Chamber and committees

As an amendment to motion S6M-20295 in the name of Murdo Fraser (Stopping the Scottish Government’s Business Tax Increases), insert at end "; believes that the current business rates system is not fit for purpose, and calls on the Scottish Government to create a new system that levels the playing field between the high street and online giants, better incentivises investment, tackles empty properties and supports entrepreneurship."

As an amendment to motion S6M-20295 in the name of Murdo Fraser (Stopping the Scottish Government’s Business Tax Increases), leave out from “are facing” to end and insert “have seen increased costs in recent years due to rampant inflation and increased energy costs; notes the reliefs and support that are currently in place on non-domestic rates, and recognises that policy decisions by the Scottish Government on these matters will be set out in the Budget on 13 January 2026.”

As an amendment to motion S6M-20294 in the name of Craig Hoy (Lowering Bills for Scotland’s Workers), leave out from "calls" to end and insert "understands that the Scottish Government’s incompetent approach to the public finances and failure to grow Scotland’s economy are leading to heightened budgetary pressures; further understands that income tax should not be used as a substitute for economic growth and believes that, given the pressure on household finances, income tax rates should not increase in the course of the next parliamentary session; welcomes the UK Labour administration’s Budget, which tackles the cost of living for households across Scotland by cutting costs on energy bills, lifting thousands of children out of poverty, and increasing wages for hard-working people in Scotland, and believes that the Scottish Labour Party’s plan to establish a Scottish treasury with strategic oversight for spending in all Scottish Government departments is essential in order to put an end to waste and ensure that taxpayers’ money is treated with respect."

As an amendment to motion S6M-20294 in the name of Craig Hoy (Lowering Bills for Scotland’s Workers), leave out from first “reduce” to end and insert “respect Parliament by outlining its tax policy when it publishes its Budget on 13 January 2026, and ensure that the policy is progressive, fair to the people of Scotland, and supports vital public services like Scotland’s NHS, schools, and blue light services.”

That the Parliament acknowledges that the Future Farming Investment Scheme sought to provide farmers and crofters with funding to help them buy new machinery, improve efficiency or reduce emissions with particular priority to islanders, new entrants, young farmers and tenant farmers; notes with concern reports that fewer than one in 10 small farms and crofters seem to have received the funding that they applied for, with 47% of applications deemed ineligible and only 3.7% of applications from Orkney and 1.88% of applications from Shetland supported; further notes reports that small farms across Scotland in the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Bute, and Dumfries also did not receive what it sees as this vital funding; believes that much of the communication around this scheme has caused confusion, and indeed anger, among those in the agricultural sector; recognises that demand for the scheme will have been high; expresses deep regret, however, that so few small, island and young farmers were successful, despite seemingly being from a priority group, and notes the calls on the Scottish Government to provide further clarity on how the funding for the scheme was allocated, as well as to publish its paper on the Future Farming Investment Scheme, as committed to by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands on 10 December 2025.

That the Parliament congratulates the winners of the Christmas Day 2025 and New Years' Day 2026 Ba' that took place in Kirkwall and saw two wins apiece for both the Uppies and Doonies after four hard-fought games; understands that the Ba' is a game dating back to 1650, played between two teams comprised traditionally of men from either side of Kirkwall, with the Uppies being men from 'up the gates', and Doonies being men from 'down the gates', and the aim of which is to carry a hand-crafted leather ball, known as the ba', to either team's respective goals; notes that the Christmas Day Boys' Ba' and Men's Ba' were both claimed by the Doonies, with Stanley McKinlay declared the winner of the Boys' game for his fantastic efforts and Danny Bain declared winner of the Men's game, after which he was awarded the ba' he himself had crafted; recognises that the Uppies gained their revenge at New Year when they came out victorious during both the Boys' Ba' and Men's Ba', with Balfour Williamson named the winner of the Boys' game after the longest ever game lasting an astonishing eight-and-a-half hours, and James Baillie emerging as a well-deserved winner of the Men's game, and congratulates all those involved in all four games for their incredible efforts, and for helping to preserve and promote an important part of Orcadian tradition and culture. 

That the Parliament warmly congratulates Noble Primary School in Bellshill on being awarded the prestigious Gold Rights Respecting Schools Award by UNICEF UK; recognises that this award represents the highest accolade for the school’s dedication to promoting and embedding children’s rights across its community, reflecting its sustained commitment to incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into school policy, practice and culture; commends the staff for their leadership, dedication and creativity in fostering a positive, inclusive and rights respecting learning environment, and for the meaningful impact that this has had on pupils’ learning and wellbeing; recognises the pupils’ dedication, initiative and active role in fostering a culture of children’s rights both within the school and the wider community, whose efforts have played a key role in the success of this award; believes that this achievement reflects a commitment to ensuring that every child understands their rights from an early age which will make a lasting impact throughout their lives; understands that Noble Primary celebrated this remarkable achievement with a Fun 31 Day, linked to the UNCRC Article 31 "The right to rest and play", which included an assault course, additional playtime and cakes; celebrates Noble Primary as an exemplar of truly embodying children’s rights, and wishes the school continued success in its future endeavours.

That the Parliament congratulates Paul McNeill of Bishopbriggs on being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to young people with dyslexia; understands that Paul has served as an Ambassador for Dyslexia Scotland for more than 15 years during which time he has delivered services directly to learners in schools through the award-winning Mission Dyslexia programme, supporting whole classes to understand the learning difference; is immensely grateful to Paul for his service as Secretary to the Cross-Party Group on Dyslexia at the Scottish Parliament; appreciates Paul’s magnificent efforts to ensure a better future for children and young people who are diagnosed with dyslexia, and wishes him all the very best in his future endeavours.

That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 be completed by 6 February 2026.

That the Parliament agrees—

(a) the following programme of business—

Tuesday 13 January 2026

2.00 pm Time for Reflection

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

followed by Topical Questions

followed by Ministerial Statement: Scottish Budget 2026-27

followed by Stage 1 Debate: Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill

followed by Financial Resolution: Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill

followed by Committee Announcements

followed by Business Motions

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members’ Business

Wednesday 14 January 2026

2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions

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

followed by Ministerial Statement: A9 Dualling - Programme for 2035 Completion

followed by Stage 1 Debate: Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill

followed by Financial Resolution: Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill

followed by Business Motions

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.30 pm Decision Time

followed by Members’ Business

Thursday 15 January 2026

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: Climate Action and Energy, and Transport

followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill

followed by Business Motions

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

4.10 pm Decision Time

Tuesday 20 January 2026

2.00 pm Time for Reflection

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

followed by Topical Questions

followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill

followed by Committee Announcements

followed by Business Motions

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

9.00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members’ Business

Wednesday 21 January 2026

2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions

2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands; Health and Social Care

followed by Finance and Public Administration Committee Debate: Scottish Budget 2026-27

followed by Business Motions

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members’ Business

Thursday 22 January 2026

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: Social Justice and Housing

followed by Stage 1 Debate: Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill

followed by Stage 1 Debate: Digital Assets (Scotland) Bill

followed by Business Motions

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time