Chamber and committees

That the Parliament welcomes the Scottish Government’s continued investment in tackling social isolation and loneliness through its Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund; notes that a total of £1.05 million has been allocated to extend support for 52 organisations across Scotland until March 2027; recognises that this funding will enable the delivery of vital opportunities for connection, including community activities, warm spaces and social support for those most at risk of loneliness, such as older people, carers, disabled people and young parents; welcomes the inclusion of Home-Start East Lothian among the organisations benefiting from this funding, supporting its work providing volunteer-led befriending to families experiencing isolation; commends the important role that Home-Start East Lothian plays in strengthening families and building resilient communities across East Lothian, and believes that sustained investment in grassroots organisations is essential to improving wellbeing and reducing loneliness across Scotland.

That the Parliament notes with concern the findings of a new report, Delivering Positive Energy, published by the Energy Transition Institute at Robert Gordon University; notes that the report details what it sees as the disastrous impact that would be felt by Aberdeen if jobs in the oil and gas sector continue to decline; acknowledges the report's findings on the beneficial impact that a stable oil and gas sector will have on the renewables sector; welcomes reports that Aberdeen could benefit substantially from increased funding in to renewable energy projects; believes that the report should act as a warning to the UK Government, showing the impact that it considers its hostile policies continue to have on Aberdeen and its workers, and calls on any potential future Prime Minister to commit to scrapping the Energy Profits Levy and removing the current Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero from his post.  

That the Parliament believes that Scotland and the UK are experiencing extreme weather events that are made more frequent and severe due to climate change; affirms the climate science, which demonstrates that existing global oil and gas reserves already far exceed what can be safely burned in a world committed to limiting warming to 1.5°C; believes that this makes developing the Rosebank oil and gas field incompatible with climate goals; notes that it is estimated that Rosebank’s emissions will total 254 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, which equates to six times Scotland’s annual climate emissions; understands that the majority of Rosebank’s oil will be used for export and not contributing to energy security; agrees with the head of the International Energy Agency that new fields such as Rosebank “would not change much for the UK’s energy security, nor would they change the price of oil and gas”; considers that, as the climate imperative intensifies, geopolitical instability highlights that continued reliance on volatile fossil fuels leaves households and businesses exposed to global price shocks, and affirms the vital importance of delivering a fair and equitable transition for Scotland's workers in the energy sector.

That the Parliament congratulates Keith Chalmers-Watson, of Fenton Barns, East Lothian on being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in The King’s Birthday Honours 2026; notes that Keith has dedicated more than 50 years to wild bird research and conservation; recognises his role as a founding member of the World Pheasant Association in 1975 and his service as its chair from 2013 to 2021; commends his international work supporting conservation, education and breeding programmes for endangered game birds; notes the success of efforts to protect and reintroduce species such as the Edwards’s pheasant in Vietnam, as well as ongoing work to conserve the critically rare Bornean peacock-pheasant; acknowledges that Fenton Barns is home to a significant proportion of the global captive population of this species; recognises the contribution of Keith's family in supporting this work; understands that this honour reflects decades of passion and dedication to conservation, and thanks Keith for his outstanding contribution to wildlife preservation and to the reputation of East Lothian, both nationally and internationally.

That the Parliament congratulates Beath High School in Cowdenbeath on its Drama Club winning the Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) One Act Play Festival Youth Final at Perth Theatre on 13 June 2026, to become the Scottish Youth Champions; notes that the club is only the second Fife team to win and the second high school in all of Scotland to ever achieve this accolade; recognises the hard work of the 38-member cast and crew; notes the impressive efforts of the school to support the pupils; recognises that 2026 is the SCDA centenary year, and notes that this marks 100 years of it supporting community theatre across Scotland, during which time it has championed more than 120 theatre clubs, promoted participation, creativity and skills development and provided valuable opportunities to build confidence and resilience by working together towards a common goal.

That the Parliament congratulates MADE in East Lothian on the 10th anniversary of its Arts Hub in Haddington; notes that the hub was established in 2016 by local artists seeking to create a shared, collaborative creative space; recognises that it has developed into a valued community asset supporting artists, makers and the wider public through workshops, exhibitions and social activities; acknowledges its role in promoting creativity, wellbeing and social inclusion, including by providing opportunities for people to learn new skills and connect with others; notes its commitment to sustainability through the provision of affordable art and craft materials for reuse; welcomes its continued contribution to the cultural life of East Lothian; understands that it has set out ambitious plans for future development and improved premises, and wishes everyone involved continued success in the years ahead.

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of SSEN Transmission’s Re-energising the North, Transforming Scotland - 2026 Economic Report, which establishes the economic impact of the transmission operator’s £29 billion Pathway to 2030 investment programme; considers that this investment is not limited to developing and delivering transmission and will deliver long-term economic growth and prosperity across Scotland; notes that this investment forecasts support for up to 24,000 jobs across Scotland with 10,000 in the north of Scotland; understands that this investment will add £3.5 billion of GVA to the north of Scotland economy; appreciates that transmission investment, alongside investment in clean power infrastructure is projected to grow the Scottish economy by up to 3% in the long term, and believes that transmission infrastructure will unlock new opportunities across Scottish industry and manufacturing through a long term pipeline of work creating confidence for business to invest and grow.

That the Parliament celebrates the achievements of Glenrothes resident, Ruby McDonald, ahead of the Scottish Parliament’s 2026 Opening Ceremony; acknowledges Ruby’s dedicated campaigning to ensure that young people living with disabilities can participate fully in sport; further acknowledges that she does this primarily through her role as an athlete and peer mentor with Disability Sport Fife, as well as through volunteering in school and youth sports clubs; understands that Ruby’s work has been widely recognised, including through receiving a British Citizen Youth Award (BCyA) in October 2024 and winning numerous awards from other major advocacy organisations; commends Ruby for using her own experiences to become a voice for those who rely on care and for challenging the stigma that can be associated with this, and wishes her the best in her studies at Fife College and anticipates her continued success in future volunteering endeavours.

That the Parliament congratulates the Orkney oyster project on securing funding of £1 million from Heriot-Watt University, which will support a five-year project to restore and stabilise oyster populations; understands that this project will boost marine biodiversity, improve water quality and lay the foundations for a more sustainable fishery for generations to come; commends Professor Bill Sanderson, one of the UK’s leading oyster restoration experts, and Professor Sandy Kerr, director of the Heriot-Watt International Centre for Island Technology in Orkney, for volunteering their time and expertise to this long-term programme; recognises that, with this expertise and the financial backing of Heriot-Watt University, steps can be taken to increase oyster populations, create a flourishing market and develop job opportunities, while also improving the marine environment, and wishes the project every success in reintroducing an essential species back into Orkney waters.

That the Parliament warmly congratulates the Reverend Alex Cairns who has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in The King’s Birthday Honours List; acknowledges that the 94-year-old from Sandhead received the prestigious award in recognition of his services as a volunteer to communities across South Scotland, particularly Wigtownshire; understands that he has given a remarkable lifetime of service to both the church and the wider community, serving as minister to several congregations, including Leswalt and Ervie-Kirkcolm, and that he has continued to make what it considers to be an outstanding contribution in the years since his retirement; praises his valued and active role at Stoneykirk Parish Church, in Sandhead, where he is involved in Toskerton, the Fellowship Bible Study Group, the Guild, the Worship Team as well as the Wednesday café and local fundraising for groups such as the Stoneykirk Community Council, Sandhead Strollers, Ardwell Community Kirk, the local Christian Aid committee and Stranraer Rotary, and wishes Rev Cairns continued success and good health as he works tirelessly for the good of many.