This week in Parliament
Scottish Parliament’s Opening Ceremony
It was announced that Their Majesties The King and Queen will join MSPs at the official opening of the Scottish Parliament, taking place on Saturday, 27 June. The Opening Ceremony will include an address by His Majesty to open the Parliament’s Seventh Session formally.
The event will also include several performances that celebrate Scotland and our rich culture and heritage. They include a specially commissioned poem for the day delivered by Scotland’s national poet, Makar Pàdraig MacAoidh.
Their Majesties will then join a reception to meet with “local heroes” who have been chosen to represent constituencies and regions across the country. Our local heroes have been nominated to attend as special guests of their MSPs for making extraordinary contributions to their communities.
You can watch live or follow our social media channels to learn more about the day.
Watch what happened in the Chamber this week in Parliament:
Tuesday 16 June
- General Questions
- First Minister’s Questions (Backbench Members)
- Ministerial Statement: Scottish Government Investment in ‘Our Union Street’ and the People’s Palace
- Scottish Government Debate: Strengthening Scotland’s Partnership with the Third Sector
Wednesday 17 June
- Portfolio Questions: Justice; Health and Care
- Scottish Government Debate: Affordable Bus Fares
- Scottish Government Debate: Appointment of Law Officers
Thursday 18 June
- General Questions
- First Minister’s Questions (Party Leaders)
- Ministerial Statement: 10th Anniversary of the UK Referendum on EU Membership
- Ministerial Statement: Provisional Outturn 2025-26
- Ministerial Statement: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan – Annual Progress Report 2025-26
Coming up next week
Subject to Parliamentary approval, the following will take place next week in the Chamber:
Tuesday 23 June
- Time for Reflection
- General Questions
- First Minister’s Questions (Backbench Members)
- Ministerial Statement: Non-Domestic Rates Reform
- Scottish Government Debate: Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change
- Members’ Business: Save STV North News
Wednesday 24 June
- Portfolio Questions: Climate Action and Rural Affairs; Education, Culture and Gaelic
- Reform UK Debate: Scotland Needs Reform: Five Years to 2031
- Members’ Business: Nuclear Power in Scotland
Thursday 25 June
- General Questions
- First Minister’s Questions (Party Leaders)
- Scottish Government Debate: Achieving a Sustainable Prison Population
- Members’ Business: Action Mesothelioma Day 2026
The Festival of Politics returns to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August — and we are delighted to share our full programme.
Join us at Holyrood for engaging discussions, lively debate, and thought-provoking panels with expert speakers and inspiring voices debating the issues shaping Scotland, the UK, and beyond.
From AI, climate change, and the manosphere to poverty, housing, and free speech, events focus on some of the most pressing social, political, and environmental issues of our time.