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.”
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“I encourage those who are leaving the chamber and the public gallery to do so as quickly and as quietly as possible. The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-18469, in the name of Emma Roddick, on the Growing2gether programme success. The debate will be concluded without any questions being put. I invite members who wish to participate in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons, and I invite Emma Roddick to open the debate.”
“Could you bring your remarks to a conclusion, Ms Adamson? Clare Adamson: I will do, Presiding Officer. My apologies—it is difficult to time my speech at home. We will take up several outstanding questions with the cabinet secretary. However, we welcome the progress towards the £100 million of additional funding for the culture sector, as delivered in the draft budget. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Edward Mountain to speak on behalf of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. 16:06”
“That brings us to questions on rural affairs, land reform and islands. Question 1 was not lodged. Island Connectivity (West Scotland) 2.”
“Amendment 91 disagreed to. Section 6A—Requirement to promote proactive publication Amendments 46 and 47 moved—[Ross Greer]—and agreed to. Section 8—Recommendations to fundable bodies Amendments 48 and 49 moved—[Ben Macpherson]—and agreed to. Section 9—Financial sustainability of post- 16 education bodies Amendment 92 moved—[Willie Rennie]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 92 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. Neil Gray: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Gray. I will ensure that that is recorded.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) 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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) 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) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) 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) 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) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) 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) 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) 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) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) 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) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (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) [Proxy vote cast by Jackie Dunbar] Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 44, Against 71, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 90 disagreed to. 18:30 Amendment 91 moved—[Daniel Johnson]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 91 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) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) 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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) 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) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) 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) 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) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) 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) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) 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) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (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) [Proxy vote cast by Jackie Dunbar] Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 43, Against 72, Abstentions 0.”
“I hope that the minister will take that point on board. I do not intend to press amendment 89. Amendment 89, by agreement, withdrawn. Amendment 90 moved—[Miles Briggs]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 90 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“I invite Miles Briggs to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 89. Miles Briggs: For a minute there, given Mr Kerr’s Machiavellian nature, I thought that he did not even intend to move the amendment in his name. Luckily, our standing orders would have given the minister the opportunity to do that. This set of amendments provides for a health check on where the apprenticeship sector is. My amendments specifically address reasons for decreases in publicly funded apprenticeships, and I hope that the minister will consider that point in relation to guidance. I do not think that Mr Kerr’s amendment 50 necessarily captures that, but it will be an important issue to consider in the years to come. If apprenticeships are not delivered in some key sectors, we will need to know why that is the case.”
“The question is, that amendment 75 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. As this is the first division of stage 3 today, I will suspend the meeting for around five minutes to allow members to access the digital voting system. 15:06 Meeting suspended. 15:12 On resuming— The Deputy Presiding Officer: We move to the vote on amendment 75. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20419, in the name of Gillian Martin, on a legislative consent motion for the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation. I invite members who wish to participate in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons. 16:52”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20390, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill at stage 3. Members who wish to participate in the debate should press their request-to-speak buttons. I call Richard Lochhead to speak to and move the motion. 15:59”
“That concludes stage 3 consideration of amendments. As members will be aware, the Presiding Officer is required under standing orders to decide whether or not, in her view, any provision of a bill relates to a protected subject matter—that is, whether it modifies the electoral system and franchise for Scottish parliamentary elections. In the Presiding Officer’s view, no provision of the UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill relates to a protected subject matter. Therefore, the bill does not require a supermajority to be passed at stage 3. I encourage members who are leaving the chamber before the next item of business to do so as quickly and quietly as possible. UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill”
“Motion moved, That the Parliament recognises, and is grateful for, the work of the around 7,600 firefighters and support staff in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), who help keep people and nature in the North East Scotland region and across the country safe; understands with concern that, since 2013, the SFRS resource budget has been reduced in real terms by £58 million per annum, with 1,239 firefighter posts lost, and that the recent Service Delivery Review could see the loss of fire stations and appliances across the country; welcomes the dedicated work of Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Scotland in campaigning for a well- resourced and well-equipped service, and its 2023 paper, Firestorm, a Report into the Future of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service; notes the shared commitment of FBU and SFRS to firefighter role expansion and, in particular, the FBU’s campaign, DECON, which aims to shed light on the health risks of fire contaminants to firefighters; understands that firefighters have a mortality rate from all cancers 1.6 times higher than the general public; notes the DECON campaign’s recommendations, which include annual health monitoring and recording of exposures for all firefighters; further notes what it sees as the impact of the climate emergency on the SFRS, including an increasing frequency and severity of wildfires and flooding, and notes the FBU’s Climate Emergency campaign, which aims to highlight the impact of the climate crisis on fire and rescue services.”
“The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-20218, in the name of Maggie Chapman, on a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service fit for the future. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.”
“Obviously, the Government has to be mindful of the position, which will be sustained during consideration of the bill, that it has a neutral position on the bill. I acknowledge that there will be technical, practical, operational and legislative questions that the Government will be called on to engage with, and that issue is under active consideration within Government at this time. I stress that a multiplicity of questions will have to be wrestled with, and the Government will give consideration to those in good faith. The Presiding Officer: We move to constituency and general supplementary questions. I would be grateful for concise questions and responses.”
“As the First Minister will recall, Parliament voted to support the general principles of my bill at stage 1, since when both the Scottish and UK Governments have worked constructively to ensure that a comprehensive system of assisted dying can be implemented if that remains the will of MSPs. I put on the record my thanks to both of them for those efforts. At this point, however, can the First Minister assure the Parliament that the Scottish Government will now engage on any amendments that it believes will be necessary at stage 3 to deliver a safe and compassionate choice for terminally ill adults in Scotland who wish it? The First Minister: The Government is actively considering the issue.”
“The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-19672, in the name of George Adam, on the importance of football within Scotland. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I invite members who wish to participate to press their request-to-speak buttons, and I invite George Adam to open the debate. Motion debated, That the Parliament recognises the importance of football, culturally, economically and socially; believes that clubs such as St Mirren FC play a role in tackling issues of health and social inclusion in the community, and understands what it sees as the important economic role they play across Scotland, including in Paisley. 17:44”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20389, in the name of Natalie Don-Innes, on the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill at stage 1. I invite members who wish to participate in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons. I call Natalie Don-Innes to speak to and move the motion. 15:35”
“The next item of business is a statement by Fiona Hyslop on the A9 dualling programme for 2035 completion. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of her statement; therefore, there should be no interventions or interruptions. 15:00”
“Ivan McKee: As I indicated, the average increase across the three-year period was just over 12 per cent. However, I recognise that there are specific examples of businesses that have, for various reasons, experienced significant increases. We continue to engage with assessors and the business sectors that are most affected to find solutions. As I said, we have put more than £320 million into the reliefs package to support businesses that are impacted by the increases. Business Rate Discount (Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Premises) 6.”
“Having lobbied the Minister for Public Finance over many months to maintain the 100 per cent rates relief for island-based hospitality and retail businesses, I welcome the confirmation yesterday of an extension to that provision in the budget. However, as my colleague Jamie Greene highlighted yesterday, further targeted support is still needed. The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers has voiced serious concerns about the 2026 valuation model. In my constituency, a local operator has reported a 270 per cent increase in its rateable value. The minister will understand that the situation is unsustainable and that, without further intervention, many small businesses will face a cliff edge. Will he commit to engaging with the sector to put final protections in place?”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament recognises that phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare, lifelong metabolic disorder in which the body is unable to process the amino acid phenylalanine, leading to a risk of severe and irreversible neurological damage without strict dietary management; acknowledges the significant daily burden placed on individuals and families living with PKU, including the need for constant monitoring and the exclusion of most everyday foods; notes the recent drop-in event hosted in the Scottish Parliament, which highlighted lived experience and current challenges in accessing treatment and support; further notes ongoing UK trials of a home blood phenylalanine monitoring device and the emerging treatment, sepiapterin, both of which offer the potential to improve quality of life; recognises the work of the National Society for Phenylketonuria (NSPKU) in advocating for improved care and access to treatment, and notes the calls on the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland to consider how services for people with PKU can be strengthened to support better long-term outcomes, including in the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency.”
“The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-20160, in the name of Fulton MacGregor, on improving support and treatment for people living with phenylketonuria. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I ask members who wish to participate to press their request-to-speak buttons now or as soon as possible, and I invite Fulton MacGregor to open the debate.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20285, in the name of Ivan McKee, on the Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill at stage 1. I invite members who wish to participate to press their request-to-speak buttons. 15:00”
“Good afternoon. The first item of business is portfolio question time. On this occasion the portfolio is education and skills. I advise members that there is considerable interest in supplementaries. If I am to get them in, they will need to be brief—no preambles or multiple questions—and the answers will need to be similarly brief. Schools (Damage and Repair Costs) 1.”
“I move, That the Parliament recognises that businesses across Scotland are facing an acute and worsening cost crisis, driven by inflation, energy prices, wage pressures, supply chain disruption and weak economic growth; notes with serious concern the scale of proposed increases in rateable values arising from the 2026 non-domestic rates revaluation, particularly in the hospitality and self-catering sectors; believes that sharp and unaffordable increases in non-domestic rates now pose an existential threat to business viability, employment, investment and local economic resilience in many parts of Scotland; notes the growing divergence between Scotland’s non-domestic rates regime and those operating elsewhere in the United Kingdom, and the competitive disadvantage that this risks creating for Scottish firms; understands that, since 2022-23, the Scottish Government has failed to pass on at least £700 million in business rates relief received through the block grant; calls on the Scottish Government to act urgently to provide certainty and stability by pausing the implementation of the 2026 revaluation, introducing meaningful transitional protections against excessive bill increases, and matching reductions in bills for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England, and affirms that a strong and thriving business base is essential to Scotland’s economic recovery, public finances and communities, and that the tax system should support growth rather than accelerate decline.”
“Going forward, those same businesses in England are looking at a permanent 10 per cent reduction in their rates bills, but there are currently no proposals from the SNP Government to do something similar, and that needs to be addressed. The businesses that I am talking about are at the heart of our communities, not least in rural areas. Many of them will simply be unable to survive the dramatic increases in rates bills that are coming their way. That is why the issue requires the urgent attention of the Scottish ministers. That is the point that is made in our motion, which I commend to the chamber.”
“I have set out the pressing and urgent issues that will affect businesses as a result of revaluation, but there are also broader issues in relation to non-domestic rates that the Government needs to address. In the past two years, retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England have benefited from reductions in their rates bills that have not been reflected here in Scotland, even though the Scottish Government has had Barnett consequentials that would have allowed it to reflect those reductions. Since 2022- 23, the Scottish Government has failed to pass on at least £700 million in business rates relief that has been received through the block grant.”
“That would give businesses a much-needed reprieve before any draft values are set in stone. The bureaucracy needs to be looked at. I was contacted by one business in Lanarkshire with three sites, which has had 790 separate entries in the roll—that is 790 separate returns and 790 separate bills. That is a huge administrative burden for a business, and it shows that the system is broken. We need meaningful transitional protections to be provided against any excessive bill increases; we need the Scottish Government, in its budget next week, to set a rate poundage that reflects the impact of the rateable value increases; and we need clarity on the future of the small business bonus scheme to ensure that the smallest businesses do not suffer the most.”
“However, it is the Scottish Government that sets the rules, guidance and protections, and, therefore, there is a role for the Scottish Government to intervene where there are such dramatic and draconian impacts from a revaluation. A range of business organisations have spoken out about the threat to small businesses in the hospitality and self-catering sectors. The Federation of Small Businesses, UKHospitality Scotland, the Scottish Hospitality Group and the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers—to name but a few—have called for Government intervention and action. Today, we are backing those calls. What we need from the Scottish Government is an immediate pause on implementation of the 2026 revaluation, to allow time for a review of the methodology, which is clearly not fit for purpose.”
“Mr Fraser, I can give you some of that time back. Murdo Fraser: I am grateful to Mr Ewing for that intervention. It is a mystery why that should be the case about the assessors; perhaps, when he responds to the debate, the minister can provide some clarity. The practical impact of those increases is that many businesses will struggle to survive. There are many that currently benefit from the small business bonus relief and, therefore, pay nothing. As a result of the increases, they will cross the threshold and face substantial bills for the first time. I know that the assessors operate independently of the Government and carry out their work free from ministerial direction.”
“Good afternoon. The first item of business this afternoon is portfolio question time, and the first portfolio is constitution, external affairs and culture, and parliamentary business. Far-right Political Parties (Parliamentary Relations) 1.”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the significant contribution of anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas to Scotland’s transition to net zero; welcomes the work of the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) to research, develop and promote the AD industry across Scotland, including the economically prominent dairy farming sector in the south west of Scotland; notes that AD technology supports the circular economy by converting organic and residue wastes and by- products into renewable energy and non-synthetic nutrient- rich digestate fertiliser; highlights what it sees as the role of biogas in diversifying energy sources and enhancing energy security, including the potential for widening delivery for non-gas grid rural communities; understands that the AD sector provides direct support to farmers and rural communities through sustainable waste management, value for cover and break crops, additional income streams and skilled job creation; believes that further investment and policy support for AD and biogas will play a key role in meeting Scotland’s climate targets, boosting the rural economy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and notes the calls on the Scottish Government to consider creating a biogas champion position to oversee interdepartmental and cross-portfolio collaboration to ensure the success of the AD sector for the future.”
“The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-19318, in the name of Emma Harper, on fuelling the future—recognising anaerobic digestion’s role in Scotland’s net zero transition. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20185, in the name of Jackson Carlaw, and lodged on behalf of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, on petition PE2018, to recognise the value of swimming pools and provide financial relief to help keep pools open. Members who wish to participate in the debate should press their request-to-speak buttons. I call Jackson Carlaw to speak to and move the motion on behalf of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee. 16:23”
“Nevertheless, my door is always open to members who want to raise with me any issues regarding further legal aid reform. Legal aid reform is not a single act—it is a process that requires collaboration, evidence and trust. We will continue to engage with the profession, the third sector and those who rely on legal aid and, together, we can deliver a legal aid system that reflects Scotland’s values and meets the challenges of the future. 15:36”
“Legal aid is available to victims of domestic and gender-based violence who are seeking protection through civil actions where they meet the statutory eligibility criteria. I turn to regulation 15, which Pam Duncan- Glancy touched on. The legal aid system is designed for individual applicants and not groups or organisations, reflecting the legal context at the time that the framework was created. However, regulation 15 should not be a major barrier to public interest litigation, and legal aid has been granted in civil cases despite joint interests being identified. Nevertheless, I take on board the committee’s concerns in that regard. I am conscious of time; I agree with Mr Whitfield that we could have had more time for this debate, as we have a lot of complex issues to cover regarding legal aid.”
“It has a network of three officers covering the Highlands and Islands, Argyll and Bute, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and Edinburgh and the Lothians. Members of the public can check whether they are eligible for the service by contacting SLAB for details through its website. On means testing for legal aid domestic abuse cases, the Scottish Legal Aid Board has updated its guidance to say: “We understand that it can be difficult for applicants who have had to flee an abusive or controlling relationship to be able to provide the relevant financial verification to support their civil legal aid applications.” SLAB goes on to say: “we can use our discretion to either disregard income or capital where we consider it reasonable to do so.” That update does not represent a change in policy—it is just a means to raise awareness of SLAB’s approach.”
“I note the committee’s concerns and what members have repeatedly said about legal aid deserts, and the Scottish Government acknowledges the challenges here. We are working with SLAB and the Law Society to build an evidence base and to develop targeted interventions. That includes grant funding and a traineeship fund. As I have said, the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 will remove restrictions preventing charities, law centres and citizens advice bodies from directly employing solicitors to provide certain legal services to vulnerable people. I also highlight civil legal assistance officers. SLAB has continued to employ solicitors to provide advice and represent people with particular types of civil legal problems.”
“On user experience, several members spoke about complexity and delay. The regulations that we laid in December 2025 are a first step in simplifying processes, and further changes will follow. In her opening speech, Tess White raised a point regarding operational issues involving legal firms and SLAB. Those concerned will be meeting the Law Society of Scotland this year, which will be the first time since Covid, to discuss operational issues. The committee convener highlighted her wish to hear more about public legal education. The Scottish Government values stakeholder input and supports preventative approaches, and we will continue to collaborate to improve access and develop preventative tools. Public legal education is part of our longer-term reforms.”
“First, on remuneration and viability, I hear the concerns about fees and the pressures on firms. The independent fee review mechanism group is a key part of addressing that, and I will ensure that the points that have been made today, such as those on early resolution and on rural travel, are fed into that work. We are continuing negotiations with the legal aid profession about an uplift in fees across criminal, civil and children’s law. I acknowledge the challenges around rural and island provision, which are often raised with me in the chamber. Members have highlighted gaps in coverage, and we are exploring targeted solutions, including the legal aid traineeship fund and new models under the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025, which will allow charities and law centres to employ solicitors directly.”
“The report also recognises the strength of Scotland’s system and our opportunity to make it stronger. That is the spirit in which the Government approaches reform. Our discussion paper sets out a clear direction to design a system that can adapt to changing needs and that can remain sustainable for decades to come. That means considering how legal assistance is delivered, funded and structured, working with providers, advice agencies and service users to ensure that reforms reflect lived experience. We want to build flexibility into the legal aid system, so that it can respond to new challenges without losing sight of fairness and accessibility. I wish to acknowledge a few specific points that have been made today—and I have a lot to get through.”
“I now call the Minister for Victims and Community Safety. Siobhian Brown: I am sorry, but I am wondering whether there is someone else still to speak before I do. The Deputy Presiding Officer: This is a committee debate, so— Siobhian Brown: I am sorry, Presiding Officer—that was my fault. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We will come to the committee’s deputy convener later. 15:30 Siobhian Brown: The debate has shown that we all want to ensure that Scotland’s legal aid system delivers fairness, equality and access to justice for all. As members have said, the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee’s report does not shy away from the challenges: a declining number of civil legal aid providers, complexity in processes and gaps in provision.”
“I again commend the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee for setting us on the road to that reform. The convener is absolutely right that, if we find ourselves in the same position at the end of the next session of Parliament, it will be unforgivable. I thank the committee for allowing the debate to take place, and I look forward to hearing members’ contributions. 15:07”
“Scottish Women’s Aid and other organisations have highlighted the harm of means testing for eligibility in cases of domestic abuse, where victims who might be subject to economic and financial abuse are being excluded from support. Financial eligibility thresholds will have to be key to any review of potential reforms, considering the need for exceptions in civil protection order cases. Consumer Scotland has also made it clear that embedding the user voice in any reforms needs to be an urgent priority if we are to address unmet need and ensure that vulnerable groups are being heard and represented. The review represents a vital first step in the much-needed reform of our legal aid system, but it must be followed by urgent action.”
“Access to legal aid cannot continue to represent a postcode lottery. The committee is right to identify it as an issue on which urgent action is long overdue. Patricia Thom, the president of the Law Society of Scotland, rightly emphasised that the current fee system is making it difficult to attract younger solicitors, and she told the committee that, unless the situation improves, we face a “retirement cliff edge” in future. The Government’s commitment to recommencing fee-reviewed planning is therefore welcome and it will be important for Parliament to be kept updated as that work progresses. Eligibility criteria, particularly financial, are also integral to improving access to legal aid, as Katy Clark and Ariane Burgess have identified.”
“What is more, the lack of local legal aid provision can compromise the quality of support that is received. That is not a criticism of solicitors, but it is an inevitable consequence of a lack of familiarity. Law Society analysis from 2022 suggests that 139 of the most deprived communities in Scotland share just 29 civil legal aid firms between them and that there are no civil legal aid firms at all in 122 of those 139 areas. SLAB research suggests that, since 2014, the most significant decreases in local authority legal aid-funded services have been in rural and island communities, with a 67 per cent decrease in Orkney and a 100 per cent decrease in Shetland. Those shortages reflect significant geographical inequalities and severely compromise access to justice for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”
“Legal aid deserts have been a central concern of the committee, and that concern has been echoed by the Law Society, the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Consortium Scotland in their evidence. Indeed, my Orkney Islands constituency is frequently cited as an example of a legal aid desert, with Scottish Legal Aid Board data suggesting that there have been no private solicitors in the islands staffing court or police duty plans in recent years, as referred to by Ariane Burgess. Other rural and island communities are similarly impacted. Although I appreciate that mechanisms are in place to allow solicitors to travel and work across Scotland to provide legal aid, it is simply not sustainable for fewer and fewer solicitors to be covering ever-increasing areas of ground.”
“Various Government task forces, such as the legal aid remuneration project and research analysis group, have been designed to address the challenges, but work has clearly stagnated, which prompted the Law Society of Scotland to pull out of the group in 2024, as it had lost confidence in the task force’s ability to deliver its objectives. The committee is justified in expressing real disappointment that legislative reforms have not been pursued in this parliamentary session. The minister explained some of the rationale for that, but, given the severity of the access crisis and the long-standing nature of the problems, that is regrettable.”