Chamber and committees

That the Parliament notes that 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the General Strike of 1926; understands that the strike was called by the TUC in solidarity with coal miners who were facing severe wage reductions and longer working hours; acknowledges that it lasted from 3 to 12 May 1926 and that 1.7 million workers across the UK, including transport workers, printers, dockers and labourers, came out in solidarity with miners’ unions in defence of pay and conditions; recognises the miners’ call for “Not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day”; believes that, in the course of the 100 years since, the strike has fundamentally shaped the relationship between workers, employers, government and the labour movement; considers that trade unions remain centrally important as a collective voice for workers in Scotland and across the UK; notes with concern what it sees as the continued challenges and exploitation facing workers in 2026, including reports of unequal pay, wage theft, zero-hours contracts, fire-and-rehire conditions and workplace violence, bullying and harassment; believes that when workers stand together, lasting change can be won for all, and calls on all workers across Scotland to educate, organise and unionise in a spirit of fellowship, solidarity and unity.

That the Parliament congratulates the Maryhill Integration Network (MIN) on reaching its 25th anniversary in 2026; acknowledges that MIN has become a key part of North Glasgow’s social fabric during the last quarter of a century, with the organisation growing and innovating to meet the increasingly complex needs of the asylum-seeking and refugee communities that it works alongside; commends MIN on its operating model, which ensures a representative and needs-led approach which places co-design and lived experience at its heart; notes that MIN has core themes of human rights, wellbeing and the arts and that these are explored in a way which ensures community members are not ‘service users’ but rather active leaders in campaigning for their rights; applauds both the various wellbeing and volunteering initiatives run by MIN which provide vital spaces to heal from the trauma of the asylum system and the experience of forced migration, and the joyful arts projects that offer a platform for often silenced voices to showcase their talents, and believes that 25 years on, MIN has become an authentic voice and vital community resource for asylum seekers and refugees, offering both integration and inclusion.

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the report, Supporting Scotland’s Game: A Framework for Community Football Development, by the Cross-Party Group on the Future of Scottish Football regarding the role of community football facilities; commends the cross-party group for its constructive, evidence-based approach to examining how football contributes to Scotland’s wider social, health and economic objectives; recognises what it sees as the significant contribution that community football clubs and associated organisations make as trusted anchor institutions in communities across Scotland, supporting physical and mental health, reducing social isolation, advancing equality and fostering community cohesion; acknowledges the compelling evidence that it believes was presented to the cross-party group highlighting the importance of accessible, affordable and high-quality facilities in sustaining participation and inclusion at grassroots level; notes the challenges identified in relation to facility access, rising operational costs and pressures on local authorities; considers that, aligned with the National Performance Framework, community football represents a valuable form of preventative investment; welcomes the report’s recommendations for a more consistent national approach to facility access, sustainable funding models and strengthened partnership working, and commends the cross-party group on its contribution to parliamentary engagement, policy development and dialogue with stakeholders over the last two parliamentary sessions to ensure that community football continues to deliver positive outcomes for people and communities throughout Scotland.

That the Parliament congratulates NHS Shetland’s maternity and health visiting services on achieving a Gold accreditation under the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, a nationally recognised mark of excellence in care for babies and their families; understands that the services were officially awarded Gold status in August 2025, recognising the high standards of care, and the commitment to maintaining these, for families across Shetland; further understands that the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative supports services to provide high-quality, evidence-based care that helps parents build close and loving relationships with their babies, and supports them in their feeding journey to give every child the best possible start in life; notes that, to retain accreditation, services must complete regular audits of both staff and parents to ensure that standards continue to be met; pays tribute to the leadership of Susan Keay, NHS Shetland’s Infant Feeding Lead and Integrated Midwife, in helping the services gain accreditation; believes that the Gold status is a testament to the commitment, dedication and hard work of the maternity and health visiting teams in Shetland in delivering person-centred care for families in the Shetland community, and wishes all staff in these teams well.

That the Parliament urges the UK Government to rescind the Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order 1999, which determines the co-ordinates of the boundaries on the east coast between Scotland and England; understands that this statutory instrument was introduced only days before the Scottish Parliament reconvened in 1999; considers that the median line approach, which was imposed on Scotland by the then UK Labour administration, reduced Scottish waters by 15,000 square kilometres, compared with the Continental Shelf (Jurisdiction) Order 1968; believes, with regret, that this decision removed any future Scottish control over fisheries and any oil, gas and other minerals in that sector; recognises that there are numerous examples of departures from the median line principle in several settlements around the world, including in judgements made by the International Court, and demands that a straight baseline be drawn from Eyemouth to Peterhead to take into account Scotland’s highly indented eastern coastline, in order to straighten the England-Scotland border back towards the original east-west alignment.

That the Parliament expresses its great sadness at the passing of Jen Hardy MBE, who passed away peacefully on 20 March 2026 at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital, surrounded by family; notes the inspirational work of Jen, who founded the charity, Cancer Card, in 2021 following her diagnosis of incurable stage 4 breast cancer in 2017; understands that Jen was instrumental in successfully campaigning to make Pertuzumab (Perjeta) available via NHS Scotland, which is a drug that can help to extend life projections in cancer patients; believes that, since the founding of Cancer Card, tens of thousands of Scots diagnosed with cancer have been supported by the charity; notes that Jen was appointed an MBE in 2023 for her outstanding leadership and inspirational support for people affected by cancer; recognises how wonderful a person Jen was and the positive impact that she had on everyone she met, and celebrates the achievements of such an incredible woman, whose legacy will continue through Cancer Card.

That the Parliament congratulates Starfish Asia on its 25 years of support for primary schools in predominantly poor communities in Pakistan; acknowledges that Starfish Asia grew from a small network of partners and supporters across the UK; recognises its monthly support for around 50 schools, giving each the chance of providing a basic, daily education that otherwise might not be possible; acknowledges the provision of dedicated facilities for disabled and vulnerable young people, and thanks Devin Scobie for his work as he steps back after six years as its UK chair, as well as the contribution made by other board members and volunteers.

That the Parliament congratulates Lower Mill of Tynet Farm in Moray on winning a prestigious Golden Scoop Award in the Innovative Class category for its Toots Beer ice cream at the Ice Cream Alliance Awards night on 5 March 2026; understands that this award goes to the ice cream that most pushes boundaries and challenges expectations, including using unconventional ingredients, creating products tailored for specific consumer groups or tackling key consumer challenges; notes that the Toots Beer flavour involves a collaboration with Rothes Brewery; recognises that farm owners June and Gordon Whiteford expanded their farm into a micro-dairy business in 2020 and that the main ingredients for their ice creams are sourced from their farm, as well as using natural flavourings, such is their commitment to sustainable farming, and wishes everyone at Lower Mill of Tynet Farm more success in the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Edith Cook and Elizabeth Hewitt, both of Forres in Moray, on each being awarded a prestigious Benemerenti Medal by Pope Leo XIV for their longstanding service to the Catholic Church; believes that the Benemerenti Medal is the highest honour a layperson can receive and that it is exceptionally rare for two people from the same parish to receive it at the same time; understands that Edith has been the organist at St Margaret's RC Church for the last 50 years and that Elizabeth was a teacher at St Sylvester's school for many years, and has lead the Children's Liturgy Group at St Margaret's and the Moray Faith and Light group for over 20 years; recognises the important role that volunteers play in local communities, and offers Edith and Elizabeth the very best wishes on their awards.

That the Parliament expresses its thanks to its Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone, for her dedicated service to the Parliament; thanks her Deputy Presiding Officers, and pays tribute to all of those Members who are standing down at the end of this session.