Chamber and committees

That the Parliament is concerned by reported plans to cut teacher posts in a number of local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, where 172 jobs are at risk in 2024, rising to 450 jobs that are to be cut over the next three years; recognises that teacher numbers have fallen, compared with 2007, and that these cuts will have the greatest impact on pupils in the most deprived communities; notes that the target numbers of student teachers in some subjects have not been met; considers that the increasing precarity of teaching as a profession makes it harder to attract and retain high-quality candidates; understands that local authorities require stability of funding to provide permanent teaching roles and drive up standards in education in Scotland, and calls on the Scottish Government to intervene to prevent job losses and publish a comprehensive plan to address gaps in the teaching and school staff workforce to inform future recruitment and retention.

That the Parliament agrees that, during stage 3 of the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill, debate on groups of amendments shall, subject to Rule 9.8.4A, be brought to a conclusion by the time limits indicated, those time limits being calculated from when the stage begins and excluding any periods when other business is under consideration or when a meeting of the Parliament is suspended (other than a suspension following the first division in the stage being called) or otherwise not in progress:

Groups 1 to 3: 40 minutes

Groups 4 to 6: 1 hour 10 minutes

Groups 7 to 9: 1 hour 50 minutes.

That the Parliament believes that Scotland is in a housing emergency.

That the Parliament congratulates Fish Shop restaurant, in Ballater, on being named one of the best new restaurants in the world; notes that Fish Shop is one of 28 of 2024's "best new dining destinations", according to Condé Nast Traveller, featuring on the magazine’s "hot list" among prestigious eateries in France, Italy and the USA; commends the restaurant and its husband-and-wife team, Marcus and Jasmine Sherry, which was hailed as a "smart, sustainability focused seafood restaurant" and impressed the panel of expert judges; notes that the judges were also impressed with Fish Shop’s local and seasonal menu; further notes that the restaurant has only been open for 10 months, which, it believes, makes this an incredible achievement, and commends all the staff who, it considers, have worked extremely hard in this short time.

That the Parliament notes International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May 2024, and recognises that the theme this year is “from agreement to action: build back biodiversity”; understands that the Convention on Biological Diversity has stated that all measures agreed to under the Global Biodiversity Framework should be implemented by 2030, which is the end of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, to give the best chance of restoring biodiversity by 2050; further understands that opinion polling shows that 92% of people in Scotland say that the environment is personally important to them and that 82% are concerned about the threats posed by climate change and human activity to the environment; notes with alarm that recent figures from the Seabird Census and from the State of Nature Scotland show that one in nine species in Scotland is threatened with national extinction, and that Scotland's internationally important seabirds are in especially steep decline; further notes reports indicating that Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, ranking 28th from bottom on the international Biodiversity Intactness Index; recognises the economic benefits of biodiversity, such as pollinating crops, providing clean water and climate mitigation; further recognises the dedication of people in every part of Scotland who are working to restore nature and to tackle climate change, and celebrates their success in enhancing their local environment and working towards a nature-positive future for Scotland's children and young people.

That the Parliament congratulates the University of Stirling on receiving the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation for excellence in business education; understands that AACSB International is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools and the largest business education network in the world; considers that AACSB accreditation is synonymous with the highest standards of quality in business programmes; recognises that the accolade puts the University of Stirling's Management School among the top 6% of business schools globally; understands that the honour follows a rigorous approval process; considers that the award is the latest recognition of the University of Stirling’s reputation for innovation and for research that has a direct impact on society, and believes that it also signifies the university’s commitment to achieving the highest standards, to innovation, and to continuous improvement in shaping future leaders who could make a difference in society and the world.

That the Parliament commends Morag McBeath, as she steps down from her role as Secretary of the Aboyne Highland Games; notes that Morag was formally recognised by the Royal Scottish Highland Games Association for her significant contribution with a Certificate of Appreciation; commends Morag for her 18 years of dedicated work in making the Aboyne Highland Games the success that it is today; notes that 2024’s Aboyne Highland Games will take place on 3 August 2024, and wishes Morag all the best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Findochty Primary School on being awarded the accolade of School of the Year at the Moray and Banffshire Heroes Awards 2024; recognises the school's work in the community and its ethos of teaching the importance of kindness and a sense of community, and considers it to be a shining example of a school at the heart of its community; commends the head teacher, Dawn Thomson, and all who work at the school for their hard work, and further commends the pupils for being such a credit to the school.

That the Parliament congratulates Elaine Mair, an ambulance technician from the Banffshire and Buchan Coast village of Findochty, who was named Hero of Heroes at the recent Moray and Banffshire Heroes 2024 reception; recognises what it sees as Elaine's sterling service to the local community in both her job and her voluntary work; notes that the Moray and Banffshire Heroes awards recognise community champions and people who go above and beyond in their professional and voluntary roles; further notes that the winners are nominated and voted for by the public through Highland Media's local newspapers and Grampian Online, and commends Highland Media and the organisers of Banffshire and Moray Heroes, whose hard work provides recognition to local community champions.

That the Parliament congratulates the finalists of the Inspiring Aberdeenshire 2024 Awards; commends Kai Suleman, from Aboyne, for his nomination for Aberdeenshire’s Future Award for his hard work in his role as an MSYP since he was aged 14, in championing the voices of young people and anti-bullying campaigns; commends Elliott Robertson, from Premnay, for his nomination for Aberdeenshire’s Future Award for his incredible community spirit, which began from the age of eight when he started with the Scouting movement and raised thousands of pounds for local causes; congratulates Jane Veitch and the children at Monymusk Primary for their nomination for the Cultural Award; understands that Jane and her class are truly championing the dialect of Doric, having won Scots School of the Year at the Scots Language Awards and the Bairns Book o’ the Year with their book about local legend, Jock the Giant o’ Bennachie; congratulates Birse Community Trust in Deeside for its nomination for the Cultural Award in recognition of its active championing of local history, heritage and keeping traditions alive; celebrates Kintore Community Response for its nomination for the Local Hero Courage Award; notes the way in which the whole community has pulled together during recent flooding events, and congratulates all the finalists nominated for Inspiring Aberdeenshire 2024 Awards.