That the Parliament welcomes the announcement of a new partnership between Heriot-Watt University and the Glasgow-based brewer, Brewgooder, to encourage more black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students to develop a career in brewing and distilling; believes that the bursary programme will start from summer 2021 with the aim of improving diversity in the brewing industry; notes that each successful student will receive £2,000 each year from Brewgooder for a total of four years, while studying on the BSc (Hons) Brewing and Distilling course based at the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University; further notes that the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling was the home of Scotland’s first black professor, Sir Geoff Palmer, who taught cereal science at the University and is an ardent campaigner for human rights and racial equality, and looks forward to a new generation of brewers and distillers truly representing Scotland’s multicultural diversity.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the announcement of a new partnership between Heriot-Watt University and the Glasgow-based brewer, Brewgooder, to encourage more black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students to develop a career in brewing and distilling; believes that the bursary programme will start from summer 2021 with the aim of improving diversity in the brewing industry; notes that each successful student will receive £2,000 each year from Brewgooder for a total of four years, while studying on the BSc (Hons) Brewing and Distilling course based at the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University; further notes that the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling was the home of Scotland’s first black professor, Sir Geoff Palmer, who taught cereal science at the University and is an ardent campaigner for human rights and racial equality, and looks forward to a new generation of brewers and distillers truly representing Scotland’s multicultural diversity.
Supported by: Miles Briggs, George Adam, Stewart Stevenson, Jeremy Balfour
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That the Parliament congratulates the Balerno Fairtrade Village Group on its 2020 Fairtrade Village Renewal bid being accepted; notes that the group first achieved Fairtrade Village status in 2013 and successfully renewed that status in 2014, 2016 and 2018; considers that Fairtrade empowers disadvantaged producers in developing countries by tackling what it sees as the injustices in conventional trade, in particular by promoting and licensing the Fairtrade mark as a guarantee that products sold in the UK have been produced in accordance with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards; believes that becoming a Fairtrade Village sends a powerful message about how a community wants trade to work; considers that Fairtrade is a simple way to make a difference to the lives of people who grow food, which helps producers enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential and decide on their future; thanks everyone involved in the Balerno Fairtrade Village Group for their continued efforts, and commends the community of Balerno for its commitment and work in helping to achieve and maintaining Fairtrade Village status.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates the Balerno Fairtrade Village Group on its 2020 Fairtrade Village Renewal bid being accepted; notes that the group first achieved Fairtrade Village status in 2013 and successfully renewed that status in 2014, 2016 and 2018; considers that Fairtrade empowers disadvantaged producers in developing countries by tackling what it sees as the injustices in conventional trade, in particular by promoting and licensing the Fairtrade mark as a guarantee that products sold in the UK have been produced in accordance with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards; believes that becoming a Fairtrade Village sends a powerful message about how a community wants trade to work; considers that Fairtrade is a simple way to make a difference to the lives of people who grow food, which helps producers enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfil their potential and decide on their future; thanks everyone involved in the Balerno Fairtrade Village Group for their continued efforts, and commends the community of Balerno for its commitment and work in helping to achieve and maintaining Fairtrade Village status.
Supported by: Miles Briggs, Richard Lyle, Kenneth Gibson, Sandra White, Jeremy Balfour, Bill Kidd, Joan McAlpine, Gil Paterson, Stewart Stevenson, David Torrance, Gordon Lindhurst
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That the Parliament thanks the staff and management at the Edinburgh Beer Factory and Thistly Cross Cider for producing and donating hand sanitiser for the staff and volunteers of the Community One Stop Shop in Broomhouse, Edinburgh; understands that the Edinburgh Beer Factory is a family-run, independent brewery that launched in 2015, and that Thistly Cross Cider is a producer of Scottish craft cider based in East Lothian and founded in 2008; praises the Community One Stop Shop for its work helping to alleviate the effects of poverty and support people through crisis situations, and recognises that the supply of hand sanitiser to a community-based organisation, such as the Community One Stop Shop, is vital to enable continued delivery of service to the public throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Current Status:
That the Parliament thanks the staff and management at the Edinburgh Beer Factory and Thistly Cross Cider for producing and donating hand sanitiser for the staff and volunteers of the Community One Stop Shop in Broomhouse, Edinburgh; understands that the Edinburgh Beer Factory is a family-run, independent brewery that launched in 2015, and that Thistly Cross Cider is a producer of Scottish craft cider based in East Lothian and founded in 2008; praises the Community One Stop Shop for its work helping to alleviate the effects of poverty and support people through crisis situations, and recognises that the supply of hand sanitiser to a community-based organisation, such as the Community One Stop Shop, is vital to enable continued delivery of service to the public throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supported by: Richard Lyle, Stuart McMillan, Emma Harper, David Torrance, Sandra White, Jeremy Balfour, Stewart Stevenson, Fulton MacGregor, Neil Findlay, Willie Coffey, Clare Adamson, Gil Paterson, Angela Constance, Bill Kidd, Joan McAlpine
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That the Parliament welcomes a recent report that Edinburgh has been assessed to be one of Europe’s top 25 Tech Cities of the Future; understands that the findings are reported in fDi Magazine, an English-language bi-monthly news and foreign direct investment publication, part of the fDi Intelligence portfolio of investment products and services from the Financial Times; recognises that factors in Edinburgh's standing include a highly-skilled and educated workforce, one of the largest schools of computing science in Europe, and a fantastic company base, from the award-winning cloud accounting firm, FreeAgent, to Rockstar North, the studio behind what it considers the wildly successful Grand Theft Auto franchise, and commends all those who have contributed to help make Edinburgh an excellent location for technology companies to start up, develop, and innovate.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes a recent report that Edinburgh has been assessed to be one of Europe’s top 25 Tech Cities of the Future; understands that the findings are reported in fDi Magazine, an English-language bi-monthly news and foreign direct investment publication, part of the fDi Intelligence portfolio of investment products and services from the Financial Times; recognises that factors in Edinburgh's standing include a highly-skilled and educated workforce, one of the largest schools of computing science in Europe, and a fantastic company base, from the award-winning cloud accounting firm, FreeAgent, to Rockstar North, the studio behind what it considers the wildly successful Grand Theft Auto franchise, and commends all those who have contributed to help make Edinburgh an excellent location for technology companies to start up, develop, and innovate.
Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Annabelle Ewing, Sandra White, Stuart McMillan, Jeremy Balfour, Willie Coffey, Richard Lyle, Bill Kidd, Stewart Stevenson, David Torrance, Tom Arthur, Fulton MacGregor, Neil Findlay, Clare Adamson, Gil Paterson, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Joan McAlpine
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That the Parliament commends the University of Edinburgh in supporting community groups through its Community Grants Scheme to develop projects that have a positive social impact; notes that the scheme, which has been running since 2017, has distributed over £260,000 to groups; congratulates SCORE Scotland on being awarded a grant from this to enable a four-week summer school for young BAME people from Wester Hailes, which will focus on climate change, plastic pollution, waste and recycling; understands that applications for grants of up to £500 can be made by community groups and charities that are responding the COVID-19 crisis in their area, and thanks the University and SCORE Scotland for their continued contribution to the community.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends the University of Edinburgh in supporting community groups through its Community Grants Scheme to develop projects that have a positive social impact; notes that the scheme, which has been running since 2017, has distributed over £260,000 to groups; congratulates SCORE Scotland on being awarded a grant from this to enable a four-week summer school for young BAME people from Wester Hailes, which will focus on climate change, plastic pollution, waste and recycling; understands that applications for grants of up to £500 can be made by community groups and charities that are responding the COVID-19 crisis in their area, and thanks the University and SCORE Scotland for their continued contribution to the community.
Supported by: David Torrance, Richard Lyle, Annabelle Ewing, Rona Mackay, Bill Kidd, Emma Harper, Kenneth Gibson, Stewart Stevenson, Stuart McMillan, Joan McAlpine, Jeremy Balfour, Willie Coffey, Tom Arthur, Fulton MacGregor, Neil Findlay, Clare Adamson, Alex Cole-Hamilton
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That the Parliament welcomes the £20,000 from the Scottish Government Supporting Communities Fund that WHALE Arts in Wester Hailes has received to distribute to organisations, projects and community groups in the area; understands that small grants of up to £1,500 will be available to be spent by the end of September 2020; notes that, in order to receive a grant, applicants are required to apply by 5 June stating how the money will be used to improve lives during the COVID-19 lockdown; appreciates that WHALE Arts will facilitate unconstituted groups without bank accounts by making necessary purchases for them; recognises that WHALE Arts is also providing a food provision service locally in south west Edinburgh, including food banks, community meal takeaway, shopping services and food deliveries, and applauds WHALE Arts for its continued service to the community during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the £20,000 from the Scottish Government Supporting Communities Fund that WHALE Arts in Wester Hailes has received to distribute to organisations, projects and community groups in the area; understands that small grants of up to £1,500 will be available to be spent by the end of September 2020; notes that, in order to receive a grant, applicants are required to apply by 5 June stating how the money will be used to improve lives during the COVID-19 lockdown; appreciates that WHALE Arts will facilitate unconstituted groups without bank accounts by making necessary purchases for them; recognises that WHALE Arts is also providing a food provision service locally in south west Edinburgh, including food banks, community meal takeaway, shopping services and food deliveries, and applauds WHALE Arts for its continued service to the community during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Supported by: Sandra White, David Torrance, Richard Lyle, Stuart McMillan, Stewart Stevenson, Bill Kidd, Jeremy Balfour, Clare Adamson, Fulton MacGregor, Willie Coffey, Tom Arthur, Ruth Maguire, Neil Findlay, Joan McAlpine
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That the Parliament congratulates Brendan Crombie, Barry Martin and Rachael Hunter on graduating from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service dedicated training facility in Newbridge, Edinburgh; notes that this was the first group of graduates from the training facility; understands that Brendan and Barry are being deployed to McDonald Road Fire Station, and Rachael is to join Sighthill Fire Station; notes that the £10.5 million facility, which opened early in 2020, is now the second largest fire training site in Scotland and is able to equip 1,600 personnel from across 65 fire stations with the knowledge and skills to respond safely and effectively to fires within domestic, industrial and commercial buildings; recognises that training is an essential component in ensuring firefighters maintain the skills and professional competencies needed to keep communities safe; believes that having these fantastic facilities in the east of Scotland allows training to be delivered closer to home for many, enabling firefighters to spend less time away from their core duties and their families, and wishes Brendan, Barry and Rachael every success in their future careers.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates Brendan Crombie, Barry Martin and Rachael Hunter on graduating from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service dedicated training facility in Newbridge, Edinburgh; notes that this was the first group of graduates from the training facility; understands that Brendan and Barry are being deployed to McDonald Road Fire Station, and Rachael is to join Sighthill Fire Station; notes that the £10.5 million facility, which opened early in 2020, is now the second largest fire training site in Scotland and is able to equip 1,600 personnel from across 65 fire stations with the knowledge and skills to respond safely and effectively to fires within domestic, industrial and commercial buildings; recognises that training is an essential component in ensuring firefighters maintain the skills and professional competencies needed to keep communities safe; believes that having these fantastic facilities in the east of Scotland allows training to be delivered closer to home for many, enabling firefighters to spend less time away from their core duties and their families, and wishes Brendan, Barry and Rachael every success in their future careers.
Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Stuart McMillan, Annabelle Ewing, David Torrance, Stewart Stevenson, Bill Kidd, Richard Lyle, Christine Grahame, Sandra White, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Jeremy Balfour, Fulton MacGregor, Willie Coffey, Gillian Martin, Tom Arthur, Clare Adamson, Ruth Maguire
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That the Parliament commends the five Edinburgh Napier University students who are the first individuals in the country to qualify as Special Constables through a new on-campus training programme; understands that the students, Larissa Engelmann, Campbell Cunningham, Annelise Hoey, Sumaiyah Shafique, Amy Murphy, while also studying at Edinburgh Napier University, have been training as Special Constables since January 2020 and have completed 136 hours of training, including officer safety training at Tulliallan, the Scottish Police College; recognises that the project to bring the Special Constable training in-house was led by Dr Andrew Wooff, a lecturer in criminology at the university, who worked with Police Scotland to adapt the training to allow it to be built into the students’ timetables; notes that the programme was devised because of a growing demand from students to become involved as Special Constables; appreciates that the Special Constable role is diverse, demanding, rewarding and offers volunteers an opportunity to contribute to the community, and thanks the five students, who are now available to help Police Scotland with its COVID-19 response, for their work.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends the five Edinburgh Napier University students who are the first individuals in the country to qualify as Special Constables through a new on-campus training programme; understands that the students, Larissa Engelmann, Campbell Cunningham, Annelise Hoey, Sumaiyah Shafique, Amy Murphy, while also studying at Edinburgh Napier University, have been training as Special Constables since January 2020 and have completed 136 hours of training, including officer safety training at Tulliallan, the Scottish Police College; recognises that the project to bring the Special Constable training in-house was led by Dr Andrew Wooff, a lecturer in criminology at the university, who worked with Police Scotland to adapt the training to allow it to be built into the students’ timetables; notes that the programme was devised because of a growing demand from students to become involved as Special Constables; appreciates that the Special Constable role is diverse, demanding, rewarding and offers volunteers an opportunity to contribute to the community, and thanks the five students, who are now available to help Police Scotland with its COVID-19 response, for their work.
Supported by: Miles Briggs, Bill Kidd, Richard Lyle, Kenneth Gibson, Willie Coffey, Stewart Stevenson, Jeremy Balfour, Angela Constance, Fulton MacGregor, Sandra White, Bruce Crawford, Gillian Martin, Clare Adamson, Tom Arthur, Ruth Maguire
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That the Parliament commends Wester Hailes Connect on its plans to distribute internet tablets to vulnerable people in its area; recognises that the tablets will allow vulnerable people to remain connected during these challenging times; understands that the tablets were donated by the BT Group as part of the DevicesDotNow initiative run by FutureDotNow, which is coordinating industry action to target the 1.9 million households that do not have access to the internet and are digitally excluded; notes that the DevicesDotNow initiative was created in response to the social distancing necessary due to COVID-19 and that it is asking businesses to donate tablets, smartphones and laptops, as well as connectivity in the form of sim cards, dongles and mobile hotspots; considers that remaining connected with friends and family and broad media sources are critical in reducing the harmful effects of social isolation that is experienced by many in society, and thanks Wester Hailes Connect for its work to support the community throughout a very challenging period.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends Wester Hailes Connect on its plans to distribute internet tablets to vulnerable people in its area; recognises that the tablets will allow vulnerable people to remain connected during these challenging times; understands that the tablets were donated by the BT Group as part of the DevicesDotNow initiative run by FutureDotNow, which is coordinating industry action to target the 1.9 million households that do not have access to the internet and are digitally excluded; notes that the DevicesDotNow initiative was created in response to the social distancing necessary due to COVID-19 and that it is asking businesses to donate tablets, smartphones and laptops, as well as connectivity in the form of sim cards, dongles and mobile hotspots; considers that remaining connected with friends and family and broad media sources are critical in reducing the harmful effects of social isolation that is experienced by many in society, and thanks Wester Hailes Connect for its work to support the community throughout a very challenging period.
Supported by: David Torrance, Bill Kidd, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Clare Adamson, Emma Harper, Neil Findlay, Gillian Martin, Richard Lyle
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That the Parliament unreservedly condemns the UK Conservative administration's immigration proposals; believes that these completely disregard the needs of Scotland’s employers, public services and communities; considers that they will have a detrimental impact on the social care sector, which employs over 110,000 people in Scotland, including in Edinburgh, with a significant number of the workforce coming from the European Economic Area (EEA); notes with concern that the Conservative's immigration policy income threshold of £25,600 is significantly higher than the £17,500 average salary paid in Scotland’s care sector; recognises that Donald Macaskill, chief executive of Scottish Care, the umbrella body representing more than 400 nursing homes, day services, and home care providers, has warned of the “triple whammy” that the immigration policy will impose on the provision of support for dementia patients, vulnerable adults and others in need; understands that the policy will reduce the number of working-age people coming to live, work and contribute to Scotland’s economy; believes that it will reduce the number of current care staff due to what it considers toxic rhetoric around immigration, and that it will reduce the funding available to the care sector due to the economic impact of these political decisions; deplores the UK Conservative administration's proposals for categorising care workers earning under £25,600 as “low-skilled labour”; considers this view to be harmful, out of touch, and completely opposed to the needs of an aging population in Scotland, and acknowledges calls for an immigration policy that reflects Scotland’s distinct needs, demographic and economy, and to maintain quality support in the care sector.
Current Status:
That the Parliament unreservedly condemns the UK Conservative administration's immigration proposals; believes that these completely disregard the needs of Scotland’s employers, public services and communities; considers that they will have a detrimental impact on the social care sector, which employs over 110,000 people in Scotland, including in Edinburgh, with a significant number of the workforce coming from the European Economic Area (EEA); notes with concern that the Conservative's immigration policy income threshold of £25,600 is significantly higher than the £17,500 average salary paid in Scotland’s care sector; recognises that Donald Macaskill, chief executive of Scottish Care, the umbrella body representing more than 400 nursing homes, day services, and home care providers, has warned of the “triple whammy” that the immigration policy will impose on the provision of support for dementia patients, vulnerable adults and others in need; understands that the policy will reduce the number of working-age people coming to live, work and contribute to Scotland’s economy; believes that it will reduce the number of current care staff due to what it considers toxic rhetoric around immigration, and that it will reduce the funding available to the care sector due to the economic impact of these political decisions; deplores the UK Conservative administration's proposals for categorising care workers earning under £25,600 as “low-skilled labour”; considers this view to be harmful, out of touch, and completely opposed to the needs of an aging population in Scotland, and acknowledges calls for an immigration policy that reflects Scotland’s distinct needs, demographic and economy, and to maintain quality support in the care sector.
Supported by: John Mason, Bill Kidd, Bob Doris, Rona Mackay, Sandra White, Emma Harper, Stuart McMillan, Joan McAlpine, Richard Lyle, Gil Paterson, Mark McDonald, Fulton MacGregor, Willie Coffey, Clare Adamson, David Torrance, Alex Rowley, Tom Arthur, Stewart Stevenson, Ruth Maguire, Gillian Martin, Andy Wightman
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18/03/2020
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