Hansard

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

04 Jun 2026

General Question Time · Single-sex Spaces (Equalities and Human Rights Commission Guidance)

The Court of Session has just ruled against West Lothian Council in my region in finding that providing multi-user unisex toilets in a primary school amounted to indirect sex discrimination against female pupils. Therefore, will the Scottish Government implement the EHRC guida...

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

02 Jun 2026

Phone-free Classrooms

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 Conservatives have been calling for a ban on mobile phones in classrooms for quite some time. Does the cabinet secretar...

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

02 Jun 2026

Phone-free Classrooms

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 Conservatives have been calling for a ban on mobile phones in classrooms for quite some time. Does the cabinet secretar...

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

I welcome the minister to her new role and look forward to meeting with her in due course. If any expansion is going to be considered, the Government needs to look at the current funding model, to ensure that there is parity between the PVI sector and council-run nurseries. Wi...

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

I thank Michael Marra for giving way. Surely, given how much a policy of expanding childcare will cost, we need more incentives to get people into work and grow the tax base, which will allow us to look after those services, if there is consensus to do so.

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

Will the member take an intervention?

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

Does Claire Baker believe that we need to look again at the guidance that the Scottish Government wrote and which local councils implement, as it has led to these problems?

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

Will the member take an intervention?

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

When I entered the Parliament in 2021, one of the first issues that came across my desk was that the PVI sector did not feel part of the overall 1,140-hour package. That is why people were leaving the sector. Childminders did not want to remain part of the sector. That it is o...

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

I said right at the start that I believe in expanding childcare. Later in my contribution, I will speak about what I believe it should be expanded to, but I am more than happy to meet the cabinet secretary on that. I believe that childcare is fundamental not just for parents a...

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

27 May 2026

Childcare

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I welcome you to your post. I also welcome the cabinet secretary to her post.I will begin on a point of consensus with the Scottish Government: I believe in expanding childcare provision across Scotland.Throughout the previous parliamentary sessio...

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

27 May 2026

Childcare

The Scottish Government announced in 2023 that it would expand funded childcare from nine months onwards. What progress has been made since that promise?

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

27 May 2026

First Homes Fund

I welcome the cabinet secretary back to her portfolio, which has been extended, and make a plea that Scotland’s housing emergency be prioritised. Analysis of the previous first homes fund found that around 68 per cent of buyers had household incomes that were above the Scottis...

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

I welcome the minister to her new role and look forward to meeting with her in due course. If any expansion is going to be considered, the Government needs to look at the current funding model, to ensure that there is parity between the PVI sector and council-run nurseries. Wi...

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

I thank Michael Marra for giving way. Surely, given how much a policy of expanding childcare will cost, we need more incentives to get people into work and grow the tax base, which will allow us to look after those services, if there is consensus to do so.

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

Will the member take an intervention?

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

Does Claire Baker believe that we need to look again at the guidance that the Scottish Government wrote and which local councils implement, as it has led to these problems?

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

Will the member take an intervention?

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

When I entered the Parliament in 2021, one of the first issues that came across my desk was that the PVI sector did not feel part of the overall 1,140-hour package. That is why people were leaving the sector. Childminders did not want to remain part of the sector. That it is o...

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

I said right at the start that I believe in expanding childcare. Later in my contribution, I will speak about what I believe it should be expanded to, but I am more than happy to meet the cabinet secretary on that. I believe that childcare is fundamental not just for parents a...

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

27 May 2026

Childcare

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I welcome you to your post. I also welcome the cabinet secretary to her post.I will begin on a point of consensus with the Scottish Government: I believe in expanding childcare provision across Scotland.Throughout the previous parliamentary sessio...

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

27 May 2026

Childcare

The Scottish Government announced in 2023 that it would expand funded childcare from nine months onwards. What progress has been made since that promise?

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

27 May 2026

First Homes Fund

I welcome the cabinet secretary back to her portfolio, which has been extended, and make a plea that Scotland’s housing emergency be prioritised. Analysis of the previous first homes fund found that around 68 per cent of buyers had household incomes that were above the Scottis...

Meghan Gallacher (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Con Chamber

21 May 2026

Ministers and Junior Ministers

It appears that John Swinney’s Government has been on the Mounjaro, because it is slimmed down in size, but it somehow carries all the same political baggage. To judge by some of yesterday’s appointments, the First Minister clearly knows how to recycle. We now have a Governmen...

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

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Meghan Gallacher, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

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

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Meghan Gallacher, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

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

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Meghan Gallacher, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers

My supplementary is on those first-time buyer schemes. The Scottish National Party has tried such schemes before, but with little to no success, because they do not address the fundamental problem, which is a severe lack of building the homes that we desperately need. Does the...

4. Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting first-time buyers. (S6O-05712)

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

I am sorry, convener, but, before I pass over to the next member, I want to be clear that the Gill review is for the licensed hospitality sector, and I was asking whether there is a case that the same should be done for the self-catering sector.

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

The Gill review, which is the review of the valuation methodology that is used to assess the ratable values of self-catering and hotel properties, will not extend to revaluation of other types of business. Do you think that it is time for us to expand it and look at revaluatio...

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

On the first panel, Fiona Campbell said that sometimes there is the opinion that tourism and hospitality just happen. Is the Scottish Government taking those things for granted, and do we need to look at how to make sure that hospitality businesses are better supported?

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

It appears that, through these regulations, the Scottish Government has treated licensed hospitality premises and self-catering properties differently from other types of property. Can you explain why that is?

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

The context that we are in includes the cost of living issues, which are on everyone’s minds, and other issues such as water bills, which were mentioned by the witnesses in the previous panel. Does the minister understand that there are varying contexts for the amount of press...

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Good morning. I would like to begin with the 2026 revaluation, because that is why we are here. Of course, substantive moves have had to be made in order to provide businesses with relevant relief. However, as we have heard in the previous panel discussion, those reliefs have ...

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Thank you.

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

The Gill review has been mentioned this morning. A lot seems to hinge on its coming out with the right outcomes to support businesses across all the various different sectors that you represent. Would you welcome a future committee looking at the Gill review in detail to ensur...

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

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.

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

No, it is not right.10:30

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

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

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

That is helpful. Thank you.

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

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 would be beneficial to the business sector? I do not know who wants to kick off on that—I know that it is a huge question.

Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con) Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Good morning. I will start with the revaluation and its disproportionate impact on hospitality, premises and self-catering properties. Fiona, do you think that the Scottish Government is perhaps treating hospitality and self-catering differently now, or do you think that there...

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

I am sorry, convener, but, before I pass over to the next member, I want to be clear that the Gill review is for the licensed hospitality sector, and I was asking whether there is a case that the same should be done for the self-catering sector.

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

The Gill review, which is the review of the valuation methodology that is used to assess the ratable values of self-catering and hotel properties, will not extend to revaluation of other types of business. Do you think that it is time for us to expand it and look at revaluatio...

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

On the first panel, Fiona Campbell said that sometimes there is the opinion that tourism and hospitality just happen. Is the Scottish Government taking those things for granted, and do we need to look at how to make sure that hospitality businesses are better supported?

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

It appears that, through these regulations, the Scottish Government has treated licensed hospitality premises and self-catering properties differently from other types of property. Can you explain why that is?

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

The context that we are in includes the cost of living issues, which are on everyone’s minds, and other issues such as water bills, which were mentioned by the witnesses in the previous panel. Does the minister understand that there are varying contexts for the amount of press...

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Good morning. I would like to begin with the 2026 revaluation, because that is why we are here. Of course, substantive moves have had to be made in order to provide businesses with relevant relief. However, as we have heard in the previous panel discussion, those reliefs have ...

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Thank you.

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

The Gill review has been mentioned this morning. A lot seems to hinge on its coming out with the right outcomes to support businesses across all the various different sectors that you represent. Would you welcome a future committee looking at the Gill review in detail to ensur...

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

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.

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

No, it is not right.10:30

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

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

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

That is helpful. Thank you.

Meghan Gallacher Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

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 would be beneficial to the business sector? I do not know who wants to kick off on that—I know that it is a huge question.

Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con) Con Committee

24 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

Good morning. I will start with the revaluation and its disproportionate impact on hospitality, premises and self-catering properties. Fiona, do you think that the Scottish Government is perhaps treating hospitality and self-catering differently now, or do you think that there...

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Oil and Gas Supply Chain (Job Losses)

Under the Scottish National Party Government and the UK Labour Government, the oil and gas industry is losing 1,000 jobs a month, which is having a catastrophic impact not just in the north-east but in industrial areas such as Grangemouth and Mossmorran. Does the cabinet secre...

2. Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Oil and Gas Supply Chain (Job Losses)

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent further job losses in the oil and gas supply chain as a result of the energy transition. (S6O-05673)

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill

Apologies. I am in my last minute, otherwise I would have taken the intervention.What does the bill deliver? It will introduce a levy that will slow development, a policy that will reduce housing supply and a Government that will press ahead, despite clear warnings from the ve...