Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Cumbernauld Colts Football Club on its success in winning the Lowland League Cup with a 3-2 win over Gala Fairydean Rovers at Newtown Park in Bo'ness on 22 March 2026; recognises that this success was achieved in an exciting encounter with the winning goal scored by Aidan McLaughlin in the 93rd minute; commends what the Colts manager, John Doyle, hailed as his players' "unity and bond", and wishes the club the very best for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

That the Parliament congratulates Springholm Nursery, located in Springholm in the South Scotland region, on achieving a full STEM Nation Award; recognises that this award, delivered through Education Scotland, celebrates early years settings that demonstrate excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning; acknowledges the hard work, creativity and commitment of the nursery’s staff in providing high quality STEM experiences for children at the earliest stages of their education; notes that achieving full STEM Nation status reflects sustained innovation, strong community engagement and a dedication to nurturing curiosity and confidence in young learners, and commends everyone at Springholm Nursery for this outstanding accomplishment and their continued contribution to early years education in Dumfries and Galloway.

That the Parliament congratulates Edinburgh Capitals Ice Hockey Team and its head coach, Steven Lynch, on an outstanding season; understands that the team has been crowned both Scottish National League Champions and reached the final of the upcoming Scottish Cup; recognises the dedication of all the players, staff and volunteers; believes that the team’s continued efforts have raised the profile of this sport, encouraging young players and supporters, and resulting in unprecedented crowds attending and supporting the team at the historic B-listed art deco Murrayfield Ice Arena; recognises the boost that they bring to the local economy, and wishes the team every success in the upcoming cup final and play-offs.

That the Parliament congratulates Aaron Sharma, from the High School of Glasgow, on winning the Persuasive Speaking category in the Senior Division of Young Speakers Scotland’s Public Speaking Competition 2025/26; notes that the competition brought together pupils from 13 schools across Scotland following competitive preliminary heats; commends Aaron’s outstanding ability to identify and articulate key issues and present persuasive solutions; recognises the valuable work of Young Speakers Scotland in promoting confidence, critical thinking and effective communication among young people, including through its Speak Up Scotland programme, and wishes Aaron every success in his future endeavours.

That the Parliament recognises that the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) has received funding from Scotland's Humanitarian Emergency Fund to help Malawian partners address food insecurity, malnutrition and climate-related shocks in Malawi; notes reports of increasing rates of moderate and acute malnutrition, particularly among children under five and pregnant and lactating women; believes that SCIAF's approach, which includes cash transfers to highly vulnerable households, such as female-headed households, families with malnourished children, people with disabilities, child-headed households and flood-affected families, can save lives; understands that packs of Fortified Corn Soya Blend (FCSB) as supplementary food is needed for the most at-risk households, and further understands that Scotland's Humanitarian Emergency Fund has made SCIAF's holistic humanitarian response of cash transfers and supplementary food possible in Malawi and has helped protect child growth and maternal health while supporting community recovery and economic stability.

That the Parliament commends Kooee home interiors and café, on Old Castle Road in the Glasgow Cathcart constituency, on winning the Glasgow Best Café Award at the 2026’s Scotland’s Business Awards show; notes that Kooee has been growing its business since its opening in 2016, despite the general downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic; congratulates the mother and son partnership of Gill Oakley and David Gallagher on their hard work, dedication and commitment to a consistently high quality of food and service, which makes this a much desired eating venue, as well as an important stop for interior design and home furnishings, and wishes them every success when they participate in the national finals in November.

That the Parliament celebrates Nomad Yoga Studio, which is a dedicated venue offering hot yoga and Pilates in the centre of Dundee; welcomes the health and wellbeing benefits that it aims to bring to the people of Tayside and the wider community; understands that the studio was founded by Madira Gregurek in 2019 following the success of Hot Yoga Dundee, which she founded in 2011; commends Madira for bringing her classical training in the spiritual, physical and healing practice of yoga, as well as Pilates and dance, to accessible and affordable classes; notes that, through these, Madira seeks to empower her students to be strong, flexible and easy in their bodies, peaceful and clear in their minds and playful in spirit; understands that the studio has deep roots in traditional teachings; notes that it encourages everyone who is curious about yoga to explore and discover the benefits of practice for modern lifestyles; believes that, as well as increasing physical fitness, strength, balance, mobility and flexibility, yoga can help with mental wellbeing by facilitating the quietening of the mind and helping its practitioners to switch off from the stresses of modern daily life; considers Nomad an inner-city sanctuary for people from all walks of life, with teachers from countries including Scotland, Croatia, the United States, Greece, China and Canada; notes that a wide range of classes are taught across two fully equipped and dedicated studio rooms, supported by a large changing room, shower facilities and a spacious reception; praises the studio for offering the use of mats and other supportive equipment at no extra charge; acknowledges the hard work of everyone involved in making Nomad an immersive experience of peace and calm from the moment users step off the street; acknowledges the success of its Boundless Soul retreat offering in autumn 2025, and hopes for similar success with its upcoming retreat in spring 2026; welcomes the ambition to offer retreats further afield to bring the benefits of yoga as a spiritual, physical and healing practice closer to the people of Dundee, Tayside and the north east, and wishes the studio every success for the future.

That the Parliament agrees that the Antisocial Behaviour (Fixed Penalty Offences) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] be approved.

That the Parliament agrees that the Marine Licensing (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] be approved.

That the Parliament notes that 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the General Strike of 1926; understands that the strike was called by the TUC in solidarity with coal miners who were facing severe wage reductions and longer working hours; acknowledges that it lasted from 3 to 12 May 1926 and that 1.7 million workers across the UK, including transport workers, printers, dockers and labourers, came out in solidarity with miners’ unions in defence of pay and conditions; recognises the miners’ call for “Not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day”; believes that, in the course of the 100 years since, the strike has fundamentally shaped the relationship between workers, employers, government and the labour movement; considers that trade unions remain centrally important as a collective voice for workers in Scotland and across the UK; notes with concern what it sees as the continued challenges and exploitation facing workers in 2026, including reports of unequal pay, wage theft, zero-hours contracts, fire-and-rehire conditions and workplace violence, bullying and harassment; believes that when workers stand together, lasting change can be won for all, and calls on all workers across Scotland to educate, organise and unionise in a spirit of fellowship, solidarity and unity.