Richard Lochhead MSP

That the Parliament notes that the UK Government’s proposed immigration policies will be deeply damaging to Scotland’s further education, higher education and research sectors; joins with Scottish institutions and the Russell Group in raising serious concerns about the impact of the three-year European Temporary Leave to Remain policy, which was announced in September 2019, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, which discriminates against Scottish institutions and students in Scotland studying for four-year degrees; welcomes the huge contribution that international staff and students make to Scotland’s universities, colleges and research institutions, as well as the country's economy and communities; notes the success of the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme, which benefited more than 8,000 graduates between 2005 and 2008; further notes the consensus across parties and with sector bodies such as Universities Scotland and Colleges Scotland on the benefits of a flexible post-study work route for Scotland, and calls on the UK Government to urgently amend its proposed policies to ensure that they respect Scotland’s unique education system and its population needs, including by extending leave to remain to a minimum of four years and reintroducing a two-year post-study work visa for students at universities and colleges in Scotland.

That the Parliament notes that the UK Government’s proposed immigration policies will be deeply damaging to Scotland’s further education, higher education and research sectors; joins with Scottish institutions and the Russell Group in raising serious concerns about the impact of the three-year European Temporary Leave to Remain policy, which was announced in September 2019, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, which discriminates against Scottish institutions and students in Scotland studying for four-year degrees; welcomes the huge contribution that international staff and students make to Scotland’s universities, colleges and research institutions, as well as the country's economy and communities; notes the success of the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme, which benefited more than 8,000 graduates between 2005 and 2008; further notes the consensus across parties and with sector bodies such as Universities Scotland and Colleges Scotland on the benefits of a flexible post-study work route for Scotland, and calls on the UK Government to urgently amend its proposed policies to ensure that they respect Scotland’s unique education system and its population needs, including by extending leave to remain to a minimum of four years and reintroducing a two-year post-study work visa for students at universities and colleges in Scotland.

That the Parliament notes with concern the growing number of voices within Scotland’s research and science communities warning of the substantial threat that Brexit poses to Scotland’s position as a leading nation in international science and research; understands the significant economic, social and cultural contributions that universities and other research institutions and their international collaborators bring to Scotland; believes that the UK Government’s approach to the Brexit negotiations, including its commitment to ending freedom of movement, is undermining Scotland’s worldwide reputation and threatening the mobility of students and researchers and full participation in European research programmes, and commits to exploring options to safeguard Scotland's international research collaborations and reputation for scientific excellence globally.

That the Parliament notes with concern the growing number of voices within Scotland’s research and science communities warning of the substantial threat that Brexit poses to Scotland’s position as a leading nation in international science and research; understands the significant economic, social and cultural contributions that universities and other research institutions and their international collaborators bring to Scotland; believes that the UK Government’s approach to the Brexit negotiations, including its commitment to ending freedom of movement, is undermining Scotland’s worldwide reputation and threatening the mobility of students and researchers and full participation in European research programmes, and commits to exploring options to safeguard Scotland's international research collaborations and reputation for scientific excellence globally.

That the Parliament welcomes the establishment of the new MS KeepSmyelin group in Keith, Moray; notes that this is a new group that is affiliated with MS Society Scotland and is the first in Scotland to focus on fundraising for research; recognises that the name of the group is a play on words as one of its key interests is Myelin regeneration research; congratulates the group’s coordinator, Susan Shand, who has already raised in excess of £15,000 for MS charities since being diagnosed with the condition in 2009; acknowledges that MS KeepSmyelin will hold its first event, an Autumn Fair, on 22 September 2018 in Keith, and wishes the group well for its inaugural event and future fundraising efforts.

That the Parliament welcomes the establishment of the new MS KeepSmyelin group in Keith, Moray; notes that this is a new group that is affiliated with MS Society Scotland and is the first in Scotland to focus on fundraising for research; recognises that the name of the group is a play on words as one of its key interests is Myelin regeneration research; congratulates the group’s coordinator, Susan Shand, who has already raised in excess of £15,000 for MS charities since being diagnosed with the condition in 2009; acknowledges that MS KeepSmyelin will hold its first event, an Autumn Fair, on 22 September 2018 in Keith, and wishes the group well for its inaugural event and future fundraising efforts.

That the Parliament congratulates Michael Prendergast on being the youngest person to row across the Pacific; notes that the 23-year-old from Moray crossed from California to Honolulu in 49 days, 23 hours and 15 minutes as part of the annual Great Pacific Race; recognises that Michael and his three team mates crossed the line first to win the race; acknowledges that Michael did the crossing to raise money for Down's Syndrome Scotland; appreciates that he has raised £7,000 and hopes to be able to achieve a target of £40,000; encourages people to donate to his chosen charity, and wishes Michael well in reaching his fundraising target.

That the Parliament congratulates Michael Prendergast on being the youngest person to row across the Pacific; notes that the 23-year-old from Moray crossed from California to Honolulu in 49 days, 23 hours and 15 minutes as part of the annual Great Pacific Race; recognises that Michael and his three team mates crossed the line first to win the race; acknowledges that Michael did the crossing to raise money for Down's Syndrome Scotland; appreciates that he has raised £7,000 and hopes to be able to achieve a target of £40,000; encourages people to donate to his chosen charity, and wishes Michael well in reaching his fundraising target.

That the Parliament congratulates Moray Speyside Tourism on newly published tourism figures; understands that the economic impact of tourism in Moray rose by £11 million in 2017, had an increase of 50,000 visitors, and created an additional 77 full-time equivalent posts; further understands that these statistics also show that Moray has consistently outperformed the vast majority of other areas surveyed in Scotland; believes that this improvement represents the biggest ever rise in tourism in the area; further believes that since 2009, an extra 177,000 people have visited the area, spending an additional £92 million; recognises that this increase represents huge economic growth to the area and that Moray Speyside has generated significant interest due to increased whisky tourism through people wishing to visit Moray’s significant whisky distilleries as well as a greater awareness of what the area has to offer; notes that, in addition to distilleries, the area benefits from stunning natural beauty, wildlife, historical sites and exciting activities; considers this a major achievement for the region and for the Scottish tourism industry; commends everyone involved at Moray Speyside Tourism and all involved locally for their tireless work in achieving such sustainable economic growth for Moray, and wishes them continued success for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Moray Speyside Tourism on newly published tourism figures; understands that the economic impact of tourism in Moray rose by £11 million in 2017, had an increase of 50,000 visitors, and created an additional 77 full-time equivalent posts; further understands that these statistics also show that Moray has consistently outperformed the vast majority of other areas surveyed in Scotland; believes that this improvement represents the biggest ever rise in tourism in the area; further believes that since 2009, an extra 177,000 people have visited the area, spending an additional £92 million; recognises that this increase represents huge economic growth to the area and that Moray Speyside has generated significant interest due to increased whisky tourism through people wishing to visit Moray’s significant whisky distilleries as well as a greater awareness of what the area has to offer; notes that, in addition to distilleries, the area benefits from stunning natural beauty, wildlife, historical sites and exciting activities; considers this a major achievement for the region and for the Scottish tourism industry; commends everyone involved at Moray Speyside Tourism and all involved locally for their tireless work in achieving such sustainable economic growth for Moray, and wishes them continued success for the future.

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish its proposals for Scotland’s role in the development of future UK trade arrangements.

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish its proposals for Scotland’s role in the development of future UK trade arrangements.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review of community benefit from onshore renewable energy developments, and what its position is on the case for community benefit to apply to communities affected by pylons or other infrastructure required to connect onshore renewables to the national grid, as is the case for communities affected by developments such as wind farms.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review of community benefit from onshore renewable energy developments, and what its position is on the case for community benefit to apply to communities affected by pylons or other infrastructure required to connect onshore renewables to the national grid, as is the case for communities affected by developments such as wind farms.

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the visit by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport to Dr Gray’s Hospital regarding the future of women's and children’s services.

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the visit by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport to Dr Gray’s Hospital regarding the future of women's and children’s services.

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce new measures to tackle littering from vehicles.

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce new measures to tackle littering from vehicles.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it undertook a risk assessment regarding the impact on the Scottish Ambulance Service and its staff of the decision to temporarily downgrade women and children’s services at Dr Gray’s Hospital and the anticipated increase in hospital transfers and, if so, whether it will publish the assessment.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it undertook a risk assessment regarding the impact on the Scottish Ambulance Service and its staff of the decision to temporarily downgrade women and children’s services at Dr Gray’s Hospital and the anticipated increase in hospital transfers and, if so, whether it will publish the assessment.