Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 26 February 2026 [Draft]
26 Feb 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
First Minister’s Question Time
University of Aberdeen(Proposed Strike Action)
I reiterate the points that I made earlier to Mercedes Villalba. I want to make sure that there is good dialogue between the university leadership and the trade unions to resolve these issues.
On the financing of universities, the Government has increased the resources that are available to the university sector through the Scottish budget. We have also increased the budget that is available for colleges.
I welcome the launch of the framework for sustainability and success of Scottish universities, which will explore options for securing a successful and sustainable future for the world-leading university sector that we benefit from in Scotland. The Government is fully engaged in that activity.
In the same item of business
6. Mercedes Villalba (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the outcome of the University of Aberdeen UCU ballot, which resulted in 83 per cent o...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
Although ministers cannot intervene directly, I encourage the University and College Union and the University of Aberdeen to work constructively to seek a re...
Mercedes Villalba
Lab
Just two years after strike action was averted, thanks to trade union negotiation, UCU members at the University of Aberdeen have voted overwhelmingly in sup...
The First Minister
SNP
I reiterate the points that I made earlier to Mercedes Villalba. I want to make sure that there is good dialogue between the university leadership and the tr...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
I share the First Minister’s keenness for all parties to get round the table to resolve the dispute, so that the impact on students in Aberdeen is minimised....
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Please answer on the points that relate to the original question, First Minister.
The First Minister
SNP
As I indicated in my answers to Mercedes Villalba, I encourage dialogue to resolve this dispute. The budget demonstrates that the Scottish Government remains...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to constituency and general supplementary questions.