Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Anne Garrett, who is from Moffat, on her exceptional contribution to charitable fundraising and community life; recognises her role within the Moffat Macmillan Cancer Support Fundraising Group since 2012, helping to raise over £300,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support through events, including the Moffat Classic Car Rally, the Big Coffee Morning and Christmas Lights Event; notes the group’s most recent coffee morning raised over £5,300; commends Anne's dedication to supporting local health services and charities, including fundraising for both cancer and transplant care during the COVID-19 pandemic through innovative initiatives, such as afternoon tea box collections; acknowledges the support of her husband, Billy, and wider family in these efforts, and thanks Anne for her selfless service, kindness and commitment to improving the lives of people across Moffat and Dumfriesshire.

As an amendment to motion S7M-01395 in the name of Jenny Gilruth (Scotland’s Priorities for the UK Budget), leave out from “welcomes” to end and insert “believes that the UK Budget should prioritise economic growth by avoiding further tax rises, keeping fuel costs down and supporting investment in Scotland; calls on the Scottish Government to control unsustainable welfare spending and deliver meaningful public service reform, and calls on both governments to reduce the burden on workers and businesses, and to support economic growth.”

That the Parliament notes with concern the Scottish Government’s projected £4.77 billion funding gap by 2029-30; warns that, on the current trajectory, Scots risk facing further income tax rises to balance the budget, and calls on the Scottish Government to reaffirm its commitment not to introduce new income tax bands or increase income tax rates.

That the Parliament welcomes the relocation of Luna Textiles Ltd, a leading UK manufacturer of premium wool-filled bedding and home comfort products, from Hebden Bridge to Buccleuch Mill in Langholm; recognises the importance of the textile industry to Langholm’s heritage and local economy; notes that the relocation is expected to create up to 10 jobs by 2029 and provide employment opportunities for people with specialist textile skills; further notes the £70,000 grant awarded by South of Scotland Enterprise to support new machinery and increased production capacity; understands that the company uses traceable British wool, including wool sourced from farms in Scotland; commends Luna Textiles Ltd’s commitment to quality, sustainability and British manufacturing, and wishes the company every success at its new premises and in contributing to the future of Langholm’s textile sector.

That the Parliament congratulates The Farmers Arms in Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway, on being awarded the Hewson Salver Trophy at the Thornhill Horticultural Society Flower Show; understands that the award is presented specifically to the best commercial floral display; notes that The Farmers Arms, which is operated by Andrew and Kirsty-Anne Morrison, is a highly rated family-run, traditional local pub located on Drumlanrig Street; further notes that Andrew and Kirsty-Anne hold regular events including live music, quiz nights, dominoes and bingo games; recognises that The Farmers Arms was named Dumfriesshire Pub of the Year for 2026 by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, and wishes all involved in the running of the pub continued success in their ongoing efforts to contribute to the vibrancy of the local community.

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.