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Hansard

Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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1999–2026

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Official Report

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Showing 60 of 2,096,833 contributions. Latest 30 days: 2,655. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 09 Jun 2026.

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Phone-free Classrooms

Previous Scottish Government guidance on mobile phones in schools was developed by listening to the voices not just of headteachers and school staff but of our young people. It is crucial that we continue to engage with those affected. Will the cabinet secretary outline any pl...

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Phone-free Classrooms

Previous Scottish Government guidance on mobile phones in schools was developed by listening to the voices not just of headteachers and school staff but of our young people. It is crucial that we continue to engage with those affected. Will the cabinet secretary outline any pl...

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time

This week, it was announced that the energy price cap was going to increase by 13 per cent, which will lead to an estimated bill rise of £221. What assessment has been made of the impact that that will have on poverty and child poverty in Scotland?

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Independence Referendum

Not just now, Mr Kerr.Then we have the Labour UK Government, which has increased and extended the windfall tax and now wants to close down Aberdeen’s biggest industry altogether while opening the doors to Russian oil.The Labour Party—irrespective of who is in charge—is betrayi...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Independence Referendum

That was history. We then went and—Interruption. I am surprised that it was the member from the north-east, Liam Kerr, who asked me that question, and not his colleague, who I cannot see in the chamber. Perhaps he is not getting on with the day job but is instead out trying to...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Independence Referendum

I will address the “Drill, baby, drill” mantra later in my speech.There was an acknowledgement that we needed to start investing so that Aberdeen would continue to be prosperous after oil. I remember having those conversations nearly 20 years ago as a councillor, and the hope ...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Independence Referendum

I will take the intervention.

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Independence Referendum

Thank you, Presiding Officer; I welcome you to your new role. I am also delighted to be returned by the good folk of Aberdeen Donside to their Parliament to represent them.Today’s debate is about being ambitious for Scotland. I will start with my simple and greatest ambition f...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Independence Referendum

Not just now, Mr Kerr.Then we have the Labour UK Government, which has increased and extended the windfall tax and now wants to close down Aberdeen’s biggest industry altogether while opening the doors to Russian oil.The Labour Party—irrespective of who is in charge—is betrayi...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Independence Referendum

That was history. We then went and—Interruption. I am surprised that it was the member from the north-east, Liam Kerr, who asked me that question, and not his colleague, who I cannot see in the chamber. Perhaps he is not getting on with the day job but is instead out trying to...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Independence Referendum

I will address the “Drill, baby, drill” mantra later in my speech.There was an acknowledgement that we needed to start investing so that Aberdeen would continue to be prosperous after oil. I remember having those conversations nearly 20 years ago as a councillor, and the hope ...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Independence Referendum

I will take the intervention.

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Independence Referendum

Thank you, Presiding Officer; I welcome you to your new role. I am also delighted to be returned by the good folk of Aberdeen Donside to their Parliament to represent them.Today’s debate is about being ambitious for Scotland. I will start with my simple and greatest ambition f...

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Jacqueline Edith Elizabeth Dunbar, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.Ah, Jacqueline Edith Elizabeth Dunbar, div depone solemnly and si...

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Jacqueline Edith Elizabeth Dunbar, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.Ah, Jacqueline Edith Elizabeth Dunbar, div depone solemnly and si...

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Jacqueline Edith Elizabeth Dunbar, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.Ah, Jacqueline Edith Elizabeth Dunbar, div depone solemnly and si...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Adult Social Care Displaced Worker Scheme

As we have seen for months now, the UK Labour Government is determined to lurch further to the right on immigration than even the Tories were when they were in power. That is having a hugely damaging impact on constituents such as mine, who rely on skilled workers in social ca...

4. Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Adult Social Care Displaced Worker Scheme

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of its recently implemented adult social care displaced worker scheme on social care services. (S6O-05704)

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Climate Change Plan

Ensuring that Scotland can effectively crowd in private investment is an essential part of delivering this plan, not least given the Scottish Government’s limited fiscal levers. Can the cabinet secretary provide any examples of the Scottish Government’s work to make that a rea...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

For transparency, I should probably put my entry in the register of members’ interests on record, convener. I was a councillor at the time that the George Street Cruyff court went through council and was agreed.

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

I believe in bigging up successes. That is why I was asking.

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

Okay, thank you. Debbi, do you want to comment?

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

I will be honest—I did not expect the figure to be 60 per cent. That is a large number. I often see on your Facebook page pictures of certificates being handed out for volunteer hours.Debbi, I will ask you the same questions—I am not leaving you out—but Mark, can you tell us h...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

Your volunteers are absolutely key to everything that you do. How many of your volunteers attended your sessions as bairns and have come back?

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

I put the same question to Mark.

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

Do you mean in Spartans or outwith it?

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Committee

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

Good morning. Thank you very much for taking the time to come along. As the Aberdeen Donside MSP, I absolutely know the benefits that the Denis Law Legacy Trust gives across Aberdeen and I wish that there could be that effect in other cities, too.I am not so much aware of the ...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

After the session resumed, I had difficulty reconnecting. When my app connected, I voted no and I thought that I had one second to spare, but my app said that I still had 15 seconds to spare. I want to double check that my vote has gone through.

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app is still counting down, so I am unsure whether my vote has registered. I would have voted no.

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Like Jamie Greene, I have, for a change, been mostly silent in the chamber. Does the member agree that there are currently no safeguards when a dying person attempts to take their own life or when they travel overseas for an assisted death? Under the current law, vulnerable fo...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Does Liam McArthur agree that this parliamentary session has seen the biggest uplift for palliative care funding since the time of the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill in 2015 and that your bill has put palliative care back on the agenda in a way that has not been the case in ...

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes.

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Budget 2026-27 (Apprenticeships)

It is vital that Scotland’s young people have support and opportunities to access the pathways that best fit their interests and skill sets. Following Scottish apprenticeship week, how is the Scottish National Party Government continuing to ensure that an array of positive des...

7. Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Budget 2026-27 (Apprenticeships)

To ask the Scottish Government how its budget 2026-27 will support apprenticeships. (S6O-05641)

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Although the report by HIS and the MWC is specific to Skye house, does the minister agree that it is important to consider any lessons for improving access to mental health services in Scotland in a wider context?

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

That sounds promising.

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

How do you see that changing? As you said, sitting in a hall in front of a table is probably everybody’s worst nightmare—or most people’s—and sometimes we do not get the best out of people by doing that. What could we do to ensure that the person gets the qualification but doe...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Would anybody else like to come in?

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Good morning. I have a very quick question. What are the main aims of the reforms to qualifications—and what would they be, if you ruled the world?

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

When you talk about looking at progress, I presume that you mean for the individual pupil.

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Sorry—you have to keep it simple for me; I do not do acronyms.

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Sorry—they use what?

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Is that at a national or a local level?

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Committee

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Good morning. Will the new framework in the approach to curriculum for excellence lead to more consistency? How is the tension between consistency and coherence and local autonomy being navigated?

Jackie Dunbar SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund

While the Labour Government continues to sit on its hands, it is encouraging to hear about the bold action that the Scottish National Party Government is taking to tackle child poverty and help families with the cost of living. Does the cabinet secretary agree that, if the Uni...

4. Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the child poverty practice accelerator fund and how it is supporting families in Scotland with the cost of living. (S6O-05606)

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time

Industry experts have warned that global uncertainty could lead to increased fuel prices. With that in mind, the Labour Party must rethink its planned hikes to fuel duty, which will hit hard-working families in Scotland hard. Does the First Minister believe that, when Scotland...

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Banking Charges for Charities and Not-for-profit Organisations

I thank every member who took the time to sign my motion in order to allow the debate to go ahead.“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”Matthew, chapter 16, verse 26.I lodged the motio...

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Ferguson Marine

Can the Deputy First Minister say any more about the choice of the four vessels and why they are ideal candidates for the development and success of the yard?

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Protecting Children from Harm

The national review that is being carried out by the inspectorates is vital—particularly its third phase, which is on improvement. Will the cabinet secretary assure me that that work will continue alongside the inquiry and that, if changes in practices or processes are identif...

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Economic Strategy

Scotland’s economy is being hammered by a UK Government that is out of touch with Scotland’s needs. Rising employer national insurance contributions, the lack of support for Scotland’s industries and the energy profits levy are costing jobs and investment and are putting the s...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

:Thank you.How are survivors being engaged with and involved in the national review of group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation? How will the review ensure that they are being involved in a meaningful and trauma-informed way?

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

:It just makes sense to me: if an inquiry publishes the recommendations as it goes along, it gives people a better chance to discuss them and say, “Well, that’s a good idea, but this is the sticking point.” It means that people are not faced with the final conclusion, when all...

Jackie Dunbar SNP Committee

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

:I will not go into details, but were some of the recommendations not taken up because there were sticking points for particular organisations that meant they were unable to act? If that were to happen in Scotland, could there be a way to unstick those problems?

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Committee

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Good morning—it seems a wee while since we started. I take the opportunity to thank you all not only for coming along today, but for the briefings that you provided and for the private briefing before the meeting. As difficult as it can sometimes be to hear such information, i...

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time

The news that Donald Russell is to close its operations in Inverurie is devastating for its workers and their families across Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen city. It is yet another example of a business that is struggling to cope with sky-high energy costs, which have soared on th...

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Local Arts, Heritage and Culture Services (Local Government Funding)

I welcome the record local government settlement in the budget and the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to uplifting the culture budget. Does the cabinet secretary agree that our communities are richer for our culture, and can he say any more about how that investmen...

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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 02 June 2026 [Draft]

02 Jun 2026 · S7 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Phone-free Classrooms

Dunbar, Jackie SNP Aberdeen Donside Watch on SPTV

Previous Scottish Government guidance on mobile phones in schools was developed by listening to the voices not just of headteachers and school staff but of our young people. It is crucial that we continue to engage with those affected. Will the cabinet secretary outline any plans to consult our young folk on the changes that she is proposing?

In the same item of business

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP

The next item of business is a statement by Màiri McAllan on phone-free classrooms. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of her statement and...

The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic (Màiri McAllan) SNP

My priority is to ensure that our school environments support pupils to thrive and to reach their full potential. There is no doubt that new and evolving tec...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP

The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues that were raised in her statement. I intend to allow about 20 minutes for questions, after which ...

Angela Ross (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Reform

Thank you for your speech, cabinet secretary. We support the ban of mobile phones in schools to help to ensure focus in classrooms and to support teachers in...

Màiri McAllan SNP

I thank Angela Ross for her question and her support for the policy. I hope that we can continue to garner that support right across the chamber. I also ackn...

Katherine Sangster (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Lab

I thank the cabinet secretary for the advance notice of her statement.We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to making progress on mobile phone-free...

Màiri McAllan SNP

I would reflect a similar experience to that of Katherine Sangster. She mentioned having spoken with a number of parents who are keen to see this carefully d...

Patricia Gibson (Cunninghame South) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the cabinet secretary’s statement. As a former English teacher of 25 years’ experience, I have front-line experience of how destructive and distrac...

Màiri McAllan SNP

It is not at all daunting to have one former teacher sitting next to me and one over my shoulder, but that helps to stress how much I hope that we can delive...

David Kirkwood (South Scotland) (Reform) Reform

Deputy Presiding Officer, congratulations on your election, and congratulations to the cabinet secretary on hers.Does the cabinet secretary agree that given ...

Màiri McAllan SNP

In my response to Katherine Sangster, I reflected that, anecdotally and in a constituency capacity, parents and teachers have said to me that a national posi...

Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP

Deputy Presiding Officer, I also welcome you to your role.As doctors have recently warned that social media can be just as harmful to children as smoking, I ...

Màiri McAllan SNP

I hope that, when the changes come into force, we will find that disruption in the classroom is lessened, that concentration in the classroom is heightened a...

Jenny Young (Central Scotland and Lothians West) (Lab) Lab

I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of her statement today. I am very glad that the Scottish National Party has shifted its position on the issue...

Màiri McAllan SNP

I thank Jenny Young for her insights, and I will add her as another teacher whose input I look forward to getting in this role. I assure her that teachers’ v...

Dawn Black (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) SNP

Introducing phone-free classrooms will provide greater consistency across Scotland, but will the cabinet secretary say more on what exemptions might be made ...

Màiri McAllan SNP

I am pleased to note that the guidance that my colleague the former education secretary developed had exemptions at its heart. The guidance provided a strong...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP

I call Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill, who will be followed by Marie McNair, who will ask the final question.

Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Green

The cabinet secretary has outlined that existing guidance gives schools the power to ban the use of mobile phones, with the Government’s support. Although we...

Màiri McAllan SNP

Trust is vital, and we absolutely trust our school leaders and teachers to lead the policy. That is why the Deputy First Minister’s guidance put them front a...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP

We actually have a bit more time for questions. Marie McNair will be followed by Meghan Gallacher.

Marie McNair (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP

I welcome you to your role, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I congratulate the cabinet secretary on her new appointment.The vast majority of Scotland’s pupils ...

Màiri McAllan SNP

I associate myself with Marie McNair’s question. Recently, I spoke to a guidance teacher who said that, almost exclusively, she begins her mornings by dealin...

Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland and Lothians West) (Con) Con

We are all aware of the negative impact that mobile phones can have on young people, from bullying to disruption and violence in our classrooms. The Scottish...

Màiri McAllan SNP

I would reflect to Meghan Gallacher that the law in Scotland is as it stands, and the Government’s position has long been that we cannot unilaterally impleme...

Willie Rennie (Fife North East) (LD) LD

Legislation to control the use of mobile phones in schools is certainly a welcome step, but I ask the cabinet secretary to look further at the use of digital...

Màiri McAllan SNP

I would certainly be interested to engage with Willie Rennie on the growing body of concern that he has spoken of regarding the use of digital devices being ...

Jackie Dunbar (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) SNP

Previous Scottish Government guidance on mobile phones in schools was developed by listening to the voices not just of headteachers and school staff but of o...

Màiri McAllan SNP

Jackie Dunbar is absolutely right. The principle of meaningful participation is central to the adoption of a children’s rights-based approach and is a genera...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP

Thank you, cabinet secretary. My apologies to the members I could not call in the time that we had allotted.