Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates the six Eastwood schools that received the sportscotland Gold School Sport Award in June 2024; acknowledges that Calderwood Lodge, Eaglesham Primary, Kirkhill Primary, Maidenhill Primary, Mearns Castle High and Mearns Primary were all awarded the Gold prize in the latest round of the sportscotland initiative; recognises that the most recent awards announcement means that a total of 16 Eastwood schools are now in receipt of the Gold prize, including all of the secondary schools within the boundaries of the parliamentary constituency; considers that this demonstrates the very strong commitment of Eastwood's schools to ensuring that young people participate in a variety of sports and helping pupils to develop good habits that will allow them to adopt healthy and active lifestyles; understands that sportscotland refreshed its assessment and application process for the Gold award following a suspension of the programme in March 2020, and commends the agency for what it sees as its hard work in encouraging schools to enhance opportunities for pupils to participate in sports.

That the Parliament believes that the UK Government should abolish the two-child benefit cap.

That the Parliament marks 31 August 2024 as International Overdose Awareness Day; understands that this is the world's largest campaign to end overdose, remember, without stigma, those who have died and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind; notes that the theme for 2024 is "Together We Can", highlighting the power of the community when people stand together; believes that drug-related deaths have a profound impact on individuals, families and the broader community and recognises the importance of overdose awareness; considers that naloxone is a life-saving drug that reverses the potentially fatal effects of opioid overdose and is used to provide crucial time for emergency services to arrive and administer further life-saving treatment, and commends Scotland’s National Naloxone Programme in its continued attempt to prevent fatal overdoses, with Scotland, it understands, the first country in the world to introduce a national naloxone treatment, and to empower and encourage communities throughout the country to take part in the naloxone training programme.

That the Parliament congratulates Highland Stoneware on celebrating its 50th year; understand that David Grant, founder of Highland Stoneware, formed the company in 1974 while studying at the Royal College of Art in London, before setting up a workshop in the north west Highlands; considers that Highland Stoneware is a staple in Sutherland and believes that this is important to David, the community and people across the world who own pieces of its work, and sends its best wishes to the whole team as it celebrates this milestone and continues to create beautiful pieces unique to the Highlands.

That the Parliament considers that Glasgow has many excellent and renowned theatres, festivals and comedy and music venues; believes that the arts should be for everyone; congratulates, therefore, Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans on what it sees as its excellent report, Enhancing Accessibility: Venues and Visual Impairment, which deals with how to ensure venues are more accessible for people with visual impairments, and believes that the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and relevant partners should work together to progress the report's recommendations.

That the Parliament commends the achievements of the young people who joined the Modern Apprenticeship Programme, and their success in securing full-time posts with NHS Lanarkshire; believes that the programme is a great opportunity for 16- to 24-year olds to gain skills, knowledge and experience directly in the workplace while studying towards a college level qualification; considers that, with rigorous training, practical work, studying and support, the programme can open a lot of doors for young people, and believes that, with the challenges and trials that the healthcare system continues to face, these apprentices have shown adaptability, resilience and a passion for learning.

That the Parliament congratulates Denbeath Primary School in Buckhaven on receiving a Gold School Sport Award from sportscotland; understands that the Gold School Sport Award is in recognition of the school’s achievements in putting sport at the heart of its planning, practice and ethos; notes that it also highlights that the school has shown excellent practice across the core areas covered by the award and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to increase young peoples’ opportunities and engagement in physical education, school sport and leadership and provide clear pathways to lifelong participation in sport, and welcomes the addition of Denbeath Primary School as the eighth school to have received the Gold School Sport Award in the Kirkcaldy constituency.  

That the Parliament congratulates the 80 parks and open spaces across Scotland that have been presented with a Green Flag Award by Keep Scotland Beautiful, recognising the very best of the country’s outdoor areas; further congratulates the eight green spaces in Dundee presented with Green Flag Awards; notes a record number of 2,228 winners across the UK; commends the work of Dundee City Council and volunteer groups; recognises the public health benefits of parks and green spaces, and welcomes Dundee City Council’s longstanding commitment to maintaining green spaces, which has resulted in Barnhill Rock Garden being recognised for the 18th consecutive year, Trottick Mill Ponds local nature reserve for a 17th year, Baxter Park for a 16th year and Templeton Woods for a 15th year.

That the Parliament congratulates pupils and staff at Chryston Primary school for being awarded the sportscotland Gold School Sport Award; understands that the award recognises the school’s exceptional commitment to delivering high-quality physical education and promoting active lifestyles among its pupils; further understands that the school has almost 20 sporting clubs for students to use; believes that a good physical education is an intrinsic part of a holistic education; considers that awards such as the sportscotland School Sport Award encourage schools to pursue a healthy curriculum, and wishes Chryston Primary school continued sporting success for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Rainbow Room International Uddingston owner and artistic director Suzie McGill on receiving two prestigious industry awards; understands that Suzie was named Creative Colour Genius at the Colour World Genius Awards in London and Best Global Stylist at the Salon Business Awards; recognises that Suzie won the British Colour Technician of the Year in 2023 at the British Hairdressing Awards; understands that this builds on an impressive haul of accolades and achievements; commends Suzie for all her achievements within the hairdressing industry, and wishes her and the award-winning Rainbow Room International Uddingston team all the best for the future.