Chamber and committees

That the Parliament believes that the draft Scottish Budget 2025-26 will not deliver good value for taxpayers; notes its continuation of the Scottish National Party administration’s high-tax agenda, which has damaged economic growth in Scotland; condemns funding for free bus travel for asylum seekers, which could have instead been used to provide 6,600 pensioners in Scotland with a full Winter Heating Payment, and calls on the Scottish Government to cut income tax to 19% for those earning up to £43,662, introduce full business rates relief for pubs and restaurants across Scotland for 2025-26, and raise the threshold at which house buyers pay residential Land and Buildings Transaction Tax to £250,000.

As an amendment to motion S6M-15782 in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville (Pathways to Global Human Rights: Towards a Stronger Human Rights Culture in Scotland), leave out from "that this year" to end and insert "the important work of bodies, organisations and charities in Scotland, across the UK and around the world that act to uphold human rights and protect those who are vulnerable; acknowledges the steps to advance rights in Scotland, including the commencement of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024; notes, however, concerns among civil society regarding the Scottish Government’s engagement over the draft Disability Equality Plan, as well as other measures to improve and progress human rights in Scotland, which, it believes, the Scottish Government has not delivered; highlights a report from the Scottish Human Rights Commission published in November 2024, which emphasises the 'significant' human rights challenges for people in rural and remote areas of Scotland; recognises that a number of women’s groups continue to have serious concerns about the Scottish Government’s approach to the rights and safety of women and children; calls on the Scottish Government to work in a careful and considered way with public bodies and the third sector, in light of recent criticism over the way that it has engaged on policy matters, and urges it to take urgent and meaningful action on issues affecting human rights, including Scotland’s national housing emergency and access to vital public services such as health and social care."

As an amendment to motion S6M-15782 in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville (Pathways to Global Human Rights: Towards a Stronger Human Rights Culture in Scotland), insert at end "; expresses both profound disappointment and frustration at the lack of progress this year with the much anticipated proposed Human Rights Bill, to incorporate specific protections for disabled people, women and people of colour, as well as social, cultural and economic rights, and the right to a healthy environment; recognises the urgent need to close the gap between ambition and actual realisation of these rights for too many people in Scotland, and calls on the Scottish Government to outline how, in the absence of legislation at this stage, it will address the implementation gap and put human rights at the heart of its decision making."

That the Parliament congratulates the University of the Highlands and Islands student, Aidan Lennan, on being named Scotland’s Young Athlete of the Year; understands that the award was announced at the Scottish Sports Awards held on 4 December 2024; notes that Aidan has won several world kickboxing championship titles over the last few years, including two gold medals this year at the WAKO Youth World Championships in Hungary; congratulates Aidan once again on his recent success, and wishes him all the best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Gilbert "Gilly" Feron on receiving the Community Champion Award at the recent Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire Awards in recognition of his over 30 years of volunteering with the Cambuslang-based charity, LEAP; notes that Gilly was commended for his tireless championing of the welfare of older people and for helping the organisation support thousands of people across Lanarkshire every year; understands that LEAP also won the Grassroots Organisation Award at the same ceremony in recognition of its efforts in offering learning and leisure activities and for supporting older people with befriending, handyperson and dementia services, which, it believes, are all enormously valued in the  community, and wishes Gilly, and all of the staff and volunteers at LEAP, all the very best in their future endeavours.

That the Parliament congratulates Larbert and Stenhousemuir Age Concern on the recent recognition that it has received from Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB), where it was commended for its ongoing work to improve its community with the view to benefiting the climate, the people and nature; notes that it is a participant in the KSB initiative, It’s Your Neighbourhood, which is a part of the organisation’s Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network; further notes that the Larbert and Stenhousemuir group was recognised at KSB’s annual seminar and celebration event on 3 December 2024 for the positive impact its fantastic volunteers have made to their community; congratulates it on the recognition that it has received, and thanks it for its continued hard work.

That the Parliament congratulates Lauren Magunnigal, who is a charge nurse in the Older Adult Community Mental Health Team at NHS Lanarkshire, on being awarded what it sees as the prestigious Queen’s Nurse title; understands that the award, which recognises outstanding community nursing practice, was presented to 21 community nurses from across Scotland who completed the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland’s (QNIS) programme; further understands that the programme, which includes a mix of residential and online workshops, as well as individual coaching sessions, challenges participants to choose a project that will have a meaningful impact on the people that they care for, with an emphasis on equity and inclusion; acknowledges what it considers as the invaluable contributions of QNIS, which is a small charity that supports community nurses and midwives in enhancing their professional skills to provide exceptional patient care, and wishes Lauren all the best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates the Glasgow Pollok constituent, Shahid Choudhary, who is originally from Mian Channu, Pakistan, on being, it believes, the first Scottish Pakistani Muslim to “bag” all 282 Munros; considers that, in doing so, he served as an inspiration and role model to many people, particularly those from diverse communities; applauds the support that he was given by his team members, Asrar Ahmed and Ifty Ahmad; congratulates Mr Choudhary on obtaining certification as a Lowland Leader, Hill and Moorland Leader, Mountain Leader, and Camping Leader, demonstrating both dedication to completing the challenge and to safety and environmental stewardship, and applauds Mr Choudhary for being a role model, for people in Scotland of all backgrounds, in connecting with their natural heritage while learning perseverance and experiencing the emotional, physical and mental benefits of hiking and hillwalking.

That the Parliament pays tribute to Stacey Boyle, who is a midwife with NHS Lothian, for inventing what it sees as the pioneering theatre scrubs, Cozy Cuddle Scrubs; believes that this product has the potential to revolutionise neonatal care and improve outcomes for newborn babies; understands that babies delivered by caesarean section can be carefully placed into the sling-like pouch worn by the birth partner while the surgical team focus on the mum and the completion of the procedure; appreciates that this means that the baby can nestle inside the scrubs and reap the benefits of skin-to-skin contact that has been proven to regulate temperature, stabilise heartbeat, support steady breathing, help with early feeding and improve long-term health outcomes, and wishes Stacey, and NHS Lothian, all the best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Hayston Golf Club, which is based in Kirkintilloch, on being named the winner of the Best Fish Tea in Scotland category at the Scottish Fish and Chip Awards 2024; notes that the judges decided that its fresh beer-battered fish was top for quality, taste, freshness and value; understands that the captain of the club, Graham Wylie, was delighted that its catering side has been honoured; acknowledges the rigorous judging criteria to help ensure that only the finest businesses are awarded, and wishes the club every success for the future.