Chamber and committees

As an amendment to motion S7M-01070 in the name of Stephen Flynn (Programme for Government, An Economy Fit for the Future), leave out from “recognises” to end, and insert "believes, however, that successive policies of the Scottish Government have done the opposite, with high energy costs, high taxes and high welfare preventing economic growth; recognises that creating good, secure and well-paid jobs is vital for Scots to be able to build their own healthy and prosperous lives and that these can only be created with economic growth; believes that if Scotland wants real economic growth, it needs cheap, abundant, reliable energy, which is best delivered by maximising oil and gas over the medium-term, and transitioning to nuclear power over the long-term, with renewables playing a complementary role rather than a dominant one.

That the Parliament believes that strong and sustained economic growth is the foundation of a successful nation, where everyone can feel hope that effort will be rewarded, with opportunities and high-quality services for all; recognises that the Scottish Government’s policy choices are constraining economic growth, including Scotland becoming the highest-taxed part of the UK, which risks disincentivising work and investment and undermining confidence in the economy; further recognises that high quality jobs and opportunities provide more than just tax for the Government, as the loss of purpose experienced through unemployment or not being able to use their skills in work is a major factor behind the reported rising mental health crisis; further recognises that economic growth depends on a diverse range of pathways into employment, not solely through university, and calls for greater emphasis on apprenticeships that provide real skills and faster entry into the workforce, alongside a broader subject offer in schools, including targeted action to be directed at core literacy due to one in four primary school aged children still not reaching expected levels of literacy; acknowledges that net zero will come to describe the level of economic growth should current environmental policy continue on its current trajectory; considers that economic growth also relies on secure, affordable and reliable energy, and that increasing North Sea production is essential for price stability and security of supply as part of a broad, market-driven energy mix; believes that too many net zero policies such as low emission zones are a regressive tax for those on lower incomes, which only further harms individual opportunities and economic growth; further believes that sustainable economic growth requires public policy that commands broad confidence and is grounded in evidence, and notes concerns that recent policy approaches, including on gender, have alienated a majority of people, and failed some of those they were intended to benefit; considers that Lady Ross’s landmark legal ruling on transgender prison guidance is a condemnation of the deviation from evidence backed policy and must be swiftly complied with; recognises that population policy and migration must support economic sustainability and public services, and calls, therefore, for the use of devolved powers to reduce incentives for illegal migration, such as through not allowing non-citizens access to social housing or Scottish welfare, and to ensure that limited public resources are focused on supporting economic participation and long-term growth.

As an amendment to motion S7M-00309 in the name of Ivan McKee (Public Service Reform: Empowering Staff, Service Users and Local Communities), leave out from "welcomes" to end, and insert "believes that public money is limited, whereas demand is infinite;  further believes that meaningful reform starts in its chamber by using the time available to reach meaningful and defined decisions; believes that using parliamentary time to debate a motion that lacks any substantive action, and therefore leads to no definitive change, undermines the Parliament's expressed desire for reform; recognises that emphasis on public service provision should be focussed on outcomes and not inputs; believes that the recipients of public services are the most important people in this process and must be the focus of the Parliament's attention; looks forward to co-operation with staff and legitimate representative groups to raise standards and improve provision, and calls on the Scottish Government to publish a programme of concrete action."

That the Parliament recognises that Scott Hastings was a giant of a Scotsman; commends his exploits on the rugby field, where he won a famous Grand Slam in 1990 and represented the British Lions with pride; celebrates what it considers to be his selfless character, who always put the interests of his country and his community before his own; considers his to be a life well-lived and an example to which people should all aspire to follow, and hopes that he rests in peace.