As an amendment to motion S5M-22033 in the name of Kate Forbes (Fiscal Implications of COVID-19), leave out from "; notes" to "differential impact of COVID-19" and insert "and directly to individuals and businesses in Scotland; notes that the funding requirements of responding to COVID-19 have been significant, and have also put pressure on local authorities responsible for delivering many of the services required to tackle the pandemic; agrees that additional fiscal flexibilities beyond those in the Fiscal Framework should be considered to be able to respond sufficiently to the pandemic, including support to businesses, communities and public services; further agrees that Scotland’s public finances should not face undue risks via the Fiscal Framework on account of any differential impact of COVID-19; believes that local government in Scotland should be treated fairly and transparently by the Scottish Government".
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S5M-22033 in the name of Kate Forbes (Fiscal Implications of COVID-19), leave out from "; notes" to "differential impact of COVID-19" and insert "and directly to individuals and businesses in Scotland; notes that the funding requirements of responding to COVID-19 have been significant, and have also put pressure on local authorities responsible for delivering many of the services required to tackle the pandemic; agrees that additional fiscal flexibilities beyond those in the Fiscal Framework should be considered to be able to respond sufficiently to the pandemic, including support to businesses, communities and public services; further agrees that Scotland’s public finances should not face undue risks via the Fiscal Framework on account of any differential impact of COVID-19; believes that local government in Scotland should be treated fairly and transparently by the Scottish Government".
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16/06/2020
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That the Parliament commends Fife Council for adjusting the date of its Early May Bank Holiday from 4 to 8 May 2020 as that day will mark 75 years since the victory over Nazi Germany; understands that 13 of the 14 regional NHS boards have also chosen to do this, but notes that NHS Fife has not, and encourages management at NHS Fife to reconsider this decision and follow the other public bodies that have chosen to alter the date of the bank holiday in their diaries.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends Fife Council for adjusting the date of its Early May Bank Holiday from 4 to 8 May 2020 as that day will mark 75 years since the victory over Nazi Germany; understands that 13 of the 14 regional NHS boards have also chosen to do this, but notes that NHS Fife has not, and encourages management at NHS Fife to reconsider this decision and follow the other public bodies that have chosen to alter the date of the bank holiday in their diaries.
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Alexander Burnett, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Murdo Fraser
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That the Parliament expresses concern regarding the future of a Department for International Development separate from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), following reports that a UK Government Cabinet reshuffle could result in a single, merged department; recognises what it sees as the need for a strong international development sector, which has been supported by a coalition of aid groups, including the British Red Cross, Cafod and Oxfam; considers with concern that the key poverty reduction goals of the aid budget could be blurred by working within an FCO with different political objectives; believes that this would undermine the UK’s reputation as a world leader in global development, and hopes that the UK Government will reject this option, which it believes would limit the department’s effectiveness and create incoherence.
Current Status:
That the Parliament expresses concern regarding the future of a Department for International Development separate from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), following reports that a UK Government Cabinet reshuffle could result in a single, merged department; recognises what it sees as the need for a strong international development sector, which has been supported by a coalition of aid groups, including the British Red Cross, Cafod and Oxfam; considers with concern that the key poverty reduction goals of the aid budget could be blurred by working within an FCO with different political objectives; believes that this would undermine the UK’s reputation as a world leader in global development, and hopes that the UK Government will reject this option, which it believes would limit the department’s effectiveness and create incoherence.
Supported by: Liam McArthur, Claire Baker, Beatrice Wishart, Iain Gray, John Mason, Monica Lennon
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That the Parliament welcomes the launch of the first Mental Wellbeing Toolkit for the Retail Sector; acknowledges that the toolkit was set up through a partnership between the British Retail Consortium and Time to Change; notes that the toolkit provides advice on how to carry out various strategies, including improving employee mental health literacy and training groups of mental health first aiders; recognises that mental health problems affect one in six workers each year, and is the leading cause of sickness absence; understands that mental health first aid training equips people with the skills needed to support their own and others’ wellbeing, and believes that the toolkit will help to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, especially in the workplace.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the launch of the first Mental Wellbeing Toolkit for the Retail Sector; acknowledges that the toolkit was set up through a partnership between the British Retail Consortium and Time to Change; notes that the toolkit provides advice on how to carry out various strategies, including improving employee mental health literacy and training groups of mental health first aiders; recognises that mental health problems affect one in six workers each year, and is the leading cause of sickness absence; understands that mental health first aid training equips people with the skills needed to support their own and others’ wellbeing, and believes that the toolkit will help to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, especially in the workplace.
Supported by: Miles Briggs, Jeremy Balfour, Alexander Stewart, Finlay Carson, Colin Beattie, Alexander Burnett, Mark McDonald, Annie Wells, Brian Whittle, Bill Kidd, Beatrice Wishart, James Dornan, Liam McArthur, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Monica Lennon, David Torrance, Fulton MacGregor, John Mason, Ruth Maguire, Tom Arthur
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That the Parliament commends Graham Connolly and Pyllon Endeavour, which is an ultra-running team, for running the Scottish National Trail in support of SAMH; notes that the group started on the morning of 23 January 2020 at Cape Wrath and ended at Kirk Yetholm at the border, as a continuous relay taking 102 hours; understands that the team of nine runners ended up running between 85 and 90 miles over some of Scotland’s most rugged terrain; applauds the team for having set a new record on the course; recognises that SAMH is a mental health and wellbeing charity that does incredible work to raise awareness and support people who are experiencing mental ill-health; notes that, in 2019, Pyllon Endeavour attempted a double West Highland Way in under 24 hours to raise money for SAMH, and thanks the team for raising awareness of SAMH’s work and showing that sport and physical activity can improve mental health.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends Graham Connolly and Pyllon Endeavour, which is an ultra-running team, for running the Scottish National Trail in support of SAMH; notes that the group started on the morning of 23 January 2020 at Cape Wrath and ended at Kirk Yetholm at the border, as a continuous relay taking 102 hours; understands that the team of nine runners ended up running between 85 and 90 miles over some of Scotland’s most rugged terrain; applauds the team for having set a new record on the course; recognises that SAMH is a mental health and wellbeing charity that does incredible work to raise awareness and support people who are experiencing mental ill-health; notes that, in 2019, Pyllon Endeavour attempted a double West Highland Way in under 24 hours to raise money for SAMH, and thanks the team for raising awareness of SAMH’s work and showing that sport and physical activity can improve mental health.
Supported by: Bill Kidd, Mark McDonald, David Torrance, Mary Fee, Maureen Watt, Stewart Stevenson, Clare Adamson, Fulton MacGregor, Alison Johnstone, Beatrice Wishart, Tom Arthur, Ruth Maguire
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As an amendment to motion S5M-20716 in the name of Murdo Fraser (No Case for Tax Increases or Further Cuts to Public Spending), leave out from “believes” to end and insert “condemns the UK Government for delaying its budget and the consequent disruption it has caused to the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations’ budget processes, and the risks posed to public services across Scotland; considers that the current dissatisfactory budget process is further evidence that the UK needs a written constitution, with a federal framework in which no component can impair the operation of another; believes that the Scottish Budget should not include money for another independence referendum because of the harm it will do to Scotland, and believes that the budget should instead focus on providing more support to local government, the police service, mental health services, investment in nursery education and clear action to tackle the climate emergency."
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S5M-20716 in the name of Murdo Fraser (No Case for Tax Increases or Further Cuts to Public Spending), leave out from “believes” to end and insert “condemns the UK Government for delaying its budget and the consequent disruption it has caused to the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations’ budget processes, and the risks posed to public services across Scotland; considers that the current dissatisfactory budget process is further evidence that the UK needs a written constitution, with a federal framework in which no component can impair the operation of another; believes that the Scottish Budget should not include money for another independence referendum because of the harm it will do to Scotland, and believes that the budget should instead focus on providing more support to local government, the police service, mental health services, investment in nursery education and clear action to tackle the climate emergency."
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That the Parliament commemorates the life of Mel Ballantyne of Craigrothie, who sadly passed away on 14 January 2020 at the age of 80; understands that Mel was an incredibly active member of Parkinson’s UK following his diagnosis at the age of 46; applauds the outstanding work of Mel and his wife, Jean, as committed members of Parkinson’s UK, who both used their experiences to improve the lives of others with Parkinson’s; acknowledges Mel’s outstanding achievements, which include coordinating local groups to support people with Parkinson’s and their families, persuading NHS Fife to appoint the board’s first two Parkinson’s nurses, helping to shape Parkinson’s UK’s Get it on Time campaign to make sure that people with Parkinson’s get their essential medication on time when they are in hospital, and for inspiring Jean to volunteer as a Parkinson’s UK educator in local care homes; congratulates Mel on being made an Honorary Life Member of Parkinson’s UK, and thanks him for his commitment to improving the lives of others in Fife, Scotland and beyond.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commemorates the life of Mel Ballantyne of Craigrothie, who sadly passed away on 14 January 2020 at the age of 80; understands that Mel was an incredibly active member of Parkinson’s UK following his diagnosis at the age of 46; applauds the outstanding work of Mel and his wife, Jean, as committed members of Parkinson’s UK, who both used their experiences to improve the lives of others with Parkinson’s; acknowledges Mel’s outstanding achievements, which include coordinating local groups to support people with Parkinson’s and their families, persuading NHS Fife to appoint the board’s first two Parkinson’s nurses, helping to shape Parkinson’s UK’s Get it on Time campaign to make sure that people with Parkinson’s get their essential medication on time when they are in hospital, and for inspiring Jean to volunteer as a Parkinson’s UK educator in local care homes; congratulates Mel on being made an Honorary Life Member of Parkinson’s UK, and thanks him for his commitment to improving the lives of others in Fife, Scotland and beyond.
Supported by: Richard Lyle, Stuart McMillan, Murdo Fraser, Jackie Baillie, Bill Kidd, Jeremy Balfour, James Kelly, Brian Whittle, Fulton MacGregor, Annabelle Ewing, Beatrice Wishart, Sandra White, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Clare Adamson, Tom Arthur, Ruth Maguire
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As an amendment to motion S5M-20615 in the name of Nicola Sturgeon (Scotland’s Future), leave out from "; agrees" to end and insert ", and believes that the people of Scotland want the Scottish Government to focus on tackling the slipping education standards in Scotland’s schools, reduce long waiting times in the health service, take mental health more seriously, address the crisis in social care, repair the damage to police services caused by centralisation, reverse the rise in fuel poverty, and take consistent and determined action on the climate emergency, all of which are currently being given secondary status to the issue of independence."
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S5M-20615 in the name of Nicola Sturgeon (Scotland’s Future), leave out from "; agrees" to end and insert ", and believes that the people of Scotland want the Scottish Government to focus on tackling the slipping education standards in Scotland’s schools, reduce long waiting times in the health service, take mental health more seriously, address the crisis in social care, repair the damage to police services caused by centralisation, reverse the rise in fuel poverty, and take consistent and determined action on the climate emergency, all of which are currently being given secondary status to the issue of independence."
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29/01/2020
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That the Parliament recognises that there is a mental health crisis in Scotland; considers that mental health is not currently being treated equally to physical health, but that it deserves to be treated with the same urgency; believes that this requires the creation of new services, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week; recalls that action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy stated that 800 additional mental health workers would be added to the workforce in A&E departments, GP practices, police station custody suites and prisons; believes that this is an insufficient quantity to meet the huge unmet demand that exists, and regrets that the commitment has since been diluted, with the latest update showing that more than a third of the staff added to the workforce so far have been attributed to "other settings", meaning that the police, A&E departments, GP practices and prisons will not get the benefits of the full contingent of additional mental health workers expected; notes recent reports of the increasing stress and mental ill-health being experienced by police officers and staff, and urges the Scottish Government to coordinate a new emergency package of support to increase and upgrade the services available to both them and staff in other public services, and further calls on the Scottish Government to publish the final allocation of staff that each key setting is currently expected to receive, and for it to set a new target for the number of mental health workers it will add in each of these settings, elevating the ambition of its 10-year strategy and getting people the treatment they need fast.
Current Status:
That the Parliament recognises that there is a mental health crisis in Scotland; considers that mental health is not currently being treated equally to physical health, but that it deserves to be treated with the same urgency; believes that this requires the creation of new services, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week; recalls that action 15 of the Mental Health Strategy stated that 800 additional mental health workers would be added to the workforce in A&E departments, GP practices, police station custody suites and prisons; believes that this is an insufficient quantity to meet the huge unmet demand that exists, and regrets that the commitment has since been diluted, with the latest update showing that more than a third of the staff added to the workforce so far have been attributed to "other settings", meaning that the police, A&E departments, GP practices and prisons will not get the benefits of the full contingent of additional mental health workers expected; notes recent reports of the increasing stress and mental ill-health being experienced by police officers and staff, and urges the Scottish Government to coordinate a new emergency package of support to increase and upgrade the services available to both them and staff in other public services, and further calls on the Scottish Government to publish the final allocation of staff that each key setting is currently expected to receive, and for it to set a new target for the number of mental health workers it will add in each of these settings, elevating the ambition of its 10-year strategy and getting people the treatment they need fast.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27/11/2019
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As an amendment to motion S5M-18778 in the name of Michael Russell (Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland), leave out from "welcomes" to end and insert "regrets that the first opportunity taken by the Scottish Government is a citizens' assembly announced as a part of a package of measures to achieve Scottish independence, which was welcomed by SNP MPs as part of the route to independence, and notes that Scottish ministers have not agreed to abide by the recommendations of the assembly if it rejects Scottish independence."
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S5M-18778 in the name of Michael Russell (Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland), leave out from "welcomes" to end and insert "regrets that the first opportunity taken by the Scottish Government is a citizens' assembly announced as a part of a package of measures to achieve Scottish independence, which was welcomed by SNP MPs as part of the route to independence, and notes that Scottish ministers have not agreed to abide by the recommendations of the assembly if it rejects Scottish independence."
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11/09/2019
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