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?”
“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…”
“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.”
“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.”
“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…”
“There are no student fees here, which supports many in our most marginalised communities to get out of poverty through further and higher education.”
The complete record
Every one of 153 lines we hold for Gordon MacDonald, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 4.
“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) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) 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, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) 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) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) 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) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 98, Against 7, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 153 disagreed to. Amendment 154 not moved. Amendment 66 moved—[Màiri McAllan]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 66 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. Gordon MacDonald: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My phone still would not connect. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr MacDonald. Your vote will be recorded. Katy Clark: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My vote is yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Clark. Your vote will be recorded.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My phone would not connect. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr MacDonald. Your vote will be recorded. For Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) 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, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) 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) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 8, Against 98, Abstentions 0.”
“I have supported the construction skills demonstrations delivered by the Scottish Traditional Building Forum since 2013, and I welcome the construction pathway, including the delivery of a national 5 creative industries pilot at Wester Hailes high school. The nat 5 created parity with academic qualifications, so I welcome that it has been expanded in this academic year to include Currie community high school. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Ask a question. Gordon MacDonald: Would the minister consider meeting the Scottish Traditional Building Forum to discuss a long-term and sustainable model for delivery to help young people across Scotland to benefit from that opportunity? Graeme Dey:”
“To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the potential impact on households in Scotland of the forecasts from the Food and Drink Federation that food and drink inflation could reach 5.7 per cent by December. (S6F-04313)”
“I will finish with a phrase from the office of the chief economic adviser, which concluded that Brexit trade barriers were a “large negative economic shock” that cost Scotland’s economy £4 billion. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We now come to the closing speeches. I call Paul Sweeney. You have up to five minutes. 16:37”
“Despite the volatility in the export market, our service industries are also weathering the storm. Our financial services sector, including banking, insurance and asset management, is the largest hub outside London and it has delivered more than £10 billion in exports, with Edinburgh as a primary driver. Edinburgh’s tech sector, which is centred around CodeBase, the UK’s largest technology incubator, supports a dynamic software and information technology industry. The Scottish sector is worth almost £7 billion to the Scottish economy, and more than 60 per cent of those companies are now exporting across the world. It is not all good news, however. The Deputy Presiding Officer: You need to conclude. Gordon MacDonald: In the year ending March 2025, Scotland’s goods exports to the EU decreased by 8 per cent on the previous year.”
“I therefore welcome the Scottish Government’s six-point export plan, which will include more overseas trade missions and exporter showcase events, including a US export plan to identify states that offer the best markets for Scottish products, as well as increased funding for exporters in the technology, life sciences, renewables and hydrogen sectors. In addition, Scottish Development International has more than 30 offices around the world, with staff ready to help international companies to buy goods or expertise from Scottish suppliers, ranging from digital expertise to high-quality food produce. The Scottish Government is acting to support our exporters, but we also need the UK Government to act in those areas that are reserved to Westminster.”
“Many sectors of our economy, despite struggling with Westminster’s national insurance hikes, are making record export sales. For example, Scottish salmon, which is now the UK’s top food export, had sales worth £844 million in 2024. However, those industries that are energy intensive, such as the whisky industry, have no access to UK Government support, despite the high excise duties, job tax hikes, high energy costs and £4 million per week of tariffs. The Scotch Whisky Association’s global export figures for 2024 show that the value of whisky exports stood at £5.4 billion, which is a decrease of 3.7 per cent on the 2023 export value.”
“That builds on the HMRC’s UK regional trade figures for quarter 1 of 2025, compared with the same time last year, which highlight that Scotland is the only country in the UK to have experienced an increase in the value of exported goods while all the other UK countries have experienced decreases. To be clear, England had a 3 per cent drop in exports, Northern Ireland had a 3.7 per cent drop and Labour-run Wales had a drop of more than 20 per cent. Scotland is also the only country in the UK where exports exceed imports, giving us a positive trade surplus in goods, which helps to support our economy. That comes after a difficult period when our economy has faced the effects of Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine, which have impacted our ability to trade seamlessly with our European partners.”
“Before I begin my speech, I say to Alexander Stewart that data from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs shows that, as a result of Brexit, the number of UK companies exporting to the EU has dropped from 120,000 to 100,000. I should also mention that I am the co-convener of the cross-party group on Scotch whisky. As Kenny Gibson indicated earlier, in the past week it has been announced that Scottish Enterprise-supported companies have reported a planned increase in international sales of more than £2 billion, which is among the highest annual growth figures ever achieved.”
“Critics scoffed at the national shipbuilding strategy when it was launched, but today those critics owe an apology to the men and women on the Clyde, given the delivery of that order.”
“Stephen Kerr has referred to Scotland’s trade with England. Did he read the third annual report on the operation of the UK internal market, which said that England’s trade with Scotland is worth £75 billion? Stephen Kerr: It is, of course, a mutual arrangement—that is the nature of business. We sell and we buy, which is exactly why UKIMA is such an important piece of legislation. It guarantees Scotland and Scottish businesses frictionless access to the UK market, which sustains most Scottish livelihoods. We should be celebrating the landmark £10 billion order for type 26 frigates from Norway. That order was years in the making and was secured because of the UK’s national shipbuilding strategy, which was launched by a Conservative Government. It will sustain more than 1,200 jobs directly and thousands more in the supply chain.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions the economy secretary and business minister have had with the United Kingdom Government regarding tariff exemptions and other support for the Scotch whisky industry. (S6O-04918)”
“To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any impact on its energy policy and strategy, what its response is to Ofgem’s announcement on 27 August regarding the energy price cap. (S6O- 04895)”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My phone would not connect. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr MacDonald. Your vote will be recorded.”
“I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests—I spent 22 years in the bus industry. Can the Deputy First Minister confirm that the Scottish Government does not purchase or own any buses, but it provides a grant to bus operators to offset the difference in cost between a diesel bus and a zero-emission bus? Kate Forbes: Yes, and that is precisely why we are working with procuring authorities. The Presiding Officer: That concludes the ministerial statement. Business Motion 17:20”
“However, it overlooks the fact that most expenditure and work on the nuclear submarines will occur in Barrow-in-Furness in north-west England. It also fails to note the Scottish Government’s £2 million investment in engineering skills in the Glasgow city region, which was developed by the Clyde maritime cluster in partnership with Skills Development Scotland. I question why Rolls-Royce Holdings, which has a turnover of £18.9 billion and £2.5 billion in net profit, requires public funding of £2.5 million for a skills centre to fulfil its contracts. 16:37”
“Individual sectors—such as information and communications; finance and insurance; professional, scientific and technical research; tourism and hospitality; retail and wholesaling; real estate; health; and education—are worth more to the Scottish economy than the defence sector is when it comes to GVA. I welcome the support that the Scottish Government provides in order to encourage that continued diversity. I also welcome the fact that, since it was first elected, the Scottish Government has invested £45 million in companies that are involved in defence contracts. The motion refers to a Scottish Enterprise grant that was not awarded to Rolls-Royce to support “specialist naval welding” training “for submarine construction”.”
“It is time that trade unions across the UK took a similar stance to those East Kilbride workers 50 years ago in order to stop the genocide that is being committed by Israel. Defence is an important sector, but it is important to recognise the size of the industry, as it accounts for just over 2 per cent of Scotland’s economy, as measured by gross value added, and is worth 5 per cent of the UK’s £62 billion defence budget. Thankfully, Scotland’s economy is diverse and resilient, and non-defence sectors drive nearly 98 per cent of GVA. All key parts of Scotland’s economy—land use, energy, construction and non-defence manufacturing—are worth more than, or equal, the defence sector’s contribution. As with most parts of the UK, Scotland’s economy depends on the service sector.”
“Over the past decade, the UK Government has licensed hundreds of millions of pounds in arms exports to Israel, including bombs, drones, grenades, small arms, tanks and missiles. Despite public pressure, the UK Labour Government has suspended fewer than 10 per cent of arms export licences to Israel. I urge the UK Government to halt all defence-related export licences to Israel until the killing of Palestinians stops. What is happening in Palestine reminds me of how, from 1974 to 1978, the workers at the Rolls- Royce factory in East Kilbride refused to work on Chilean air force plane parts because of the atrocities that were being committed by the Pinochet dictatorship. That boycott—a powerful act of solidarity with the people of Chile— grounded half of Chile’s air force, as the film “Nae Pasaran” documents.”
“Scotland’s defence sector, which covers aerospace, defence and security, is valued at £3.2 billion and directly supports more than 33,000 jobs. I acknowledge the sector’s importance, although I believe that it should, over time, diversify towards commercial activities, ensuring that Scotland remains a hub for manufacturing and innovation. However, what I cannot accept is that parts of Scotland’s defence industry are manufacturing components such as systems for the Paveway smart bombs that are used by the Israeli air force in Gaza. A 2021 investigation by The Ferret website revealed that Scottish defence companies have supplied components for Israel’s F-16 and F-35 aircraft, rocket systems and engines for G550 surveillance aircraft, all of which are likely to have been deployed over Gaza.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of care home providers have reported recruitment difficulties since the United Kingdom left the European Union. (S6O-04808)”
“Further, articles in the news last week highlighted that Douglas Ross will be in the Turks and Caicos Islands tomorrow, where it will be 3 am when he is due to convene the Education, Children and Young People Committee. Will she confirm whether that is acceptable?”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Rule 12 of the Parliament’s standing orders is on conveners of committees. Rule 12.1.12 states: “Where the convener is not available for any meeting of the committee, or leaves the chair for part of any meeting, that meeting, or that part of the meeting, shall be chaired by the deputy convener.” Rule 12.3 is on committee meetings. Under rule 12.3.2, “A committee shall meet ... in Scotland at such place as it may decide, with the approval of the Parliamentary Bureau and the Conveners Group”. Will the Presiding Officer clarify whether it is proper practice for a convener to chair a committee remotely online, or if that duty should be passed to the deputy convener in their place?”
“On top of that, the marine fund Scotland has delivered more than £55 million to more than 300 projects since 2021. Therefore, we have delivered for our Scottish fishing industry and communities and we will continue to do so.”
“Following Brexit, the Tories delivered a disastrous deal to our fishermen, and Labour has locked them into the same deal for 12 years. That is something that both parties should apologise for. Can the cabinet secretary set out how the Scottish Government has supported fishers and fishing and coastal communities over the course of this parliamentary session? Mairi Gougeon: We are committed to supporting our fishing sector in Scotland and we have a strong track record on that. We have set out our overarching policy as part of our future fisheries management strategy. The updated delivery plan, which we published a couple of months ago, set out how we are delivering on that. Since 2021, we have continued to invest around £9 million each year in our science capabilities, which underpin the important work that our catching sector does.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding the impact of the increase to employer national insurance contributions on local government finances. (S6O-04681)”
“Does the cabinet secretary appreciate the hypocrisy of Douglas Ross questioning anyone’s attendance at Parliament, given that he previously ditched the Justice Committee to officiate a football match between Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid and missed a universal credit debate at Westminster to be at Barcelona v Olympiacos? Can the minister remind the chamber of the process by which parliamentary questions are answered? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Mr MacDonald, I think that one recognises that most of that question had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the cabinet secretary’s remit. I will not suggest that the cabinet secretary respond. I hope that members might wish to ask questions that fall within the cabinet secretary’s remit.”
“The sector will continue to serve Scotland well in future years, if we can get the skills system aligned with industry needs. 19:20”
“Many in the construction sector realise that they must produce their own skilled workforce, and the examples that I have given highlight some of the steps that employers are undertaking. However, we also need to see improvements in careers advice so that guidance is provided on vocational training opportunities and not just on academic routes to qualifications. We must also re-evaluate funding and support for apprentices without falling foul of the same disaster that has hit apprenticeships south of the border, where there has been a 44 per cent drop in posts since the apprenticeship levy was introduced. There are many challenges facing the construction sector across Scotland, but it is a growth industry that contributes 6 per cent to Scotland’s gross domestic product and currently employs 210,000 people.”
“Seven teams took part in this year’s contest, which provided an invaluable opportunity for students to showcase their innovative ideas and teamwork skills in front of a panel of built environment judges and prospective employers. A new national 5 course at Wester Hailes high school, which is supported by Compass Roofing, will introduce young people to traditional roofing skills in the hope that they will consider doing apprenticeships when they leave school. This year’s Scottish Traditional Building Forum event, which Alex Rowley and I sponsor, will begin tomorrow, in the Parliament’s grounds. It will provide an opportunity for young people and politicians to see the wide range of careers that are available in the sector, from slating and electrics to painting, surveying with drones and stonemasonry.”
“The constructing futures partnership, which included Kier, the high school, City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh College and local employability partner Rural & Urban Training Scheme, covered the full academic year and introduced students to the construction industry. The Construction Industry Training Board is funding more than 2,800 high-quality work experience places in the industry through its construction work tasters programme. The shortage of project managers in construction has led the Chartered Institute of Building to introduce the tomorrow’s leaders student challenge contest, which was held earlier this year. It represents a welcome opportunity for students with a keen interest in the built environment to put their skills to the test.”
“We need small and medium-sized enterprises across Scotland to build their own home-grown talent and to understand that most apprentices start adding value to businesses after their first six months. However, things are beginning to change, in that more schools are forming partnerships with local companies to give pupils an insight into construction. In my Edinburgh Pentlands constituency, during the building of the new Currie high school, the construction company Kier Group opened an on-site construction academy, through its constructing futures programme, which offered training in industry and employability skills to local students.”
“A similar survey found that three quarters of the parents of 16 to 24-year-olds would be supportive of their children working in construction, and only 6 per cent said that they would be unsupportive. Furthermore, almost half of the young people surveyed said that information about the sector was not included in the careers advice that they had received at school. We need construction apprentices to act as champions for the sector and to go into secondary schools, before pupils select their subject choices during their second year, to highlight the range of training in sectors that employ apprentices. We also need employers to step up to the challenge, as the employer skills survey found that only 16 per cent of employers in Scotland take on apprentices. When a vacancy occurs, it is oversubscribed many times.”
“Other countries across Europe, together with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, have identified the importance of vocational training. For example, in Switzerland, which has a population of 9 million, 70 per cent of young people go through the vocational education and training route. Young people here are starting to realise the benefits of apprenticeships. New data released by the Chartered Institute of Building during this year’s national careers week showed that young people and their parents are changing their attitudes to construction careers. The survey found that, in Scotland, two thirds of young people aged between 16 and 24 hold a positive view of construction careers and that around a third of them would consider working in the construction sector.”
“At a recent meeting of the Economy and Fair Work Committee, one suggestion was that instead of referring to a four- year apprenticeship qualification as Scottish credit and qualifications framework level 6, which most folk do not understand, we should refer to it as a vocational degree. The vocational route has many benefits. Students are paid as they learn, they contribute to the country’s economy through their spending, they pay income tax and national insurance contributions, which support public services, and when they qualify they have no student debt. That is why between 92 and 95 per cent of apprentices who complete their apprenticeships stay in the occupations that relate to them.”
“The workforce that will be required for those projects, which will start around 2030 and last into the 2040s, are currently primary and secondary school pupils. We therefore need to encourage more young people to consider careers in construction, which in turn means we that have to encourage parents to consider the vocational route for their sons and daughters. It is interesting that the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that 34 per cent of current graduates are not employed in the sectors that relate to their degrees. There needs to be parity of esteem between the vocational and academic routes in further and higher education.”
“I thank all members who supported my motion and made the debate possible. I also thank the Chartered Institute of Building for its support and for briefing members on the important issue of skill shortages in the construction sector. An article in the March edition of Scottish Construction Now highlighted that the skills gap remains a major challenge and that Scotland will require to recruit more than 26,000 additional construction workers over the next five years if it is to meet industry demands and sustain growth. In addition, there is a longer-term challenge of ensuring that there will be a construction workforce to meet future demand for more housing, schools, roads and data centres.”
“Those guidelines are due to be published in the spring. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio questions on health and social care. There will be a brief pause before we move to the next item of business, to allow members on the front benches to change. Programme for Government (Building the Best Future for Scotland)”
“It is vital that we detect cancer early to ensure the best chance of survival for the affected patients. What steps is the NHS taking, supported by the Scottish Government, to improve prostate cancer pathways? Neil Gray: In 2024-25, £11.3 million in cancer waiting times funding was made available across Scotland. Most of that funding is being directed to tackling urological cancers, such as prostate cancer, as well as colorectal and breast cancers. We are establishing a network of urology diagnostic hubs across NHS Scotland—seven have already been established—in order to provide efficient, patient-centred care for urology patients. A clinical review of the Scottish referral guidelines for suspected cancer, including prostate cancer, is under way to help to ensure that the right person is on the right pathway at the right time.”
“Donald MacLeod and other business owners have called on Glasgow City Council to lift the low- emission zone restrictions in the city from 6 pm to 6 am to help to revive Glasgow’s struggling night- time economy. That is just one of many suggestions that have been brought forward by business owners who are desperately trying to find solutions to problems that have been created by Governments. I return to the point that I made at the start of my speech. If there was good, reliable and affordable public transport, it would not only help to reduce emissions naturally but also provide Scotland’s commuters with a choice, and people might make the switch. They do not have that choice at present, and that is why the SNP needs to get a grip on public transport and provide a network that people have confidence in. 16:02”
“Donald MacLeod, owner of Glasgow nightclubs the Garage and the Cathouse Rock Club, believes that Glasgow’s low-emission zone restrictions have had a lasting impact on the night- time economy. Glasgow was once regarded as a retail powerhouse, being a desired location that many of my constituents would regularly visit for social and retail use. However, many parts of the city are now derelict, with boards on shop windows and “closing down” signs outnumbering the businesses that are struggling to stay open. Since the introduction of the city’s LEZ, the dramatic drop in footfall across the country has turned Glasgow into, in Donald MacLeod’s words, a “low economy zone”. That is the real, lasting impact of the SNP’s anti-motorist agenda. It is bad for business and bad for economic growth.”
“Two of the busiest motorways run through central Scotland—the M74 and the M8—and they are designed to be the easiest routes to travel on to reach Glasgow or Edinburgh if people live in North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire or Falkirk. However, constituents regularly write to me to tell me how congested those roads are, especially during the rush hour. The journey from the Newhouse roundabout to Edinburgh city centre can take up to two hours in the morning despite the distance being only 31 miles. The SNP needs to announce a plan to alleviate the pressures on our busiest roads. It cannot simply remove the choice of driving from people who want to drive just because it cannot reach its own emission targets. However, it is not just commuters who have felt the force of the SNP’s war on Scotland’s motorists.”
“Will the member give way? Meghan Gallacher: Oh, this will be good. Gordon MacDonald: It is. Since 2010, under the Conservatives, vehicle excise duty for new cars has risen from £1,200 to £2,605, and car insurance premium tax went up from 5 per cent in 2010 to 12 per cent in 2017. Which party is it that has a war on motorists, again? Meghan Gallacher: It is the SNP that has a war on motorists, and I will explain why in a second. I represent a commuter region. Many people who live across the central belt of Scotland travel to and from our major cities for work, school and university. Good transport links, affordable prices and reliable public services are essential for those towns and villages. However, whether it be in relation to train, bus or car, the SNP has punished Scotland’s commuters.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council regarding the progress of the Edinburgh city plan 2040. (S6O-04588)”
“Despite that, Scotland faces challenges such as the UK-wide impact of US tariffs, rising energy costs and increased employer national insurance contributions. We can combat those challenges only with the economic levers that other countries have to protect their economy. Labour has shown that its focus is on the south of the border, not Scotland. Therefore, only independence will deliver the support that our industry needs in these challenging times. 15:55”
“Whilst it makes sense to have a strong connection into strategic skills policy, this is another body in which Scotland is not directly represented, nor is it yet clear whether Skills England will set strategy for England only or cover cross-UK agendas. This gives us cause for further concern that the UK scope of the Council will inadvertently but inevitably be steered in the direction of the needs of England and its regions.” Scotland has shown stronger economic performance than the UK. Our gross domestic product growth was higher; we now have more people in employment and a lower unemployment rate. In January 2025, Scotland’s private sector economy climbed from 11th to sixth among UK nations and regions, which was driven by strengthening services activity and slower decline in overall activity compared with other regions.”
“As Diageo pointed out in evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee: “Food and drink is a large, important sector that is economically important to the UK and has strong domestic support. We believe that this must be recognised via representation on the Council and the formation of the wider strategy.” Once again, a key Scottish industry is being ignored by the UK Labour Government. Universities Scotland also has concerns about the industrial strategy advisory council, given its cross-UK remit. It has called for “a transparent framework or formal mechanism to ensure the Council connects to the Devolved Administrations and other stakeholders in the devolved nations on a regular basis.” It went on to state: “We note and understand the inclusion of Skills England on the Council.”
“Yet, the Labour Government’s industrial strategy, “Invest 2035,” with its ambition to drive economic growth by targeting high-potential sectors, does not include food and drink among its eight key growth sectors. That is despite the global significance of Scotch whisky, which is a major economic powerhouse for Scotland and the UK. The industry contributes £7 billion in gross value added to the UK economy and supports 41,000 jobs in Scotland. The UK Labour Government also has an industrial strategy advisory council, which is there to ensure that the needs and interests of industry across the UK are represented in the Labour Government’s policy-making processes. Yet, there is a lack of representation of the food and drink sector on the industrial strategy council.”