Hansard

Bill Kidd SNP Chamber

25 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Grangemouth (Redundancy Support)

The Westminster Labour Government has shown whose side it is on by stepping in to save steel at Scunthorpe but abandoning the workforce at Grangemouth.The unions, especially Unite the Union, have been constructive throughout and have put the needs of their members before anyth...

2. Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

25 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Grangemouth (Redundancy Support)

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting workers at Grangemouth who have been made redundant. (S6O-05686)

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Committee

24 Mar 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

I might be retiring, but I am not shy.

Bill Kidd SNP Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Genuinely moved.Amendment 181 moved—Bill Kidd—and agreed to.Amendment 182 moved—Roz McCall—and agreed to.

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am pleased to have the opportunity to make a contribution to this seminal bill, which is the last piece of Government legislation that I will have the privilege of seeing this Parliament pass into law before I retire as an MSP.Amendment 181 would place timescales on the esta...

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Non-domestic Rates (Business Confidence and Investment)

According to the Bank of Scotland and the “Business Barometer”, business confidence in Scotland is continuing its upward trend as firms embrace new tech and innovation opportunities. How is the Scottish Government working to ensure that that trend continues?

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

18 Mar 2026

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

Thank you both very much indeed. That was useful.

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

18 Mar 2026

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

That has been useful from the point of view that, I hope, sportscotland will pick up on what is being looked for and also recognise what Debbi said about the good links that you have already established.

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

18 Mar 2026

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

That is really interesting. I thought that the strategy would overarch everything that is going on in Scotland, but maybe there are elements that do not really filter into your area. The strategy could be looked at to make it more accessible.

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Committee

18 Mar 2026

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

Thank you both very much indeed, because you have left me with very little to ask. You have covered things very well, and I thank you for that.The sportscotland strategy, “Sport for Life”, was first published in 2019, although it seems longer ago in my head. Has that been a us...

Bill Kidd SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan

Will the cabinet secretary say how we can ensure that children’s and young people’s voices are properly heard and how the new third sector fund will act as a new door?

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan

Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting young people from the Child Poverty Action Group’s cost of the school day voice network in Parliament to discuss their manifesto. I must say that they made a lot more sense than many adults—which members have heard before—by stressing t...

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Colleges (Borrowing Powers)

Colleges are invaluable to Scotland’s education system and to our society. What specific work is the Scottish Government doing to help the sector to have a sustainable future?

Bill Kidd SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Cost of Living Support (Glasgow Anniesland)

The support and dedicated services that are available to help people with their struggles with the cost of living are a lifeline to many in my constituency and across Scotland, given the continuing pressures on households and in the light of rising petrol, energy and food pric...

2. Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Cost of Living Support (Glasgow Anniesland)

To ask the Scottish Government what targeted support it is providing to households in the Glasgow Anniesland constituency regarding the on-going cost of living crisis, to ensure that they are aware of, and able to access, the financial support, benefits and energy assistance s...

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Scottish Opera

How does the per-head investment in the opera in Scotland compare with the investment by the United Kingdom Government or Arts Council England?

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

That is very positive. Thank you.

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

From the replies, it is obvious that qualifications development is going on from a pretty young age right the way through to the end of mainstream education, and is bringing people into the adult world and getting them opportunities that they might not previously have had. Is ...

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

I apologise.

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

On that basis—

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

You have covered everything that I was going to ask you so well that I am asking myself what I am going to say now. You have given a lot of really good answers, and it is all very positive. There are a lot of benefits in the changes that have been talked about.Can I ask someth...

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

That makes sense. Thank you for those answers.

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Would teachers have to learn a new way of doing things, or would it fit into work that they are already doing anyway?

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Do you think that Education Scotland’s proposal will benefit teachers in their education of children?

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Yes.

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

I thank everyone for the explanations. I am going to ask a technical question, which I think will be aimed mainly at Ollie Bray. What does Education Scotland mean by “hierarchical” and “horizontal” subjects, and how will the technical frameworks be different for different subj...

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Topical Question Time · Glasgow Union Street Fire

I have been contacted by a number of constituents who are concerned by the huge proliferation of vape shops and by the obvious dangers that they pose due to the highly combustible and reactive substances contained in vapes, as was evidenced by the fire. Will the First Minister...

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

03 Mar 2026

Ferries and Ports

When the Scottish Government was developing its vessels and ports plan last year, stakeholders highlighted reliability and resilience as key priorities for vessel and port investment. How is the Scottish Government working to deliver on those priorities?

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

26 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Energy Infrastructure(Impact on the Natural Environment)

Moving towards net zero, electrification and the upgrading of energy infrastructure are essential. Can the cabinet secretary say any more about the Scottish Government’s work to strike that balance for communities?

Bill Kidd SNP Chamber

25 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Food and Drink Sector (Exports)

Despite the recent figures that show that Scotland dramatically outperforms England on food and drink exports—in fact, we export more than six times as much per person—Scotland continues to face unnecessary barriers as a result of Westminster decisions, including on Brexit and...

3. Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

25 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Food and Drink Sector (Exports)

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the economic contribution of the Scottish food and drink sector to Scotland’s international exports. (S6O-05549)

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

:Are we catching and putting away more of the bad people?

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

:Professor Jay wants to come in again.

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

:Are the improvements significant enough to be noticed? Can you say how many more children are being kept safe, or is registering that not really viable?

Bill Kidd SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

:Thank you. Deputy Chief Constable Smith, do you have anything to add?

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

This is an incredibly serious issue. What concerns are there about cross-border group-based child sexual abuse, and how are those concerns already being addressed? What can we learn from the work that is being undertaken in England and Wales? Can we learn from each other in or...

Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

24 Feb 2026

Clydebank Blitz (85th Anniversary)

I thank my colleague Marie McNair for bringing this important debate to the chamber and for giving us the opportunity to remember and reflect. We remember the losses, the lives cut short, the families broken and the homes reduced to rubble on those terrible nights, yet we also...

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Document subject to Parliamentary Control

That concludes the public part of the meeting.10:11Meeting continued in private until 10:19.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Document subject to Parliamentary Control

Does the committee also wish to welcome that all the issues raised by the committee in its report of 5 November 2025 on a previous version of the revised strategy have been addressed in this new version? The previous version was laid on 10 October 2025 and withdrawn on 14 Nove...

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Document subject to Parliamentary Control

Is the committee content not to draw the document to the attention of the Parliament?Members indicated agreement.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Document subject to Parliamentary Control

Under agenda item 6, we are considering one document, on which no points have been raised.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

Is the committee content that no reporting grounds are engaged?Members indicated agreement.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

Under agenda item 5, we are considering six instruments, on which no points have been raised.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Negative Procedure

In relation to Parole Board (Scotland) Amendment Rules 2026 (SSI 2026/82), does the committee wish to note that it understands that the Scottish Government is aware of errors in the policy note and that these have now been corrected?Members indicated agreement.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Negative Procedure

In relation to Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/55), does the committee wish to welcome that the Scottish Government intends to correct referencing errors by correction slip and that if the registrar does not agree to correct the err...

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Negative Procedure

Is the committee content that no reporting grounds are engaged?Members indicated agreement.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Negative Procedure

Also under this agenda item, no points have been raised on the following instruments.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Negative Procedure

This instrument revokes the Sea Fish (Prohibition on Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Order 2026 after the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee recommended that it be annulled. This revocation order was made on 17 February and came into force on 18 February.Under section 28(2) of the ...

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Negative Procedure

Does the committee wish to welcome the Scottish Government’s intention to correct this error?Members indicated agreement.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Negative Procedure

This instrument enables owners or tenants to submit evidence of letting, or intention to let, a property as self-catering holiday accommodation without needing an assessor’s request. It also introduces transitional arrangements for 2024-25.In correspondence with the Scottish G...

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Negative Procedure

Does the committee wish to highlight to the lead committee the Scottish Government’s explanation?Members indicated agreement.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Negative Procedure

This instrument specifies the public authorities that will be required, for statistical purposes, to notify the chief constable of a person who is or appears to be a victim of human trafficking, slavery, servitude or forced labour.In correspondence with the Scottish Government...

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Negative Procedure

Under agenda item 4, we are considering 15 instruments. Issues have been raised on three of the instruments.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Affirmative Procedure

Is the committee content that no reporting grounds are engaged?Members indicated agreement.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Affirmative Procedure

Under agenda item 3, we are considering one instrument, on which no points have been raised.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Made Affirmative Procedure

Is the committee content that no reporting grounds are engaged?Members indicated agreement.

The Deputy Convener SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Instruments subject to Made Affirmative Procedure

Under agenda item 2, we are considering one instrument, on which no points have been raised.

The Deputy Convener (Bill Kidd) SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Decision on Taking Business in Private

Welcome to the eighth meeting in 2026 of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. Apologies have been received from Stuart McMillan MSP; Rona Mackay MSP is here as his substitute. Apologies have also been received from Roz McCall MSP and Jeremy Balfour MSP. I remind ever...

Bill Kidd SNP Chamber

19 Feb 2026

General Question Time · Baby Box

Every child in Scotland deserves the best start in life. Can the cabinet secretary say more about how the draft Scottish budget is investing to ensure that we continue to support children and families throughout the early years and beyond?

3. Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

19 Feb 2026

General Question Time · Baby Box

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the baby box, including current availability and the easiest way of applying for one. (S6O-05533)