to its extraordinary staff. Yes, it is in challenging circumstances, but to say that it is in crisis is scaremongering—not that Labour is known for that. If the NHS were in crisis, one would have thought that Labour would have assigned all its debating time to that subject, instead of holding this very short debate. I will try my best to make the following points in the paltry four minutes that I have for my speech. In relation to pressures, Covid continues to have an impact.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to businesses to redevelop and use former mills and other disused buildings, in order to support regeneration and economic development. (S6O- 04773)”
“So, where are we with the project? I support Miles Briggs and others, and if the Government could give us—and my constituents—an idea of progress, I would like to hear it before I retire next year. Thank you. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Sue Webber. 19:14”
“Instead, we have lines of vehicles spurting out exhaust fumes as they queue for the light sequences to change. That is hardly good for the environment, and hardly green. The public inquiry has concluded and, although I know that the Scottish Government remains committed to its £120 million contribution to the project that was announced in 2018, it remains a fact that the independent report has been in the Government’s hands for more than a year and there has been—to some extent—radio silence. These are my concerns. Delay is annoying enough, but there is also the inevitable inflation of costs for which the Scottish Government will be liable. The £120 million contribution is fixed; it is predicted that the cost will possibly be £200 million, but, going on the cost of past capital projects, I really think that that is optimistic.”
“Just recently, Lorna Slater, speaking on behalf of the Greens on 15 January this year at the Economy and Fair Work Committee, referred to it as “a dinosaur”, as she considered that it conflicted with Scotland’s climate goals, such as the aim to reduce car travel by 20 per cent. The Greens’ criticism is misplaced. It is, apparently, no matter to them that buses from the Borders and Midlothian, and the lorries that are delivering goods to and from those areas, use that route and the roundabout because they have to do so, as the Borders railway cannot carry freight. That is not to mention the police, ambulance and fire and rescue services travelling on those roads. Indeed, in the proposed design, there was to be— and there will be—a cycle and pedestrian walkway, which I think is actually very green.”
“In a later debate, I stressed the issue of the unsafe conditions for cyclists and pedestrians, as the roundabout is known to cyclists as the “meat grinder”. Indeed, I have rarely seen a cyclist navigating the roundabout—and no wonder. Heaven help us if there were to be an accident at the roundabout; apart from human tragedy, we would have traffic seize to a stop in all directions on all the feeder roads into Edinburgh and beyond. Although the delay was due in part to the 2,773 objections that were lodged, I found it—and still find it—extraordinary that the Greens have always opposed the improvement.”
“For more than 20 years, I have, as an MSP, used the roundabout regularly in travelling to and from my constituency, and I have found that, during those 20-plus years, traffic has worsened, with long tailbacks earlier and earlier in the day. In 2018, the Edinburgh and south-east Scotland city region deal, to which Miles Briggs referred and which had funding from both the UK and Scottish Governments, put forward a proposal for grade separation, with a flyover across the Edinburgh city bypass, taking the A702 north, at a cost at the time of £120 million. I traced my first question on the subject back to 2017, and another to 10 November 2022, when the then minister responsible confirmed that the project was progressing, and that the public inquiry was set for 30 January 2023.”
“I congratulate the member on securing the debate. Way back before the Sheriffhall roundabout was born, City of Edinburgh District Council rejected, pre-construction, the proposal for an inbuilt underpass to future proof the roundabout, advising that it was not worth the cost. How much easier it would have been had that proposal gone ahead— but that was then, and this is now. It is some considerable time since I first raised my concerns about the Sheriffhall roundabout, which is a major link into and out of the Borders and Midlothian by way of the A7. It is also used by cars travelling eastwards to the Borders and the A68, although there is now, off the city bypass, a slip lane to the A68. Incidentally, Midlothian is one of the fastest-growing areas in Scotland; one need only take a trip around it to see the number of homes.”
“Amendment 80 agreed to. Section 46—Regulation-making powers Amendment 47 moved—[Maree Todd]—and agreed to. Amendment 48 moved—[Maree Todd]. Amendments 48A and 48B moved—[Paul Sweeney]—and agreed to. Amendment 48, as amended, agreed to. Amendment 82 moved—[Mark Ruskell]—and agreed to. Amendment 49 moved—[Maree Todd]—and agreed to. Amendments 83 and 84 moved—[Paul Sweeney]—and agreed to. Amendment 50 moved—[Maree Todd]—and agreed to. Amendment 85 moved—[Katy Clark]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 85 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”