Chamber and committees

That the Parliament recognises that pupils and staff are being failed by the deteriorating learning and working environment in Scottish schools, overseen by the Scottish National Party administration.

That the Parliament believes that Scotland’s skills system is letting down young people and holding back economic growth, and further believes that there needs to be a new partnership between education and industry, with better careers advice in schools central to it, and new Scottish industrial pathways to link school subjects to future careers, guaranteed industrial placements for secondary school pupils including in industry and a clearing system for apprenticeships, so that good candidates do not fall out of the system.

As an amendment to motion S6M-19739 in the name of Mairi Gougeon (Supporting Scotland’s Fishing Industry), insert at end ", and calls on the Scottish Government to guarantee that its own distribution of the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, as well as any other similar funding, is allocated proportionately so that the contribution made by Shetland and other island and coastal communities to the fishing industry and Scotland’s wider economy is properly recognised."

As an amendment to motion S6M-19739 in the name of Mairi Gougeon (Supporting Scotland’s Fishing Industry), leave out from "condemns" to end and insert “regrets that the Scottish Government asked for the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund to be devolved without first agreeing a mechanism outside of the Barnett formula that reflected the size and value of the Scottish industry; notes that, since the 2024 election, the Scottish Government has received an additional £5.2 billion of funding compared with previous spending plans; calls on the Scottish Government to plan for the future of fishing, by developing the processing industry to deal with a larger share of fishing in UK waters and encourage new entrants into the industry, especially within the inshore fleet; believes that the Scottish Government must invest in scientific research in order to manage Scotland's fish stocks to protect the industry going forward; regrets that the Scottish Government has not introduced space-based planning of Scotland's seas to ensure that renewable developments do not put pressure on the fishing industry and other marine users, and calls for the development of a scheme to lease additional quota share equitably in order to end the trading of quota and licences.”

As an amendment to motion S6M-19739 in the name of Mairi Gougeon (Supporting Scotland’s Fishing Industry), after "economy;" insert "further recognises the central role that Scotland's low-impact fishing fleet plays for those communities, both economically and environmentally, and believes that the fund should prioritise that fleet; accepts that all parts of Scotland's fleet, not just the low-impact sector, will continue to experience a spatial squeeze without proper spatial management for fisheries, based on science and with strong local input;".

As an amendment to motion S6M-19739 in the name of Mairi Gougeon (Supporting Scotland’s Fishing Industry), insert at end “, and opposes the proposed Moray Firth FLOW-Park, which will have a negative impact on the local fishing sector and for which plans have received significant and widespread opposition."

That the Parliament congratulates Erin Orr, a 16-year-old ballet student from Bearsden, on earning a place in the Royal Ballet School’s Advanced Associate Programme; recognises Erin’s exceptional talent, dedication and commitment to her craft, training six days a week and preparing for the Royal Academy of Dance Advanced 2 Examination; commends the support of her family and the Linda Lowry School of Ballet in nurturing her success; acknowledges the significance of this achievement in showcasing East Dunbartonshire’s contribution to the performing arts, and wishes Erin continued success as she pursues her dream of a professional ballet career.

That the Parliament congratulates Beth Potter, who grew up in Bearsden, on securing two impressive victories in 2025’s World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS), including gold at the race in Weihai, China, and another win in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic; recognises Beth’s outstanding achievement in becoming joint leader of the series ahead of the championship finals in Wollongong, Australia; commends her dedication and resilience in transitioning from track running to triathlon and excelling at the highest level; acknowledges what it sees as the inspiration her success provides to aspiring athletes across Scotland, and wishes her continued success.

That the Parliament congratulates organisations across Motherwell and Wishaw on receiving funding from the National Lottery Community Fund; notes that North Fest Family received a £18,500 grant, Multiple Sclerosis Society received a £19,200 grant, ALMA received a £15,775 grant, Glencassels Community Development Project (SCIO) received a £190,000 grant, Muirhouse and Flemington Community Group received a £4,000 grant, and Senior Citizens Monday Club received a £10,630 grant; understands that the National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK; recognises that, in 2024, the National Lottery Community Fund awarded over half a billion pounds of life-changing funding to communities across the UK, and wishes all organisations in receipt of the funding all the very best in the work that they carry out in the local community.

That the Parliament notes with concern the reported increase in political attacks on the BBC, which is  the public broadcasting service for the whole of the UK, including the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency; believes that there is a fundamental democratic role of public service broadcasting in providing evidence-based journalism, independent scrutiny and trusted reporting; expresses concern at what it sees as the concerted efforts to undermine public confidence in the BBC; believes that the integrity of public service broadcasting must be protected from partisan interference, including through strengthened governance arrangements that clearly demonstrate political neutrality, transparency and accountability in its oversight, and notes calls for the UK Government to work with the devolved nations to secure the future of the BBC service.