Official Report 422KB pdf
Climate Action and Rural Affairs
Good afternoon. Our first item of business is portfolio questions. To accommodate as many questions as possible, I ask for concise questions and answers.
New Oil and Gas Drilling (Net Zero Policy)
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding the compatibility of its net zero policy with new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. (S7O-00425)
The Scottish Government remains fully committed to delivering net zero by 2045. Decisions on the licensing and consenting of offshore oil and gas developments are reserved to the United Kingdom Government. Direct emissions resulting from North Sea exploration and extraction are not counted as part of Scottish territorial emissions but are included in the UK-wide greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Rystad Energy data shows that UK continental shelf oil and gas production in 2025 had an emissions intensity of 22kg of CO2 equivalent per barrel of oil equivalent, which is lower than the global average of 33 kgCO2e/boe.
Based on that summary, will the cabinet secretary confirm whether she now supports Jackdaw or Rosebank—yes or no?
First, Duncan Massey’s question shows his lack of knowledge about what is in my portfolio—indeed, I am not the Government minister who gives licences out for exploration of oil and gas. Secondly, he mentioned our net zero policy. I head up the climate change plan for the Scottish Government, which looks at our territorial emissions. I find it incredible that Duncan Massey, who I believe is the convener of the Economy, Tourism and Energy Committee in the Scottish Parliament, does not realise, first, that I am not the energy minister; secondly, that the energy policy that he referred to is reserved to the UK Government; and finally, that I am in charge of a climate change plan whose central point is the usage and burning of fossil fuels, not their production.
How is the Scottish Government supporting the 30,000 people who are currently employed in Scotland’s renewables and how does it plan to grow that number? What role will the cabinet secretary play in unlocking the prize of £150 billion of added economic value by meeting our net zero targets?
I am delighted to give Jack Middleton that information. Our offshore wind investment programme has committed more than £191 million—which has crowded in further public finance and private investment—to offshore wind and supply chain projects, with the potential to support up to 5,000 jobs.
Furthermore, the investment of more than £40 billion in Scotland’s transmission network over the next five years will support clean energy projects to power our economy. Jack Middleton is absolutely correct in his quoting of the economic worth of and the number of jobs in net zero sector-related projects in Scotland.
Future Farming Investment Scheme
To ask the Scottish Government what lessons from the delivery of the future farming investment scheme 2025 have been applied to the 2026 scheme, including in relation to the opening of the application window. (S7O-00426)
We undertook a substantive lessons-learned exercise following the FFIS in 2025, in which we engaged with farmers and crofters and listened to the feedback from that scheme. As a result, we made several changes to the 2026 scheme, reinforcing the commitment to support our competitive, sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.
We have revised, with stakeholder input, the list of investments to be funded. We have published the specifications, costs and scores in the scheme guidance, so that applicants can see clearly what is eligible and how investments will be prioritised. We have removed the priority groups, with all eligible businesses now able to apply for up to £20,000. We have published the guidance ahead of the opening of applications to give farmers and crofters time to plan.
Can the minister give farmers a date today, or should they expect this to become FFIS 2027?
The publication of the guidance happened on 19 October, and we will give a date for when the applications can start by the end of this month.
The future farming investment scheme was said to prioritise small farms, crofters and tenant farmers, but of the small farms that applied to the Golspie and Thurso offices, just six were successful. I welcome the review that has been undertaken by the Scottish Government and the minister’s engagement to date, but he will appreciate that, as has already been said, farmers and crofters need a sense of certainty.
I add my calls to those of Senga Beresford for confirmation of the application date. I appreciate that the minister has said that the date will be provided by the end of the month. Can the minister reassure my constituents about the engagement that he has had, particularly with stakeholders in the far north?
As I said in my answer to Senga Beresford, we have had extensive engagement with farmers across the constituency. The scheme demonstrates that we are still supporting investment in farm and croft businesses to improve efficiency and sustainability, protect and enhance the environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help to mitigate climate change. We have had long and extensive conversations with the sector, and, as I said, we will have a date for when people can apply by the end of this month.
Flood Response and Resilience (North Ayrshire)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with North Ayrshire Council regarding flood response and resilience. (S7O-00427)
The Scottish Government works with councils throughout the response to flooding events. Indeed, in Largs last Monday, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport heard about the impacts directly from the council and those who were affected.
We are working with councils on the national support that is available following such events, including activation of the flood recovery framework, which provides grants to affected households and businesses.
Local authorities are responsible for flood protection. However, the Scottish Government continues to support them through sustained investment, with more than £600 million invested since 2016 to support the delivery of flood resilience, including in North Ayrshire.
Many communities across North Ayrshire are at risk of coastal flooding by 2050 due to rising sea levels. As the cabinet secretary has indicated, there was extensive damage in Largs, Saltcoats and many other parts of North Ayrshire from flooding in the recent storm.
I have also met North Ayrshire Council, and it is clear that there is a need for better co-ordination between the council and the Scottish Government, given the significant challenges that we face. Can the cabinet secretary confirm more detail of the discussions that are taking place to ensure that we protect coastal communities for the future?
As Katy Clark alludes to, many agencies are involved with any kind of weather event, including the Met Office and the emergency services, as well as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, particularly in relation to warnings associated with surges out at sea.
We gave £1 million of support for coastal wave buoys to be deployed around Scotland. Most of the ones on the east coast are in the water; the rest of them on the west coast will be in the water by the end of this month, I am told. SEPA is also looking at a review of the information that it was able to give to local authorities and local resilience partnerships. When we activate the Scottish Government resilience room, all those partners are in the room throughout the entire process. At the end of any SGoRR activation, there are lessons learned for the future.
I assure Katy Clark that everything associated with what happened as a result of storm Boelo is being analysed and looked at, so that we can ensure that when we put resilience measures in place, they are the right ones.
Artificial Intelligence Data Centres (Environmental Impact)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any environmental impact of artificial intelligence data centres in other countries. (S7O-00428)
The Scottish Government has assessed the experience of countries with similar climates and demographics that host data centres, and that has helped to shape the Scottish Government’s approach to ensure that data centre developments in Scotland are sustainable, protect our national resources and deliver tangible benefits for communities and the wider economy. International experience has demonstrated the value of setting clear expectations before development becomes concentrated and aligning the growth of data centres with energy system planning, land use and environment considerations.
On a visit to Brussels during the October recess, I met representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme, European subnational Governments and other partners. We discussed the need to ensure that increasing digital infrastructure demand is managed sustainably, including through energy efficiency, renewable energy use and consideration of wider environmental and social impacts.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the on-going concerns regarding the impact of artificial intelligence data centres in Ireland. Data centres accounted for almost a quarter of Ireland’s energy use last year. The Irish Climate Change Advisory Council has warned that the growth in data centres’ energy demand is threatening Ireland’s ability to meet its climate change commitments. Will the cabinet secretary ensure that climate action is central to any planning or decisions that we make in relation to AI data centres, particularly considering the experience around energy commitments?
Carol Mochan mentioned the experience of Ireland. I believe that the Parliament’s Climate Action Committee is taking evidence on data centres at the moment. I know that the convener is sitting behind me, and he told me the other day that he is reaching out to Irish colleagues in order to get exactly those kind of lessons from what they are doing.
On the development of the regulations, I note that Hannah Mary Goodlad, the Minister for Public Finance, is taking that forward. I am of course feeding into that, in my role as cabinet secretary for climate action.
To go back to Carol Mochan’s first question, I am feeding back the experience of other countries that are wrestling with the issue. In Brussels, one particular presentation was given by my counterpart in the Lombardy region of Italy, in which he talked about the regulations that they have put in place. We are all sharing our experiences in the group that we are involved in—the Under2 Coalition—because we are all wrestling with the same challenges.
We have been promised by various Government ministers that full planning guidance on data centres will be released by the end of this year. Can the cabinet secretary assure Parliament that MSPs will have time to review that guidance before Parliament closes for winter recess?
As I said to the chamber in my last answer to Carol Mochan, Hannah Mary Goodlad, the Minister for Public Finance, is taking forward those regulations. She has given assurances to Parliament that the guidance will be revised and ready by the end of the year. I have nothing more to add, given that it is not my initial responsibility.
Food Supply Chain (Security and Resilience)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure Scotland’s food supply chain is secure and resilient. (S7O-00429)
Scotland is blessed with landscape and seas. We have a fabulous larder, which gives us strong domestic production. That system is resilient right now and there are no immediate concerns about food supply. However, global and domestic events, including developments in the middle east, continue to demonstrate the vulnerability of supply chains.
We closely monitor food security and work with the industry through our food sector resilience group. That group shares intelligence, identifies emerging risks and vulnerabilities, and supports co-ordinated responses. We also support preparedness and planning through monitoring, stakeholder engagement and participation in resilience exercises. That is complemented by the wider cross-Government preparedness activity through the crisis preparation oversight programme.
Food resilience is a shared responsibility, so we will continue to work with the United Kingdom Government and the other devolved Governments, as well as industry, to strengthen our preparedness and ensure that Scotland’s food supply chain remains resilient.
I thank the minister for that comprehensive answer. Production costs are rising in the farming industry as we continue to see the impact of extreme weather, volatile energy markets and, just this week, further cyberattacks on commercial refrigeration systems in supermarkets across Europe. Will the minister advise what steps the Scottish Government is taking to support the sector and to ensure that we can increase and protect domestic food production and supply?
That is a good question. The previous budget committed more than £660 million to transform farming and food production. The funding maintains direct payments to Scotland’s farmers, crofters and land managers at a higher rate than anywhere else in the UK, and it shows that we have listened to the calls for continued support. The Scottish spending review in 2026 set out expenditure plans up until 2028-29, and the draft budget for 2027-28 will be presented to the Parliament in early December.
We continue to work with the agriculture sector to support a sustainable and thriving future for farming in Scotland. However, I am extremely disappointed that the UK fishing and coastal growth fund was not allocated properly to our fishing and coastal communities, because it would have allowed us to invest in even greater resilience for our seafood sector.
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests.
The minister rightly mentioned direct payments being important to Scotland’s food security. Last week, the Scottish Government announced a change to the Scottish suckler beef support scheme conditionality, with plans to reduce the calving interval threshold from 410 days to 400 days. Although it was widely understood that the threshold would be reduced over time, the sudden change has come as a shock to the industry, with NFU Scotland, the Scottish Crofting Federation, the Scottish Beef Association and others all expressing concern. Will the minister provide details of any analysis that has been undertaken by the Government of the impact of the change to 400 days? Does he regret not engaging with the industry prior to the announcement being made last week?
Please respond as relevant to the original question, minister.
My apologies, Presiding Officer. I was up on my feet before Donald MacKinnon had a chance to finish, in my enthusiasm to give him a robust answer.
The calf scheme is a £40 million ring-fenced fund that we put into the production of calves every year. We had an agreement with the industry that we would not accept the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation to reduce our national herd and national flock by 26 per cent. That should give a clear signal to the sector that we are taking actions that protect the sector and that we are putting money directly into the system that supports beef production in Scotland. However, it means that the industry has to work with us, and it means that a scheme such as the calving interval reduction allows us to demonstrate that we are taking action to reduce our emissions while, at the same time, protecting the productivity of the national herd.
Air Departure Tax (Rates and Bands)
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the setting of rates and bands for air departure tax, including any proposed private jet supplement, is consistent with its net zero policy and objectives. (S7O-00430)
The Scottish Government is committed to implementing a private jet tax within our devolved air departure tax from 1 April 2028. Private jets generally carry fewer passengers than commercial flights and, therefore, produce significantly more emissions per person. That is why we will be taking action to ensure that the wealthy few who choose to fly by private jet will pay their fair share. The Deputy First Minister will set out the ADT rates for 2028-29, including those for private jets, at the Scottish budget on 3 December.
I think that the minister may have intended to say that there will be significantly higher emissions per person rather than significantly lower emissions. However, the tax will be most consistent with net zero as a policy if it contributes to reduced emissions through reduced unnecessary flying. The biggest source of the problem in that regard is not people taking an occasional family holiday; it is very wealthy frequent flyers. Will the minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs make the case in Government that the setting of rates and bands should be along the lines of a frequent flyer levy, whereby the rates and bands increase based on the number of flights that are taken? That would not only disincentivise unnecessary flying but raise money that could be spent on reducing the cost of sustainable public transport.
The Deputy First Minister has heard all the arguments, and she will make a decision on how she will take that forward.
Does the minister agree that the aviation sector is crucial to Scotland’s economy, particularly the tourism sector, and that Government policy should be working to promote it rather than seeing it as an issue that should be managed?
Again, the Deputy First Minister will take all those matters into account when she sets her budget. She will take a decision on how she approaches that.
I can well remember the former Scottish National Party tourism minister Fergus Ewing coming to the chamber week after week demanding the devolution of air passenger duty so that it could be cut in order to give Scotland a competitive advantage over airports elsewhere in the United Kingdom. What modelling has the Scottish Government done on the economic opportunity that is presented by making targeted cuts to air departure tax to attract more visitors to come and support the Scottish tourism sector? Will the minister just follow the lead of the anti-business Greens?
I find such conversations in the chamber really frustrating. A budget is coming up and everybody has their views. I have said it three times: the Deputy First Minister is taking all those things into account, so members should have such conversations with the Deputy First Minister as the budget is brought forward. I do not remember the Tories ever having anything in a budget that has been delivered in the chamber. Perhaps now is the opportunity to knock on the door of the Deputy First Minister.
The member who lodged question 7 is not able to be in the chamber, and an explanation has been given to the Presiding Officers.
Flood Prevention Measures (Assessment)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of flood prevention measures delivered since storm Frank. (S7O-00432)
As per previous responses on the issue of flooding, I repeat that the Scottish Government continues to support local authorities, which are responsible for flood protection schemes, through substantial and sustained investment in flood resilience.
Since 2016, we have invested more than £600 million to help to deliver 21 flood protection schemes, including in Huntly, in the member’s constituency, and in Stonehaven, in a neighbouring constituency. A further nine schemes are under construction and development. Those investments help to protect homes, businesses and communities across Scotland. In addition, we have funded the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to develop a national flood asset database and assess infrastructure that is critical to flood warning services. We continue to work closely with partners to assess outcomes, identify lessons learned and target our investment effectively.
Since storm Frank, a decade ago, flood projects have either not started, remain unfinished or are dramatically over budget. Flood prevention used to have its own budget line, but that seems to have disappeared, which makes it hard for communities to know what funding exists and how it is spent. In Aberdeenshire West, Kemnay and Kintore are still waiting for their flood schemes, despite the completion of studies and approval by Aberdeenshire Council. Given that flood funding is being slashed, is it any wonder that communities live in fear of the next storm? Will the Scottish Government confirm when funding will be available for those schemes?
First, I need to correct Alexander Burnett about there being no budget lines associated with flooding. Several budget lines are associated with flooding in my portfolio.
The other thing that Alexander Burnett did not mention—I alluded to it in my first answer—is that councils are responsible for the implementation of their flood risk management plans. In the constituency that he represents, Aberdeenshire Council is responsible for that. This year, the council received £2.38 million in flood resilience funding, which was an increase of around £2.13 million on the previous year. Of course, the decision as to how that funding is deployed and whether the flood schemes are taken forward by local authorities is up to the administration of the council, which, last time I looked—albeit that it is hanging by a thread—is led by the Conservatives.
Will the cabinet secretary confirm that the Scottish Government has committed an additional £15 million for flood mitigation and prevention, with resource targeted to areas that are most impacted by flooding, and will she outline the Government’s priorities for that investment, including how it will help local communities to play more of a role in reducing flood risk? [Interruption.]
I want to hear myself speak, but there is some chuntering by the Conservatives. Maybe they are annoyed that I pointed out that their administration has done next to nothing when it comes to the Aberdeenshire flood scheme.
Settle down, please.
Paul McLennan is right that £15 million has been pledged. Indeed, I am using that £15 million to improve Scotland’s flood resilience through actions such as supporting communities to prepare for and respond to flooding; the community flood resilience fund; the £3 million fund to support nature-based and blue-green solutions; the £2.5 million fund to help local authorities, on top of the money that they already get through their block grant for flooding preparedness and resilience, to improve and extend the life of existing flood protection assets; and about £1 million of funding for supporting innovative coastal resilience projects, one of which I referenced in my answer to Carol Mochan.
Proposed ScotWind Wealth Fund
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made towards establishing a national ScotWind wealth fund to invest in projects that support Scotland’s climate change and net zero objectives. (S7O-00433)
As set out in our programme for government, the Scottish Government will establish a ScotWind wealth fund during the current session of Parliament to ensure that future generations can benefit from our wealth of renewables. There are different ways that we could do that in practice, and officials are currently assessing a range of options and working with the lead ministers to develop models to ensure that the fund delivers long-term benefits while taking into account fiscal, legal and implementation considerations. Decisions on the fund’s establishment and governance and on future allocations of ScotWind revenues will be taken at future fiscal events, with further details to be published as our policy development progresses.
In the meantime, ScotWind revenues have provided valuable fiscal flexibility in a challenging financial context. As with all sources of Scottish Government funding and everything associated with them, information will be given in the budget next month.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer, but just over a month ago, the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy, speaking to Energy Voice, said that
“the biggest single failure”
with oil and gas was that
“There was never a futures fund established”.
Early in September, the Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of my amendment to establish, in the current parliamentary term, a wealth fund to substantially increase the proportion of community and publicly owned energy in Scotland.
Does the cabinet secretary agree with me, and with the Our Power Scotland coalition, that the fund must deliver on our shared priority to keep Scotland’s energy wealth in Scotland’s hands?
To put it succinctly, I agree with every single word that Kristopher Leask has said, and I also agree with what the energy minister said in Energy Voice. We have had so much energy wealth going through Scotland for decades, most of which has not really touched our communities here, unless they were directly employed by the oil and gas sector, as in the case of the funding that Mr Gethins talked about in the comments that Mr Leask quoted.
The wealth fund that we create has to leave a legacy for those communities, with long-lasting legacy benefits. However, I point out that the new United Kingdom Prime Minister has mentioned that he wants to create a wealth fund, too, from the proceeds of taxes associated with oil and gas tax revenues. That may be an opportunity for him to make up for the loss of those revenues that did not go to Scotland in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Given that, as the cabinet secretary acknowledged, most of the ScotWind money has been committed or allocated, what will the Government actually put in as the fund’s initial endowment, what recurring revenue stream will replenish it and what proportion of future seabed rental income will be ring fenced so that it cannot be raided to balance the annual budget?
Those questions are really about future budgets, and for the Deputy First Minister. Indeed, the ScotWind revenues—[Interruption.]
I believe that I was asked a question, so I would like to be able to answer.
ScotWind has generated more than £9 million in option fee revenues and accrued interest for the public purse. It is right and proper that the Government takes time to look at funding models and models associated with wealth funds that are going to deliver for generations of Scots, unlike—
They have no idea.
To be honest, the Conservatives have got a cheek—[Interruption.] No, they really do. When I was growing up in Aberdeenshire in the seventies and eighties, the Conservatives—[Interruption.]
Can we hear the minister, please?
The Conservatives were in charge of the tax receipts associated with energy wealth in Scotland, and they did nothing to bring back any community wealth and nothing to protect those communities. To be quite honest, with the greatest respect to my friend Liam Kerr, he has got a bit of a cheek.
Decarbonisation (Residential Buildings)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the contribution that the decarbonisation of residential properties will make towards meeting Scotland’s net zero targets. (S7O-00434)
Emissions from buildings currently account for 20 per cent of Scotland’s emissions, so meeting net zero will require homes to transition to clean heat. Our document, “Scotland’s Climate Change Plan: 2026–2040”, which we published in March this year, sets out the clean heat policies and proposals that will help us to achieve our climate targets. The collective impact of those on emissions reductions from the residential buildings sector, for each carbon budget period, is as follows: 0.2 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2026 to 2030; 1.8 metric tonnes of CO2e in 2031 to 2035; and 8.9 metric tonnes of CO2e in 2036 to 2040.
The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy will publish a heat in buildings delivery plan and take forward our heat in buildings bill in the current session of Parliament.
I welcome that the heat in buildings bill will be taken forward in this session. However, Glasgow City Council has its own climate plan, covering the period from 2026 to 2030. It identifies district-scale heat networks as a key part of the city’s route to net zero but I note that it is awaiting Scottish Government legislation to establish its own statutory framework for heat network zones and clarify the implications for building owners.
Given the particular challenges associated with decarbonising Glasgow’s extensive pre-1919 tenement stock, will the cabinet secretary provide an update on the timetable for the legislation and indicate how the Scottish Government intends to support and encourage households to connect to heat networks where appropriate?
First, I want to use this opportunity to commend Glasgow City Council on the work that it has done more broadly in terms of decarbonisation and reducing its emissions.
Bob Doris is right: the Heat Networks (Heat Network Zones and Building Assessment Reports) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 have provided local authorities with the powers to designate heat network zones. The heat in buildings bill that the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy will introduce in year 1 of this session aims to create more powers to require public building owners and others within those zones to decarbonise their heating systems where appropriate. That will de-risk investment in those crucial projects.
For a number of years, households have been able to access funding from Home Energy Scotland for help with the installation of clean heating. However, through the grant and loan scheme, they will also be able to access funding and finance to connect to a local heat network. Public buildings are supported to connect through the green public sector estate decarbonisation scheme, and many other non-domestic buildings can apply to our small and medium-sized enterprise loan and cashback scheme.
That concludes portfolio questions on climate action and rural affairs.
Education, Culture and Gaelic
The next portfolio is education, culture and Gaelic. I ask members who wish to ask a supplementary question to press their request-to-speak button during the relevant question.
Neurodivergence (Education Workforce Training)
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that specific training on autism and other forms of neurodivergence is embedded across the education workforce. (S7O-00437)
All teachers are required to undertake additional support needs training during initial teacher education. That is a requirement to meet the professional standards for registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. All teachers therefore have competences in meeting the needs of neurodiverse pupils and pupils who have additional support needs of all kinds.
Through Education Scotland, we have introduced a national professional learning offer to strengthen ASN knowledge, inclusive practice and leadership. We are also expanding the GTCS-accredited dyslexia and inclusive practice professional recognition programme, and we continue to fund the autism toolbox and digital learning tools for teachers across Scotland.
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which states that I am a former director of Scottish Autism.
Having resources and training available is one thing, but they are available now and we still see significant need. It is not the same as ensuring that teachers are well trained and confident in putting that learning into practice. Does the cabinet secretary recognise the value of ensuring that high-quality training is mandatory for all teachers and that they are supported to undertake that training?
I appreciate the importance of mandating training. That is why I am keen to stress that all teachers, as a requirement for GTCS accreditation, must undertake ASN training during their initial teacher education. However, that is not enough for me. I want to encourage, support and fund continuing professional development, which we are doing in the various ways that I listed in my initial answer.
I will give a little more information on the Education Scotland package. Our new professional learning offer for teachers is delivered through Education Scotland. It supports practitioners working in a range of settings, including ASN and special schools. It is helping to build ASN knowledge, inclusive practice and leadership capacity. There has been a strong uptake in engaging with that work. It has proven to be very popular, and I hope that it will be possible to expand the offer’s reach.
It is also worth highlighting that we fund the centre for teaching excellence, which is based at the University of Glasgow and which, among many dedicated hubs, has one for diverse classrooms, with a focus on ASN.
I recognise the importance of ASN training as both a foundation of initial teacher education and a continuing professional offer.
Ensuring that sufficient, accessible support is available for young people with additional support needs requires co-ordinated, cross-portfolio efforts. What assessment has the cabinet secretary made of how the national staged intervention model is working in practice? What role do local authorities play in that?
Ms Haughey is absolutely right to mention the national staged intervention model as one of the key policy developments in the coming years that will make a significant difference to young people’s and families’ engagement with education and to the management of young people’s additional support needs.
Last week, when I visited Forehill primary school in Ayr, in the constituency of the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, I was able to speak directly with educators, children and young people and their parents and carers about how staged intervention operates in practice.
We are collaborating on that complicated work with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and others. At its core, the work is about intervening in a young person’s learning journey at the earliest possible stage with the most predictable support that can be offered. That means that young people with additional support needs will be supported early on no matter where they live in the country.
Classroom Violence
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of increasing classroom violence against teachers, staff and pupils in Scotland’s schools. (S7O-00438)
Violence towards teachers, staff or pupils is entirely unacceptable. However, the vast majority of pupils are well behaved, and recent programme for international student assessment results demonstrate that, overwhelmingly, pupils feel safe in schools.
Local authorities, as the statutory providers of education, are responsible for ensuring that appropriate systems are in place to respond to any violent incidents. To support that, since 2024, we have been implementing the relationships and behaviour in schools action plan. Actions in the plan include the publishing of new guidance on consequences; the development of risk assessments for violent, aggressive and dangerous behaviour; and decisive action to end the presence of mobile phones in the learning environment.
I am afraid that that is just not good enough. In 2024-25, there were more than 35,000 physical assaults on school staff. That represents a 55 per cent increase in just two years. Last month, Aberdeen school staff described being hit, kicked, bitten and subjected to misogynistic abuse on a daily basis. They have heard the warm words that we have just heard about action plans and promises for years, but the situation continues to deteriorate. The cabinet secretary has now been in post for six months, so can she tell our school staff what specific and measurable reduction in the number of assaults she is committing to deliver, and by when?
I will never underestimate the difficulties that can be faced as a result of disruptive behaviour, violence and aggression in schools, and members will never find me doing anything other than condemning such behaviour.
I acknowledge the concerns, but I am absolutely clear that the vast majority of our young people are conscientious and well behaved and feel safe in schools, as this year’s PISA results demonstrate, so—
That was not my question.
We must therefore be prepared to take action when evidence suggests that it is needed, but I will never allow the writing off of Scotland’s young people, as has been done by that question.
No one has suggested that.
It is worth putting on the record that our recent behaviour in Scottish schools research demonstrates that violence and aggression were most commonly reported among the youngest learners—learners in primaries 1 to 3—which indicates that those children had difficulty in managing and regulating their behaviour at that very young age. We must take action on that.
You have been in power for 20 years.
The Conservatives love shouting over women in the chamber.
Another interesting part of that research was how frequently secondary teachers spoke about the disruption caused by mobile phones in schools. Liam Kerr wants decisive action. I will bring to the chamber legislation that will ban the presence of mobile phones in the learning environment, so I hope that he will support it.
“Shaping the Future: Strengthening Scotland’s Education System Through Empowered Schools”
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent report by the independent professional advisor on future school reform on strengthening the education system. (S7O-00439)
I welcome the report from John Wilson, the independent professional adviser, who was appointed by Scottish ministers to provide a school leaders’ perspective on how schools are supported to improve, funded and governed. I am grateful to him and to all those who contributed to its development.
As Joe Fagan will know, the Scottish Government is currently in dialogue with local authorities and others on local governance reform. I have just left a meeting with the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and leaders from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on that matter. As part of our work on it, we will consider the recommendations in Mr Wilson’s report.
I refer to my register of interests, as I am a councillor in South Lanarkshire.
I am sure that when the Government publishes its response it will agree that although some of the adviser’s recommendations have merit, others are utterly absurd, not least the one about plans for school authorities that are outside of council control—that is a charter for more, rather than fewer, silos, and for less, rather than more, democracy. That recommendation will appease neither those who believe in a fundamental shift towards school autonomy nor those who believe in the fundamental principle of democratic accountability. It is also divorced from the need to drive excellence and improvement in public service reform.
Will the education secretary act now to protect local democracy, the drive for excellence and the reputation of her own Government with public service leaders and educators? She should not wait, so will she bin those recommendations now?
No, we absolutely will not bin the recommendations. They are a very valuable contribution to our discussions with local authorities. Mr Fagan is a South Lanarkshire councillor, and I am a South Lanarkshire MSP, so I hope that we both have an interest in ensuring that the schools in our area and throughout Scotland can pursue excellence alongside equity and the highest standards. I want to see the unwarranted variation in academic outcomes closed. Much of what was contained in Mr Wilson’s report can help us to do that.
John Wilson spoke of inconsistencies in the collection of data and of metrics; we have to question whether doing something 32 different ways across Scotland is the best approach. He also identified a lack of clarity of spend and made recommendations on governance. All of those recommendations are being closely considered as we engage with local authorities and COSLA on the future shape of local government and education, which is a core part of that.
In the report, the argument is made that funding for school education is the most powerful way for our country to invest in our future. Does the Government acknowledge that any changes to the structure of the education system need to be met with additional support and funding?
Katherine Sangster is right to highlight John Wilson’s point about how funding for education is perhaps the greatest preventative investment that we can make in the future of our nation. I wonder how her acknowledgement of the valuable contribution that was made on that in the report is reconciled with Joe Fagan’s call for the whole thing to be disregarded, which I have said that I will not do. I appreciate that reform and change of any kind requires careful consideration and resource, which the member challenged me on, but maintaining the status quo and doing nothing are also costly.
Mobile Phone Use in Schools
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its recognition that inappropriate mobile phone use in schools can lead to increased distraction, online bullying, exposure to harmful content and a rise in antisocial behaviour, what measures it will take to ensure that any new legislation restricting mobile phone use in schools supports the mental wellbeing of young people while reducing these harms. (S7O-00440)
The evidence that mobile phones disrupt young people’s education is undeniable, and it can go much further than that. Phones can disrupt sleep and wellbeing, and usage can also contribute to harms including bullying, harassment, radicalisation and grooming. Our schools must be safe, nurturing environments where pupils can learn free from distraction and from the wider harms of mobile phones.
Again, I draw on the behaviour in Scottish schools research that I mentioned to Mr Kerr and the frequency with which secondary school teachers raised the disruption that mobile phones are causing. We are currently consulting on the scope and extent of the restrictions that I intend to bring forward, and on any exemptions that might apply. All that is being done to inform legislation, and I will be engaging with members across the chamber as part of that process.
I highlight that—and this speaks directly to the question of the mental wellbeing of young people—young people’s voices will be heard in the development of the legislation. Whether we like it or not, their lives are heavily influenced by the online world, and they must be part of how we design support for them in response to that.
The minister says that the Government wants to reduce distraction, bullying and harmful content, yet it has still not set out a clear national position. If the evidence already shows those harms, will the minister explain why the Government has not simply required schools to restrict mobile phone use during the school day? What specific evidence is the Government still waiting for before it acts to protect young people’s mental wellbeing?
I will be succinct in responding to that: the law in Scotland does not allow us to do that. That is why I have to introduce legislation, on which I am currently consulting.
Cabinet secretary, 27 per cent of young people have seen pornography by the age of 11, often on their own or other children’s smartphones. However, if a parent does not give their child a smartphone, it can leave that child socially isolated. The campaign by Smartphone Free Childhood allows parents to commit collectively to not giving their child a smartphone so that no child is left out. Will the Government support the campaign to inform parents and give them options to better protect their children?
I assure Mr Dunlop personally, and on behalf of the Government—including my colleague the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, who has responsibility for online harm—that we are very seized of the potential harm that can accrue to young people from the intense use of mobile phones, social media and various platforms, which have significantly increased in recent years.
I have said in the chamber before that I remember being in high school when the first smartphone went off in class and disrupted it. I think that the type of content to which Mr Dunlop alludes was being shared around the class. I was about 13 years old.
The intensification of such behaviour in recent years means that Governments must be prepared to take action. I have spoken about the legislation to restrict mobile phones in schools, which will be introduced soon. My colleague Siobhian Brown is engaging with social media companies. We are also engaging with the UK Government, because we have no powers in this Parliament to regulate technology. The UK Government must do that, and it must do so fully.
School Buildings
To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with local authorities to ensure that school buildings are safe and fit for purpose. (S7O-00441)
Local authorities are responsible for managing and maintaining their school buildings, and we work closely with them, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Futures Trust to support a school estate that is safe and fit for purpose.
That work is guided by our learning estate strategy and backed by our £2 billion learning estate investment programme, which is benefiting tens of thousands of pupils across Scotland. Virtually every MSP in the chamber should be able to point to capital projects having been delivered in their constituency, and I was pleased to discuss that at length yesterday when I attended the Learning Places Scotland conference.
We are seeing real progress. A record 93.1 per cent of schools are now in good or satisfactory condition in Scotland, which is up from 62.7 per cent when the Scottish National Party came to office.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the alarm that was caused to many parents as a result of the hoax email threats that were sent a fortnight ago. My constituents have told me that more thorough communication from all levels would have helped to put minds at ease sooner. What has also concerned them is that some East Dunbartonshire schools have not received an inspection for almost a decade.
Clearly, we need to ensure the reliability of our school buildings, including their fire safety and security. What is the Government doing to guarantee that schools across East Dunbartonshire are up to standard? Will she ensure that they are inspected regularly and in a timely manner?
Adam Harley is absolutely right to highlight that, on 19 October, a number of schools and local authority departments across Scotland and Northern Ireland received an email containing a threat involving an explosive device. Most schools were closed for the October break, but a small number were open and were evacuated as a precaution.
Police Scotland assessed the threat as a suspected hoax and took appropriate operational action, including providing clear public messaging. At my request, my officials reinforced that messaging through local authority networks and encouraged local authorities and schools to keep parents and carers fully informed. I can imagine very clearly the worry and the concern that arose for parents and carers across the country, and I will strive to ensure that we improve those communications and give confidence to parents across the country.
In respect of inspections, I am currently, in collaboration with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, considering advice on the frequency of inspections, on which I hope to update members shortly.
Drug Education Programmes
To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it has made of the impact of drug education programmes delivered in schools. (S7O-00442)
Our curriculum educates young people about substance use and the impact that it can have on their life and health, in order to help them make positive choices. Education alone will not turn the tide of substance use, but it is an important strand of wide-ranging measures across communities that are designed to tackle the issue.
For example, since 2023, one of the Scottish Government’s measures has been the investment of £2.3 million in Planet Youth Scotland, which supports a whole-system approach to preventing substance use among young people. Schools take a preventative, data-driven and community-based approach, and learning is complemented by action to improve wellbeing, strengthen relationships and create positive opportunities for young people.
A lot of the guidance for schools and teachers increases demands on them to come up with materials and lesson plans, and teachers tell me that that is a considerable burden. I understand that a national review of teaching resources on substance misuse is under way. The minister will appreciate the urgency of the drugs crisis that we face, so can she advise the chamber when that review will be published and whether it will be accompanied by materials and ready-made lesson plans to ensure consistency of approach?
The new curriculum framework will be published today, but I would point out that new national guidance to support education authorities and schools to respond specifically to substance use was published in March 2026.
University of Aberdeen (Industrial Action)
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the prospect of further industrial action at the University of Aberdeen, following a breakdown in relations between management and trade unions regarding staffing reductions and redundancies. (S7O-00443)
The Government is aware of the dispute, and we encourage the University of Aberdeen and University and College Union Scotland to engage constructively and make every effort to seek resolution to the dispute in line with fair work principles.
Although the University of Aberdeen is autonomous, independent of the Government and responsible for its own strategic and operational decisions, I expect compulsory redundancies to be considered only as a last resort, after all other cost-saving measures have been fully explored.
As the constituency MSP for Aberdeen Central, I am deeply concerned about the treatment of university staff, the reputational damage to one of Scotland’s most historic universities and, above all, the impact on students and on their education. I wholly appreciate that the Scottish Government is unable to step in and resolve such an industrial dispute, but what more can be done to protect students’ education in a publicly funded institution?
A breakdown in negotiations must not mean a breakdown in student learning. Will the minister join me on a visit to the University of Aberdeen to hear directly from students and ensure that their concerns are heard at the highest level of Government?
I am sympathetic to the points that Jack Middleton makes. He is a ferocious advocate for Aberdeen, but he is also sensitive to our position that universities are independent of Government. I need to be strict—I have no appetite to involve myself in individual disputes in individual institutions—but we are paying attention. I was at the University of Aberdeen just a couple of weeks ago, when I met a number of students and staff. If there is a visit upcoming, I am more than happy to accompany the member and speak to anybody who is interested.
Arts Funding (North-east Scotland)
I remind members of my registered interest as a trustee of the Barn, a charity that is in receipt of arts funding in the north-east.
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Aberdeen City Council’s recent report, “Mapping the creative industries in North East Scotland”, which recorded that the north-east receives only 44 per cent of the Scottish average of regular arts funding. (S7O-00444)
Scottish Government investment has enabled a significant expansion of Creative Scotland’s multiyear funding programme. The number of organisations across Scotland that receive regular multi-annual core support is now 262, which is more than double the number that were previously receiving grants. Fifteen organisations located in Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire will receive almost £9 million of that multiyear funding across the three-year period. I am absolutely cognisant of the extent to which culture and cultural investment enrich lives, and I should of course always like to see every part of the country supported in that regard.
A recent review of Creative Scotland recommended that
“A regionalised approach to cultural investment, where Creative Scotland works with partners at local and regional levels could help address the apparent underinvestment outwith the Central Belt.”
The people of the north-east have not needed exact figures to see what is right in front of them. Arts funding is centralised in the central belt, to the detriment of people who live in the north-east.
Might the minister consider outlining in writing how the Government intends to meet the recommendation in that report on Creative Scotland? Furthermore, what consideration has been given to the north-east as a potential home for the proposed new traditional and folk music national performing company?
Taking the last part first, I should say that we are not yet at the stage of deciding the location of the new national performing company, but I will add the member’s name to the list of those who have made that recommendation for their areas. Such suggestions are always welcome.
The idea of a visualisation of where support from Creative Scotland and the Government is going across Scotland is sound. If we had such a map, it would show Aberdeen Performing Arts as having the highest multiyear fund in the north-east, as well as the investment that goes from that to His Majesty’s Theatre, the Music Hall and the Lemon Tree. It would also show the support for six festivals—Delve, Granite Noir, Light the Blue, International Season, the Aberdeen comedy festival and the Aberdeen queer arts festival—as well as £300,000 of investment in the Aberdeen culture collective project, and support for the Aberdeen project Touch of Love Outreach, which is funded through the creative communities fund.
I think that a visualisation is a good idea, and I hope that it would demonstrate the spread of investment across Scotland.
Cultural Events (Support for Towns and Cities)
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which shows that I am a Falkirk councillor.
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports towns and cities to strengthen their offer of cultural events and activities. (S7O-00445)
As I said in response to a previous answer, we recognise the absolutely vital role that culture plays in transforming lives in communities. We are now £70 million towards our commitment of an additional £100 million for culture annually by 2028-29. Of course, that follows the increase of more than £34 million in the financial year 2025-26, which notably is the largest rise in culture funding in the history of the Parliament, outside of Covid support.
The support includes more than £200 million between 2025 and 2028 to the Creative Scotland multiyear-funded organisations and programmes such as culture collective, creative communities and the expanded festivals fund. Those programmes are about supporting locally driven and relevant cultural activity and helping to overcome barriers to participation where they exist.
Culture-led regeneration is revitalising our communities, including in Falkirk, where Scottish and United Kingdom Government investment is supporting a new town hall and arts centre and other high street improvements. Given culture’s contribution to economic and social renewal, it is disappointing that Inverness, the only Scottish long-leet contender for UK city of culture 2029, missed out on the shortlist for that. Does the cabinet secretary agree that, with the world-renowned festivals that we have, with National Geographic’s recognition of Dumfries and Galloway as one of the best destinations in the world in 2027 and with our four United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization creative cities, Scotland remains a world-leading nation in culture?
I agree with Gary Bouse about Scotland’s world-leading cultural and heritage offer. We are known throughout the world for it, and it is to be celebrated.
However, it is always our responsibility, too, to continue to build on that offer and, as I alluded to in a previous answer, to continue to pull down barriers to cultural participation and to personal and national expression. I was equally disappointed that the Inverness and Highland bid was not shortlisted for the UK city of culture 2029. The bid demonstrated the strength of culture, heritage and community across the region and was indicative of Scotland’s whole cultural offer, which is very significant.
I must appeal for quick answers and supplementary questions.
Schools (Promoting Positive Relationships, Equality and Safety)
I point to my entry in the register of members’ interests as a sitting councillor on Renfrewshire Council.
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support schools in promoting positive relationships, equality and safety among young people. (S7O-00446)
Our education system supports every learner to reach their full potential. We fund a range of programmes that provide guidance, resources and professional learning in order to uphold children’s rights and to tackle prejudice and discrimination in schools, including the equally safe at school programme and the digital discourse initiative.
The First Minister has committed an additional £1 million through the respect fund to build on work that is already under way in order to ensure that high school pupils can access third sector programmes that teach young people how to reject misogyny, while primary school pupils will receive age-appropriate learning on respect.
Renfrewshire has taken a leading role in implementing equally safe at school across all secondary schools and in expanding the mentors in violence prevention programme into local communities. What lessons can be drawn from that work and how might it help shape prevention efforts across Scotland beyond what the cabinet secretary has already mentioned?
I welcome Renfrewshire’s commitment to fully embedding equally safe at school, and I expect all local authorities to do the same. It is an excellent programme that has already supported many young people across our country to navigate the world around them and to understand their rights and the rights of others. The First Minister has placed emphasis on such support by requiring every school across Scotland to provide age-appropriate anti-misogyny education.
We talked earlier about mobile phones and online harms, and how they manifest themselves in the classroom. We need to support our young people to navigate what can be an overload of information. In addition to programmes such as equally safe at school, I would like to see young people lead that work, because they are excellent messengers in how to protect themselves.