Chamber and committees

That the Parliament welcomes the report by Tax Justice Scotland, Choosing a Fairer Future for All: A Vision for Tax Transformation in Scotland; notes with concern the findings that, despite Scotland being a wealthy country overall, high levels of wealth inequality are deeply entrenched and income inequality has surged in recent years; believes that there are particularly high rates of inequality in land ownership in Scotland, with 67% of private rural land owned by 0.025% of the population; notes with concern reports of the inequality in home ownership on the Isle of Arran, within the West Scotland region, and of over a third of homes in Lochranza, and almost half the homes in Sliddery, being second homes; further notes the views of Tax Justice Scotland that devolved and local tax systems must do significantly more to support a fairer and greener society, including investing in public services, delivering better living standards, and redistributing income and wealth more equitably, and notes the report's recommendation for a time-bound and ambitious plan to tax wealth more effectively in Scotland, with interim measures to address inequality in land and home ownership.

That the Parliament is concerned about the reported impact of the expansion of second home ownership on communities across Scotland; believes that the impact of second home ownership is felt more keenly in some communities than in others, including in areas of natural beauty; notes with concern reports that, in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, 5% of all houses are second homes or holiday lets, compared with 1% nationally, and that the figure is 12% in the Cairngorms National Park, rising to 20% in areas such as parts of Badenoch and Strathspey, that they account for over one third in Lochranza, on the Isle of Arran, and that in Coigach almost half of all homes are second homes or holiday lets; considers that recent changes to the additional dwelling supplement (ADS) and council tax have contributed to a reduction in second home purchases, with 2,455 fewer second homes bought in 2024 than in 2023; understands that the increased rate of ADS alone is expected to raise more than a quarter of a billion of pounds for public services, including the provision of affordable housing in 2025-26, and notes the view that further targeted measures, including potential tax reforms, should be considered to rebalance primary and second home ownership levels in communities where the housing crisis is particularly acute.

That the Parliament sends its congratulations to Scotstoun Primary School, in the Glasgow Anniesland constituency, for a fantastic Education Scotland inspection report; understands that the education team spoke with parents, carers and children, and also worked closely with the headteacher and her staff, where it found strengths in the school’s work, highly effective leadership at all levels, and teachers and support staff who use their professional knowledge and skills very well to ensure positive outcomes for all children; further understands that the children articulated well the positive differences that they are making in their school and beyond into their community; understands there is high-quality community and partnership working and a strong sense of belonging within the school; recognises the effective use of digital technologies and high-quality play, along with the STEM and enquiry-based experiences; acknowledges the all-round enhancing of the children’s skills, along with the significant wellbeing support and nurturing available for children through times of transition, allowing them to feel safe, secure and confident; considers that these approaches are both raising attainment and closing the learning gaps, and commends everyone involved, from the staff to the children and their parents, on this achievement.

That the Parliament congratulates all those who took part in the 2025 Glasgow Kiltwalk, which became the world’s largest ever Kiltwalk event, with a record-breaking 19,000 participants walking in support of 1,100 Scottish charities; recognises that, over two inspiring days, walkers raised over £3 million, and that the total continues to rise; understands that this event marked a significant milestone, as the total raised through the Kiltwalk since The Hunter Foundation became involved in 2015 surpassed £53 million, benefiting more than 4,000 Scottish charities; notes that what it sees as the Kiltwalk’s unique model, underwritten by The Hunter Foundation, ensures that every penny raised, plus eligible Gift Aid, goes directly to the charities chosen by participants, making it the lowest-cost fundraising platform in the country; recognises the commitment of Sir Tom Hunter, the headline sponsor Arnold Clark, and the thousands of volunteers and supporters who make the event possible; acknowledges what it sees as the life-changing impact of Kiltwalk funding for charities across Scotland, from major organisations, such as Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, to smaller groups like A Bear Named Buttony; notes that, in 2025, funds raised through walking for Kiltwalk itself will benefit five cancer charities, nominated by Sir Chris Hoy, and the launch of the Tour de Four charity cycling initiative, and congratulates everyone involved for their generosity, spirit, and contribution.

That the Parliament recognises the "Protect Our Future" demonstration held at the Scottish Parliament on 25 April 2025, which included pupils from Parsons Green Primary School in Edinburgh; understands that, through an art project first developed by the school, thousands of children have been making paper chains with their messages for the Scottish Parliament, asking MSPs to protect their future and keep the Scottish Government’s promises to achieve net zero; notes that the children brought their chains to the Parliament to present them to a member of the Scottish Government; acknowledges that more than 30 Scottish schools and 6,000 children were represented, with pupils from around a dozen schools attending in person; appreciates that this was a demonstration by children from across Edinburgh and Scotland, who have crafted a unique and powerful ask for their MSPs, and wishes them all the very best in the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Kirsty Anderson, an advanced practice physiotherapist, on receiving a silver award at the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NAAS) Act on Axial SpA Awards; notes that axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) is a painful, progressive form of inflammatory arthritis; highlights that the NAAS Act on Axial SpA campaign aims to drive down the eight and a half year delay in diagnosis of axial SpA, by introducing the world’s first gold standard diagnosis time of just one year; recognises that the campaign seeks to acknowledge the great work that healthcare professionals are doing for those living with axial SpA; understands that Kirsty was presented with her silver Changemaker Award at the UK Parliament in April 2025, and pays tribute to Kirsty and all other practitioners who are striving to enable better access to appropriate treatment for those affected by axial SpA.

That the Parliament notes with concern the results of NatureScot’s Research Report 1376 - Status of the Adder in Scotland (2022-24) - Re-survey and comparison with the 1994 study, which shows that the reported distribution of the common adder shrank significantly between 1994 and 2024, with, it understands, a decrease of 36% in distribution; recognises that the work is a collaboration between NatureScot, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) and Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK); understands that the aim of the project was to re-assess the status of the adder in Scotland in comparison with 1994 survey results, using a combination of nationwide questionnaires and site surveys, including at Keiloch, Braemar and at Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, in Aberdeenshire; recognises that adders are Scotland’s only native snake, appearing on the Scottish Biodiversity List as a species that the Scottish Ministers consider to be of principal importance for biodiversity conservation; understands that decline in distribution can be caused by habitat loss and fragmentation, habitat disturbance and lack of conservation management, and that the Great Britain IUCN Red List Assessment considers adders to be "near threatened" in Scotland and Britain as a whole; recommends that further survey efforts should target distribution gaps and determine species presence or absence, and further recommends that NatureScot and partners monitor consistent networks of sites for adders and other reptiles over time to provide reliable information on occupancy and population trends.

That the Parliament congratulates Fish Shop, the Ballater restaurant and fishmonger, on establishing a secondary location in the USA; understands that the new restaurant opened on 29 April 2025 in Washington DC; commends the use of produce from surrounding farms and estates; congratulates Marcus and Jasmine Sherry, and wishes them the best as they continue their commitment to responsibly sourced seafood and Scottish traditions.

That the Parliament recognises the actions outlined in the Programme for Government 2025-26 to grow the Scottish economy and eradicate child poverty; further recognises that these missions are inextricably linked, with a strong economy providing access to fair work opportunities and supporting investment in public services and ambitious climate and anti-poverty measures; notes that, over the year ahead, the actions within the Programme for Government will build on Scotland’s economic strengths to address the additional challenges the country faces from economic volatility, capturing the economic opportunities ahead to drive improvements in living standards, reduce child poverty and build a strong foundation for the future, to weather the global economic uncertainty; welcomes the Scottish Government’s continued focus on delivering action across the drivers of child poverty reduction, to increase earned incomes, reduce the costs of living and maximise incomes from social security and benefits in kind, and commits to working together to grow the economy, and deliver on the 2030 child poverty targets unanimously supported by the Scottish Parliament.

That the Parliament notes with deep regret what it sees as the failure of the Scottish and UK governments to prevent the closure of Grangemouth oil refinery by Petorineos, resulting, it understands, in the loss of up to 430 jobs; believes that the refinery has a critical role in Scotland's industrial base, contributing significantly to national GDP and accounting for two-thirds of refined oil products in Scotland; expresses alarm at the reported implications for national security and energy resilience; urges the Scottish Government to work with the UK Government, Petroineos and other relevant stakeholders, to speed up the delivery of the nine projects identified in the Project Willow report; calls for a detailed plan regarding the release of the £25 million just transition fund for Grangemouth and how this will protect workers and communities, and commits to holding both governments accountable for delivering a sustainable industrial future for Grangemouth that safeguards jobs, energy security and Scotland’s economic interests.