Meeting of the Parliament 20 January 2026
I am pleased to open this stage 3 debate, and I want to start by thanking my predecessor, Graeme Dey, for the remarkable amount of work that he did and for putting in the necessary effort to develop the bill and take it through most of stage 1.
I also thank the committee and all stakeholders who have given their views, time and expertise to shape and refine the bill. I hope that many of them now see that they have positively influenced the bill’s provisions and that it is now a better bill because of them.
I also thank MSP colleagues from across the chamber for their thoughtful and robust contributions, not only today but throughout the process of the bill, and I am grateful for their willingness to engage over recent months. All of those discussions, and the amendments that we have agreed together, have strengthened the bill.
Furthermore, I thank everyone at Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council, Student Awards Agency Scotland and the unions that represent their staff. I know that, for staff at Skills Development Scotland and its board, this is an unsettling time, but I want them to know how much their work is valued and that their contributions will continue to be impactful and appreciated as the bill is implemented and once its implementation is complete. All the staff who are moving from Skills Development Scotland to the Scottish Funding Council will continue to make a significant difference for learners and employers.