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Showing 60 of 2,096,228 contributions. Latest 30 days: 3,758. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 11 Jun 2026.
Ben Macpherson SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus)
As Willie Rennie referred to, the report by Professor Sir Ian Boyd will be shared publicly, alongside SRUC’s response, after its board meeting later this month. As Willie Rennie will do, the Government and I will consider that report carefully. I look forward to engaging with ...
Willie Rennie (Fife North East) (LD) LD Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus)
The minister will know that Professor Sir Ian Boyd has been commissioned by the board of SRUC to produce a report into the future of the institution in north-east Fife and Cupar for the longer term—a vision that has been long awaited. That report has now been handed over to th...
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus)
I will take a supplementary question from Willie Rennie.
Ben Macpherson SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus)
I thank Michelle Campbell for her kind words, and I welcome her to the chamber. I would simply emphasise that she raises important points that are relevant both to the two colleges that she mentioned, which are either in her constituency or serve her constituents, and to SRUC,...
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus)
That is a little bit off the main question. Minister, do you wish to respond?
Michelle Campbell (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus)
First and foremost, I thank the minister for his dedication to this area. I am glad to see him return as the minister.The sustainability of Scotland’s college sector is vital in strengthening our skilled workforce and supporting our young people into positive destinations. I h...
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus)
I will take a supplementary question from Michelle Campbell.
Ben Macpherson SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus)
I refer to my first answer, but I recognise the importance of the Elmwood campus and that consideration of its future is relevant to skills provision, which was raised by the member, and the local community. If the member wants to write to me with feedback from their engagemen...
Julie MacDougall Reform Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus)
I have recently met farmers across the region who are seriously concerned about the lack of available opportunities for the next generation of skilled rural workers. Courses covering horticulture, animal care and green-keeping were unique local offerings at Elmwood. If Elmwood...
The Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education (Ben Macpherson) SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus)
I thank Julie MacDougall for raising this important issue. Although SRUC is an autonomous institution with responsibility for its own decisions in relation to provision and facilities at Elmwood, I would expect it to take into account the needs of students, staff and the wider...
Julie MacDougall (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Reform Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Scotland’s Rural College (Elmwood Campus)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding the future of the Elmwood campus of Scotland’s Rural College in Cupar. (S7O-00052)
Angela Constance SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · NHS Tayside (Recruitment Freeze)
We are committed to building on progress. There is always more to do. Since July last year, long waits have fallen significantly, with new out-patient waits of more than a year down by 76 per cent and in-patient day-case waits of more than a year down by almost half. That has ...
Heather Anderson (Dundee City West) (SNP) SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · NHS Tayside (Recruitment Freeze)
I thank Mr Marra for his interest in waiting times across NHS Tayside, and I share some of his concerns. However, I am very conscious that the Scottish National Party Government has achieved month-on-month reductions in waiting times for 11 months in a row. I would appreciate ...
Angela Constance SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · NHS Tayside (Recruitment Freeze)
I very much appreciate Mr Marra’s concern, even if I nonetheless believe that it is somewhat misplaced. He might be relieved to know that NHS Tayside is making very clear progress in specialties including gynaecology, for example, where the number of people waiting has reduced...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · NHS Tayside (Recruitment Freeze)
I find deeply disappointing the idea that the Government does not have any position on a recruitment freeze in NHS Tayside for critical posts involved in care. The cabinet secretary should know that there are significant delays—for instance, in gynaecological care and women’s ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · NHS Tayside (Recruitment Freeze)
The Scottish Government leads on the co-ordination of national activity designed to grow and retain the national health service workforce in line with service need. Decisions on the staffing of individual services are matters for health boards, which should ensure that they ha...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · NHS Tayside (Recruitment Freeze)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of NHS Tayside’s recruitment freeze on patient care and waiting times across Dundee and the wider Tayside region. (S7O-00051)
Ben Macpherson SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Barra and Vatersay Community Campus
I underlined our commitment in my first answer: we are working closely with partners, as the majority funder, and we will consider the business case through a robust assurance and approval process once it is submitted.Let us not look back—let us look forward and work together....
Donald MacKinnon Lab Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Barra and Vatersay Community Campus
I plan to be in Barra tomorrow. Can the minister give me a timeline for the delivery of the long-promised campus project so that I can give my constituents in Barra the reassurance that it will finally become a reality?
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Barra and Vatersay Community Campus
Please ask a question.
Donald MacKinnon Lab Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Barra and Vatersay Community Campus
Although I welcome the minister’s commitment to the project, it is now 20 years since it was acknowledged that St Brendan’s hospital was in need of replacement. The people of Barra and Vatersay have had to deal with repeated false starts, delays and broken promises in that tim...
The Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education (Ben Macpherson) SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Barra and Vatersay Community Campus
I welcome Donald MacKinnon to the chamber. I look forward to working constructively with him and I pay tribute to his predecessor, Alasdair Allan.In answer to his important question, the Barra and Vatersay community campus project was included in our programme for government, ...
Donald MacKinnon (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Lab Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Barra and Vatersay Community Campus
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the current status of the Barra and Vatersay community campus project. (S7O-00050)
Angela Constance SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Patient Waiting Times (Moray)
Orthopaedics remains a priority as we continue to focus on the reduction of long waits, which means that in-patient and day-case waits of more than 52 weeks have reduced by almost half. We are also increasing orthopaedics capacity through our national treatment centres, includ...
Laura Mitchell SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Patient Waiting Times (Moray)
I recognise the progress that has been made in recent months to tackle the longest waits for secondary-care patients. However, I have been contacted by several constituents who continue to face lengthy waiting times for orthopaedic surgery. Will the Scottish Government set out...
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Patient Waiting Times (Moray)
My commitment to tackle long waits is unwavering. To date this year, we have invested an additional £100 million to increase capacity and support boards, including NHS Grampian, to build on the progress that we have made in reducing long waits. We have made real and sustained ...
Laura Mitchell (Moray) (SNP) SNP Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Patient Waiting Times (Moray)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce waiting times for patients in Moray. (S7O-00049)
The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time
The first item of business is general question time. In order to get in as many people as possible, I would prefer short and succinct questions and answers to match.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
Thank you, cabinet secretary. That concludes the debate, and—this is my first time saying this—I close this meeting.Meeting closed at 18:45.
Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
It is right to say that, with any kind of disruption—even when Glasgow’s streets are being showcased in international film and TV—we must be considerate of businesses. I am always interested in hearing about ways in which we can do that better.However, there is another angle t...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
I very much share the sentiments of the cabinet secretary and, indeed, all members who have spoken in the debate. However, I want to sound a note of caution in relation to the frequent closure of streets in Glasgow. We know that Glasgow is a very Atlantic-oriented city that of...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic (Màiri McAllan) SNP Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
I thank and congratulate Alyn Smith for securing this member’s business debate, and I also thank members for their speeches. As Stephen Kerr has just reflected, this debate has been positive, and it has given all members—including me, as the new Cabinet Secretary for Education...
Stephen Kerr Con Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
I thought that he gave a very good speech. I think that we are aligned on the idea about brass nameplates. It is important that we extract investment into Scotland. We both live in a place that is benefiting from inward investment and the exciting future that Stirling has in t...
Alyn Smith SNP Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
Such as it is. Laughter.
Stephen Kerr (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
I enjoyed the debate and all the speeches; what a contrast from the previous couple of hours. I congratulate Alyn Smith on securing the motion for his first members’ business debate. I hope that this does not destroy his credibility with his colleagues—
Jenni Minto (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) SNP Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
Meal do naidheachd—congratulations—to my colleague Alyn Smith on securing this members’ business debate on the importance of the screen industry in Scotland.As members will know, I believe that my constituency is Scotland’s most beautiful, because of its land and seascape and ...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
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 predecesso...
Q Manivannan Green Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
I should say that that filming is happening during recess, so I will let the programme makers know that I am available if they need me. My office will be in touch. I have also been informed that I have a passing resemblance, when the right lighting hits me, to Ben Whishaw and ...
The Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education (Ben Macpherson) SNP Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
Considering the points that Q Manivannan has made, will they also share my praise for the programme and celebrate the fact that a second series of “Dept Q” is being filmed on the north-eastern side of Edinburgh, which is creating opportunities and showcasing more of Scotland t...
Q Manivannan (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Green Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
I thank Alyn Smith for securing this debate. I shall begin with a wee bit of a disclosure. I have been informed of a television show called “Dept Q”, which was filmed in and is set in Edinburgh, but it has nothing to do with my office. I was not consulted or invited to auditio...
David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
I thank Alyn Smith for securing this debate. The motion recognises something that is truly worth celebrating—Scotland’s screen sector is growing and it is doing so in places that we might not expect, such as Kirkcaldy and across Fife, where creative ambition, technical skill a...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
I absolutely agree with Mr Melville, and he is right to highlight the cinema in Arbroath. I also point to the independent cinema in Montrose, which is supported by the local port authority on a sponsorship model; it helps to provide the facilities through the funding that it g...
Lloyd Melville (Angus South) (SNP) SNP Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
Mr Marra and I represent the north-east of Scotland, so we also represent the Chalmers cinema in Arbroath. Does he agree that it is incumbent on all of us who want Scotland's screen sector to progress to support independent cinemas by watching films there as often as possible?
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
I thank Alyn Smith for bringing the debate to the chamber; it is very welcome. As he outlined, the screen sector is very important for the whole of Scotland, and he rightly highlighted his own constituency’s particular assets in that respect.The sector makes a significant cont...
Alyn Smith (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
I am delighted to lead my first members’ business debate in the chamber on a subject of great importance not just to Stirling, but to Scotland and, indeed, to all of our constituencies and constituents. It is a success story, and something for us to celebrate, because we are a...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S7M-00188, in the name of Alyn Smith, on growing Scotland’s screen sector. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.I call Alyn Smith to open the debate.Motion debated,That the Parliament wel...
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
The result of the division on motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, as amended, is: For 71, Against 50, Abstentions 0.Motion, as amended, agreed to,That the Parliament believes there is a need to restore publi...
Speaker unknown Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (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)Barratt, ...
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
Your vote has been recorded.
Joe Long (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to vote. I would have voted no.
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
Your vote has been recorded.
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Jenny Gilruth) SNP Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted yes.
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
There will be a division.The vote is closed.
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
The final question is, that motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.3, in the name of Russell Findlay, is: For 53, Against 70, Abstentions 0.Amendment disagreed to.
Speaker unknown Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
ForAhmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab)Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab)Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform)Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD)Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform)Bibby, Neil...
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
There will be a division.
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
The next question is, that amendment S7M-00294.3, in the name of Russell Findlay, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Decision Time
The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.2, in the name of Ross Greer, is: For 70, Against 53, Abstentions 0.Amendment agreed to.
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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 25 October 2018

25 Oct 2018 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Education (Primary 1 National Standardised Assessments)
Gray, Iain Lab East Lothian Watch on SPTV

I thank the cabinet secretary for early sight of his statement.

The cabinet secretary says that he wishes to respect Parliament’s will but that is just not true. The intent of the motion that was agreed to and the will of Parliament could not have been clearer: the national tests in primary 1 should stop. The whole statement was a justification for refusing to respect the motion and for defying Parliament.

The cabinet secretary demands that we focus on educational needs. That is exactly what we did in reaching the conclusion that we reached a month ago. Parliament listened to teachers, parents and the educational arguments and voted accordingly. Mr Swinney’s problem is that he lost those educational arguments.

It is the politics of the cabinet secretary’s denial, his stubbornness and his hubris that must be set aside here. What on earth gives him the right to defy this Parliament?

In the same item of business

The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh) NPA
The next item of business is a statement by John Swinney to give an update on primary 1 national standardised assessments. The cabinet secretary will take qu...
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (John Swinney) SNP
In the period since the debate on P1 assessments, I have considered the arguments that were made and have taken time to discuss ways forward with colleagues ...
The Presiding Officer NPA
We will move now to questions.
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con
I thank the cabinet secretary for his statement. I draw his attention to a comment that he made on 15 March 2001, while criticising the then Scottish Executi...
John Swinney SNP
Presiding Officer, there are a number of points in there and I will need to take time to deal with them. First, I do believe that the will of the Parliament...
Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab) Lab
I thank the cabinet secretary for early sight of his statement. The cabinet secretary says that he wishes to respect Parliament’s will but that is just not ...
John Swinney SNP
When Mr Gray uses the language that he has just used, he betrays what is at the heart of his agenda, which is the politics of all this. That is all that Mr G...
Iain Gray Lab
Neither can you!
John Swinney SNP
I acknowledge that and I have acknowledged it throughout the process.
Iain Gray Lab
Stop it, then.
The Presiding Officer NPA
This is not a conversation, Mr Gray.
John Swinney SNP
That is why I am putting in place an independent review to consider the issues and, by reconsidering the evidence, to do what Mr Gray voted for in the parlia...
Iain Gray Lab
The whole motion was to stop and review.
Johann Lamont (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab
The whole motion.
The Presiding Officer NPA
Mr Gray and Ms Lamont—please.
John Swinney SNP
Mr Gray should not have authored the motion with Liz Smith. If he wanted to stop the tests and not raise the issue of reconsidering the evidence, he should h...
Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green) Green
I thank the Deputy First Minister for the advance copy of his statement and remind him that some of us have taken a consistent position against the testing o...
John Swinney SNP
Mr Greer is absolutely correct to say that the Green Party has taken a consistent position of opposition to the assessments, and I acknowledge that, as I hav...
Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD
I thank the Deputy First Minister for his statement. The review that the Deputy First Minister has mentioned previously was steered by Education Scotland—by...
John Swinney SNP
I may not have made this expressly clear, but the review will not be carried out by Education Scotland; it will be carried out independently of Government an...
Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) SNP
Can the cabinet secretary outline what support the Scottish Government is giving the teachers who are currently administering the assessments?
John Swinney SNP
A variety of training and briefing events have been made available to individual teachers. We have obviously taken into account some of the feedback from the...
Alison Harris (Central Scotland) (Con) Con
The Parliament voted to scrap P1 tests and the Deputy First Minister was adamant that we in Parliament were wrong. He has now commissioned a lengthy review. ...
John Swinney SNP
I have already introduced a number of changes to the second year of standardised assessments, for 2018-19, based on the feedback that we have had from practi...
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) SNP
I thank the cabinet secretary for his statement. I particularly welcome the review that he is putting in place. The P1 assessments have no doubt given rise t...
John Swinney SNP
That has been the consideration in my mind. I could have come here and said that we will do nothing, and that we will not have an independent review. However...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab
I say gently to the cabinet secretary that while it may be a comfort zone for him to impugn the motives of people who raise these issues, the reason why thos...
John Swinney SNP
Johann Lamont frequently accuses me of impugning people’s motives. Maybe I have to look at how I communicate about some of these issues. I do not impugn the ...
Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) SNP
Will the cabinet secretary set out what advice was sought by Aberdeen City Council from Education Scotland regarding the council’s decision to halt national ...
John Swinney SNP
I am not aware of any advice that Aberdeen City Council has sought from Education Scotland. I would not ordinarily be aware of such advice, because Education...