Richard Lochhead
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Artificial intelligence and all the other developments will change how we raise and spend taxes, how we buy things and what we buy. Everything will be impacted by the changes that are taking place before our eyes. Automation will displace labour and it will do other things as well.”
“Across the parties, we all know what needs to be done. I hope that, in the future, we can build a consensus to make sure that that happens—with respect, grace, and good, robust arguments. If we do that better, perhaps we can set an example to other Parliaments in countries around the world.”
“I thank the current and three previous First Ministers, who entrusted me with the responsibility of being in Government; the Parliament staff and the civil service for their advice and support; and my private office staff. I thank my friends and colleagues—past and present—in my party group and on all sides of the chamber.”
“I thank Clare Haughey for bringing the debate before Parliament. The closure of high street branches and all the changes that that means for people in our communities have been a feature of the past few years. Clare Haughey is an outstanding constituency MSP who always looks out for the vulnerable.”
“The FCA has committed to undertaking a post-implementation review of its access-to-cash regime, and we will ensure that many of the issues that have been addressed in tonight’s debate are part of that review.”
“I am sure that my colleagues have similar thoughts about what we have witnessed over so many years. My heartfelt thanks must go first to my family: my wife, Fiona; my son, Angus, who is in Brisbane and is probably watching this speech at some ungodly hour; and my younger son, Fraser, who is about to turn 18 and is in the chamber’s gallery…”
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“We have now found out that, earlier this month, OSG released a report, with very little publicity, that argues that the company does not have to do an environmental impact assessment, because it believes that the temporary nature of the structures does not require one. An EIA is crucial. I sat on planning committees in Moray Council, and I was convener of the committee for a long time. EIAs form an important part of the planning process, but the company thinks that it can just dismiss that requirement and come up with its own plans. Again, I question the cabinet secretary: does she at least accept that undertaking no EIA for the development would not be allowed, should not be allowed and is unacceptable, and that the company must come forward with a full EIA? I know that my time is just about up, Deputy Presiding Officer.”
“Douglas Ross: I agree with the member on that, but there is an easier way, which is just to abandon the plans completely and walk away from the Moray Firth, which is not suitable for what is being proposed. I agree with Richard Lochhead—I put the exact same question to OSG representatives when I met them, and I got a muddled answer from them, as I have done on so many issues. However, they must listen—they must see that their proposal is so inappropriate that it is creating mass protest on a scale that I have not seen in Moray and the Highlands for a long time. Instead of actually engaging and doing better with its consultation, however, I would say that OSG—even though I did not think that this was possible—has got worse.”
“I thank the member for bringing the debate to the chamber. As the constituency member for Moray, I welcome a number of my constituents to the public gallery and wish them a safe journey after the debate later tonight. As the member will be aware, I am heavily engaged in the issue, too, and I have spoken to the developers a number of times. Does he agree that one of the easiest solutions to the whole debacle would be for the company, which did not rank the original locations that it looked at in order of preference, to look to a less contentious location for the project to go ahead? That would be an easy way out of this. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can give you the time back, Mr Ross.”
“Many hospitality businesses will benefit from that. Acknowledging the impact of the revaluation, we will introduce a revaluation transitional relief to protect those who are seeing the most significant increases in rateable values. That will ensure that the gross bills on an estimated 60,000 properties will be lower in 2026-27 than they otherwise would have been. We continue to offer a range of other benefits, including the most generous relief package in the UK for the energy-generating sector and reliefs in other sectors, such as through the business growth accelerator.”
“Sharon Dowey: Hospitality businesses continue to report higher rates and energy costs than their competitors elsewhere in the UK, with industry leaders warning that closures are increasingly likely. They want an immediate pause to revaluation. Lochside House hotel, in my area, has invested in its property and it now faces having its rates increased by £271,000. Businesses are getting penalised for investing. There simply is not an incentive to grow. In the light of collapsing business confidence and the calls from the sector, will the minister today commit to pausing the upcoming revaluation? If not, why not? Richard Lochhead: The Scottish budget for 2026-27 will ensure the lowest basic property rate since 2018-19. It will support businesses and communities with a package that is worth an estimated £864 million.”
“The latest Bank of Scotland business barometer shows companies in Scotland reporting higher confidence in their own business prospects month on month in January—up by 15 points to 53 per cent. That is encouraging. However, business conditions remain challenging. The United Kingdom Government’s increase in employer national insurance contributions has had significant impact and has contributed to reducing business confidence in Scotland. We have repeatedly called on the UK Government to reverse that increase. We work closely with companies to provide greater certainty and stability, including by improving regulatory practice to make it easier to invest and do business in Scotland.”
“If families paid for that themselves, it would cost more than £6,000 per eligible child per year. We have been doing a lot in that area in the past few years, and we have invested heavily in that agenda. Of course, I agree with the sentiments that the member has outlined. We always think that there is a lot more to do, but the statistics show that we are saving a lot of families a lot of money by helping with childcare support. I have also separately given some indication of what has been invested through the employability agenda. Young Entrepreneurs (Start Up Challenge) 2.”
“Yesterday, I heard from a mother of a two-year-old, who told me that, when she is working compressed hours plus two hours after her child’s bedtime, there is no time to mentally recover and that the low level of net pay after childcare means that there is no incentive for mothers to be in work. Does the minister agree that, if hard-working mothers who are earning reasonable wages are questioning whether they can still afford to work, because of the crippling cost of childcare, the system is broken and requires urgent reform, for the sake of the economy if nothing else? Richard Lochhead: Families across Scotland have benefited from 1,140 funded hours of high- quality early learning and childcare for all three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds since 2021.”
“Parental employability support is available for low-income parents through the no one left behind approach, which emphasises priority family groups, including parents with a child under one. Key workers provide tailored one-to-one support to help remove barriers to employment, identifying flexible work opportunities and linking to wraparound services. The draft budget protects the £90 million for devolved employability services in 2026-27, with more than £40 million of that supporting parents. Davy Russell: The fact that mums are working full time does not mean that the costs of parenting, especially the cost of childcare, cannot ruin them financially.”
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“We will have to take some time to reflect on what we have read in the report, and we will do so in due course. Of course, as we have heard, the cross-party group is playing an important role in keeping the matter high up the Parliament’s agenda. I once again thank Brian Baglow and everyone who contributed to his report and plan, Michael Marra for securing the debate and all members who have spoken today. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate. Meeting closed at 19:35. This is the final edition of the Official Report of this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“I should also say that, during the DICE Europe conference, the First Minister hosted some of the leading games executives at Bute house in Edinburgh, and he was impressed by the feedback that he heard from the prominent companies at the table—and from some Scots who were there— about Scotland’s games sector and its global impact and leadership. The plan is impressive. It is obvious that a huge amount of work has gone into it; it presses all the right buttons and we as a Government will carefully consider its recommendations. As we all know, the parties will have the opportunity to talk about this issue in their own manifestos, and although a new Government is going to be elected in a few months’ time, the report is still very timely and contains a lot of really good ideas.”
“I have been hoping to catch up with Brian Baglow since he formally published the report; he met me before its publication to give me an indication of how he was getting on and what he was heading towards. I have now read the final version of the report, and I am happy to meet Brian again as well as colleagues from across the chamber, perhaps at a meeting of cross-party group, which I know does a fine job. Perhaps, if the member would like, that could happen before the recess on 26 March—which we have to make sure happens, too.”
“Those companies included Nintendo, whose chief executive I met a couple of times—it was great to talk to him about what was happening in the games sector in Scotland—as well as Xbox and Epic Games, among others. Michael Marra: I know that the minister is coming towards the end of his time, and he has set out some of the support that the Government is rightly giving the sector. Will he commit to meeting the authors of the report and perhaps to coming and speaking to the members of our cross-party group at some point in the immediate future, so that we can go through the report in detail, look at the recommendations line by line and see what actions the Government can take to support them? Richard Lochhead: Yes, I would be delighted to do that.”
“A few months ago, as part of our Techscaler programme, we took a cohort of 10 games start- up companies out to Japan and gave them the opportunity to meet and learn from some truly influential global leaders, and to attend the Osaka world expo. I was there as minister, helping to lead that delegation of games companies from Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh and elsewhere, and it was fantastic to see them taking their products, ideas and vision to the important—and massive— Japanese games market. Just a few months ago—in September—we were thrilled to host the prestigious DICE Europe conference in Edinburgh. We took a leading role in shaping the conference and the satellite activities, in showcasing all that Scotland has to offer and in welcoming the major global companies that attended.”
“Indeed, a company in my constituency told me that it has produced a banking app, so the financial sector is benefiting from games technology, too. Therefore, I agree with the thrust of many people’s contributions, which is that we have to recognise that that is a nationally valuable source of innovation in Scotland and it affects many different parts of our economy, not just the games sector. It is at the cutting edge of innovation. In my final couple of minutes, I should mention that the Government has been supporting the games sector; indeed, we have stepped up our support for it in recent years. Our ecosystem fund has supported Scottish games week, which has shone a spotlight on the sector’s remarkable strength and diversity. That very point was made and recognised in the members’ business debate on this subject back in 2023.”
“It is a fantastic legacy and a great story that we should tell the rest of the world over and over again. From indie developers and co-working hubs to globally recognised studios, our games community runs the gamut of an entire country. A really important point to make about the timeliness of the plan’s publication, and a theme that many members have touched on, is that gaming technology is all about innovation and cutting-edge technology. It is not just about games; the technology is being used by prosthetics companies and by the military. It is also incredibly important to healthcare—and I am talking not just about the games and apps that are being developed by the games sector to promote healthy living and to help people with their health, but about the gaming technology used by surgeons. It is also being used in finance.”
“I remember that, when I was a teenager, one of my friends got a ZX80. I did not own one of them, but I remember seeing it—now I am showing my age. A couple of years after that, I got a ZX Spectrum, and I got addicted to Jet Set Willy, Match Point, Deathchase, Manic Miner and a number of other games. It was actually only a few years ago that I learned that the ZX Spectrum was manufactured in Dundee, and that it led to the emergence from that city of the games industry that is now a national phenomenon. Chris Van Der Kuyl and Paddy Burns, who are well-known figures from Dundee in the games sector and who are behind some of its big titles, told me how it led to coding among local young people and schoolchildren, and others who worked at Timex, and, in turn, to where we are today.”
“For example, a couple of games companies in Elgin, on my doorstep— Code Wizards and Hunted Cow—have produced chart-topping games, so I know that, as well as Dundee, which has led the way and blazed the trail, other parts of the country are benefiting from our growing games sector. It is anticipated that the new title in the Grand Theft Auto franchise—the most iconic games franchise—will have the biggest launch in entertainment history, and more than 300 million copies of Minecraft have been sold worldwide. Those are both household names. I associate myself with Michael Marra’s comments in that respect. I feel that I should own shares in those titles, given my two sons’ history of playing video games and the amount of Lochhead investment that has gone into those games over the years.”
“As members have mentioned, Abertay University, which I visited a few months ago for the umpteenth time, established the world’s first dedicated video game degree back in 1997, and it is consistently ranked among the top universities globally for video game design by the Princeton Review. That pioneering spirit has cemented Scotland’s international reputation as a place where creativity meets cutting-edge technology, as many members have said, and that legacy continues today. We have 135 computer games enterprises in Scotland, which represents an 800 per cent increase since 2010, when there were 15. Some of the most successful and influential games in the world are still being developed here. As many members have said, the sector covers all parts of Scotland.”
“I remember that, when Shona Robison and I, on behalf of the Government, met him and a number of senior and experienced representatives of the games sector in the Parliament in 2023, the idea emerged of his carrying out work to produce an industry-led games plan for Scotland, which he has now published. As the plan says, and as many members have said, Scotland has played a truly formative role in global video game culture. Landmark titles such as Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings, which have been often mentioned by members in the debate and were both born in Dundee, have shaped entire games genres and have reached hundreds of millions of players worldwide. There have also been other contributions, particularly in education.”
“I thank Michael Marra for securing the debate and for highlighting the publication of “Level Up Scotland: A National Action Plan for the Scottish Games Sector”. I congratulate him and Clare Adamson, along with other colleagues, on being great champions of the games sector in the Parliament. I thank all colleagues for their contributions to the debate. I recognise the great work of, and pay tribute to, Brian Baglow, who has been an invaluable advocate for the sector. He has helped me, my officials and the Government more widely to gain an even clearer understanding of the cultural, economic and social contributions that games make to Scotland.”
“That will make good reading, and it shows the effort that this Government is making towards promoting exports to the rest of the world, including countries such as Japan. First Minister’s Question Time 12:00 Benefit Spending 1.”
“Will the minister outline a bit more how the Scottish Government’s new six- point export plan will help to enable that? Richard Lochhead: The plan helps both companies and sectors in Scotland to take advantage of additional opportunities for exporting in emerging markets while maintaining footholds in critical existing markets. The additional support that is being made available ranges from increasing company-level support through Scottish Enterprise to extending the reach of our international trade partnership programme with Scottish Chambers of Commerce. I inform the Parliament that the Government will publish tomorrow our evaluation report on the recent visit by ministers, along with companies from Scotland on trade missions, to the Osaka expo.”
“Free and open international trade is critical to achieving growth in the Scottish economy. The recent threat of additional tariffs from the United States was inconsistent with that, so we all welcome the fact that that risk has now receded. However, the impacts of tariffs continue to be apparent. The Scotch whisky sector reported 1,000 job losses last year, and the sector estimates that a 10 per cent reciprocal tariff could result in up to £400 million of annual losses in exports to the US. Our six-point action plan for exports augments our existing support to respond to the global economic volatility. Jackie Dunbar: During such global economic uncertainty, it is more vital than ever to champion our world-class Scottish products in both new and existing markets.”
“In light of the late budget from the UK Government and the situation that we face here, we have to consider how we support those organisations through a transitional period. We will write to them all this week with an update on the details of how we will do that.”
“I refer to projects such as Community Food Initiatives North East’s Aberdeen partnership action communities together project, the Station House Media Unit’s connecting communities project, the Murton Trust for Education and the Environment’s education programme, or Maxwelltown Information Centre’s Maxwell centre and garden. Without urgent clarity, those organisations and projects will be forced to plan for managed exits, with profound impacts on communities across my region. When will those projects and the people whom they support know about their future so that they can avoid the need to be scaled back or lost altogether? Richard Lochhead: We very much value the fund, but it is nearing the end of its round.”
“Across the Scottish Government, we will continue to deliver on our priorities. The draft Scottish budget sets out £68 billion investment, which secures and expands the United Kingdom’s most generous cost of living package. The investing in communities fund has been a valued source of funding since 2019. It is delivered directly to communities and empowers them to address local challenges on their own terms. We continue to work across the Scottish Government to understand how the learning from the fund can inform future funding support for community-led action. Maggie Chapman: Projects across the north- east rely on that funding to exist.”
“Finally, I put on record my thanks to the expert reference group for its considerable work in analysing the legal landscape and formulating the recommendations for primary legislation. I thank the group’s chair, the Rt Hon Lord Hodge, and Professor Fox of the University of Edinburgh, for the time and effort that they gave to the group, the Scottish Government and everyone else with whom they interacted during the development of the bill. I also thank those who gave evidence to the Economy and Fair Work Committee, committee members, clerks and anyone else involved, for all their hard work in scrutinising the bill. I move, That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Digital Assets (Scotland) Bill. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Daniel Johnson to speak on behalf of the Economy and Fair Work Committee.”
“Where appropriate, we will keep an open mind to amendments at stage 2, but we will see how, over the next few days, the issues develop in response to the debate. We are committed to working with Parliament and stakeholders to ensure that the legislation is effective and fit for purpose, and that it is as technologically neutral as possible, to help to keep it up to date and to keep pace with emerging innovations. Overall, having listened to the stage 1 evidence and considered the committee’s stage 1 report, I am pleased that there is broad consensus on the approach that has been taken in the bill. I welcome the committee’s recommendation that Parliament agrees to the general principles of the bill.”
“However, most stated that the bill was not the place to deliver any such reform; in any case, insolvency is largely a reserved matter. Ministers agree. We are of the view that, where further changes may be beneficial, it is appropriate for them to be developed and formed by consultation that is specific to the relevant devolved areas of law and by engagement with all key stakeholders in each area. Although some may have wanted the bill to go further, I am aware of the view expressed during committee evidence sessions that consideration should be given to the exclusion of certain digital things from the application of the bill, such as electronic trade documents and voluntary carbon credits. The Scottish Government will reflect on all the views that we hear today, as well as on the committee’s recommendations.”
“It achieves that by confirming what is meant by a digital asset for the purposes of the bill; by categorising those digital assets as incorporeal moveable property; and by weaving how digital assets are acquired and transferred into well- established common-law rules—and, in doing so, reflecting existing commercial practices in relation to the acquisition and transfer of digital assets. The bill includes a provision that will extend protections to good-faith acquirers who have obtained a digital asset in exchange for value from a person who, unbeknown to the good-faith acquirer, held a defective title to the asset. I am aware that stakeholders identified other areas of law that could benefit from reform—areas where there is likely to be engagement with digital assets, such as diligence and insolvency.”
“We are already seeing increasing uptake of all that among the public. I was pretty astonished, as I am sure others were, including those on the committee, to learn that around 12 per cent of United Kingdom adults now hold crypto assets. That is around half a million adult Scots. It is therefore important to be clear at the outset that the bill has a deliberately narrow scope of application. It is a short piece of legislation with just nine sections that is restricted to clarifying that certain digital assets have property status in Scots law.”
“Digital assets are used for a wide range of purposes, from payments and investments to innovative financial products and services by businesses and individuals. With those assets becoming ever more integrated into our financial markets, providing greater legal certainty for those who choose to engage with them is becoming increasingly important. With estimates that the value of the blockchain technology market in Scotland is likely to reach £4.48 billion by 2030— to give one big example—the Scottish Government is focused on building an environment in which businesses can flourish, encourage innovation and help economic growth. It is not just businesses that embrace digital assets. The crypto asset market, which is the largest category of digital assets, is currently worth around £2.42 trillion.”
“Emerging technologies and innovations, such as distributed ledger technologies, have given rise to those assets, which are not readily incorporated by existing classifications of property under Scots law. The identified need for primary legislation has been supported by respondents to the Scottish Government’s public consultation, as well as by witnesses providing evidence to the Economy and Fair Work Committee. The bill addresses the current lack of clarity around the legal status of digital assets by providing a necessary legislative foundation in Scots law. Scots law will therefore be better equipped to accommodate the modern business practices that are already in existence in our country.”
“The Digital Assets (Scotland) Bill is about the fast-changing world in which we live and the fact that our world is becoming a lot more digital. The bill will implement key recommendations made by the digital assets in Scots private law expert reference group, which was chaired by the Rt Hon Lord Hodge. In 2023, the expert reference group reported to Scottish ministers that primary legislation was necessary to clarify the status of digital assets as objects of property in Scots law and for that legislation to set out basic provisions on how ownership of digital assets can be acquired. Legislation was deemed to be necessary because of a lack of substantive case law from the Scottish courts to provide the legal answers that are required on ownership of digital assets, and that remains the case.”
“I believe that our shared goal is a Scotland that is prosperous and fair, and one that plans for the longer term and delivers for future generations. We are intent on achieving that, but we do not believe that Sarah Boyack’s bill is the best way to do so at this time. 14:45”
“Building on the proposals that were developed in the reform programme, we will soon invite a wider conversation—as I referred to—to help to shape a stronger proposition for the next Government and the next Parliament. Our aim is to embed wellbeing and sustainable development in a way that drives real change and does not create additional bureaucracy. Reforming the national performance framework is a core objective of the public reform strategy, to ensure a clear connection between the national outcomes and achieving new ways of working and accountability across Scotland. Our ambition is for the refreshed national performance framework to sit at the apex of decision making, which would ensure that there is a clear and visible link between strategy delivery and national outcomes, regardless of the Government of the day.”
“The committee notes that the national performance framework is the right route to achieve the aims and it recommends that a timeframe be set to evaluate its impact. We agree with that. We believe that strengthening accountability through the framework is the most coherent and cost-effective way forward. Legislation is not the only route to cultural change. Many countries with strong wellbeing frameworks, such as Canada, Finland and the Netherlands, do not legislate to create definitions or commissioners but achieve impact through clear vision, shared purpose and effective implementation. We believe that Scotland can do the same.”
“First, the bill would lead to duplication. We already have a statutory basis for the national performance framework through the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, which requires public bodies to have regard to the national outcomes. Introducing parallel duties would risk creating confusion rather than more clarity. Secondly, costs would attach to the duties. The bill proposes the establishment of a future generations commissioner with a broad remit, which would require significant resources at a time of real fiscal pressures. We have to consider whether that would be proportionate and whether alternative approaches have been fully explored in line with the SPCB-supported bodies landscape review, which previous speakers have mentioned. Thirdly, there are issues to do with timing and priorities.”
“Sarah Boyack: Will the reformed national performance framework enable measurement against national outcomes, wellbeing principles and sustainable development goals? Will it include best-value audits so that there are ways to monitor implementation and ensure that the reformed NPF does not fail as the previous one has failed? The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can give you the time back for the intervention, minister. Richard Lochhead: The new model for the national performance framework will be concluded shortly and it will come forward for consultation in the current session of Parliament. The member will have an opportunity to give her views on that, and we will take her views and those of other members seriously. There will be an opportunity to reflect on the consultation at that point. There are three main reasons for our position.”
“As Collette Stevenson said, we responded to that report in advance of this debate. We share the committee’s view on the importance of enhancing policy coherence across the public sector and ensuring that the national performance framework is implemented consistently, and we are committed to doing that through a reformed framework. The committee concluded that, on balance, the bill should not proceed to stage 2, citing, among other reasons, the issues of duplication, cost and complexity, and the Government shares that view. We can achieve the bill’s aims more effectively and efficiently through a strengthened national performance framework, so we believe that legislation is not required at this time.”
“Those aims certainly reflect the values of fairness, sustainability and collective wellbeing that underpin our national performance framework, which in turn aligns with the United Nations sustainable development goals and sets out the kind of Scotland that we want to build. This debate comes at a key moment. In January 2025, the Government committed to reforming the national performance framework and, since then, officials have undertaken substantial work to strengthen the framework as a long-term strategic goal. We welcome the committee’s stage 1 report, which recognises the importance of embedding wellbeing and sustainable development in public policy and welcomes our commitment to reforming the national performance framework. We also acknowledge the constructive conclusions and recommendations in the report.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in this stage 1 debate on the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill, which was brought to the Parliament by Sarah Boyack. I thank her for lodging the bill and for her constructive contribution to what is a very important debate in relation to Scotland’s future. I also extend my thanks to Collette Stevenson and her Social Justice and Social Security Committee for their detailed scrutiny and all the engagement that they have carried out. Their work has certainly helped to shine a light on many important issues. I recognise the positive intentions behind the bill. The Scottish Government shares its core objectives of embedding wellbeing and sustainable development across public sector decision making, strengthening accountability, and planning for the longer term.”
“I can tell Clare Haughey that I have written again this week to Lucy Rigby, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, to highlight the concerns of some of the Scottish credit unions and to offer to meet her to discuss the issue. In my letter, I set out three issues that require the Treasury’s urgent attention. The first is support for families who face funeral costs without adequate cover. The second is a clear determination of whether any kind of misconduct or regulatory breach has occurred in the sale or administration of the policy, including during its closure. The third is consideration of any reforms that are needed to improve consumer protection in relation to closed-book and group insurance products. We continue to engage with stakeholders on that issue. Rail Fares (Greenock and Inverclyde) 2.”
“However, we need the FCA and the United Kingdom Treasury to compel CMutual and Maiden Life Försäkrings to discuss mitigating, in the form of financial redress, the harm that is now occurring. According to the coalition, around 20 people who were policyholders have died since financial support from the plan was withdrawn, which shows that we need action from the UK authorities as a matter of urgency. Will the minister outline any discussions that the Scottish Government has had in that regard with UK Government counterparts or the FCA? Richard Lochhead: I thank Clare Haughey for bringing the issue to the chamber. Of course, our thoughts will be with the loved ones of those who have lost their lives. I also pay tribute to Clare Haughey for supporting the members of credit unions.”
“Scottish Government ministers and officials are engaging regularly with representatives of Scottish credit unions that are impacted by the withdrawal of the family protection plan, as well as with the Financial Conduct Authority and CMutual. We understand that the independent coalition of credit unions has now met with Lucy Rigby, who is Economic Secretary to the Treasury, and formally with the FCA. Due to the FCA’s regulatory independence from Government, we are unable to intervene in regulatory investigation processes. Clare Haughey: I have been regularly meeting the independent coalition of credit unions, which has been working tirelessly to support policyholders who have been impacted by the withdrawal of the family protection plan.”
“Those in the Garmouth community—I know that they have made representations to Richard Lochhead, too—are telling me distinctly that that is not what they want. What they want, ultimately, is for the bridge to be fixed. On Monday, I spent an hour and a half with the Scottish Dolphin Centre, talking about exactly that. We owe it to the people of Moray, to communities from the Highlands to the Borders and to every rural village and hamlet that relies on these connections. Our bridges do not simply cross rivers and valleys—they connect people, futures and livelihoods. As with many things that we discuss in the chamber, this is an election issue. Our communities are looking to us for help with it, so let us, in the Parliament, act decisively to protect Scotland’s rural bridges and recognise their vital place in our nation’s infrastructure.”
“I thank the member for emphasising the importance of regular inspections. He may be aware that, following representations from tenacious members of the Garmouth community for the past few years, I was pressing Moray Council to carry out a full structural survey of the Spey viaduct, which did not happen. Regular surveys by local authorities have to happen in the future. With regard to the options for the Spey viaduct, the process has to be expedited, with a sense of urgency, to try to create and rebuild trust with the local community in Moray. Tim Eagle: I agree with the point that regular surveys are required, which is why I put it in my speech. The problem is that Moray Council’s funding has been so depleted over the years that it has not always been able to do that. However, I do not want to get into an argument and play the blame game.”
“It gives me pleasure to urge members across the chamber to support the bill at decision time. I move, That the Parliament agrees that the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill be passed. 16:05”