Ivan McKee
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“We understand that the SPSO assesses complaints to identify how they should be prioritised. The SPSO prioritises cases where a complainant is vulnerable or the matter is assessed as urgent and ongoing. The SPSO keeps people who are affected by delays informed. In 2024-25, the SPSO reduced the number of open cases by 15 per cent.”
“As part of our programme of public service reform, we are embedding openness, transparency and accountability into how services are designed, delivered and improved. Our next open Government action plan will set out an anti-corruption strategy and plans for improving public participation in decision making.”
“Will he agree to meet me and other members from across the chamber to discuss how we might work together to provide legal support for the Nolan principle of integrity in public life? Ivan McKee: I am very happy to meet the member to discuss that further. Such issues are hugely important to the Government.”
“How bad does the situation have to get before a full investigation is made? Ivan McKee: That would be a matter for the Parliament, not the Government. As an organisation, the ombudsman rightly sits separate from the Government.”
“More than £300 million has been saved through more efficient procurement in the past two years and we are projecting savings of more than £50 million through the rationalisation of estates—13 core Scottish Government buildings have been closed in the past three years and there are more to follow.”
“I am delighted to open this afternoon’s debate on public service reform, which I believe will be the defining task of this session of Parliament.”
The complete record
Every one of 658 lines we hold for Ivan McKee, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 7 of 14.
“Ivan McKee: We are always keen to ensure the best possible outcome for Paisley and other towns across Scotland. I am aware of the plans that have been put forward by the owners of the Paisley Centre, and the Scottish Government remains in close contact with the local council and the developer, Beyond Retail, on those ambitious plans. I understand that discussions are on-going between the developer and Renfrewshire Council to understand the feasibility and viability of the project and to seek assurance over the proposed development plans. As the member will be aware, any decision rests with Renfrewshire Council in the first instance, but the Scottish Government will closely follow the project as it moves forward. Electricity-generating Stations (Planning) 6.”
“I was delighted to speak last night at the cross- party group on towns and town centres and to recognise the great work that is happening across the country, including in Paisley, which has been recognised as Scotland’s town of the year. George Adam: I was not going to mention that, as I mentioned it last week. The minister will be aware of the major regeneration work that is under way in Paisley town centre, including plans to explore future use of the Paisley Centre site. This week, Renfrewshire Council confirmed that it will work with the developer to move that important project forward. Will the minister commit to engaging with Renfrewshire Council, once its proposals are ready, to help to ensure the best possible outcome for Paisley?”
“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting vibrant, thriving towns and town centres and to putting them at the heart of investment and planning decisions through the town centre first principle and delivery of the town centre action plan. National planning framework 4 further embeds that approach by recognising town centres as national assets. Over recent years, support for town centre regeneration has been backed by our regeneration capital investment programmes, as well as our support for Scotland’s Towns Partnership and the Scotland Loves Local programme. That continues in 2025-26 with regeneration investment of more than £62 million, which includes support for town centres.”
“This SNP Government starves councils, which leads to serious cuts in services and people paying more and getting less. These people are not rich, and many struggle to get by. In my constituency, Morag, who is a single, widowed pensioner who has been living in her home for 50 years, cannot afford to pay more on her fixed pension income. Does the minister think that it is right to continue to hammer those people? Ivan McKee: The member might have forgotten that the Scottish Government implemented a council tax freeze for many years. Council tax bills in Scotland—[Interruption.]”
“The consultation on the future of council tax does not set out a specific proposal for change. The scenarios are not Government policy; the consultation instead seeks views on a range of illustrative options, with the aim of building a consensus. Independent analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies that was published alongside the consultation provides a detailed assessment of those models. The IFS also modelled a number of transitional and mitigation schemes that would each impact on the overall assessment of the different models. I encourage the member to read the IFS report. Sandesh Gulhane: Glaswegians with a band E property have seen their council tax increase by 42 per cent since the Scottish National Party came to power.”
“We have also seen the recent cancellation of projects such as the Prestwick spaceport. Has the minister considered appointing an independent chair to push the project along? Ivan McKee: The point of a growth deal is that local partners have a key role in making decisions. The Government will continue to make funds available for projects and will work with local partners to do what we can to ensure that projects are taken forward. Local input is hugely important.”
“Significant effort is being made by partners across the Ayrshire growth deal to accelerate delivery of that important programme, which will see Scottish Government invest more than £100 million in Ayrshire. Construction is now under way on the £35 million Ayrshire innovation park, which will support the advanced manufacturing, engineering and food and drink sectors. Phase 1 of the £14 million great harbour project is nearing completion and the Scottish and UK Governments recently approved a request from partners to progress a new approach for the Prestwick proposition, which will pave the way for significant investment to support the Prestwick cluster. Carol Mochan: Will the Government tell us why only 5 per cent of the £251 million that was allocated to the project in 2020 has been spent?”
“Alongside the PSR strategy, we published a document that set out our learning from 25 years of preventative interventions. Nonetheless, the strategy absolutely recognises the long-standing barriers to delivering a truly preventative system, including the moving of resources around that system. In response, we have within the strategy dedicated workstreams on understanding demand drivers and on preventative budgeting. That includes redesigning how we track, identify and report preventative spend and how we adapt budget processes to enable resources to move around portfolios and services.”
“A key pillar of the strategy is prevention— intervening in such a way as to mitigate negative outcomes for people while dramatically reducing demand for expensive acute or crisis services. After 40 years of working in the public sector, I whole-heartedly agree with that objective. However, there are many barriers to creating a truly preventative system. Will the minister outline what progress has been made in removing those barriers? What action is being taken to review current budgeting processes that can, in themselves, be a barrier to shifting resources to preventative spend? Ivan McKee: Audrey Nicoll is absolutely right. First, it is important to recognise that Scotland has a good track record in delivering successful preventative interventions.”
“The Scottish Government published its public service reform strategy in June 2025, setting out our approach to delivering more efficient, preventative and joined-up public services. I provided an update on the public service reform programme to the Finance and Public Administration Committee on 9 July 2025. Early activity includes the establishment of the PSR board, the delivery of an invest-to-save fund worth up to £29.9 million and the holding of a summit with more than 140 public service leaders to focus on progressing live efficiency programmes. The Scottish Government remains committed to providing further updates to the Parliament every six months in order to ensure continued transparency and accountability in the delivery of the programme. Audrey Nicoll: I thank the minister for that update.”
“Stephen Kerr knows that my colleague Angus Robertson, the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, is seized of those matters. We are delighted that HES has a new and highly commended chairman in Sir Mark Jones, who will look closely at governance and other matters. On the broader issue that Stephen Kerr raised, I absolutely commend the whistleblowing that takes place, because it is important in keeping the whole public sector system in check and in raising awareness of where there might be potential issues that need to be addressed. Scotland’s Rural College 8.”
“In relation to the conduct of senior officials, given the on-going disclosures in the public interest at Historic Environment Scotland, Glasgow City Council and Techscaler on matters that would never have seen the light of day were it not for the courage of individuals in being prepared to speak out, often in the face of intimidation and the threat of retaliation, will the minister take the opportunity to commend the bravery of whistleblowers and to acknowledge the vital role that they play in safeguarding the public interest? Does he accept that it is often only the guarantee of anonymity that gives whistleblowers the courage to make a protected disclosure to a prescribed person in the first instance? Ivan McKee: I am aware of the issues in connection with Historic Environment Scotland.”
“Public body officials must adhere to the Scottish public finance manual. Scottish Government-sponsored bodies must ensure compliance with any relevant provisions and arrange for procedures that are consistent with the guidance to be put in place. Board members establish the values and standards of their organisation and ensure that the organisation adopts and complies with its code of conduct for staff. The Scottish Government ensures that board members are aware of their responsibilities through annual board induction events and the production of guidance. The Standards Commission for Scotland provides further detailed guidance through a model code of conduct and guidance on how it applies. Stephen Kerr: I am grateful to the minister for his reply.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect to the app. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, minister. Your vote will be recorded.”
“I reiterate the point that, in order to build affordable housing, no matter the source of the capital, significant public subsidy is required. Public Sector Pay Deals 7.”
“She will know that the £60 billion figure for Scottish pension funds is, pro rata, significantly higher than the figure for the United Kingdom as a whole and that Scotland’s 11 local government pension schemes are in a strong position. I met representatives of local government pension schemes and others last week to press the case for them to invest more of their resources in housing and other infrastructure opportunities in order to support Scotland’s economy. The Deputy First Minister is leading overall on that work to attract more investment into Scotland’s economy so that our performance and capital investment can match our successful performance in attracting foreign direct investment. That is something that we will continue to do.”
“Christine Grahame: Notwithstanding that it will need some public funding, I put this proposal because it is my understanding that the total of the local government pension scheme fund in Scotland amounts to almost £60 billion, which is 140 per cent of what is required to service the pensions. Does the minister agree that that 40 per cent surplus—which, at the very least, is just under £20 billion—could be invested in building social housing for rent, which would be an ethical investment of local government pension funds and, importantly, would contribute to reducing council waiting lists for housing? Ivan McKee: Christine Grahame is absolutely right to raise that issue.”
“The investment by the Falkirk pension fund was accompanied by significant public subsidy to deliver affordable homes. In recent years, ministers, including the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, have focused on models that can leverage more investment to make public subsidy stretch further. A return is needed no matter the source of the capital, whether it is public sector pension funds, capital markets or traditional borrowing. On housing, recent market testing for our new fund for mid-market rent has shown strong demand and that it will be able to build on the investment that has already been secured, including from public and private pension funds through similar routes.”
“The recycling rate in Scotland was 62.2 per cent in 2023, which represents significant progress. Only around 14 per cent of the waste that we produce is processed elsewhere. Therefore, we are making progress, but we recognise that there is more work to be done in this area.”
“The 2013 target has still not been met more than a decade on, so there is clearly a need for sustained support to help councils to make the required progress. Does the minister agree that ring fencing extended producer responsibility funds for recycling infrastructure could provide a stable, long-term solution that could also deliver wider investment and new jobs across Scotland? Ivan McKee: The fund that Maurice Golden refers to is managed by the United Kingdom Government, which allocates that money directly to local authorities. We are engaging with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the UK Government on how the fund is operating, but, as I said, we are not responsible for its collection or management. Statistics show a reduction of 61 per cent since 2011 in the amount of Scottish waste that is landfilled.”
“The 2025-26 budget delivered record funding of more than £15.1 billion for local government, which represented a real-terms increase of 5.5 per cent, as confirmed by the Accounts Commission. How that record funding is deployed to deliver local services and statutory duties, such as waste management services, alongside nationally agreed priorities is, of course, a matter for locally elected members. In addition, we are making one of the biggest investments in a generation to modernise recycling in Scotland through the £70 million recycling improvement fund. In 2025-26, £13.9 million is allocated to local authority projects to improve recycling and reuse services. Maurice Golden: Clearly, record funding and the recycling improvement fund are not working, because recycling rates in Scotland have stalled.”
“Can we at last get some clarity on what exactly is going to change and, crucially, when it is going to change—given that local authorities are actively consulting on the visitor levy, when they do not even know what powers they are going to have and when? Ivan McKee: As Murdo Fraser knows fine well, there was an error in that letter, and it was not consistent—[[Interruption.] That is the reality of it. It was not consistent with the letter that had been sent—[Interruption.]”
“Murdo Fraser: I thank the minister for his response, but this is an absolute shambles from the Government. On Friday, he wrote to the Economy and Fair Work Committee and said that the Scottish Government was “now actively extending powers to local authorities, including the option to introduce a single flat rate or tiered flat rate model alongside the existing percentage-based approach.” That is entirely clear, and it was warmly welcomed by the Scottish Conservatives, who have been campaigning on the issue for many months. Indeed, it was warmly welcomed by industry representatives. Yesterday, however, we had a U-turn on the U-turn. Yesterday afternoon, we found out in another letter from Mr McKee that he had missed out a vital word from his original communication, and that word was “considering”.”
“The existing legislation enables councils to introduce a levy based on a percentage of the cost of overnight accommodation. There is no barrier to local authorities that wish to proceed on that basis, and there is already flexibility in the system to tailor the charge to local circumstances. Some councils would like the option to apply a different basis of charge, and we have no in- principle objection to having that added layer of flexibility, so we are giving the matter active consideration. A change of the nature that is suggested would require an amendment to primary legislation and, as such, would be subject to appropriate consultation, parliamentary scrutiny and the identification of an appropriate legislative vehicle, all of which would of course take time to work through.”
“The review of public body functions will address the committee’s recommendations and inform decisions on future size, structure and coherence across the wider public sector.”
“I recognise the committee’s interest in reform of the public bodies landscape, and the Government accepts the committee’s recommendation that the Scottish Government undertakes a strategic mapping exercise to identify the functions of all Scottish public bodies— not just those that the SPCB supports—and where they overlap. I am pleased to confirm to the committee and the Parliament that that work is already under way and will be completed as part of workstream 4 of the public service reform strategy, which I published on 19 June this year. That strategy identifies how public bodies can deliver services more efficiently and effectively, building on the principles set out in the Christie commission on the future delivery of public services.”
“I welcome the SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee’s report and recommendations on how the SPCB-supported bodies landscape can be improved. It is a long title, but it is an important topic, and I will talk about the wider context in relation to the Government’s wider public service reform agenda. I was pleased to give evidence to the committee earlier this year and, in my written response on 9 September, I set out the Government’s position on the committee’s report. I will reiterate that today and offer any clarification that is required. I thank everyone for their work and contributions to the committee’s report. At the heart of the report is a desire for the efficient delivery of public services, which very much aligns with the Government’s public service reform ambitions.”
“Lochaber continues to perform well and be a major employer in Fort William, and Dalzell has plans for a restart that will see it deliver steel plate for shipbuilding. We will, of course, continue to monitor developments closely, and I will update Parliament if a further significant development takes place. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The minister will now take questions on the issues that were raised in his statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business. It would be helpful if members who wish to ask a question were to press their request-to-speak buttons.”
“That important step by GFG allowed staff to be retained and put the business in a strong position for recommencing operations. I have spoken with members of the workforce recently and I thank the entire workforce for its commitment. GFG Alliance has plans to recommence operations at Dalzell to supply plate for naval warship building and it has been awarded a contract by Navantia, with the opportunity to bid for more work in the near future from other customers. I will summarise, Presiding Officer. There are no immediate risks to Lochaber and Dalzell from the court cases in England. We took steps to retain these historic businesses and ensure that Scotland preserves the ability to produce aluminium and steel.”
“We intervened to facilitate the sale and ensure the continued operation of this important industrial asset for Scotland, as the last remaining rolling plate mill in the UK. Dalzell received public sector support in respect of a £7 million loan from Scottish Enterprise to facilitate working capital, and Scottish Enterprise is currently in discussion with Dalzell regarding repayment of the loan. The Scottish Government’s intervention resulted in the continued production of steel and maintained skilled employment at Liberty Steel Dalzell. The plant has produced over 400,000 metric tonnes of metal since 2017, and it generated revenue of over £280 million during the same period. Dalzell paused production in August 2024, with the staff being placed on a furlough arrangement that was agreed with the unions.”
“It has spent an estimated £52 million with Scottish suppliers and a total of £112 million across UK suppliers since 2017, providing an economic benefit to its region and beyond. The business has seen £37 million of capital expenditure since 2017. It has a strong management team that is committed to the business and the local community and has an emphasis on providing benefits to that community, including the planting of 250,000 trees and 988 acres of peatland restoration since 2017. It has also spent £250,000 on donations and sponsorship. I know that members have been to the smelter to meet the workforce and see at first hand the good work that is done there. I turn to Dalzell.”
“The business has recently announced that it has sold 1,000 tonnes of its output to the United States of America, benefiting from the introduction of new US tariffs, and has committed £1 million to a summer maintenance programme that will see new equipment installed and improved efficiency measures. The Lochaber businesses have had a combined turnover of more than £816 million since 2017. Lochaber has produced more than 300,000 tonnes of aluminium since then and the power station has produced 4,480 gigawatt hours of electricity during the same period. An upgrade to its grid connection during that period means that the power station is in a position to sell more effectively into the national grid.”
“The amounts guaranteed vary between £14 million and £32 million per annum over 25 years, with 16 years remaining. We hold a robust set of securities, including the smelter, the hydro power station and extensive landholdings from which we could seek recovery if there was a call under the guarantee. The Scottish Government continues to earn the expected income in the form of guaranteed fee payments from GFG Alliance and has earned many millions in fees since 2017, an income that would not have existed without the deal. No public funds have been spent under the guarantee. Lochaber is operating well and producing aluminium.”
“Lochaber has more than 90 years’ experience of aluminium production and is a national strategic asset. Under the ownership of GFG Alliance, the business has created 40 new jobs since 2016 and a total of 204 people are employed there today, supporting a valuable supply chain with hundreds of associated jobs. Our intervention has sustained the business for almost a decade. The guarantee—including its full value and total exposure and securities—was disclosed to Parliament’s cross-party Finance and Constitution Committee on 22 November 2016 and was approved unanimously by that committee. The total original exposure of the undiscounted guarantee was £586 million. That figure has reduced over the past nine years and all payments due to the Lochaber investors are up to date.”
“I attend the steel council held by the UK Government and I am eager to see the steel strategy that is expected this autumn. Given the level of intervention that we have already seen for steel businesses in England and Wales, I hope that there will be an equal sharing of the £2.5 billion that is being allocated to support the steel industry in the UK. The industry has repeatedly raised the issue of energy pricing and how that impacts the competitiveness of the Scottish plants and I am also seeking clarity on that from the UK Government. I say to members today that it was right for the Scottish Government to intervene to support the businesses at Lochaber and Dalzell. We provided Lochaber with a guarantee to protect those skilled jobs in the west Highlands, underpin additional investment at the site and promote industry in Scotland.”
“The then Minister for Employment and Investment, Tom Arthur, and I met Sanjeev Gupta on 12 January this year and pressed him for information on GFG Alliance’s refinancing. We discussed the global challenges faced by Mr Gupta’s business and he reaffirmed his commitment to the businesses in Scotland. I spoke with Jeff Kabel of GFG Alliance on 9 September and he advised me that GFG is working hard to support Lochaber’s growth and has a credible plan for restarting operations at Dalzell in the coming weeks. I have also met the Community trade union, which represents workers at Dalzell, to hear its concerns and I agree with it that we want to see the plant back up and running and to see people back at work. The union also told me that speculation about the future of Dalzell has an impact on workers’ morale.”
“On 21 August, the official receiver was appointed and took control of the business. Lochaber and Dalzell have limited exposure to the Liberty Speciality Steels business and their management teams have confirmed that the insolvency of that business has no impact on their operations in Scotland. We are monitoring with interest the steps that the UK Government has taken in relation to Liberty Speciality Steels and my officials are engaging with the relevant UK Government departments to understand their plans for the business. I assure members that we have contingency plans in place to cover any eventualities for the Scottish businesses and that our priority is to see them being operational, employing skilled staff and providing economic benefits in their respective regions and across Scotland.”
“In Scotland, GFG owns several businesses, including Alvance British Aluminium and SIMEC Lochaber Hydropower, which operate the aluminium smelter and the hydro power plant in Fort William respectively. The company also owns the Liberty Steel Dalzell steelworks in Motherwell and a related site at Clydebridge in North Lanarkshire, which are not operational at present. Liberty Speciality Steels is an English business that had an insolvency case raised against it by creditors late last year. I understand that GFG Alliance was able to settle with some creditors and wished to run a sale process for the company. There was an intervention on 20 August by the United Kingdom Government, which provided a letter to the court advising that, if the court was minded to appoint the official receiver, the UK Government would back that.”
“I make this statement today to provide an update to Parliament on the status of the Scottish GFG Alliance businesses at Lochaber and Dalzell. As the nature of the statement is such that it touches on subjects that are commercially sensitive, I will be careful in my responses to members’ questions to avoid saying anything that breaches commercial confidence or that might cause harm to the businesses in question and their workforce. We all want the same outcome, which is to see those Scottish businesses thriving and providing good-quality jobs. It is no secret that GFG Alliance has been weathering a storm since the collapse of Greensill Capital in 2021 or that it has been working to refinance its debts since the collapse of its main investor.”
“I thank Murdo Fraser for giving us the opportunity to highlight the positive actions that this Government is taking in what is a very challenging fiscal environment. The Scottish Government has balanced the budget in each and every financial year, against the backdrop of economic turmoil and hardship for many.”
“I thank Murdo Fraser for bringing attention to the fact that the Scottish Government has been constrained for many years by the austerity measures of the UK Government, which were taken forward by the Conservative Party. Murdo Fraser: The GERS figures that I referred to earlier show that public sector spending in Scotland is now equivalent to 52 per cent of gross domestic product. If that is austerity, at what level does Mr McKee think it should be? Ivan McKee: What has happened over those years is clear, and nobody would deny that we have been under those austerity measures. As I said before, the whole point of independence is to put us in a position where the constitutional arrangements allow us to grow the economy and focus on what is important to deliver increased tax revenues across Scotland.”
“Simply put, we have too many people of working age who are in receipt of benefits when they should be part of the workforce. That requires investment in apprenticeships and reskilling, as well as schemes to assist those who are currently far from the workplace to be engaged in meaningful employment.”
“As the SFC makes clear, that is simply not affordable. Whichever party is in government by 2029-30, that black hole has to be filled. So far, the SNP is in complete denial about the scale of the problem, perhaps hoping that, by then, it will be somebody else’s responsibility to fix it or that Westminster will, once again, come to the rescue—although, given the state of the economy and the UK’s finances under Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, it is likely to be very disappointed. So, what do we believe needs to happen? First, we are past the point at which we need to end short-termism in Government spending. We need a full multiyear spending review to identify priorities, make savings and inform needs. Secondly, we need a strategy to cap welfare spending growth, which is currently consuming too large a share of resource spending.”
“Even more seriously, extending to the financial year 2029-30, according to the SFC, Scotland faces a projected £4.8 billion fiscal gap that is made up of resource spending of £2.6 billion and capital spend of £2.1 billion. The simple fact is that spending is growing faster than revenue, fuelled by increases in the public sector pay bill and the growth in welfare spending. Despite pledges from the Scottish National Party to reduce the size of the public sector workforce, the devolved civil service has grown by almost 60 per cent since 2018-19. Increased pay deals will simply add to the burgeoning public sector cost unless the workforce reductions that were promised are delivered. Perhaps the biggest concern is around social protection spending, which has grown by 55 per cent in real terms since 2020-21, crowding out other budgets.”
“The SFC has identified an economic performance gap that it estimates will cost the public sector £1.058 billion in the current fiscal year. In practice, that means that we are losing £1 billion in revenue that would otherwise accrue if Scotland’s economy performed at least at the level of the UK average. The consequences of Scotland’s relative economic underperformance are severe. According to the SFC, the Scottish Government faces a projected £851 million negative reconciliation in the financial year 2027-28, exceeding current borrowing limits, due to the slower increase in earnings in Scotland compared with that in the rest of the UK. At present, no one in the Scottish Government has any idea how that can be funded.”
“Let me move on, because Mr McKee has already taken up half my time with his intervention. As is revealed in the GERS figures, the union dividend now accounts for £2,600 for every man, woman and child in Scotland. With that level of extra cash to spend on the national health service, education, justice and infrastructure, surely Scottish residents have the right to expect public services that are so much higher in quality than those in the rest of the UK. Patently, that is not their experience, and, in many cases, outcomes in Scotland are poorer than they are in England, where much less money is being spent. The second publication that should concern us is the latest report from the Scottish Fiscal Commission, which is the independent watchdog that exists to scrutinise Scottish public finances.”
“Ivan McKee: The whole point is that we would not have to raise that amount of extra money, because we would not be paying for significant parts of the Whitehall machinery and other costs that are incurred down south that Scotland receives no benefit from but that are allocated to our expenditure. Through growing the economy by focusing on our strongest sectors, we can emulate countries such as Ireland, which has many tens of billions of surplus euros, or Norway, with its trillion- dollar wealth fund. We would be in the position to do that if we were an independent country. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will give you the time back, Mr Fraser. Murdo Fraser: That was a U-turn from Mr McKee within 10 seconds. He stood up and said that we would raise the money, but he has changed his mind completely in the course of just a few seconds.”
“Will the member give way? Murdo Fraser: I am happy to give way to Mr McKee, who will explain to us where that £13 billion would come from. Ivan McKee: Murdo Fraser is barely a minute into his opening remarks and he has completely misrepresented what GERS is. He should know that it is very clearly Scotland’s fiscal position under the current constitutional arrangements. The whole point of independence is that it would give us the capability to raise more money and spend it more effectively than we currently do. Murdo Fraser: Mr McKee has let the cat out of the bag: he has just said that we would have the opportunity to raise more money. I will give way to him again if he can give me one example of how the extra £13 billion would be raised.”
“In the face of mass suffering, neutrality is not an option. We must act, and we are acting, because—I say it again—history will remember those who chose to speak and those who remained silent. Let it be said today that Scotland spoke.”
“We were all horrified by the attacks on Israel by Hamas in October 2023. They caused the worst loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust. We must not underestimate the trauma that that caused to the people of Israel and to Jews globally. Hamas must release all hostages immediately and fully engage in peace. However, the actions of the Israeli military at the behest of the Netanyahu Government in Gaza have gone far beyond a legitimate response. We will not be a bystander in this crisis. To those in this crisis who are suffering, I say that we stand with you. We stand for a future where Palestinians and Israelis can live side by side in peace and security. Scotland’s actions are not just about policy; they are about principle. We are guided by our values, compassion, justice and the belief in the equal worth of every human life.”