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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“Every missed opportunity for a transplant is a chance lost for someone to live a fuller, healthier life. The transplant pathway needs to be strengthened, including with better support for living donation. CKD is one of the most prevalent and serious long-term conditions in Scotland, yet it arguably remains largely absent from national health planning. The Scottish Government’s own consultation paper on its forthcoming long-term conditions framework acknowledged that kidney disease is one of the few major conditions with no national strategy. The kidney charities that are represented in the public gallery today, and others, are calling for the introduction of a national CKD framework.”
“Kidney Care UK’s recent survey of adults living with kidney disease revealed that 73 per cent of patients who need psychosocial support from their NHS kidney team do not receive it, and 69 per cent said that such needs had never been formally assessed. There is a real and pressing urgency to ensure that specialist support is available to all who require it, regardless of where they live. Improving access to kidney transplantation is also critical. Transplantation offers the best outcome for many patients, yet the transplant waiting list is at its highest level ever and transplant rates remain below pre-pandemic levels. In 2023, 265 patients received a kidney transplant, but more than 480 adults remained on the waiting list as of March 2024. That is deeply concerning.”
“Worryingly, almost two thirds of kidney healthcare professionals who were surveyed had concerns about the transport arrangements that their facility had in place for patients travelling to and from in-centre dialysis. I know that patients, their families and those who work with them would greatly appreciate a commitment from the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health to provide guidance and support to health boards to enable them to assist patients with vital transport needs. We must also recognise the psychosocial toll on people with kidney disease and their families. Sadly, too many people with CKD feel that they are left to get on with it alone.”
“A more consistent and ambitious approach is needed to expand equitable access to home dialysis. That is especially important in rural and island Scotland, where transport remains a critical issue for patients who are required to travel for in- centre dialysis three times a week to receive life- saving treatment. Unlike in other parts of the UK, there is no national framework in Scotland to ensure a consistent service for transporting people to dialysis centres. That must change. Six Scottish health boards told Kidney Care UK that access to all the modes of in-centre dialysis transport that they provide is needs-assessed, while six others told the organisation that their transport is open to everyone travelling to and from in-centre dialysis.”
“A focus on prevention, earlier diagnosis and greater use of home dialysis and transplantation can reduce the reliance on hospital-based care, with all its associated costs. Home haemodialysis is clinically and consistently safe and effective at lower cost than in-centre dialysis, while offering patients and their families greater independence and quality of life. However, in Scotland, only 12.2 per cent of dialysis patients receive home dialysis. That is the lowest percentage across the four nations, and significantly lower than the UK average of 16.9 per cent. While NHS Grampian recently expanded access to home haemodialysis across Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen and Moray, uptake elsewhere in Scotland remains low. In Glasgow, home therapy uptake is only 7.2 per cent.”
“Life in general can be hard.” Employment rates for people on dialysis are just 26 per cent. Between 2022 and 2032, people with CKD are projected to lose 81.6 million work days across the United Kingdom, with 11.9 million work days missed by their carers. The number of people who are on dialysis in Scotland is likely to increase significantly over the next decade, while current pre-emptive transplant and peritoneal UK dialysis rates remain below pre-pandemic levels. The direct cost of kidney disease to NHS Scotland last year was £566 million—the sum is expected to reach £1 billion by 2033 without Government intervention. Improving kidney care is, therefore, not just clinically necessary but financially prudent.”
“Modelling by Kidney Research UK suggests that, in Scotland, more than 600,000 people—11 per cent of our population—may be living with some degree of kidney disease, much of it undiagnosed. According to data from the Scottish renal registry, 5,732 people in Scotland were receiving kidney replacement therapy as at the end of 2023. Of those, 3,491 had functioning kidney transplants and 2,241 were receiving dialysis. Behind each of those numbers is a story about human suffering. One CKD patient said: “Kidney disease is insidious. It creeps into every aspect of your life. Not only that it slowly robs you of your life.” Another said: “The condition plays a huge part in your daily living. Need to work, can’t work, depression, worry, anxiety, relationship issues.”
“I thank each member who signed my motion, and I thank Kidney Care UK, the National Kidney Federation and Kidney Research UK for their briefings to members for the debate. I warmly welcome their representatives to the public gallery, along with representatives of the Scottish Kidney Federation. Our kidneys are our bodies’ silent workhorses. They filter our blood to remove waste, excess fluids and toxins while regulating blood pressure, balancing electrolytes, producing hormones for red blood cell formation and activating vitamin D to strengthen our bones. However, our kidneys seldom receive the recognition that other organs do. That is despite the fact that chronic kidney disease is set to become the fifth biggest cause of premature deaths globally by 2040.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on the public finances of working-age economic inactivity. (S6O-04874)”
“To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Cabinet Secretary for Transport’s announcement on 19 February 2025, whether it will provide an update on its discussions with Peel Ports regarding bringing Ardrossan harbour into public ownership. (S6T-02625)”
“The work that is under way in the careers space through the careers collaborative is designed to ensure that, in all our education settings—not only schools but colleges and universities as well— there is a full and complete offering to young people of opportunities to pursue careers. We have an issue around construction, which Kenny Gibson mentioned. There is, for example, a disconnect between the number of young people who go to college to do construction-related courses and the number who then go into the construction sector. I offer Kenny Gibson the reassurance that we are very much alive to that issue.”
“Concerns remain that some schools allegedly advise as many young people as possible to go to university, even when an apprenticeship or graduate apprenticeship would provide better prospects. Given the chronic shortage of construction and engineering workers, for example, what steps are being taken, in partnership with schools, to encourage more young people to take up an apprenticeship? Graeme Dey: There is no doubt that the problem that Kenny Gibson highlights exists. I have visited many schools where the culture is very much as we would want it to be when it comes to promoting the full range of career paths, but that is not always the case, as I have heard directly from young people.”
“We want to be able to deliver our spending plans and the Government’s priorities of protecting front-line services, eradicating child poverty, growing the economy and reaching net zero by taking the action that is set out in those plans. Kenny Gibson also mentioned capital. The capital outlook in the UK spending review is very disappointing. We will return to that through our spending review and the infrastructure investment pipeline that we will set out at the end of the year alongside the 2026-27 budget.”
“It is disappointing that the UK Government’s central capital allocation for Scotland in four years will be £163 million less than this year. What will that mean for capital investment in our infrastructure? The statement mentioned a modest 0.5 per cent annual decline in the public sector workforce, as we have already heard. Will that be concentrated in specific departments or across the board, and how will front-line services be protected? Shona Robison: In response to Kenny Gibson’s final question, we will absolutely focus the reductions on back-office and corporate costs. We believe that, through reform, we can make major changes to the way that back-office and corporate functions are delivered in order to protect the front line.”
“As I have said, that is a lower underspend percentage than occurred across the rest of the UK. On capital projects, I wish it were that easy. Those budgets are allocated to portfolios, then to agencies and projects. Those projects do not stop on 31 March then restart in April. They continue from day to day. There is some slippage in the expenditure on those projects. However, the work does not stop, and the expenditure needs to carry on. The ability to pull that money back in the last few days of the financial year, allocate it to something else then reallocate it in April would be problematic, to say the least. However, I take Kenneth Gibson’s point: the ability to have shovel- ready projects—which we have—that can be brought in when we have additional money to spend is an important step to take.”
“Can the minister confirm that the £557 million of resource underspend is only around four days of Scottish Government expenditure, which shows the tight levels of financial management by the Government, for which he should be commended. All of that has rolled forward into the current financial year. However, capital borrowing was £193 million less than expected, due to emerging underspends. Does the minister agree that having shovel-ready projects in place, such as pothole repairs, which can be undertaken fairly quickly in most places, would help to ensure that capital is fully utilised, should capital underspends emerge in the future? Ivan McKee: I thank Kenny Gibson for his kind words about the job that we have done. He is absolutely right: the underspend is only just over 1 per cent of the total spend.”
“Public body leaders have been very clear that they are empowered to come forward with their proposals, both within public bodies and within Government, on how we can make the whole system more efficient and effective. As we move forward, I have no doubt that there will be more proposals for the removal of public bodies but, as I said, the first step is to make what we have work more effectively. Anyone who has run a transformation knows that that is what should be done first, as it will highlight the opportunities for simplifying the landscape, as and when that is required. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We will need slightly briefer responses.”
“As I said, the way that we do that is by understanding at a fairly deep level what is happening, doing the process mapping, and understanding the value stream mechanisms within that and how it interfaces with service users. That is where we identify the opportunities to remove duplication, automate back-office services and further implement the shared service platforms that we are already rolling out to public bodies. Our first step is to work with public bodies in clusters, within and across portfolios, so that they can share information, data and process mapping and understand where there is duplication. In that way, the experts in the public bodies will lead that work.”
“The minister said that a vital change will be to streamline and enhance front-line service provision by reducing levels of duplication and sharing where possible. I very much welcome the statement. The public sector landscape is cluttered. We have local authorities, health boards, city region deals, regional growth deals, community planning partnerships, integration joint boards and non-departmental public bodies. Will the minister speak to Scottish Government plans to declutter and, potentially, merge public sector bodies? Ivan McKee: One of the workstreams in the strategy is on precisely that point—it is to look at the public sector landscape and at Government directorates in the round and understand where there is duplication so that we can take forward that work.”
“That record market share cements Scotland as the UK’s top destination outside London for the 10th year in a row, and the sixth best in Europe. Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow remain among the top seven UK cities for foreign direct investment. EY’s global investor survey found that a quarter of those who are planning to invest in the UK are targeting Scotland, which maintains our long- standing position as the UK’s preferred destination outside London. Liz Smith: Will the member give way? Kenneth Gibson: Scotland’s continued success in attracting inward investment is testament to our skilled workforce, world-class universities and commitment to innovation. Despite global economic instability, investors recognise the strength and stability of Scotland’s economy.”
“As we highlight in the report, it could be down to different policy decisions; it could be the result of a UK Government decision having an impact on Scotland relative to the UK; it could be a Scottish Government decision having an impact on Scotland relative to the UK; or it could just be down to general economic performance in Scotland ... London is also a factor ... If the city has a really good year ... it will be harder for Scotland with regard to the net tax position.”— [Official Report, Finance and Public Administration Committee, 10 June 2025; c 20.] EY’s annual UK attractiveness survey reports that Scotland, which has only 8.2 per cent of the UK’s population, secured 15.8 per cent of UK inward investment projects last year, which created 4,330 Scottish jobs.”
“However, that is belied by their UK Government’s waste of tens of billions on shoddy defence procurement, dodgy public-private partnerships in services, which were often provided by Tory pals, and high speed 2, which has been delayed again and is set to cost over £100 billion. Liz Smith: Will the member give way? Kenneth Gibson: As for the economic performance gap, I quote the evidence that Professor Graeme Roy gave to the Finance and Public Administration Committee last week: “The net tax position is interesting ... it is not an assessment of Scottish Government policy or performance ...”
“The UK Tory Government that they urged us to re- elect last year did not cut such jobs, but apparently we should. Which ones? What would be the impact on public service delivery if talented people voted with their feet and left the public sector? It is just empty, lazy, thoughtless populism, which is aimed at clawing back votes from the Faragists. Come budget time, we will no doubt hear from Tory MSPs the same tedious litanies in which they demand more expenditure in every single Scottish Government portfolio ad nauseum. It is as boring as it is stupefyingly predictable. If the Tories truly believed in a crackdown on waste, one might be more sympathetic.”
“I was not aware that every person in Scotland paid tax, as the clumsily written motion suggests. Children, many pensioners, prisoners, students, the unemployed and so on do not pay tax. The motion says “up to £444”, which means that some people would gain very little—I note that it is not an average, but “up to”, which is like buying double glazing and getting “up to” X pounds off. The Tories must do better if they are to reclaim even a soupçon of the credibility that they lost by backing the Liz Truss economic catastrophe less than three years ago, which led to the highest UK tax take since world war two. How much would the Tories’ tax cut reduce spending by? What would be cut? They suggest a nice, easy target: “highly paid public sector senior executives”.”
“Let us start with the ludicrous suggestion that, after taking no pay rise, Scottish ministers should continue to wear a hair shirt and endure declining real incomes year on year, even though the UK has had cumulative inflation of 70 per cent over 17 years. Which other societal groups do the Tories feel should not receive a pay rise for 17 years? It would certainly not be UK ministers— there are now 121—under successive Labour, coalition and Tory Governments. There has not been a peep about their pay from the Westminster devotees to my left—the Tories—which completely devalues their already threadbare argument. It is just a cheap, nasty and rather pitiful shot that devalues what was already an incoherent and poorly cobbled together motion. The Tories suggest that they would cut tax “by up to £444 for every person in Scotland”.”
“We continue to monitor progress across the UK and internationally, and we are engaging with other Administrations, research institutes and industry initiatives, such as the UK dairy carbon network, to ensure that our approach remains evidence based and aligned with our net zero ambition.”
“The Scottish Government recognises the significant impact of methane on global warming and the potential for innovations, including methane-suppressing feed products such as Boevar, to contribute to emissions reductions in the beef and dairy sectors, and we welcome the progress that is being made. Officials are exploring the development of a pilot scheme to assess the appropriate use of methane-suppressing feed products in Scottish farms. The aim would be to support policy development and inform future decisions on the role that those products might play in reducing emissions.”
“Despite a fall in recent years, agricultural greenhouse gas emissions for beef and dairy production remain high. It is therefore vital that we adopt proven innovations that deliver immediate impact, such as the methane-reducing feed- additive Boevar, which is produced by DSM- Firmenich in Dalry, Ayrshire, following a £300 million-plus investment there. The impact on global warming of methane is 80 times greater than that of CO2. Given that Boevar cuts methane emissions by up to 45 per cent in beef cattle and 30 per cent in dairy cattle, will the Scottish Government incentivise the low-cost, highly effective roll-out of methane-reducing Scotland-made feed additives, such as Boevar, across Scotland? Alasdair Allan: The member is right to point to those issues.”
“If the member will provide me with the exact details of his concerns, I am more than happy to pick up the matter with him.”
“A small island bus operator in my constituency is concerned about the potential impact of bus franchising on its business, as the uncertainties already make it more difficult to secure investment. The operator worries that the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is not considering the impact of franchising on small island operators, with the model appearing to favour larger companies. What reassurance can the minister provide that the unique challenges of Scottish island communities and their local bus enterprises will be considered? Jim Fairlie: Franchising is not the only option that local authorities have available to them—the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 gives local authorities a number of different options to consider.”
“Again, I encourage Stagecoach West and the unions to work together to resolve the issue as soon as they possibly can, for the benefit of their passengers.”
“Many of my 6,000 constituents in Beith rely on buses, as there is no railway station there. Constituents cannot travel to work, to study or even to visit loved ones in hospital at this time. It is completely unacceptable. What discussions has the minister had with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport on providing emergency bus services to ameliorate the situation? Does he agree that bus drivers in Ayrshire should be paid the same as the drivers in his constituency in Perthshire? Jim Fairlie: As I have set out before, Scottish ministers cannot intervene in such matters. I appreciate that disruption is being caused to communities in Ayrshire and I understand that there are reduced operating timetables on some routes.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S6M-17670.1, in the name of Paul Sweeney, which seeks to amend motion S6M-17670, in the name of Alex Cole-Hamilton, on addressing the inadequate provision for neurodevelopmental conditions, be agreed to. Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-17670, in the name of Alex Cole- Hamilton, on addressing the inadequate provision for neurodevelopmental conditions, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S6M-17670.2, in the name of Sandesh Gulhane, is: For 49, Against 66, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S6M-17670.2, in the name of Sandesh Gulhane, which seeks to amend motion S6M-17670, in the name of Alex Cole-Hamilton, on addressing the inadequate provision for neurodevelopmental conditions, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S6M-17670.3, in the name of Maree Todd, is: For 65, Against 49, Abstentions 0.”
“The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S6M-17670.3, in the name of Maree Todd, which seeks to amend motion S6M- 17670, in the name of Alex Cole-Hamilton, on addressing the inadequate provision for neurodevelopmental conditions, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“Motion, as amended, agreed to, That the Parliament acknowledges the work carried out by Scotland’s teachers in schools across the country and commends them for all they do; recognises that the subjects that they teach provide important foundations for knowledge and skills in sectors that can be vital for Scotland’s economy; notes with concern, however, that there has been a sharp decline in the number of teachers in key subjects, such as maths, physics and modern languages, and that targets to train teachers in STEM subjects have been continuously missed; believes that, should these targets continue to be missed, and the decline in the number of teachers continues, it will add to the strain on the teaching workforce, Scottish education will suffer and Scotland’s ability to compete globally in important sectors will be impacted; further believes that a lack of permanent contracts for teachers will further compound issues with recruitment and training; notes that there are also high levels of unemployment and underemployment of primary teachers and teachers for some secondary school subjects; recognises that local workforce planning is led by local government and must be undertaken in partnership with it; supports local authorities, as the employers of teachers, to use the significant additional funding made available, including £186.5 million in the 2025-26 Budget, to increase teacher numbers and create more permanent posts, and calls for the Scottish Government to commit to working in partnership with COSLA, through the joint education and assurance board, to develop a joint evidence-led education workforce strategy with stakeholders; continues to be concerned at the levels of violence being reported in schools, including unacceptable physical and verbal attacks and threats being experienced by teachers and the wider school community; notes the significant concerns over high levels of work-related stress being reported by teachers and the health and wellbeing of the profession; calls on the Scottish Government to bring forward a national coordinated education workforce plan, including data on additional support needs (ASN) and projections on workforce capacity for additional support workers and classroom assistants across local authorities as part of the ASN review; recognises concerns that absence cover is not being consistently applied across schools and local authorities; supports the better provision of access to resources and training, including the delivery of a new model of support alongside the NHS Education for Scotland trauma informed practice training on neurodivergence and autism, and further calls on the Scottish Government to develop a consistent national system of supply to support supply teachers across local authorities, make Pupil Equity Funding permanent to empower schools to properly plan, address concerns with the teacher census to ensure that it is known where staff are and where they are needed, ensure places on teacher training are aligned to workforce planning needs, including in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, and collect and publish data around the number of senior phase lessons being taught by non- subject specialist teachers.”
“For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-17669, in the name of Willie Rennie, on a new plan for Scotland’s teaching workforce, as amended, is: For 89, Against 23, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S6M-17669.2, in the name of Miles Briggs, which seeks to amend motion S6M- 17669, in the name of Willie Rennie, on a new plan for Scotland’s teaching workforce, be agreed to. Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S6M-17669.1, in the name of Pam Duncan-Glancy, which seeks to amend motion S6M-17669, in the name of Willie Rennie, on a new plan for Scotland’s teaching workforce, be agreed to. Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-17669, in the name of Willie Rennie, on a new plan for Scotland’s teaching workforce, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to connect. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Gibson. We will ensure that that is recorded. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S6M-17669.3, in the name of Jenny Gilruth, is: For 64, Against 49, Abstentions 0.”
“I welcome the expansion of social care provision in Mr Gibson’s constituency, but we need to ensure that there are good working arrangements between social care and primary care, so I encourage that to continue. If he continues to see that as an issue, I would—while I cannot get involved directly—welcome correspondence from him setting out the issues, and I will ensure that we look into the matter further.”
“A new 80-bed nursing home is about to open in Largs, and concerns have been raised about the impact on the town’s only GP practice, Largs Medical Group. Despite the practice’s proactive efforts, the nursing home has allegedly declined to participate in any local enhanced service agreement that would assist in the delivery of sustainable care to its residents. Can the cabinet secretary advise what support is available to GPs in managing a new care home population? Will he join me in encouraging all new care home developments to opt into local enhanced service agreements to address specific local healthcare needs? Neil Gray: As Kenneth Gibson will know, the premise of local enhanced service agreements is that they are agreed on a local basis, so it would not be appropriate for me to intervene directly in that case.”
“Evidence abounds across Europe, if ministers could be bothered to look at it with an open mind. I urge the minister to be bold in that regard and to engage with the insightful findings of the national lynx discussion. Once again, I thank Elena Whitham for bringing the issue of deer management to the chamber. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you. Having has his blood pressure suitably raised, I call Jim Fairlie. 18:00”
“Although Scottish ministers talk of enhancing biodiversity, their antiquated view regarding lynx reintroduction exposes the Scottish Government as a laggard in such matters, which is something that it must urgently address. I warmly welcome the Common Ground Forum on deer which, in a short space of time, has tackled the decades of conflict that has plagued deer management. It is crucial that various interests work collaboratively to facilitate effective deer management across Scotland. Nevertheless, it is my firm belief that we can sustainably control the unnaturally high number of deer only by reintroducing to Scotland a native predator that would complement the culling that is already being undertaken. The Eurasian lynx poses no threat to humans and very little threat to livestock or pets— certainly less than dogs.”
“In Scotland, areas with high deer concentrations would see them reduce, with declining browsing pressure benefiting biodiversity and commercial forestry. I urge the minister to engage with the lynx to Scotland partnership, which organised the national lynx discussion between May and November last year. It found that there is sufficient quantity and quality of habitat in Scotland to support a viable lynx population to aid deer control. In Iberia, conservation has seen lynx numbers grow from a critically low 94 to around 1,200, which has been backed by farmers, who are delighted at the fall in rabbit numbers and the increase in tourists that the lynx has brought.”
“However, the fact that wolves are widespread in Europe puts into perspective the Scottish Government’s timidity and deep conservatism in obstinately refusing to contemplate reintroducing the Eurasian lynx. Although it is not a silver bullet for deer control— with apologies to the late Mr Wind—it should be part of a natural solution to deer sustainability. In the 1990s, as reintroduced lynx expanded into new areas in Switzerland, they encountered dense populations of roe deer with no prior experience of predators. Within five years, consistent and highly localised lynx predation significantly reduced those deer populations and the remaining deer became more widely dispersed. Other countries that have reintroduced lynx have seen similar benefits.”
“Little Red Riding Hood and the three little pigs have a lot to answer for. Such tales consolidated our centuries- old fear of Europe’s apex predator, the wolf. They were wiped out in Scotland in the 18th century and, in 1720 in Austria, Simon Wind was the last person executed in Europe for being a werewolf. In the preceding three centuries, hundreds of others met a similar fate. Europe has matured since those hysterical times. In Italy, 3,300 wolves and hundreds of packs roam a country with three times their population density. Across Europe, only Cyprus, Iceland, Ireland, Malta and the UK have no wolves. In France, where wolves were eradicated in 1927, there are now around 800. I am not advocating for wolf reintroduction—the minister would have a heart attack.”
“Given those challenges, I welcome the individuals and organisations, ranging from the Scottish Government and its agencies, national park authorities, private landowners and managers, gamekeepers’ bodies, rewilding groups and agriculture, who have joined the Common Ground Forum. The initiative improves deer management and is welcome. The forum’s recent innovation award is testament to its excellent work. Gamekeepers are also vital, as is Forestry and Land Scotland, which last year culled 42,500 deer, or roughly one third of the deer that were shot across Scotland. However, the reality is that almost 1 million deer are still unsustainably causing ecological imbalance. We have already heard about Jura, which, incidentally, means “deer island” in Old Norse. The elephant in the room is that adult deer in Scotland have no natural predators.”
“I congratulate my fellow Ayrshire member, Elena Whitham, on bringing this important issue of deer management to the chamber. Although the imagery of the majestic stag holds a strong cultural significance in Scotland, it has long been a reality that deer numbers are a huge challenge. Woodland regeneration projects struggle without deer-proof fencing, while excessive grazing and the trampling of peatland disrupts the growth of peat-forming vegetation and damages soil, hindering the natural carbon storage process, releasing greenhouse gases and destroying habitats that support a distinctive range of species.”