Chamber and committees

That the Parliament notes that the Aberdeen Reclaim the Night march will take place on 25 November 2025; understands that the march is organised by Rape Crisis Grampian and Aberdeen Women’s Alliance, and is supported by organisations, community groups and trade unions from across the city; notes that this is the first in a series of events throughout the 16 Days of Activism, which run from 25 November to World Human Rights Day on 10 December 2025; understands that the theme of this year’s 16 Days of Activism is “All Together to End Violence Against Women and Girls”;  calls on the Scottish Government to work with charities, organisations and local authorities to eliminate violence against women and girls in our communities, and sends its full solidarity to the Aberdeen Reclaim the Night march.

That the Parliament congratulates Melody Whitley and volunteers on establishing the Helping Hands community shop in Clydebank; recognises that the shop provides free clothing, household items and a welcoming space for conversation, supporting residents during times of financial hardship and social isolation; commends the positive transformation of a site previously associated with tragedy into a hub of hope and community spirit, and wishes the project continued success in enriching lives and strengthening local connections.

That the Parliament believes that the UK Budget should be an opportunity to promote economic growth, deliver investment in Scotland and address the alarming increase in economic inactivity; recognises the importance of backing working households, easing cost pressures and protecting Scotland’s rural economy; believes that ending the Energy Profits Levy is essential to secure investment in the North Sea; emphasises that the UK Labour administration’s tax rises on family farms and small businesses are deeply damaging and should be reversed, and warns against further tax rises; calls on the Scottish Government to prioritise growth with measures to improve productivity, support small businesses, tackle soaring welfare costs and strengthen Scotland’s fiscal position, and believes that both of Scotland’s governments must urgently prioritise economic stability, investment and opportunity as the foundations of sustainable public services within the UK.

That the Parliament regrets the Scottish Government's ideological drive to end North Sea oil and gas exploration and production; notes the negative impact on oil and gas jobs, energy security, the economy and the environment of the Scottish Government's failure to pursue an informed, data-led, evidence-based North Sea policy; demands the immediate and unequivocal reversal of the Scottish Government's presumption against new oil and gas exploration and production, and calls on the UK Government to immediately abolish the Energy Profits Levy.

That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Bill.

That the Parliament recognises concerns and views regarding the importance of improving cyclist visibility and road safety across Scotland, where low lighting, narrow carriageways and limited sightlines can significantly increase risk for all road users; notes the legal requirements under the Highway Code and the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 for cyclists riding at night to display a white front light, a red rear light, a red rear reflector and, where applicable, amber pedal reflectors; acknowledges that steady front lights and additional reflective equipment can greatly improve visibility in unlit areas, which are especially prevalent in rural communities such as the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency; understands with concern that inadequate lighting, particularly during winter months and periods of poor visibility, heightens the risk of serious accidents and can endanger cyclists, motorists and pedestrians; notes the view that strengthening awareness of visibility requirements is a vital step in reducing avoidable collisions and improving safety on rural and urban roads alike; recognises the work of organisations such as Cycling Scotland in promoting safe cycling practices, and notes the calls on the Scottish Government, local authorities and road safety partners to explore ways to enhance public information and community engagement on cyclist visibility, including initiatives tailored to the distinct challenges of rural road environments.

That the Parliament congratulates the 61 organisations in the Lothian region that were recently awarded grants from the National Lottery Community Fund; understands that the awards totalled £1,870,190; recognises that this is testament to the dedication and ingenuity of the people of Lothian in the service of their local communities; thanks the National Lottery for its unwavering support to communities trying to eliminate poverty and disadvantage, and looks forward to witnessing the continued success of all the organisations that received an award.

That the Parliament congratulates Professor Rhys Green on winning the Outstanding Contribution Award at the Nature of Scotland Awards 2025; believes that Professor Green’s pioneering conservation science over many decades has improved the outlook for threatened species globally; highlights his work on the corncrake in Scotland, where his research into the bird’s behaviour and ecology has underpinned new and straightforward conservation measures that have successfully reversed declines in parts of Argyll and Bute, the Outer Hebrides, the Highlands and Orkney; believes that this demonstrates the value of combining rigorous science with the knowledge and experience of farmers, crofters and conservationists on the ground; thanks Professor Green for his outstanding service to nature, and wishes him well in his ongoing efforts to protect biodiversity in Scotland and around the world.

That the Parliament acknowledges the MV Maid of Glencoul’s addition to the National Register of Historic Vessels, maintained by National Historic Ships UK, after over 50 years of service; notes that the vessel was launched in 1975 by MacCrindle Shipbuilding Ltd in Ardrossan as a car and passenger ferry; understands that the Maid continues to serve as back-up vessel on the Corran ferry route, which it has operated on since 1984 and had provided support to the current primary vessel, the MV Corran, for a quarter of a century; recognises that many vessels in Scotland’s ferry fleet are now of a considerable age, and expresses hope that improvements to the service may allow the Maid a well-earned retirement sooner rather than later.

That the Parliament warmly congratulates Ninaa Okwor on winning the secondary school category in the United Nations Global Compact UK's Design The Future You Chose SDG t-shirt competition, held in partnership with ACS Clothing Ltd and Developing the Young Workforce; understands that Ninaa, a pupil at Taylor High School in the Uddingston and Bellshill constituency, designed her winning t-shirt around three of the UN's sustainable development goals that matter most to her, which are ending poverty in all its forms everywhere, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, and conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development; appreciates all of the effort and hard work that Ninaa has put into her design, and wishes Ninaa a very bright future ahead.