Kenneth Gibson
No Party Affiliation · Scotland
“The next item of business is decision time. There are eight questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Amanda Bland is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Stephen Kerr will fall.”
“The next item of business is consideration of two Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move motions S7M-00492, on committee membership, and S7M-00505, on membership of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.”
“The next item of business is general question time. Many members wish to ask supplementary questions, so, in order to get in as many members as possible, I prefer short and succinct questions, with answers to match. Artificial Intelligence Data Centres (Planning Guidance) 1.”
“There are seven questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Tom Arthur is agreed to, the amendments in the names of Daniel Johnson, Murdo Fraser and Willie Rennie will fall.”
“The next item of business is consideration of revised business motion S7M-00480, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, revising this week’s business programme. Any member who wishes to speak to the motion should press their request-to-speak button.”
“Speak through the chair, please. Tim Eagle: The Scottish Conservatives recognise that a strong economy is not some optional extra but the foundation on which everything else depends. I actually agree with Reform, and others, that it is all about the economy.”
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“17:15 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We come to the vote on amendment S7M-00469.2, in the name of Pauline McNeill. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed. Calum Kerr has just sneaked in with a point of order.”
“The next item of business is decision time. There are eight questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Amanda Bland is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Stephen Kerr will fall. If the amendment in the name of Maggie Chapman is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Stephen Kerr will fall in those circumstances. Sorry, Mr Kerr—them’s the rules. The first question is, that amendment S7M- 00469.2, in the name of Pauline McNeill, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00469, in the name of Neil Gray, on achieving a sustainable prison population, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. First, we will halt to enable members to enter the voting system. 17:13 Meeting suspended.”
“The next item of business is consideration of two Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move motions S7M-00492, on committee membership, and S7M-00505, on membership of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Motions moved, That the Parliament agrees that James Adams be appointed as a member of the Climate Action Committee. That the Parliament agrees to nominate Keith Brown as a full member and Jenny Young as an alternate member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.—[Jamie Hepburn] The Presiding Officer: The question on those motions will be put at decision time. Decision Time 17:12”
“The next item of business is consideration of motion S7M-00455, in the name of Stephen Kerr, on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, on membership of the Scottish Commission for Public Audit. 17:10”
“The next item of business is First Minister’s question time for party leaders. It will be slightly different this week, because question 1 is from Alex Cole- Hamilton. Early Release of Prisoners (Reoffending) 1.”
“The next item of business is general question time. Many members wish to ask supplementary questions, so, in order to get in as many members as possible, I prefer short and succinct questions, with answers to match. Artificial Intelligence Data Centres (Planning Guidance) 1.”
“Good afternoon. The first item of business is the taking of an oath by our new member. I invite James Alexander Adams to take the oath.”
“Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S7M-00446, in the name of Malcolm Offord, on Scotland needs Reform: five years to 2031, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. Members should vote now. The vote is closed.”
“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) 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) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (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) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) 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) 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) Against Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (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) 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) 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) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (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-00446.2, in the name of Tom Arthur, is: For 75, Against 25, Abstentions 17.”
“There are seven questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Tom Arthur is agreed to, the amendments in the names of Daniel Johnson, Murdo Fraser and Willie Rennie will fall. The first question is, that amendment S7M- 00446.2, in the name of Tom Arthur, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00446, in the name of Malcolm Offord, on Scotland needs Reform: five years to 2031, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. 17:47 Meeting suspended. 17:51 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We come to the vote on amendment S7M-00446.2, in the name of Tom Arthur. Members should cast their votes now.”
“I am minded to accept a motion without notice, under rule 11.2.4 of standing orders, that decision time be brought forward to now. I invite the Minister for Parliamentary Business to move such a motion. Motion moved, That, under Rule 11.2.4, Decision Time be brought forward to 5:46 pm.—[Jamie Hepburn] Motion agreed to. Decision Time 17:46”
“The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S7M-00463, on designation of a lead committee. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move the motion. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that the Criminal Justice Committee be designated as the lead committee in consideration of the supplementary legislative consent memorandum on the Armed Forces Bill.—[Jamie Hepburn] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Motion without Notice 17:46”
“—[Jamie Hepburn] Parliamentary Bureau Motion 17:46”
“The Presiding Officer: The next item of business is consideration of business motion S7M- 00462, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees— (a) the following programme of business— Tuesday 1 September 2026 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by General Questions followed by First Minister’s Questions (Backbench Members) followed by Scottish Government Business followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.30 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 2 September 2026 2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Social Justice and Housing; Economy, Tourism and Transport followed by Scottish Government Business followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.30 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Thursday 3 September 2026 1.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 1.30 pm General Questions 2.00 pm First Minister’s Questions (Party Leaders) followed by Scottish Government Business followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Tuesday 8 September 2026 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by General Questions followed by First Minister’s Questions (Backbench Members) followed by Scottish Government Business followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.30 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 9 September 2026 2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Finance and Local Government, Parliamentary Business and Veterans; Public Service Reform, Europe, External Affairs and Energy followed by Scottish Government Business followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.30 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Thursday 10 September 2026 1.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 1.30 pm General Questions 2.00 pm First Minister’s Questions (Party Leaders) followed by Scottish Government Business followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business (b) that, for the purposes of Portfolio Questions in the week beginning 31 August 2026, in rule 13.7.3, after the word “except” the words “to the extent to which the Presiding Officer considers that the questions are on the same or similar subject matter or” are inserted.”
“The next item of business is consideration of revised business motion S7M-00480, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, revising this week’s business programme. Any member who wishes to speak to the motion should press their request-to-speak button. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees to the following revisions to the programme of business for Thursday 25 June 2026— after Parliamentary Bureau Motions insert followed by Oaths and Affirmations delete 1.30 pm General Questions 2.00 pm First Minister’s Questions (Party Leaders) insert followed by General Questions followed by First Minister’s Questions (Party Leaders) delete 5.05 pm Decision Time and insert 5.10 pm Decision Time—[Jamie Hepburn] Motion agreed to.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S7M- 00461, in the name of Neil Gray, on legislative consent for the National Security (State Threats) Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation. 17:30”
“That is what the Scottish Conservatives have done, it is what we are doing today and it is the common sense that we need if we want a brighter future for Scotland. 17:04”
“Speak through the chair, please. Tim Eagle: The Scottish Conservatives recognise that a strong economy is not some optional extra but the foundation on which everything else depends. I actually agree with Reform, and others, that it is all about the economy. Good public services and jobs and rising living standards require a strong economy, which means that we must be prepared to think differently. Scotland definitely does need reforming, but reform is not a slogan, a marketing exercise or a newly arrived party self-righteously declaring itself to be the answer to every question. Reform is in the hard, often unglamorous work of challenging failure, standing up for business, supporting communities and demanding better from the Government.”
“There are six questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that amendment S7M- 00434.2, in the name of Claire Baker, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00434, in the name of Gillian Martin, on meeting the challenge of climate change, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. 18:13 Meeting suspended. 18:16 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We come to the vote on amendment S7M-00434.2, in the name of Claire Baker. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S7M- 00454, in the name of Tom Arthur, on a motion of legislative consent for the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation. I will leave a minute to allow the minister and others to get themselves into position. Meanwhile, I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak button. 17:43”
“However, the targets are one thing; the implications for economic growth, public health resilience and opportunities for Scotland are vast. That is what I want to concentrate on, with people who want to come with me with solutions. The Government is reducing emissions through a fair and just transition, increasing our climate resilience and capturing the economic, social and other benefits in which Scotland remains unwavering. I look forward to continuing to deliver on that for people and planet—with fellow travellers.”
“If Finlay Carson wants to talk about a year in the past in which the funding was lower, and obsess over that, that is fine, but I am moving forward. We have secured that money. I will not be called dishonest by Finlay Carson or anyone else. Finlay Carson: Will the cabinet secretary give way on that point? Gillian Martin: I believe that I am in my last minute. A few people mentioned CARES funding. There is £15 million annually to keep up with rising demand, but we are also taking action in getting communities to be available to bid for repowering schemes. Forestry and Land Scotland has repowering opportunities, and we are making sure that communities are first in the queue to take advantage of those, supported by CARES. There is so much more to say and so many actions that we need to take in order to meet our climate change targets.”
“Does the cabinet secretary not accept that, without honesty and realism, there is a risk of losing public confidence in the entirety of the move to net zero? For example, why does the cabinet secretary have her head in the sand when it comes to the impact of slashing the woodland grant scheme in 2024- 25? What impact did that have on confidence in the sector, given that the target is 18,000 hectares but the most recent figures suggest that only 8,000 have been planted? Gillian Martin: Thank you, Mr Carson— Finlay Carson: That budget was for one year, but it had a multiyear impact. Gillian Martin: I have worked well with Finlay Carson, on the whole. We had a very constructive meeting last week, I thought. However, I will not be called dishonest in the chamber. I have already set out that there is £57 million in forestry grant for 2026-27.”
“We have had one wake-up call after another on this issue. This year, we had a price at the pump that was astronomical. Businesses were finding it very difficult to keep their heads above water—farming businesses in particular, because of the cost of red diesel. We are talking about the wrong thing. Energy production is one thing, but we need to reduce our reliance on the burning of fossil fuels. That is how we will reduce our exposure to global shocks, but it is also how we will have economic growth and action on the cost of living. I mentioned that, since 1990, there has been a 50 per cent reduction in emissions; however, there has been massive growth at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive. Finlay Carson: I will take us back somewhat.”
“Does the cabinet secretary agree that we could get major heat from the data centres that are proposed, but that they would need to be relatively near industrial zones or accommodation that could use that heat? Gillian Martin: Heat networks will be the solution for a lot of urban areas and towns in Scotland, but they will not be the solution for everyone. If we can install more heat networks in the highly populated areas, we will be able to use some of the Government money to put in heat systems such as heat pumps in the more rural areas. Many of those areas are the most fuel poor because they are not connected to the gas grid, so they have not been able to take advantage of the lower gas price. In addition, the situation in the middle east has shown us—again—that we cannot afford to be exposed to international energy shocks.”
“As we set out in the climate change plan in March, we absolutely prioritise action in those areas, and particularly in transport. I look forward to working with colleagues on how we do that. Paul McLennan was the only member to mention heat networks, I think. I am sorry if I have— Stuart McMillan: I mentioned them, too. Gillian Martin: Stuart McMillan mentioned them as well. Heat networks are going to be critical, and they represent a major opportunity to rid Scotland of the scourge of fuel poverty. By bringing people together on such things, which affect individuals, we will see off those who would want to deny that climate action is necessary. Duncan Dunlop: I hear what the cabinet secretary says about heat networks and I very much agree with her, having lived in two post- communist cities that were served very well by them.”
“Duncan Massey underestimated the number of jobs that are associated with renewables—I think that it is twice what he mentioned. However, it is important to note that jobs associated with climate action include jobs in land management, forestry, academia and research, biofuels, wildlife management, peatland restoration, waste management, circular economy businesses, the manufacturing of low-carbon products and structural engineering. They include reams of jobs that have nothing to do with renewables. Renewables are a very big part of our decarbonisation journey, but most of the decarbonisation associated with our energy has already been done. The heavy lifting has to come from the decarbonisation of transport, buildings and land use.”
“Those are real ways of tackling devastating things that affect people. Increased flooding is not something that we can ignore, because bizarre weather patterns as a result of climate change mean that we are having more flash floods. We are not just having expected floods in winter; we are having flash floods in summer as well. We are also having wildfires in places in Scotland and around the world that have never had them before, and we need to improve our resilience to them. I very much enjoyed David Barratt’s speech on resilience building and the opportunities, although I gently say to members in the chamber that jobs associated with climate action are not just jobs in renewables, which are just a very small part.”
“This is the first time that we have been in a debate together, but we will be meeting, I think tomorrow, to go over our shared objectives. She mentioned community resilience, particularly in the various areas that she represents. I highly recommend that she goes to Inverleith park and has a discussion about the facility for investment ready nature in Scotland—FIRNS—payments. The community was able to leverage in private finance as well and have a nature-based solution for some of the flooding issues there. Speaking of flooding, I note that a number of members mentioned how important nature-based solutions are. Heather Anderson talked about resilience in communities and about the Broughty Ferry flood protection scheme, which uses nature to do the job of a drainage system and soak up excess water.”
“I asked Finlay Carson for suggestions on what the Conservatives want to see that would reduce emissions, but I am afraid that spending more money was not what I had in mind. It was policy actions that I was looking for. I am serious when I say that I want to work with people. I also say to him gently that the forestry grant has increased on previous years. There is a £57 million forestry grant this year. Finlay Carson: Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention? Gillian Martin: No. I want to get some responses on the record. With the agri- environment climate scheme, £350 million is going out the door to our farmers to help them to decarbonise. I think that that relates to one of the interventions that Mr Carson tried to make on my colleague Heather Anderson. I welcome Sanne Dijkstra-Downie’s speech.”
“There should be no shouting across the chamber. Gillian Martin: Mark Ruskell made a point about future generations, but it is not just future generations who will have the opportunities associated with climate action, because we are seeing those for current generations and the current workforce. On every visit that I did when I was energy secretary, and on many visits done as part of my new portfolio, I have met people who have come from traditional, high-carbon industries and have moved into new ones. The sectors that are associated with climate action are some of the fastest growing, not just in Scotland but around the world. If we do not get involved in climate action activities, the march will be stolen by other countries, who absolutely will.”
“We now move to back-bench questions to the First Minister. Before I take the first question, which will be from Kate Campbell, I remind members that, in relation to the anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh, a criminal case is active for contempt of court purposes and the sub judice rule is engaged. I have exercised my discretion to allow reference to the case so that a question can be asked about the action being taken by the Scottish Government and others in the light of the attacks. However, members should avoid getting into the detail of the incident itself. Attacks in Edinburgh (Scottish Government Response)”
“Question, please. David Smith: Instead of hiding behind the environmental impact assessment report, will the Scottish Government show some courage and back North Sea oil and gas jobs? Stephen Gethins: This Government always backs jobs in the north-east. I will make two points. This Government has worked with the oil and gas sector, and I was doing work on skills just yesterday. It also backs the just transition and the tens of thousands of jobs that have come online in the low-carbon area, many of them benefiting the north-east, which would be thrown under the bus by Reform. On the question of the law, I will not pre-empt that decision. I respect the rule of law and I will have to respect the decisions that are made. That is a basic for a minister, and I am not sure that any MSP would expect me to say otherwise.”
“Motion agreed to. General Question Time 14:04 Oil and Gas Licences (Rosebank and Jackdaw Developments) 1.”
“Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees to the following revisions to the programme of business for— (a) Tuesday 23 June 2026— after Scottish Government Debate: Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change insert followed by Motion on Legislative Consent: Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill – UK Legislation delete 5.30 pm Decision Time and insert 6.00 pm Decision Time (b) Wednesday 24 June 2026— after Reform UK Debate: Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031 insert followed by Motion on Legislative Consent: National Security (State Threats) Bill – UK Legislation delete 5.30 pm Decision Time and insert 6.00 pm Decision Time (c) Thursday 25 June 2026— after Scottish Government Debate: Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population insert followed by Ministerial Statement: NHS Capital Projects followed by Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Motion: Membership of the Scottish Commission for Public Audit delete 5.00 pm Decision Time and insert 5.05 pm Decision Time—[Jamie Hepburn].”
“The next item of business is consideration of motion S7M-00458, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on changes to the business programme. Any member who wishes to speak to the motion should press their request-to-speak button.”
“The next item of business is consideration of motion S7M-00457, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on the suspension of standing orders. Any member who wishes to speak to the motion should press their request-to-speak button. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that, for the purposes of consideration of the legislative consent memorandum on the National Security (State Threats) Bill, Rule 9B.3.5 of Standing Orders is suspended.—[Jamie Hepburn] Motion agreed to. Business Motion 14:03”
“If we get this right— and we will—the impact of Glasgow 2026 will be felt not only in our communities and venues but in cities and towns across the Commonwealth, which will look at what Glasgow and Scotland have done and say, “We can do that, too.” Sport has a unique power to bring people together across communities and across the country. I invite every member of the Scottish Parliament to go all in for Glasgow 2026: to experience the sport, take part in the festival and get behind the athletes from across these islands who will compete on the world stage in Glasgow. Thank you for listening. Parliamentary Bureau Motion 14:03”
“It is a working blueprint of what is possible not only for the Commonwealth games but for mega events around the world—an opportunity to rethink what has been done before and to make a change. It is proof that world-class sport can be staged sustainably, affordably and inclusively in a way that opens the door to future hosts of every size and circumstance right across the Commonwealth. We know that the eyes of the world are watching and that it is taking note. What our extraordinary team in Glasgow is doing is game changing: it is redefining what is possible for major events and the impact that they can make not just in our cities and communities but across our global networks.”
“Two years ago, the future of the Commonwealth games was a genuine topic of conversation. The question being asked—in sport, in Government and in headlines around the world—was whether an event of this kind still had a place in the modern era. When Commonwealth Sport asked whether any country or territory would host the 2026 games, only Glasgow and Scotland stepped forward. Of course, the 2026 games are quite different from the 2014 games. Glasgow 2026 is a deliberately reimagined games: 10 sports, with six fully integrated para sports, staged across four world-class venues in an eight-mile corridor in Glasgow. For the first time, it will be delivered with no public funding of the sports programme.”
“The first item of business this afternoon is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader is George Black CBE, chair of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth games. George Black CBE: Presiding Officer, First Minister, ministers and members of the Scottish Parliament, thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. When I was first approached to be the chair of the Glasgow 2026 organising company, it was something of a surprise. I had been fully retired for five years and was very happy with my new life. However, as the chief executive of Glasgow City Council, I had been heavily involved in the 2014 games, from the initial bid to host the games right through to the delivery of the games themselves. The 2014 games were great for Glasgow and Scotland, and I was keen to protect and enhance the legacy of those games.”
“There are no questions to be put as a result of today’s business. That concludes decision time. We move on to members’ business. I ask members who are leaving the chamber to do so quietly. Universities”
“The next item of business is a statement by Stephen Gethins on the 10th anniversary of the United Kingdom referendum on EU membership. The minister will take questions at the end of his statement, and there should be no interventions or interruptions. There will be one minute to enable a changeover of ministers.”
“That concludes First Minister’s question time. I advise members that, next week, I plan to reverse the order of leaders’ questions. We will start with two questions from Alex Cole-Hamilton, followed by two from the Conservatives, three from the Greens, three from Labour and three from”
“The first item of business is general question time. Question 1 has not been lodged. Violence Against Women and Girls (Prevention and Eradication) 2.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S7M-00367.3, in the name of Daniel Johnson, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00367, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on affordable bus fares, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“For Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) 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) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) 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) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) 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) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) 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) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Abstentions Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (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) 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-00367.1, in the name of Graham Simpson, is: For 23, Against 78, Abstentions 15.”
“There are seven questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that amendment S7M- 00367.1, in the name of Graham Simpson, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00367, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on affordable bus fares, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S7M-00397, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on suspension of standing orders. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move the motion. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that, for the purposes of consideration of the legislative consent memorandum on the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill, Rule 9B.3.5 of Standing Orders is suspended.—[Jamie Hepburn] 17:41”
“A member who is participating in the meeting remotely (on a platform provided by the Parliamentary corporation) from outside the United Kingdom has the right to vote only if the member has, prior to the beginning of the meeting, obtained the permission of the Presiding Officer to do so.” (b) that the suspension and variation set out in paragraph (a) shall have effect from 22 June 2026 and remain in effect until 31 January 2027 or such earlier date as the Parliament may decide, on a motion by the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. That the Parliament agrees that the Economy, Tourism and Energy Committee be designated as the lead committee in consideration of the legislative consent memorandum on the Sporting Events Bill.—[Jamie Hepburn] The Presiding Officer: The questions on the motions will be put at decision time.”