Chamber and committees

That the Parliament recognises the great success of Cumbernauld-based talent at the 2025 National Mòd; congratulates Emma Clark of Cumbernauld for winning the Solo Singing – Mull and Iona competition; further congratulates Our Lady’s High School pupil, Lily McKellar, for finishing first in the Clàrsach Duets - Mixed Ability - 13 to 18 age category along with Anna Langley, and for her third place finish in the Clàrsach - Intermediate 2 - Grade 3-4 competition alongside Anna Dodds; congratulates the pupils of Condorrat Primary School, Mara Hughes, Anna Hagerty, Fraser Daly, Samuel Duke, Brèagha Hughes, Ellen MacLeod and Anna MacLeod all of whom participated and performed strongly across a range of competitions; thanks the organisers of the National Mòd for showcasing such a wide range of talent, and considers that these achievements demonstrate the importance of Comar nan Allt as a location for the learning of the Gaelic language.

That the Parliament recognises the Y Esports Finals at UWS Paisley on 8 November 2025, which will be celebrating youth innovation, collaboration and digital inclusion; understands that the Y Esports Project, which is led by YMCA Wishaw, is a pioneering pilot initiative that has grown from the success of the Wishaw YMCA Esports Academy; believes that the project uses esports as a tool for youth development, engaging young people across Scotland in digital learning, teamwork and creativity, while connecting YMCA centres in Wishaw, Kilmarnock, Bellshill, Tayside, Glenrothes and Larne through competitive gaming, education and community-building; considers that, through esports, young people are not only competing but also producing the live tournament themselves; notes that, at Wishaw YMCA, via YMCA Scotland and Youthlink's CIRCUIT project, young people are taking on roles in commentary, live production, media creation and event management; further notes that, supported by the HP Gaming Garage and YMCA Europe, the project demonstrates how youth work can evolve with the digital age, building confidence, transferable skills and career pathways while creating safe, inclusive spaces for young people to thrive both on and offline, and wishes the members from YMCA Wishaw all the very best in the tournament.

That the Parliament congratulates Caitlyn Yule, originally from Cumbernauld, for winning the women’s Gold Medal at the 2025 National Mòd; recognises that this was the first time that she had participated in an adult competition at the Mòd having previously competed at children’s level; further recognises the support that Caitlyn has had through Gaelic Medium Education at Condorrat Primary School and Greenfaulds High School as well as participating in the Falkirk Junior Gaelic Choir under the tutelage of Mary MacLean; welcomes the opportunity that Caitlyn and other participants have to demonstrate their talents at the National Mòd, and wishes her the best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates two Clackmannanshire students who are celebrating winning awards at Forth Valley College’s Graduation; notes that Lyle Johnston from Alva received the prize for the Most Promising Student in the department of care, sport, business and communities, and that Craig Thomson from Alloa won Most Promising Student in the department of creative, digital and leisure industries prize; understands that Craig, who graduated with a HND Hospitality Management, also took home the prize for Forth Valley College’s Student of the Year award for 2025; notes that around 750 students were eligible to graduate in 2025 from Forth Valley College and that 215 of them chose to collect their scrolls at the ceremonies; acknowledges what it sees as the vital importance to local communities of Scotland’s colleges and universities, in addition to being a skills anchor for the future of the country’s economy; implores the Scottish Government to outline what it plans to do to secure the future of Forth Valley’s Alloa campus with its myriad facilities and retain its students, while maintaining the provision of skills education in the area, and commends Lyle and Craig on their sterling endeavours as well as all those who have graduated this year.

That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the Regulation of Care (Child Contact Services) (Scotland) Order 2025 [draft] be approved.

That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the Regulation of Care (Child Contact Services) (Equality) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 [draft] be approved.

That the Parliament notes with sadness the sudden death on 16 June 2025 of John Reid, aged 61, the renowned Glasgow-born vocalist, songwriter and DJ, who founded the house music project, Nightcrawlers; recognises his indelible contribution to Scottish and global music through the enduring 1992 house anthem, Push the Feeling On, which captured the spirit of 1990s club culture and achieved international acclaim following its iconic remix by Marc Kinchen and peaked at number 3 on the Official UK Singles Chart in 1995, logging 22 weeks in the top 100, as well as his collaborative work with various artists, including a further remix by JCA and Rosabot, which went to number 1 on the US Dance Chart in 2004, notes also his work with Riton, Mufasa and Hypeman on the 2021 hit, Friday, which reached number 4 in the UK; acknowledges his prolific songwriting for luminaries, such as Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Westlife, Kelly Clarkson and Leona Lewis, which showcased his exceptional talent and versatility; celebrates his deep roots in Glasgow, particularly Crookston, where he went to school, and Dennistoun, where he lived during his early adult life while honing his craft as a performer and producer, inspiring generations of Scottish artists from the heart of the city's music scene, and extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, collaborators and the wider music industry, who mourn the loss of a true pioneer whose voice and creative talent brought joy to countless lives across the world.

That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the vital work of Tourette Scotland in providing support, advocacy, and education for individuals and families affected by Tourette syndrome across Scotland; welcomes the release of the new documentary film, I Swear, which shines a powerful light on the lived experiences of people with this condition and challenges and stigma surrounding it; notes with concern, reports from parents, educators and young people that many pupils with the condition are not receiving adequate educational support or understanding in schools; believes that there is an urgent need for national guidance and consistent training for teachers and school staff to ensure that pupils with Tourette syndrome are supported to reach their full potential; calls for the inclusion of Tourette syndrome-specific content in the Scottish Government’s wider Additional Support for Learning (ASL) framework and mental health strategies; highlights what it sees as the importance of British Sign Language (BSL) and communication inclusion guidelines to ensure accessibility and understanding for those with the Tourette syndrome and co-occurring conditions, and calls on the Scottish Government to work with Tourette Scotland to develop a national plan, increase funding for support services, and raise awareness across education, health and social care and the wider public.

That the Parliament congratulates Macleod and Macleod Butchers of Stornoway for operating its Westview Terrace premises for a decade; acknowledges that Macleod and Macleod have been a well-known family run butchers serving Stornoway since 1928; commends it for its premier Stornoway Black Pudding, which was awarded the Great Taste 3 Star Award and Nigel Barden Heritage Award, and believes that family businesses like Macleod and Macleod are an integral part to Scotland’s success for its world-famous food and drink sector.

That the Parliament notes that the 98th annual STUC Women's Conference is taking place from 29 to 30 October 2025 in Glasgow; understands that women trade union delegates, organisers and members from the North East Scotland region and across the country will be in attendance; celebrates that 2025 is the 50th Anniversary of the passage of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, which aimed to eradicate discrimination against women in the workplace, while recognising that further steps had to be be taken to end such discrimination, including by ending the gender pay gap; notes with concern what it sees as the insincere rhetoric used by the far-right to promote division and hatred against migrants and refugees; rejects such weaponisation of violence against women; believes that growing violence and attacks against women and girls are instead driven by structural inequality and harmful norms on the acceptability of violence against women, and sends its solidarity to STUC Women’s Conference, and all women workers and women’s trades union branches across Scotland working to address all forms of discrimination.