Bob Doris
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“I acknowledge the Scottish Government’s ambitious targets to reduce child poverty and the progress that has been made. I have heard that there will be a review of those targets, so it would be helpful to know whether the cabinet secretary believes that the targets have driven delivery in tackling child poverty.”
“They have driven focus and delivery, and have been an exceptionally important part of our armoury as we move forward with tackling child poverty in Scotland. We are seeing that difference being made.”
“Many bus users cannot take a single bus service to where they wish to go. Often, bus users will be required to change buses to reach their end destination. At times, four, as opposed to two, tickets will be required, with a change in the city centre or elsewhere to make the return journey that passengers require.”
“A few stops on a First Glasgow bus will cost £2.45, and it is only a few stops; most single journeys are £3.25. I therefore strongly welcome our Scottish Government’s commitment to a £2 cap price for bus fares in Glasgow. That will make a real difference in our city, but it needs to be carefully implemented.”
“After all, public money that is pumped into bus operators must be used for the public good. Indeed, it is anticipated that, in the current financial year, the budget to be invested in bus services is £528 million—I will say that again: £528 million— and £472.8 million for concessionary travel.”
“For balance, bus passengers, including me, do not tend to highlight when our bus services run well—and they do run well at times. There are occasions when buses are on time and the service is efficient and of high quality. We want to encourage more people to use buses, not fewer.”
The complete record
Every one of 432 lines we hold for Bob Doris, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 9.
“My amendment 131 would make it clear that, where a landowner has two or more holdings totalling 500 hectares, they would be obliged to have a land management plan for those holdings. I ask members to vote against the Government’s amendment 130, as cumulative landholdings should be subject to the obligations set out in the bill. It is now very common for people and organisations to buy up multiple pieces of land that, individually, would not be subject to such obligations but, when added together, would make a substantial landholding. Often, such holdings are used to offset carbon emissions elsewhere. I agree with Edward Mountain’s amendment 22, which would establish a database of land management plans, and with Bob Doris’s amendment 258 in similar terms. Scottish Labour members would support both of those amendments.”
“I recognise that it could make sense to provide options and offer flexibility—for example, to allow a new landowner to either update a previous plan or create a completely new one if their plans for the land differ significantly. I look forward to listening to other members on their amendments in this group. I move amendment 235. Rhoda Grant: Amendments 236, 237, 243, 244 and 250 are largely tidying-up amendments, which would move the reference to consultation with tenants and crofters into the subsection that deals with consultation with communities. I thank the cabinet secretary for her assistance with those amendments. The cabinet secretary’s amendment 130 not only pre-empts my amendment 131 but takes out a section that relates to an owner who has two or more holdings.”
“The requirement on ministers to make a statement would apply if they exclude land from the land management plan obligations, and additionally from obligations to consider community requests to lease land under section 44C. My amendments 256 and 257 would clarify that community engagement obligations would be able to set requirements for how landowners should comply with the obligations, including when there is a change of ownership. I felt, as did Community Land Scotland, that the previous wording could be interpreted as meaning that the landowner “may”, as opposed to “must”, comply with the obligations. My proposed change would make it clear that the regulations could include mandatory provisions that landowners must comply with, as well as allowing for flexibility where appropriate.”
“My amendments 239, 260 and 262 would replace and update the amendment that I lodged at stage 2 to require ministers to publish a statement setting out reasons when they lay regulations that exclude land from the obligations in the bill regarding land management plans. I lodged a similar amendment at stage 2 as I believe that it is important for ministers to be transparent about their reasons for removing any land from the scope of those obligations. Amendment 239 would remove the drafting that was added by my stage 2 amendment. Amendments 260 and 262 would add back in the requirement for a statement to be made following the standard drafting approach for statements of this kind.”
“It would mean that ministers could require that a public body should publish land management plans in a single place. That could be the means by which landowners make the land management plans available. It would also allow for the setting of a reasonable administrative fee—a modest one—to be paid by landowners, while keeping those plans accessible and free of charge for people who wish to search for and look at them. My amendments set out that consultation would have to be carried out before the regulations were laid, and that they should be laid under the affirmative procedure.”
“Having a single website on which all land management plans across Scotland are located and updated timeously would ensure that the public could know whether the plans had been complied with, as people could access and scrutinise them for themselves. The Scottish Government agreed and has therefore worked with me on amendments 258, 235 and 276, which would make provision for that. Amendment 258 would clarify that future regulations imposing the obligation to have a plan could make the necessary provision to require that the landowner submits it to another person so that it can be published on a single website. Amendments 235 and 276 would give ministers the ability to confer functions on any public authority, including themselves, and would allow for future regulations to require a body to establish such a website.”
“Amendment 118 disagreed to. 16:30 The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 4 is on land management plans. Amendment 235, in the name of Bob Doris, is grouped with amendments 236, 237, 119, 238, 17, 18, 239, 120, 121, 240 to 244, 19, 122, 20, 245 to 248, 21, 123, 124, 249, 125, 250, 251, 253 to 258, 126, 127, 127A, 128, 260, 22, 130, 131, 262, 276, 40 and 308. I draw members’ attention to the procedural notes on amendments in this group, as set out in the groupings. Bob Doris: Those who followed the stage 2 proceedings on the bill—which I am sure includes most members currently in the chamber—will be aware that I worked with Community Land Scotland to ensure that land management plans should be transparent, available and accessible in one place.”
“For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (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) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (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, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) 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) 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) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (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) 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) 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) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] 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) 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) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (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) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (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) 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 28, Against 86, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 16 disagreed to. Amendment 118 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 118 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (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) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) 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) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) 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) 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) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) 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) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (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 66, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 117 agreed to. Amendment 234 not moved. Amendment 16 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 16 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For 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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) 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) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (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) 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) 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) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] 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) 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) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (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) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (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) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (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) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (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) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 86, Against 27, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 116 disagreed to. Amendment 117 moved—[Rhoda Grant]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 117 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) 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) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) 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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) 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) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (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) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) 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) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) 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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) 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) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (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) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 27, Against 87, Abstentions 0.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 116 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed. Kenneth Gibson: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. According to the wonderful message on my screen, the digital platform could not be started. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Gibson. I will make sure that that is recorded.”
“I offer to have further discussions to identify how we can work together on some of the issues that she has raised. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Ariane Burgess to wind up and press or withdraw amendment 116. Ariane Burgess: I am disappointed that the cabinet secretary cannot support my amendments, but I welcome the point that she made that consultation on land management plans is in development, with potential for the inclusion of maps. I underscore that, if we are to move forward with the modernisation of our taxation system to focus on wealth and its redistribution, rather than income, we need to have an up-to-date public record of land ownership and the valuation of that land. I look forward to the Government taking that forward as a matter of urgency. I press amendment 116.”
“However, I point to the consultation that we will undertake on the content of the land management plans, which is in development. Owners will have to include details of the land, including how ownership is structured, but there is scope for further detail, such as maps, to be included. Land management plans will be publicly available and free to access online, thanks to amendments in the name of Bob Doris that we will consider in the next group, which I intend to support. As part of that wider consultation on land management plan regulations, we will consider whether the power to impose the community engagement obligations or other available powers could be used to introduce further measures to address the aims of Ariane Burgess’s amendments. I therefore ask Ariane Burgess not to press amendment 116 and not to move amendment 132.”
“We cannot place a responsibility on landowners that is out of their control, given that the responsibility for the register sits with the keeper. In addition, the process that is involved in moving to the land register sometimes involves significant conveyancing, surveying and other legal costs. None of that has been considered and there has not been a business and regulatory impact assessment. The costs to a range of landowners—including local authorities, charitable trusts and public bodies—could be significant. It would not be fair to impose those costs without proper consideration and consultation. We also have to consider the impact on Registers of Scotland, which was not consulted before the amendment was lodged and is not resourced to process the increase in registrations that would be generated.”
“The unlocking sasines project that Registers of Scotland has taken forward in recent years has been a significant step in enhancing visibility and accessibility of the register, which is the oldest national public land register in the world. I appreciate the benefits of a completed land register and I fully support the improved transparency that Ariane Burgess is looking for. Unfortunately, however, there are a number of issues with the amendments. They are drafted in such a way that they would place a legal duty on landowners to ensure that their details were in the land register. However, responsibility for registration of those details in the land register rests with the keeper, once an application for registration is made.”
“Rhoda Grant’s amendments 263 and 117 seek to introduce a duty on landowners to give consideration to reasonable requests by community bodies or crofting community bodies for the landowner to apply to have land designated as a croft. I think that Rhoda Grant said that she will not move amendment 133, but, if she does, I ask members not to support it, because it has a narrower scope than its counterpart amendment 263, which we will support. I turn to Ariane Burgess’s amendments 116 and 132. I fully support transparent ownership, which is a vital part of land reform. It seems that the amendments would require all landholdings that are registered on the sasines register to be transferred to the land register. However, the information that is contained in the sasines register has been made more easily accessible.”
“My recollection of our committee proceedings at stage 2 is that we heard that the cost of a land management plan will be about £5,000, not £10,000-plus, and that many landowners are already doing the good work that will be involved in those plans. However, notwithstanding that, cabinet secretary, do you agree that the significant increase that my stage 2 amendment made to the fine for not producing a land management plan was quite sage, if the cost could be as much as £10,000 to £15,000 in the first place? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Always through the chair. Mairi Gougeon: Yes. I completely appreciate the important point that Bob Doris raises. We will return to some of those issues in the debates on later groups.”
“However, in this instance, I can confirm that our committee agreed that the LCM should go directly to the chamber. 17:06”
“The legislative consent process reflects a key principle that underpins devolution: that the UK Parliament will not normally legislate on devolved matters or on changes to the boundaries of devolution without the Scottish Parliament’s consent. The parliamentary committees play a key role in scrutinising provisions in UK bills that legislate on devolved matters and in coming to a view on whether the Scottish Parliament should recommend consent. It is essential that committees are provided with sufficient time to carry out that scrutiny, irrespective of the merits of any individual LCM. I very much hope that the Scottish Government will emphasise to the UK Government the importance of the scrutiny role of Scotland’s parliamentary committees in considering LCMs, so that such situations do not occur again.”
“However, in this instance, I can confirm that our committee agreed that the LCM should go directly to the chamber. The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice made us aware that, due to the on-going engagement that was required to understand whether the bill and its numerous amendments would impact Scotland, she expected that there would be a requirement to lodge a supplementary LCM, which we now have before us. The committee was made aware that, as the LCM was lodged on Friday 3 October, there would be no time for the committee to consider it, because a decision on the motion would be required ahead of the final amendment stage at Westminster, which is due to commence on 15 October. That is clearly less than satisfactory.”
“The legislative consent process reflects a key principle that underpins devolution: that the UK Parliament will not normally legislate on devolved matters or on changes to the boundaries of devolution without the Scottish Parliament’s consent. The parliamentary committees play a key role in scrutinising provisions in UK bills that legislate on devolved matters and in coming to a view on whether the Scottish Parliament should recommend consent. It is essential that committees are provided with sufficient time to carry out that scrutiny, irrespective of the merits of any individual LCM. I very much hope that the Scottish Government will emphasise to the UK Government how important the scrutiny role of Scotland’s parliamentary committees is in considering LCMs in the future, in the hope that such situations do not occur again.”
“The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice made us aware that, due to the on-going engagement that was required to understand whether the bill and its numerous amendments would impact on Scotland, she expected that there would be a requirement to lodge a supplementary LCM, which we now have before us. The committee was made aware that, as the LCM was lodged on Friday 3 October, there will be no time for the committee to consider it, because a decision on the motion is required ahead of the final amendment stage at Westminster, which is due to commence on 15 October. That is clearly less than satisfactory.”
“I will be brief, because this concerns a procedural issue. The Social Justice and Social Security Committee considered a legislative consent memorandum on the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill in June. At that time, the Scottish Government advised us that it had not seen the full provisions of the bill until it was laid on 22 January and was consequently unable to meet the normal timings for lodging an LCM, which is important. Despite that, there was still time for the committee to scrutinise the LCM and come to a view on part of the provisions and we were able to recommend consent on that basis.”
“Almost half the cost of producing electricity in Britain results from net zero spending, taxes and levies.”
“Although the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy has pledged to have the climate change plan in place before the Parliament is dissolved, time is tight: the draft has to be laid, the Parliament has to consider it and the public need to be consulted and their views taken into account. On 9 September, the cabinet secretary reassured the committee that the Government had confidence that the timetable could be met. I remind the chamber that we first expected the climate change plan in 2023. I am sorry if I do not share the cabinet secretary’s confidence. While the devolved SNP Government has wasted two years developing the policy, the world has moved on: Britain’s domestic energy prices are now the second highest in the world and its industrial electricity prices are the highest in the world.”
“The committee wanted clarity on the estimated costs of each policy and detail on how each estimate had been calculated; how actions set out in the long-awaited climate change plan will link with the annual budget process, which requires urgent action, given that we will have a budget in a few months; details of the publication of other related strategies, bills and plans, alongside the draft climate change plan; and modelling of emissions reductions for areas where the Scottish Government intends to reduce emissions at a different rate to the Climate Change Committee’s model, such as agriculture, which I asked about earlier. We also need clarity on timing.”
“Mr Lumsden, I think that you might be conflating— The Deputy Presiding Officer: Through the chair, please. Bob Doris: Presiding Officer, I believe that Mr Lumsden is conflating the climate targets with the climate change plan that the Parliament and wider society will be consulted on. We will be able to influence and change it in the coming months. Mr Lumsden is a bit confused. Douglas Lumsden: I think that that is where Mr Doris is confused. We are being asked to approve targets, without knowing how we are going to achieve them. We do not know whether they will be achievable. I feel that we should have had the plan at the same time as the targets.”
“Our colleges have fewer staff, fewer students and fewer courses, our students have fewer opportunities, our economy is weakened and our communities are diminished. 16:45”
“It is the result of grotesque incompetence and, worst of all, it was entirely foreseen. When I stood in the chamber and warned about the unsustainability of the university funding model, I was shouted down by the First Minister, and the Scottish National Party press office put out memes with my face on them. That was the Government’s response: to try to shut down debate. This is a deeply unserious Government that is refusing to confront the issues that are staring it in the face—as it is doing today in the chamber. The minister has to realise that his tenure comes at the end of 20 years of the SNP’s wilful neglect of Scotland’s colleges. We are at the fag- end of a knackered Government.”
“It guarantees that there will be further damage. The dual crises in our colleges and universities are inextricably linked. The minister must understand that, when more universities go into clearing, colleges miss out on hundreds of students and hundreds of thousands of pounds. The principal of Dundee and Angus College has told that exact story in the press this week. It is an award-winning college—one of the best in the country—but it has suffered year-on-year cuts. One in eight members of staff have lost their jobs, and it is looking at a further £2.3 million of cuts this year. The minister has to recognise that his Government took all those colleges into its direct control and that, therefore, he has to be able to tell us where he thinks that Dundee and Angus College should make the cuts. This is a systemic mess.”
“People are asking what on earth has happened to the additional £5.2 billion in spending that was allocated to the Government in the UK’s recently passed budget. What on earth has happened to the money? Ben Macpherson: rose— Michael Marra: No, thank you. The minister has had his chance. At the same time as his Government is launching a cross-sectoral conversation about the sustainability of the university funding model, we are hearing that there might be a similar conversation for colleges. Perversely, that is happening while the Government is pushing a bill through the Parliament that deals with the tertiary education sector and fails to reference any of that work or how those things might interact. The idea that you can deal with one part of the tertiary sector without thinking about the others is, frankly, ridiculous.”
“Will the member take an intervention? Michael Marra: No, thank you, sir. It is regrettable that he has deleted the entirety of Audit Scotland’s analysis from the motion that we are debating. Ben Macpherson rose— Michael Marra: I am glad that the minister is on his feet. Does he accept Audit Scotland’s verdict? Ben Macpherson: I respect Mr Marra, as well as Mr Fraser. If the members read the Scottish Government’s amendment, they will see that it notes the Audit Scotland report. Michael Marra: It is one thing to note that it exists, but it is another thing to ignore entirely the analysis that it sets out, as the minister did in his opening speech. The rest of the amendment attributes the college sector’s problems to Brexit and to some supposed form of continued austerity.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to address the misuse of e-bikes and off-road vehicles, in light of reported concerns that it is a growing community safety issue. (S6O-05037)”
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the climate action secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding how to encourage home owners to decarbonise their properties as part of Scotland’s ambition to achieve net zero by 2045. (S6O- 05015)”
“I will consider the specific point that Mr Doris has raised and see whether anything can be done in that regard. Pension Age Disability Payment (Redetermination of Assessments) 2.”
“However, the scheme is not open to younger people outwith certain priority groups, and applicants must be social rented tenants. Given that younger people, including families, often stay with friends and relatives and do not have any form of tenancy, will the Scottish Government consider reviewing the criteria in order to enable that group to apply? More generally, what further support can be offered? Màiri McAllan: I am pleased to say that, from 2 September 2025, the OMSE scheme is available to all qualifying first-time buyers, as well as to priority access groups. That policy change has been implemented to ensure that the maximum number of people are able to access the scheme, and it will help many who would not otherwise have been able to secure a home.”
“As well as investing significantly in a boosted affordable house building programme to support young people and first-time buyers in particular, we are expanding the scope of the open market shared equity scheme, increasing the targeted acquisition fund from £40 million to £88 million, working with councils to flip temporary accommodation and providing financial support for women to leave an abusive partner. Furthermore, subject to the Parliament’s approval, we will introduce a long-term system of rent controls via the Housing (Scotland) Bill. Bob Doris: I welcome those measures, including the expansion of the open market shared equity scheme. Guidance shows that the scheme is available to those on lower incomes based on affordability and that the Scottish Government can take up to a 40 per cent stake in the property purchase.”
“To ask the Scottish Government how the steps set out in its housing emergency action plan will support its work to tackle the housing emergency, particularly for young people and first-time buyers. (S6O-04922) The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan): The plan delivers on three principal objectives: ending cases of children living in unsuitable accommodation; supporting the housing needs of vulnerable communities; and building our future by investing up to £4.9 billion in multiyear funding.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what impact the abolition of peak rail fares is likely to have on people living in, working in or visiting the Maryhill and Springburn constituency. (S6O-04896)”
“They will make savings at former peak times when they travel to, perhaps, Summerston or Anniesland to use or work in one of the large supermarkets there. All those savings will make a real-life difference to my constituents. The cost of living crisis that has swept across the UK has not gone away.”
“Maryhill, Kelvindale, Gilshochill and other stations on the line all serve commuters heading into Glasgow city centre and onward destinations elsewhere. Before the abolition of peak rail fares, an anytime return journey from Maryhill to Edinburgh would have cost £35.50. Today, it costs £19.90, which is a 44 per cent reduction. For those who travel to work in Glasgow city centre, an anytime return to Glasgow Queen Street cost £5.40 last week. It now costs £3.10, which represents a 43 per cent reduction. Of course, not all my constituents travel into Glasgow city centre. Some areas do not have access to a large supermarket and do not have alternative public transport that allows people to get to one.”
“I thank all those who have supported my motion on the Scottish Government’s abolition of peak rail fares, which has allowed it to be debated today. As a non-driver and regular rail and bus user in my constituency of Maryhill and Springburn, I am well aware that many of my constituents require an accessible, reliable and affordable rail service. The abolition of peak rail fares by our Scottish National Party Government sits at the heart of that ambition. It is not the only aspect, though—I will return to that later. My local train station is Summerston, which sits on the Maryhill line. I used the train service to get to Edinburgh this week, changing at Queen Street station. Many of my constituents will have made a similar journey this week.”
“Will the First Minister show his solidarity with the people of Maryhill, the vast majority of whom are welcoming, tolerant and inclusive? What practical support can the Scottish Government offer our communities?”
“Hundreds of Scottish saltires have been put up in my constituency— predominantly, but not exclusively, in the Maryhill area. The saltire is an inclusive and welcoming symbol, representing tolerance. However, serious concerns have been raised by many of my constituents that there might be an attempt by the far right to hijack our country’s flag. Racist graffiti is starting to appear in my local areas, including the phrase “Sink the Boats.” The other day, one of my constituents was told to “Get back on their boat.” Many people in Maryhill, from all backgrounds, have reached out to me with huge concern, and offering their love, support and solidarity for all of the people, including immigrants and asylum seekers, who have made their life in Maryhill.”
“We must not pretend, as some people have done in the past, that bus franchising will provide a bus outside everyone’s door that will take them and drop them off wherever they want to go. That is what some people think will happen. We must be strategic, targeted and co-ordinated, but any plans must also be funded, which will take political will. In the chamber this evening, we have the political will, which we have to share across the Parliament. 17:22”
“Although it may cost some investment to reach a point where a service can generate revenue, once we are in the position of running bus services in the public interest, that revenue can be put back into the public good. Bob Doris: I agree with that. I cannot expand on the point, because I have only four minutes and my time is lapsing, but we have to reach to that point first, and we have to have a will to make that investment before we can get there. We have to be clear about why—other than the climate issues that Patrick Harvie has raised—we want to franchise buses. Will we serve the areas that have the greatest unmet demand or the lowest car ownership, or areas of low income, deprivation or social needs?”