First Minister's Questions 12th March 2026

Podcasts By The Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament

Government

4.8 • 25 Ratings

🗓️ 12 March 2026

⏱️ 49 minutes

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Summary

The First Minister answers questions from Party Leaders and other MSPs in this weekly question time.Topics covered this week include:Christine GrahameTo ask the First Minister what measures the Scottish Government can take, in discussion with the UK Government, to assist households in very rural areas that are wholly dependent on oil or liquefied natural gas for heating, and are not connected to the gas mains, to assist with increased costs. Brian WhittleTo ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of any impact on the NHS arising from reports that the number of consultants working in the private healthcare system is the highest on record. Kevin StewartTo ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to promote vaccinations to combat measles, in light of reports of recent diagnoses in the NHS Grampian area.A full transcript of this week's First Minister's Questions will be available on the Scottish Parliament website: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report

Transcript

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0:00.0	Our next item of business is First Minister's questions.
0:03.0	And at question number one, I call Russell Finley.
0:05.0	The inferno that ripped through my home city of Glasgow was devastating.
0:10.0	Only the bravery and professionalism of 250 firefighters stopped the flames from engulfing central station.
0:18.0	There are many serious questions about the dodgy vape shop where the fire started,
0:23.5	but the immediate focus must be on local businesses who already face severe pressures. On Tuesday,
0:32.0	John Swinney said that the SMP government was in discussion with the S SNP-run City Council.
0:38.3	So can he tell these struggling business owners exactly what support will be provided and when?
0:45.3	First Minister.
0:46.3	First of all, let me associate myself very closely with the remarks that Russell Filney has made about the
0:52.3	bravery and the effectiveness of the firefighting
0:56.0	operation which has enabled us to be in a situation where Glasgow Central Station and the
1:03.0	central hotel and most of the infrastructure around the site of the fire has been protected,
1:09.4	although there is significant disruption to individuals
1:12.0	as a consequence. The Government is in active discussion with Glasgow City Council who
1:17.2	are gathering information from the affected businesses about their circumstances. I am not in a
1:22.7	position today to say definitively what financial support will be available, but I expect to be able
1:28.2	to do so very shortly.
1:30.1	Glasgow City Council and the Government will discuss exactly what support can be made available
1:35.6	to the affected businesses.
1:37.1	I include in that the businesses that have been directly displaced by the fire and those
1:42.8	who have been affected by the access
	...

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