Chamber and committees

That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the vital role that bridges play in connecting communities across Scotland, including in the Highlands and Islands region, supporting access to work, education, healthcare, emergency services and local economies; notes recent reported events highlighting the vulnerability of Scotland’s bridge infrastructure, including the partial collapse of the Spey Viaduct and the ongoing closure, restriction or uncertainty affecting key local bridges such as Cloddach Bridge, Kirkcudbright Bridge and the Bridge of Alford; understands that many of these structures carry thousands of vehicles each day and serve as lifeline routes for both rural and urban communities; notes with concern reports that a number of local authorities, including Highland Council, have acknowledged that financial constraints mean that some bridges will be placed into managed decline, and recognises what it sees as the significant impact that bridge closures or long-term restrictions can have on connectivity, community resilience, local economies and public confidence in Scotland’s transport infrastructure. 

That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Pension Schemes Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 5 June 2025, and subsequently amended, relating to clauses 1 (Asset pool companies), 2 (Asset management) and 5 (Scheme manager governance reviews) of Chapter 1 of Part 1, so far as these matters alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

That the Parliament, for the purposes of any Act of the Scottish Parliament resulting from the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill, agrees to any expenditure of a kind referred to in Rule (a) 9.12.3 and (b) 9.12.3A of the Parliament’s Standing Orders arising in consequence of the Act.

That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Contract (Formation and Remedies) (Scotland) Bill.

That the Parliament welcomes the publication by Pesticide Action Network UK of its annual Dirty Dozen list, analysing the results of monitoring by the UK Government’s residue testing programme and showing which fruits and vegetables are most likely to be contaminated with multiple pesticides; notes research by Pesticide Action Network UK, published in July 2025, which shows that almost half of Scottish local authorities are implementing measures to reduce pesticide use in urban and municipal spaces, mirroring a UK-wide reduction in pesticides; further notes what it sees as the welcome use of effective, alternative methods recommended by Pesticide Action Network UK for local authorities in Scotland; recognises what it sees as the growing evidence of widespread human exposure to pesticides by dietary and environmental routes, and the harm to environmental, ecological and human health of pesticide exposure; calls on the Scottish Government to work with local authorities to ensure councils have sufficient funding, training and means of providing alternative methods of environmental management, and pays tribute to what it considers necessary continued research and public engagement on this issue, including by Pesticide Action Network UK, to demonstrate the scale and extent of harmful pesticide exposure to people and communities across Scotland.

That the Parliament congratulates Action for Children and its Voices of The Promise project; notes that this project was commissioned by West Dunbartonshire Council to implement the Promise across the region; further notes that young people's voices were at the heart of the project with them co-designing notable outcomes, such as a training programme aiming to educate and engage individuals of all ages in The Promise, a young person-led podcast discussing vital themes and experiences surrounding The Promise and care experience, a Siblings’ Charter developed by a working group of young people for brothers and sisters within the care system; draws particular attention to and congratulates six young people, Kaizer, Lauren, Kara, Callum, Freya and Lilly May, who created and performed the Unheard Voices, Unbroken Spirits, a musical that tells the collective story of care experience across West Dunbartonshire; recognises that the musical has been staged at Clydebank Town Hall and the Denny Civic Theatre with the young people even performing a song from the show in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament in celebration of Action for Children’s 70th anniversary parliamentary reception; commends all those involved in the project, and looks forward to hearing more great achievements from Scotland’s future stars, Kaizer, Lauren, Kara, Callum, Freya and Lilly May.

That the Parliament congratulates St Mirren Football Club on winning the Premier Sports Cup Final 3-1 against Celtic Football Club; acknowledges the hard work and determination of the players in winning the title along with all the staff and volunteers associated with the club that have made this victory possible, and believes that this title is symptomatic of the club's success over the last few years finishing in the top six of the Premiership, something, it understands, that was doubted by some but is expressed perfectly by the fans' mantra, "Faith over Fear".

That the Parliament congratulates Orkney Triathlon Club on being named Club of the Year at the 2025 Triathlon Scotland Annual Awards; believes that this is a well-deserved recognition after the club delivered the fantastic Orkney 2025 Island Games triathlon, bringing together athletes from 13 different island communities to compete in the event, which got competition underway in the picturesque setting of Stromness; understands that in addition to the successful triathlon event this summer, the club has consistently been a welcoming and inclusive space for all ability levels, hosting exciting local events that encourage athletes to get involved in multisport; thanks Orkney Triathlon Club for all it has done to promote the sport in Orkney and internationally, and wishes it all the very best for continued success into the future.

That the Parliament notes with concern the recent report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which states that the UK economy shrank by 0.1% in October 2025; understands that the economy also shrank by 0.1% in the three months running up to October, with production output shrinking by 0.5%; expresses concern regarding the reported comments from the UK chief economist at Barclays bank on the BBC’s Today programme that these figures showed that the UK economy was “unambiguously weak”, and that data from the bank indicated that uncertainty ahead of the Autumn Budget had “held off purchases and big spending decisions”; believes that these reports demonstrate that the UK Government is severely mishandling the economy, and that weeks of briefing ahead of the Budget had a damaging effect, and further believes that UK Government control is not working for Scotland’s people or its economy, and that Scotland needs a fresh start with independence.

That the Parliament congratulates East Ayrshire Carers Centre Ltd on its National Lottery Awards for All Scotland grant in the amount of £17,730; understands that the funds will be used to deliver weekly coffee mornings and weekly support groups from its base in Kilmarnock, over 18 months, for adult carers living in East Ayrshire; commends East Ayrshire Carers Centre Ltd on its efforts to provide support to unpaid carers, and wishes all the volunteers and participants well in their future endeavours.