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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“The next item of business is consideration of two Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move motion S7M-00378, on suspension and variation of standing orders, and motion S7M- 00379, on designation of lead committee. Motions moved, That the Parliament agrees— (a) under Rule 17.2.1(b) to suspend and vary Standing Orders as follows for the purpose of Decision Time (or any other item of business which involves decisions being taken other than at Decision Time)— for Rule 11.5.1 substitute: “1. Subject to paragraph 1A, only members have a right to vote at a meeting of the Parliament. A member is not obliged to vote. 1A.”
“The next item of business is consideration of business motion S7M-00377, 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 23 June 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 Ministerial Statement: Non-Domestic Rates Reform followed by Scottish Government Debate: Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.30 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 24 June 2026 2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Climate Action and Rural Affairs; Education, Culture and Gaelic followed by Reform UK Business followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.30 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Thursday 25 June 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 Debate: Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ 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 (b) that, for the purposes of Portfolio Questions in the week beginning 22 June 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.—[Jamie Hepburn] Motion agreed to.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S7M- 00380, in the name of John Swinney, on the appointment of law officers. Before the First Minister speaks, I remind members that, under rule 11.3 of standing orders, the question on the motion will be put immediately after the debate. 17:12”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The second question is, that amendment S7M-00356.1, in the name of Carol Mochan, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00356, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on strengthening Scotland’s partnership with the third sector, 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) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP) Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Brown, 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) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) 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) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) 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) 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-00356.2, in the name of Julie MacDougall, is: For 26, Against 77, Abstentions 17.”
“There are six questions to be put today. The first question is, that amendment S7M-00356.2, in the name of Julie MacDougall, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00356, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on strengthening Scotland’s partnership with the third sector, 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. 17:34 Meeting suspended. 17:36 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We come to the vote on amendment S7M-00356.2, in the name of Julie MacDougall, which seeks to amend motion S7M- 00356, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on strengthening Scotland’s partnership with the third sector. Members should cast their vote now.”
“The next item of business is consideration of business motion S7M-00388, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on a revision to the business programme. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees to the following revision to the programme of business for Wednesday 17 June 2026— after followed by Scottish Government Debate: Affordable Bus Fares insert followed by Appointment of Law Officers—[Jamie Hepburn] Motion agreed to. Decision Time 17:34”
“Thank you, colleagues. That concludes general questions. I apologise to those whose supplementary questions were not called due to time constraints. First Minister’s Question Time Back-bench Members 14:32 Men’s Football (World Cup)”
“Before I take a supplementary question from Paul Sweeney, I remind members that you should press your request-to-speak button only when you come to your question or wish to ask a supplementary question to someone else’s question. There are members who have pressed their button but who do not, I believe, want to ask a question about this specific issue. However, Paul Sweeney is not one of those members.”
“The first item of business—[Inaudible.] Members: We cannot hear you. The Presiding Officer: It looks as if the sound is on here.”
“There are seven questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that amendment S7M-00309.3, in the name of Michael Marra, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00309, in the name of Ivan McKee, on public service reform and empowering staff, service users and local government, 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. 17:18 Meeting suspended. 17:21 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We come to the vote on amendment S7M-00309.3, in the name of Michael Marra, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00309, in the name of Ivan McKee. Members should cast their vote now. The vote is closed. We have a point of order from”
“The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S7M-00346, on committee membership. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move the motion. 17:16”
“There were too many other ideas in Alyn Smith’s speech for me to cover in this contribution. However, he also hit on a point that we, on these benches, certainly recognise, which is that we are doing this to make Scotland better and to make Scotland ready to be a normal independent country. Getting that foundation in place and rewiring the state is an important stepping stone on that constitutional journey. Although I am not surprised, some of the contributions were a bit tired, repetitive and less impactful, and they suffered very much from a lack of innovation.”
“However, that obviously had to be led by what communities want—by what is important to them and by their priorities in the decision making about how resources are allocated. We are working through that in a mature way, and we are happy to engage with others on that. Alyn Smith made a fabulous contribution, although I am not sure that he is so delighted that he got plaudits from the Reform front bench for it. However, his comments on redesigning the state, about the fact that we have a huge opportunity and about inviting parties across the chamber to be part of that were profound and important. There are some great examples of working together. I know that local government in his area is very much focused on that, and some great initiatives are coming forward from there.”
“A number of members, including David Green and Dawn Black, who made an excellent first speech in the chamber, talked about the importance of local communities. As Jenni Minto identified, that gets to the core of what should be national, what should be regional and what should be local. There is a tension—I will not pretend that there is not—between how we drive economies of scale and how we drive local empowerment. We are keen to work with partners to find our way through that, and we have ideas for how that can be taken forward. It does not make sense to replicate many times something that can be done efficiently once for Scotland. We are focused on that work. We have saved hundreds of millions of pounds, which we can get to the front line, because of what we have done on procurement and elsewhere.”
“Last year, we published our reflections on 25 years of preventive interventions—not just to list them, although there are many, but, more importantly, to understand their impact and the process that was gone through, as well as how the numbers stacked up, what the multiplier was and over what time period those preventive interventions made a difference. That data is really important. Members can rest assured that extensive work is going on in Government to develop that understanding and to tag budget lines at various levels of prevention—it is not just one preventive bucket; there are many different layers of prevention—depending on their impact and the logic between them and the outcomes. That work is going on, and I would be very happy to engage further with members who are interested in going through the details of it.”
“The second issue that I want to talk about is prevention, which Andrew Baxter spoke extensively about. I have his invitation to Skye but I also have a competing invitation to Falkirk, and I am not quite sure which one—if not both—I can fit in over the summer period. The issue of prevention is really important and it is one of the core principles of Christie. It is very easy to talk about and, in principle, everybody gets the idea, but being able to understand and quantify the impact is not as easy as it first appears. Extensive work on that is going on in Government.”
“I draw the cabinet secretary’s attention to the Social Justice and Social Security Committee’s report on funding of the third and voluntary sectors, and I highlight the longer-term funding that is required. If those sectors are strategic partners in public service reform, they will have to be funded strategically and appropriately in the long term. Does the cabinet secretary agree? Ivan McKee: In principle, we need stability of funding and to recognise the great work that happens in community organisations, which I see every week in my constituency. That work is absolutely critical, because those organisations are, to a large extent, the front line, and their ability to deliver for local communities is absolutely critical and needs to be enhanced.”
“Jenni Minto made some great points about third sector organisations, as did other members. The point that this is about public service reform is critical and it involves taking on board the issues of the stability of third sector funding, reducing complexity and streamlining. Jenni Minto proposed the interesting idea of having a memorandum of understanding between public bodies and the third sector. The third sector is absolutely key to our work and it should be put not at the end of the line but at the beginning of the line when it comes to funding allocation. As the Deputy First Minister and I go into the budget discussions, we will be reflecting on that very seriously. Bob Doris: I commend the comments on the third sector that we have heard in the chamber this afternoon.”
“Before I call the cabinet secretary, I say to members that, if they seek to make an intervention, they should remember to stand up and ask to make an intervention. I notice that buttons are pressed but, sometimes, the speakers do not see who is trying to intervene. 17:05 Ivan McKee: On reflection, I am happy with the extent of the contributions that we have heard this afternoon. As I indicated at the outset, I was keen to hear from members, and that is what has happened for the most part. I will try to pick my way through the mind map that I have in front of me of all the contributions. I will start with the third sector. Laura Moodie made some great points about community organisations doing great work. All the Labour speakers spoke to that subject. Michael Marra led off with that in his contribution, and Joe Long mentioned it, too.”
“We move to the next item, which is a statement by Angela Constance on improving maternity services across Scotland. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of her statement and there should be no questions or interruptions. We will have a two-minute break to enable a changeover of members on the front benches.”
“The next item of business is First Minister’s question time for party leaders. The first question will be asked by Anas Sarwar. Trust in Politics 1.”
“The first item of business is general question time. In order to get in as many people as possible, I would prefer short and succinct questions and answers to match. Patient Waiting Times (Moray) 1.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The final question is, that motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Jenny Gilruth): On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded.”
“For Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Green, David (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (LD) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) 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) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) 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) 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) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.3, in the name of Russell Findlay, is: For 53, Against 70, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S7M-00294.3, in the name of Russell Findlay, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, 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) 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) 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) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Against Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Green, David (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (LD) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) 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) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.2, in the name of Ross Greer, is: For 70, Against 53, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S7M-00294.2, in the name of Ross Greer, which seeks to amend motion S7M- 00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, 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) 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) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) 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) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Against Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Green, David (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.1, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, is: For 55, Against 68, Abstentions 0.”
“There are four questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Jamie Hepburn is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Ross Greer will fall. The first question is, that amendment S7M- 00294.1, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, 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. 17:53 Meeting suspended. 17:55 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We move to the vote on amendment S7M-00294.1, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, which seeks to amend motion S7M- 00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar. Members should cast their votes now.”
“The next item of business is consideration of business motion S7M-00301, 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 16 June 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 Ministerial Statement: Scottish Government Investment in ‘Our Union Street’ and the People’s Palace followed by Scottish Government Debate: Strengthening Scotland’s Partnership with the Third Sector followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.30 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 17 June 2026 2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Justice; Health and Care followed by Scottish Government Debate: Affordable Bus Fares followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.30 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Thursday 18 June 2026 1.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 1.30 pm General Questions 2.00 pm First Minister’s Questions (Party Leaders) followed by Ministerial Statement: 10th Anniversary of the UK Referendum on EU Membership followed by Ministerial Statement: Provisional Outturn 2025-26 followed by Ministerial Statement: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan - Annual Progress Report 2025-26 followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 4.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Tuesday 23 June 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 24 June 2026 2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Climate Action and Rural Affairs; Education, Culture and Gaelic followed by Reform UK Business followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.30 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Thursday 25 June 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 15 June 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.—[Jamie Hepburn] Motion agreed to.”
“Instead of raising issues like this, we brought a debate on childcare and delivered a statement on our first homes fund on 27 May. Last week, we brought a debate on the future of the national health service, and yesterday, we had a debate on the Scottish economy. It is why we have a business motion before us that says that—if members agree—next Tuesday we will have a statement on urban regeneration and a debate on supporting the third sector and, on Wednesday, a debate on affordable bus fares and three statements, including one on the provisional outturn and one on child poverty. Those are the things that the people of Scotland expect us to focus on. I urge Parliament to support the amendment in my name. 17:43”
“Please speak through the chair. Jamie Hepburn: —that the SNP has won five elections in a row. It has earned the trust of the people for five elections in a row. It is just a matter of fact—there is no arrogance about it; it is just a reality. I think that it is important that we— Russell Findlay: Will the member give way? Jamie Hepburn: I will give way to Mr Findlay. Russell Findlay: I remember how sleazy, arrogant and entitled Labour became when it dominated Scottish politics. Does the minister see that at all in his party? Jamie Hepburn: No, I do not, so let us move on. The point that I was going to make was one that I made earlier: it is important that, as an institution, we focus on matters that are of primary interest and of paramount importance to the people of Scotland.”
“We have benefited from migration to this country and we continue to benefit from it. I say that particularly given the offices that I have held in health and the public services that I have represented in the Government. This country’s police service, fire service and health and social care systems would not be able to do what they do without people coming from other countries to serve the people of Scotland. My first office in this Government was in culture, and the culture and fabric of our society would also not be the same were it not for migration into this country. We should celebrate it, protect it and cherish it, and we should always stand up to those, including in this Parliament, who seek to divide, intimidate and cause fear and alarm.”
“Before Paul Sweeney comes back in, I say to him that I am looking for questions rather than speeches. Other members are keen to come in, so it is important that we keep questions as brief as possible. Paul Sweeney: Some members of the Parliament have sought to fan the flames of division with continual talk of “strangers” and calls for further protests tonight. Does the cabinet secretary agree that every one of us in the Parliament has a duty to calm tensions in this country and not to inflame them, and that we should be reminded that our first duty is to our constituents and the people of Scotland, not to American neo-Nazis on social media? Neil Gray: I fundamentally and completely agree with what Paul Sweeney has said—I believe that to my core. We are a welcoming nation.”
“The total number of ballots was 120 and the results were as follows: For 110, Against 1, Abstentions 5. There were four spoiled papers. There were two candidates for convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee: Emma Roddick and Jenni Minto. The total number of ballots was 122 and the results were as follows: Jenni Minto 90, Emma Roddick 28, Abstentions 4. Jenni Minto has been elected as convener. That concludes the elections of conveners. Urgent Question 14:04 Racist Demonstrations (Glasgow)”
“There were four spoiled papers. Bob Doris has been elected as convener of the Public Service Reform Committee. The total number of ballots was 122 and the results were as follows: For 110, Against 10, Abstentions 1. There was one spoiled paper. Mark Ruskell has been elected as convener of the Rural Affairs Committee. The total number of ballots was 122 and the results were as follows: For 100, Against 14, Abstentions 6. There were two spoiled papers. Craig Hoy has been elected as convener of the Social Justice, Housing and Local Government Committee. The total number of ballots was 123 and the results were as follows: For 67, Against 34, Abstentions 18. There were four spoiled papers. Willie Rennie has been elected as convener of the Transport Committee.”
“Clare Haughey has been elected as convener of the Finance and Public Administration Committee. The total number of ballots was 123 and the results were as follows: For 95, Against 23, Abstentions 4. There was one spoiled paper. Helen McDade has been elected as convener of the Health, Care and Sport Committee. The total number of ballots was 121 and the results were as follows: For 65, Against 21, Abstentions 29. There were six spoiled papers. Neil Bibby has been elected as convener of the Public Audit Committee. The total number of ballots was 122 and the results were as follows: For 105, Against 3, Abstentions 11. There were three spoiled papers. Paul Sweeney has been elected as convener of the Public Petitions Committee. The total number of ballots was 122 and the results were as follows: For 106, Against 4, Abstentions 8.”
“The total number of ballots was 122 and the results were as follows: For 66, Against 21, Abstentions 29. There were six spoiled papers. Karen Adam has been elected as convener of the Education and Gaelic Committee. The total number of ballots was 121 and the results were as follows: For 105, Against 11, Abstentions 5. Patrick Harvie has been elected as convener of the Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. The total number of ballots was 122 and the results were as follows: For 97, Against 15, Abstentions 8. There were two spoiled papers. Katie Hagmann has been elected as convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. The total number of ballots was 122 and the results were as follows: For 112, Against 6, Abstentions 4.”
“Today’s business begins with the results of the elections for committee conveners. I will announce the results for each committee in turn. Stuart McMillan has been elected as convener of the Climate Action Committee. The total number of ballots was 121 and the results were as follows: For 106, Against 12, Abstentions 3. Alyn Smith has been elected as convener of the Criminal Justice Committee. The total number of ballots was 122 and the results were as follows: For 107, Against 10, Abstentions 5. Calum Kerr has been elected as convener of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. The total number of ballots was 122 and the results were as follows: For 118, Against 1, Abstentions 2. There was one spoiled paper. Duncan Massey has been elected as convener of the Economy, Tourism and Energy Committee.”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament is aware that 22 May is World Pre- Eclampsia Day; notes that pre-eclampsia is a global issue, with most deaths from this condition occurring in low- income countries; is alarmed that an estimated 76,000 mothers and 500,000 babies worldwide lose their lives to pre-eclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy every year; appreciates that 60% of hypertension-related maternal deaths are potentially preventable but there continue to be missed opportunities for appropriate, recommended care of severe maternal hypertension; understands that women who develop pre- eclampsia in pregnancy have an increased lifelong risk of some serious longer-term health conditions, including cardiovascular issues, kidney problems, diabetes and deep vein thrombosis; laments concerns that women across the UK do not currently receive long-term monitoring following pre-eclampsia in pregnancy and are often not aware of, or informed of, the long-term health risks associated with pre- eclampsia; welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to greater support for women who have experienced pre-eclampsia in Phase Two of its Women’s Health Plan, which was published in January 2026, and applauds the work of the charity, Action on Pre-Eclampsia, which is dedicated to raising awareness, improving care and supporting individuals affected by pre-eclampsia.”
“The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S7M-00100, in the name of Patricia Gibson, on world pre-eclampsia day, 22 May 2026. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I call Patricia Gibson to open the debate.”
“There are six questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that amendment S7M-00290.3, in the name of Daniel Johnson, which seeks to amend S7M-00290, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on growing Scotland’s economy, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. 17:52 Meeting suspended. 17:55 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We move to the vote on amendment S7M-00290.3, in the name of Daniel Johnson, which seeks to amend S7M-00290, in the name of Stephen Flynn. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“Can you first say which standing order you are referring to? Rachael Hamilton: Earlier, I failed to register my interest as a shareholder in a hospitality business. I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of interests. I am not clear whether the register of interests has been published, but I am doing this just in case. The Presiding Officer: Thank you for that. The deadline for entries is Saturday. That concludes the debate on growing Scotland’s economy. Decision Time 17:51”
“I, along with Daniel Johnson and many others behind me, talked positively about renewables. Why would we not talk positively about that when we recognise that billions of pounds’ worth of investment is flowing into Scotland and that there are in excess of 100,000 jobs in that sector alone? That is Scotland looking to the future and trying to capitalise on the golden ticket that we have been offered for a second time in relation to energy. I can see Mr Massey squinting. The reason why he is squinting is that, during the election campaign, I had the joy of appearing in a hustings with him, when he argued that there was not one single job in Aberdeen related to the renewables sector—not a single job.”
“That was purely a point of clarity for Mr Hoy’s benefit. It is safe to say that he needed a fair bit of help in respect of clarity. We listened as members detailed the various aspects of what people would like to happen to Scotland’s economy, and one theme that cut through is the narrative from Reform and the Conservatives on tax. What they do not recognise, posit or contribute to the debate is an acknowledgement of the importance of the state’s ability to contribute when it comes to skills, infrastructure and health. That is absolutely fundamental to securing an economy that is stable, that investors can have confidence in and that can secure growth. They would do well to reflect on that moving forward. Where we did get agreement was on renewables.”
“However, one thing that he was unclear about in his remarks was Rosebank. He blamed Tory environmental assessments for having blocked it. Will he confirm whether he still supports what I took to be the Scottish Government’s position— that it supports environmental assessments—and that those projects must pass a climate compatibility test, whatever on earth that actually means? If they are not compatible with climate action, they should not go ahead. Stephen Flynn: Mr Harvie may have misheard me when I corrected Mr Hoy earlier in the debate. He was complaining about the fact that those projects had not gone forward, so I simply highlighted the fact that his party was in charge and in government at Westminster when the matter was dragged through the courts, and that, of course, we had the Finch ruling on scope 3 emissions.”
“That might be where the consensus ended. I know that Mr Harvie is desperate to disagree with me, but, if he had listened to my opening remarks, he would know there was a lot on which we agree, because I was clear in setting out my view that we need an economy that works for absolutely everyone. I said that that means good jobs and good wages, and it means stronger businesses with the opportunity to grow. It means ensuring that the generations that follow our own enjoy better living standards than we do. Patrick Harvie: [Made a request to intervene.] Stephen Flynn: I am sure that Mr Harvie would agree on that point, as I expect him to do now. Patrick Harvie: I am grateful for that comment. I hope that, if Stephen Flynn is right, we will hear more about the concept of the wellbeing economy, which we did not hear much about today.”
“Will you please wind up? Paul Sweeney: It is a great shame to see the loss of Scottish-owned businesses and Scottish industrial potential. To join up some of those themes, that is how the Government could work much harder for the interests of the Scottish people. 17:41 Stephen Flynn: A fair few members who have just entered the chamber did not have the opportunity to enjoy the lively and spirited debate that we had this afternoon. I was particularly struck by the consensus that we managed to achieve. I managed to get Daniel Johnson and Duncan Massey to agree that what we are proposing is hopeful for the future. I think that I even got Patrick Harvie and Duncan Massey to agree on the purpose of taking back control, if I was listening correctly. Patrick Harvie: Nah. Stephen Flynn: Mr Harvie is correcting me in that regard.”
“I have to say how pleased I am that Alyn Smith was able to ask that question and liven the chamber up. It was a nice ending to the afternoon’s First Minister’s question time, which has now concluded. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statistics 2024”