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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“Let us hear one another. Màiri McAllan: —or on dealing with the housing emergency. We will not let the Conservatives forget it, and neither will the people of Scotland. In her contribution, Meghan Gallacher said that the bill will not build houses, and Mark Griffin echoed that to an extent. Let me tell them both what will build houses: the housing emergency action plan that the Government published just four weeks ago, which provides for nearly £5 billion-worth of investment in the coming years. That is enough to build 8,000 affordable homes this financial year alone and up to 36,000 such homes over the next four years. We published that plan just four weeks ago.”
“I have not yet been able to explore the system of long- term, evidence-based and balanced rent controls that the bill will create, nor the important rights to personalise a home. However, I will listen to members’ contributions and reflect on those other areas in closing. In the meantime, I commend the Housing (Scotland) Bill to the chamber. I move, That the Parliament agrees that the Housing (Scotland) Bill be passed. 20:27”
“Among other things, the bill will create new rights to end a joint tenancy without an abusive joint tenant’s approval. I have also confirmed that I will work to lay regulations under part 2 of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 by Christmas to ensure that a victim survivor in a social home can stay in their home and remove a perpetrator of abuse. The bill will also require social landlords to implement policies to ensure that abuse or violence from a partner or former partner does not lead to somebody losing their home. That sits alongside a national fund to leave, which is backed by £1 million that the Government confirmed at the beginning of the month. In opening, I have been able to touch on only three aspects of this groundbreaking bill.”
“By way of background, Awaab’s law is named after Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 in Rochdale in England, having been exposed to mould in his home. Although standards in Scotland have been rising gradually, to the extent that 90 per cent of all homes in Scotland are substantially free from damp and mould, we will not take any chances, especially not when it comes to the health and life chances of children. I am conscious of the time, and this bold and ambitious bill does so much that I would like to mention, but another area of great importance to me is domestic abuse. It is utterly abhorrent, it is one of the leading causes of homelessness among women, and we must do all that we can to end it. That includes supporting the housing needs of women and children who are experiencing domestic abuse.”
“I hope that the Parliament will vote for the bill, offering as it does—and as was put to us by someone with lived experience and quoted by Advice Direct Scotland—the chance to “change the course of a life.” The bill does so much across a broad range of topics and, in the time that I have, I want to touch on a couple more. Since coming into post, I have been determined to do what I can to ensure that no one in Scotland—especially no child—has to live in a tenanted property with damp and mould. That is why we have been clear that Awaab’s law will be implemented across the social and private rented sectors in Scotland. My officials have already begun the series of round-table discussions with stakeholders that will help to bring in Awaab’s law from March next year.”
“They said: “having experienced homelessness myself, I know how vital it is that people, regardless of their place in life, feel seen, heard and supported, with no judgement or feeling shame. ‘Ask & Act’ is a call to every front-line worker in Scotland to recognise the signs, to ask with compassion and act with purpose. The right question, asked at the right time, can change the course of a life.” That is what the Government seeks, with the First Minister’s core objective for our Government being to eradicate child poverty in this country. The provisions of the big bill that we have been considering, together with the housing emergency action plan that was published at the beginning of the month, will help to serve that purpose.”
“They will sit atop Scotland’s already highly protective legal landscape and will ensure that ending homelessness is, ultimately, everyone’s business. Police officers, community link workers, social care staff, health visitors and social landlords are among those who will be expected to identify problems early and intervene if they believe that someone is threatened with homelessness. The approach is person-centred, flexible and responsive, and it will help to prevent the trauma and stigma of homelessness. I mentioned the importance that the Government places on lived experience. I will share with the chamber a quote from a former service user, who was quoted by Advice Direct Scotland in September this year.”
“On that note, I should like to focus on just some of what the bill provides that the Government is particularly proud of. I will begin with the ask and act powers. We believe that everyone in Scotland should have the opportunity of a warm, safe and affordable place to call home. That is, ultimately, the cornerstone of a life of dignity and opportunity. Homelessness is not a one-off event. It is trauma, stigma and indignity, and it deprives people of the opportunity to live well, to succeed and to contribute fully in society. It must be ended, and we know that the best way to end homelessness is to prevent it from happening to people in the first place. That is what our groundbreaking ask and act powers seek to ensure.”
“My thanks also go to the Scottish Government bill team, who have worked incredibly hard on the bill’s policies, as well as closely considering the policy purpose and legal effect of more than 1,000 amendments, and advising ministers on their implications. The team’s commitment to the service of Scotland has been abundantly clear throughout, and I want to thank them, as well as those in my private office, who have helped me to pull everything together—including the bill folder, which I have been carrying around for quite some time now. Finally, and most importantly, I thank everybody with lived experience of homelessness or housing precarity whose advocacy will now help to change the law in Scotland in a significant way.”
“First, I want to mention members from across the chamber for their rigour in scrutinising the bill, and in particular the members of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, and the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee, all of whom have taken a keen interest in the bill. I extend significant thanks to all the experts who gave evidence to committee and who worked with the Scottish Government to help shape the contents of this ambitious piece of work. I also want to acknowledge the former ministers Patrick Harvie and Paul McLennan as well as the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, all of whom have contributed, at one time or another, to this momentous piece of work.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-18992, in the name of Màiri McAllan, on the Housing (Scotland) Bill at stage 3. I would be grateful if members who wish to speak in the debate were to press their request-to-speak buttons. 20:20 The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan): I am absolutely delighted to finally begin this last step of the Housing (Scotland) Bill with a debate at stage 3. It has been a long and thorough process. Before turning to the substance of what this groundbreaking bill will provide, I should like to offer some acknowledgements.”
“Amendment 368 disagreed to. Amendment 369 not moved. Amendment 370 moved—[Pam Duncan- Glancy]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 370 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (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) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) 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] McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) 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) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (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) 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) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) 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) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) [Proxy vote cast by Willie Rennie] Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 46, Against 61, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 257 disagreed to. Amendment 368 moved—[Murdo Fraser]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 368 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 257 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) 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) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) 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) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) 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) 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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) 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) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) [Proxy vote cast by Willie Rennie] Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 28, Against 82, Abstentions 0.”
“However, she gave me no indication of where that could be found. I do not think that my amendment seeks in any way to prevent people from getting houses. It would just allow people to understand which tenants are moving in, in the same way that the tenant has an absolute right to know what sort of landlord they are getting—that is, that he or she is a fit and proper person because they are on the landlord register. I am disappointed that the Government is not going to support amendment 257. I worded it carefully and am glad that the cabinet secretary did not say that it was poorly worded. I worded it to give Scottish ministers the ability to amend how the register would be kept and it asks them only to keep a register. I will press the amendment and I thank the cabinet secretary for giving me half an answer to my questions.”
“Edward Mountain: I wonder where the cabinet secretary can point me to that allows landlords to ascertain whether their proposed tenants have behaved antisocially in the past. My amendment suggests that landlords need to know that. I cannot find that information. Màiri McAllan: I mentioned that some of the information—not all of it—is already available to landlords. I reiterate the point about proportionality, fairness, privacy and rehabilitation. Ultimately, I want to have an inclusive, rights-based approach to housing policy and I do not want to create indefinite barriers to people accessing social homes. The Presiding Officer: I call Edward Mountain to wind up and press or withdraw amendment 257. Edward Mountain: I listened to the cabinet secretary’s intervention, in which she said that “some of the information” should be available.”
“Màiri McAllan: I listened carefully to Edward Mountain, but my reflection remains that his is a significant proposal with very wide-reaching implications. Although I hear what he says about his ultimate aim being to support housing providers to manage risk, his proposal is a significant, new and untested policy on which, as I understand it, there has been no previous discussion or consultation. Moreover, some of the information that would be sought is already available to landlords. Beyond that, I have concerns regarding the proportionality of an approach that would require such a register. The proposal raises understandable concerns about fairness, privacy and, in particular, rehabilitation, given that I do not think that a time limit would be set for how long a person would remain on the register.”
“Under Government legislation, they have to renew their registration every three years, and they can be removed from the register if they are not regarded as a suitable landlord. If they cannot prove that they are a suitable landlord and they are removed, they cannot advertise the property and then they cannot let it. There are severe restrictions on landlords. I welcome those, because they weed out those who are not good landlords. However, it is only fair that, if we are controlling landlords, a register is kept so that everyone knows the tenants that they are taking on and whether they are going to come with problems. That is the premise of my amendment. I would be delighted to hear the cabinet secretary’s reasons why she is supporting it. I move amendment 257.”
“I would be grateful if any conversations that are happening in the chamber could be drawn to a close. Edward Mountain: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I want to take interventions if I am allowed to, but it is somewhat difficult for me as my hearing aids have run out of battery power and I am struggling to hear whether members want to intervene. I will get through this as quickly as possible, because I know that time is against me. The amendment would allow the Government to make provision on amending an entry in and enforcement of the register. Members may wonder whether such a register would be fair. I think that it would be, because landlords have to be registered.”
“The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 237 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“They simply seek to place a duty on the next Scottish Government to take reasonable steps to ensure that, by 31 December 2029, there is no rough sleeping in Scotland, and that ministers produce an action plan by the end of next year on how they will achieve that. I ask all members, in all parties, before they vote on my amendments 237 and 238, what they object to in those amendments. If we are not to vote today to hold the next Government to a deliverable target and a realistic timetable that requires from ministers only a real and steadfast commitment to act, when does the Parliament think that we should end rough sleeping by? If not now, when? For how many more years will so-called compassionate Scotland leave vulnerable people to sleep on our streets? I press amendment 237.”
“Members will note that we have passed the agreed time limit for the debate on this group of amendments. I exercise my power under rule 9.8.4A(c) to allow the debate to continue beyond that limit, in order to avoid its being unreasonably curtailed. I call Jamie Halcro Johnston to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 237. Jamie Halcro Johnston: Breaches of the legal obligation to provide accommodation are increasing. The number of rough sleepers—those whom we know of—is increasing. Last winter was bad, especially in Glasgow, but there are warnings that this year will be worse. I hope that we all recognise that, until no one is forced to sleep on our streets or in our parks, not enough is being done. My amendments do not call for the impossible.”
“The next item of business is a statement by Kate Forbes on the Techscaler programme. The Deputy First Minister will take questions at the end of her statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions. 14:29”
“Mr Ewing— Fergus Ewing: How can I raise the issue, given that my requests for a topical question and an urgent question have been rejected? The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Ewing. That was not a point of order, but I am happy to discuss with the member the many mechanisms that he can use to raise issues in the chamber. Techscaler Programme”
“Topical Question Time 14:03 Universities and Colleges (Financial Situations) 1.”
“The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-19134, in the name of Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on changes to business. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees to the following revisions to the programme of business for— (a) Tuesday 30 September 2025— delete 7.15 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business and insert 8.20 pm Decision Time (b) Wednesday 1 October 2025— after followed by Scottish Labour Party Debate: Protecting Scotland’s Fire Service insert followed by Ministerial Statement: Urban Gulls Summit delete 5.10 pm Decision Time and insert 5.40 pm Decision Time (c) Thursday 2 October 2025— after 2.30 pm Portfolio Questions: Social Justice and Housing insert followed by Ministerial Statement: Scotland’s Prison Population and after 5.00 pm Decision Time insert followed by Members’ Business—[Graeme Dey] Motion agreed to.”
“That will be a long process, but it could make an astronomical difference. [Applause.] Business Motion 14:03”
“Being in S1 at the time, I wonder whether, if I had been given CPR training, I would have been able to step in and make a difference. However, I cannot live life wondering, “What if?”—I need to live to make a difference for other people who might encounter the same problem, and that is why I took action. I have been working closely with my school, Clydeview academy, which is the first school in Scotland to show recognition for world heart day. Inverclyde Council is supporting it by lighting up buildings and monuments red in awareness. However, in order to make meaningful change, I believe that we in Scotland must go further. All PE teachers should be trained to be able to teach CPR, and training would take place in a single PE lesson to help cut down on missed class time.”
“This passion comes from my own personal experience. In 2022, I lost my mother to a heart attack, and in February this year, I lost my father to cardiac arrest while at home. That came as a shock. I moved from being someone with caring parents to being someone who had both parents stolen from me early. I believe that if I had known CPR, I would have been able to save my dad. I would have been more confident while performing CPR, worrying less as his ribs broke under the force of my hands. I would not have had to wait for the 999 operator to instruct me in what to do. In my panic, I lost probably two and a half minutes, which instantly decreased his chance of survival by 25 per cent. When my mother passed, I woke up to my dad screaming, unsure what to do.”
“Good afternoon. The first item of business is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is Cameron McGerr of Clydeview academy. Cameron McGerr: Presiding Officer and members of the Scottish Parliament, I have been invited here today by Stuart McMillan to share the goal of my pulse of life campaign. Pulse of life aims to make cardiopulmonary resuscitation training mandatory in all high schools across Scotland, first in secondary 1 during a physical education lesson, and then in S4 as a refresher course. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are common in the west of Scotland. In Scotland, roughly 9,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually, but the bystander CPR rate is only about 66 per cent. That is a major deal, because for every minute that CPR is not performed, the survival rate goes down by about 10 per cent.”
“There are four questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that motion S6M-19027, in the name of Ben Macpherson, on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. 17:01 Meeting suspended. 17:04 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We move to the vote on amendment S6M-19027, in the name of Ben Macpherson. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-19035, in the name of Shona Robison, on the appointment of commissioners to the Scottish Fiscal Commission. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees with the recommendation of the Scottish Government and the Finance and Public Administration Committee that Dr Eleanor Ryan and Justine Riccomini be appointed to the Scottish Fiscal Commission.—[Shona Robison] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Decision Time 17:00”
“The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-19067, in the name of Shona Robison, on a financial resolution for the Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill. Motion moved, That the Parliament, for the purposes of any Act of the Scottish Parliament resulting from the Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure payable out of the Scottish Consolidated Fund in consequence of the Act.—[Jenny Gilruth] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Scottish Fiscal Commission (Appointment of Commissioners) 17:00”
“The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-18687, in the name of Shona Robison, on a financial resolution for the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill. Motion moved, That the Parliament, for the purposes of any Act of the Scottish Parliament resulting from the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill, agrees to any expenditure of a kind referred to in Rule 9.12.3A of the Parliament’s Standing Orders arising in consequence of the Act.—[Ben Macpherson] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution 16:59”
“There are no questions to be put as a result of today’s business. Meeting closed at 20:59. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit. Published in Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP All documents are available on the Scottish Parliament website at: www.parliament.scot Information on non-endorsed print suppliers is available here: www.parliament.scot/documents For information on the Scottish Parliament contact Public Information on: Telephone: 0131 348 5000 Textphone: 0800 092 7100 Email: sp.info@parliament.scot”
“The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-19023, in the name of Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees— (a) the following programme of business— Tuesday 30 September 2025 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected) followed by Ministerial Statement: Techscaler Programme followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Housing (Scotland) Bill followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 7.15 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 1 October 2025 2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands; Health and Social Care followed by Scottish Labour Party Business followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Approval of SSIs (if required) 5.10 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Thursday 2 October 2025 11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions 11.40 am General Questions 12.00 pm First Minister’s Questions followed by Members’ Business 2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.30 pm Portfolio Questions: Social Justice and Housing followed by Stage 1 Debate: Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time Tuesday 7 October 2025 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected) followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 6.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 8 October 2025 2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business; Justice and Home Affairs followed by Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Business followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Approval of SSIs (if required) 5.10 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Thursday 9 October 2025 11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions 11.40 am General Questions 12.00 pm First Minister’s Questions followed by Members’ Business 2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.30 pm Portfolio Questions: Education and Skills followed by Stage 1 Debate: Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time (b) that, for the purposes of Portfolio Questions in the week beginning 29 September 2025, in rule 13.7.3, after the word “except” the words “to the extent to which the Presiding Officer considers that the questions are on the same or similar subject matter or” are inserted.—[Graeme Dey] Motion agreed to.”
“Amendment 199 disagreed to. Amendment 87 moved—[Maggie Chapman]— and agreed to. Amendment 200 not moved. Amendment 12 moved—[Maggie Chapman]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 12 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) 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) 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) 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) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (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) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) [Proxy vote cast by Willie Rennie] Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 40, Against 67, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 9 disagreed to. Amendment 10 not moved. Amendment 199 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 199 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) 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) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) [Proxy vote cast by Willie Rennie] Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 25, Against 84, Abstentions 0.”
“The cabinet secretary talked about consistency in the social rented sector in relation to the 30-day or one-month timescales. Why is consistency on that important, and why is consistency between the private rented sector and the social rented sector not important? I still have not heard convincing arguments as to why, in relation to some amendments, there is one rule for one and one rule for another. I will leave my comments there. The Presiding Officer: Ms Chapman, will you confirm whether you intend to press amendment 9? Maggie Chapman: I press amendment 9. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 9 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“Other organisations have been in touch with me. If, as the cabinet secretary says, the amendments would simply restate what the law is in Scotland, surely it can do no harm, as we pass a new housing bill, to support something that will give greater protection to those with disabilities. Again, the cabinet secretary says that she is willing to work with Maggie Chapman and other MSPs going forward, but now is the opportunity for us to do something. I hope that members across the chamber will think about not just giving warm words to disabled people but doing something in law that will make their lives easier. Maggie Chapman: I thank Jeremy Balfour for his words of support. I will not speak for too long, but I will make one point.”
“Members will note that we have passed the agreed time limit for the debate on this group to finish. I exercise my power under rule 9.8.4A(c) of standing orders to allow debate on the group to continue beyond that limit, in order to avoid the debate being further curtailed. Jeremy Balfour: I speak in favour of amendments 13 and 14, which Maggie Chapman lodged. The Scottish Government and, to some degree, the Scottish Parliament are very good with rhetoric when it comes to disability issues. They want to be supportive and to say the right thing. However, when it comes to action, they often do not follow their warm words. We are seeing that yet again with the cabinet secretary saying that she and her Government will not support amendments 13 and 14. On this occasion, what Maggie Chapman said is absolutely right.”
“Published in Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP All documents are available on the Scottish Parliament website at: www.parliament.scot Information on non-endorsed print suppliers is available here: www.parliament.scot/documents For information on the Scottish Parliament contact Public Information on: Telephone: 0131 348 5000 Textphone: 0800 092 7100 Email: sp.info@parliament.scot”
“There is one question to be put as a result of today’s business. The question is, that motion S6M-19022, in the name of Graeme Dey, on committee membership, be agreed to. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that Jamie Hepburn be appointed to replace Ben Macpherson as a member of the Criminal Justice Committee. Meeting closed at 21:14. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S6M-19022, on committee membership. I ask Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move the motion. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that Jamie Hepburn be appointed to replace Ben Macpherson as a member of the Criminal Justice Committee.—[Graeme Dey] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Decision Time 21:13”
“Maggie Chapman: I will press amendment 4. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 4 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“Amendment 176 and consequential amendment 264 would add a new section into the bill enabling the Scottish ministers to define “mid-market rent” and the circumstances in which the definition must be used. Amendment 176A would convert amendment 176 into a requirement to make regulations “within 1 year of Royal Assent”, as opposed to including a power to do so. There is no clear reason as to why that power is needed or what it would be used for. As I have said, it is my intention to exempt, where appropriate, mid- market rent properties, but the power to define properties that are to be exempt already exists in the bill. I ask Ms Chapman not to press amendment 4 or to move her other amendments in the group. 21:00 The Presiding Officer: I call Maggie Chapman to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 4.”
“For the reasons that were set out then, I cannot support amendment 177. It is not clear why the provision would be needed, given that the rent officer and the tribunal are already able to make determinations of open market rent in line with the requirements of the 2016 act. Adjudicators have regard to all available data, regardless of whether there is a duty to do so. It is also unclear how such a process could operate and how often information would need to be collected for that purpose. It would amount to an additional unnecessary burden on local authorities and give them a new role in supporting rent officers and the First-tier Tribunal in the judicial process, which would not be appropriate. I turn to the final amendments by Maggie Chapman in the group.”