Chamber and committees

That the Parliament recognises the Getting Alongside Communities programme delivered by the Corra Foundation to support community leadership to flourish across Scotland; congratulates community leaders in Blacklands, Buckhaven, Carbrain, Castlehill, Cumnock, Dunterlie, Fernhill, Langlees & Bainsford and Methil, who have collectively spent more than 16,000 hours establishing new spaces, bringing people together through groups and activities, running local campaigns on housing and transport and addressing issues such as health, access to food and tackling loneliness; recognises the positive change that happens when communities are resourced and supported in ways that work for them, and agrees that local, community-led activity, with local and national agencies working in partnership, is critical to creating lasting positive change so that all of Scotland’s communities can thrive.

That the Parliament congratulates Kenneth Mackenzie Ltd on its 120th anniversary and long-standing contribution to both the Harris Tweed industry and Western Isles' economy; acknowledges that Kenneth Mackenzie remains the oldest operating Harris Tweed mill and continues to be independently owned by an islander, Alexander Lockerby, and believes that, with 38 local staff, 58 home-based weavers and it supporting other island businesses, alongside it offering apprenticeships, vocational qualifications and work experience, Kenneth Mackenzie will continue to bring positive contributions to the islands and Harris Tweed industry for years to come.

That the Parliament commends Clydemuir Primary School for receiving some of the highest ratings available during a recent inspection; understands that staff were recognised for creating a positive and inclusive environment and for focusing on wellbeing; welcomes that pupils were praised for being well-mannered and for attaining well in literacy and numeracy; notes that staff were empowered by senior leadership and able to identify pupils who needed extra support; congratulates the school for this glowing report, and thanks the hardworking staff and pupils for achieving this great result.

That the Parliament notes reports that GB Energy has announced that it will take up office space in Aberdeen’s Marischal Square, which will have the ability to house approximately 50 staff; considers that this personnel level is very underwhelming, given that the UK Labour administration initially pledged to create thousands of jobs at GB Energy’s Aberdeen headquarters; believes that Aberdeen has been "sold a pup" by the UK Labour administration, and further believes that the UK Government and GB Energy have betrayed the people of Aberdeen.

That the Parliament welcomes the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s (SCIAF) 2026 Wee Box Appeal; notes that this year’s campaign highlights SCIAF’s work in Ethiopia to support women, girls and boys who walk for hours under the scorching sun in search of water, often risking their safety in remote and unsafe areas; understands that, without reliable access to clean water, families can be trapped in a cycle of poverty, with children missing school and women and girls spending their days collecting water rather than pursuing education or employment; recognises that the wider community experiences hardship as a result, with disease spreading, livelihoods collapsing and opportunities diminishing; notes that, despite decades of development progress, recent conflict has torn families apart, extreme weather has devastated landscapes and livelihoods, and reductions in international aid, including by the UK Government, risk further undermining essential, life-saving services; notes estimates that global aid reductions could contribute to 22 million avoidable deaths by 2030, and calls on the UK Government to reconsider its proposed reductions to overseas development assistance, restore spending to 0.7% of Gross National Income on international aid, and maintain the independence and function of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact in scrutinising UK aid expenditure.

That the Parliament welcomes the exhibition, Aberdeen Artworlds: The Linklater Collection, which is running at the University of Aberdeen; notes that the exhibition, which is running until 6 December 2026, features a set of 10 important Scottish modernist paintings donated to the University by Eric and Marjorie Linklater in 1976, which is known as the Linklater bequest; understands that the collection contains still lifes and portraits by the Scottish colourists J.D. Fergusson, S.J. Peploe and Leslie Hunter, a landscape by Catterline-based painter Joan Eardley, and paintings by Anne Redpath and James Cowie, as well as works and archival material on loan from the Linklater family and other generous lenders; further notes that Eric Linklater was rector of the University of Aberdeen from 1945 to 1948, and is known for works such as Magnus Merriman, widely thought to be based on his National Party of Scotland candidacy in the 1933 East Fife by-election, and hopes that the exhibition is a great success, and that many people take the opportunity to learn more about Aberdeen and the north east’s cultural landscape and history.

That the Parliament recognises Bearsden Martial Arts Club (BMAC) is marking its 40th anniversary in August 2026; understands that BMAC was set up in 1986 by Hugh Russell, its chief instructor, who recently marked 51 years of practising martial arts; notes that it is run by volunteers, who work hard to make martial arts accessible to as many as possible; welcomes that it has raised over £16,500 for good causes with biannual fundraisers since 2020, seeing money being raised for NHS Charities Together, the Star Project and the Trussell Trust, and a regular Summer Bash, which has supported the MS Society and Kidney Research UK; commends it for planning another fundraiser to mark the 40th anniversary; praises it for sharing its members' love of martial arts with hundreds of adults and children across Bearsden and Milngavie, ranging in age from six to 70; welcomes its inclusive view of martial arts as a self-defence skill for all, regardless of age, gender, fitness level or mobility, with a belief that someone is never too old to start; thanks BMAC for building a welcoming and supportive environment that allows people to build vital self-defence skills, and wishes it a very happy 40th birthday and all the best for the future.

That the Parliament recognises and commends what it sees as the life-changing work of Ewan Aitken over his 12 years as CEO of Cyrenians; celebrates in particular his role in doubling the size of the charity, greatly increasing the number of people that it supports and its influence on policy; acknowledges Ewan’s success in bringing the voice of lived experience to the policy table; believes that through Cyrenians' values of compassion, integrity, respect and innovation, he has demonstrated in action why the solutions to homelessness require a public health approach across the public, private and voluntary sectors, and sends Ewan its best wishes for what he goes on to do next, as he steps down from his role.

That the Parliament recognises the reported pressures facing A&E departments; is concerned that recorded waiting times are persistently high, with the number of people waiting more than 8 hours and 12 hours reported in 2025 as 171,854 and 74,052 respectively; notes the consequent rise in corridor care adversely affecting people in the Dumbarton constituency and across Scotland; considers that using the metric of acute hospital bed occupancy as the primary focus can help to relieve these pressures, and notes calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that reductions in occupancy act as the mechanism by which the whole system is held to account.

That the Parliament believes that providing childcare support to parents not only supports the family unit but also helps to grow Scotland’s economy by encouraging more parents back into the workforce; understands that families in Mid Scotland and Fife, and across the country, still struggle to find affordable, flexible and accessible childcare; praises the work of organisations such as Pregnant Then Screwed, which have campaigned to improve childcare provision across the UK; notes that its 2024 State of the Nation Survey concluded that around four in five parents (83.7%) found that childcare costs are the same as or more than their income, and that 71% of mothers and 50% of fathers say that it does not make financial sense for them to work; understands that its 2026 survey is due to conclude, with findings to be published in due course; further understands that the Scottish Government’s Early Learning and Childcare expansion programme evaluation strategy has assessed the impact of the expansion of provision covering the period 2018–25, and that it expects to publish its findings in early 2026, and notes the view that the Parliament should have the opportunity to scrutinise this important review before the end of the current parliamentary session.