Chamber and committees

That the Parliament condemns the reported decision of the UK Government to allocate the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund on a population basis using the Barnett formula; understands that Scotland will receive around 8% of the £360 million fund despite over 60% of the fish landed in the UK coming through Scottish ports; further understands that Shetland, by volume and by value, accounts for 9% of the fish landed in the UK; notes with concern that Shetland will only get a fraction of the fund allocated for Scotland, which, it believes, is not proportionate to its central role in the fishing industry; believes that the decision to allocate funds on a population rather sector basis will disadvantage Scotland’s fishing sector, including the fishing fleet, seafood processors and coastal communities, and calls on the UK Government to review the formula used to deliver the funding to reflect the central role that Scotland and Shetland play in the UK’s fishing industry.

That the Parliament welcomes the award of £197,200 from the Scottish Land Fund to Creative Regeneration to purchase the former sugar refinery building and adjacent land known as The Glebe in Greenock; notes that the funding will support the transformation of the Grade B listed building into a technical and creative community hub focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) skills and community learning; recognises that the project will provide flexible accommodation, office space and creative and technical workshops delivered in partnership with businesses, the third sector and community organisations; acknowledges the historical significance of the building as the last remnant of Greenock’s sugar refining industry and the project’s aim to preserve and interpret this heritage; commends the inclusion of a STEAM makerspace, a digital production space for Vanishing Point theatre company, a Retrofit Hub and a National Stained Glass School, and congratulates Creative Regeneration and all involved for their vision and commitment to delivering what it sees as a transformational project for Inverclyde.

That the Parliament congratulates Bridget Donnelly, of Greenock, on being named Age Scotland’s first-ever Community Champion at the 2025 Age Scotland Awards; notes that this new award category was created to honour small acts of kindness, generosity and support offered to older people by individuals who are not formally employed in a caring role, but who nonetheless make a significant difference in their communities; understands that Bridget was nominated by residents and staff at John Galt House retirement housing complex for her tireless dedication and daily support, including delivering newspapers, organising afternoon teas, helping with shopping and banking, and accompanying residents to medical appointments; recognises the profound impact that Bridget has made on the lives of older people in her community, with residents describing her as “first-class” and “indispensable”; commends Age Scotland for highlighting the importance of informal community support in tackling loneliness and isolation among older people, and wishes Bridget continued success and fulfilment in her voluntary work.

That the Parliament recognises Ruby Warren and Holly Diver from Western Titans BMX Club in Drumry for their recent success in competitions and races close to home and further afield; understands that the club, which holds two training sessions per week at its home track, has 34 members; congratulates Ruby on becoming the first Scottish female for some time to win the British National Series; further congratulates Holly for placing fifth in the same competition; recognises what it sees as the disparity between the engagement of girls and boys in the growing sport and credits the club for supporting Ruby and Holly; wishes the girls well in their upcoming competitions, and celebrates Western Titans and all its riders.

That the Parliament congratulates Ollie and Nikki Lake from Thorabella Farm near Dallas, Moray, on it winning the Diversified Farm of the Year category at the Scottish Agricultural Awards 2025; recognises that Ollie, Nikki and their family have worked hard to make the farm a success, with it proving to be a popular attraction for local people and visitors to the area; understands that this award was presented in recognition of their dedication to agriculture and determination to succeed in a difficult climate and in the face of considerable challenges; notes that, as well as a herd of buffalo providing their own meat, which they sell in their on-site farm shop alongside a range of other local produce, Thorabella has become a visitor destination for families who stay in their on-site accommodation, and other visitors who enjoy farm tours and their popular open days; believes that people of all ages benefit from seeing a working farm up close and meeting a range of animals, including Highland cattle, Jersey cows, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, poultry, capybaras and many more, and can now enjoy a range of excellent meals and drinks from their on-farm catering station, The Buffalo Bite, and wishes everyone at Thorabella Farm continued success in the future.

That the Parliament notes the findings of a recent Travelodge survey of more than 100,000 people across the UK, which revealed that 57% of respondents do not believe clocks should change twice a year; acknowledges that one in three people reportedly favour keeping British Summer Time (BST) all year round to enjoy lighter evenings, while one in four prefer permanent Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) for lighter mornings; recognises that the practice of changing clocks in spring and autumn continues to generate public debate about its impact on wellbeing, productivity and energy use; notes that the same survey found that one in five respondents reported getting less than five hours of sleep a night, with many citing stress and anxiety as key factors, and hopes that more research from relevant stakeholders explores the potential benefits and drawbacks of ending the biannual clock change, with a view to adopting a system that best supports public health, safety and overall quality of life.

That the Parliament condemns the reported decision of the UK Government to allocate Scotland just 7.78% of the new UK Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, despite Scotland representing more than half of the UK’s fishing sector; understands that the decision to distribute the £360 million fund on a population basis using the Barnett formula means that Scotland will receive only £28 million, compared with the £166 million that it considers would have been due under a fair, sector-based allocation; believes that this an 83% cut to the share that Scotland would have received under post-EU arrangements; further believes that this decision will disadvantage Scotland’s coastal communities, seafood processors and fishing fleet while granting an unfair advantage to England’s proportionally smaller industry; notes that this follows what it sees as years of damaging UK Government policies, including trade deals that undermined exports and the loss of access to the European single market, and calls on the UK Government to reverse this decision and provide Scotland’s fishing industry with a fair funding settlement that reflects its scale, contribution and vital importance to the national economy.

That the Parliament congratulates the town of Paisley on being crowned Scotland’s Town of the Year by Scotland Loves Local; acknowledges what it sees as the hard work and investment from Paisley First Business Improvement District, Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Government into the town in recent years; notes the success of Paisley's local cultural events such as the Halloween and food and drink festivals, and understands that Paisley, like many urban centres in Scotland, was hit badly by online shopping, out-of-town retail parks, the cost of living crisis and the loss of the textile industry, and now serves as a example for urban renewal in Scotland through both major investment and cultural renewal.

That the Parliament commends the ongoing work of the Blantyre-Blantyre project, which has produced a joint healthcare programme to better understand the causes of poor health and low life expectancy in Blantyre, Malawi and in the West of Scotland, including in Blantyre; understands that the project was developed through a two-way discussion of need and expertise between the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences and the University of Glasgow, and has included the development of cutting-edge research facilities established largely through Scottish Government support; believes that the Blantyre-Blantyre equitable partnership model is internationally acclaimed and has helped to shape the overall approach to equitable partnerships of the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities; notes that the First Minister recently visited the new Blantyre-Blantyre research laboratory in Lusaka, Zambia, where Scottish International Development funding has enabled an expansion of the project and ground-breaking three-country research collaboration between Scotland, Malawi, and Zambia; believes that the collaboration has strengthened the institutions involved, leading to meaningful improvements in healthcare in their respective countries and illustrating how Scotland’s continued international research and development partnerships can drive lasting change for communities both locally and globally, and commends all of those involved in the project for their continued efforts.

That the Parliament congratulates Veterans Community Lanarkshire on reaching its 10th anniversary; recognises the organisation’s invaluable work in supporting the veterans community, including ex-armed forces personnel and their families, across the Lanarkshire area; commends its commitment to providing guidance, practical assistance and a sense of community to those who have served in the Armed Forces; acknowledges the dedication of its volunteers, staff, and supporters who have contributed to its success over the past decade, and wishes Veterans Community Lanarkshire continued success in its mission to support and empower veterans and their families in the years ahead.