Shona Robison
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“For the purposes of rule 9.11 of standing orders, I advise the Parliament that His Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, has consented to place his prerogative and interests, in so far as they are affected by the bill, at the disposal of the Parliament for the purposes of the bill.”
“I acknowledge that there have been rising costs across the whole public sector. They include the rising costs of employer national insurance contributions and VAT, while the global situation at the moment will put fuel costs up for local authorities and every other part of the public sector. We are well aware of the rising costs.”
“All local authorities in the north- east region have announced council tax increases that are well above the rate of inflation. Financial and social pressures on many constituents make it difficult for them to pay their rent, and delays in receiving social security support compound that situation.”
“Presiding Officer, before I answer the question, I hope that you will indulge me just for a moment, as this is my last portfolio question time and my last opportunity to speak in the Parliament. I take this opportunity to thank my Government officials for all their support in my Government role.”
“Local government has a key role to play in driving progress on reducing child poverty, including by delivering whole-family support that breaks the cycle of poverty. That is why the 2026-27 Scottish budget provides a further real-terms increase to the local government settlement.”
“However, if the amount of funding was truly sufficient, SNP-run councils such as Perth and Kinross Council would not be forced to raise council tax by nearly 9 per cent simply to stand still. Does the cabinet secretary accept that the so- called record funding is not keeping pace with rising costs?”
The complete record
Every one of 509 lines we hold for Shona Robison, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 11.
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Robison. We will ensure that that is recorded. Graeme Dey: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Apologies, but I am having connection issues. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Likewise for you,”
“Shona Robison: According to the Accounts Commission, for the past three years, we have provided local government with a real-terms increase, which is a fair settlement that supports its local priorities. In addition, this financial year, we have increased culture sector funding as a step towards investing at least £100 million, none of which Rachael Hamilton voted for in the budget. I make the point that I made earlier: if Rachael Hamilton wants more money for culture or for local government, she must address the point that the Tories want to cut public services by £583 million by their unfunded tax policies. They cannot come here asking for more money when, by their own admission, there would be £583 million less for public services under those policies. It does not add up.”
“Rachael Hamilton: A combination of Labour’s pernicious national insurance rises and SNP cuts to local authorities have had a particularly damaging effect on local services. Last week, the spending watchdog the Accounts Commission published a report highlighting the impact of those cuts to culture and leisure services. In the Borders, libraries, sports facilities and museums are focal points for communities that provide health, wellbeing and leisure benefits. Will the cabinet secretary commit to mitigating the risk of closures and the deepening of inequalities that might result from the cuts, and will she bring forward a fair funding settlement for local authorities in the next budget?”
“Here I was anticipating a really positive question from Rachael Hamilton. I will not get my hopes up. Scottish ministers regularly meet councils, including Scottish Borders Council, to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest. Ministers have also committed to regular meetings with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities presidential team to discuss key priorities and issues for local government. The Scottish Government recognises the critical role of community sport and leisure facilities across Scotland and provided a record local government settlement in 2025-26 of more than £15.1 billion, which is a real-terms increase of 5.5 per cent and which helps local authorities to support their local priorities.”
“She will appreciate, of course, that enforcement is not a matter for which the Scottish Government is responsible. That, of course, rests with local authorities. I share her view that it would be very welcome if local authorities were to act on the concerns that she raises, and I am very happy to have a follow-up discussion with her on the matter.”
“They tell me that, compared with other local authorities that have in place systems such as interactive maps of street assessments or clear accessible means to request an exemption, South Lanarkshire Council’s procedures and processes are opaque. Fines have been handed out to my South Lanarkshire constituents since March, and, as I understand it, the street assessment process is still on-going—nearly two years on from when the council should have been able to enforce the ban. Does the cabinet secretary agree that local authorities must ensure that residents have full transparency over council practices and guidance on implementing Scottish Government legislation if those measures are to be enforced fairly and effectively? Shona Robison: I agree with Clare Haughey that transparency in those matters is crucial.”
“In line with the Verity house agreement principles, the Scottish Government is committed to working in partnership with local government in the development and implementation of any new statutory obligations that impact on local authorities. As with any organisation that is separate from the Scottish Government, it is for each local authority to ensure that it meets any legal obligations that it is subject to. There are a number of independent organisations and bodies that help to ensure that councils comply with their statutory obligations, including the Care Inspectorate, the Scottish Housing Regulator and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman. Clare Haughey: Many constituents have contacted me regarding South Lanarkshire Council’s poor implementation of pavement parking prohibitions legislation.”
“We set that out many years ago as our policy, and that is what we have delivered. Waiting times are coming down and we have more GPs. However, the problem that Sandesh Gulhane cannot get away from is that the Tories’ tax policy is going to cost around £583 million. That is £583 million less for the NHS, including general practice, and £583 million less for social care. The Tories cannot come here asking for more money when their tax policies mean less money for public services. Local Authorities’ Implementation of Scottish Legislation 7.”
“One in six Scots are on NHS waiting lists, with many facing unacceptable waits to see their GP, yet our grandstanding First Minister boasts about spending millions overseas, when junior doctors are thinking of striking. The Scottish National Party has consistently underfunded GPs in primary care, even though that is where 90 per cent of patient contact occurs. Hundreds of millions of pounds in Barnett consequentials are not being spent on our health service. Will the cabinet secretary take seriously the importance of GPs and follow Scottish Conservatives’ calls for 10 per cent of the total NHS budget to be allocated to primary care and give the NHS the full Barnett consequentials that it deserves? Shona Robison: We have, for many years, passed on all resource consequentials to the NHS.”
“As is set out in the service renewal framework in June, during the next 10 years, we want to expand capacity in primary healthcare so that more people receive the right care in the right place at the right time. That means using our resources differently and deploying more of them over time in primary care and community settings. The new £531 million GP package, which was agreed this week, is part of that. The forthcoming budget will allocate funding to the Government’s priorities of the day, and the published budget will set out the spending plans for the coming financial year. Sandesh Gulhane: I declare an interest as a practising NHS GP.”
“Demographic changes continue to be a challenge, as do all the other pressures related to inflationary costs, and that means that we need to do things differently. I believe that the funding of third sector organisations is often a cost-effective way of providing good-quality services, particularly for our most vulnerable. In the spending review, I am committed to looking at whether we can give multiyear envelopes, particularly to third sector organisations, to ensure that they have the continuity of funding and certainty that will help them to provide those much-needed services. Primary Care (National Health Service Budget) 6.”
“Social care staff are stressed and overworked, with many leaving the sector, leaving home care support needs unmet. What assurances can the cabinet secretary give the individuals, families and communities who are affected by those cuts? How will the Government ensure that other public services, such as the already stretched national health service, will not have to pick up the pieces when things fall apart? Shona Robison: First, I say to Maggie Chapman that we have record levels of funding for the NHS and local government. Local government has prioritised social care in relation to the funding that it provides and that each local authority allocates. However, that is not to say that we do not recognise the pressures.”
“The Scottish budget for the next financial year is still to be set in the context of significant financial challenge across the public sector, with multiyear spending plans due to be published on 13 January 2026. The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting the adult social care sector, with additional funding of almost £1.2 billion provided to social care since 2021-22. Maggie Chapman: Communities across Aberdeenshire are already struggling, with elderly and disabled people bearing a disproportionate burden of council cuts, and they are now worried about what is to come. They have already seen the closure of sheltered housing despite well- documented evidence of need and the desire to keep such housing open. Indeed, when spaces were available in Cuminestown, applicants were told that it was full.”
“It is inevitable that earnings growth will be different to that forecast. [Interruption.] However, setting policy based on official, independent forecasts from the Scottish Fiscal Commission is the correct approach to take. The same approach is taken by the Office for Budget Responsibility. As is set out in the tax strategy, we will uprate the starter and basic rate bands by at least the rate of inflation for the lifetime of this Parliament. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I encourage members to request a supplementary question instead of shouting from a sedentary position.”
“Will she now acknowledge that the most up-to- date statistical evidence that is available from HMRC demonstrates that the majority of taxpayers in Scotland pay more income tax than people elsewhere in the UK, which is contrary to the persistent claims made by Scottish Government ministers in the chamber? Shona Robison: First, it is disappointing that Liz Smith did not welcome the very positive net position that I outlined and the growth in Scottish income tax revenues. [Interruption.] It seems a shame that no good news can ever be welcomed by members on the Tory benches. In relation to her question, let me explain to Liz Smith that, at each budget, we set the starter and basic rate bands at such a level that more than half of taxpayers are expected to pay less in the year ahead than they would pay elsewhere in the UK.”
“The Scottish Government continues to have confidence in the validity of HMRC’s outturn statistics. The 2023-24 outturn confirmed a positive net position of £730 million, which was the largest contribution to the Scottish budget since the devolution of income tax. Scottish income tax grew strongly, by 12.7 per cent, between 2022-23 and 2023-24, and 2.6 percentage points faster than the rest of the United Kingdom. We will continue to work closely with HMRC to ensure the effective administration and collection of Scottish income tax. Liz Smith: I thank the cabinet secretary for indicating that she has full confidence in HMRC.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not work, but I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Robison. Your vote will be recorded.”
“Amendment 243 agreed to. Amendment 348 moved—[Richard Leonard]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 348 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Robison. 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) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (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) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Willie Rennie] Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) 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) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 82, Against 27, Abstentions 0.”
“Shona Robison: The UK spending review means that Scotland’s capital block grant will reduce by 1.1 per cent in real terms between 2025-26 and 2029-30. That is compounded by the historic real-terms cut to our block grant by the previous UK Government and by sustained high levels of inflation. Work is under way to develop the next multiyear Scottish spending review and infrastructure pipeline. Difficult decisions will need to be taken to reprioritise our capital programme to ensure that it is deliverable and fiscally sustainable and that it drives progress against our priorities.”
“I met the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, on Monday, when I impressed on him the need to prioritise investment in public services, infrastructure and support for the most vulnerable in society in the UK autumn budget. I will have further conversations with him next month. It is vital that the UK budget delivers the funding that Scotland needs. Stuart McMillan: I note the slashing of capital spend by the UK Government that was forecast in the Scottish Government’s medium-term financial strategy. Can the finance secretary please advise me what impact that will have on the Scottish Government and on local authorities, which want to invest in public services and public infrastructure in Scotland?”
“Is it not time that the Scottish Government was honest about trade-offs instead of pretending that there is a limitless supply of money from the taxpayer? Shona Robison: It is interesting that Alexander Stewart mentions social care. We have supported pay in the social care workforce to ensure that we can recruit into that workforce to look after our growing elderly population and those who need that level of support. That was a very interesting example for Alexander Stewart to use. We have set out the requirement for multiyear pay deals, which is important, because that allows us to have certainty and to reduce the risk of any industrial action, which brings its own huge costs. Through those multiyear pay deals, we are able to take forward the important reform work that Ivan McKee is leading on through the public service reform strategy.”
“Pay costs are managed in line with the Scottish Government’s wider financial management approach, which reflects the requirement to balance its budget in-year. That means that spending must not exceed income in any financial year. To manage the impact of additional pay costs, cabinet secretaries are responsible for setting and managing their portfolio budgets in-year, including for pay. We remain focused on delivering fair pay while ensuring that the public pay bill remains fiscally sustainable. Alexander Stewart: Does the cabinet secretary accept that prioritising above-inflation pay rises can fuel further inflation while, at the same time, draining funds from vital areas such as social care and capital expenditure? Consistently going above pay policy makes unions more likely to push for even higher settlements.”
“Through the 2025-26 casualty reduction budget, Transport Scotland has programmed £120,000 for road safety work on the A84. Evelyn Tweed: Will the cabinet secretary explain the budget prioritisation process and how the views of local communities are reflected in it? Shona Robison: Evelyn Tweed will appreciate that responsibility for Transport Scotland and its operations is outwith my portfolio, but I will get the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity to write to her with details of how the prioritisation process works. I am sure that the minister will be happy to meet Evelyn Tweed to discuss those matters in more detail. Budget 2025-26 (Waste Management Services) 5.”
“It is important that every council implements the Accounts Commission’s recommendations. It concluded that there was an absence of independent scrutiny from councillors and of formal documentation detailing how decisions were made and whether they demonstrated value for money. Councillors were not informed about those decisions, and they should have been involved in the decision-making process. Governance arrangements have to be improved. The new chief executive of Glasgow City Council has rectified many of the issues, with input from councillors. The Accounts Commission report will lead to all local authorities implementing the recommendations to ensure that nothing like what happened in Glasgow can happen anywhere else.”
“I have no doubt that we will all be equally appalled the next time that it happens, unless action is taken, so I ask the cabinet secretary to go further in her answer to me. Today, will she commit to re-establishing proper democratic oversight in our councils by issuing clear guidance that decisions on senior officer pay-offs must rest with elected councillors and not be quietly delegated to officers? Will she further commit to monitoring compliance with that guidance and reporting back to the Parliament? Shona Robison: Let me say a few things about that. The Accounts Commission wrote to every council to ensure that its recommendations were carefully considered. We will work with local government to support elected members and council officers to operate with integrity and transparency.”
“The Scottish Government respects the independence of local government and it is for individual councils to manage their own budgets and workforce, including their senior officers. However, I am aware of recent press coverage of senior council officers’ early retirement and redundancy payments. I note the findings of the Accounts Commission’s recent report on the situation. I urge all councils to take action in response to the report’s recommendations in order to uphold the highest levels of integrity in our public services and to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. Stephen Kerr: The cabinet secretary is absolutely right to mention the Accounts Commission’s report on what happened in Glasgow, where senior council officers saw fit to award themselves eye-watering sums in pay-offs.”
“Given the programme’s success and impact, can the cabinet secretary give an indication of the future of the fund when the current three-year funding round comes to a close? Shona Robison: I echo those comments on the value of projects such as Kingsway community connections. Decisions concerning future Scottish Government funding programmes will be considered and addressed through the budget and the spending review processes. All organisations that receive funding from the ICF are aware that it is a three-year fund and have been asked to consider how their projects will be sustained after the ICF funding period ends on 31 March 2026, but those will be active discussions. Local Authority Senior Officer Pay and Conditions 3.”
“Our empowering communities programme is a much-valued mechanism that provides funding to communities across Scotland to support delivery of regeneration. The programme covers a range of community funds and grants that build capacity in our communities and deliver regeneration, including the investing in communities fund. To understand their impact, the funds and grants are routinely assessed through established grant monitoring and reporting processes. Bill Kidd: The programme, particularly the community fund, has been a huge success story across Scotland, and nowhere more so than in my constituency of Glasgow Anniesland, where Kingsway Community Connections’ proud, capable and confident programme received more than £280,000 of funding to build social capital in the community, and it has become part of the heart of the community.”
“It is up to each council to decide which infrastructure priorities to take forward. We help with the capital allocations to local government, which also has the ability to borrow to progress infrastructure investment projects. The funding formula that Alexander Burnett referred to is agreed by the 32 local authorities through the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. It is not for the Scottish ministers to change the funding formula, so I suggest that he takes up that issue with COSLA. Empowering Communities Programme 2.”
“Those are just two examples of more than 50 bridges that are at risk in Aberdeenshire. Record funding aside, Aberdeenshire Council remains one of the lowest-funded local authorities in the country, because it receives around 10 per cent less funding per head than the Scottish average, despite being the third-largest geographic area. Will the cabinet secretary commit to ensuring that Aberdeenshire Council receives the funding that it needs to maintain its critical infrastructure? Shona Robison: I welcome Alexander Burnett’s acknowledgement in his supplementary question that there was record funding for local government and for Aberdeenshire Council. If memory serves me correctly, the independent Accounts Commission has confirmed that there has been a real-terms increase in funding over the past three years.”
“The 2025-26 budget provides local government in Scotland with record funding of more than £15.1 billion. As a result of the Scottish budget, Aberdeenshire Council received a record funding settlement worth £627.7 million to support day-to-day services. How that funding is deployed to deliver local services, statutory duties and nationally agreed priorities is of course a matter for locally elected members. Alexander Burnett: It is clear from conversations with constituents that local services are their biggest priority. Those services are overstretched and underfunded by the Scottish National Party Government, with potholes that will not be fixed, grit bins being removed and bridges closed, breaking communities in two. Park bridge closed in 2019 and Aboyne bridge closed in 2023.”
“Amendment 160 disagreed to. Amendment 161 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 161 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) 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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) 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) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) 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) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) 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 41, Against 67, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 158 disagreed to. Amendment 159 not moved. Amendment 160 moved—[Graham Simpson]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 160 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Robison. Your vote will be recorded. For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) 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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) 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) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) 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) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) 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 41, Against 67, Abstentions 0.”
“We will consider how we can continue to raise such concerns with the UK Government, and sportscotland continues to engage with Moray leisure trust, Scottish Curling and key partners to understand the current situation locally. Those discussions will continue. Scotch Whisky Industry 5.”
“Shona Robison: The Accounts Commission has confirmed that, for the past two years, there has been a real-terms increase to local government funding. That is a fact. Moray Council has received an additional 6.6 per cent compared with its funding for 2024-25. I point out to Tim Eagle that the Tories run Moray Council, so perhaps he should have a word with the Conservative leadership of the council. On ice rinks, I appreciate that the curling community in Elgin in particular will have significant concerns. We are aware of the challenging financial circumstances that face energy-dense sports and leisure facilities. Moray leisure trust has stated that the closure of the Elgin ice rink is a result of increasing energy costs. The United Kingdom Government has the ability to provide appropriate energy bill relief to facilities that require it.”
“That includes facilities that are in or close to the First Minister’s constituency, such as the Dewars centre, where the ice rink is still under threat, and, more importantly, those in Moray, where Moray leisure centre has temporarily closed its ice rink, to the shock of local users. Curling, ice hockey and ice skating are all sports that we should be encouraging. Will the cabinet secretary ensure that councils do all that they can to find new ways to support vital facilities such as Moray leisure centre to remain open? Shona Robison: Let me put a couple of facts on the record. First, local government funding has increased. Tim Eagle: So has demand! The Presiding Officer: Let us not shout across the chamber.”
“The Scottish Government recognises the critical role of community facilities across Scotland and provided a record local government settlement in 2025-26. That record funding helps local authorities to support their local priorities, which includes both council and external-led community facilities. We will continue to work in partnership with local government to ensure that the people of Scotland continue to receive the high-quality public services that they expect and deserve. Tim Eagle: The Scottish National Party will tell me that council funding has gone up, but that only brings a wry smile to the face of councillors in Scotland, because the truth is that cliff-edge finances are leaving some vital community facilities in wrack and ruin.”
“I accept that that is no consolation to an individual who has to wait too long or to their family, but the general performance of A and E departments in Scotland’s national health service is stronger than that in the rest of the United Kingdom. As I recounted to the Parliament on Tuesday, the numbers of waits for eight and 12 hours in our accident and emergency departments are falling. I want to ensure that people get treatment as quickly as they need to. In Scotland, 1 million people go into and out of A and E departments within four hours every year. We have to ensure that that performance is strengthened. The Government is absolutely focused on doing exactly that. Council Tax Debt 3.”
“Is it not the case that our NHS will not survive a third decade of this tired, knackered, out-of-touch and incompetent SNP Government? The First Minister: In relation to that individual case, I apologise to people who have to wait too long for treatment. The length of wait in the case that Mr Sarwar puts to me is unacceptable. If he will send me the details, I will look at it very specifically and get an answer from the chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire. In the wider context, the performance of Scotland’s core A and E system has outperformed that of the systems in England and Wales for the past 10 years.”
“You are just making a fool of yourself. Anas Sarwar: I hate to say it to the finance secretary, but the only one making a fool of themselves here is the Scottish Government. Peter Black, a grandfather from Lanarkshire with stage 4 cancer, was forced to wait 15 hours, through the night, to be seen at the accident and emergency department at Wishaw general hospital. Peter was only seen after a relative contacted the chief executive of the health board to complain. Why should it take that? Does every family have to complain to the chief executive? Peter’s daughter, Nicola, told me: “No family should have to experience what we have, but I know that that is the reality for thousands of people.” The system is broken, and it feels like the SNP has totally abandoned the NHS.”
“The actions that we have mentioned cover only a few of the important areas. We will continue to invest in budgets that were not supported by the Opposition parties and to deliver positive impacts. We recognise that there is more to do. We will continue to listen in order to understand the issues that people are facing, and we will continue to deliver on the people’s priorities for the future of Scotland. That is what we will focus on.”
“I absolutely have the desire to work with others across the chamber on that issue and with the organisations that are working day in, day out in our communities. We have provided record levels of funding for drug and alcohol programmes, but without doubt there is more that we need to do—I absolutely accept that. I want to make sure that Michael Marra is aware that the Western Gateway primary school is in the capital plan for Dundee City Council. I thought that he would have known that, but there we are. Every day is a learning day, even for Michael Marra. In his opening speech, the First Minister laid out in detail the impact of the resources that we are putting in and the improvements that are being made in our public services. At no point did he say that there was not more to do—of course, there is.”
“Unite the Union has called the Labour Government out for the lack of action and the lack of the cash that was promised. Let us get away from the rhetoric and let her Government stump up the cash that it promised the workers of Grangemouth. Ben Macpherson spoke for us all today in exposing the lack of ideas from any of the Opposition benches. He made up for that by recognising the positive achievements of our public services across the summer months—hard work by our hard-working public servants. We should not talk down their efforts; it really demeans those who do. Jamie Greene talked about some of the issues that we need to address—including, of course, drug deaths. I represent an area that has been very much impacted by drug deaths.”
“It is for the Scottish Government and the UK Government to answer now how they intend to solve that problem. Shona Robison: If Craig Hoy is going to talk about changed characteristics, he needs to explain what characteristics he is talking about. That is dangerous rhetoric that we do not want brought to this place and it has to stop now. Craig Hoy should reflect on his statement today. Sarah Boyack talked about action on climate change. I agree that we need action on climate change and the transition to net zero, but here again there is a lack of reality, because the UK Labour Government has the chance to act. Grangemouth is still without the cash that the UK Labour Government promised, yet that Government has managed to save a second steelworks in England.”
“I was going to say something a bit light-hearted about public sector reform and the explanation and detail that I gave him on that at the Finance and Public Administration Committee this morning, but I will turn instead to the fact that he said that “the character” of Dumfries “has changed” and is changing. I want to know what he meant by “character”. What characteristics was Craig Hoy referring to? Craig Hoy: I will happily respond to the minister, because I spent the summer talking to real voters out in the real world, and they are very concerned about the community effects of long-term asylum hotels at the heart of their community. People should not be staying at those places for two to three years; that is not a long-term solution.”
“Shona Robison: We have prioritised justice and the front-line spend for Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, both of which have received a real-terms increase in their funding. Crime is at a record low in most areas, and we should be proud of that. People should feel safe in Scotland. That is not to say that there are not challenges with sexual offences and domestic violence, which are issues that I take very seriously indeed. However, let us not create the impression that Scotland is not a safe place. It is a safe place to live in, and we should all be telling the truth about that. I cannot let this debate pass without challenging something that Craig Hoy said.”
“It made a promise to cut energy bills only for us to see them rise, and that increase impacts on people’s household budgets. Pam Duncan-Glancy spoke about reducing child poverty, but let me remind her of the facts. Scotland is the only part of the UK where the level of child poverty is falling. It is going up in the areas that the Labour Party controls, whether in Wales or in England. The reality is very different from her rhetoric. Liam Kerr: This debate has been on the Scottish Government’s priorities, but not one SNP speaker has mentioned the serious challenges in the justice portfolio. Can the people of Scotland conclude that justice is still not a priority for this failing SNP Government?”