September 2026

It was a pleasure to welcome George Stewart of Falkirk Distillery to the Scottish Parliament and hear more about the excellent Lowland malt whisky being produced locally.

This week at FMQs I asked the First Minister how the Scottish Government will ensure the sector plays a meaningful role in delivering community wealth building across Scotland.

I was delighted to visit PLUS Forth Valley at ENABLE Scotland’s premises in Falkirk, where I met staff, parents and some of the young people supported by this wonderful service.

Health misinformation is not new, but social media allows false and misleading claims to spread faster and further than ever before.

During the Covid pandemic, misinformation fuelled vaccine hesitancy and created fear and uncertainty, sometimes with serious consequences. The problem has not disappeared, with misleading online content now affecting public understanding of conditions such as ADHD.

Today I will be voting for the Scottish Government motion:

“That the Parliament agrees that Scotland is a nation that has a right to decide its own future.”

Whatever your constitutional position, surely no democrat can disagree with that?

I have asked the Scottish Government whether it will introduce Heating Oil Price Checker service to help households compare prices and make informed choices.

I am Pleased with the response that “Scottish Government is actively considering the recommendations made by the Competition and Markets Authority in its report on the home heating oil market. We are also working with UK and other devolved governments, along with regulators and industry stakeholders, to explore the feasibility and potential value of a Scottish heating oil price checker tool.”

At First Minister’s Questions, I highlighted that around 53 to 54 per cent of appeals are successful, yet tribunals can take between 12 and 18 months. During that time, people who genuinely require access to personal transport can be left without a Motability vehicle.

I was delighted to meet the Bo’ness Bookbugs during a visit to Bo’ness Library.

Our libraries offer far more than books. They provide free internet and computer access, digital resources, printing facilities, activities for all ages and warm, safe and welcoming spaces for anyone who needs them.

The Falkirk Malayali Koottayma Onam celebration is always a highlight of my calendar.

I was delighted to be invited to join the festivities at Bo’ness Town Hall, where I had the honour of lighting the traditional lamp.

Congratulations to the Consulate General of India in Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh for putting together such a fantastic programme, celebrating the strong and growing ties between Scotland and India.