Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates the Stirling-born cyclist, Jenny Holl MBE, on being awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of the University by The Open University at its degree ceremony at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow in October 2026; notes that, as tandem pilot to Sophie Unwin MBE, she won silver and bronze medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and two gold medals, a silver medal and a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games; further notes that the pair won three gold medals at the 2023 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Glasgow and became world champions in the individual pursuit in Rio de Janeiro in 2025, setting a world record in the process; recognises that Jenny Holl combined elite sport with part-time study through The Open University, graduating with a degree in arts and humanities in the same year as her Paris medals; believes that her achievements on the track, on the road and in her studies are an example to anyone balancing study with other commitments, and wishes her continued success in her racing career and as she moves into coaching and commentary.

That the Parliament notes the ongoing debate across Scotland regarding the wearing of full-face coverings, including the burqa and niqab, in public places; recognises that legislation in Scotland already provides police with powers to require the removal of face coverings in specified circumstances where there are reasonable grounds to believe that they are being used to conceal identity in connection with criminality or disorder; notes the Scottish Government’s current position that existing police powers are sufficient; further notes that a number of European countries have introduced restrictions on face coverings in public places, and notes calls for the Scottish Government to set out its assessment of the potential benefits of introducing further restrictions on full-face coverings in public places, including consideration of public safety, individual liberty and community cohesion.

That the Parliament congratulates the Open University (OU) in Scotland on holding degree-awarding ceremonies at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow, on 22 and 23 October 2026; understands that the OU in Scotland has over 200,000 alumni; recognises the hard work and sacrifices of the almost 1,000 students participating in the ceremonies; further recognises the support provided, and sacrifices made, by their families during their studies; notes that 32% of the participating students reported having a disability, 48% are the first in their family to study at higher education level and 64% were in receipt of the Part-Time Fee Grant; understands that the youngest graduate is aged 19 and the oldest is aged 88; commends the OU for its geographical reach, with students graduating from as far north as Shetland and as far south as Stranraer, and wishes all celebrating students every success for the future.

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the Whizz Kidz Youth Board report, Mobility Matters: A Youth Perspective on NHS Wheelchair Services; notes that the report, which is based on a survey of more than 200 young wheelchair users and their families across the UK, found that 53% rated their NHS wheelchair as poor or very poor at meeting their needs, 77% were offered no choice in the wheelchair that they received and 62% could not customise their equipment at all; understands that Whizz Kidz supports young wheelchair users and their families across Mid Scotland and Fife; believes that a wheelchair that does not meet a young person’s needs limits their education, independence and social life; further believes that wheelchair services in Scotland are not consistently meeting the needs of young users, and calls on the Scottish Government to review how wheelchair services for children and young people are commissioned and delivered, to ensure that clinicians working with them have specialist paediatric training, and to make sure that the views of young wheelchair users shape the service.

As an amendment to motion S7M-01739 in the name of Adam Harley (Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill), insert at end "; recognises that immediate measures can be taken in the meantime, to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodiversity, and believes that the process of introducing new legislation is not a barrier to taking action in the short term."

That the Parliament notes the severe disruption caused by Storm Boelo, which brought storm-force winds and heavy rain to large parts of Scotland on 24 and 25 October 2026; recognises that many thousands of households lost their electricity supply and that other essential services were disrupted in many communities; thanks the electricity network engineers, line and tree-cutting crews, and control room and contact centre staff who worked in atrocious conditions to restore supplies safely and to support vulnerable customers; extends that thanks to the emergency services, local authority and roads staff, health and care workers, and the many volunteers who worked to keep people safe, protect communities and restore services where they were affected; considers that their commitment, often in dangerous conditions, reflects great credit on them, and wishes to place on record its gratitude to all of them.

That the Parliament congratulates the NHS Forth Valley and Serco staff shortlisted for Scotland’s Health Awards 2026, including Linda Stevenson, occupational therapy lead at Stirling Health and Care Village, shortlisted for Leader of the Year, as well as Alexander Souter, porter, and Lorraine Christie, receptionist, both at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, for the Support Worker Award; commends the Intensive Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (iCAMHS) team, shortlisted for the Unsung Hero Award, for its care of young people in crisis, and wishes all the finalists success at the ceremony on 12 November 2026.

As an amendment to S7M-01200 in the name of Angela Constance (Addressing the Harms of Health Misinformation), insert at end "; agrees that in addition to being factual and evidence-based, information must be unbiased and balanced to allow people to make fully informed decisions and calls on the Scottish Government, in its own decision-making, to follow the example it expects others to; notes that a 2023 study, commissioned by the Scottish Government, found that only 29% of the public believed that its own current COVID-19 guidance was trustworthy, demonstrating the need for the Scottish Government to understand the role that it has played in the public losing trust in health information that it issues; believes that health information covers everything related to health, and considers statements that the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital was safe, when some wards were known and later found not to be, to constitute misinformation."

That the Parliament congratulates the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland on its recent concert marking the culmination of its Summer School; notes that, while it receives Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative funding, its core staffing costs are not covered by this funding, unlike some other national youth music bodies, and calls on the Scottish Government to consider further support for the organisation.

As an amendment to motion S7M-01003 in the name of Angela Constance (Improving Lives Through Delivering for Scotland), leave out from ",which commits" to end and insert "; is disappointed that the only tool that the Scottish Government is using to reform public services is centralisation; believes that the proposals to create only two health boards for the east and west further marginalises rural communities in the north and south; further believes that it is hypocritical for the Scottish Government to talk about making services local, when the proposed actions would remove locality by further centralising health services; notes that the Parliament has been told many times during the last 19 years by the SNP administration that it will empower communities, reduce NHS waiting times,  support the shift of care from hospitals into communities, roll out digital innovation and expanded community services, tackle health inequalities, improve population health and treat substance misuse as a priority; believes that, over nearly two decades, the actions taken to address these priorities have been ineffective to such an extent that the current administration is still seeking agreement to take action on them; calls on the Scottish Government to set out in detail the capital and revenue budgets required to deliver healthcare reform and establishes an independent scrutiny body to oversee these reforms, and is opposed to a simple expansion of the existing governance structures, which it considers could be likened to the Scottish Government marking its own homework."