Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 24 June 2026 [Draft]
24 Jun 2026 · S7 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Reform UK Priorities
No, thank you.
The positive impact of migration must be embraced if we are to succeed in our ambitions for this country. The Scottish Government recognises the critical importance of migration to secure our economic future and strengthen our communities right across the country. This Government is creating the conditions where all the people of Scotland can contribute to and benefit from the opportunities before us. Both the Scots born here in Scotland and the new Scots who have chosen to make this their home are critical to a strong wellbeing economy that is felt, and communities that thrive.
To deliver more jobs, higher wages and stronger communities, we need to seize the opportunities before us. To do that requires fast action now, deploying people and skills immediately to capture those opportunities. That means helping to attract some of the skills, talent and people from outside of Scotland and apply them here to seize the initiative and capture the benefits of our nation.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S7M-00446, in the name of Malcolm Offord, on Scotland needs Reform: five years to 2031. I invite members who ...
Malcolm Offord (West Scotland) (Reform)
Reform
We have had six weeks of debates on a variety of topics on which the Scottish National Party, as the largest party in the chamber, has set out its vision for...
The Minister for Business and Fair Work (Tom Arthur)
SNP
First, I welcome colleagues across the chamber who join me in condemning the violence, xenophobia and racism that were experienced right here in the streets ...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh North Western) (LD)
LD
I welcome the minister’s remarks about the Edinburgh attacks. Does he recognise, as do members on these benches, that as well as expressing solidarity with t...
Tom Arthur
SNP
I welcome Mr Cole-Hamilton’s remarks and associate myself with them entirely.We want Scotland to be more than just a welcoming country. We want it to be a pl...
Angela Ross (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform)
Reform
The minister talks about being a welcoming nation. Does he also recognise that we must be a functioning nation? Can he explain how the SNP intends to accommo...
Tom Arthur
SNP
The member may wish to dress it up in moderated tones, but let me call it out for the dog-whistle politics that it is. It is utterly transparent. We see it, ...
Angela Ross
Reform
Made a request to intervene.
Tom Arthur
SNP
No, thanks.We have the welcome challenge of an ageing population, and the demographic challenge of imbalances in how our population is spread across the coun...
Max Bannerman (Highlands and Islands) (Reform)
Reform
Made a request to intervene.
Tom Arthur
SNP
No, thank you.The positive impact of migration must be embraced if we are to succeed in our ambitions for this country. The Scottish Government recognises th...
Helen McDade (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform)
Reform
Will the minister take an intervention?
Tom Arthur
SNP
No, thank you.If we get this right, we will build a foundation for the future, locking in investment, jobs and industries that will provide opportunities ove...
Malcolm Offord
Reform
In relation to the much-vaunted jobs in Scotland, how does the minister respond to the fact that, among all the turbines around our country, there is not a s...
Tom Arthur
SNP
I want Scotland to be able to fully benefit from all the economic opportunities, and that is what this Government is committed to doing. This is a devolved G...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister give way?
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson)
SNP
You do not have time to take an intervention, minister.
Tom Arthur
SNP
My sincere apologies, Liam Kerr.However, this is not the full story. Over and above the build-out of our energy grid, Scotland can secure billions more in in...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson)
SNP
I call Daniel Johnson to speak to and move amendment S7M-00446.1.15:23
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Malcolm Offord opened the debate by saying that, through its motion, Reform rejects the SNP’s version of mediocrity. What was clear from the rest of his spee...
Angela Ross
Reform
Will Daniel Johnson give way?
Daniel Johnson
Lab
In a moment.The proposal would also include things that the Government absolutely should not be running, such as the courts service. That is not credible.Lik...
Angela Ross
Reform
Would you not accept that when we talk about Scottish people, we mean people of all colours and faiths who are in Scotland?
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Were it only about the terminology that Reform is using, it would be one thing, but it is not. Let us look at some of the words used by Reform politicians, b...
Malcolm Offord
Reform
Will the member give way?
Daniel Johnson
Lab
I will give way to Malcolm Offord.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson)
SNP
Before that, I remind everyone that they should be talking through the chair and not directly to individuals or groups.
Malcolm Offord
Reform
I say to the member that the only incitement going on is coming from him as he raises his voice in this manner. Interruption. I said on the record last week,...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
If Malcolm Offord does not believe that violence is the answer, why does he use rhetoric about people being of fighting age? What does rhetoric about fightin...
Amanda Bland (Central Scotland and Lothians West) (Reform)
Reform
Will the member take an intervention?