Stephen Flynn
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Presiding Officer, I—[Interruption.] Sorry, Presiding Officer—I forgot to put my card in. I am stuck in my ways from down the road, as I have not been used to putting a card into a machine. I lodged the motion in my name because the impact of the cost of living crisis on people across Scotland is impossible to ignore.”
“The member knows that the Government is committing to ensuring that there is a new train station at Winchburgh. We are continuing to work with West Lothian Council and Winchburgh Developments in that regard. I hope that I will be able to update the chamber in the not-too-distant future in respect of that.”
“We all recognise the importance of clean air, particularly those of us who walk around with weans. Unfortunately, the Scottish transport emissions partnership is no longer active, but I advise Katie Hagmann that action is currently driven by the cleaner air for Scotland strategy.”
“Yes. Liam Kerr: I am grateful to hear that reassurance, because the minister will know the dangers of the A90 north of Ellon, particularly at the Toll of Birness and Cortes junctions, which the Scottish National Party Government has shamefully failed to address.”
“Given Transport Scotland’s responsibility for the trunk road network, can the cabinet secretary outline what direct support his officials can provide, and is he willing to meet the group to discuss its concerns and its request for a feasibility study on a bypass for the town?”
“Stephen Flynn: I would love to be in a position to do that here today. It is important to recognise that it is for West Lothian Council and Winchburgh Developments to take forward construction of a new station, but we are willing to engage with them in that process. They have already been in communication with the Government.”
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“Presiding Officer, I—[Interruption.] Sorry, Presiding Officer—I forgot to put my card in. I am stuck in my ways from down the road, as I have not been used to putting a card into a machine. I lodged the motion in my name because the impact of the cost of living crisis on people across Scotland is impossible to ignore. Every MSP in the chamber should know that the rising cost of absolutely everything is having a devastating impact on too many of the people who sent us to this place—an inability to take the kids out, to enjoy some down time with friends or simply to pay the bills. The scale of the crisis demands that we do everything that we can with the powers that are available to this Parliament to make lives easier and better.”
“Given Transport Scotland’s responsibility for the trunk road network, can the cabinet secretary outline what direct support his officials can provide, and is he willing to meet the group to discuss its concerns and its request for a feasibility study on a bypass for the town? Stephen Flynn: I am sympathetic to the campaigners’ arguments—it is very hard not to be. I have asked my officials to engage with those campaigners and to feed back to me as quickly as possible whether any action could be taken that is within the Government’s scope.”
“We all recognise the importance of clean air, particularly those of us who walk around with weans. Unfortunately, the Scottish transport emissions partnership is no longer active, but I advise Katie Hagmann that action is currently driven by the cleaner air for Scotland strategy. Katie Hagmann: The cabinet secretary will be aware that the A77 trunk road runs through Girvan in my constituency, carrying significant heavy goods vehicle traffic to and from the port of Cairnryan. Local groups, including GoGirvan, which is a community regeneration group, seek support in order to monitor air quality, noise and vibration impacts in Girvan.”
“Stephen Flynn: Of course, in order to get to Ellon from the south, people right across Scotland have the opportunity to drive on the Aberdeen western peripheral route—a nearly £1 billion project that was delivered by the SNP Government of the time and which Mr Kerr seems to have forgotten even exists. In relation to the junction—indeed, the road slip—that Mr Kerr refers to, which I go past often on my way to Peterhead, we made a clear commitment on that in our manifesto, and we will stick to it.”
“Yes. Liam Kerr: I am grateful to hear that reassurance, because the minister will know the dangers of the A90 north of Ellon, particularly at the Toll of Birness and Cortes junctions, which the Scottish National Party Government has shamefully failed to address. In fact, in 2007, Alex Salmond promised to dual the A90 in his first 100 days as First Minister. With the SNP Government having failed to deliver on that for approaching two decades, will the cabinet secretary commit to a completion date, or will he follow his predecessors by abandoning communities north of Ellon?”
“Stephen Flynn: I would love to be in a position to do that here today. It is important to recognise that it is for West Lothian Council and Winchburgh Developments to take forward construction of a new station, but we are willing to engage with them in that process. They have already been in communication with the Government. I hear the member championing the cause, and I have read that other members championed it prior to the election, too. I assure her and her constituents that I am very conscious of that.”
“The member knows that the Government is committing to ensuring that there is a new train station at Winchburgh. We are continuing to work with West Lothian Council and Winchburgh Developments in that regard. I hope that I will be able to update the chamber in the not-too-distant future in respect of that. Jenny Young: Currently, it takes more than an hour to get the bus from Winchburgh to central Edinburgh. That is a journey of under 15 miles. The train to Waverley would take around 15 minutes. Last week, the cabinet secretary opened a debate on growing Scotland’s economy, which I know is a topic that is close to his heart and important to our country. Does he appreciate how important the station will be for the local economy and for Scotland’s wider economy? Will he tell my constituents when they will be able to board the first train?”
“When I made the decision to stand for election to this Parliament, I did so because I believe that our nation’s future is full of potential and that it is our job to ensure that that potential is not just spoken about in homes, parks and pubs across Scotland but delivered by those of us fortunate enough to serve in this Parliament. That means having good jobs with good wages, having stronger businesses with the opportunity to grow and ensuring that the generations that follow our own enjoy better living standards than we do. Growing Scotland’s economy is the key to unlocking that opportunity and delivering that potential. Many of my generation on these isles and of the generations that have followed since— it feels as if there have been a fair few—have neither seen nor felt an economy that works.”
“We will continue to work to ensure that the positive impacts of the north coast 500 are realised and that the negative impacts are mitigated in the best possible way.”
“While some people clearly benefit significantly from the route, many more are struggling with negative impacts. The balance between the needs of tourists and residents in the Highlands has not yet been struck. What more can the Government do to encourage and support sustainable tourism and discourage the bad behaviour that we so frequently see on the north coast 500? Stephen Flynn: There is always that conflict between the desire to ensure that people can enjoy the wonderful scenery that Scotland has to offer and the challenge that that imposes on those who live in the communities concerned. That is why the Government has created the rural tourism infrastructure fund, which I know that some projects on the north coast 500 have benefited from.”
“The BiGGAR Economics report demonstrates that the north coast 500 makes a significant contribution to the Highland economy by generating almost £100 million annually and supporting more than 1,300 jobs. Indeed, every £1 invested has returned £36 to the local economy. However, the report also underlines pressure on infrastructure and residents, as well as poor visitor behaviour. We are committed to working with partners to build on the benefits of the route while addressing those obvious challenges. Emma Roddick: I was very concerned to read that a significant percentage of residents—a majority—in the north coast 500 area are negatively impacted, although, as somebody who lives near the canal in Inverness, I am of course not surprised.”
“Dawn Black: Given that the scheme was approved, in principle, for funding in 2018 and that the last objections to the project were resolved in early 2025, does the cabinet secretary appreciate the restrictions on life that the lack of a flyover at the notoriously dangerous junction over the A90 dual carriageway between Laurencekirk and the A937 Marykirk Road creates for local people and businesses? Will he meet me and local campaigners to further discuss firm funding and timelines? Stephen Flynn: Yes. Ms Black will know that I am very familiar with the junction, as I drive through it almost weekly. It is important that we allow the statutory process to be followed. Once that has been completed, I would be more than happy to meet Ms Black and the campaigners. Adult Disability Payment (Support for Applicants) 5.”
“I thank Dawn Black for her doughty campaigning on the matter. I reassure her that the Scottish Government is committed to delivering a new grade-separated junction at Laurencekirk as part of a package of additional investment alongside the Aberdeen city region deal. I advise Dawn Black that Transport Scotland continues to press forward with the necessary procedural and legislative steps to complete the statutory authorisation process. It is essential that those steps are completed correctly. Delivery of the improvements at Laurencekirk can commence only if the project is approved under the statutory procedures, at which point a timetable for its progress can be set, in line with the Scottish Government’s annual budget-setting exercises.”
“Unless that decision is reversed, community groups around the country that are delivering the work that the Government says it wants to see happen will lose their staff, their skills, their expertise and all trust in the Scottish Government prioritising the issue. Will the cabinet secretary reverse that decision urgently? Stephen Flynn: Mr Harvie will be pleased to know that £3.2 million is still going to regional transport partnerships—£1.6 million will be available for local direct awards and £1.4 million is going to bikeability schemes, which all our weans can benefit from. Of course, that forms part of a wider £226 million-worth of investment from the Scottish Government in sustainable and active travel. That is a good thing for his constituents and a good thing for mine. The Presiding Officer: Julie MacDougall has a supplementary.”
“I thank Patrick Harvie for his question, because it gives me the opportunity to restate what the First Minister said. We support cycling, walking and wheeling, which is why £226 million-worth of investment is going into sustainable and active travel. I am very proud of that—I am sure that he is, too—as the Government ensures that it balances its budget this year. Patrick Harvie: I am sorry that the cabinet secretary did not choose to answer that question by explaining why the cut took place and why it took place during the election purdah period. I have returned to my job to meet local community organisations that are doing the work that the Scottish Government says it wants to see happen, and which are seeing that their entire funding has been pulled from under them.”
“Has Nigel Farage paid the tax on his £5 million? Malcolm Offord: Mr Flynn, I was asking the First Minister to be gracious. I do not expect that from you. Will the First Minister now implement Reform Scotland’s plan to cut six income tax bands to three and, further, to reduce each band by 1p below the rate in England?”
“Given the significant public subsidy that Stagecoach receives, will the Scottish Government accelerate its work to support greater public control of bus services, including franchising, so that reliability and passenger safety come before private profit? Stephen Flynn: I am very disappointed to hear about the experience of those young people. If Ms Moodie would like to speak to me further in relation to that, I would be more than happy for her to do so. On franchising, the Government has sought to empower local authorities through the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, and we will invest £4 million in 2026-27 to support local authorities to build business cases in that regard.”
“I advise Laura Moodie that my officials are in regular contact with Stagecoach on a wide range of issues impacting the bus sector, but I must remind the Parliament that punctuality and the reliability of individual services are matters for the operator. The majority of bus services in Scotland operate in a deregulated market and they must be registered with the traffic commissioner for Scotland. The commissioner can determine whether an operator is failing to run services in line with their registration and has the power to take action against them. Laura Moodie: The passengers who were left stranded in the middle of the night by Stagecoach during a recent incident included vulnerable young people, and they were given no information or support by the operator.”
“Alan Brown: —journey times will be even longer than at present, harming Scotland’s economy. What can be done to ensure that we are not an afterthought? Stephen Flynn: Unfortunately, I think that Scotland is always an afterthought to Westminster politicians, but I share Mr Brown’s concerns and I will raise them as quickly as I can with the relevant UK Government minister. Bus Service Reliability (X74 Dumfries- Glasgow) 8.”
“HS2 is one of the most delayed and over-budget projects ever. Unfortunately, that means that I cannot provide Mr Brown with the journey time forecast that he would like. I can say to him that I hope to return to the chamber on completion of the project, in 2043, to advise him further. [Laughter.] Alan Brown: As the cabinet secretary has said, it will be nearly 20 years before HS2 is operational. Incredibly, however, the project has already placed orders for trains. The problem is that the trains will mean that there are fewer seats on cross-border services and that journeys on the west coast main line section will take longer. People will therefore have to pay more for the privilege of a worse service. Even worse, if the trains come in before HS2 is live— The Presiding Officer: Question.”
“I can tell. The First Minister: At the heart of the question that Rachael Hamilton put to me was decision making by Ed Miliband. I just want to clarify that Ed Miliband is not a member of my Government; he is a member of the hostile United Kingdom Labour Government, which does not deliver for the people of Scotland. It is a good job that the people of Scotland have a Scottish Government to rely on. The Presiding Officer: That concludes First Minister’s question time. I apologise to the huge number of backbenchers who we could not call. There is always next week. Phone-free Classrooms”
“I have to admire the brass neck of Max Bannerman in coming to the chamber to lambast the Government on the delivery of the A9 and the A96 when the Reform UK manifesto has not one mention—not a single mention—of either of those projects. Perhaps that is why he came third in his constituency contest and won less than half the votes of the Scottish National Party. We are committed to both those projects. Max Bannerman can sit this one out; we will get on and deliver.”
“I take the opportunity to pay tribute to my constituent, the former MSP Fergus Ewing, for his steadfast work in holding the Government to account on this issue. The A96 dualling from Inverness to Aberdeen was supposed to be completed by 2030. In February this year, the then transport secretary admitted that construction of the Nairn bypass would begin in 2030. With new housing developments and growing traffic, local residents frequently report that it takes as long as an hour to drive the 2 miles on the A96 through Nairn. Is it fair that local people should have to endure a worsening problem that should have been fixed by now? Stephen Flynn: I am familiar with the A96, given my local geography.”
“The Scottish Government is committed to public service reform to ensure the delivery of excellent public services in a fiscally sustainable manner. The infrastructure delivery pipeline sets out investment plans for the next four years, and our work on public service reform will inform future updates. We have met all key targets since the A9 2023 delivery plan was published. Changes at this stage would increase disruption and reduce cost certainty, and they would introduce a greater risk of delay than under the published delivery plan. We also remain committed to dualling the A96, and we are already starting the dualling process from Inverness to Nairn. Max Bannerman: I thank the cabinet secretary for his answer and I welcome him to his new post.”
“I am new to the chamber, but I am certainly not new to the challenges of traffic at the Sheriffhall roundabout, the delays that have been experienced in relation to the project or the advocacy of Mr Beattie, which is reflected in the fact that he has been elected to the chamber on four separate occasions. I share the frustration of individuals who have been impacted by the delays in the project, and who are keen to see progress made. However, I remind colleagues that 2,770 objections were made, and some 1,200 pieces of information are there to be analysed. Notwithstanding the depth of that detail, I can give an assurance that we are very keen to make progress. I will try to come back to the chamber as soon as possible with further details for Mr Beattie and others who have an interest in the matter.”
“I am awaiting urgent advice from officials on the project, and I will provide a further update to Mr Beattie and others with an interest in the matter as soon as possible. If the scheme is ultimately authorised, the construction of the proposed scheme can commence thereafter, when a programme and timetable for the scheme’s progress can also be set. Colin Beattie: It is now almost nine years since funding for the project was first announced, and my constituents are growing very concerned about the delay. Will the cabinet secretary outline what reassurance can be given to the people of Midlothian North on when the scheme will be delivered? Stephen Flynn: Absolutely.”
“Congratulations on your new role, Presiding Officer—it certainly suits you. The Scottish Government is committed to the promotion of improvements at the Sheriffhall roundabout as part of a £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and south-east Scotland city region deal. The Scottish spending review includes funding to continue to make progress in delivering those improvements, and the project is also included in the infrastructure delivery pipeline. The scheme remains subject to a statutory authorisation process, including the consideration of outstanding objections and the report of a public local inquiry. I know that Colin Beattie MSP eagerly awaits the conclusion of that process, and I want to assure him that work on it is continuing at pace.”
“I, Stephen Mark Flynn, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.”