Whats On

2pm

Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2pm

Portfolio Questions: The Presiding Officer has grouped the following questions: Justice and Home Affairs – Questions 4 and 8.

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

Carol Mochan (S6O-04544)

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to protect the ongoing viability of local and regional museums and galleries.

Official Report available for S6O-04544

Fulton MacGregor (S6O-04545)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to increase funding for local museums and heritage centres, including the Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life in Coatbridge.

Official Report available for S6O-04545

Alex Rowley (S6O-04546)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support young people to access the creative industries.

Official Report available for S6O-04546

Maggie Chapman (S6O-04547)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how its international development work is supporting the humanitarian response in Palestine.

Official Report available for S6O-04547

Emma Roddick (S6O-04548)

To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that its work to support and promote Scotland's arts and culture is geographically spread and representative.

Official Report available for S6O-04548

Willie Rennie (S6O-04549)

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with EU member states regarding Scotland's alignment with EU policies, in light of the election of President Trump.

Official Report available for S6O-04549

Karen Adam (S6O-04550)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its strategy to further the case for Scottish independence, in light of recent reported polling indicating a majority in support.

Official Report available for S6O-04550

Christine Grahame (S6O-04551)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will change its policy position in relation to an independent Scotland seeking to rejoin the EU, in light of the potential impact of US tariffs on the UK and the EU.

Official Report available for S6O-04551

Portfolio: Justice and Home Affairs

Rachael Hamilton (S6O-04552)

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for its work on tackling rural crime and preventing the theft and resale of machinery in Scotland, when it was first made aware of the proposals for the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which applies to England and Wales.

Official Report available for S6O-04552

Tim Eagle (S6O-04553)

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the prisoners released under the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Act 2025 included some who had broken prison rules.

Official Report available for S6O-04553

Claire Baker (S6O-04554)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking, including through work involving Police Scotland and local authorities, to address antisocial behaviour in Mid Scotland and Fife.

Official Report available for S6O-04554

Evelyn Tweed (S6O-04555)

To ask the Scottish Government what steps the justice secretary is taking to prevent young people from becoming involved in gang-related activity.

Official Report available for S6O-04555

Mark Ruskell (S6O-04556)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what the timescale is to adapt the HMP Stirling estate to address the ongoing noise complaints, in light of reports from residents that the noise disturbance is getting worse.

Official Report available for S6O-04556

Kevin Stewart (S6O-04557)

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its work on antisocial behaviour, what discussions it has had with the UK Government about tackling the misuse of e-bikes.

Official Report available for S6O-04557

Alexander Stewart (S6O-04558)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports of criminals using drones to infiltrate prisons.

Official Report available for S6O-04558

Ben Macpherson (S6O-04559)

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with partners to tackle gang-related crime.

Official Report available for S6O-04559
Scottish Government Debate: UK Government Welfare Reforms

Shirley-Anne Somerville (S6M-17242)

That the Parliament calls on the UK Labour administration to immediately scrap its damaging social security reforms, as announced in the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper; highlights the UK Government’s own impact analysis, which shows that 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, will be pushed into poverty under these plans, and notes the Resolution Foundation’s report that lower-income households are set to become £500 a year poorer, following the UK Government’s Spring Statement 2025.

Further details available for S6M-17242

Liz Smith (S6M-17242.3)

As an amendment to motion S6M-17242 in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville (UK Government Welfare Reforms), leave out from "calls" to end and insert "notes the most recent concerns highlighted by both the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Scottish Fiscal Commission about the projected substantial increases in UK and Scottish welfare budgets, the resulting fiscal pressures, and the unsustainability of these budgets in the current economic circumstances, and expresses its deep concern that neither the UK Government nor the Scottish Government has delivered policies that will address the high levels of economic inactivity or policies that will promote sustained economic growth."

Further details available for S6M-17242.3

Paul O'Kane (S6M-17242.1)

As an amendment to motion S6M-17242 in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville (UK Government Welfare Reforms), leave out from “calls” to end and insert “agrees that any reforms to social security policy must respect the dignity of work, while also being fair and protecting the most vulnerable who are unable to work; notes the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper and that its proposals are currently under consultation; recognises that a number of the areas covered in the Green Paper are devolved to the Scottish Parliament and will therefore not change as a result of the Spring Statement; notes the proposals within the Green Paper to support and encourage people into good work and to reduce bureaucracy for those in receipt of social security; welcomes that this is backed up by a £1 billion commitment for employability services across the UK; acknowledges that well-paid, secure work is the most sustainable route out of poverty; welcomes, therefore, the action taken by the UK Labour administration to increase the National Living Wage and improve rights for workers through the Employment Rights Bill, and is concerned that the disability employment gap in Scotland is wider than elsewhere in Great Britain, that one in four people in Scotland rely on welfare spending from the Scottish Government to cover their living costs and that there are as many as 84,000 young people in Scotland who are not in work, education or training.”

Further details available for S6M-17242.1
Business Motions

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-17268)

That the Parliament agrees—
(a) the following programme of business—
Tuesday 29 April 2025
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Supporting Scottish Industry During Turbulent Economic Times
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 30 April 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 Scottish Conservative and Unionist 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 1 May 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: Net Zero and Energy, and Transport
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Scotland’s Hydrogen Future
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
Tuesday 6 May 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 7 May 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 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 8 May 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 Scottish Government Business
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 28 April 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-17268
Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-17269)

That the Parliament agrees that, under Rule 12.3.3B of Standing Orders, the Education, Children and Young People Committee can meet, if necessary, at the same time as a meeting of the Parliament between approximately 1.30 pm and 5.00 pm on Tuesday 13 May and Tuesday 20 May 2025.

Further details available for S6M-17269

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-17270)

That the Parliament agrees that, under Rule 12.3.3B of Standing Orders, the Social Justice and Social Security Committee can meet, if necessary, at the same time as a meeting of the Parliament between 2.00 pm and 5.00 pm on Tuesday 29 April 2025.

Further details available for S6M-17270

Jamie Hepburn on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau (S6M-17271)

That the Parliament agrees that the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee be designated as the lead committee in consideration of the Commissioner for Older People (Scotland) Bill at stage 1.

Further details available for S6M-17271
Approval of SSIs (if required)
5pm

Decision Time
Members' Business — S6M-16869 Jackie Dunbar: Global Intergenerational Week 2025

Jackie Dunbar (S6M-16869)

That the Parliament notes that Global Intergenerational Week runs from 24 to 30 April 2025; understands that the campaign originally started at a local level, grew to a national event and is now a global celebration in its sixth year; recognises that the aim of it is to inspire individuals, groups, organisations, local and national government, as well as non-government organisations, to fully embrace Intergenerational Week, which, it believes, will help connect people of all ages, particularly the younger and older generations; commends the work of Generations Working Together, which works in partnership with organisations from across the UK to promote intergenerational working across the country; recognises that this year's theme is intergenerational learning and aims to highlight the findings of the World Health Organization’s Global Report on Ageism, which outlines the negative impact of ageism on society and recommends education as a key strategy to address it; understands that, for the first time, Generations Working Together welcomes a Global Intergenerational Week sponsor in global life sciences, the company, Bayer AG; recognises what it sees as the importance of intergenerational working in helping to create a fairer society, and welcomes all intergenerational work that has taken place, not only across Aberdeen Donside, but Scotland as a whole.

Further details available for S6M-16869

Committee business

The committee will meet at 8:30am at TG.40-CR1 The Burns Room and will be broadcast on

1. Education (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider the Bill at Stage 2 (Day 1).

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

The committee will meet at 9:00am at T4.40-CR2 The Fairfax Somerville Room and will be broadcast on

1. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, supported by Jim Wilson, Licensing Team Leader, Scottish Government.

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

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 T1.40-CR5 The Smith Room and will be broadcast on

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

2. Consideration of continued petitions: The Committee will consider the following continued petitions— PE2018: Recognise the value of swimming pools and provide financial relief to help keep pools open. The Committee will take evidence from—John Lunn, Chief Executive, Scottish SwimmingDerek McGown, Coach, East Kilbride Swimming ClubDuncan Scott OBE, Olympic AthleteAbi Thomson, Young Volunteer Programme Championand then from—Dianne Breen, Coached Programmes Manager, Sport AberdeenKirsty Doig, Director, The Darcey Sunshine ProjectJillian Gibson, Policy Manager for Sport and Physical Activity, COSLABen Lamb, Chief Executive, West Lothian Leisure (Xcite)and then consider—PE1610: Upgrade the A75;PE1657: A77 upgrade;PE1916: Request a public inquiry into the management of the rest and be thankful project;PE1967: Protect Loch Lomond’s Atlantic oakwood shoreline by implementing the High road option for the A82 upgrade between Tarbet and Inverarnan;PE2132: Publish a timeline for the dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Nairn by Easter 2025;PE1911: Review of Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006 as it relates to post-mortems;PE1962: Stop motorhomes parking overnight out with formal campsites, caravan parks and Aires;PE2024: Create a national, public information programme to raise awareness of the impacts of steroids, selective androgen receptor modulators, and other performance enhancing drugs;PE2079: Introduce legislation to provide for exemptions in paying medical facility parking charges and to create a new classification of parking badge for care-givers; andPE2136: Make non-fatal strangulation a standalone criminal offence in Scotland.

3. Consideration of new petitions: The Committee will consider the following new petitions—PE2139: Automatic expulsion for children charged with committing a crime against another child; andPE2146: Allow the use of privately sourced donor eggs in NHS funded IVF treatment.

4. Consideration of Evidence: The Committee will consider the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.

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

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Jyoti Chandola on 85227 or at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 9:30am at T1.60-CR4 The Clerk Maxwell Room and will be broadcast on

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

Tony Burns, Chief Operating Officer, ACS Clothing
Jennifer Davies, Strategic Workforce Manager , ScottishPower Energy Networks
Doug Duguid, Chief Executive, Aurora Energy Services
Stevie Wilson, Global Apprenticeship Manager , SCORE Group

2. Skills Delivery (in private): The Committee will consider the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

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

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

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

2. Sustainable transport: Reducing car use: The Committee will take evidence from—

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Scottish Government
Alison Irvine, Chief Executive, Transport Scotland
Fiona Brown, Interim Director of Transport Strategy and Analysis, Transport Scotland
Heather Cowan, Head of Climate Change and Just Transition for Transport, Transport Scotland
Robert Nicol, Chief Officer, Environment and Economy, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
Cllr Gail Macgregor, Leader, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Environment and Economy Spokesperson, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)

3. Sustainable transport: Reducing car: The Committee will consider the evidence heard at agenda item 2 and take further evidence from—

Stephen Boyle
Cornilius Chikwama, Audit Director, Audit Scotland
Ashleigh Madjitey, Audit Manager, Audit Scotland

4. Sustainable transport: Reducing car use: The Committee will consider the evidence heard at agenda items 2 and 3 and agree any further action it wishes to take.

5. The 2022/23 and 2023/24 audits of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland: The Committee will consider a draft report on the 2022/23 and 2023/24 audits of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.

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

1. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider the following negative instruments— Police Pension Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (SSI 2025/58)

2. People’s Panel on tackling drug deaths and drugs harm: The Committee will consider a paper on the recommendations of the People’s Panel on drug deaths and drugs harm.

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

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

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What's On

Wednesday 23 April 2025

Business Bulletin

Chamber business

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Portfolio Questions: The Presiding Officer has grouped the following questions: Justice and Home Affairs – Questions 4 and 8.

Scottish Government Debate: UK Government Welfare Reforms

Business Motions

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Approval of SSIs (if required)

Decision Time

Members' Business — S6M-16869 Jackie Dunbar: Global Intergenerational Week 2025

Committee business

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Economy and Fair Work Committee

Public Audit Committee

Criminal Justice Committee