Hansard

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

04 Jun 2026

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

So, what support is the Scottish Government providing to ensure that public services are not drawn into costly disputes and inconsistent and discriminatory practices?

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

04 Jun 2026

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

Organisations such as the Equality Network and LGBT Youth Scotland have warned that implementing the guidance will inevitably require people to make assumptions about who is and who is not a woman based on appearance, which will set back equalities and human rights for everyon...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

04 Jun 2026

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

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address reported concerns that implementing recent Equalities and Human Rights Commission guidance on single-sex spaces will put at increased risk both transgender people and cisgender people who present in gender non-...

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

04 Jun 2026

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

So, what support is the Scottish Government providing to ensure that public services are not drawn into costly disputes and inconsistent and discriminatory practices?

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

04 Jun 2026

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

Organisations such as the Equality Network and LGBT Youth Scotland have warned that implementing the guidance will inevitably require people to make assumptions about who is and who is not a woman based on appearance, which will set back equalities and human rights for everyon...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

04 Jun 2026

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

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address reported concerns that implementing recent Equalities and Human Rights Commission guidance on single-sex spaces will put at increased risk both transgender people and cisgender people who present in gender non-...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

03 Jun 2026

National Health Service

I welcome the cabinet secretary and her ministers to their new roles.I begin by recognising the extraordinary dedication of our health and social care workers across Scotland. Every day, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, porters, cleaners, administrators, care work...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

03 Jun 2026

National Health Service

I welcome the cabinet secretary and her ministers to their new roles.I begin by recognising the extraordinary dedication of our health and social care workers across Scotland. Every day, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, porters, cleaners, administrators, care work...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

28 May 2026

Point of Order

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. In my haste to ask my first question of the session at First Minister’s question time, I did not put on the record my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am rector of the University of Dundee. Apologies—I should have done that...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

28 May 2026

First Minister’s Question Time

The First Minister will remember the publication of the Gillies report last year, which contained recommendations about university governance and financial management, including on issues of transparency and staff engagement.Today, Aberdeen university court is discussing restr...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

28 May 2026

Point of Order

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. In my haste to ask my first question of the session at First Minister’s question time, I did not put on the record my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am rector of the University of Dundee. Apologies—I should have done that...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

28 May 2026

First Minister’s Question Time

The First Minister will remember the publication of the Gillies report last year, which contained recommendations about university governance and financial management, including on issues of transparency and staff engagement.Today, Aberdeen university court is discussing restr...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

Every child deserves the best possible start in life. Every parent deserves the chance to work, study, rest or simply breathe without the crushing anxiety of impossible childcare costs. Every childcare worker deserves dignity, fair pay and recognition for the profoundly valuab...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

27 May 2026

First Homes Fund

I thank the cabinet secretary for her statement, and I welcome her to her newish role.A scheme of £100 million would mean approximately £20 million per year. Ending homelessness together, the Government’s flagship fund for tackling homelessness, provides just more than half of...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

27 May 2026

Childcare

Every child deserves the best possible start in life. Every parent deserves the chance to work, study, rest or simply breathe without the crushing anxiety of impossible childcare costs. Every childcare worker deserves dignity, fair pay and recognition for the profoundly valuab...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

27 May 2026

First Homes Fund

I thank the cabinet secretary for her statement, and I welcome her to her newish role.A scheme of £100 million would mean approximately £20 million per year. Ending homelessness together, the Government’s flagship fund for tackling homelessness, provides just more than half of...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I affirm the sovereignty of the people of Scotland and hereby declare and pledge that, in all my actions and deliberations, their interests shall be paramount.I, Maggie Chapman, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegian...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I affirm the sovereignty of the people of Scotland and hereby declare and pledge that, in all my actions and deliberations, their interests shall be paramount.I, Maggie Chapman, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegian...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I affirm the sovereignty of the people of Scotland and hereby declare and pledge that, in all my actions and deliberations, their interests shall be paramount.I, Maggie Chapman, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegian...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I affirm the sovereignty of the people of Scotland and hereby declare and pledge that, in all my actions and deliberations, their interests shall be paramount.I, Maggie Chapman, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegian...

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Accident and Emergency Departments (Waiting Times)

Earlier this week, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine published its “State of Emergency Medicine in Scotland” report, and it is pretty grim reading. The college estimates that, in 2025, 818 deaths were linked to prolonged emergency department waits—a situation that remain...

7. Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Accident and Emergency Departments (Waiting Times)

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any excess deaths associated with long waiting times in A and E departments, including the action it is taking to reduce preventable mortality. (S6O-05707)

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am grateful to Daniel Johnson for his work on the bill, and I pay tribute to him for that, but we should reflect on why it took a member’s bill to get us to this point. Why have successive Governments not acted on this most important issue for 27 years?Parliament has acted f...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Topical Question Time · Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Budget)

Across Scotland, people will share the FBU’s concern for the service, given the fire in Glasgow. They will have noted the skilled and dedicated work of the firefighters who attended that awful scene. We must have a well-resourced fire service that can respond to ever-changing ...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Public Protection)

I thank Christine Grahame for lodging the motion and securing the debate; it is a privilege to be able to speak in it. Yes, it is about animal welfare, but is also about marking the extraordinary contribution of Christine Grahame to this place. I know that I am not alone in sa...

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Oral Questions (Annual Staff Resource Cost)

I think that we all share that frustration when such opportunities are lost. However, although I note that that frustration exists, there can be a whole range of reasons why questions end up not being lodged.The running of portfolio and general questions falls under the practi...

Maggie Chapman (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body) Green Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Oral Questions (Annual Staff Resource Cost)

Administering the electronic random draw for portfolio and general questions that subsequently result in a not lodged status does not generate a specific cost to the corporate body.The allocation of portfolio and general questions is done electronically by random draw each Mon...

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Parliamentary Business (Scheduling)

I can say to Douglas Ross that, although the scheduling of business is, as he acknowledges, not down to the corporate body, the corporate body and the bureau have worked—and we expect, in session 7, will work—closely together on that. I have already referred to some of the cha...

Maggie Chapman (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body) Green Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Parliamentary Business (Scheduling)

The corporate body is responsible for resourcing parliamentary services, but the programme of parliamentary business is a matter for the Parliamentary Bureau. Agreement to business motions is a matter for the whole Parliament. Individual members are able to seek to amend busin...

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Non-Government Bills Unit

The corporate body has produced guidance on members’ bills for all members for session 7. In doing so, we have sought to ensure that the system is as equitable and efficient as it can be.In addition, the corporate body is not directive as to the specific number of posts or gra...

Maggie Chapman (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body) Green Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time · Non-Government Bills Unit

The NGBU is a clerking team that is supported by Parliament’s lawyers and external drafters. It provides impartial and confidential support to members of Parliament who are not Government ministers who wish to take forward a proposal for a member’s bill. The unit provides supp...

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Third Sector Rent and Council Tax Arrears Services (Support)

I associate myself with Roz McCall’s comments and wish the cabinet secretary well in whatever comes next for her.Public sector debt pushes people into and keeps them in poverty. All local authorities in the north-east region have announced council tax increases that are well a...

4. Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Third Sector Rent and Council Tax Arrears Services (Support)

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Audit Scotland’s recent statement that local authorities will face a budget gap of nearly £1 billion by 2027, what action it is taking to provide additional support to third sector organisations that prevent and respond to rent and c...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

I believe that life is precious. I believe that life is a gift. I believe deeply that all life has inherent worth. That worth does not diminish with illness, with disability or with proximity to death. However, valuing life is not the same as insisting that life must be prolon...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan

The Poverty and Inequality Commission has told us that we will not meet the 2030 targets without additional social security support. Scottish Parliament information centre analysis shows that, on its own, the Scottish child payment does not really tackle the increasing deep po...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

The Scottish Greens strongly oppose the SSI. Helena Kennedy and the misogyny working group were clear that misogyny should not be addressed by adding sex to the hate crime framework and instead recommended dedicated misogyny legislation. Given that advice, can the Cabinet Secr...

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

10 Mar 2026

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

I pose to Bob Doris the same question about the six-month period that I posed to Daniel Johnson earlier. What if someone who seeks an assisted death has other conditions that would limit their capacity to make that decision within the six-month period, but they know full well ...

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

10 Mar 2026

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

I am sympathetic to what Emma Roddick is attempting to do with amendment 141, but I have a question about the process and how the amendment would work. Amendment 141 refers to somebody who is looking for“assistance to end their own life if it is established that their request ...

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

10 Mar 2026

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

I am curious about the second half of amendment 139, which refers to people not having previously been screened or treated for suicidal thoughts or self-harm. There is no timescale for that, so somebody who might have had suicidal ideation as a young person and be seeking assi...

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

10 Mar 2026

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

Will the member give way?

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

10 Mar 2026

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

In response to my question, Daniel Johnson said that we need some sort of cut-off point. He used the word “threshold” although he had said earlier that the six months is not a “threshold” but simply a “yardstick”. I am therefore a little confused about how definitive the membe...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

10 Mar 2026

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

I have two questions for Daniel Johnson. Why does his amendment call for a period of six months and not 12? Also, what would happen if someone has multiple conditions? For example, they might have a terminal illness alongside something such as dementia that might mean that, wi...

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

05 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Economic Opportunity (Women)

Despite legislation and decades of campaigning for equality, women continue to face discrimination, violence, exclusion and poverty. Engender has called for investment in women and a transformation of our communities. Specifically, it has developed 10 realistic steps to improv...

7. Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

05 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Economic Opportunity (Women)

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the forthcoming international women’s day, what action it is taking to ensure that Scotland’s economy provides women with equitable access to economic opportunity, including how it supports them to live free from poverty and financia...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Ferries

I am grateful to the Liberal Democrats for bringing this important debate to the chamber, because Scotland’s island and coastal communities deserve much better. I will focus on a specific injustice that often goes unmentioned: the cost of freight. I acknowledge and appreciate ...

Maggie Chapman Green Committee

03 Mar 2026

Subordinate Legislation

:Colleagues will know that I have voted against the orders in the past, when the increase was 20 per cent, but the current increases are broadly in line with, or just above, inflation, so I will not vote against them. I just put that on the record.

Maggie Chapman Green Committee

03 Mar 2026

“Sign LOUD: Perspectives of Deaf mothers and signing practitioners on domestic abuse, communication issues and the impact on Deaf families”

:The committee will reflect on your point about what we can do about families, whether it is the mother or the child, not trusting somebody else enough to tell them because they are worried that the child might be taken away or that they might be thought to be a bad parent. We...

Maggie Chapman Green Committee

03 Mar 2026

“Sign LOUD: Perspectives of Deaf mothers and signing practitioners on domestic abuse, communication issues and the impact on Deaf families”

:Thank you. That was really helpful. As somebody who previously worked in the Rape Crisis network, I know that we never talked about BSL or deaf culture. It is therefore important that we take on board the point that you have made.My next question is for Claire Houghton. Clair...

Maggie Chapman Green Committee

03 Mar 2026

“Sign LOUD: Perspectives of Deaf mothers and signing practitioners on domestic abuse, communication issues and the impact on Deaf families”

:You have talked about a victim/survivor perhaps being reticent about trusting or relying on a service because of past experience, and about the value of having people who understand deaf culture as advocates. The question, I suppose, is how we ensure that there are enough peo...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Committee

03 Mar 2026

“Sign LOUD: Perspectives of Deaf mothers and signing practitioners on domestic abuse, communication issues and the impact on Deaf families”

Good morning, and thank you for being with us today.I will pick up on a couple of points. Professor Napier, you spoke in your opening remarks about the Deaf Links pilot in Dundee, and your report is clear in identifying the lack of deaf-specific services as a barrier to safety...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

26 Feb 2026

Substance Misuse in Prisons

The debate has reinforced something that many of us already knew: substance misuse in prison is not incidental; it is endemic and, as Elena Whitham highlighted, it reflects deeper failures long before someone reaches the prison gate. We have heard about the treatment gap—hundr...

Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

26 Feb 2026

Substance Misuse in Prisons

I begin by thanking the Criminal Justice Committee for its work on this inquiry. The evidence that it heard and included in the report is sobering, urgent and, frankly, politically and morally challenging.Let us begin with the reality: almost two thirds of people in our prison...

Maggie Chapman Green Chamber

25 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Budget Consultation Processes (Impact on Third Sector Organisations)

In Dundee, Dundee Contemporary Arts, the Dundee Rep, Dundee International Women’s Centre, Harris Education and Recreation Association and many others are at risk of losing funding or closing projects. In Aberdeen, the anti-poverty fairer Aberdeen fund could be slashed, music l...

5. Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

25 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Budget Consultation Processes (Impact on Third Sector Organisations)

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment the finance secretary has made of the impact of lengthy national budget consultation processes on the financial sustainability of third sector organisations in north-east Scotland. (S6O-05559)

Maggie Chapman Green Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:Thanks, minister. I will leave it there, convener.

Maggie Chapman Green Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:I agree with Robby’s last point about getting to a point where we have a capacity in the NHS to deal with the issue.I go back to something that you said earlier, minister, when you were talking about the holistic cross-sectoral approach for children and young people and the n...

Maggie Chapman Green Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:That was helpful. Some people get a diagnosis privately but then find that that diagnosis is not recognised by the NHS, either for medication—if that is the appropriate route—or for other things. Is there a simple, quick fix that we can implement to ensure that a diagnosis, w...

Maggie Chapman Green Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:I will go back to the questions on diagnostic assessments and the different pathways. We understand the point that diagnosis should not be necessary to get support, but people often find that, without the duty to support and to make reasonable adjustments that a diagnosis bri...

Maggie Chapman Green Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:Good morning, minister, and thank you for joining us this morning. In my first question, I want to build on your previous answer and Georgia de Courcy Wheeler’s contributions, too.When you talked about broader needs-based support—I am thinking of those situations in which a d...

Maggie Chapman Green Committee

24 Feb 2026

Subordinate Legislation

:I appreciate that the tool is coming in March, but that is not much comfort to the people who, week after week, are exposed to racist hate speech and see no action happen. It is deeply concerning that we are not seeing the action to back up all the rhetoric about there being ...