Gordon MacDonald
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Parents are carers and have the right to be involved in discussions about the additional support for learning options that are available to their children. Will the cabinet secretary speak further on Scottish Government engagement with families and advise what services are in place for them to access advice and support?”
Scottish Parliament15 January 2026Source ↗
“We have increased by £524,000 annual funding to services that provide support and advice to parents and carers. In addition, the parental organisation Connect receives Scottish Government funding of just over £60,000 to host the Scottish assembly of parents and carers, of which more than 350 parents and carers who represent all of Scotlan…”
Scottish Parliament15 January 2026Source ↗
“The council tax for band E properties in Scotland is around £700 per annum less than that for similar band E properties south of the border, which saves £61 per month.”
Scottish Parliament7 January 2026Source ↗
“Currently, Scottish employees who are on the national living wage pay lower income tax than those elsewhere in the UK, as do people earning the real living wage.”
Scottish Parliament7 January 2026Source ↗
“Nobody likes paying income tax, or any tax, but I believe that those with the broadest shoulders, including MSPs, should pay a bit more to enable Scotland to spend more on the things that matter most to people—better schools, lower crime rates, affordable housing, falling NHS waiting lists, lifting children out of poverty, and lower unemp…”
Scottish Parliament7 January 2026Source ↗
“There are no student fees here, which supports many in our most marginalised communities to get out of poverty through further and higher education.”
Scottish Parliament7 January 2026Source ↗