Scottish Parliament, 15 May 2025

364 contributions from 66 members. The official report.

General Question Time

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

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

Mark Ruskell (Green, Mid Scotland and Fife)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue a formal public apology to members of the Gypsy Traveller community, in light of reports of the harm caused by what was known as the tinker experiment. (S6O-04656)

Kaukab Stewart (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Kelvin)

In 2023, we commissioned independent archival research to better understand historical policies and their impact on the Gypsy Traveller communities. That research is now complete and we expect to publish the report online by the end of May.

Alongside the archival research report, we will release a summary of findings from our initial engagement with community members who have been impacted by those historical policies, as well as our initial response. These are complex and sensitive matters, and we are committed to getting this right to provide meaningful answers for everyone who has been affected.

Mark Ruskell (Green, Mid Scotland and Fife)

I welcome the fact that more research is being done, but what the community needs is an apology. The research must lead to an apology, because generations of families have been impacted by actions that were sanctioned by the state.

My constituents have suffered. People who could have thrived have instead been shunned by local communities, racially abused and provided with inadequate, if not inhumane, housing conditions. They have endured decades of physical and mental ill health. What further action can the Scottish Government undertake to make meaningful improvements in the lives of those who have been impacted by this truly shameful period in our history?

Kaukab Stewart (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Kelvin)

I thank Mark Ruskell for his supplementary question. There has been engagement with the affected communities over the past few years. I visited communities in Bobbin Mill and heard about the effects of the tinker experiment directly from them.

The initiatives that we are taking, through the Gypsy Traveller action plan, for instance, are driving positive change in tackling inequality for communities across Scotland. In partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, we published our second joint action plan in September 2024, which set out concrete steps to improve outcomes for Gypsy Travellers. The voices of those communities and of key stakeholders helped to shape that plan. The plan acknowledges the improvements that have been made in many areas since the publication of the previous plan in 2019, but it recognises that more needs to be done.

Kenneth Gibson (Scottish National Party, Cunninghame North)

In recent years, the Scottish Government has invested millions of pounds in infrastructure improvements for Gypsy Traveller sites. Scotland has 8,000 park home residents. There are three park home sites in my constituency that have—by contrast—received little support, and some sites are owned by Gypsy Travellers. When will the fees that are charged on park home residents be held to the consumer prices index, rather than the retail prices index, as the Minister for Housing suggested on 27 February?

Kaukab Stewart (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Kelvin)

The Housing (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced on 26 March 2024, includes provisions to change the basis of pitch fee uprating under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 from the retail prices index to the consumer prices index. The timetable for implementing the changes that are proposed in the bill will be decided by the Parliament; we propose to implement the changes shortly after the bill receives royal assent.

The bill and its accompanying documents have been published on the Scottish Parliament website. The bill was introduced on 26 March 2024 and is at stage 2 of the Parliament’s scrutiny.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

As ever, concise questions and responses are appreciated.

Annie Wells (Conservative, Glasgow)

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the latest Public Health Scotland statistics on delayed discharges in NHS Scotland, which show that the average length of delay for March 2025 was 27 days. (S6O-04657)

Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)

I remain concerned about the delays that people are experiencing in our hospitals. I am clear that, for those who are delayed, a 27-day average is unacceptable. That is why reducing delayed discharge remains a priority for the Government. However, it is important to reflect on the fact that 97 per cent of all discharges happen without delay. In addition, the latest figures show some progress in reducing the number of people who are delayed, although we continue to work to drive that number down much further.

Our operational improvement plan sets out how we are taking forward the commitment in the NHS renewal framework to shift the balance of care from hospital to the community. I am hopeful that the work that local systems are undertaking as part of that will deliver better outcomes for patients and ensure that hospital beds are there for those who need them.

Annie Wells (Conservative, Glasgow)

In March alone, delayed discharges led to 60,129 hospital bed days being lost, which is a rise of 3 per cent on the same month last year. That is thousands of people who are stuck in hospital for longer than is necessary. Will the cabinet secretary spell out what immediate and medium-term actions the Government is taking to tackle that, and when we can expect to see real progress?

Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)

I hear what Annie Wells is saying, and I appreciate the concern, which I share. In March, we saw a reduction in the level of delayed discharge. I accept that it was marginal and small, but it is progress. It is going in the right direction, and I fully anticipate that there will be further progress to come.

The progress comes off the back of intensive work that is being done on a whole-system basis—with our health and social care partnerships, our health service, our local government colleagues and our community and voluntary sector partners—to ensure that capacity is in place to support them. In Glasgow, in particular, that work is under way. We are supporting similar work in Lothian, and it will be rolled out to other parts of the country through the operational improvement plan. Annie Wells will see greater progress coming.

Carol Mochan (Labour, South Scotland)

The cabinet secretary will have seen the recent headline that said:

“Numbers of Glasgow patients delayed in hospital reaches highest level in decade”.

In South Ayrshire, which is in my South Scotland region, the average daily number of beds that are occupied due to delayed discharge is almost three times greater than that in East Ayrshire. How can there be such a difference between neighbouring local authority areas, which already share a number of services and health boards? I have asked the cabinet secretary this question before: what is the Government doing to help local authorities to share resources and best practice to improve delayed discharge across Ayrshire?

Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)

That is a key concern. Carol Mochan will have heard this narrated by not just me but the First Minister. Ayrshire is a good example of the variation that exists in the delayed discharge and social care experience in Scotland, which is part of the reason why we want to reform and improve the way in which social care is delivered. I recently met North Ayrshire leaders—again, on a whole-system basis, including leaders from the health board, the local authority and the health and social care partnership—to look at how we can support them to make improvements on the challenging position that they have been in.

We have given additional resource to our local authority partners through the budget. Part of the agreement was that there would be an intensity of focus on, and a prioritisation of that resource into, social care. I am looking for transparency about where that resource has landed and what it is delivering, to ensure that that part of the agreement has been honoured.

Collette Stevenson (Scottish National Party, East Kilbride)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the East Kilbride enhancement project. (S6O-04658)

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

The East Kilbride enhancement project continues to make excellent progress in line with the committed delivery programme. The 16-week closure of the line for essential works will conclude very soon, and I can advise the Parliament that services will return on the route on Sunday 18 May. I can also announce that the relocated and refurbished Hairmyres station will open on that date. I thank the travelling public for their patience during the closure period while we have delivered this very welcome electrification and enhancement rail project.

Collette Stevenson (Scottish National Party, East Kilbride)

I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for the update and for the Scottish Government’s support for this transformational project. I, along with many local rail users, welcome the fact that trains will be operating on the line again in the coming days.

Given that South Lanarkshire Council is responsible for the car parking and transport interchange at the new Hairmyres station, what discussions have been had with it regarding progress on those points? Will the cabinet secretary outline the advantages to rail users of that Scottish National Party Government investment? Will she also say how the programme for government commitment to scrap peak rail fares will benefit my constituents who travel from East Kilbride, Hairmyres and Thorntonhall?

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

The member is right to point out that local authorities have responsibilities in relation to such rail projects. There has been close partnership working, and I can advise that the full south car park and a small portion of the north car park will be available from Sunday 18 May. From the day of opening, there will be double the provision that was available at the previous station. South Lanarkshire Council is working closely with its contractor to complete that work.

I confirm that the bus service will call at the station from Sunday, with additional bus services calling at the station in the coming months. This transformational project will offer fully accessible and sustainable transport options for passengers as a result of the Scottish Government’s investment.

Given the role that the rail service plays in supporting commuters, I am sure that the Government’s decision to abolish peak rail fares for good from September will benefit Ms Stevenson’s constituents and all workers and rail passengers who rely on the train to get to and from work.

Paul Sweeney (Labour, Glasgow)

Does the minister agree that it is a matter of regret that Transport Scotland asked Network Rail to abandon full dual tracking of the line, which would have enabled a turn-up-and-go frequency of four trains an hour? That will not be achievable on a single-track route.

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

The member will be aware that there was thorough analysis of capacity and performance, and it was determined that, rather than double tracking the whole route, the operational benefits could be delivered by the 1.4km extension of the existing double-track section. Rather than spending a disproportionate amount of scarce funds on double tracking the whole route, there has been prudent and wise investment planning, which has resulted in a similar output at a much lower cost.

Graham Simpson (Conservative, Central Scotland)

I am very much looking forward to meeting the cabinet secretary at the opening of the new Hairmyres station on Monday. I will be travelling there sustainably by bike. How will she be getting there?

Fiona Hyslop (Scottish National Party, Linlithgow)

I am currently making the arrangements, because going from West Lothian to Lanarkshire is a challenging trip, as the member might know. The sustainable travel aspects of the new arrangement are really important, particularly for those who work at University hospital Hairmyres. The idea is to provide choice and ensure provision, particularly for cyclists such as Mr Simpson.

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps it is taking to roll out stroke thrombectomy services on a 24/7 basis across the country. (S6O-04659)

Jenni Minto (Scottish National Party, Argyll and Bute)

The Scottish Government is committed to the sustainable expansion of the thrombectomy service. Work is on-going to align the governance and delivery of thrombectomy with similar national programmes and to establish the most effective means of achieving that with national health service colleagues.

Our focus remains on maximising access and ensuring that as many people as possible can benefit from thrombectomy. Procurement for a national artificial intelligence imaging tool is under way. Once that is implemented, it will support increased access to that important procedure.

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

I thank the minister for her response, but stroke care in Scotland is in crisis.

The system failed Anthony Bundy. He was failed by the FAST—face, arms, speech, time—test, by the lack of 24/7 thrombectomy services and by a 17-hour wait for a procedure that works only if delivered quickly. That is indefensible.

Scotland does not have a modern stroke service; we have a part-time system that is costing lives. Will the Government commit to a nationwide 24/7 thrombectomy roll-out, with the required staff and infrastructure, and will it work with the Bundy family to deliver real change?

Jenni Minto (Scottish National Party, Argyll and Bute)

I recognise the work that Stephen Kerr has been doing with the Bundy family, whom I had the privilege of meeting last year to listen to their experience.

As a result of that, I have had numerous conversations with colleagues. I have also visited the NHS Lothian thrombectomy hub, where I learned at first hand how the east of Scotland thrombectomy service works and discussed with clinical and service management the issues of sustainable delivery, staffing levels and equity of access.

As I said in my first response, work is on-going to establish the most effective means of further expanding access to thrombectomy to maximise the number of patients who are able to benefit from the treatment.

Alexander Stewart (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has undertaken with stakeholders in response to reported concerns regarding the implementation of the revised non-domestic rates processes for self-catering operators. (S6O-04660)

Shona Robison (Scottish National Party, Dundee City East)

The thresholds that currently apply to self-catering accommodation for the purposes of non-domestic rates were introduced following a recommendation by the 2017 independent Barclay review of non-domestic rates, to counter a known tax avoidance tactic for second homes.

Officials have engaged regularly with Scottish assessors, local authorities and business representatives on the implementation of that policy, which was introduced on 1 April 2022, and the Minister for Public Finance has offered to meet the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers in response to its recent concerns.

Alexander Stewart (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce have written to the Scottish Government to highlight their concerns and to suggest constructive solutions for the review of the policy. Given the importance of self-catering to the Scottish tourism economy, to which it contributes almost £1 billion, does the cabinet secretary agree that the current unfortunate situation needs to be addressed rapidly, before long-term damage is done to the sector?

Shona Robison (Scottish National Party, Dundee City East)

We absolutely value the contribution that self-catering makes to the tourism sector. We have recognised that by providing hospitality relief of 40 per cent, from which the hospitality sector—of which self-catering accommodation is a part—will benefit. Many operators will also be eligible for the small business bonus scheme.

As I said in my initial answer, the Minister for Public Finance will meet the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers. I am sure that he would also be willing to meet the Scottish Chambers of Commerce to hear its concerns.

Jamie Greene (Liberal Democrat, West Scotland)

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with charitable and third sector organisations regarding the decision not to introduce legislation to end conversion therapy practices, and other equalities-related legislation, during the current parliamentary session. (S6O-04661)

Kaukab Stewart (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Kelvin)

Ministers and officials regularly meet a wide range of organisations to ensure that their expertise and the voices of people with lived experience inform our work. We have continually engaged with LGBTQI+ and other stakeholders as we have developed our work on ending conversion practices.

We have updated stakeholders on our intention to work with the United Kingdom Government to fully explore legislation that would cover England, Wales and Scotland, but if the UK Government’s bill does not meet our priorities or does not go far enough, we intend to publish our own bill in the first year of the next parliamentary session. We will also continue to work with stakeholders in areas such as mental health and education to develop non-legislative measures to tackle conversion practices, as well as continuing our broader work to protect and promote equality and human rights.

Jamie Greene (Liberal Democrat, West Scotland)

As the minister will know, it was announced this week that all major political parties have been barred from attending this summer’s pride events across Scotland. That saddens me, but can the minister blame the organisers of those events? In its 2021 manifesto, on which it was elected, the Scottish National Party promised to introduce a bill on the issue. It is more than five years since it promised to do so, and the consultation on the bill ended more than a year ago, so the excuse that the Government has run out of time simply does not wash any more.

I ask the Government to rethink its position on the matter. If the Government will not introduce legislation to end the abhorrent practice of conversion therapy, I will.

Kaukab Stewart (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Kelvin)

We are absolutely committed to protecting trans people and the wider LGBTQI+ community.

The Scottish Government remains committed to protecting our communities from the harm that is caused by conversion practices. That commitment includes work on the legislation that we intend to publish, as I stated, in year 1 of the next session of Parliament, should a UK bill not meet our priorities.

I reiterate that we are continuing to develop and deliver non-legislative supportive measures to end conversion practices and to support survivors, and that we will work with LGBTQI+ organisations over the next 12 months as we do that.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

That concludes general questions. Before we move to the next item of business, I invite members to join me in welcoming to the gallery the honourable Sue Lines, President of the Senate, from the Parliament of Australia. [Applause.]

First Minister’s Question Time

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

This week, we discovered that the CalMac ferry MV Glen Rosa will not be completed until June 2026 at the earliest and that it will enter service at least eight years late. Why will it take so long?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I make it clear that the time taken to build the Glen Rosa is unacceptable. Yesterday, the Deputy First Minister set out to Parliament many of the reasons why that is the case. The delay has, obviously, caused disruption to island communities and the Scottish Government is focusing on ensuring, through the measures that the Deputy First Minister outlined yesterday, that early progress is made on the Glen Rosa so that it can join the Glen Sannox in service at the earliest possible opportunity.

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

We asked John Swinney’s predecessor how high the eventual bill for the Glen Rosa and the Glen Sannox was likely to be. Three years ago, we specifically asked Nicola Sturgeon whether the cost would exceed £400 million, and she said:

“I simply do not recognise those numbers.”—[Official Report, 31 March 2022; c 13.]

Scotland’s taxpayers certainly do recognise those numbers, because they are the ones paying the bill for the Scottish National Party’s mess. This week, the BBC reported that the ferries will now cost £460 million and counting. Does John Swinney at least recognise those numbers? What will the final cost to taxpayers be?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The total forecast cost to complete the vessel has increased from £150 million to £172.5 million, with an additional risk contingency of £12.5 million. I cannot be definitive in my answer to Mr Findlay on that point because the risk contingency depends on the sequence of events that takes place during the completion of the vessel.

I make it clear to Parliament that it is unacceptable that those vessels have cost so much and that such delays have been experienced. The Government is focused on ensuring that the vessels enter service, so that we can deliver on our commitments to provide sustainable ferry services for island communities.

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

That is a deeply concerning answer from the First Minister, who is clearly not willing, or perhaps not able, to say how much that will end up costing taxpayers or when the boats will both be in service.

It was John Swinney who personally signed off what was a corrupt CalMac procurement process. He has never accepted blame and no one in the SNP ever has or ever will. Not a single one of them has held up their hands to islanders or to taxpayers. We have seen half a billion pounds and almost a decade wasted, so who is responsible?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I unreservedly accept my responsibility for everything that happens in the name of my Government. [Interruption.]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Members!

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I am the First Minister of Scotland and I always accept my responsibilities in the exercise of Government responsibilities.

Russell Findlay mentioned engagement with island communities. I engage regularly with island communities on issues with ferry services, and my Cabinet Secretary for Transport was recently in South Uist engaging with island communities and delivering practical solutions to those affected by ferry disruptions. That is what the Government will focus on. We will accept our responsibilities and will deliver on our commitments to island communities, which is what the Government is doing.

Russell Findlay (Conservative, West Scotland)

The First Minister says that he is responsible, but he is clearly responsible in words only and not in deeds. No SNP minister has been held to account. The last thing that the islanders need is more visits from SNP politicians. They want to see ferries. We have a half-billion-pound blunder, but no SNP minister has ever been sacked.

The ferry saga symbolises so much that is wrong under the SNP. John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon shamelessly exploited Ferguson Marine and its workers for party political purposes. During election campaigns, they loved posing for the cameras at the nationalised yard. The truth is that they preferred public relations grandstanding to providing a decent ferry service for islanders. Who can forget when Sturgeon launched a ferry with painted-on windows?

John Swinney has sunk half a billion pounds—money that could have been spent on raising school standards, fixing the roads or creating more general practitioner appointments. How much better off would people be if that money had gone into our public services instead of going down the drain?

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us always use first names and surnames.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Let us look at the Government’s commitment to ferry services. When the Government came to office in 2007, the budget for ferry services was £90 million. In the current financial year, it is five times that. [ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear the First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

That is to operate the services to our communities, which are now more extensive than when we came to office.

We have delivered the Glen Sannox into service. We have purchased the additional vessel of the Loch Frisa. We have chartered the MV Alfred and the MV Arrow to provide additional resilience. We have commissioned two new vessels for Islay, two new vessels for the Little Minch routes and seven new vessels for some of the smaller routes. We have progressed investment in key ports and harbours and we are confirming revenue funding and strategic support to the island ferry services in Scotland.

This Government will keep true to its commitments—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Let us hear the First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

This Government will keep true to its commitments to island communities. That is principally delivered through the fact that ferry travel to our island communities is significantly cheaper than it would have been—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Members! Let us hear the First Minister.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

—had the Government not introduced road equivalent tariff for our ferry services. We have made ferry services more affordable for people in our island communities. We are investing—[ Interruption .]

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

I know that there are many members in the chamber who wish to have an opportunity to put a question. We will be able to undertake our business more effectively if members can hear one another.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The Government has invested in road equivalent tariff, we have reduced ferry fares for our island communities, we are providing specific support to island communities that have been affected by disruption and we are investing in the new vessel fleet. That is this Government delivering on its commitments to support our island communities in Scotland.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

Island communities need ferries. I think that the First Minister is missing that point.

The MV Glen Rosa ferry, which was due more than half a decade ago, has been delayed by another nine months, with costs rising by up to £35 million. With the Glen Sannox, which was launched almost seven years late, the cost of the two ships is now more than £460 million. That is nearly five times the original contract price. The fact that the new vessels do not fit at the preferred port of Ardrossan makes the matter even worse. In the same week, it has been revealed that cancellations due to repairs on the ageing CalMac fleet have risen by a staggering 531 per cent. So much for steadying the ship. Why is John Swinney unable to get a grip on this crisis?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

As a consequence of decisions that I have made, for which I am very happy to be accountable, we have made investment in two new vessels—the Glen Rosa and the Glen Sannox—two additional vessels are coming for the Islay route, two new vessels are coming for the Little Minch route and seven small vessels are coming.

On CalMac sailings, statistics for the last full year show that there were 170,215 scheduled sailings on the CalMac network. Only 3.4 per cent of sailings were cancelled due to technical or other reasons; the overwhelming majority of cancellations on the route were, understandably, because of weather-related issues.

I am acutely conscious of the challenges with the island ferry network, but, despite those issues, the network performs very strongly for island communities, and the Government’s investment will help to build resilience in the years to come.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

The First Minister has basically said that island communities should be angry with the weather rather than with the Scottish Government, but they are angry with the Scottish Government because it has failed them.

The Scottish National Party’s ferry fiasco is damaging lives and livelihoods on the Isle of Arran. For islanders, that means round trips of at least three hours for hospital appointments, school trips cancelled for kids at a moment’s notice and utter chaos for businesses. Let me give a few examples. Linda Johnston, the co-founder of the Auchrannie resort, told me that

“businesses are being pushed to breaking point”.

Bill Calderwood, of the Isle of Arran ferry committee, said:

“The community are at a loss at what more can be said about the continued examples of mismanagement on this project”.

Sheila Gilmore, the chief executive of VisitArran, said:

“We are going through an economic and social crisis. Arran is an amazing island with so much to offer, if only more people could get there”.

Why are John Swinney and the SNP repeatedly failing our island communities?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I understand the pressures that exist in Arran, and I have met many of the businesses and organisations that Mr Sarwar mentioned, but I will point out a number of things in response.

The principal vessel that is responsible for servicing the Arran network, the MV Caledonian Isles, required extensive repair and is expected to re-enter service on 9 June. It will be able to operate from the port of Ardrossan, which is its main and home port. In the interim, two vessels have been providing sustainable services from Troon—I accept that that is a different location from Ardrossan—the MV Glen Sannox and the MV Alfred, which, according to the information that is available to me, have been delivering appropriate and adequate capacity for the Arran route at all times. CalMac has made judgments to ensure that the route has been sustainable.

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport made it clear that the Government is engaged in active discussions about acquiring the Ardrossan port in order for us to undertake the necessary improvements and strengthening of the port, which have not taken place to date because it is in private ownership.

The Government is delivering a sustained ferry service to the island of Arran, which is providing adequate capacity, and the Government will continue its investment programme, which will be strengthened by the arrival of the Glen Rosa and the other steps that I mentioned in relation to Ardrossan.

Anas Sarwar (Labour, Glasgow)

The fact is that the SNP is addicted to wasting people’s money. A prison that was supposed to cost £100 million is now costing £1 billion—and that amount is rising—millions and millions of pounds of public money have been wasted on legal fees to defend the incompetence of the SNP Government, and we are rapidly approaching half a billion pounds of public money having been spent on two delayed ferries. Today, I can reveal that more than £500 million has been spent on fixing the ageing ferry fleet, while overbudget vessels lay unfinished.

This is now a £1 billion SNP ferry fiasco, made by the SNP but paid for by working Scots. Is it not the case that John Swinney and the SNP cannot be trusted with the public’s money?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The Government has applied consistent stewardship of the public finances, which has resulted in our delivering balanced budgets for every year of the Government’s term in office, despite the enormous pressures that exist on public finances.

Mr Sarwar talked about the construction costs for prisons. I wonder whether he has looked at any data on the impact on capital costs of the energy price increases after the invasion of Ukraine. Those costs are affecting every capital project in the whole of the United Kingdom, as a consequence of those factors. That is not to mention the fact that the Barlinnie project that he cited is a larger and more extensive project than was originally conceived.

In relation to ferry services, as I indicated to Russell Findlay, the Government has invested in the ferry network to do two things: to ensure that we can acquire new capacity for the years to come—those vessels will be delivered on to the network—and to make it more affordable for people in island communities to utilise ferry services.

I say to Mr Sarwar that the Government will, at all times, invest in our ferry network, invest in our island communities and apply the stringent controls to public finances that have resulted in the Government being re-elected several times—and we intend to be re-elected again in 2026.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh Western)

There is a crisis in social care in Scotland. Research by my colleague Angus MacDonald, MP, shows that, in the past decade, the number of care homes for older people in the Highlands fell by a fifth. At the same time, the older population in that part of the country is surging.

Duncan lived in Acharacle in the west Highlands, but, when he needed a care home, the nearest that was available was in Fort Augustus, because the care home that was local to him had closed. That is the equivalent of placing an Edinburgh resident in a care home in Dumfries. The travel time meant that his wife, Nino, was robbed of precious hours with her dying husband every day—time that she can never get back. Does the First Minister think that that is acceptable?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

It is essential that we have effective social care services in all our communities in Scotland, no matter the geography. The experience of the couple in Acharacle that Alex Cole-Hamilton cited is concerning. Of course I want people to have access to local care services. We work closely on joint work between the health service and local authorities to support the delivery of care in all our communities, which is the subject of focused work that is being done to ensure that care home provision and social care services are available in all communities around the country.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh Western)

It is not just people such as Nino who are being denied precious time with their loved ones, because, on any given night, 2,000 Scots are stuck in hospital in this country. They are well enough to leave but they cannot. Why? It is because there is no care home place to receive them or care package to help them to go home. That means that hospitals are overwhelmed, people are not getting operations and ambulances are stacking up outside our accident and emergency departments.

Will the First Minister commit to building new care homes in areas such as the west Highlands, delivering key worker housing and boosting salaries to make social care a profession of choice—and to doing those things with urgency?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I agree with a lot of what Alex Cole-Hamilton has said, because there is a link between hospital capacity, social care capacity and ambulance demand. They are interlinked, so the Government takes a whole-system approach—that is how the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and I take those issues forward in our dialogue with the health service.

The level of delayed discharges is falling—it has come down from its peak by just short of 200 places. It is still far too high, but it is coming down because of the investment that the Government’s budget, which Mr Cole-Hamilton supported, is putting into health and social care at a community level. The Government has intervened to support the acquisition by the public sector of care homes—one in Fort William and one in Mallaig.

There is another dimension to this matter, which Mr Cole-Hamilton and I might agree on—namely, the prevailing attitude about care staff in our country. On Monday, the message from the Prime Minister was catastrophic for the care sector in Scotland. I have never heard anything so damaging for the delivery of care in our communities. Mr Cole-Hamilton is absolutely entitled to put those questions to me, but the Prime Minister’s irresponsible statements on Monday will have huge implications for the delivery of social care here. If members want to dismiss what I am saying, perhaps they will take seriously what Dr Donald Macaskill, the chief executive of Scottish Care, said when he suggested that our ability to deliver social care in this country has been directly damaged by the actions, language and rhetoric of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. That is a disgrace.

Collette Stevenson (Scottish National Party, East Kilbride)

To ask the First Minister, regarding any implications for its work to tackle poverty, what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the Department for Work and Pensions’ forecasts reportedly indicating that the United Kingdom Government’s planned reductions to disability benefits will impact 700,000 families that are already in poverty. (S6F-04087)

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I remain deeply concerned about the effects of the reforms on people across Scotland, particularly those with disabilities or long-term conditions. The UK Government’s own analysis shows that the reforms will push a further 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into relative poverty by the end of the decade. We will see 3.2 million families lose out because of planned changes to the universal credit health element.

The Scottish Government is taking concrete action to support disabled people in Scotland. For example, since January, we have provided support to 430,000 people through our adult disability payment and, following the national roll-out of pension-age disability payments, we are now providing support to disabled people of all ages.

Collette Stevenson (Scottish National Party, East Kilbride)

The Scottish Labour Party has been shamefully silent about the UK Government’s cuts to disability benefits, despite their damaging impact. That is on top of its failure to oppose the Labour UK Government’s cuts to winter fuel payments and the maintenance of Westminster’s cruel two-child cap and its failure to back fair compensation for the WASPI women—women against state pension inequality. While Scottish Labour sits on its hands and watches the UK Government push more people into poverty, will the First Minister advise what steps the Scottish National Party Government is taking here to support households that have been affected by the worst aspects of Westminster austerity?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The Scottish Government has intervened on several of those issues. We have taken steps to restore winter fuel payments to pensioners in Scotland. We have made provision for that in our budget, which takes direct account of the cuts that the incoming Labour UK Government made as one of its first acts. We have also invested in providing the Scottish child payment, which is keeping thousands of children here out of poverty. Our budget also included provision for steps to remove the two-child cap, which I would have expected the Labour UK Government to remove, but it has not done so. I assure my colleague Collette Stevenson that the Scottish Government will do all that we can to eradicate poverty, but our challenge is all the greater because of the actions of the Labour UK Government.

Jeremy Balfour (Conservative, Lothian)

The first principle underlying the adult disability payment is to help people to get employment and stay in it; it was never intended to be an income replacement benefit. Does the First Minister agree that the proposed reductions to that benefit, whereby people who require help to wash, dress and prepare meals will no longer qualify, will risk their ability to maintain employment and so go against the benefit’s fundamental principle?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I agree with Mr Balfour on that point. The structure of that payment is designed to support people to make as much of a contribution to wider society, particularly through employment, as they can. However, if the proposals that Mr Balfour mentions are enacted, the practical issues that he legitimately raises will impede individuals’ doing that. Not only is such an approach damaging and short sighted; it will undermine individuals’ ability to make an economic contribution in the long term. That is but one of the many aspects of its folly. I am very happy to endorse the points that Mr Balfour makes.

Sandesh Gulhane (Conservative, Glasgow)

To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to address the performance of NHS 24, in light of reports that nearly one in five calls to the service went unanswered last year. (S6F-04075)

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

NHS 24 continues to strive to improve its call-handling times. However, I apologise to anyone who has experienced an extended wait.

Calls to NHS 24 can be recorded as unanswered for a variety of reasons, not all of which are related to waiting times. Callers are offered a range of options, including signposting to NHS Inform for self-care advice or to other services that might be more clinically appropriate to meet their needs.

NHS 24’s workforce has increased by almost 50 per cent since 2014, with a record number of call handlers and clinical advisers in place, and we have increased NHS 24’s budget to a record £118.3 million this year.

Sandesh Gulhane (Conservative, Glasgow)

I declare an interest as a practising national health service general practitioner.

First Minister, I have worked in out-of-hours services. The staff are working flat out, and the patients I saw were distressed and desperate for help. However, last year, more than 300,000 calls to NHS 24 were abandoned, with one person left waiting more than four hours just to get through. Those are not just statistics; they are real people left without urgent health advice when they need it most. No manager has been held accountable for that debacle, yet the Scottish Government is spending £118.3 million on NHS 24 this year.

First Minister, stop talking about money and start talking about outcomes. For that level of spending, the public deserve much better. Will the First Minister guarantee that, next year, we will see significant improvements for desperate patients?

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Always speak through the chair.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I repeat a point that I made earlier, which is that calls can be abandoned for a variety of reasons, not all of which are related to waiting times. The message menu that members of the public hear includes a range of signposting options that encourage people to seek advice elsewhere, particularly when the service is under pressure. Dr Gulhane will be familiar with those options from his professional background. He will also know that not all callers need to get through to NHS 24, as some might be able to get advice from NHS Inform that addresses their concerns.

Having spent time with NHS call handlers, as the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care has done, and having listened to the professional advice that they give, I would say two things. First, I commend the quality and strength of the advice available through the telephone service, which is of a high clinical level. Secondly, I believe that the signposting to face-to-face services is undertaken very effectively.

I am concerned about the data that Dr Gulhane refers to, because I cannot quite understand how a call could be waiting for four hours to be answered. I will interrogate that data further, as the extremity of that situation causes me concern, and I will look more closely at the long waits that Dr Gulhane raises.

On the whole, I believe that NHS 24 serves us well. However, I acknowledge that, during periods of high demand, people might wait longer than they would wish.

Jackie Dunbar (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen Donside)

Can the First Minister outline how the Scottish Government is working to implement the recommendations in its report on the redesign of urgent care, which was published in January? Specifically, is the Government targeting current staffing levels at NHS 24?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

A key issue—which relates to Dr Gulhane’s question—is that of capacity. Over time, the Government has been expanding capacity in NHS 24. As a consequence of the redesign of urgent care, we invested an additional £4 million to enable NHS 24 to recruit more staff and reduce call waiting times. That investment also supports public awareness about when to contact 111 and how to access other services.

Jackie Baillie (Labour, Dumbarton)

The First Minister will know that, when NHS 24 triages a call, the caller can be phoned back by a nurse or doctor—often more than once. The caller is then triaged again by the health board, and it can take hours before they are seen. Thomas Rodger, who was 27 years old and from Falkirk, phoned NHS 24 several times before dying in hospital because he was struggling to breathe. Will the First Minister publish data on the time from the initial call to the point of treatment?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I will explore that point. However, it might be difficult to provide a complete picture other than in an individual case. I understand that, in the case that Jackie Baillie raises, that would undoubtedly be possible. I stress that I am not a clinician, but, from what Jackie Baillie said about that case, it sounds like a call that should have gone directly to the Scottish Ambulance Service, because, if someone has difficulty breathing, that raises some pretty acute issues. I simply offer that as an observation, and I am very sorry to hear the circumstances that Jackie Baillie puts to me.

We could consider Jackie Baillie’s suggestion in relation to individual cases, as there would be merit in exploring the journey that individuals have to go through, and it would be possible to do so. Many of us will have had the experience of having to tell our story multiple times. If that process can be made smoother, we should absolutely aim to do so. However, at a systemic level, it would be difficult to collect or assemble the kind of data that Jackie Baillie is asking for.

Michelle Thomson (Scottish National Party, Falkirk East)

To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the recently announced UK-USA trade deal and its potential implications for businesses in Scotland. (S6F-04082)

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The Scottish Government will consider the full details of the trade deal and all of its implications for Scotland when those details are clear. We understand that only general terms have been agreed, with much detail requiring further negotiation.

Michelle Thomson (Scottish National Party, Falkirk East)

I wonder whether the First Minister agrees that a so-called deal that fails to engage with the Scottish Government, fails to take account of Scotland’s salmon and whisky industries, fails to protect our beef sector and lands us with 10 per cent tariffs across the board is accurately described by the Nobel laureate Professor Joe Stiglitz as

“not worth the paper that it is written on.”

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

The issues that Michelle Thomson raises are absolutely material to consideration of the UK-USA trade deal. It is a source of enormous disappointment and frustration to the Scottish Government, because of the effect that the trade deal will have on Scottish business, that we were not engaged in its formulation prior to its agreement by the United Kingdom Government. Indeed, I personally found the process deeply unsatisfactory—the Deputy First Minister has communicated that to the UK Government. That view is held not just by me but by my counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland. There is a lot yet to be done on the trade deal to ensure that key industries such as salmon and whisky are protected.

As Michelle Thomson will know, the Scottish Government has taken steps to intervene to support the Scottish company base, with the explanation in the programme for government last week of further support for exporters, on which the Government will follow through.

Tim Eagle (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

I am not surprised by the question, because I understand that the Scottish National Party has never supported a single trade deal in the UK Parliament, whether negotiated by the UK Government or by Brussels. Trade deals offer great opportunity, but surely it is important that we protect UK food, welfare and environmental standards. NFU Scotland is right to say that the deal raises a number of important questions for Scotland’s farmers. In contrast to the SNP’s flawed domestic agriculture policy, is the First Minister able to give any reassurances on the work that his Government is doing to protect Scotland’s vital agriculture industry as the talks progress?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

We work very closely with NFU Scotland and the agriculture sector. As the member of the Scottish Parliament for Perthshire North, which involves extensive agricultural interests, I spend a lot of my time engaging with the agriculture industry. If Mr Eagle is worried about that, let me assure him that the Government is very much engaged on those issues.

When it comes to the protection and promotion of the agriculture sector, I venture to suggest that the farming sector feels better supported in Scotland than it is in the rest of the United Kingdom and that this Government’s approach to the sector is more sympathetic to its needs and interests. That will, of course, be the case during my leadership of the Scottish Government. The issues that Mr Eagle raises about the trade deal are vital and material in relation to the farming industry, and we will do all that we can to address those issues with the UK Government.

On Mr Eagle’s point about trade engagement, one of the trade arrangements that I have always been very supportive of, and that I am keen for us to have more of, is a good trading relationship with the European Union. That relationship was shattered by the stupidity of Brexit and the actions of the Conservative Government, and I want to get us back into those arrangements as quickly as I possibly can.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

We move to constituency and general supplementary questions.

Emma Harper (Scottish National Party, South Scotland)

It is welcome that the Scottish Government’s nature restoration fund has now invested more than £65 million in hundreds of projects that are helping Scotland’s species, woodlands, rivers and seas back on the road to recovery. How will the extension of the fund, which was announced in the First Minister’s programme for government, build on that work and help to tackle the nature crisis?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Around 250 projects are benefiting from the nature restoration fund so far. We are extending the fund, which will provide essential investment for the steps that we are taking to halt biodiversity loss in Scotland’s species, woodlands, rivers and seas, and to encourage them back on the road to recovery.

Murdo Fraser (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

Yesterday, we learned that the principal of UHI Perth had stepped down with immediate effect. That follows on from concerns about management decisions taken at the college, the collapse of the long-established subsidiary company Air Service Training (Engineering) Ltd and funding challenges caused by Scottish National Party budget choices, leaving the college with a £2 million deficit. What action will the Scottish Government now take to provide assurance to staff and students that their futures are secure?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

First, I thank Dr Margaret Cook for her service as principal of UHI Perth, and I wish her well for the future. The college is a self-governing and autonomous institution that is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands. It is responsible for its own decisions within the funding envelopes that the Scottish Government provides. The Government, of course, supports substantially the college sector in Scotland. Decisions on distribution of funds are made on the Government’s behalf by the Scottish Funding Council, in accordance with legislation.

The Government strongly supports the college sector. I look forward to the leadership of UHI Perth taking forward the strengthened measures that are required to ensure the future of the institution, which plays a significant part in the education of my constituents and has a formidable footprint in the local economy in Perthshire.

Claire Baker (Labour, Mid Scotland and Fife)

My constituent Ryan Thomas Quinn is in the Parliament today. His friend Aaron Murphy died tragically young, and Ryan is raising awareness of the considerable financial costs for families affected by childhood cancer diagnosis, many of whom are forced to borrow money to cope.

I recognise that, under special rules for terminal illness, fast-track access to disability payments is in place, and I welcome the guidance for doctors and nurses on ensuring access to those benefits. Could something similar be offered to those affected by childhood cancer? How can we ensure that families are able to quickly access all routes of funding and support following a childhood cancer diagnosis?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I am sympathetic to the point that Claire Baker makes, and I welcome Ryan to Parliament. I know that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice are meeting him this afternoon, which was no doubt arranged by Claire Baker. I welcome that engagement.

I commit to the Government engaging on the issue. Claire Baker makes a reasonable point about supporting families with children who are affected by a cancer diagnosis, which is a tragic and traumatising experience to have. I commit my ministers to addressing the issue.

While I am on my feet, I might say that, several years ago, Perth high school, which educates children in my constituency, lost a child to teenage cancer. A couple of weeks ago, around 400 of the young people ran in the Perth park run to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which they do every year in memory of the young person who they lost. That is an indication of the absolute solidarity of young people on this tragic issue, and I compliment them on their activities in that respect. [ Applause .]

Emma Roddick (Scottish National Party, Highlands and Islands)

I welcome yesterday’s announcement at the All-Energy conference that Orkney will be the site of the UK’s largest wave energy project, demonstrating Scotland’s massive potential in wave and tidal stream generation. Will the First Minister provide more details on that initiative, and does he agree that we must continue to build momentum to ensure that Scotland can become a world leader in renewables?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I am delighted to welcome the news, which Emma Roddick has commented on, that CorPower Ocean will site its 5 megawatt array at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney. The project is scheduled to deploy in 2029 and will see components manufactured locally, creating skilled jobs and supporting the local supply chain. This is another indication of our communities’ outlook and willingness to embrace renewables. It is a huge fillip to the magnificent activity that has been going on at EMEC in Orkney for many years.

I assure Emma Roddick that the Government will ensure that there is wide awareness of the significance of a project of this nature in strengthening our agenda on renewables, which is a huge strength for Scotland.

Alexander Stewart (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)

Plans to build affordable homes for disabled residents in Clackmannan have been delayed while costs are recalculated. The council previously laid proposals to construct bungalows on a site in the town, but those proposals have now been reduced. Given the urgent requirements for more accessible housing in my region, what assurances can the Scottish Government give that it will do all that it can to maximise the availability for that much-needed development to progress?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I will say two things to Mr Stewart in that respect. First, our planning hub is looking practically at a number of sites that have stalled or have some difficulty. We all know that issues can emerge in the system, and our planning hub is looking at those particular developments. If Mr Stewart writes to me, I will make sure that the relevant minister takes that forward.

My second point is on the question of construction costs, which I referred to earlier in my answer to Mr Sarwar. One of the problems with a number of developments is that the cost of construction materials increased substantially during 2021-22. The annual average growth rate in construction costs was 5 per cent in the four-year period between 2017 and 2020. In 2021-22, it was 24 per cent—nearly five times as much. Those are some of the practical cost issues that are being wrestled with.

If Mr Stewart wants to send me details of that situation, I will certainly explore what can be done through the planning hub to support his constituents.

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

As the welcome summer months approach, we enter the season of gala days and common ridings across the Borders, Midlothian and throughout rural Scotland. The British Horse Society has launched a “Dead Slow” campaign, which is aimed at motorists, in order to prevent injuries and even deaths for riders and horses.

Will the First Minister encourage drivers—particularly city drivers—to remind themselves of their obligations under the highway code on how to drive when there are horses on the roads in rural areas? I declare an interest as convener of the cross-party group on animal welfare.

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

Horse riders are recognised as vulnerable road users, and we work with partners such as the British Horse Society to improve safety. A vulnerable road users working group, which includes the British Horse Society, met on 1 May.

We very much support the activities that Christine Grahame referred to. Common ridings are a critical part of the identity of the Scottish Borders, and gala days around the community are important celebrations of local activity. In our awareness campaigns, we will urge all drivers, particularly those who are unfamiliar with rural roads, to follow the highway code by passing horses at no more than 10mph and giving at least 2m of space for horses as they pass.

Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)

This week, Glasgow’s Pride announced that, in line with major pride events in England, political parties are no longer welcome to participate. That never happened even in the worst days of political homophobia in the 1980s and 1990s. It is a direct result of political attacks on the rights of LGBTQ+ people, especially in relation to transphobia.

Does the First Minister acknowledge that the political landscape as a whole has betrayed the trust of our community? Does he understand that there are Scottish Government employees who are currently living in fear that their workplaces will be subject to segregation policies, as has already happened in Parliament? What does the First Minister intend to do to begin restoring the trust that has been lost?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

I recognise and sympathise with the point that Mr Harvie has made. As I have said consistently since the Supreme Court judgment, I am concerned by how individuals, particularly those in the trans community, are feeling as a consequence of the climate that we are in. I am very struck by the fact that the climate of the discourse on this issue is absolutely unacceptable.

Let me, from this podium, make it clear—as I made it clear in the programme for government announcement—that my Government is absolutely resolute in our support for the LGBTQI+ community, and that we will take actions that will be aimed at protecting the rights of all, because the rights of all must be protected in our society. That is the solemn commitment that I give to the community and to the Parliament today.

Michael Marra (Labour, North East Scotland)

This morning, Healthcare Improvement Scotland published the report of its unannounced inspection of maternity services at Ninewells hospital in Dundee. The report contains shocking details, including delays to the induction of labour of up to three days, vital equipment such as fetal heartbeat monitors being damaged and not replaced, and a rapid fall in the number of experienced midwives. Despite hard-working staff providing “compassionate and responsive care”, the state of the service was so bad in January that the HIS made a second visit in February and said that it was

“not assured that sufficient progress or improvement had been made”.

The situation is hugely worrying for families and especially for expectant mothers across Dundee and Angus. What will the First Minister’s Government do to ensure that necessary improvements to maternity services happen?

John Swinney (Scottish National Party, Perthshire North)

First, it is important that inspections of that type take place so that we can challenge unacceptable practice. Therefore, I am grateful to Healthcare Improvement Scotland for the thoroughness of the work that it has undertaken. Secondly, although I understand the legitimate points that Mr Marra has made, strengths in the service were also identified, which Mr Marra acknowledged in his question. That should be recognised, but it should not be an excuse for not addressing unacceptable practice. My third point is that it is essential that the NHS Tayside leadership takes forward those issues with urgency. That will be communicated firmly to the leadership—it probably already has been—by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.

Jeremy Balfour (Conservative, Lothian)

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. When I asked my question, I should have said that I am in receipt of adult disability payment. I apologise for not declaring that.

Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)

Thank you, Mr Balfour. That is on the record.

That concludes First Minister’s question time. The next item of business is a members’ business debate. There will be a short suspension to allow those who are leaving the gallery and the chamber to do so before the next item of business begins.

Second Home Ownership

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-17422, in the name of Ross Greer, on addressing the impact of second home ownership in Scotland. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. Please excuse my voice; I hope that it lasts the pace.

As members will be aware, we will resume business at 2 pm and we must leave sufficient time for staff to be able to clear the chamber. I therefore ask members to stick to the agreed speaking time that they have signed up to. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak button.

Motion debated,

That the Parliament is concerned about the reported impact of the expansion of second home ownership on communities across Scotland; believes that the impact of second home ownership is felt more keenly in some communities than in others, including in areas of natural beauty; notes with concern reports that, in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, 5% of all houses are second homes or holiday lets, compared with 1% nationally, and that the figure is 12% in the Cairngorms National Park, rising to 20% in areas such as parts of Badenoch and Strathspey, that they account for over one third in Lochranza, on the Isle of Arran, and that in Coigach almost half of all homes are second homes or holiday lets; considers that recent changes to the additional dwelling supplement (ADS) and council tax have contributed to a reduction in second home purchases, with 2,455 fewer second homes bought in 2024 than in 2023; understands that the increased rate of ADS alone is expected to raise more than a quarter of a billion of pounds for public services, including the provision of affordable housing in 2025-26, and notes the view that further targeted measures, including potential tax reforms, should be considered to rebalance primary and second home ownership levels in communities where the housing crisis is particularly acute.

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

I thank all the members who signed my motion, giving us the opportunity to discuss the issue today, particularly those whom, admittedly, I harassed to make sure that I received the support of three different parties. We have entered a new era in which members’ business debates require the support of three parties rather than two due to the recent changes in the composition of the Parliamentary Bureau, so I am grateful to those whom I chased around corridors to make sure that they had seen my motion for signing it.

It was exactly a year ago today that the Parliament declared a housing emergency in Scotland. Laura, who is married and has four children aged four, five, 13 and 17, spoke to the BBC today, a year on from that declaration. Her family became homeless in June 2021 after being evicted by their landlord from a privately rented home. She told the BBC:

“Calling it a housing emergency and not doing anything about it isn't helping anyone.”

Late last year, 10,000 children were in temporary accommodation in Scotland. As of this spring, more children were in temporary accommodation in Edinburgh than in all of Wales. The crisis has no single cause. Sky-high rents, which are far outstripping wage growth, have made renting simply unaffordable for many people, particularly in the private rented sector. A lack of rights for tenants and poor enforcement against dodgy landlords have resulted in exploitation.

The Housing (Scotland) Bill, which was drafted by my Green colleague Patrick Harvie, will significantly improve that. If Parliament passes it, the bill will deliver rent controls and more rights for tenants. It will make it harder to evict tenants, which is absolutely key. One of the most important issues is that there are simply not enough affordable and available homes. However, there is little point in building more, particularly in the worst-affected communities, if those homes will not be available to those who need somewhere to live. In many areas, desperately needed houses are being bought and used as holiday homes or short-term lets.

Across Scotland, about 1 per cent of all homes are second homes. However, in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, the figure is 5 per cent; in the Cairngorms, it is 12 per cent, rising to about 20 per cent in towns such as Braemar; in Lochranza on Arran it is 40 per cent; and in parts of Wester Ross, every second home is a holiday home or a holiday let. Those latter areas are not the only parts of the country where such housing now represents a majority of the whole of the local housing sector. That cannot be right. It drives up prices and reduces availability.

Craig Hoy (Conservative, South Scotland)

Mr Greer quite rightly identifies areas where there is a density of second home ownership for holiday homes, but does he also accept that there are many people, such as members of the Scottish Parliament, who, for the purposes of employment, for example, require a second home and are being penalised by the additional taxes?

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

I recognise that distinctions should be made between the different types of second home use. I do not think that that diminishes the impact that such use has on local housing supply or on people who are simply unable to find a first home—a home that they actually need to live in. I will come on to talk about the need for a more targeted and nuanced approach to the tax measures in this area.

The impact right now on people in those communities, particularly young people, is that they are often forced to leave the communities that they have grown up in because there is no home for them to live in as an adult. That is having a devastating impact in urban and rural areas.

We need only walk a few feet from the Parliament to see the key lock boxes and the impact that the issue is having in the centre of Edinburgh, but the situation is causing an existential crisis for rural and island communities. Those who have children or want to have children are being forced to leave because there is no home for them to raise their family in. As a result of that, schools in those communities close. Communities cannot continue without young families and children. I have heard people say that being in an area that is increasingly dominated by homes that sit empty for most of the year is like living in a museum or a theme park. Those areas their status and that feeling of being a real community. There is a clear pattern to areas with above-average second home ownership.

Among Scotland’s council areas, Argyll and Bute is at the top of the table of second home ownership, with 3,000 second homes and about 1,700 licensed short-term let premises. In Highland, there are about 3,500 second homes and 6,500 short-term lets. In North Ayrshire, there are 1,500 second homes and 800 short-term lets. Edinburgh is below average on second homes, as we would expect—in fact, the primary home of many second-home owners is in a city such as Edinburgh. However, Edinburgh is second only to Highland when it comes to short-term let licences that have been issued. Across Scotland, there are about 50,000 properties in total, with about 22,000 second homes and 27,500 licensed short-term lets—and that does not include short-term lets that are not yet licensed.

I lodged the motion to find out whether other parties and individual members agree that the balance across our housing sector is not right. If they agree that the balance is not right, what can we do about it?

Progress has been made. The Greens have delivered the power for councils to double council tax on second and holiday homes. We also doubled, from 4 per cent to 8 per cent, the additional dwelling supplement for people buying an additional property. As a result, there are 2,500 fewer second homes in Scotland than there were a year ago. I welcome the Scottish Government’s support for my amendment to the Housing (Scotland) Bill that seeks to lift the 200 per cent cap and to let councils set whatever rate they think is appropriate for their local situation.

The balance is still not right, and we need to go further. Short-term let licensing is helping, but more rigorous enforcement is required. However, the tax policy that we have set on holiday homes versus the one on short-term lets is somewhat contradictory. Holiday homes are—quite rightly—subject to double council tax; soon, the charge could be more than that, if my amendment is agreed to. However, short-term lets that are let out for at least 70 days a year are subject to non-domestic rates rather than council tax. Indeed, the owners are much more likely to pay nothing—they can go from a double council tax bill to a 100 per cent reduction on their non-domestic rates as a result of the small business bonus scheme. That is despite the fact that, in some communities, short-term lets are devastating the local housing market and depriving people of the opportunity to stay in the community in which they were raised—and the short-term let owners get a tax break to do that.

Meghan Gallacher (Conservative, Central Scotland)

Will Ross Greer take an intervention?

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

If there is any time in hand, Deputy Presiding Officer, I will do so.

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

There is very limited time.

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

I apologise to the member. I think that I am supposed to come to a close in a moment.

The Parliament has already agreed that we are in a housing crisis across Scotland and that dramatic action is required to address it. However, there is no point in building homes to tackle the crisis, because they are being bought and used as second homes or short-term lets.

The issue is existential for our rural communities. Tax is a powerful tool to tackle it, but it is not our only tool. This afternoon, I look forward to hearing other proposals to escalate action. There are 10,000 children across Scotland in temporary accommodation, but there are 50,000 second homes and short-term lets. That is not right, but it is not inevitable, either. It can be fixed. Fixing it will require standing up to the wealthy. It will require saying and doing what powerful people do not like and what they will not want to hear. However, we owe it to those who need a home of their own to take that action now.

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

I remind members who wish to speak in the debate to check that they have pressed their request-to-speak button.

Emma Roddick (Scottish National Party, Highlands and Islands)

I thank Ross Greer for securing the debate for the chamber. As he and other members will know, this is an issue not only that has a massive impact on many parts of my region—some of which get a shout-out in his motion—but in which I take great personal interest as somebody with experience of struggling to find one secure home to live in and of all the trauma and negative impacts that go along with that.

It was pointed out that some MSPs have second homes. Personally, it is very difficult for me to live with the knowledge that I have a second home at this point. I do not own it, and it is necessary because I represent the Highlands and Islands in our national Parliament, which for some reason is not situated in the Highlands and Islands. However, as a formerly homeless person, having two places to live in is weird and unsettling for me, especially as I walk past the Crisis office when I come down to the Parliament in the morning. I often wish that other people felt half as uncomfortable as that about buying up half of the houses along the Caledonian canal.

As Ross Greer has said, there are different kinds of second home requirements. Many of my constituents have a second home in order to do things such as work in fragile communities to keep the school, general practitioner surgery, dentist or other services running. There are ways of supporting that kind of living situation while also targeting the more harmful kind.

Like most MSPs who represent areas of natural beauty, I suspect, I frequently receive representations from non-constituents who own property in my region to encourage me to resist policy and legislation that would make it harder for them to maintain their extra homes. There is a perception among many of those people that their ownership is harmless and normal. It might be becoming normal, but it is certainly not harmless. When properties lie empty, regardless of whether a cleaner is hired to look after them a few days a year, they are not housing anyone who lives, works or volunteers in the local area, or who otherwise contributes to it. In many rural and island areas, a few homes, a few families and a couple of children can make the difference to the sustainability or otherwise of a whole community.

During Covid, I was struck by the realisation of many people, who did not really notice before, that many homes around them did not contain neighbours. People who could just about manage before the lockdowns realised suddenly that there was no one down the road to help to pick up shopping, parcels or medication. There was nobody living within the radius that they were allowed to walk within—the properties around them were empty and they felt really alone.

Second homes are voids in a community. The fact that almost every council now charges their owners extra council tax is a step forward in addressing their lack of societal value, but Ross Greer is absolutely right that more can be done. Those purchasing extra homes should be aware of the impact and their responsibility to the community that they want to appreciate. They should be prepared to pay up to allow local services to continue without the staff who might have lived in their holiday home, and for national and local government and other housing providers to build other houses that can be lived in. I believe that if someone is not willing to pay extra towards all that, they have no business purchasing a second home.

Ross Greer is right that everyone should have a home before we start discussing the rights of people to own multiples. It is a house. We are talking about having a safe, secure place to live, and the ability to enjoy life and to be a productive member of society and of a community. Nobody should be sitting without a home, or leaving their community or passing up skilled work because there is not affordable housing available, while others are fighting for their right not to be taxed on their second, third or fourth home.

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

I call Meghan Gallacher.

Meghan Gallacher (Conservative, Central Scotland)

I hope that you feel better soon, Presiding Officer.

One of my favourite comic strips when I was growing up was “The Broons”. “The Broons” is a staple in many Scottish households, with generations eagerly awaiting the next edition. It is published in the Sunday Post each week, and many people collect the annuals.

Why on earth am I talking about “The Broons” today? The Broons, fae Glebe Street, have their but and ben,

“a rare wee beauty spot wi a difference”.

It is a second home, which is the topic of the debate today. A but and ben, for those who are unfamiliar with the term, is a traditional Scottish residential house featuring two rooms—the but being the outer room or kitchen area and the ben being the inner room or living space.

The Broons, a typical working-class family who live in a tenement flat, have that second home in the Highlands, which is a relatively short distance from their home. The Broons belong to more than one community. Second home ownership is intrinsically Scottish.

The fictional Broons enjoy their weekends there and, although the younger Broons need some encouragement to enjoy their short breaks, the family have many an adventure while enjoying some time away with the family. One short comic strip section even shows how the family renovated the but and ben to bring the property back into use.

The point that I am making is that second homes are not always for the rich and wealthy. I hope that that is taken into consideration during the debate, because ordinary working Scots are also involved in second home ownership.

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

I agree that, historically, that has been a prominent part of Scottish life. A generation ago, my working-class family from Maryhill had a hut at Carbeth. However, does Meghan Gallacher acknowledge that, over the past 20 to 30 years in particular, the balance of second home ownership has skewed massively towards those in our society who are far wealthier? The prospect of owning a second home is now far out of reach for the vast majority of working-class Scots in this country.

Meghan Gallacher (Conservative, Central Scotland)

That is why we need to look at the whole of our housing sector. We need to build more homes in order to tackle the housing emergency. We are not going to do it otherwise, because, as it stands, supply is completely outweighed by the demand of people who need homes. I think that we can all agree on that point.

Just before the debate, I had a look at what properties are available in certain areas, including north Ayrshire, which Ross Greer represents. I discovered, from looking at the website of just one selling company, that, on Arran—to take that as a silo—there are 81 properties available right now. Therefore, there are homes available, but we need to look deeper into the reasons why people are not buying in those areas. That is an important point to make in the debate that we are having today.

We need to look at the facts. Second homes equate to just 1 per cent of the total number of dwellings in Scotland. People tend to buy second homes in areas that they would like to move to permanently when they retire, which means that they contribute to not just one but two economies. We have had discussions about exemptions and all the rest of it. It is in the interests of people who have second homes to play an active role in supporting both the community in which they have their primary home and the one in which they have their secondary home.

The best way of ensuring that communities that have particularly high levels of second home ownership are able to thrive is to make sure that we have a sufficient supply of homes to meet demand. That is the biggest point that I can make today.

We also need to look at how we approach the housing sector from an ideological perspective, given the need to ensure that we have enough homes to tackle the housing emergency. If we put in place policies that stifle investment and development and constrain the provision of more affordable homes in the private rented sector or elsewhere, we will not be able to tackle the big problems that we face with housing today.

I will leave my remarks there, in case I get a telling-off about timing from the Presiding Officer.

Carol Mochan (Labour, South Scotland)

I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of interests: I previously owned property to rent.

I thank Ross Greer for bringing the debate to the chamber. I acknowledge the work that he has done on the impact of second home ownership and his fierce commitment to ensuring that we address the housing needs of people in Scotland. It was appropriate that he raised the fact that it has been a year since a housing emergency was announced.

Second homes are defined as homes that are furnished and lived in for at least 25 days in a 12-month period, but which are not someone’s main residence. My understanding—I am not an expert in this area; as members know, I cover the health brief—is that, as of September 2024, there were just over 21,000 second homes in Scotland. In my view, that represents a housing market failure, because the primary purpose of homes, as Emma Roddick pointed out, is that they are for living in. That failure, which has taken away the opportunity to provide housing for individuals, families and communities, is one that Scottish Labour believes that we need to reverse. We need to bring those homes back into use.

I think that Ross Greer’s motion fairly sets out the challenges of second home ownership. During my time in the Parliament, the sense that I have gained from debates, research papers and constituents—especially those who live in rural areas—is that those challenges are very real.

Of course, when we read the research, we realise that second home ownership is a multifaceted issue—of course it is. Some people say that there are benefits associated with the spend that is connected to second home properties. Some argue that it improves the local economy and keeps resources available for people who live locally. However, it is fair to say that the most compelling evidence to push Parliament to tackle some of the issues comes from local testimony.

As we have heard, there are concerns that a high concentration of second homes causes an increase in house prices and rents and reduces the housing supply for local people. A lack of affordable housing affects not only individuals and communities but local businesses that want to attract workers.

Very importantly, a lack of affordable housing also affects the recruitment of public sector workers. I have strong evidence of that from the Borders area of my South Scotland region. Trade unions have told me that people are not coming to work in the area or are having to travel a long distance, which sometimes involves a journey of an hour or more, to get to their work. That is not sustainable. The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has heard compelling evidence on the issue, in oral evidence and on a visit to the islands. The health boards have described the situation as a crisis for service delivery. It is a very important issue.

I have heard from my own constituents that empty second homes cause a lot of frustration in communities, particularly when people find it difficult to rent or purchase a home within their own community. We see that every day. People want to live within their community, near their network and want to bring up their own children near to the place where they grew up. Those personal stories mean that we have to take the issue seriously and take a robust approach to tackling it.

I am about to run out of time, but I reassure Mr Greer that Scottish Labour really wants to look at the issues that he mentioned in his motion. I know that you will have spoken to my colleague Mark Griffin about that. We want to see tax reforms to ensure that we can turn that around in Scotland.

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

I remind members always to speak through the chair.

Mark Ruskell (Green, Mid Scotland and Fife)

I join colleagues in thanking Ross Greer for bringing this debate to the chamber. During his time holding the finance brief, he has shown the fierce determination that Carol Mochan described and has worked to find ways to use tax as a tool to deliver a much fairer and more equal society. He also acutely understands the housing pressures that are faced in many areas of Scotland, particularly within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park, which lies in both of our parliamentary regions and is also where I now live.

The debate is about housing but it is also about poverty and inequality. There is a need to use all possible levers, including planning, licensing and taxation, to ensure the health of our communities.

In hotspots across my region, increasing numbers of family homes are being bought up by people from outwith those communities for use as second homes or to rent out as businesses. That is not the 1950s picture that Meghan Gallacher pointed to: we are seeing increasing and intensive ownership of second homes.

Our communities welcome people who come to make their lives in permanent homes, helping to build a better future for all and committing to communities, but we are seeing more second homes artificially inflating the housing market and pricing out locals, particularly families who are taking their first steps in the housing market. Adult children often have to stay in the family home while saving for a deposit or even to move out of their community, away from friends and family, at a stage in life when support networks are incredibly important.

I also see older people struggling. They can become trapped in unsuitable housing because there are few properties available to downsize into and they sometimes end up in precarious tenancies in poorly serviced park homes. There are few options for people in many rural communities.

It is in those hotspots that we can most clearly see the impact of second home ownership. Shops close because of a lack of regular custom, schools have dwindling numbers of young people, leading to their eventual closure, and residents no longer have neighbours.

In Highland Perthshire this week, in a move that I warmly welcome, the council finally agreed to create Scotland’s third short-term lets control area. That is one intervention to address just one part of the problem. There was a remarkable response to that council decision from the chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, who said that a short-term let delivers

“three times the economic output of a private home.”

That comment speaks volumes about the many people who are struggling right now, including in my community, to find a home in rural Scotland. It also raises serious questions. What is more important, a place to live or wealth generation? Who feels the benefit of that wealth? Does it stay in the community or does it go to a remote owner or to a letting agency? Who will work to clean and service those lets if there is a lack of permanent housing for local people?

There is a balance to be struck between being a place to live and simply a place to visit. Holiday lets help to make tourism happen but, alongside second homes, their proliferation can lead to a tipping point where communities become effectively hollowed out. Members have already pointed to many examples, with Ross Greer saying that many people feel as though they are living in a museum or a theme park and Emma Roddick pointing to the impact on her community. I point to Elie and Earlsferry, an area that has the highest percentage of short-term lets in Fife, with almost one in five houses being let out—a figure that does not even account for private second homes.

I welcome the opportunity to have this debate. Every community has its own different and complex set of housing issues to deal with, but all the tools in the box are needed to create a better balance of housing, particularly in rural Scotland. We should not be afraid to give communities, councils and national parks the powers that they genuinely need to achieve that.

Craig Hoy (Conservative, South Scotland)

Although I accept that some of what has been said in this debate is valid and that there are issues with the concentration of second homes in some parts of Scotland, I want to dwell on some of the unintended—or perhaps intended—consequences of some of the fiscal measures that have been taken in respect of second home ownership. I will give a couple of examples that the minister can take away to consider with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government how the taxes, if they are to remain, could be better applied.

There are two reasons for such taxes. One is ideological and the other is that the Government needs to get money wherever it can find it. The same goes for local authorities, which, given the power to levy a 100 per cent supplement on council tax, will do so because of the financial pressures that they face as a result of the SNP’s year-on-year real-terms cuts to their finances.

The approach that the Government is adopting is a blunt instrument. It is indiscriminate and arbitrary, and it is pulling into additional tax measures people who I honestly do not believe should be caught in that trap.

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

Will the member take an intervention?

Craig Hoy (Conservative, South Scotland)

I am afraid that I have only four minutes and I have some ground to cover.

The first specific case that I will mention is that of my constituent Ruth Campanile, who works at the Old Clubhouse in Gullane, which is in the minister’s constituency. Ruth lives on the premises of the pub, which is owned by her brother. East Lothian Council has now determined that the home that she will move to soon, when she retires, is a second home and it will therefore accrue a double council tax. That is something that she cannot afford. The legislation still provides for councils to give a 50 per cent discount for a job-related dwelling, but East Lothian Council is not willing to apply that discount.

I say to the minister that there are reasons why people in his constituency of East Lothian and elsewhere will require a second home. Recently, I spoke to a consultant who works in the national health service between two hospitals. Because rents have gone up in so many areas, he decided to buy a second home so that he could contribute to healthcare in two remote parts of Scotland. The consequence of that was that the property that he bought accrued the additional dwelling supplement, which is now 8 per cent. That meant considerable expenditure for him to be able to do his job in two places.

The positions that are faced by council tax payers and those who buy homes is similar in that the tax measures are indiscriminate and blunt and they are catching in the tax system people who are not traditional second home owners—that is, holiday home owners. People who own holiday homes are also being pulled in.

I will give another example of a resident of Gullane in the Minister for Housing’s constituency who has owned a second home there for many years. The owner inherited the property and he and his wife are not wealthy people. They spend time in the south of England so that they can be with their grandchildren but, ultimately, their hope would be to move to Gullane. I say to the minister that, if that property came on to the market, I very much doubt that a first-time buyer in East Lothian would buy it. The couple concerned are there pretty regularly—at least once a month. The minister will know that area very well. If the couple sold the property, I suspect it would not be a to local East Lothian resident. The chances are that it would be to a wealthy American golfer who, rather than visiting once a month, might visit only once a year.

Maggie Chapman (Green, North East Scotland)

Will the member take an intervention?

Craig Hoy (Conservative, South Scotland)

I am afraid that I do not have time.

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

Mr Hoy is about to conclude.

Craig Hoy (Conservative, South Scotland)

Ultimately, the issue is that those who cannot afford to retain a second home are forced to sell up and they often sell to wealthy second home owners who are prepared to cough up.

If we are to maintain the taxes, I urge the minister to look at them again. They are indiscriminate and they are catching people who I believe should not be caught by them. I hope that the minister will think again when the Government reforms both ADS and council tax.

Maggie Chapman (Green, North East Scotland)

I thank Ross Greer for securing the debate, and I am grateful for the opportunity to speak this afternoon.

I believe that every single person deserves a safe, secure and stable place to call home—not a commodity or an investment, or a holiday retreat, but a home. We are facing a housing emergency in Scotland. That crisis is the result of decades of political choices that have privileged private wealth over public good; property rights over the right to a home; and profit over people. Nowhere is that clearer than in the spread of second homes across Scotland—homes that stand empty for most of the year while local people are pushed out or priced out.

More than 1.5 million people are living in overcrowded, dangerous, unstable or unaffordable housing. More than 16,000 households are in temporary accommodation, including—as we have heard—more than 10,000 children. Behind each of those numbers is a human being: those are families who are split between relatives’ sofas; children who are growing up without a permanent address; and people who are being pushed to the edges of communities that should be theirs.

Those families, and others, worry constantly about where they will sleep tonight, next week and in the future. Yet, across our country, homes are being bought not to house people, but to house profits—to sit empty for most of the year in order to cater for short-term stays that hollow out communities. It cannot be right that, in some places, more than half of all homes are second homes or holiday lets. That is not just unsustainable—it is unjust.

It is clearly a systemic issue. From Aberdeenshire to Angus and from the Highlands to Dundee, homes are being taken out of the hands of people who need them and turned into playthings for the wealthy, and that has just been allowed to happen. The long shadow of right to buy still looms, and housing has been treated as a market, not a human right, which is fuelling inequality and driving up child poverty.

I say in response to some of Craig Hoy’s comments that the housing market is broken, and that is why the local family whom he mentioned would not be able to buy a home in East Lothian. It is not because of anything but the broken housing market, to which his party has contributed.

Craig Hoy (Conservative, South Scotland)

Will the member give way?

Maggie Chapman (Green, North East Scotland)

I am not going to take an intervention.

Now, entire towns and villages are becoming ghost towns in the off season, and their school shops and services are under threat because their communities are hollowed out. We must change course.

The recent increase in the additional dwelling supplement and the ability for councils to raise council tax on second homes is welcome, and it is making a difference. In 2024, 2,455 fewer second homes were bought than in the previous year, and the additional revenue—more than a quarter of a billion pounds—can be redirected to affordable housing.

However, that must be just the start: we need bolder, braver and more compassionate action. We must consider reforms such as Norway’s boplikt law, which requires that homes be lived in year round. We need to rebalance ownership in favour of those who actually live and work in our communities.

Homes are not just bricks and mortar—they are the foundation of health, dignity, community and hope. We owe it to every family who is still waiting, every child who is still in temporary accommodation and every village that is watching its future slip away to act with urgency and compassion.

Housing is a human right, not a commodity. It must never be a plaything for the rich—a bolthole for the few while the many go without. Homes should be real homes—places of belonging, community and care, not investments or profit generators, and certainly not just weekend retreats for those who can afford multiple properties.

Homes are for living in, not for hoarding or speculating in, or for escaping to. Homes are for people.

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

I call the minister, Paul McLennan, to respond to the debate.

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

I am grateful to the member for bringing the debate to the chamber. Our “Housing to 2040” strategy sets out an

“aim ... for everyone to have a safe, high-quality home that is affordable and meets their needs in the place they want to be.”

While it is a bold vision, we need to recognise that, fundamentally, that is a basic principle. Today’s debate has highlighted a range of experiences and views both for and against second home ownership, and has emphasised the gap in our society between those with wealth and those without.

Housing is both a social and economic good. It is critical to supporting health, wellbeing, life chances and job prospects, tackling child poverty and driving economic growth. We have a strong track record on building new affordable homes, but we need to do more.

It is right to acknowledge that ownership patterns of existing housing are an important factor among the challenges that we face in achieving our aim. In recent decades, the potential to make money from residential housing has shifted and expanded, and those with disposable income have looked to opportunities with the growth of the short-term let sector and rising trends in housing markets.

That is why we have said that residential properties need to be prioritised as homes for living in, not for accumulating wealth. At the same time, we recognise that second homes, if used for tourism, may bring benefits for local economies, as not all second homes may be suitable for year-round living. We continue to work with local authorities to improve access to reliable data. That is an important point.

Ross Greer is right that 1 per cent of all homes in Scotland are second homes but, as we have heard today, there are wide variations across local authority areas, with clear concentrations in rural locations. I will touch on that in a second. We believe that local areas are therefore best placed to make decisions about how to find the right balance to ensure the availability of homes to meet local needs and community sustainability. We have delivered against commitments in our “Housing to 2040” strategy to help local authorities to do that by providing powers and tools to make the best use of the existing housing in their areas.

Of course, changing ownership patterns will not happen overnight, and doing so requires a range of mechanisms. We have delivered that through taxation by giving local authorities the power to set policy on council tax on second homes, which may involve charging a premium of up to 100 per cent in all or part of the council area.

Craig Hoy (Conservative, South Scotland)

Will the minister take an intervention?

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

Yes, if it is very brief.

Craig Hoy (Conservative, South Scotland)

Will the minister undertake to look into the issue of second home ownership and council tax for employment purposes? A briefing from the Scottish Parliament information centre says that under schedule 1 of the Council Tax (Variation for Unoccupied Dwellings) (Scotland) Regulations 2013, councils can still apply a 50 per cent discount where the property is occupied for employment purposes. If that is the case, will the minister remind councils of their obligation to do so?

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

That 50 per cent discount is mandatory. I am aware of the case of Ms Campanile, which Craig Hoy mentioned, and I am engaging with the local authority on that point. It is mandatory. If there are examples of the discount not being used, I ask Mr Hoy to keep in touch with me.

Part of the revenue that is raised from the council tax on second homes must be used for affordable housing, and I will continue to press local authorities to do that.

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

Will the minister take an intervention?

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

Again, yes, if it is very brief.

Ross Greer (Green, West Scotland)

I use my intervention as an opportunity to reassure Craig Hoy that the minister, the cabinet secretary and I are working on a further amendment to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, which, alongside lifting the cap on council tax, would create statutory guidance for local authorities to address the kinds of scenario that he has talked about. Clearly, for example, NHS locums should not be charged double council tax for working in a fragile community.

Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party, East Lothian)

I thank Ross Greer for that and for his work so far with us on that point.

I mentioned the increase from 6 per cent to 8 per cent in the amount of additional dwelling supplement that is paid when purchasing additional residential property of a value of more than £40,000. That will help first-time buyers and home movers to compete with second home buyers and buy-to-let investors. On top of that, as has been mentioned, it will raise additional revenue to support Scotland’s national priorities. The Scottish Fiscal Commission has estimated that it will raise an additional £32 million in 2025-26, which will take total estimated ADS revenues up to £258 million.

Local authorities may also designate short-term let control areas. Mark Ruskell spoke about the work of Perth and Kinross Council, which I welcome, to manage the concentration of short-term lets through the planning system. Those are powers that local authorities have.

I will mention a couple of key things from members’ contributions. Ross Greer mentioned empty homes. This year, £2 million, I think, has been invested in the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership to continue to reduce the number of empty homes. Investment from the Government of £3.7 million has brought 11,000 empty homes back since 2010.

Meghan Gallacher talked about the availability of new housing, and we are consulting at the moment on exemptions for such housing.

Carol Mochan mentioned key workers. We heard about the work that Ross Greer, the cabinet secretary and I have been talking about. There is also the £25 million key worker fund. Again, we are encouraging local authorities to come forward on that.

Through those measures, as has been said, there has been a reduction in the number of second homes. Together with investments in affordable housing and progress to deliver affordable homes, we are taking action on homelessness and temporary accommodation, as well as the activity that I mentioned to drive down the number of empty homes.

In concluding, I emphasise that we have just set out a programme for government commitment to remove the legislative constraint on the level of the council tax premium that can be applied to second and long-term-empty homes.

Many issues that have been raised by Ross Greer and others relate to amendments that are proposed for the Housing (Scotland) Bill. The Government is working with Mr Greer on his amendment about council tax premiums ahead of stage 3. I am also willing to work across the parties to consider ways to enable the housing market to operate fairly across Scotland, so that it provides housing options that are affordable, and choices in all communities.

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

That concludes the debate.

Portfolio Question Time

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

Good afternoon. The first item of business this afternoon is portfolio questions, and the portfolio is education and skills.

Douglas Ross (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

How good it is to see the entire ministerial team here today for this session.

To ask the Scottish Government which of the portfolio questions taken in the chamber on 25 April 2025 raised matters that fall within the specific responsibilities of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, as listed on the Scottish Government website, in light of reported concerns about her missing the session for reasons not related to her ministerial duties. (S6O-04664)

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

The question, as drafted, cites 25 April 2025, which was a Friday, and the Scottish Parliament does not sit on a Friday. However, all the education and skills questions that were taken on Thursday 24 April were answered by a minister from the education and skills portfolio.

Douglas Ross (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

Sorry—I asked a very specific question. On that day, there were issues in the portfolio of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on teachers experiencing physical violence and verbal abuse, on vaping in schools and on teachers stuck on temporary contracts. If the cabinet secretary is honest with the chamber, she will say that she was on the stump for Scottish National Party votes when she should have been here, doing her job. Will Jenny Gilruth—not in her usual condescending way—give an apology to the Parliament for missing that session and, more important, an apology to our pupils, parents and teachers for the disrespect that she showed by missing it?

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

Before I ask the cabinet secretary to respond to that, I remind members of the requirement to treat each other in a courteous manner.

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

As is set out in rule 13.7 of the Parliament’s standing orders,

“oral questions may be answered by any member of the Scottish Government or a junior Scottish Minister”.

Mr Ross had the opportunity today to raise any issue that was pertinent to the children and young people of Scotland. What a pity—although it is not surprising—that he chose not to do so.

Douglas Ross (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer—[Interruption.] Yes, “Here we go” for the SNP members who do not want to hear this.

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

Mr Ross, if you have a point of order, please proceed with it.

Douglas Ross (Conservative, Highlands and Islands)

I have a point of order. The question that was submitted was very specific. I asked the cabinet secretary which of the questions during a previous session—which she missed to campaign for SNP votes—she would have answered if she had been here. Does the cabinet secretary not know which questions she would have answered, or is she deliberately misleading the Parliament by not telling us?

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

I thank Mr Ross for his contribution. It is not clear that that is a point of order, because the chair is not responsible for the substance of ministerial responses. I intend to leave the matter there, because I am sure that the member is entirely aware of that fact.

I call Gordon MacDonald for a supplementary question.

Gordon MacDonald (Scottish National Party, Edinburgh Pentlands)

Does the cabinet secretary appreciate the hypocrisy of Douglas Ross questioning anyone’s attendance at Parliament, given that he previously ditched the Justice Committee to officiate a football match between Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid and missed a universal credit debate at Westminster to be at Barcelona v Olympiacos? Can the minister remind the chamber of the process by which parliamentary questions are answered?

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

Mr MacDonald, I think that one recognises that most of that question had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the cabinet secretary’s remit. I will not suggest that the cabinet secretary respond. I hope that members might wish to ask questions that fall within the cabinet secretary’s remit.

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Labour, Glasgow)

Something that is in the cabinet secretary’s portfolio, which was raised in her absence on 24 April, is teachers being stuck on temporary contracts. In a survey that was carried out, 97 per cent of respondents said that they believe that a lack of permanent jobs in teaching is harming pupils. Why on earth are there so many newly qualified teachers in a cycle of temporary contracts on her watch? That leaves them in limbo and pupils facing a revolving door on staff. Why was campaigning more important than that?

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

MSPs take decisions on a daily basis about where to be. I note that the member’s party leader was not here earlier in the week for the debate on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. Instead, he chose to be in Hamilton, campaigning.

Let me turn to the substantive point that the member asked about in relation to funding for teacher permanence, which is an important issue. The Scottish Government put forward a budget in which we uplifted the value that was provided to our local authorities for teacher numbers to £186.5 million, and we have provided additionality by way of £29 million for additional support needs to support extra teaching posts, because we recognise that there are challenges in that regard. I must observe that the Labour Party abstained on the Scottish Government’s budget.

Craig Hoy (Conservative, South Scotland)

What message does the education secretary think that playing truant from the Parliament, because she believed that she had something better to do, sends to the children she is imploring to attend our schools?

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

I must point out that I sincerely missed Stephen Kerr’s presence at the meeting of the Education, Children and Young People Committee on the evening of 30 April, where he was due to present his own amendments on the Education (Scotland) Bill. I am sure—

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

I would love to be a minister, but I am not.

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

Well, I am sure that members will recall—[Interruption.]

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

Members!

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

I am sure that members will recall that, instead, Mr Briggs spoke on behalf of Mr Kerr in answer to questions, much in the same way as ministers were able to represent the education portfolio.

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

I am not a minister—you are.

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

Right—I think that it is time to move on to question 2.

Clare Haughey (Scottish National Party, Rutherglen)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work that it is doing to support those affected by historic forced adoption. (S6O-04665)

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

This Government issued a national apology in 2023 for the lifelong suffering that was experienced by those affected by historical forced adoption. Those practices should not have happened, and it is right that we listen to the experiences of mothers and adoptees who continue to feel the impact.

The First Minister recently met with the Movement for an Adoption Apology Scotland and committed to exploring the potential for an oral history project. That would offer a space for sharing and proper recording of personal testimonies, acknowledging the past and providing wider societal recognition and education.

Clare Haughey (Scottish National Party, Rutherglen)

Last week, campaigners for the Movement for an Adoption Apology Scotland held an event sponsored by my colleague Marie McNair. Many of those who are affected by historical adoption practices have already passed, so urgent action is imperative. As the minister said in her previous answer, one of the campaigners’ key asks of the Scottish Government is to fund an oral history gathering, an issue that, as she said, they discussed with the First Minister at their recent meeting. Can the minister advise what the Scottish Government’s response is to the call for an oral history gathering?

Natalie Don-Innes

Yes, of course. As I mentioned in my previous answer, the First Minister has committed in writing to the MAA to explore the oral history project. He has asked officials to work with campaign groups, including the MAA, stakeholders and people with lived experience to discuss how best to take forward the work and to agree timescales. My officials have already been in touch with the MAA on that.

Miles Briggs (Conservative, Lothian)

As one of the MSPs who has campaigned on this matter over the past eight years, I welcomed the national apology. However, since then, victims and survivors have lost faith in the limited progress that has been made by the Scottish Government. In Northern Ireland, for example, a truth recovery independent panel was established, which reported interim findings in May 2024. Is the Scottish Government minded to establish something similar in Scotland? Following the meetings that the First Minister held, when will the Parliament receive an update?

Natalie Don-Innes

Let me be clear that I extend my deepest sympathies to all those who have been affected by those practices. What is most important is that we listen to those with lived experience. We have listened to people with lived experience, and the Government’s response is based on that engagement. That includes peer support for those who are affected, lived experience sessions, the funding of a service to help individuals and families to connect, and better information and awareness raising. That is on top of the further work that I alluded to, which the FM has requested.

Mr Briggs asked for a timescale for the work. The work is under way and I am more than happy to respond to Mr Briggs once the timescale has been finalised.

Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)

Stephanie Callaghan joins us remotely.

Stephanie Callaghan (Scottish National Party, Uddingston and Bellshill)

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the provision of vocational skills training, whether it will provide an update on its response to the 2025 ClimateXChange report, “Training provision in Scotland’s onshore wind and solar industries”. (S6O-04666)

Graeme Dey (Scottish National Party, Angus South)

In June 2024, we commissioned a skills research project with the aim of quantifying the existing provision of skills development and training within the onshore wind and solar industries in Scotland. The final report was published on the ClimateXChange website in February 2025.

In the same month, the Government took part in an industry-led round-table session to consider the report’s findings. We are currently working with industry representatives to implement the report’s recommendations on enhancing skills and training provision across Scotland, to support the supply of skilled workers who will be required if we are to meet our net zero ambitions.

Stephanie Callaghan (Scottish National Party, Uddingston and Bellshill)

The report shows that meeting Scotland’s 2045 net zero target will require major growth in the sector. It also highlights the need for a versatile workforce, including people with broad skill sets who can work across various energy sectors. To the Scottish Government’s credit, the report recognises the

“breadth of allied STEM training provision in Scotland”,

but it notes that much of it is theoretical and lacking in the more practical aspects. Given that the demand for skills is expected to peak as early as 2027, the report strongly recommends that collaboration should happen urgently across Government, industry and educational institutions, to produce a “comprehensive action plan” that will allow initiatives to launch in time for the start of the 2025 academic year.

Will the minister provide an update on preparations for the new academic year? Can he offer assurances that colleges and training providers will have the resources to enable them to deliver the practical training to ensure that graduates will be work ready?

Graeme Dey (Scottish National Party, Angus South)

I very much welcome the piece of work that has been done. We have been able to benefit from the findings of a similar and detailed piece of work done by Scottish Outdoor Education Centres to assess skill shortages in the offshore wind sector. Identifying such shortages and drawing a distinction between those and labour shortages lies at very the foundation of how we can make progress. The benefit of having such information can be seen in the recent budget, in which, in conjunction with the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Greens, the Scottish Government agreed to deliver funding aimed at increasing capacity in the college sector to meet the demand for offshore sector skills.

ClimateXChange’s final report will help training providers and the Government to consider how we can meet that demand. As we have seen, it has been identified as going beyond trades skills to cover aspects such as project management and finance. I noted the report’s findings on the solar sector, which indicated the need for more people—or at least improved access to skilled training—rather than highlighting a skills shortage.

As for better aligning our training offer with the needs of the economy in all areas of green skills, we are actively engaged with several colleges on curriculum transformation. That will enable them to focus activity on the areas that they deem most important to their localities and to the national economy. I am also exploring an issue that the sector brought to my attention, which concerns impediments to its making fuller use of green skills training resources, particularly around solar, in order to meet changing demand from the industry.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has undertaken with the education sector in island communities, such as Orkney, which are reportedly seeing increasing pressures around funding and staff retention, particularly in relation to the provision of additional support for learning. (S6O-04667)

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

Although recruitment and deployment of teachers are responsibilities for local authorities, in recent weeks the Scottish Government has engaged with a number of councils, including Orkney Islands Council, to discuss education workforce planning and their plans to restore teacher numbers to 2023 levels as part of our agreement with local government. This year, we are providing councils with increased funding of £186.5 million to support that commitment. We are also investing a further £29 million in local and national programmes to enable councils to employ more specialist staff and teachers and to support national initiatives for recruiting and training additional support needs teachers.

Liam McArthur (Liberal Democrat, Orkney Islands)

Yesterday, the Government agreed to undertake a national review of the implementation of the mainstreaming policy and the availability of specialist additional support places across local authorities. Orkney has no specialist schools. Teachers there report increasing barriers to the delivery of ASL, especially for children with more complex support needs. Any review of the mainstreaming policy must consider the specific circumstances of island communities such as Orkney, where all children with additional support needs are provided for in mainstream education. Those schools desperately need targeted support to facilitate the delivery of effective ASL. Will the cabinet secretary agree to visit Orkney and meet representatives of the local education sector? That will enable her to gain a clearer understanding of the challenges facing teachers and staff there, as well as the support that is needed to improve access to ASL for pupils.

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

I am happy to confirm to the member that I am keen to visit Orkney. On Monday, my officials met local officials there, who highlighted the increase in the number of children and young people with identified additional support needs. I know that local officials are very much focused on supporting their teachers to develop their skills and confidence in supporting such children and young people. The Government is providing some support through the Kirkwall ASN centre in Orkney, which receives funding from the learning estate investment programme.

I will be more than happy to visit Orkney, along with Mr McArthur, to learn more about the approach in island communities.

Oliver Mundell (Conservative, Dumfriesshire)

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that those identified with dyslexia at school leave education with the appropriate supporting information needed to secure reasonable adjustments in the workplace. (S6O-04668)

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

I am grateful to Oliver Mundell for raising that important issue, which he has championed through the cross-party group on dyslexia. We are giving careful consideration to Dyslexia Scotland’s passport proposal, which it and Oliver Mundell raised with the First Minister in November last year. I would be happy to keep members, Mr Mundell and the cross-party group informed of progress on that. In addition, we will continue to work with Dyslexia Scotland and local government partners to improve the consistency of early identification of dyslexia in schools, and we will continue to encourage employers to consider reasonable adjustments for employees with dyslexia.

Oliver Mundell (Conservative, Dumfriesshire)

Some time has passed since November, and there is frustration in the dyslexia community about how long it is taking to progress some of the proposals and about the fact that, after years of asking, the Scottish Government still has not identified a lead official for adult dyslexia. Will the cabinet secretary look into that?

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

I am happy to do so. For Mr Mundell’s understanding, I note that I met Dyslexia Scotland recently and discussed that exact issue. I am more than happy to engage with him and with Dyslexia Scotland, alongside officials, to provide an update, because he raises a hugely important point.

Mr Mundell will recognise that there is, to some extent, an overlap between the responsibilities of the health and education portfolios. It is important that they work together. In that regard, I note that a key theme of yesterday’s debate on additional support needs was the need to ensure that there is a more coherent approach to how we support people. I am happy to take that approach and to offer further engagement with Mr Mundell and Dyslexia Scotland.

Emma Harper (Scottish National Party, South Scotland)

It is vital that pupils with dyslexia are supported to reach their full potential. Will the cabinet secretary outline how the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s dyslexia and inclusive practice professional recognition programme is supporting teachers to do that?

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

The GTCS-accredited dyslexia and inclusive practice programme supports teaching professionals to be well equipped to identify and support learners with dyslexia and to share their learning with colleagues. It is a popular programme, and a record number of teachers participated in it last year. The programme’s modules have a strong focus on the dyslexia identification process and the supports that can be put in place in schools. We are also committed to building on the success of such programmes through our additional investment of £29 million this year to support the ASN workforce.

Martin Whitfield (Labour, South Scotland)

I thank the cabinet secretary for the approach that she is taking to dyslexia today. It is an important condition from which a significant number of young people suffer.

Could the Scottish Government look at situations in which dyslexia was not diagnosed during school life but a positive destination has been recorded for the individual, and consider whether it should still be classed as a positive destination, given that the dyslexia diagnosis was missed?

I recognise that the issue crosses a number of portfolios, but concerns have been raised with me by individuals who were recorded as being in a positive destination but now, having been diagnosed with dyslexia, need additional support.

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

The member raises an important point. I give him a commitment today that I will take that issue away and engage with officials on how we might be able to extrapolate that data. We already gather data on positive destinations at the point of pupils leaving school and again around nine months later. I will take the member’s issue away and engage with him and with my officials further.

Willie Coffey (Scottish National Party, Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how many school pupils are currently studying computing science and how this compares to recent years. (S6O-04669)

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

In 2024, there were 12,049 entries into computing science qualifications at national 4, national 5, higher and advanced higher levels. That represents an increase of 282 entries over the parliamentary session, since 2021.

Computing science is only one of the computing and information technology-related courses that are taken by young people in schools, alongside courses such as computer games development, business with information technology, PC passport and cyber security. There were 6,828 entries into those vocational and technical courses in 2024, which was an increase of 2,706 compared with 2021.

Willie Coffey (Scottish National Party, Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley)

When I graduated in computer science years ago, in 1980, we had some idea of the power of computing and software to change the world for the better. However, we still seem to struggle to attract the numbers of young people—especially young women—that the industry needs to study computing science and become software developers.

Can the cabinet secretary offer some insight into how the Government can help to address that issue and raise awareness among young people of the fabulous careers that are available in software development, the opportunity to work internationally that those careers offer and the very high salaries that can be earned in an industry that is truly world changing?

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

The member raises a pertinent issue in relation to the gender divide in subject choice in our schools. We have a range of activity under way to support more girls to choose computing science. Education Scotland is working with national organisations, including Tech She Can and Code Club, to promote female role models through live lessons and professional learning for teachers.

A successful women in computing event was run last year by St George’s school, which I was pleased to attend. It was held in collaboration with industry partners and involved 500 pupils. We are exploring whether similar events could be offered all over Scotland.

In addition, the Government has provided £800,000 to Scottish Teachers Advancing Computing Science to support that organisation in promoting computer science.

Stephen Kerr (Conservative, Central Scotland)

It was touching to hear how much the cabinet secretary missed me at the Education, Children and Young People Committee meeting on the Education (Scotland) Bill on 30 April.

There is a problem with the number of computing teachers. It has been pointed out repeatedly that there is a ticking time bomb when it comes to the ageing demographic of those who are currently teaching, and there is no apparent pipeline to replace them. With only three universities offering postgraduate diplomas in education for computing—two in Glasgow—why has the Government failed to expand access to training? Will the cabinet secretary act now to address the recruitment crisis before it fatally undermines Scotland’s digital economy?

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

I do not know whether the member is aware of the pilot that we are supporting at the University of Aberdeen that speaks to the essence of his question. It is focused on expanding the profession in relation to computing science, where we know that there are challenges. It is a two-year MA secondary course that has been designed to allow students with the relevant higher national diploma qualifications to convert to teaching. The first cohort is due to start in September 2025, and it will complete the course in 2027. The course is still open for applications via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service website, so I encourage members, including Mr Kerr, to help to raise awareness.

We have provided funding for that from the economy portfolio, recognising the point that the member makes about wider workforce challenges and ensuring that there is a pipeline of talent feeding into the system.

Willie Rennie (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife)

Stephen Kerr is right that there is a significant challenge with the number of computing science teachers. It is down at a record low of 550, and there has been a drop of 28 in the past year. Some incentives are in place to encourage people to switch careers, but they are clearly insufficient. Is the cabinet secretary considering other measures to encourage more people into computing science, because it is essential?

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

I agree with the essence of the member’s point. Again, it links to wider challenges, not least in computing. Across the curriculum, there are a number of skills gaps in certain subject areas.

We fund the teaching bursary scheme, to which the member alluded. The scheme is worth up to £20,000. However, the success of that programme has dwindled in recent years, and we are reflecting on how it might be able to better support those subject gaps in future. I can confirm to the member that I have asked my officials for more advice on that, because it is important that our programmes to encourage people into teaching are helping to drive recruitment, particularly in areas where we know that we have subject gaps, such as computing science.

Sharon Dowey (Conservative, South Scotland)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle any violence against teachers and school staff in South Ayrshire. (S6O-04670)

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

Violence towards pupils or school staff is completely unacceptable. Specific responsibility for addressing concerns rests with local authorities, which are the employers of school staff.

In August, we published our action plan on relationships and behaviour in schools, jointly with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. The plan set out 20 actions to be taken by 2027, including actions to reduce violence in our schools. Last week, I updated Parliament on the positive progress that has been made so far, including our intention to publish in the coming weeks new guidance to support school staff in responding to behaviour, including the use of consequences.

Sharon Dowey (Conservative, South Scotland)

The number of reported assaults and verbal abuse against teachers and support staff in South Ayrshire has nearly tripled since before the pandemic. That violence is disrupting learning, demoralising staff and driving experienced teachers out of the profession. At January’s cross-party summit, young people made it clear that, too often, there are no real consequences for those who are responsible. What immediate action is the Scottish Government taking to protect school staff and ensure that there are real consequences for violent behaviour in our classrooms?

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

Ms Dowey and I attended the first summit, which was held earlier this year. I found the evidence that we heard from young people and their parents extremely harrowing. We also had a very helpful cross-party discussion about the route forward.

The issue of consequences continues to be challenging in our schools. There is a variety of measures and action that teachers can take, but, at the extreme, there is the opportunity for teachers to exclude. The pertinent issue that Ms Dowey raises is about the challenge between, on the one hand, an increase in challenging behaviour in our schools, and on the other, exclusion rates that seem to be falling. I have been very clear in my communication in the chamber and in my engagement with schools that we encourage teachers to report incidents as and when they happen and to use exclusion if they see fit.

The national action plan, which was updated a few weeks ago, sets out the range of actions that we have taken, but in my statement to Parliament last week, I said that I would come back to Parliament to provide a further update on consequences. I hope that that reassures the member.

Kevin Stewart (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen Central)

Does the cabinet secretary share my concerns about the experiences of female teachers and support staff who are subjected to misogynistic abuse? Will she outline what steps the Government is taking to tackle that?