Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Patrick Bayley, aged 22 and from Dunbar, on successfully completing The Pinnacle, run by the Outward Bound Trust; notes that the 19-day expedition took participants through the Scottish Highlands, where they faced extreme weather, climbed mountains, canoed, and camped in remote terrain; recognises the determination, resilience and teamwork shown by Patrick and his group throughout the course, which was designed to push young people beyond their comfort zone and to build confidence and character; welcomes the involvement of polar explorer Preet Chandi, who inspired participants by sharing her own story of overcoming challenges, and commends the Outward Bound Trust for its work supporting over 25,000 young people each year to build self-belief, resilience and ambition through outdoor learning.

That the Parliament notes the recent award of Gene Conservation Unit to a juniper forest rewilding project by Trees for Life in Dundreggan, near Loch Ness; understands that this European award is a UK first and that it aims to protect and improve the significant diversity of the area; recognises that the award now connects the 10,000-acre forest to a system of managed and genetically significant sites across Europe, and congratulates Trees for Life’s Dundreggan estate manager, Gwen Raes, and the rest of the team on the estate, on gaining this international recognition.

That the Parliament recognises Blair Murray, from Kirtlebridge, for presenting a cheque for £1,050 to Annandale and Eskdale Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in memory of his late father, Roy Murray; understands that RDA provides life-changing experiences for disabled children and adults across the UK through riding, vaulting and driving; further understands that Roy was a well-known and respected businessman in the area, and that his funeral raised significant funds for local charities, including RDA; appreciates the generosity and community spirit shown by the Murray family, and commits to supporting the valuable work of organisations such as RDA in improving lives and promoting inclusion.

That the Parliament congratulates Rosa Zambonini and her two toddlers on their fantastic achievement of completing a 3.5-mile walk around Strathclyde Park in Motherwell to raise funds for the Lanarkshire Deaf Club; recognises that Rosa and her children raised an impressive £800 to support the vital work of the club, which provides a sense of community, communication support, and opportunities for deaf individuals and families across Motherwell and Wishaw; commends Rosa for setting a positive example of community spirit and inclusivity, and encourages others to take inspiration from her efforts to support organisations making a real difference to people’s lives.

That the Parliament congratulates all those taking part in the World Pipe Band Championships 2025, which is taking place on 15-16 August at Glasgow Green, marking the 77th time that this prestigious international event has been staged in the city; believes that the championships are the pinnacle of the piping and drumming calendar, bringing together 207 bands from 15 countries, from Australia and New Zealand to Oman and Zimbabwe, with competitors ranging from novice juveniles to seasoned seniors in their seventies; understands that the 2025 event introduces a dedicated youth competition involving more than 1,540 under-18s, showcasing the next generation of talent and offering them a unique opportunity to perform on the Worlds stage; acknowledges the commitment, skill, and passion of every piper, drummer, organiser, and volunteer, whose efforts ensure that this is a truly world-class event; commends the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, Glasgow Life, EventScotland, and all partners for promoting Scotland’s rich musical heritage, boosting tourism, and enhancing Scotland’s cultural profile worldwide, and celebrates the role of the championships in uniting communities from across the globe, fostering friendship and cultural exchange through the shared love of piping and drumming.

That the Parliament welcomes the award of £20,000 over two years from the National Lottery Community Fund to the Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust, as announced by its chair, Douglas Fountain; acknowledges that this funding, which will support staff and core operational costs, will help sustain the trust’s stewardship of Castle Loch; notes that Castle Loch is one of Scotland’s earliest local nature reserves and a site of international importance for its birdlife; further notes that it holds multiple designations, which include Site of Special Scientific Interest, Ramsar site and Special Protection Area, and recognises the value of this funding in supporting the preservation, accessibility and enjoyment of this unique asset for the local community and visitors.

That the Parliament notes with concern the reported escalation of NHS Dumfries and Galloway to stage three of the NHS Scotland Support and Intervention Framework, following confirmation of a significant budget deficit and a substantial savings requirement; considers that this escalation reflects ongoing financial instability, which risks undermining the delivery of essential health services across the region; understands that the NHS board is under pressure to make large-scale savings while maintaining patient care and service availability; notes what it sees as the particular challenges that rural NHS boards face, including reported workforce shortages, higher delivery costs and dispersed populations; believes that these challenges are not adequately addressed by the current NHS Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) funding formula; calls on the Scottish Government to ensure full engagement with staff, patients and local communities in shaping solutions, and urges the Scottish Ministers to bring forward a clear timetable for reviewing and reforming the NRAC formula to ensure fairer funding for rural areas.

That the Parliament congratulates Martin Daly, of MD Builders Ltd, on reaching the semi-final of the Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2025 competition; notes that Martin has worked in the building trade for 13 years and has built a strong reputation for quality craftsmanship and dedication; recognises that Screwfix’s competition, now in its 16th year, celebrates outstanding talent across the UK and Ireland’s trade industry; notes that reaching this stage is a significant achievement, given the high calibre of applicants from across the country, and wishes Martin continued success in the competition and in his business.

That the Parliament notes with concern the findings of recent research by One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) on the impact of UK Government welfare policy on single parents in Scotland, including those in the Highlands and Islands region; understands that, under current benefit conditionality rules, work-related requirements are applied to most single parents, including those with children as young as three, and that failure to meet these requirements can result in sanctions imposed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); further understands that, in an OPFS survey of single parents, many respondents reported that their caring responsibilities and wider personal circumstances were not fully considered when agreeing their claimant commitments, and that over half reported a negative or very negative impact on their mental health as a result; notes the view that this UK-wide policy framework does not align with Scotland’s "No One Left Behind" employability approach, which, it considers, is based on person-centred and flexible support; further notes the view that the application of UK welfare policy in this way risks undermining access to, and engagement with, devolved employability services in Scotland; welcomes OPFS’s ongoing work to highlight these issues, and notes the support for the development of fairer, more effective approaches to employment support for single parents in Scotland.

That the Parliament congratulates the Falkirk East constituency-based groups that were awarded grant funding via the Asda Foundation; recognises that, in line with its commitment to make the communities surrounding their stores a better place to live for colleagues and customers, Asda established this charitable foundation to provide a range of grants to causes; notes that each project that receives support from the Asda Foundation is nominated by the people and communities directly, with grants being open to a variety of groups that help communities address particular challenges, such as the cost of living and groups seeking to improve the lives and outcomes for children and young people; celebrates that Polmont Together received £2,500, the Boys' Brigade Falkirk and District Battalion was awarded £1,000, the Grangemouth Sea Cadet Unit was awarded £1,000, the KLSB Community Group was given £1,000, the Friends of Inchyra Park was awarded £600 and Larbert FC 2009 received £500; understands that these grants were provided with support from Asda’s Grangemouth and Stenhousemuir dedicated Community Champions; congratulates all recipients of Asda Foundation grants, and wishes them well as they deliver their respective projects.