Chamber and committees

That the Parliament recognises the enduring and deeply rooted tradition of Remembrance Day commemorations across Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian, and throughout the Edinburgh and Lothians East region; pays tribute to the generations of local residents who have gathered to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces who gave their lives in defence of freedom and peace; recognises the lasting legacy of that service and sacrifice in the shared history, family memories and community life of the area; acknowledges the dedication of veterans, serving personnel, Royal British Legion Scotland branches, local organisations, civic representatives, faith groups, schools and volunteers in sustaining these commemorative traditions; commends the continued observance of remembrance services, wreath-laying ceremonies and two-minute silences as expressions of solidarity, gratitude and respect; recognises the importance of safeguarding war memorials, preserving historical records and sharing the personal stories of those who served, ensuring that future generations understand the lives and experiences behind the names commemorated; emphasises what it sees as the vital role of schools, youth organisations, families and veterans in helping younger generations understand the human cost of conflict, the significance of remembrance and the enduring value of peace; affirms the shared responsibility to carry this legacy forward through education, commemoration and continued care for the Armed Forces community, and commends the people of Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian for passing the solemn promise of remembrance from one generation to the next, ensuring that those who made the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten, so that we will remember them.

That the Parliament recognises and gives thanks to all Edinburgh black cab drivers who participated in the Poppy Cabs initiative, providing free transport for over 40 veterans to and from Remembrance Sunday services across Edinburgh and the Lothians; notes that the Edinburgh and Lothians East region is home to approximately 25,000 veterans, underlining the importance of ensuring that those who have served remain valued, supported and included in community life; commends the drivers’ generosity in volunteering their time and vehicles to help veterans attend these important commemorations; recognises the importance of this practical support in enabling veterans to remember fallen comrades, share their experiences and participate in acts of remembrance with dignity and respect; acknowledges the compassion, kindness and gratitude shown by participating drivers and organisers towards veterans and the wider Armed Forces community; welcomes the initiative’s fundraising through the sale of taxi poppy badges in support of veterans’ charities; recognises the contribution of taxi drivers providing similar voluntary support elsewhere in the UK; pays tribute to the courage, dedication and sacrifice of veterans, serving Armed Forces personnel and their families; considers that initiatives such as Poppy Cabs demonstrate the enduring bonds between communities and those who have served their country, and commends everyone involved for honouring the legacy of service and sacrifice through practical acts of care, ensuring that veterans know that their contribution is remembered and valued.

As amendment to motion S7M-01838 in the name of Tom Arthur (Supporting Young People to Participate in the Labour Market), leave out from first “welcomes” to end and insert “is concerned that thousands of young Scots remain detached from employment, education or training, despite years of Scottish Government promises; expresses concern that the Scottish Government has been unable to produce comparative not in education, employment or training (NEET) figures for all 16- to 24-year-olds in Scotland, instead relying on more favourable data from a narrower age range; notes that the Annual Population Survey indicates that one in six 16- to 24-year-olds in Scotland has NEET status; believes that a generation is being failed by a system that too often leaves young people without purpose, direction or hope for the future; recognises that work must be the surest route to financial independence and prosperity for young people, and believes that people should keep more of the money they earn and that every young person should have a clear pathway from education to productive employment, financial independence and economic security.”

That the Parliament notes Scotland's weak economic growth, stagnant living standards and persistent fiscal deficit; believes that successive Scottish Government decisions to increase public spending and impose higher tax burdens have failed to deliver sufficient economic growth, productivity improvements or rising prosperity; recognises the need to support more young people into work, to improve business productivity, to help Scottish firms grow and scale up, and to strengthen food and energy security, and calls on the Scottish Government to present to Parliament detailed proposals to create more wealth, capture more value from Scotland's economy and retain more of that wealth for the benefit of the people and businesses of Scotland.

That the Parliament congratulates Blooming Haddington on being awarded a Gold certificate at the Britain in Bloom finals in Rochdale; celebrates this achievement as a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved; pays tribute to the volunteers whose commitment and enthusiasm make such a valuable contribution to Haddington and its local community, and wishes Blooming Haddington continued success in the years ahead.

That the Parliament warmly congratulates North Berwick in Bloom on its outstanding success at the Britain in Bloom finals in Rochdale, where it won in the Coastal category and was awarded a Gold certificate; celebrates these achievements as the latest chapter in its long and distinguished record of success; pays tribute to the volunteers whose exceptional dedication, enthusiasm and hard work have made this recognition possible; commends their outstanding contribution to the local community, and wishes everyone involved in North Berwick in Bloom continued success in the years ahead.

That the Parliament recognises the contribution of the Edinburgh Geological Society to the development of the Deep Time Trail at Siccar Point, in East Lothian; notes the outstanding international geological significance of Siccar Point and its association with James Hutton, whose observations at the site helped transform understanding of geological time and the history of the Earth; recognises the story and legacy of James Hutton as an important part of Scotland’s scientific, cultural and intellectual heritage; welcomes the Deep Time Trail as an innovative project that aims to bring Hutton’s story, the geology of Siccar Point and the concept of deep time to a wider audience through interpretation of the landscape and digital resources; commends all those involved in the development of the trail, including the Edinburgh Geological Society, the Scottish Geology Trust, the James Hutton Institute, NatureScot, local communities, volunteers and funders; considers that projects such as the Deep Time Trail can provide valuable opportunities for education, tourism and public engagement with Scotland’s natural and scientific heritage, and wishes all those involved in the project every success in celebrating and promoting the enduring legacy of James Hutton and Scotland’s geological heritage.

That the Parliament congratulates The Salty Selkies, from North Berwick, on successfully completing the 15km Lighthouse swimming challenge; recognises the determination and commitment shown by everyone who took part; welcomes the news that the group raised more than £3,000, which will be shared between Leuchie House and Brain Power; acknowledges what it considers to be the important work carried out by both charities in supporting people and families, and commends The Salty Selkies for their fundraising efforts and completion of their challenge.

That the Parliament welcomes the launch of the Friends of Haddington Garden scheme at St Mary’s Pleasance in Haddington, East Lothian; recognises the historic importance of the 17th-century walled garden, which was restored in the 1970s after it was gifted to the Haddington Garden Trust; notes that more than 50 guests, including volunteers, trustees, local businesses and community groups, attended the launch of the new scheme; understands that St Mary’s Pleasance welcomes more than 10,000 visitors each year and is maintained for the benefit and enjoyment of the local community; recognises that the Friends scheme aims to provide annual funding towards the continued maintenance and preservation of the garden, and wishes the Haddington Garden Trust, its volunteers and the Friends of Haddington Garden every success in preserving this historic garden for future generations.

That the Parliament marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001; remembers those who lost their lives in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania; honours the courage and sacrifice of the emergency responders and rescue workers who responded to the attacks; expresses solidarity with survivors and bereaved families, and reaffirms the importance of defending democracy, freedom and the rule of law against terrorism and violent extremism.