Official Report 1030KB pdf
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S7M-01390, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on the business programme.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees—
(a) the following programme of business—
Tuesday 6 October 2026
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by General Questions
followed by First Minister’s Questions (Backbench Members)
followed by Ministerial Statement: Improving Outcomes for Neurodivergent People, Autistic People and People with Learning Disabilities
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Scotland’s Prosperity and Future in Europe
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.30 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 7 October 2026
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Finance and Local Government, Parliamentary Business and Veterans; Public Service Reform, Europe, External Affairs and Energy
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Supporting Scotland’s Fishing Industry
followed by Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Debate: Scottish Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.30 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 8 October 2026
1.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
1.30 pm General Questions
2.00 pm First Minister’s Questions (Party Leaders)
followed by Ministerial Statement: Planning for Winter and Improving Hospital Flow
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Strengthening Scotland’s Cyber Resilience
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Tuesday 27 October 2026
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by General Questions
followed by First Minister’s Questions (Backbench Members)
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.30 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 28 October 2026
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Justice; Health and Care
followed by Scottish Liberal Democrats Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.30 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 29 October 2026
1.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
1.30 pm General Questions
2.00 pm First Minister’s Questions (Party Leaders)
followed by Committee Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
(b) that, for the purposes of Portfolio Questions in the week beginning 6 October 2026, in rule 13.7.3, after the word “except” the words “to the extent to which the Presiding Officer considers that the questions are on the same or similar subject matter or” are inserted.
I call Max Bannerman to speak to and move amendment S7M-01390.1.
18:13
I rise to oppose the Government’s business motion. Last week, utterly appalling statistics on drug deaths were released, which showed that 1,133 of our fellow Scots died because of drug use in 2025. That was an increase of 11 per cent nationally on 2024 numbers. In Aberdeen, it was an increase of 32 per cent; in Falkirk, an increase of 71 per cent; in the Borders, an increase of 86 per cent; in North Ayrshire, an increase of 108 per cent; and in East Ayrshire, an increase of 128 per cent. That is happening in every constituency that is represented by MSPs in the Parliament. It is no longer just another national issue; it is a national emergency that must be tackled through direct political intervention.
On this, more than any other issue, what the Parliament directs the Scottish Government to do will be a matter of life and death. Members across the chamber, many of whom have personal experience with addiction and drug deaths, have explained more eloquently than I can that those deaths cannot be seen as just another yearly statistical event. Behind every death is an individual loss, with friends and family whose lives have been changed for ever.
Last week, after the Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs made a statement, the Parliament had a paltry 20 minutes to question the Government on the figures. Although, sadly, this is not a new topic of discussion in Holyrood, the new drug deaths numbers are significant.
Since the national mission was declared, the number of deaths had been going down year on year. However, this year, for the first time, we have seen the number of deaths go up. That is why the Government must be held to account.
Reform proposed a motion of no confidence in the minister last Thursday to force a debate in the Parliament on the issue. At that stage, we did not receive the support required. I am today proposing an amendment to the business motion so that, next week, we would hold a plenary debate on addressing Scotland’s drugs emergency on Tuesday, to replace the Government’s proposed debate on Europe.
The point is as follows. There are differences of opinion across Parliament on the right way to tackle the drugs emergency. That divergence in approach was clear in the chamber last week. There was discussion of renewed focus on access to rehab facilities, bringing back the right to recovery bill, the success or otherwise of the Thistle in Glasgow, and placing the emphasis on harm reduction and safe consumption. All of that speaks to the reason why Parliament should have the opportunity and the time to discuss this; we are in a debating chamber, after all. This ought to be a Parliament that is not afraid to test ideas, look at new solutions and scrutinise policy.
Presiding Officer, you were very clear in your guidance last week that there are legitimate parliamentary methods to oppose the Government’s business programme. That is why we in Reform will not nod through a pointless, predictable, ultra vires debate on Europe—an area that this Parliament has no direct legislative competence over. At the recent election, 2 million Scots did not even bother to vote. That should focus everyone’s mind.
Instead of being a talking shop, Parliament should devote its energy to fixing problems. The scourge of drugs has been a blight on Scotland’s political discourse for far too long. The question that members of Parliament must decide this evening is whether they will join us in forcing proper parliamentary scrutiny of the Government’s drugs strategy. I believe that there is a broad consensus in the chamber that such a debate is timely and needed now more than ever. That is why I am putting this question to Parliament today.
I move amendment S7M-01390.1, to leave out “followed by Scottish Government Debate: Scotland’s Prosperity and Future in Europe” and insert:
“followed by Scottish Government Debate: Addressing Scotland’s Drug Deaths”.
I call the minister, Jamie Hepburn, to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau.
18:17
In that vein, I should make it clear to Mr Bannerman that he is speaking against not the Scottish Government’s business motion but the Parliamentary Bureau’s motion. Let me remind Mr Bannerman that he is, in fact, a member of the bureau.
I should also say at the outset that I have no problem, in principle, with the notion of us scheduling a further debate on the impact of, and the challenges that we face in relation to, drug harms in this country. However, I regret the manner in which Mr Bannerman has sought to bring forward the issue.
I have a fairly positive and decent track record of hearing requests for scheduling parliamentary business from other parties and taking those forward positively. Indeed, we just had a statement on Alexander Dennis, which we scheduled in response to a request. On 17 September, we scheduled a statement on the programme for international student assessment statistics, after a request. On 9 September, at Mr Carson’s request, we scheduled a statement on bluetongue virus serotype 3. Indeed, the current business motion, which I hope that members will vote for, schedules a statement on improving outcomes for neurodivergent people, autistic people and people with learning disabilities, following a request for such.
Let us remember that there are means by which people can reasonably come forward and make a request, without going through the palaver and the nonsense and the performative nature of lodging an amendment, as Mr Bannerman is doing today.
The Parliamentary Bureau agreed to the business motion just yesterday. I know that “Europe” is a four-letter word for Reform UK, but we agreed at the Parliamentary Bureau to debate Scotland’s prosperity and future in Europe next Tuesday, and that is what I think that we should do.
Let me make another point. Mr Bannerman understands and knows, as do all members, that there are many ways in which—
Will the member give way?
I will not be giving way to Mr Simpson.
There are many means by which members can bring issues to the chamber.
We made a statement on addressing drug harms last week, which Maree Todd delivered. That gave members of all parties an opportunity to ask questions on the back of the statistics that were published. Incidentally, Mr Bannerman said that the time assigned to that was paltry. I did not hear him say at any stage before we scheduled that statement that there was not sufficient time for it. He could have raised that as an issue at that time.
All parties can, of course, use regular parliamentary question sessions, such as the two general question times, back-bench and party leaders First Minister’s question times and portfolio question times, to scrutinise the Government. The First Minister answered further questions on drug deaths last week, including one from Malcolm Offord. This week, on Tuesday, not a single one of the three general questions and the three back-bench FMQs from Reform UK MSPs was on that particular issue; tomorrow, Helen McDade’s general question is not on this issue of seemingly great importance to Reform UK, and Max Bannerman’s question is about surveillance of students by Police Scotland, which is an interesting notion—maybe it is an insight into where Reform UK wants to take Scotland.
Will the minister give way?
Will the minister give way?
I will give way to Mr Bannerman.
Could the minister address the matter in hand instead of dancing around the issues?
Well, that really shows the attention deficit on the Reform UK bench. I have been speaking about the issue throughout my entire contribution.
Parties can use their debate time or, indeed, members’ business slots to introduce a debate. Again, we can see how much of a priority the matter is for Reform UK: we have a Reform UK members’ business next week, again—indeed, Thomas Kerr has another debate. He had the previous one—no one else seems to be able to introduce a member’s business debate on behalf of Reform UK.
[Made a request to intervene.]
I will give way to Mr Rennie in a wee minute; I will just finish my point.
Thomas Kerr’s debate is not about the challenge that we face with drug harms; instead, he wants to introduce a debate about telling women what they can and cannot wear. Those are Reform UK’s real priorities, so for it to lodge this amendment today is an absolute nonsense.
For the benefit of the minister, I have just checked, and the word “Europe” has six letters.
The minister must address the central point. We will vote for the business motion if he is able to set out that he will commit, at some point, to a debate in Government time on this very important, incredibly serious issue. Thousands of people have lost their lives in the past decade, and the Parliament must address that. I hope that the minister will commit to that.
Let me make it clear to Mr Rennie that I understand that the word “Europe” has six letters—I know that he understands that—but my point was that it is a four-letter word for Reform UK, rather than for the rest of us.
I have had correspondence from the Green Party, which is requesting a debate on drug deaths, too. I am very happy about that, because it proves my point about the manner in which people can come forward to make a request and seek a debate. That has happened in that instance, and I will introduce such a debate in due course. Let us reject this amendment and get on with the business that we have agreed to.
The question is, that amendment S7M-01390.1, in the name of Max Bannerman, which seeks to amend motion S7M-01390, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, be agreed to. Are we agreed?
Members: No.
There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system.
18:23
Meeting suspended.
18:25
On resuming—
We come to the vote on amendment S7M-01390.1, in the name of Max Bannerman, which seeks to amend motion S7M-01390, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. Members should vote now.
The vote is closed.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes.
Thank you. Your vote has been recorded.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted no.
Thank you. Your vote has been recorded.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app is reconnecting to the platform. I want to make sure that my no vote was recorded.
Thank you. Your vote has been recorded.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted no.
Thank you. Your vote has been recorded.
Any more for any more?
For
Adams, James (North East Scotland) (Con)
Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab)
Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform)
Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform)
Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab)
Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform)
Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con)
Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab)
Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform)
Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab)
Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con)
Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab)
Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con)
Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con)
Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform)
Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform)
Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform)
Lennon, Monica (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform)
Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform)
MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab)
Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform)
McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform)
McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab)
Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab)
Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform)
Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform)
Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform)
Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform)
Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform)
Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform)
Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab)
Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab)
Against
Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP)
Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP)
Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP)
Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP)
Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP)
Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP)
Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP)
Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP)
Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP)
Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP)
Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP)
Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green)
Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP)
Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP)
Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green)
Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD)
Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD)
Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP)
Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP)
Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD)
Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP)
Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green)
Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)
Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD)
Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP)
Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP)
Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP)
Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP)
Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP)
Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP)
Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP)
Green, David (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (LD)
Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green)
Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP)
Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD)
Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green)
Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP)
Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP)
Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green)
Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP)
Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP)
MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green)
Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP)
Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green)
Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP)
McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP)
McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD)
McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green)
McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn) (SNP)
McLennan, Paul (East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs) (SNP)
McMillan, Stuart (Inverclyde) (SNP)
Melville, Lloyd (Angus South) (SNP)
Merrick, Colm (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
Middleton, Jack (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
Mitchell, Laura (Moray) (SNP)
Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green)
Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green)
Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP)
Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD)
Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green)
Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP)
Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP)
Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP)
Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP)
Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP)
Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP)
Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
The result of the division on amendment S7M-01390.1, in the name of Max Bannerman, is: For 43, Against 75, Abstentions 0.
Amendment disagreed to.
The next question is, that motion S7M-01390, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme, be agreed to. Are we agreed?
Members: No.
There will be a division.
Voting is closed.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My device would not connect. I would have voted yes.
Thank you. You vote has been recorded.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted no.
Thank you. You vote has been recorded.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes.
You vote has been recorded.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I have voted yes, but I do not think that it has been recorded. Can I double check, please?
Thank you. Your vote has been recorded.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes, but it did not record.
Your vote has been recorded.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes, but it did not record.
Thank you. Your vote has been recorded.
We should just have had a roll call, I think.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes.
Thank you. Your vote has been recorded.
I think that we will go for a show of hands next time.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Apologies—I have not had notice that my vote was recorded. Can I check that it has been?
It has now.
For
Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP)
Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab)
Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP)
Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP)
Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP)
Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP)
Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab)
Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP)
Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP)
Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP)
Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP)
Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP)
Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green)
Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP)
Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP)
Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green)
Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD)
Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab)
Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD)
Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP)
Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP)
Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD)
Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP)
Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green)
Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)
Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD)
Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab)
Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP)
Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP)
Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP)
Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP)
Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP)
Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP)
Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP)
Green, David (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (LD)
Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green)
Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab)
Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP)
Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD)
Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green)
Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP)
Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP)
Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green)
Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP)
Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Lennon, Monica (Glasgow) (Lab)
Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP)
Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green)
MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab)
Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP)
Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green)
Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP)
McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP)
McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD)
McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green)
McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn) (SNP)
McLennan, Paul (East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs) (SNP)
McMillan, Stuart (Inverclyde) (SNP)
McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab)
Melville, Lloyd (Angus South) (SNP)
Merrick, Colm (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
Middleton, Jack (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
Mitchell, Laura (Moray) (SNP)
Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab)
Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green)
Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green)
Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP)
Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD)
Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP)
Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green)
Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP)
Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP)
Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP)
Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP)
Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab)
Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP)
Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP)
Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab)
Against
Adams, James (North East Scotland) (Con)
Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform)
Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform)
Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform)
Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con)
Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform)
Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con)
Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con)
Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con)
Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform)
Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform)
Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform)
Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform)
MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform)
Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform)
McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform)
Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform)
Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform)
Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform)
Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform)
Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform)
Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform)
The result of the division on motion S7M-01390, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme, is: For 91, Against 27, Abstentions 0.
Motion agreed to,
That the Parliament agrees—
(a) the following programme of business—
Tuesday 6 October 2026
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by General Questions
followed by First Minister’s Questions (Backbench Members)
followed by Ministerial Statement: Improving Outcomes for Neurodivergent People, Autistic People and People with Learning Disabilities
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Scotland’s Prosperity and Future in Europe
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.30 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 7 October 2026
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Finance and Local Government, Parliamentary Business and Veterans; Public Service Reform, Europe, External Affairs and Energy
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Supporting Scotland’s Fishing Industry
followed by Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Debate: Scottish Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.30 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 8 October 2026
1.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
1.30 pm General Questions
2.00 pm First Minister’s Questions (Party Leaders)
followed by Ministerial Statement: Planning for Winter and Improving Hospital Flow
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Strengthening Scotland’s Cyber Resilience
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Tuesday 27 October 2026
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by General Questions
followed by First Minister’s Questions (Backbench Members)
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.30 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 28 October 2026
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Justice; Health and Care
followed by Scottish Liberal Democrats Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.30 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 29 October 2026
1.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
1.30 pm General Questions
2.00 pm First Minister’s Questions (Party Leaders)
followed by Committee Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
(b) that, for the purposes of Portfolio Questions in the week beginning 6 October 2026, in rule 13.7.3, after the word “except” the words “to the extent to which the Presiding Officer considers that the questions are on the same or similar subject matter or” are inserted.
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