Ben Macpherson
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“It would be helpful to understand from the member’s supplementary question what he means by degrees that “offer limited value”, so that we can understand the point that he is trying to make. Thomas Kerr: I will get a list over to the minister. I am always happy to educate the education front bench about pointless degrees.”
“I am sure that, collectively, we all want to congratulate the 2024-25 school leavers, 93.5 per cent of whom were in a positive destination nine months after leaving school. We will also, I am sure, want to recognise together the dedication of the practitioners who supported them to achieve that.”
“Can he guarantee that every pound that has been allocated to apprenticeships is being spent on apprenticeship training, rather than elsewhere in the education budget?”
“This year, building on previous work and initiatives, the Scottish Government has introduced a new Government-led skills planning model—which has been developed in close partnership with stakeholders, including those in industry—to ensure that our post-school education and skills system becomes even more responsive to Scotland’s strategic…”
“We want to support all our young people to choose a pathway that suits their strengths and enables them to fulfil their potential to the greatest extent, developing their skills and critical thinking. Our all-age careers support, delivered by Skills Development Scotland and other partners, promotes every pathway to our young people.”
“Ben Macpherson: Daniel Johnson knows that I like to be constructive in my dialogue in the chamber, but I must gently point out that one of the key problems that those in industry have emphasised to me is the impact of the national insurance increase, as well as other pressures and costs that have affected the number of apprenticeship star…”
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“Since the centre was established in 1989, it has, as members have emphasised, connected cutting-edge innovation with industry to deliver real-world impact. Its evolution into a centre for sustainable brewing and distilling is in line with the Government’s net zero ambitions and cements Heriot Watt’s status as a pioneering powerhouse in that sphere. It also ties in with the industry's vision, as set out in the Scotch Whisky Association’s sustainability strategy, to play its part in reducing emissions. I will be pleased to engage with Heriot-Watt University on its proposals, and the need to continue to develop skills, in my dialogue with it. Heriot-Watt’s impact is wide.”
“The industry provides £7.1 billion in gross value added to the UK economy, and in most countries around the world, you cannot go into a bar without seeing a bit of Scotland on the shelf. That is remarkable, and it is important that we continue to support and preserve it. The sector employs more than 41,000 people in Scotland, and its reach into every corner of the country means that, in our rural and island communities, brewing and distilling often provide many of the high-skilled, well-paid and secure employment opportunities. Those jobs sustain local economies and communities, and we should all celebrate and seek to continue that. Heriot-Watt University’s international centre for brewing and distilling represents a significant fusion of the two great Scottish strengths: industry and education.”
“I, too, thank Gordon MacDonald for bringing to the chamber this important debate on these significant issues and the project. I also thank members for their diverse contributions, which I will try to respond to in summing up. In Scotland, brewing and distilling are not just industries—they are, as colleagues have emphasised, part of our national story. They are woven into our identity, our economy and our global reputation. Scotland’s higher education system is equally iconic, sharing the same spirit of excellence, innovation and drive to nurture talent that enables our nation to thrive in a competitive world. Whisky, in particular, is hugely important to our economy, with more than £5 billion in exports to around 170 countries and territories.”
“It is important for context to emphasise that on the record. It is also important and appropriate to note what people have said about the need for fossil fuels and how that is considered in the context of a maturing basin. It is possible to acknowledge that we will need to continue to utilise fossil fuels in our economy and in our lives and note the benefits of moving to net zero and being less reliant on fossil fuels. Liam Kerr: Will the minister give way?”
“In relation to reserved policy, a point was made about the energy profits levy. Although a levy on big business—not just energy businesses—was appropriate during the pandemic, when we saw, for example, our supermarkets making a significant profit, it is important to emphasise that the energy profits levy should end or be completely reformed at the earliest possible opportunity, and we continue to call on the UK Government to do that. It is interesting that Norway was cited as an example. In relation to where we are now with the economy of the north-east and all of Scotland, we could have received so much more benefit from decades past if investment had been made proportionately and appropriately into Scotland, given the amount of resource that went into the UK Treasury from the north-east oil and gas industry.”
“Douglas Lumsden: I completely understand that most energy policy is reserved, but the Scottish Government published the draft energy strategy and just transition plan two and a half years ago. It has been a draft document since then. When will we see the final version of that plan? Ben Macpherson: I refer the member to the answer that was given on that point just last week in the chamber, I think. I am glad that the member raised that issue. I say this without meaning to be party political, but there have been other times when the publication of strategies and plans by the Scottish Government has been derided by other members. I am glad that there is now an enthusiasm, when it is right and appropriate, for plans and strategies, because they are an important part of how we drive policy and allocate resources.”
“As I have said in other debates on this topic, and as others have emphasised during today’s discussion, for those of us who represent constituencies elsewhere, the oil and gas sector is an incredibly important industry, not just because of its national significance to all of our lives and our economy but because of the indirect jobs that it enables in other parts of Scotland, including in my constituency. The strength of the industry in the north-east and Scotland’s oil, gas and energy industry overall is world renowned, which members have rightly emphasised. Another issue that has been rightly emphasised is that energy policy is reserved to the UK Government. Today’s discussion emphasises that it is right that we debate both devolved and reserved policy, especially when they interact.”
“Although Scotland is a very small contributor to emissions in terms of the international situation, we are a well-respected voice on what we are doing to transition to net zero, to use our expertise, to help those who are affected by climate change and, as part of the collective global challenge, to seek to reduce emissions at the global scale, because that is what is needed. We are an important voice in the room, while others are much bigger contributors of fossil fuel emissions. I want to start my summing up by restating our firm commitment as a Government to delivering a just transition to net zero for workers, communities and businesses across Scotland but particularly in the north-east, and it is only right that many colleagues from that part of Scotland have contributed today.”
“I thank colleagues for what has been a good and important debate with an honest exchange of views and insights. I also pay tribute to Liam Kerr for bringing the debate to the Parliament and for the constructive way in which he drafted his motion and presented it at the beginning of the debate. That is exactly the sort of approach that we collectively need on this extremely important issue and challenge. I welcome the opportunity to close for the Government. This paper is absolutely relevant to the skills agenda and the necessity for retraining to ensure that our people can maximise the opportunities and transition using their skills and knowledge. The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy is at the 30th United Nations climate change conference of the parties— COP30—where this whole question is being discussed at a global level.”
“Ben Macpherson: Keith Brown raises some important points and in recent weeks has advocated for his constituents in Alloa admirably on those issues. I am happy to impress on the Funding Council that it should meet Mr Brown, and I am also happy to meet him to explore the ideas that he has raised in the chamber. The Scottish Government recognises the vital role that our colleges play in their local communities. We will sustain our investment in the sector, and we remain committed to giving young people and others who are retraining the opportunity to gain the skills that they need to succeed, with the ability to do so in their locality, as that will help our economy grow and prosper.”
“Keith Brown: Given the vital role that further education colleges such as Forth Valley College play in improving opportunities and life chances for people from our most deprived communities including Clackmannanshire, which has some of the most deprived communities in Scotland, will the Scottish Government support the Scottish Funding Council’s requiring colleges to ensure that there is a minimum level of course provision in those areas? For example, it could mandate that a set number of credits be delivered at campuses such as Alloa and that similar safeguards be applied consistently across Scotland. Will the minister ask the Funding Council to meet me so that I can make clear the extent to which we are having to deal with a college board that is determined to end further education provision? What can be done to stop that approach?”
“Last week, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and I met the principal of Forth Valley College and the Scottish Funding Council to discuss progress, next steps and how the Scottish Government can further help to safeguard the future of the Alloa campus. I am assured that the principal is committed to finding a solution, taking into account the needs of the community, local employers and the wider region. The SFC is supporting those efforts by providing additional funding to support an urgent feasibility study to identify all possible options for the campus. We will ensure that all relevant public sector bodies play their part in that. I also plan to visit the Alloa campus soon, and I will endeavour to keep Mr Brown updated.”
“Amendment 8 disagreed to. Amendment 53 moved—[Mercedes Villalba]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 53 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Patrick Harvie] Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) 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) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Maggie Chapman] Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) 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) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) 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) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) 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) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) 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) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 29, Against 90, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 52 disagreed to. Amendment 8 moved—[Mercedes Villalba]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 8 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was not able to log in. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Macpherson. I will ensure that that is recorded. For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Patrick Harvie] Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) 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) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Maggie Chapman] Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) 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) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) 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) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) 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) 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) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) 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) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 29, Against 88, Abstentions 0.”
“I have forgiven the member for not inviting me to the launch of his bill in my constituency in Leith. Although I not dismissing the considerations around the need for primary legislation, most important, we must consider the current needs in communities, which I am engaged with. We have provided a lot of additional resource—more than £1.1 billion in 2025-26, which is a real-terms increase of 5.5 per cent—to local authorities. Without disrespecting the Verity house agreement, we need to consider whether local authorities are investing enough in youth work and what other ways we can provide additional youth work support where there is need and demand, given the current circumstances. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can squeeze in a very brief supplementary question.”
“However, YouthLink’s latest survey shows that the majority of young people who access youth work do so through voluntary organisations, and that many such organisations are struggling to meet rising demands. What are the minister’s specific plans to strengthen voluntary and statutory provision so that no young person misses out? Ben Macpherson: I am looking forward to engaging with the youth work sector in my role and will be doing so in the weeks ahead. The member speaks about youth work in terms of preventative spending and its power to help young people to realise their potential, which allows them to contribute more to society and the economy. I believe in that deeply, and I see it in my local constituency through organisations such as the Citadel Youth Centre.”
“As Parliament knows from contributions that I have made previously, I highly value youth work, and I am looking at ways to provide further support. At present, the Scottish Government funds youth work provision in a variety of ways, most prominently through local authority block grants, which give councils significant autonomy to provide youth work in their area. Martin Whitfield: I am aware that the minister genuinely values youth work. When I launched my proposed youth work (Scotland) bill at the Citadel Youth Centre in Leith, I saw first hand how transformative voluntary provision can be and, indeed, how the minister takes interest in that place.”
“I am proud that there has been an increase in care-experienced students attending university every year since 2016. Support for mature learners is also a priority, and we continue to fund the Scottish wider access programme, which supports thousands of learners to return to higher education each year.”
“James Dornan: Will the minister set out how the support that is available for mature and care- experienced students to access and succeed in university compares with that in other United Kingdom nations? What assessment has the Scottish Government made of the effectiveness of those measures in reducing inequalities in higher education? Ben Macpherson: I thank the member for raising those important matters. The Scottish Government continues to provide unparalleled support to care-experienced students in the form of a non-means-tested bursary of £9,000—the first of its kind in the UK. All of Scotland’s universities are committed to guaranteeing a university place to care-experienced applicants who meet minimum entry requirements.”
“The number of Scots from the most deprived areas who enter university has increased by 37 per cent since the Scottish Government established the commission on widening access, and the latest Universities and Colleges Admissions Service statistics show that record numbers of young Scots from deprived areas were accepted to study at university in 2025. However, we know that there is more to do. We will continue to work with the sector, and with the commissioner for fair access, to make further progress on fair access to higher education. That includes our on-going exploration of data-sharing options to better support disadvantaged individuals and communities.”
“The funding enables new courses to be provided, strengthens college staff capacity and invests in facilities across strategically important regions for the offshore wind industry. In addition, alongside the United Kingdom Government, we are providing up to £2 million of funding to Forth Valley College to support workers at Grangemouth to transition into those key sectors. Higher History (Fluctuation in Results) 4.”
“Does the minister share my view that cross-sector joint working is crucial to achieving that objective? Ben Macpherson: We are committed to boosting skills among Scotland’s young people, especially in vital sectors such as those relating to the energy transition. Although we pursue long- term reform of post-school education and skills, we recognise that there is an urgent need to meet current demands. That is why we are providing targeted funding to colleges in 2025-26 for an offshore wind skills programme. That will create training hubs to build the skilled workforce that is needed for our offshore wind ambitions and will support the upskilling and reskilling that will aid energy transition.”
“The cabinet secretary maintains regular communication with Cabinet colleagues on matters of importance to the Government, including supporting people in Aberdeen and elsewhere to gain the skills for the energy transition in the north-east, which is a key priority. We will continue to work with regional partners to help to ensure that the workforce is equipped for the opportunities ahead. Targeted funding is already in place to support skills for the energy transition, in recognition of high demand, and colleagues and I will continue to engage with all partners, including Jackie Dunbar, in this shared endeavour. Jackie Dunbar: It is hugely important that we harness the potential of our young people and workers who are needed for the energy transition and that we assist in facilitating pathways to success.”
“In relation to the Alloa campus, I have valued questions from members across the chamber, including from Keith Brown last week, who have advocated on behalf of the campus. We recognise that, as has been set out, including in the Audit Scotland report this week, colleges are anchor bodies in communities. The Alloa campus plays an important role in helping young people and others in Clackmannanshire to fulfil their potential, build their skills and contribute fully. The Scottish Government is engaged on the issue, as members would expect. Ministers are regularly being updated on the matter and, crucially, the Scottish Funding Council is engaged with Forth Valley College on the Alloa campus. We will continue to update the Parliament as appropriate, and we will continue our proactive engagement with the Scottish”
“The principal told me this week that “Without intervention the college is forecast to run out of cash by December 2026 and would become insolvent”. In a written answer last week, the minister told me that the closure of the Alloa campus was “ultimately ... an operational matter” for the college. If it is not the job of the minister for further education to defend access to further education in one of our most deprived communities, I do not know what his job is, so will he give an assurance to Parliament and to the people of Clackmannanshire, this afternoon, that the Alloa campus will not be downgraded and will not be closed? Ben Macpherson: I thank Richard Leonard for his engagement on the matter.”
“I thank Richard Leonard for the warm welcome and express to him that the Scottish Government values and works to support all those who work in further and higher education in our country. I have valued the opportunities to express that since coming into post less than a month ago. Our most recent budget allowed the Scottish Funding Council to increase revenue funding to colleges by 2.6 per cent and funding to universities by 3.3 per cent. However, we recognise the pressures that both sectors face, which have been set out clearly by Audit Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council. My ministerial colleagues and I will continue to work collaboratively on those challenges with both sectors and with the Parliament. Richard Leonard: The Alloa campus of Forth Valley College remains under threat.”
“My colleagues and I welcome today’s debate, which is on matters that are important to all of us as we represent our constituents. We also welcome the opportunity to respond to the motion and restate the Scottish Government’s strong commitment to supporting our people to fulfil their potential and to tackling the skills shortages in our economy. We are focused on building a fair, prosperous and successful economy, which is supported by an education and skills system that is flexible and ready to meet the needs of people, communities and employers. We know that Scotland’s future success depends on creating good jobs and making sure that people have the right opportunities and skills to access them.”
“We are operating in an environment in which inflation costs went up in the years that are stated in the Audit Scotland report. I very much respect the report and will be carefully examining the recommendations, but we cannot ignore the fact that we are operating in an environment in which the Scottish budget has been cut for many years, and in which inflation has eroded the capacity of the budget to be utilised. It is an environment in which increased national insurance contributions have been imposed on the Scottish public sector without recourse to repayment of those from the United Kingdom Government. I met Colleges Scotland today, and I am looking forward to working with it constructively on the challenges that we face together and on ensuring that Scotland’s people are able to fulfil their potential, including through our colleges.”
“Will he commit to restoring funding so that colleges can play their full part in tackling inequality and creating equality of opportunity for all? Ben Macpherson: I record my appreciation and admiration for college staff, both in my capacity as an MSP representing my constituents and in my capacity as minister serving the people of Scotland as a whole. The Government and I strongly recognise the contribution that our colleges make to enabling people to fulfil their potential and improve their circumstances. That is why there was an increase in spending on our colleges of 2.6 per cent in this financial year. The question of the public finances is challenging. No one is denying that. The First Minister emphasised it today, and I am emphasising it now.”
“Seven colleges were in deficit last year, with two requiring bailouts, staff morale is collapsing and thousands of students are losing out on opportunities. Gavin Donoghue of Colleges Scotland warned that those cuts had “directly led to less students and unsustainable cuts to staff numbers”, crumbling estates and “reductions in courses on offer.” [Interruption.] Members can heckle all they like; I am repeating what Audit Scotland and Colleges Scotland have said, but that might not be good enough for some members. Does the minister accept that cutting off access to college is hypocritical of the SNP Government? The Government is, in effect, kicking away the ladder out of poverty for thousands of young people.”
“The most recent Scottish Funding Council allocations provided a 2.6 per cent increase in teaching funding for 2025-26 and an increase of almost 5 per cent in capital maintenance to help colleges to invest in the learning experience of students and in the skills that Scotland needs for the future, which is exactly what the Government and all Governments should be doing. Stephen Kerr: Excuses, excuses, excuses— blaming everybody and taking no responsibility for the decisions that the Government has made. That is typical of the Scottish National Party Government. We also had the First Minister in denial and almost writing off Audit Scotland’s report and not taking any notice of what it says. The report says that college funding has been cut by 20 per cent in real terms since 2021-22.”
“I note the publication and I have read it carefully. As the First Minister made clear earlier, the Government is committed to ensuring that we invest in our college sector to support students to move on to positive destinations. However, the challenges that we face in managing our public finances have not in any way been helped by the austerity policies of successive UK Governments, the recent increases in employers’ national insurance contributions for Scotland’s colleges and across the public sector or the impact of energy bills and inflation on the operating costs of colleges. Despite the challenging financial climate during the current financial year, the Scottish Government is investing more than three quarters of a billion pounds in our 24 colleges to support apprenticeships and a wide range of skills and qualifications.”
“I was grateful to receive direct correspondence from the SRUC on my appointment on 29 September, and I am aware of the engagement that my predecessor had with the organisation. I look forward to having further direct engagement with the SRUC on the matters that the member has raised and on other matters of pertinence to the organisation, and to having continued dialogue with the SFC. I will note the points that the member has raised as I undertake that dialogue in the period ahead.”
“It has had significant problems with its finances, which have resulted in the closure of buildings and courses, and although it has a huge estate that it inherited from its predecessors, it gets a fraction of the capital funding from the Scottish Funding Council that I think that it deserves. Therefore, I would appreciate it if the minister could have a discussion with the SFC to ensure that the special hybrid nature of the SRUC is reflected in the finances that are available to it. Ben Macpherson: I am aware of the contribution that the SRUC makes, not only because of my present role but because of my time as Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment in years past.”
“The Scottish Government absolutely recognises the important role of hybrid institutions such as the SRUC, which support the delivery of both further and higher education. The current framework allows the Scottish Funding Council to fund institutions to support both provision types. As the member will be aware, it is the Scottish Funding Council that is responsible for allocating funding to institutions. However, I would be interested to hear more from him on the issue of funding frameworks. Willie Rennie: The SRUC has been through the mill in recent years.”
“I would also be happy to engage with the member on the constructive correspondence that we can have with the UK Government to get it to play more of a part by using its massive financial power to support these very important contributors to the economy and to change its position on national insurance contributions and immigration policy, which have, in fact, damaged our higher education institutions. The Presiding Officer: We have much interest in this topic, so concise questions and responses are appreciated.”
“That includes £1.1 billion for teaching and research in the previous budget. However, we appreciate the pressures on the sector and the nature, context and substance of the reports that have been published. I look forward to engaging more with the Parliament on those important reports and questions, including at committee tomorrow. If the member wants to follow up with any specifics with regard to her region, I would be happy to receive that correspondence.”
“The University of the West of Scotland, which is in my region, is expected to post an £8.4 million deficit, which could result in more than 75 academic job losses, while senior staff who earn more than £100,000 get pay increases of more than 30 per cent. Does the cabinet secretary agree with calls from trade unions for greater transparency in financial planning for universities? Ben Macpherson: The member raises a point about the excellent university in her region. I have already had some engagement with that institution since coming into post last week. Members will appreciate that, through the budget process, the Government has shown a long-term commitment to universities by investing more than £1 billion in the sector every year since the 2012-13 financial year.”
“Ben Macpherson: I thank the member for raising the contribution of further education colleges not just to the people who are involved in them and enrolled as students but to the national economy and the local economies where they operate. The member will appreciate that the budget was set by the Parliament for this financial year and that the Funding Council and the Government— which is engaging with the Funding Council—are giving on-going consideration to the serious matters that are raised in the report. I would be happy to have further dialogue with the member on these matters. Katy Clark: The report highlighted that 11 universities have underlying operating deficits.”
“Those include its approach to immigration and changes to national insurance contributions, which have created an estimated cost of around £50 million per year. UK ministers have not provided support for those impacts. Katy Clark: Much of the report focuses on further education colleges, which have historically been underfunded and more vulnerable because of their reliance on Scottish Funding Council grants. Unless the deficits are addressed, it is projected that there will be 667 full-time equivalent job losses. Will the Scottish Government respond to those pressures with greater investment in the further education sector?”
“The Scottish Funding Council publishes an analysis of financial stability of Scotland’s colleges and universities every year. The recent report that the member mentions is significant and is being considered as such by me and other ministers, as Parliament and the public would expect. In that context, I emphasise that Scottish ministers recognise the vital role that universities and colleges play in the economy and wider society. However, despite the significant financial contribution from the Scottish Government in the previous budget, Scotland’s universities and colleges are facing a broad range of pressures, several of which have been caused by United Kingdom Government decisions.”
“Indeed, the committee’s report makes it clear that the way that we currently run and deliver apprenticeships needs to change if we are to meet the needs of our dynamic economy, secure investment, achieve net zero, enable our learners to fulfil their potential and make the changes that are required as we commence the second quarter of the 21st century.”
“In recent days I have been pleased to meet a number of MSP colleagues and some key stakeholders to discuss the bill, including those representing Skills Development Scotland and, from the business community, representatives of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce. It is evident to me, in picking up the task on the bill, that there is strong agreement that we need to make changes in the skills landscape, including structurally. That message came through loud and clear in the evidence that the committee heard, with 80 per cent of people who responded to the bill consultation choosing reform over business as usual.”
“I am pleased to open today’s debate on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill as my first contribution to parliamentary business in my new role as Minister for Higher and Further Education. I thank colleagues for their kind welcomes as I move into the brief. I pay tribute to my predecessor Graeme Dey for his extensive work in the post, including on the bill. I also thank the Education, Children and Young People Committee for its stage 1 report, and all the individuals and organisations who contributed evidence. Their input has been invaluable. In that constructive spirit, I emphasise that I am highly committed to undertaking my responsibilities as minister with a very constructive approach, across the Parliament and across the country.”
“As convener of the SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee, I am pleased to open the debate. The strategic review was commissioned by the Parliament following the findings of the Finance and Public Administration Committee’s inquiry into Scotland’s commissioner landscape. The report on that inquiry recommended that a dedicated committee should be established to undertake a strategic review of the bodies that are supported by the SPCB and that it should report by June 2025. Parliament set us that objective and we delivered on it. Today, I am proud to present the unanimous key findings on behalf of the committee. I think that our report is a very good piece of collaborative work that the Parliament can be proud of.”
“However, as a local MSP, I am concerned about the proposal to close Marionville fire station. It is one of the closest fire stations to Arthur’s Seat and it is in a growing city where the risk is growing. As a society and a democracy, we, and the Government, need to think about long-term capacity building, not capacity reduction, and certainly not here in our growing capital city. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I am conscious of the number of members who still want to participate in the debate, so I am minded to accept a motion without notice, under rule 8.14.3 of standing orders, to extend the debate by up to 30 minutes. I invite Emma Roddick to move such a motion. Motion moved, That, under rule 8.14.3, the debate be extended by up to 30 minutes.—[Emma Roddick] Motion agreed to. 13:26”
“That is why the debate is important. The devastating impact of wildfires has been seen this summer. We are all afraid—and should be acting on the proposition—that wildfires are likely to happen more often as we see warmer and warmer weather. The motion understandably focuses on the Highlands, but wildfires have also affected us here in the capital city at Arthur’s Seat, which is very close to where we are now. They are happening more and more. We need action on prevention, education and minimising the risk of such fires, but we also need to have adequate resource to respond. That is why the capacity of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service matters so much. The service delivery review that is taking place is important, as we need to think strategically and effectively about how resources are allocated.”
“We have to accept that fact, unfortunately. No matter what we do, it is likely that, as we have seen in recent years, climate change will happen to us, because of the international situation. Therefore, although we should raise our voices to urge for more action internationally, we also need to think much more about adaptation and mitigation. We saw a shift in resources and focus towards that in the previous budget, which I welcomed; and we also saw investment in net zero, which has other benefits. As well as reducing emissions, that creates warmer homes, more breathable air and so on, as well as facilitating greater use and development of renewable energy. All those things are worth doing, but we need to think more in the long term about adaptation and mitigation, in relation to flooding as well as wildfires.”