Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 March 2026 [Draft]
25 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
First Minister’s Question Time
Scottish Government (Record)
This jaded career politician has become accustomed and immune to SNP dishonesty, incompetence and sleaze. His party has trashed the reputation of this Parliament, and it is the people of Scotland who suffer.
John Swinney has made Scotland the highest-taxed part of the United Kingdom. He has made Scotland spend more on benefits than anywhere else in the UK. That means that John Swinney is responsible for a looming £5 billion black hole in the public finances. He needs to start being honest with the people of Scotland and tell them now how much more tax he will take from them to tackle the SNP’s £5 billion bin fire.
In the same item of business
1. Russell Findlay (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
Some say that the Scottish National Party Government is incompetent. Some say that it is dishonest. Some say that it is sleazy. I say that it is all three.Jo...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
I defend the interests of the people of Scotland every day of my being. Having listened to Russell Findlay’s poorest hits over the course of the past minute ...
Russell Findlay
Con
I have plenty more to come on the SNP’s greatest hits. John Swinney spends so much time on the moral high ground that it is a miracle that the man does not s...
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
Let us hear one another.
Russell Findlay
Con
This jaded career politician has become accustomed and immune to SNP dishonesty, incompetence and sleaze. His party has trashed the reputation of this Parlia...
The First Minister
SNP
I reassure Russell Findlay, in case he is worried about my energy in the next few weeks, that I am just raring to go for the forthcoming election and to win ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you.
The First Minister
SNP
The international credit ratings agencies complimented—Interruption.Oh, they do not like this—Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Let us hear one another.
The First Minister
SNP
The international credit ratings agencies complimented the “prudent” financial management of Scotland. The only person in the Parliament who has any explaini...
Russell Findlay
Con
That credit rating is founded entirely on the fact that Scotland is a proud part of the United Kingdom.I turn now to SNP incompetence. I ask you to bear with...
The First Minister
SNP
I am left with the same question that I had a moment ago. If all that was the case, why are the Conservatives heading for a disaster at the forthcoming parli...
Russell Findlay
Con
Dearie me—all that spin from John Swinney. As we have just heard, John Swinney will always defend SNP sleaze. He will always put up taxes to spend more money...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you—thank you.
Russell Findlay
Con
The SNP members come to life when I talk about independence, but they sat in silence when I read out the list of SNP sleaze and failure. Silence—Interruption.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Let us all hear one another. Those in the public gallery would like to be able to follow proceedings, so let us hear one another.
Russell Findlay
Con
John Swinney will again go into an election with independence as his number 1 priority. He says arrogantly that he will win a majority. He says that that wil...
The First Minister
SNP
The Government is focused on people’s priorities and on delivering improvements in the lives of the people of Scotland. That is what has driven my public ser...