That the Parliament is dismayed at reports of a Syrian man who recently died at a hotel in Glasgow; understands that hundreds of asylum seekers have been moved recently from either single occupancy or two-bedroom flat accommodation to hotels procured by Mears and the Home Office; further understands that approximately 360 people are now housed in hotels across Glasgow; is concerned about whether hotel accommodation and the removal of financial support is suitable for many of those moved, especially if compared with the privacy and stability in the accommodation they were moved from; is further concerned about reports that social distancing is impossible in the hotels, especially in meal areas; believes that asylum seekers are entitled to dignity and respect and to live in a safe environment, particularly during the current pandemic, and calls on Mears and the Home Office to work very closely with Glasgow City Council and NGOs on transitioning out of the pandemic in order to avoid any further potential harm to these vulnerable people.
Current Status:
That the Parliament is dismayed at reports of a Syrian man who recently died at a hotel in Glasgow; understands that hundreds of asylum seekers have been moved recently from either single occupancy or two-bedroom flat accommodation to hotels procured by Mears and the Home Office; further understands that approximately 360 people are now housed in hotels across Glasgow; is concerned about whether hotel accommodation and the removal of financial support is suitable for many of those moved, especially if compared with the privacy and stability in the accommodation they were moved from; is further concerned about reports that social distancing is impossible in the hotels, especially in meal areas; believes that asylum seekers are entitled to dignity and respect and to live in a safe environment, particularly during the current pandemic, and calls on Mears and the Home Office to work very closely with Glasgow City Council and NGOs on transitioning out of the pandemic in order to avoid any further potential harm to these vulnerable people.
Supported by: Elaine Smith, John Finnie, Mark Griffin, Andy Wightman, James Kelly, Bob Doris, Alex Rowley, Bill Kidd, Iain Gray, Monica Lennon, John Mason, Neil Findlay, Mary Fee, Anas Sarwar, Patrick Harvie, Johann Lamont, Fulton MacGregor, Clare Adamson
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That the Parliament commends the contribution of the key workers who have kept essential services and industries going during the COVID-19 outbreak; regrets the low status, recognition and value that it believes had been placed on many of these workers, mostly the women; acknowledges estimates that 294,000 such workers in Scotland are paid less than £10 per hour; supports the campaign, After the Applause, which was launched by GMB Scotland on 30 April 2020; understands that this has already been backed by thousands of key workers and their families; notes that it calls for an immediate £2 per hour increase pay increase for these workers, including those employed in social care, retail, the NHS, food production, refuse services and many other areas where low pay is the perceived "norm" and were risks to health during the current crisis are among the highest; calls on the Scottish Government, local authorities and private sector employers to recognise that a fair pay rise, alongside all possible health and safety protections, is the least that key workers deserve, and acknowledges the call by the STUC for the UK Government to raise the legal minimum wage, for all workers, to £10 per hour.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends the contribution of the key workers who have kept essential services and industries going during the COVID-19 outbreak; regrets the low status, recognition and value that it believes had been placed on many of these workers, mostly the women; acknowledges estimates that 294,000 such workers in Scotland are paid less than £10 per hour; supports the campaign, After the Applause, which was launched by GMB Scotland on 30 April 2020; understands that this has already been backed by thousands of key workers and their families; notes that it calls for an immediate £2 per hour increase pay increase for these workers, including those employed in social care, retail, the NHS, food production, refuse services and many other areas where low pay is the perceived "norm" and were risks to health during the current crisis are among the highest; calls on the Scottish Government, local authorities and private sector employers to recognise that a fair pay rise, alongside all possible health and safety protections, is the least that key workers deserve, and acknowledges the call by the STUC for the UK Government to raise the legal minimum wage, for all workers, to £10 per hour.
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That the Parliament congratulates the Student Support and Enhancement service at the University of Strathclyde on achieving the Silver Level of the LGBT Charter; recognises the hard work and dedication of staff in achieving this prestigious award from LGBT Youth Scotland; notes that a particular highlight was a programme of events and speakers around LGBT identities, including talks on intersectional identities and LGBT people in sport, and welcomes the training and the review of policies, practice and resources that are in place, which aim to ensure that student support at the university goes beyond meeting legislative needs and is as inclusive as it can be for students, staff and the wider community.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates the Student Support and Enhancement service at the University of Strathclyde on achieving the Silver Level of the LGBT Charter; recognises the hard work and dedication of staff in achieving this prestigious award from LGBT Youth Scotland; notes that a particular highlight was a programme of events and speakers around LGBT identities, including talks on intersectional identities and LGBT people in sport, and welcomes the training and the review of policies, practice and resources that are in place, which aim to ensure that student support at the university goes beyond meeting legislative needs and is as inclusive as it can be for students, staff and the wider community.
Supported by: Clare Adamson
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That the Parliament notes with concern the situation in Idlib in Syria where nearly a million people have reportedly been forced to flee from their homes since December 2019; is further concerned by reports that the population is terrified and traumatised, with temperatures reaching minus 9 degrees; understands that babies, small children and older people are dying because of the cold, with people forced to sleep outside and in the back of trucks as the camps are full; notes with dismay reports from the UN that the bombing campaign conducted by President Bashar al-Assad is targeting health facilities and schools; understands that the province is the final major rebel-held stronghold in Syria, but that the advance of Syrian government forces, backed by Russian forces, has put further pressure on the displaced population; further understands that the major relief operation being managed from across the border in Turkey is being overwhelmed and Turkey has closed its border with Syria; agrees with Michelle Bachelet, UN Human Rights Chief, that conditions for displaced civilians are “cruel beyond belief”, and urges Syrian government forces and their allies to allow safe corridors in conflict areas in north-western Syria.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes with concern the situation in Idlib in Syria where nearly a million people have reportedly been forced to flee from their homes since December 2019; is further concerned by reports that the population is terrified and traumatised, with temperatures reaching minus 9 degrees; understands that babies, small children and older people are dying because of the cold, with people forced to sleep outside and in the back of trucks as the camps are full; notes with dismay reports from the UN that the bombing campaign conducted by President Bashar al-Assad is targeting health facilities and schools; understands that the province is the final major rebel-held stronghold in Syria, but that the advance of Syrian government forces, backed by Russian forces, has put further pressure on the displaced population; further understands that the major relief operation being managed from across the border in Turkey is being overwhelmed and Turkey has closed its border with Syria; agrees with Michelle Bachelet, UN Human Rights Chief, that conditions for displaced civilians are “cruel beyond belief”, and urges Syrian government forces and their allies to allow safe corridors in conflict areas in north-western Syria.
Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Sarah Boyack, Iain Gray, Angela Constance, Fulton MacGregor, Sandra White, Bill Kidd, John Mason, Stuart McMillan, Andy Wightman, Bob Doris, Mark McDonald, Willie Coffey, Alex Rowley, Clare Adamson, Gil Paterson, John Finnie, Ruth Maguire
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As an amendment to motion S5M-20110 in the name of Aileen Campbell (Achieving a Fairer Scotland), insert at end "; regrets the rise in poverty in Scotland and believes that more ambition is required across government to tackle inequality and improve people’s quality of life; calls on the Scottish Government to address the barriers to benefit uptake and reduce housing costs; agrees that universal credit, the two-child cap and pernicious UK welfare reforms must be scrapped, and believes that tackling the climate emergency must be done in a fair way, recognising the growing inequalities and insecurities facing people across Scotland."
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S5M-20110 in the name of Aileen Campbell (Achieving a Fairer Scotland), insert at end "; regrets the rise in poverty in Scotland and believes that more ambition is required across government to tackle inequality and improve people’s quality of life; calls on the Scottish Government to address the barriers to benefit uptake and reduce housing costs; agrees that universal credit, the two-child cap and pernicious UK welfare reforms must be scrapped, and believes that tackling the climate emergency must be done in a fair way, recognising the growing inequalities and insecurities facing people across Scotland."
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 04/12/2019
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That the Parliament is greatly concerned at reports that Glasgow has seen the UK's worst outbreak of HIV in 30 years and that the city’s health workers have said that the problem is still getting worse, with homeless people and drug users the groups most affected; believes that researchers report that a key factor enabling the virus to spread so quickly is homelessness combined with a significant rise in the numbers of people injecting cocaine, as well as heroin; commends the work of specialist street teams, such as Waverley Care, which offer rapid HIV testing to people who are not engaged with health services who inject drugs, and calls on the UK Government to consider allowing the opening of safe injecting facilities.
Current Status:
That the Parliament is greatly concerned at reports that Glasgow has seen the UK's worst outbreak of HIV in 30 years and that the city’s health workers have said that the problem is still getting worse, with homeless people and drug users the groups most affected; believes that researchers report that a key factor enabling the virus to spread so quickly is homelessness combined with a significant rise in the numbers of people injecting cocaine, as well as heroin; commends the work of specialist street teams, such as Waverley Care, which offer rapid HIV testing to people who are not engaged with health services who inject drugs, and calls on the UK Government to consider allowing the opening of safe injecting facilities.
Supported by: John Finnie, Jenny Marra, Stuart McMillan, Iain Gray, Patrick Harvie, Anas Sarwar, Richard Lyle, Monica Lennon, Emma Harper, James Kelly, Sandra White, Jackie Baillie, Annie Wells, Fulton MacGregor, Bob Doris, Bill Kidd, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Neil Findlay, Clare Adamson, Gillian Martin, Ruth Maguire, Gil Paterson
Current Status: Fallen on 27/11/2019
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As an amendment to motion S5M-18884 in the name of Aileen Campbell (Investing in our Credit Unions), insert at end ", and believes that this strategy should include the extension of payroll deduction schemes to more workplaces and better promotion of credit unions among young people."
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S5M-18884 in the name of Aileen Campbell (Investing in our Credit Unions), insert at end ", and believes that this strategy should include the extension of payroll deduction schemes to more workplaces and better promotion of credit unions among young people."
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17/09/2019
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That the Parliament notes the coalition of action and activism in Glasgow, and across Scotland, that aims to challenge the Home Office and Serco’s policy of forced lock changes; acknowledges the calls on the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and its key third sector partners to accelerate their anti-destitution work and put in place a Scottish accommodation-based support system that enables people to have short-term dignified accommodation, to be safe and to get the services and stability to make an informed choice about their futures, and notes the calls for the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to act in unison to overturn the Home Office's Hostile Environment Policy, to lower the risk of rendering vulnerable people homeless, open to exploitation and at greater risk of mental deterioration.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes the coalition of action and activism in Glasgow, and across Scotland, that aims to challenge the Home Office and Serco’s policy of forced lock changes; acknowledges the calls on the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and its key third sector partners to accelerate their anti-destitution work and put in place a Scottish accommodation-based support system that enables people to have short-term dignified accommodation, to be safe and to get the services and stability to make an informed choice about their futures, and notes the calls for the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to act in unison to overturn the Home Office's Hostile Environment Policy, to lower the risk of rendering vulnerable people homeless, open to exploitation and at greater risk of mental deterioration.
Supported by: Iain Gray, Mark Griffin, Sarah Boyack, Monica Lennon, Jackie Baillie, Neil Findlay, Johann Lamont, James Kelly, Anas Sarwar, Patrick Harvie, Jenny Marra
Current Status: Fallen on 27/11/2019
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That the Parliament notes reports that Asda Walmart is seeking to impose new contracts on its predominately female supermarket workforce, under threat of dismissal; understands that the new contracts remove provision for paid breaks, reduce night shift premiums, reduce holidays and introduce a new flexibility clause giving the employer the ability to alter days, hours, rota start and finish times, with corresponding salary change simply reflective of rising legal minimums; notes the view of GMB Scotland that Asda Walmart’s actions run counter to all principles of the Scottish Government’s Fair Work agenda and that it should seek to address whatever business case it has for making such cuts to terms and conditions by negotiation with GMB Union, and that, if this is not possible, Asda Walmart’s next step should be mediation under the auspices of ACAS, not the imposition of detrimental changes of terms and conditions on the thousands of working class women in Scotland employed in its supermarkets; understands that the backdrop to Asda Walmart’s actions is the long-running issue of equal pay for supermarket workers, and notes the calls from across the political spectrum in Scotland for Asda Walmart to take the threat of dismissal off the table for all of its staff who decline to sign up to a new contract that they fear will make them poorer.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes reports that Asda Walmart is seeking to impose new contracts on its predominately female supermarket workforce, under threat of dismissal; understands that the new contracts remove provision for paid breaks, reduce night shift premiums, reduce holidays and introduce a new flexibility clause giving the employer the ability to alter days, hours, rota start and finish times, with corresponding salary change simply reflective of rising legal minimums; notes the view of GMB Scotland that Asda Walmart’s actions run counter to all principles of the Scottish Government’s Fair Work agenda and that it should seek to address whatever business case it has for making such cuts to terms and conditions by negotiation with GMB Union, and that, if this is not possible, Asda Walmart’s next step should be mediation under the auspices of ACAS, not the imposition of detrimental changes of terms and conditions on the thousands of working class women in Scotland employed in its supermarkets; understands that the backdrop to Asda Walmart’s actions is the long-running issue of equal pay for supermarket workers, and notes the calls from across the political spectrum in Scotland for Asda Walmart to take the threat of dismissal off the table for all of its staff who decline to sign up to a new contract that they fear will make them poorer.
Supported by: John Finnie, Iain Gray, Monica Lennon, Neil Findlay, Jackie Baillie, Claudia Beamish, Lewis Macdonald, Elaine Smith, Kenneth Gibson, David Torrance, Richard Leonard, Fulton MacGregor, Alex Rowley, Neil Bibby, Anas Sarwar, Colin Smyth, Jenny Marra, Shona Robison, Alison Johnstone, David Stewart, Rhoda Grant, Rona Mackay
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29/10/2019
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That the Parliament notes with regret the first anniversary of the second devastating Glasgow School of Art fire; notes the deep and long-lasting damage that it has caused to the businesses and residents of Garnethill, Sauchiehall Street and the surrounding area; acknowledges the trauma experienced by displaced residents of Garnethill who were prevented from returning to their homes to collect their belongings on the night of the fire and for the following three months; understands that businesses and residents are still experiencing problems with vehicle access, refuse collection and insurance claims; recognises the severe impact on the local business community and is concerned that some businesses have been unable to reopen while others have had to relocate elsewhere at a huge loss to their business; welcomes the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee report, The Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh building: The loss of a national treasure; notes the belief that it is the shared responsibility of the UK Government, Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to secure the recovery and long-term future of Sauchiehall Street as an area of economic and cultural importance for Glasgow; acknowledges the concern that such a long-term plan is not yet in place a year on from the fire, and notes the calls on all political parties and relevant agencies to work together to ensure that a full recovery can be made as soon as possible.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes with regret the first anniversary of the second devastating Glasgow School of Art fire; notes the deep and long-lasting damage that it has caused to the businesses and residents of Garnethill, Sauchiehall Street and the surrounding area; acknowledges the trauma experienced by displaced residents of Garnethill who were prevented from returning to their homes to collect their belongings on the night of the fire and for the following three months; understands that businesses and residents are still experiencing problems with vehicle access, refuse collection and insurance claims; recognises the severe impact on the local business community and is concerned that some businesses have been unable to reopen while others have had to relocate elsewhere at a huge loss to their business; welcomes the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee report, The Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh building: The loss of a national treasure; notes the belief that it is the shared responsibility of the UK Government, Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to secure the recovery and long-term future of Sauchiehall Street as an area of economic and cultural importance for Glasgow; acknowledges the concern that such a long-term plan is not yet in place a year on from the fire, and notes the calls on all political parties and relevant agencies to work together to ensure that a full recovery can be made as soon as possible.
Supported by: Patrick Harvie, Claire Baker, Annie Wells, James Kelly, Iain Gray, Sandra White, Jackie Baillie, Joan McAlpine, Alex Rowley, Mary Fee, Adam Tomkins, Liam McArthur, Angela Constance, Ruth Maguire
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20/06/2019
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