John Swinney
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Since the report from several years ago was published, the Government has presided over the passage of legislation to rationalise that area of activity. Work is under way to transfer the responsibility for the funding of further education student support from the Scottish Funding Council to the Student Awards Agency Scotland.”
“I appreciate the urgency of the general policy elements of the question, because a number of applications are now being considered by planning authorities. My view is that, given the concerns that have been expressed by planning authorities, the Government has to be responsive to the issue.”
“For as long as we do not have a proper strategy on prison capacity, rehabilitation and clearing the court backlog, early release will be a revolving door, with people going in, coming out and going back into our prisons. Our justice system is in crisis, so we need a strategy.”
“I associate myself unreservedly Mr Cole-Hamilton’s comments about the feelings in the Muslim community. On Monday, I visited the Broomhouse mosque along with Simita Kumar and the Annandale Street mosque in Edinburgh with Ben Macpherson.”
“The development of further guidance will be undertaken in a manner consistent with the ruling by Lady Ross. Malcolm Offord: I thank the First Minister for his answer, which was more comprehensive than I expected.”
“I am a huge supporter of apprenticeship programmes. With foundation apprenticeships and graduate apprenticeships, the Government has brought forward important reforms that create new and successful pathways for young people. I am determined to make sure that every young person has that desirable pathway for their future.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,608 lines we hold for John Swinney, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 34 of 53.
“We gather today at the start of the fifth and final year of the sixth session of Scotland’s national Parliament—a Parliament that is more than a quarter of a century old, its place anchored at the heart of decision making in Scotland today, a Parliament elected to chart a way forward for Scotland and to wrestle with the challenges that face our people. In this session of Parliament, our country has faced a number of those challenges, including the lasting effects of the Covid pandemic and the illegal invasion of Ukraine, with its consequences for energy costs and security. In the middle east, we have witnessed, and I have repeatedly condemned, Hamas’s barbaric attacks on 7 October 2023.”
“There will be a short suspension before the next item of business to allow those who are leaving the chamber and the public gallery to do so. 12:46 Meeting suspended. 12:48 On resuming— Gull Control”
“I have already stated that I am interested in the suggestion of having higher tax rates on private jet flights. We continue to explore all options for implementing air departure tax, but that must be done in a way that protects the connectivity of the Highlands and Islands and the lifeline services that those communities rely on. I understand and sympathise with the points that Mr Greer raises and we will consider those as part of any steps that we take on air departure tax. However, as Mr Greer will know, those issues are incredibly complex, and we must ensure that we have a sustainable response that does not in any way undermine the approach that we take in the Highlands and Islands. The Presiding Officer: That concludes First Minister’s question time.”
“I do not really think that it is fair of Mr Hoy to say that Government funding has not been put into that or that there has been no effort to find funding, because what I have just put on the record refutes what Mr Hoy says. I am completely committed to doing all that we can to support The Usual Place, which does outstanding work in transforming the lives of young people in our country. Private Jets (Charge)”
“I value The Usual Place enormously. It is a venue that I know well, and I have engaged with it on several occasions over my ministerial life. I visited The Usual Place a few weeks ago to see the good work that is in place. The funding round that Mr Hoy referred to is a competitive funding round. The decisions that were made are taken at arm’s length from Governments and involve assessment of individual applications. Mr Hoy is correct that The Usual Place was unsuccessful. However, interim funding is in place through other Government funding channels, which have been put in place by South of Scotland Enterprise and, if my memory serves me correctly, by one of the health-based funds, which is supporting the work of The Usual Place. I am committed to trying to find a solution in that respect.”
“I understand that there is to be dialogue on the guidance with stakeholders over the summer. That is part of the necessary process of dialogue that the Government has to go through when it is reviewing such material. In preparing for the new academic year, local authorities should follow the existing guidance when considering those questions. The guidance is clear on the need for local decisions to be based on effective engagement with the community, reflecting the needs of local families. That issue will matter significantly to Christine Grahame, given her local engagement on all those issues, which she has raised with me previously and which I know are at the heart of her concerns. The Usual Place (Funding)”
“I understand that those issues are the subject of consultation between Amey and the relevant trade unions. I want to make sure that that consultation is done properly and in accordance with the Government’s fair work principles. I understand the importance of Carol Mochan’s point, but there is a process to go through on those issues, and the outcome that will be achieved through that might not be the one that Carol Mochan fears. I will ask the Cabinet Secretary for Transport to consider the issues that have been raised and to reply to Carol Mochan about how those points can be properly and fully addressed.”
“I very much associate myself with the comments of Mr Torrance on the challenges of the cost of living. On Monday, I set out the approach that the Government is taking to the delivery of a pilot exercise in eight local authority areas. On Monday, I visited Springburn academy in the city of Glasgow and saw at first hand the benefits of the offer of a healthy and nutritious free school meal to young people in S1 to S3. The families of those young people are in receipt of the Scottish child payment. The Government will take forward that proposal and it will be rolled out in about 60 schools across eight local authority areas during the next school year. That could benefit more than 6,000 young people and contribute to tackling the cost of living while giving young people a healthy and nutritious school meal as part of their day.”
“I deprecate that, I condemn it and I commit the Government and my leadership to ensuring that the behaviour of men is properly and fully confronted to address the legitimate concerns that Claire Baker puts to Parliament today. Free”
“I am happy to associate myself with Claire Baker’s comments. In the figures for recorded crime, total recorded crime shows very little change. It is down by less than 1 per cent compared with the previous year, but the level of recorded crime in Scotland is now down 40 per cent since 2006-07. However, within those figures, there is a significant rise in the reporting of sexual offences. That is indicative of a greater willingness of victims to come forward, and I welcome and encourage that. There is more historical reporting of individual cases, and I also welcome that those issues can be pursued. However, as Claire Baker rightly points out, there is also a culture that is more prevalent that normalises sexual violence against women.”
“I have absolutely no desire for us not to be able to provide services of the type that Mr Mountain has raised but, if we struggle to recruit individuals to deliver those services, the Government has to address the practical realities of that. Finally, the Government has invested in establishing a national treatment centre in Inverness, which is delivering thousands of procedures for Highlanders and people from other parts of the country, because of the focus on delivering high-quality healthcare in that environment. That is an indication of the Scottish Government’s commitment to the Highlands, which is one of many other commitments that the Government will continue to deliver. Radio Teleswitch”
“There are a number of issues in Mr Mountain’s question that I need to address, because there are a number of different factors at play. The issues in relation to maternity services in Caithness have been addressed in that way because of clinical assessments about the most appropriate way in which services should be delivered. I think that the Parliament would take a dim view of ministers who ignored clinical assessments of the safety and efficacy of maternity services. We would not be doing anyone a service if we ignored that clinical opinion. On other questions, such as the point about vascular surgery, I note that we face challenges in different parts of the country—indeed, this lies at the heart of some of the cancer care issues that I have addressed already—in our ability to recruit clinical leadership to deliver services.”
“At a time when many Labour MPs are saying that the cuts are unacceptable, is it not telling that Anas Sarwar is supporting the Prime Minister in implementing the benefit cuts? It demonstrates that Anas Sarwar will not be standing up for Scotland any time soon. Healthcare Services (Highlands)”
“The First Minister: The Scottish Government has taken a number of measures to address the cost of living challenges that members of the public face, whether that is about our investment in early learning and childcare, which saves families thousands of pounds in childcare costs; the investment in the Scottish child payment, which boosts household income for those in poverty; or the steps that we, in the Scottish Government, are taking to lift the two-child limit—a cap that should have been lifted as one of the first acts of the United Kingdom Labour Government. We will always take actions to support families who are facing financial hardship and difficulty, but we face a new threat, which is the benefit cuts agenda of the UK Labour Government.”
“Marie McNair: With the main rate of inflation at its highest for more than a year, food prices growing for a third month, increased national insurance contributions and planned welfare cuts, the cost of living crisis—fuelled by Labour’s obsession with austerity—is unfortunately still hurting families. Does the First Minister agree that, given the current Labour welfare policy fiasco, it is increasingly clear that only the Scottish National Party Scottish Government is serious about tackling poverty and giving vital and compassionate support to families with children and disabled people in Scotland?”
“The latest official figures show that annual inflation according to the consumer prices index was 3.4 per cent in May. That is above the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target, but official forecasters expect inflation to fall later this year and return close to target in 2026. We are acutely aware of pressure on household budgets across Scotland. That is why, in 2025-26, we have continued to allocate more than £3 billion a year to policies that tackle poverty and the cost of living, including mitigation of the impact of the harshest Westminster policies, such as the bedroom tax and the benefit cap.”
“The Conservatives do not have a clue about what they are arguing for in this”
“Has the First Minister reflected on the concerns from businesses, and will he at least agree today to the industry’s ask to move to a flat-rate charge? The First Minister: I have heard from the Conservative Party over many years the need to ensure that there is local decision-making capability in different parts of the country. That is exactly what the Government and Parliament have legislated for—to enable local authorities to take a decision, after consultation, on whether they judge the introduction of a levy to be right. The Conservatives have to decide what they believe in. Do they believe in local democracy or not? They spend most of their time accusing us of centralisation. When we give local authorities the decision-making power, they complain about that as well.”
“Not content with an islands act that does not work and ferries that can barely get out the docks, the visitor levy is causing a crisis among already vulnerable rural businesses. [Interruption.] Members can mutter away, but it is true. Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles councils have all delayed the introduction of a visitor levy, with the latter saying—[Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear one another. Tim Eagle: They do not want to hear it. [Interruption.] The latter council is saying that the levy could risk its visitor economy, thereby destroying tourism in Scotland. Meanwhile, South Ayrshire Council has abandoned its plans altogether. Over 750 small businesses in my region signed an open letter to the Deputy First Minister calling for changes to make the levy fairer.”
“The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 gives councils the discretionary power to apply a local visitor levy if they think that it is right for their area. If, after it has consulted local businesses, communities and tourism organisations, a local authority does not consider that timing or circumstances are right to introduce a levy, it is entirely appropriate for it to make that decision. That is what the councils in the Highlands and Islands and the Western Isles have done. They have assessed the appropriateness of introducing such a measure and have decided not to proceed currently, while the City of Edinburgh and Glasgow City councils are proceeding with their proposals. That is local democracy in action. Tim Eagle: There is no political disaster like a Scottish National Party disaster.”
“Our sixth diagnostic service opened in NHS Forth Valley in May this year, and we have invested more than £40 million over the past five years to support cancer services and improve waiting times. The budget that Mr FitzPatrick supported earlier this year will assist us in that endeavour.”
“Joe FitzPatrick: I am sure that the First Minister agrees that, although sarcoma is a rare form of cancer, every person who is affected deserves timely diagnosis, access to specialist care and the best possible treatment and support. Will the First Minister provide an update on the work that the Scottish Government is undertaking to ensure that that can happen? Will he ensure that his Government engages with Sarcoma UK on the 16 recommendations in its report? The First Minister: I certainly give that commitment to engage in relation to the recommendations in the report. As I indicated in my answer to Mr Cole- Hamilton, early diagnosis is a critical factor in the matter. The detect cancer earlier programme has led to the delivery of rapid cancer diagnostic services, which are a key tool in taking forward that work.”
“As I have said, I fully recognise the challenges that we continue to face in cancer care. However, the report highlights that specialist cancer care in Scotland is of a high standard. I am committed to ensuring that everyone who is affected by cancer, including those with rarer forms such as sarcoma, receives timely, equitable and compassionate care. We will publish our refreshed Scottish referral guidelines for suspected cancer, including for sarcoma and bone cancer, this summer, to ensure that patients are on the right pathways at the right time. The Scottish Government will continue to work to identify where improvements can and must be made.”
“In Scotland, we have a track record of having screening programmes that are formidable and significant in their effects. The bowel screening programme is one example of the provision that we have in place. As I set out in my speech on health service issues in January and again in my speech on public service reform just last week, the Government is shifting the focus ever more to early detection and prevention to ensure that we identify conditions at an earlier stage in order to deliver better outcomes. That will be the focus of the Government’s policy approach on this issue. “Unique Among Cancers” 4.”
“Three years ago, the United Kingdom National Screening Committee recommended that the whole of the UK introduce lung cancer screening to help to prevent the disease or to catch it early. Screening would be targeted at those who are at the highest risk— people aged between 55 and 74 who smoke or who used to smoke. Experts have called the recommendation a “game changer”. Survival rates for lung cancer in Scotland are not much better than they were in the 1970s. That intervention could save hundreds of lives every year. The cancer screening programme is being rolled out across the whole of England, but not here. Why not? Why are we years behind? Why are we so slow? Why are Scots missing out on that life-saving detection service? The First Minister: I will look with care at the points that Mr Cole-Hamilton has put to me.”
“However, we are treating more patients with cancer on time and within both standards compared with the same quarter prior to the pandemic. The pandemic has disrupted healthcare, but, on cancer care, we are treating more patients with cancer on time and within both standards. I hope that that gives some reassurance to Mr Cole-Hamilton about the steps that the Government is taking. Alex Cole-Hamilton: We are talking about the delay in diagnosis. The First Minister’s reassurance will come as cold comfort to everyone who is waiting for the post this morning in want of an appointment for diagnosis. His regret will not save lives. In Scotland, more people die of lung cancer than of any other form of the disease. It kills 4,000 Scots every year. If someone comes from a poorer background, their chances are far worse.”
“As I hope that I have demonstrated in my handling of the questions today, I take the issue and the delivery of cancer care incredibly seriously, so I do not in any way dispute the points that Mr Cole-Hamilton puts to me. Mr Cole-Hamilton posed his question to me in a particular way, by saying that people who have a cancer diagnosis need to know that they will get an urgent intervention. I reassure him—I know that it is a statistic, but it matters—that the median wait, once a diagnosis is given, is three days. A three-day intervention for the majority of patients could hardly be any more immediate. I accept that the 62-day target is not being met sufficiently well around the country, and we are focused on strengthening capacity to make sure that it is met.”
“The health secretary and I are focused on making sure that, in every part of the country, people can rely on the national health service to be there when they require it. That is the commitment that I give to Parliament, and that is what we are focused on delivering. Cancer Treatment (Waiting Times) 3.”
“What does John Swinney say to the families who have lost a loved one too soon and are left to pick up the pieces? The First Minister: I say to families that the Government is doing all that it can to make sure that we have in place services that meet the needs of individuals. I reassure them that, when individuals are identified as requiring treatment, the median waiting time for people getting that treatment is three days. That means that the majority of patients are getting an urgent intervention within a matter of three days after their assessment. That is what the Scottish Government is doing. I accept that, around the country, performance against the 62-day target is not what we require. However, we know from individual parts of the country that those services can be delivered.”
“John Swinney took personal responsibility for tackling the crisis in Scotland’s NHS, and now things are getting worse. Waiting lists are up, thousands more Scots are forced to go private and cancer waiting times are the worst that they have ever been. As the crisis in our NHS deepens, where was the health secretary this week? He was in Japan, lecturing on digital healthcare, yet he cannot even sort an NHS app at home. While the health secretary was away, we got a rare moment of candour from the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Jenni Minto. When asked about the worst cancer waiting times on record, she said to STV: “Are people losing their lives as a result of later diagnosis? Yes, they may well be.” An SNP minister has admitted that SNP failure is costing lives.”
“The first is that we have put in place a record financial settlement for the national health service, which the Labour Party could not bring itself to vote for in the recent budget. Secondly, in April 2024, we promised to put in place an additional 64,000 appointments and procedures by the end of March 2025, and we exceeded that target by delivering 105,500 additional procedures in the first year of my term in office as First Minister. This Government will focus on meeting the needs of the people of Scotland, and we will put the money in place to do so. We will not duck the responsibilities, as Mr Sarwar has done, and we will make sure that people get the treatment that they require. Anas Sarwar: This is a failing First Minister in a failing SNP Government.”
“We heard from Alison, a mum, who told the BBC that she had to pay £4,500 for private cataract surgery. She said: “I would have gone blind before the NHS would have seen me”. We also heard from Elizabeth, who had to spend £18,000 of her own savings on a hip operation due to long waits in the NHS. That is the price that Scots are paying for SNP failure. The situation is so bad that Dr Iain Kennedy of the British Medical Association has said that the NHS is “dying before our eyes”. Is that not a damning indictment of John Swinney and the SNP, who are destroying our NHS? The First Minister: The Government is taking steps to make sure that the NHS has the capacity and resources to deliver on people’s expectations and needs. I will give two examples of that.”
“The increase in the reporting of sexual crime is due to the fact that more people are prepared to come forward because this Government is prepared to pursue sexual crime and bring offenders to account. On cancer treatment, as I explained to Mr Findlay, the Government is focused on improving and reducing waiting times. This Government is absolutely focused on the priorities of the people of Scotland. The leadership that I deliver ensures that that is the case. Anas Sarwar: The fact of the matter is that John Swinney and the SNP are not working, and Scots can see that. Our NHS is fighting for survival under John Swinney, and Scots are paying the price for his incompetence. Just this week, we heard about the case of Gerard McBride, who has waited 76 weeks for hip and knee surgery, despite crippling osteoarthritis.”
“Mr Sarwar raises a number of important issues. On housing, the Government has put in place a budget provision for this year that provides a significant increase in housing investment and that will assist us with the affordable housing plans. That builds on the fact that, in Scotland, we have built 47 per cent more affordable houses per head of population than have been built in England and 73 per cent more than have been built in Labour-run Wales. Of course, that money was in a budget that Mr Sarwar never voted for. On delayed discharge, 97 per cent of patients are discharged from hospital without any delay whatsoever, and the level of delayed discharge is falling. Recorded crime is broadly stable.”
“I assure the Parliament that the focus of the First Minister, the health secretary and the Government is on improving waiting times. That is what we were elected to deliver, and we are taking steps to ensure that that is the case. That is why we put in place the investment, which Mr Findlay did not support. That is why we have focused discussions with health boards about improving performance and learning lessons from areas of the country that are performing well—so that we can improve standards in other parts of the country. This Government is absolutely focused on reducing waiting times for treating cancer and other conditions, and that will remain the focus of my Government. National Health Service 2.”
“It says everything that John Swinney is happy to admit that he sent him there. This has been more than a couple of bad calls. It is a fundamental issue of his focus and professional judgment. [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear Mr Findlay. Russell Findlay: If Neil Gray really thinks that his time is better spent in Japan than in Scotland during an NHS crisis, he should not be the health secretary. What has the health secretary done to give John Swinney any confidence that he can bring down cancer waiting times? The First Minister: Mr Findlay started his questions by raising very serious issues about the delivery of cancer care. I am determined to engage on those issues, because I recognise them to be of genuine concern to members of the public.”
“I say to patients that the learning that has been developed in NHS Lanarkshire about the improvements in the delivery of cancer services is being shared around the country. Rapid cancer diagnostic services, which are also in place in a variety of other health boards in the country, have led to significant reductions in waiting times. All those measures will be deployed to ensure that cancer care is delivered where people need it. Russell Findlay: It is perhaps unsurprising that Neil Gray is out of the country, talking tech, because the previous SNP health secretary quit because of his overseas tech difficulties. Where is Neil Gray’s focus? There is a cancer care crisis, but he took taxpayer-funded limos to the pub and the football, and then he decided to go to Japan.”
“On three occasions this year, Scotland will have the opportunity to highlight some of the strengths in the Scottish economy. One of those strengths, which the health secretary is promoting, is the life sciences sector, which is a huge asset for Scotland. The health secretary is in Japan at my request and with my approval to ensure that Scotland’s life sciences sector is able to be promoted to an international audience, given its significance to our university and research community. I make it clear to Mr Findlay that the Government has put in place the investment provided for in the budget, which Mr Findlay did not support, to ensure that we are able to support the delivery of healthcare services in Scotland with record funding available. Mr Findlay asked me what steps could be taken to reassure patients.”
“There is no sense of urgency. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, who is not in the Parliament today, was not even in Scotland to respond to the latest shocking figures; he was on his second trip to Japan. I have no idea why he is not here today; it is absolutely ridiculous. The SNP press release said that his visit to Japan was to talk up Scotland’s health technology sector. I am all for promoting Scottish technical innovation, but this analogue SNP Government cannot even deliver a basic app for Scottish NHS patients. Can John Swinney tell worried cancer patients and their families how they will be helped by a health secretary who is collecting more air miles? The First Minister: The health secretary is in Japan, at the Osaka expo, in partnership between the Scottish Government and the United Kingdom Government.”
“Of course, that will assist us in supporting the budget that we have in place, which has already increased funding for cancer services as part of the national health service budget, which is the highest budget that has ever been deployed in the history of the NHS. The Government attached the priority to that important investment in putting forward its budget, which has provided a record financial settlement for the national health service. Russell Findlay: John Swinney seems to be patting himself on the back, which will be absolutely no consolation to all the people who are waiting for treatment. Since John Swinney became First Minister, more than 3,000 cancer patients have been waiting longer for treatment than his Government promised. Every passing day puts more lives at risk, but the Government is complacent.”
“Last year, it was four days, so we are finding that there have been improvements in the time in which treatment is being delivered. I hope that that gives Mr Findlay some confidence that the focus on improving capacity in the national health service to deal with cancer is at the heart of the Government’s plans. Mr Findlay referred to the underspend in the budget, which has been applied to the financial provisions for this financial year. I reassure members of the public that all the underspend from the previous financial year will be able to be deployed to support public services.”
“That is more than half a billion pounds unspent. Will John Swinney increase cancer spending and use some of that unspent money to launch an emergency cancer fund? The First Minister: On the statistics, two important observations have to be made in addition to what I have already said to Mr Findlay. First, we are treating more patients with cancer on time compared with the same quarter six years ago—pre-pandemic—on both the 31-day standard and the 62-day standard. Our services are treating and interacting with more people than they were pre-Covid, which demonstrates the increases in capacity that we have put in place. The second point is that, in relation to the 31- day target, the median wait—the mid-point at which people are being treated—is three days.”
“Russell Findlay: Presiding Officer, I echo the First Minister’s sentiments and thank you for your service. The First Minister seems content that the target is being met in one in 14 health boards—that is simply not good enough. The SNP Government’s flagship national health service recovery plan 2021-2026 is failing patients, just as we warned that it would. Promises to reduce cancer treatment times keep being broken, yet John Swinney will never criticise Humza Yousaf’s and Nicola Sturgeon’s plan. At least his public health minister has come clean about the price of SNP failure. When asked whether lives are being lost because of late cancer diagnosis, she said: “Yes, they may well be.” She said that in the same week that it was reported that the SNP is sitting on a £550 million underspend from last year.”
“The Government is focusing on improving the activities and the investment that is made in individual boards to ensure that the performance can be improved. We are able to demonstrate, as the data shows, that, in parts of the country, the target is being met. It is being met in Lanarkshire; the model of care in Lanarkshire, which is achieving both the 62-day target and the 31-day target, is meeting the standard. We are ensuring that learning from NHS Lanarkshire is being applied in other boards around the country to ensure that improved performance is achieved. That is the approach that the Government is taking to ensure that the needs of patients are met and that we can move at the earliest possible opportunity to address any concerns about cancer in the population.”
“Presiding Officer, before I answer Mr Findlay’s question, I acknowledge the announcement that you made at the weekend of your intention not to seek re- election to Parliament at the next election. I express my appreciation of your leadership in Parliament as Presiding Officer. [Applause.] On cancer treatment waiting times, Mr Findlay raises a serious and important issue. I begin by expressing my regret that the cancer treatment waiting times are, in all circumstances, not being achieved around the country. The target for 95 per cent of patients to start treatment within 31 days of an assessment having been made that treatment is required is very close to being met—it is at 94.1 per cent—but performance against the 62-day target is not acceptable.”
“Amendment 266 disagreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Before we move to the next group, I will suspend for 10 minutes for a comfort break. 18:36 Meeting suspended. 18:47 On resuming—”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) 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) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) 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) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 21, Against 94, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 265 agreed to. Schedule 1 Amendment 266 moved—[Pam Duncan- Glancy]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 266 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) 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) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 87, Against 24, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 259 disagreed to. Amendments 260 to 264 not moved. Amendment 265 moved—[Pam Duncan- Glancy]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 265 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”