Alexander Burnett
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party · Scotland
“The report upholds complaints relating to ventilation and water cleanliness during critical parts of the Baird family hospital and ANCHOR design and construction phases.”
“The powers that be have apologised to the whistleblower, who was a respected practitioner in the national health service for many years, because they could see NHS Scotland Assure making exactly the same mistakes that it was set up to avoid—mistakes that made children ill in 2017 and resulted in the deaths of children and adults, with rep…”
“The financial waste itself would normally necessitate a ministerial statement—the overrun is five times NHS Grampian’s deficit, and the board is in special measures due to serious financial issues.”
“Although I welcome the offer to meet Neil Gray, I am afraid that, given that we are at the end of this session of Parliament, the seriousness of the issue and the possible opening of the ANCHOR centre in July mean that greater scrutiny is required, because what is at stake here is a repeat of the tragedy that occurred in the Queen Elizabe…”
“That departure from normal procedure follows a meeting to discuss the high risks—the imminent opening of the buildings, the on-going failure to address infection prevention and control risks in the Baird family hospital and the ANCHOR centre, and the on-going water safety concerns.”
“We need to know that the Government’s mistakes have been learned from and that the hospital will be the very best hospital that it can be for decades to come, and will save thousands of lives without harming a single one.”
The complete record
Every one of 82 lines we hold for Alexander Burnett, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 2.
“I, Alexander James Amherst Burnett of Leys, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me”
“We need to know that the Government’s mistakes have been learned from and that the hospital will be the very best hospital that it can be for decades to come, and will save thousands of lives without harming a single one. I ask members to back my amendment and ensure that the tragedy of the Queen Elizabeth university hospital will not be repeated. I move amendment S6M-21035.1, to insert after second “followed by Topical Questions”: “followed by Ministerial Statement: Update on Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR Centre”. The Presiding Officer: I call the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. 22:05”
“The powers that be have apologised to the whistleblower, who was a respected practitioner in the national health service for many years, because they could see NHS Scotland Assure making exactly the same mistakes that it was set up to avoid—mistakes that made children ill in 2017 and resulted in the deaths of children and adults, with repercussions that are still being felt years later. If NHS Grampian can see that change is needed, and if the independent national whistleblowing officer is concerned enough to depart from normal processes, should the health secretary not explain to the Parliament his knowledge of the issue; whether he can provide a cast-iron guarantee that all infection control measures have been resolved; and whether Lord Brodie’s recommendations will be 100 per cent acted on?”
“That departure from normal procedure follows a meeting to discuss the high risks—the imminent opening of the buildings, the on-going failure to address infection prevention and control risks in the Baird family hospital and the ANCHOR centre, and the on-going water safety concerns. The whistleblowing officer has also been in contact with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and NHS Scotland Assure about their concerns. The whistleblower met the chief executive and director of improvement at NHS Grampian last week, who apologised for what has happened and acknowledged that concerns were not listened to. They assured the whistleblower that they plan to change the culture and improve governance.”
“The independent national whistleblowing officer has now taken the step of having to extract the full report from NHS Grampian, which will not even release the details to the person who made the complaints and compiled all the evidence. They were told during the process that information contained in the report could never leave the top tiers of NHS Grampian—the insinuation being that that would create some kind of tidal wave of job losses. The whistleblowing officer, in a departure from their usual process, has contacted NHS Grampian with urgent questions to be answered by this Friday.”
“The report upholds complaints relating to ventilation and water cleanliness during critical parts of the Baird family hospital and ANCHOR design and construction phases. That includes that the healthcare associated infection system for controlling risk in the built environment—HIA- SCRIBE—guidance was not followed; that the infection prevention control team was not listened to; that public money has been wasted due to HIA- SCRIBE guidance and internal infection prevention and control warnings not being followed; and that patient safety and staff wellbeing have been negatively impacted. However, this report was denied to me by the chief executive of NHS Grampian. NHS Grampian told me that sharing the report with me would compromise the whistleblower, despite my submitting a consent form from the whistleblower themselves.”
“The financial waste itself would normally necessitate a ministerial statement—the overrun is five times NHS Grampian’s deficit, and the board is in special measures due to serious financial issues. However, more worrying than financial incompetence is the serious health and safety concerns that are not being shared with the public, which have come to light in a whistleblower’s report, of which I have a shortened version with me. The report on NHS Grampian, which was commissioned by NHS Highland, reveals a host of failures in the design and construction of these sites in Aberdeen. There are concerns from expert eyewitnesses about a catalogue of mistakes around ventilation, mould and flood risk at facilities where children and cancer patients will soon go to get better.”
“Although I welcome the offer to meet Neil Gray, I am afraid that, given that we are at the end of this session of Parliament, the seriousness of the issue and the possible opening of the ANCHOR centre in July mean that greater scrutiny is required, because what is at stake here is a repeat of the tragedy that occurred in the Queen Elizabeth university hospital. For context, the Baird family hospital and the ANCHOR centre are now six years behind schedule and more than £330 million over budget. Some of these costs are inflationary, but some are due to contractors ripping out newly installed works because designs were not approved, materials were not protected and clinical sign-off was not obtained.”
“My apologies to colleagues for taking additional time at this late hour, but I hope for some understanding when they hear the seriousness of the issue that has led to my amendment. The amendment seeks to add a statement on the urgent situation regarding the Baird family hospital and the Aberdeen and north centre for haematology, oncology and radiotherapy, which is known as the ANCHOR centre, and I hope that there will be cross-party support for it. I put my request through the proper channels at the bureau, which was denied.”
“To ask the Scottish Government how the recent Court of Session ruling on the Wull Muir scheme in the Borders will impact on its energy policy and strategy. (S6O-05577)”
“He will talk about how Aberdeenshire Council is responsible for its budget, as Swinney did last week when he refused to help the Aboyne bridge group. He will pass the buck on to COSLA and its funding formula, knowing that it does not reflect rurality. When will the Government take responsibility and govern, rather than hiding behind organisations that it controls? Politics is about spending choices, and the SNP Government is choosing to defund and destroy our rural communities. 12:57”
“A proper Scottish Government would have improvement initiatives such as offering golden hello payments to encourage people to move from the central belt and would invest in local training opportunities so that people could work in their communities. If members think that the situation is bad now, they should just wait. Audit Scotland forecasts that Scottish Government funding will fall in real terms in 2028. Things are going to get worse. Will the minister take any responsibility? He will undoubtedly talk about balancing the budget, as though it is an achievement rather than a legal obligation. He will talk about Conservatives not backing the SNP’s budget or identifying savings, despite the fact that we pointed out that independence spending had rocketed by £36 million and that there was a 25 per cent spike in foreign aid.”
“Waiting lists are at record highs, ambulance stacking at Aberdeen royal infirmary has caused chaos and care homes that need to run at capacity to survive have empty beds because it is cheaper for the SNP Government to ignore bed blocking than it is to fund people to be cared for in their community. That is having tragic consequences for people’s lives. While our NHS staff are working hard under incredible pressures, we also face recruitment challenges. That is affecting GP surgeries such as the one in Kintore, which has reduced hours, because it does not have sufficient doctors to operate full time. Other GP surgeries, such as the practice in Alford, are being taken over by mega- practices, where oversight is non-existent and GP to patient ratios have plummeted.”
“On health, NHS Grampian is, per capita, the second lowest funded national health service board, yet its elderly population is among the fastest growing. NHS Grampian is £45 million over budget, and, last year, the overspend was £65 million—the highest in Scotland—with auditors warning that staffing levels might have to be slashed. While the SNP sits back and asks NHS Grampian to make further cuts, costs are still increasing. In Grampian, we have just 1.4 beds per 1,000 people, and there are now no minor injury units on Deeside. Community hospitals have been closed, despite the promises that the SNP made at the election in 2021.”
“Can the minister even begin to comprehend what that will look like? Rural schools are also at risk. Last year, I campaigned with parents to save four nurseries, but they are still under threat. When services are cut, rural areas are hit hardest as resources are redirected to larger settlements. That only encourages rural depopulation. It is no wonder that the SNP Government stands accused of modern- day Highland clearances. It is no surprise that, two years in a row, the Local Government Information Unit has found that there is no confidence in local government finances. It has called for the Government to review how local authorities are financed and the funding formula for distribution. Without that, our councils have no option but to increase council tax to make up for the Government’s failure to provide a fair share to the north-east.”
“Morality is not understood by this Government. The SNP might have seen the countryside on its way to a photo call, but it is incapable of making policy that gives places such as the north-east their fair share. Population sparsity, geographic area, failing infrastructure and travel times all have a huge impact on services. Aberdeenshire has more than 3,000 miles of roads to maintain—more than double that in Glasgow. It has 1,800 bridges— more per capita than anywhere else in Scotland. Aboyne bridge has been shut for more than two years, forcing people to take a 20-mile detour. It will cost £15 million to repair it or £30 million to replace it. However, that is just one of 200 Aberdeenshire bridges that require repairs and, over the next 20 years, 317 bridges might be forced to close.”
“There are now no adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism assessments, and hundreds of people are on waiting lists, left in the dark without support. Despite Aberdeenshire’s fragility in the face of flooding, erosion and extreme cold, there were cuts to winter resilience at a time when communities should be getting more support. In an attempt to save money, 1,200 grit bins were cut, leaving some communities without any. However, that is robbing Peter to pay Paul, because the council also shares half a health and social care partnership deficit. That means that, when somebody slips and breaks their hips, the potential cost is much greater. This is not a challenge to be tackled as a test for the public sector; it is an unwinnable scenario, in which the elderly, road users and council tenants have been set up to fail.”
“The SNP budget for 2026-27 falls £1 billion short of what the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities called for and fails to deliver COSLA’s demand for £750 million to fill the cracks in social care. The Institute for Fiscal Studies highlighted that the SNP’s budget for health and social care, which covers hospitals and general practitioners, will fall in real terms. Local services do not get the funding that they need and, as a result, the most vulnerable suffer. Aberdeenshire Council is the fourth lowest funded local authority. It has the sixth highest population, yet it receives £50 million less than the Scottish average. That forces cuts across all non- statutory services.”
“I thank those who have supported the motion, which echoes a joint statement put out by 22 community councils in Aberdeenshire. For 19 years, Scotland has struggled under the Scottish National Party. Our councils are underfunded, education standards are slipping, rural nurseries and primary schools are closing, our roads are full of potholes, our bridges are crumbling and our national health service is at breaking point. However, Scotland is the highest-taxed part of the United Kingdom. We need a Government that will focus on Scotland’s priorities. For years, there have been repeated calls for the SNP to provide more funding to support local services. Our councils are stretched thin, while the Scottish Government receives the largest settlement of £50 billion from Westminster.”
“To continue that good work, these organisations need reliable funding cycles and a new Scotland strategy for red squirrel conservation, as the current one is just drawing to a close. We could also see improvements to the forestry grant system to better support grey squirrel control. I end by wishing the nature champions initiative every success for the new parliamentary session. I hope that we can see improved support from the next Government for protecting our red squirrels. 18:04”
“We have a chance to remove grey squirrels and give red squirrels the best opportunity of surviving. Grey squirrels carry squirrel pox, which is a terrible disease, and they also compete with the red squirrels for food and habitat. I will not go into my culinary skill of serving up grey squirrels, as it is already in the Official Report, but I urge people to do whatever they can to help organisations such as the Scottish Wildlife Trust and its saving Scotland’s red squirrels project by trapping and reporting sightings. On 21 January, it was red squirrel appreciation day, which marked a milestone of nearly a quarter of a million recorded sightings. Everyone can play a part in helping that particular species.”
“I am not sure whether promotion is the right word, but I am now the champion for the red squirrel, which, if nothing else, is certainly more photogenic and one of Scotland’s most iconic species, given that we have 80 per cent of the UK’s red squirrel population, which has declined by about 90 per cent in the past 150 years as grey squirrels have taken over, no more so than in Scotland. However, in Aberdeenshire, we have a chance to eradicate the grey squirrel. Some individuals— no doubt they were well intentioned—took some grey squirrels from the central belt and released them in Aberdeen, where they then spread out along the Dee and the Don. In the past decade, we have had successful projects to trap grey squirrels and push them back into Aberdeen.”
“I commend John Mason for securing the debate and the work of Scottish Environment LINK, not just for selecting MSPs but for the support that it gives to MSPs with their particular species. A measure of LINK’s success was the event last year, which I had the pleasure of sponsoring on its behalf, and where we had more than 100 MSPs. I started off life as the champion for the freshwater pearl mussel, which is now getting its second mention of the evening, as I inherited it from Mary Scanlon. I am sure that Audrey Nicoll is looking after that species as well as the pair of us did.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work that it is doing to recognise rurality in local government finance settlements. (S6O-05464)”
“To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the recruitment of teachers in rural areas. (S6O-05445)”
“I urge the cabinet secretary to listen to the cases that are being raised tonight and commit to ensuring that councils have the necessary funding to stop our rural communities from being divided. 17:43”
“Emergency vehicles are experiencing longer journey times, businesses are suffering through reduced footfall or increased costs, and communities are suffering as their links to other communities are broken. The root cause of the problem is the Scottish Government’s chronic underfunding of Aberdeenshire Council. After meeting with the community on the bridge at Aboyne on Monday, I wrote to the First Minister, because enough is enough. This is not an ask; it is now a demand for John Swinney to come to Aboyne to rectify an intolerable situation that has literally divided the community. I hope that John Swinney will accept my invitation to visit the Fix Aboyne Bridge Community Action Group to explain why the Scottish Government has so far refused to provide the support for reopening this essential bridge.”
“Roll on to 2023, and Aboyne bridge was closed to traffic, forcing people to make a 20-mile round trip over neighbouring Dinnet bridge, which itself is now on red alert. Early proposals suggested that Aboyne bridge would reopen in 2027, but, just before Christmas, investigations revealed that the damage was worse than was previously thought, and now the bridge might be closed to pedestrians and cyclists, too. Repairs could cost up to £15 million, and a replacement could cost £30 million, but residents know that the council simply does not have the funds available to make the necessary repairs. It is worth highlighting that those costs are for just one bridge. More than 100 bridges in Aberdeenshire are now on the critical list—those bridges are either closed or at risk of closure in the next four years.”
“I thank Tim Eagle for bringing this critical issue to the chamber for debate. In my Aberdeenshire West constituency, bridge infrastructure has been an issue since I was first elected a decade ago. Park bridge closed in 2019 and, seven years later, despite the community’s wishes, there are no plans to reopen it, as Aberdeenshire Council simply does not have the funds. Now, the communities of Drumoak and Durris are separated by a 16-mile round trip. Back then, I pointed out that, if Aberdeenshire Council had to spend £5 million a year to maintain its 1,800 bridges but was able to afford only half that amount, you did not need to be a bridge engineer to foresee the consequences. At that time, there were only 55 bridges on the critical list.”
“If I am wrong about this, I will speak to Mr Burnett, but I am quite sure that the consequentials that would flow from the investments that are planned by the UK Government are already outstripped by what we propose to invest in the coming four years.”
“With the Scottish budget fast approaching, when the cabinet secretary met Homes for Scotland, was she able to support its calls regarding any increased capital consequential funding coming to Scotland to provide support for first-time buyers, to confirm multiyear funding commitments to the affordable housing supply programme, and to provide increases to the planning budget to ensure that resource and capacity are increased? Màiri McAllan: I meet Homes for Scotland regularly and speak to it in detail about its proposals. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government will set out the content of the budget in due course.”
“In September, the minister with responsibility for planning and I wrote to planning authorities across Scotland, setting out our expectation of proportionality when dealing with SMEs. Alexander Burnett: Is the cabinet secretary aware that, between the late timing of the United Kingdom budget and the traditional Christmas slowdown, house sales have dropped for longer than usual, with some developers pausing work on sites? That will make Tuesday’s statistics on new starts and completions even bleaker.”
“I refer members to my entry regarding construction in the register of members’ interests. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support small and medium-sized enterprise house builders. (S6O-05319) The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan): As well as discussing the needs of SME house builders at the Homes for Scotland board, which the First Minister and I attend, I have held subsequent bespoke discussions with the SME sector, to listen to its views and ideas. We have reflected many of those discussions in our emergency action plan, with specific cross- Government intervention to better support SME builders and Scotland’s housing sector, including lending by the Scottish National Investment Bank, investment of up to £4.9 billion and, as I mentioned, the introduction of that new all-tenure target.”
“My constituent Matthew Gready of Dunecht will incur a £125,000 loss on the sale of his property. That is all evidenced by qualified chartered surveyors, and it is all because of a proposed Kintore to Tealing pylon route. What assessment has the cabinet secretary made of the financial impact of those pylon routes on home owners, and will she establish a compensation scheme for residents who can demonstrate material financial loss arising from the pylons that will lead to the destruction of rural Scotland? Gillian Martin: Mr Burnett is referring to an application that has not been put into the Scottish Government’s energy consents unit. Even when it is a live application, he knows full well that I cannot discuss it in public. [Gillian Martin has corrected this contribution. See end of report.] Video Games Sector 7.”
“That deadline has passed, yet seal predation continues unchecked. The Government’s third review of the seal licensing system, which was published in September, recognises that even a small number of seals can have a damaging impact on wild salmon populations. The same review recommends clearer guidance and more flexible licensing options for conservation purposes, specifically to address seal-salmon interaction in rivers. However, feedback to an application this year showed that NatureScot views seal control as unnecessary. Will the cabinet secretary correct that and commit to real action? Will the cabinet secretary listen to Deeside and ensure that seal licensing is not just considered but progressed, before the conservation of Scotland’s endangered salmon is added to the ever-growing list of Scottish National Party failures? 13:05”
“I have received a substantial volume of correspondence from constituents, who raise serious concerns about the increased seal activity. To understand the issue, we must first understand the numbers. Seals eat between 4,000 and 5,000 salmon on the Dee each year, and a salmon will lay more than 6,000 eggs; therefore, the river is losing about 24 million eggs each year. The Dee’s catch this year was 1,500 salmon, and its population is only 11,000 salmon. Despite 45 per cent of the Dee’s salmon stock being removed by seals, the Scottish Government has stated that seal control is unnecessary. That directly contradicts the commitments that were made in April 2024, when NatureScot, the marine directorate and Fisheries Management Scotland acknowledged the problem and pledged to find solutions by October.”
“The dangers of salmon farming are clear, and I am glad to see this morning that, even if the Scottish Government will not act, the King has continued his purge of titles by removing his royal warrant from Mowi, Scotland’s largest salmon farm. The move is described as “a wake- up call” by campaigners and is one that I hope spurs the Government into action. However, we need a positive strategy that focuses on restoring wild stocks through hatchery support and habitat restoration. One of the most urgent threats that Scotland’s rivers face today is seal predation. Seals are now frequently observed far upstream in the Dee, even as far up as Banchory, where they are causing significant damage to already vulnerable salmon stocks.”
“Atlantic salmon are now officially classified as an endangered species in Scotland, yet they play a central role in our ecosystem and economy. Wild fisheries contribute more than £100 million annually to the national economy—supporting jobs, tourism and local businesses. The Dee alone accounts for £15 million of that, and it plays a vital role in the north- east economy and the constituency of Aberdeenshire West. In 2022, the Scottish Government published its wild salmon strategy, but, since then, we have seen no meaningful action. External damage is caused by sewage spills, but monitoring of Scottish Water’s activities on the Dee is almost completely absent. Further damage is caused by the salmon farming industry. The recent storm Amy saw 75,000 farmed salmon escape, to the detriment of wild salmon.”
“I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests regarding the River Dee. I previously had the privilege of serving as the Scottish Environment LINK species champion for the freshwater pearl mussel, and I am delighted that Audrey Nicoll has taken on that role and has brought today’s debate to the chamber. I support the motion, which addresses the urgent need to protect our rivers and the species that depend on them. The River Dee is recognised as a special area of conservation for its efforts to protect Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussels and otters. Despite its protected status, the River Dee remains in crisis. Wild Atlantic salmon numbers have dropped to critical levels—NatureScot reports a 70 per cent decline in population over the past 25 years.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with national health service boards regarding their winter resilience plans. (S6O-05075)”
“Amendment 313 disagreed to. Amendments 314 and 315 not moved. Amendment 316 moved—[Meghan Gallacher]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 316 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“Apologies, Presiding Officer. I did not mean to make a point of order. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Oliver Mundell has a point of order. We are unable to hear it, so we will proceed. For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) [Proxy vote cast by Willie Rennie] Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 47, Against 63, Abstentions 0.”
“Neil Gray: Alexander Burnett understands the nature of the contractual obligations that are in place through the contract, and the obligations that are on boards to ensure that GP practices deliver on their contractual obligations. The point that he raised about that particular practice is concerning. I am keen to be furnished with more detail from him on that, so that everything possible can be done to ensure that we have a GP to patient ratio that is commensurate with the type of service that we expect and the access to services that we expect, which has been made plain to GPs and health boards. Youth Employment Support (Rutherglen) 7.”
“Constituents are becoming concerned about the lack of oversight of privately contracted GP surgeries, such as the Alford Medical Group practice, which has a ratio of one GP to 6,000 patients—more than three times higher than the national average. The company poorly delivering that NHS Grampian contract is also serving Ayrshire. Although health boards have visibility of who they contract GP services with, they do not have visibility of contracts that are held with other health boards. That makes it impossible to hold accurate data on GP-to-patient ratios, as GPs might work across different practices and in different health board areas. What steps will the cabinet secretary take to ensure full transparency on contracted medical practices across Scotland?”
“To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the potential impact of the funding allocated in its budget 2025-26 on Aberdeenshire Council’s ability to invest in local infrastructure and support economic development. (S6O-04970)”
“To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that 183 police stations need repairs, 177 contain asbestos and four contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. (S6O-04939)”
“The Presiding Officer: I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Mark Griffin will fall. The next question is, that amendment S6M- 18780.3, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, which seeks to amend motion S6M-18780, in the name of Craig Hoy, on the impact of accommodating asylum seekers on Scottish local government, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“Motion, as amended, agreed to, That the Parliament notes that Scotland’s public services have been hampered by the UK Conservative administration’s austerity budgets; recognises the deep harm that the UK Conservative administration has done to the economies of the UK and Scotland with Brexit, and that this has reduced Scotland’s public spending by £2.3 billion annually; further recognises that this loss of public finances impacts on Scotland’s vital public services, including Scotland’s NHS, support for a just transition, and skills training; notes that a public sector reform programme is underway with the aim of saving public money while protecting the delivery of frontline services; believes that the UK Labour administration should either explore the application of wealth taxation or devolve the necessary powers to Scotland so that the Scottish Parliament can do so; welcomes that the Scottish Government has already announced plans for a three-year spending review to be published alongside the upcoming Budget, and believes that it is only with the powers of independence and full control of the fiscal levers that a truly sustainable and fair system can be developed to support efficiency and public service delivery.”
“For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) [Proxy vote cast by Willie Rennie] The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-18779, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on improving Scotland’s finances, as amended, is: For 66, Against 54, Abstentions 0.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My device would not connect to the voting system. I would have voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Burnett. We will ensure that your vote is recorded.”