Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 18 March 2026 [Draft]
18 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Energy Prices (Impact on Businesses of Middle East Conflict)
I join other members in paying tribute to Kate Forbes as she leaves this Parliament. She was cheered on by Richard Leonard and the Conservatives, but there was silence from the Scottish National Party benches. I do not know whether that tells us anything.
We are paying the price of the folly of Donald Trump’s decision to bomb Iran, and that was also cheered on by the Conservative Party. My concern, which I hope that the minister will take on board, is about the fishing industry, which is facing significant increases in bills for running fishing boats. I hope that those representations are made strongly when the minister speaks to the UK Government, because the sector is already under quite a lot of strain.
In the same item of business
5. Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to businesses facing higher energy prices and other increased costs resulting from the conflict i...
The Minister for Business and Employment (Richard Lochhead)
SNP
Ministers are deeply concerned about the impact of the conflict in the middle east. Both the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy and the Cabinet ...
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Con
While £10 million is going to support 71 businesses in Glasgow that have been impacted by the fire there, thousands of businesses across the Highlands and Is...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
The member raises a serious issue that is impacting on businesses in Scotland, and we share his concerns. As I indicated earlier, issues relating to energy c...
Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
Defence experts cited in a recent RenewableUK report have urged for there to be an acceleration of renewables development in order to shield against further ...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
Emma Roddick raises an important issue. It is ironic that, in energy-rich Scotland, we are facing rising energy bills. As the member has said, we do not have...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
I join other members in paying tribute to Kate Forbes as she leaves this Parliament. She was cheered on by Richard Leonard and the Conservatives, but there w...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
I will ensure that I convey Willie Rennie’s comments to Mairi Gougeon, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, who often discusses ...