Chamber and committees

That the Parliament celebrates Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) Summer Ramsay’s campaign to expand Gaelic learning opportunities for young people across Scotland; congratulates Summer on her consultation with pupils in Tranent and around East Lothian, where she found significant support for expanding local provision of Gaelic Learner Education in primary schools and Gaelic Learners (Gàidhlig) courses in secondary schools; acknowledges petition PE2290, which was submitted to the Scottish Parliament by Summer to bring attention to her campaign; notes that 37 local authority secondary schools in Scotland offered at least one subject in the medium of Gaelic in 2025-26, five more than in the previous year, with 3,320 pupils across 30 secondary schools taking up Gaelic Learners (Gàidhlig) as a subject, and encourages further expansion of Gaelic learning provision in schools across Scottish local authorities, in the spirit of the Scottish Languages Act 2025.

The Member has provided the following  Gaelic translation:

Gu bheil a’ Phàrlamaid a’ cur fàilte air an iomairt aig Summer Ramsay, Ball de Phàrlamaid Òigridh na h-Alba (MSYP), gus cothroman airson Gàidhlig ionnsachadh a leudachadh do dhaoine òga air feadh na h-Alba; gu bheil i a’ cur meal-a-naidheachd air Summer airson co-chomhairle a chumail le sgoilearan ann an Tranent agus air feadh Lodainn an Ear, far an d’ fhuair i a-mach gu bheil taic nach beag ann airson a bhith a’ leudachadh Foghlam Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig gu h-ionadail ann am bun-sgoiltean agus cùrsaichean Gàidhlig do Luchd-ionnsachaidh ann an àrd-sgoiltean; gu bheil i ag aithneachadh athchuinge PE2290, a chuir Summer a-steach gus aire a tharraing chun na h-iomairt aice; gu bheil i a’ toirt fa-near gun robh 37 àrd-sgoiltean aig ùghdarrasan ionadail ann an Alba a’ tabhann co-dhiù aon chuspair tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig ann an 2025-26, còig a bharrachd na bha air a’ bhliadhna roimhe, le 3,320 sgoilear ann an 30 àrd-sgoiltean a’ dèanamh Gàidhlig mar chuspair; agus gu bheil i a’ brosnachadh leudachadh a bharrachd air solar ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig ann an sgoiltean ùghdarrasan ionadail air feadh na h-Alba, a rèir spiorad Achd nan Cànan Albannach 2025.

That the Parliament congratulates the Scottish Chamber Orchestra on being shortlisted in the Creative Regeneration category of the prestigious 2026 SURF Awards for its Craigmillar Residency; understands that the awards identify and celebrate best practice, innovation and achievement in interventions that improve Scottish communities, and wishes everyone at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra well for the awards ceremony on 10 December 2026.

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the Scottish Household Survey data for 2025; celebrates the rise in overall formal volunteering participation, with 27% of adults volunteering at least once in the last year; recognises that this marks the second year-on-year increase in formal volunteering and believes that this indicates a sustained recovery from the all-time low of 18% recorded in 2023; notes with concern the continued participation gaps relating to deprivation and disability, with adults in Scotland’s least deprived communities volunteering at double the rate of those in the most deprived communities and an eight percentage point gap between disabled and non-disabled adults; recognises the continued efforts of Volunteer Edinburgh and Volunteer Centre East Lothian in promoting volunteering and supporting voluntary organisations across Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent, and celebrates the essential contribution that volunteers make to communities across Scotland.

That the Parliament acknowledges the 150th anniversary of Portobello High School in Edinburgh and pays tribute to teachers and pupils, past and present, who have contributed to the vibrant school community throughout its long history; congratulates the school's journalist students who have produced special features and interviews examining how the school has changed over the last century and a half; notes the ongoing programme of events exploring the heritage and history of Portobello High School in this time, and commends the Head Teacher, Mr McDowall, for continuing the school's proud tradition of innovative programmes to encourage girls into sport and outdoor education with the launch of the new girls' cycling programme involving over 70 young women.

That the Parliament congratulates Bridges in Musselburgh on its recent relaunch and rebrand, marked by a well-attended open day; recognises that Bridges has a long and proud history of supporting young people aged 12 to 25 into positive destinations across East Lothian and Midlothian for over 40 years; notes that Bridges offers a range of invaluable services, including pathways to SCQF-accredited qualifications, work experience, counselling, school reintegration and tailored support for young carers; commends the work of the staff and volunteers in inspiring young people to grow as individuals, learn new skills and develop their confidence, and wishes all of the young people working with Bridges the very best for the future.