Alasdair Allan
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Like other members, I very much hope to see further and more comprehensive legislation soon. Meanwhile, as other members have mentioned, it is important not to lose sight of the reasons for and origin of crofting law.”
“I am pleased that my final speech in this session of Parliament is about such an important subject to my constituents as crofting. I, too, pay tribute to the contributions that have been made on the issue over the years by many members, not least by Rhoda Grant and Edward Mountain. This bill has been in the works for a long time.”
“However, the history that I have just recounted means that crofters are very aware that this traditional, culturally vital way of life requires legislation to sustain and protect it. The bill is a step forward in what must be a longer process of crofting law reform.”
“I was pleased to secure several amendments at stage 2, including to give ministers the power to regulate the transfer of owner-occupier crofts, to prevent a right-to-buy where a crofter is in breach of their duties, to explicitly include enforcement duties in the Crofting Commission’s responsibilities and to introduce a more practical and…”
“Depending on the voting intentions of my constituents, I look forward to working with the next Government on the additional legislation that will be required. In the meantime, the bill is an important step forward on the road to crofting legislation reform and I urge members to give it their support. 17:26”
“My amendment 6 would make it clear that that power includes the ability to make provisions on the transfer of associated grazing shares, should it be desirable to strengthen or modify the regime set out in sections 14A and 15. I move amendment 6.”
The complete record
Every one of 496 lines we hold for Alasdair Allan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 10 of 10.
“I note that a further amendment to the bill was tabled as recently as Monday. It would require the UK Secretary of State to “appoint an independent person”—”
“I thank the Parliament for giving us further opportunity to debate the Great British Energy Bill and the supplementary legislative consent memorandum that was lodged in Parliament on Monday. I seek that the Parliament gives consent to the UK bill and to the UK Government’s new clause on sustainable development. During the UK Government bill’s report stage in the House of Lords, four amendments were made to the bill as recently as 11 February, one of which required the supplementary LCM from this Parliament. That amendment introduced clause 7A, which requires Great British Energy to keep “under review” its impact “on the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom”. That clause will likely touch on areas in the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, such as the environment and planning.”
“Evelyn Tweed: Storm Éowyn left many people without power for days, and communities relied heavily on local authorities, energy companies and charitable support during that time. What steps are being taken to help communities support themselves during significant power outages? Alasdair Allan: As I have mentioned, support exists through a number of channels, but supporting and building community resilience is key to all of that. As a Government, we recognise that communities are best able to address their own priorities. It is worth saying, too, that, at national level, the Scottish Government, through agencies such as the civil contingencies division, facilitates that conversation and that work in the voluntary sector resilience partnership. Dundee Heritage Trust (Support) 3.”
“The Scottish Government supports communities by providing national guidance to Scotland’s statutory emergency response organisations, as well as advice and online learning through the Ready Scotland website and the public information campaign, and convening online and face-to-face events with communities and voluntary organisations to support the sharing of best practice. Within Scotland’s established resilience partnership arrangements, local authorities are the main link to communities, supporting them in developing emergency resilience activities and plans, including those for significant power outages. During storm Éowyn, local authorities, power companies, voluntary sector organisations and other local responders rose to the challenge and supported communities across the country.”
“The member alludes to the fact that no new planning permissions have been granted since the publication of the review on the matter. That continues to be the Scottish Government’s policy nationally.”
“The permission was granted during Covid, and many local campaigners felt that the consultation process was not quite adequate. SEPA has yet to grant an operating permit for the site’s opening. I recently met outside Parliament campaigners who are concerned that local voices and concerns about the site have yet to be answered and that consultation and information sessions are not taking place with the new site’s operator. Will the minister encourage the site’s owners to engage with local community activists, and will he ask SEPA to take that into account when it assesses whether to grant a permit? Alasdair Allan: It is fair to say that I would be reluctant to intervene in a conversation that SEPA is already having about an operating licence. Suffice to say, I would expect communities to be involved in all those conversations.”
“As a statutory consultee to the planning process, and Scotland’s environmental regulator, SEPA considers the environmental operation and management of waste facilities. That is a duty that is independent of the Scottish Government. Through SEPA permits, waste incineration facilities must apply best available techniques, which were recently reviewed, to limit emissions. The new limits are now in force at all operational facilities. SEPA requires incinerator operators to publish emissions results and undertake their own monitoring to verify them, and it addresses non- compliance, in accordance with its enforcement policy. Jamie Greene: I thank the minister for that helpful update. He might be aware of a new site in Irvine on the west coast that was given planning permission before the moratorium came into play.”
“Above all, businesses should have certainty about the rules that they will follow, and a transparent process is key to that. I hoped to hear how the Scottish Government plans to respond to the consultation and provide certainty for Scottish businesses, rather than hearing more constitutional rows. However, I hope that the Scottish Government will engage fully with the review and consultation, and I look forward to reading the findings of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee after it takes evidence in March. 16:28”
“It is key to economic growth that businesses face no barriers to trade with Wales and England—particularly small businesses, which may not have the resources to deal with greatly differing regulations between nations. There have been exclusions in the internal market, for example on single-use plastics, and the most recent annual report from the Office for the Internal Market names other products that may be regulated in future, such as cosmetics and fireworks. I therefore welcome the fact that the review seeks to improve the exclusions process. That is particularly important for transparency, given that the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee’s report on the internal market noted the lack of a process for informing Parliament or consulting businesses when an exclusion is sought.”
“Will the member take an intervention? Foysol Choudhury: I have a lot to get through and I do not want to argue about what we should or should not be doing. I ask members to let me say what I want to say. The Labour Government views the devolved Governments as partners and not as rivals. The review of the internal market act must achieve a reformed agreement that works for Scotland and allows Scottish businesses barrier- free trade with the rest of the UK. Scotland’s exports to the rest of the UK are valued at more than £45 billion. Jamie Hepburn: Will the member take an intervention? Foysol Choudhury: I have said that I do not want to argue. I have points to make.”
“On his wider point, I will not comment on the details of the bonuses, but it is worth saying that, despite the suggestion that performance-related bonuses are irrelevant in this situation, Scottish Water’s performance in relation to pollution, overflows and so on has improved. For instance, there was improvement in the overall number of sewage overflows that were graded as unsatisfactory in Scottish Water’s annual return. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, an independent body, has assessed 86.5 per cent of Scotland’s entire water environment as having a high or good classification, which represents an improvement since 2014. Scottish Water continues to represent good value for those who pay for it, particularly when it is compared with comparable water bodies in other parts of the”
“At Ferguson Marine, executives were handed massive amounts of money and there was, quite rightly, a big hoo-hah about that. The same concerns apply here. Scottish Water is publicly owned by all of us, and we should not be giving massive amounts of money to executives. Only three of them are getting that money. The minister ought to reflect on the situation, particularly at a time when Scottish Water staff are in dispute. He needs to think about how that looks. Again, I ask the minister to rethink. Alasdair Allan: As I mentioned, the decisions by Scottish Water had to come to ministers for approval. On the point that the member has made about Scottish Water and the industrial action that workers have been balloted on, I urge both parties to resume negotiations to find an agreement on that.”
“Alasdair Allan: In his original question, the member suggested that public sector pay policy prohibits what has taken place, which is not the case. As I mentioned, public sector pay policy has a presumption against non-consolidated bonuses and suspended bonuses. However, with the agreement of the Scottish ministers, Scottish Water has had a pay structure that includes performance-related pay since its creation, in 2002. That is simply because Scottish Water operates in an environment in which the other water companies around the UK are in the private sector and Scottish Water has to recruit from the same pool of people. Graham Simpson: I do not think that the minister gets it. When the public see big awards of cash being made to public sector executives, as in this case—we have seen that before, have we not?”
“Graham Simpson: If the minister thinks that this is an acceptable situation, I ask him to rethink, because some of the bonuses are, as unions have described them this week, “obscene”. Yesterday, The Herald revealed that the bonuses of three Scottish Water executives amounted to £330,000 in 2023-24, and that £70,000 went to Alex Plant, the chief executive, as a “relocation handout”. We now have a situation in which water bills are going to rise by an inflation- busting amount of almost 10 per cent across the country, and workers are in dispute with Scottish Water. Does the minister not see that it is completely wrong to hand executives massive bonuses while squeezing the pay of ordinary Scottish Water workers?”
“Scottish Water has a long- standing exemption on the point of public sector pay policy, in recognition of its operating model and the need to retain staff as it competes with the private sector. That arrangement has been in place since 2011. The framework for bonus payments has to be approved by the Scottish ministers. The current framework was approved in advance of the 2021- 27 regulatory period. The Scottish Government is satisfied that the correct process has been followed by the Scottish Water board. Scottish Water is publicly owned, which means that, unlike at the private companies that operate elsewhere, money raised is reinvested in our water industry, while our water charges remain lower, on average, than is the case in other parts of the United Kingdom.”
“Given that it will fall to the UK Government to use its reserved powers to progress many of those recommendations, and given that the UK Government co-chairs the board, we will need the Labour Government to do what it has said it will do. The Presiding Officer: That concludes general question time. First Minister’s Question Time 12:02 National Health Service Recovery Plan 1.”
“The Falkirk Council motion and Michelle Thomson have highlighted the tension that is at the heart of what the partners are doing to ensure that Grangemouth has a key role to play in Scotland’s net zero future. However, as Michelle Thomson said, we must also consider the here and now. It was disappointing to hear nothing at all from the chancellor yesterday—not a single commitment or comment—that would either help to avoid an abrupt and unnecessary closure of the refinery or support Grangemouth’s transition to play its part in Scotland’s green economy. We need all the partners on the Grangemouth future industry board to work together constructively and with real urgency to do all that they can to progress the project willow recommendations when the report is produced.”
“I also call on the United Kingdom Government to go further in ensuring that it leaves no stone unturned in achieving our shared ambitions for Grangemouth. Michelle Thomson: A motion that has been lodged today by the Scottish National Party group calls, critically, for the Grangemouth future industry board to expand its scope to focus on the here and now. The workers in Grangemouth do not just want jam tomorrow; they want bread and butter today. Is the Scottish Government hearing the call for real action to protect the skills base and the vital chemical cluster? The UK Government is doing nothing. I implore the Scottish Government to do as much as it possibly can. Alasdair Allan: A number of the interventions that I just mentioned are very much about the here and now.”
“I recognise the criticality of the Grangemouth cluster and its contribution to Scotland’s economy. We are committed to playing our part to secure a sustainable and long-term future for the complex. We have jointly funded the project willow study, which seeks to develop a set of commercial propositions for the site, and we have committed £50 million to the Falkirk and Grangemouth growth deal. I am also working closely with Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International to identify and work with partners with an interest in investing in the cluster. In the draft budget, £8.75 million is directly attributed to Grangemouth. I am committed to working with industry and the community through the Grangemouth future industry board to identify interventions and projects that maximise outcomes.”
“As I have said, the Scottish Government continues to provide support for carbon literacy through our enterprise agencies and our work across the public sector, but we also need to see action from outwith Government. That is why I welcome the efforts of businesses such as The Way Forward 2045, which Elena Whitham highlighted and which she has mentioned in parliamentary motions. In the past year, that business has been shortlisted for a VIBES Scottish environment business award in the just transition category. That kind of recognition is a further way in which we are encouraging positive change and greater carbon literacy across our economy. Grangemouth Chemical Cluster (Falkirk Council) 8.”
“Does the minister agree that, to inspire changes in behaviour and improve our environment and the quality of people’s lives and wellbeing, as well as the places that they care for, it is crucial that we take every step possible to support the upskilling of businesses and organisations, such as through the carbon literacy courses that The Way Forward 2045 delivered in my constituency? Alasdair Allan: I agree whole-heartedly with Ms Whitham about the need to support the upskilling of businesses and organisations across our economy. That is vital if we are to deliver the changes that are needed for net zero and if we are to realise the significant benefits of adopting more efficient and sustainable practices.”
“Promoting carbon literacy is essential to achieving net zero. That is why, through the work of our enterprise agencies and Business Energy Scotland, we have ensured that support and guidance are available to help businesses to understand and reduce their carbon emissions while aiding climate resilience. That is also why we are committed to working in partnership with public bodies, including through the Sustainable Scotland Network, to help them to fulfil their climate change duties and demonstrate climate leadership. As part of that work, we are drafting new statutory guidance that will improve climate literacy across the public sector. Elena Whitham: Scotland was one of the first countries in the world to acknowledge that we face a climate emergency.”
“We are currently undertaking a joint review of and consultation on the Scottish Government’s good practice principles for onshore and offshore energy developments, as part of which our approach to community benefits from battery storage will be considered. Ports and Harbours 5.”
“Alasdair Allan: On the member’s point about maintenance, I do not know whether he is alluding to the question of safety, but the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is informed of such applications and does have input into the process. As for the member’s wider questions about the benefit to Scotland and the community, despite the fact that powers to mandate community benefits are reserved to the UK Government, Scotland has made progress through our voluntary good practice principles framework, which encourages developers to offer community benefits as standard on all renewable energy projects.”
“We are considering recent advice and modelling published by the National Energy System Operator, along with the measures in the UK Government’s clean power action plan, to inform our approach. Willie Coffey: We know that the consenting process for battery storage plants falls within the UK Government’s planning process under its Electricity Act 1989, which is totally inadequate. What concerns me is the lack of local consultation, the poor management of the installation of these facilities and the significant damage caused to the rural environment. Will the minister give me an assurance that the Scottish Government will act on those concerns and ensure that local communities feel that they are valued and that the place in which they live will be protected and enhanced for generations to come?”
“Scotland’s national planning framework ensures that the potential impacts of developments on communities and nature are important considerations in decision making. All applications are subject to site-specific assessments—[Interruption.] Are there problems with the microphone? The Presiding Officer: Carry on speaking, minister. Alasdair Allan: Details on the consenting process are set out in the Electricity (Applications for Consent) Regulations 1990 and the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017. That is United Kingdom law that is applicable in Scotland. Developments under 50MW are determined by planning authorities in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2013.”
“Alasdair Allan: Even in circumstances in which proposals for solar are not covered by the generous permitted development rights that I have mentioned, people still have the option of applying for permission to install panels. That will be a matter for the planning authority, and such applications will be considered, taking account of and weighing up the very supportive renewable energy policy in national planning framework 4, alongside policy relating to heritage objectives and any other relevant considerations.”
“In May last year, the Scottish Government amended permitted development rights to allow solar panels and replacement windows to be installed on domestic and non- domestic buildings in conservation areas without the need for a planning application. That important change strikes an appropriate balance between tackling climate change and protecting important historic buildings and townscapes. Those rights are subject to specific restrictions, such as allowing solar panels to the rear of buildings in conservation areas. Colin Beattie: I am regularly contacted by my constituents who are understandably frustrated, as the restrictions mean that they are unable to install solar panels. What support does the Scottish Government have in place to help my constituents in conservation areas contribute to our journey to net zero?”
“Under the current system, Scotland is the only part of Great Britain where developers do not have to consult local communities before submitting their plans. We want to change that by ensuring that the procedure begins with communities having the opportunity to express their views so that they can be considered from the outset. The reforms would make pre- application consultation statutory for the first time—”
“Indeed, one of the central proposals is to modernise the system to allow community voices to be heard, including at an earlier stage. Conservative members might be interested to know that those proposals did not simply materialise in the past few months. The UK Government committed to review consenting in Scotland in November 2023. Conservative members have now forgotten the next crucial bit, which is that that was when the Conservatives were in power in the UK. Indeed, they were taking forward those plans before the general election was called, so it is rather surprising to hear them describe the plans in such terms as they have used today. Ensuring that community voices are heard in the process and in the right way is central to the reforms.”
“Indeed, our purpose in Scotland is to learn from reform in England, which may well result in similar changes to those that have been in place in England and Wales for many years. At present in Scotland, it can take up to four years to process an application to determination. That is not in the interests of communities or the economy. The Scottish Government has long called for the relevant powers to be given to Scottish ministers. However, in October 2024, the UK Government announced proposals to reform the legislation at Westminster, launching a consultation that concluded at the end of November. The core aim is to make our determination process more efficient—not to make it easier, as the Conservatives seem to suggest— for projects to get consent.”
“Surely, in this instance, it can use planning laws to ban whatever it wants. Alasdair Allan: I was not aware of Douglas Lumsden’s proposal that communities in Scotland should be in a position to block nuclear power stations. Scottish ministers—[Interruption]. Douglas Lumsden: That is not the point. Alasdair Allan: The point is that Scottish ministers determine applications to construct or install electricity infrastructure under the Electricity Act 1989. We do not choose, for instance, the routes of strategic power lines across the country. In England and Wales, relevant legislation has long since been updated to make the consenting process not only more efficient but, I believe, fairer. As far as I am aware, that is not a reform that the Conservatives objected to.”
“I welcome the opportunity to debate the UK and Scottish Governments’ jointly proposed reforms to the consenting process. It is extremely important that everyone who has a stake in the consenting process hears about and is involved in the reforms. However, let us clear up something in the Conservatives motion before we get started. Although land use and planning in Scotland are devolved, the powers to legislate for the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity are reserved to the UK Government. Douglas Lumsden: Will the minister give way? Alasdair Allan: I would be interested to know whether the member can gainsay that, but yes. Douglas Lumsden: The minister is right—just like nuclear power is reserved, but the Scottish Government can block it by using the planning laws that it controls.”
“It is an absolute free-for-all, and the devolved SNP Government, asleep at the wheel, has allowed that to happen.”
“The Scottish National Party Government has demonstrated again that it does not understand or care about what goes on in our rural areas, and nor does the United Kingdom Government. We often hear about a just transition, but what is taking place is an unjust transition. What is just about the overindustrialisation of our countryside, inflicting monster pylons, substations, wind turbines and battery storage facilities on many of our communities? The devolved Government is incompetent and does not give two hoots for rural Scotland. By not producing an energy strategy, it has left a vacuum. There is no plan for how much of each energy source we need and where it should be. That is why about 350 battery storage applications are in progress across Scotland.”
“The member knows full well that ministers cannot meet community groups during a live planning application. Douglas Lumsden: Let us have a look at the ministerial code. It says that “meeting the developer or objectors to discuss the proposal, but not meeting all parties with an interest in the decision” would be a breach of the ministerial code. The lobbying register shows that the cabinet secretary has met Statera Energy and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, but she will not meet any of the protest groups. That is a breach of the ministerial code. If she wants to come along, I will be more than happy to introduce her to some of those communities and individuals. Instead of looking for solutions that empower, this devolved Government has chosen to once again ride roughshod over our rural communities.”
“Area-based scheme funding of up to £64 million was identified in the 2024-25 budget documents, as per the distribution agreed with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. However, ABS 2025-26 grant offers were delayed until September 2024 due to the Scottish Government facing what I hope he and others will acknowledge was an emergency spending control situation. However, from what I have said, he will be aware of the value that the Scottish Government places on those schemes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio questions on net zero and energy, and transport. I apologise to members whom I was not able to squeeze in. UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 Report (Scottish Government Response)”
“Mark Griffin: Area-based schemes are place- based approaches that can transform whole neighbourhoods by improving health, creating jobs and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but, over the past three years, more than £60 million of a possible £192 million has gone unspent. That is because, as the minister highlighted, councils often do not receive their grant allocation until well into the financial year. Will the Scottish Government commit to making sure that the funding is made available to councils in time for the funds to be spent on vital services throughout the year? Alasdair Allan: As Mark Griffin identifies, area- based schemes are very valuable in addressing fuel poverty.”
“I met ministerial colleagues on 12 September 2024 to agree the issuing of grant offers for area-based schemes. We agreed that that was a priority and noted the challenge in completing some projects by March. The grant offer therefore extends to June 2025 to help to ensure ABS project completion. We have also boosted fuel poverty support this winter by allocating an extra £20 million to the warmer homes Scotland scheme, taking its support to £85 million. Through the 2025-26 budget, we propose to invest more than £300 million in our heat in buildings programmes, including support for people in fuel poverty.”
“Alasdair Allan: The member rightly points to the distinctive housing types in different locations, including in many parts of rural Scotland. We are committed to building on the progress that has been made in improving the energy efficiency of those houses. Although some rural and island households have made the transition, we recognise that, for some properties, there are limitations due to their location or building type or, indeed, due to grid capacity. In rural and island communities, Scottish Government support is available to improve the energy efficiency of homes and to switch heating systems through, for example, the social housing net zero heat fund and various other schemes. Many of those schemes include a rural and islands uplift to reflect the very issues that the member rightly points to.”
“When they attempt to meet net zero targets, they are faced with high retrofit costs due to traditional construction, lack of access to skilled labour and materials and, as the minister cited in his response, funding gaps. The grants that are given by the Government often fall short of covering the substantial costs of decarbonising rural housing. That is not to mention the difficulties of complying with the energy performance certificate system, due to the issues that I have just raised. Such issues need to be fully addressed in the heat in buildings framework when the relevant bill comes to the Parliament. Will the minister commit to working towards a tailored strategy for rural communities that does not leave them at a disadvantage?”
“We are committed to delivering vital support to decarbonise homes through the social housing net zero heat fund, which has been supporting social landlords to retrofit their housing stock since 2020. To date, the fund has helped to decarbonise more than 13,000 homes. To support rural housing providers, the most recent fund refresh included a grant per property uplift for rural and remote rural locations of 11 per cent and 22 per cent respectively. That acknowledges the increased costs in rural locations and heeds calls from the sector to ensure a just transition to net zero. Meghan Gallacher: Rural housing providers face unique and complex challenges that set them apart from providers in urban areas.”
“He supports an oppressive tax on anyone who earns more than £28,000, and he squandered money when in government. That is how to make everybody poor. The left-wing consensus in Holyrood believes only in creating a bigger state, with a greater social security budget, not in great-quality education that allows people to truly escape poverty not just for themselves but for the generations to come after them. University is not the be-all and end-all; colleges, learning a trade and apprenticeships allow for great lifelong jobs that pay very well. We need to deliver lasting solutions to ensure that every child in Scotland, regardless of their postcode, has the opportunity to thrive. 16:20”
“Why are almost 16,000 children living in temporary accommodation, as we heard from Miles Briggs? We need to address the intergenerational impact of deprivation. A child growing up in poverty is more likely to face poor health, underachievement and lower lifetime earnings. We cannot afford to perpetuate that cycle. The SNP’s approach feels like throwing money at symptoms while ignoring the disease. Child poverty cannot be eradicated through simple cash payments alone. True change demands addressing the systemic issues that hold families back. The left in Holyrood thinks that it is progressive. Indeed, Patrick Harvie thinks that he is progressive, but he is not—he is regressive. He attacks small and medium-sized businesses and opposes anyone who makes money.”
“In Drumchapel, overstretched services and administrative barriers mean that families struggle to access even basic care, and £25 a week will not fix the crumbling infrastructure. Deprivation is not just about money; it is about missed opportunities. In places such as Drumchapel, children grow up facing higher rates of preventable disease, mental health challenges and educational underachievement, all because of where they were born. Financial support can ease immediate pressures, but it does not build the foundation for a better future. For example, on housing, substandard homes do not just hurt children’s physical harm; they harm children’s education and mental wellbeing. Housing is entirely devolved to the Scottish Government, so why is the issue not a central focus in child poverty strategies?”
“As the member is outlining some of the root causes of poverty and deprivation, will he do what his colleague failed to do and say whether he feels that the many years of Conservative Government and austerity have anything whatsoever to do with that poverty? Sandesh Gulhane: That is incredible. The SNP have had 18 years in power and 18 years of being able to do something, yet Scotland is worse than anywhere else in the UK. Why is that? It is because of the policies of the SNP Government, and it is also because of how inept the SNP Government is. The inverse care law—the principle that those who need healthcare the most receive the least— hits the hardest in places such as Drumchapel.”