Scottish Parliament, 8 May 2025

247 contributions from 60 members. The official report.

General Question Time

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Good morning. The first item of business is general question time.

Emma Roddick (Scottish National Party, Highlands and Islands)

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting and encouraging diversity in Scotland’s businesses, including who leads, owns and works within them. (S6O-04624)

Tom Arthur (Scottish National Party, Renfrewshire South)

We are committed to advancing diversity across Scotland’s economy. Our fair work action plan and anti-racist employment strategy set out support for employers across the economy to address workplace inequalities and enable marginalised groups to enter, thrive in and lead organisations.

We are also implementing the recommendations of the pathways review, which was co-authored by our newly appointed chief entrepreneur, Ana Stewart. The South of Scotland Enterprise regional pathways pre-start pilot and the pathways fund have opened opportunities for entrepreneurship to women and people in other underrepresented and undersupported groups.

Emma Roddick (Scottish National Party, Highlands and Islands)

Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting OutBritain, the United Kingdom’s first LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, in the Parliament to discuss its recent report on the massive contribution that LGBTQ+ business makes to the economy. An issue that came up again and again was the lack of data collection, not only for LGBTQ+ owned, run and employing businesses but in relation to diversity more generally. Given that the evidence points to diversity in business being good for productivity internally and externally, what more can the Scottish Government do to identify and support diverse businesses?

Tom Arthur (Scottish National Party, Renfrewshire South)

Last week, the Minister for Business, Richard Lochhead, attended the launch of the “LGBTQ+ Businesses Count” report, which recognises the value of diversity in Scotland’s business community and the contribution that LGBTQ+ business leaders make to our economy. It also highlights the challenges that many LGBTQ+ people have faced in their business journey.

Mr Lochhead offered to meet OutBritain to discuss its research in more detail. Work is under way to arrange a follow-up meeting with officials to discuss in more detail the issues that Emma Roddick raises.

Stephanie Callaghan (Scottish National Party, Uddingston and Bellshill)

To ask the Scottish Government when it last engaged with the United Kingdom Government, transmission operators and the National Energy System Operator, to explore the possibility of reviewing the transmission impact assessment, in light of reports that this limits Scotland’s solar energy development. (S6O-04625)

Gillian Martin (Scottish National Party, Aberdeenshire East)

The Scottish Government regularly engages with key energy stakeholders, including Ofgem, the National Energy System Operator and transmission operators, along with our counterparts in the UK Government, to ensure that transmission infrastructure delivers for Scotland. That includes exploration of the transmission impact assessment threshold and consideration of the impact that that has on energy users in Scotland.

Stephanie Callaghan (Scottish National Party, Uddingston and Bellshill)

Solar Energy UK recently published a report that showed that solar and battery projects could contribute more than £5 billion in gross value added to the UK economy by 2035 if the sector continues to grow. For Scotland to secure its fair share of those economic benefits, it must remain attractive to investors. However, the current disparity in TIA thresholds—the threshold is only 200kW in Scotland, compared with the proposed threshold of 5MW in England and Wales—makes it easier and cheaper to connect projects south of the border. Can the cabinet secretary outline the steps that the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that solar is not left behind in Scotland, that it has a clear and growing role in our energy mix and that it can reach its full potential to help Scotland to continue to lead the way on clean energy and benefit fully from the transition to renewables?

Gillian Martin (Scottish National Party, Aberdeenshire East)

We recognise the importance of energy that is generated from solar in contributing to the decarbonisation of our energy supply in Scotland and to our just transition to net zero. We have already removed several barriers to enable greater deployment of solar across Scotland, particularly on the roofs of buildings. We will shortly publish our solar vision, which will outline further work that we are undertaking.

Although matters relating to the regulation and operation of the electricity system are reserved, we continue to engage closely with the UK Government and NESO on their plans for the Great British Energy system.

Alexander Burnett (Conservative, Aberdeenshire West)

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the First Minister’s recent comments regarding the mothballing of nurseries, what systems are in place to ensure local authorities comply with national guidance. (S6O-04626)

The Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise (Natalie Don-Innes)

Local authorities are responsible for the management of their early learning and childcare estate. Statutory guidance sets out the Scottish Government’s expectations in relation to the mothballing of nurseries. Any mothballing must be temporary. Parents should still be able to make applications for children to attend mothballed nurseries, and councils should be able to reopen them if circumstances change.

As the First Minister stated last month, we are reviewing the guidance to provide greater clarity on whether mothballing is the appropriate action to take. Local authorities are responsible for complying with their statutory duties and are democratically accountable to their local electorate.

Alexander Burnett (Conservative, Aberdeenshire West)

As the minister knows, it was announced just before Easter that four nurseries in Aberdeenshire would be mothballed. When the issue was raised in the chamber, the First Minister and the minister stated that there was a requirement for local consultation. No consultation has taken place with any of the communities affected, and parents are experiencing poor communication with council officers. We have also received the impact assessment of the decision for one of the nursery closures, which was approved on 30 April, more than a month after the closures were announced on 28 March.

Will the minister outline what action the Scottish Government will take to ensure that the national mothballing guidance is followed? What can parents do when councils do not follow their own processes?

Natalie Don-Innes

I find the situation that Mr Burnett has brought to my attention very concerning. We expect local authorities to consult parents, carers and families to ensure that they meet local needs in relation to childcare. We want all families to have access to high-quality and flexible childcare that meets their needs. Of course, we understand that local authorities must have a level of flexibility when it comes to managing their estate. The need for such flexibility might be prompted by, for example, demographic changes.

I have already alluded to the review of the mothballing guidance, but I am more than happy to discuss Mr Burnett’s concerns in the context of the review.

Christine Grahame (Scottish National Party, Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale)

The minister has alluded to the fact that, two weeks ago, the First Minister said that the Government was reviewing the guidance. Given that Conservative-led Scottish Borders Council has already made decisions on nurseries—although it has compromised and does not intend to go ahead with what it originally decided to do—can the minister provide a timeline for when the revised guidance will be available to the public? If she cannot do so today, I ask her to do so as soon as is practicable.

Natalie Don-Innes

I appreciate Ms Grahame’s and other members’ concerns about the matter. As the First Minister highlighted, it is important that greater clarity is provided on whether mothballing is the appropriate action to take.

On the issue of the timeline, the review of the guidance is under way and ministers will consider the findings when they are available. I am happy to commit to providing Ms Grahame with a further update once those timings are available.

Finlay Carson (Conservative, Galloway and West Dumfries)

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the net zero secretary has had with the rural affairs secretary regarding the potential environmental and biodiversity impact of the proposed Galloway national park. (S6O-04627)

Gillian Martin (Scottish National Party, Aberdeenshire East)

The Scottish Government received NatureScot’s report on the Galloway and Ayrshire national park proposal on Monday 5 May. We will now carefully consider the outcome of the consultation and NatureScot’s advice on the proposal before taking any further decisions. That will include full consideration of the potential environmental, social and economic impacts. The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands will update the Parliament on the next steps before recess, subject to parliamentary business.

Finlay Carson (Conservative, Galloway and West Dumfries)

Biodiversity, the natural environment and landscapes are, of course, key factors when it comes to designating any new national parks. Economic sustainability and growth are also critical considerations.

The designation process in Galloway has been less than satisfactory. There have been significant issues, including a perceived bias and a lack of any detail on how a Galloway national park would or could be different from the two existing national parks, given the area’s hugely important dairy farming, forestry and renewables sectors. That has resulted in mistrust and divisions within communities, which will take years to heal.

We have heard that the Scottish Government has now received the consultation report from NatureScot and that it is currently considering it. The Government promised that the report would be published, but it has not been, and constituents will have to wait until the end of June for the Government to respond with its decision.

It is my understanding that there is not a majority in favour of the national park proposal and that a full designation order is unlikely to be made. On that basis, in her discussions with the rural affairs secretary, will the cabinet secretary ensure that the Scottish Government will not simply walk away without recognising and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities that rural businesses and tourism and hospitality businesses in Galloway face?

Gillian Martin (Scottish National Party, Aberdeenshire East)

As Mr Carson knows, there was a thorough and comprehensive consultation process—5,000 consultation surveys were completed and more than 30 consultation events were held across the area covered by the proposals, with more than 1,000 people attending. The rural affairs secretary has to look at the results of the consultation and take them seriously. An awful lot of information is included in the consultation, and she will advise the Parliament when she is ready to do so.

Craig Hoy (Conservative, South Scotland)

When the cabinet secretary looks at the responses to the consultation, will she impress upon NatureScot the importance of considering the postcodes of those who responded, so that we can tell whether those who live in the affected communities are those who are most opposed to the proposal?

Gillian Martin (Scottish National Party, Aberdeenshire East)

As Mr Hoy knows, I am not the minister responsible for that decision, but I will pass on his comments to Mairi Gougeon, the rural affairs secretary.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Question 5 has not been lodged.

Alex Rowley (Labour, Mid Scotland and Fife)

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Funding Council’s college indicative funding allocations 2025-26 and any impact this may have on the funding settlement for Fife College. (S6O-04629)

Graeme Dey (Scottish National Party, Angus South)

Building on the direction that I provided to the SFC in this year’s letter of guidance, the SFC has worked with the sector to bring about important changes in how funds are allocated. That has included responding to explicit asks from the sector that funds be distributed in a way that better reflects differences in the cost of delivering different courses in different places. Those changes are reflected in the publication of the college indicative allocations for the academic year 2025-26. The SFC has also put in place transition arrangements that mean that no college will see a funding reduction in the academic year 2025-26 compared with 2024-25.

Alex Rowley (Labour, Mid Scotland and Fife)

I have to say that that is not the case. The overall increase of 2.6 per cent in funding from the SFC basically gives colleges a standstill budget. When we look further into it, we see that Fife College will receive a 1.26 per cent increase, which is a real-terms cut in its budget. That will result in a significant impact on college provision in Fife. Does the minister accept that colleges have a key part to play if the Government’s policy to drive the economy is to be successful and that Fife College cannot take that cut?

Graeme Dey (Scottish National Party, Angus South)

As I indicated in my initial answer, the allocations reflect the SFC’s response to a specific ask from the sector. In agreeing to that request, the SFC made it clear to the colleges that there would be winners and losers.

However, as I said, mindful of the financial challenges that colleges are facing, the SFC put in place transition arrangements to give colleges that are adversely affected a softer landing. That means that, once additional moneys are counted in, no college will see a reduction in 2025-26 compared with 2024-25.

As Mr Rowley pointed out, there is an increase in overall funding for Fife College of 1.26 per cent, and I understand that discussions are on-going between the SFC and Fife College. However, I say gently to Mr Rowley, since he talks about inflationary challenges, that one of the additional pressures that that college is facing is the employer national insurance contribution situation. I am sure that he knows full well from where that pressure has come.

Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife)

There is absolutely no way that Fife College asked for a real-terms cut in its budget. The Government, along with the Scottish Funding Council, needs to think again, because the potential in Fife is huge. We have oil and gas jobs that are fading out while there is huge potential in offshore renewables as well as all the other sectors. Surely the minister understands that we cannot throw away that opportunity.

Graeme Dey (Scottish National Party, Angus South)

The changes in allocations reflect the number of high-tariff courses that each institution offers. That is what the institutions, as a collective, sought to have recognised.

Fife College is undertaking excellent work with the SFC on curriculum transformation, which has potential for the college. In addition, I am open to exploring whether we could add into the mix a further premium that recognises the delivery of courses that are linked to local and national economic need, which might provide a balancing mechanism in some instances.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to introduce a cruise ship levy, including the option for local authorities to apply a “point of entry” levy. (S6O-04630)

Shona Robison (Scottish National Party, Dundee City East)

On 27 February, the Scottish Government commenced a consultation on the potential to give local authorities the power to introduce a cruise ship levy. That consultation closes on 30 May and we will consider next steps in due course, after the responses have been analysed.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

The cabinet secretary will recall, from the discussions during the passage of the visitor levy legislation, that I raised concerns about the ability of local authorities such as Orkney Islands Council to introduce a visitor levy without a similar levy applying to cruise traffic, as the administration costs of that would be significant. I was encouraged that the consultation that was launched in February included the possibility of a cruise ship levy but also the possibility of a point-of-entry charge. That option has been backed by Destination Orkney as a way of making it fairer, simpler and more equitable. I appreciate that the consultation is on-going, but will the cabinet secretary please give an undertaking to look very seriously at the option of a point-of-entry levy?

Shona Robison (Scottish National Party, Dundee City East)

I reassure Liam McArthur that the consultation provides a suitable opportunity to offer views on the idea of a point-of-entry levy, which has been raised with Scottish ministers. Further, detailed consideration of the potential impacts on local authorities, tourism bodies and visitors will be required before any decisions are made on whether to move ahead with any point-of-entry levy.

Stuart McMillan (Scottish National Party, Greenock and Inverclyde)

Can the cabinet secretary provide an update on what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the positive impact that cruise ships and their passengers have not just on Scotland’s tourism economy as a whole but on the economies of the local communities where the ships dock?

Shona Robison (Scottish National Party, Dundee City East)

There is some uncertainty about how much passengers and crews spend onshore per day. In the published business and regulatory impact assessment, the Scottish Government presents estimates of the overall passenger and crew spending onshore in Scotland in 2024, which range from £55 million to £102 million. The spending will generally be concentrated around the port where the cruise ship is docked, although passengers may travel further from some ports than from others. The BRIA highlights some local surveys that have identified benefits from increased visitor spending at local attractions, increased footfall in town centres and new employment opportunities.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

There will be a brief pause before we move on to the next item of business.

Victory in Europe Day (80th Anniversary)

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Presiding Officer, on this, the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe day, Scotland pays tribute to our second world war generation. We express our gratitude to the 57,000 individuals from Scotland who lost their lives in military conflict during the second world war and to the many civilians who were killed or injured at home. They gave of themselves so that we could enjoy freedom today.

We will all naturally think about how the lives of our own families were affected. I think of my uncle, Thomas Hunter, who was killed in Italy protecting his comrades 35 days before the end of the war and who was posthumously awarded the Victoria cross by King George VI. An inscription on the bible that was given to my grandmother in his memory has the words of St John:

“Greater love has no one than this to lay down their life for their friends.”

The lessons and the suffering of the second world war must be remembered today, so that we all act to protect the freedom and the democracy that we have enjoyed as a result. Together, we give thanks and dedicate ourselves to building a better, safer and more peaceful world.

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

Eighty years ago today, the guns fell silent across Europe. At 3 pm on 8 May 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill made a radio announcement to the people of our country. After six long and dark years of death and destruction, victory for Britain and our allies against Nazi Germany was secured.

World war two was the largest and deadliest conflict in history. It involved more than 50 nations and was fought on land, at sea and in the air. Globally, it is estimated that as many as 85 million lives were lost. Tens of thousands of Scots were killed at home and abroad.

For those of us who have only ever known peace and prosperity, the horrors of war are unimaginable. None of us here can truly appreciate the selfless sacrifice, duty and bravery of the greatest generation, who fought and died for our freedom. Today, on victory in Europe day, we remember them.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

Today, on VE day, we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice and unity that brought an end to the war in Europe 80 years ago. We honour those who served on the front lines and those who kept life going at home. In Scotland, Britain and beyond, we remember those who gave everything for the fight against fascism—the greatest tyranny that we have ever faced. Their bravery shaped the democracy that we cherish today.

Remembrance must also inspire responsibility, first and foremost to those who served and those who serve our country today. We must protect our freedoms, stand up to hatred and division and build a fairer, more compassionate country, just as that generation hoped that we would. We remember them, we thank them, we pledge to carry their values forward and we continue to strive for a world at peace.

Lorna Slater (Green, Lothian)

On this 80th anniversary, marking the end of a dark chapter in history, we remember the sacrifices that were made by all who stood against the tyranny of fascism. Their courage and resilience ensured our freedom, peace and democracy. We will forever be grateful to them.

Peace is not merely the absence of war; it is the presence of harmony, understanding and co-operation among nations. Yet, currently, we are witnessing the horrors of genocide continuing in Gaza, and fascism has reappeared, threatening democracy and human rights as the far right rises around the world. We cannot be complacent in the face of growing threats of fascism, international violence, hatred and oppression. We must continue to strive to build a world where peace endures and the horrors of the past are not repeated. We must remain vigilant and united in our efforts to create lasting peace by supporting democracy, justice and human rights for all.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh Western)

Today, we commemorate the moment when, 80 years ago, the high command of the allied forces received the unconditional surrender of the Third Reich. Although war still raged in the Pacific, across these islands, for the first time in six years, the tension, grind and privations of wartime gave way to lasting peace.

In a radio broadcast to the British people and the world, King George VI said:

“on this day of just triumph and proud sorrow”,

let us

“take up our work again, resolved as a people to do nothing unworthy of those who died for us and to make the world such a world as they would have desired, for their children and for ours.”

His words ushered in the long peace that most of us have only ever known.

As we give thanks today for the sacrifice that was laid down by the generations that came before us, we must rededicate ourselves to the promise of that peace and its furtherance for our children and theirs to come.

First Minister’s Question Time

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

This week’s programme for government promises to deliver 100,000 more general practitioner appointments, but Public Health Scotland says that, over the past year, there have been 500,000 fewer GP appointments than in the year before John Swinney became First Minister. The British Medical Association Scotland says that the Scottish National Party’s pledge is equivalent to just one extra day of appointments—an increase of less than 1 per cent—and that is only if the SNP delivers it. Public Health Scotland data reveals that, in the first three months of 2025, the number of GP appointments was the worst on record. The SNP’s programme for government is a pathetic con. Is the limit of John Swinney’s ambition just to undo a small amount of the damage that was inflicted by John Swinney?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The programme for government has set out the steps that we are taking to expand capacity within the health service to meet the demand for appointments with GPs. It will include the delivery of 100,000 additional appointments, which will be available through GPs, to examine particular high-risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and smoking, but there will also be an expansion of the availability of the pharmacy first service, which is designed to meet the healthcare needs of individuals where it is relevant to their circumstances. It also includes the expansion of the availability of island health practitioners in front-line healthcare services, with a commitment to expand the funding available to primary care services as a greater proportion of new national health service funding. The combination of those factors will make an impact on access to GP services in Scotland.

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

After 18 years of failure, John Swinney is now desperately trying to clear up the mess that his Government has made. BMA Scotland says that the Government’s rhetoric is

“failing to match the reality”

and the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland says that it simply does not

“have the workforce capacity to deliver”

the 100,000 extra appointments.

The way to increase appointments is to increase the number of GPs. The SNP promised us 800 more, but that has not happened. The SNP constantly makes big pledges about the NHS, but it always fails patients. It never keeps its word. Why should anyone believe that John Swinney will keep his latest promise when the SNP breaks them all the time?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

First, the number of GPs has increased. In 2017, there were 4,904. According to the latest statistics, there are now 5,211. Secondly, the Government is putting in place arrangements for the 100,000 extra appointments as a consequence of negotiating that agreement with the self-same organisations to which Mr Findlay referred.

The people of Scotland know that my Government is absolutely focused on delivering on the issues that are of concern to them. That is partly about improving access to the national health service. As I set out to Parliament on Tuesday, the Scottish Government is absolutely focused on delivering on the people’s priorities.

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

John Swinney says that he is focused on delivery, but he is focused on spin. Let us look at the SNP’s record on the NHS. At the start of this session of Parliament, it published an NHS recovery plan, which it claimed would

“drive the recovery of our NHS, not just to its pre-pandemic level but beyond.”

Quite rightly, my party condemned Humza Yousaf’s plan as “embarrassingly thin” and “flimsy”. It turns out that the SNP agreed with us. We now know what Nicola Sturgeon really thought of her Government’s big plan. She said:

“My specific concern is that it’s awful.”

For once, Nicola Sturgeon was right. John Swinney was Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery at that time, so he must have had a view on it, too. What words would he use to describe it?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I do not think that it is a particular revelation for Parliament to hear that the Conservatives condemned something. They condemn absolutely everything. They have absolutely nothing—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear one another.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

They have absolutely nothing constructive to contribute to the debate. Let me say to Mr Findlay that, during my term in office as First Minister, we promised to provide 64,000 extra appointments by the end of March 2025. We did not do that. In fact, we delivered 105,500 extra appointments and procedures in that timescale, and we will deliver more in the forthcoming parliamentary year. I say to Mr Findlay—just so that he is not worried about it in the future—that this Government will deliver more in the course of the next 12 months. I will be very happy to answer parliamentary questions about that—not just before the election but after it, when I will remain as First Minister.

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

It was a simple question, but I am not surprised that John Swinney is not prepared to come clean about what he thought at the time, because this is a dishonest Government that is addicted to secrecy.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Mr Findlay, let us carry out our business in a courteous manner.

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

We saw that when Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney deleted their messages that should have been provided to the UK Covid inquiry. We see it with the SNP wasting taxpayers’ money on a shameful cover-up about its NHS recovery plan. The SNP spent four years hiding the truth from the public about what Nicola Sturgeon really thought. Humza Yousaf’s plan caused waiting lists to rise, not fall. It was flimsy rubbish, as we said. Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney both knew that, but the SNP hid the truth from the public, so Humza Yousaf failed upwards. John Swinney helped Nicola Sturgeon’s awful health secretary become an awful First Minister. If the SNP had been honest and transparent, would Humza Yousaf have become First Minister?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

What an absolutely miserable contribution to parliamentary discourse—completely and utterly. That is all that the Conservatives have left. They are in such a—[ Interruption .]

I do not know why Rachael Hamilton is laughing—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear one another. We have observers in the gallery and people tuning in online. Let us make sure that we can all hear what is being said.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The public cast a judgment on the Conservative Party last Thursday, and it was pretty damning indeed about the future of the Conservative Party.

What the public are interested in, and what I am interested in, is delivering on the priorities of the people of Scotland. Right at the heart of the Government’s programme is investment to support increased capacity in the national health service, so that we deliver more GP appointments and better access to GP services, and get waiting lists down. That will preoccupy my thinking as First Minister. I will leave Mr Findlay to sit on the sidelines, as he does every week, throwing insults around and contributing nothing—I am going to deliver for the people of Scotland.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

This week, after 18 years in office, the Scottish National Party conceded that it has no plan, is out of steam and has lost its way. John Swinney announced a bland and unambitious programme for government that does nothing to address the issues that Scotland faces. There is no plan to fix the national health service crisis that the SNP created, no plan to deal with the falling standards and soaring violence in our schools that the SNP is presiding over, and no plan to end the scandal of 10,000 homeless children on John Swinney’s watch.

When a member of this Parliament raised the issue of homeless children, John Swinney shamefully told them to

“find something else ... to moan about”.—[Official Report, 6 May 2025; c 29.]

In a damning assessment, Shelter Scotland called John Swinney’s plan “a programme for homelessness”. Does he think that Shelter Scotland should find something else to moan about?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I may have used language that was particularly not worthy of me. If I have done that and used language that has not been appropriate for the way I go about my business and people are concerned about that, of course I regret it.

Let me come back to the facts of all this. Since 2007, when this Government came to office, we have delivered 47 per cent more affordable homes per head of population than in England and 73 per cent more than in Wales. In addition, in the past year, we have had more house-building completions per 10,000 people in Scotland than in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We also just passed a budget, which Mr Sarwar did not support, that is investing £768 million in affordable housing in Scotland.

We are addressing the homelessness issues that we face in our society, and we are taking action to support local authorities in tackling void accommodation. We will continue to do that, and we will focus on making sure that we address the needs of people in Scotland.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

The fact is that we have 10,000 homeless children and John Swinney has no plan to deal with that. He said that the focus of his programme for government was fixing the NHS, which he and his colleagues in the Scottish National Party have broken. Yet again, the details prove that they have no idea of how to fix the mess that they created. It is so bad that Dr Iain Morrison, chair of the British Medical Association in Scotland, responded to the plan by saying:

“yet again, the rhetoric on this is failing to match the reality.”

We agree that we need to end the 8 am rush for an appointment with a general practitioner, but what is John Swinney’s plan? One extra appointment for every GP every fortnight will hardly end the 8 am rush for GP appointments, will it?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

That is only one part of the plan that we are taking forward, which I will come on to in a second.

Before I get to that, let us look at the issue of temporary accommodation. Because of the financial support that the Scottish Government has put in place, 20 local authority areas have reduced the number of children in temporary accommodation. In 2023-24, 12 local authorities reduced the number of households in temporary accommodation. Why is that happening? It is happening because the Government has put financial support in place to ensure that void accommodation can be brought back into use so that families can be accommodated. That is a change in Government policy that has been made under my leadership. Now—yes, right now; it is all happening as we speak—local authority temporary accommodation levels are coming down because of investment from the Government. That is investment in a budget that the Labour Party refused to support. Labour members should not come here and complain about housing when they were not prepared to press a button to vote in favour of £768 million. No wonder I complain about the Labour Party whinging about things.

Paul O'Kane (Labour, West Scotland)

He has done it again!

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear one another.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

On GP appointments, the Government is taking a number of measures. We are delivering 100,000 additional appointments for GPs. We are also expanding pharmacy first services to reduce pressure and demand on GP services, and we are expanding the availability of allied health practitioners in front-line health services. Those measures will deal with the issues that have been raised about the 8 am rush by reducing pressure on GP services. That is the plan that the Government is taking forward, and that is what the Government will implement.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

John Swinney has just exposed himself all over again. On Tuesday, he said, shamefully, that we should

“find something else ... to moan about”—[Official Report, 6 May 2025; c 29.]

other than homelessness. He has stood up and apologised for the bad language, because that is not how he operates, but he has just complained that we are whinging about homelessness. [ Interruption .] Shelter Scotland called the programme for government a “programme for homelessness”, and he should wake up and listen to what it has to say.

The deadly situation in our NHS, caused by the SNP, is vast, but whole areas were omitted from the First Minister’s programme for government. I take just one example—our ambulance service. Today, Scottish Labour can reveal shocking new figures that show that ambulances are being left to queue up outside hospitals for hours on end, turning car parks into makeshift accident and emergency wards across Scotland. Sick patients are receiving life-saving treatment in parking bays outside hospitals. At Aberdeen royal infirmary, one ambulance was stuck outside for more than 15 hours. In Ayr, another ambulance waited nearly 15 hours. In Elgin, the wait was 12 hours. Car parks have been turned into A and E wards; corridor care is now a normality; 800,000 people are stuck on waiting lists; and a record number of Scots are being forced to go private. Is it not the case that the party that created Scotland’s NHS crisis cannot be the one to fix it?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

On performance in our hospitals, significant challenges remain in the national health service, which I have acknowledged in all my answers to First Minister’s questions.

On the four-hour A and E targets, the latest data shows that there has been an improvement in performance and that it has strengthened over recent weeks. When we look at the delivery of pledges on waiting times in our national health service, as I indicated in my earlier answer to Mr Findlay, we pledged to conduct 64,000 additional appointments by the end of March 2025. We did not do that; we delivered 105,500. In addition, we have put in place investment, but the Labour Party could not bring itself to support that in the budget.

The point that I am making to the Parliament is that the Labour Party comes here to complain about issues, but it will not do the heavy lifting to support the budget that makes the investment possible. I point out to the Labour Party that it voted against record investment of £21 billion in the national health service, yet it comes to chamber to complain to me about different issues. That is the hypocrisy that I am highlighting from the Labour Party. We have set out that our investment in the NHS will be focused on addressing the priorities of the people, which is to reduce waiting times and improve access to GP services. The Government will deliver on those commitments.

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

I first raised the need for rent controls well over a decade ago, to the complete disinterest of the Scottish National Party housing minister of the day. By then, private rented housing had already been growing dramatically for years, and rents had continued to spiral. The situation now is far more severe. Even if rent controls had been in place just for the past five years, people renting their homes in places such as Glasgow and Edinburgh would be thousands of pounds a year better off.

I am glad that the Greens’ efforts and the work of tenants unions have resulted in a housing bill with rent controls for Scotland, even if it is weaker because of SNP amendments. I am also glad that our plans for energy efficiency rules for private landlords are finally going to happen. Will the First Minister explain why it took so many years of pressure from the Greens to make the SNP accept that rents are too high, that standards are too low and that urgent action is needed?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

There are a range of provisions in statute and under existing arrangements to protect tenants. There are protections around evictions, and there have been protections around winter evictions. Support is in place through discretionary housing payments to assist tenants. A range of measures to protect tenants have been put in place by the Scottish Government over the years.

I welcome the fact that we are in agreement with Mr Harvie on the question of the housing legislation that is in front of Parliament, which the Parliament has passed at stage 1 and is considering at stage 2. We will introduce a system of rent controls, and I look forward to further parliamentary scrutiny on that issue.

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

The frustration comes with the delay, and I know that that frustration is felt by SNP members who have voted for rent control policy for many years without action happening. There was never any need for the many years of delay, and we could have done far more good for people by acting sooner.

The Housing (Scotland) Bill must make rent more affordable, and it will need to be strengthened if it is going to do that. It must also provide more protection for people who rent their homes. People deserve the right to withhold rent payments when issues such as mould, damp and serious repairs are being left by landlords for months—sometimes years—on end. Will the First Minister back the Green proposal to give people the right to withhold rent payment until repairs are completed to stop landlords profiting while they ignore their responsibilities, or is that another issue that will take 10 years of pressure before the Government acts?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

As I said, the bill is going through stage 2 consideration. If amendments are lodged, ministers will consider the issues that arise out of that process and, ultimately, the bill will come back to Parliament for stage 3 consideration.

I acknowledge the issue that Mr Harvie raises with me. The purpose of the rent control legislation is to ensure that tenants have more say and more control, and that landlords fulfil their obligations. Those considerations will lie at the heart of the legislation.

Kevin Stewart (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen Central)

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to water scarcity alerts issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for the east of Scotland, in light of low rainfall and warm temperatures. (S6F-04057)

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

SEPA’s latest report highlighted that 17 out of 47 areas in Scotland are in alert status for water scarcity, and that most of the rest of the country is in early warning status. An update on that position will be published by the regulator SEPA later on this afternoon. SEPA has contacted those who abstract water, including businesses and farmers, in the affected areas, and has provided them with advice. Public drinking water supply in those areas is not affected.

We are working closely with SEPA, Scottish Water and others to ensure that water supply is monitored and supported in line with Scotland’s national water scarcity plan. Climate change is driving more extreme conditions, and we all need to adapt to that reality. I urge businesses, organisations and individuals to do their part to plan ahead and use water wisely.

Kevin Stewart (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen Central)

It is worrying that many rivers, including the Dee and the Don, which bound my constituency, have such low water levels at this time of year. In spite of nature’s clear warnings, we are currently witnessing climate change denial and an even stronger pushback against net zero and a just transition from the likes of Farage and even from Tony Blair. Does the First Minister share my concerns that the rise of this regressive anti-net zero agenda puts at great risk all the vital work to grow our green economy and create jobs for the future?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I share those concerns. At the present moment, in early May, the water scarcity map makes quite difficult reading, because we face acute challenges that we would never ordinarily face at this time of the year. That illustration of climate change requires us to take the necessary action that Mr Stewart has suggested. That is why it is central to the Government’s programme.

Brian Whittle (Conservative, South Scotland)

To ask the First Minister, in light of the publication of the programme for government, what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that prevention is more strongly integrated into the health system. (S6F-04062)

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

As I set out in January and reinforced in our programme for government, a long-term shift to prevention is central to sustaining and renewing our national health service. Scotland has led the way in public health action over many years, with bold measures such as the indoor smoking ban and minimum unit pricing for alcohol. We will build on that action by publishing our new population health framework in the coming weeks.

Brian Whittle (Conservative, South Scotland)

The Scottish Fiscal Commission’s latest fiscal sustainability report highlights the major effect on health spending of the rising prevalence of long-term preventable illnesses among Scots and the sizeable impact on Scotland’s finances if such a rise continues.

In this chamber, we always seem to talk in statistics, to highlight how good we are or are not. However, as I have highlighted for the decade that I have been a member of this Parliament, when we are talking about health, the only statistic that matters is that Scotland continues to be the unhealthiest nation in Europe—many of those indicators continue to worsen at an alarming rate.

Does the First Minister agree that this fiscal sustainability report must be the final wake-up call for action and that, through early intervention, we must take greater steps to prevent illness, particularly by encouraging healthier lifestyles, supporting the third sector and improving access to sport and physical activity? If the Scottish Government continues on its current trajectory, the health service will fast become unsustainable.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I generally agree with the points that Mr Whittle has made about the importance of preventative interventions, and that approach is exactly what the Government is pursuing.

As he knows, in 2010, I commissioned the Christie commission report, which gave us valuable insight into the approach to prevention. The Government has applied that approach to programmes such as: the promotion of healthy eating; the work to tackle obesity and reduce harms from smoking and vaping; the investment in sport and active living; the work to increase vaccination uptake; and our work on the benefits of social prescribing. I assure Mr Whittle that that focus on prevention will remain central to the Government’s programme.

Foysol Choudhury (Labour, Lothian)

The First Minister talks about prevention, but the Edinburgh integration joint board is being forced to make cuts to preventative care and third sector organisations, including the Stafford centre, which supports 640 people with mental health issues and is estimated to save the NHS up to £4.4 million in hospital admissions. Given the situation in joint boards across Scotland, does the First Minister recognise that prevention will not be possible if IJBs are in permanent financial crisis?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Obviously, I want to make sure that the types of services that Mr Choudhury has raised are supported around the country. Those are operational decisions for integration joint boards to make. They can make those decisions based only on the financial allocations that this Parliament makes, and Mr Choudhury was unable to support the allocations of funding that the Government made to cover such services.

We will certainly work with the integration joint boards, but Mr Choudhury cannot be absolved of his responsibility for failing to support the budget, which is delivering the investment that is necessary in health and social care. [ Interruption .] The Labour Party members can moan at me all they want about the public finances—

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Members, let us hear one another.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

—but they have not been prepared to put the money in to support people in the communities of Scotland.

Jeremy Balfour (Conservative, Lothian)

My question follows on from the previous question. I have been contacted by numerous charities in my region that will have to cease providing vital preventative care for individuals in the Lothians due to the IJB cuts. The First Minister said that he wants to lay aside politics and do the best for the people of Scotland. Will he now intervene in the crisis to make sure that NHS Lothian does not cut the budget to the IJB? That cut would put vulnerable people out of the services that they require. Rather than talk about previous measures, will he now be proactive in working with NHS Lothian and the council to make sure that the IJB gets the appropriate funding?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The Government engages with health boards around the country, and local authorities have their own decisions to make as part of the IJB structures. We will engage constructively in any way that we can to help on those issues.

Mr Balfour is another one who comes here and asks me to invest in local services, when his party leader wants me to cut public expenditure by £1 billion. How will that help IJBs around the country?

I will not tire of pointing out the total and utter hypocrisy of the people who come here asking for tax cuts and wanting me to spend more money. It is hypocrisy on stilts.

Jackie Baillie (Labour, Dumbarton)

To ask the First Minister when the landslip shelter on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful will be complete. (S6F-04067)

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The Government is committed to delivering an infrastructure solution to address the landslip risk at the Rest and Be Thankful as soon as possible. Delivery of a permanent solution is a priority.

In December, we published draft orders for both the long-term solution and future stages of the medium-term improvements. Construction can commence only if it is approved under the relevant statutory authorisation process. Therefore, a timetable for construction can be determined only at that time.

Jackie Baillie (Labour, Dumbarton)

The First Minister will be aware of the huge impact that the closure of the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful has on the economy and the people of Argyll. However, it did not happen just yesterday; it has been a problem for more than 15 years.

All that local people want is a road that stays open when it rains. Instead, local campaigners have little confidence that the Scottish National Party will deliver a solution, given the Government’s track record on road building. They are not whingers, First Minister; they fear that it could be another decade and £500 million before the road is actually usable. Will the First Minister commit today to accelerating that much-needed work to ensure that the people of Argyll are not disadvantaged by the continual closure of the A83?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I acknowledge the significance of that area for access to Argyll and Bute. That point is regularly made to me by Jenni Minto, the local member for Argyll.

We have taken steps to ensure that we strengthen the alternative route through the old military road so that it is operational to provide connectivity and to avoid the lengthy diversion that is required should all of those accesses be unavailable.

The steps that are to be taken to ensure that the landslip shelter is put in place are under way. As I have told Jackie Baillie, the preparatory work is being undertaken. The Government will be happy to share details with the Parliament and local stakeholders. I am pretty sure that the Cabinet Secretary for Transport has met the Rest and Be Thankful interested parties to discuss the issue and the progress that can be made.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

We move to constituency and general supplementaries.

Jackie Dunbar (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen Donside)

Harbour Energy, which is the largest independent oil and gas firm in the North Sea and is based in my Aberdeen Donside constituency, has announced that it will cut around 250 onshore jobs in Scotland. It has put the blame squarely at the feet of the Labour United Kingdom Government and its policies.

Successive UK Governments have ignored warnings about job losses and treated Aberdeen as a cash cow, and efforts to deliver a just transition are being undermined. What assessment has the Scottish Government made of the on-going situation? Will the First Minister join me in writing to the UK Government to urge it to take the action that is required to support jobs in Scotland’s energy sector—[Interruption.]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear Ms Dunbar.

Jackie Dunbar (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen Donside)

Will the First Minister comment on the importance of a just transition for energy workers? I say to Conservative members that I do not find it funny.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I agree with Jackie Dunbar that a just transition for Scotland’s valued and highly skilled offshore energy workers is essential. I am deeply concerned to hear the news from Harbour Energy about its plans in Aberdeen. My thoughts are first and foremost with the workforce, which faces an extraordinarily anxious time. The Deputy First Minister is speaking with Harbour Energy on the matter today.

The fiscal and regulatory regimes for offshore oil and gas are reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government has made clear our concern about the extension and scale of the energy profits levy. I urge the UK Government to engage with the industry to address the fiscal realities and implications of the UK Government’s position.

Douglas Lumsden (Conservative, North East Scotland)

The 250 jobs going from Harbour Energy will be a devastating blow for the families involved. Enough is enough. We have a Labour Government in Westminster that is determined to destroy the north-east and the oil and gas industry, but we also have a Scottish National Party Government that is asleep at the wheel, with no energy strategy and a presumption against new oil and gas, and that is selling out communities all over the north-east. Will the First Minister apologise to the 250 workers who are set to lose their livelihoods as his Government turns its back on the north-east?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

My concern, first and foremost, is about the wellbeing of the workforce in Harbour Energy. I do not think that the way in which Mr Lumsden characterises the issue is in any way remotely helpful in addressing the concerns of that workforce.

I point out to Mr Lumsden and the Conservative Party that the energy profits levy was a product of the previous Conservative UK Government—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear the First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

It does not matter how much I get barracked in this Parliament—I will point out the hard realities and implications of the Conservative Party’s decisions in the United Kingdom Government.

One of the things that I think would help enormously in this whole area of policy is for the current United Kingdom Government to do something that the previous Conservative Government did not do, which is to commit urgently and swiftly to the Acorn carbon capture and storage project. That would help us enormously. The Conservatives never lifted a finger to make that happen—not one finger. I hope that the Labour Party will not do the same.

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Labour, Glasgow)

In February, the First Minister told the chamber that the overall attainment gap had reduced by 60 per cent, but, today, the UK Statistics Authority has confirmed that the figure that has been used is not even part of the First Minister’s Government’s framework for measuring the attainment gap.

In its letter to me, the UK Statistics Authority says:

“To maintain trust and confidence in their statements, Ministers should take care that when they claim progress of their policies it is by their own defined measures”.

That intervention demolishes the Government’s claim on the attainment gap and exposes the truth—that a generation of children have been let down by a Government that is more interested in spinning numbers than in solving problems. Will the First Minister now admit that he and his Government have failed to close the attainment gap?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I acknowledge the contents of the letter from the UK Statistics Authority.

I have used one particular measure of the attainment gap—I could use others. The poverty-related attainment gap between young people from the most and least-deprived areas meeting standards in literacy is at a record low in primary schools, and the attainment gap has reached record lows between secondary pupils achieving third level in literacy and numeracy. Those are some of the points.

I accept that there remains an attainment gap in Scottish education. This morning, I visited Brunstane primary school in east Edinburgh and saw at first hand the effect of the Scottish attainment challenge programme, which has supported the development of leadership in the school, enhanced the curriculum and led to greater engagement with families and a rise in the attendance of young people at our school. That is a consequence of the investment that we, as a Government, are able to make available.

Nothing will detract me from focusing on improving the life chances of children, whether or not they are living in poverty, and ensuring that we tackle the issues around household income and engagement with schools. That will lie at the heart of the steps that we are taking in relation to our attainment agenda.

Karen Adam (Scottish National Party, Banffshire and Buchan Coast)

In light of this being deaf awareness week, what is the Scottish Government doing to support deaf people in Scotland?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I welcome the contribution that Karen Adam makes on these issues. It is important to highlight the importance of deaf awareness week to increasing understanding of deaf culture and language. The Deputy First Minister met members of the community last week. The “British Sign Language National Plan 2023-2029” represents our on-going commitment to making Scotland the best place in the world for BSL users to live, work, visit and learn.

Miles Briggs (Conservative, Lothian)

As we have already heard, the proposals by the Edinburgh integration joint board are likely to see key services cut, including drop-in support, carers services and, even as we mark victory in Europe day, veterans support services. The First Minister apportioned blame, but the cuts are not acceptable. The IJB will cut £29 million from services in Edinburgh. Does he think that our health services will be improved by the decisions that are being taken by the IJB? Will he agree to meet the cross-party group of MSPs who are trying to raise the issue in Parliament and who have just had the First Minister whack this back at us? We need action and we want the First Minister to take heed of that today.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I am simply being straight with the Parliament about—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Thank you, members

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I am simply being straight with the Parliament about the realities that we have to face. That is what I am doing.

I understand the issues that Miles Briggs is raising with me. I am totally familiar with them and I understand the importance of them. I have just answered Mr Whittle about the importance of a focus on preventative interventions, and many of the interventions that Mr Briggs is talking about are preventative interventions.

However, the point that I am making to the Parliament is that investment in those services does not happen by accident. It happens by political choice. Mr Briggs was one of those who voted against the Government’s budget and he argued in favour, as his leader did, of £1 billion of cuts in public expenditure. How does Mr Briggs think that it would be possible to invest in local services with £1 billion of swingeing cuts from the Conservatives?

Jamie Greene (Liberal Democrat, West Scotland)

Today, the Scottish Government announced the direct award of the west coast ferry contract to CalMac Ferries, citing that there are no legal barriers to doing so, yet, oddly, it used the opposite argument for why it could not award a contract to Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow.

The real question on the minds of islanders is whether the removal of the tender process will deliver better and more reliable lifeline ferry services. Just days ago, CalMac made a unilateral decision to reduce the frequency of sailings to the isle of Cumbrae. That decision has been met with absolute fury on the island, and described as absurd, reckless and ridiculous by local businesses. I will forward that correspondence to the First Minister this afternoon.

What comfort will the First Minister offer island communities that they will be properly consulted before key decisions are made, and what comfort will they have that the decision to direct award the contract will improve their ferry services?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

That is at the very heart of the direct award; there is an objective of doing exactly that. One of the key obligations in the contract is the necessity of engaging with communities. There is a more significant role in the direct award for the ferries community board, which is able to articulate many of the issues that Mr Greene has put to me. The contract is structured to ensure that community voice and community aspiration are right at the heart of the delivery of ferry services. That will be a contractual obligation of CalMac.

Bill Kidd (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Anniesland)

The recent escalation in threats between India and Pakistan is deeply concerning for all of us across Scotland, but particularly for those of my Glasgow Anniesland constituents who are of Indian and Pakistani heritage. Many people are anxiously watching the situation develop. Will the First Minister join me in urging de-escalation in the region? Does he agree that peace and stability across the world are best achieved by dialogue and diplomacy and not by violence?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan are highly concerning. I share Mr Kidd’s aspiration that all leaders should choose dialogue, diplomacy and shared humanity ahead of force and bloodshed. There can be no winners in further military escalation. The world has enough conflict on its hands at present. I urge that dialogue in order to resolve the issues.

Scotland’s Indian and Pakistani communities enrich Scotland’s society socially, culturally and economically. I am mindful of the importance of encouraging and sustaining community cohesion in what will be a worrying time. I will do everything that I can to try to draw communities together at this anxious time in Scotland.

Pam Gosal (Conservative, West Scotland)

In the past couple of months, I have been contacted by many survivors of domestic abuse from my West Scotland region and from across the country. Many of those brave women told me that their abusers were repeat offenders and that their ordeal could have been prevented.

My Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill was published this morning. If passed, it would create a domestic abuse register, similar to the sex offenders register, to act as a deterrent and give further protection to potential victims. Will the Scottish Government back my bill, which has received the support of third sector organisations as well as many survivors of domestic abuse?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Ministers have met Pam Gosal several times to discuss her bill. I acknowledge that it has been published this morning. As always with members’ bills, the Government will engage on that question. We are always willing to explore any options to reduce crime and reoffending, particularly as they affect domestic abuse in our society. Ministers will be happy to engage on that question.

Clare Haughey (Scottish National Party, Rutherglen)

My constituents in Rutherglen will welcome the recent announcement that peak rail fares are to be abolished on publicly owned ScotRail trains. How much does the First Minister anticipate that the average commuter in Scotland will save over the course of a year’s travel thanks to that intervention by the Scottish National Party—the only party that people in Scotland can rely on to protect their interests and to deliver for them?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The Government is committed to supporting individuals who face challenges in the cost of living crisis that we are experiencing. The steps that the Government announced on Tuesday will support commuters. For example, an individual who commutes each working day between Edinburgh and Glasgow could expect to save almost £4,000 over the course of the year, from September, which is a formidable saving to assist individuals in their lives. That is just another example of the cost of living guarantee. People can be assured by a Government that is prepared to put a budget to the Parliament to support that, and to make sure that we help hard-pressed householders the length and breadth of Scotland.

Douglas Ross (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

John Swinney recently awarded all his highly paid ministers a £20,000 increase in their salary. Despite saying that he would not benefit from that, a response to a freedom of information request that I have received suggests that John Swinney did receive the increased salary in his most recent pay packet. Given that John Swinney said earlier that he wants to be “straight with the Parliament”, can he tell us whether it is correct that his most recent pay packet included that uplift? Will he pay that money back? Does he accept the anger among people across Scotland who see highly paid ministers get a salary increase while budgets are cut?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

What I decided to do about ministerial pay was to apply the approach that pertained when Mr Ross was a minister in the United Kingdom Government—

Douglas Ross (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

Did you get it or not?

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Mr Ross.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

—which is that ministers are entitled to take their full pay as members of the Scottish Parliament, but that their ministerial pay remains frozen at 2008-09 levels. Actually, I do not think that that was the position when Mr Ross was a minister.

Ministers in the Scottish Government are getting the same pay, as MSPs, as everybody else, apart from—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Mr Ross, if I hear you once more, you will leave this chamber.

Please continue, First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

To be clear—it is important that members of the public hear the facts—ministers will get their full MSP salary in the same way that every other member of the Scottish Parliament gets their full salary, apart from one person: me. I have decided—voluntarily—to maintain the freeze on my MSP pay as well as the freeze on my First Minister’s salary. To the best of my knowledge, I have not had an increase in my salary, in terms of the cash payment that has been made, as a consequence of the recent uplift. [ Interruption .]

I will go and check that, and I will make the position clear this afternoon. I am very happy to do that. I have no worries about sharing that information. I have said to the public and to Parliament that I will not take an increase in my MSP salary and I will not take an increase in my ministerial pay; it will be frozen at 2008-09 levels. From my recollection, I do not think that any different pay has been put into my bank account. [ Interruption .] I will go and check that, but I do not think that that is the case. [ Interruption .]

I think that it says something about where the Conservative Party has reached that—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear the First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I think that it says something about the depths that the Conservative Party has now reached that it is not prepared to take in good faith anything that is said across the chamber. It never ceases to amaze me how low the Conservative Party will stoop. It is a disgusting organisation.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

That concludes First Minister’s question time. The next item of business is a members’ business debate in the name of Michael Marra. We will have a short suspension to allow those who are leaving the gallery and the chamber to do so.

Two Minutes’ Silence

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Eighty years ago, after years of people living with the brutality of war, the guns across Europe fell silent. We honour the generation that gave so much to secure our peace and freedoms. We owe it to them to strive for that peace, to remember and to encourage future generations to remember. Please join me in observing the national two minutes’ silence as we reflect with gratitude, marking the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe day. Please join me in standing, if you are able.

Portfolio Question Time

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

Good afternoon. The first item of business this afternoon is portfolio question time, and the portfolio is social justice. I advise members that there is quite a bit of interest in supplementary questions, so brevity in questions and responses would be appreciated.

James Dornan (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Cathcart)

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve support for disabled people, including when seeking employment. (S6O-04632)

Kaukab Stewart (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Kelvin)

We recognise the need for greater support for disabled people, including in employment. That is why we have committed an extra £2 million to our disability equality plan. We have also provided £5 million, through the equalities and human rights fund, to support people’s rights. Since 2018, we have invested £4.5 million through the workplace equality fund and a public social partnership to help employers tackle labour market barriers.

Learning from those initiatives is being shared to ensure that employers across Scotland can access tools and guidance to implement fair work and support disabled people to secure and sustain employment.

James Dornan (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Cathcart)

As the Westminster Government launches a green paper proposing more cuts to the financial support for disabled people, more disabled people will be forced into seeking employment without the necessary support being available to help them overcome their physical and mental barriers to that often daunting, if not impossible, process. Does the minister agree that, thanks to the poorly thought-out decisions of the Labour Government, it is clear that an already vulnerable community may now face even greater fear and alarm over their future? Will she tell me, and the local community organisations I met recently to discuss their fears and concerns about the impacts of those cuts, how the Scottish Government can further support them at this time of ever-increasing need?

Kaukab Stewart (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Kelvin)

The welfare reforms set out in the United Kingdom Government’s “Pathways to Work” green paper make it clear that the UK Government has prioritised spending cuts over the welfare of sick and disabled people across the UK. The Scottish Government, however, is clear that the chancellor should not be looking to balance the books by targeting the benefits that sick and disabled people rely on. We strongly reject the welfare proposals, and we call on the UK Government to scrap them immediately.

I reaffirm that the Scottish Government aims to take a different approach to welfare, ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. As is set out in the new programme for government, we will offer enhanced support for disabled people to move into sustainable employment through specialist employability support from July 2025 onwards, and we have provided a £5 million uplift to support that.

Jeremy Balfour (Conservative, Lothian)

The minister rightly criticises the Westminster Government, but does she recognise that the disability plan that she has been working on has been overwhelmingly rejected by disability charities and disabled individuals? Will she re-engage with the disability community in a meaningful way, instead of imposing stuff that it knows will not work in practice?

Kaukab Stewart (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Kelvin)

I thank Mr Balfour for his continued interest and for championing the issue, but I take issue with his view on the matter. We are investing £2.5 million in the disability equality plan, which is an increase of £2 million. That will drive meaningful change in the lives of disabled people.

Priorities have been informed by recent engagements with disabled people’s organisations, and we are working to align that investment with the areas that have been identified. We remain committed to listening to disabled people and ensuring that their voices shape the decisions and delivery of the funding.

Fulton MacGregor (Scottish National Party, Coatbridge and Chryston)

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce child poverty and ensure that targeted support reaches local families most in need in Coatbridge and Chryston and other deprived areas. (S6O-04633)

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

We are providing a range of support that will benefit families in Coatbridge and Chryston and across Scotland, including investment in the Scottish child payment, early learning and childcare, and free bus travel for under-22s. Between February 2021 and December 2024, more than 530,000 Scottish child payments worth more than £77 million were made to low-income families in North Lanarkshire. That action is making a real difference. On average, households with children that are in the poorest 10 per cent of households are, this year, estimated to be £2,600 a year better off because of Scottish Government policies.

Fulton MacGregor (Scottish National Party, Coatbridge and Chryston)

I welcome the steps that the Scottish Government is taking, which the cabinet secretary has outlined. With evidence suggesting that poverty is increasingly affecting working families, can the cabinet secretary provide details of how the Government is working with local employers and job support services in Coatbridge and Chryston and across Lanarkshire to tackle in-work poverty, especially for parents who are juggling low-paid jobs with caring responsibilities?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

Last year, we made up to £90 million available to local authorities to support the delivery of our no one left behind approach to employability services, including more than £2.1 million for North Lanarkshire Council for parental employment support, which supports parents both in and out of work to increase their earnings. Between April 2021 and September 2024, we supported almost 20,000 parents through our devolved employability services. The programme for government, which was published this week, has committed us to further action, with a further £90 million for employability services and funding for pilot projects that will focus on inclusive recruitment practices to support people to enter and progress in the workplace.

Elena Whitham (Scottish National Party, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle any racism in Scotland’s housing and homelessness systems. (S6O-04634)

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

Scotland is determined to play our part in eradicating racism, inequality and injustice and in building a better, fairer world. We are investing £768 million in affordable housing in 2025-26. Local authorities are responsible for assessing local housing need and demand, as well as setting out how that will be met through local housing strategies and strategic housing investment plans. They should ensure that equality is central to housing and housing service delivery. The Scottish social housing charter, which is monitored by the housing regulator, also requires social landlords to provide fair access to housing in a way that recognises individual needs.

Elena Whitham (Scottish National Party, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)

Statistics recently highlighted by Shelter Scotland show that black people and people of colour are bearing the brunt of Scotland’s housing emergency, with 27 per cent of all failures to provide temporary accommodation and 28 per cent of unsuitable accommodation order breaches being experienced by those households. They can also expect to spend longer in temporary accommodation than white Scottish households. Will the cabinet secretary update the chamber on the actions that the Scottish Government can take to target support for those families who are facing systemic inequalities in Scotland’s housing system?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

I thank Elena Whitham for raising an important issue. I hope that I can reassure her that the theme of equality runs through our homelessness strategy, “Ending Homelessness Together”, which is underpinned by a person-centred approach. We expect local authorities to meet the needs of each homeless household and to pay due regard to the public sector equality duty as they carry out those functions.

The number of children in temporary accommodation is too high. Of the £768 million that we will invest in affordable housing in 2025-26, £40 million will be targeted at local authorities with sustained temporary accommodation pressures, in order to increase through acquisitions the supply of social homes, including larger homes that are suitable for families. I hope that that will assist local authorities to address the challenges that Ms Whitham has highlighted.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

Question 4 has not been lodged.

Katy (Labour, West Scotland)

To ask the Scottish Government what further action it can take to increase the stock of accessible housing. (S6O-04636)

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

We are increasing the supply of accessible and adapted homes across Scotland. To support tenants to live safely and independently, we have increased the budget for registered social landlord adaptations for 2025-26 by more than 150 per cent, to £20.9 million. We have also consulted on proposals to enhance the accessibility and adaptability of Scotland’s homes, which include proposed updates to the “Housing for Varying Needs” design guide as well as the introduction of a Scottish accessible homes standard through changes to building standards and guidance. The analysis of that consultation will inform our next steps.

Katy (Labour, West Scotland)

A constituent in Irvine has been waiting for housing with wheelchair access since May 2022. Another constituent in Ardrossan, who also has serious health conditions, has been informed that they will have to wait 12 years, even though they are sleeping on the sofa and the lack of a downstairs toilet means that they have to use a commode. As the cabinet secretary knows, this is a Scotland-wide problem. What more can the Scottish Government do to increase the stock of accessible housing across Scotland? Does the cabinet secretary think that there is consistency of provision in different local authorities?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

That is an important aspect that we should, rightly, be discussing in Parliament. It ties into Elena Whitham’s question about the challenge for the Government and local authorities to ensure that housing is available to everyone and that their particular needs are taken into account. In my answers to Elena Whitham, I mentioned the responsibilities not just of the Scottish Government but of local authorities through their local housing strategies and through the public sector equality duty and equality impact assessments, which we are all required to have at the heart of our discussions.

I appreciate that there are challenges that we all need to rise to. I hope that my original answer detailed some of the work that is going on at Scottish Government level to increase provision in the area. As the providers of housing, local authorities also need to take that into account very seriously.

Stuart McMillan (Scottish National Party, Greenock and Inverclyde)

Will the cabinet secretary provide an update on the impact of Scottish Government investment on levels of affordable and accessible housing? Will she also provide an update on how the Scottish Government continues to invest in voids and acquisitions as part of its affordable housing supply programme to address temporary accommodation pressures?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

It is very important that the increased investment that the Scottish Government is putting into affordable housing, which amounts to £768 million, is used to unlock the new affordable homes that are required. We estimate that the money for 2025-26 will deliver more than 8,000 affordable homes. Important work is also going on through the housing investment task force, and the Government will look very keenly at that work to see what more can be done to unlock new investment opportunities across all tenures. I reassure Stuart McMillan that an estimated 2,669 households with children have been helped into affordable housing in the year to December 2024. That is an important part of the work that we must all undertake to ensure that children and their families are well housed.

Alexander Stewart (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

There is a significant shortage of accessible housing in Mid Scotland and Fife, which impacts disabled individuals, particularly those who require wheelchair-accessible homes. Although some local authorities have committed to building more accessible homes, the current rates of construction are insufficient to meet the growing demand. What further action can be taken to achieve a resolution to this crisis?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

As I mentioned, the £768 million of investment that has been allocated for 2025-26, which Alexander Stewart did not vote for as the budget went through the Parliament, is an important part of that, as is the work that has been undertaken to increase the budget for registered social landlords to allow for the adaptation of current homes. The investment in new builds and in adaptations by RSLs shows the Government’s commitment to helping to increase the provision of affordable homes, including for those who have particular design needs due to a disability or long-term condition.

Jamie Greene (Liberal Democrat, West Scotland)

To ask the Scottish Government what further consideration it has given to increasing or removing the earnings limit for recipients of the carer support payment. (S6O-04637)

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

The recent earnings limit increase for 2025-26, from £151 to £196 a week, means that carers in Scotland can earn £45 more per week and still get the carer support payment. That will help to remove barriers to work and provide more stable support. The earnings limit for the carer support payment will continue to be aligned with carers allowance until the case transfer process is completed later this year. We continue to consider stakeholder feedback, learning from live delivery of the carer support payment and from engagement with the Department for Work and Pensions on its plans for carers allowance in order to develop future policy on earnings rules from 2026-27 onwards.

Jamie Greene (Liberal Democrat, West Scotland)

The increase to £196 per week is welcome in the care sector, but it still involves a cliff edge. If people go £1 over the earnings limit, they lose the benefit in its entirety. The problem with that is that people face a choice between refusing to do more hours or accept pay rises, or putting in more working hours and perhaps being able to care much less. I do not think that either of those outcomes is good.

I ask the Government, in response to calls from Liberal Democrat members and the third sector, to give serious consideration to some form of tapering of the benefit so that there is not a cliff-edge cut-off. We hope that such an approach will get people back into work but allow them still to perform their caring duties.

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

As we have developed the carer support payment, I have had discussions with carers organisations. I assure Jamie Greene that I fully appreciate the importance of the point that he makes. I reassure him that we are already trying to undertake—and have undertaken—work with carers to make sure that the information on the earnings rules for carer support payment, as it stands, is clearer. For example, to provide more stable support, we average out carers’ earnings and use data from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and scheduled reviews to check and track earnings, in order, I hope, to assist with some of the challenges.

As we have gone on with the consultation, there have been differing views on the earnings taper. The analysis was that that would introduce significant complexity for carers and their interactions with wider support. As I said in my original answer, as future policy on earnings develops—and once the case transfer is complete—we will continue to consider that approach. I absolutely take the member’s point about the concerns that carers have raised. However, I urge caution, because it is an exceptionally complex area. We need to ensure that the differences that any change will make to the wider support for carers, some of which is still reserved, are taken into account. I assure Mr Greene that we will do that.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

Collette Stevenson has a brief supplementary question.

Collette Stevenson (Scottish National Party, East Kilbride)

Unpaid carers offer vital support to their loved ones, and it is important that they are recognised for that dedication while pursuing their ambitions.

How many young people in full-time education now benefit from the payment, and how will the Scottish Government continue to support young carers in education?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

The carer support payment is available to many full-time students, who would have been unable to get carers allowance under the Department for Work and Pensions—we estimate that that will assist 1,500 more carers. Carers aged 16, 17 and 18 who are not getting carer support payment might be able to get a young carer grant, which supports 9,400 carers. Again, that is not available elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Michelle Thomson (Scottish National Party, Falkirk East)

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made to ensure the timely delivery of benefits by Social Security Scotland. (S6O-04638)

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

Social Security Scotland has significantly improved processing times. In April 2023, processing time for adult disability payments was 96 working days, and the latest statistics from January 2025 show it as 42 days.

The agency’s flexible approach manages client demand effectively. Along with new applicants being supported, more than 390,000 people have now had their awards transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions. Client satisfaction remains high, and 90 per cent rate their overall experience as “very good” or “good”. I hope that that reassures Ms Thomson that the Government is taking very seriously the need for improvements in processing times.

Michelle Thomson (Scottish National Party, Falkirk East)

Since the agency was set up six years ago, there has been a quite remarkable delivery of 15 benefits. What assurances can the cabinet secretary give about the available capacity at Social Security Scotland, particularly given the transfer of some 66,000 disability living allowance recipients to Scottish adult disability living allowance? What progress has been made in approving accessibility of key performance indicator data in order to assist with the improved scrutiny of how Social Security Scotland is functioning overall?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

In the past six years, the agency has grown at pace and is now delivering 15 benefits, seven of which are available only in Scotland. This winter, the agency will introduce the pension age winter heating payment, which will restore winter fuel payments for pensioners.

Social Security Scotland actively manages its workforce to ensure that resources are managed effectively and efficiently, ensuring that there is value for money for the public and that it delivers on requirements. That involves managing application peaks and the challenges that inevitably come with the roll-out of additional benefits, such as the pension age disability payment and the winter fuel payments that I mentioned earlier.

Paul O'Kane (Labour, West Scotland)

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on its own reported assessment that its target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 is at risk. (S6O-04639)

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

We remain focused on delivering 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032, with at least 70 per cent for social rent and 10 per cent in our rural and island communities, backed by the investment of £768 million in 2025-26.

We will continue to work with partners to increase the number and availability of affordable homes to help to tackle the housing emergency and deliver on our target.

Paul O'Kane (Labour, West Scotland)

Delivering more affordable homes is a vital component of tackling the tragedy of there being 10,000 homeless children in Scotland. No matter how much the First Minister would like the Labour Party to

“move on and find something else to talk about or to moan about”,—[Official Report, 6 May 2025; c 29.]

which I noticed that he doubled down on at First Minister’s question time today, when he told us to stop “whinging”, we will continue to hold the Government to account for that failure and to advocate for action to help those 10,000 homeless children.

On accountability, given that the affordable housing supply programme risk register, obtained by Scottish Labour through a freedom of information request, shows that staffing, financial and commercial risks are all so high that the 110,000 target is at risk, what is the Scottish Government doing to address those risks—or does the cabinet secretary, like the First Minister, think that we should all just move on from the issue?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

I assure the member that the Government is absolutely determined to deliver on the 110,000 affordable homes target. What the First Minister was pointing to—and I make no apology for also doing so—is the hypocrisy of the Labour Party in coming to the chamber to talk about putting more money into housing when it would not even support the £768 million that is in this year’s budget. I will not stop going on about that this year, and nor will the First Minister.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

There are a number of supplementaries, and I will try to get them all in. They will need to be brief, as will the responses.

Meghan Gallacher (Conservative, Central Scotland)

The best way to make housing affordable for Scots is to build more homes, but we know that the Scottish National Party Government’s housing policy has led to the loss of £3 billion of investment from the private sector. Will the cabinet secretary work with the sector to ensure that housing providers can do their job without further interference from the Government?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

I have heard loud and clear from investors who wish to invest more in Scotland about the importance of ensuring that we balance the rent controls that we are bringing in to protect tenants with the need to provide certainty. I find it astounding that Meghan Gallacher has asked that question two days after she made it easier for rent controls to apply in Scotland rather than take her supposed principled stand against them. She will have to answer for that to private investors directly.

Clare Haughey (Scottish National Party, Rutherglen)

I am proud of the SNP Government’s record on delivering affordable housing for families across Scotland. I am not sure that Mr O’Kane can say the same about his party, which famously delivered only six council properties in its last four years in government. Will the cabinet secretary outline how the Scottish Government will work tirelessly to meet the target of 110,000 homes by 2032, particularly through investment in the 2025-26 Scottish budget, which the Labour Party did not engage with, let alone vote for?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

The budget for 2025-26 sees an increase of more than £211 million when compared with the 2024-25 published budget, which is more than £180 million in capital and almost £31 million in financial transactions. That is a demonstration of this Government’s determination to continue to deliver on affordable homes.

Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife)

Purpose-built student accommodation, alongside affordable accommodation, is important. I do not believe that purpose-built student accommodation should be in the Housing (Scotland) Bill. Does the cabinet secretary agree?

Shirley-Anne Somerville (Scottish National Party, Dunfermline)

As Willie Rennie will know, the Government has introduced a bill that does not include purpose-built student accommodation. I do not wish to see purpose-built student accommodation included in rent controls, and the Government will not support any amendment that seeks to include it.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

That concludes portfolio questions on social justice. To allow members on the front benches to change over, there will be a brief pause before we move on to our next item of business.

Relationships and Behaviour in Schools

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

The next item of business is a statement by Jenny Gilruth on relationships and behaviour in schools. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of her statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions.

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

Today’s update on relationships and behaviour in schools follows the progress made on the national action plan that was published last August by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. I can inform members that further progress, most notably on consequences, will be published before the summer recess.

As cabinet secretary, I spend much of my time engaging with teachers and other school staff across the country. Over the past six months, I have hosted a series of regional events, with all of Scotland’s secondary school headteachers being invited to attend, and we are now halfway through the events for all primary school headteachers. I again pay tribute to teachers in Scotland’s schools, from Dumfries to Inverness and Aberdeen, who are helping to make a difference every day. Those events have been pivotal in allowing us to hear about the post-Covid challenges that our schools face and in creating the necessary conditions to have frank and pragmatic conversations about the solutions with those who are at the chalkface.

I stress the need to look beyond party politics and to work across the Parliament to collectively discuss solutions. There is a role for each of us in working together, with the interests of our young people in mind. That is why, in advance of the publication of the behaviour action plan, I engaged with Opposition members to hear their ideas for solutions. A further example of that approach was the First Minister’s youth justice summit, at which members from across the Parliament heard directly from young people. A further discussion will take place shortly, and I look forward to continuing that conversation with all parties.

We all know that the reasons underpinning trends in behaviour are complex. Staff who responded to the behaviour in Scottish schools research highlighted the impact of wider societal factors—including poverty, deprivation and the cost of living crisis—as the root cause of some disruptive behaviour. Given that a core mission of the Government is getting it right for every child, we have a commitment to support all young people to help them to reach their potential.

I turn to my update on the relationships and behaviour in schools action plan. Importantly, the plan is jointly owned with COSLA to reflect the sharing of legal responsibilities between the Government and our councils, which carry the statutory responsibility for running Scotland’s schools. The plan was developed in collaboration with the Scottish advisory group on relationships and behaviour in schools, which means that it was informed by our main teaching unions, the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, Education Scotland, the Association of Scottish Principal Educational Psychologists, parent representatives and wider stakeholders.

The plan contains 20 overarching actions under eight themes and is to be delivered by March 2027, and the first progress report was published at the end of March. Between November 2023 and March 2025, good progress was made against all 20 actions that are set out in the plan. I will take a few moments to highlight some of that progress.

We have prioritised responding to emerging areas of concern. That is why new guidance has been published on preventing and responding to gender-based violence and on mobile phones. We have also updated “Respect for All”, our national anti-bullying guidance, to include strong messages about our expectation that all instances of bullying should be recorded.

Our national education agencies have a crucial role here. In November 2023, I announced support, spearheaded by our interim chief inspector of schools, to ensure that inspections by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education support improvements in behaviour in our schools. As part of inspections, every school in Scotland now receives enhanced feedback on relationships and behaviour. Education Scotland has been supporting local authorities and schools with bespoke professional learning, tailored to the needs of their staff, on topics such as expectations, consequences and de-escalation.

Practical resources to support staff on specific topics have also developed. That work includes updating the “Keeping Your Cool in School” programme, which uses discussion and reflection to equip primary-aged children to recognise and manage strong emotions. As part of the violence prevention framework, partners in the third sector have launched the “Quit Fighting for Likes” campaign, which includes a suite of resources for teachers to engage young people in conversations that are aimed at preventing the filming and sharing of violent incidents on social media. That is just a snapshot of some of the action that is detailed more fully in the progress report, with which I am sure members have engaged.

Today, I will focus on our next steps in the action plan, with particular reference to two areas that are of specific concern to members: the increase in gender-based violence and responding to the most challenging behaviour in our schools.

Like many members, I was deeply concerned by the recent NASUWT and Educational Institute of Scotland findings on the experiences of female teachers and staff, which echo those of our own BISS research. As a female politician, I have to say that the findings are, sadly, also reflective of some of the experiences that are encountered by women in politics in 2025. That is because our classrooms can hold up a mirror to who we are as a society. Therefore, we should not divorce wider societal shifts from behaviour in Scotland’s schools.

Gender-based violence should not be tolerated in our society. Important conversations are needed about how to address the attitudes that are influencing such violence, and I welcomed my most recent meeting with the NASUWT to that end on Friday, when I attended its conference.

I have already highlighted the good work that is being done on the gender-based violence framework, which was launched last year. We are also continuing our investment in the mentors in violence prevention and Equally Safe at School programmes, which are aimed at addressing violence against women and girls.

I am particularly concerned about the impact of online content. In January, I was fortunate to attend the launch of the new digital discourse initiative. The free resource provides practical strategies and curriculum tools to support school staff to challenge online hate and disinformation. I heard at first hand from staff and pupils at Cathkin high school about how helpful that resource has been in aiding the understanding of terminology and providing practical tools to address those issues in schools. As part of the programme for government, we have committed to further supporting that initiative.

Beyond gender-based violence, we know that the rise of extremism and far-right ideology across wider society is having a detrimental impact on our young people. That concern was shared by the teaching trade unions when I met them all yesterday as part of our professional association forum. As I confirmed at last Friday’s NASUWT conference, I have committed to engaging further on that topic, building on the gathering that the First Minister held two weeks ago, to understand the role of our education system in tackling the harms of the far right. Today, I extend an invitation to all MSPs to be part of that alliance and to work collectively with the Government to tackle the threat of the far right and, in particular, the threat that extremism brings to women in society.

I turn to the steps that we are taking to respond to the most serious behaviour in our schools. This year, as part of our broader investment in violence prevention, we are investing £2 million to address youth violence and the carrying of weapons in and around our schools. That brings our total investment to more than £6 million since 2023. Such investment supports Medics Against Violence to engage with young people in schools and youth clubs to address the consequences in our schools of knife carrying and knife injuries. It also supports YouthLink Scotland to deliver the no knives, better lives programme, to develop resources and to deliver training sessions to hundreds of practitioners and young people.

I recognise the BISSR findings, which were reinforced by our relationships and behaviour summits, that staff can feel disempowered by using consequences. However, I am absolutely clear that consequences are an essential part of a supportive learning environment. As I mentioned, we will publish new guidance on consequences before the summer recess, and I will update the Parliament at that point.

I also recognise the concerns that have been raised about the potential underreporting of incidents and about variation in practice among local authorities. We have already refreshed guidance on the recording of bullying incidents and, during phase 2 of the plan, we will undertake a broader review of processes for recording incidents, including violent incidents, to identify potential means of streamlining processes and improving consistency.

Our schools and school workforce remain central to all that. In recognition of their importance, we are investing an additional £29 million in this year’s budget to support provision of the additional support needs workforce in our schools. That resource will be used to support the recruitment, retention and training of the whole of the inclusion workforce.

I am aware of how much interest there is in this topic across the chamber. That is why, ahead of the publication of the national action plan, I engaged with all parties and their suggestions for improvements. I hope that party spokespeople can see some of those suggestions reflected in the national action plan and in our progress to date. In a similar spirit, as we enter phase 2 of the plan, I am keen to engage on the development of further solutions so that, collectively, we can consider how they might be integrated in the plan.

I have set out the progress that has been made during the first nine months of the action plan and my commitment to further action. I hope that members across the chamber can share that commitment as we move to the next phase of the action plan. We all share the ambition to make our schools safe and consistent learning environments and, in so doing, support Scotland’s young people and teachers.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

The cabinet secretary will take questions on the issues raised in her statement. There will be around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business. I encourage members who wish to ask a question to press their request-to-speak buttons.

Miles Briggs (Conservative, Lothian)

I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of the statement.

At a time when teaching unions are reporting record levels of violence in our classrooms and teachers are requesting self-defence training, I continue to have deep concerns that the plan and what has been outlined today will not end violence in our classrooms and schools.

Teachers and parents with whom I have spoken said that they had not even heard of the relationship and behaviour in schools action plan. Ministers have a long way to go to demonstrate and give confidence to teachers and our school communities that the plan will deliver the safe school environments that we all want to see. Teachers want to know that they will be supported and that any decisions on disruptive and violent pupils, whom they cannot manage in the classroom, will be respected, including by council management.

The cabinet secretary says that consequences are an essential part of a supportive learning environment—I agree. One of the action plan outcomes was that school staff should

“feel confident to report, record, monitor, assess and respond to individual incidents and patterns of behaviour”.

Will the new guidance on consequences include a presumption that, if a pupil has been violent towards a member of staff—including towards classroom assistants, which I believe is not being recorded—they will be kept out of the classroom until their behaviour changes?

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

Miles Briggs raises a number of important points. I will try to summarise them all—forgive me if I forget any of them. I am more than happy to meet him to talk about the issues at length.

I had substantive discussions with the teaching unions yesterday, in advance of the committee session that Miles Briggs and I attended last night. We talked for two hours about some of the broader issues related to the challenges in our classrooms. The NASUWT’s research on the matter, in addition to that of the EIS, has been seminal to the national action plan.

I hear the challenge from Mr Briggs about where the action plan is now. I hope that he understands the tone that I am taking and that I am continuing to engage with Opposition parties on the plan. I recognise that we have got to get it right. I engaged substantively with Liam Kerr, Mr Briggs’s predecessor as his party’s spokesperson on education—he was at the table, engaging with me and other parties on the draft action plan.

Part of my response today set out that, as we approach phase 2, there will be further information coming in relation to consequences. I am more than happy to engage with Mr Briggs on that. He is correct to say that teachers must be supported in our schools—he will know that I take the issue very seriously, having come from the classroom myself. He spoke about the role of council or school management—he will also know some of my frustrations, as the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, in relation to the different responsibilities of the Government and of local authorities in that space, which are stipulated in law. We share legal responsibilities, which is exactly why the national action plan ties COSLA to the work.

Mr Briggs also raised an issue about parents’ lack of understanding or knowledge of the plan. I accept that. The point was also raised by Mike Corbett of the NASUWT. I discussed the point extensively with Councillor Tony Buchanan, the COSLA spokesperson for children and young people, and on the back of that, he and I wrote to the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland about helping to support that confidence raising.

We need to use the national action plan to inform behaviour policy in our schools. I will continue my work on that, but I would welcome the member’s support. In every school that I go into, I am constantly surprised and amazed by some of the approaches that are being used. We need to ensure that the action plan is giving support where it is needed. The budget also provides extra funding for additional support for learning, which was a key ask from the teaching trade unions.

The member asked a final question about SAGRABIS and violent behaviour. I am happy to take that question away, because the guidance on consequences will not be published until next week. Although I do not want to prejudge the outcome of that work, my firm expectation is that it will be in agreement with the member’s point.

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Labour, Glasgow)

The cabinet secretary said that staff need to feel supported to manage behaviour. I agree, but that support must be systemic, not sticking plasters.

Staff are exhausted, stressed and underresourced, and they are being asked to deliver a national behaviour strategy while ASN provision is stretched and wider support services have vanished. In too many cases, dealing with violence in schools has become expected and is simply seen as being part of the job.

Last year, Parliament agreed to a motion in my name that called for a national workforce plan to be produced. That motion was agreed to, but the Government has not yet delivered. The action plan is too little, too late. The cabinet secretary has talked about working across parties, but the motion that the Parliament agreed to had cross-party support. Why has a workforce plan not been published? How can phase 2 of the strategy work when the workforce that it relies on still lacks the support that it needs?

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

I thank the member for her interest in the matter. I agree that a systemic approach is needed, rather than sticking plasters, but I am not sure that I agree with the member’s point that teachers are being asked to deliver a strategy. We are talking about a plan to support our classroom teachers, our middle leaders and our leaders in schools. I have not come up with that plan on my own; it is a plan that is jointly owned by COSLA and the teaching trade unions. They have fed into the work and have told Government and local authorities exactly what support their members need. I think that that gives the plan a strength that will mean that it should help to support the profession.

The member mentioned a motion on workforce planning that was voted for some time ago. I reassure her that work on that is being taken forward. However, as the member will know—I discussed this with her yesterday evening, which does not feel that long ago—some of the issues that I have experienced in that regard relate to the legal responsibilities that rest with local government as an employer, so we need to work with COSLA on that. That work is being progressed as part of the education assurance board, which was a key component of the budget agreement with COSLA, as part of which extra funding was provided for teacher numbers and for ASN provision. That is so important.

I am not sure what point the member is making to me, but I am more than happy to catch her after question time to discuss the matter in further detail.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

Around 13 colleagues wish to ask questions, and they have around 14 minutes in which to ask them, so I would welcome brevity in the questions and the responses.

Kenneth Gibson (Scottish National Party, Cunninghame North)

I welcome the cabinet secretary’s statement. Pupils are well aware that there are few, if any, tangible consequences to bad behaviour. It is obvious that allowing persistently disruptive pupils to remain in classrooms come what may, it would seem, is not working for staff and well-behaved pupils, who are undermined by constant disruption, which makes learning difficult and sometimes impossible.

It is time to remove persistently disruptive pupils from classrooms to where their behaviour can be closely monitored, and for them to be given an opportunity to return, should their behaviour improve. Will the consequential improvements that the cabinet secretary is looking to deliver be in place for the autumn term?

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

That is not the brevity of question that we are looking for.

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

I sincerely hope that those improvements will be in place for the autumn term. Mr Gibson’s point was about consequences and, in response to Mr Briggs, I mentioned the further work on consequences, which will be published before the summer recess. It is worth while recounting the fact that teachers in Scotland can already take a range of actions in responding to disruptive behaviour, and that, at the furthest extreme, exclusion remains an option that is open to them.

As I set out in my statement, we will publish the new guidance on consequences before the summer. I am clear that consequences are an essential part of a supportive learning environment, and I will provide more information on our approach in that respect when we publish the guidance in June.

Roz McCall (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

I welcome the fact that the cabinet secretary has come to the conclusion—two and a half years after we first mentioned the issue—that consequences are an essential part of a supportive learning environment.

We have recently heard about examples of headteachers who have taken decisions to limit mobile phone use in classrooms, but I note that the statement did not fully address the connection between mobile phone use and behaviour. Does the cabinet secretary agree that the use of such devices to access unchecked content is contributing to aggressive behaviour among some pupils in our schools, and that that issue needs to be highlighted?

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

I very much agree with the sentiment of the member’s question, although I am not sure that I have taken two and a half years to come to the conclusion that consequences are required in our schools. As someone who taught in the classroom, I know that consequences and rules are very important in delivering education, especially when trying to do so to a large group of unruly young people.

On the member’s point about the connection between mobile phone use and behaviour, it is absolutely true that those things are linked. I agree with her on that. I made one reference to the updated mobile phone guidance in my statement, but I did not explicitly refer to the connection with behaviour. I reassure the member that I absolutely accept that those things are linked.

Last week, I noted that a couple of schools in Edinburgh are now moving forward with full bans. That follows a policy approach that I think has been adopted by Perth and Kinross Council. Schools are now looking at the national approach, which empowers headteachers to take the decision to ban mobile phones, and decisions are being rolled out across the country. That is the approach that works best in Scotland. Because there are shared legal responsibilities, as cabinet secretary, I cannot enforce a national ban, but I can set out very clear national guidance that empowers headteachers to choose to ban mobile phones if they see fit. I think that it is welcome news that we are starting to see real progress to that end.

Karen Adam (Scottish National Party, Banffshire and Buchan Coast)

Can the cabinet secretary outline how the programme for government that the First Minister announced this week will support children and young people with ASN as they navigate an ever-changing school environment?

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

I am clear that all children and young people are entitled to the support that they need to reach their full potential. We have committed £26 million of funding each year—£15 million for support assistance, plus £11 million to our grant-aided schools and in other grants—to support that aim.

The programme for government commits an additional £29 million to support the recruitment, retention and training of our additional support needs workforce via local and national programmes.

Further, we will hold a data summit with all local authorities to support improved consistency of identification, support and reporting of children’s needs at local level. We know that inconsistent data gathering has caused a challenge to that historically, so it is important that there is national consistency in data gathering and in how the Government monitors and supports local authorities in relation to additional support for learning.

Martin Whitfield (Labour, South Scotland)

Does the cabinet secretary share my disappointment that, after 18 years, we can still only talk about the ambition for our schools to be safe and consistent, rather than having safe and consistent schools?

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

Although the member is perhaps a bit older than I am, I am sure that, when he was at school some time in the past, there were incidents at schools—there certainly were when I was at school. I am not sure that we are necessarily living in a different age 18 years after my party came to power, although I accept that that is the member’s point.

There are challenges in our classrooms, some of which predate Covid, but some of which have undoubtedly been compounded by Covid. We have also seen the onset of austerity in our classrooms, and that is harming behaviour. I hear that in evidence from the third sector as well as from our teaching trade unions. I have been making a point at our headteacher regional events about the way in which the delivery of education has changed in recent years—something that the member, as a former teacher, will know. For example, we now have food banks and clothing banks in our schools. The relationship of that support and our schools has changed.

I am mindful of that challenge, and I am thinking about the support that we give our schools and how it might have to be adapted in the future. More broadly, of course it is an ambition that our schools are safe and consistent learning environments. I am not sure that I would accept that they have changed in that regard in the past 18 years.

Clare Haughey (Scottish National Party, Rutherglen)

I am sure that many members will join me in welcoming key announcements on education from this week’s programme for government. Can the cabinet secretary outline what the programme for government will do to address behaviour and improve standards in schools specifically?

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

The programme for government makes a number of additional contributions to funding to enhance, for example, the number of teachers in our schools. Having a full staffing complement is hugely important, but the extra funding that I spoke of in response to a previous question on additional support for learning is specifically tailored to give that additionality in terms of trained specialist staff. We know that there are challenges in that regard; for example, although historically we have seen our pupil support population increasing, there are fewer additional support for learning teachers. The extra funding from the Government is designed to allow local authorities to have the power to choose to invest in specialist provision to help support their workforce.

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

I am glad that the statement had a focus on gender-based violence. It is essential that we talk with boys and young men about the importance of consent in relationships. The new version of the sex and relationship education guidance for teachers, which the cabinet secretary and I were involved in drafting, does that, but its publication has been delayed again. Will that be published in time for schools returning in August?

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

It is my expectation that there will be an update. I am more than happy to write to the member or to meet him to talk about that point. I recognise some of the challenge in the matter and his specific interest in it.

Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife)

I understand that violence in schools will not stop immediately, but for teachers and staff the situation is getting worse, not better. It is frustrating that the timetable for the plan has already slipped and that the guidance on consequences will not be published for months yet. Can the cabinet secretary assure teachers and staff that there will be no further slippage?

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

I am not necessarily sure that there has been slippage. The work on consequences was a direct ask from SAGRABIS, which includes COSLA, our teaching trade unions and our other partners.

We have to agree the guidance collectively, but it will be published in the coming weeks, before the end of term. I hope that that gives the member some comfort. I have been very clear that there is a need for the updated guidance to be published before the end of term so that, when schools return in August, they can use it at their in-service training days to help to inform better practice in our schools.

Rona Mackay (Scottish National Party, Strathkelvin and Bearsden)

My question follows on from my colleague Ross Greer’s question. Abuse, violence and harassment of any kind, but particularly gender-based violence, should not be tolerated in our society, and certainly not in our education environments. Will the cabinet secretary outline the steps that the Scottish Government is taking to address those issues, particularly in schools, in support of the equally safe strategy?

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

The Scottish Government absolutely agrees that gender-based violence of any kind is unacceptable anywhere in our society, including in our education settings. That is why we are implementing our equally safe strategy to prevent and eradicate such violence and harassment.

Our equally safe delivery plan contains commitments from ADES to ensure that all secondary schools sign up to the equally safe at school work, encourage the development of peer learning and activity around gender-based violence in schools, and ensure that all staff complete trauma awareness training. As of January this year, 133 schools have signed up to the equally safe at school programme, which involves a whole-school approach to tackling gender inequality and gender-based violence.

We have also published the national framework to help schools tackle sexual harassment and gender-based violence, which, as I mentioned in my statement, is a wider societal challenge at this time.

Douglas Ross (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

Challenging behaviour and relationships can be difficult for all teachers and staff, but particularly for supply teachers, who do not necessarily have the opportunity to build up a rapport with their students. We know that the cabinet secretary met Scottish Teachers for Permanence back in November. I understand that, at that meeting, she committed to meeting it again and arranging a meeting with COSLA, but it tells me that, despite requests, it has not had an update on that. Will the cabinet secretary agree to meet it urgently to discuss the issue and its recent survey?

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

Mr Ross’s point in relation to supply is pertinent. We have real challenges at the current time in relation to that issue of permanence. If we look across the country, about 80 per cent of all teaching jobs are permanent. That has stayed pretty static since 2014. However, at the local authority level, there are undoubtedly challenges.

I have engaged with the group that the member alluded to. I am happy to engage with all partners on the issue. Substantively, though, I engage with our teaching trade unions. I engaged with them yesterday for two hours on a range of different issues, and we had a significant contribution from them on this issue and the way in which the uncertainty affects their members. I am very alive to that. We have to work with local authorities on the issue, recognising their responsibilities in law, and I will continue to engage with the teaching trade unions to that end.

Jackie Dunbar (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen Donside)

I understand that the EIS noted in February that the number of violent incidents in schools has increased steadily since the onset of UK Government-imposed austerity. That is a further example of the harm that UK Government policies cause in Scotland. Will the cabinet secretary outline what steps the Scottish Government is taking to tackle the sustained impact of austerity on our young people?

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

Ms Dunbar raises some important points. We know that UK Government welfare cuts have caused wide-ranging damage to the lives and outcomes of children and young people across the UK, including in Scotland. [ Interruption .] I hear some chuntering from members on the benches to my left, but the End Child Poverty coalition estimates that the two-child cap alone pulled 30,000 children into poverty in the UK between Labour being elected in June last year and 5 April this year, while Department for Work and Pensions figures show that proposed welfare cuts for disabled people will drive 50,000 more children into poverty.

We have committed around £1.4 billion to mitigate the impact of 15 years of UK Government policies such as the bedroom tax and the benefit cap. Because the UK Government has failed to act, we have also committed to developing the systems that are needed to effectively scrap the impact of the two-child cap by April 2026.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

Three additional members wish to ask questions. I will get them all in, but their questions will need to be brief, as will the responses.

Neil Bibby (Labour, West Scotland)

When does the cabinet secretary expect the prevalence of violence in our schools to be reduced? Why has the number of exclusions fallen on this Government’s watch while levels of violence have increased?

Jenny Gilruth (Scottish National Party, Mid Fife and Glenrothes)

On the point that Neil Bibby raises about exclusions, we know that there is some reticence from the profession in relation to reporting. I addressed that point in the chamber in November 2023, when I responded to the behaviour in Scottish schools research. At that time, I was very clear in calling on the profession for clearer reporting, but, to that end, we need to give the profession confidence that it will have support. Updated guidance in relation to reporting will be published before the end of term as part of the updated work on consequences in order to help to give that support to the profession. Exclusion exists as a consequence and we need staff to feel empowered, as and when appropriate, to understand that it exists as an option for them to use.