Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 02 December 2025
02 Dec 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Commonwealth Games (Glasgow 2026)
There are a couple of points to respond to, and the first is the point about the scaled-down games. They were scaled down so that we can work with Commonwealth Sport on reimagining what the Commonwealth games can be and to encourage others to bid to hold them. The fact that Nigeria was in the running and that, for the first time, there was the prospect of an African nation being able to host the Commonwealth games is a legacy of Glasgow that we hope can be sustained towards 2034. We hope that we will see more nations being able to bid to hold the games.
The reimagining is not necessarily through choice or because we want the games to be smaller, but in order to ensure their sustainability into the future. We are all aware of why we are hosting in 2026 and why others have had to step in in the past.
The opportunity to enhance sport is absolutely at the heart of what I will be looking to do alongside the minister for sport, Maree Todd. Through the budget process, we will be looking to ensure that we can support team Scotland going into the games. The issues that Mr Whittle has raised have been raised with us at meetings with sports governing bodies, and we will give them serious attention during the budget process.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a statement by Neil Gray on the Commonwealth games in Glasgow in 2026. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of h...
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Neil Gray)
SNP
I am delighted to be here this afternoon to address the chamber ahead of the Commonwealth games next year. Today marks 233 days until the opening ceremony of...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues that were raised in his statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which...
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
As a proud Glaswegian, I look forward to welcoming all the world-class athletes who will be competing in the games and all the visitors. Furthermore, I would...
Neil Gray
SNP
No—because there is also a cone on the head of Finnie, the mascot, who is on the badge that I am proudly wearing. I will answer Sandesh Gulhane’s points, be...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of his statement. Scottish Labour fully supports the Commonwealth games in Glasgow in 2026. That is why we e...
Neil Gray
SNP
In relation to business engagement and what can be done to maximise the business opportunities from the summer of sport, it is important that we recognise th...
Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP)
SNP
After Scotland, the next host of the Commonwealth games will be India. Can the cabinet secretary say a little bit about the opportunity to build economic and...
Neil Gray
SNP
That is an important aspect. We recognise that the delivery of the games is fundamentally important, as they are a major sporting event that can showcase the...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
The cabinet secretary rightly spoke about the opportunity that the Commonwealth games bring to Glasgow and Scotland. The legacy of the games, however scaled ...
Neil Gray
SNP
There are a couple of points to respond to, and the first is the point about the scaled-down games. They were scaled down so that we can work with Commonweal...
George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)
SNP
I remember when Mr Whittle was a sporting hero, running the anchor leg for Scotland in the 1990 Commonwealth games and winning silver for his nation. I watch...
Neil Gray
SNP
Mr Whittle was someone I looked up to when I was a 400m runner—and I can say with a straight face that I genuinely was a wee boy in 1990: I was four years ol...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I volunteered as a member of the medal ceremonies team for 2014. It was a fantastic experience, and the city was buzzing. The opportunity to recapture that f...
Neil Gray
SNP
We went through extensive searches for potential venues, and the Corinthian was viewed to be the best according to the criteria that were set out at various ...
Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
All eyes will be on Glasgow as the games get under way and huge numbers of visitors and athletes are drawn to the city. The cabinet secretary touched on this...
Neil Gray
SNP
The Commonwealth games will bring significant economic opportunities to Glasgow and the wider region, as well as to the whole of Scotland. Major internationa...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
I am grateful for the advance copy of the statement, but, like a couple of members, I was a little surprised that the cabinet secretary did not mention some ...
Neil Gray
SNP
That is an important area. I recognise Patrick Harvie’s point about ensuring that we evaluate the benefit of the pilot, not just for the games but, more wide...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
During London 2012, I took Humza Yousaf out on a detached youth work shift in Govan. We entered Elder park to find 50 of the most excluded and marginalised y...
Neil Gray
SNP
On the economic aspect, I agree with Alex Cole-Hamilton on the need to ensure that we support and facilitate people to be able to enjoy sport. I was the bene...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
It is vital that the games are more than a one-off event and that they create a long-term legacy for communities across the country. We all know that sport a...
Neil Gray
SNP
I could not agree more with Emma Harper. I mentioned a few examples of that in my statement, and, as I have said, I am pleased that the first phase of work h...
Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
Every Glaswegian will, of course, be looking forward to welcoming athletes, supporters and visitors from across the world to Glasgow next year, but some Glas...
Neil Gray
SNP
I am confident that Glasgow City Council and Glasgow will be in shape to welcome the world. I say that not only from my perspective standing here but because...
Marie McNair (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
SNP
Glasgow has built a track record of hosting successful events and has become a world-class hosting destination with the necessary facilities and expertise fo...
Neil Gray
SNP
Glasgow has a significant reputation for hosting major sporting events. We have had the world indoor athletics championships, the world cycling championships...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
That concludes the ministerial statement. I will allow a few moments for those on the front benches to organise themselves before we move on to the next item...