George Adam
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“The spirit of hope, optimism and belief has always been part of Scotland’s heart and Scotland’s story, which is why the motion feels so out of place in our chamber. Where Scotland sees hope, Reform sees grievance. Where Scotland sees opportunity, Reform sees division.”
“The tartan army have travelled in numbers, as they always do, and they have shown the world exactly what Scotland is all about. Scotland is good humoured, looks for friendship and shows respect to others and their culture—and is a wee bit gallus.”
“By the end, it reads like the ramblings of a very angry man sitting on his own in the corner of the pub, complaining about immigrants, about net zero, about equality, about young people and about Scotland—and eventually falling out with absolutely everyone else in the pub.”
“It is Nigel Farage—the same Nigel Farage who promised prosperity and delivered labour shortages, higher costs, barriers to trade and years of economic uncertainty— Malcolm Offord: Will the member take an intervention? George Adam:—and now he is back, demanding that Scotland trusts him again.”
“What Scotland needs is confidence in ourselves—confidence to build our communities and confidence in our ability to build a fair economy that works for everyone. We need confidence that our future is not bound up in the bitterness and division offered by Reform UK.”
“George Adam: His lordship’s argument is that it is slightly better than it is for somebody else next door. That is complete and utter nonsense. Presiding Officer, I used to be in the motor industry—if someone sold you a second-hand car that immediately burst into flames, you would not turn up and ask for a second one, would you?”
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“However, it is clear to me—particularly now that I have been inducted into the committee’s lengthy meetings on Wednesday mornings—that the committee spent a lot of time looking forensically at the detail of the evidence that was presented, and that is reflected in the report. We also heard about that work from Willie Rennie, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and the committee’s convener. That was about ensuring that there was strong scrutiny of the bill—Daniel Johnson was put under that scrutiny so that he would explain how he felt the bill would progress—and that the voices of campaigners were heard, as we have heard already, as well as those of teachers and other school professionals who have concerns.”
“There is a lot of work still to be done on the bill, and I am happy to work with others to ensure that we make the bill the best that it possibly can be. The Deputy Presiding Officer : We move to closing speeches. 15:33 Paul O’Kane: I will begin by picking up on what we have heard this afternoon, starting with the Education, Children and Young People Committee’s work, which has been very important. We have heard it referred to throughout the contributions, including those from members of that committee. I was not a member of the committee when it took evidence on the bill.”
“For the bill to deliver on its aims, several issues need to be addressed at stage 2. First, as has already been said, the current definition of restraint is so broad that it risks capturing ordinary, benign interactions with children. Secondly, seclusion is the most difficult and sensitive issue in the bill. Many witnesses described seclusion as deprivation of liberty and potentially of human rights. We need to get that definition right. Data reporting is also an important concern, because we do not want to be in a situation in which data, rather than being used as a tool to make things better, is used as some kind of league table. We must protect our children’s rights and support teachers without creating fear, bureaucracy or unintended consequences.”
“To make the bill work properly and safely, we will require more staff. That raises very real questions. Are we talking about additional teaching staff, specialist support staff or administrative staff to handle reporting and monitoring duties? Those decisions will land squarely at local authority level, and they cannot be ducked. Our teachers are already working in a very challenging environment. They are managing increasingly complex additional support needs and growing administrative burdens. The EIS warned us that, if the bill is poorly implemented, it will risk creating a report culture that is based on fear rather than learning. That is not scaremongering; it is a legitimate concern from a workforce that wants to get it right. We should be clear that our teachers are not the problem.”
“We need to understand. It can be difficult for people when they see a young person who is like that. I remember seeing some of my grandchildren’s first breakdowns related to autism. It can be scary and frightening at times, so I can understand why it would be difficult for teachers in a professional position. However, ignoring the very serious concerns that the EIS has raised is not an option. During stage 1, the EIS’s evidence was clear and consistent in its message, and Tom Britton of the EIS told us something that we cannot brush aside: “Without the context of more funding and more staff, it is difficult to get beyond that.”—[Official Report, Education, Children and Young People Committee, 1 October 2025; c 102.] He is absolutely right. We cannot legislate as if staffing levels, workload and resources are abstract issues.”
“Families spoke of their children sustaining broken bones, severe bruising and deep psychological scars. One mother told us that her daughter was restrained on her first day of secondary school and that, 20-odd years later, she still cannot tolerate closed doors. That should worry every one of us. My colleague Karen Adam spoke about the need for understanding of young people and children with additional support needs. It came out in the evidence that some teachers were under pressure or did not have that understanding. As a grandparent, I know how that can be difficult. My daughter, Jessica, seems like a superhero to me as she deals with Daisy and some of these issues. We have a three-year-old in the family who is being looked at to see whether she is on the spectrum, too, so we have a rather nice, neurodiverse family unit in our family.”
“This has been a difficult bill to fully get my head around, not because the problem that it seeks to address is unclear but because we must be honest about how it would work in the real world—in our classrooms, on the toughest of days for teachers and staff who are already under immense pressure. I am also the grandparent of a wonderful young woman—if I can call an 11-year-old a young woman—with autism. We must take in her toughest days and the pressure that she feels and undertake to understand what she is feeling at that time. For me, one of the most important parts of our committee’s evidence taking on the bill was hearing from parents and carers who have campaigned tirelessly for it. They talked about real harm, trauma and failure in the system. The evidence that we heard was heartbreaking.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the establishment of the centre for teaching excellence. (S6O-05447)”
“I do not think that due regard was given to that by the UK Government in any consideration of briefing, engagement or information in the early days. There have been good examples of collaboration between the Border Force, Police Scotland and NHS Highland on local issues, which demonstrates that it is perfectly easily done. However, a lesson needs to be learned about the way in which those issues should be pursued, and I intend to pursue that with the UK Government. The Presiding Officer: That concludes the statement, and I will allow a moment or two for the reorganisation of front benches before the next item of business. Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill”
“In situations such as this, the UK and Scottish Governments need to be able to work constructively together in the interests of security and good governance. It is extremely disappointing that that did not happen in this case. Will the First Minister advise on the steps that he thinks should be taken to ensure that a more constructive approach can be taken in future? The First Minister: The fundamental point that I have made in my correspondence to the United Kingdom Government is that there is not a neat separation between devolved and reserved responsibilities. As we have seen in this case, an issue that is undertaken under the reserved responsibilities of the UK Government can very quickly have implications for the devolved Government in Scotland and our devolved responsibilities.”
“Amendment 95 disagreed to. Section 20—Action to prevent or stop harm to persons Amendment 96 not moved. The Deputy Presiding Officer: At this stage, I will suspend proceedings until 6.30 pm. I encourage members to be back in the chamber shortly ahead of 6.30, so that we can make a prompt start. 18:10 Meeting suspended. 18:31 On resuming— After section 20”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 25, Against 83, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 94 disagreed to. Amendment 95 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 95 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 24, Against 83, Abstentions 1.”
“Amendment 18 disagreed to. Amendment 19 not moved. Section 19—Measures to prevent damage by deer Amendment 94 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 94 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 27, Against 83, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 17 disagreed to. Amendment 18 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 18 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 25, Against 82, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 16 disagreed to. Amendment 17 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 17 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 27, Against 83, Abstentions 0.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. The app was goosed again, so I was unable to vote. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Adam. I will make sure that that is recorded.”
“It brings people together across generations, whether it is kids kicking a ball in the park or families gathering to watch a big game. Euro 2028 gives us the chance to showcase Scotland as a modern, confident and welcoming nation and as a place that can host world-class events while staying true to our values. 16:26”
“That is not unique to major football tournaments; it is the same for any other major events, including the Olympics, the Commonwealth games, rugby world cups and even Eurovision. Again, it is not about shutting people out; it is about ensuring fairness and safety and protecting the integrity of the tournament. I welcome that Glasgow City Council will be required to provide guidance and offer alternative arrangements for affected street traders, because where would we be without the shout of “Hats, scarves and flags” as we go to a game? That matters, because it is all part of our game. We want a festival atmosphere, not a heavy-handed one. Importantly, amendments agreed at stage 2 strengthened civil rights protections, including the right to peaceful protest. Across Scotland, football is part of who we are.”
“The bill is about making sure that we meet our obligation as a host nation while doing so in a way that is proportionate, time limited and fair. One of the core purposes of the bill, as we have already heard, is to tackle ticket touting. Let us be honest—touts do not add any value to football. They do not help fans and they do not help our communities; they help themselves. The legislation makes it clear that tickets should go to fans at face value, and should not be sold for profit. It is about protecting ordinary supporters— the people who save up, plan ahead and just want to see their team play. The bill also deals with unauthorised trading and advertising around event zones.”
“As the minister said, the hosting will be a major event not just for Glasgow or for Hampden but for the whole nation. As I have said before, this is an opportunity for us to showcase Scotland on an international stage. It is for the tartan army—the media darlings and best ambassadors that our nation has—to do their thing, be friendly, enjoy themselves and make the tournament one to remember. Members will notice that I have already got us qualified at this stage. We know how to do this, and we have the experience from other major events. We have got this. Scotland has a proud track record of delivering major sporting events from the Commonwealth games to Euro 2020 to world-class cultural events that welcome people from every corner of the globe.”
“Football gives us that moment—that Kenny McLean from the halfway line moment. Incidentally, in that Denmark game, we had Kenny McLean, John McGinn and Lawrence Shankland, who, along with manager Steve Clarke, all came through the ranks at St Mirren in Paisley. As I always say, all roads lead to Paisley. The bill is about ensuring that we have what we need to enable Scotland to co-host a major championship. It is about Scotland stepping up and doing the job properly, delivering a major international event in a way that only Scotland can, which includes one that works for our communities, our fans and our country. Euro 2028 is a massive opportunity for Scotland, both on and off the field and, with the current crop of the Scotland national team, who knows what will happen?”
“I feel as though I am talking about football all the time in this chamber, but that is not a bad thing for me—it is an important part of our society and of Scotland. In the debate that we had last night, Stephen Kerr made an important point about what our football clubs bring back to our communities. Football defines the good days and the bad days in Scotland—it is what we are all about. During the debate last night, I mentioned the fact that the modern passing game was created by Glasgow’s Queen’s Park. In the original Scotland- England games, way back in 1872, there was a draw. For the next nine years, because we had a passing game as opposed to the more rugby- orientated English game, we won nine of those games. If only things could be like that now, at the tournaments that we are in.”
“Those associates will work directly with teachers in our schools, in every local authority area, to help improve knowledge, understanding and practice, with implementation of effective learning and teacher pedagogy for all learners, which is hugely important. Teachers will also be supported more broadly by the work that I announced in relation to the centre for teaching excellence.”
“Ensuring that teachers feel confident and competent to provide appropriate learning support is key. How has professional learning been enhanced, and what role is Education Scotland playing in that regard? Jenny Gilruth: It is hugely important that the teaching profession is supported in responding to the increase in recent years of the number of pupils with an identified additional support need. As I mentioned in my statement, the Government has provided additional funding to Education Scotland to help develop, lead and facilitate a national certificate in ASN teacher professional learning. The funding has also been used to appoint 10 ASN Education Scotland associates, who are focusing on differentiation and adaptive teaching.”
“Weaving something a wee bit scrappy into a pattern seems, against the odds, to have worked, and—to paraphrase the immortal words of John Candy—I quite like me. Football itself I have loved all my life, whether playing it as a kid or watching the game, but, above all, St Mirren Football Club has always been there—”
“No one will be surprised at my choice of topic for a members’ business debate, but it is not just about my love of our national game—more importantly, it is about the fantastic work that our football clubs do in our communities throughout Scotland. My personal love affair with the greatest game in the world started a long time ago, in a town called Paisley—many of my stories start in a similar manner. Football has been one of the great loves of my life, along with Stacey—I have bored members in the chamber with that story on numerous occasions—and my family, and the historic town of Paisley. I was not simply raised in Paisley; I was dragged up—no, in fact I was woven by it, like the famous Paisley pattern.”
“Neil Gray, the health secretary, has set out some ambitious plans for transformation to ensure that as much of that money as possible goes to the front-line services.”
“I am pleased to hear that the SNP’s Scottish budget will deliver record funding for our NHS. How will that level of investment in health from the Scottish Government impact on the delivery of vital services across Scotland? Will the cabinet secretary join me in calling on Opposition members across the chamber to get off the fence and back the budget so that we can provide our NHS with the funding that it deserves? Shona Robison: George Adam is absolutely right to welcome the funding of £22.5 billion for the portfolio, which includes £17.6 billion for NHS boards, £2.3 billion for social care and integration and more than £2.4 billion for primary care. All that funding is about meeting the people’s priorities, which we know the NHS is doing with that investment, but it is also about the transformation of services.”
“In broader terms, there is much to celebrate in Scotland’s schools. Last month, official statistics showed the highest attainment levels on record in literacy and numeracy in our primary and secondary schools. There are more teachers, smaller class sizes, better pupil teacher ratios, more children attending school more regularly and a narrowing of the attainment gap in both primary and secondary schools. With all that good news, I am sure that the Opposition has come back in this new year with a positive mindset, and is ready to celebrate and support Scotland’s educators, children and young people.”
“It was my forlorn hope that the Tories might have made a resolution to stop talking Scotland down in 2026. Does the cabinet secretary share my concern that there is an assumption that such issues are caused by children of school age and that they involve the majority of children? Is there a failure to focus on anything positive in our schools? What action is the Scottish Government taking to ensure that our schools are safe, welcoming and high- quality places for pupils and staff? Jenny Gilruth: It is important that members from across the chamber do not seek to demonise the next generation of children and young people, who are the generation that lived through the Covid pandemic. When we talk about vandalism, we must not presume that it has all been caused by children and young people. In many instances, that will not have been the case.”
“To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the potential impact on parliamentary business, what its position is on whether a rise of far-right political parties in the United Kingdom would cause issues in the relationship between the Scottish and UK Parliaments and could result in the diminution of the Scottish Parliament. (S6O-05323)”
“We Scots do not just play football—we live it. It is in our laughter, our pride, our stories— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Mr Adam, I have been generous, but you will need to close. George Adam: —and the bonds that are passed on from generation to generation. That is why football is more than a game to us. It is Scotland itself: it is our heritage— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you. George Adam: —our joy, our heartbreak, our hope— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Adam. Thank you very much— George Adam: —and it makes us Scots. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you. Before I call the next speaker, I remind members that there is evidently a lot of interest in the debate, so back-bench speeches will be up to four minutes. That is what members signed up to when they volunteered their names to speak in the debate.”
“I assure you it is much more serious than that.” I can tell members that, at 56, I am just as excited about the world cup finals as I was in 1978—the only difference is that I am no longer obsessed with collecting Panini stickers for my album. Football is important to Scots. It is more than a pastime—it is part of who we are. It brings communities together, defines our identity and inspires hope through the heartache. For many, it is what makes us Scottish. It is in the cheers, the tears and the shared memory of Archie Gemmill’s goal, Dave Narey’s toe-poke and the joy of Hampden on that cold November night. Football is Scotland—football is our soul. It is what unites us, excites us and—yes—sometimes breaks our hearts, but it always reminds us of who we are. When the tartan army takes to the Americas, the world will see that, too.”
“On 18 November this year, Stacey and I went to Hampden park, more in hope than expectation. By the 80th minute, Stacey whispered, “Do you want to leave early? We can get the car out of the car park at this point.” She clearly wanted to stay away from a meltdown with me stuck in the car park knowing that we had to go through the play- offs. However, as a Scotland fan, I knew that we never do it the easy way—we never take the easy route—and in the 93rd and 98th minutes, the impossible became a reality. The tartan army celebrated as one, and—yes—Stacey’s north- stand celebrations went a wee bit viral when I put them on the socials. We are heading to the Americas, and the world will see what Scots can do. Bill Shankly famously said, “Some people think football is a matter of life and death.”
“We were drawn against Brazil, again, and Dave Narey scored the famous “toe-poke”— as Jimmy Hill called it—to put Scotland ahead, out-Zicoing the great Zico, but then Zico equalised with a free kick of pure genius in the 33rd minute. In 1986, in Mexico, Uruguay kicked us off the park. The emotional scars still remain, although I remember, in that world cup, Diego Maradona being rather handy. By 1998, I was newly married to Stacey, and the opening game was—again—against Brazil. There seems to be a pattern there. John Collins equalised in the 38th minute, and Brazil replied with an own goal in the 74th. The pubs in Scotland erupted and Stacey and I celebrated as if we had actually won the world cup ourselves. That is what being a Scotland fan is all about. It is about the hope, the heartbreak, the fun—and above all, it is about our pride.”
“My dad started the game in the house in full Highland regalia; by half-time, he was in jeans and a T-shirt. Next, we drew 1-1 with Iran. Then there was that famous night against the Netherlands, which almost became the miracle of Mendoza when Archie Gemmill—from Glenburn in Paisley, incidentally; he started his career at St Mirren, too—became an absolute legend as he single- handedly took on a team that would go on to be beaten by Argentina in the final. We went home too soon that time, but quite a few of the tartan army stayed behind and—if memory serves us all correctly—a few found love along the way. In 1982, there was more heartbreak.”
“In my lifetime, Scotland has qualified seven times for world cup finals, most of them when I was in short trousers. My first adult world cup was in 1990; I watched, I suffered and I experienced what would become a lifetime of heartache. We lost to Costa Rica 1-0, beat Sweden 2-1 and then went down to Brazil 1-0, courtesy of a scrappy goal in the 81st minute. I still have not quite got over that—I have never forgiven Jim Leighton, who was normally a very good goalkeeper, for managing to let that goal in. Do not even ask me what I think about Gary McAllister’s penalty against England in Euro 96—just do not mention his name. I remember 1978, when—to be fair to the late, great Ally MacLeod—we had a fantastic team. However, we were beaten 3-1 by Peru.”
“I take this opportunity to thank my friend and colleague, Keith Brown, for being the first off the starting blocks with his motion. I know that quite a few members lodged similar motions to secure a debate on the subject. It is a great honour to talk about Scotland’s qualification for the world cup finals. To be honest, if I cannot play for the team, I might as well watch and talk about them, and this is one of the best things that has happened to our national team in a long time. I remind members that, of course, it all starts in Paisley, because Kenny McLean, John McGinn and Stevie Clarke all started their football careers at St Mirren. Members do not need to thank me too soon; I am quite willing to wait for them all to be grateful for the Paisley connection that has got us to the Americas for the world cup.”
“I am committed to continuing that work so that every young person in Scotland has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. 16:09”
“The Scottish Government under the SNP will always do its best with the powers that it has, but there is simply no substitute for independence. Scotland’s future lies as an independent country, and Scotland will be best served by the full range of fiscal powers and choices that independence will bring. Widening access is not just about statistics and targets—I think that I have proved that today—but about young people, such as those from Castlehead and Glennifer high schools, who are discovering that university is for them. It is about institutions, such as UWS, that are widening participation at their very core. It is about ensuring that a young person’s potential—not their postcode—determines their future. I am proud of what we are achieving at the moment, of what we will achieve in the future, and of what UWS is achieving in Paisley.”
“The Open University works with three secondary schools in my constituency—Castlehead high school, Paisley grammar school and St Andrew’s academy— through its young applicants and schools scheme, which provides a funded online bridging scheme for S6 pupils to help them gain university-level study skills in a range of subjects. That is making real differences in young people’s lives. UWS and Open University are not just investing in students in Paisley; they are transforming Paisley through what the students go on to do. UWS is taking that a step further in that it has developed some spin-out companies, including Novosound, which is now a multimillion-pound company that is developing cutting-edge ultrasound technologies—that is what happens when you widen access and give people an opportunity.”
“We also have the Open University in Scotland, which is Scotland’s national widening access and lifelong learning university. Right now, there are more than 190 Open University students in Paisley. Here is what makes them remarkable: 74 per cent are in employment while they study, 52 per cent receive a part-time fee grant, and 21 per cent do not have a traditional university entrance qualification. They are people who might never have gone to university through the traditional route, who are balancing work, family and study, and who are proving that it is never too late to learn.”
“The UWS’s unique approach arises from it being special not only in what it does but in its demography, because the students at UWS are predominantly female and nearly 70 per cent of the students are over the age of 21. That is not the traditional university model. It is a university that understands that education is a lifelong journey rather than just something for 18-year-olds. UWS is the largest provider of nurses and midwives in Scotland. It is also Scotland’s largest articulation university, meaning that it takes more students from colleges who are educated up to higher national certificate and higher national diploma levels into degree level and beyond. That is not the only good work that has been happening in Paisley on widening access.”
“Since launching in 2022, UWS’s foundation academy initiative has already supported more than 2,300 students from 34 schools across 10 local authorities. This year, 29 pupils from Castlehead high school and 17 from Gleniffer high school in Paisly are among the cohort. Those young people are gaining invaluable insights into fields such as forensic science, sports science, engineering and nursing—disciplines that are crucial to Scotland’s future workforce. The programme is free for schools, ensuring that financial constraints are not a barrier. It provides a structured pathway into university for pupils in secondary 5 and 6, helping them to gain academic confidence and experience in university-level learning. Crucially, the pupils earn a level 7 credit that can be used as an alternative to a higher B grade when applying to UWS.”
“The number of Scots from the most deprived areas who enter university has increased by 37 per cent since the Scottish Government established the commission on widening access— that is progress. I was quite impressed by John McKendrick, the commissioner for fair access, when he came to the committee, even though he is a former football referee—members will be aware that I have problems with football referees in general. However, I found him extremely impressive, given some of the work that he is doing, and very positive about how he will move that work forward. I will talk about the UWS foundation academy in a bit more detail than Mr Rennie did, because the University of Western Scotland is leading the way in widening participation at university. It sits right at the centre of the universe in Paisley.”