Hansard

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

25 Mar 2026

First Minister’s Question Time

New data shows that banks have withdrawn mortgage offers across the board, leaving first-time buyers in the lurch as rates spiral out of control. While the Westminster Labour Government sits on its hands as mortgage rates spiral in broken Brexit Britain, the Scottish National ...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I thank Daniel Johnson for his work to introduce the bill. As the MSP for East Lothian, I am proud to support the bill on behalf of the children and young people of the county.As Daniel Johnson said, the passing of the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill—which i...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Climate Change Plan

Over the past few years, I have met and engaged with the East Lothian Climate Hub and seen its work across East Lothian. It has engaged with communities to embed the work that is needed to tackle the climate emergency. What commitment can the cabinet secretary give to the exis...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

18 Mar 2026

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

The work that you are doing is absolutely incredible, but, on the broader outreach, is there anything that you still need from a local authority, other partners or the Scottish Government in order to go a little bit further?

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Committee

18 Mar 2026

Community Sporting Initiatives for Children and Young People

Mark Williams, I had the pleasure of visiting the university—I am sure that it was with you—and seeing the benefit of that. Debbi McCulloch, I remember speaking to Dougie Samuel about this issue 10 or 15 years ago and about his dream. We have heard about a lot in relation to t...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan

Westminster’s cost of living crisis is hitting the most vulnerable the hardest. On top of ever-increasing energy costs, households across East Lothian continue to suffer from cruel policies such as the benefit cap and the bedroom tax. Will the cabinet secretary tell Parliament...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Rural Schools

I, too, have rural schools in my area. Over the past decade, the Scottish Government has increased spending on Scotland’s schools by more than £1 billion in real terms to support our pupils and teachers. Will the minister outline how the Scottish budget—which, of course, Finla...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Edinburgh Medical School 300

I thank Martin Whitfield for bringing the debate to the chamber, and I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the recognition of the 300th anniversary of formal medical teaching at the University of Edinburgh medical school.Three centuries of medical education is an extraord...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

That is good to hear.

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Thank you for that. I do not know whether Louise Hayward or Kirsty Ayed wants to come in on that point.

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Do you want to add anything, Sarah? Louise Hayward and Kirsty Ayed can come in as well.

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

That is really helpful. One of the key things for me is the work with the regional collaboratives. What are the key issues? What are the key opportunities in different parts of Scotland? They will be different in different parts of Scotland. You can adapt what you are trying t...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Similar to what we heard on the previous panel, we have heard about current practice, the aims of reform and the changes that are being proposed. Donna, you touched on the engagement with young people, teachers, higher and further education and employers so far. Will you say a...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

I understand your limitations in that regard. Does anyone else want to comment?

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

East Lothian Council was led by the SNP and Midlothian Council was led by Labour. Both local authorities had approved the proposal. It had gone through local governance. Again, I know that there would need to be political ambition from local authorities to do such a thing, but...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Again, I can speak from experience. From 2010 to 2012, I was the leader of East Lothian Council. We talked about a shared service between our council and Midlothian Council. Key were the legalities that were involved in the issue of a single entity, which prevented it from hap...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

Andy Harvey, I will come to you now, because David Macluskey made the point that this is fed down right through the school, and if there is going to be curriculum reform, there must be buy-in from everybody involved. You touched on the issue of work balance, so how do you see ...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

The curriculum will probably look slightly different in different parts of Scotland, as it must reflect local issues. Ollie Bray mentioned the practitioner point of view. I will come to David Macluskey for the ADES point of view on the same question. Also, how is that process ...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

School Reform (Curriculum and Assessment)

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests: I used to be on the commission on school reform when I was an East Lothian councillor several years ago; I was also an advisory board member with Enlighten, which was Reform Scotland at the time.We have heard a...

Paul McLennan SNP Chamber

05 Mar 2026

Draft Climate Change Plan

That is really important. I know that East Lothian Council gives about £1 million a year to support bus routes. There is a bus route development grant, and the Government has worked with local and national bus companies. It is really important to encourage that.Freight decarbo...

Paul McLennan SNP Chamber

05 Mar 2026

Draft Climate Change Plan

I am conscious of the time.

Paul McLennan SNP Chamber

05 Mar 2026

Draft Climate Change Plan

I want to move on from that, Mr Kerr.Transport is a major emitter. The draft plan talks about modal shifts and encourages walking, cycling, the use of public transport and a reduction in dependency on cars. We have spoken about incentives such as free bus travel for under-22s ...

Paul McLennan SNP Chamber

05 Mar 2026

Draft Climate Change Plan

I thank the cabinet secretary for that important point. It is all about how much cheaper prices are for consumers. One third of people in Scotland are in fuel poverty, so how we tackle climate change is incredibly important.

Paul McLennan SNP Chamber

05 Mar 2026

Draft Climate Change Plan

As the member knows, I have a nuclear power station in my constituency. When it comes down to it, there are a number of reasons why we are going forward with renewables. The strike price is considerably cheaper. We might continue to disagree and debate that, but it is cheaper ...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

05 Mar 2026

Draft Climate Change Plan

How do I follow that?I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in today’s debate on the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee’s report on “Scotland’s Draft Climate Change Plan: 2026-2040”. I thank the committee and its clerks. We are in a defining decade in our fight again...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

05 Mar 2026

General Question Time · The Promise

The Scottish National Party Government is delivering policies to support, and improve access to opportunities for, care-experienced young people. Will the minister speak further about how Scottish Government investment is continuing that vital work through, for example, the ca...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Education

I thank the Lib Dems for securing this debate. I am delighted to speak just as we have agreed to the 2026-27 budget, as the cabinet secretary referred to. That was secured through constructive agreement with our Lib Dem colleagues.The budget delivers tangible investment in the...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

03 Mar 2026

“Sign LOUD: Perspectives of Deaf mothers and signing practitioners on domestic abuse, communication issues and the impact on Deaf families”

:Professor Napier, do you want to come in on that?

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

03 Mar 2026

“Sign LOUD: Perspectives of Deaf mothers and signing practitioners on domestic abuse, communication issues and the impact on Deaf families”

:What is the best way to tackle that situation? Is it through schools and through early education for women? Is it through organisations such as Deaf Action? What is the best way of ensuring that that sort of thing does not happen in the future?

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

03 Mar 2026

“Sign LOUD: Perspectives of Deaf mothers and signing practitioners on domestic abuse, communication issues and the impact on Deaf families”

:A bit more about early education and awareness raising, particularly on the consent issue, because I think that that is really important.

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Committee

03 Mar 2026

“Sign LOUD: Perspectives of Deaf mothers and signing practitioners on domestic abuse, communication issues and the impact on Deaf families”

A lack of understanding of rights and consent is a risk factor for deaf women, and Lucy Clark has touched on the need for early education and awareness raising, both of which I think are really important. Adults need to have that knowledge and understanding of deaf women and c...

Paul McLennan SNP Chamber

26 Feb 2026

Cost-effectiveness of Scottish Public Inquiries

I agree with Martin Whitfield on that. I note that the committee raises that point, too.The figures are not abstract; they are equivalent to the annual budget of a small local authority or to the cost of the regional growth deals for a year. At a time of tight finances, we owe...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

26 Feb 2026

Cost-effectiveness of Scottish Public Inquiries

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in this important debate on the cost-effectiveness of Scottish public inquiries. I thank the Finance and Public Administration Committee for its report. The speeches that we have heard so far have been valuable and a credit to the Par...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

26 Feb 2026

First Minister’s Question Time

Despite the fanfare from the United Kingdom Government, the latest energy price cap from the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets will see average energy bills from April that are almost £400 higher than what the Labour Party promised voters. On the Labour Party’s watch, ener...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

:That will be a key area for our successor committee to pick up on.

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

:Mr Naylor, perhaps you can say something about what the role of the inspectorate looks like as we move forward. I am having a look through the minutes of the first meeting of the data short-life working group. There are about 15 organisations listed, but it is not just about ...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

:I know that it is still early days, as the group has only met once. I will open that question up to the other witnesses, because, as you said, Professor Jay, data collection is really important. How can we tackle a problem if we do not know the extent of it?

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Group-based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

To build on some of the points that Mr Kidd made, I will ask about data. I remember that you spoke about the matter before Christmas, Professor Jay. I think that you said at that time that, although data collection is happening, we do not consider it to be reliable in Scotland...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:The shared care work that you mentioned will be fundamental and I look forward to receiving an update on that.I will move on to a slightly different question. You mentioned the Royal College of Psychiatrists. I have met with the college and the committee had an evidence sessi...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

:I have a few key questions, which come back to the shared protocol. During various sessions, we have heard about equity of access across private healthcare and the national health service, as well as across different parts of Scotland. My first question is, what can we do to ...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Subordinate Legislation

:I do not know whether I am having connection problems—my apologies.The second part of my question is about monitoring and reports on the high-level action plan. You talked about monitoring, but I am asking about the reporting back. The key thing for me is that the actions go ...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Subordinate Legislation

:Yes.

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Subordinate Legislation

:Apologies for my technical issues this morning. Minister, I do not know whether you answered this when I was offline, but a key issue that was raised in the recommendations related to tackling the institutionalisation of people with learning disabilities. There are many areas...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Subordinate Legislation

:Thank you.

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Subordinate Legislation

:I have a supplementary question. The minister will remember that I have asked this in the chamber as well. It is about accessibility in more remote areas. Will you touch on that? You gave me an answer in the chamber, but it would be useful for the committee if you could say a...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Committee

24 Feb 2026

Subordinate Legislation

It is great to hear about the progress of the discussions as we look towards the next parliamentary session. The committee made some recommendations on civil legal assistance and you have also talked about that in the chamber, minister. Does anything else need to be done in wh...

Paul McLennan SNP Chamber

18 Feb 2026

Mossmorran (Just Transition Fund)

I have only four minutes.UK energy policy has resulted in higher costs and fewer jobs. The Scottish Government’s energy strategy must have a just transition at its heart. The key point for me is that we need the powers of independence to ensure that all the powers that we need...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

18 Feb 2026

Mossmorran (Just Transition Fund)

I thank the Green Party for lodging the motion. The SNP amendment states that the UK Government “must match” the funding that has been provided by the Scottish Government.The early closure of the plant at Mossmorran will have a profound impact on the people of Fife and beyond....

Paul McLennan SNP Chamber

18 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Legal Aid Reforms

Will the minister explain how the reforms will ensure equality of access, particularly in more remote areas?

4. Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Chamber

18 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Legal Aid Reforms

To ask the Scottish Government how the recently announced legal aid reforms will ensure the accessibility of justice. (S6O-05526)

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

18 Feb 2026

VAT and Independent Schools

You mentioned the interaction with local authorities, and I know that Compass works very well with its local authority. We are probably still in the early stages of seeing the impact on schools of applying VAT to fees. You talked about some numbers dropping already. It might b...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

18 Feb 2026

VAT and Independent Schools

In my discussions with Compass, that issue was specifically mentioned as being a real concern.When I last visited Compass, the school had just won a national award for intergenerational education. The Minister for Equalities has been to speak to the school as well. It was fant...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

18 Feb 2026

VAT and Independent Schools

I have a few other questions. Those policies have impacted Compass’s pupil roll. Pupils who attend the school come from all over East Lothian and from different sectors of the community. It is a well-respected school.To come back to your point about children with additional su...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP Committee

18 Feb 2026

VAT and Independent Schools

I am the member for East Lothian and Lorraine Davidson mentioned Compass, which I have visited a few times. I will come to that in a second. Belhaven Hill school is also in my hometown of Dunbar, and I think that you mentioned that about 5 per cent of children travel into Edin...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

17 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

That is an important point. Although it is about the child, the whole family is impacted. That comes back to Jenny Miller’s point about being as collaborative and as inclusive as possible right at the start; and, as Bill Colley said, it is also about co-production right at the...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

17 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

That is an important point. I engage with parents and I know that, if the kid leaves school or does not go to school—that is perhaps the case more in secondary—it is then very difficult, if the reasonable adjustments are not made, for the kid to go back into school. Quite ofte...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

17 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

I can see that Bill Colley is ready to come in.

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

17 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

Yes. Even within schools, different approaches are taken. One teacher will have a better understanding than others of what adjustments might be required, so the approach varies from class to class. There is no uniform school policy, never mind a local authority policy, on the ...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

17 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

We will all be aware of the paper from the Royal College of Psychiatrists that contains the 10-point plan. One of the key things that it talks about is the national guidance on reasonable adjustments. I was a councillor for 15 years, but I also have experience of dealing with ...

Paul McLennan SNP Committee

17 Feb 2026

Neurodivergence

I am the SNP MSP for East Lothian.