Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 27 November 2025
27 Nov 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Bill
I accept that point. I also took on board Stephen Kerr’s point that, in effect, there would be an additional guarantee had we passed Mr Kerr’s amendment 14.
There is a huge amount of uncertainty around this legislation. It is uncertainty not just for the Government, but for those who are paying rates and for councils. It is uncertainty that could do further damage to the commercial property market.
For all those reasons, the Scottish Conservatives cannot support the SNP’s emergency legislation. It is bad legislation, and I suspect that there is a significant legal challenge to come.
18:08In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-19948, in the name of Ivan McKee, on the Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotla...
The Minister for Public Finance (Ivan McKee)
SNP
We are here to rectify a legislative error in the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020. I welcome the Parliament’s recognition of the importance of address...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
The bill will pass, but it will not pass with our support. In all likelihood, this rushed legislation will not fundamentally fix the problem that the Governm...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
I said to your colleague in my contribution at stage 2—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Through the chair.
Christine Grahame
SNP
—that the certificate of legislative competency was not a guarantee. I also said that, frankly, any legislation can be challenged in the courts.
Craig Hoy
Con
I accept that point. I also took on board Stephen Kerr’s point that, in effect, there would be an additional guarantee had we passed Mr Kerr’s amendment 14. ...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I will support the bill, because I recognise the importance of correcting the error that has arisen and the seriousness of the potential consequences if Parl...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind)
Ind
Is the £820 million Barnett consequentials or is it on top of Barnett consequentials?
Mark Griffin
Lab
That is £820 million secured by Anas Sarwar for Scotland, which we hope to see spent properly and not wasted on things such as, potentially, a £350 million b...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Lorna Slater. 18:12
Lorna Slater (Lothian) (Green)
Green
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I do not intend to use my full time. The Scottish Greens understand the seriousness and urgency of this legislation and are co...
Ivan McKee
SNP
I am grateful to everyone across the chamber for coming together to pass this legislation at pace. I do not have much to say other than that the bill is fund...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
That concludes the debate on the Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Bill at stage 3.