Fulton MacGregor
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Deputy Presiding Officer, you will know that I am interested in that, as you are. We were both members of the Criminal Justice Committee in the previous session of Parliament. Evidence shows that community-based sentences are effective in reducing reoffending.”
“Scotland’s prison population continues to rise despite our having the lowest number of recorded crimes, and the average custodial sentence length increased by 37 per cent between 2014-15 and 2023-24. That is all having an impact on capacity in our prisons.”
“Scotland’s prison population is at a critical point. As the motion demonstrates, the Scottish Government recognises the importance of the issue and is taking action through sustained investment, careful planning and a clear focus on public safety. The 2026-27 budget includes investment of £1 billion in Scotland’s prisons.”
“It builds on the investment of £25 million over the previous two years. I also welcome the cabinet secretary’s remarks on reviewing community justice. However, the evidence is already clear. Statistics show that people who are released from custody experience higher rates of reconviction than those who receive non-custodial sentences.”
“Given that it is unaffordable, there would be an almighty battle to deliver it, if that could happen at all. The issue is about having a credible plan, with the timescales that we have to date, to deliver for the benefit of the people of Lanarkshire and people elsewhere in Scotland, with that shift in the balance of care.”
“At what point did the Scottish Government deem that the cost outlined in the business case was too high? What discussions did it have with NHS Lanarkshire to try to resolve issues earlier?”
The complete record
Every one of 477 lines we hold for Fulton MacGregor, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 7 of 10.
“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) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) 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) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Patrick Harvie] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Maggie Chapman] Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 91, Against 26, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 313 agreed to. Amendment 89 moved—[Martin Whitfield]. Amendment 89C not moved. Amendment 89A moved—[Ariane Burgess]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 89A be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“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) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) 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) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Patrick Harvie] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Maggie Chapman] Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 88, Against 27, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 312 agreed to. Amendment 313 moved—[Michael Matheson]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 313 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. 19:00 The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. 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) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) 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) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Patrick Harvie] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Maggie Chapman] Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 90, Against 25, Abstentions 0.”
“Mairi Gougeon: The amendments in this group reflect the important role that the Scottish Land Commission will continue to play in informing and supporting future land reform policy in Scotland. I agree with Ariane Burgess and Michael Matheson on the importance of highlighting the issues that are raised in their amendments as on-going parts of the work. That is why I am happy to support both amendments in the group, which will make more explicit the Scottish Land Commission’s on- going role in considering the important issues that are central to land reform and on-going land use. Ariane Burgess: I have nothing to add. I strongly urge members to support the amendments in the group. I press amendment 312. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 312 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.”
“The updated functions include “the relationship between scale and concentrations of land holdings and local economic development” as well as “the desirability of achieving a more diverse pattern of landownership comprising more landowners and different types of landowners” and “measures to prevent depopulation and support the repopulation of land and the sustainability of communities”. I am grateful to Community Land Scotland for its assistance in drafting the amendment. I urge members to support amendment 313. The Presiding Officer: I call Edward Mountain. Edward Mountain: Sorry, Presiding Officer. I pushed my request-to-speak button but unpushed it when I heard the arguments that were put forward, which were persuasive. I did not think that I could add to them.”
“Following discussions with the cabinet secretary, I am content that that work is more suitable for the broader body of the land commissioners. I will support Michael Matheson’s amendment 313, which will ensure that Scottish land commissioners consider recommendations about rural repopulation and the economic impact of the concentration of land ownership. I move amendment 312. Michael Matheson: Amendment 313 seeks to update the functions of the Scottish land commissioners. That is important not only because of the pressing land issues that we are facing but because the regulatory function of the SLC will expand under the bill. This is an opportunity to recognise the important role of the commissioners and ensure that their functions are up to date for the land issues that Scotland faces.”
“Amendment 311 disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: Group 15 is on functions of the land commissioners. Amendment 312, in the name of Ariane Burgess, is grouped with amendment 313. Ariane Burgess: Amendment 312 tidies up an amendment that I was grateful to have committee members support at stage 2, which gave land commissioners a duty to keep an overview of Scotland’s growing natural capital market. Amendment 312 would update the functions of the Scottish land commissioners as set out in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 to clarify that they may carry out work on “the effects of natural capital markets in relation to other matters relating to land in Scotland.” That reflects the intention of my stage 2 amendment, which would have placed those functions specifically on the land and communities commissioner.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not get connected, but I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr MacGregor; we will ensure that that is 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 Patrick Harvie] Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Maggie Chapman] Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Dr Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) 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) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) 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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (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) 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) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 8, Against 87, Abstentions 20.”
“Fulton MacGregor is absolutely right that women must receive information that is appropriate to their needs and that they must, when they have questions about their care, including when there have been mistakes or failures, have those properly investigated and fully resolved.”
“What more can be done to ensure that the services learn from such experiences, as well as from the experiences in Lothian, so that all mothers feel that they are an integral part of the care and decision-making process when they are pregnant and giving birth? Neil Gray: I know that Fulton MacGregor wrote to me yesterday, and I will ensure that he gets a full response to that correspondence. He is absolutely right that women deserve answers, transparency, honesty and openness with regard to the care that they receive. That was the theme of concern that came through from the HIS report in NHS Lothian, and I have been absolutely clear with the board’s chief executive that that must change and improve.”
“At the outset, I should say that I hear a lot of positive stories about maternity care, and my family and I have had three very positive and happy experiences in Lanarkshire, at the Wishaw maternity unit. However, although this is not directly related to the situation in Edinburgh, I met a constituent this week who reported having had very difficult maternity experiences at all stages, including pre- birth, birth and aftercare. I have written to the cabinet secretary about that, so I will not go into the full details just now. However, at the heart of my constituent’s complaint is that she did not feel heard in relation to the treatment and care that she received.”
“That process will consider potential changes in funding and commissioning arrangements to better serve the needs of Scotland’s children. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the item of business. Before we move to the next item, there will be a brief pause to allow front- bench teams to change over. Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (Scottish Carbon Budgets) Amendment Regulations 2025”
“Does the minister think that it is right, going forward, for secure care to be provided by a series of independent organisations that all do things differently and which are accountable to their boards, rather than to the Scottish ministers? Natalie Don-Innes: As I noted in my statement, although the immediate focus has been on stabilisation, capacity restoration and encouraging the safe use of alternatives, we must always look forward in an effort to future proof the system. We are considering future funding and commissioning models as part of our plans for reimagining secure care. We will work in partnership with Scotland Excel, secure providers and commissioning authorities to consult on and co-design a new national commissioning model that reflects our shared aspirations for the future of secure care.”
“In closing, I invite all members to visit giveblood4good.org, pledge to donate, encourage schools in their area to join YAP and take the message back to their communities, friends, families and constituents. Let us honour Patrick not just with words but with action—donate, educate and save lives. In Scotland, generosity runs deep. Starting today, let us keep that spirit— and the hope that it brings—flowing. 17:15”
“I also urge the Scottish Government to promote blood donation as a public health priority, with a national campaign that targets younger demographics directly, dispelling fears and misconceptions, and aiming to make donating blood a routine part of life, where that is appropriate for the individual—I have not mentioned this yet, but I acknowledge that, obviously, there are people who cannot donate blood. Local councils and public bodies should be encouraged to facilitate donation opportunities by providing accessible venues and time-off policies for workers to give blood. The Scottish Government can lead by example by ensuring that its employees have the flexibility to donate during working hours.”
“Therefore, I call on ministers to work with GB4G and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service to formally integrate the young ambassador programme into the school curriculum across Scotland. I appreciate that that is not within the remit of the minister who will respond to this debate, but I believe that early education is key. We need to encourage blood donation as a civic responsibility as well as a medical one. Further, the Government should support and expand youth-led blood donation initiatives with dedicated funding, ensuring that programmes such as the Bloody Brilliant Uni Squad and community blood drives can scale up and reach more people. That means providing resources for outreach, marketing and partnership building with local authorities and educational institutions.”
“Many of them were first-time donors who might never have considered it before. That kind of progress shows what is possible with the right approach. In our own communities, the opportunity is even greater. Rolling out YAP in schools could create a long-term pipeline of donors—people who understand the importance of donation early on and carry that commitment into adulthood. Our maternity wards, accident and emergency departments and treatment centres rely on a steady supply of blood. We cannot afford to leave that to chance. By investing in education and making blood donation a normal part of life, GB4G is laying the foundation for a more resilient system—one that does not leave anyone behind. However, to make that progress sustainable, we need a clear and proactive commitment from Government.”
“As co- founder Martha Greenbank put it, “We’re making giving blood as normal as recycling— because lives depend on it.” The need could not be clearer. Right now, 55 per cent of active blood donors in Scotland are aged 45 and over. The youngest age group, 17 to 24, remains the least represented. The numbers are stark: 70 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds have never donated, and just 11 per cent give blood regularly. That gap is not just a statistic; it is a real risk to the future of our blood supply. The core objective here is to work to increase all numbers. There are important signs of hope in relation to the youngest group. Thanks to effective targeted education and outreach, almost 1,000 young people pledged to donate through university programmes in the past academic year.”
“We should also recognise Ollie Smith, Patrick’s brother and a Glasgow Warriors star, who became GB4G’s first official ambassador in May 2024. He is out there visiting schools and putting up social media posts, telling young people that Patrick’s passion was infectious and saying, “Let’s keep it going.” GB4G is also changing the way that people think about blood donation. In October 2024, it teamed up with WeDonate, a platform that offers perks and rewards to regular donors through brand partnerships. That does not just provide nice extras; it helps fund youth-focused programmes such as YAP and the Bloody Brilliant Uni Squad and, more important, it turns donation into a habit rather than a one-off act.”
“Through e-learning about blood types and transfusion needs, and hands-on activities, those students can become real advocates. In the pilot, 15 secondary 5 and S6 pupils turned their school into a hub of awareness. The programme is also about building practical skills, including leadership and teamwork, allowing young people to grow and make a real difference. Those young ambassadors walk away with CV gold and are saving lives along the way. The work does not stop there. GB4G’s Bloody Brilliant Uni Squad secured nearly 1,000 pledges last year, 64 per cent of which were from first-time donors. One campaign, for a young woman who needed more than 100 transfusions during leukaemia treatment, gathered 230 pledges, including 116 new donors. That effort potentially saved 690 lives.”
“We are talking about real people facing real emergencies, and our hospitals depend on that generosity every day. When blood runs low, operations are pushed back and lives are put at risk. Since GB4G launched, its donors have saved or improved the lives of an estimated 16,362 people, and that impact continues. Just this week, there was a local blood donation drive in my constituency. Such local actions make a meaningful difference to the trajectory of blood donation across the country. At the heart of the group’s work is the young ambassador programme—YAP—which is genuinely inspiring. Piloted in schools such as the Glasgow Academy, it gets young people fired up about donation before they are even old enough to give blood.”
“That is a big deal because, across the United Kingdom, most 18 to 24-year- olds have never donated, with fear given as one of the biggest reasons why they have not. Only a small percentage of adults give blood regularly, and, in Scotland alone, we lost more than 13,000 donors in 2021, in the wake of the pandemic. That kind of drop puts serious strain on the national health service, and that is where GB4G comes in, as it makes it easier to show up, feel safe, and get involved. Blood donation keeps our NHS going. One donation can make the difference between life and death for someone in urgent need. Every donation can save or improve up to three lives. I ask members to think about that: three families given hope—whether it is a mum in labour, a crash survivor or someone battling cancer or sickle-cell disease, that matters.”
“I thank Hanna Smith and Martha Greenbank for founding in 2019 what is a remarkable charity in memory of Hanna’s brother, Patrick Smith, an Edinburgh student whose life was tragically cut short at just 21. Patrick was a proper champion. From the day that he turned 17—the youngest age at which someone can donate blood—he was first in line, with his sleeves rolled up, encouraging everyone around him to do the same. After his sudden death in 2019, his family grieved, but they also built a lasting foundation. GB4G was created to carry Patrick’s passion forward by inspiring more young people to donate blood and, in doing so, save lives. Let me paint a picture. At the very first blood drive that was held in Patrick’s name, more than 150 people turned up.”
“I thank the members who supported the motion, and I thank the Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy and Sport and the Government for engaging with me on the matter and for offering to meet representatives from Give Blood 4 Good. I declare that I am a regular blood donor and that my next blood donation will be my 19th. It is an honour to lead the debate and to shine a light on the brilliant work of Give Blood 4 Good, or GB4G. Building on the concerns that I have previously raised in the chamber about the future of blood donation and the essential role of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, I return to the issue to highlight the inspiring work of Give Blood 4 Good, which is mobilising the next generation of donors.”
“I have committed an additional £45 million to fund the Prison Service in this financial year, bringing the total investment to almost £0.5 billion. That is taxpayers’ money. I emphasise that we cannot build our way out of this issue and that we must, as a Parliament and as a country, focus on long-term reform.”
“An increasing prison population brings an increasing cost for the public purse, both for extending the estate and, particularly, in resourcing staffing due to the increase in employer national insurance contributions and meeting rising food and energy costs. Will the cabinet secretary advise what increased costs are expected because of the recent rise in the prison population? Angela Constance: A high prison population is costly because of the need to provide food, clothing and additional care, support and safety measures. The annual average cost per prisoner place in 2024-25 was £52,000 and the Scottish Prison Service estimates that pressure caused by the additional prison population will cost around £3.5 million this year. The member has made the point about employer national insurance contributions, which I will not reiterate.”
“There are other purposes in the legislation, but that is the principal one for gulls in urban areas. It is necessary to identify the hazard, who is being harmed and what the mitigation measures are. There should be “no other satisfactory solution” than licensed control. In other words, other relevant non-licensable solutions should have been tried or discounted, examples of which might include netting, spikes, management of food waste and so on. NatureScot would then have to consider, as a matter of policy, the impact of issuing a licence on the conservation status of the species, in accordance with Scotland’s commitments in relation to other conservation legislation and international agreements.”
“I have to say that, in my time representing Coatbridge and Chryston, seagulls have never been raised with me as an issue. Perhaps that is not surprising, given the effects of the cost of living and austerity in my constituency in recent years. However, I am interested in the issue. Will the minister set out some of the circumstances in which NatureScot can issue control licences, and will he say what thresholds would have to be reached before that would take place? Jim Fairlie: As I just laid out to Willie Rennie, all applications have to be assessed on their own merits—there is no simple solution to a complex problem. All licences that are issued need to meet the licence criteria as stated in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Those include “for the purposes of preserving public health or ... safety”.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what recourse is open to patients who have experienced complications following a national health service operation. (S6O-05003)”
“I am afraid that, as we set out at stage 2, I am not persuaded that an exemption in such circumstances is appropriate. The current legal framework ensures that the rights of landlords and tenants are taken into account in any decision to delay the enforcement of eviction. That means that a delay will be ordered only when it is reasonable, in all circumstances, to do so. The type of landlord and the purpose for which the property is used, in and of themselves, do not merit a stand-alone exemption.”
“However, given that we see ourselves as having a responsibility to show members the courtesy of responding to their amendments, I will not necessarily be able to do that in five minutes for every group in which there are many amendments, but I will keep my remarks as short as possible. I turn to Meghan Gallacher’s amendments 79 to 86. I thank her, Marie Curie and Mark Griffin, who was also involved in the work on this matter, for their engagement with me. The eviction process is exceptionally difficult for anybody, but it is particularly difficult for those with a terminal illness, so I am pleased to be able to support amendments 79 to 86. Meghan Gallacher’s amendment 283 seeks to create a further exemption from the duty to consider a delay in the enforcement of evictions specifically for the Church of Scotland.”
“Administrative impracticality—tribunals are already underresourced—and imposing deadlines without additional funding or staffing could create procedural chaos and even more appeals. For those reasons, I cannot support the amendment although, as I have said, I have great sympathy with it. Will the cabinet secretary outline ways in which the principle of Edward Mountain’s amendment could be achieved in practice while still safeguarding vulnerable people? Màiri McAllan: Before I set out the detail of the Government’s position on the amendments in this group, I assure members that brevity will be the order of the day for the Government.”
“My constituent has been badly affected by the experience and, as you will imagine, is considering her future options in relation to being a landlord. Although, because of that case, I have some sympathy with the amendment, I cannot support the amendment for a number of reasons, including the risk that it would undermine fairness. Strict deadlines may force tribunals to rush complex cases without properly considering the circumstances of vulnerable tenants, and there could be a risk of unjust outcomes and homelessness. Threatening judicial independence by legislating for rigid timeframes could be seen as political interference in how tribunals operate and manage case loads.”
“I will speak briefly to Edward Mountain’s amendment 192, on behalf of a constituent who has been following the bill and has reached out to me for representation on the issue. By way of background, my constituent attempted to evict a tenant who had been antisocial. The First-tier Tribunal delayed hearings, which caused a huge financial strain on my constituent, leading to tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of losses and a huge financial and emotional impact on her and her family. My constituent believes that, had the amendment been in place, it would have given her a set timeframe in which to budget for an eviction. In the end, the process dragged on for so long that the situation was solved outwith the tribunal system— basically, a letting agency stepped in and moved the tenant to a different property.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what targeted support it is providing to small businesses in Coatbridge and Chryston to help them deal with inflation and rising costs. (S6O-04966)”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to connect. I would have voted no. I also have a proxy vote for Collette Stevenson. She would have voted no, too. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr MacGregor. We will ensure that those votes are recorded.”
“Will the minister outline how the Scottish Government is supporting the delivery of outdoor learning in schools across Scotland? Natalie Don-Innes: The bill has provided a good opportunity to discuss and highlight the amount of outdoor education that is already happening in Scotland. Outdoor education is an area of Government focus in our 2023 to 2030 learning for sustainability action plan and in reform through the curriculum improvement cycle. We continue to support investment in outdoor learning through the Scottish attainment challenge, pupil equity funding and phase 3 of our learning estate investment programme. Nursery Mothballing (Guidance) 6.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that people with increased genetic risk of developing cervical cancer are offered additional screening tests. (S6O-04947)”
“I understand the Scottish Government’s concerns around the finances, but we need to ensure that another Kilbowie situation does not happen in another area, and perhaps bits of the bill could prevent that from happening. I thank Liz Smith for bringing the debate to the chamber and for introducing the bill to Parliament, but we need to look at the financial aspects, and I know that the Government minister will talk about that in summing up. 17:38”
“Five years ago, I raised my strong objections to the closure of Kilbowie outdoor centre in Oban, which provided week-long residential courses for primary 7 pupils in North Lanarkshire and allowed them to try a range of water sports and adventure activities. The closure of that facility was a great loss to North Lanarkshire’s young people and truly deprived them of their opportunity to flourish in an outdoor learning environment away from home. It was met with real opposition from local people. The closure of the outdoor centre meant that, for some children in my constituency and across North Lanarkshire, their only chance of experiencing a holiday or outdoor recreation was ultimately removed.”
“Opposition parties have been persistent in their calls for the Scottish Government to provide additional funding or reallocate existing funds to cover the measures that are set out in the bill, but there has been no clear indication of where those funds should come from. If cuts are to be made to existing budgets, where should they be made? However, I hear what Liz Smith has said today: that she has cut the bill’s proposed financial resources. Again, that is to her credit. That notwithstanding, I remain a strong believer in outdoor education. I want to put on record something that I have discussed in the chamber previously.”
“Improvements to our outdoor education provision can and should continue, but not exclusively through legislation. Schools, local authorities and community partners are already making strides, and there is scope for them to build on that progress without the need to introduce any legislation as such. While I welcome the passion behind the proposals—as I mentioned, I truly understand the amount of work that Liz Smith has put into the bill—the financial realities must be acknowledged. I am not taking a view on what Liz Smith has outlined just now, but those realities need to be acknowledged.”
“The Scottish Government has long recognised the value that outdoor education can bring, and opportunities are already being supported through established initiatives such as the Scottish attainment challenge and pupil equity funding. Those measures provide schools and communities with the flexibility and resources to ensure that young people, in particular those from disadvantaged backgrounds, can access enriching outdoor learning experiences. Importantly, that support does not depend on the passing of new legislation; it is embedded in current practice and can be developed further within the existing framework. I see in my constituency that different schools are trying different approaches to outdoor learning. It is also important to recognise that work in this area has been conducted over many years and continues to evolve.”
“In addition to those health benefits, outdoor experiences give children valuable opportunities to build essential life skills such as communication, problem solving, teamwork and confidence. Teachers have also contributed to the discussion and shared their understanding that outdoor learning strengthens classroom engagement, supports social connections and allows children to push beyond their comfort zone. It helps children to grow their independence and face challenges in a safe, structured setting. That approach reflects a broader understanding of the importance of holistic education: one that nurtures both academic success and student wellbeing.”
“I thank Liz Smith for bringing the debate to the chamber. From my involvement with the cross-party group on outdoor education, I can attest to the fact that she is a very committed and incredibly hard-working advocate for outdoor learning. I think that we in the chamber all know that, but it is important that we say such things across parties and give credit where credit is due. Outdoor education is a powerful and proven way of enhancing young people’s learning experiences, broadening their horizons and supporting their wellbeing. When the stage 1 debate on the bill was held in the chamber last March, members heard that spending time in nature has been found to ease anxiety, lower stress and alleviate symptoms of depression, while also boosting mood and promoting overall wellbeing, which is important for our children in this digital age.”
“We have also updated the national definition of bullying by simplifying the language, because recording it has been a challenge at times. That update will also provide more examples of what is and is not bullying. If Mr MacGregor would like to write to me with more examples, I would be more than happy to correspond with him or meet him to discuss the issues that he has raised on behalf of his constituents.”
“Again, I put on the record that bullying of any kind is unacceptable and must be addressed promptly and effectively. In November last year, we published updated anti-bullying guidance, “Respect for All”, for all adults who are working with children and young people. That refreshed guidance brings together the updates to the previous version of “Respect for All” that we published in 2017, as well as additional guidance on recording and monitoring, which is another issue that has been raised today. The guidance aims to encourage a proactive and inclusive anti-bullying approach and it supports all adults who are working with or caring for children and young people to create inclusive environments where bullying is not able to thrive.”
“Over recent years, my office and I have received an increased number of queries relating to bullying in schools. Indeed, just yesterday at one of my surgeries, I saw a constituent who had had to move her child to another primary school due to extreme levels of bullying that were having a detrimental impact on the young person’s wellbeing. The cabinet secretary has always been clear that bullying is not acceptable, and she worked on the issue even before she entered Government. I therefore ask her for an update on plans to tackle bullying in our schools and on how it sits within the national action plan that she has updated us on today. Jenny Gilruth: I thank Mr MacGregor for his question and I am sorry to hear the examples that he has cited.”