Gillian Martin
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Mark Ruskell: I hear what the cabinet secretary says about her engagement with industry, but it is communities that are facing a deluge of applications for data centres. There are people here today from Fife and across Scotland who are raising their concerns. Answers are needed, cabinet secretary.”
“The Scottish Government has not undertaken a wholly national assessment of the remit that the member specifically outlines on data centres. However, we are currently engaging with industry and partner agencies to better understand the cumulative impacts of data centre developments on the environment.”
“The Scottish Government’s wildfires strategic action plan sets out a partnership approach to preventing, preparing for and responding to wildfires.”
“Although the Scottish Government is not currently undertaking a formal national assessment, we are working with partners to assess the impact of AI data centres and to look at whether current planning conditions are appropriate.”
“David Green: The response from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and local land management to the severe wildfires that were experienced in the Highlands last year was exceptional, and I put on record my thanks to them.”
“Following on from the good work that was done on the wildfires strategy in the previous parliamentary session by Jim Fairlie and by Siobhian Brown, the former Minister for Victims and Community Safety, a great deal of work is being done on prevention.”
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Every one of 614 lines we hold for Gillian Martin, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 13.
“In my book, that is not parliamentary language; it is very childish and it flies in the face of the evidence and the facts. Single-sex Spaces (Equalities and Human Rights Commission Guidance) 4.”
“In the previous parliamentary session, I made the point of saying that I did not believe that we had any climate change deniers—however, in this parliamentary session, unfortunately, we do. They cannot take hold. The way to combat climate change denial is to have at our fingertips facts about climate action— not only about the health and societal benefits but about the number of jobs that it involves and the opportunities that Scotland has for growth. We have the facts at our fingertips and we must all take that responsibility. People need to speak out against those who would come away with ridiculous phrases such as those that we have heard in the past couple of days from Malcolm Offord, who called net zero “net stupid zero”.”
“We have also seen disinformation and conspiracy theories in relation to issues such as vaccines, contraception, the treatment of minorities in our society and—as I have said—the reboot and rebirth of climate denial, not only in online forms but in the mainstream media. Will the cabinet secretary sit down with other ministers across portfolios and ensure that the Scottish Government develops a robust and comprehensive strategy to deal with disinformation and conspiracy theories across all topics? Gillian Martin: I do not think that there are any climate change deniers in the Cabinet or in the ministerial team. I do not think that there are any climate change deniers in my party—or in the Green Party, obviously. Across the chamber, in the main, we do not have climate change deniers.”
“Climate change and its effects are real. Those who would undermine climate action do so in the face of all evidence. We are committed to making Scotland a carbon-neutral and climate-resilient nation, with all the economic benefits that that brings. The Scottish Government is tackling climate disinformation through proactive public engagement and trusted, evidence-based communication on climate change. That includes our national network of community climate action hubs and our climate engagement fund. To support public understanding and collective climate action, we are enabling access to reliable sources of information. We must and will challenge climate deniers with the evidence. Patrick Harvie: The issue goes beyond one portfolio. Yesterday, we saw how online disinformation can quickly lead to violence and far- right opportunism.”
“Gillian Martin: I want to meet Mr McArthur to discuss not just this specific issue—in the previous session he fiercely represented his constituents on the particular issue of cable outages—but every single area of my portfolio that affects Orkney. We have project gigabit procurement to further extend gigabit-capable broadband coverage to more than 13,000 eligible premises across Orkney and Shetland. I note that Mr McArthur had been trying to get the provider to do more, and I will certainly do what I can to augment his attempts to get better and quicker resolutions to some of the issues that he has found, if he wishes me to do so. East Kilbride Shopping Centre 6.”
“In the past year alone, communities across Orkney and Shetland have suffered multiple subsea cable failures, including a month-long broadband outage affecting Orkney’s northern isles in the spring. On each occasion, households, businesses and essential services have been hit hard. Does the cabinet secretary accept that those repeated failures demonstrate that network resilience remains inadequate in the northern isles? What specific steps will the Government take to strengthen critical digital infrastructure, and will the cabinet secretary agree to meet me to discuss options as to how those measures might be taken forward?”
“Our new national islands plan sets out a programme of targeted actions that are collectively aimed at advancing social, economic and cultural prosperity on our islands and strengthening their long-term resilience. Delivery of the plan is supported by a dedicated £6.25 million budget in 2026-27, in addition to continued island investments across all Government portfolios. That funding will continue to support projects such as the development of Kirkwall nursery, which received £1.6 million of funding in 2022-23. Our resolve to help island communities to thrive will be further supported by our commitment to establish a £10 million islands resilience fund within the Government’s first 100 days. Liam McArthur: I thank the cabinet secretary for that response, and I welcome her to her post. I look forward to working with her.”
“My allegiance is to the people of Scotland, who are sovereign. I, Gillian Anne Martin, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.”
“Nuclear fusion also cannot be lifted and put into Torness power station or other fission sites. I think that Martin Whitfield is aware of that, too.”
“Martin Whitfield: What estimate has the Scottish Government made of the direct financial losses to East Lothian resulting from the closure of Torness nuclear power station, including the projected reduction in high-skilled employment, the impact on local supply chain businesses and the anticipated fall in business rates and revenues to support local public services—or has it not yet done so? Gillian Martin: We obviously work with Torness, and we welcome the work of its workers and management and their participation in our energy security. Torness is making plans for its closure, as Martin Whitfield is well aware. Nuclear fusion is far away from deployment. The security of electricity supply and issues such as grid stability, inertia and frequency control will not be helped by something that happens in the future—in 2040.”
“The Scottish Government recognises the increasing interest in fusion energy. However, fusion remains experimental, with no commercial deployment and uncertainties around cost, safety and timescales. The United Kingdom Government’s prototype fusion plant is not expected to be operational until 2040, but the climate emergency demands proven, deployable solutions now. That is why we are focused on Scotland’s world-leading potential in renewable energy, which is already delivering thousands of jobs, significant investment and greater energy security—now—and remains the clearest route to net zero.”
“We must act, so it is essential that the Parliament works together to deliver the plan and to reach net zero, with all the benefits that that will bring. It is a national challenge that Scotland must meet, because the prize is not only a healthier climate but warmer homes, cleaner air and happier, more equitable and prosperous communities. The Presiding Officer: The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for those questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business. Members who wish to put a question should press their request-to-speak buttons.”
“It is Scotland’s climate change plan, and we need people, communities and businesses to work with us on that shared national endeavour. We also need the Parliament to work with us to deliver the policies. There is no denying that we are witnessing a concerning rise in anti-climate rhetoric, but the plan proves the economic and social case for action, and those of us who believe in the need for climate action, in the science behind it and in the economic imperative that I have outlined must stand firm against those wilfully disruptive and egregious voices. Just this week, we saw a new warning from the United Nations, which said that the past 11 years were the warmest on record. We should not need any more warnings because the science is clear.”
“We have responded to the call for more information about delivery by setting out how we will design implementation by working with partners to get the right mechanisms in place, alongside having a robust early warning and monitoring system. Our delivery approach will be agile, pivoting to corrective action if needed and taking advantage of new opportunities. We have also responded to requests for more information about the methodologies used to evaluate policies and costs by providing a significantly expanded analytical annex. As I have already set out, we have also given much more detail about the benefits and co-benefits of the plan. In closing, I make it clear that the Scottish Government cannot deliver the plan alone.”
“Together, the funding demonstrates the importance that this Government places on empowering communities to take action on climate change. I am grateful to colleagues from across the chamber for their engagement on the draft plan. We received scrutiny reports from four parliamentary committees and a further six offered evidence to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. I was pleased to give evidence to the committee in February, following evidence sessions that were undertaken by my cabinet colleagues on their portfolios, and to take part in the NZETC-led debate on the plan, which took place earlier this month. We have considered every recommendation from each committee and have made changes to crucial areas of the plan.”
“Yesterday, I visited Dronley Wood in Angus to see the excellent work that is happening on the ground through the Angus climate hub, which is part of our national network of climate hubs. The hubs will continue their work to support communities to tackle and adapt to the changing climate, with £6 million of funding for next year. With Scotland’s climate already changing due to accelerating climate adaptation, £1 million this year will support councils, community groups and businesses to strengthen their climate resilience through the Adaptation Scotland programme. The climate ready regions initiative will continue to identify regional priorities to reduce risks from flooding, coastal erosion, extreme heat and water scarcity.”
“I am grateful to the more than 500 individuals and organisations who responded to the public consultation and to the nearly 2,000 people who took part in more than 100 events in our public engagement programme across Scotland. We will continue to engage with the public as we deliver on the plan. To support that, I am pleased to announce that, through our climate engagement fund, we will fund eight organisations in 2026-27 to engage a range of audiences across Scotland, from Argyll to Aberdeenshire, in innovative and inspiring ways. Alongside that, I am announcing £250,000 for the climate action schools programme to support children and young people to learn about and take action on climate change.”
“We are clear that Scotland has obligations abroad to communities in the global south that are disproportionately affected by climate change. Today, I can confirm that we will provide £7.5 million of funding in the next financial year towards climate justice projects in Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda, building on the successes of previous programmes to deliver locally led solutions that centre the needs of women, youth and people with disabilities. That funding demonstrates the Scottish Government’s commitment to international development, and we are proud of the role that Scotland plays on the international stage. The final climate change plan has been strengthened through our engagement with the public, the Parliament and stakeholders.”
“That is a stark warning. As the current situation in the middle east has shown, we must reduce our exposure to geopolitical shocks by shifting to more secure, domestically based renewable energy systems. Decisions by this Scottish National Party Government have increased the amount of electricity that is generated in Scotland from low- cost renewable sources and have put Scotland in a more energy-secure position. Despite that, it remains the case that the electricity price that people must pay is too often set by high-cost gas. It continues to be absolutely absurd that decisions taken at Westminster by successive Labour and Tory Governments have left Scottish consumers and communities exposed. For me, the answer is clear: Scotland’s energy wealth should, right now, be protecting people here in Scotland.”
“In finalising the climate change plan, we commissioned research from the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute on the wider socioeconomic impacts of the plan. The ECCI estimated almost £8 billion of co-benefits, particularly from the public health benefits of physical activity from active travel and reductions in conditions that are caused by harmful air pollution. However, despite all the co-benefits and opportunities, the plan acknowledges the inconvenient truth of our age: the most dangerous and expensive choice is not to take any action at all. Do not just take my word for it. The Scottish Fiscal Commission, the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Climate Change Committee have all presented evidence showing that the cost of inaction far outweighs the necessary cost of investing in net zero policies and action.”
“To further support those communities and our unique natural environment, we have today also published our first environment strategy, which is designed to create an integrated framework for environment and climate policies while harnessing the powerful synergies between the health of our environment, the wellbeing of Scotland’s people and the success of our economy. Today, we have also published our circular economy strategy, which underpins delivery of our climate goals by cutting the amount of waste that is produced in Scotland and managing our resources more sustainably to reduce emissions. Together with the climate change plan and the environment strategy, it will support us to become a net zero and nature-positive nation by transitioning towards a circular economy with sustainable levels of material use.”
“The CCP highlights the potential of growth areas, ranging from renewables and heat networks to the circular economy, and it sets out our commitment to increase investment in areas that will simultaneously decarbonise Scotland and improve lives. In rural Scotland, people are already benefiting from investment in peatland restoration and tree planting. That includes job creation, community resilience, enhanced biodiversity and improvements in the natural environment, alongside the contribution that many farmers, crofters and other land managers are making on climate action.”
“If we do not grab the opportunities for economic growth through the first-mover advantages that are outlined in the plan, others most certainly will. The Scottish Government and I are absolutely up for this challenge. We have already seen what can happen when we take decisive action. When it comes to the renewables industry, the Office for National Statistics estimates that there are more than 35,000 jobs, directly, in Scotland’s low- carbon and renewable energy sector. Scotland has had the largest percentage increase in turnover in this sector of any nation in the United Kingdom: it rose from £5.5 billion in 2015 to £13.3 billion in 2024. That has not happened by chance; it is the result of years of policy certainty and ambition from this Government.”
“I am pleased to be able to lay the final version of our climate change plan before Parliament today, after many months of constructive engagement with the public, Parliament and stakeholders. I begin by thanking everyone who has taken the time to speak to us and to respond to our consultation, which has strengthened the plan. The plan is Scotland’s pathway to net zero, and it outlines the action that we will take to meet our first three carbon budgets—targets that the Parliament agreed last year. It is more than a plan to meet our moral and statutory obligations, however. The climate change plan is our route map to realising economic and social gains for people across the whole of Scotland as part of a fair and just transition. We simply cannot hang about. Scotland faces global competition.”
“It will assess the optimal locations, quantities and types of energy infrastructure that are required across a range of all possible future scenarios to meet future energy demand. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio questions on climate action and energy, and transport.”
“Foysol Choudhury: What assessment has the Scottish Government made of the potential impact of hyperscale data centres on Scotland’s statutory climate targets and consumer energy bills? Will it consider an immediate moratorium on such projects until a clear definition of green data centres is established? Gillian Martin: As Mr Choudhury will know, work is already under way through the strategic spatial energy plan—the SSEP—which the four nations are involved in, as well as the connections accelerator programme, which will help to inform how Scotland manages future energy demand from data centres and other sources in a way that supports our grid resilience and our net zero pathway. The SSEP’s work was jointly commissioned by the United Kingdom, Scottish and Welsh Governments.”
“The Scottish Government recognises that data centres are vital to the delivery of our digital ambitions and our transition to a net zero economy. Their designation as a national development in national planning framework 4, which was approved by the Parliament, highlights their importance and the expectation that future projects will align with Scotland’s climate commitments. When new development proposals come forward, it is for the planning authority to interpret and apply NPF4 according to the circumstances of each case, considering factors such as renewable energy use, energy efficient technologies, reduced water consumption, and opportunities to reuse excess heat.”
“Gillian Martin: It is not possible to predict all impacts, but the Scottish Government’s food security unit also monitors food system resilience and engages widely. Ariane Burgess was right to point to the fact that our nation relies on the resilience of our natural environment—as every nation does. We need to prioritise protecting our natural environment and halting biodiversity loss, which can cause the collapse that Ariane Burgess has alluded to. The member has asked me very specific questions about regulation, which I do not feel that I am able to answer right now, but I will certainly take her comments away with me. We now have the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 and the biodiversity strategy, and the finalised climate change plan is coming— there is a great deal of work to do in the next session of Parliament.”
“Ariane Burgess: The assessment makes it clear that our way of life is overly reliant on nations and regions that are at risk of near-future ecosystems collapse. It states that we, too, face such a collapse. The report says that “major intervention” is needed to reverse current trends and ensure a stable future for Scotland. Given that we now have a raft of climate, land use and food-related legislation from this session of Parliament, and that the United Kingdom’s security assessment now treats biodiversity collapse as equivalent to other strategic threats, will the Scottish Government extend that logic and make biodiversity restoration a formal condition of all infrastructure investment and subsidy decisions?”
“I thank Ariane Burgess for that question. The draft environmental strategy was published for public consultation last year. It included policies to build Scotland’s resilience to climate change and other global environmental risks. While revising the strategy in response to the views that were raised in the consultation, we have considered the UK Government report, which highlights that our national security is at threat from global ecosystem degradation and collapse. National security is, of course, a reserved matter. The Scottish Government is working to protect our communities and economy by investing in ecosystem protection and restoration and ensuring that Scotland’s food systems are secure and resilient.”
“Gillian Martin: I reject claims that Scottish Water is being privatised in any way, not least by stealth, as Richard Leonard characterises it. There is a great deal of build-out—remedial and new—of infrastructure for which Scottish Water has to procure services to augment the workforce that it already has. The Scottish Government has no intention of halting or interfering in the procurement process, which is absolutely an operational matter for Scottish Water. It is important to us and, I think, to everybody that Scottish Water secures a supply chain that can deliver the vital innovation and investment that are necessary to adapt to climate change while maintaining service levels, and a great deal of Scottish companies and Scottish workers will receive contracts and work as a result of its improvement works and new infrastructure build.”
“It warned of creeping privatisation, the ripping up of trade union policies and procedures, the outsourcing not only of major capital works but of day-to-day operations, and the rise of a fat-cat bosses’ bonuses culture, which I know the cabinet secretary has to defend, if for no other reason than that the First Minister signed them off for over a decade when he was the finance secretary. Will the Government back the calls in the report for a root-and-branch review into this creeping privatisation, this growing overreliance on private subcontractors and this extraction of profits from a public good to line the pockets of private shareholders, or is the cabinet secretary content to see this public utility privatised by stealth?”
“We are content that the governance of our water industry is robust. Scottish Water’s board includes a majority of non- executive members who are appointed by Scottish ministers to provide effective leadership and direction. As a public corporation, Scottish Water is held to account by ministers and this Parliament. The Scottish model also benefits from an established regulatory framework, which has driven improved performance and compliance. The most recent report on Scottish Water’s performance from its independent economic regulator demonstrates that customers continue to be satisfied with the high-quality services that Scottish Water provides. Richard Leonard: Last month, a report commissioned by Unison into Scottish Water questioned the regulatory framework.”
“Gillian Martin: I really like hearing examples of planning decisions that lead to co-location. Data centres need cooling and our homes and public buildings need heating, so that is an absolute no- brainer for me. Those are planning decisions and we are having a lot of discussion with our colleagues at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities about how we can co-locate any developments that might have waste heat associated with them. A great deal of work will be done on heat networks in the next”
“Sarah Boyack: Stop Climate Chaos Scotland has warned that, although the draft climate change plan outlines a range of policies that are aimed at increasing energy generation from renewables, it does not discuss the potential huge energy demand coming from data centres that planning authorities are now having to consider. In Edinburgh, for example, a temporary moratorium on data centres has been agreed and will be in place until the true level of energy and water consumption required is actually understood. To follow on from the initial advice that has been given, will the cabinet secretary outline what advice and monitoring the Scottish Government will provide? Can lessons be learned from Dublin and Amsterdam about tightening controls on large data centres, and also from Odense, where 100,000 homes are now being heated by a data centre?”
“Scotland benefits from a robust, although complex, regulatory and policy landscape that applies to data centre development. Under national planning framework 4, the planning authority must consider the potential environmental impacts of any planning application. Beyond that, when a site is under development and in operation, a number of environmental regulations might apply that relate to on-site combustion plant, air emissions, energy use and storage, water abstraction and discharge, use of fluorinated gas—F-gas—waste management and fuel and chemical storage. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is engaged in that framework and is working with UK regulators where such regulation is reserved.”
“We announced joint funding with the UK Government of up to £18 million for the oil and gas transition training fund. The First Minister officially opened the energy transition skills hub in Aberdeen, which is supported by £4.5 million of Scottish Government funding to harness those transferable skills so that oil and gas workers have options. We are still calling on the UK Government to have a serious look at the propositions that industry representatives have made about reforming the energy profits levy. The First Minister has written to Keir Starmer about the urgency associated with the energy security issues that have been caused.”
“Meghan Gallacher: Under the Scottish National Party Government and the UK Labour Government, the oil and gas industry is losing 1,000 jobs a month, which is having a catastrophic impact not just in the north-east but in industrial areas such as Grangemouth and Mossmorran. Does the cabinet secretary accept that, in order to save jobs across Scotland and to ensure our energy security, the SNP must reverse its reckless opposition to new oil and gas? Does she agree that we must drill Rosebank to secure our own energy future? Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government does not take a position against oil and gas. We support oil and gas workers. We believe that the existing fields have much more to give and that our energy workforce is being boosted by the skills of oil and gas workers, who have many transferable skills.”
“Key policy levers for the offshore energy transition, including decisions on licensing, consenting and the fiscal regime for North Sea oil and gas, are reserved to the United Kingdom Government. There must be a parallel-track approach to the transition, but, instead, at present, reserved policies such as the continuation of the energy profits levy are driving an accelerated decline in North Sea oil and gas before the full potential of renewables has been realised, which is placing jobs at risk. That is why we are calling for an immediate end to the levy and a sensible future fiscal regime. The Scottish Government will also continue to support the energy workforce with the powers that are available to us.”
“Amendment 21 disagreed to. Section 51A—Expiry Amendment 22 not moved. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That ends consideration of stage 3 amendments. As members will be aware, the Presiding Officer is required, under standing orders, to decide whether, in her view, any provisions of the bill relate to a protected subject matter—that is, whether they modify the electoral system and franchise for Scottish parliamentary elections. In the case of the Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill, in the Presiding Officer’s view, no provision relates to a protected subject matter. Therefore, the bill does not require a supermajority to be passed at stage 3. Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) 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) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) 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) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) 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) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) 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) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 49, Against 66, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 20 disagreed to. Amendment 21 moved—[Michael Marra]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 21 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) 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) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) 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) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) 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) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) 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) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 49, Against 66, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 19 disagreed to. Section 51—Commencement Amendment 20 moved—[Michael Marra]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 20 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) 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) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) 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) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) 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) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) 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) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 50, Against 66, Abstentions 0.”
“17:30 The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Michael Marra to wind up the debate and to press or withdraw amendment 19. Michael Marra: I have nothing further to add. I press amendment 19. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 19 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“That would be a substantial departure from the UK Labour Government’s approach to building safety in England, which contains no sunset clause whatsoever. As I said at stage 2, I ask members to consider the implication of placing a greater share of the costs of the work on the wider public purse if the levy is forced to end prematurely, with no regard to emerging data or the cost of cladding remediation. Indeed, the combined effect of amendment 22 and Michael Marra’s amendment 6 would be to reduce the period of taxable activity by about seven years. At a cost of £30 million per annum, the public purse would have to pick up £210 million, and neither Mark Griffin nor Michael Marra has set out a credible plan for how that would be funded. For those reasons, the Government is opposed to amendments 19 and 22.”
“The period of 15 years is in line with the committee’s recommendation in its stage 1 report and with the estimated lifetime of the cladding remediation programme. If Parliament and Government do nothing, the levy will cease after the 15-year period. However, in recognition of the potential for unforeseen costs to the programme, ministers can take action by regulation to extend the lifetime of the levy, which is, importantly, subject to the affirmative procedure. Amendment 22 would curtail the levy to allow it to operate for only 10 years, which does not align with the committee’s recommendation or the proposed lifespan of the cladding remediation programme. It would also remove the ability of future Governments to provide for an extension, subject to parliamentary approval.”
“In developing amendments 19 and 22, Mark Griffin worked closely with the Scottish Property Federation, which shares the concern that moving beyond the original 10-year framework risks mission creep. For those reasons, I believe that it is appropriate that Parliament has the opportunity to take a clear view on the issue. Having previously allowed time for engagement with the Government, Mark Griffin is now content for me to move the amendments and to allow Parliament to vote on them. I move amendment 19. Ivan McKee: At stage 2, the Government responded to the views of the committee and stakeholders and lodged the amendment that is now section 51A, which introduced a sunset clause into the bill.”
“The Government has accepted that the levy should be restrictive in nature by stipulating that the proceeds that it raises can be used only for specific purposes—namely, the remediation of unsafe cladding. If the Government accepts that the scope of the levy must be restricted in that way, it follows that the duration of the levy should be limited to the time that is required for the completion of that work. However, I have real concerns that, contrary to the consultation’s findings and the committee’s recommendations, the bill would allow the levy to continue, across successive Governments, long after its stated purpose has been fulfilled. That would risk undermining the purpose of the legislation and damaging confidence in the housing sector.”