Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 24 June 2026 [Draft]
24 Jun 2026 · S7 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Reform UK Priorities
I want Scotland to be able to fully benefit from all the economic opportunities, and that is what this Government is committed to doing. This is a devolved Government. It does not have the full range and suite of powers of some of our near neighbours, such as Denmark or Norway. However, we work constructively to attract investment and create local supply chains to benefit our economy. The biggest threat to that is the anti-net zero policies of Reform.
Let me be clear that delivering a just transition is a challenge. However, the Scottish Government will not retreat in the face of a challenge, especially when it is accompanied by opportunity—and the scale of that opportunity is massive. Scotland’s energy networks alone plan to invest about £40 billion over the next five years to strengthen our electricity grid and make full use of our renewable energy. That £40 billion investment in the grid will create real opportunities for the people and businesses of Scotland. It is expected that between 10,000 and 20,000 jobs will be created in the short term, and those jobs will put real money into people’s pockets.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S7M-00446, in the name of Malcolm Offord, on Scotland needs Reform: five years to 2031. I invite members who ...
Malcolm Offord (West Scotland) (Reform)
Reform
We have had six weeks of debates on a variety of topics on which the Scottish National Party, as the largest party in the chamber, has set out its vision for...
The Minister for Business and Fair Work (Tom Arthur)
SNP
First, I welcome colleagues across the chamber who join me in condemning the violence, xenophobia and racism that were experienced right here in the streets ...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh North Western) (LD)
LD
I welcome the minister’s remarks about the Edinburgh attacks. Does he recognise, as do members on these benches, that as well as expressing solidarity with t...
Tom Arthur
SNP
I welcome Mr Cole-Hamilton’s remarks and associate myself with them entirely.We want Scotland to be more than just a welcoming country. We want it to be a pl...
Angela Ross (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform)
Reform
The minister talks about being a welcoming nation. Does he also recognise that we must be a functioning nation? Can he explain how the SNP intends to accommo...
Tom Arthur
SNP
The member may wish to dress it up in moderated tones, but let me call it out for the dog-whistle politics that it is. It is utterly transparent. We see it, ...
Angela Ross
Reform
Made a request to intervene.
Tom Arthur
SNP
No, thanks.We have the welcome challenge of an ageing population, and the demographic challenge of imbalances in how our population is spread across the coun...
Max Bannerman (Highlands and Islands) (Reform)
Reform
Made a request to intervene.
Tom Arthur
SNP
No, thank you.The positive impact of migration must be embraced if we are to succeed in our ambitions for this country. The Scottish Government recognises th...
Helen McDade (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform)
Reform
Will the minister take an intervention?
Tom Arthur
SNP
No, thank you.If we get this right, we will build a foundation for the future, locking in investment, jobs and industries that will provide opportunities ove...
Malcolm Offord
Reform
In relation to the much-vaunted jobs in Scotland, how does the minister respond to the fact that, among all the turbines around our country, there is not a s...
Tom Arthur
SNP
I want Scotland to be able to fully benefit from all the economic opportunities, and that is what this Government is committed to doing. This is a devolved G...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister give way?
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson)
SNP
You do not have time to take an intervention, minister.
Tom Arthur
SNP
My sincere apologies, Liam Kerr.However, this is not the full story. Over and above the build-out of our energy grid, Scotland can secure billions more in in...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson)
SNP
I call Daniel Johnson to speak to and move amendment S7M-00446.1.15:23
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Malcolm Offord opened the debate by saying that, through its motion, Reform rejects the SNP’s version of mediocrity. What was clear from the rest of his spee...
Angela Ross
Reform
Will Daniel Johnson give way?
Daniel Johnson
Lab
In a moment.The proposal would also include things that the Government absolutely should not be running, such as the courts service. That is not credible.Lik...
Angela Ross
Reform
Would you not accept that when we talk about Scottish people, we mean people of all colours and faiths who are in Scotland?
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Were it only about the terminology that Reform is using, it would be one thing, but it is not. Let us look at some of the words used by Reform politicians, b...
Malcolm Offord
Reform
Will the member give way?
Daniel Johnson
Lab
I will give way to Malcolm Offord.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson)
SNP
Before that, I remind everyone that they should be talking through the chair and not directly to individuals or groups.
Malcolm Offord
Reform
I say to the member that the only incitement going on is coming from him as he raises his voice in this manner. Interruption. I said on the record last week,...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
If Malcolm Offord does not believe that violence is the answer, why does he use rhetoric about people being of fighting age? What does rhetoric about fightin...
Amanda Bland (Central Scotland and Lothians West) (Reform)
Reform
Will the member take an intervention?