That the Parliament recognises the strong cross-party support for the expansion of funded childcare to 1,140 hours; expresses its concern however, regarding the findings of the most recent report by the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission, Early learning and childcare Follow-up, which states that certain risks remain around buildings, staffing and the sustainability of the private, voluntary and independent sectors; is concerned that the report notes that it is likely that flexibility and choice for parents will not be fully implemented by August 2020, and that any delays to the expansion will impact service delivery and families who are planning to use these services, and demands that the Scottish Government urgently addresses these concerns.
Current Status:
That the Parliament recognises the strong cross-party support for the expansion of funded childcare to 1,140 hours; expresses its concern however, regarding the findings of the most recent report by the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission, Early learning and childcare Follow-up, which states that certain risks remain around buildings, staffing and the sustainability of the private, voluntary and independent sectors; is concerned that the report notes that it is likely that flexibility and choice for parents will not be fully implemented by August 2020, and that any delays to the expansion will impact service delivery and families who are planning to use these services, and demands that the Scottish Government urgently addresses these concerns.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11/03/2020
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That the Parliament notes the results of Taiwan’s presidential election, which was held on 11 January 2020 and saw the re-election of President Dr Tsai Ing-wen, with the former premier, Dr Lai Ching-te, of the Democratic Progressive Party, joining her as Vice President; notes that this was Taiwan’s seventh direct presidential election, with the first taking place in 1996; recognises what it sees as the close relationship between Scotland and Taiwan, which it believes is underpinned by shared values, and pledges to redouble efforts to further strengthen the bilateral ties.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes the results of Taiwan’s presidential election, which was held on 11 January 2020 and saw the re-election of President Dr Tsai Ing-wen, with the former premier, Dr Lai Ching-te, of the Democratic Progressive Party, joining her as Vice President; notes that this was Taiwan’s seventh direct presidential election, with the first taking place in 1996; recognises what it sees as the close relationship between Scotland and Taiwan, which it believes is underpinned by shared values, and pledges to redouble efforts to further strengthen the bilateral ties.
Supported by: Annie Wells, Alexander Stewart, James Dornan, Miles Briggs, Peter Chapman, Maurice Corry, Margaret Mitchell, Alison Harris, Jeremy Balfour, Jackson Carlaw, Richard Lyle R, David Torrance, Michelle Ballantyne R, Liam Kerr
Current Status: Fallen on 13/03/2020
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That the Parliament notes its growing concern with the resilience of Scotland’s ferry network; highlights that over 82,000 delays and cancellations have occurred since 2007; believes that the combination of an ageing fleet of vessels, mechanical breakdowns and the late arrival of new operational vessels for the network have resulted in avoidable disruption to services to the detriment of Scotland's island communities, their inhabitants, business and tourism; expresses disappointment at the absence of a long-term strategy to procure or build replacement vessels, and calls on the Scottish Government to urgently outline how it will address the Parliament’s concerns.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes its growing concern with the resilience of Scotland’s ferry network; highlights that over 82,000 delays and cancellations have occurred since 2007; believes that the combination of an ageing fleet of vessels, mechanical breakdowns and the late arrival of new operational vessels for the network have resulted in avoidable disruption to services to the detriment of Scotland's island communities, their inhabitants, business and tourism; expresses disappointment at the absence of a long-term strategy to procure or build replacement vessels, and calls on the Scottish Government to urgently outline how it will address the Parliament’s concerns.
Supported by: Michelle Ballantyne
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 06/11/2019
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As an amendment to motion S5M-19190 in the name of Colin Smyth (Don't Extend the ScotRail Franchise), leave out from "believes" to end and insert "notes that the Scottish Government has issued two remedial notices to ScotRail with a delivery deadline of 30 May 2020; understands that a no-rebasing notice to early terminate the franchise would have to be issued by the end of the calendar year; believes that the operator should be given the contractual ability to fulfil its obligations in the remedial plan; notes that the Williams Rail Review is due to report by the end of 2019; recognises that the Scottish Government reserves the right to issue a default notice and termination of the franchise at any point, and calls on the Scottish Government to propose a long-term, sustainable vision for the future of Scotland’s railways that looks beyond 2025."
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S5M-19190 in the name of Colin Smyth (Don't Extend the ScotRail Franchise), leave out from "believes" to end and insert "notes that the Scottish Government has issued two remedial notices to ScotRail with a delivery deadline of 30 May 2020; understands that a no-rebasing notice to early terminate the franchise would have to be issued by the end of the calendar year; believes that the operator should be given the contractual ability to fulfil its obligations in the remedial plan; notes that the Williams Rail Review is due to report by the end of 2019; recognises that the Scottish Government reserves the right to issue a default notice and termination of the franchise at any point, and calls on the Scottish Government to propose a long-term, sustainable vision for the future of Scotland’s railways that looks beyond 2025."
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 02/10/2019
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As an amendment to motion S5M-17190 in the name of Colin Smyth (Scotland's Future, Scrap the Cut to the Air Departure Tax), leave out from "calls" to end and insert "notes the benefits of a competitive Air Departure Tax (ADT) regime; recognises that a reduction in this taxation for long-haul flights is essential for the retention and development of new intercontinental routes and economic ties across the world with a view to boost trade, tourism and inward investment into Scotland; understands that the devolution of ADT is a critical economic lever to achieve this, and calls on the Scottish Government to honour the commitment made in the manifesto it stood on in 2016 and introduce a reduction in Scotland's current ADT regime."
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S5M-17190 in the name of Colin Smyth (Scotland's Future, Scrap the Cut to the Air Departure Tax), leave out from "calls" to end and insert "notes the benefits of a competitive Air Departure Tax (ADT) regime; recognises that a reduction in this taxation for long-haul flights is essential for the retention and development of new intercontinental routes and economic ties across the world with a view to boost trade, tourism and inward investment into Scotland; understands that the devolution of ADT is a critical economic lever to achieve this, and calls on the Scottish Government to honour the commitment made in the manifesto it stood on in 2016 and introduce a reduction in Scotland's current ADT regime."
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 08/05/2019
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As an amendment to motion S5M-16408 in the name of Colin Smyth (Free Bus Travel for Under-25s), leave out from ", and further believes" to end and insert "; agrees that concessionary and subsidised bus travel, where appropriately targeted, provides a number of social, financial and employability benefits to users, but considers that any alterations to the eligibility criteria should take into account the financial implications of such change and be considered subject to adequate consultation with both users of the scheme and the bus industry."
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S5M-16408 in the name of Colin Smyth (Free Bus Travel for Under-25s), leave out from ", and further believes" to end and insert "; agrees that concessionary and subsidised bus travel, where appropriately targeted, provides a number of social, financial and employability benefits to users, but considers that any alterations to the eligibility criteria should take into account the financial implications of such change and be considered subject to adequate consultation with both users of the scheme and the bus industry."
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20/03/2019
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That the Parliament notes its responsibility in improving access to and facilitating the delivery of sustainable and renewable transportation in Scotland; acknowledges the important role that low-emitting transportation methods such as low and ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) have toward meeting the Scottish Government’s climate change target to reduce carbon emissions by 90% before 2050; notes the view that, while low-emission cars have the additional benefit of reducing air pollution and improving public health, tangible increases in the take-up of such vehicles will require significant increases in, and wide geographical spread of, suitable charge point networks; recognises that emerging hydrogen technology will play an additional role in delivering a sustainable and renewable transportation network in Scotland; acknowledges calls for new rail technology to also be explored and developed, such as hydrail, which, it understands, has been introduced in Germany and is used as a viable alternative to electrification of tracks; believes that hydrogen technology can also play its part in sustainable marine transportation, and notes the calls to explore all available technologies that have the potential to ambitiously alter infrastructure to help deliver an affordable and truly sustainable transport network in the West Scotland region and across the country for future generations.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes its responsibility in improving access to and facilitating the delivery of sustainable and renewable transportation in Scotland; acknowledges the important role that low-emitting transportation methods such as low and ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) have toward meeting the Scottish Government’s climate change target to reduce carbon emissions by 90% before 2050; notes the view that, while low-emission cars have the additional benefit of reducing air pollution and improving public health, tangible increases in the take-up of such vehicles will require significant increases in, and wide geographical spread of, suitable charge point networks; recognises that emerging hydrogen technology will play an additional role in delivering a sustainable and renewable transportation network in Scotland; acknowledges calls for new rail technology to also be explored and developed, such as hydrail, which, it understands, has been introduced in Germany and is used as a viable alternative to electrification of tracks; believes that hydrogen technology can also play its part in sustainable marine transportation, and notes the calls to explore all available technologies that have the potential to ambitiously alter infrastructure to help deliver an affordable and truly sustainable transport network in the West Scotland region and across the country for future generations.
Supported by: Bill Bowman, Michelle Ballantyne, Peter Chapman, Alexander Stewart, Maurice Corry, Liam McArthur, Alison Harris, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Murdo Fraser, John Finnie, Colin Smyth, Ross Greer, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Annie Wells, Gordon Lindhurst, Liam Kerr, Lewis Macdonald, Alexander Burnett
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21/02/2019
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As an amendment to motion S5M-15493 in the name of Michael Matheson (City Deal and Regional Economic Partnership), leave out from "notes that the UK Government" to end and insert "welcomes the collaborative approach taken by the Scottish and UK governments in establishing the numerous city regional and regional growth deals; commends both governments for the significant joint investment across Scotland; calls on them to work together to ensure that every part of Scotland is covered by a growth deal; notes the report by the Local Government and Communities Committee, which recommends that both governments set out a clear timetable to achieve this aim, and reaffirms that the people of Scotland are best served when its two governments engage in a collaborative and cooperative manner to deliver sustained future investment into Scotland."
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S5M-15493 in the name of Michael Matheson (City Deal and Regional Economic Partnership), leave out from "notes that the UK Government" to end and insert "welcomes the collaborative approach taken by the Scottish and UK governments in establishing the numerous city regional and regional growth deals; commends both governments for the significant joint investment across Scotland; calls on them to work together to ensure that every part of Scotland is covered by a growth deal; notes the report by the Local Government and Communities Committee, which recommends that both governments set out a clear timetable to achieve this aim, and reaffirms that the people of Scotland are best served when its two governments engage in a collaborative and cooperative manner to deliver sustained future investment into Scotland."
Supported by: Michelle Ballantyne
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22/01/2019
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As an amendment to motion S5M-15243 in the name of Michael Matheson (Ultra-low Emission Vehicles), insert at end "; understands that further efforts will be required for the Scottish Government to meet its 2032 target; underlines that additional steps will be required to tackle ‘range anxiety’ and ensure that sufficient charging points are available across Scotland, particularly in remote, rural and island communities; recognises that lack of standardisation of charging points remains an obstacle; understands that creative and innovative schemes and funds may be required to encourage uptake of ULEVs; recognises that concerted effort will be required to fully deliver the benefits of mass ULEV usage, and calls on all Members to adopt a cross-party approach to ensure that Scotland meets its obligations to reducing carbon emissions and continues to lead the world in tackling climate change."
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S5M-15243 in the name of Michael Matheson (Ultra-low Emission Vehicles), insert at end "; understands that further efforts will be required for the Scottish Government to meet its 2032 target; underlines that additional steps will be required to tackle ‘range anxiety’ and ensure that sufficient charging points are available across Scotland, particularly in remote, rural and island communities; recognises that lack of standardisation of charging points remains an obstacle; understands that creative and innovative schemes and funds may be required to encourage uptake of ULEVs; recognises that concerted effort will be required to fully deliver the benefits of mass ULEV usage, and calls on all Members to adopt a cross-party approach to ensure that Scotland meets its obligations to reducing carbon emissions and continues to lead the world in tackling climate change."
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 08/01/2019
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That the Parliament congratulates Alan Gemmell OBE who was listed at 14th in the Financial Times’ Most OUTstanding LGBT Public Sector Executives 2018; considers that Alan, who is Director of the British Council and is from Irvine, has made notable accomplishments in this role by shifting the organisation to work online and securing a £1.75 million scholarship programme for women in India to study STEM subjects, which was the first time this has been done by the British Council; notes that Alan is also the founder of fiveFilms4freedom, a 10-day LGBT film festival that promotes freedom, equality and LGBT rights, which it understands was the world’s first global online LGBT film festival, and supports the view that people in Scotland should be encouraged to become involved with institutions such as the British Council.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates Alan Gemmell OBE who was listed at 14th in the Financial Times’ Most OUTstanding LGBT Public Sector Executives 2018; considers that Alan, who is Director of the British Council and is from Irvine, has made notable accomplishments in this role by shifting the organisation to work online and securing a £1.75 million scholarship programme for women in India to study STEM subjects, which was the first time this has been done by the British Council; notes that Alan is also the founder of fiveFilms4freedom, a 10-day LGBT film festival that promotes freedom, equality and LGBT rights, which it understands was the world’s first global online LGBT film festival, and supports the view that people in Scotland should be encouraged to become involved with institutions such as the British Council.
Supported by: Michelle Ballantyne, Liz Smith, Liam Kerr, Miles Briggs, Alison Harris, Peter Chapman, Annie Wells, Alexander Stewart, Edward Mountain, Alexander Burnett, Rachael Hamilton
Current Status: Fallen on 24/01/2019
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