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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“We have come to realise in ever increasing degrees that we can’t take care of anything if we don’t take care of these. In times like these, we cannot fail to see the suffering around us, its causes and our complicities. How can we be the peace? How can we best serve this moment we find ourselves in? The only moment that we ever have, to be alive in. Let’s begin with gratitude for those who came before us those who stood for this vision of a parliament at Holyrood “a place for the people” that it might bring about the good. Gratitude for your being here, the cells and organs of the body politic, knowing if you do not work well together, the body becomes sick. Being here is a privilege. Many will never have the chance to raise their voice in this dedicated chamber. You speak for them.”
“Good afternoon. The first item of business is time for reflection, and our time for reflection leader is Margot Henderson, a poet and storyteller. Margot Henderson: Presiding Officer, A Time For Reflection is a time to consider What are we doing here? What are we truly for? I know I’m wondering what am I doing here! At 12 years old, my mum was in service my dad was down a mine, only a generation ago. They could never have imagined their wee lassie would be standing here today, me neither. It is a reminder that each one of us walks in the footsteps of those who went before us. We are here to pass on the best we can to those who will come after us. Then there is the more than us, the birds and bees, the rocks and trees, the rivers and seas.”
“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”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the amendments tabled on 7 July 2025 to clauses 44 to 46 and 49 of the Employment Rights Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 10 October 2024, in relation to the establishment of the Social Care Negotiating Body for Scotland, so far as these amendments further alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament. The Presiding Officer: That concludes decision time. Meeting closed at 17:07. 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.”
“For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (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) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) 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) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) 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) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) 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) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (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) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) 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) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-18704, in the name of Tom Arthur, on the Employment Rights Bill, is: For 71, Against 0, Abstentions 26.”
“There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. 17:02 Meeting suspended. 17:05 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We come to the vote on motion S6M-18704, in the name of Tom Arthur, on the legislative consent motion on the Employment Rights Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation. Members should cast their votes now.”
“There are two questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that motion S6M-18680, in the name of Richard Leonard, on behalf of the Public Audit Committee, on the 2022- 23 and 2023-24 audits of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, be agreed to. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament notes the conclusions and recommendations contained in the Public Audit Committee’s 1st Report, 2025 (Session 6), The 2022/23 and 2023/24 audits of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (SP Paper 783). The Presiding Officer: The final question is, that motion S6M-18704, in the name of Tom Arthur, on the Employment Rights Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“The next item of business is consideration of legislative consent motion S6M-18704, in the name of Tom Arthur, on the Employment Rights Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that the amendments tabled on 7 July 2025 to clauses 44 to 46 and 49 of the Employment Rights Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 10 October 2024, in relation to the establishment of the Social Care Negotiating Body for Scotland, so far as these amendments further alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.—[Tom Arthur] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Decision Time 17:01”
“The First Minister: —in a partnership with Nigel Farage, and Scotland is going to send both of them packing. National Health Service 2.”
“The First Minister: On Monday, when the Government delivered on its commitment to abolish peak rail fares, commuters travelling from Glasgow to Edinburgh daily saw their travel costs reduced by 48 per cent. That is an astonishing saving for households in the country and for people commuting, but even that cannot be welcomed by Russell Findlay today. I do not really think that Russell Findlay is in the strongest position to lecture me—[Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Thank you, members. The First Minister: He just needs to look at the words of his former colleague, Jeremy Balfour, to see how moderate Conservatives feel about the outrageous leadership that Russell Findlay is delivering. What we are seeing in Scotland is Russell Findlay—[Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Thank you.”
“Despite what he said today, he is not focused on the economy, education or anything else that truly matters to the people of Scotland, who pay our wages, and he is not doing anything to help to improve people’s lives. The same old John Swinney is back: obsessed with independence and distracted from the day job. Does he not realise that the majority of Scots want to tell him, “Move on, John”? The First Minister: Russell Findlay seemed to miss the fact that, on Monday, the Government set out—no, not set out but delivered—the abolition of peak rail fares in Scotland, which will help— [Interruption.] While all the shouting is going on, I will set out to Parliament— The Presiding Officer: Sorry, First Minister, but I say to members that many people wish to put questions today, so let us continue with our business and let us hear one another.”
“The First Minister: What the Scottish Government is doing is delivering on the priorities of the people of Scotland. That is what my Government is focused on. I want to make sure that Scotland is not inhibited by the failures of Westminster, and that we have the ability to democratically choose the future of independence. I am confident that the people of Scotland will make that choice. Russell Findlay: Scotland is inhibited by the failures of this rotten Government. When John Swinney became First Minister, he quite understandably tried to present himself as a more decent front, distancing himself from the chaos of Humza Yousaf, but the mask has now well and truly slipped.”
“The First Minister: Well, I was here on Tuesday, leading a debate on the Government’s priorities for Scotland and, in that debate, I set out—[Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear one another. The First Minister: In that debate, I set out the fact that Scotland is now seeing in-patient waiting lists falling, the number of general practitioners increasing, the number of drug deaths—which is still far too high—falling, and young people delivering the best examination results since 2019, before the pandemic. I notice that there was no round of applause from the Conservatives for the young people of Scotland who delivered an outstanding examination performance, but I am proud of them and all that they have achieved. What the Scottish Government is doing— [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear one another.”
“Film buffs will know that this nationalist battle cry comes exactly 30 years since the release of “Braveheart”. He has done everything but paint his face blue, while Scots are blue in the face, saying to the SNP, “Enough is enough”. I really hate to break it to the First Minister, but John Swinney is not William Wallace—nor is he even Mel Gibson. We know his game. He knows exactly what he is up to. He is desperately trying to get the focus off the SNP’s dismal record of failure on the economy, schools, ferries, drugs, crime, health and everything else. Therefore, this week, he cynically focuses on independence and international affairs. Is it not time that he got back to the day job?”
“The First Minister: One of the points that I made this morning is that, since the 2014 referendum and by 2030, a million individuals in Scotland will not have had the opportunity to decide on our constitutional future. One in four of the population will not have had the opportunity to decide how this country should be governed. I think that, when we have very substantial support in the opinion polls for Scottish independence and a clearly expressed desire of people to decide on their constitutional future, there should be no roadblocks in the way of the people of Scotland exercising their democratic right to decide on their future. That, after all, is democracy, and I am proud to champion it. Russell Findlay: In John Swinney’s grand declaration of Leith today, he referenced Scotland’s claim of right.”
“Thank you, members. The First Minister: What independence offers for Scotland is a fresh start, and that will be positively welcomed by the people of Scotland. Russell Findlay: The title of John Swinney’s speech today was “Respecting Scotland’s Right to Decide”. That is right. That from the party that has never, not for a single minute, respected the decision that Scotland made. He said today—let me quote him, because it is absolutely priceless: “You can’t just support democracy when it suits you.” First Minister, the fringe festival is over—enough with the terrible jokes. Scotland did decide. Two million people voted to reject division, and they are still demanding that the SNP Government gives it a rest and focuses on what matters. When will he ever learn to take no for an answer?”
“There are five questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that amendment S6M-18686.3, in the name of Jackson Carlaw, which seeks to amend motion S6M- 18686, in the name of Angus Robertson, on Palestine, 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. 17:20 Meeting suspended. 17:23 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We come to the vote on amendment S6M-18686.3, in the name of Jackson Carlaw. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“The next item of business is consideration of three Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move motions S6M-18699 and S6M-18700, on approval of Scottish statutory instruments, and motion S6M-18701, on designation of a lead committee. Motions moved, That the Parliament agrees that the Scottish Parliament (Constituencies and Regions) Order 2025 [draft] be approved. That the Parliament agrees that the Scottish Parliament (Disqualification) Order 2025 [draft] be approved. That the Parliament agrees that the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee be designated as the lead committee in consideration of the second supplementary legislative consent memorandum on the Employment Rights Bill.— [Jamie Hepburn] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motions will be put at decision time.”
“The Presiding Officer: The next item of business is consideration of business motions S6M-18697 and S6M-18698, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on timetabling of bills at stage 1. Motions moved, That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 be completed by 16 January 2026. That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment to UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 be completed by 28 November 2025.—[Jamie Hepburn] Motions agreed to. Parliamentary Bureau Motions 17:20”
“Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees— (a) the following programme of business— Tuesday 9 September 2025 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected) followed by Ministerial Statement: Actions to Support Improved Relationships and Behaviour in Schools followed by Scottish Government Debate: Twenty Years of Scotland’s Railway Providing a Strong Platform for the Future followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 10 September 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 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 11 September 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 Ministerial Statement: GFG Business Operations in Scotland followed by Scottish Government Debate: Supporting Scottish Exports in Response to Global Uncertainty followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time Tuesday 16 September 2025 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected) followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 10.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 17 September 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 Stage 3 Debate: Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill followed by Stage 1 Debate: Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Approval of SSIs (if required) 5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Thursday 18 September 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 SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee Debate: SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review 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 8 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.—[Jamie Hepburn] Motion agreed to.”
“The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-18695, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, which sets out changes to business. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees to the following revision to the programme of business for Thursday 4 September 2025— after followed by Public Audit Committee Debate: The 2022/23 and 2023/24 Audits of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland insert followed by Motion on Legislative Consent: Employment Rights Bill - UK Legislation—[Jamie Hepburn]. Motion agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M- 18696, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, which sets out a business programme.”
“Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“There are six questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Russell Findlay is agreed to, the amendments in the name of Anas Sarwar and Alex Cole-Hamilton will fall. The first question is, that amendment S6M- 18671.4, in the name of Russell Findlay, which seeks to amend motion S6M-18671, in the name of John Swinney, on priorities for Scotland, 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. 17:20 Meeting suspended. 17:25 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We move to the vote on amendment S6M-18671.4, in the name of Russell Findlay, which seeks to amend S6M-18671, in the name of John Swinney, on priorities for Scotland.”
“That the Parliament agrees that Mark Ruskell be appointed to replace Ariane Burgess as the Scottish Green Party substitute on the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee.—[Jamie Hepburn] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motions will be put at decision time. Decision Time 17:19”
“That the Parliament agrees that Ariane Burgess be appointed to replace Mark Ruskell as a member of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee. That the Parliament agrees that— Michael Marra be appointed as the Scottish Labour Party substitute on the Public Audit Committee; Foysol Choudhury be appointed to replace Daniel Johnson as the Scottish Labour Party substitute on the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee; Mark Griffin be appointed to replace Carol Mochan as the Scottish Labour Party substitute on the Social Justice and Social Security Committee; and Rhoda Grant be appointed as the Scottish Labour Party substitute on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee.”
“The next item of business is consideration of four Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move motions S6M-18690 and S6M-18691, on committee membership, and motions S6M-18692 and S6M-18693, on committee substitutes. Motions moved, That the Parliament agrees that— Rhoda Grant be appointed to replace Paul O’Kane as a member of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee; Davy Russell be appointed to replace Foysol Choudhury as a member of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee; Michael Marra be appointed to replace Paul O’Kane as a member of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee; and Carol Mochan be appointed to replace Mark Griffin as a member of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee.”
“I call on all partners to join us in delivering the bold actions that have been set out in my plan— not least members of the housing to 2040 strategic board, whose support and enthusiasm I so value. Let us now work together to turn commitment into action and to turn action into early, positive and lasting change. The Presiding Officer: The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business.”
“I confirm that we will invest up to £4.9 billion over the coming four years to support the delivery of about 36,000 affordable homes, which will provide up to 24,000 children with a warm, safe home. Although further details will be outlined in the forthcoming spending review, the delivery will be through a mixture of public and privately leveraged investment. I present today a rounded and ambitious package, and I trust that members will find much in it to welcome. What they will not find is a single word dedicated to spreading fear and division in our communities. They will not find a single word scapegoating those who are seeking refuge in Scotland. I call on the UK Home Office to properly fund and organise its asylum processes, and I recommit Scotland to being a welcoming and inclusive nation.”
“I confirm today that we will issue a new notification direction to planning authorities, through which ministers will closely monitor the application of planning policy and intervene when needed. The Minister for Public Finance, the chief planner and I will also write to planning authorities to set out our expectations of customer service and proportionality when dealing with small and medium-sized enterprise house builders and, separately, to all planning stakeholders on our expectation of an emergency-led approach across development plan preparation and the determination of planning applications. I referred earlier to our commitment to offer multiyear funding certainty. Having confirmed that, I am pleased to go further today by accompanying this forward look with a significant step up in funding.”
“I will support first-time buyers who are on low or medium incomes by reopening the open market shared equity scheme to them. As a rural MSP, I know well how housing challenges differ between Scotland’s diverse places. As well as continuing to support the rural and islands housing fund, we will expand our work by engaging public bodies, landowners and the Scottish National Investment Bank to unlock land for housing in rural Scotland. Key to all of that is our planning system. The “Planning and the Housing Emergency—Delivery Plan”, which was published in November last year, set out 23 actions, and we have made good progress against them. My action plan takes our planning commitments further.”
“We will complement that with a new delivery ambition to increase delivery across all tenures by at least 10 per cent each year over the first three years of the next parliamentary session. In support of that ambition, and knowing how vital continued development is to the availability and affordability of homes, I take this opportunity to confirm my intention, in principle, to exempt mid-market rent and build-to-rent properties, where appropriate, from the rent controls that are being introduced under the Housing (Scotland) Bill. Such exemptions would be designed to protect and promote investment in those sectors and were clearly called for by our housing investment task force. We will work with East Lothian Council and private sector partners to unlock investment in the new town Blindwells, which has the potential to deliver 10,000 homes.”
“In response to strong calls from the sector, we will extend rapid rehousing transition plan funding to 2026-27 and invest £500,000 in winter preparedness measures to ensure that, in the cold winter months, people get a suitable bed for the night. Looking forward, I am focusing on building our future by maximising growth and investment in Scotland’s housing sector. That means continuing to invest extensively in affordable homes and, at the same time, working to create the optimum conditions to foster confidence and investment. I referred earlier to the valuable engagement with partners this summer. There was a consistent call for the certainty that multiyear funding trajectories can provide. Today, the Scottish Government is positively answering that call, and I confirm that we will provide that multiyear funding forward look.”
“No woman should flee violence only to face homelessness. That is why my plan will establish a national fund to leave, which will be backed this year by £1 million, to help up to 1,200 women and their children leave an abusive relationship. Another vulnerable group is people with multiple and complex needs, who are at risk of cyclical homelessness and rough sleeping. Over the summer, I met those who benefit from and help to facilitate the housing first programme. The stories of resilience, hope and recovery will stay with me always. To support those people, we will invest an additional £4 million this year to expand the delivery of housing first tenancies.”
“As well as the availability of homes, I am focusing on the quality. No one in Scotland—and especially no child—should live with damp or mould. I confirm that, should Parliament agree, we will raise the standard and quality of all rented accommodation in Scotland by bringing Awaab’s law into force in the social and private rented sectors from March 2026. I turn to the second pillar of my plan— supporting the housing needs of vulnerable communities. Following the Cabinet meeting this morning, I visited the exceptional Scottish Women’s Aid team in Edinburgh. I heard from staff who have worked with survivors—and their children—when they are trying to leave an abusive partner. Domestic abuse is the leading cause of homelessness among women, and I know how financial support can help women with children to be free of abusive men.”
“Following the guidance that the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers has produced on flipping temporary accommodation to a settled residence, we will ask councils to now contact every household with children in good-quality temporary accommodation to examine flipping opportunities, with the funding helping to replenish temporary stock. We will invest £2 million in discretionary housing payments to support households currently in temporary housing to find settled homes in the private rented sector; we will fund pilots, such as private sector leasing schemes, to tackle the use of unsuitable bed and breakfasts and hotels; and, subject to parliamentary approval of the Housing (Scotland) Bill, we will introduce a long-term system of rent controls to ensure affordability.”
“John Swinney’s Government is working to eradicate child poverty and we will, through this plan, double our acquisition fund from £40 million to £80 million this year, which will bring our total additional targeted investment to £120 million since the emergency was declared. That will support the acquisition of at least 1,200 homes over the 18 months of the fund, helping between 600 and 800 children to quickly move out of temporary accommodation and into permanent tenancies. I will work with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and with local authorities to make clear our expectation that that funding should be concentrated on family-sized homes where they are required.”
“It was very important to me to understand their challenges and hear their proposed solutions. My resultant plan is centred on three core missions: first, ending the situation of children living in unsuitable accommodation, as part of the Government’s work to eradicate child poverty; secondly, supporting the housing needs of vulnerable communities; and lastly, building our future by maximising growth and investment in Scotland’s housing sector. Children should not live in accommodation that is unsuited to their needs. While temporary accommodation is a vital safety net for families, it must be just that—temporary.”
“That has included helping some 2,700 households with children into affordable homes in the year to December 2024, and bringing almost 1,000 homes back into use in 2024-25 through our targeted £40 million of investment. We also increased our affordable homes supply programme budget to £768 million this year, so that we are able to deliver a further 8,000 affordable homes. In addition, the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership reported earlier today that 2,066 privately owned long-term empty homes were returned to use in 2024-25. That is the highest annual amount in 15 years, and it brings the total number of homes returned to nearly 13,000. However, there is still much to do and we must go further, and the action plan that I am setting out today does that. Over the summer, I have worked extensively with partners across the housing sector.”
“That has resulted in Scotland having a delivery rate for affordable homes per head of population of 47 per cent more than in England and 73 per cent more than in Wales. We have also legislated for some of the most protective anti-homelessness laws of any country and have fully mitigated the effect of the United Kingdom Government’s bedroom tax, so that no one in Scotland pays it. Despite that, there is unprecedented strain in demand for, and supply of, housing, after years of financial strain from UK austerity and Brexit, the pandemic and other inflationary pressures. Since we declared a housing emergency, significant progress has been made. In May, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice updated Parliament on our targeted work to date.”
“The next item of business is a statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan, on tackling the housing emergency. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of her statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions. 14:35 The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan): On 11 June, I was appointed as Scotland’s first Cabinet Secretary for Housing, with the First Minister placing homes at the heart of his Government. A safe, warm, secure and affordable place to call home is fundamental to a life of dignity and opportunity. We have long believed that and, since coming into government, we have invested considerably in it. Since 2007, we have helped to deliver more than 139,000 affordable homes, with 99,000 of those available for social rent.”
“Motion agreed to. Topical Question Time 14:08 Crime Statistics 1.”
“Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees to the following revisions to the programme of business for— (a) Tuesday 2 September 2025— delete followed by Scottish Government Business and insert followed by Ministerial Statement: Tackling the Housing Emergency followed by Scottish Government Debate: Priorities for Scotland (b) Wednesday 3 September 2025— delete followed by Scottish Government Business and insert followed by First Minister’s Statement: Situation in Gaza followed by Scottish Government Debate: Palestine delete 5.00 pm Decision Time and insert 5.15 pm Decision Time (c) Thursday 4 September 2025— delete followed by Scottish Government Business and insert followed by Ministerial Statement: Drug-related Deaths in Scotland in 2024 and the National Mission to Reduce Deaths and Improve the Lives of People Impacted by Drugs followed by Public Audit Committee Debate: The 2022/23 and 2023/24 Audits of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland—[Jamie Hepburn].”
“The next item is consideration of business motion S6M-18622, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on changes to the business programme. Any member who wishes to speak to the motion should press their request-to-speak button now.”
“In the update given earlier today, the SPCB and I set out as much information as we can. I must remind members that, as this matter is sub judice, it would not be appropriate to comment further. I assure members that I will continue to keep them updated. I am acutely aware of the concerns that people have, and we are committed to doing everything that we can to address them. Business Motion 14:08”
“Enhanced security checks of the building will continue as we seek to provide further reassurance to members and to each and every person who works in or visits the Scottish Parliament. Teams at the Parliament have been working hard to put in place a range of additional support for all those affected. The chief executive and I wrote to building users yesterday to set out how that support can be accessed. Meetings have taken place with various groups already, and we will continue that process across the coming weeks, working with all staff groups in the building. I encourage everyone to access the support that they need. That is vitally important. I reiterate that you should feel able to contact me personally, in confidence, if I can be of any help. I realise that people have questions about these matters.”
“Having considered that, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body agreed to deactivate the member’s pass. Although procedures are a matter for the whole Parliament, for its part the SPCB is committed to reviewing online and physical security as a whole, in line with its remit and responsibilities. As it remains a live criminal investigation, the matter is sub judice. We must avoid contempt of court, and nothing should be said or done that might jeopardise the investigation. We can comment only on information that is verified, and I will continue to keep party leaders and groups across the Parliament up to date. Police Scotland has swept the facilities in the building, and no devices were found.”
“These circumstances are unprecedented for the Parliament, and it has been and continues to be a highly complex situation to navigate. There is an on-going live criminal investigation. The information available to the Parliament at different stages has, therefore, necessarily been limited, and parliamentary authorities do not have confirmation of any investigation details. If further information is confirmed or verified, we will share it. It is important to be clear that neither officials nor the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body have the authority to remove the rights and privileges of an elected member. Officials have worked at pace to consider how this unprecedented situation should best be responded to, establishing appropriate lawful authority to act and carrying out a thorough risk assessment.”
“Before we move to topical questions I would like to say something about the deeply shocking situation that the Parliament has faced in recent days. Not a single person in the Parliament is unaffected. You will be aware that the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body met this morning. Following that meeting, a detailed note has been provided to party groups, individual members and staff. I take this opportunity to reiterate a number of points. I am absolutely appalled that anyone would have to face a situation such as this in the Parliament or, indeed, in any workplace or any other environment. We all feel shock and hurt at the recent allegations relating to an elected member and the reports of a shocking invasion of privacy. The safety and welfare of everyone who works in this building are our priority.”
“Showing love for others enriches everyone; disregard for others diminishes all of us. We are all part of one human family, interlinked to each other’s lives and destinies. My hope for the Parliament, and for all of us, is that we take the good Samaritan’s path. Thank you for listening. Presiding Officer’s Address to the Parliament 14:04”
“The incredible generosity of people in Scotland, through SCIAF and our local partners, stands today as a beacon of hope that a better world is possible—a reminder to everyone, including our leaders, that it is compassion, charity, love and solidarity that still define our humanity. The lesson of the good Samaritan is also a call to leaders to act with courage and compassion, even when the politics of division and selfishness tries to consume us. Our world faces many trials: climate change, conflict, hunger, the crisis of global debt, and deepening division at home and abroad. Yet these challenges cannot be met with further division and conflict. The story of the good Samaritan reminds us that everyone is our neighbour. When a society grows used to ignoring the poorest abroad, it soon risks turning its back on the most vulnerable at home.”