Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-19027, in the name of Ben Macpherson, on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Sc...

The Minister for Higher and Further Education (Ben Macpherson) SNP

I am pleased to open today’s debate on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill as my first contribution to parliamentary...

Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) LD

I welcome Ben Macpherson to his new role. When he met Dr Liz Cameron from the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, did she express her strong opposition to the bil...

Ben Macpherson SNP

My engagement with the Chambers of Commerce and with Dr Liz Cameron has been extensive over my years as an MSP, and I respect her and the organisation very m...

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

Does the minister accept that Universities Scotland and others have said that those changes could happen now, and that there is money associated with the bil...

Ben Macpherson SNP

I was pleased to speak with Universities Scotland yesterday, and I was pleased to see the support for the bill that it issued in advance of today’s debate.

Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

Will the member give way?

Ben Macpherson SNP

I need to make some progress, but thank you. At its core, the bill intends to make impactful changes to ensure that funding goes directly to where it matter...

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Ind

Will the minister give way?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

The minister should be starting to conclude his remarks.

Ben Macpherson SNP

We want to consider what improvements can be made to the range of different models for vocational pathways so that we can build on good practice and protect ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Douglas Ross to speak on behalf of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. 15:07

Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Education, Children and Young People Committee about our scrutiny of the Tertiary Education and T...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call on Miles Briggs to open on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. 15:15

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con) Con

I welcome the minister to his role, as I did on Tuesday. I also thank Graeme Dey for his constructive work on the bill both cross party and with the Educati...

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (Jenny Gilruth) SNP

This morning.

Miles Briggs Con

Oh—this morning. The work that the school is undertaking with young people in that part of the capital—especially those with attendance challenges—is exempl...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

Will the member take an intervention?

Miles Briggs Con

Yes, very briefly.

Daniel Johnson Lab

Although some sectors might well value the delivery of the skills system through alternative provision, specifically private provision, is there not also a r...

Miles Briggs Con

Yes, and I will come on to that. That is, as the committee highlighted, one of the main concerns. According to Audit Scotland’s report “Scotland’s colleges ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Pam Duncan-Glancy to open on behalf of Scottish Labour. 15:22

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

We have a proud history of skills in Scotland. Our people are among the most talented in the world, and we punch above our weight when it comes to our contri...

Ben Macpherson SNP

As I outlined in my opening remarks, there is a shared understanding that, across the chamber, we need to make improvements throughout the country. Does the ...

Pam Duncan-Glancy Lab

I welcome the minister’s intervention. Forgive me, but I should have started by welcoming him to his place and congratulating him again on his new role. Of ...

Ben Macpherson SNP

Made a request to intervene.

Pam Duncan-Glancy Lab

Presiding Officer, do I have time to take an intervention?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I can give you a bit of time back.

Ben Macpherson SNP

It would be helpful for me at this juncture to understand whether the parties that are opposing the bill today have a determination to work with the proposed...

Pam Duncan-Glancy Lab

We are, of course, always happy to work with members across the chamber during the progress of any bill and to improve any piece of legislation. We will not ...