Kate Forbes
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“We are committed to securing a just transition for Grangemouth. We have provided more than £12 million in funding to support the creation of up to 279 jobs. We are also committed to supporting workers who have been made redundant as a result of commercial decisions at Grangemouth.”
“The unions, especially Unite the Union, have been constructive throughout and have put the needs of their members before anything else. What role has our Government played to create a future for the workers who have been abandoned and discarded by the United Kingdom Labour Government?”
“It has worked with us to establish the Grangemouth jobs prioritisation scheme, which ensures that redundant workers are prioritised for new opportunities arising at Grangemouth as a result of the Grangemouth just transition fund.”
“Kate Forbes: I agree that attracting a varied and diverse range of investors who are able to meet the needs of companies across all projects and stages is vital. We have seen huge growth in start- ups, and now the focus needs to turn to scale-ups.”
“High streets are going to be hammered again by inaction on business rates that, in many cases, are doubling or trebling. Has the Government done any analysis of the impact of those increases on business closures and vacancy rates, and what they will do to the streets? Should the Government not look again at pausing the process?”
“Oliver Mundell: I associate myself with comments from colleagues across the chamber about the Deputy First Minister. I am concerned that the Scottish National Party- led Dumfries and Galloway Council is undoing all that hard work by continuing with its obsession with wasting £70 million of taxpayers’ money on the deeply unpopular Whitesan…”
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“The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio questions on Deputy First Minister responsibilities, economy and Gaelic. There will be a short pause before we move to the next item of business to allow front-bench teams to change positions, should they so wish. I do not see anybody moving, so we will go straight to the next portfolio, which is finance and local government. Finance and Local Government Scottish Aggregates Tax (Contribution to Circular Economy) 1.”
“Kate Forbes: We all want every part of Scotland to perform as successfully as possible and be as prosperous as possible. A week or so ago, I engaged with the economic delivery board for Glasgow, on which, as Pauline McNeill will know, there is representation from the university sector, businesses and local leadership. We are keen to work with the board to deliver on its ambitions for Glasgow. The point about Manchester is frequently raised. It is my reflection that Manchester has excelled at being able to deliver quickly on planning and so on. Its reputation precedes it everywhere we go, considering that we talk about it a lot. There is good learning there on how to support all parts of Scotland, but it sometimes does not require as much structural change as we think to unlock economic prosperity.”
“Pauline McNeill: Anton Muscatelli, in his report on regional economic development, said that Greater Manchester, which is a city of comparable size to Glasgow, “has been more successful than Glasgow in growing its economy.” Glasgow has had many successes, as the Deputy First Minister alludes to, but Glasgow city centre has struggled to recover from the pandemic. In May, footfall was 7 per cent lower than it was in May 2019, before Covid. In addition, on the ways that people get into the city, Glasgow now has among the highest parking charges in Europe. Given the on-going challenges with reduced footfall and the impact that that has had on businesses, what specific action can the Scottish Government take to encourage an increase in visitor numbers and to support business?”
“As Glasgow celebrates its 850th anniversary, we continue our support across numerous initiatives to improve regional economic growth. Our £500 million commitment to the successful Glasgow city region deal has delivered the new Govan to Partick bridge and the M8 crossing at Sighthill, and we will continue to invest in projects for another 10 years. We transferred leadership of the Clyde mission to regional partners—an issue that Pauline McNeill is very interested in—alongside £26.5 million of funding. This year, we committed a further £2 million towards engineering and maritime skills. We established the investment zone in partnership with the United Kingdom Government and are actively working with partners to identify opportunities for further regional empowerment.”
“We have been encouraging value engineering, where possible, and have been exploring other funding streams. Beyond that, officials from both Governments meet staff of the programme management office fortnightly to ensure that momentum is maintained. That is in addition to annual conversations with all partners to monitor progress. The bottom line for Keith Brown’s constituents is that we will take on board the queries that he has raised today and ensure that they are taken into account in planning for the future of the deal.”
“In the spirit of supporting delivery and maximising the benefits of the partnership for local communities, will the Deputy First Minister set out how the Scottish Government, working with the UK Government and local partners, intends to accelerate progress and what revised milestones and performance measures are in place to ensure that communities—Clackmannanshire, in particular— see the level of investment and job creation that was originally promised? Kate Forbes: We are committed to working with all the partners to maximise the benefits of the deal, which is now in its sixth year of delivery. Covid-19 delayed initial progress, but funding was reprofiled to safeguard the £90.2 million of Government investment. Inflationary pressures have also resulted in us working with partners to ensure that outstanding projects remain viable.”
“Keith Brown: The Deputy First Minister will know that the heads of terms agreement for the Stirling and Clackmannanshire city region deal sets out an ambition to unlock £640 million of private sector investment and deliver more than 5,000 new jobs across the region during its 10 to 15-year lifespan. However, in June, in response to a written question, it was confirmed that the private sector investment secured to date stands at just £476,000, with 82 jobs created.”
“The Stirling and Clackmannanshire city region deal, which was initially estimated to bring £214 million of investment overall, is driving economic growth, productivity and prosperity. To date, more than £35 million has been used of the total £90.2 million commitment by the Scottish and United Kingdom Governments, and progress continues to be made by regional partners across the deal. Employability support is being offered through the lone parent programme and the regional skills and inclusion programme. Innovation continues through the national aquaculture technology and innovation hub, which is due to open soon. Work on the Stirling digital hub is under way, and the regional joint committee recently approved business cases for Stirling’s city park and a digital hub in Callander.”
“The Government has raised the issue with UK Government ministers both in writing and in person, and there is an opportunity for the Parliament to ask some questions about why the Welsh Government has received its commitment. It will have responsibility for determining how the money is spent, whereas we do not have such a commitment. Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal 6.”
“Meanwhile, considerably smaller funding allocations have been made to Scottish local authorities through pride in place funding, completely bypassing the devolution settlement. What actions is the Scottish Government taking to challenge that gross imbalance in the treatment of devolved Parliaments? Kate Forbes: The last time that public funding went to one part of the United Kingdom and bypassed the Barnett formula was in Theresa May’s day. It is very strange that the Welsh Government has received a commitment that it will deliver the local growth fund directly but we have not had even the opportunity for a meaningful discussion on the delivery of the fund in Scotland. It is worrying that devolved Governments are being treated differently, which raises significant questions about the politicisation of public funding.”
“We welcome all investment in Scotland’s communities, but it is disappointing that we were not informed of the pride in place plans. We are opposed to the use of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 to fund activity in devolved areas in Scotland, as that bypasses democratic scrutiny and accountability and does not make best use of public funding. Pride in place funding for Scotland should have been allocated through the Barnett formula. That would have ensured a clear policy landscape and would certainly have ensured that the approach for the Welsh Government was not different to that for the Scottish Government. Clare Haughey: The Welsh Government has been allocated more than £0.5 billion of local growth funding, which it has been told that it can manage and distribute.”
“Following up communication from Shona Robison to HM Treasury, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Scotland, because the pride in place programme does not align with our approach to regeneration, and it is concerning that the UK Government’s approach will leave many communities and local authorities worse off. I hope that the UK Government will recognise the impact of its approach and rethink that. Pride in Place Programme 7.”
“What was sold as new investment in communities is a repackaging of the shared prosperity fund. Not only is there no new money, but some areas are worse off than before. Even Glasgow City Council’s Labour group leader was shocked by that. Does the Deputy First Minister agree that Scotland’s communities deserve better than that sleight of hand from an increasingly desperate and chaotic UK Labour Government? Kate Forbes: It will come as no surprise that I agree whole-heartedly. Communities are the beating heart of Scotland. They are key to anchoring local wealth and creating resilient places where people can flourish.”
“There has been a concerning lack of engagement from the United Kingdom Government on the pride in place programme and the local growth fund, which is replacing the UK shared prosperity fund. Despite a clear commitment from UK Government ministers at the start of the year to engage meaningfully on new funding programmes, we have not yet been given details on funding and delivery, although the Welsh Government was given significant clarity and responsibility for funding more than a month ago. That is completely unacceptable. My colleague Shona Robison has raised that point, as have I, and it would be nice to get some clarity. Kenneth Gibson: When the pride in place programme was announced in September, it was described by the UK Labour Government as “new funding”. We now know that that was not true.”
“That was critical, which is precisely why the Government stepped in.”
“If each of the workers at the yard was given £1 million, that would leave £280 million, which would be enough to order another six ferries for CMAL. Surely that would have made better sense than the investment that the Government has made. Kate Forbes: I gave Edward Mountain the breakdown of the figures that have been provided. I think that, if he adds them up, he will recognise the figure as the accepted figure. I tried to do some quick calculations while he was speaking, but it sounds as though the total figure is similar to the CMAL one that he mentioned. It is therefore a bit unfair to suggest that I was being selective. Ultimately, we took the approach that we took, first, to ensure that the two vessels were delivered for the islanders and, secondly, to safeguard the yard for the future. We have protected the jobs at the yard.”
“The contract payments from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd, or FMEL, for the Glen Sannox and the Glen Rosa were £83.3 million. The Scottish Government loaned £45 million to FMEL prior to its going into administration. Between the nationalisation of Ferguson’s and September 2025, the Scottish Government provided £152.1 million for the Glen Sannox and £143.8 million for the Glen Rosa. Edward Mountain: That is really selective use of the figures. We know how much money has been paid. The other day, CMAL told me that £450 million had been paid, but I think that, by the time we add in the loans and the non-recoverable expenses, the figure is close to £700 million. If we take off the true cost of the ferries—£120 million— that leaves £580 million.”
“I will conclude by calling on ExxonMobil to ensure that it handles the next phase of this process with care and respect for its workforce and the wider economy and that it is conscious of its responsibilities as an operator. Once again, I place on the record not just my concern for the workforce but my assurance that the Scottish Government will do all that we can to mitigate the impact of this decision on those who are affected. The Presiding Officer: The Deputy First Minister will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business. I would be grateful if members who wish to put a question were to press their request-to-speak buttons.”
“I call on all those with a vested interest, across this chamber and beyond—and, in particular, the UK Government—to work with me to secure a future for the site that aligns with our ambitions. In its announcement today, ExxonMobil has been clear that the UK’s current economic and policy environment does not create a competitive future for the site. It is clear that the levers for an industrial intervention, as we have seen in other UK nations, such as England—at Scunthorpe—and Wales, lie with the UK Government. I believe that it is crucial for UK ministers to consider what more they can do for the workers at the plant and to take urgent, overdue action to address the high cost of energy, which is slowly crippling industry, in order to support the sector and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.”
“Members will be aware that the Scottish Government has already provided material support to bring forward such projects at Grangemouth. It is my intention to expand the Grangemouth investment task force to include Mossmorran as a potential location for projects that have been identified through the Scottish Enterprise endeavour. We will work with our partners, including the UK Government, to expand the eligibility of projects— identified through the investment task force—that could also locate at Mossmorran, with the hope of securing high-value jobs and investment. In the coming weeks and months it will be critical for all stakeholders to play their part.”
“To that end, I will engage constructively with Fife Council, businesses and other stakeholders, including MSPs, to consider all possible actions to mitigate any impact on the local economy. I also intend to convene a task force, which will include a range of stakeholders, to urgently consider any actions that the Scottish Government, with our limited economic powers, could take to mitigate the impact of the decision. I will keep the Parliament updated on the work of that task force. The Scottish Government wants to secure a long-term and sustainable future for Mossmorran. However, and perhaps more pertinently today, any hope of Mossmorran remaining a source of highly paid roles in the manufacturing sector relies on phasing in, at pace, alternative projects.”
“Members will understand that we have been aware of the situation for a very limited amount of time, but I wish to provide the workforce with my assurance that we will work with them and their representatives to explore all options to support them. I can confirm that we have enacted our PACE—partnership action for continuing employment—initiative. I have made it clear to the business that it has a duty to its workers, and I expect it to actively explore all options to identify new roles across the business for those who are affected by the asset’s closure. I also recognise that there are vast numbers of people in the wider community and supply chain who rely on the Fife ethylene plant for their employment.”
“I was first made aware by the business on 11 November that it was actively marketing the site; I understand that discussions with the United Kingdom Government have been under way since April 2025. The business has cited that the regrettable decision has been taken on the basis of prolonged negative market conditions for ethylene; an ageing plant; a dwindling supply of ethane from the North Sea; and the UK Government’s policy regime on energy prices and carbon taxes. ExxonMobil will now commence a period of consultation with its workforce, and I expect to receive regular updates on progress from the business.”
“Members will be aware that ExxonMobil, the owner and operator of the Fife ethylene plant, has today confirmed its decision to close the plant from February 2026. I am extremely disappointed by that news, which will be a devastating blow for the highly skilled individuals who make up the workforce there, for their families and for the local communities, as well as for the contractors and supply chain companies whose employment relies on the site. The loss of such high-value jobs is a very significant blow to Scotland’s economy. ExxonMobil informed me on Monday 17 November—yesterday—that the decision followed a formal marketing exercise to seek a buyer for the plant, but no viable offer had been received.”
“I urge the Westminster Government to accelerate progress in this area towards immediate publication of the expert panel’s demand pipeline for electric buses. I have every confidence that the management team and workforce at Alexander Dennis are committed to developing great products and can win the orders that the company needs if it is to thrive. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The Deputy First Minister will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business. I invite members who wish to ask a question to press their request-to- speak buttons.”
“Transport Scotland is working with the UK bus manufacturing expert panel, which is working with UK local and mayoral authorities to develop a demand pipeline for zero-emission buses. That work has enormous potential for Alexander Dennis, but future demand is not yet clearly visible to manufacturers and is not coming to market as quickly as expected. We have always been clear that the Scottish Government’s furlough support scheme is a necessary but temporary measure that provides a platform to secure the highly skilled manufacturing jobs that we need for Scotland’s transition to net zero during the present gap in orders. It is essential that the UK Government is wholly engaged in this matter and does all that it can to support domestic bus manufacturing.”
“However, I have been assured that the company has been working hard to secure orders in national and international markets, and Alexander Dennis is confident in its ability to secure new work. I turn now to the role that the United Kingdom Government can play in supporting domestic manufacturing. I am aware that Alexander Dennis is, this week, meeting with UK ministers and will press them for change in UK procurement and subsidy control rules. As nine in every 10 public service buses in the UK operate outside Scotland, we need a long-term pipeline of orders and a supportive UK approach to subsidy and procurement. The future pipeline of demand for zero-emission buses across the UK is essential in supporting bus manufacturing in Scotland.”
“The Scottish Government and our agencies also remain in regular direct contact with the business. Last week, the First Minister and I spoke with senior executives of Alexander Dennis and the NFI Group, and Scottish Enterprise continues to offer training and other productivity-enhancing assistance. Research and development and operational support from Scottish Enterprise is helping the company to meet market challenges and make sure that the production sites exit furlough with improved performance. Members will, no doubt, ask me about the order book for Alexander Dennis. As I said in response to questions following my previous statement, that is a commercially sensitive matter for the company and I will not be able to go into any detail on it.”
“In the eight weeks since then—and with the support of the unions—furloughed employees have been offered a range of volunteering opportunities to use their skills and support their communities until orders pick up again and production restarts. I want to praise the shop-floor workers of Alexander Dennis. Their resilience and willingness to modernise operational working practices is a testament to their commitment to the future of Alexander Dennis and was a key factor in the company’s being able to take a different approach. I continue to engage with representatives of Unite and GMB—indeed, I have just come from a conversation with both unions—and I remain impressed by their determination to support their members, their desire to find solutions and their openness to change.”
“Furthermore, with the passing of the Bus Services Act 2025 earlier this year, the bus sector now has increased certainty on the timing of the journey to net zero. As Ms Hyslop advised the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on Friday last week, we continue to support the sector on its journey to net zero by providing £45 million in a third competitive round of the Scottish zero emission bus challenge fund. The scheme will open for applications in early December, with the outcome of the competition to be declared in early spring 2026. What has happened since furlough was announced? Following dialogue with individual employees and union engagement, Alexander Dennis commenced its furlough scheme on 22 September.”
“Around 334 million passenger journeys were made by bus in Scotland in 2023-24—up 13 per cent on the previous year and boosted by the huge success of the under-22s free bus travel scheme. The Government has increased our funding for bus services and concessionary travel from £430 million in 2024-25 to almost £465 million this year. We invest all of that because bus travel offers a more sustainable way to keep our country moving in a way that is accessible to many. In addition, the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 has now delivered the powers to enable local authorities and regional transport partnerships to take forward partnership working, franchising and local authority-run services, alongside their existing ability to subsidise services.”
“We took that bold and innovative step because we believe that Alexander Dennis is synonymous with bus building in Scotland and because the Government is committed to retaining the skills and industrial capacity that are needed to build zero-emission vehicles. Alongside our duty to support the workers and companies who are producing the technologies that will power the transition to net zero, our policy is to support travel by bus and to encourage investment in a more efficient vehicle that directly emits no greenhouse gases. Bus travel remains the most frequently used mode of public transport, linking communities, people, businesses and essential services in every part of Scotland. Buses provide an effective alternative to the car in busy city centres and in rural areas, such as my constituency, where rail services are limited.”
“During the grant period, the company is entitled to recover from the Scottish Government 80 per cent of the basic wage costs of its manufacturing staff, up to a maximum claim of £2,500 per employee per month. Alexander Dennis continues to be responsible for the payment of wages above that threshold and for employer national insurance and pension contributions. Our furlough support is a time-limited, proportionate and targeted intervention that is designed to preserve bus production in Scotland. Had we not acted at pace over the summer, Scotland would have lost for good the capability to build the latest zero- emission electric buses—the very technology that is required to decarbonise the bus network.”
“In truth, it was hard won and achieved only through the good will, determination and collaboration of a range of partners, including the management and the workers of Alexander Dennis, the trade unions and our enterprise agencies. The Scottish Government’s key contribution was to put in place a truly innovative and exceptional intervention. The First Minister was delighted to announce up to £4.1 million of Scottish Government funding towards a 26-week furlough scheme—the first time that any Scottish Government had supported a company- administered furlough scheme. The furlough grant is restricted to shop-floor workers who are based in Scotland and whose roles are linked directly to bus production.”
“I welcome the opportunity to update Parliament on this topic. My previous statement on Alexander Dennis was made on 17 September, just two days after the First Minister joined hundreds of workers at Larbert as they received the welcome news that the threat of redundancy had been lifted and Alexander Dennis had decided to continue bus manufacturing in Scotland. That landmark occasion was welcomed by members across the chamber and was celebrated in the local communities of Larbert and Falkirk. The preceding few months had been deeply worrying for the workforce, as they faced the loss of up to 400 roles. As I made clear in September and reiterate today, that positive outcome was by no means guaranteed.”
“Kate Forbes: I agree unequivocally with Pauline McNeill’s analysis that the link will not just be about visitors but about workers and many others. It is a transformational project that will address a gap in public transport provision in the region and will allow more effective transport links. That is precisely why the Scottish Government has made the investment of £6.1 million, as I outlined in my first answer. It is important that we have a clear route forward for the project and that we pick up at the right point on how all key partners, led by SPT, can continue to support the delivery of the project. Transport (Edinburgh Pentlands) 4.”
“Pauline McNeill: I am sure that the Deputy First Minister agrees that a rail link from Glasgow city centre to Glasgow airport is not just about getting travellers to the airport but about getting workers there, particularly the 5,000 workers who are in advanced manufacturing in the district around the airport. I am sure that she will agree that another bus service will not cut it; the M8 cannot cope as it is. A rail link to the airport must be in the first phase of the Clyde metro project, which is the position of SPT and Glasgow City Council. I want to confirm that that is also Transport Scotland’s position. What financial commitment will the Government make not just for the planning but for the delivery of the project?”
“Transport is key to our economic prosperity. The Glasgow connectivity commission and the second strategic transport projects review both identified Clyde metro as a transformational regional project, which we agree with. Development of the metro, which could include a link to the airport, is being led by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, supported by Glasgow City Council and Transport Scotland. Through the Glasgow city region deal, we are providing £6.1 million towards the case for investment for Clyde metro, which is anticipated to be completed early in 2027. That will provide a clear route forward for the project.”
“More than £700,000 in capital funding this year is helping to deliver priorities in the local place plan, building on the £2.7 million that has been provided for town centre regeneration and the millennium centre. A further £500,000 is enabling capacity building and supported delivery of the place plan. Last week, officials met Dumfries and Galloway Council and the local community to learn more about regeneration plans for the town.”
“Emma Harper: As the Deputy First Minister will know, communities across Stranraer and Wigtownshire are working and have worked incredibly hard to regenerate and renew the area following the withdrawal of ferries from the town in November 2011. Will the Deputy First Minister advise what funding the Scottish Government has provided over recent years to help that regeneration and directly boost the Stranraer economy? Kate Forbes: A total of £16 million is earmarked for Stranraer marina through the Borderlands growth deal, and Stranraer and Wigtown will benefit from a share of £20 million in the deal’s place programme to stimulate their reinvigoration.”
“We are delivering regeneration across the south-west of Scotland region through our place-based regeneration programmes, including more than £27.6 million through the regeneration capital grant fund. We will publish a new infrastructure delivery pipeline alongside the budget, the Scottish spending review and the draft infrastructure strategy early next year. This financial year, we have made available more than £34 million in the south-west to support the delivery of the affordable housing priorities of local authorities. We have also committed up to £4.9 billion in housing investment across Scotland over the next four years.”
“The fund application process that is being developed by Glasgow city region will also take into account community benefits such as the number of jobs that are created for local residents and linkages to local employability programmes and community- led projects, in order to maximise the economic impact of the Clyde mission. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio questions on Deputy First Minister responsibilities, economy and Gaelic. There will be a brief pause before we move to the next portfolio to allow members on the front benches to change over. Finance and Local Government Scottish Income Tax (HMRC Analysis) 1.”
“James Dornan: I welcome the progress outlined by the Deputy First Minister, but can she say more about how the Clyde mission is helping to ensure that new economic opportunities along the Clyde are inclusive and benefit local communities, particularly in areas that have historically faced economic disadvantage? Kate Forbes: The master plan work that is under way will further identify inclusive economic opportunities along the Clyde. That will be supported through the £25 million heat decarbonisation fund contributing up to 50 per cent of total project costs to ensure tangible investment in local communities.”
“We are providing support to the Clyde mission in three main ways. First, the Clyde mission fund provided £13 million towards a range of projects that have created and sustained more than 600 jobs, supported more than 250 businesses and levered more than £8 million in further funding. Those projects include Renfrewshire active travel. We have also committed £1.5 million to identify priority actions and locations for investment, with work already under way by the Glasgow city region team. The team is also developing plans for the heat decarbonisation fund, which is expected to launch later this year and to which we have committed £25 million.”
“It is important to make sure that local plans are robust. We have recently awarded one-year funding and an in-principle commitment to year 2 funding for a BSL network to share best practice and advice with listed authorities on the delivery of their local plans. That will ensure that, in her own constituency area, there is a plan that is robust and can deliver the services that are required. Tourism Sector (Impact of New Taxes) 5.”
“At the top of my answer, I say that I would be happy to engage with any of Tess White’s constituents and any deaf women in her constituency who have raised those matters, because the statistic that she references is one that requires us to sit up and take notice. There are several routes to improving BSL provision. Tess White will be aware of the new service that we have been piloting for video remote interpreting. She will also be aware of SignPort, the new app that has been launched with Scottish Government funding, which will develop interpreter booking facilities to make them easier to use. The third thing that I want to highlight is the importance of local BSL plans. Tess White talked specifically about the north-east, although I imagine that the statistic that she gave applies right across the country.”
“Tess White: Deaf women are more than twice as likely as hearing women to experience domestic abuse. In the north-east, local stakeholders report that BSL services remain seriously underresourced, with limited interpreting capacity and little dedicated funding for specialist support. Given that Gaelic and BSL are both the Deputy First Minister’s responsibility, does she accept that that failure of national co-ordination and investment has left deaf women in particular at greater risk, and that equality means nothing without the resources to make it real? Kate Forbes: I thank Tess White for that question.”
“The Scottish Government recognises BSL as one of Scotland’s languages. Since the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015 came into force 10 years ago, Scotland has been the first country to implement a free national video relay service for BSL users and, with the new service, we will pilot the use of video remote interpreting for the first time. The Education (Scotland) Act 2025 places a statutory duty on Qualifications Scotland to “have regard for the needs and interests of ... those who are receiving, or wish to receive” education through both BSL and Gaelic, across its functions. We will continue to work with the BSL community and its representative organisations to focus on improving outcomes for BSL users in Scotland, including through the “British Sign Language National Plan 2023-29”.”
“Kate Forbes: One reason why there has been so much focus on the north-east in relation to the news about the future of Petrofac is the wider issues that affect the sector at large. It is clear that uncertainty around UK Government policies is affecting Scotland’s energy sector. We are investing considerable funds of money to support a just transition, but we again call on the UK Government to listen carefully to concerns that have been expressed by businesses more generally about the impact of its reserved energy profits levy. The EPL was always supposed to be a temporary measure, as introduced by the Conservative Government, but it is now affecting investment and jobs in the north-east more generally, and the UK Government should be considering when the earliest possible end date could be.”
“Its long-established UK and North Sea business continues to operate as normal, and management is working to minimise disruption for clients and employees. Kevin Stewart: Again, I thank the Deputy First Minister for that answer. Petrofac has been a top- notch company, and long may that continue. Its workforce has been of immense importance in all that it has done. On the broader issue, the UK Government’s energy profit levy has destabilised the oil and gas industry, stymied investment and led to job losses. Folk in my Aberdeen Central constituency and beyond are truly worried about their futures. What action is the Scottish Government taking to get the UK Labour Government to see sense and to revisit, revise and reform its policies, which are a threat to livelihoods, investment and communities?”