Hansard

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, George Adam, 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.

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Sport and Activity as a Force for Good

The first time that I spoke to Brian Whittle was when he first came into the Parliament. We were having one of those team photographs on the garden lobby stairs. I approached him and said, “You know, Mr Whittle, my father is currently turning in his grave because one of his sp...

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

19 Mar 2026

First Minister’s Question Time

I love you, too. Laughter.

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

I thank Liam McArthur for all the work that he has done on the bill.In my notes, it says, “Try not to cry during this debate,” because it means quite a lot to me. I often use songs and music to describe how I am feeling and to tell people how I feel. It is often said that musi...

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. I could not connect to the system. I would have voted no.

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

13 Mar 2026

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

This is an extremely sensitive subject for everyone. For Mr Fraser to use some of the language that he has used and to conflate two very different things is not befitting of the debate that we have had throughout our stage 3 consideration. It could be upsetting to people in th...

George Adam SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Crime Reduction

I welcome the policing funding from the Scottish Government. However, in the light of the United Kingdom Labour Government’s national insurance hike, which is affecting our public sector in general, is the Scottish Government continuing to press the UK Government to cover thos...

2. George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Crime Reduction

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce crime in Scotland. (S6O-05620)

George Adam SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Thank you.

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

I will carry on with the can of worms that Paul O’Kane opened.Dr Bloomer, with regard to the suggestion of introducing another education bill in the next parliamentary session, would how we deliver education locally not be part of the debate that would take place during the bi...

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Topical Question Time · Football-related Disorder (Glasgow)

The behaviour of some fans after Sunday’s match between Celtic and Rangers was completely unacceptable. Does the minister agree that all fans must exercise personal responsibility—as the vast majority already do—to ensure that those around them can enjoy the game safely, and t...

George Adam SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund

As the minister will be aware, this issue is quite important to me personally. Along with the minister, I recently attended an event at the Tannahill centre in Ferguslie Park, in Paisley, which received funding for a changing places toilet. Does the minister agree that such fa...

4. George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the changing places toilets Scotland fund. (S6O-05590)

George Adam SNP Committee

26 Feb 2026

Scottish Broadcasting

:Thank you.

George Adam SNP Committee

26 Feb 2026

Scottish Broadcasting

:And it does it on both television and radio.09:45

George Adam SNP Committee

26 Feb 2026

Scottish Broadcasting

:Finally, I note that you mentioned radio at one point. The funny thing about radio is that it is an early adopter of different ways of broadcasting—indeed, it now has televisual elements to it, too—and radio in Scotland, even with the difficulties, has been the great survivor...

George Adam SNP Committee

26 Feb 2026

Scottish Broadcasting

:I will make a prediction on the ITV-Sky merger, which is that they will probably get more grief from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission than they do from Ofcom. That is just me being cynical.On the STV News idea in Aberdeen, STV decided to launch STV Radio nationally at th...

George Adam SNP Committee

26 Feb 2026

Scottish Broadcasting

:As the media landscape changes, Ofcom has a massive test coming up with the Sky-ITV merger. The idea of losing the equivalent of Grampian news in Scotland pales into insignificance when you consider the number of licences when the ITV network and Sky merge. Ofcom is going to ...

George Adam SNP Committee

26 Feb 2026

Scottish Broadcasting

:It has a big test.

George Adam SNP Committee

26 Feb 2026

Scottish Broadcasting

:I am just asking for your opinion.

George Adam SNP Committee

26 Feb 2026

Scottish Broadcasting

:I am sorry to interrupt, cabinet secretary, but the problem is that, when Ofcom comes here, its mindset seems to be that of the broadcaster and the producer of the content, not the audience. That seems to be the wrong way round, because it has to protect the audience as well.

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Committee

26 Feb 2026

Scottish Broadcasting

Good morning, cabinet secretary. The reason why I asked for us to have this broadcasting inquiry—and I think that Stephen Kerr had similar reasons—was that I thought that Scotland’s voice was getting lost in broadcasting. I am not talking about the received-pronunciation BBC t...

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

25 Feb 2026

Football Clubs and their Fans (Contribution to Society)

I, too, have been involved in many of these debates, but I will ensure that I give an entirely new speech and that you do not have your finger anywhere near that button, Presiding Officer.I am delighted to contribute to the debate, which was brought to the chamber by my friend...

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

25 Feb 2026

Motion of Condolence

I will open by taking the opportunity to talk about Susan Stewart. I thank Susan for asking you, Presiding Officer, to ask me to speak today—as a former Minister for Parliamentary Business, I know that that is the protocol. It means a lot to me, because Jeane meant a lot to me...

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

19 Feb 2026

First Minister’s Question Time

While Keir Starmer’s distracted Labour Party looks the other way on the cost of living crisis, our Scottish Government is freezing rail fares. Will the First Minister explain how such decisions are putting money back into the pockets of my hard-working Paisley constituents?

George Adam SNP Committee

18 Feb 2026

VAT and Independent Schools

Thank you for that.

George Adam SNP Committee

18 Feb 2026

VAT and Independent Schools

I am aware of some constituents who use independent schools. They were shocked when they were told that they were in an area of deprivation, but it qualified them for some form of bursary at some of the schools.

George Adam SNP Committee

18 Feb 2026

VAT and Independent Schools

Could we get that data? I heard the 10 per cent figure for your own school, but I would like to see the national figure, broken down, if possible, by local authority area. I think that that would bring other people into the conversation, and it would actually make this issue m...

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Committee

18 Feb 2026

VAT and Independent Schools

I take it totally to heart that Paul O’Kane is leaving while I am asking my questions. Laughter. It is offensive.I was not going to ask a question this morning, but I want to follow up on something. It would be dead easy for those of us who come from certain areas to have a go...

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

17 Feb 2026

Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I thank Katy Clark for the way that she has gone about the business of progressing her member’s bill.Trying to sum up my thoughts on FOI in four minutes will be difficult, but I will be brutally honest. I should mention at this stage that I was the minister in post when Katy C...

George Adam SNP Chamber

11 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · National Health Service (Waiting Times)

I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Perhaps Jackie Dunbar and I should communicate with each other more often.It is always good to tell people good news more than once, so can the cabinet secretary advise how the Scottish Government will continue to drive down those...

7. George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

11 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · National Health Service (Waiting Times)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding NHS waiting times. (S6O-05497)

George Adam SNP Chamber

05 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy

The minister will be aware that the bus service in Paisley is primarily provided by the operator McGill’s Buses. The management of McGill’s might be busy with politics at the moment, but my constituents have had buses cancelled at the last minute and there have been on-going p...

1. George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

05 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy

To ask the Scottish Government what interaction it has had with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport regarding the Strathclyde regional bus strategy. (S6O-05475)

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

05 Feb 2026

First Minister’s Question Time

It has been revealed that Peter Mandelson was selling our economy down the river during the financial crisis. Our First Minister, then the finance secretary, was working all hours to protect Scotland’s economy and the people of Scotland while the Labour Party’s “old friend” wa...

George Adam SNP Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

Mr Bibby saw an oncoming truck and walked right in front of it.I do not claim to be a culture vulture. I am a big daft boy fae Feegie in Paisley. When I heard about the national performing companies coming along, I thought that there was a balance to be struck. I had dealings ...

George Adam SNP Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

I have only one question.

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Committee

05 Feb 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27

He can bring out the fag packet—

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

29 Jan 2026

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

::This has been a difficult bill to fully get my head around, not because the problem that it seeks to address is unclear but because we must be honest about how it would work in the real world—in our classrooms, on the toughest of days for teachers and staff who are already u...

George Adam SNP Chamber

29 Jan 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Centre for Teaching Excellence

::I am extremely pleased to hear that additional support needs is a focus of the centre, because my eldest granddaughter has additional support needs. With that in mind, will the cabinet secretary say more about the role that the centre will play to improve practice to support...

5. George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

29 Jan 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Centre for Teaching Excellence

::To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the establishment of the centre for teaching excellence. (S6O-05447)

George Adam SNP Committee

29 Jan 2026

Historic Environment Scotland

I think that there was.

George Adam SNP Committee

29 Jan 2026

Historic Environment Scotland

That makes it a bit difficult when we have heard this information now, Mr Hogg, and your answer to the question on that day also seems quite convenient. My main point is that the cabinet secretary was put in a position where he answered what he believed to be the situation, bu...

George Adam SNP Committee

29 Jan 2026

Historic Environment Scotland

I get how delicate and difficult it is. The situation went from a leadership transition to a crisis in 2025. I understand all that, but surely it would have been for the cabinet secretary to make that decision, or to be given the option to make that decision.

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Committee

29 Jan 2026

Historic Environment Scotland

My question is for Mr Hogg and it is a follow-up to the question that Mr Halcro Johnston has been asking. I have some experience of being a Government minister and I find it bizarre that you did not at least send a note to the cabinet secretary say that he had been asked to go...

George Adam SNP Committee

28 Jan 2026

Universities

This probably sounds like I am going off on a tangent, but it ties in with what Stewart Forrester brought up. Union submissions to the committee have stated that some staff have found out about job losses via the media. How can we avoid that in the future and reach a point at ...

George Adam SNP Committee

28 Jan 2026

Universities

The SFC has asked the university to“Develop and execute a plan to deliver a University Strategy which can demonstrate appropriate and concrete engagement with staff and students”.From what I have heard today, that might not necessarily be happening.I have a fair idea of the an...

George Adam SNP Committee

28 Jan 2026

Universities

That is the same argument that Melissa D’Ascenzio made: if you make the investment, you will probably make savings over the longer term.

George Adam SNP Committee

28 Jan 2026

Universities

I would like to ask about the organisations’ income generation and financial stability. According to the UCU, the trade unions have highlighted that staff proposals for income generation have not been considered. Could you give specific examples of a time when that has happene...

George Adam SNP Committee

28 Jan 2026

Universities

Those were all arguments that were made when the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016 was originally passed. We were told that it was going to be the end of the earth—the end of all things—if we went down those lines.

George Adam SNP Committee

28 Jan 2026

Universities

Sophia, you spoke about a simple bit of legislation that the Parliament could bring in in the next session, which would involve looking at transparency. I was on this committee when the current system was put through, and we were told by those in senior management positions th...

George Adam SNP Committee

28 Jan 2026

Universities

I did not put that in my notes, just for the record.

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Committee

28 Jan 2026

Universities

Good morning. It is ironic that you said that, because when Sophia Woodman spoke, I wrote in my notes, “It appears that the Edinburgh university court is a secret society.”

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

28 Jan 2026

MV Bella 1

In situations such as this, the UK and Scottish Governments need to be able to work constructively together in the interests of security and good governance. It is extremely disappointing that that did not happen in this case. Will the First Minister advise on the steps that h...

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

27 Jan 2026

Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. The app was goosed again, so I was unable to vote. I would have voted no.

George Adam SNP Committee

22 Jan 2026

Scottish Broadcasting, BBC Charter Renewal and BBC Annual Report

If I do not win in the election, can I bid for a place?

George Adam SNP Committee

22 Jan 2026

Scottish Broadcasting, BBC Charter Renewal and BBC Annual Report

Is that the one that Mhairi Black is in?

George Adam SNP Committee

22 Jan 2026

Scottish Broadcasting, BBC Charter Renewal and BBC Annual Report

So they qualify on all three, then?

George Adam SNP Committee

22 Jan 2026

Scottish Broadcasting, BBC Charter Renewal and BBC Annual Report

The previous time that you were before the committee, you mentioned the new dramas that you were commissioning. “Counsels” is produced by Balloon Entertainment in London and “Grams” is produced by World Productions in London. Will they hit at least two of the criteria to quali...

George Adam SNP Committee

22 Jan 2026

Scottish Broadcasting, BBC Charter Renewal and BBC Annual Report

Okay.On television production, you previously told the committee that it was your ambition for every regional network production to qualify for a quota on at least two criteria; I think that you mentioned that earlier today as well. However, that has not been the case so far. ...