Hansard

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

10 Jun 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Energy Security

I would like to help the minister in that regard. It is reported today that, if the largest undeveloped oil and gas field in the UK, Rosebank, is given the go-ahead, it will generate £8.5 billion-worth of direct investment, £6.6 billion of which will be spent on UK businesses;...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

10 Jun 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Energy Security

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of Scotland’s energy security, including any consequent action it plans to take in the light of heightened global tensions, particularly in the middle east and Ukraine. (S7O-00042)

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

10 Jun 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Non-domestic Rates System

The question that Claire Baker just asked is very important. When I asked the First Minister what his support for DC Thomson’s fresh start campaign was worth in terms of action, his answer was very vague and non-committal. I am afraid that the minister’s answer there was prett...

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

In mentioning all the things that the Government needs to be doing, does the member regret that the Government has now had nearly 20 years in which to do those things but has utterly failed?

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

04 Jun 2026

Wealth Taxation for Public Services

One of the minister’s predecessors was famously completely unaware of the principles of the Laffer curve. What is her view on that theory and whether it impacts on what she says?

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

02 Jun 2026

First Minister’s Question Time · Business Rates (Fresh Start Initiative)

North-east businesses are struggling due to the Government’s punishing business rates regime. Under the fresh start initiative, businesses that move into premises that have been vacant for six months receive rates relief for a year. The Press and Journal, The Courier and The S...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

02 Jun 2026

First Minister’s Question Time · Business Rates (Fresh Start Initiative)

North-east businesses are struggling due to the Government’s punishing business rates regime. Under the fresh start initiative, businesses that move into premises that have been vacant for six months receive rates relief for a year. The Press and Journal, The Courier and The S...

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

: I presume thatthe member would acknowledge that the emissions from any oil and gas taken from the North Sea are three times less than the emissions from any oil and gas imported from places such as Qatar.

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

The Acorn carbon capture project was promised £80 million by the Scottish Government in January 2022. To date, not a single penny has been paid out. Will Karen Adam tell us when it will be?

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

They absolutely could be—and, indeed, are being—built.What Scotland needs is informed, long-term strategic planning. We need a strategy that not only recognises the importance of oil and gas jobs, energy security, the environment, the economy and skills, but acknowledges the n...

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

I am afraid that the deep ignorance of the SNP’s nuclear policy is exemplified in that intervention. Nobody is proposing to build Hinkley C in Scotland; what we are looking at is small modular reactors—

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

I fundamentally disagree. We only need to go and look at the current infrastructure that is out there. That is what the money has bought, because, thankfully, we are part of a wholly integrated United Kingdom. To suggest otherwise is deeply irresponsible, and that irresponsibi...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

I congratulate Stephen Gethins on his appointment as energy minister and I commiserate with him for having to prosecute such an evidentially lacking and, indeed, threadbare motion. Listening to the debate exposes the perils of reducing nuanced, data-driven policy areas to the ...

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

The member does not, however, address the fact that demand is continuing to rise and is not going anywhere. Where do we source the gas and oil to meet the demand?

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

Will the member take an intervention?

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

28 May 2026

First Minister’s Question Time

After the Government releasing more than 1,400 prisoners early, cutting the automatic early release point to less than a third of the sentence, bringing in a presumption against short sentences and all but stopping under-25s from going to prison, Scotland’s prison population i...

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

: I presume thatthe member would acknowledge that the emissions from any oil and gas taken from the North Sea are three times less than the emissions from any oil and gas imported from places such as Qatar.

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

The Acorn carbon capture project was promised £80 million by the Scottish Government in January 2022. To date, not a single penny has been paid out. Will Karen Adam tell us when it will be?

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

They absolutely could be—and, indeed, are being—built.What Scotland needs is informed, long-term strategic planning. We need a strategy that not only recognises the importance of oil and gas jobs, energy security, the environment, the economy and skills, but acknowledges the n...

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

I am afraid that the deep ignorance of the SNP’s nuclear policy is exemplified in that intervention. Nobody is proposing to build Hinkley C in Scotland; what we are looking at is small modular reactors—

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

I fundamentally disagree. We only need to go and look at the current infrastructure that is out there. That is what the money has bought, because, thankfully, we are part of a wholly integrated United Kingdom. To suggest otherwise is deeply irresponsible, and that irresponsibi...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

I congratulate Stephen Gethins on his appointment as energy minister and I commiserate with him for having to prosecute such an evidentially lacking and, indeed, threadbare motion. Listening to the debate exposes the perils of reducing nuanced, data-driven policy areas to the ...

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

The member does not, however, address the fact that demand is continuing to rise and is not going anywhere. Where do we source the gas and oil to meet the demand?

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

28 May 2026

Scotland’s Energy

Will the member take an intervention?

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

28 May 2026

First Minister’s Question Time

After the Government releasing more than 1,400 prisoners early, cutting the automatic early release point to less than a third of the sentence, bringing in a presumption against short sentences and all but stopping under-25s from going to prison, Scotland’s prison population i...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

26 May 2026

Urgent Question · Public Confidence in Political Institutions

Does the First Minister agree with those who suggest that it is inappropriate for serving Government ministers to sit on the SNP’s national executive committee while serious questions hang over its handling of concerns around SNP finances?

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

26 May 2026

Independence Referendum

Will the member give way on that point?

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

26 May 2026

Independence Referendum

Will the member confirm that the SNP not only wanted a higher energy profits levy but wanted it without the investment allowances that the Conservatives brought in?

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

26 May 2026

Urgent Question · Public Confidence in Political Institutions

Does the First Minister agree with those who suggest that it is inappropriate for serving Government ministers to sit on the SNP’s national executive committee while serious questions hang over its handling of concerns around SNP finances?

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

26 May 2026

Independence Referendum

Will the member give way on that point?

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

26 May 2026

Independence Referendum

Will the member confirm that the SNP not only wanted a higher energy profits levy but wanted it without the investment allowances that the Conservatives brought in?

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

Scottish Police Federation joint central committee minutes from May 2025 warned of “low staffing levels” in public order policing. Given the appalling disorder in Glasgow, the estimated 3,000 people involved, the serious injuries to officers and the fact that we have 1,000 few...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

Scottish Police Federation joint central committee minutes from May 2025 warned of “low staffing levels” in public order policing. Given the appalling disorder in Glasgow, the estimated 3,000 people involved, the serious injuries to officers and the fact that we have 1,000 few...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

Scottish Police Federation joint central committee minutes from May 2025 warned of “low staffing levels” in public order policing. Given the appalling disorder in Glasgow, the estimated 3,000 people involved, the serious injuries to officers and the fact that we have 1,000 few...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

19 May 2026

Urgent Question · Football Disorder in Glasgow (Discussions)

Scottish Police Federation joint central committee minutes from May 2025 warned of “low staffing levels” in public order policing. Given the appalling disorder in Glasgow, the estimated 3,000 people involved, the serious injuries to officers and the fact that we have 1,000 few...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Matthew Liam Philip Kerr, 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.

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Matthew Liam Philip Kerr, 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.

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Matthew Liam Philip Kerr, 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.

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

25 Mar 2026

General Question Time · Fusion Strategy

What does the cabinet secretary understand to be the estimated average build cost of a small modular reactor?

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

19 Mar 2026

General Question Time · NHS Grampian (Deficit)

I thank the cabinet secretary for his answer and welcome him back to the chamber. I am pleased to see him back. Applause.NHS Grampian is staring into the abyss, following years of underfunding. In Aberdeen, £14.5 million-worth of cuts mean that the Rosewell House rehabilitatio...

2. Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

19 Mar 2026

General Question Time · NHS Grampian (Deficit)

To ask the Scottish Government how it expects NHS Grampian to address a projected deficit of £76 million for 2026-27, in light of it having already made £62 million of savings in 2025-26 and requiring a further £40 million of budget reductions in 2026-27. (S6O-05665)

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Decision Time

I had indicated that the Conservatives were going to oppose motion S6M-21126, and my party and I spoke against that particular SSI, but it did not go to a vote. It is clear that the Presiding Officer did not hear anyone shout no, which I respect. Interruption.

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Decision Time

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Interruption.

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Parliamentary Bureau Motion

I do agree. I think that Pauline McNeill made that exact point in committee very eloquently. The public will not understand this. They will also not understand why the cabinet secretary comes to the Criminal Justice Committee and to this chamber saying, “Remember, short senten...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

18 Mar 2026

Parliamentary Bureau Motion

I rise to speak against this SSI, which, if passed tonight, will mean that any prisoner who is sentenced to four years or less will automatically be released after serving just 30 per cent of their sentence. No ifs, no buts, and no governor’s veto—no matter how dangerous a pri...

Liam Kerr Con Committee

18 Mar 2026

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Yes, thank you.

Liam Kerr Con Committee

18 Mar 2026

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Forgive me, convener, but I still do not understand. My position is that I do not feel able to say to my colleagues in full Parliament, “I think that this LCM should go through.” I think that we should take our time. As long as that is somehow clear, I will do whatever I need to.

Liam Kerr Con Committee

18 Mar 2026

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

I just want to be clear on what I am agreeing to. Are we being asked to recommend, in writing, to our colleagues in full Parliament that the LCM be agreed to?

Liam Kerr Con Committee

18 Mar 2026

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

I am not sure whether this is a separate part of the proceedings, but I do not think that the committee should recommend to the Parliament that, at this stage, the provisions be consented to. I have two reasons for saying that, which are rooted in the questions that I put to t...

Liam Kerr Con Committee

18 Mar 2026

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Presumably it will be in the next session.

Liam Kerr Con Committee

18 Mar 2026

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

When do you think that the Parliament will be asked the substantial question?

Liam Kerr Con Committee

18 Mar 2026

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

I have a quick question. What happens if the committee does not recommend consent to Parliament, and what happens if Parliament does not consent to the LCM? When do you anticipate that Parliament will be asked to give its consent to the LCM?

Liam Kerr Con Committee

18 Mar 2026

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

I am grateful.You will see a theme develop with my final question at this stage. I understand that the Scottish Government has had verbal engagement with Police Scotland about the bill, but there is currently no written record of that engagement. Have you met Police Scotland a...

Liam Kerr Con Committee

18 Mar 2026

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

I am grateful. Have you had any direct meeting, or is there any correspondence that you can share, with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on either the substantive bill or the LCM?

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Committee

18 Mar 2026

Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

Good morning, cabinet secretary. The veterans commissioners for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have expressed concerns about veterans protections, lawfare and historical narrative revision. Given that—indeed, in any event—has the cabinet secretary sought the views of the...

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Topical Question Time · Police Scotland (Budget Allocation)

It is always worth remembering that I, too, have access to figures. Since 2021, recorded crime is up 6 per cent, sexual crime is up 10 per cent, shoplifting is up 137 per cent and violent crime is up 13 per cent. The number of police officers, however, is down by 1,000 since 2...

Liam Kerr Con Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Topical Question Time · Police Scotland (Budget Allocation)

The cabinet secretary strangely failed to mention one implication of the budget being £50 million less than requested, which is that, at the Scottish National Party’s own conference, the general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation flagged the fact that terminally ill p...

3. Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Topical Question Time · Police Scotland (Budget Allocation)

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on Police Scotland of the budget 2026-27 allocation being £50 million less than the amount requested by the Chief Constable. (S6T-02951)

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

12 Mar 2026

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

Amendment 207 says that the Scottish ministers must fully fund the new body. Can the member indicate how much that might end up costing?

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

I support this SSI, which adds the characteristic of sex as a protected characteristic to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, because women and girls deserve protection in law and we must seek to address prejudice based on sex, exactly as I, Adam Tomkins, Joha...