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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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2,095,827

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1999–2026

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Official Report

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Showing 60 of 2,095,827 contributions. Latest 30 days: 2,655. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 09 Jun 2026.

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Will all the guidance be updated, given the current situation?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

I will pick up on a question that I asked the previous panel about how we can simplify the system. Some businesses operate across different local authorities. Members of the previous panel said that it can be incredibly difficult for them, because local authorities provide dif...

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

That is depressing, but thank you.

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

So if I was a business owner with properties across a number of local authorities, the reliefs that would be available to me would have different names.

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Until things are looked at again, it certainly sounds as though good guidance and education for businesses about what they can get, and in what way, will be very important.

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

It must be pretty scary for a business to have had that relief but then just miss it and, as Leon Thompson said, go through a myriad of different relief forms. How will we support businesses to get through what they will have to do?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

You gave the example of the business that had fallen just outwith eligibility for the small business bonus scheme. Is that normal? Are businesses falling just outwith, then having to go into that sort of—

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

It is good to see the panel members here again.Garry, you discussed the 100 per cent small business bonus scheme and said that some businesses are falling out of that scheme and do not get that relief any more. Do you have a sense of how many businesses will still get that rel...

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Will all the guidance be updated, given the current situation?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

I will pick up on a question that I asked the previous panel about how we can simplify the system. Some businesses operate across different local authorities. Members of the previous panel said that it can be incredibly difficult for them, because local authorities provide dif...

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

That is depressing, but thank you.

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

So if I was a business owner with properties across a number of local authorities, the reliefs that would be available to me would have different names.

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Until things are looked at again, it certainly sounds as though good guidance and education for businesses about what they can get, and in what way, will be very important.

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

It must be pretty scary for a business to have had that relief but then just miss it and, as Leon Thompson said, go through a myriad of different relief forms. How will we support businesses to get through what they will have to do?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

You gave the example of the business that had fallen just outwith eligibility for the small business bonus scheme. Is that normal? Are businesses falling just outwith, then having to go into that sort of—

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

It is good to see the panel members here again.Garry, you discussed the 100 per cent small business bonus scheme and said that some businesses are falling out of that scheme and do not get that relief any more. Do you have a sense of how many businesses will still get that rel...

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill

This will be my last speech in Parliament, Deputy Presiding Officer, so I hope that you will indulge me with an extra few words today.Tourism is a key industry across Scotland. It is amazing to be able to welcome visitors and share our country and all that it has to offer, but...

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

I start my speech with the words of Kate Buchanan, who was a constituent of mine. Kate said:“I don’t want to die, but I am going to … I want to be just like the rest of you—not thinking of dying all the time. But I can’t, it consumes me, it totally dominates my living, worryin...

Evelyn Tweed SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Budget 2026-27 (Justice Public Services)

Charities play an important role in supporting people who engage in the justice system. How will the 2026-27 budget support their work?

3. Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Budget 2026-27 (Justice Public Services)

To ask the Scottish Government how its budget 2026-27 will invest in front-line justice public services. (S6O-05621)

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Would the information sheet be given on the first day of the tenancy?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

When will the Scottish Government guidance be published and what might it look like?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

So, you will see how things go and the tribunal will contact you to tell you how things are going.

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Good morning, cabinet secretary and officials. Do you think that the First-tier Tribunal has the capacity to deal with the increased workload that comes from the regulations?

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Committee

Wildfires in Scotland

My questions are about community resilience, which we have touched on. What more can we do for our rural communities to ensure that they are prepared for a wildfire outbreak? What should the role of local authorities be in building resilience?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

It is important that stakeholders and communities understand exactly what is going on, so, if you could look at it, that would be helpful.

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Committee

Salmon Farming in Scotland

Yes, I have a question for Peter Pollard on the enhanced seabed monitoring. What will the format of the published results look like? Will they be easy for communities and stakeholders to understand and get to grips with rather than being just a report on compliance or non-comp...

Evelyn Tweed SNP Chamber

Topical Question Time · River Dochart (Diesel Pollution)

The local community has expressed its gratitude for Scottish Water’s swift response, and I put on record my thanks to Scottish Water. The incident has had a huge impact on the local community, including on the operation of care homes, dentists and hospitality businesses. Can t...

Evelyn Tweed SNP Chamber

Topical Question Time · River Dochart (Diesel Pollution)

The diesel spill from the Certas fuel station at Lix Toll has led to a complex multi-agency response. How will the Scottish Government support the agencies to assess and mitigate any on-going impacts of the incident on wildlife and public health in a timely manner?

1. Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Topical Question Time · River Dochart (Diesel Pollution)

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Water regarding the serious diesel pollution incident that has taken place in the River Dochart and the environmental risk to the wider River Tay system follo...

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

:Good morning, and thanks for your answers so far. Have you looked at the resource and financial implications of the number of appeals that may go to the local taxation chamber, and do you have an idea of what that might look like?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

:We heard some concerns about a two-tier private rental system being created. What would you say to that?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

:Good morning, cabinet secretary, and thanks for your answers so far. Will build-to-rent properties remain defined as such in perpetuity?

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

I do not know whether you want to say any more, cabinet secretary. You alluded to how the impact will be monitored. Will you say something about how that will be done?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Chamber

Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I thank the member for the intervention, but I think that I have already covered that point. Interruption. Yes, I have. It is up to individual local authorities to make their own decisions, including when it comes to infrastructure issues and what happens in local areas. If th...

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I am glad to speak in the debate and share some of what the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee heard during its stage 1 considerations.Tourism is important to Scotland, but it is undeniable that the added footfall brings strain to our infrastructure. As we have h...

Evelyn Tweed SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Budget 2026-27(Small and Medium-sized Cultural Events)

People involved in smaller events in my constituency have raised concerns about lengthy and complicated processes for accessing funding from organisations such as EventScotland. How does the Government engage with organisations that administer funding to ensure easy access for...

6. Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Budget 2026-27(Small and Medium-sized Cultural Events)

To ask the Scottish Government how its draft budget 2026-27 supports the delivery of small and medium-sized cultural events. (S6O-05520)

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Mike Callaghan, do you have anything to add?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

What impact did the introduction in 2024 of the power to charge a premium on second homes have? Has it reduced the number of second homes and have there been any unintended consequences? I will go to Emma Saunders first.

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Good morning, and thanks for all your answers so far.I will pose this question to Aoife Deery first. Do you agree in principle with the proposal in the regulations to give councils more flexible powers to set council tax for second and long-term empty homes?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Thanks. What impact did the introduction of the power to charge a premium on second homes in 2024 have? Has it reduced the number of second homes and have there been any unintended consequences?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Tom Ockendon, would you like to come in—if you are with us?

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

I thank the witnesses for all their answers so far. It is good to see them.I will put this question to Anna Gardiner in the first instance, and we will see whether we can get Tom Ockendon back online in a minute. Do you agree, in principle, with the proposed regulations to giv...

Evelyn Tweed SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Surgeries Carried out Abroad

Further to that, has there been any engagement with United Kingdom counterparts regarding improving public awareness of the risks of travelling abroad for surgery?

8. Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Surgeries Carried out Abroad

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact on NHS Scotland of complications arising from surgeries carried out abroad by patients upon their return to Scotland. (S6O-05498)

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Avian Influenza (Support for Poultry Producers)

Will the minister remind the Parliament of the vital importance of stringent biosecurity measures when it comes to protecting poultry flocks from avian influenza?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

From the evidence that we took, it was clear that the fishing industry wants to be involved in those conversations and to know what the science is saying, so that it can think about its business and how it will do things in the future. That is really important.Cabinet secretar...

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Good morning. Thank you for your answers so far. I can see that the Government is trying to protect stocks and get a stronger evidence base. However, I want to clarify some of the remarks that you have made about the process. You have talked about an adaptive process and an an...

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Would you consider the cap if there were good evidence for it?

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Committee

Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Good morning. Thanks for your answers so far.Local government and the tourism sector take quite different views on various aspects of the visitor levy, including on whether there should be a maximum cap on what can be charged. Is the Scottish Government open to the idea of inc...

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

I want to dig a bit more into the point about the targeted scientific programme. Esther Brooker said that she felt that it was positive, but it needed to be well resourced. Alex Watson Crook also said that it was a positive measure but that it needs more detail.I would like to...

Evelyn Tweed SNP Committee

Draft Climate Change Plan

Do you think that there will be more practical actions as you move forward?

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP Committee

Draft Climate Change Plan

Good morning, and thanks for your answers so far.Some witnesses have had concerns that the agricultural reform programme just does not go far enough. How will the rural support plan offer the sector practical actions?

Evelyn Tweed SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Budget 2026-27 (Gender-based violence)

Rural gender-based violence services face different challenges. How does the draft budget support services that work in rural areas?

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Committee

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 24 March 2026 [Draft]

24 Mar 2026 · S6 · Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee

Item of business

Subordinate Legislation

Non-Domestic Rates (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/135)

Tweed, Evelyn SNP Stirling Watch on SPTV

Will all the guidance be updated, given the current situation?

In the same item of business

The Convener Green

The next item is consideration of the Non-Domestic Rates (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026. I remind those watching that this is a negati...

Leon Thompson (UKHospitality)

Thank you for the invitation to come here today. Business rates are an on-going concern for the hospitality sector. Every time there is a revaluation, it see...

The Convener Green

My question was whether you have a sense of the number of businesses that will benefit from the regulations.

Leon Thompson

I do not. With the instrument being laid, more businesses will come into scope, but the key thing is that a lot of businesses will not receive any support at...

The Convener Green

We can ask the minister about that later. Fiona, do you have a sense of the number of your businesses that will benefit?

Fiona Campbell (Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers)

First of all, I want to express our huge appreciation for the rates relief that has been delivered for the self-catering sector by the Scottish Government an...

The Convener Green

That is great. Thanks. Do you want to comment, Garry?

Garry Clark (Federation of Small Businesses Scotland)

I echo the general welcome for this particular set of amendments, which provide a bit of additional support that was not there following the revaluation and ...

Fiona Campbell

I just want to come back in and say that, although the reliefs are incredibly welcome, many businesses are now just below the threshold for the small busines...

The Convener Green

It is probably good to put the Government—whoever will govern in the next session—on notice that the matter will need to be looked at before 2029.Meghan Gall...

Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

Good morning. I will start with the revaluation and its disproportionate impact on hospitality, premises and self-catering properties. Fiona, do you think th...

Fiona Campbell

I think that there is a general assumption that tourism and hospitality just happen, but, unless we support the sector, we are not going to see it just happe...

Meghan Gallacher Con

Let us move to the process and the methods of revaluation itself. What needs to change about the process and the methodology of conducting valuations? What w...

Fiona Campbell

I will leave my colleagues to talk about other sectors, but there has been a complete change in methodology for the 2026 revaluation of the self-catering sec...

Meghan Gallacher Con

That is helpful. Thank you.

Garry Clark

I would agree with that as far as the self-catering sector is concerned. There is a much wider issue as well, because you see winners and losers in any reval...

Meghan Gallacher Con

Do you think that political parties or the Parliament as a whole have heard that message?

Garry Clark

We have been discussing the matter with all the political parties, going into the election. As Fiona Campbell and Leon Thompson have said, we have a very cum...

Meghan Gallacher Con

No, it is not right.10:30

Leon Thompson

The issue comes from having the assessors on one side and the Scottish Government on the other. Who is responsible for arriving at a fair outcome?UKHospitali...

Meghan Gallacher Con

That is helpful. It is good to have that on the record, so that the next Parliament can pick up on your comments and, I hope, do something positive.

Evelyn Tweed (Stirling) (SNP) SNP

It is good to see the panel members here again.Garry, you discussed the 100 per cent small business bonus scheme and said that some businesses are falling ou...

Garry Clark

The Scottish Government has said that about 100,000 businesses will receive some kind of support under the small business bonus scheme. In the current small ...

Evelyn Tweed SNP

You gave the example of the business that had fallen just outwith eligibility for the small business bonus scheme. Is that normal? Are businesses falling jus...

Garry Clark

There are three different pillars to the way that non-domestic rates work. The assessors set the rateable value; the Government sets the poundage rate; and t...

Evelyn Tweed SNP

It must be pretty scary for a business to have had that relief but then just miss it and, as Leon Thompson said, go through a myriad of different relief form...

Garry Clark

That is a difficult question. I gave the example of the retailer in Bathgate. It has gone from having complete support—peace of mind, being able to plan and ...

Evelyn Tweed SNP

Until things are looked at again, it certainly sounds as though good guidance and education for businesses about what they can get, and in what way, will be ...

Garry Clark

Absolutely. All we business representative organisations and trade bodies will try to make sure that our members know as much as possible. However, unfortuna...