Chamber and committees

As an amendment to motion S7M-00367 in the name of Stephen Flynn (Affordable Bus Fares), leave out from "believes that” to end and insert "considers that a functioning bus network should be centred on affordability and reliability and that competition between different providers is the most effective way to achieve this; notes with concern the deteriorating provision of bus services across Scotland, including the numerous routes, particularly in rural areas, that have had their service levels reduced or removed; warns that the expansion of concessionary bus travel could increase the risk of inequality in access to bus services between urban and rural areas; calls on the Scottish Government to take greater action to protect bus drivers and tackle anti-social behaviour on buses, and agrees with the views that the regulations and code of conduct implemented in the previous parliamentary session to remove passes from passengers who commit anti-social behaviour are not strong enough."

That the Parliament notes with concern the reported impact of the decision taken by Lloyds Banking Group in 2025 to withdraw cheque deposit services through Post Office branches and Banking Hubs; understands that Lloyds, operator of the Bank of Scotland, is the only major bank that does not allow customers to deposit cheques at Post Office branches and Banking Hubs, a decision that it believes is having an adverse effect on the most vulnerable customers in areas such as Sanquhar in Dumfriesshire; considers that banking hubs have made a positive difference to communities across Dumfriesshire and the rest of Scotland, which have lost access to face-to-face banking following branch closures; notes the calls for Lloyds Banking Group to support the 44% of account users who still use cheques, particularly within the 65 and over age group, by reversing this decision so that the most vulnerable customers are not negatively impacted, and further notes the calls on the Financial Conduct Authority, LINK, Cash Access UK and the Post Office to review the criteria for Banking Hubs and access to cash in rural areas and those with older or disadvantaged customer groups.

As an amendment to motion S7M-00249 in the name of Jenny Gilruth (Wealth Taxation for Public Services),  leave out from “, progressive” to end and insert "and low taxation, which incentivises work and investment; rejects the left-wing ‘Holyrood’ consensus, which believes that Scotland can tax its way to economic growth; calls on the Scottish Government to use its existing devolved taxation powers to reduce income tax to stimulate growth, and rules out any further devolution of fiscal powers, which have already created a damaging tax differential, which undermines Scotland's ability to retain and attract high earners and wealth creators.”

That the Parliament recognises the Lockerbie and District Rotary Club on the success of its sponsored walk, which saw 106 walkers participating in circuits of the Castle Loch in Lochmaben; praises those who raised funds for local charities, including Eskrigg Nature Reserve manager Jim Rae, who completed three circuits, raising money for the nature reserve, and extends praise to the Lockerbie and District Rotary Club for organising and managing the event, along with the First Aid team and Castle Loch Nature Reserve who provided toilet facilities and refreshments at the group's loch side cottage.

That the Parliament welcomes the publication by the Portman Group of Protecting Consumers & Supporting Producers: Regulatory Report 2025, which provides insights into the Group's work as the regulator for alcohol marketing across the UK, with the aim of protecting vulnerable consumers from irresponsible alcohol marketing while providing an effective and proportionate regulatory framework that supports economic growth; notes the results of the Group’s first proactive audit of the UK market, including Scotland, suggesting near universal industry compliance with the Code of Practice; understands that the Portman Group is actively engaged with businesses and policymakers in the Parliament to promote high standards of responsible alcohol marketing; notes the view that substantial progress has been made in promoting responsible drinking across Scotland, as well as tackling alcohol misuse on the ground by promoting local partnership schemes, and encourages the Scottish Government to consider the report’s findings.

That the Parliament notes with concern the ongoing consultation on council tax reform; further notes that central government funding has been reduced in real terms in this and previous Scottish Government budgets; acknowledges the cumulative pressure on households from rising council tax, the introduction of additional local charges, fees and levies, and the increasing likelihood of further council tax rises; recognises the damaging impact that funding reductions are having on frontline and statutory local authority services; expresses a lack of confidence that the current consultation will deliver fair or considered reform, given the Scottish Government’s record of underfunding local government, and calls on the Scottish Government to withdraw the consultation and rule out proceeding with the proposed council tax reforms, including the plan to conduct a revaluation of every home in Scotland for council tax purposes, at a time when households are already struggling with rising bills.

That the Parliament congratulates Blooming Haddington on being selected to represent Scotland in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom competition in 2026, in the town category; recognises this nomination as a significant achievement for Haddington and its community; notes that the group was nominated by Keep Scotland Beautiful following its success in the Beautiful Scotland competition, where it secured a gold award and was recognised as the best medium town; commends the volunteers, local businesses, community groups and residents whose efforts have kept Haddington looking award-winning; recognises the contribution of East Lothian Council in supporting planting and maintaining public spaces, and wishes Blooming Haddington every success as it showcases Haddington on a national stage.

That the Parliament welcomes the launch of the Wool, Woven and Wild festival in Langholm, celebrating the town’s rich wool heritage, textile creativity and natural landscape; notes that the festival will bring together makers, farmers, artists and the local community for a programme of stalls, talks, workshops and guided visits to local farms and businesses; recognises the festival as an opportunity to showcase the connections between craft, agriculture and landscape in the Langholm area; commends the organisers for promoting conversations around sustainability, heritage and creative practice; acknowledges the support of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Regional Cultural Fund in enabling the festival to take place, and wishes everyone involved success in establishing Wool, Woven and Wild as a new cultural event that celebrates the unique character of Langholm and the wider Dumfriesshire region.

That the Parliament commends Dumfries High School for its outstanding contribution to the local community through its December foodbank appeal for Apex Foodbank; notes that pupils, staff and families donated more than 2,000 food items and £1,178 in cash to support local people in need; recognises the generosity and community spirit shown by the school; acknowledges the vital role played by local foodbanks in supporting vulnerable individuals and families across Dumfries and Galloway, and congratulates Dumfries High School on another successful year of raising funds and food for the foodbank.

That the Parliament welcomes the next phase of the Chapelcross Masterplan, following the announcement that CX Power has been named as the strategic developer to support the delivery of the green energy hub; believes that the programme has the potential to transform the region with plans for hydrogen production, advanced manufacturing and AI-enabled data centres utilising 135 acres of the available land within the unlicensed landholding of the Chapelcross estate, and welcomes the engagement and ongoing collaboration of organisations including the NDA, Nuclear Restoration Services, South of Scotland Enterprise, the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and Dumfries and Galloway Council.