The changes, which the Parliament was informed of today, will be part of what the Presiding Officer calls “renewal and re-engagement”.
There will now be two First Minister’s Questions a week, with 30 minutes on a Tuesday for backbenchers and 30 minutes on a Thursday from Party Leaders.
MSPs were informed of the changes by the Presiding Officer during a meeting of the Parliament this afternoon.
The Presiding Officer also informed Members that:
- Time taken for interventions will be added, to protect the time of speakers who most engage
- Labour and Reform will alternate each week in leading off on questions in First Minister’s Questions, debates and statements
- Chamber Business will run from 2pm to 5.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to provide more time for scrutiny in the Chamber
- Chamber Business will run from 1.30pm to 5pm on Thursdays to accommodate more time for committee business in the morning
- Questions to the First Minister will no longer be published in advance
- There will be 18 general questions a week, 10 more than previously
- Members will have to identify relevant procedure when making points of order
- Events and cross-party groups will be permitted during Members' debates to prevent delays to visitors
Informing MSPs of the changes, the Presiding Officer, Kenneth Gibson MSP, said:
“Parliament needs renewal and re-engagement - with independent, innovative and open-minded leadership. That's of critical importance and exactly what I'll provide.
“We need to de-clutter and simplify how we work, make Parliament more efficient, topical end effective for those we represent.
“The collegiate working anticipated in the 90s, prior to Devolution, has not fully transpired. The status quo is not an option - and I'm keen to push at the boundaries of what's possible within my remit.”
Watch Presiding Officer's Proposals for the Parliamentary Week