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 Mr Findlay. Russell Findlay: The justice secretary says that it will be “based around small communities living together and supporting each other.” There will be an orchard of fruit trees, beautiful landscaped gardens, planting beds, polytunnels and amphitheatre-like steps. I am not making this up—there will be wee boxes for owls and bats to live in and special bricks for the birds. The SNP expects hard-working Scottish taxpayers to pay for its nonsense. Surely we need some common sense by building a prison at minimum cost to taxpayers and not for maximum benefit to prisoners. The First Minister: The tone of Mr Findlay’s question is absolutely reprehensible and despicable. [Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Thank you!”
“Amendment disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S6M-16330.3, in the name of Pam Duncan-Glancy, which seeks to amend motion S6M-16330, in the name of Jenny Gilruth, on addressing child poverty through education, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“For 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) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (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) 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) 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, Dr Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) 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) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Gillian Mackay] 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) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McKelvie, Christina (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) 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) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (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 Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S6M-16330.4, in the name of Miles Briggs, is: For 29, Against 88, Abstentions 4.”
“There are four questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that amendment S6M- 16330.4, in the name of Miles Briggs, which seeks to amend motion S6M-16330, in the name of Jenny Gilruth, on addressing child poverty through education, 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 digital voting. 17:11 Meeting suspended. 17:13 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We come to the vote on amendment S6M-16330.4, in the name of Miles Briggs, which seeks to amend motion S6M-16330, in the name of Jenny Gilruth. Members should cast their votes now.”
“The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S6M-16342, on approval of a Scottish statutory instrument. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that the International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2025 [draft] be approved.—[Jamie Hepburn] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Decision Time 17:10”
“The Presiding Officer: The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M- 16341, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on a stage 1 timetable. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 be completed by 23 May 2025.—[Jamie Hepburn] Motion agreed to. Parliamentary Bureau Motion 17:10”
“4) Bill followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 26 February 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 Green 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 27 February 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 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 17 February 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-16340, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees— (a) the following programme of business— Tuesday 18 February 2025 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected) followed by Ministerial Statement: Community Wealth Building Progress and Future Ambition followed by Scottish Government Debate: Employer National Insurance Contributions followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 19 February 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 Government Debate: Protecting the Powers of the Scottish Parliament followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Renters’ Rights Bill - UK Legislation 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 20 February 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 followed by Scottish Government Debate: Scottish Income Tax Rate Resolution 2025-26 followed by Scottish Government Debate: Independent Review of Sentencing and Penal Policy followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time Tuesday 25 February 2025 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected) followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Budget (Scotland) (No.”
“I have also given her my commitment that I am engaging with the chief statistician on this. I hope that she will recognise that I am taking direct action in relation to the concerns that she has raised today. On the broader issue that she raised in relation to data, the data was not gathered by the Scottish Government; it was gathered by local authorities, and only 16 took part. The Presiding Officer: We have several requests for supplementary questions. We have a time allocation for this item, so concise questions and responses would be helpful.”
“It has been revealed that that sensitive data, which the Scottish National Party promised would be kept confidential, is being advertised to third-party researchers. That is a blatant betrayal of trust and raises concerns about the protection of our children’s privacy. Will the cabinet secretary please explain why that data has been shared and provide assurances that the shameful decision to share it will be reversed and never repeated? Jenny Gilruth: I recognise the strength of the member’s feelings on the issue, but I do not recall her asking to meet me to discuss it. She also needs to reflect that the data was gathered once, in 2021 and 2022, and it is now 2025. If she would like to meet me to discuss her concerns, I am more than happy to do that. I have given her an assurance today that the survey has been paused at my behest.”
“I would have thought that the member would welcome that approach from the Government, which shows that we are listening. I have discussed these concerns directly with the chief statistician, and I will meet with him this evening, following the conclusion of this meeting of the Parliament. I have been reassured that, in future discussions, he will take appropriate steps that reflect the strength of feeling about collecting this type of information. Meghan Gallacher: The cabinet secretary does not get it. Parents are furious about this. They are furious about the way that the Scottish Government has acted—[Interruption.] The Presiding Officer: Let us hear Ms Gallacher. Meghan Gallacher: —in putting out the school sex survey to local government without parental consent and without parents knowing.”
“Even when parental consent was given, young people had the option of opting out, and many did. We need to reflect on that, too. Ms Gallacher asked a broader question about the holding of data. As I said in my original answer, the Scottish Government is not collecting the data and we have not collected it since June 2022. As Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, I have also taken a decision to pause how we collect the data. I think that it is important that we reflect on that. I am sorry—I see that the member does not have a particularly happy face right now. I would have thought that she would welcome the Government’s approach, because it has been her approach throughout. [Interruption.] I can hear her chuntering from a sedentary position.”
“Always speak through the chair, please. Jenny Gilruth: I recognise the strength of feeling in relation to this topic. It is worth recounting to Parliament that the data was collected on one occasion only, between 2021 and 2022. As Ms Gallacher will be well aware, only 16 local authorities—that I am aware of—took part in the gathering of the data. It is important that the Government reflects on that, and we need to work with our local authorities on how we can improve the data collection. Ms Gallacher raised the issue of parental consent. As I set out in my original answer, the issue of parental consent should have been communicated via schools—because that is how our local authorities operate in Scotland, in terms of their responsibilities—and that consent should have been sought.”
“The Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate on addressing child poverty through education. Urgent Question 16:56 Health and Wellbeing Census (Third-party Access)”
“The cabinet secretary must conclude. Jenny Gilruth: —about continuing a range of austerity measures that are harming children in Scotland before the Scottish Government has acted. In general, the debate has been positive. It is an opportunity for us all to come together to work towards the future. After the significant challenges in recent years, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, there is now an opportunity before us to make meaningful and lasting change for the people of Scotland. I implore members across the chamber to embrace that opportunity, to work constructively with the Government and to play their part in delivering that change, because only together can we deliver a vibrant and thriving Scotland and eradicate child poverty once and for all.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Budget (Scotland) (No 4) Bill. The Presiding Officer: That concludes decision time. Lockerbie Bombing”
“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) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Gillian Mackay] Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [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) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McKelvie, Christina (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Jamie Hepburn] 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) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) 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 Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) 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) 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) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (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) 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) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Abstentions Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (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 motion S6M-16299, in the name of Shona Robison, on the Budget (Scotland) (No 4) Bill at stage 1, is: For 74, Against 30, Abstentions 21.”
“There is one question to be put as a result of today’s business. The question is, that motion S6M-16299, in the name of Shona Robison, on the Budget (Scotland) (No 4) Bill at stage 1, 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 motion S6M-16299, in the name of Shona Robison, on the Budget (Scotland) (No 4) Bill at stage 1. Members should cast their votes now.”
“The Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate on the Budget (Scotland) (No 4) Bill at stage 1. Decision Time 17:00”
“In the next few weeks and months, we will bring forward our fiscal sustainability delivery plan and our medium-term financial strategy, which will give more detail on how we are working to take the agenda forward. I reiterate that the budget is about making Scotland a better place for all its people. It is about eradicating child poverty, building a strong, sustainable economy, tackling the climate emergency and protecting high-quality public services. The budget delivers on the Government’s promises and looks forward with hope, demonstrating the strength of our collective will as a Parliament to build a better future for Scotland. I am proud of what the budget represents and I am confident that, with the support of the Parliament, we will make a real and lasting difference for the people of Scotland.”
“Let us hear the minister. Ivan McKee: We figure out how we are going to balance the revenue with the expenditure that we have to make. We make a commitment as a Government to govern and to choose to prioritise. We do that every year. We are committed to that spend. We balanced our budget last year, we will balance it this year, we will balance it next year and we will continue to do so. That is the reality. Craig Hoy can point at pieces of paper all he likes, but the reality is that the Government is focused on balancing our budget while delivering the priorities for the people of Scotland, and we will continue to do that. We will continue to take forward more detailed work on that agenda in the current session.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16299, in the name of Shona Robison, on the Budget (Scotland) (No 4) Bill at stage 1. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons. I call the cabinet secretary to speak to and move the motion. 14:22”
“The children’s hearings system, which protects children in Scotland, is, in my opinion, second to none. Of course, a decade ago, we were, again, a leader when we introduced equal marriage, thereby accepting that love is love, regardless of gender. I wish all of you the strength and courage to continue to listen to people and make sure that we get what we need for the people that you are working for. In that way, we will keep Scotland ahead of the pack. I wish you lots of those important listening skills to help us to get there and I thank you for listening to me. Topical Question Time 14:04”
“For her adoption naming ceremony, an eight- year-old girl asked whether she could have a black candle lit at the start and, once I gave her her new surname, whether she could blow that one out and light a white one, to show her old life ending and the new one starting. When she lit that white candle, it was so powerful that there was not a dry eye in the room. At a same-sex marriage ceremony, one of the grooms told me that they got engaged on 24 July “for obvious reasons”. I had to ask what was obvious about 24 July, and he looked at me, nonplussed, and said, “Because we love each other 24/7.” In all of the ceremonies that I had done, I had never heard that fantastic reason for picking a date. I am very proud of our country and of our Parliament’s achievements, because we are a leader in the two fields that I have just mentioned.”
“As a celebrant with the charity, the Humanist Society Scotland, for 15 years, I have conducted more than 800 ceremonies for weddings, namings and funerals. The most important skill that I have learned is listening. Through listening, we make sure that clients get exactly what they want in every ceremony. That is what makes our ceremonies unique and an absolute joy to do. Seeing how happy people are at the end of a ceremony is an amazing feeling. Yes—even at the end of a funeral, people feel happy that they have encompassed everything that their loved one meant to them. Talking to clients before their ceremony can bring out amazing ideas that touch our hearts and can be offered to other people in the future. To illustrate that, I will share a couple of stories.”
“Good afternoon. The first item of business is time for reflection, and our time for reflection leader is Senga Ishaq from the Humanist Society Scotland. Senga Ishaq (Humanist Society Scotland): I thank the Presiding Officer and the members of the Scottish Parliament for the opportunity to lead time for reflection today. As a humanist, I live my life with logic and reason, and I treat other people the way that I would like to be treated. Some people think that humanism comes with no rules and that we can do wrong with no consequences, but, in fact, it is the opposite—we are completely accountable for our actions. To say it another way, humanists do the right thing even though they know that no one is watching.”
“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”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament notes the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee’s consideration of the re-appointment of four board members to the board of Environmental Standards Scotland at its meeting on 26 November 2024; welcomes the committee's recommendation that the Parliament approves the re-appointment of Marie Fallon and Dr Paul McAleavey for a further four years, and Dr Richard Dixon and Dr Annalisa Savaresi for a further three years, in accordance with schedule 1, paragraph 2(5) and (6) of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021, and approves the appointments as required by schedule 1, paragraph 2(2) of the Act. The Presiding Officer: That concludes decision time. Meeting closed at 17:00. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting.”
“There are two questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that motion S6M-16239, in the name of Kenneth Gibson, on behalf of the Finance and Public Administration Committee, on the Scottish budget 2025-26, be agreed to. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament notes the pre-budget scrutiny undertaken by the Finance and Public Administration Committee, and other parliamentary committees. The Presiding Officer: The final question is, that motion S6M-16275, in the name of Gillian Martin, on the appointment of board members to the board of Environmental Standards Scotland, be agreed to.”
“Motion moved, That the Parliament notes the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee’s consideration of the re-appointment of four board members to the board of Environmental Standards Scotland at its meeting on 26 November 2024; welcomes the committee's recommendation that the Parliament approves the re-appointment of Marie Fallon and Dr Paul McAleavey for a further four years, and Dr Richard Dixon and Dr Annalisa Savaresi for a further three years, in accordance with schedule 1, paragraph 2(5) and (6) of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021, and approves the appointments as required by schedule 1, paragraph 2(2) of the Act.—[Alasdair Allan] 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-16275, in the name of Gillian Martin, on appointment of board members to the board of Environmental Standards Scotland. I call Alasdair Allan to move the motion.”
“Good morning. The first item of business is general question time. Conservation Area Restrictions (Energy-saving Initiatives) 1.”
“There are four questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that motion S6M-16252.1, in the name of Neil Gray, which seeks to amend motion S6M-16252, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on supporting Scotland’s health and social care workforce, 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. 17:14 Meeting suspended. 17:17 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We come to the vote on amendment S6M-16252.1, in the name of Neil Gray, which seeks to amend motion S6M-16252, in the name of Jackie Baillie. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S6M-16268, on approval of a United Kingdom statutory instrument. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move the motion. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025 [draft] be approved.—[Jamie Hepburn] The Presiding Officer: The question on the motion will be put at decision time. Decision Time 17:13”
“The Presiding Officer: The next item of business is consideration of business motions S6M-16266, on a stage 1 timetable for a bill, and motion S6M-16267, on a stage 2 timetable for a bill. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move the motions. Motions moved, That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 be completed by 19 September 2025. That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill at stage 2 be completed by 28 March 2025.—[Jamie Hepburn] Motions agreed to. Parliamentary Bureau Motion”
“4) Bill followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 5 February 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 Ministerial Statement: Implementing the Medication Assisted Treatment Standards followed by Scottish Government Debate: Addressing Child Poverty Through Education 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 6 February 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 Ministerial Statement: Simplifying the Post-School Education and Skills Funding Body Landscape in Scotland followed by Scottish Government Debate: Improving Miscarriage Care followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Great British Energy Bill - UK Legislation followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.30 pm Decision Time Tuesday 18 February 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 19 February 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 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 20 February 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 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 3 February 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-16265, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees— (a) the following programme of business— Tuesday 4 February 2025 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected) followed by Stage 1 Debate: Budget (Scotland) (No.”
“That is, by anyone’s measure, privatisation by the back door. As long as that persists in Scotland, we cannot rest. We must come together as a Parliament and ensure that we work together collaboratively to find ways to improve the situation for the people of this country. Business Motions 17:12”
“It is absolutely outrageous that we have 863,000 waiting list places in Scotland. We should be moving that forward at a far quicker pace. Until the minister can deliver that, we will have clinicians telling us that operating theatres are lying empty and not being fully utilised because anaesthetists and surgeons are not in the right place to perform operations. We need to get those things correct. We need to listen to what the workforce is telling us. We need to plan the workforce properly. We need to reduce the appalling outflow of expenditure on temporary agency contracts and locums. It is an effective privatisation of the healthcare system when we force citizens to wait so long that they are tormented enough to have to pour out their life savings to access private healthcare.”
“Paul Sweeney: I am not unsympathetic to the member’s point about getting rid of prescription charges, but prior to the SNP getting rid of 100 per cent of prescription charges, 90-odd-plus per cent of prescriptions were already free in Scotland. Moving from 95 per cent free to 100 per cent free is a very marginal change, but it got a good headline. There was a degree of sophistry on the part of the member when she suggested that everyone was paying for prescriptions before the SNP came into power. I highlight that as an example of the lack of sincerity that we are dealing with when we are talking about the evidence-based approach that we need for our healthcare system. That is why so many members have come here with appalling stories showing what we need to do to improve the system and how we can deliver that improvement.”
“As we have heard from oncologists, waiting that length of time between diagnosis and treatment for cancer is the equivalent of a death sentence, in many cases. The Government cannot be satisfied with that. It is appalling that it can be so complacent when constituents are dying because of that lack of performance. Clinicians, colleagues and the NHS are at their wits’ end due to their frustrations and the fact that they have been unable to get the system to perform better. I will now take Christine Grahame’s intervention. Christine Grahame: I have a lot of time for the member, but does he agree that, as we have got rid of prescription charges in Scotland, Labour in the UK should get rid of them there, as the charge is nearly £10 an item?”
“Look at the analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies on six key metrics of the healthcare system in Scotland. The waiting list for elective care is longer than it was last year, and worse than it was prior to the pandemic, and on elective care, the percentage of treatment carried out within 18 weeks from referral is worse than it was last year, while, in the rest of the UK, against those metrics, performance is getting better. On emergency care and four-hour waiting times at A and E, performance is worse than last year. For cancer care— Christine Grahame: Will the member take an intervention? Paul Sweeney: I might, in a moment. I refer to the metric on people waiting more than 62 days between referral and treatment for cancer care.”
“If I might stop you, Mr Sweeney. I am conscious of the various conversations that are carrying on across the chamber. I would be grateful if we could treat our colleagues with respect. Paul Sweeney: Our business as parliamentarians is to ensure that the system is always getting better. We are conveying ideas on behalf of our constituents in order to achieve that. Certainly, there have been many good observations. For example, my colleague Rhoda Grant, who represents the Highlands, highlighted the urban bias that is often seen in healthcare planning, which was reiterated by several members, most notably Mr Ross, who also represents a more rural part of Scotland. He highlighted some of the appalling waiting times that constituents there are having to face.”
“I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Craig Hoy is agreed to, the amendments in the names of Michael Marra and Gillian Mackay will fall. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“There are five questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Craig Hoy is agreed to, the amendments in the name of Michael Marra and Gillian Mackay will fall. The first question is, that amendment S6M- 16237.2, in the name of Craig Hoy, which seeks to amend motion S6M-16237, in the name of Neil Gray, on investing in public services through the Scottish budget, 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. 17:14 Meeting suspended. 17:17 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: We move to the vote on amendment S6M-16237.2.”
“You must conclude, Mr Fraser. Murdo Fraser: I apologise to Mr Cole-Hamilton that I do not have time. However, I give him credit, because at least he got something for helping to pass the budget. The Labour Party got nothing. It sold itself for precisely zero. So much for a competition. It is left to my party to provide proper opposition to the SNP. We will not be voting for this wretched budget, even if we are the only ones who will stand up to the SNP. 17:04”
“Natalie Don-Innes: I gave much of the answer to that question in my previous response. The Glasgow child protection committee has brought in an independent reviewer to lead the independent review that will be carried out. That reviewer will be from outwith Glasgow but is still to be appointed. I am confident that we will learn lessons from the failings as we consider what to do to protect children in the future. I have previously outlined—both to the member and others—the actions that we are taking to protect children, such as through the national strategic group that has been set up and, in relation to online harms, through our newly established task force. I will continue to look for ways in which we can bolster child protection measures. If the member wishes to discuss that with me, I am more than happy to have such a discussion.”
“Ash Regan: Yet again, catastrophic system failures have been brought to light by brave survivors and interveners. That shows that there is a problem in the system. A child’s background, behaviour and perceived social status must never impact on how they are protected in a civilised society; the mere fact that they are children must be enough. The fear of creating offence must never overshadow the instinct and the duty to protect children. Let me be very clear that the right to and expectation of protection from abuse that the children in question had must be judged solely on the fact that they are children, and failure is not an option. Will the Government outline what it will do to urgently address the serious safeguarding failures that have been brought to light?”
“Always speak through the chair, please. Natalie Don-Innes: I agree with some of the sentiments about the experiences of those children. I am a mother, and the case absolutely horrifies me. There is no getting away from the fact that those children were failed. As I said, the details of the case are horrific, but I understand that the case review that is taking place will be carried out to learn lessons and to ensure that safeguarding is bolstered in Scotland. My priority right now has to be on the actions that we are taking, whether through the national strategic group, the newly established task force or the work that we are doing on the Promise and on improving child protection across the Government. My focus has to be on the actions that we are taking to protect children.”
“The next item of business is a statement by Angela Constance on the response to storm Éowyn. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of her statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions. 14:12”