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 are working closely with the UK Government and other host nation Governments to ensure that our respective legislative approaches are joined up and effective. As I said, Euro 2028 is a significant opportunity for Scotland economically, culturally and in terms of our reputation. We hope to see some exciting and iconic moments in Scotland at our famous Hampden park stadium and, hopefully, many of those iconic moments throughout the tournament will involve our national team. Passing the bill means that we can make that a reality. Members from across the chamber recognise the significant benefits of hosting Euro 2028, all the excitement that it will bring and the legacy that it can deliver. Together, we can ensure the successful delivery of the biggest sporting event ever, which will be jointly hosted across the UK and Ireland.”
“Glasgow City Council will issue guidance on trading and advertising measures and offer alternative arrangements for street traders who are affected by the restrictions. We will continue to work with partners to ensure that guidance is accessible and that businesses have the right information to help them to plan for the tournament. Glasgow Life is developing its host city concept, including plans for fan zones and activation sites, for submission to UEFA later this year. We will work closely with partners to develop regulations relating to event zones where trading and advertising restrictions will apply, and we will continue to engage with businesses and communities as part of that. We will continue to look for opportunities to raise awareness of the bill’s provisions and the restrictions that will be in place.”
“They are time limited, proportionate and targeted, and they will be repealed automatically on 31 December 2028. In addition to those key areas, amendments that were agreed to at stage 2 have responded to points that the lead committee had made. They will ensure that the civic right to protest is specially protected and they will place a duty on the Scottish ministers to review the operation and effectiveness of the legislation. A report on the findings of the review will be laid before Parliament by the end of 2030. That will ensure that appropriate consideration of the bill’s impacts is provided to Parliament. If the bill is passed today, we will continue to work with delivery partners to implement the provisions to deliver a successful Euro 2028.”
“That will support fair access to tickets so that as many fans as possible can enjoy the matches. None of us wants match tickets to be sold at inflated prices. The bill will help to deter that and ensure that action can be taken if it happens. The bill restricts unauthorised street trading and advertising within designated event zones. In doing that, we want to make things as easy as possible for those who are affected by event zones, which is why the bill makes sure that guidance will be in place and that street traders who cannot trade where they normally would will be offered alternative arrangements. Lastly, the bill provides enforcement powers to implement those protections effectively. Those measures are consistent with the legislation that the Scottish Parliament passed for Scotland to host Euro 2020 matches.”
“Glasgow will host at least one official UEFA fan zone, extending the experience beyond Hampden park. The tournament offers a significant opportunity for Scotland to generate social and economic benefits. It will promote our nation as an ideal place to visit, study, work and invest. We look forward to welcoming Europe in 2028, and to showcasing Scotland as the outward-looking and progressive country that we are. Hosting international events often involves meeting certain requirements of commercial rights holders. The bill meets specific requirements that are set by UEFA, as the rights holder, and puts in place commercial rights protection measures. We have partly addressed that in discussing the stage 3 amendments. The bill does that by prohibiting the unauthorised sale of championship tickets at more than their face value or for profit.”
“Scotland is the perfect stage to host three of the world’s top sporting events over the next three years—the Commonwealth games in 2026, the Tour de France grand départ in 2027 and Euro 2028—bringing economic, social and cultural benefits to people and businesses right across the country. I am sure that the passion and dedication shown by players and supporters alike will make Euro 2028 really special. Through hosting it, Glasgow and Scotland will be able to showcase our nation as a welcoming, diverse and energetic country to a global audience. The championship is predicted to generate socioeconomic benefits of around £270 million in our country. It will provide opportunities for a number of sectors, boosting tourism and supporting our country’s culture.”
“It is a pleasure to address the Parliament this afternoon at this key milestone for the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill. I am sure that football is more on our minds than it has been for a long time, and it is great to be debating a major football event again. The bill is a vital step in enabling Scotland to play its part in hosting Euro 2028. I thank members for their constructive engagement in getting the bill to this point. In particular, I thank the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee for its scrutiny and careful consideration. I also thank our stakeholders including the Union of European Football Associations, the Scottish Football Association, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council, all of which provided evidence to help to inform discussion on the bill.”
“The whole point of amending the bill to include the report is to ensure that there is no slippage in the level of ministerial interest from the level that Richard Lochhead has shown. Therefore, on this occasion, I will press amendment 1. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 1 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. As this is the first division at stage 3, I will suspend the meeting for around five minutes, to allow members to access the digital voting system. 15:36 Meeting suspended. 15:42 On resuming— The Deputy Presiding Officer: We move to the vote on amendment 1, in the name of Stephen Kerr. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“I hope that that provides Stephen Kerr with sufficient reassurance not to press amendment 1. Should he do so, however, I encourage members to resist it. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Stephen Kerr to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 1. Stephen Kerr: At no stage would I ever doubt the integrity of the minister in respect of his intentions, but the truth is that he will not be in his role when the moment comes that parliamentary updates are required. In fact, none of us really knows where we will be, but I think that it is important— Richard Lochhead: I will not be here. Stephen Kerr: Indeed, and I see the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans, who is another one who will not be here. However, some of us do hope to be here.”
“There is a possibility that the UK Government could legislate for its jurisdiction beyond the required timeline for reporting, as proposed by amendment 1. The bill, as amended at stage 2, now includes a requirement to report on the bill’s operation, as Stephen Kerr said earlier, including on the ticket- touting provisions. I suggest that that addresses the underlying intention of amendment 1, which is to report back to the Parliament on the issues that arise from the bill. If any significant developments arise before then, the Scottish Government will ensure that the Parliament is kept suitably informed and regularly updated, as I have previously undertaken to do. That is usual practice, but I will make an extra- special effort to ensure that procedures are put in place, given the issues that members have raised.”
“What I am expecting him to do, though, is to ask ministers to report to the Parliament on the basis of what interaction they have had. It would be a status update to help us understand where there might be gaps or shortcomings. That is my intention with amendment 1—it is simply about parliamentary scrutiny. Richard Lochhead: I do not want to go down the road of being repetitive either. We have been round the houses on this issue a couple times, including at stage 2. It is my intention to ensure that the Parliament is kept regularly up to date on how discussions are going. However, with regard to the amendment’s proposal to place the requirement in statute, the timing of the decisions made by the other Administrations and the issues around that are not within our gift, and we cannot remedy that.”
“The UK Government has indicated that it is still working through how best to deliver the requirements of the Union of European Football Associations. I reiterate that it is not for Scottish ministers to report on the actions of other hosting Governments, and, as such, we cannot commit to providing a meaningful report to the Parliament within the timeline that Mr Kerr’s amendment sets. Stephen Kerr: At the risk of being repetitious, my amendment is not asking for Scottish ministers to report on anything other than the actions that they have taken to interact with the United Kingdom Government and the other Governments that my amendment mentions. I am not expecting the minister to do anything other than that.”
“I thank Stephen Kerr for his constructive and enthusiastic engagement following the amendments that he lodged during and before stage 2. We have met a couple times on this issue. We all share concern about ticket touting and its impact on fans, particularly its propensity to put the price of attending big sporting and other events beyond the reach of the ordinary citizen. We take the issue seriously. As I set out when Mr Kerr lodged his amendment at stage 2, we are in regular discussion with the Governments of other host nations to ensure that we have a coherent approach to ticket touting. We understand that the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive have no plans to introduce primary legislation, while the Republic of Ireland has existing legislation that prohibits the practice.”
“I agree with Jamie Hepburn’s comments, and we will continue to pursue the case.”
“On the tariffs issue, the First Minister was highly praised by the sector in Scotland, including in Speyside, in my constituency, as he picked up the cudgels on behalf of the sector and took its case directly to the White House. I raised the issues with my UK counterpart, Chris Bryant, at our meeting earlier this month. We are still waiting for the UK Government to deliver on what we all expect—to give Scotch whisky the priority that it deserves in those negotiations and to secure tariff exemptions from the US. We are also disappointed that our calls to address the disparity in alcohol duty in the latest UK budget went unheard. Instead, the spirits sector faces a further increase in duty rates, which will rise by 18 per cent in three years. That takes the tax burden on a bottle of Scotch to an eye- watering 72 per cent.”
“Does the minister have any update on whether the United Kingdom Government has followed up the matter with the United States in order to protect the whisky industry and its supply chain, which includes packager Eurostampa, in my constituency, which recently expanded its site in Cumbernauld with Scottish Enterprise support? Or are we left with the view that the UK Government views the Scottish food and drink sector as nothing more than a cash cow to support the UK Exchequer? Richard Lochhead: Jamie Hepburn makes a good point—the whisky sector is not just about distillers but about the wider supply chain, which benefits constituencies such as Jamie Hepburn’s.”
“The Scotch whisky industry is one of Scotland’s most significant economic sectors, contributing more than £5 billion in exports, and a resilient, competitive supply chain is essential to its continued success. The industry supports thousands of jobs across Scotland, not only in distillation and maturation but in farming, malting, packaging, logistics, engineering, tourism and professional services. The wider supply chain is therefore integral to national economic growth, rural sustainability and export performance, and it is crucial to safeguarding the global reputation of Scotch whisky and ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the sector. Jamie Hepburn: The First Minister has led from the front to protect Scotch whisky from US tariffs, taking the case directly to the US Government.”
“We have to be alive to the challenges that the member mentioned, but the policies that have been implemented in recent years, which continue to be implemented, are having a positive effect in supporting our young people.”
“I should point out that, from 2009-10 to 2023-24, the percentage of school leavers entering positive destinations increased from 85.9 to 95.7 per cent. That progress should be recognised, and it vindicates, to a certain extent, the policies that have been implemented over the past decade—and indeed, longer than that. In 2023-24, the overwhelming majority—95.5 per cent—of those who entered a positive initial destination went on to sustain those positive destinations. The latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics annual population survey show that Scotland had a higher employment rate, a lower unemployment rate and a lower inactivity rate for 16 to 24-year-olds when compared with the rest of the UK.”
“The figures hide the fact that that has happened solely through improvements in the rate of teenagers remaining in education, which many of us in the chamber support; however, economic inactivity among those aged between 20 and 24 is at 15 per cent, which has remained the same since 2017. Does the minister agree that the strategies that have been implemented so far have obviously not gone far enough to allow young people of all backgrounds and capabilities to step into the workforce, contribute to the economy and be self- sufficient, and at the same time have a wee bit of pride in themselves? Richard Lochhead: It is important that we make relevant and effective support available to Scotland’s young people.”
“A range of support is provided to young people to help them to transition into positive destinations of education, employment or training. That includes professional careers advisers who provide impartial advice so that young people can make informed decisions, having explored all the options. There are also funding programmes that connect young people and employers, and the provision of employability support. Of the 2023-24 school leaver cohort, 95.7 per cent were in a positive initial destination three months after they left school. The 2024-25 figures will be published on 24 February this year. Davy Russell: I thank the minister for that answer.”
“It is important that we talk the city up, but there are challenges, and it is important that we work together to address them. We will continue to do that, and, of course, yesterday’s budget contains a lot of measures that will support Glasgow going forward.”
“Richard Lochhead: I am aware that Glasgow, like many other communities in Scotland, is not immune to some of the economic pressures that are faced by Scotland and across these islands. Many of the United Kingdom Government’s policies are taking their toll, such as higher employer national insurance contributions and higher energy costs, which are impacting Glasgow businesses as well as those in the rest of the country. We should note that there are reasons for optimism. The recent global financial centres index ranks Glasgow alongside some of the world’s top- performing cities. Glasgow ranks 37th globally and 12th in western Europe. It has made consistent and steady progress in the past year since that survey. There are plenty of indicators that show that Glasgow has many strengths.”
“Annie Wells: Business growth is down, private sector investment is down and employment levels are still below the national average. Businesses are closing, including Spuds, in the west end of Glasgow, which closed after just five months. The businesses that I speak to feel let down by the Scottish Government and as if they have been left behind. They want to know what the Scottish Government will do to help fix that immediate decline in Glasgow. I do not know whether you have been in Glasgow recently, minister, but there is a lot of disinvestment there. What immediate actions can the minister take to help businesses to flourish? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Always speak through the chair.”
“Glasgow has seen sustained growth, with one of the highest gross value added growth rates of any local authority area over the past five years. It also had the most foreign direct investment projects in 2024 and, compared with 2010, it has the highest business stock growth rate in Scotland. We have played our part by helping to stimulate that growth through the £500 million city region deal, alongside Clyde mission funding, maritime skills funding, the region investment zone and national support via the Scottish National Investment Bank, Techscaler and other initiatives. Our recent announcement that we commit to introducing legislation that enables greater regional empowerment will also provide further support and ensure that the Glasgow city region continues to flourish.”
“I advise members with specific cases—I have cases in my constituency, and a few other members will have cases in their constituencies—to adhere to that and to give that advice to those businesses. In the meantime, I assure the Parliament that we are listening and acting. Stephen Kerr: No, you are not. You are not acting. Richard Lochhead: We are going to support a thriving business community in Scotland. We will deliver our budget next week, which will support that. I commend the Scottish Government’s amendment to the Parliament. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Mr Kerr, you have made a number of interventions from a sedentary position. I now invite you to legitimately wind up the debate. 17:03”
“We have a competitive rates regime in Scotland at the moment. The 40 per cent rates relief for the hospitality sector this year was warmly welcomed by the sector, as were the zero rates for island businesses and hospitality, for those that qualify. A number of measures have been taken. As the minister outlined in his opening remarks, there are more than £700 million of reliefs in the system at the moment. Stephen Kerr: That is self-aggrandizement. Richard Lochhead: We will listen very closely, but I urge members to look at the timetable for the revaluation and to advise the businesses in their constituencies of the timetable for making representations before the valuation roll is published in March and of the appeal system that will be in place thereafter.”
“I have been through various rates revaluations and have discussed those issues and percentages such as those several times. As others have mentioned, it is important that any conscientious MSP advises constituents who are facing those hikes to make representations before the roll is published in March and, going forward, to use the appeal system that is in place. Stephen Kerr: Is that it? Is that an answer? Richard Lochhead: The budget is coming up next week. Some members have asked why we are not bringing forward our own debates on the subject. It is because such issues are discussed when the Scottish Government presents its budget to the Parliament. As normal, analysis of the measures in the Scottish budget will be published on the day of the budget. That is normal practice and it will happen again.”
“As a Government, we take businesses’ views on business rates and other issues very seriously. Over recent weeks, the minister, Ivan McKee, has had numerous meetings on rates revaluations, so any suggestion that we are not engaging with the business community is complete nonsense. Daniel Johnson rose— Richard Lochhead: I will take a brief intervention from Daniel Johnson if I will get the time back. Daniel Johnson: The minister is right that many of those businesses are resilient, but they have not experienced a 400 per cent increase in their income, which is the potential increase in their bill. Will the minister at least acknowledge that disparity? Richard Lochhead: I will soon have served in this Parliament for 27 years.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: Minister, I will give you the time back for the intervention. Richard Lochhead: Thank you. I was, of course, referring to issues that are in Murdo Fraser’s motion. That is why I was responding on the pressures that are facing the business community. As the minister said in his opening remarks, thriving businesses are key to growing our economy in Scotland. We are lucky that our economy is performing well on many indicators, particularly in comparison with the rest of the UK. One reason for that is that our business community is resilient. To give one example, I note that, in the four quarters leading up to Q3 of 2025, there was an increase in the number of businesses in the accommodation and food services sector in Scotland, with the number of births outweighing deaths.”
“All of that is happening against the backdrop of global uncertainty and international events that have impacted on trade, business and profitability, such as tariffs and Brexit, as Jamie Greene, Bob Doris and Fergus Ewing outlined. Murdo Fraser: I wonder whether the minister will get round to addressing the key point in the debate, which is the issue of revaluations. I have heard everything that he and his colleague have said about the budget, which I am looking forward to, but that is not the issue here. The issue is the methodology that is being used to calculate revaluations. In some cases, the valuations are three or four times higher than previously, and that will potentially put businesses to the wall as a consequence. What is the Government doing about that issue?”
“I am not sure that the debate has been the balanced and nuanced debate that Paul McLennan said that he hoped for, but serious issues have been mentioned during it. Although the motion includes areas on which we might disagree, we can all agree on the fact that many businesses in Scotland have faced tough trading conditions in recent years, with rising inflation, rocketing energy prices and supply chain disruption, as the motion outlines. Many of those issues are reserved to the UK Government. I gently remind Parliament that the party that lodged the motion was in power for 14 years up to 2024 and it oversaw many of those pressures. Since then, we have had policies such as the hike in employer national insurance contributions, which the Labour Government introduced after it took over in 2024.”
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“Small business Saturday is a great opportunity to celebrate our small business community and to recognise how resilient it has been, over past decades in particular, and the valuable role that it will play in Scotland. Meeting closed at 18:31. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“We are listening and we recognise the concerns that are being expressed. The First Minister made that point last Thursday in this chamber. We reiterate the point that the assessors are at arm’s length from Government and are independent, but I am sure that the issue will be on-going, and we are listening closely. I am an MSP for many businesses that will, potentially, be affected, and we will listen to the concerns that are being expressed. Clearly, I am not in a position to make any announcement about that during this debate. In addition, the budget is coming up. Again, I thank Rachael Hamilton for bringing the debate to the Parliament.”
“Meghan Gallacher: rose— Richard Lochhead: Am I able to take one more intervention, Presiding Officer? The Deputy Presiding Officer: No, minister. Richard Lochhead: Apologies. I would otherwise have taken that intervention. Those projects are revitalising our town centres and villages. We have worked with Scotland’s Towns Partnership on the Scotland loves local campaign and various other measures. Given that I am running out of time, I will turn to the rates issue. I remind members that our small business bonus scheme is the most generous in the UK and that around half of properties in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are eligible for 100 per cent relief under that scheme, on top of other reliefs that have been introduced. Members have mentioned revaluation.”
“Although I cannot comment about the details of future support, which, of course, is a matter for the budget that will be published on 13 January, I point to the support that we are already providing to the small business community in Scotland. A range of measures are in place, including place- based, community-led regeneration in our most disadvantaged communities, which has seen investment of up to £62 million in 2025-26. That approach is very popular in the small business community because it delivers our regeneration policy by revitalising town centres, supporting town centre living, addressing the blight of vacant and derelict land and buildings, and supporting community ownership. When I meet the Federation of Small Businesses or individual small businesses, they point to the importance of that support.”
“A BID may not mean direct footfall to an individual business, but it will make the place look and feel better, which is good. Richard Lochhead: According to “Businesses in Scotland: 2025”, which was published on 3 December, between 2024 and 2025 there was an increase in the number of small-sized businesses in Scotland. That is an important backdrop to the debate, given some of the points that members have made. As of March 2025, an estimated 381,855 small and medium-sized enterprises were operating in Scotland, which provide an estimated 1.2 million jobs and 56.2 per cent of private sector employment. Of course, for many of the reasons that have been mentioned by members, we cannot be complacent and we want the data to be positive in all parts of the country.”
“If the member wants to write to ministers about it, we will certainly investigate whether there are issues that need to be reviewed. In the past couple of weeks, Glasgow has voted successfully to put a BID in place in the city centre, which is a good sign and a sign of the BID system’s vitality. Many businesses in Glasgow’s city centre will benefit, as will the local economy. The business community is diverse and it provides a pipeline for skills, careers and employment. The opportunities that it creates inspire young people to get into the market. Christine Grahame: I appreciate the point about some businesses feeling that they do not benefit from BIDs. My office in Galashiels took part in the BID that has just started in that area. It is important to recognise that if BIDs are operated properly, they benefit the surrounding environment.”
“As Tim Eagle said, it is not just about retail, tourism or hospitality; we also have fishing and agricultural businesses. I also visit many tech businesses around the country, including games businesses in Elgin. We have to remind ourselves that they are also small businesses, and there are many of them across the country. It is not just about our high streets. Meghan Gallacher: The minister has rightly raised all the varying types of businesses. In doing so, he is making the point that I was trying to raise about BIDs. Some businesses will not benefit as much as others. Is it time to review the BID process, to see whether it can be made fairer? Richard Lochhead: I am unaware of local demand for a review of the BID system, but, if it is an issue, we should reflect on that.”
“Often, small businesses are a lifeline for those who are living in more remote areas and in our towns and villages across the country. As part of my official duties as Minister for Business and Employment, I see examples of small businesses almost every day. Those businesses are in our hospitality sector, where family-owned restaurants and providers continue to be a key part of our high streets; in our retail sector, where small stores provide essential products and are just as essential for our communities; and in the wider tourism sector, which has been referenced by many members. Those businesses promote the best of our country to the global market and make Scotland a world- class destination to visit, which, in turn, benefits small businesses across the country.”
“The advent and expansion of supermarkets in our towns have been mentioned, and online trading has had an impact on our high streets. Rising energy bills and national insurance contributions have taken their toll on profitability, while general inflation and the increasing costs of raw materials are big issues that our small business community has had to contend with. As a Government, we recognise and welcome the huge contribution that small businesses make to the economic and social fabric of communities across Scotland. They are valued everywhere, whether they are on our high streets or online, but they are particularly vital in our rural areas—I say that as an MSP who represents a large rural constituency. Rachael Hamilton, who lodged the motion for the debate, also represents a rural constituency.”
“I celebrated small business Saturday by visiting Crepes & Coffee and Chuck McCall Highland Wear in Elgin, and I bought my dinner from Ada Turkish Restaurant—it was fantastic. This debate is about not only the businesses but the people behind the businesses, so I very much associate myself with Douglas Ross’s comments about Pearl Hamilton, who I have known well for many years. I have dealt with her many times over the years, either wearing her FSB hat or as someone running her own business in Forres. I wish her all the best for her future as she prepares to retire in the next few weeks. We are also celebrating resilience among the small business community. Many members have mentioned some of the pressures that the small business community has been under in recent years and decades.”
“I thank Rachael Hamilton for bringing this important topic to the chamber. We can tell from the speeches that have been made how strongly people feel about the contribution that their local small businesses make to their communities and the local economy. The community dimension is very important, as Pam Gosal and Christine Grahame said. Local businesses are the hub of our local communities and they play an important role in supporting economic development at community level. I am old enough to remember when members’ business debates were quite consensual and were not intended to be too party political, but a number of highly political issues have been raised this evening. I cannot promise to respond to them all, but I will address the rates issue later in my response. Some members have mentioned businesses in their own constituencies.”
“This country has a lot of expertise in tackling cybercrime, but we must always make sure that we move forward, that we have the right resources available and that we have all the necessary discussions. Cybercrime is a major threat to our society and to our economy. As I said, it is very good that the committee has brought the issue to the chamber for debate, because, as technology is advancing all the time, that brings not only opportunities but threats. As has been said, the issue will not go away. We will return to the chamber to debate it time and again. We must keep in front of it and on top of it to make sure that we protect the people of Scotland and our economy at the same time. The Presiding Officer: I call Liam Kerr to wind up the debate on behalf of the Criminal Justice Committee. 17:07”
“On industry growth, more than 400 cybersecurity companies are now operating in Scotland, creating jobs, developing innovative products and strengthening resilience across sectors. Indeed, a few months ago, I cut the ribbon at Acumen Cyber’s new security operations centre in Glasgow. Acumen Cyber is a small Scottish company, and it was something to behold to see a massive screen on the wall that was monitoring tens of thousands of incidents. That shows what is happening out there. We might not be aware of all those things every second of every hour of every day, but we have a number of companies that are at the front line in trying to protect us and keep our organisations and our economy safe. I could go on to list a whole number of other initiatives that are happening.”
“Through Police Scotland and our partners, we are improving access to clear, practical advice for individuals and organisations. We must embed trauma-informed approaches for victims of cybercrime and ensure that support services are accessible and responsive. We are investing in cybersecurity learning in schools to build the talent pipeline, which, as Audrey Nicoll and others mentioned, is so important. Graduate pathways and diversity initiatives are in place to ensure that the cyber workforce meets future demand. When I was the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, I visited many colleges and universities, whose cybersecurity courses are producing amazing people who are playing a valuable role on behalf of the rest of the country.”
“We must build the structures to make that happen through the CyberScotland Partnership and the Scottish cyber co-ordination centre. As others have said, Police Scotland is playing its role by strengthening its cybercrime capacity, investing in its digital forensics capability and expanding international co-operation to pursue perpetrators right across the world. Working alongside the National Crime Agency, Europol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Police Scotland has participated in a number of global operations to target cybercrime gangs. In addition, we are working with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to ensure that prosecutors have the right tools at their fingertips and the expertise to bring cyber criminals to justice. It is also important that victims of cybercrime are supported.”
“We have the refreshed “Strategic Framework for a Cyber Resilient Scotland 2025–2030”, which the cabinet secretary launched in November, to ensure that our approach is current, ambitious and aligned with the fast-changing nature of cyberthreats and cybercrime. Our vision is clear: Scotland thrives by being a digitally secure and resilient nation. We have to aim for that outcome. We want Scotland to be a place where individuals, organisations and businesses thrive in that secure and connected digital environment. That approach requires a whole-nation effort and cross-party consensus. I am pleased that some members and parties have said that we must work together on the issue and that there needs to be political consensus on it.”
“We also need to recognise the on-going geopolitical tensions that add another layer of complexity to the cyberthreat landscape. State-sponsored— [Interruption.] I am sorry—I thought that someone was making an intervention. State-sponsored cyberattacks primarily target state institutions and critical infrastructure and are aimed mainly at data theft, but they can also seek to influence campaigns around important elections—something that we are about to experience and that we take very seriously. Ministers certainly take the threat to elections and to our democracy very seriously. As the cabinet secretary said in her opening remarks, we are taking action.”