Chamber and committees

That the Parliament believes that providing childcare support to parents not only supports the family unit but also helps to grow Scotland’s economy by encouraging more parents back into the workforce; understands that families in Mid Scotland and Fife, and across the country, still struggle to find affordable, flexible and accessible childcare; praises the work of organisations such as Pregnant Then Screwed, which have campaigned to improve childcare provision across the UK; notes that its 2024 State of the Nation Survey concluded that around four in five parents (83.7%) found that childcare costs are the same as or more than their income, and that 71% of mothers and 50% of fathers say that it does not make financial sense for them to work; understands that its 2026 survey is due to conclude, with findings to be published in due course; further understands that the Scottish Government’s Early Learning and Childcare expansion programme evaluation strategy has assessed the impact of the expansion of provision covering the period 2018–25, and that it expects to publish its findings in early 2026, and notes the view that the Parliament should have the opportunity to scrutinise this important review before the end of the current parliamentary session.

That the Parliament recognises the reported pressures facing A&E departments; is concerned that recorded waiting times are persistently high, with the number of people waiting more than 8 hours and 12 hours reported in 2025 as 171,854 and 74,052 respectively; notes the consequent rise in corridor care adversely affecting people in the Dumbarton constituency and across Scotland; considers that using the metric of acute hospital bed occupancy as the primary focus can help to relieve these pressures, and notes calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that reductions in occupancy act as the mechanism by which the whole system is held to account.

That the Parliament notes with concern the reported decision by the Lloyds Banking Group to close 11 Bank of Scotland branches between June and July 2026, including the Rutherglen branch; understands that this is the latest in a series of bank closures across the UK; believes that these closures will have a significant impact on local residents, businesses and organisations that depend on high street banks for cash access and essential banking services, particularly older people, disabled people, small businesses and charities; considers that the closure of banks is hugely detrimental to the viability of local high streets, and notes the calls on the Lloyds Banking Group to reconsider its decision.

That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the National Bus Travel Concession Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] be approved.

That the Criminal Justice Committee recommends that the Prisoners (Early Release) (Miscellaneous Amendment and Transitional Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft] be approved.

That the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee recommends that the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 (Consequential Provision) Regulations 2026 [draft] be approved.

That the Parliament notes the closure of Kassy’s Café in Cowdenbeath, which was named the Best Cafe in Central Scotland two years in a row; recognises that owners, Jim and Caroline Paterson, have been feeding people in Cowdenbeath for more than two decades with their prize-winning pies and warm hospitality; considers that the closure represents the end of an era and a huge loss to the High Street, and wishes Jim and Caroline well in their retirement.

That the Parliament notes with deep concern recently reported revelations about historical associations between individuals in positions of power and those convicted of serious offences against women and children; recognises what it sees as the profound and lifelong impact that sexual abuse has on survivors, their families and communities; believes that public debate and media coverage must prioritise the voices, needs and experiences of victims and survivors, rather than those of powerful individuals whose actions or omissions may have enabled harm; condemns any attempt, explicit or implicit, to minimise, excuse or deflect attention from this harm; asserts that, too often, safeguarding is secondary to shielding authority figures, and that this must end decisively; believes that discussions of sexual abuse must not be distorted by efforts to protect the embarrassment, reputation or public standing of powerful men, and that survivor welfare must always take precedence; acknowledges the vital role of survivor-centred approaches in improving safeguarding, justice processes and societal understanding; commends the organisations, advocates and activists working tirelessly to support survivors of abuse, and calls on all public institutions, government bodies and political parties to ensure that discussions of sexual harm are rooted in accountability, trauma-informed practice and a commitment to preventing abuse and protecting children, women and girls.

That the Parliament commends Kingdom Boxing Club star, Mikey Foy, on achieving a silver medal in the recent Boxing Scotland Development Championships Final at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in Motherwell; understands that close to 400 entries were received from across 131 clubs in Scotland for the first national championships of 2026, with over 200 contests staged across two weekends; notes that Mikey entered the 50kg category but that, with no opponent, he entered the next weight category at 55kg to get a competitive match final against TJ Ford from Lanark Boxing Club; notes that Kingdom Boxing Club had two other boxers competing, Romeo Dryburgh and Max Robinson, who exited at the semi-final stages; recognises the hard work, dedication and commitment of Mikey, Romeo and Max, their coaches, and all the other competitors to their sport, and extends its very best wishes to everyone at the club for continued success.

That the Parliament congratulates Scottish Opera on bringing its Spring 2026 Opera Highlights, Opera On Your Doorstep – The Office Party, to Wauchope Hall in Town Yetholm, in the Scottish Borders, on 10 February 2026; recognises the importance of bringing world-class opera to a rural community, noting that such performances provide residents with access to high-quality cultural experiences, encourage local participation in the arts, enrich community life and help to inspire and educate audiences of all ages, who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live opera; notes that Scottish Opera tours extensively to ensure performances are accessible to Scotland’s dispersed and rural populations, helping to break down barriers to high-quality arts experiences outside major cities; acknowledges that the company’s imaginative staging of well-known operatic favourites in the current production engages local audiences and inspires people of all ages; understands the value of cultural outreach in strengthening local communities and supporting access to the arts; commends the work of director Emma Doherty, designer Kenneth MacLeod, the cast and pianist, and Scottish Opera’s commitment to community engagement, supporting local venues and nurturing emerging artists; acknowledges that the spring 2026 Opera Highlights tour has visited, and will continue to visit, other communities across Scotland, including Glasgow, Helensburgh, Newton Stewart, Dunlop, Dalmally, Dornie, Stornoway, Gairloch, Newtonmore, Banchory, Fraserburgh, Cromarty, Orkney, Wick, Lairg and Bathgate; understands that these communities, such as Town Yetholm, will benefit from the experience of live opera, and wishes the company continued success in enriching cultural life throughout Scotland.