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.”
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“I welcome Mr Cole-Hamilton’s comments on division and disorder and I am not surprised by them. In relation to teacher numbers and specialist teachers in schools, there are acute challenges— particularly in rural Scotland—with filling teaching vacancies in general, which becomes more acute with specialist teaching posts. The Government has mechanisms in place to try to encourage those teaching posts to be taken up, which is part of our active workforce planning arrangements. We also have available other educational mechanisms, particularly e-Sgoil, which is a digital-based platform that enables live teaching on subjects around the country. It is designed to address some of the shortages that Mr Cole- Hamilton referred to when we are unable to fill all the vacancies.”
“The Presiding Officer: Even Mr Findlay smiled at that one. The First Minister: About the only moment of significance that I have heard about Douglas Lumsden is the fact that he lodged thousands of artificial intelligence-generated questions in the Parliament—he could not even think them up for himself. That tells us how useless Douglas Lumsden is. Nobody should think about voting for a useless candidate who cannot make up his own questions. Teacher Shortages 5.”
“That is why I have acted as the principal trustee of the party—to make sure that that money is returned to where it rightfully belongs, which in the funds of the Scottish National Party. Russell Findlay: Margaret Killah lived in Aberdeen South, where people will choose a new MP next week. Many of the residents who I have been speaking with are dismayed by the SNP’s desperate Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon cover-up, but they are even more angry at the SNP’s duplicity over oil and gas. Thousands of jobs are being lost because of Ed Miliband’s idiotic opposition to new drilling. The SNP pretends to back oil and gas, but it still has a presumption against new drilling in the North Sea, so will John Swinney get off the fence and back our candidate Douglas Lumsden’s clear call to get Britain drilling again?”
“That is why I am taking action—I hope that you will forgive me, Presiding Officer, as this is outwith my responsibilities as First Minister, but they are part of my responsibilities as the principal trustee of the Scottish National Party—to make sure that the losses that we have experienced are repaid. I have taken the action that I have taken, in concert with, and with the approval of, my national executive committee, in order to secure the return of that money at the earliest possible opportunity, because of the commitment and devotion of individuals who have given us money and who will feel injured by the situation. Of course, I am one of those people as well; I donate to the Scottish National Party and I want that money to be used to take forward the activities of the SNP and the cause of Scottish independence.”
“First, I welcome the comments that Russell Findlay made about the disorder in Glasgow. It says something very significant that the Conservative leader, along with other leaders in Parliament, has reinforced the comments that have been made, and I unreservedly welcome that support from the Conservative benches today. On the points about the embezzlement case that has affected my party and my party alone, I appreciate and value the contributions that are made to my party by its members, and that has been at the heart of my response to this incredibly distressing experience.”
“The toughest regulatory regime needs to be in place. As Gillian Mackay said, the overwhelming majority of that policy is reserved to the United Kingdom Government. We have had ongoing productive discussions with the UK Government as it wrestles with how to handle the expansion of social media and how to have in place the correct regulatory environment. If we can take measures in this Parliament, I assure Gillian Mackay of the Scottish Government’s appetite and enthusiasm to take whatever steps are available to us to do exactly that. Parliamentary Inquiry 4.”
“Online regulation is largely reserved to Westminster, but there is one area that this Parliament has control over. Will the First Minister work with the Scottish Greens to class social media platforms as publishers, since the content that they show people is the result of their algorithm instead of people’s choices as users? That way, we can finally start to take action on hateful and misleading online content. The First Minister: I am very happy to co- operate with the Scottish Green Party and other colleagues in Parliament who wish to tackle some of the online harm that is propagated to individuals in our society. I have seen some of the messages that Elon Musk has communicated, promoting messages that Tommy Robinson has circulated and encouraging people to take part in demonstrations in our country. That is absolutely abhorrent.”
“I say to Reform that it should establish the strongest possible distance from that rhetoric and the behaviour of those individuals, or its members will forever be known as the people who incited racial tension in our society in Scotland. Gillian Mackay: The violence this week has been stirred up by an online landscape that is designed to promote hate and by social media algorithms that deliver fascist propaganda into people’s news feeds 24 hours a day. The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, used his personally owned social media platform to share abhorrent content, including quotes that call for millions and millions to be deported from the United Kingdom, along with adverts for those protests. That is a direct threat to the safety of communities across our country, and it cannot go unchallenged.”
“What does the First Minister have to say to those on the Reform benches who have fanned the flames of hate and actively welcomed racist and antisemitic members? The First Minister: I have seen the comments to which Gillian Mackay refers, and I am horrified by their content. They represent the worst of communication in our society, demonising individuals. As I made clear in my response to Malcolm Offord, I deplore the way in which Reform is stirring up division in our society, as well as its association with individuals who are creating that division and who—based on what I have read in the newspapers today—appear to be involved in the disorder that we have seen on our streets. There is no place for democratic politicians to be associated with that.”
“However, today, The National has revealed that an active member of Reform UK, who attended the election count in Glasgow alongside the party’s deputy leader in Scotland, not only took part in the racist scenes on Buchanan Street but also boasted that he would do so again. Last year, that man, who is clearly a friend of Reform UK’s leadership, wrote: “Jews are forcing us to swallow hordes of migrants, flooding land with the dregs of the world to dilute our Protestant stock and shatter the Union.” Just quoting that makes me feel sick. As we have seen this afternoon, this is a party that has consistently branded new Scots as strangers, attacked Glaswegian schoolchildren who speak more than one language, and scapegoated and demonised our migrant communities.”
“They feel that Police Scotland is responsive to their concerns— and they must always feel that. I assure Gillian Mackay that the police force, which has the advantage of being a single force, has the capacity to deploy formidable resources to ensure that members of the public are kept safe when such actions take place—Police Scotland demonstrated that on Tuesday evening. We must at all times remain vigilant to make sure that we have in place the resources to ensure community safety. Gillian Mackay: This is a time when our Parliament must stand together to condemn racists and fascists who seek to divide our communities, and I am heartened by most of the response that we have had so far this afternoon.”
“One of the fundamental duties—if not the fundamental duty— of ministers is to ensure that people are safe in their own country. The Government takes that approach in all its communications. Prior to Christmas, we set out the merits of the we are Scotland campaign, which communicates and supports the advantages of multiculturalism in our society. In the light of recent events, I intend to revisit the campaign, to ensure that its messages are heard. They were heard loudly and clearly in the run-up to Christmas, but I want to make sure that that is still the case. I also note that Police Scotland is active in supporting individual communities. I know that that is the case, because I have heard from the Jewish and Muslim communities about the degree to which they feel that they have good and strong connections with Police Scotland.”
“During the election campaign, I made it abundantly clear that I would not co-operate with Reform in this Parliament because of the way in which it pursues this issue, which incites racial hatred in our society. I am glad that I took that stance in the election, and I am determined to sustain it during this session of the”
“I think that Mr Offord is under a misconception about the local connection rules. The change to the local connection rules by this Government in 2022 did not change the local connection rules for refugee households. The local connection rules relating to refugee households have been in place for, I would think, in excess of 20 years in the current context, so Mr Offord is fundamentally wrong in the point that he puts to me. However, a deeper point is exposed by the question that Mr Offord puts to me. Mr Offord is trying to pursue an issue on immigration at the same time as his party is associated with the stirring up of hatred within our society, and I want to call it out for what it is.”
“The other democratic outcome that Mr Sarwar will have to come to terms with is the outcome of the election, when all those issues were thrown about by Mr Sarwar. He came to Parliament, week after week, issuing comments, smearing his opponents, smearing me, my Government and the SNP—and the people decided to send fewer Labour MSPs to this Parliament as a consequence of the election. I simply say to Mr Sarwar that it is time that he acknowledged the failure of his strategy to hold this Government to account and that he should come up with a better strategy than the one he is pursuing. Immigration 2.”
“Mr Sarwar keeps on saying that he does not want an internal investigation into the SNP, but that is exactly what he has just made the case for and was the case that failed in Parliament yesterday. Mr Sarwar is going to have to accept that democratic outcomes must take their course. The first one he is going to have to accept is that Parliament rejected the argument that he put forward. [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Excuse me, First Minister. Mr Sarwar, if you are asking a question, do the First Minister and those in the chamber the courtesy of letting him answer the question that you have asked. The First Minister: Mr Sarwar is setting out an argument about examining a case that Parliament democratically rejected yesterday. That was what Parliament decided.”
“That should be a process that the SNP and the Greens are willing to engage with in good faith. The governance of the SNP is for John Swinney and the SNP, but scrutiny of the Government and our institutions is for Parliament and parliamentarians—it is, in fact, our duty. So, I ask John Swinney whether he is prepared to confront a culture of secrecy and cover-up and to put country before party by agreeing the terms of a meaningful inquiry. The First Minister: What does Mr Sarwar think we are engaged in just now? This is scrutiny. I am here to answer questions in front of Parliament, twice a week—as are all my ministers on a regular basis—so that the Government is put under scrutiny.”
“Following the letter from the Government this morning, I have written to the Electoral Commission saying that we will support, and engage in, any review of party finances. My question is about operation branchform, its implications and the lessons to be learned from it. That was an investigation into the governing party of Scotland and it would further undermine public trust and confidence, and our democracy, if the governing party were now to block any attempt to look at the lessons and implications of that investigation and of the subsequent convictions. Rebuilding trust is a task for us all, which is why, today, I have written to all political parties, asking them to meet and to start the work of agreeing on the terms of reference for and scope of any potential inquiry.”
“We have gone through a process in which my party has been the victim of an embezzlement, which has been the subject of a criminal case that has been researched by Police Scotland and put in front of the Crown, and for which a successful prosecution has been obtained. That is what has happened in this particular case. I do not believe that there is a case for an independent inquiry or a parliamentary inquiry into that issue, because that work has been done by the police, and no organisation can take forward an investigation into the issue in a more sophisticated way than the police can. Mr Sarwar should leave it at that. Anas Sarwar: I am not asking to get into the inner workings of the police investigation or of operation branchform; I am talking about the institutions in this country and about legitimate questions.”
“I agree. So, will he work on a cross-party basis to agree the terms of reference, the scope and the remit of any parliamentary inquiry before supporting any such inquiry? The First Minister: If that was an attempt by Mr Sarwar to provide some order and clarity on his position, it was absolutely necessary, because anyone who listened to the incoherent gibberish that Jackie Baillie came out with on the radio this morning in trying to defend the Labour position will know that Labour has just been trying to score grubby political points on this whole issue for weeks. Labour should be ashamed.”
“The reason given was that the SNP believed that that proposal was an attempt by political rivals to investigate the inner workings of another political party. As I made clear yesterday, that is not my intention. The crimes of Peter Murrell are for Peter Murrell, but issues have been raised that go beyond the internal workings of the SNP. There are legitimate questions for Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Lord Advocate, the Electoral Commission, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and others, including the Scottish Legal Aid Board, on why a wealthy man, who owns property abroad and says that he has the means to immediately pay back £400,000, had access to legal aid. Scots demand answers to those valid questions. John Swinney says that he wants to avoid an inquiry into the inner workings of the SNP.”
“There is a rising tide of hateful rhetoric spreading in our society, which is inciting people to behave in a reckless, aggressive and thuggish fashion. This is a peaceful country. Scotland is a welcoming country, and I will exercise the leadership—as, I know, will Mr Sarwar—to make sure that Scotland always remains a tolerant, welcoming and inclusive country. Anas Sarwar: I thank the First Minister for that response and wish him well on his travels. I wish even more that Scotland gets the results that it needs at the world cup. On the issue of trust, last night, the Scottish National Party voted down an inquiry into the lessons and implications of operation branchform and the conviction of Peter Murrell.”
“I will begin on the question of the world cup—I associate myself directly with Mr Sarwar’s comments. I look forward enormously to travelling to Boston, which I will do later on, after question time, to support Scotland on Saturday evening. I extend my warmest wishes to Steve Clarke, Andy Robertson and the whole of the Scotland men’s team, who have done Scotland proud in getting to the world cup. We look forward enormously to their success. To contribute to the occasion, I decided to wear my no Scotland, no party tie to First Minister’s question time today. I hope that that will bring some good cheer to the team at the weekend. On the serious issue of disorder, I agree 100 per cent with what Mr Sarwar said.”
“Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The final question is, that motion S7M-00290, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on growing Scotland’s economy, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. Clare Haughey: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to access the voting app. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded.”
“For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) 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) 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) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Against Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) 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) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) 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, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Abstentions Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) The result of the division on amendment S7M- 00290.1, in the name of Liam McArthur, is: For 78, Against 28, Abstentions 16.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S7M-00290.1, in the name of Liam McArthur, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00290, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on growing Scotland’s economy, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. Clare Haughey: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to vote. I would have voted yes. 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) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) 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) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) 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) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (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) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) 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) 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) Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Abstentions Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) The result of the division on amendment S7M- 00290.5, in the name of Rachael Hamilton, is: For 27, Against 79, Abstentions 16.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S7M-00290.5, in the name of Rachael Hamilton, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00290, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on growing Scotland’s economy, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. Clare Haughey: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to connect to the voting app. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded.”
“For Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) 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, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) 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) Green, David (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (LD) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) 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) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) 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) 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) Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) 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, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Abstentions Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S7M-00290.4, in the name of Patrick Harvie, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00290, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on growing Scotland’s economy, is: For 15, Against 91, Abstentions 16.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S7M-00290.4, in the name of Patrick Harvie, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00290, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on growing Scotland’s economy, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Jenny Gilruth): On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect to the app. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded. Clare Haughey: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I, too, was unable to connect to the voting app. 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) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) 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) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) 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, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (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) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) 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) 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) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Abstentions Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S7M-00290.2, in the name of Duncan Massey, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00290, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on growing Scotland’s economy, is: For 28, Against 78, Abstentions 16.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect to the digital platform. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded. Clare Haughey: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to access the voting app. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded.”
“It is interesting—[Interruption.]—that, with all the moaning and groaning going on among members on other sides of the chamber, nobody seems to want to help the hospitality sector as much as Mr Smith does—[Interruption.] Oh, oh—they are all shouting and bawling. They have all come to life at the last minute, Presiding Officer—how reassuring. It is good to see that there is life left in the old dogs around the chamber. I simply say to Mr Smith—”
“I have asked for specific representations and engagement to be taken forward with the consul general of the United States in Scotland; that has been undertaken, and we will do all that we can to help out to resolve these issues. Hospitality Sector (VAT)”
“I appreciate how frustrating the situation is for any Scotland supporter who has had their ESTA revoked. Although information about individual cases has not been shared with the Scottish Government, I understand that the decision to award an ESTA may change if further information emerges about an application that was not available at the time of the original decision. Unfortunately, in such cases, detailed explanations are not always provided to applicants. I am aware that the United States embassy has issued advice to individuals who are affected by ESTA refusals, indicating that they may apply for a visa through the FIFA priority appointment scheduling system, or PASS. I have asked officials to convey our hope that the US can resolve the matter so that Scotland’s fans do not miss out.”
“That is what we are getting from Reform, and what we used to get from the Conservatives—we will probably still get it from the Conservatives—but it is just not good enough in delivering balanced budgets for the people of Scotland. United States (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)”
“The Government has provided additional financial support to the college sector in its most recent budget and we have put in place new resources for the Alloa campus to ensure that Forth Valley College is able to sustain its operations in an area of high economic challenge. The Government is taking steps to ensure the sustainability of the college sector. However, I point out to Julie MacDougall that it is not coherent for her to come to the chamber and ask for more money for the college sector after her leader questioned me, as he did last week, about £2 billion of cuts in public spending. It just does not work that way. Members cannot come to the chamber and ask for more money for investment in public services and then call for tax cuts to reduce public spending by £2 billion. It simply does not add up.”
“I assure Mr Middleton that the Scottish Government will do everything that we can to support the north-east economy with the investment that we are making, which is supporting reskilling and new opportunities for individuals in the north-east of Scotland, and we will continue to press the UK Government to remove the energy profits levy at the earliest possible opportunity. College Sector Funding (Forth Valley College)”
“There are a number of powers over energy policy—in fact, a whole range of powers over energy policy—that are reserved to the United Kingdom Government. I have made it very clear to the Prime Minister the importance that I attach to the removal of the energy profits levy, which is sucking the economic life out of one of Scotland’s most dynamic and important industries. Given some of the issues that we are facing in relation to energy supply and security of supply, by not taking steps the UK Government is causing exactly the damage that Mr Middleton puts to me.”
“In such circumstances, it is really important that there is good dialogue and engagement between the leadership of organisations and their workforce. I would encourage that dialogue to try to resolve the issues, so that employees can participate fully in their employment and the needs of students and academic interests can be met. Fundamentally, it is a matter for dialogue between the leadership of the university and the staff and trade unions, and I would encourage that dialogue to take place.”
“There is a strong argument for the case that Mr Bonnar puts to me because we have extensive responsibilities around care and support for children, and I want to make sure that that support can be as comprehensive as possible. The points that Mr Bonnar puts forward are worthy of further consideration to make sure that there is an integrated approach to supporting children and families in Scotland. University of Edinburgh (Striking Staff)”
“For example, as I shared with Parliament last week, I visited the services available from Scottish Action for Mental Health—SAMH—at the nook in Glasgow, which is a walk-in facility that provides immediate assistance to individuals. I am not suggesting that that is the answer to the point that Jenny Young is making, but I am saying that the model of early intervention and ease of access is what we need in order to make sure that children and young people receive support at the earliest possible opportunity. Our population health framework’s focus on early intervention supports that policy objective, and we will be working to roll that out during this parliamentary session.”
“On the question of CAMHS waiting times, the national performance against the 18-week CAMHS standard has been sustained, with 91 per cent of children and young people starting treatment within 18 weeks of referral. Some of the issues that Jenny Young has raised are broader issues about access to the appropriate levels of service, and engagement with families at the earliest possible opportunity. On that question, I want to make sure that we offer much earlier intervention at a much lower level of intensity—before individuals are judged to require CAMHS intervention—to provide support to families where children are presenting with dysregulated behaviour. The Government is looking at some models.”
“Steps have been taken to enhance the role and experience of victims and the support that is available to them, but I would be happy to listen to Danielle MacDonald about what further steps would assist in ensuring that that policy objective, which I am sure Mr Kerr and I share, is taken forward in a meaningful way for individuals. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Waiting Times)”
“I would be very happy to meet Danielle MacDonald and hear the points that she wishes to raise with me. Mr Kerr will be aware that, in the previous parliamentary session, quite close to the election, we passed new legislation on support for victims and witnesses. That legislation puts the protection and preservation of victims’ interests right at the heart of the criminal justice process. I took extensive evidence about that bill when I sat on the Criminal Justice Committee, and I was impressed by the steps that the Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain, took to strengthen protection, support and assistance for victims to ensure that they could properly and effectively present their evidence to courts in criminal proceedings.”
“The Presiding Officer: Before I take the next questioner, who will be Stephen Kerr, I remind him that the relevant criminal case remains active and the sub judice rule is engaged. He should please refrain from commenting on sentencing, which is still to take place, and from sharing information that is likely to identify victims who have not chosen to put their identity in the public domain.”
“At my request, the Deputy First Minister has approved the allocation of £1 million of financial support to Clackmannanshire Council in advance of any Bellwin formula applications, to make sure that the council is equipped financially to provide the support to individuals that is required in the short term, because significant costs are being carried by a very small local authority in Scotland. I hope that that initial allocation of £1 million will help to support the local authority in its moment of need, and I assure Mr Brown—as I assure the occupants who have been affected—of the Government’s sustained engagement with Clackmannanshire Council and the Mining Remediation Authority in the carrying out of the detailed investigation that is required to provide assurance on what has happened in a concerning incident.”
“I am grateful to Keith Brown for raising the issue and for accompanying me—along with the justice secretary, who leads on resilience matters—on my visit to Coalsnaughton on Friday. In our discussions with Clackmannanshire Council, we saw at first hand the enormous burden that it is addressing in trying to support the residents who have been affected by the evacuation. In a discussion with families who have been affected, we saw the scale of the disruption in the turning of their lives upside down as a consequence of the incident. From my discussions with Clackmannanshire Council, I am acutely conscious that it is dealing with an exceptional and unforeseen event.”
“Whenever individuals face financial hardship and there is legitimate scope for the Scottish Government to intervene, I want to make sure that such support is available. Part of that will involve local authorities making sure that the individuals with whom they engage are properly advised about their rights and entitlements. This year, the Government is making available a record £115 million in discretionary housing payments to support individuals. We will work closely with local authorities to make sure that that financial support gets to those in our society who require it. Coalsnaughton (Support)”
“In the Parliament on Thursday, there will be a statement on maternity arrangements by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care. That addresses one of the points that have been raised. On the availability of abortion services and women’s health services, I confirm the Government’s commitment to ensuring that we continue to develop and enhance the services and support that are available to women. That is an essential part of the priorities of the health ministers in the Scottish Government, and I assure Ms Kinross-O’Neill of the steps that we are taking. Discretionary”