Liam McArthur
Scottish Liberal Democrats · Scotland
“I associate myself very much with the comments and requests of Kristopher Leask. This weekend sees the second Water Sound bluegrass festival take place in Burray, in my Orkney constituency. I therefore ask the cabinet secretary to offer congratulations to the organisers, Pete and Gail McAndrew, for getting the festival up and running.”
“I think that he said that it is taking place this weekend, in which case I hope that the weather holds up, as that could add something very special to a bluegrass festival.”
“I, too, thank the cabinet secretary for early sight of her statement, which obviously comes on the back of eye-watering rises in business rates earlier this year.”
“I have a constituent who, for the past nine years, has desperately sought treatment for swelling on his legs and groin that has progressively worsened and is now profoundly incapacitating. Having sought treatment in Scotland, it is clear that that is not available.”
“Jenny Gilruth: The Liberal Democrats engaged with us throughout the budget process last year and they were able to extract a number of things from the Government. I hope that other Opposition parties will learn from their good behaviour.”
“There are strengths in the current system but I accept that there are inherent challenges in relation to the issues presented by revaluation, for example, and the wider challenges that businesses are facing.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,163 lines we hold for Liam McArthur, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 16 of 24.
“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) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (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) 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) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) 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) [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) 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) 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) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (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) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 88, Against 26, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 278 agreed to. Amendment 279 moved—[Ross Greer]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 279 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. Jackie Dunbar: On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. My app has not refreshed. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can confirm that your vote has been recorded.”
“I will make sure that that is recorded. 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) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (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) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (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) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (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) 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) 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) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (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) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) 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) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (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) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 105, Against 8, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 274 agreed to. Amendment 83 moved—[Jenny Gilruth]—and agreed to. Amendment 275 moved—[Pam Duncan- Glancy]—and agreed to. Amendment 84 moved—[Jenny Gilruth]—and agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Amendment 276, in the name of Stephen Kerr, was debated with amendment 98. I remind members that, if amendment 276 is agreed to, I cannot call amendment 277, because of pre-emption. Amendments 276 and 277 not moved. Amendment 278 moved—[Pam Duncan- Glancy]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 278 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. Jenny Gilruth: On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you.”
“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) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (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) 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) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) 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) [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) 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) 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) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) 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 Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) 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) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 85, Against 25, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 269 disagreed to. Amendments 270 and 271 moved—[Pam Duncan-Glancy]—and agreed to. Amendment 82 moved—[Jenny Gilruth]—and agreed to. Amendments 272 and 273 moved—[Pam Duncan-Glancy]—and agreed to. Amendment 274 moved—[Ross Greer]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 274 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] 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) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) 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) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) 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, 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) 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) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) 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 51, Against 57, Abstentions 0.”
“We need a mechanism so that the leadership cannot just transfer wholesale without a stop-and-check to consider whether they have the values that we need them to have and whether they have understood what the different body that Parliament might create wants and is. It is just a check and balance—that is it. I am afraid that I will press those amendments. With that, in the interests of time, I will stop my comments and press amendment 267. Amendment 267 agreed to. Amendment 268 moved—[Pam Duncan- Glancy]—and agreed to. Amendment 269 moved—[Martin Whitfield]. 19:00 The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 269 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“The cabinet secretary said that my amendments would terminate the appointment of those members, but they would not do so—if those members demonstrated the skills, ethos, culture and values that are hoped for and wanted in the new qualifications body, either a short appraisal mechanism, which is one of the options, or the full reappointment process would be available. Both options are there. If the cabinet secretary is so confident that the current leadership right now would stand the test of time, at least the amendment on reappraisal would be a compromise. Absolute integrity and trust in the organisation that is being set up are critical. That is probably one of the most important things that can be done with the bill.”
“One of the key weaknesses of the SQA is that young people’s voices are not heard throughout the organisation and certainly have never been heard at board level. Amendment 279 is consequential. It would just ensure that it is immaterial that any steps that have been taken to fulfil the requirement were taken before the provisions came into force. Pam Duncan-Glancy: I want to pick up on a couple of points that the cabinet secretary made. First, I thank her for her support for some of the amendments in the group. I do not take the same view as the cabinet secretary on the issue of the current board members of the SQA.”
“Working with Mr Greer on that, I have developed the amendments to allow such teaching members to continue to the end of their appointment term before needing to step down. Ross Greer: Amendment 274 would require ministers, before they invite applications for board membership to satisfy the criteria in schedule 1, to take steps to encourage applications from children who are 16 or 17—typically, I would not refer to a 16 or 17-year-old as a child, but for legal purposes they are—and from young adults. That has the purpose of encouraging young people to apply to be members of the board, with the ultimate aim of making the board more age diverse by incorporating young people’s voices in the membership of qualifications Scotland.”
“Finally, I turn to my amendments 82 and 96, which are designed to address an identified gap in the bill that could have seen us in a perpetual cycle of appointing new board members. As the bill is drafted, any member who is appointed to fulfil the criterion of being a teacher or college lecturer would no longer meet the criterion should they step down from their teaching or college teaching position. Their appointment terms would require them to step down in such a scenario to leave space for a replacement to be appointed. Although we all agree that current practising teaching experience for qualifications is important for the board, it is also important that that experience is not lost.”
“We discussed at stage 2 the difficulties around having a large minimum board or too many specific criteria, which would then require careful risk management when it comes to public appointments and maintaining a legally compliant board. Members might also want to consider the importance of any public body board having scope within its minimum numbers to include leadership, financial, operational and strategic expertise, alongside representative interests to support it to govern. Therefore, I ask Mr Whitfield not to move amendment 269. However, I point out to Mr Whitfield that Mr Greer’s amendment 274 will require us to promote the existing position on the board to younger age groups, and I will support Mr Greer’s amendments in the group.”
“His amendment would see someone with “knowledge of the interests of children and young people” appointed to the board, but the current provisions on someone being appointed to the board who has knowledge of the interests of those undertaking qualifications already encompass children and young people by default. Given the extent to which children and young people comprise the cohort that undertakes qualifications, we would expect anyone who is appointed under the existing provision to have knowledge of their interests. Further, Mr Whitfield’s amendment suggests that the person appointed must be a separate board member from the person already provided for in paragraph 3(2)(a) of schedule 1.”
“I also question whether six months is long enough in which to evaluate the effectiveness of specific board members, at a time when qualifications Scotland will be just beginning its first year of operation. I stress that all board members of public bodies are already subject to well-established annual performance and appraisal processes, which are set out as a requirement in their terms and conditions. I think that it would be unnecessary and unfair to duplicate those processes for those particular members. Although I understand the intention behind Mr Whitfield’s amendment 269, I cannot support it today.”
“Given the length of time that it takes to undertake a public appointments round, that process would need to start as soon as the body was established, and would run into qualifications Scotland’s first examinations diet—a time when stability is essential. I do not think that that is wise, nor is it in the best interests of Scotland’s learners and teachers. Furthermore, I do not support what I believe to be an alternative to amendment 316 in the form of amendment 317. Amendment 317 would instead mean that those members would be subject to a form of performance appraisal after six months. Again, I do not feel that that is necessary or appropriate, given that those members will have been appointed to the SQA on merit and via the regulated appointments process.”
“I support Ms Duncan-Glancy’s amendments 267, 268, 270 to 273, 278 and 280. Those amendments follow on from discussions that we had at stage 2 and would fundamentally strengthen the current provisions for the board of qualifications Scotland. However, I am not able to support amendments 315 to 317. Amendment 316 has returned from stage 2 and seeks to end the appointments of members who joined from the SQA after just six months. As I set out at stage 2, replacing those members so early in the infancy of the new organisation would mean that it would lose valuable leadership and corporate knowledge and memory.”
“It is phrased in those terms because it is right that Scottish ministers should take responsibility for nominating people who appear to have the interests of children and young people at heart, not as a throwaway line but because it is important that their voice and their broad experiences appear before, and can influence what happens with, the qualifications Scotland board. At an earlier stage, we discussed trying to attach that provision to an examination or qualification. After consideration, however, that has not appeared in my amendment in order that we have the broadest pool of young people who can be represented on the board. At this stage, I will leave it at that. Jenny Gilruth: I am grateful to Ms Duncan- Glancy and to Mr Whitfield for setting out the purpose of their amendments.”
“These amendments would give the new qualifications body the breadth of expertise, the agility and the legitimacy that it will need from day 1. I commend the amendments to members, and I move amendment 267. Martin Whitfield: To build on what Pam Duncan-Glancy has just said about the importance of the qualifications Scotland board, I return to the voice of young people and children. Amendment 269, in my name, would add that “one or more persons who appear to the Scottish Ministers to have knowledge of the interests of children and young people” would make up the membership of the board.”
“Either route would safeguard accountability, and members can choose the mechanism that they think would command the most confidence. My first preference is for full and open competition, as set out in amendments 315 and 316, because a transparent appointments process is the fastest way to rebuild public trust in the new body. However, if members consider that a formal six- month appraisal is more appropriate, there is an alternative pairing in amendments 315 and 317. What matters, above all, is that the inaugural board of the organisation is demonstrably appointed—or reappointed—on merit, in the open, so that learners, teachers and employers can see a qualifications authority built on integrity from day 1.”
“Amendments 315 and 317 offer a lighter touch: each inaugural member would undergo a formal performance appraisal within the same six-month window, with reappointment contingent on a satisfactory report. The leadership of an organisation is key, and leadership of the SQA has been key. There have been changes in that leadership—they were alluded to yesterday—and changes have been made in a positive direction, as I think that members will accept. Nonetheless, if the bill is passed and qualifications Scotland is to be set up, it is important that there is a check and balance in place to ensure that, under the new proposed arrangements, people who were appointed to the SQA and who seek reappointment to qualifications Scotland either reapply or are appraised.”
“On the governance of qualifications Scotland, I offer two alternative mechanisms that would do the same thing, so that the Parliament has a choice. Either would provide a check and balance so that the current leadership could not simply transfer without scrutiny or due process. That is important. It speaks to the point that I made in the debate on the much earlier group, which took place around this time yesterday—members may have to stretch back in their minds to remember this—on the importance of qualifications Scotland being a different organisation from the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Amendments 315 and 316, in my name, would require all initial board members who are appointed during the transition to stand down within six months of establishment and seek reappointment through an open, competitive process.”
“Amendments 268 and 280 would give the board the power to co-opt additional members for fixed periods of time, whenever a particular expertise— such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, Gaelic-medium learning or net zero skills, or the subject of another emerging issue at any given time—becomes essential. That co-option flexibility is crucial for a qualifications body that is fleet of foot and adaptable. Having such a flexibility would avoid the problems of a more static board by allowing the co-option of people with relevant expertise at the time of need. Amendments 270, 272 and 278 seek to make it clear that the registered teachers who sit on the board must be active classroom practitioners with front-line experience, thus keeping strategic choices rooted in day-to-day realities.”
“Group 21 is on board members of qualifications Scotland. Amendment 267, in the name of Pam Duncan-Glancy, is grouped with amendments 268 to 271, 82, 272 to 274, 278, 279, 85, 280, 96 and 315 to 317. Pam Duncan-Glancy: Amendments 267 and 273 would place on the board of qualifications Scotland a member with clear knowledge of the skills that business and industry need. Employers told the committee at stage 1 that qualifications must translate directly to the workplace. A director who is steeped in those requirements would keep that connection alive at the top table.”
“That said, given the position that we reached last night, I now exercise my discretion under rule 9.8.4A(c) of standing orders to allow debate on the first group today to continue beyond the next time limit. After section 30 The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 16 is entitled “Involvement of teachers, college staff and others in inspection matters”. Amendment 29, in the name of Stephen Kerr, is grouped with amendments 30, 38, 39, 234 to 236, 239, 240, 240A and 81. I point out that, if amendment 43, which was debated in group 12 on independence of the chief inspector, is agreed to, I will be unable to call amendments 239 and 240 due to pre- emption.”
“Before we get under way, I remind members that the length of time for consideration of amendments this afternoon reflects the timetabling motion that was proposed by the Parliamentary Bureau and agreed to by Parliament yesterday afternoon. The motion is based on the assumption, which was raised with business managers prior to the stage 3 proceedings in the usual way, that contributions from members with a right to speak on each group would last for up to five minutes. The timetabling motion also allows time for other contributions, for the disposal of amendments and for the cabinet secretary to speak and respond to amendments. The timing lines that were agreed in the motion give a guide to allow steady progress through the proceedings, and I encourage members to be mindful of the agreed timetable during this afternoon’s proceedings.”
“The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings on the Education (Scotland) Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members should refer to the bill as amended at stage 2—that is, SP bill 49A—the revised marshalled list and the groupings of amendments. The division bell will sound and proceedings will be suspended for around five minutes for the first division. The period of voting for the first division will be 45 seconds. Thereafter, I will allow a voting period of one minute for the first division after a debate. Members who wish to speak in the debate on any group of amendments should press their request- to-speak button or enter RTS in the chat function as soon as possible after I call the group. Members should now refer to the marshalled list of amendments.”
“The next portfolio is justice and home affairs. I remind members that questions 4 and 6 have been grouped. I will take any supplementaries on those questions after the substantive questions have been asked and answered. I remind members of our very busy agenda this afternoon. My ability to get in supplementaries will be wholly dependent on members being brief with their questions and ministers being brief with their answers. Alcohol Monitoring Technology 1.”
“I call Pam Duncan-Glancy to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 126. Pam Duncan-Glancy: I will not move amendment 129 in this group, but I will move others. I press amendment 126. Amendment 126 agreed to. Amendment 127 moved—[Martin Whitfield]— and agreed to. Amendment 128 moved—[Pam Duncan- Glancy]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 128 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.”
“Section 3—The quality assurance function The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 1 is on support needs. Amendment 1, in the name of Miles Briggs, is grouped with amendments 5, 165 to 168, 321, 248, 249 and 76.”
“The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings on the Education (Scotland) Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members should have the bill as amended at stage 2—that is, Scottish Parliament bill 49A—the revised marshalled list and the groupings of amendments. The division bell will sound and proceedings will be suspended for around five minutes for the first division of stage 3. The period of voting for the first division will be 30 seconds. Thereafter, I will allow a voting period of one minute for the first division after a debate. Members who wish to speak in the debate on any group of amendments should press their request-to-speak button or enter RTS in the chat function as soon as possible after I call the group. Members should now refer to the marshalled list of amendments.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-18016, in the name of Shirley- Anne Somerville, on progressing the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls recommendations on equality. I invite members who wish to participate in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons. 15:07”
“The next item of business is a statement by Ivan McKee on a public service reform strategy for Scotland. The minister will take questions at the end of his statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions. 14:31”
“Màiri McAllan: I agree with Liam McArthur. I have stressed the engagement that has already taken place, and I understand that, since the start of this parliamentary session, 144 homes have been completed across Orkney, supported by about £11 million in grant through our affordable housing supply programme. That has been supplemented by 30 homes through the rural and islands housing fund. However, I recognise the on- going challenges and the demand that requires to be met. I will be very glad to discuss that with Liam McArthur and to visit him and others in Orkney when I am able to. ILGA-Europe Rainbow Index 5.”
“To help to meet housing need, we are providing £3.6 million for the Orkney Isles through the affordable housing supply programme in this year’s budget. Liam McArthur: I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer confirming the engagement that there has been with Orkney Islands Council, which I very much welcome. As the cabinet secretary will be aware, this is a key stage for progressing projects. In that context, I would very much welcome her agreement to visit Orkney to meet not just Orkney Islands Council and its partners but those who are taking forward many of the community housing projects that the previous minister, Paul McLennan, saw at first hand when he visited Orkney last year—I pay tribute to him for that engagement. This is a critical time and, as I said, I would welcome that commitment from the cabinet secretary.”
“I apologise, Presiding Officer, to you and those in the chamber for my late arrival to portfolio question time. To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Orkney Islands Council regarding any support needed to allow development projects to be taken forward to tackle the reported growing demand for housing in the islands. (S6O-04827) The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan): Since January 2025, the Scottish Government has had 10 formal meetings involving Orkney Islands Council to discuss affordable housing, the most recent of which were with development partners on 5 and 12 June. In January, March and May, the Scottish Government attended housing market partnership meetings with the local authority, key delivery partners and local contractors to discuss the housing strategy and its delivery.”
“In 2019, my colleague Willie Rennie warned the then First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, that meeting our landfill ban would result in waste being shipped across the border to England. His concerns were dismissed. It pains me to say it, but Willie Rennie was right. How would the Scottish Government respond if hundreds of truckloads of waste from England were dumped in Scotland daily? The First Minister: As I said in my answer to Maurice Golden, the Government is focused on working with public authorities to ensure that the terms of the landfill ban are delivered and secured. That is what ministers are working with the sector to ensure is the case, and that is what will dominate our approach in the weeks to come. Higher Education (Funding) 6.”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament acknowledges the reported presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in council and former council housing in Aberdeen’s Balnagask, Dundee, Monifieth and throughout Scotland; understands that, in Torry, around 150 of these properties are privately owned; expresses concern that the buy-back offers proposed by councils may value these properties at less than they were bought for; notes reports that the Scottish Government does not believe that it has a liability to compensate or financially assist affected homeowners; regrets what it sees as the attempt by the Scottish Government to divert responsibility, by reportedly trying to pin responsibility on the UK Government for this devolved matter; further regrets reports of the reluctance of the Minister for Housing to meet the Torry RAAC campaign group and that he has not met with other campaign groups, including those in Dundee, and notes calls on MSPs to utilise all available powers to explore solutions for affected homeowners, including initiating an urgent committee inquiry.”
“The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-17216, in the name of Liam Kerr, on recognising reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in council and former council housing. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I invite members who wish to participate to press their request-to-speak button, and I call Liam Kerr to open the debate.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-17981, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on recognising the economic contribution of Scotland’s defence sector. I invite members who wish to participate to press their request-to- speak buttons, and I invite Murdo Fraser to speak to and move the motion. 16:02”
“You need to conclude. Kenneth Gibson: Those projects bring high- quality jobs and long-term opportunities to communities across the country, which is a clear sign that Scotland is open for business. Inward- looking Tories do not want to hear that and would close our overseas offices, where Scottish Development International engages with investors. We will pursue growth while the Tories undermine efforts to secure it. The Deputy Presiding Officer: You need to conclude. Kenneth Gibson: I apologise for not taking interventions, but a speaking time of four minutes is clearly not long enough. 15:29”
“Good afternoon. The first item of business is portfolio questions, and the first portfolio is rural affairs, land reform and islands. I advise members that there is quite a bit of interest in supplementary questions, so I will require brevity in questions and responses as far as possible. Marine Fund Scotland 2025-26 1.”
“It is often too easy to be numbed to the human aspect amid the headlines of this war, but, as it rages on, the children of Gaza are dying in their thousands, homes are being destroyed and families are being torn apart. As a nation, we must remain resolute in our commitment to support and facilitate efforts to bring an end to this grotesque suffering. Anything less would be to accept our own complicity. 18:55”
“As media and political attention, inevitably perhaps, turns to the blows Israel and Iran rain down on each other, what is happening in Gaza cannot be allowed to fade from public view or consciousness in the face of famine and what many argue is genocide. In response, Liberal Democrats believe that the export of arms to Israel must be halted, the state of Palestine must be recognised and sanctions should be applied more rigorously. Amnesty International points to the role that the Scottish Government can play. Scottish Enterprise funding, for example, must be subject to robust human rights checks, with no links to the on-going conflict in Gaza.”
“Of course, we must continue to condemn the 7 October attacks, but we must also continue to condemn the violence and inhumanity unleashed on innocent Gazans at the cost of more than 55,000 lives and the devastation of hundreds of thousands more. The UN has made it clear that the entire population of Gaza is at critical risk of famine while the blockade continues. Meanwhile, Palestinians are being killed as they attempt to collect food. The UN is right to say that “Hunger must never be met with bullets.” Targeting aid distribution centres and humanitarian workers not only deprives Gazans of access to the basic means of survival; it is undeniably inhumane.”
“In that context, debates and votes in this or, indeed, the UK Parliament will not trigger the action that is required to end the humanitarian atrocities that we are seeing unfold. Yet, we need to be clear in our condemnation, clear in our determination to use what levers we have to exert pressure, and clear about the fact that there is no military route to resolving this long-standing and bloody conflict and to achieving a lasting peace for Palestinians as well as for Israelis, only a diplomatic one. Those are insufficient but nonetheless important signals that we can and must continue to send to the Netanyahu regime. That regime seems increasingly out of control, impervious to the pleas of allies, unfettered by international law and hell bent on escalation, driven by the most extreme elements in that Government.”
“I, too, pay tribute to Bill Kidd for his commitment to this issue and thank him for providing the opportunity for a debate. However inadequate words might feel in light of the horrific events that we are debating this evening, the debate is an important one. Since the barbaric attacks and terror that were inflicted on innocent Israeli citizens by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the situation in Gaza has lurched from one indescribable horror to another. Israel’s blockade of aid into Gaza, which began more than 100 days ago and which is yet to be properly lifted, is, however, causing truly unconscionable levels of suffering. Men, women and children are being slowly starved while Israel’s military offensive continues.”
“The question is, that amendment 13 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. There will be a suspension to allow members to log in to the digital voting system. 16:03 Meeting suspended. 16:10 On resuming— The Deputy Presiding Officer: We move to the vote on amendment 13. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-17906, in the name of Kate Forbes, on a migration system that works for Scotland. I invite members who wish to participate in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons. 15:23”
“The member makes important points about transport, which has proved to be a difficult sector to decarbonise. We are right to talk about how Scotland has transformed the way in which we generate electricity, but we are facing up to the fact that other parts of the charts that have been released this week are more challenging, and transport is one of them. The Scottish Government recognises that the transport sector needs to decarbonise in order for us to achieve net zero, and we are committed to doing that in a fair way.”