Colin Beattie
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Pupil support assistants have an essential role to play in our classrooms. Can the cabinet secretary provide any update on the steps that the Scottish National Party Government is taking to support schools, including in Scotland’s rural areas, to deliver more pupil support staff? Màiri McAllan: I can.”
“However, in our manifesto, the Government committed to considering ways that we can support the career pathways of pupil support staff by enhancing training, development and accreditation in order to improve recruitment and retention, which will ensure that those valued members of staff can make an impact on young people’s lives.”
“Indeed, a very young constituent recently tackled me on what was being done to make her and our communities safer. To her, I say that my bringing this debate to the Parliament is part of moving to a solution. Those are the main issues, but what can be done to deal with them?”
“Retailers also complain that nothing can be done—they call the police and no one responds, or the police visit but rarely catch the criminals involved. If those criminals are caught, that serious crime is treated as minor, and they are rarely sent to prison, even if they are frequent offenders.”
“The cost of shoplifting is directly felt in people’s pockets, as retailers recoup the costs. It is not a victimless crime. Young people using motorcycles or e-bikes have become both an annoyance and a hazard. The noise is intrusive and disturbing and the damage that is done to public areas is considerable.”
“Setting fire to plastic recycling bins is a great favourite, but fighting—mostly between themselves in public—is frequent and causes considerable anxiety among residents. Dalkeith town centre is almost a no-go zone at night; youths in dark clothing and balaclavas seem to feature at the centre of the problems.”
The complete record
Every one of 184 lines we hold for Colin Beattie, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 4.
“According to EY’s assessment, Scotland has bucked the UK-wide trend, reporting a decade-high level of foreign direct investment projects in 2024. How can the Scottish Government build on that progress and ensure that Scotland remains a top destination for investment in financial services? Kate Forbes: Colin Beattie is exactly right to point to EY’s data. The reason why I was so positive about EY’s data in my earlier answer is because it shows Scotland’s strength as an area that regularly outperforms other areas in the UK on attracting inward investment—it is second only to London and the south-east in that regard.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the A720 Sheriffhall roundabout project. (S6O-04760)”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: Question 2 was not lodged. Behaviour in Classrooms 3. Alex Rowley: To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what support it is providing to teachers to help deal with behaviour in classrooms. (S6O-04754)”
“Universities and colleges such as UHI Perth are facing increasing external pressure as a result of hostile United Kingdom Government policies, namely on immigration and the rise in employer national insurance contributions. The sector has been vocal about its concerns, so can the minister speak to the potential impact that Labour’s immigration crackdown could have on our higher education sector? Graeme Dey: There is no doubt that the proposals that have been made in the past couple of weeks are causing considerable consternation in our higher and further education sectors. That comes on top of the employer national insurance contribution bombshell that was dropped on them. That is why the Scottish Government is seeking changes to graduate visa routes so that we can have a bespoke arrangement for Scotland that meets our needs.”
“I will write to the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer ahead of the spending review to ask the UK Government to reconsider its position and make available a national fund, as RAAC is a UK-wide issue. Child Disability Payment (Communication with Applicants) 4.”
“The previous United Kingdom Government promised to spend what it takes to remediate RAAC, but of course no funding was made available. What engagement has the minister had with the current UK Government on any plans to provide RAAC funding across the UK? Paul McLennan: I have engaged with the UK Government consistently for support in addressing the issue of RAAC, including through making available new capital funds to allow any action that may be required. I will continue to press the UK Government to provide funding. So far, it has refused, and the latest response from the UK Government has made it clear that it does not intend to provide any funding.”
“How will the memorandum of understanding between the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, which commits our Government and that of Ukraine to strengthening trade and investment links, allow Scotland to do its part in supporting Ukraine to rebuild its country in the face of Russia’s illegal war? Will the First Minister make a commitment to the Parliament, and to the country, that his Government will keep under active review the ways in which Scotland can support the future of Ukraine and, by extension, the peace and stability of Europe?”
“The First Minister: In order that members can hear properly what I say, I repeat that it is a fact that more than half of Scottish taxpayers continue to pay less income tax in 2025-26 than they would if they lived elsewhere in the United Kingdom. According to the Scottish Fiscal Commission, the policy choices that we have made will raise up to an additional £1.7 billion in this financial year. That will help to pay for the best cost of living package of support in the United Kingdom, which includes free prescriptions, an expansive early learning and childcare offer, free eye care tests, free bus travel for 2.3 million people and, of course, free higher education. If the Conservatives want to get rid of the overwhelming majority of what I have just set out, that is up to them, but I am not going to follow their advice. Knife Crime 6.”
“The majority of people already pay less tax in Scotland than they would elsewhere in the UK. By asking those with the broadest shoulders to contribute a bit more, we can fund vital services that benefit us all. Can the First Minister say more on how our progressive taxation system helps to provide Scots with the most comprehensive social contract anywhere in the UK? The First Minister: It is a matter of fact that more than half of Scottish taxpayers continue to pay less income tax in this financial year— [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear the First Minister. The First Minister: —than they would if they lived elsewhere in the United Kingdom. [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: First Minister, please sit down. I ask members who are shouting from their seats to desist. First Minister, please continue.”
“The Scottish Government has plenty to be proud of, but more can be done to truly empower our islanders to thrive in their communities. 16:17”
“The ceilidh house in Stornoway will receive £10,000, which will enable it to promote ceilidhs and live music events in Gaelic, while the Gaelic Media Service, also in Stornoway, will be modernised through £110,000 of Scottish Government funding. We also need to ensure that our island communities are connected through efficient transport services and to acknowledge the lifeline nature of our ferry system. The Scottish Government has not got every aspect of that correct, but we should acknowledge that the ferry services are now more extensive than they were before the SNP came to office. CalMac is now operating and servicing more routes than ever before. Everyone can agree that improvements are vital, and I encourage the Scottish Government to work with our island communities to match their needs.”
“The renewables hub in Orkney is supported by a £5 million grant, and the Scottish Government has backed the deep water terminal in the Western Isles, which will support future renewable energy developments. Such projects empower the local community to be at the forefront of an energy and economic boom. Although a thriving economy enhances our island communities, we cannot ignore culture, which so enriches our country. It is vital that we continue to support the Gaelic language, which is a fundamental part of Scotland’s heritage, and I am pleased that the Scottish Government is supporting our ancient language.”
“A thriving economy is key not only for supporting jobs for islanders but for attracting new residents to live, work and raise their families on the islands, boosting the population for future generations. As I mentioned at the start of my speech, our islands have unique challenges but also unique opportunities. Our island communities can and should be a major part of our response to the global climate emergency. I am pleased that the Scottish Government recognises that and is committed to the innovative carbon-neutral island projects to support communities in several areas, not only decarbonisation. The Scottish Government is acting and delivering several infrastructure projects that will deliver jobs and be of great benefit to wider communities.”
“Between 2001 and 2020, Scotland’s population increased by 7.9 per cent, whereas the islands’ population grew by 2.6 per cent. We need to understand why that is happening and how we can help residents to remain in their communities. It does not mean that those who move towards the central belt always wish to do so, and I am sure that countless people feel that they have no choice because of multiple factors, such as housing, employment and transport. I am pleased that the Scottish Government has recognised those issues and is acting to remedy them. In housing, the Scottish Government is delivering affordable homes across Scotland, most of which are for social rent, and it has developed a £30 million rural and island housing fund that offers capital support for local organisations and developers to deliver affordable housing.”
“I am pleased to take part in the debate to highlight the importance of our island communities and the challenges that they face. However, we must also recognise their unique opportunities. The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 gave specific legal rights to Scotland’s island communities to ensure that the Scottish Government works with and for the residents. Thanks to that act, all relevant authorities must now complete an island community impact assessment, which ensures that islanders’ unique concerns are carefully considered. If we want those communities to thrive, we must listen to the experts—the people who live there—and act on their concerns. National Records of Scotland estimates that the island population has increased at around a third of the rate of the whole Scottish population.”
“To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its decisions on local authority budget allocations, what discussions it has had with Midlothian and East Lothian councils regarding any impact on their budgets as a result of providing support in schools for additional support needs. (S6O-04682)”
“In the past few weeks, I returned from a trade mission to Japan, where there has been an increase in seafood imports from Scotland—there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of Scottish mackerel that goes to the Japanese market. We are also promoting Scottish salmon and whisky exports. There seems to be an ever- increasing appetite for Scottish produce in the Japanese market, and we are finding that that story is being replicated around the world. Colin Beattie is right to say that we have great produce and that we must provide more support than ever to exporters—indeed, we discussed that very issue at the reception that the Scotch Whisky Association hosted last night in the”
“Does the minister agree that, during such turbulent economic times, it is more important than ever that we champion our world-class Scottish products, such as salmon and whisky? Will he outline how measures in the programme for government, such as the Scottish Government’s new six-point export plan, will assist with that? Richard Lochhead: Colin Beattie raises an important point, which is that now is the time to give more attention to global trade, rather than pull back in response to the current challenges. He is right to highlight the amazing food and drink products that we have in this country, which include Scottish salmon, Scottish seafood and Scotch whisky.”
“Amendments 32 and 33 moved—[Siobhian Brown]—and agreed to. Amendment 34 moved—[Siobhian Brown]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 34 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“The other duties that are set out in amendment 42 are to prepare interim accounts that would, in particular, detail all sums held on behalf of clients, and to send a copy of those accounts to the Law Society. In the case of the orderly winding down of a business, that would be straightforward and would involve notifying clients of the intention to cease practice and of the powers that the Law Society has to safeguard clients and, finally, satisfying the Law Society that it had complied with the requirements to inform clients. I ask members to support my amendments. Amendment 31 agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Does any member object to amendments 32 to 58 being moved en bloc? Members: Yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: For clarification, are the amendments concerned amendments 34, 38 and 42? Members: Yes.”
“That would allow directions to be appealed before the court in a timely manner, as the power is wide and can affect a variety of persons. An appeal on a genuinely urgent matter may be expedited by the court to avoid delay. Regarding the Law Society’s concerns about what amendments 38 and 42 would require from a business that is being wound down, perhaps due to a solicitor retiring, I do not consider that the duties that would flow from that would be unreasonable. The right for the client accounts to vest in the Law Society would apply only in relation to a practitioner who had been disqualified and would therefore not create undue requirements.”
“As they stand, I am concerned that the amendments, both individually and together, are unnecessary. I think that they are impractical and contrary to the interests of consumers, and members on this side of the chamber are minded to oppose them. Siobhian Brown: When I agreed at stage 2 to support Tess White’s amendment in respect of safeguarding the interests of clients, I said that I would revisit the provisions at stage 3 to ensure that they worked fully with the wider legislation and that I would make any adjustments that were necessary to reflect the wider policy intention. Given the implications for practitioners, and following consideration of a query from the senior judiciary, I have lodged amendments 34 and 42, which would provide an appeal mechanism on the 14-day appeal timescale and would make the appeal final.”
“On amendment 38, I ask what consideration the minister has given to the unintended consequences of the catch-all mechanism that she has created for triggering safeguarding mechanisms under proposed new section 46A of the 1980 act, given that there are reasons for cessation of practice, such as retirement, that do not necessitate safeguarding mechanisms being triggered. Similarly, on amendment 42, I worry about the practicality of requiring all sole practitioners who cease practising to prepare and submit interim accounts and to notify all clients within 21 days, when a date for cessation is often not determined until well after the fact. Regarding the appeal rights and directions from the regulator for which amendment 42 provides, I refer members to the arguments that I outlined earlier in relation to amendment 34.”
“I am concerned that introducing the appeal mechanism that is provided for in amendment 34, on top of existing and other court actions, for situations in which a regulator has intervened in a failed firm and given directions to safeguard client interests, could delay the ability to act at speed. Tess White gave the example of a client filing to complete an urgent conveyancing transaction when it might be impossible to complete that transaction. That is a serious issue. I am sure that many of us are familiar with the circumstances of being in a chain and needing speed when involved in conveyancing. Has the minister weighed the potential consequences for consumers? Why does she feel that the proposed additional right of appeal is so critical?”
“The Law Society has raised serious concerns about that approach, which it believes weakens public protections by delaying the ability to take necessary action to safeguard client assets. It gives the example of a conveyancing transaction to demonstrate the need to intervene urgently to protect client interests. Has the Scottish Government taken into consideration the unintended consequences of the provisions, which could negatively impact the consumer? Paul O’Kane: I, too, press the minister on the concerns that have been expressed by the Law Society and others regarding amendments 34, 38 and 42. Throughout the bill process, the Government and members across the Parliament have been trying to strike the right balance between effective and efficient regulation and the interests of consumers and their protections.”
“Amendments 31 to 33, 35, 36, 39, 40 to 44, 47, 46, 48 to 58, 60, 62 and 64 are minor technical amendments to update the drafting style and to correct minor errors such as cross-references. I ask members to support my amendments in the group. I move amendment 31. Tess White: The Scottish Conservatives are broadly supportive of the amendments in the group. However, as the minister has said, the Law Society has flagged two amendments, in particular, that it believes are problematic. Amendments 34 and 42 would create a new right for a business to lodge an appeal to the court when the Law Society directs it, as part of its remit to intervene directly in the public interest.”
“At present, similar but not identical requirements to satisfy the Law Society apply in those circumstances under section 46 of the 1980 act. Amendment 42 follows amendments at stage 2 to set out duties that an authorised legal business must comply with within 21 days of its sole solicitor ceasing to practise. Although the requirements are different, they are not onerous. Vesting in the Law Society, as is provided for in the bill, will not, as the Law Society has said, apply unless the solicitor is disqualified, as in the provision at present. The main point is to give the Law Society the ability to make a direction. The amendment will also enable a solicitor or authorised legal business to whom a direction is given to appeal against it to the Court of Session, as I mentioned previously.”
“Although the process is a protective one that can be put in place urgently, it is important that such matters can be tested by the court, and the court’s decision is final. I am aware that the Law Society has raised concerns about delay, but we think that that can be catered for by the courts in urgent circumstances. Following stage 2, the Lord President also raised the issue of whether there should be an appeal. 16:45 The safeguarding provisions in proposed new section 46A of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 will apply in relation to an authorised legal business that comprises a “sole solicitor”. Amendment 45 provides a definition of that term. Together, amendments 37 and 38 make it clear that the safeguarding provisions will also apply where the sole solicitor has, for any reason, ceased to practise.”
“Section 86B—Safeguarding interests of clients The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 9 is on safeguarding. Amendment 31, in the name of the minister, is grouped with amendments 32 to 58, 60, 62 and 64. Siobhian Brown: Where a solicitor or authorised legal business is unable to continue to operate, the safeguarding provisions that the bill inserts into the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 enable the Law Society to take on any client account of that former solicitor or authorised legal business. That includes the ability to make a direction requiring the former authorised legal business to take any specified action. My amendment 34 will allow for an authorised legal business to appeal such a direction to the court.”
“Instead, those providers will need to adhere to the professional principles set out in part 1 of the bill. That change will reduce the regulatory burden on legal services providers, making compliance more straightforward while maintaining high professional standards. Sections 77 and 78 of the 2010 act are, therefore, not needed. Section 77 requires approved regulators to act compatibly with the regulatory objectives in that act, and section 78 requires approved regulators to issue a policy statement in relation to section 77. Amendment 66 repeals those sections, and amendments 65 and 67 make related consequential changes. I move amendment 28. Amendment 28 agreed to. Section 80—Majority ownership Amendment 29 moved—[Siobhian Brown]—and agreed to. After section 80 Amendment 30 moved—[Siobhian Brown]—and agreed to.”
“Section 64(4) of the 2010 act provides that, if a non-solicitor investor is a body, the regulator must be satisfied as to the fitness of both the body and any person having ownership or control of that body. Amendment 30 relaxes that requirement so that it only applies in respect of persons who have significant control or ownership, as determined by the approved regulator, taking a more proportionate approach. The bill repeals section 1 of the 2010 act, removing the duty on regulators to comply with specified regulatory objectives in the act in favour of the new regulatory objectives introduced by part 1 of the bill. Amendment 65 similarly repeals the obligation on legal services providers to have regard to the regulatory objectives under the 2010 act.”
“Amendment 29 repeals section 49 of the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. That removes the requirement that, for business entities to be eligible to be a licensed provider, they must be at least 10 per cent owned by solicitors or members of other regulated professions. That simplifies the regulatory framework and potentially broadens the pool of eligible professionals, which will encourage more diverse ownership structures within the legal profession and foster innovation and competition while maintaining high standards of professional conduct. Under the 2010 act, an approved regulator must be satisfied that all non-solicitor investors are fit to have an interest in a licensed provider, for example in terms of their financial position and character.”
“Siobhian Brown: Amendment 28 makes it clear that different licence fees can be charged to different types of applicants for different types or categories of a licence to reflect the fact that there are now many types of business models entering the legal services market, such as those providing incidental financial services. The amendment allows for the charging of bespoke fees to be permissible under the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. Allowing the charging of such fees would be part of the regulatory scheme rules. They would need to be approved by Scottish ministers, with the agreement of the Lord President, thus ensuring a check on the fee charging. An example of a licence that would apply only to certain businesses would be an incidental financial business licence.”
“Amendment 135 disagreed to. Section 71C—Restriction on disclosure of information: Commission Amendment 22 moved—[Paul O’Kane]—and agreed to. Section 71E—Restriction on disclosure of information: relevant professional organisations Amendment 23 moved—[Paul O’Kane]—and agreed to. Section 72—Conduct complaints: power to impose unlimited fine and removal of power to award compensation Amendments 24 to 26 moved—[Siobhian Brown]—and agreed to. Section 76—Commission reports Amendment 27 moved—[Siobhian Brown]—and agreed to. Before section 78 Amendment 136 moved—[Paul O’Kane]—and agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We move to group 8, on licensed legal services providers: changes to the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. Amendment 28, in the name of the minister, is grouped with amendments 29, 30 and 65 to 67.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) 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) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 48, Against 67, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 14 agreed to. Amendments 15 and 16 moved—[Siobhian Brown]—and agreed to. Section 67—Conduct or regulatory complaint raised by relevant professional organisation Amendments 17 to 21 moved—[Siobhian Brown]—and agreed to. Section 69—Complaints: monitoring and setting of minimum standards by the Commission Amendment 135 moved—[Paul O’Kane]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 135 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will make sure that that vote is recorded. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) 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) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) 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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] 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) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) 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) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment 14 is: For 104, Against 8, Abstentions 0.”
“Energy costs for businesses that are 50 per cent higher than in the European Union make everything more expensive for farmers, especially their supply chain. The uncertainty and failure to stick with any decisions on future payments will not have helped, even though, thankfully, we make those decisions in Scotland. For the avoidance of doubt, the Scottish National Party Government promised to maintain direct payments, and we have. We promised certainty and stability, which we have delivered. We promised to work with the industry to co-develop our new support framework, which is what we are doing.”
“Now that the dust has settled on Murdo Fraser’s party being roundly booted out of Government, how would the minister assess what the Tories did for farmers while they were in Government? How did that impact farm incomes, and how does the truth of the matter stack up against the Tories’ pretence to be the champions of agriculture and rural Scotland? Jim Fairlie: There is absolutely no doubt that the Westminster Tory Government caused significant difficulties for Scotland’s agricultural sector. The harms from Brexit are deep and long lasting, in particular the creation of issues of cost and trade barriers for those who are involved in exporting and issues in attracting labour. What the Tories started, Labour is continuing.”
“We must move towards zero-emission vehicles and build a sustainable public transport network.”
“It is vital that that funding supports behavioural change and helps local authorities to improve their road infrastructure. The Conservative motion mentions the national speed management review. Rather than being a golden bullet, that is simply a tool to ensure that all speed limits are fit for their purpose. We know from international experience in France that a reduction in speed limits can reduce casualties. I am sure that members take road safety seriously, and our policies must reflect that. Of course, cars will always have a place in our transport system, especially in rural areas of the country, but the environmental impact of widespread car use cannot be overstated. Cars account for 39 per cent of all transport emissions and 12.4 per cent of Scotland’s total emissions. That is a reality that we cannot ignore.”
“Earlier this year, the Scottish Government was forced to abandon its target for reducing car use by 20 per cent by 2030. It was an ambitious goal that, unfortunately, could not be met. The measures that have been taken in an attempt to reach that target do not equate to a war on motorists, as some would like to characterise it. If we are to tackle the climate crisis, we must reduce car emissions by making public transport more affordable and accessible, while maintaining the road infrastructure that so many still rely on. There must be more carrot and only as much stick as is needed. It is of the utmost importance that we reduce our reliance on cars while ensuring that our roads are safe. The £36 million that the Scottish Government is investing in road safety this year is a welcome step.”
“Although it is for local authorities to determine what they might reinvest the additional revenue in, the act requires them to measure and report on the achievement of the scheme’s objectives and publish an annual report, which should set out how much revenue has been collected and how it has been used to support, in particular, the visitor economy.”
“Will the minister please outline what positive conversations the Scottish Government has had with local authorities that plan to introduce a visitor levy in the near future and how it will encourage local authorities to reinvest revenue from the levy in their visitor economies? Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government has had and is having a range of discussions with stakeholders on the implementation of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, which requires that a visitor levy scheme’s objectives “must relate to developing, supporting or sustaining facilities or services which are substantially for or used by persons visiting the scheme area”. That measure is welcomed not only by local authorities but by the business community.”
“I am pleased that, under the Scottish National Party Government, almost 137,000 social and affordable homes have been completed across Scotland, leading the way in the United Kingdom on the provision of warm, safe homes. Can the minister confirm how many such homes have been completed in Midlothian?”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps it is taking to improve GP retention. (S6O-04526)”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to grow the offshore wind industry. (S6O- 04510)”
“Let us work together to ensure that you get the support, the recognition and the breaks that you deserve. 13:18”
“That financial support helps young carers aged 16 to 18 to manage the pressures that they face, but it is reported that up to 25 per cent of eligible young carers have not applied for it. I urge the Scottish Government to ensure that all young carers are made aware of that support, to which they are entitled. Today, on young carers action day, let us do more than simply celebrate our country’s young carers and the sacrifices that they make. Let us commit to act to give them the real break that they all deserve, and let us ensure that they are supported to balance their education and their caring responsibilities. To the young carers who join us in the public gallery and every young carer out there, I say thank you for what you do. Your hard work and dedication inspire me and my colleagues.”
“It is essential that we ensure that staff are equipped to recognise and understand the pressures that young carers are under and that they are able to offer tailored support, whether through counselling or mentoring, or simply by taking an understanding approach. No young person should have to choose between caring for a loved one and securing their own future. By removing the barriers, we can ensure that they have every opportunity to achieve their potential. Although it is clear that there is still work to be done to improve support for young carers, we can be proud of some of the efforts that the Scottish Government has made. The young carer grant is a unique payment that is available only in Scotland.”