Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 23 September 2025 [Draft]
23 Sep 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Junior Minister
I start by acknowledging the apology that Jamie Hepburn made to the chamber earlier, which I thank him for. I also join other members in congratulating Ben Macpherson on his appointment. I have known him for his entire time in the Parliament, and he has always been committed to working across parties. He took that approach into Government during his previous time as a minister, and I am sure that he will continue that in this role. As other members have observed, the college and university sector is not without significant—some might say existential—challenges, and such an approach will be all the more important to the work. Again, I congratulate Ben Macpherson and wish him well in this crucial role.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-19015, in the name of John Swinney, on the appointment of a junior Scottish minister. I remind members th...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
The ministerial changes that I am making today arise from the resignation on Friday of Jamie Hepburn as Minister for Parliamentary Business. Jamie Hepburn di...
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to speak on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives about the appointment of Ben Macpherson as Minister for Higher and Further Education. For many ...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I warmly congratulate Ben Macpherson on his appointment as Minister for Higher and Further Education and welcome him to that vital role. I look forward to wo...
Lorna Slater (Lothian) (Green)
Green
On behalf of the Scottish Green Party, I welcome Ben Macpherson’s appointment as Minister for Higher and Further Education. It is a critical appointment at a...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I start by acknowledging the apology that Jamie Hepburn made to the chamber earlier, which I thank him for. I also join other members in congratulating Ben M...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
That concludes the debate on the appointment of a junior Scottish minister. The question is, that motion S6M-19015, in the name of John Swinney, on the appo...