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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“In addition, the powers that are to be granted to the Scottish ministers in the cabinet secretary’s amendments allow for that to be reconsidered, including whether an inspection could be more frequent in the future. I do not know why the cabinet secretary cannot support a minimum inspection frequency in legislation. Jenny Gilruth: I am broadly supportive of the position that Ms Duncan-Glancy expresses. However, she will recall that, during stage 2, she made a proposal about ensuring that regulations would be made. I think that she has since changed her position, as can be seen in the amendments that we are discussing today. I do not believe that we should be rushing to set a minimum frequency today. At stage 2, she proposed a requirement that teachers should be consulted before any minimum frequency was set. I agree with her.”
“My amendments 24 and 26 to 28 set out a process by which the Scottish ministers must engage fully with the education system and, following that careful consideration, set out to Parliament what is believed to be the optimum minimum frequency of school inspection. Pam Duncan-Glancy: Yes, there are amendments that propose a frequency of inspections of four, seven or 11 years. I would argue that I set out a strong rationale for a school being inspected at least once in a young person’s primary school career or, if not by that point, at least once in their secondary school, by S4. My proposals would provide for a rational, logical and specific defined inspection regime in legislation.”
“Inspectors generally come from headteacher or deputy headteacher roles, so the implications of suddenly recruiting many more of those individuals would be very challenging for their schools and their pupils. Ms Duncan-Glancy also proposes, in her amendments 201 to 203, that we include a minimum frequency of inspection in the bill, offering alternatives of seven and 11 years. However, the fact that we are offered three different minimum frequencies underscores a fundamental problem with the approach. What are the criteria or rationale on which we are to judge whether a minimum of four, seven or 11 years is optimal for our schools?”
“Jenny Gilruth: The frequency of inspection, in particular of our schools, is an important topic, which we discussed at length during stage 2. At stage 2, Mr Kerr proposed that all schools should be inspected at least every three years, which would have meant the inspectorate undertaking around 800 inspections per year. His amendments 19 and 22 would require such inspections to occur every four years, as we have heard. Given that there are around 250 school inspections per year, we would need to significantly increase the resourcing of inspection to achieve the approximately 600 inspections per year that those amendments would require. However, the system impacts would arguably be even more important.”
“With those measures—baseline frequency, a risk-based overlay and the option for schools to call in an inspection when they judge it to be helpful—we would move away from an inspection regime that, in its sporadic and opaque nature, can deliver fear to the staff who work in schools, which is not what inspection should deliver. The amendments would move us from an inspection regime that is sporadic and opaque to one that is predictable, responsive and supportive, which is exactly the sort of independent inspectorate regime that we need in Scotland. I therefore intend to move amendment 201 and commend amendments 202, 203, 229, 230 and 241, and I confirm that Scottish Labour will support the cabinet secretary’s amendments.”
“Finally, amendment 241 would give educational establishments the right to request an inspection, even if one was not otherwise due that particular year. The committee’s stage 1 report said that a fresh external review can be invaluable when a school has already begun its improvement journey. The amendment would make that professional discretion possible. It would also require engagement with the local authority for that purpose, so that, when the local authority and the school understand that a request for inspection would be useful for the school, they can make it together to the inspectorate.”
“However, our amendments are stronger because they would enshrine a specific time in legislation and ensure that no school waits indefinitely for external scrutiny. Nonetheless, there is the backstop, one might say, of the cabinet secretary’s amendments. However, regular cycles are only part of the picture. My amendments 229 and 230 would require the chief inspector to set out in the published inspection plan a transparent risk-based model that can be used to identify where additional or earlier visits might be necessary. It would ensure that resources followed need and not timetable. When we spoke to teachers and school leaders, they felt that it was important for them to have the ability to identify where they could seek improvement and help. That is why amendments 229 and 230 are important amendments.”
“Seven years spans a learner’s journey from the first day of primary school to the start of secondary school, while 11 years follows the same learner from primary 1 right through to the final year of what is considered mandatory secondary education in Scotland. Either interval would be a marked improvement on the current position. I emphasise that those frequencies are of course a floor and not a ceiling and that they could be amended to be more frequent. That is why we support the cabinet secretary’s amendments 24 and 26 to 28, which would empower ministers, through regulations subject to affirmative parliamentary procedure—thus making it unlikely that they would slide back beyond seven or 11 years—to vary the specified interval should the opportunity arise and it be considered necessary that establishments be inspected more frequently.”
“I call Pam Duncan-Glancy to speak to amendment 201 and other amendments in the group. Pam Duncan-Glancy: A school inspection should offer two assurances—first, that every learner’s right to a high-quality education is being met, and, secondly, that support will arrive promptly when standards fall short. Neither assurance can be given if inspections do not take place for years. There are some establishments in Scotland that have not had an inspection at all since 2008. To anchor regular inspection in law, amendments 201 to 203 provide a rebuttable presumption of minimum frequency. They present members with two practical options. Amendment 202 proposes an inspection at least once every seven years, and amendment 203 proposes an inspection at least once every 11 years.”
“Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that, during stage 3 of the Education (Scotland) Bill, debate on groups of amendments shall, subject to Rule 9.8.4A, be brought to a conclusion by the time limits indicated, those time limits being calculated from when the stage begins and excluding any periods when other business is under consideration or when a meeting of the Parliament is suspended or otherwise not in progress: Groups 1 to 2: 1 hour Groups 3 to 6: 2 hours Groups 7 to 10: 3 hours 10 minutes Groups 11 to 13: 4 hours 10 minutes Groups 14 to 16: 5 hours 10 minutes Groups 17 to 19: 6 hours 5 minutes Groups 20 to 21: 7 hours 10 minutes Groups 22 to 23: 7 hours 50 minutes.—[Jamie Hepburn] Motion agreed to. Education (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 15:28”
“The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-18070, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a timetable for consideration of the Education (Scotland) Bill at stage 3.”
“The next item of business is a statement by Ivan McKee on the 2024-25 provisional outturn. The minister will take questions at the end of his statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions. 14:57”
“The next item of business is a statement by Jenny Gilruth on an initial response to the Gillies review of University of Dundee finances. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of her statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions. 14:21”
“That concludes topical question time. I will allow a moment or two for front bench members to reorganise themselves. University of Dundee Finances (Gillies Review)”
“Topical Question Time 14:03 Infrastructure Use (United States Military) 1.”
“Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees to the following revisions to the programme of business for— (a) Tuesday 24 June 2025— after followed by Topical Questions (if selected) insert followed by Ministerial Statement: Initial Response to the Gillies Review of University of Dundee Finances delete 10.00 pm Decision Time and insert 9.50 pm Decision Time (b) Wednesday 25 June 2025— after 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business; Justice and Home Affairs insert followed by First Minister’s Statement: Historical Policies Affecting Gypsy/Traveller Communities after followed by Ministerial Statement: The Scottish Government's Medium-Term Financial Strategy and Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan insert followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Education (Scotland) Bill delete followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Employment Rights Bill - UK Legislation followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill - UK Legislation and insert followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill - UK Legislation delete 5.50 pm Decision Time and insert 7.40 pm Decision Time (c) Thursday 26 June 2025 delete 2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.30 pm Portfolio Questions: Education and Skills and insert 2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Education and Skills after followed by Ministerial Statement: Ensuring the Right Support for Young People's Neurodivergence, Mental Health and Wellbeing insert followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill - UK Legislation delete followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill - UK Legislation and insert followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Employment Rights Bill - UK Legislation—[Jamie Hepburn] Motion agreed to.”
“The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-18099, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on changes to business. Any member who wishes to speak to the motion should press their request-to-speak button now.”
“I would add that we should all be champions of education, because when we educate and empower people, especially women, we do not just improve lives—we transform communities. Today, I reflect with gratitude—gratitude for the teachers, the public servants, the institutions and the policies that make education possible, not just for people like me, but for every child with a dream bigger than their circumstances. Thank you. Business Motion 14:03”
“Many are returning to education after raising children, changing careers or just finally getting the chance that they missed earlier in life, and roughly 45 per cent are the first in their family to go to university. I know what education has done for me. It has opened doors that I did not even know existed. It has helped me to start businesses, to build a career and, now, to give back through charity work. In my role as chancellor, I hope that I can be a role model for students who wonder whether people like them can lead too. Representation matters. Whether people see someone from their ethnic background, their gender or their community in a leadership role, it tells them, and especially young people, “You belong too.” As the Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie once said, “We should all be feminists”.”
“If my grandfather could see me now, with five university degrees including two master’s, running businesses, leading a local charity and now standing here as chancellor of a university, I think that he would be a bit shocked, but maybe just a little bit proud, too. Coming to Scotland over 20 years ago brought me opportunities to learn, to grow and to lead in a welcoming country. Now, I have children of my own being educated here in Scotland. That is something that I never take for granted. It is about more than books and exams; it is about building confidence and shaping values. At UWS, we take that very seriously. Sixty seven per cent of our undergraduate students are 21 or older when they start.”
“Good afternoon. The first item of business is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is Dr Yekemi Otaru, chancellor of the University of the West of Scotland. Dr Yekemi Otaru (University of the West of Scotland): Presiding Officer and members of the Scottish Parliament, thank you for this opportunity to share a few reflections. I am Yekemi and I am chancellor of the University of the West of Scotland, or UWS for short. That is still a sentence that I sometimes have to repeat to myself, because it is a long way from where my family started. My grandfather did not believe in educating girls. I have 12 aunties, none of whom went to primary school—that was just not the world that they lived in.”
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“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that— Alasdair Allan be appointed to replace Elena Whitham as a member of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee; Elena Whitham be appointed to replace Gordon MacDonald as a member of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee; Paul McLennan be appointed to replace Evelyn Tweed as a member of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee; and Evelyn Tweed be appointed to replace Emma Roddick as a member of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. The Presiding Officer: That concludes decision time. Meeting closed at 17:26. 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.”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-18016, in the name of Shirley- Anne Somerville, on progressing the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls recommendations on equality, be agreed to. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament notes the publication of the first Annual Statement on Gender Policy Coherence. The Presiding Officer: The final question is, that motion S6M-18024, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on committee membership, be agreed to.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) 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) 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) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) 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) 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) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (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) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S6M-18016.1, in the name of Tess White, is: For 24, Against 60, Abstentions 16.”
“There are three questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that amendment S6M- 18016.1, in the name of Tess White, which seeks to amend motion S6M-18016, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on progressing the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls recommendations on equality, 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. 17:21 Meeting suspended. 17:24 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We come to the division on amendment S6M-18016.1, in the name of Tess White, which seeks to amend motion S6M-18016, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on progressing the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls recommendations on equality. Members should cast their votes now.”
“The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S6M-18024, on committee membership. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move the motion. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that— Alasdair Allan be appointed to replace Elena Whitham as a member of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee; Elena Whitham be appointed to replace Gordon MacDonald as a member of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee; Paul McLennan be appointed to replace Evelyn Tweed as a member of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee; and Evelyn Tweed be appointed to replace Emma Roddick as a member of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee.—[Jamie Hepburn] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Decision Time 17:21”
“The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-18035, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, 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 Thursday 26 June 2025— delete followed by Members’ Business and after 12.00 pm First Minister’s Questions insert followed by Members’ Business—[Jamie Hepburn] Motion agreed to. Parliamentary Bureau Motion 17:20”
“We move to the next item of business, which is a statement by Kate Forbes on Alexander Dennis Ltd. The Deputy First Minister will take questions at the end of her statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions. 16:44”
“It is important for the Government to clarify why we are still stalling. It is clear that we can get on with matters now. With that, Presiding Officer, I close my remarks. The Presiding Officer: I call the minister to wind up the debate. 16:33”
“Meghan Gallacher: I am not entirely sure that Alex Cole-Hamilton listened to what I said. The call, which came directly from the EHRC, took place this morning; MSPs were present and listened to what the EHRC said. The commission was clear that public bodies can get on with implementing the Supreme Court ruling, so why the delay? Why are we not getting on with that now? Shirley-Anne Somerville: Will the member take an intervention? Alex Cole-Hamilton: On that point— Meghan Gallacher: I have been really generous with interventions during my contribution. However, I recommend that Alex Cole-Hamilton meets the EHRC, because that point might be made clearer for him. Alex Cole-Hamilton: But— Meghan Gallacher: I will get on with what I was going to say, because I am well over time and have taken a lot of interventions on the issue.”
“There is a lot of time in hand. Meghan Gallacher: I have time, so I will. Alex Cole-Hamilton: We have an example of the Conservatives saying that the EHRC guidance is crystal clear, but anyone who watched the testimony that Kishwer Falkner gave to the Women and Equalities Committee last week would say that it is anything but clear. At the end of the day, her commission has suggested that all public toilets that are owned by public bodies should be assigned on the basis of gender at birth, yet also suggested that the policing of that guidance would be absolutely absurd, as it would require people to ask for birth certificates on presentation at those toilets. Does Meghan Gallacher realise that there is still a live debate on that topic and that we should not implement the guidance until that debate is concluded?”
“What we are getting from Russell Findlay today is a demonisation of young people and a failure to address the mechanisms and interventions that are required to solve a difficult issue in our society. It is simplistic nonsense and Parliament should ignore it. Alexander Dennis 2.”
“Let us hear one another. [Interruption.] The First Minister: Well, it is false. Let us just agree that it is false. Members: Oh! The Presiding Officer: Let us hear the First Minister. The First Minister: Secondly, last week, after First Minister’s question time, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs and I convened a discussion at which Sharon Dowey, the Conservative spokesperson on justice issues, was present. Among the range of stakeholders in that discussion was a variety of people who are involved in violence reduction, such as Medics Against Violence and all those organisations that are doing really good work to avoid violence in our society and to de-escalate exactly the situations that I am talking about. In that conversation, not one of those people said to me that I should increase the level of exclusion from schools.”
“Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The amendment in the name of Michael Marra falls. The next question is, that motion S6M-17980, in the name of Craig Hoy, on demanding a better deal for taxpayers in Scotland, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“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) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (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) 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) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) 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) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (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) Abstentions Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S6M-17980.2, in the name of Shona Robison, is: For 72, Against 42, Abstentions 1.”
“We come to the vote on amendment S6M- 17980.2, in the name of Shona Robison, which seeks to amend motion S6M-17980, in the name of Craig Hoy, on demanding a better deal for taxpayers in Scotland. Members should cast their votes now.”
“There are 10 questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Shona Robison is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Michael Marra will fall. The first question is, that amendment S6M- 17980.2, in the name of Shona Robison, which seeks to amend motion S6M-17980, in the name of Craig Hoy, on demanding a better deal for taxpayers in 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. 17:23 Meeting suspended. 17:24 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Shona Robison is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Michael Marra will fall.”
“The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S6M-18004, on the approval of a Scottish statutory instrument. I invite Jamie Hepburn to move the motion on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland (Designation of Scheme Administrator) Order 2025 [draft] be approved.—[Jamie Hepburn] 17:08”
“Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees— (a) the following programme of business— Tuesday 24 June 2025 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected) followed by Ministerial Statement: Budget - Provisional Outturn 2024-2025 followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Education (Scotland) Bill followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 10.00 pm Decision Time Wednesday 25 June 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 Ministerial Statement: The Scottish Government’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy and Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan followed by Stage 3 Debate: Education (Scotland) Bill followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Employment Rights Bill - UK Legislation followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill - UK Legislation followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill - UK Legislation followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill - UK Legislation followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Approval of SSIs (if required) 5.50 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Thursday 26 June 2025 11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions 11.40 am General Questions 12.00 pm First Minister’s Questions 2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.30 pm Portfolio Questions: Education and Skills followed by Ministerial Statement: Ensuring the Right Support for Young People’s Neurodivergence, Mental Health and Wellbeing followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Product Regulation and Metrology Bill - UK Legislation followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill - UK Legislation followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - UK Legislation followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 4.55 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Tuesday 2 September 2025 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected) followed by Scottish Government Business followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 3 September 2025 2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Economy and Gaelic; Finance and Local Government followed by Scottish Government Business 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 4 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: Net Zero and Energy, and Transport followed by Scottish Government Business 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 23 June 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-18003, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme. I invite Jamie Hepburn to move the motion.”
“There are two questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that motion S6M-17966, in the name of Kate Forbes, on the Scottish Languages Bill at stage 3, be agreed to. As this is a motion to pass a bill, the question must be decided by division. There will be a brief suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. 18:18 Meeting suspended. 18:19 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We move to the vote on motion S6M-17966, in the name of Kate Forbes. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“I am minded to accept a motion without notice, under rule 11.2.4 of standing orders, that decision time be brought forward to now. I invite the Minister for Parliamentary Business to move the motion. Motion moved, That, under Rule 11.2.4, Decision Time be brought forward to 6.17 pm.—[Jamie Hepburn] Motion agreed to. Decision Time 18:17”
“The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S6M-18002, on a committee meeting time. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move the motion. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that, under Rule 12.3.3B of Standing Orders, the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee can meet, if necessary, at the same time as a meeting of the Parliament between approximately 5.45 pm and close of business on Wednesday 18 June 2025.— [Jamie Hepburn] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Motion without Notice 18:17”
“That is the choice that we will make by passing the bill, and it is the choice that I hope that all future generations will make, because we should not squander the value, the heritage, the culture and the wealth in our language. Parliamentary Bureau Motion 18:17”
“The provision of Gaelic-medium education by an education authority can fulfil the foundational duty in our education law to provide adequate and efficient education. Authorities may consider that providing only Gaelic-medium education is appropriate in certain areas. Indeed, that is almost happening right now, but that will be the case in an area of linguistic significance where there is a high proportion of Gaelic speakers. An authority would be required to satisfy itself that, in doing so, it would be complying with its wider legal duties. I started my speech with a quote from Rory and Calum MacDonald of Runrig, which ends on the point that she will live on in this land.”
“Our local authorities are key in taking responsibility and reflecting local diverse needs. I have spoken to the three primary local authorities for Gaelic—Argyll and Bute Council, Highland Council and Western Isles Council—on which there is a variety of political representation. I want to work with them at pace to understand not just what will be expected of them but how we support them to take forward that work. Presiding Officer, I have forgotten how much time you gave me, but I want to take a few more seconds to say that one of the biggest changes in the bill relates to education. Although we are focusing on community, we know that, for young people, learning the language and being able to study in their native tongue in school is critical. The bill strengthens Gaelic-medium education considerably.”
“We talk about Gaelic and Scots as if they are tangible assets that are independent of people, but, ultimately, it is about the speakers, how they prosper and are successful, and how their wellbeing is taken into account. I would very much like to continue the cross-party consensus that we have achieved through the bill and to work with members to implement the recommendations that the short-life working group identified as critically important. I will touch briefly on the points that Roz McCall made about local government, because she is absolutely right. Particularly in the discussions about areas of linguistic significance, we considered whether central Government should direct and mandate or whether there should be an iterative process with our local authorities.”
“I have been somewhat preoccupied by the bill, but, on Friday, I met members of the short-life working group on social and economic opportunities for Gaelic and stressed to them that our focus will be on implementing the recommendations that they made in their brilliant report. The areas that they raised are the very areas on which Parliament has been inviting me to go further. There are questions about population retention and infrastructure, housing, transport, digital connectivity, education, jobs and key sectors. Those are all the things that bring our communities to life, irrespective of where they are. Those things are critically important for strengthening Gaelic because, ultimately, language is about the people.”
“However, that speaks to the strength of feeling about language and the value of diversity and debate—and sometimes dispute—about the best way forward. It is because we care about the languages that we debate them, and it is in the debate that we have that democratic representation. As I said to Pam Duncan-Glancy in relation to her amendments in the first group, I applaud the debate that we have on language, and I am thankful for members’ participation in it. Willie Rennie and Michael Marra both talked about the fact that legislation has limits. I would be the first to recognise that we cannot legislate language into existence. If language is truly a living, breathing medium of communication, it has to be about more than what Governments and Parliaments pass in the form of legislation.”