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Showing 60 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.

The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone) NPA Chamber

Presiding Officer’s Closing Remarks

It is actually so much easier when people are not saying nice things about you in the chair. Laughter.Seriously, though, friends—it is my privilege to make some remarks to close this last scheduled meeting of session 6. We began this session during the Covid pandemic, in a soc...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber

Presiding Officer’s Closing Remarks

I have the great pleasure of handing over the microphone to our Presiding Officer, who wishes to address the chamber.16:48

Speaker unknown Chamber

Presiding Officer’s Closing Remarks

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber

There is one question to be put as a result of today’s business. The question is, that motion S6M-21180, in the name of John Swinney, on a motion of thanks, be agreed to.Motion agreed to,That the Parliament expresses its thanks to its Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone, for h...

Speaker unknown Chamber

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber

Motion of Thanks

That concludes the debate on the motion of thanks.

Alex Cole-Hamilton LD Chamber

Motion of Thanks

Each member of our staff in this institution exhibits professionalism every day, and none more so than when circumstance and situation command it of them. When the Parliament needs to be in full sail in the eyes of the world, they have it thrumming like an America’s cup yacht....

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD) LD Chamber

Motion of Thanks

I start by paying tribute to both Deputy Presiding Officers, and I echo the words that have been said about you. In particular, I say to Annabelle Ewing, what a loss you will be to the chamber—I wish you well with whatever comes next.There is a poignancy about today. I think a...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland) (Green) Green Chamber

Motion of Thanks

This has been a hugely challenging session, so I want to be a wee bit more light hearted before turning to thanks for the Presiding Officer. I thank parliamentary and MSP staff, as others have done, for their work this session. We would not be able to do our jobs without them....

Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Motion of Thanks

I will start by not only supporting the motion in the First Minister’s name but echoing all his comments.Presiding Officer, I thank you for your dedication over the past five years and for your dedication over 15 years to your constituents and to the great people of Scotland.T...

Russell Findlay (West Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber

Motion of Thanks

Thank you, Presiding Officers, in the plural. Unlike at First Minister’s question time today, all you will hear from me just now are warm words in a soothing tone.I begin by thanking you, Presiding Officer, and your colleagues Annabelle Ewing and Liam McArthur. Your job is dif...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber

Motion of Thanks

I call Russell Findlay.16:30

The First Minister SNP Chamber

Motion of Thanks

I move,That the Parliament expresses its thanks to its Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone, for her dedicated service to the Parliament; thanks her Deputy Presiding Officers, and pays tribute to all of those Members who are standing down at the end of this session.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber

Motion of Thanks

First Minister, could I possibly ask you to move the motion? Laughter.

The First Minister (John Swinney) SNP Chamber

Motion of Thanks

As this sixth session of the Scottish Parliament comes to a close, I extend my thanks to the Presiding Officer and the Deputy Presiding Officers for the service that each of them has given to the Parliament over the past five years.The Presiding Officers have always managed th...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber

Motion of Thanks

Before we turn to the next item of business, I hope that members do not mind if I say a few words. I would like to say specifically what an honour it has been for me to serve in the Scottish Parliament, which, of course, was reconvened by my late mother, Winnie Ewing, in 1999....

Speaker unknown Chamber

Motion of Thanks

Speaker unknown Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Temporary Accommodation

That concludes portfolio question time. There will be a short pause before we move on to the next item of business.

Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Temporary Accommodation

I would say that, although I said in response to Clare Adamson that temporary accommodation is a vital safety net for families and individuals who find themselves facing homelessness, we must reduce the length of time that people spend in temporary accommodation and make rapid...

Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) LD Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Temporary Accommodation

In the past five years of the Government’s tenure, 17,811 children have been trapped in temporary accommodation for more than a year. Whoever is elected to this Parliament next month must commit to it never being repeated that so many children have had to suffer for so long. M...

Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Temporary Accommodation

That fund, which goes directly to councils to help them to turn around social voids quickly and to acquire family homes on the market, is a critical part of our response to the housing emergency, because although we are putting a huge amount of work into delivering more afford...

Clare Adamson SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Temporary Accommodation

One of my most frustrating constituent issues is when people who are expecting to move into accommodation cannot do so because it is not ready on time, which can cause stress for families. Will the cabinet secretary explain how the targeted £80 million investment to support lo...

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Temporary Accommodation

I echo Clare Adamson’s thanks. On her question, temporary accommodation provides a vital safety net as part of our housing system in Scotland, but we, of course, want people to spend as little time as possible there.I will run through some of the actions that we have taken rec...

8. Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Temporary Accommodation

Forgive me, Presiding Officer, but I hope that you will indulge me, as I wish to thank all those working across the Parliament campus to support MSPs, including the clerks, the Scottish Parliament information centre and the legal teams, and I wish all my colleagues the very be...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Heating Oil Prices (Low-income Rural and Off-grid Households)

I call Clare Adamson, who joins us remotely.

Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Heating Oil Prices (Low-income Rural and Off-grid Households)

I express the Government’s sympathy with those who are wrestling with dramatically increased oil prices, which will have come as a very unwelcome shock to households. Rona Mackay is absolutely right that the £4.6 million that the United Kingdom Government has allocated is abso...

Rona Mackay SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Heating Oil Prices (Low-income Rural and Off-grid Households)

I thank the cabinet secretary for that welcome response. One of my constituents has seen their heating oil bill triple overnight, has no savings and has been told to wait until April for support that amounts to pennies per household. Does the cabinet secretary agree that the £...

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Heating Oil Prices (Low-income Rural and Off-grid Households)

Today, we have announced that the Scottish emergency heating oil scheme will be delivered by Advice Direct Scotland and will be open for applications from 1 April. The scheme will be available to users of both heating oil and liquefied petroleum gas. Low-income households and ...

7. Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Heating Oil Prices (Low-income Rural and Off-grid Households)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking through its fuel poverty programmes to support low-income rural and off-grid households that are unable to heat their homes due to the recent increase in heating oil prices. (S6O-05715)

Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · More Homes Scotland (Affordable Housing and Homelessness)

: One of the main drivers—if not the main driver—of homelessness is poverty. More homes Scotland will help to drive forward the Government’s core priorities of eradicating child poverty and growing our economy. To do that, we must focus on building more social homes and maximi...

Elena Whitham SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · More Homes Scotland (Affordable Housing and Homelessness)

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests—I am a member of Shelter Scotland’s committee.Given that far too many children live in temporary accommodation, more homes Scotland must be integral to ending homelessness, and its creation is most welcome. To s...

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · More Homes Scotland (Affordable Housing and Homelessness)

Increasing the supply of affordable homes is key to addressing housing need and critical to tackling homelessness. I am pleased to confirm that more homes Scotland will have a key focus on bringing speed, simplicity and scale to the delivery of more homes, including affordable...

6. Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · More Homes Scotland (Affordable Housing and Homelessness)

To ask the Scottish Government whether addressing affordable housing need and tackling homelessness will be more homes Scotland’s core mission. (S6O-05714)

Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Social Housing Waiting Lists (Kirkcaldy)

At the end of my last answer, I noted the record funding that the Scottish Government is making available next year and in the coming four years for affordable homes. I do not want to see any underspends given that commitment. It is the responsibility of councils such as Fife ...

David Torrance SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Social Housing Waiting Lists (Kirkcaldy)

Given the sustained pressure on social housing waiting lists in the Kirkcaldy constituency, will the cabinet secretary outline how the Scottish Government can ensure that local authorities make full and effective use of the resources that are available to them, particularly in...

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Social Housing Waiting Lists (Kirkcaldy)

I regularly meet Fife Council, and we discuss the local housing emergency, affordable housing supply, temporary accommodation and homelessness pressures. One of the most impactful ways to reduce the pressure on waiting lists is to deliver more affordable homes. In the Kirkcald...

5. David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Social Housing Waiting Lists (Kirkcaldy)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of reports of increasing pressure on social housing waiting lists in the Kirkcaldy constituency, including how it plans to support local authorities and housing associations to expand the availability of affordab...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers

I beg your pardon. That was my fault.

Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers

I never pressed the request-to-speak button.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers

Fulton MacGregor has a supplementary question.

Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers

Equally, the prospect of scrapping the land and buildings transaction tax or stamp duty land tax is for the birds, and I am afraid that it demonstrates that the Conservatives realise that their chances of implementing any such policies are, to put it politely, very slim.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers

Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers

Not for the first time—and probably not for the last—I completely disagree with Meghan Gallacher’s assessment. The individuals in Scotland who have benefited from our open market shared equity scheme do not consider it “inadequate”, as she has put it. I am sure that there are ...

Meghan Gallacher Con Chamber

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...

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers

I have heard from many young people—and, increasingly, not so young people—in Scotland for whom the hopeful prospect of owning their own home one day is becoming ever more distant. We all know that, by the end of the month, by the time that food costs, energy costs and rent ha...

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

Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers

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

Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Older People’s Housing

I agree with that. In my responses to Karen Adam, I was clear about local authorities’ responsibility to plan for that and the co-operation that we have with local authorities in making sure that it is delivered.I place on the record that the Scottish Government has committed ...

Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Older People’s Housing

Housing for older people is a key priority that is driven by an ageing population. Does the Scottish Government recognise that prioritising the right type of housing can improve quality of life and reduce the need for public services, particularly in health and social care?

Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Older People’s Housing

I share Karen Adam’s view on the importance of specialist housing. To be clear, I expect local authorities to ensure that the housing needs of their older population are met through the provision of high-quality and well-maintained homes. In that regard, I am pleased to advise...

Karen Adam SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Older People’s Housing

Over the past five years, in representing Banffshire and Buchan Coast, I have met many older constituents who are deeply worried about the future of such complexes. Those cases have touched my heart, and they are urgent. Those people want to stay independent and they want home...

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Older People’s Housing

Local authorities, as statutory housing authorities, are required to assess housing requirements locally and to set out how those will be met in their local housing strategies and development plans. That includes requirements for accessible, adaptable and wheelchair housing an...

3. Karen Adam (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Older People’s Housing

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that older people’s housing, including sheltered housing, is prioritised in local housing planning and delivery. (S6O-05711)

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Adult Disability Payment (Mental and Behavioural Disorders)

This will probably be the last time that I will have the opportunity—at least in the chamber—to thank Jeremy Balfour for the work that we have undertaken together over the years. We have disagreed on many things, but we have also agreed on a lot, particularly on social securit...

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Adult Disability Payment (Mental and Behavioural Disorders)

Does the cabinet secretary agree that ADP helps people to get into and stay in employment? If ADP is cut, more people in Scotland will have to claim other benefits because they are not able to work. I remind members that I am in receipt of higher-rate ADP.

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Adult Disability Payment (Mental and Behavioural Disorders)

The Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland’s recent work on the issue is exceptionally important. During a recent visit to Glasgow to launch the anti-stigma campaign encouraging people to apply for social security and to get the money that they are entitled to, I was pa...

Marie McNair (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Adult Disability Payment (Mental and Behavioural Disorders)

I, too, am proud that the Scottish National Party Government continues to strengthen social security support and maximise incomes for our most vulnerable. The recent report by the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland on the welfare state highlights that high spending ...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Adult Disability Payment (Mental and Behavioural Disorders)

I would be delighted to do so, but the member will have to be exceptionally quick in progressing the matter, as she will be aware that the pre-election period is coming up. I would have been delighted to take that forward at an earlier point had she raised the matter with me s...

Mercedes Villalba (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Adult Disability Payment (Mental and Behavioural Disorders)

A constituent of mine said:“I’ve been begging repeatedly for months for them to process my ADP claim, only to be ignored, told to contact charities or completely brushed off. We frequently go hungry due to severe financial hardship because I cannot afford to pay for essentials...

Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Adult Disability Payment (Mental and Behavioural Disorders)

I am sure that, as a practising GP, Dr Gulhane is aware that fit notes are not used in relation to adult disability payment; that is an entirely different part of the social security system. The part that Social Security Scotland uses, which was built with the clients in mind,...

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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 12 January 2016

12 Jan 2016 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Education

Allan, Dr Alasdair SNP Na h-Eileanan an Iar Watch on SPTV

Will Iain Gray give way?

In the same item of business

The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-15282, in the name of Angela Constance, on delivering a world-class education system. 14:55

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Angela Constance) SNP

It is a pleasure to open the debate, particularly at the start of a new and exciting year for education in Scotland. Just six days ago, at the international ...

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab) Lab

Has an analysis been done of the proportion of the one out of 10 who have not ended up in satisfactory destinations who have come from poor or deprived backg...

Angela Constance SNP

Ms Lamont knows as well as I do that the relationship between young people not being in positive destinations and their having a poor socioeconomic backgroun...

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

The cabinet secretary rightly made a point about teacher professionalism. With regard to her new headteacher qualification, does she accept that it is import...

Angela Constance SNP

I appreciate that there are particular challenges for rural communities and especially ones with small schools. I discussed that last summer when I attended ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

Thank you for finishing on time. We are very tight for time today. I remind members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons. ...

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab) Lab

We all want Scotland to have a world-class education system. The Labour amendment is designed to strengthen the Government motion, in which there is little t...

The Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages (Dr Alasdair Allan) SNP

Iain Gray mentioned the challenging time for local authority budgets. Has he yet reached a view as to where in the budget he would seek the money and what he...

Iain Gray Lab

I simply say that to come here and say that one is supporting school education while taking £0.5 billion from local government cannot be an honest approach e...

Dr Allan SNP

Will Iain Gray give way?

Iain Gray Lab

I have given way to the minister once already. Dr Scott is very clear on who is suffering. He said that “less able and middle ranking learners appear to ha...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

Aspiring to a world-class education system is absolutely where our sights should be set. That is not to denigrate the work of those who work in our schools, ...

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

This is unusual: the Conservatives are supporting the Government’s motion today. The reason is that the Government has accepted the OECD’s recommendations, a...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Thank you. We are extraordinarily tight for time today, so in order to protect the closing speakers in this debate, less would be more. You have up to six mi...

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP

Is it me? Thank you, Presiding Officer.

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Sorry. I call George Adam, to be followed by John Pentland.

George Adam SNP

You have already bitten into my time, Presiding Officer. Like many of my colleagues and fellow MSPs, I became involved in politics—as I have said in previo...

John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab

I believe that we are having this debate today not through the Scottish Government’s choice but as a reaction to criticisms of its education policy. It is ea...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

I call Gordon MacDonald, to be followed by Cara Hilton—up to six minutes, please. 15:45

Gordon MacDonald (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) SNP

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I apologise for my voice, which I hope will last for six minutes. Scotland has a fine history of achievement in education, sta...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Will you draw to a close, please?

Gordon MacDonald SNP

As the OECD recognised, curriculum for excellence has the ability to deliver a world-class education system for all, putting Scotland once again at the foref...

Cara Hilton (Dunfermline) (Lab) Lab

We all want Scotland to have an education system to be proud of. We want a Scotland in which every child in every community can achieve their true potential ...

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) SNP

For those of us who are not experts, the OECD report can be a challenging read at times. It is positive about Scotland’s achievements to date and the potenti...

Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP

We will continue to be challenged as individuals and as an educational system by the youngsters of today. Most youngsters do not carry a pen or a pencil. Tha...

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab) Lab

I declare an interest as a member of the EIS. I was a teacher for 20 years, and I probably still am at heart. I always welcome the opportunity to be involved...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

I regret that I now have to reduce the speaking time of the remaining open debate speakers to five minutes. 16:16

Stuart McMillan (West Scotland) (SNP) SNP

Listening to Stewart Stevenson’s speech, two things struck me. The first was the issue of children’s questions. I have two daughters and some of the question...

Johann Lamont Lab

Will the member give way?