Hannah Mary Goodlad
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“As Mr Day knows, the sector relating to AI data centres is evolving at pace. This morning, I had a round-table meeting with sector and industry representatives to discuss planning. The Scottish Government is clear that, because communities will be affected by such developments, their voices must be central to the considerations.”
“National planning framework 4 policy 19, on heat and cooling, states: “National and major developments that will generate waste or surplus heat and which are located in areas of heat demand, will be supported providing wider considerations, including residential amenity, are” as Mr Day suggests, taken into account, so that communities are…”
“Given the scale of live and imminent AI data centre applications, there has been significant focus recently on the environmental impacts. There are encouraging signs that data centres could be district heat ready and that waste heat could be used to warm local homes and businesses.”
“I welcome the opportunity to make my first statement to Parliament as the Minister for Public Finance. I give a commitment to stay on time and—to Willie Rennie, who, unfortunately, is not here—to be boring.”
“It is important to remind Parliament that we absolutely cannot overspend by a penny and that, therefore, we must always generate an underspend in order to guard against any late movements in devolved tax, social security spend and demand-led programmes, as well as to provide contingency against post-year-end adjustments—up to £200 million…”
“In June last year, we published our public service reform strategy, setting out a vision for Scotland in which everyone can access public services that are efficient, high quality and effective. The strategy commits us to a preventative, joined-up and efficient system that improves outcomes while remaining financially sustainable.”
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“National planning framework 4 policy 19, on heat and cooling, states: “National and major developments that will generate waste or surplus heat and which are located in areas of heat demand, will be supported providing wider considerations, including residential amenity, are” as Mr Day suggests, taken into account, so that communities are not adversely impacted. It goes on to state: “A Heat and Power Plan should demonstrate how energy recovered from the development will be used to produce electricity and heat.” The Presiding Officer: I am looking for shorter answers, to be honest, if we are going to get more people in.”
“Given the scale of live and imminent AI data centre applications, there has been significant focus recently on the environmental impacts. There are encouraging signs that data centres could be district heat ready and that waste heat could be used to warm local homes and businesses. What action is the Scottish Government taking to encourage all applications to include, when appropriate, plans for district heating? Hannah Mary Goodlad: The extent to which heat can be reused is already a consideration in the determination of data centre planning applications.”
“As Mr Day knows, the sector relating to AI data centres is evolving at pace. This morning, I had a round-table meeting with sector and industry representatives to discuss planning. The Scottish Government is clear that, because communities will be affected by such developments, their voices must be central to the considerations. At the same time, it is important that local planning authorities are able to engage in decision making. The Scottish Government is also clear that any new AI infrastructure should minimise reliance on fossil fuels. We are urgently considering whether more formal guidance is required to help local planning authorities. Martyn Day: I thank the minister for that helpful and informative answer.”
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“At col 43, paragraph 3— Original text— Let us dig into the economics a little more. In the past decade, Scotland’s gross domestic product has grown by 10 per cent, whereas the rest of the UK’s GDP has grown by 8 per cent. Corrected text— Let us dig into the economics a little more. Since 2007, Scotland’s gross domestic product has grown by 10.2 per cent, whereas the rest of the UK’s GDP has grown by 7.8 per cent. Further corrected text— Let us dig into the economics a little more. Since 2007, Scotland’s gross domestic product per person has grown by 10.2 percent, whereas the rest of the UK’s GDP per person has grown by 7.8 per cent. This is a draft Official Report and is subject to correction between publication and archiving, which will take place no later than 35 working days after the date of the meeting.”
“One thing is resoundingly clear from the election: Scotland wants and needs us to work together. Willie Rennie said that in the first weeks of the parliamentary session, and I am glad that he has joined us in the chamber now. My message is this: engage with us and work with us. My door is open, as are those of my colleagues. I commend today’s figures to the Parliament, and I will take questions.”
“The figures reported today are provisional and subject to change pending completion of the year- end audits. Final figures will be published later this year, once all bodies have completed their audits. We have an enormous task ahead, but I have been heartened to hear the support for collaboration across the chamber. It is a vital task. In a challenging financial context, we have to redesign the state while ensuring that Scotland becomes a country that completely and wholly eradicates child poverty, a country that remains open for business and growth, a country that celebrates our islands and rural communities, and a country that says that birthplace is a chance but home is a choice. We, in this chamber, also have the choice to work together on these issues and to resolve them together.”
“In June last year, we published our public service reform strategy, setting out a vision for Scotland in which everyone can access public services that are efficient, high quality and effective. The strategy commits us to a preventative, joined-up and efficient system that improves outcomes while remaining financially sustainable. As the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform affirmed last week, transforming public services is essential to keep them effective and focused on people’s needs. None of this is accidental. There is a reason why Scotland is outperforming the UK at every turn. We are putting business, hope and ambition into every decision that this Government takes, and that is against the backdrop of our very challenging financial fiscal framework, which is dictated to us by the UK Government.”
“That money could have been spent on services such as health, education or transport, or on further ambitious anti-poverty measures. It would have paid for around 2,000 teachers or almost 3,000 band 5 nurses. We are committed to delivering a just transition on energy and realising its benefits for this nation, with the opportunity to lower household costs and transport costs, improve energy security and enhance public health. Economic benefits are emerging, with the number of green jobs continuing to grow faster than in other UK regions. Between 1990 and 2024, Scotland’s emissions reduced by more than half while the economy grew by almost 70 per cent, proving that it is absolutely possible to grow an economy and reduce CO2 emissions at the same time.”
“We have continued to deliver the most comprehensive cost of living support package in the UK, with free prescriptions; the abolition of peak rail fares and, in the northern isles, peak ferry fares; no tuition fees for Scottish students; free bus travel for more than 2.4 million people; an NHS that is free at the point of use; baby boxes; and a social security system that is based on dignity and respect. In the face of UK Government decisions that have increased the pressure on household finances, we have consistently chosen a different path. For example, we have invested almost £150 million to mitigate the impacts of UK Government policies such as the bedroom tax and the benefit cap. That includes activities such as our discretionary housing payments and the Scottish welfare fund.”
“Around 320,000 children benefit from the Scottish child payment, with modelling suggesting that that will keep 50,000 children out of relative poverty, which is something to be proud of. Expansion of free school meals reached more than 360,000 pupils in 2025-26, reducing household costs by £450 per child. Free bus travel for under-22s generated more than 85 million free bus journeys, lowering transport costs, improving access and increasing employment. Again, that is money well spent and there is much to be proud of. The relative child poverty rate in Scotland remains 6 per cent lower than that in the UK, reflecting the impact of devolved policy interventions. None of that is accidental. Those are political choices, by design, made by a Government led by the Scottish National Party.”
“We cannot borrow for day-to-day costs, we must operate within fixed annual limits and we face significant uncertainty because our final budget is confirmed only late in the financial year. In many ways, we play a game with two hands behind our back. Despite those challenges, we have continued to deliver for Scotland, focusing on the key priorities of growing the economy, tackling child poverty and the cost of living, improving the national health service and other public services, and tackling climate change. Scotland’s economy grew faster than forecast in 2025, at 1.4 per cent, and unemployment remained lower than in the rest of the UK, averaging less than 4 per cent across the year. Scottish interventions to tackle child poverty are working.”
“The accounts are based on different reporting boundaries and include ring-fenced, non-cash budget positions such as depreciation, which, of course, cannot be spent on a day-to-day basis. In addition, the outturn incorporates final funding decisions, including on borrowing, that are taken towards the end of the financial year. Delivering a balanced position has required careful management in the context of ongoing inflationary pressures and global uncertainty. Our budget operates within incredibly tight margins, and we are not permitted to overspend in any year. Any underspend must remain within the Scottish reserve limit of £734 million. Our budget is determined largely by United Kingdom Government spending decisions.”
“It is the headline outturn underspend of £358 million that will be carried forward through the Scotland reserve into future financial years. There is no loss of spending power to the Scottish Government—that is crucial and critical for me to stress—as the underspend supporting the 2026- 27 budget is subject to confirmation at final outturn. As the previous Parliament was advised, £150 million of that underspend is already reflected in our funding assumptions for 2026-27. The remainder provides the necessary flexibility at the end of the year. I must stress that the provisional outturn differs from the annual accounts position that will be published in the autumn following audit.”
“It is important to remind Parliament that we absolutely cannot overspend by a penny and that, therefore, we must always generate an underspend in order to guard against any late movements in devolved tax, social security spend and demand-led programmes, as well as to provide contingency against post-year-end adjustments—up to £200 million is set aside for such contingency. The underspend incorporates £312 million of resource, £42 million of capital and £4 million of financial transactions. In addition, outwith our headline outturn underspend, our provisional non-cash position is an underspend of £249 million against a £4 billion budget. A large proportion of that relates to non- cash funding for student loan impairments, which, of course, are not required at the same level in Scotland because of free university tuition.”
“I welcome the opportunity to make my first statement to Parliament as the Minister for Public Finance. I give a commitment to stay on time and—to Willie Rennie, who, unfortunately, is not here—to be boring. Importantly, I also commit to update Parliament on the provisional outturn against the Scottish budget for the financial year 2025-26. We have, once again, remained within the restricted expenditure limits set by His Majesty’s Treasury and have managed Scotland’s finances responsibly while continuing to protect public services and the delivery of our bold ambitions for Scotland—ambitions that are grounded in equality, hope and fairness. The provisional fiscal outturn for 2025-26 is £55.9 billion against a total fiscal budget of £56.3 billion. That represents an underspend of £358 million, or just 0.6 per cent of our total budget.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that it be recommended to His Majesty that Ruth Charteris KC be appointed as the Lord Advocate and that Brian (BJ) Gill KC be appointed as Solicitor General for Scotland. Business Motion 17:40”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes as well, but I was not able to. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Melville, Lloyd (Angus South) (SNP) Merrick, Colm (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Middleton, Jack (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mitchell, Laura (Moray) (SNP) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Against Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S7M-00380, in the name of John Swinney, on the appointment of law officers, is: For 102, Against 16, Abstentions 0.”
“The business growth accelerator relief offers relief on new builds and property improvements. Local authorities also have wide- ranging powers to create local rates relief schemes to reflect local needs. As elected members, we should encourage our local authorities to make full use of that. I remind everyone that next week is the annual Scotland loves local week, so I urge everyone to get out to their local high street. Members should go out and meet and interact with shop owners and give some prominence, social media content and visibility to the many dedicated shops that we have on our high streets across Scotland.”
“Clare Haughey: My constituency is home to many small and medium-sized businesses that make a significant contribution to the local economy and provide a wide variety of specialist services and goods. However, local high streets such as ours have been blighted by the presence of vacant shops in recent years. How is the Scottish Government working with local authorities and other partners to support bringing vacant premises back into use and encouraging more footfall in our town centres? Hannah Mary Goodlad: Our package of non- domestic rates relief includes the small business bonus scheme, which remains the most generous of its kind in the UK. As was said earlier, fresh start is a relief to incentivise the reoccupation of non- domestic properties that have been empty long- term, including on many high streets across Scotland.”
“High streets are vital to our economy and town centres, especially in rural and island contexts. The Scottish budget reduces all three property rates and offers a package of reliefs that are forecast to save ratepayers more than £870 million in the 2026-27 budget. The small business bonus scheme remains the most generous scheme of its kind in the United Kingdom, and we estimate that 96 per cent of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses could benefit from some form of relief in 2026-27. As I said, the engagement that I will have with business communities before summer is high on my agenda and I look forward to kicking it off. That engagement includes a high street focus.”
“Our AI strategy for Scotland is clear that data centre development should include steps to assess and mitigate potential risks presented by infrastructure, including in relation to environmental sustainability.”
“Hannah Mary Goodlad: AI data centres are a rapidly evolving sector. It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment on individual development proposals, because we want to ensure that we avoid any suggestion of favouritism. The Scottish Government is clear that the voices of communities that are affected by such developments must be central in any considerations, and that planning authorities have a responsibility to consider the environmental impacts of all developments that require planning permission. We are also clear that any new AI infrastructure development should minimise reliance on fossil fuel solutions.”
“Mark Ruskell: This is a new and rapidly evolving situation. I hope that the minister recognises that, because there have been huge concerns raised about the proposed data centre at Auchtertool in Fife in relation to its size, its proximity to the village, the energy and water demand and the fact that Fife Council has not requested that an environmental impact assessment be conducted. I hear what the minister says about time, but, given the lack of specific guidance and the inconsistencies that we are seeing across local planning authorities in Scotland, will she commit to urgently reviewing and updating planning guidance to ensure that the full impact of the AI data centres is considered? We are talking about a problem that exists now, not in the future. Planning authorities need to make proper decisions now.”
“Planning authorities have qualified planning officers who apply their professional analysis and judgment to inform decisions. I recognise the speed of the development of hyperscale AI data centres and their scale in a very new and evolving part of our society. They present risks, upsides and downsides that need to be considered. The national planning hub has been working with planning authorities, infrastructure providers and industry stakeholders to share an understanding of those benefits and impacts. We will continue that work with diligence and thought over time. We will consider whether there is more formal guidance that would be beneficial to a planning authority locally. We will need to ensure that local authorities are appropriately supported in the assessment of the coming data centres.”
“At the moment, it is challenging to provide a timeframe, but, through the affordable housing supply programme, we will invest up to £4.9 billion in affordable housing over the next four years, £4.1 billion of which will be public investment, including £75 million of investment in”
“Collaboration is the name of the game. We need to think more creatively about how we can access pools of capital to build at scale the affordable housing that we need. Pauline Stafford: Given the acute demand for affordable housing in West Lothian, in particular, when can local authorities expect to see tangible developments resulting from that work? Hannah Mary Goodlad: As we set out in our manifesto for this parliamentary session, we will work in partnership and collaboration with others to progress funding models that safeguard pension schemes’ duties and provide secure, inflation-linked returns that accelerate the development of housing.”
“That is a really interesting question. There are 11 local government pension schemes across Scotland, which are worth about £75 billion. For the past decade, they have consistently outperformed their United Kingdom peers. We should be doing more to explore how we can invest on a Scotland-to-Scotland basis and recycle that capital. We will continue to work with West Lothian Council in pursuit of our manifesto commitment to deliver and progress funding models that safeguard the fiduciary duties and long-term investments of pension schemes and accelerate the delivery of social and affordable homes across Scotland. That will require an unprecedented level of commitment and investment. That work will not be done in isolation; it will involve the private and public sectors, and the Government and pension funds, working together.”
“We are very mindful of the tax avoidance risk associated with the relief, so, when we are considering the review in the round and moving forward with the reform of business rates, the fresh start relief and occupying empty properties will be part of that.”
“The United Kingdom Government will be investing £20 million in Kirkcaldy town centre. Does the minister accept that we need a business rates system that actively supports new businesses to occupy vacant units and enhance our high streets? When can we expect progress on potentially widening the scope of the fresh start relief, as was agreed by the Parliament last week? Hannah Mary Goodlad: As the member knows, we have agreed to the fresh start campaign that we discussed last week—the amendment on that came from the Labour benches. We are looking at that as the only relief of its type that we have in Great Britain.”
“As I said, we want the non- domestic rates system to offer the best environment for businesses in relation to business growth, investment and competitiveness, to ensure that businesses have predictability, stability and a line of sight as to what is coming down the track. I also acknowledge the important role that non-domestic rates play in providing just over £3 billion in funding for our public services. A comprehensive review of non-domestic rates will be starting, and we will engage with businesses so that they can shape how the system will operate in a fair, transparent and accountable way in the future. Claire Baker: The minister will be aware that there is a big issue with empty properties and that local businesses regularly raise concerns about the costs of and barriers to taking on such premises.”
“I have spoken with people from businesses in Moray, including funeral parlours and clothes shops, who have described real pain and uncertainty about their future. We need a clear timeline for change. I do not expect a full timeline right now, but will we get a ministerial statement that draws out what the minister has said, so that we and all businesses in Scotland can be absolutely clear on the timeline for change? Hannah Mary Goodlad: Next week, there will be a statement to provide a medium-term update on the budget. As I said, a meeting before the summer with business leaders from the six priority business areas is on my agenda, and the issue will be a priority as we go into the summer recess. Non-domestic Rates System 3.”
“The issue is on my immediate agenda. The Scottish Government is constantly evolving and reforming the non-domestic rates system, given the ever-changing circumstances that businesses find themselves facing. We specifically consider retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. Very soon—before the summer—we will meet business leaders from across the sectors to start the process of a comprehensive review of non- domestic rates, which will build on our commitment to examine the impact and configuration of all our reliefs in advance of the next revaluation, on 1 April 2029. Tim Eagle: I am not alone in calling for reform of non-domestic rates. New Scottish National Party MSP Jack Middleton has said that there are “flaws in the system” and that the issue is a “top priority”. Even the SNP manifesto promised to rebalance the system.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S7M-00249.4, in the name of Michael Marra, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00249, in the name of Jenny Gilruth, on wealth taxation for public services, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. [Interruption.] Gonnae let us in on the joke, aye? [Laughter.] Màiri McAllan: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not vote. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: The ghost of Màiri McAllan speaks. Your vote has been recorded. Hannah Mary Goodlad: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not vote. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded. For Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP) Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Green, David (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Melville, Lloyd (Angus South) (SNP) Merrick, Colm (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Middleton, Jack (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mitchell, Laura (Moray) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Abstentions Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S7M-00249.2, in the name of Kim Schmulian, is: For 16, Against 94, Abstentions 10.”
“Five years from now, I want us all to be able to look one another in the eye knowing that we have pushed the boundaries to create a better country, and that we have held the four words on the mace at the front of this chamber in our hearts and minds every single day. Wisdom, integrity, justice and compassion—those four words are as good a compass as any, on a misty day when the haar rolls in, for navigating what is ahead. The Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate on wealth taxation for public services. Decision Time 17:06”
“A comprehensive review of wealth taxation will shortly be published, examining how wealth is taxed elsewhere, what lessons can be learned, including internationally, and what approaches may be relevant for Scotland. The Presiding Officer: You need to wind up, please. Hannah Mary Goodlad: Sorry. Let me cut out some of this, then—I can do that on the fly. I will make sure to feed back to my staff that, in the future, things have to be shorter. In five years, I want to look on a different kind of Scotland—a Scotland that is more at peace with itself and a country where public services are strong, sustainable and accessible.”
“We have invested in public services and managed Scotland’s finances responsibly, balancing the budget each year, as challenging as that is. We have also had to contend with decisions made elsewhere—the recent increase in employer national insurance contributions is one example. That money could otherwise have supported our NHS, our schools and our communities. Despite those pressures, we continue to make choices about fairness and the kind of Scotland that we want to build. That is why the Government has committed to a serious and informed discussion about wealth taxation—not a rushed conversation, but one grounded in evidence.”
“We have a majority in the Parliament that is made up of members of different parties who stood on manifestos for a progressive tax policy. The voters have returned those parties to the Parliament in significant numbers, so let us give the voters the credit that they deserve and zoom in on that. In Shetland, when we go to sea, we understand something important: you can navigate only with the tools that you have on board. You know where you want to go, but if someone else controls the engine or decides which fuel you are going to have, there are limits on how far you can steer. That is the challenge that we face today. This Government has used the powers that are available to this Parliament to build a progressive tax system.”
“Of course, we then strayed into too-familiar, and unwelcome, territory once again in hearing the rhetoric of division and hate. I have no idea in my mind of what a “home-grown” Scot is, nor of who “our own people” are. That kind of rhetoric has no place in a welcoming Scotland. We have a history—again, I say this to the members to the left of me geographically—of welcoming in this country, and we have a future of belonging. I will finish on the ask and the offer, as my good colleague Katie Hagmann set out. The ask in Scotland is great, but the offer is greater. We have free tuition fees in this country and there are no prescription fees. The child payment is ambitious and it is keeping people out of poverty. We have a nationalised rail service and Scottish Water.”
“[Laughter.] I give a commitment to focus on the 1 per cent and to sweat the small stuff, because it is right to say that when people drill down into the detail, that is where change happens. I want to talk about facts and opinions. We should try to stick with the former in everything that we do. I held that principle in the campaign that I ran, and it is a principle that I, as a scientist, take into the chamber. Colleagues to the left of me— geographically, in this place—would do well to bear that in mind. The claim that elderly people are having to explore equity release for the UK mansion tax is simply wrong. The UK Government’s planned mansion tax is not yet in force and is not due until April 2028—in fact, the UK Government is still consulting on the policy.”
“Michael Marra mentioned, I think, that this session will be the defining moment of our time. The potential that lies ahead in getting it right is massive, so I welcome the cross-party collaboration, talks, debate and discussion that lie ahead. That work will happen not only during the budget process—it begins now. The potential that lies ahead for public sector reform is vast, as well, in moving to a more preventative model with joined-up thinking and services and efficiency right at its heart. We will hear more about that next week. I give Willie Rennie a commitment to detail and to be as boring as we can be—I look forward to seeing what an excited Willie Rennie looks like, so we will go on that.”
“It is an attitude that Shetland needs to find once again, because that attitude is at the heart of the kind of society that we want to create. What kind of Scotland do we want the next generation to inherit? The substance of today’s debate is about exactly that: what kind of society we want the next generation to inherit. I thank and commend all the first-time speakers today—it is not an easy position to be in, but everybody has made a sterling effort and added to the substance of the debate. I have picked out three themes in the debate, and the first is cross-party collaboration. I could feel it in the chamber today—the idea that this is the tell-tale session of Parliament in which we will deliver real progress on massive issues that will determine the success of our time here.”
“The people did not wait around to be handed their lot; they took their chance and they created opportunity. Those who crafted that vision were ridiculed. They were told that it would never work. They were told that Shetland was too small, too remote, too weak and too naive. They were told, “Get back in your lane and know your place.” Does that sound familiar? It did work. Over the years, their vision has created a substantial community wealth, which we have invested in our infrastructure and in our public services, charities and the third sector. A group of small islands at 60º north punched above our weight big time, and we did not accept no for an answer. We had unbounded stamina and we persevered. That is an attitude that Scotland can learn from.”
“Someone once described Shetlanders to me as being like a muckle partan in a creel, and when he birses on tae da side o it, dere’ll be no slippin it until he’s afore time. Basically, when Shetlanders get an idea, we run with it, with a tenacity and a determination that is unrivalled. The tenacity of the place and the people inspire me every single day. One of the best examples of that inspiration is the Zetland County Council Act 1974. The 1974 act was perhaps the most transformative piece of legislation that our islands have ever seen. Oil was discovered off our shores, and the elected representation of the time decided that that newly found wealth should work for the people of Shetland, and, importantly, that we should have control over that wealth.”
“It is customary in a first speech to use time to pay tribute to those who walked before. I do that warmly and with enthusiasm for Beatrice Wishart, who proudly and diligently worked hard in this chamber to serve the islands of Shetland. I also acknowledge and recognise the work that Beatrice did to advance the rights of women and girls across Scotland. That was a passion of hers, and she was the first woman in Shetland to be elected to the Scottish Parliament. That paved the way for many young women and girls who came after her, which is no mean feat. It is my greatest joy to take my seat in this place and to work to the best of my ability for our beautiful home, the Shetland Islands. However, Shetland is more than just beautiful. Our character is resilient, innovative and hugely ambitious.”
“Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I extend my congratulations to you and to all new members in the Parliament who made their first speeches today. Giving my first speech in this place on a topic as important as this feels a little bit like when I am out on my small fishing boat as the haar starts to roll in. In a moment and in an instant, my markers are gone. The skerries and the islands that I know like the back of my hand are not in my sight any more. I have to rely on a chart and GPS to be my guide. That is what good colleagues from across the chamber these past couple of weeks have been for me—a help, showing me the dos and the don’ts and the etiquette and functionality of this place. They have helped me to navigate, they have been my chart and my guide, and I thank them very much.”
“I, Hannah Mary Goodlad, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God. I, Hannah Mary Goodlad, tak on tae bide faithfu an bear full allegiance tae His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and ony eens at come efter him, accoardeen tae da laa. Sae help me”