That this House notes that 2 January 2021 will be the 50th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster which killed 66 people and injured over 200 people; notes that this was the worst football disaster in Britain until the Hillsborough disaster in 1989; notes that all 66 who died on 2 January 1971 were aged under 50 years of age, including five schoolmates from the town of Markinch in Fife; remembers all those who died and expresses continued sympathies and prayers with the families who lost loved ones; and further notes that the disaster is commemorated with a statue at Ibrox stadium; recognises the major changes to football stadia design and standards and that spectator safety is always paramount in enjoying sport.
That this house notes the recent week of demonstrations and public outcry over the high unemployment rate in the Kurdish Region; notes that state employees have not been paid their salaries for months; recognises that protesters are angry over allegations of corruption concerning the dominant political parties affiliated to two powerful families, the ruling Barzani family of the western provinces holds the regional premiership through its Kurdistan Democratic party, while the Talabani family of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party controls the east; notes the continuing protests over the management of oil revenues; further notes the coronavirus lockdown has escalated the negative impact on the economy and living conditions have deteriorated as a result; is concerned about the level of state violence and that at least eight protesters have been killed in Iraq's Kurdistan by security forces and that the authorities imposed curfews; notes that Kurdish Security forces raided broadcasters affiliated with political opposition parties and have been taken off air; notes that the UNs political mission in Iraq condemns the acts of violence; believes that this is a hugely worrying situation for the region and is deeply concerned over attacks on freedom of expression that undermines the rights of people protesting freely to have their democratic will; is further concerned over allegations of corruption and continuing austerity; supports calls for a solution to pay public sector employees; and calls on the Foreign Secretary to express those concerns and support calls for transparency and accountability in the region with his Kurdish Regional Government counterpart as a matter of urgency.
Bill· Private Members' Bill (under the Ten Minute Rule)Bill 2705open
A Bill to amend the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to provide that a Universal Credit claimant may not be sanctioned for refusing work on a zero hours contract; and for connected purposes.
Bill· Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)Bill 2697open
A Bill to make provision for asylum seekers to challenge the proportionality of a proposed eviction from accommodation before an independent court or tribunal; to establish asylum seeker accommodation eviction procedures for public authorities; and for connected purposes.
Bill· Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)Bill 2450open
A Bill to make provision for asylum seekers to challenge the proportionality of a proposed eviction from accommodation before an independent court or tribunal; to establish asylum seeker accommodation eviction procedures for public authorities; and for connected purposes.
Bill· Private Members' Bill (Presentation Bill)Bill 2426open
A Bill to amend the Welfare Reform Act 2012 to provide that a Universal Credit claimant may not be sanctioned for refusing work on a zero hours contract; and for connected purposes.
That this House congratulates Catherine Drummond on her successful Christmas toy collection for the children and their families residing at Ronald McDonald House Glasgow; acknowledges the personal dedication of Catherine who collects toys all year round; notes that Ronald McDonald House Glasgow provides free accommodation to families whose critically ill child is being treated at the Royal Hospital for Children; and recognises the service that the staff at Ronald McDonald House provide for the families.
That this House notes with concern the decision of Historic Royal Palaces to close the defined benefits pension and move 120 staff to a defined contribution scheme; further notes the negative financial impact this will have on those who are currently in the defined benefits scheme, with some receiving substantially reduced pensions; is aware that PCS represents heads of departments, Yeoman warders, admissions, IT and security staff at Historic Royal Palaces; recognises that following a consultative ballot PCS members overwhelmingly rejected the offer, with 91.4 per cent supporting strike action on a 72 per cent turnout; realises that industrial action is a last resort for PCS members to protect their pensions; and calls on the Government to intervene to stop the closure of the current scheme and ensure that staff working at Historic Royal Palaces receive the pensions they were promised and deserve.
That this house congratulates St Angela’s Participation Centre Community Sport Hub, based in Darnley in Glasgow, on winning the prestigious title of Team Scotland Club, Community Sport Hub or School of the Year 2018 at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards in Edinburgh; recognises this success reflects the huge amount of hard work and commitment shown by Founder Tom Buik, partners and volunteers at St Angela’s Participation Centre to provide free sport and embrace diversity to improve the lives of young people and their families in and around Darnley, Greater Pollok and the surrounding areas of Glasgow South; further acknowledges this award is recognition for promoting healthy lifestyles and the work they have done to reduce nuisance crime, isolation and negative behaviours through community engagement in sport; and wishes them continued success in 2019.
That this House recognises the Priesthill Community Breakfast organised by the local United Reformed Church and volunteers which set up and runs a community breakfast club in Priesthill and Househillwood, in partnership with the NHS and with funding from Glasgow Community Planning Partnership; notes that the idea is a simple one, to provide a safe and comfortable social setting for local people to come together to have a bacon roll, a cuppa and a blether, meet new people and create connections; notes that round 40 people attend each week and the club is now linking in with other groups and local doctors' surgeries; and further notes that as part of the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October 2017 Child Poverty Action Group Scotland provided support and publicity for this important community initiative.
That this House congratulates the Tea in the Pot Drop-in and support service based in Govan for its ongoing work to support women to become actively engaged in the community and to enable women to identify and value their skills, experiences and talents, and to feel empowered and confident to share these with others; notes this work despite their lack of core funding and supports their ongoing campaign for resources; further notes the service provides a safe and relaxing atmosphere where women can meet up with old friends and make new friends and assists women who may be coping with difficulties, or who feel under stress, have health issues of simply feel isolated; and applauds the work of the support service in supporting and empowering the WASPI women in the community which is valuable and necessary and continues to support their work in defeating isolation.
That this House congratulates the organisers of the Community Kitchen run by the Scottish Muslim Police Community Association in Hillington Park Church as a prime example of successful community outreach, which enables diverse members of the local community including refugees and asylum seekers to come together for support and information in a welcoming and friendly environment.
That this House recognises the sterling work of the 167th Glasgow Company Boys' Brigade, 4th Cardonald Brownies, 5th Cardonald Brownies, and the 3rd Cardonald Girl Guides in collecting gifts for Christmas for local food banks and Children 1st; notes that the hard work and dedication of Rhona Boyle, Stewart Boyle and Dorothy Steven over the years is a fine example of community service and spirit; and thanks to their efforts and those young people involved, some families and children will have a better Christmas than might otherwise have been the case.
That this House congratulates all the pupils of Sandwood Primary who took part in the UK Festive #Sumdog competition, and in particular recognises an amazing performance by the P7/6 group, finishing as the top school in Scotland and fifth place overall in the UK out of over 4,000 schools that entered; and further congratulates the three pupils that finished in the top 150 overall, Saul Loveman (109th), Aiden Scott (119th) and Ellis Smith (140th); and thanks them for their efforts and hard work, as well as thanking all the staff and parents that supported the event.
That this House recognises that 2018 marks the centenary of the 1918 Education (Scotland) Act, which established in law the principle of state funding for Catholic schools in Scotland; notes the range of celebrations planned by the Scottish Catholic education community to mark the ongoing collaboration between Church and State; believes that the arrangements put in place by the Act represent a unique and successful partnership, that continues to serve the people of Scotland well; further believes that the anniversary year will provide an opportunity to rejoice in the academic, cultural, civic and social achievements of pupils who have attended Catholic schools in the last one hundred years, and is a chance to mark publicly the ways in which Catholic schools are not just good for Catholics, but good for Scotland; believes that the positive contribution of Catholic schools to Scottish society is well documented; notes the continuing support of government and all of the main political parties is encouraging for the future of denominational schools; further notes that during 2018 schools, families, parishes and local communities across Scotland will reflect on the past, the present and the future of Catholic Schools, using the theme, Catholic Schools: Good For Scotland as a way to highlight the contribution Catholic schools make to wider society; and notes that by working with elected members from local authorities, and the UK and Scottish Parliaments, the Catholic Education Community aims to show that this distinctive collaboration for the governance of schools continues to reflect the diverse, inclusive and progressive nature of Scotland.
That this House congratulates the pupils of Govan High School who held fundraising events including a tea with tombola, packing at Asda and other events to restore the life savings of a Govan pensioner who had been robbed by bogus callers and were able to present him with a cheque for £1,000; and notes that this initiative shows the caring community spirit that young people can lead on and show the way to their elders.
Bill· Private Members' Bill (under the Ten Minute Rule)Bill 2167open
That this House commends the work of the Govan Community Toy Bank, a voluntary community initiative led by community volunteers in Govan, this year with the support of The Riverside Hall; notes that the Toy Bank was organised to help the poorest and most vulnerable children receive toys at Christmas; thanks all those across the city of Glasgow and beyond who donated toys and other gifts; further notes that in the last two years over 700 children have received toys, selection boxes, writing materials, books and other gifts; notes that this year children with learning difficulties received a tablet; congratulates all those volunteers who pulled this initiative together and commends their work; believes that such initiatives are brought about directly as a result of failings in the economic and social security systems; and urges the Government to address these economic and social security issues in 2017.
That this House supports the Better than Zero campaign, organised by the STUC, the STUC Youth Committee, affiliated trades unions and young precarious workers, which is a collective project against zero hours, zero rights, zero pay and zero respect workplaces and highlights insecure and low paid work affecting young workers and seeks to end discrimination and exploitation which exists in many workplaces and many sectors of the economy; believes that this campaign highlights bad employment practices, provides a voice to young workers who are more often at the receiving end of such bad practice and provides a platform for young trades union activists to play a full and active part in the trade union movement; and further believes that this project gives young workers the confidence to stand up against exploitation.