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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Every one of 538 lines we hold for Liam Kerr, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 11.
“It includes commitments to publish the alcohol and drugs strategic plan in March 2026, to develop and publish national standards for throughcare support over the next two years and to continue the roll-out and implementation of the MAT standards across the secure estate. That activity is noted, but I speak for the committee when I say that what is key—and is absolutely the committee’s focus—is the outcomes of those interventions. A future Parliament must see deaths in custody reduce, drug-related hospital transfers decrease and access to treatment that is consistently proportionate to need. Further, purposeful activity must be protected in practice, not only in principle.”
“It is both, as the convener succinctly set out. We made many important recommendations, including on the need for improved national leadership and co-ordination, and on the implementation of medication assisted treatment standards across the prison estate. That is why I welcome much of the Scottish Government’s initial response, which acknowledges many of the pressures identified in the report. The response sets out work that is under way, including implementation of the target operating model, recovery initiatives, regime reviews and work around purposeful activity and family contact.”
“Specifically, our report explored the long waiting times that offenders experience for mental health assessments, shortages of specialist staff and frequent disruption to services, all of which limit the provision of effective care. We also heard from prison officers, who raised concerns about exposure to drug fumes, the practical operation of the MORS policy, training, and the physical and psychological demands placed on staff—and, of course, the fact is that these are the people who have to deal with deaths in custody. Their evidence must be taken really seriously, and their calls for action on PPE, investment and staffing levels need to be acted on. I am pleased that the committee’s report does not frame the issue solely as a security or criminal problem, nor does it frame it solely as a public health problem.”
“The committee heard about synthetic drugs, which Elena Whitham mentioned, creating volatility and unpredictability. We heard about organised crime adapting supply routes, including through drones, which the governor of Perth prison recently described as “public enemy number one”. We heard about the operational consequences of episodes related to the management of offender at risk due to any substance—MORS—policy and hospital transfers. The POAS survey has some significant input in that regard, which we should all be aware of. We agree that access to treatment and support is unsatisfactory, as are the levels of continuity of care for people leaving prison.”
“Our report found that drug use in prisons was widespread and that substance misuse in Scotland’s prisons is entwined with overcrowding, workforce pressures, mental ill health, organised crime and regime instability. The figures underline that reality. Between 2012 and 2023, 50 drug misuse deaths occurred in custody. Sue Webber said that, in 2024 alone, 64 people died in prison. That is a 60 per cent increase on the previous year. The Prison Officers Association Scotland— POAS—told the committee that, since 2015, drug recoveries have increased by 80 per cent and weapon finds by 181 per cent. The evidence that it supplied for the debate shows that nearly 40 per cent of prisoners report using illegal drugs while in custody. Those are not isolated statistics, and they describe a custodial environment under sustained strain.”
“It examined evidence from the Government, the Scottish Prison Service, NHS representatives, third sector organisations, prison officers and those who have experienced addiction while in custody. In many ways, we start from a common position. Scotland’s prisons are at capacity. They are overcrowded and face considerable challenges, which, as many members have pointed out today, have consequences. The parties mentioned in the report and, indeed, the members who are speaking in the chamber today will have very different perspectives on why that is the case and what the response should be, but I think that we are united in our conclusions that Scotland’s prisons face a public health emergency—one that is driven by trauma, inequality, mental health deficits and evolving drug markets.”
“A key function of the committee system in a unicameral Parliament is to be independent of Government and party. At the outset, it is important to put on record that, in producing the report, the committee has largely fulfilled that objective, to its great credit. On that, it is important to thank the clerks and the advisers to the committee for facilitating and assisting with such a detailed and comprehensive inquiry, as well as all those who gave evidence, facilitated visits and candidly opened up about their experiences and challenges. The inquiry was detailed and cross party and, as Rona Mackay said, it was, at times, pretty difficult and harrowing.”
“I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests in that I hold a practising certificate as a solicitor. To ask the First Minister, in light of reported renewed calls over the weekend to end the Lord Advocate’s dual role, when the Scottish Government will publish its proposals and begin a consultation on separating the prosecution function from the role of providing legal advice to the Scottish ministers. (S6F-04705)”
“The sustained gap in the north-east demonstrates that it is not—that is not what is being delivered. We need a commitment to fairness for communities across the north-east and a Government that finally delivers a fair share for the north-east. 13:05”
“Earlier today, when I asked the minister whether, in response to the tsunami of pub and hospitality closures in Aberdeen and the north-east, he would support Scottish Conservative plans to exempt most from business rates, he blithely ignored the issue, failed to provide any solutions and completely ignored the question about whether he would support that. North East Scotland is a region that contributes significantly to Scotland’s economy, its energy, its food production and its advanced manufacturing and research. We in the north-east have an expectation—actually, a right to expect—that our essential services and infrastructure are funded in line with assessed requirements. The fact is that fairness to the whole of Scotland should be baked into decisions that the Scottish Government makes.”
“As the motion highlights, the unfairness extends to infrastructure investment in the north-east, or lack thereof. To the south of Aberdeen, the growing communities of Cove and Newtonhill, which sit directly on the east coast main line, need new stations. People have been demanding them for years, and several thousands have signed my campaign petition to deliver them. However, the Government refuses to deliver, just as it will not address our poor local and regional bus services or deliver the vital upgrades that are so desperately needed on the A90 and the Laurencekirk, Toll of Birness and Cortes junctions. When communities lack proper transport infrastructure, the result is congestion, pressure on local roads and reduced economic activity.”
“Those are entirely predictable consequences of sustained unfair underallocation by this Government. Our north-east local councils face the same unfairness. Aberdeenshire Council is the fourth lowest-funded local authority per head in Scotland, receiving less than the national average. Aberdeen City Council also ranks among the lower-funded councils. Both have been consistently almost the worst-funded—if not the worst-funded—councils in Scotland for years. Starting from a lower funding baseline immediately limits what local services can be delivered effectively. Karen Adam desperately tries to say that it is nothing to do with the Scottish Parliament, but that is not standing up for her constituents; that is abandoning them, yet again.”
“That funding shortfall has resulted in reports just this week that NHS Grampian is projecting a deficit of £76 million, having made £62 million-worth of savings this year and needing a further £40 million of savings next year. That translates to the fewest beds per head in Scotland. It means delayed projects, stacked ambulances and enormous waiting lists for people in the north-east. The funding shortfall embeds pressure across the system, because NHS Grampian funds a significant share of Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire health and social care partnerships. Due to NHS Grampian starting from a low financial position, with its below-target allocation, the HSCPs, too, are under strain. Care provision tightens, recruitment becomes challenging and local urgent care services operate with limited flexibility.”
“The motion poses a simple question about whether the way in which the SNP Government chooses to distribute its record funding among our local authorities, NHS boards and infrastructure investment projects is a fair distribution. Those are all devolved services, as Karen Adam would know if she bothered to learn how devolution and funding work. Presiding Officer, the north-east has such a consistent and sustained imbalance of distribution that the dogs on Union Street would tell you that we do not get a fair distribution. For example, for more than a decade, NHS Grampian has received less than the level of funding that is required by the Government’s own allocation model. Since 2010, the disparity between needed and actual funding is around £250 million.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the upcoming non- domestic rates revaluation in Aberdeen. (S6O- 05531)”
“Did the Lord Advocate share that information with what is, at the end of the day, a politically staffed office proactively and on her own volition, or was it specifically requested by the First Minister and/or by anyone in his office? The Lord Advocate: The update was shared after my advisers told me about the significant step in process, and the minute was sent to reflect that. I think that that is clear from the terms of the minute, which is public, and it was not requested.”
“That is why we are working very closely with our partners in the community to establish the level of need, which is done via co-operation prior to prisoners being released. Automatic Early Release (Offenders Convicted of Serious Violent Offences) 2.”
“What modelling was done, prior to the proposals to let criminals out after just 30 per cent of their sentence, to show the impact on victims, including on the numbers being re-victimised, and on the case loads of agencies that support those victims? Angela Constance: Modelling was done on what the proposed measure would do to reduce the prison population through a sustained measure. Liam Kerr makes a valid point about the impact on the case loads of community justice partners. Although it is difficult to predict precisely, it is fair to say that the population of prisoners being considered for release are people who will return to the community in the not-too-distant future. I think that I am in agreement with Mr Kerr in acknowledging that that will increase the short- term demand on services.”
“The use of community payback orders is increasing.”
“As soon as there is an attempt to do that, he dismisses outright all solutions. It sounds to me as if the Tories really do not want to find a solution. On the member’s specific questions— [Interruption.] The Deputy Presiding Officer: Members! Angela Constance: —the consultation was necessarily short, for reasons that I have explained and because I was mindful of the need for good parliamentary scrutiny. In the coming year, if the budget passes, £1 billion will be invested in prisons. On the member’s questions about community payback orders, as I think we all know—certainly, anybody who understands how community payback orders work will know—people who have been instructed by the courts to do 200 or 300 hours of unpaid work do not do that work in all weeks, so there will be outstanding hours at any given time.”
“Is that not just another example of the confused, muddled thinking that permeates the Scottish Government’s response to the prisons crisis? Angela Constance: I recently received correspondence from Mr Kerr that is in the same vein as his questions to me. What I have heard are knee-jerk quotes and a knee-jerk response to a substantive piece of work. If we do not want to have to continue deciding on short-term emergency measures, we have to find the space for, and build a consensus around, longer-term solutions while bearing in mind that the evidence points to the fact that a high prison population does not equate to a safer Scotland. I am hearing nothing from Mr Kerr other than some policy wonk language about the need to develop a cohesive, long-term, holistic strategy.”
“Given that Martyn Evans cautioned against the mass early release of prisoners under so-called emergency schemes, which return inmates to the community without adequate support and increase the likelihood of reoffending, does the cabinet secretary acknowledge that the early release of prisoners was the wrong thing at the wrong time? Some 800,000 hours of unpaid community sentence work remained outstanding across Scotland last year. What evidence shows that a mass influx of new criminals will improve that figure or the outcomes of such sentences? The cabinet secretary insists that short sentences do not work, but she is reducing the time served to only 30 per cent of a sentence, which will mean more short sentences.”
“I am amazed that a Government that has insufficient time to consult on non-fatal strangulation or to consider a prostitution bill deems a three-day consultation with 28 unpublished responses to be authoritative. However, that speaks to this knee- jerk, unstrategic response to a prison crisis that is of the Scottish National Party’s making. In response to Teresa Medhurst telling the Criminal Justice Committee yesterday of the risk of a “catastrophic failure” in our prisons, this afternoon the SNP will vote through what she described as a budget allocation that falls short of what the Scottish Prison Service needs to reach the full range of the delivery agenda, to bring much-needed improvements and to ease current pressures.”
“Will the Government step in and assist the council, or has it washed its hands of the matter? Màiri McAllan: I understand very well the stress and strain that residents who have RAAC in their properties have been living with. That is why I sat down with residents in Aberdeen and with members of the council to seek to broker progress, and it is why I pressed the council to conduct one- to-one meetings with residents and to continue that approach. It is also why I carefully considered Aberdeen City Council’s request for funding flexibility, which has allowed it to free up £10 million. It is now for Aberdeen City Council, working in concert with local residents, to take matters forward in a locally appropriate way. Social Security Scotland Staff (Training to Support Disabled People) 5.”
“Future demolition works will be done in compliance with all necessary guidance and legislation, with a particular focus on not impacting existing properties with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. Liam Kerr: A report out today suggests that pressure will soon be applied to Aberdeen’s RAAC victims to accept the council’s final offer and move out before the bulldozers move in. Many want to accept the offer but do not have savings or are too old to qualify for loans to help them to find a new home. The report states that Aberdeen City Council, which is ever more out of its depth, needs help to get this right for the people of Torry. I helped the Government to find £10 million to help to resolve the issue. Now, the people of Balnagask need the Government’s time, as well as its money.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on properties impacted by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in Aberdeen. (S6O-05510) The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan): I understand that Aberdeen City Council committed to making an enhanced voluntary acquisition offer to home owners in November last year. Since then, I understand that it has completed the purchase of 61 privately owned properties and that the remaining owners are obtaining and considering enhanced offers. I understand that the council is undertaking preparatory work ahead of demolition in Balnagask and that it is putting in place additional safety measures. I am assured that it is engaging with the Torry community campaign group to ensure that residents are supported throughout that process.”
“Despite asking them for many years while they were in government, I do not recall a single penny being given through the just transition fund for the north-east. An independent evaluation of the funding that we have provided through the just transition fund shows that at least 230 jobs have been created and safeguarded, more than 750 training places have been opened up and more than £30 million of private investment has been attracted. That has all been delivered because we paid up and invested, unlike the Conservatives. Scottish Prison Service Policy for the Management of Transgender People in Custody 7.”
“The economy of Aberdeen and the north-east would be boosted if the Scottish National Party Government paid up the remaining 83 per cent of the just transition fund; removed the SNP’s presumption against oil and gas that has so damaged the industry, as Aspect found; reinstated the £80 million carbon capture fund that we were promised; gave us the rest of the £200 million city deal money that Aberdeen was promised in 2016; and reduced our eye-watering business rates. Are any of those things going to happen, Deputy First Minister? The Presiding Officer: Always speak through the chair. Kate Forbes: I am just trying to remember how much funding the Conservatives provided to the just transition fund.”
“There would need to be massive consultation on the bill anyway, and I recognise that, but the issue must be addressed, nonetheless, as expeditiously as possible. We cannot allow a breach in the right to a fair trial— the most fundamental right of all—to subsist for any longer than is absolutely necessary. Therefore, in conclusion, I request that the Scottish Government, perhaps in the next couple of weeks, make a ministerial statement. If, in that statement, it indicates to members that it believes that the defect must be cured and that it will be cured, we can have confidence that this is a Parliament and a Government that believes in personal freedom, democracy and the rule of law. 17:14”
“It is what protects people from the jackboot of totalitarianism. Democracy is based on personal freedom, and where there is no fair trial, freedom does not exist. I will take the intervention from Mr Kerr. The Presiding Officer: I say at this point that this item is to seek changes to future business, and it is important that that is borne in mind. Liam Kerr: Perhaps I may assist then, Presiding Officer. I remind members that I am a practising solicitor. Clearly, if Scots law breaches the right to a fair trial under the ECHR, that needs to be remedied without delay, so what does Fergus Ewing suggest that members do about it? Fergus Ewing: Indeed. I will cut to the chase, Presiding Officer. I appreciate—and I have communicated this to the Minister for Parliamentary Business—that there is not enough time for a bill.”
“Will the member take an intervention? Fergus Ewing: I will take an intervention in one minute when I finish this point. However, section 170 was written not as a work of fiction by Joseph Heller but as a provision by the United Kingdom legislature in 1995. To proceed with his malicious prosecution action, Mr Hirst would have had to have said to Sheriff Paterson, “Please find me guilty and send me to jail, because otherwise I can’t pursue a case for malicious prosecution.” That is plainly absurd. Justice was served and done by his acquittal, but justice was also then denied because of his acquittal. The right to a free trial is a cornerstone of democracy. It is what protects the citizen against the knock on the door in the middle of the night. It is what protects people from unlawful detention.”
“We would back our police officers, stop wasting their time, ensure that they are visible in their communities and give them the powers that they need to do their jobs. That is what the amended motion would deliver. I move amendment S6M-20730.2, to leave out from “for the creation” to end and insert: “on the Scottish Government to reduce non-crime demand on Police Scotland and accelerate delivery of a ‘Right Care, Right Person’ style model.” 16:17”
“In my amendment and my justice paper, I addressed that issue by recommending the adoption of a right care, right person model, which is about focusing police time on crime and public safety. In brief, police will attend if there is risk, but health professionals will take the lead if there is a health issue. Here is a comparison for the cabinet secretary—such a model has saved nearly 19,000 hours every month for the Metropolitan Police and nearly 5,000 hours every month in Essex. The Scottish Conservatives agree with the motion that, before identifying solutions, we must recognise the problems that have been caused by nearly two decades of a failing SNP Government. Once we have done that, the solutions become clear.”
“However, I worry that the call in the Labour motion for “the creation of community and crime prevention officers in every council ward in Scotland” might risk stretching already limited police resources and force policing into a rigid structure that might not match the level of local need. In my amendment, I have proposed a further solution. The SPF has warned that officers are spending between 40 and 60 per cent of their operational capacity dealing with health-related incidents. That means that a huge amount of police time is being diverted away from tackling crime because of wider public sector challenges that the Scottish Government is also refusing to address.”
“What about the cabinet secretary’s proud boasts about funding? David Kennedy of the SPF recently said: “If ministers want a police service that prevents crime, supports victims and responds when communities need it, they must fund policing at the level required”. What is that level? The chief constable told us that the sum in her budget request would strengthen the front line by funding 850 officers and 348 staff. What was this Government’s response? It was £15 million less than the amount that was requested. I credit the Labour motion for not only identifying the problems but for proposing solutions, because there is a need to restore community policing. In October, we set out in our justice policy the need for that to boost confidence in the police, keep people safe, reduce antisocial behaviour and crack down on crime.”
“I remind her that there are around 1,000 fewer officers today than there were in 2020. Despite nearly 20 years of manifesto promises, warm words and targets, there are basically the same number of officers as there were in 2007. Since police officer applications show steep falls, while resignations and retirements are rising, the situation shows no sign of reversal. What is the impact of that? Police Scotland has over 900 fewer police officers who have a decade or more of experience than it did in 2019. Of the officers who are in post, one in seven—more than 2,300—are on light or modified duties due to illness or injury. It is no wonder that Audit Scotland reported last month that there is “no evidence” that the current complements of officers and staff represent the right numbers for future policing demand.”
“We cannot fix a problem if we do not first acknowledge that it exists. That is why the Pollyanna contribution that we have just heard from the cabinet secretary is so concerning, because the fact is that crime is rising and people out there know it. Recorded crime is up by 2 per cent; non- sexual violent crime is up by 3 per cent; and sexual crime is up by 7 per cent. Nearly one in every five adults in Scotland was a victim of at least one crime in 2023-24. Given that the cabinet secretary is so fond of comparisons, it is surprising that she omitted to mention that people are more likely to be a victim of violent crime in Scotland than they are in England and Wales. The cabinet secretary’s amendment would completely delete any reference to police numbers.”
“Emma Harper: I recently compared the number of turbines in Galloway versus other parts of Scotland. It was quite interesting to see what is out there. We need to consider the cumulative impact of the turbines, which a lot of people have contacted me about. They are worried about Galloway being the place where all the turbines are put up. We need to consider that, but we absolutely need to ensure that our communities in the south are at the core of our renewables future. I look forward to the Scottish Government continuing that action, but we definitely need to ensure that the development proposals mean that all communities are involved, engaged with, listened to and included at the beginning of any development. 16:59”
“However, the benefits cannot come at the expense of local communities and their right to be heard when decisions are made about where that investment goes and what it delivers. I want to see international best practice, which means not only consulting communities but involving them in the planning process from the very beginning. As I said earlier, Mr Carson mentioned many groups and people who have contacted me, and it is something that we really— Finlay Carson: Will the member take an intervention? Emma Harper: I do not think that I have time. The Deputy Presiding Officer: You can take a very brief intervention. Emma Harper: Okay, I will take a brief intervention. Finlay Carson: It is a simple question: does Galloway have enough wind turbines?”
“I am deputy convener of the cross-party group on the civil nuclear industry, at which we have seen presentations on the complexity of high-level nuclear waste storage in Scotland, the process of conditioning to make it stable and the requirements of design, monitoring and long-term storage, which are required for decades. Moving to net zero means being serious about renewables and the infrastructure and investment that are needed to get there. The transformation of the former Chapelcross nuclear power station site in Annan into a renewable energy hub demonstrates the impact of investment as it leads the way in research, development and deployment. That transformation is bringing quality, skilled jobs and employment to the south, which is only one example of how the just transition delivers real economic benefits across our country.”
“Does the member concede that no one is proposing to build Hinkley C in Scotland? Small modular reactors are absolutely the future right here, in Scotland. Emma Harper: The last time that I checked, small modular reactors were still more than 20 years away. I am talking about what we need to do now in order to challenge the climate emergency and support biodiversity. One of the issues with nuclear is the challenge of high-level nuclear waste, which is a radioactive by-product that cannot be destroyed and which requires secure, long-term isolation. High-level waste remains hazardous for thousands of years.”
“It is good that Michael Marra has given us the opportunity to highlight an important report that provides a clear strategic direction for the sector as a whole, and to showcase the excellent work that is being done throughout the north-east and Scotland. I look forward to the minister’s response to this important debate. 19:22”
“Let us be clear that, as has been noted, the game engine at NESCol is not only about games development; it is about transferable, vital skills that lend themselves to things such as the energy transition or farming. At the same time, Robert Gordon University continues to strengthen progression routes and degree-level provision for the sector, which is helping to retain talent in the region and support the skills pipeline that is rightly emphasised in the action plan. In fact, both of Aberdeen’s universities are hosting game jams, which provide opportunities for students to come together, get a brief and build a game over the following days.”
“Furthermore, the college’s higher national diploma games design students have worked with Kemnay academy pupils through the Wood Foundation to build a virtual reality game demonstration that is aimed at helping users to learn sign language. It is a true partnership project: the school has the idea, the college team builds and delivers the platform and, ultimately, the pupils visit the Aberdeen city campus to see the results of the demo. Finally, following the launch of the e- sports hub at Fraserburgh campus last year, NESCol has expanded the principle to the Aberdeen city campus to give computing students access to advanced gaming equipment.”
“There is strong and growing activity in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and the wider north- east. For example, North East Scotland College has been delivering industry-linked partnerships and e-sports provisions, investing in specialist facilities, building school-to-college partnerships and securing recognition for its work in digital education and inclusion. NESCol is the first Scottish college to be part of PlayStation first, which is an innovative collaboration with Sony Interactive Entertainment’s global academic programme. It gives the college access to PlayStation development tools and support, which enables the students to use the same hardware as is used by professional studios to build games for PlayStation platforms.”
“I am grateful to Michael Marra for lodging the motion and for the opportunity to make a short contribution. The “Level Up Scotland” report and the strategic direction that it sets out for Scotland’s games sector represent a serious and evidence- led plan that recognises the sector’s economic value and, crucially, the need for better co- ordination across skills, education and enterprise support. In these difficult economic times, particularly for the north-east, I echo the comments in Mr Marra’s motion that a parliamentary debate about scaling the games economy in the way that is set out in the plan’s ambition would be welcome. Although we have, rightly, heard a great deal about the contribution that is made by and in Dundee, I put on record that the sector is nationwide, as Martin Whitfield noted in an earlier intervention.”
“Ash Regan’s bill has as its aim the reduction of violence against women and girls. It is flawed, but it just might—with amendments and determination—achieve that protection and reduce the violence. If it might do that, we have a duty—an obligation—to try. The Government says that there is not time. I say that it must make the time. That is why I shall vote for the bill to proceed at decision time. 16:25”
“Just a fortnight ago, I stood in this very spot and heard a similar excuse for not bringing in a statutory offence of non-fatal strangulation, which is an act of violence that is disproportionately done by men to women. However, I have since discovered that the consultation will not finish until well into the next session of Parliament, despite the fact that the first clear mention of a statutory offence of non-fatal strangulation in this chamber that I can find was in December 2024. As we have heard this afternoon, the consultation on letting criminals out after only 30 per cent of their sentence needed one week, but hey—at least we made time last week to pass stage 1 of the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill and send it to stage 2, even though there is no greyhound racing in Scotland.”
“Just last week, we were here until 10 o’clock at night and then 10.30 the following night to debate 200 amendments in order to pass the Government’s Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill. That suggests to me that the time is there, unless the Government does not want it to be. There is one more key thing that concerns me. What became the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 omitted sex as a protected characteristic in its new offences. Many MSPs tried to include it but, instead, the Government promised us a misogyny bill. It abandoned its promise last summer, citing a lack of time. Instead, the Government says that sex will now be added as a protected characteristic—from April 2027. The minister said that there is not time for proper engagement and consultation.”
“Similarly, the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill had 550 stage 2 amendments, which were considered in five committee sittings over four weeks. Siobhian Brown: Will the member take an intervention? Liam Kerr: Not just now. The Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill had 350 stage 2 amendments, which were considered in four committee sittings. The Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill had 650 amendments, which were considered in two sittings. There are seven and a half weeks left until dissolution. Perhaps there is a concern about the time for stage 3 amendments and debate. However, I recall being required to sit until 10.30 at night and restarting at 8 o’clock the following morning on the Government’s performative and pejorative continuity bills.”