2pm

Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2pm

Portfolio Grouping: Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business - Questions 3 and 6

Portfolio: Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business

Stuart McMillan (S6O-04930)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Empire, Slavery and Scotland's Museums Steering Group and its work to consider Scotland’s involvement in empire, colonialism and historic slavery and how this can be addressed using museum collections and museum spaces, including the potential for a standalone slavery or human rights museum.

Daniel Johnson (S6O-04931)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Creative Industries Leadership Group.

Official Report available for S6O-04931

Alexander Stewart (S6O-04932)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure freedom of expression is respected at cultural venues.

Official Report available for S6O-04932

Roz McCall (S6O-04933)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is planning to make any changes to Historic Environment Scotland.

Official Report available for S6O-04933

Evelyn Tweed (S6O-04934)

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the culture secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding action to support gender equality in the arts and culture sector’s workforce.

Official Report available for S6O-04934

Murdo Fraser (S6O-04935)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details of its position on making all future funding for arts organisations conditional on the applicant’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression.

Official Report available for S6O-04935

Mark Griffin (S6O-04936)

To ask the Scottish Government when the culture secretary last met with Creative Scotland to discuss the future of Cumbernauld Theatre, in light of reported concerns about its funding.

Official Report available for S6O-04936

Michelle Thomson (S6O-04937)

To ask the Scottish Government on what basis it will assess the contribution of Scotland’s performing arts organisations in advance of the next Budget.

Official Report available for S6O-04937

Portfolio: Justice and Home Affairs

Annie Wells (S6O-04938)

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to address gang-related violence.

Official Report available for S6O-04938

Alexander Burnett (S6O-04939)

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that 183 police stations need repairs, 177 contain asbestos and four contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Official Report available for S6O-04939

Bob Doris (S6O-04940)

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to women preparing for release from prison.

Official Report available for S6O-04940

Liam McArthur (S6O-04941)

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of concerns being raised in communities across the Highlands and Islands in relation to land auctions involving potentially misleading advertising, what action it will take to ensure that people who believe they have been affected by such practices have recourse under Scots law, including access to legal representation and support.

Official Report available for S6O-04941

Sue Webber (S6O-04942)

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to address the illegal use of off-road bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters.

Official Report available for S6O-04942

Paul Sweeney (S6O-04943)

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to improve the rehabilitation of people who are subject to short prison sentences.

Official Report available for S6O-04943

Maggie Chapman (S6O-04944)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any discussions it has had with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service about role expansion for firefighters.

Official Report available for S6O-04944

Claire Baker (S6O-04945)

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with authorities in Mid Scotland and Fife to address antisocial behaviour.

Official Report available for S6O-04945

Watch on Scottish Parliament TV
Ministerial Statement: Alexander Dennis Limited
Stage 3 Proceedings: Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill

Angela Constance (S6M-18883)

That the Parliament agrees that the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill be passed.

Further details available for S6M-18883

Watch on Scottish Parliament TV
Approval of SSIs (if required)
Business Motions

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-18921)

That the Parliament agrees—
(a) the following programme of business—
Tuesday 23 September 2025
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Housing (Scotland) Bill
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
10.00 pm Decision Time
Wednesday 24 September 2025
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Economy and Gaelic; Finance and Local Government
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Housing (Scotland) Bill
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Improving Literacy in Scotland’s Schools
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 25 September 2025
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
12.00 pm First Minister's Questions
followed by Members’ Business
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Climate Action and Energy, and Transport
followed by Ministerial Statement: One Scotland, Many Voices: A Shared Future
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill
followed by Financial Resolution: Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Tuesday 30 September 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 1 October 2025
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands; Health and Social Care
followed by Scottish Labour Party Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Approval of SSIs (if required)
5.10 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 2 October 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 and Housing
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill
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 22 September 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-18921

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-18922)

That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill at stage 1 be completed by 16 January 2026.

Further details available for S6M-18922

Watch on Scottish Parliament TV
Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-18923)

That the Parliament agrees to the following revisions to the remits of committees—
Name of Committee: Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Remit: To consider and report on matters relating to local government and planning falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, matters relating to housing and tenants’ rights within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, and matters relating to local government boundaries, local governance review and democratic renewal.
New remit: To consider and report on matters relating to local government and planning falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, matters within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, with the exception of matters related to homelessness and rough sleeping, fuel poverty, and welfare and debt advice services; and matters relating to local government boundaries, local governance review and democratic renewal.
Name of Committee: Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Remit: To consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice excluding matters relating to housing and tenants’ rights.
New remit: To consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, and matters related to homelessness and rough sleeping, fuel poverty, and welfare and debt advice services within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Housing.
Name of Committee: Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Remit: To consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, with the exception of matters relating to just transition; and on matters relating to land reform, natural resources and peatland, Scottish Land Commission, Crown Estate Scotland and Royal Botanic Garden within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands.
New remit: To consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, with the exception of matters relating to just transition; and on matters relating to land reform, natural resources and peatland, Scottish Land Commission, Crown Estate Scotland and Royal Botanic Garden within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands.

Further details available for S6M-18923

Watch on Scottish Parliament TV
4:20pm

Decision Time
Members' Business-S6M-18614: Bill Kidd: Nuclear Incidents

Bill Kidd (S6M-18614)

That the Parliament notes reports of the disclosure of a number of safety incidents at His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde (Faslane) and the Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport, including the second Category A incident in two years; further notes that the UK Government and Ministry of Defence documentation has confirmed a number of "near-miss" incidents and safety breaches, including the radioactive contamination of Loch Long; notes what it sees as the concerns of constituents in Glasgow Anniesland and people across Scotland, and recognises the importance of ensuring the highest safety standards at these sites, particularly given their proximity to communities in Argyll and Bute and the wider west of Scotland.

Further details available for S6M-18614

Watch on Scottish Parliament TV
Members' Business — S6M-17234 Pam Gosal: Welcoming the Supreme Court’s Judgment on the Definition of the Word "Woman"

Pam Gosal (S6M-17234)

That the Parliament welcomes and respects the judgment of the Supreme Court of the UK on 16 April 2025 in the case, For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers; recognises that the court unanimously ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological woman and biological sex; congratulates For Women Scotland on what it sees as the group’s hard work and dedication in protecting and strengthening women’s rights; considers that this decision will have many implications for the rights of women and girls, including those living in East and West Dunbartonshire, and notes calls on the Scottish Government to review its policies to ensure that these are in line with the law.

Further details available for S6M-17234

Watch on Scottish Parliament TV

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. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider the following negative instrument— Teachers’ Pensions (Remediable Service) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2025

2. Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Stephen Bermingham, Senior Policy and Standards Manager, Children's Hearings Scotland
Matt Forde, Partnerships & Development Director, NSPCC Scotland
Margaret Smith, Services Manager, Partners in Advocacy
Alistair Hogg, Head of Practice and Policy, Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA)
Laura Pasternak, Policy & Public Affairs Manager, Who Cares? Scotland

and then from—

Lynne O'Brien, Chief Officer for Children and Families, Aberlour
Duncan Dunlop
Natalie Williams, Head of Policy and Campaigns, The Fostering Network
Jo Derrick, CEO, Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (Staf)

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

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 4, 5 and 6 in private.

2. Cairngorm Funicular Railway: The Committee will take evidence from—

Stuart Black, Chief Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Sandra Dunbar, Director of Corporate Services, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Elaine Hanton, Cairngorm Programme Lead, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Mike Gifford, Chief Executive, Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited
Tim Hurst, Former Interim Chief Executive and Board Member, Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Limited

3. Flooding in communities: Moving towards flood resilience: The Committee will take evidence from—

Stephen Boyle
Rebecca Seidel, Senior Manager, Audit Scotland
Fiona Brannigan, Audit Manager, Audit Scotland
Andrew Burns, Deputy Chair, Accounts Commission

4. Flooding in communities: Moving towards flood resilience: The Committee will consider the evidence heard at agenda item 3 and take further evidence from—

Stephen Boyle
Rebecca Seidel, Senior Manager, Audit Scotland
Fiona Brannigan, Audit Manager, Audit Scotland
Andrew Burns, Deputy Chair, Accounts Commission

5. Flooding in communities: Moving towards flood resilience: The Committee will consider the evidence heard at agenda items 3 and 4 and agree any further action it wishes to take.

6. Cairngorm Funicular Railway: The Committee will consider the evidence heard at agenda item 2 and agree any further action it wishes to take.

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

The committee will meet at 10:00am at T4.60-CR6 The Livingstone Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Inquiry into the harm caused by substance misuse in Scottish Prisons: The Committee will take evidence from—

Leona Paget, Prison Health Care Lead, Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership
Rhoda MacLeod, Head of Adult Services, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership
Linda Pollock, Deputy Chief Executive, Scottish Prison Service
Sarah Angus, Director of Policy, Scottish Prison Service
Suzy Calder, Head of Health and Wellbeing, Scottish Prison Service

2. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider the following negative instrument— Firefighters’ Pensions (Remediable Service) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/187)

3. Inquiry into the harm caused by substance misuse in Scottish Prisons (in private): The Committee will consider the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 1.

4. Work programme (in private): The Committee will consider its work programme and will further consider its approach to the scrutiny of the Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill and the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.

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

The committee will meet at 10:00am 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 item 3 in private at this meeting and at future meetings.

2. Pre-Budget Scrutiny: The Committee will take evidence as part of its Pre-Budget Scrutiny from—

Adrian Gillespie, Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise
Kerry Sharp, Chief Financial & Investment Officer, Scottish Enterprise

and then from—

Stuart Black, Chief Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Sandra Dunbar, Director of Corporate Services, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive, South of Scotland Enterprise
Anthony Daye, Director of Investment, Business and Entrepreneurship, South of Scotland Enterprise

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

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Anne Peat on 0131 348 5182 or at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 10:00am at T4.40-CR2 The Fairfax Somerville Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider a draft report.

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

Questions and answers

Search for written questions and answers, and questions asked in the Chamber

Official Report

Read what was said in meetings in the Chamber, or in meetings of committees

Motions and votes

Find out more about motions, who supported them, and how MSPs voted in Parliament

The Chamber

Find out more about what happens in the Debating Chamber

List of committees

Browse all current and previous committees

Learn about committees

Learn what a committee is and what it does

What's On

Wednesday 17 September 2025

Business Bulletin

Chamber business

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Portfolio Grouping: Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business - Questions 3 and 6

Ministerial Statement: Alexander Dennis Limited

Stage 3 Proceedings: Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill

Approval of SSIs (if required)

Business Motions

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Decision Time

Members' Business-S6M-18614: Bill Kidd: Nuclear Incidents

Members' Business — S6M-17234 Pam Gosal: Welcoming the Supreme Court’s Judgment on the Definition of the Word "Woman"

Committee business

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Public Audit Committee

Criminal Justice Committee

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee