Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Offshore Europe 2025 on what it believes was a successful conference in Aberdeen; recognises what it sees as the event’s importance in bringing together global industry leaders, innovators, policymakers and academics to showcase Scotland’s world-class offshore energy expertise; understands that Offshore Europe has, for five decades, provided a platform for Scotland to demonstrate its leadership in energy technology, skills and investment; highlights the role of the event in supporting Scotland’s energy transition by fostering collaboration across oil and gas, offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage; recognises the contribution of the sector to jobs, communities and the wider Scottish economy, and commends Aberdeen and the North East for continuing to host a conference of international standing that underlines what it sees as Scotland’s strategic position as a hub of global energy innovation.

That the Parliament supports the declaration by the Scottish Government of a housing emergency; notes that Dundee City Council is the only major city local authority that has not recognised or declared a housing emergency; understands that in Dundee there are currently 412 families in temporary accommodation, with 260 children growing up in temporary housing, which represents a significant rise on previous years; further understands that the Scottish Housing Regulator consider Dundee City Council homelessness service to be at a heightened risk of systemic failure; calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that all local authorities formulate a Housing Emergency Action Plan, and pays tribute to the work of organisations, such as Shelter Scotland, as well as tenants unions, trade unions and trade union councils across Scotland on homelessness and the housing emergency.

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the refreshed National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland 2025, which builds on the original 2017 framework through strengthened prevention measures, enhanced training for professionals, and a clearer focus on early intervention; understands that the number of police investigations into missing persons has fallen from 22,966 in 2017-18 to 14,670 in 2024-25, with a significant reduction in repeat cases from one in two to one in three; acknowledges the key role of multi-agency collaboration involving Police Scotland, the NHS, education services, local authorities and third sector partners, supported by over £900,000 of Scottish Government investment; welcomes the framework’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups, including children, care-experienced young people and people living with dementia, through improved data sharing, local protocols and stronger links between child and adult protection systems; considers that this comprehensive, partnership-led approach is helping to reduce harm and provide earlier, more coordinated support to those at risk of going missing, and notes the work of third sector organisations, including the Moira Anderson Foundation in Coatbridge, which continues to support individuals affected by trauma and missing persons cases.

That the Parliament congratulates Rev Alan Donaldson, the General Secretary of the European Baptist Federation (EBF), on being awarded the Order of Merit (3rd Class) by President Volodymyr Zelensky in recognition of his humanitarian service to Ukraine; notes that Rev Donaldson was awarded this honour in a ceremony at St Sophia Square in Kyiv, which were held on Ukrainian Independence Day, on 24 August 2025; further notes that the Order of Merit was established in 1996 and that it is a distinguished state decoration of Ukraine, honouring outstanding achievements that contribute to the nation’s development in fields such as culture, science, public service and humanitarian work; understands that the EBF, under Rev Donaldson’s leadership, has supported Ukrainians, with partners, members and individuals, donating over €6 million over the period since the full scale Russian invasion began, displacing millions from their communities; notes that Rev Donaldson, who lives in the Falkirk West constituency, emphasised to President Zelensky that the Order of Merit honour belongs to the global Baptist family, recognising its remarkable response to the crisis; congratulates Rev Donaldson and the EBF on being honoured by the nation of Ukraine for their work to support the people of Ukraine in such challenging times, and expresses its deepest appreciation for everyone involved in the EBF, whose ongoing efforts, it believes, continue to support those impacted by the war in Ukraine.

That the Parliament congratulates Alstom’s Glasgow Traincare Centre at Polmadie Depot on opening its doors to the public for the first time in 25 years as part of the celebrations marking the depot’s 150th anniversary; notes that Polmadie Depot, originally opened as Polmadie Shed in 1875 by the Caledonian Railway Company, has served continuously as a hub for train maintenance, including the Caledonian Sleeper service and the maintenance of Alstom-built Class 390 Pendolinos; recognises the dedication and expertise of the more than 100 staff who maintain and clean trains at the depot, ensuring the smooth operation of passenger and freight services across Scotland and along the West Coast Main Line; welcomes the opportunity for the public to explore the depot, view historic and modern rolling stock, including Class 37, 90, 08, 92, 73/9, 66 locomotives and experience interactive rail activities and demonstrations of modern simulation technology, and commends Alstom for celebrating Glasgow’s rail heritage, inspiring the next generation of rail engineers and maintaining a historic site that is an important part of Scotland’s industrial and transport legacy.

That the Parliament congratulates Janice Blair for her hard work and dedication to Girlguiding in Dunbartonshire; understands that Janice, who has been involved with Girlguiding all her life, received the prestigious Laurel Award at a recent surprise event; recognises that the Laurel award, one of the highest awards in Girlguiding, is given to adult members of the organisation for exceptional and outstanding service; celebrates volunteers such as Janice; notes that she has dedicated over 36 years to volunteering with Girlguiding, sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience in various roles at county and national levels, and acknowledges what it sees as the benefits Girlguiding brings to Scotland's wider communities.

That the Parliament congratulates Mayfield and Easthouses Youth 2000 Project (Y2K) on the successful receipt of a £19,469 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund; understands that Y2K will use the grant to support up to 100 children aged between 11 and 13 in their transition from primary to secondary school; recognises what it sees as the valuable work carried out by Y2K in supporting and encouraging young people in Mayfield and Easthouses to be healthy and happy individuals through delivery of its holistic, youth-led services; thanks Y2K for its hard work and dedication, and wishes it well in its continuing good work.

That the Parliament congratulates One Dalkeith on receiving a £8,656  grant from the National Lottery Community Fund; notes that this will be used to support outreach workshops at the Vogrie Pogrie Festival with free creative activities; further notes that the community-owned, One Dalkeith is a volunteer led charity whose mission is to improve Dalkeith socially, economically and environmentally; commends the work of One Dalkeith, and thanks everyone involved with it for their continued hard work and dedication.

That the Parliament congratulates the Micah Project, a charity based in Troon, on securing a £15,400 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund; understands that the project will source, supply and distribute pre-loved clothing from it base to individuals across South and North Ayrshire, over a one-year period; commends the work of the Micah Project, and wishes it every success for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Play Midlothian on receiving a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund; notes that this will be used to support 100 children through a one-year project providing 100 after-school play sessions; further notes that Play Midlothian’s purpose is to enable every child in Midlothian to thrive through play, by creating opportunities and removing barriers; commends the work of Play Midlothian, and thanks everyone involved for their continued hard work and dedication to improving the lives of young people across Midlothian.