Alison Johnstone
No Party Affiliation · Scotland
“We will use the same voting procedure as before. Members voted by secret ballot. The Presiding Officer: Voting in this round of the Presiding Officer election is closed. I invite the scrutineers to proceed to the back of the chamber for the counting of votes. Again, candidates may also observe the count.”
“I now invite any scrutineers appointed by the candidates to go to the back of the chamber to observe the counting of ballot papers. Candidates may also observe the count.”
“The first meeting of the seventh session of the Parliament is resumed. I have received four valid nominations for the position of Presiding Officer. I shall now announce the nominations and ask all candidates, as their names are announced, to make themselves known to the chamber.”
“Ballot papers should be marked with an X before being folded and then placed in one of the ballot boxes provided at the rear of the chamber. At the end of each voting period, I shall invite any scrutineers that have been nominated by each candidate to monitor the counting of votes at the back of the chamber, which is where clerks will emp…”
“Members should remain in their seats until I invite them to collect their ballot paper from clerks at the back of the chamber. Members with surnames beginning with the letters A to F should collect their ballot papers from the desk on my left at the back of the chamber—the clerks there have their hands up.”
“15:29 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: This voting period is now open, using the same voting procedure as before. Members voted by secret ballot. The Presiding Officer: Voting in the third round of the election of the Presiding Officer is closed.”
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“Accordingly, as Kenneth Gibson has received more votes than the total number of votes received by the other candidates, and as more than 25 per cent of members have voted, Kenneth Gibson is elected as Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. [Applause.] I thank the other candidates. [Applause.] I call Kenneth Gibson, the newly elected Presiding Officer, to take the chair for the remainder of this meeting of the Parliament. [Applause.]”
“15:29 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: This voting period is now open, using the same voting procedure as before. Members voted by secret ballot. The Presiding Officer: Voting in the third round of the election of the Presiding Officer is closed. I invite any scrutineers appointed by the candidates to go to the back of the chamber to observe the counting of ballot papers. Candidates may also observe the count. In this round of voting in the election of the Presiding Officer, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Kenneth Gibson 74 and Clare Haughey 54. There was one abstention. There were no spoiled papers.”
“We will use the same voting procedure as before. Members voted by secret ballot. The Presiding Officer: Voting in this round of the Presiding Officer election is closed. I invite the scrutineers to proceed to the back of the chamber for the counting of votes. Again, candidates may also observe the count. In the second round of voting in the election of the Presiding Officer, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Kenneth Gibson 48, Clare Haughey 44, Liam McArthur 36. Accordingly, as no candidate received an overall majority of the votes cast, and as Liam McArthur received the fewest votes, he is eliminated from the election, and a further round will take place with the following candidates: Kenneth Gibson and Clare Haughey. There will be a short break while ballot papers are printed. 15:22 Meeting suspended.”
“I now invite any scrutineers appointed by the candidates to go to the back of the chamber to observe the counting of ballot papers. Candidates may also observe the count. In the first round of voting in the election of the Presiding Officer, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Kenneth Gibson 46, Clare Haughey 42, Liam McArthur 34, Stuart McMillan 6. As no member has received an overall majority of the votes cast, and as Stuart McMillan received the fewest votes, he will be eliminated from the election and a further round will take place with the following candidates: Kenneth Gibson, Clare Haughey and Liam McArthur. There will be a short break while ballot papers are printed. 14:56 Meeting suspended. 15:02 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: This voting period is now open.”
“Ballot papers should be marked with an X before being folded and then placed in one of the ballot boxes provided at the rear of the chamber. At the end of each voting period, I shall invite any scrutineers that have been nominated by each candidate to monitor the counting of votes at the back of the chamber, which is where clerks will empty the ballot boxes and begin counting votes. Candidates may also observe the count. I will announce the results of each round of voting when all votes have been counted and verified. I declare the election of the Presiding Officer open. Members should now proceed to the appropriate desk to collect their ballot papers. Members voted by secret ballot. The Presiding Officer: Voting in the first round of the election of the Presiding Officer is closed.”
“Members should remain in their seats until I invite them to collect their ballot paper from clerks at the back of the chamber. Members with surnames beginning with the letters A to F should collect their ballot papers from the desk on my left at the back of the chamber—the clerks there have their hands up. Members with surnames beginning with the letters G to M should use the desk at the back of the chamber—the clerks there have their hands up. Members with surnames beginning with McA to Z should use the desk to the right at the back of the chamber, as indicated. Members should confirm their name with the clerks before they are issued with their ballot paper. To give members’ privacy when marking ballot papers, voting booths are available at the back of the chamber.”
“The first meeting of the seventh session of the Parliament is resumed. I have received four valid nominations for the position of Presiding Officer. I shall now announce the nominations and ask all candidates, as their names are announced, to make themselves known to the chamber. In alphabetical order, the nominees are Kenneth Gibson, Clare Haughey, Liam McArthur and Stuart McMillan. 13:32 Meeting suspended. 14:31 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: As previously announced, I have received four valid nominations. In alphabetical order, the nominees are: Kenneth Gibson, Clare Haughey, Liam McArthur and Stuart McMillan. The election shall proceed in accordance with rule 11.9 of standing orders. If no member receives an overall majority in the first round of voting, there will be subsequent rounds.”
“Good morning. I declare the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament, 2026 to 2031, duly constituted. The only item of business this morning is members’ oaths and affirmations. I will call each member in turn. When a member is called, they should proceed to the well of the chamber, where they will either take the oath or make an affirmation.”
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“To those who are seeking re-election, my very best wishes for the days ahead. I will now have the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends, who have supported me throughout this incredible journey— throughout this privilege. Thank you all. On that note, I close session 6 of the Parliament. [Applause.] Meeting closed at 16:58. This is the final edition of the Official Report of this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“I hope that the 45 per cent of women colleagues we have today is not a high point, but the foundation of a truly representative Parliament. The welcome progress that we have made cannot be taken for granted, so I thank all parties for being part of the Parliament for all audit. Much progress has been made, and other recommendations will be carried forward by the Parliament in the next session. Thank you to our incredible women experts and the willing staff secretariat who supported us, and to each and every one of my colleagues for their support in that work. “Implement those recommendations” is not the catchiest phrase, so I will instead say, “Just do it.” To those members who have decided that now is the time to step down, thank you so much for your service to the people of Scotland and for your part in the history of the Parliament.”
“We work in an incredible building, which has been built for democracy, and we are free to debate ideas here. That is an aspiration that many continue to strive for around the globe, and we must never take it for granted. We can debate passionately and disagree whole-heartedly. We can scrutinise policy robustly and defend policy robustly, and we can do so while respecting one another. In respecting one another and respecting the Parliament, we respect the folks across this amazing country who sent us here. We respect their aspirations for their Parliament, and we challenge the disillusionment with politics that we must acknowledge. This session, we have celebrated our most diverse Parliament ever. We know that Parliaments that more truly represent the communities that they serve are more trusted and make better decisions.”
“I have heard it said that social distancing prevented members from getting together in the early days of this session, and that that has contributed to a less collaborative approach than has been experienced in other sessions. I would say: wherever an opportunity presents itself to get to know a colleague, take it, because we have so much more in common than that which divides us. There are only 129 of us in the entire country who have the great privilege of speaking in this beautiful chamber. In the chair, the Deputy Presiding Officers and I have sought to encourage and model respectful behaviour. With a recognition that there is a high premium on freedom of speech for elected members, debate has been very robust at times, but we must use that freedom wisely.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officers and I have worked scrupulously to ensure that those opportunities are available equally to all members. I have used opportunities for topical questions and urgent questions to the fullest extent possible, and I have sought to reclaim the final 15 minutes of First Minister’s question time for back benchers. We have worked to get in as many members as possible across portfolio question time sessions. Throughout session 6, I have advocated for reform of question sessions to make them as responsive as possible. It is essential that the Parliament has the opportunity, each day, to discuss the most important concerns of the people of Scotland.”
“I give special thanks to the Scottish Youth Parliament and the Children’s Parliament for their partnership. I tell our young pupils that I could never have imagined myself standing for election. I tell them that I have learned that democracy will never be optimal until we are all involved. I tell them that democracy cannot be at its most powerful if only some voices are heard, if only some votes are cast or if only some folk know that they can respond to a consultation. The Parliament belongs to the people of Scotland, and all must be heard. As Presiding Officer, I have sought always to ensure that all members have optimal opportunity to hold the Scottish Government to account and to represent our constituents who send us here.”
“Whatever you do in the Parliament, whether you work face to face with MSPs every day in public-facing roles or behind the scenes, I thank each and every one of you for all that you do. I know that your efforts are deeply appreciated by every member. In this session, it has been an honour to deepen relationships with those who serve us in so many ways, including civic Scotland, the emergency services, faith communities and the armed forces. It has been an honour to welcome thousands of people into the Parliament to meetings, events and conferences. It is always a particular honour and joy to welcome and meet in the chat room our youngest citizens who come to the Parliament on school visits—it is fair to say that I have always found their questions the best preparation for hustings.”
“It is always stimulating, endlessly varied and never dull. I pay tribute to my Deputy Presiding Officers, who have shared the challenge with me. I thank them for their hard work, support, wise counsel and, indeed, the laughs that we have shared. As a team, we extend our thanks to the staff in the Presiding Officer’s office—Joanne, Gail, Jen and Mark—for their steadfast support throughout the session. It is fair to say that we and colleagues recognise that we are all well supported in the Parliament by all staff. As the Presiding Officer, I have had the privilege of learning more about what it takes to run the Parliament and have had the pleasure of working with many different staff teams that I had not met before.”
“With Patrick Harvie, I was elected as one of a party of only two members in 2011. We each tried to cover half of the Government’s portfolios. [Laughter.] Collaboration and relationships across parties were absolutely essential, which is how I have worked. On the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill, the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Bill, the Social Security (Scotland) Bill, the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill, the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill and more, I worked across all parties with many MSPs to get the amendments that I lodged agreed to. I thank all members for their collaboration. It is an immense honour to be elected by your peers to preside over the Parliament. It is a profound privilege to chair our business and to represent the Parliament at home and abroad.”
“I learned a great deal as a staffer—not least how impossible it is to be an MSP without a committed team. I thank all staffers. I thank my current team of Richard, Sally and Mhairi, and I thank each and every one of you who has worked with me in representing and serving the Lothian region. I thank the people of Lothian for granting me the privilege of doing so. It is fair to say that much has changed since 1999. The impact of email and social media on engagement is huge. The pace of the news cycle and parliamentary life is so much faster and the powers of the Parliament are greater. The core purpose of the Parliament and parliamentarians remains to represent constituents, hold the Government of the day to account, debate ideas and work together to legislate and improve the lives of the people of Scotland.”
“I felt my privilege on that day as I feel it today. As part of Robin’s team of two, with Steve Burgess, I vividly remember a meeting when we sat in a little office that looked over George IV Bridge where we discussed Robin’s bill proposal and how we were going to work with others to bring about the change that he sought. In that moment, I felt the unique privilege that elected representatives have to make life in Scotland better for people. That sense has never left me. I worked with Robin as he served the people of Lothian from 1999 until 2011, when I was elected to do so myself. I am not a 99er in the traditional sense, but I have been here for 27 years. I served for three four-year sessions as a staffer and for three five-year sessions as an elected member.”
“We lost our very dear colleague, Christina McKelvie, and we have lost too many distinguished former colleagues who served the Parliament at the highest level. My thoughts are with all those who have lost those most dear to them. I did not get actively involved in politics until I was in my 30s. I joined neighbours to attempt to save some local school playing fields. I then went on—almost immediately—to join the Scotland forward campaign for a Scottish parliament, before I joined a political party. When Robin Harper was elected as the sole Green MSP in the first election to the newly formed Parliament, he advertised for two staff. I was not a party member, but I had 17 years of experience in the private and public sectors. Robin gave me a chance. In September 1999, I got on the bus to the Parliament headquarters.”
“It is actually so much easier when people are not saying nice things about you in the chair. [Laughter.] Seriously, though, friends—it is my privilege to make some remarks to close this last scheduled meeting of session 6. We began this session during the Covid pandemic, in a socially distanced chamber, and I did not chair a full chamber until April 2022, some 11 months after the previous election. No wonder I thought that those early sessions of First Minister’s question time were very quiet. As we end the session, the Parliament looks a little different than it did in May 2021. We have celebrated some of life’s most joyous milestones together, and, sadly, mourning has often been all too present.”
“Whether it is the austerity that was ushered in by the Conservatives or the Brexit that was forced upon us against our will by the Conservatives, all those things have damaged the quality of life of people in Scotland. I say to the people of Scotland that we have an opportunity on 7 May to have a fresh start with independence and I intend to deliver it. Scottish Government (Record) 2.”
“That is what has driven my public service for the past 29 years as a member of Parliament. It has driven every moment of my privilege to serve the people of Scotland as a minister and now as First Minister. Since 2007, under the SNP, wealth per head in Scotland has grown by 10.1 per cent, compared with 7.8 per cent in the UK. Waiting times are falling in this country. On the cost of living, we have abolished peak rail fares and we have frozen rail fares for next year. That is an SNP Government delivering within our powers on the priorities that concern people—the NHS and the cost of living. People in Scotland are finding times hard because of the damaging decisions that have been made in the United Kingdom.”
“Silence—[Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us all hear one another. Those in the public gallery would like to be able to follow proceedings, so let us hear one another. Russell Findlay: John Swinney will again go into an election with independence as his number 1 priority. He says arrogantly that he will win a majority. He says that that will give him a green light for another referendum. People are sick and tired of that damaging and divisive obsession. They want politicians and the Parliament to address their problems—the cost of living, the national health service, the economy and jobs. Why does John Swinney believe that chasing independence is more important than those critical issues? The First Minister: The Government is focused on people’s priorities and on delivering improvements in the lives of the people of Scotland.”
“They are coming down because of the leadership that I have given this Government, and they are going to continue to come down. That is an SNP Government delivering on health for the people of Scotland. Russell Findlay: Dearie me—all that spin from John Swinney. As we have just heard, John Swinney will always defend SNP sleaze. He will always put up taxes to spend more money on benefits. He will never take responsibility for his long list of failures. But for John Swinney, none of that really matters, because since he was a teenager, he has cared about only one thing, and that is independence—[Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Thank you—thank you. Russell Findlay: The SNP members come to life when I talk about independence, but they sat in silence when I read out the list of SNP sleaze and failure.”
“If all that was the case, why are the Conservatives heading for a disaster at the forthcoming parliamentary election? It is because they are simply peddling a doom loop of despair, and that is killing the Conservative party. Let me tell Russell Findlay a few things that happened under this SNP Government. When we came to office, 62 per cent of schools were rated as being in a good or satisfactory condition; that is now 93 per cent. When this Government came to office, three and four-year-olds got 412 hours of funded early learning and childcare; they now get 1,140 hours. When we came to office, the average number of affordable homes built was 5,448; the average under this Government is now 7,734. I tell Russell Findlay something else: waiting times in this country are coming down.”
“It would take all day to properly address this useless Government’s dismal record—in fact, it would take several days—but here are a few examples: classroom violence—up; teacher numbers—down; police stations—closed; police officer numbers—down; violent crime—up; domestic violence—up; new houses—unbuilt; major roads—unbuilt; hospital waiting times—up; general practitioners and dentists—unavailable; breakfast and bikes for kids—undelivered; new prisons—unbuilt; prisoners—set free; ferries—broken; pubs— closing; rural Scotland—ignored; oil workers— betrayed; women’s rights—trashed; drugs deaths—up. And there is so much more. I ask John Swinney: which of those is he most ashamed of? The First Minister: I am left with the same question that I had a moment ago.”
“The only person in the Parliament who has any explaining to do about their stance on fiscal recklessness is Russell Findlay, for telling me to follow Liz Truss. What a disaster that was. Russell Findlay: That credit rating is founded entirely on the fact that Scotland is a proud part of the United Kingdom. I turn now to SNP incompetence. I ask you to bear with me, Presiding Officer.”
“The First Minister: I reassure Russell Findlay, in case he is worried about my energy in the next few weeks, that I am just raring to go for the forthcoming election and to win it well for Scotland. As for aw the pile of abuse that he has just spouted out, which he spouts out every week, let me remind him what I reminded him of last week: the majority of taxpayers in Scotland pay less tax under an SNP Government than they would if they lived in England—[Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Thank you. The First Minister: The international credit ratings agencies complimented—[Interruption.] Oh, they do not like this—[Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear one another. The First Minister: The international credit ratings agencies complimented the “prudent” financial management of Scotland.”
“Let us hear one another. Russell Findlay: This jaded career politician has become accustomed and immune to SNP dishonesty, incompetence and sleaze. His party has trashed the reputation of this Parliament, and it is the people of Scotland who suffer. John Swinney has made Scotland the highest- taxed part of the United Kingdom. He has made Scotland spend more on benefits than anywhere else in the UK. That means that John Swinney is responsible for a looming £5 billion black hole in the public finances. He needs to start being honest with the people of Scotland and tell them now how much more tax he will take from them to tackle the SNP’s £5 billion bin fire.”
“A brief response would be appreciated, minister. Ben Macpherson: Investment in our college sector has increased significantly in this financial year, and the Government is now taking part in a process that was formally announced on 12 March, along with the college sector and the Scottish Funding Council, to consider what our college sector should look like in the future. It is clear from the voice of industry and the needs of communities that we must have a thriving college sector if we are to meet the needs of the future and to realise our potential. The more we are united in that task as a Parliament and as a country, the more we will achieve together. Grangemouth (Redundancy Support) 2.”
“Thank you, Mr O’Kane, for wholly abusing the point of order procedure in the chamber, while ensuring that your comments are indeed on the record. [Laughter.] There will be a brief pause before we move on to the next item of business. Bank of Scotland Branch Closures”
“There are 12 questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is that motion S6M-21120, in the name of Daniel Johnson, on the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill at stage 3, be agreed to. As this is a motion to pass a bill, the question must be decided by division. There will be a brief suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. 18:07 Meeting suspended. 18:10 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: The question is, that motion S6M-21120, in the name of Daniel Johnson, be agreed to. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“The next item of business is consideration of two Parliamentary Bureau motions. I invite Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move motions S6M-21190 and S6M-21191, on the approval of Scottish statutory instruments. Motions moved, That the Parliament agrees that the Antisocial Behaviour (Fixed Penalty Offences) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] be approved. That the Parliament agrees that the Marine Licensing (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] be approved.—[Graeme Dey] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motions will be put at decision time. Decision Time 18:07”
“The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-20942, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on behalf of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, on the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026. 18:05”
“The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-21048, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 10th report of 2026.”
“The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-21050, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s seventh report of 2026. 18:03”
“The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-21051, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s sixth report of 2026. 18:01”
“Those spaces allow young people to be young people, to make friends, to build skills and to make change in our communities. Behind those youth work services are youth workers. They are often unthanked, uncelebrated and underpaid. However, I can safely say that, without the support and encouragement of a number of different youth workers over the years, I would not be the person that I am today. I stand here as a product of great youth work. The opportunities to use my voice, which so often went unheard, have allowed me to succeed. Every young person in Scotland deserves access to the support they need, not only to survive but to thrive—not because it is a nice thing to have, but because we made it their right. Topical Question Time 14:03 Deaths of Babies (Co-sleeping) 1.”
“My response is always the same: there is a lack of support for young people when the world around us seems to be crumbling. Members in this chamber voted unanimously to incorporate into legislation the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. As an MSYP, I am incredibly proud that, in Scotland, we have made it a legal right for young people to meet their peers, to join groups and organisations, to play and to learn. However, that has not stopped the disinvestment in youth work services, which is having a detrimental impact on young people’s education, employment and mental health. That impact is not felt equally. For me, and for many other young people from seldom-heard groups, support from youth work services is essential.”
“I was first elected to the Scottish Youth Parliament when I was only 15. Back then, I had little confidence in myself. As a young carer for my mum, who seemed to be balancing a lot more responsibility than my peers, I often felt isolated and like no one understood what I was going through. Just after the pandemic, in 2021, I lost my mum, Anne. I was only 17, just leaving high school and trying to figure out where I fit in the world. Without the support of youth work services, I do not quite know whether I would have survived. Now, in 2026, as chair of the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people, decision makers and those in power often ask me what I think of the problems regarding community and social cohesion.”
“Good afternoon. Our first item of business this afternoon is time for reflection, and our time for reflection leader today is Ellie Craig, who is the chair and a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. Ellie Craig (Scottish Youth Parliament): Good afternoon, everyone. I am the chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament and MSYP for Glasgow Cathcart. I am honoured to be part of the final time for reflection in this session of Parliament. A few weeks ago, I was here in the chamber filming a podcast with the Presiding Officer as part of her legacy work. Next month, I will have served as a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for seven years, and, in around six months, my term as chair and time as an MSYP will come to an end. Preparing for today’s speech got me reflecting on what I would like my legacy to be.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-21102, in the name of Natalie Don-Innes, on the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill at stage 3. I would be grateful if members who wish to take part in the debate were to press their request-to-speak button. I call Natalie Don-Innes to speak to and move the motion. 17:45”
“I would rather that that ability were in the hands of the Crofting Commission, so that it would have the flexibility to make sure that crofting goes from strength to strength. I will withdraw amendment 56, but I intend to move amendment 57. Amendment 56, by agreement, withdrawn. Amendment 57 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 57 be agreed to. Are we all agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“I call Edward Mountain to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 56. Edward Mountain: I have listened carefully to what the minister has said, which gives me some confidence. However, I will make a small observation: crofting commissioners are paid £10,812 a year for working four and a half days per month. If it were decided that an additional commissioner was required, that would not add overly to the bill. The minister has highlighted, previously as well as today, that paragraph 3(6) of schedule 1 to the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993, which is one of the many acts that cover crofting—and my goodness, you need to know your way round them—gives the minister the ability to co-opt an additional member.”
“The analysis that I am very confident about is the analysis of the international credit rating agencies—[Interruption.] Oh, well—it does not surprise me that the Conservatives are mocking the international credit rating agencies, because they asked me to follow Liz Truss, and look at the mess that she got us all into. Just so that Mr Findlay does not miss out on what the international credit rating agencies said, I will tell him that they complimented the “prudent” fiscal management of Scotland. That is what you get from a Swinney Government. Hospitals (Ventilation and Water Safety Issues) 2.”
“Do those soaring numbers give him any cause for concern? The First Minister: Russell Findlay has changed tack with that question, because my comments to the Parliament today rumbled his earlier attack on the social security system— [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear one another. I am keen to enable as many members as possible to put questions today, as we have a long list. The First Minister: Russell Findlay has changed tack. He walked away from his attack on the social security system when I pointed out the unpleasantness of the Conservatives’ attack on the vulnerable within it.”
“The First Minister: Enterprise and compassion—that is what people get from an SNP Government led by John Swinney. Russell Findlay: Here is an idea for John Swinney: how about he tries to answer the questions that are put to him? The Scottish benefits agency, which was created by the SNP, also published shocking new data this week. It revealed that almost 500,000 people—that is, half a million Scots—now receive adult disability payment and that the number of people claiming it has gone up by almost 15 per cent since last year. Social Security Scotland predicts that 750,000 Scots will be receiving ADP by 2030. Of course, many of those claims are completely valid, but we cannot ignore credible and sustained warnings of fraud and abuse. Does John Swinney agree with that alarming projection?”
“A band 4 dental nurse at the bottom of the scale will earn £30,353 and take home £2,065 more after tax compared with a dental nurse in the same band in England. A band 6 nurse at the bottom of the scale will earn £41,608 and take home £1,994 more after tax compared with a nurse in the same band in England. That demolishes the rubbish that Mr Findlay has put to me. When it comes to social security, it is quite obvious to people in Scotland today that the only card that Mr Findlay is prepared to play is the card to attack the most vulnerable in our society. I want to make it clear that I lead a Government that is committed to delivering growth in our economy and fairness to the people of our country— [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear the First Minister.”