2pm

Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2pm

Portfolio Questions: Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Economy and Gaelic: Finance and Local Government

Portfolio: Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Economy and Gaelic

Pam Duncan-Glancy (S6O-04480)

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the economy secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the contribution that the cultural sector makes to Glasgow and the west of Scotland’s economy.

Official Report available for S6O-04480

David Torrance (S6O-04481)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the steps that it is taking to encourage investment in Scotland's green economy.

Official Report available for S6O-04481

Karen Adam (S6O-04482)

To ask the Scottish Government what immediate and longer-term actions it can take to support businesses, including in the seafood processing sector, to compete effectively in a UK and global market.

Official Report available for S6O-04482

John Mason (S6O-04483)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the provision of Gaelic-medium education at primary level in the Glasgow Shettleston constituency.

Official Report available for S6O-04483

Roz McCall (S6O-04484)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle long-term economic inactivity in Fife.

Official Report available for S6O-04484

Patrick Harvie (S6O-04485)

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the regulatory approach to AI and any impact that differences between regulations in the UK and the EU could have on Scotland's economy.

Official Report available for S6O-04485

Evelyn Tweed (S6O-04486)

To ask the Scottish Government, as part of the development and delivery of its economic strategy, what assessment it has made of the contribution of the net zero sector to the economy.

Official Report available for S6O-04486

Sharon Dowey (S6O-04487)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to invest in the west of the South Scotland region.

Official Report available for S6O-04487

Portfolio: Finance and Local Government

Clare Adamson (S6O-04488)

To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish Budget 2025-26 will improve local services in Motherwell and Wishaw.

Official Report available for S6O-04488

Kenneth Gibson (S6O-04489)

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on discretionary funding in the current financial year of the International Financial Reporting Standard 16 changes outlined in its Spring Budget Revision.

Official Report available for S6O-04489

Oliver Mundell (S6O-04490)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support local authorities with managing planning applications.

Official Report available for S6O-04490

Miles Briggs (S6O-04491)

To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met with the City of Edinburgh Council to discuss the reported financial pressures facing the capital.

Official Report available for S6O-04491

Christine Grahame (S6O-04492)

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated in its Budget to fund applications to the Rural Affordable Homes for Key Workers Fund, including from housing associations where there have been housing stock transfers from a local authority.

Official Report available for S6O-04492

Neil Bibby (S6O-04493)

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated in its Budget for revenue and capital funding for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport for 2025-26.

Official Report available for S6O-04493

Jeremy Balfour (S6O-04494)

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the finance secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the allocation of additional funding for health and social care, in light of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board's reported plans to end funding for its third sector grant programme.

Official Report available for S6O-04494

Jamie Halcro Johnston (S6O-04495)

To ask the Scottish Government what ongoing assessment it is undertaking regarding the impact of the visitor levy.

Official Report available for S6O-04495

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Ministerial Statement: Secure Accommodation in Scotland – Capacity
Stage 1 Debate: Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Mairi Gougeon (S6M-16892)

That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Further details available for S6M-16892

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Financial Resolution: Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Shona Robison (S6M-16960)

That the Parliament, for the purposes of any Act of the Scottish Parliament resulting from the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, agrees to any expenditure of a kind referred to in Rule 9.12.3A of the Parliament’s Standing Orders arising in consequence of the Act.

Further details available for S6M-16960
Business Motions

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-16941)

That the Parliament agrees—
(a) the following programme of business—
Tuesday 1 April 2025
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Ministerial Statement: Tackling Fuel Poverty in Scotland: Periodic Report 2021-2024
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill
followed by Financial Resolution: Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill
followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Data (Use and Access) Bill - UK Legislation
followed by Appointment of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 2 April 2025
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands; Health and Social Care
followed by Ministerial Statement: Heat in Buildings Bill
followed by Ministerial Statement: The Impact of the UK Government’s Spring Statement on Scotland
followed by Scottish Government Debate: The Impact of the UK Government’s Spring Statement on Scotland
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Approval of SSIs (if required)
5.30 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 3 April 2025
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
12.00 pm First Minister's Questions
followed by Members’ Business
2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.30 pm Portfolio Questions: Social Justice
followed by Ministerial Statement: Project Willow - Unlocking Grangemouth's Potential
followed by Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, and Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee Debate: The Aarhus Convention and Access to Environmental Justice
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
Tuesday 22 April 2025
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 23 April 2025
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business; Justice and Home Affairs
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Approval of SSIs (if required)
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 24 April 2025
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
12.00 pm First Minister's Questions
followed by Members’ Business
2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.30 pm Portfolio Questions: Education and Skills
followed by Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee Debate: Inquiry into Framework Legislation and Henry VIII Powers
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
(b) that, for the purposes of Portfolio Questions in the week beginning 31 March 2025, 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.

Further details available for S6M-16941
Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-16942)

That the Parliament agrees that the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (Treatment of Qualifications Scotland as Specified Authority) Order 2025 [draft] be approved.

Further details available for S6M-16942

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-16943)

That the Parliament agrees that the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (Part 2 Further Extension) Order 2025 [draft] be approved.

Further details available for S6M-16943

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-16944)

That the Parliament agrees that the Budget (Scotland) Act 2024 Amendment Regulations 2025 [draft] be approved.

Further details available for S6M-16944

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-16945)

That the Parliament agrees that the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee be designated as the lead committee in consideration of the legislative consent memorandum relating to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (UK Legislation).

Further details available for S6M-16945

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-16946)

That the Parliament agrees that the Education, Children and Young People Committee be designated as the lead committee in consideration of the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill at stage 1.

Further details available for S6M-16946

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Approval of SSIs (if required)
5:30pm

Decision Time
Members' Business — S6M-16539 Maggie Chapman: Ending Destitution in Scotland – a Road Map for Policymakers

Maggie Chapman (S6M-16539)

That the Parliament notes the recent publication by Professor Jen Ang of the legal briefing, Ending Destitution in Scotland – a Road Map for Policymakers; further notes that this report was commissioned by I-SPHERE and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, as part of the Fair Way Scotland partnership, following the publication in September 2024 of the paper Destitution by Design: righting the wrongs of UK immigration policy in Scotland; understands that the legal briefing sets out clear, actionable steps that lie within the powers of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government to reduce destitution for people coming to Scotland to study, work, join family or seek sanctuary; further understands that there are clear recommendations about access to social security and financial support, housing, transport, health and social care, justice and legal aid, education, and work; notes the view that the Scottish Government can and should be doing more to prevent destitution in Scotland, including in the North East Scotland region; further notes the view that the complexity of UK immigration law, and the challenges of striking the right balance in the exercise of powers within the devolution settlement, must no longer be an excuse for failure to act on the part of the Scottish Government and local authorities, in the face of what it sees as overwhelming evidence of the harms caused to people with no recourse to public funds/other restricted eligibility, and to the communities in which they live; notes the view that Scotland can create a fairer system based on need and the realisation of rights, ensuring that everyone has access to essential services and what they need to live a life of dignity, regardless of their immigration status; further notes the calls on the Scottish Government to act on each of the recommendations, including to review devolved policy to eliminate unintended exclusions from support, to establish and scale up the financial support available, to ensure appropriate training and resources for all frontline workers, and to negotiate a clearer understanding of “public funds”, as defined by the Home Office, and congratulates the Fair Way Scotland Partnership on its ongoing work to prevent destitution in Scotland.

Further details available for S6M-16539

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Committee business

The committee will meet at 9:00am at TG.40-CR1 The Burns Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to consider the evidence taken as part of its scrutiny of Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill at this and future meetings in private. The Committee will also decide whether to consider draft reports on the Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill at future meetings in private.

2. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Chief Inspector Michael Booker, Police Scotland
Dr Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director, Dogs Trust
Laura Buchan, Procurator Fiscal for Policy and Engagement, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
Gilly Mendes-Ferreira, Director of Strategic Communications & Partnership Engagement, Scottish SPCA
Mike Moore, Policy and Campaigns Manager (Scotland), Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Stuart Munro, Convener of the Criminal Law Committee, Law Society of Scotland

3. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

4. Work programme (in private): The Committee will consider its work programme.

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Emma Johnston on 85225 or at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 9:30am at T4.60-CR6 The Livingstone Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider the Bill at Stage 2 (Day 3).

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Stephen Imrie on 85931 or at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 9:30am at T4.40-CR2 The Fairfax Somerville Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. The Promise: The Committee will take evidence from—

Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Scottish Government
Gavin Henderson, Deputy Director, Keeping the Promise, Scottish Government
Iona Colvin, Chief Social Work Adviser, Scottish Government

2. Evidence Session (in private): The Committee will consider the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2

3. Work programme (in private): The Committee will consider its work programme.

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Pauline McIntyre on 85252 or at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 9:30am at TG.60-CR3 The Fleming Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take agenda items 3, 4 and 5 in private.

2. Administration of Scottish income tax 2023/24: The Committee will take evidence from—

Alyson Stafford, Director-General Scottish Exchequer, Scottish Government
Lorraine King, Deputy Director, Tax Strategy, Engagement and Performance, Scottish Government
Jonathan Athow, Director General for Customer Strategy and Tax Design, HM Revenue and Customs
Phil Batchelor, Deputy Director for Income Tax Policy, HM Revenue and Customs

3. Administration of Scottish income tax 2023/24: The Committee will consider the evidence heard at agenda item 2 and take further evidence from—

Stephen Boyle
Richard Robinson, Senior Manager, Audit Scotland

4. Administration of Scottish income tax 2023/24: The Committee will consider evidence heard at agenda items 2 and 3 and agree any further action it wishes to take.

5. Work programme: The Committee will consider its work programme.

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Katrina Venters at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 9:45am at T1.60-CR4 The Clerk Maxwell Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take items 3, 4, and all future consideration of evidence heard in relation to its Scotland's skills system scrutiny, in private.

2. Skills Delivery: The Committee will take evidence from—

James Withers, Independent Advisor, JR Withers Advisory Ltd

and then from—

Frank Mitchell, Chair, Skills Development Scotland
Damien Yeats, Chief Executive, Skills Development Scotland
Gordon McGuinness, Director of Industry and Enterprise Networks, Skills Development Scotland
Lynne Robson, Head of Evidence and Impact, Skills Development Scotland

3. Skills Delivery: The Committee will consider the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

4. Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider its approach to the scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 1.

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Anne Peat on 85182 or at [email protected]

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What's On

Wednesday 26 March 2025

Business Bulletin

Chamber business

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Portfolio Questions: Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Economy and Gaelic: Finance and Local Government

Ministerial Statement: Secure Accommodation in Scotland – Capacity

Stage 1 Debate: Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Financial Resolution: Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Business Motions

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Approval of SSIs (if required)

Decision Time

Members' Business — S6M-16539 Maggie Chapman: Ending Destitution in Scotland – a Road Map for Policymakers

Committee business

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Criminal Justice Committee

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Public Audit Committee

Economy and Fair Work Committee