David Torrance
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“That brings me to Square Go Films, which is another brilliant example that comes from Fife. Square Go Films is a Kirkcaldy-based production company whose team has built a reputation through independent feature making, podcasting and a lively, community-driven presence in Scottish film culture.”
“In 2025 and 2026, the studio’s work was recognised by Rondo Hatton classic horror awards, which included special recognition for its contribution to independent horror. The Hex story is about as local as it gets.”
“With the B-team, a community-facing initiative around independent horror and direct-to-audience filmmaking, a production house, a training ground and a community built around classic cinema venues, Hex Studios has gained recognition for reviving Amicus Productions.”
“I thank Alyn Smith for securing this debate. The motion recognises something that is truly worth celebrating—Scotland’s screen sector is growing and it is doing so in places that we might not expect, such as Kirkcaldy and across Fife, where creative ambition, technical skill and local pride have been turned into real films, real jobs and…”
“Its founding team includes Lawrie Brewster and Sarah Daly, and the project was described at the time as not just a production space but a grass-roots movement with real creative intent. Hex’s story is a reminder that success in film, as in so many other areas of life, often begins with courage.”
“The motion recognises that Scotland’s screen sector is a living network of people and places, from national institutions such as Creative Scotland and Screen Scotland, to local offices and studios in Fife and individual makers with a vision and the determination to pursue it.”
The complete record
Every one of 188 lines we hold for David Torrance, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 4.
“To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to deliver sustainable transport improvements across Fife, including active travel and public transport upgrades, in support of net zero targets. (S6O-05478)”
“Given that the owners of ExxonMobil were clear that Westminster policy was to blame for the closure of the site, can the cabinet secretary provide an update on the Scottish Government’s engagement with the UK Government on Scotland’s industrial future at Mossmorran? Can she provide an update on her engagement with trade unions through the task force? Kate Forbes: I have been engaging with trade unions and worker representatives. I met trade unions in December, shortly before Christmas and yesterday, I met worker representatives, who we will continue to engage. We will also continue to communicate with MSPs. We have not seen any changes from the UK Government on those policies. If there are no further changes, there is an on-going risk of industrial failure in other parts of”
“To ask the Scottish Government how it anticipates the abolition of the not proven verdict will improve victims’ experiences of the justice system. (S6O- 05337)”
“They are lifelines for communities, clubs, individuals and families who rely on them for physical and mental health and general wellbeing. Swimming is more than a sport. It is an opportunity to create a safer, healthier and active Scotland.””
“In the words of Ben Lamb: “It is not just about asking for money; it is about asking for smarter investment and a different way of doing things because, frankly, without that, further closures are inevitable.”—[Official Report, Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, 23 April 2025; c 36.] The petitioner and Scottish Swimming have pursued the action that is called for in the petition for almost three years, in a thorough and determined manner. Our committee’s role is to give a voice to petitioners, and there are many ways in which we can do that. By bringing the debate to the chamber today, we are hopeful that we can prompt the Government to take action to support Scotland’s swimming pools to ensure their survival in the long term. I will conclude with the petitioner’s words: “Saving swimming pools is critical.”
“Liz Smith, Maggie Chapman and Patrick Harvie mentioned the value of swimming pools and their importance to communities, and Paul Sweeney and others made comments about building national resilience by investing in swimming pools—sustainably, which is important when it comes to things such as energy costs—and I hope that the Government will take that point on board, because there are many new technologies out there that we can take on board to reduce costs. As witnesses to the committee have shown, and as many members have pointed out, spending in that area must be seen as an investment and not a cost.”
“A whole list of speakers, including Liz Smith, Beatrice Wishart, Fulton MacGregor, Alex Rowley and Paul Sweeney, spoke about primary school swimming lessons, the curriculum for excellence and how important learning to swim is for safety, and I hope that the Government takes that point on board, as it is a really valuable one. To speak from my own experience, as Brian Whittle did, as a youngster I learned to swim in Bowhill swimming pool, close to Alex Rowley. The best bit about it was the chips, going home, from my mum and dad. Those swimming lessons were much needed in the area that I lived in, which was surrounded by water. It was very important that we learned to swim at primary school.”
“A survey by JL Partners showed that 95 per cent of Scottish people believe that swimming pools are important for safety; 88 per cent see them as community assets; 87 per cent believe that they are important for Scotland as a sporting nation; 86 per cent said that they are important for health benefits; and 69 per cent believe that they are important for social interaction. It is the committee’s strong hope that the Scottish Government now also sees swimming pools as a priority and does all that it can to help to keep them open.”
“That area was well covered by Liz Smith and Brian Whittle. In addition, the petitioner has presented us with evidence that regular swimming plays a major role in the prevention and management of a multitude of health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, dementia, depression, cancer, strokes and heart disease. The petitioner has argued that swimming can contribute to important public health savings in cost and resource. However, swimming pools are not a priority only for Scottish Swimming. We also heard evidence that demonstrates undeniable national support for our swimming pools.”
“That gentle resistance builds muscle strength and improves flexibility without the risk of falling, which is a key advantage for maintaining independence as we age. We know that physical activity matters, yet only 55 per cent of adults in Scotland aged 65 to 74 currently meet the recommended activity levels, and that number drops further after the age of 75, especially among women. Beyond the physical benefits, swimming boosts mental wellbeing. The water’s calming effect reduces stress and can improve mood and sleep quality. For many older adults who are at risk of loneliness, regular swimming sessions also provide valuable opportunities for social interaction. In short, swimming is not just an exercise; it is a powerful tool for health, happiness and quality of life as we grow older.”
“Last but not least, it is about swimming being the only chance for some Scots to stay active and healthy. Swimming is a low- impact type of exercise, and it can be the only sustainable physical activity for many people, due to reasons of age, health or ability. The availability of swimming pools in communities can have an impact on various sectors of public life. It could even be argued that ensuring their continued availability and accessibility is a matter of public health. I will focus on the benefits of swimming for people over the age of 65 and why that matters in Scotland. Swimming is one of the safest and most effective forms of exercise for older adults. Because the water supports the body, there is very little strain on joints and bones, which makes swimming ideal for those who live with arthritis, joint pain or reduced mobility.”
“We can all agree that although not everyone can be the next Olympic swimmer, everyone can learn to swim as long as pools are affordable, accessible and available to all. I whole-heartedly agree with the view of the convener, Liz Smith, Beatrice Wishart, Fulton MacGregor and many other speakers that the impact of pool closures is felt across communities in Scotland and that it affects many people’s chances to survive and thrive. First, the issue at the core of the petition affects Scotland’s young people and their chances to learn life-saving skills as well as to develop a lifelong habit of being active. Secondly, it is about Scotland’s sportspeople and their chance to become decorated Olympic athletes, whether in swimming or in sports such as water polo, kayaking and diving.”
“On behalf of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, I thank colleagues across the chamber for their thoughtful contributions to the debate. I also thank the committee clerks and the Scottish Parliament information centre for their assistance throughout our consideration of the petition. This is not the first time that the Parliament has discussed swimming pools, but I trust that today’s debate can take us a few steps closer to some much-needed changes in the national approach to the issue. I put on the record my thanks to the petitioner and Scottish Swimming. They have been passionate and very clear about why we must do everything that we can to help to keep swimming pools open.”
“To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to support households with the cost of living this winter. (S6F-04553)”
“To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the road safety management safe system capacity building programme in Scotland being awarded a Prince Michael international road safety award. (S6O-05286)”
“It is all the more difficult to operate in a globally competitive environment when other competitors, particularly across Europe, are seeing lower energy prices.”
“Does the cabinet secretary agree that the sky-high cost of energy is crippling Scotland’s industries and that, given the immediate implications for the workers at Mossmorran and while the levers to make a difference and save jobs remain reserved to Westminster, it is essential that the Labour Government acts now to ensure a just transition and to support the energy sector? Kate Forbes: Every household in Scotland is aware of how challenging energy prices are and of the fact that they have continued to increase since Labour took office. That is even more challenging for some energy-intensive businesses, which have seen no support and are not subject to a cap on the increase in energy prices.”
“Educational psychologists, family liaison workers and ASN staff have been supported through additional investment from the Scottish Government. I absolutely join David Torrance in paying tribute to our school staff, who have helped to support the improvements that we are all welcoming today.”
“The poverty-related attainment gap for S3 pupils in literacy and numeracy reduced in 2024-25 to the lowest-ever levels. What is the cabinet secretary’s assessment of that achievement, and will she join me in paying tribute to our teachers for making that possible? Jenny Gilruth: Mr Torrance rightly speaks about the achievements of our teachers in driving that progress forward. I notice that no one has yet commented on the fact that the ACEL data is informed by teacher judgment; that is an important factor in how we arrive at the measurements across our education system. We trust Scotland’s teachers to support the improvements that we need in our schools. As a direct result of investment from the Scottish Government, we have been able to increase the number of staff in our schools, and not just the number of teachers.”
“As I said in my statement, we published “Scotland’s Offshore Wind Skills Priorities and Action Plan” last week, and David Torrance will have seen that the First Minister has opened the energy transition skills hub. That went down very well in my home city of Aberdeen, where we are seeing a great deal of demand for training, not only from young people who want to come into the industry but from those who want to transition out of other areas of work.”
“It is very welcome that more than 1,000 jobs are expected to be created and supported throughout the construction and operation of the Pentland offshore wind farm. Will the cabinet secretary explain how the Scottish Government is investing in Scotland’s skills base to ensure that the people of Scotland continue to benefit from jobs for the future? Gillian Martin: I am happy to do that. More than £120 million has been invested in the north-east through the just transition fund and the energy transition fund to support the region’s transition to net zero. The offshore wind industry has the potential to create thousands of well-paid jobs.”
“To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting communities and local authorities to adapt to the impacts of climate change, including through nature-based solutions. (S6O-05181)”
“I will not move amendment 321. Amendment 321 moved—[Claire Baker]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 321 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“I know that my amendments are imperfect, but I ask the cabinet secretary to consider whether there is a more suitable route forward in addressing the issue, which is crucial to my constituents of Burntisland, and if there is, to set it out. I move amendment 232.”
“His opinion robustly supports the views of my constituents and, following his direct advice, my constituents approached me specifically to lodge my amendments to the bill, which I was happy to do. Through my simple amendments 321 and 232, the Scottish ministers would be required to determine, in accordance with existing law, the areas of public resort and rights of way at Burntisland harbour. That move is supported by all Mid Scotland and Fife MSPs of all parties. Indeed, all elected representatives of Burntisland, at all levels of government, have given their support for the resolution once and for all of what is a crucial and important issue for Burntislanders and for all the town’s many visitors.”
“My constituents, who are represented by the Burntisland Harbour Access Trust, have campaigned relentlessly over the past two and a half years for their rights of access. Recently, for example, hundreds of people marched and rallied in support of harbour access. Thousands have signed a petition against the fence, hundreds have written to councillors and MSPs, expert legal opinion has been paid for by the community and numerous requests for compliance have been made, yet the fence remains. Two years ago, the Burntisland Harbour Access Trust commissioned a legal opinion from BTO Solicitors, which confirmed that rights of access apply to the harbour. More recently, Professor Roderick Paisley, chair of Scots law at the University of Aberdeen and a prominent legal scholar in the relevant area of law, has taken an interest.”
“Ships may no longer be built there, millions of tonnes of coal may no longer be exported from there and bauxite for Scotland’s aluminium industry may no longer be imported there, but the harbour remains—or it did until February 2023—a much-loved place of public resort. Dogs were walked there; bikes were ridden; children fed Sammy the harbour seal; whales and boats were watched; and fish were caught by locals and visitors alike, including myself as a boy. However, in February 2023, for the first time in the town’s history, the community was completely fenced out from all waterfront areas. That historic grade B-listed harbour was out of bounds. Neither locals nor visitors could access the harbour in the way that generations of us had always done.”
“It is relevant to recognise that most rights of way and related rights are established by prescription rather than through designation by a relevant authority. Amendment 232 represents a helpful clarification, rather than an extension, of the law. It simply recognises the reality of rights of way by prescription and helps all to understand that the proper execution of such rights is covered by the act. That is important in its own right, but it is also directly relevant to my subsequent amendment 321, which refers specifically only to Burntisland harbour. That harbour is the reason that Burntisland exists. It is the subject of the town’s coat of arms.”
“Amendment 232 is the first of my two amendments to the bill that seek to enable a resolution to the issue of access to Burntisland harbour. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 includes, among other provision, a right of responsible access to land, which is commonly called the right to roam. The 2003 act breaks that right into constituent elements—the right to be on the land for a purpose set out in the act and the right to cross the land for a purpose set out in the act. Amendment 232 provides confirmation that asserted rights of access—for example, rights of way that have been gained by prescription, which means established through use or in accordance with certain further conditions—are included in the right to cross land.”
“To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that Scotland remains at the forefront of hydrogen development and deployment. (S6O-05012)”
“That will put us in a strong position to develop services that meet the population’s needs, regardless of whether they are being supported by the health system or the social care system.”
“The introduction of the NHS MyCare app will undoubtedly revolutionise Scotland’s healthcare system. I welcome last week’s news that the app will be rolled out across Scotland from 1 April. My Kirkcaldy constituents will also welcome that. Opposition members can never bring themselves to welcome a good news story in Scotland. Will the cabinet secretary make it clear how Scotland’s MyCare app will be more wide ranging than any other NHS app in the UK? Neil Gray: David Torrance is right. The app will be transformational for how people across Scotland manage their health and social care services. When the roll-out is complete, it will be the most wide-ranging app that is offered in the UK, because we have been clear from the outset that its development must include social work and social care, so it will go beyond being just an NHS app.”
“The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the impact that the UK Government’s increase in employer national insurance contributions will have on the social care sector in Scotland. The Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities continue to press the UK Government to fund the impacts of those changes on Scottish public services in full. I include the vital services that are provided on behalf of local authorities by providers in the private and third sectors, such as the non-profit social care sector. Scottish Government officials have estimated that the social care sector faces additional costs of more than £84 million as a result of that decision.”
“I am sure that the minister shares my concern that a number of residential beds are at risk of being lost following the UK Labour Government’s reckless decision to raise employer national insurance contributions, which is estimated to add a further cost of more than £84 million to Scotland’s social care sector. Will the minister join me in calling on the UK Labour Government to immediately reimburse those costs in full to stop that unnecessary harm to vital lifeline services across the country? The Deputy Presiding Officer: Minister, please link your answer back to the substantive question. Tom Arthur: Yes, Presiding Officer. The issue impacts the west of Scotland and many other parts of the country.”
“For people who are living with frailty, hospitals can increase the risk of harm if their needs are not identified quickly and if our systems and services are poorly co-ordinated. That is why we have committed to delivering direct access to specialist frailty teams across every emergency department in Scotland. That will mean that frail patients with complex needs will bypass our busy accident and emergency departments to receive the specialist care and support that they need, minimising the risk of prolonged hospital stays. By providing co- ordinated multi-agency care both at the front door of our EDs and in the community, we can provide the right care in the right place, helping people who are experiencing frailty to remain as independent as possible. Fire Station Services 2.”
“I very much welcome the investment that the Scottish Government is making in the hospital at home initiative, which will make it the biggest hospital in Scotland, with 2,000 beds by the end of next year. Hospital at home is allowing elderly patients in my constituency to benefit from being around their home comforts with family and friends nearby, and I very much welcome that. Beyond that, can the cabinet secretary outline what more is being done to support elderly and vulnerable patients to be treated more effectively in hospitals? For example, how will the new frailty units work? Neil Gray: David Torrance is absolutely right that hospital at home can be transformational in terms of the delivery of services. The fact that we are moving to 2,000 beds by the end of next year will make hospital at home the largest hospital in Scotland.”
“To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with local authorities to deliver transformation programmes and accelerate any reforms needed to achieve financial sustainability and ensure that local services are fit for the future. (S6O-04877)”
“The UK Government’s commitment to deploy £200 million from the National Wealth Fund in Grangemouth in the future is to be welcomed, but we need to see the sort of at-scale intervention that we have seen in other parts of the UK—and now, if we are to avert further industrial unemployment loss across the industrial cluster.”
“News that the Labour Government has taken control of Liberty Steel in Yorkshire was another kick in the teeth for the Scottish workers at Grangemouth. Does the minister agree that it would appear that Westminster’s support for industrial assets and regional economies depends on which side of the border they are found? The Deputy Presiding Officer: I invite the minister to respond, to the extent that that falls within the broad reach of the question lodged by Mr Rennie. Ivan McKee: During the general election campaign last year, the Labour Party made bold and far-reaching commitments on intervening to support Grangemouth’s transition in the near term. So far, unfortunately, those commitments have not materialised in the way that we had all hoped.”
“I urge members to support my amendments 48, 51 and 52 not as bureaucratic enhancements but as necessary reforms that will build confidence, drive improvement and give every stakeholder in Scottish education the clarity and accountability that they deserve. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call the cabinet secretary to wind up. Jenny Gilruth: In the interests of time, I have nothing further to add. Amendment 46 agreed to. Amendment 242 moved—[Ross Greer]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 242 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“Delayed or obscure reports do not just frustrate stakeholders but also diminish the power of inspection to drive rapid and meaningful improvement. The logic behind all my amendments is simple. If we are to take inspection seriously, we must report seriously—not selectively and sporadically, but systemically, insightfully and accountably. The amendments reflect a deeper truth about how public services build trust. Accountability is not about blame; it is about clarity, openness and being willing to look at ourselves as a system— warts and all—and say that we can and must do better. That spirit lies at the heart of my proposals.”
“At stage 2, I argued that there should be a requirement for the chief inspector’s national performance reports to be laid before the Parliament at least every two years. My amendments are the necessary companion to that provision. They will ensure that the chief inspector’s annual reporting is not superficial but forms a reliable and robust basis for scrutiny by MSPs, the media, local authorities and the public. That scrutiny must build on timeliness as well as substance. At stage 2, I pressed for inspection reports to be published within a defined timescale—specifically, 12 weeks from the conclusion of an inspection visit. Why? I did that because the value of reporting lies in its ability to inform action.”
“I remind members that that approach is rooted in the recommendations of the Muir review and the OECD review of curriculum for excellence. The Muir review called for stronger accountability and clearer structures for evaluating improvement at school level, and the OECD review stated that there is a need for an integrated evaluation and assessment framework, including monitoring of system-level outcomes. The current system fails to provide that. As I said at stage 2, Education Scotland’s past reporting has often lacked the candour, breadth and strategic clarity that stakeholders expect. That is not a personal failing of those who produced the reports; it is a structural failing. The bill offers a chance to put that right. A key part of the structural correction relates to how reports are shared with the Parliament.”
“That is precisely what amendment 51 will introduce. It pushes back against the temptation to treat each inspection report in isolation. Instead, it demands that we join the dots, identify themes and spot recurring issues. If several schools are struggling with the same aspect of the curriculum or if concerns about pupil behaviour or support for learning crop up across different local authority areas, that pattern should be recognised, reported and acted on. Amendment 51 will ensure that those insights are not buried but shared. Amendment 52 will provide the chief inspector with the independence to include any other information analysis that they see fit to include in their report. That will ensure that the reports are not overly prescriptive and, crucially, it will give the chief inspector agency and independence.”
“We must remember that the chief inspector will occupy a privileged position because they will have access to school-level data, trends, thematic reviews and direct evidence of what is happening in classrooms across the country. Such insight must not sit in files; it must be brought to the Parliament publicly, clearly and with a view to continual improvement. 18:00 I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for her support for amendment 51, which builds on the provisions by adding an explicit requirement that the chief inspector’s report must contain an overview of what the inspection findings say about the performance of Scottish education as a system—not just as a collection of establishments, but as a coherent whole. Throughout the bill’s passage, we have spoken many times about the importance of systems thinking.”
“What is working and what is not? Where is progress being made and where is it not? Without that level of reporting, inspection risks becoming a closed system. It would be a ritual rather than a mechanism for improvement, and I think that we have all agreed that continual improvement is the whole basis of the inspection system. Amendment 48 seeks to anchor the chief inspector’s report in substance by requiring it to present an honest, accessible and evidence- based assessment of performance across the school system in the preceding financial year. It is a necessary correction to what has too often been an overly descriptive, opaque and self-referential reporting process.”
“Stephen Kerr: I will speak in favour of my amendments 48, 51 and 52, which are straightforward in form but far reaching in purpose. They are designed to do one thing: to ensure that the chief inspector’s reports will be not merely bureaucratic outputs but purposeful and illuminating reports that are worthy of the public trust that is placed in our education system. Amendment 48, which hangs with amendment 51, would place a clear duty on the chief inspector to include in their annual report an account of how Scottish schools are actually performing. In essence, the provision is about performance and not only process. It is not enough to say that inspections took place or that frameworks were adhered to; parents, teachers, local authorities and those in the Parliament want and deserve to know what the inspections revealed.”
“Although every establishment might find some benefit in reading every report that is published—I know that the cabinet secretary does that every Friday when Education Scotland sends them on—a great deal of the advice and guidance in a report will not be applicable to every establishment in Scotland due to their different circumstances. For absolute clarity, amendment 243 builds on the amendment that I lodged at stage 2 such that it applies only to reports that relate to establishments that “managers” are required to have regard to. Additionally, the annual report on the performance of education in Scotland will capture key reporting points of interest that establishments might find helpful. Amendment 246 makes similar provisions in that regard.”
“The amendment also includes provisions so that the chief inspector may decide not to send a report in advance of publication in exceptional circumstances if they consider that doing so might be detrimental. We can all appreciate that advance notice would not be appropriate for some inspections, such as those that involve welfare concerns or, in a worst-case scenario, those that surface issues that need to be passed to other bodies such as the police. However, under amendment 245, the chief inspector would have to set out in their annual report how many times in a year they had decided, under that exception, not to share copies in advance. Amendment 243, which is an updated version of an amendment that I lodged at stage 2, would require establishments to “have regard to” inspection reports.”
“Ross Greer: Amendments 242, 244 and 245 would require the chief inspector, where the inspection concerns a single establishment or what they consider to be connected establishments, to give them a copy of the inspection report before it is published, unless the chief inspector considers that there are exceptional circumstances that justify not doing so. Sending copies of inspection reports to establishments before they are published is current practice in the existing inspectorate, but it is not a requirement. We should make it one. Amendment 242 references single or linked establishments in order to avoid, in the event of a thematic inspection, situations in which the inspector would have to give advance copies to, for example, every school in Scotland—that is not what is intended.”