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Hansard

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.

129
Current MSPs
415
MSPs ever elected
13
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2,354,908
Hansard contributions
1999–2026
Coverage span
Official Report

Search Hansard contributions

Showing 60 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
17 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill
Death is a universal experience, yet it remains a difficult subject. We all approach this debate with a profound desire to live. People who are asking us to support the bill would certainly rather live, but for many of them, that choice has been removed by a terminal diagnosis...
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan
—the SNP will fulfil its promise to Scotland’s children?
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan
The SNP went into the 2021 election promising universal free school meals for all primary pupils. When in government, the roll-out to all primary 1 to primary 7 children was promised by August 2022, but thousands of children are still waiting, years later. Does the cabinet sec...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
05 Mar 2026
First Minister’s Question Time
It feels as though it is a good time to remind the Parliament and Kevin Stewart in particular that the triple threat of climate breakdown, nature loss and pollution is an urgent danger to our people and environment.I thank the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Clima...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
24 Feb 2026
Scottish Parliament (Recall and Removal of Members) Bill: Stage 3
I think that I am finally off mute. I apologise. I could not connect. I would have voted yes.
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
That is helpful.
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
That has been covered. I am mindful of the time, so could I get just a word or two about the role of NatureScot? We heard from it earlier. Given the new governance structures around this and the four-nations approach, do you see any particular challenges for NatureScot in rela...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
I will wait.
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
I think that I have been clear in making the point about my intention with the order. From what I have heard, I believe that the Government has failed to look at the issue in a wider sense. The discussions with the justice secretary could have happened earlier in the process. ...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
I hope that I have been clear with the committee and the minister that I will support the order today, because it is the option that is in front of us and to delay action on it would not be the right thing to do. However, for the benefit of the record, I am saying that the Gov...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
I will support the order today, because I recognise the broad aims that the minister has set out. I would have liked to hear more clarity about how the order will work operationally and what criteria will be considered for reviews or appeals. We got there towards the end, but ...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
I think that your official is nodding in agreement with you. That is a clear answer, so I thank you, minister.
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
Given the serious nature of some of the questions about serious types of crime and antisocial behaviour that have been asked in this meeting, it is regrettable that there has been a lot of mansplaining at the committee today. Two former transport ministers have come to your re...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
I will hand back to the convener, but it is unfortunate that the minister has been extremely vague. We are designing a process that could allow for any number of outcomes. I am asking the minister not to get drawn into individual cases, but whether it is his intention that som...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
As you have designed the instrument, there will be discretion for civil servants to decide that someone who has committed a serious crime and caused harm to others would be able to continue to use the bus with a concessionary travel card.
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
This is called scrutiny. In what situation, minister, do you think that it is okay that someone who has seriously harmed a passenger or a bus driver should be allowed to retain their free bus pass or win an appeal to get it back? Please tell me in what circumstance that is okay.
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
So, you do have a view. Will you please tell us what it is?
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
I must come back in. I will try to keep my remarks short. I am listening carefully, minister, but every time that you are asked for clarification, you seem to delegate that answer somewhere else. The Parliament will want to know what we are being asked to support, both today a...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
It is not about a personal passion of mine; it is about the perception out there in the country. There are many people, particularly women and girls and marginalised people, who do not feel safe on the bus. What I am getting at with the message of zero tolerance is not about u...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
You are saying “likelihood”. I do not know whether victims and families affected by crimes that have happened on buses feel that the Government fully has their back on this.
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
Yes, so why are we just talking about antisocial behaviour?
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
It is important to understand the policy intention. If the intention is zero tolerance of crime and—
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
Where is the messaging on that? For anyone who is thinking about getting on a bus today or tomorrow and behaving in a way that is beyond the pale, where is the messaging from the Government that that is not acceptable?
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
In order for us to make a judgment on the instrument, we need to fully understand the Government’s intention. What I am not hearing clearly enough—I am giving you an opportunity to put this on the record so that people who are listening understand the Government’s position—is ...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
Thank you.
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
Committees are always curious about ministers’ views. You have had these conversations with young people, and you have said that they are talking about the benefits of the scheme. We are exploring what more could be done in policy terms. Would the sort of extension that I have...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
I will make no such declaration, convener.Minister, I want to pick up on what you said about young people and those in education telling you that the scheme has been a game changer for them and that they really value it. As we know, the scheme is about opening up opportunities...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
It is disappointing that we cannot get clarity on that just now, given that the minister is here with four officials.
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
The minister perhaps knows the answer.
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
This is an interesting place to start. The £4 million is effectively the cost of running the scheme, so that people can have their concessionary travel cards. Will that cover staffing costs?
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
So—
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
Subordinate Legislation
No—I might have misheard. Is this about the operational costs—the costs of running the scheme?
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
NatureScot (Annual Report and Accounts and Future Priorities)
That is encouraging. Thank you.
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
NatureScot (Annual Report and Accounts and Future Priorities)
I strongly agree that we need a joined-up approach.I am watching the clock; the convener is sitting right there. I just have one more question, convener, about the progress that we need to make on the 30 by 30 target. What progress has NatureScot made in assessing potential ar...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
NatureScot (Annual Report and Accounts and Future Priorities)
Yes, it does. Thank you, Pete. Some of the earlier comments from Nick were obviously important for us to hear today, and they are now on record for the next Parliament to pick up the baton. It is clear what the ambition is and what the milestones are, but there are a number of...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
NatureScot (Annual Report and Accounts and Future Priorities)
I want to briefly ask something that is supplementary to the deputy convener’s question. Nick, in your opening comments, you talked about the complexity of your organisation’s work but also said that, at times, it can be contentious. It is important that we see in writing some...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
NatureScot (Annual Report and Accounts and Future Priorities)
Is that change likely to be part of a broader shift to strategic biodiversity compensation approaches? What are your views?
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
NatureScot (Annual Report and Accounts and Future Priorities)
There is that long-term approach. Pete, do you want to comment?
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
NatureScot (Annual Report and Accounts and Future Priorities)
That is helpful. I am just trying to understand the role of NatureScot in all of this, because it sounds as though there might be some joint working and a need for good communication, record keeping and data.
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
NatureScot (Annual Report and Accounts and Future Priorities)
Do you anticipate that decisions will be made at a ministerial level, whether by UK ministers or Scottish ministers? Will that impact on local planning authorities?
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab Committee
17 Feb 2026
NatureScot (Annual Report and Accounts and Future Priorities)
On the same theme, I want to drill down into the governance arrangements and what you anticipate the role of NatureScot will be.You have said that it is complex and that sites in England and other areas outwith Scotland are not within your jurisdiction. Let us say that an offs...
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
05 Feb 2026
Ecocide (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I have great faith in Edward Mountain, even though he might be talking himself down today. As convener, he expertly chairs the committee every Tuesday morning.As I look around at the colleagues who are in the chamber, I know that we can do this. As Douglas Lumsden said—I think...
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
05 Feb 2026
Ecocide (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
As a socialist, I always have a glass that is half full, and I believe that we can get this done—I will move mountains to get this done.
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
05 Feb 2026
Ecocide (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I thank all colleagues for their contributions to the debate. It is clear that members have put a lot of thought into the points that they wanted to make. I will repeat what I said at the beginning of the debate: I take the committee’s report seriously, I am grateful for its w...
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
05 Feb 2026
Ecocide (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I declare an interest as a fellow member of the committee, although I was recused from scrutiny of the bill.I recognise that, like other committees, the committee has a high workload. However, does the member feel reassured by me and the cabinet secretary that work on the amen...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
05 Feb 2026
Ecocide (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I begin by declaring a financial interest, which is listed in my entry in the register of interests: I have received in-kind support from Stop Ecocide International.Today, we have a historic opportunity to join a global movement and take the first step towards introducing ecoc...
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
05 Feb 2026
Royal Burgh of Rutherglen (900th Anniversary)
Another fantastic organisation has come to mind: Classrooms for Malawi, which is also based in Rutherglen. Over the years, we have joined forces on the issue of period dignity, and I know that it appreciates the cross-party work in the Parliament that led to the Period Product...
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
05 Feb 2026
Royal Burgh of Rutherglen (900th Anniversary)
As dance partners.
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
05 Feb 2026
Royal Burgh of Rutherglen (900th Anniversary)
Contemporary dance.
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
05 Feb 2026
Royal Burgh of Rutherglen (900th Anniversary)
Absolutely, and if I had stuck to my speaking notes, Councillor Robert Brown would have been one of the first people I would have mentioned. When I became a South Lanarkshire councillor in 2012, Robert Brown was the first person to say hello and greet me as a fellow councillor...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
05 Feb 2026
Royal Burgh of Rutherglen (900th Anniversary)
I congratulate Clare Haughey on securing the debate. It has been lovely to hear the contributions so far. Everyone has been so enthusiastic about Rutherglen and the many things that it is famous for. The longer you sit here, the more likely you are to think of something else t...
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
13 Jan 2026
Living with Phenylketonuria
I am encouraged by the minister’s remarks so far. Does she agree that it is important that we get it right for every single PKU patient, including those who have other health conditions or who may be neurodivergent? One of my constituents has been in touch about her children w...
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
13 Jan 2026
Living with Phenylketonuria
Will the minister take an intervention?
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
13 Jan 2026
Living with Phenylketonuria
I thank Fulton MacGregor for securing the debate, and I thank the colleagues who have taken part. It is important that the voices of the PKU community are heard in the Scottish Parliament. As we have heard, PKU is a rare inherited metabolic condition that demands an extraord...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
13 Jan 2026
Budget 2026-27
Scotland’s firefighters are demanding urgent funding to end the SNP’s decade of dangerous underinvestment, which has cut one in six firefighters since 2013—that is 1,250 posts—and delivered a real-terms reduction of £84 million in the fire and rescue resource budget. Will the ...
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
08 Jan 2026
Non-fatal Strangulation Laws and Intimate Partner Homicides
I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for taking my intervention before she moves on to the next point. I appreciate the efforts that are being made, and the NHS Inform website is always worth a visit, but I am not sure that a huge number of 16, 17 and 18-year-olds are going ...
Monica Lennon Lab Chamber
08 Jan 2026
Non-fatal Strangulation Laws and Intimate Partner Homicides
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
08 Jan 2026
Non-fatal Strangulation Laws and Intimate Partner Homicides
I thank Claire Baker for securing this important debate and I thank all colleagues for their contributions—in particular, Tess White and Michelle Thomson, who have worked on a cross-party basis to combat violence against women and girls, a subject that is close to my own heart...
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
06 Jan 2026
Draft Climate Change Plan
Is that me out of time?
Monica Lennon Lab Committee
06 Jan 2026
Draft Climate Change Plan
I will take one from Gary. 12:30
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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 13 January 2026

13 Jan 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Budget 2026-27
Johnstone, Alison NPA Lothian Watch on SPTV

The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 60 minutes for questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business. I would be grateful if members who wish to put a question were to press their request-to-speak buttons.

In the same item of business

The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone) NPA
The next item of business is a statement by Shona Robison on the Scottish budget 2026-27. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of her stateme...
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Shona Robison) SNP
Today I present a budget for Scottish families, for a stronger national health service and for investment in Scotland’s infrastructure. As a result of the de...
The Presiding Officer NPA
Let us hear one another.
Shona Robison SNP
As before, my aim has been to seek common ground. Thanks to constructive pre-budget engagement, key priorities of Opposition members have been included along...
The Presiding Officer NPA
Thank you, members.
Shona Robison SNP
We will take forward the dualling of key sections of the A96 and, working with partners, we will ensure that a new station at Winchburgh is delivered. In 20...
The Presiding Officer NPA
The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 60 minutes for questions, after which we will m...
Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con) Con
This pre-election budget is as predictable as it is cynical, but the problem that John Swinney and Shona Robison face today is that hard-working Scots who ar...
The Presiding Officer NPA
Let us hear Mr Hoy.
Craig Hoy Con
It will not wash, because we know, and they know, that John Swinney has repeatedly hiked taxes and that he will never do what the Scottish Conservatives woul...
The Presiding Officer NPA
Let us hear Mr Hoy.
Craig Hoy Con
Mr Swinney is chuntering away. Under the SNP today, Scotland still remains the highest-taxed part of the United Kingdom. Interruption.
The Presiding Officer NPA
Just a second, Mr Hoy. Members, I am finding it very difficult to hear Mr Hoy. Let us be courteous.
Craig Hoy Con
Mr Swinney does not want to hear his litany of failure being read out in the chamber, because economic growth is an afterthought, public services are failing...
Shona Robison SNP
What is cynical is having a billion pounds of unaffordable, unfunded tax cuts and not telling the public which public services you would cut by £1 billion. I...
The Presiding Officer NPA
Let us hear one another.
Shona Robison SNP
—from the Tory back benches. As I set out in my statement, the estimates of the impact of the budget are that 55 per cent of taxpayers will pay less in Scot...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab
The budget does not meet the aspirations of the people of Scotland, and it does not recognise their need for real change. It is the 19th John Swinney budget,...
The Presiding Officer NPA
Let us hear Mr Marra.
Michael Marra Lab
—and choose a new direction for Scotland is by choosing Scottish Labour?
Shona Robison SNP
I thank Michael Marra for Labour’s decision to abstain on the budget without costing us a single penny, for the second year in a row. It is most helpful, and...
The Presiding Officer NPA
on the budget. I have some advice for Michael Marra: asking for something is a good start if you want to have a negotiating position on a budget. Laughter. M...
Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green) Green
The devil is always in the detail, but I am glad that the Scottish Government has accepted Green proposals to fund the likes of childcare expansion with tax ...
Shona Robison SNP
I welcome the productive discussions that the Scottish Greens had with me on the budget. The budget is better for the inclusion of Opposition asks, but the O...
Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (LD) LD
The question is not about how the budget passes but about what people will get out of it if it does. The Scottish Liberal Democrats are in the business of ge...
Shona Robison SNP
I thank Jamie Greene for his very positive and constructive engagement on behalf of the Liberal Democrats and for welcoming many of the responses to asks tha...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP) SNP
I warmly welcome the 10 per cent increase in college sector funding, which is a tremendous boost for our young people and the economy, and one that the Finan...
Shona Robison SNP
I acknowledge Kenneth Gibson’s welcome for the additional college funding. On his substantive question, the Scottish Government is committed to Ardrossan bei...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con
As the Scottish Conservatives raised in the chamber last week, businesses across Scotland currently face increases in their rateable values of up to 400 per ...
Shona Robison SNP
Revaluation is an independent process, which Murdo Fraser knows full well. We understand the concerns, which is why Ivan McKee has engaged with assessors and...