Chamber and committees

I would like to make the point in this way: if we are genuinely serious about dealing with Putin’s shadow fleet—I hope that we all are; I think that we all are—we need to get this right. I agree with Mr Greer on that point. We need to get this right, and that includes respecting Scots law.

The Scottish Government is committed to playing its full part in the defence of our country and the security of our allies. Glasgow Prestwick airport and certain HIAL airports are important stop-over points for many air forces, including the Royal Air Force and the air forces of other NATO partners, such as the United States and Canada. An important point that has not yet been put on the record is that non-UK military require to obtain diplomatic flight clearance from the UK Ministry of Defence in order to fly and land in UK airspace.

As members recognise, Glasgow Prestwick airport is an asset to the local and national economies. The airport plays a key role in infrastructure development in the Ayrshire region and supports a valuable aerospace cluster.

International uncertainty brings risk to us all—to our economy, to our communities and to our safety. We cannot insulate ourselves. We must be committed to stepping forward as a good global citizen. That is why I urge colleagues to agree to the amendment in my name. That amendment, which should garner support right across the chamber, reaffirms our commitment to supporting domestic and international law and the rules-based order, which is relevant in the case of the recently interdicted Russian shadow fleet vessel; supports the future of Greenland being determined by Greenland and Denmark; and reaffirms our commitment to Ukraine and a just peace that is acceptable to its people.

15:53

The Scottish Government is delivering an additional £20 million in funding for culture in 2026-27, which is the next major step in honouring our commitment to provide an additional £100 million annually for culture by 2028-29. That takes the total annual increase in the culture budget to £70 million since 2023-24, and the additional funding has allowed Creative Scotland to offer multiyear funding to a record number of cultural organisations.

Multiyear-funded organisations now have a base in 27 local authority areas, and 35 per cent of organisations operate beyond their home postcodes, which provides communities across Scotland with access to the arts.

The Scottish Government engages regularly with the UK Government on broadcasting and will continue to represent Scotland’s interests. As part of that, ministers press for greater inclusion of Scottish sporting events in the listed events regime.

In August and December, we wrote to the UK Government to express our disappointment about the Commonwealth games not being broadcast free to air. I urge the UK Government to use its powers to ensure that Glasgow’s games are broadcast free to air. Broadcast rights for the Tour de France are a matter for the event owner, but we are working with partners to maximise the grand départ’s reach.

I am responsible for many things, but that does not include the Liberal Democrats.

Constitutional policy development is an essential function of the Scottish Government and is crucial to the implementation of devolution and the new powers that followed. Mr Hoy does not like to be reminded of the fact that the majority of MSPs who were elected to the Scottish Parliament are in favour of Scottish independence. As is absolutely right and proper for a democratically elected Government and Parliament, we will do all that we can to further the aims of Scotland retaking its place in the international community and rejoining the European Union as an independent member state.

Rhoda Grant would acknowledge that the Government is currently providing the biggest uplift in cultural spending in Scotland in the history of devolution, other than during Covid. When it comes to multiyear funding of organisations and project streams, the Scottish Government is playing its part. It is very disappointing if local authority partners see culture and arts as the first area to cut.

The 2026-27 budget delivers record funding of almost £15.7 billion for local authorities, which is a real-terms increase of 2 per cent. That includes funding of £124.7 million for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, which is an increase of £6.7 million. It is for locally elected representatives to decide on the delivery of services in their local communities, but I recognise the deep concerns that have been raised by cultural organisations in the Western Isles.

I agree that the Scottish land fund invests in many projects that we would all support. I am sorry to hear about the local difficulties that Pam Gosal reports in relation to the Tower arts centre. I would be grateful if she could forward details to me so that I and my officials can have a look at that, because it would be beneficial to allow a project that is of such importance to the local community to go ahead.

I have already said that I am not taking further interventions.

We disagreed fundamentally with the US in relation to Greenland, and we spoke against threats of economic coercion. We will not hesitate to restate that position while maintaining ties of friendship and family with the US. We recognise that our relationship will be tested, and we will continue to speak out in support of Scotland’s interests and Scotland’s values.

It is no surprise to any member in the chamber that I support Scotland becoming a sovereign state. That would involve the ability to determine our own defence and security policy and to underline our solidarity with neighbours and treaty partners, including the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, as a non-nuclear-hosting nation just like our Nordic neighbours. It would also allow this Parliament and Government to determine the use of our military and civilian air facilities and other facilities.

Members will be aware of my track record in highlighting to the Council of Europe the suspected use of airports for rendition flights, and I fully understand why having legal agency in landing rights for flights is relevant and important. However, at present, foreign affairs, defence, national security and air transport policy powers are all reserved to the United Kingdom Parliament and the UK Government.

The Green Party motion appears to invite us to consider taking steps in contravention of the Scotland Act 1998, which, clearly, we would not be able to do. The amendment in my name would, instead, reaffirm our commitment—across the whole chamber, I would hope—to support domestic and international law and the rules-based order, which is relevant in the case of the recently interdicted Russian shadow fleet vessel; our commitment to support the future of Greenland determined by Greenland and Denmark; and our commitment to Ukraine and a just peace to which its people are agreeable.

I move amendment S6M-20819.3, to leave out from “strongly” to end and insert:

“supports Scots law, international law and the rules-based order; respects the future of Greenland as a matter for the people of Greenland and Denmark; is unwavering in its solidarity with and support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal invasion; supports international sanctions against the Putin regime and the interdiction of its shadow fleet, and encourages the international community to secure a just peace acceptable to Ukraine.”

15:09

I thank colleagues for their contributions to the debate.

I am reminded of the fact that, as many members have said, it is almost four years to the day since Russia’s full-scale illegal invasion of Ukraine, which reminds us of the importance of global co-operation and the need for international law. It is right and proper that we can discuss such issues in Scotland’s national Parliament.

The Scottish Government and, I believe, all parties in the Parliament resolutely condemn Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, as we have done since its invasion. We have a continuing commitment to achieving a strong, just and durable peace that ensures that Ukraine has a secure future and that deters any future Russian aggression.

We would back a properly constituted international peace plan that respects Ukrainian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, that is agreed by Ukraine and that restores peace in Europe. The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to supporting Ukraine, not only until a just peace is secured, but through recovery and reconstruction to a brighter future beyond.

I will briefly respond to points that have been made in the debate. Concern has been raised about the actions taken in relation to the MV Bella 1, which is currently in Scottish waters. The First Minister made it clear in his statement to the Parliament that, although the Bella 1 was in Scottish waters, at no point were the UK or Scottish authorities in control of the vessel, and the Scottish authorities had no legal basis whatsoever for boarding the vessel at any time. The Scottish Government was informed that the two individuals had been removed from the Bella 1 by the United States after—not before—they had been removed from the vessel.

I will in a second; I just want to finish this point.

The presence of the Bella 1 in Scottish waters emphasises the fact that international events directly impact on the responsibilities of the Scottish Government.

Claire Baker raises excellent suggestions to make the most of that important anniversary, domestically—of course, in Kirkcaldy in the first instance—and internationally. There is tremendous potential in that. I have shared examples of where funding might be accessed for the year, but I want to satisfy myself that, across Government agencies, and working with local authority partners, including Fife Council, every opportunity is considered to make the most of this important anniversary year.