Liam Kerr
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party · Scotland
“Producing the same amount of electricity through ground-mounted solar—a technology that I stress I support and that must form part of our energy mix—requires many times more land. Most of us would agree that reducing emissions matters.”
“In the years since I first contributed to a debate in this Parliament on new nuclear power in Scotland, four of the six parties in the chamber have come to support the proposition that I put forward, in some form or other. In that, they are on the side of the majority of the public, which supports nuclear power.”
“No wonder: electric vehicles, heat pumps, hydrogen production, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and high-tech industries all require enormous amounts of reliable power. That means nuclear. However, we do not just need reliable power. We need local power.”
“In 2019, it even legislated for a 75 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, although it scrapped that target five years later because it could not meet it.”
“In fact, over the year, wind turbines operate only around 25 to 40 per cent of the time. The point is that we must be able to guarantee electricity when homes, businesses and hospitals need it.”
“For more than 65 years, the STV North news programme has done far more than simply report the news. As Maggie Chapman said, it has given a voice to rural and regional communities. It has reflected local priorities and provided scrutiny, balance and accountability at every level of Government and public life.”
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“Scotland cannot decarbonise its economy, strengthen its energy security, grow its industrial base and provide baseload while simultaneously ruling out one of the world’s most reliable sources of low-carbon electricity.”
“Producing the same amount of electricity through ground-mounted solar—a technology that I stress I support and that must form part of our energy mix—requires many times more land. Most of us would agree that reducing emissions matters. The climate does not care whether a unit of low-carbon electricity comes from a wind turbine or a nuclear reactor. On that measure, nuclear power performs exceptionally well. Life-cycle emissions are comparable to offshore wind. Then there are the economic benefits. Nuclear supports around 18,500 jobs in Scotland. It directly employs more than 5,400 people, and around 30 per cent of those are in Scotland’s most deprived local authority areas. Nuclear contributed around £1.5 billion in gross value added to the Scottish economy in 2024. The case for new nuclear in Scotland is absolutely compelling.”
“No wonder: electric vehicles, heat pumps, hydrogen production, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and high-tech industries all require enormous amounts of reliable power. That means nuclear. However, we do not just need reliable power. We need local power. The events of recent years, particularly the war in Ukraine, have reminded us that energy policy is also national security policy. Countries that rely too heavily on imported stocks leave themselves exposed to international shocks and geopolitical instability. The United Kingdom currently requires around 900 tonnes of uranium a year, and the UK—I stress the UK—has about 110,000 tonnes stockpiled. The environmental argument stacks up. A nuclear station can generate vast quantities of low- carbon electricity on a comparatively small site.”
“In fact, over the year, wind turbines operate only around 25 to 40 per cent of the time. The point is that we must be able to guarantee electricity when homes, businesses and hospitals need it. That means baseload: electricity that is there and can be called on anywhere, any time— on days such as today, for example, when the grid put out a capacity warning due to low wind and high heat. Yesterday, prices for gas back-up were nearly £1,000 per megawatt hour. Without Torness, they would have been between £1,500 and £2,000 per megawatt hour. That is why we need nuclear. That is just the state of play at the moment. Most credible pathways project electricity demand in Scotland doubling or even tripling by 2050.”
“In 2019, it even legislated for a 75 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, although it scrapped that target five years later because it could not meet it. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Scotland’s climate ambitions would be much closer to realisation today had ministers been willing to embrace every available low-carbon technology. However, they were not. We have some of the best renewable energy sources in Europe, but we must be honest about the limitations of any energy source. Wind power depends on the weather. There are regular days when wind generates more electricity than we can use, which, along with the challenges of crossing the grid bottleneck, leads to hundreds of millions of pounds in constraint payments. There are also days when wind generation drops.”
“In the years since I first contributed to a debate in this Parliament on new nuclear power in Scotland, four of the six parties in the chamber have come to support the proposition that I put forward, in some form or other. In that, they are on the side of the majority of the public, which supports nuclear power. Indeed, in Scotland, around 54 per cent of people support nuclear energy and only 29 per cent are opposed. Even among Scottish National Party voters, the majority now supports new nuclear in Scotland’s energy mix. However, the SNP Government remains opposed, even though new nuclear is the critical piece of the jigsaw puzzle that would let the SNP achieve exactly what it wants. For years, the Scottish Government has sought to present itself—and, by extension, Scotland—as a leader in the fight against climate change.”
“I am pleased that Jack Middleton lodged the motion so that we, as a Parliament, can come together to support regional journalism, stand up for the dedicated staff who are affected by these decisions, stand up for the communities that they serve and condemn the plans in the strongest possible terms. The fact is that public service broadcasting obligations must be judged by outcomes for audiences, not by operational convenience or corporate cost saving. That is why I support the calls in the motion. If public service broadcasting means anything, it means ensuring that every part of Scotland is seen, heard and represented.”
“That matters, because the reduction in regional output represents a substantial weakening of the service, of democratic scrutiny, of accountability and of representation for communities that already feel distant from decision makers. A single centralised programme cannot adequately provide the prominence, the continuity and the depth of coverage that are needed to reflect the distinct priorities and concerns of the north-east and the Highlands and Islands. Jackie Dunbar made an important point. At a time when trust in mainstream media is under pressure and people are increasingly turning elsewhere for information, reducing trusted local journalism is exactly the wrong direction of travel, because, when local reporting disappears, misinformation, disinformation and fake news will all too readily fill the gap.”
“For more than 65 years, the STV North news programme has done far more than simply report the news. As Maggie Chapman said, it has given a voice to rural and regional communities. It has reflected local priorities and provided scrutiny, balance and accountability at every level of Government and public life. In my view, the provision of regional bulletins remains one of the most important public service broadcasting commitments, particularly for rural communities, which are too often overlooked. The proposals risk silencing the voice of the north-east. I want to pick up on something that Michael Marra set out. Issues that matter deeply to our communities will, inevitably, receive less prominence and a lower depth of coverage in a centralised programme, where the focus will, as usual, gravitate to the central belt.”
“At the time, I joined my Scottish Conservative colleagues in raising serious concerns about the impact that that would have on our constituents. As Laura Mitchell pointed out, that was not—and is not—a party-political point. Perhaps uniquely, we were—and are—united. I remember that STV suggested that the proposal would save £2.5 million or so. However, given that, at the same time, it launched a £500,000 commercial radio station, I find that claim rather difficult to stand up. However, even should those changes save £2.5 million, the question is, at what cost? There is a very real human cost. Some 10 per cent of the workforce is being cut, with a disproportionate impact on jobs in the north of Scotland. Further, there is a huge cost to news.”
“I thank Jack Middleton for securing this debate and congratulate him on his powerful speech. I cannot understand, and I deeply regret, not only STV’s decision to cut its dedicated north of Scotland news programme, but Ofcom’s decision to approve it. It is appalling, short-sighted and hugely detrimental to the people of the north and the north-east of Scotland. What makes it even more frustrating is that it appears to have been rubber-stamped, despite reports that only 4 per cent of viewers in the north and the north-east supported the proposals. Yet again, our communities are not being listened to. I well remember when STV announced plans last September to axe the north news bulletin and merge it into a single programme broadcast from Glasgow.”
“Yesterday, I visited the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, where we saw at first hand the way in which the skill set is complementing— [Interruption.] I am being barracked by Mr Kerr again, but he is much further away than he ever used to be now that his party is in fifth place. I think that that speaks to the disaster of the energy profits levy that was introduced by his Government. [Interruption.]”
“In contrast to the answer that we have just heard, according to the Robert Gordon University report that was released today, policies pursued by this Scottish National Party Government towards oil and gas could lead to “loss of a skilled workforce, erosion of supply chain capacity and a weakening” of the wider economy. Removing the presumption against new oil and gas, supporting Jackdaw and Rosebank and having an energy strategy would help to change that, so will the cabinet secretary change course and adopt those measures, or will he throw 18,000 offshore energy jobs under a bus? The Presiding Officer: You are being promoted again, minister. Stephen Gethins: I would like to thank my fellow north-east MSP for that. He knows that this Government is investing in jobs and skills.”
“Maybe they will find something—in which case, sure, I will be seen as a hypocrite, they will win and I will be subjected to derision online. However, as Jenny Young’s motion asks of me, I will try to do better. I will try to foster a more respectful political culture to achieve the standards that Jo Cox called for. I hope that all MSPs will join me in that aspiration. 18:36”
“We have a duty to speak not only honestly but accurately. As Michelle Campbell reminded us, the words that we use have meaning. When a topic is already polarised or has real consequences for how people think that it is appropriate to behave or speak, or on what lines to divide, it is more important than ever that we are as careful in our use of language as we are in addressing one another. It is vital that, in such debates— particularly those that are contentious—we ensure that the words that we use are accurate and precise and that they have the meaning that is intended. I am casting stones, yet I am far from without sin. I have no doubt that there are people out there— perhaps even in this chamber—trolling my social media right now, looking for examples of situations where I have not met my own standards.”
“If those on social media in particular see and hear us indulging in that sort of targeted personal abuse, I think that emboldens, empowers and encourages them to dish out exactly the sort of personal bile with which we are all too familiar, in particular directed at certain groups, with the consequences that Adam Harley highlighted in his excellent contribution. My second point is a related one that builds on something raised by David Linden. We are sent here to debate difficult topics. In the previous session of Parliament we rightly confronted difficult and polarising issues, as I predict we will do in this one, too. Many of the propositions and debates will be uncomfortable, as they should be. Again, we must not forget that people out there are watching and that what we say has an impact.”
“Given the very personal, targeted and choreographed nature of some of the contributions, I felt that they were wholly inappropriate. I have researched, and written extensively on, debating, and the abusive, ad hominem attack is widely recognised as presenting a logical fallacy. An argument’s truth or validity must stand on its own merits, regardless of who is making it, and it should be debated accordingly. My point is that, even leaving aside the fact that such personal targeting represents weak debating, what we do and what we say about one another in the chamber matters—as Patricia Gibson reminded us in what I felt was a powerful contribution—because people are watching.”
“That is why I want to make two points about debate in the chamber, which build on Jenny Young’s excellent contribution. The first concerns how we speak to, and about, one another. Last Wednesday, there was an afternoon debate that I use simply as an example. The subject matter was always going to be difficult and uncomfortable for some in the chamber, which is as it should be. Politics should not be comfortable—we should always debate, and we should confront and speak about difficult topics. However, I sat through that debate and listened to the contributions, and afterwards I pulled up the Official Report, just to have a look and ensure that I was not misremembering what I had heard. Several contributions went far beyond what could be called robust debate. Members know that I like robust debate, but that was not it.”
“I, too, congratulate Jenny Young on bringing the debate to the chamber. I had not originally intended to speak in the debate; I wanted just to sit in and listen. However, I was deeply troubled by the report in The Herald at the weekend, about threats to and harassment of parliamentary colleagues, and in particular by the briefings that we have received on the vicious and misogynistic abuse that is aimed at women, especially online. I was in the chamber on the day when Jo Cox was murdered, and I remember the feeling of collective horror that swept through as we became aware of what had happened. I also remember how we all committed to doing better, and to ensuring the greater respect that the motion calls for and conducting ourselves appropriately.”
“Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S7M-00356.4, in the name of Murdo Fraser, which seeks to amend motion S7M- 00356, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on strengthening Scotland’s partnership with the third sector, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP) Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Melville, Lloyd (Angus South) (SNP) Merrick, Colm (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Middleton, Jack (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mitchell, Laura (Moray) (SNP) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Against Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Abstentions Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S7M-00356.5, in the name of Holly Bruce, is: For 77, Against 25, Abstentions 17.”
“Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that amendment S7M-00356.5, in the name of Holly Bruce, which seeks to amend motion S7M- 00356, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on strengthening Scotland’s partnership with the third sector, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My vote has not registered; I tried to vote no. The Presiding Officer: Your vote has been recorded. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP) Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Melville, Lloyd (Angus South) (SNP) Merrick, Colm (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Middleton, Jack (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mitchell, Laura (Moray) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Against Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S7M-00356.1, in the name of Carol Mochan, is: For 111, Against 8, Abstentions 0.”
“Tom Arthur: I do not know whether the member misheard me. Just in case he missed it, today, we have announced additional investment in Aberdeen. The SNP Scottish Government is investing up to £1 million in the centre of Aberdeen. [Interruption.] I will say that again, because I do not think that Mr Kerr caught it the first time: up to £1 million of investment is being put into the centre of Aberdeen by the SNP Scottish Government. He could at least show some cheer and support that.”
“The deeply cynical timing of this statement— reannouncing money that was promised months ago, £400,000 of which has been repackaged from three years ago, two days before the Aberdeen South by-election—will fool no one. We all know that this statement has been made because the Scottish National Party is hearing on the doorsteps that it is the Scottish Conservatives who stand against the SNP’s catastrophic presumption against oil and gas, who found £10 million for Torry reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete victims and who defend the people of Aberdeen against the disastrous low-emission zone and bus gates. The chair of Our Union Street, Bob Keiller, has argued that the SNP’s sky-high business rates regime is a significant obstacle to Union Street’s regeneration. Does the minister agree? If so, what concrete action will he take?”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will honour, in full, commitments made by previous ministers for transport to upgrade road infrastructure in the north-east of Scotland. (S7O- 00064)”
“Those bikes are being ridden illegally, often with no licence or insurance, and we have all heard of the alleged connections to drug dealing.”
“Disgustingly, in another part of Aberdeen, two police officers were recently assaulted by a large group of youths when officers stopped an electric motorbike and issued a warning to a shoplifter, and those thugs went on to vandalise the police car. I mentioned the Marks and Spencer shop. Just last month, police had to deal with the disgusting graffiti that appeared all over it. Vandalism of that sort is increasingly rife throughout the city centre. As Aberdeen remembers only too well, a few years ago, police told our citizens that youths from as far away as Tayside were taking advantage of the free bus pass, which Colin Beattie mentioned, to visit Aberdeen and cause mayhem in the city centre. E-bikes, which were alluded to earlier, tear up and down Union Street, intimidating people and forcing them off pavements.”
“I congratulate Colin Beattie on securing this members’ business debate, and I commend his speech, which set out the issues very bluntly and very well. Regrettably, we know all about the damaging impact of antisocial behaviour in Aberdeen and the north-east. Statistically, the most recorded antisocial offences by far are threatening or abusive behaviour, with drunkenness and other disorderly conduct being the second-largest category. Such behaviour is present everywhere, as we have heard, but it is particularly evident in parts of Aberdeen city centre, particularly since the closure of Marks and Spencer on Union Street. Indeed, in the past year, police were called to Union Street almost 2,000 times to deal with a spike in criminality, predominantly involving thefts and fighting.”
“I therefore ask the minister to say how the Scottish Government will work with local partners to secure the remaining funding that is needed to reopen the cinema, continue to invest in cultural infrastructure and ensure that funding programmes better align with local regeneration priorities. If we are serious about supporting Scotland’s screen sector, we must support not only the making of films but the places where audiences come together to experience them. I am pleased to support the motion. I am also pleased to remind members and any viewers that my script is still available for consideration. 18:27”
“Since its closure in 2022, there has been the sustained campaign to reopen it that Mr Marra referred to, not simply to restore a building but to protect a vital piece of cultural infrastructure. Reopening Aberdeen’s only independent cinema would strengthen the city centre; increase footfall for local businesses; support jobs, volunteering and skills development; and restore access to independent and international films that are rarely available elsewhere. When, rightly, we speak about regeneration and creating vibrant city centres, cultural institutions such as the Belmont, and others that were mentioned by Lloyd Melville in his intervention and Michael Marra in his response, must be recognised as part of the solution.”
“In Aberdeen and the north-east, we are very fortunate to have creative businesses such as Signal, which recently won two gold awards at the Telly awards, and an organisation such as Station House Media Unit— SHMU—which plays a vital role in developing media skills, nurturing local talent and widening access to opportunities in the creative industries. However, production companies, creative talent and audiences are all part of the same ecosystem. If Scotland’s screen industry is to contribute £1 billion annually to the economy, we must not focus solely on production. Films need places in which to be shown. That is why I was pleased to hear Michael Marra talk about why the future of the Belmont cinema matters so much. For generations, the Belmont was Aberdeen’s home of independent cinema—a place of film, education and community.”
“Through its investment in filmmakers, independent cinemas, festivals and audience development, Screen Scotland helps to ensure that people across Scotland can access, enjoy and participate in film. As Professor Nick Higgins noted in the briefing that was circulated to members earlier, widening access is central to the growth of Scotland’s screen sector, if it is to reflect the diversity of Scottish society. The fact is that cinema and screen remain among our most accessible and powerful art forms. They tell our stories, they reflect our communities and they project Scotland’s voice to audiences at home and abroad.”
“I congratulate Alyn Smith on securing the debate. I am pleased to speak in support of the motion and to recognise the work of Screen Scotland and the wider screen sector, particularly in creating opportunities for new talent. The fact that, 31 years ago, its closest predecessor, Scottish Screen, rejected a film script by an unknown 20-year-old social sciences undergraduate, which would undoubtedly have been the finest Scottish production since “Gregory’s Girl”, does not alter my view in that regard. In fact, it makes my point, because, despite my youthful arrogance in submitting it, somebody took the time to read it, review it, critique it and provide me with detailed feedback. I have never forgotten that generosity, because supporting emerging talent is exactly the kind of role that organisations such as Screen Scotland perform.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of Scotland’s energy security, including any consequent action it plans to take in the light of heightened global tensions, particularly in the middle east and Ukraine. (S7O-00042)”
“I will be happy to write to the member when we have a timeframe in mind.”
“The question that Claire Baker just asked is very important. When I asked the First Minister what his support for DC Thomson’s fresh start campaign was worth in terms of action, his answer was very vague and non-committal. I am afraid that the minister’s answer there was pretty much the same. I ask this directly: does the minister support the fresh start campaign? If so, what concrete action will she take to implement it? Hannah Mary Goodlad: The member will be aware that we had the debate on the matter only last week. We are committed to exploring and working on it. We are working with officials, and I will be happy to write to the member as we firm up our timeframe, as I will meet the business leaders before the summer. The campaign is hot off the press; it is something that we are working on.”
“My time is up, but I will say that this is perhaps a hopeful start. We need a renewed discussion around the economy, one based around decentralisation, people and partnership. I move amendment S7M-00290.3, to insert at end: “; notes that the Scottish Fiscal Commission has projected Scotland's ‘Tax base performance gap’ for 2026- 27 to be £785 million while data shows that GDP increased by 8.4% between Q2 2014 and Q2 2024 for Scotland compared to 14.3% across the UK as a whole, and believes that understanding and addressing these gaps is imperative in order to grow jobs, wages and opportunities, as well as maximising revenue for funding public services in Scotland.” 16:11”
“Let us take renewables: it takes seven to 10 years from start to finish to get projects through the planning and consenting regime, in comparison with Norway, where similar projects take three to four years to go through that process. We need a comprehensive mapping exercise from the Government, understanding where it has touch points and where it increases time and uncertainty. More importantly—I say this to people from all political parties—I think that there is an overwhelming tendency for politicians to assume that everyone in business is driven only by the profit motive. Actually, the profit motive is vital for business. Yes, we need to be cautious about profiteering but the fact is that we need to work in partnership and understand how businesses can generate a return, because that is what economic growth ultimately requires.”
“The cabinet secretary was right to point to the importance of people and skills, but the reality is that the number of modern apprenticeship starts is falling and we have barely got going on upskilling and reskilling. Yet we have to wait for the organisational reform of SDS into the Scottish Funding Council. I worry that we will not have the scope or capacity to implement the changes that we need in terms of upskilling and reskilling, let alone deal with the increasing difficulties that young people face in getting into the workforce at all. On partnership, we need a much greater focus on the issue of the time and uncertainty that the Government introduces into investment pipelines—I accept that the cabinet secretary referenced that.”
“On place, if we examine the figures, we see that there are parts of the United Kingdom where gross domestic product per head is growing far faster than it is in Scotland. Greater Manchester has had a GDP-per-head growth of 15.4 per cent in recent years, and in West Yorkshire it is 7.5 per cent, whereas Scotland’s GDP-per-head growth in a similar period has been 4.3 per cent. We need to look at the Government’s pledges to put regional economic partnerships on a statutory footing, but we must consider what they will do and how they will work. What power from this place will we push out so that they can deliver in partnership with industry?”
“I am listening carefully to the member’s point. He will presumably acknowledge that the Labour Government’s ban on new exploration and production will not help the oil and gas industry one bit. Daniel Johnson: The member completely fails to acknowledge the bodged process that the previous UK Government put in place, which is why those licences ended up in the Supreme Court in the first place. If I am coming to the chamber with candour and honesty, I would ask that the member does the same. We need to focus on three core things. The first is the economics of place; the second is around people and skills; and the third is partnership. Craig Hoy: [Made a request to intervene.] Daniel Johnson: I apologise, Mr Hoy; I would like to make a little bit of progress. For all three things, we have the powers here, but we fail to focus on them.”
“Yesterday, the north-east received the devastating news that the new Baird family hospital and the ANCHOR centre, for maternity care and cancer care respectively, are to be delayed yet again, so that they will now be seven years overdue and at least £300 million over budget. After this Government’s catastrophic mishandling at the Queen Elizabeth university hospital and at Edinburgh’s sick kids, will the First Minister now personally step in and channel the full weight of the Government to address this disastrous situation and get the new hospitals open?”
“However, for taxation to be truly effective, it must do more than raise revenue; it must also create the right incentives to work, to invest and to grow the economy. On that point, I hope that there is greater opportunity for political consensus. Fair and progressive taxation is not a barrier to growth. In fact, it is the foundation of a productive economy—funding the infrastructure, supporting the workforce and providing the stability that businesses depend on. That is why—”
“One of the minister’s predecessors was famously completely unaware of the principles of the Laffer curve. What is her view on that theory and whether it impacts on what she says? Jenny Gilruth: Mr Flynn has provided me with an analogy with the Laffer curve: it went up and then it fell back down. I am not sure whether Mr Kerr would agree with that analogy. I am more than happy to have a discussion with him and, of course, with Mr McKee, the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform, on the Laffer curve. I know that Mr Kerr takes the matter very seriously, as he has spoken about the Laffer curve on many occasions in Parliament. It is the case that taxation helps us to improve people’s lives.”
“North- east businesses are struggling due to the Government’s punishing business rates regime. Under the fresh start initiative, businesses that move into premises that have been vacant for six months receive rates relief for a year. The Press and Journal, The Courier and The Sunday Post are campaigning for that six-month eligibility period to be scrapped, so that the relief is applied to any business that moves into a vacant unit. The First Minister has expressed support for that campaign. Will he confirm what that support looks like in practice and, thus, when that vital change will take place?”
“However, the finance secretary’s predecessor, Shona Robison, chose not to do that and instead used that money to plug her own funding gaps in the Scottish budget.”
“Perhaps, in closing, the Government will address how it would fund those network and storage upgrades were it ever to receive those powers, particularly in the context of the £5 billion black hole legacy left by the previous SNP Government. I note that the minister is not levelling with people that Scotland’s bills have virtually nothing to do with licensing powers and everything to do with terrain, population density, climate, housing stock, rurality and the transmission and grid upgrades. Of course, one solution to high bills that is entirely within the Government’s existing powers would have been to use ScotWind revenues to reduce bills, invest in infrastructure or create a sovereign wealth fund.”
“Finally, it is important that I address the issue of high energy bills, which the minister is right to say are a real challenge and a cause of fear for people. The minister tries to suggest that getting energy powers would reduce those bills, but people need to hear the truth. For example, the way to reduce the constraint payments that are paid when wind farms generate excess power that cannot be transmitted or stored efficiently is through major investment in transmission and storage infrastructure, which would largely be funded through network charges on household gas and electricity bills, which would add around £108 a year to the average household bill.”
“In fact, while Labour and the SNP are trying to shut the North Sea and lose taxes and jobs, Norway licensed 70 new blocks in early 2026 and gave companies major tax incentives. We must not let decisions on North Sea energy fall into the SNP’s hands. On the renewables intermittency problem, the minister utterly fails to address questions of baseload. Torness, Scotland’s last nuclear station, which generated around 17 per cent of Scotland’s electricity in 2024, will shortly be closed. However, this Government has used the powers that it already has to block any new nuclear in Scotland—a decision that this Parliament has heard time and again in recent years is based on misinformation, prejudice and blind ideology.”