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Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
Presiding Officer’s Closing Remarks
16:47
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
25 Mar 2026
Decision Time
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
25 Mar 2026
Decision Time
16:47
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
25 Mar 2026
Motion of Thanks
That concludes the debate on the motion of thanks.
Alex Cole-Hamilton LD Chamber
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
Motion of Thanks
I call Russell Findlay.16:30
The First Minister SNP Chamber
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
Motion of Thanks
First Minister, could I possibly ask you to move the motion? Laughter.
The First Minister (John Swinney) SNP Chamber
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
Motion of Thanks
16:22
Speaker unknown Chamber
25 Mar 2026
First Minister’s Question Time
12:01
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers
I beg your pardon. That was my fault.
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Chamber
25 Mar 2026
Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers
I never pressed the request-to-speak button.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
25 Mar 2026
Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers
Fulton MacGregor has a supplementary question.
Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers
Members!
Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
Portfolio Question Time · First-time Buyers
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting first-time buyers. (S6O-05712)
Màiri McAllan SNP Chamber
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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
25 Mar 2026
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 (Hybrid) 11 November 2020

11 Nov 2020 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
University and College Students (Support)
Lochhead, Richard SNP Moray Watch on SPTV

We have to learn lessons from the start of the new term in September and October, when freshers arrived at university and there were outbreaks of Covid in university halls of residence. For the students who were affected, that caused a lot of distress and soured their experience of their first few weeks at university.

As members heard in the statistics that I provided earlier, the situation has dramatically improved. For students, going back to university or college after new year is quite different from attending freshers week during their first experience of university in September, so there will be a different set of circumstances.

However, we will not be complacent, and the rise in the number of cases nationally since September has to be taken into account in how we approach the new year. We will continue to discuss that with student representatives and the institutions, in order that we can provide as much clarity as possible in good time for students to know what to expect after the new year.

In the same item of business

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Lewis Macdonald) Lab
The next item of business is a statement by Richard Lochhead, on universities and colleges: supporting students to return home safely at the end of term. The...
The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science (Richard Lochhead) SNP
I last stood in front of Parliament at the end of September to make a statement about supporting students through the global pandemic. Today, I want to provi...
The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab
The minister will now take questions on the issues that were raised in his statement.
Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con) Con
I thank the minister for advance sight of his statement and add my thanks to our further and higher education staff, who are trying to deliver as near to nor...
Richard Lochhead SNP
I thank Jamie Greene for his questions and the constructive way in which he asked them. Clearly, our absolute objective is to ensure that students can return...
Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab) Lab
I thank the minister for early sight of his statement. We have been asking for some time for a plan for students to be able to return safely home at Christma...
Richard Lochhead SNP
Iain Gray asked a number of questions, and I will do my best to answer them. On cost, we are part of a UK programme, and the UK Treasury will hopefully be c...
The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab
I would like succinct questions and answers, please, as we are running a little behind time.
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) SNP
The minister rightly recognised that, for some care-experienced students, student accommodation is their home. In addition, many international and other stud...
Richard Lochhead SNP
Clare Adamson is absolutely correct. This year, universities are expecting more students to stay on campus and not go home for Christmas than in previous yea...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con
As my colleague Jamie Greene said, we are pleased that the minister now recognises the potential value of testing asymptomatic students, which is something t...
Richard Lochhead SNP
The clinical governance will be worked up in the coming days in conjunction with colleagues across the home nations. We are learning from the pilots that too...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) SNP
I am pleased that we have clarity with regard to students going home at Christmas, but I want to look a wee bit further ahead. What safeguards will be in pla...
Richard Lochhead SNP
We have to learn lessons from the start of the new term in September and October, when freshers arrived at university and there were outbreaks of Covid in un...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab
The availability of testing of students this side of Christmas is welcome. Will the minister take the opportunity to commit to its on-going availability afte...
Richard Lochhead SNP
I am sure that we will learn a lot from asymptomatic testing in our universities and colleges at the end of this term. We will continue to discuss the possib...
Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green) Green
The Green Party’s support for asymptomatic testing is well known. I welcome today’s announcement, but I am concerned about the lack of any plan for testing s...
Richard Lochhead SNP
I repeat the point that asymptomatic testing—indeed, any testing—is not a panacea. It plays an important role, but it is important that students and the rest...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) LD
It is a shame that the Government has been dragged into this position; for months, political parties across the chamber have been asking for testing to happe...
Richard Lochhead SNP
I know that it is exceedingly unlikely, but should Willie Rennie ever find himself in government, he will find that he has to listen to the advice of clinica...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP
The minister has said that the testing programme is a UK Government programme. Will he confirm whether the Treasury has agreed to meet the costs?
Richard Lochhead SNP
My understanding is that that is being considered by the Treasury. Quite clearly, it is a UK programme that is working with our universities and the Scottish...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con
I ask for complete clarity from the minister about his intentions for the testing that will follow beyond the Christmas break for returning students, many of...
Richard Lochhead SNP
As I have said, we are of course looking at testing as part of the return of students to our institutions after the new year. However, at the moment, we are ...
Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) SNP
Many students will be basing their decision on whether to return home to stay with family this Christmas on a variety of factors, including financial ones. W...
Richard Lochhead SNP
Yes. For many students, in particular those who have not been able to work due to the impact of Covid on the economy, it has been a tough time financially. T...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab
I urge the minister to give detailed timescales, because young people and their families will be expecting that, and not that he will simply look at timescal...
Richard Lochhead SNP
There are exceptions to the current travel guidance, for which students would qualify in getting to their education. However, our guidance is, of course, bei...
Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) SNP
How ready are colleges and universities to provide learning online for students who cannot, or do not want to, return to halls or shared accommodation after ...
Richard Lochhead SNP
There has been a huge shift to online learning and teaching in our colleges and universities. Clearly, however, that is not practicable for some courses, hen...