What's On

1. Brian Whittle (S6M-20497)

Sport and Activity as a Force for Good

That the Parliament recognises the importance of sport and activity as a force for good that goes beyond just physical health; considers that they have a significant impact on mental health, as well as contributing to community and national cohesion and wellbeing; believes that sport breaks down barriers of colour, race, religion and creed by bringing individuals and communities together through a common shared interest and passion; recognises that, by promoting sport and activity, the Scottish Government can positively impact on confidence, resilience and aspiration which, in turn, can positively impact on education and benefit the economy, and notes the view that the Scottish Government should do everything that it can to make sport and activity available for all, in the South Scotland region and across the country, irrespective of personal circumstances.

Further details available for S6M-20497

1. Christine Grahame (S6M-20603)

Animal Welfare Sentencing and Public Protection

That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the serious harm caused by animal cruelty, neglect and illegal breeding; notes concerns raised by animal welfare organisations regarding the consistency and proportionality of sentencing in animal welfare cases; understands that many cases involving the welfare of pets and farm animals are dealt with under summary procedure, limiting the penalties available under the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020; notes what it sees as the lack of specific sentencing guidelines covering these offences; further notes the view that clearer guidance and greater awareness of available powers would support more consistent sentencing that reflects the severity of the crimes; acknowledges calls for stronger monitoring and enforcement of disqualification orders, including consideration of a national animal offenders register to improve information sharing between agencies, and notes the importance of continued partnership working between the Scottish Government, justice partners, the Scottish Sentencing Council, Police Scotland and animal welfare organisations to support effective sentencing and protection for animals and the public in Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale and across the country.

Further details available for S6M-20603

1. Carol Mochan (S6T-02970)

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent findings by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service that 29 babies have died as a result of co-sleeping in Scotland in the last two years.

2. Sharon Dowey (S6T-02973)

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported comments by the Fire Brigades Union that years of real-terms budget reductions have left the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service “creaking”, and that proposed workforce reductions would increase the risk to community safety, particularly following the recent fire in Glasgow.

3. Alex Cole-Hamilton (S6T-02979)

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to protect people receiving and awaiting social care packages, in light of recent reports that industry leaders are warning that home care services are heading towards a “catastrophic breakdown”.

1. Daniel Johnson (S6M-21120)

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill

That the Parliament agrees that the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill be passed.

Further details available for S6M-21120

1. Ivan McKee (S6M-21103)

Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill

That the Parliament agrees that the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill be passed.

Further details available for S6M-21103

1. Jim Fairlie (S6M-21104)

Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill

That the Parliament agrees that the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill be passed.

Further details available for S6M-21104

1. Angela Constance (S6M-21179)

Crime and Policing Bill - UK Legislation

That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Crime and Policing Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 25 February 2025, and subsequently amended, relating to clauses 15 to 29 and schedule 4 (online advertising etc of unlawful weapons: civil penalties), 31 (offensive weapons), 35, 37 and 38 to 40 (remote sale of crossbows and knives), 44 (duty to report bulk sale of knives), 50 and 51 (offence of child criminal exploitation), 66 and schedule 7 (child criminal exploitation prevention orders: Scotland), 67 to 69 and part 2 of schedule 9 (cuckooing), 76 (child sexual abuse image generators: Scotland), 78 (possession of advice or guidance about creating child sexual abuse or CSA images), 106 (pornographic images of strangulation or suffocation), 110 and 111 (technology testing defence), 117 to 121, 124(1), 125 and 126 and schedule 14 (management of sex offenders), 148 and 149 (offences relating to electronic devices for use in vehicle theft), 167 (powers for British Transport Police), 173 to 180 and schedule 18 (remotely stored electronic data), 181 (access to driver licensing information), 192 (proceeds of crime: expenses protections), 208 to 216 and schedule 24 (creation, maintenance and checking of barred and advisory lists for National Crime Agency/British Transport Police/Ministry of Defence Police/Civil Nuclear Constabulary), 248 to 250 and 262 (implementation of law enforcement information sharing agreements), 254 (criminal liability of bodies corporate and partnerships where senior manager commits offence) and schedule 22 (Proceeds of Crime Act 2002), so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament and alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

Further details available for S6M-21179

1. Jenni Minto (S6M-21166)

Tobacco and Vapes Bill - UK Legislation

That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 5 November 2024, and subsequently amended, relating to filters, advertising for public health, technology in devices and intermediary liability for internet service providers, so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament and alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

Further details available for S6M-21166

1. Graeme Dey (S6M-21167)

Armed Forces Bill - UK Legislation

That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Armed Forces Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 15 January 2026, relating to clauses 2, 50, 52, 54, and 55, so far as these matters alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

Further details available for S6M-21167

1. Fiona Hyslop (S6M-21168)

Railways Bill - UK Legislation

That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Railways Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 5 November 2025, relating to clauses 4, 7 to 10, 12, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28 to 35, 39, 43, 48, 66, 75, 78, 80, 81, 87 and 90, paragraphs 1, 2, 8 to 14 and 16 of schedule 2, paragraphs 4, 8, 9, 12 to 18, 22, 25, 26, 33 and 53 of schedule 3, new clauses 61, 62 and 64, new schedule 1, the amendments to clause 7 and clause 90, and the amendments to schedule 3 (inserting new paragraphs 22A, 23A, 24A, 25A, 32A, 33B, 34E, 34F, 34J, 34K, 34N, 35A and 36A to schedule 3), so far as these matters alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

Further details available for S6M-21168

1. Martin Whitfield (S6M-21051)

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 6th Report 2026 (Session 6)

That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 6th Report, 2026 (Session 6), Code of Conduct changes – Cross-Party Groups (SP Paper 1017), and agrees that the changes to the Code of Conduct set out in Annexe A of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026.

Further details available for S6M-21051

1. Martin Whitfield (S6M-21050)

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 7th Report, 2026 (Session 6)

That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 7th Report, 2026 (Session 6), Standing Order rule changes – Miscellaneous and minor amendments (SP Paper 1032), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in the Annexe of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026.

Further details available for S6M-21050

1. Martin Whitfield (S6M-21048)

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 10th Report, 2026 (Session 6)

That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 10th Report, 2026 (Session 6), Standing Order rule changes – Miscellaneous and minor amendments (SP Paper 1052), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in (a) Annexe A of the report be made with effect from 1 April 2026 and (b) Annexe B of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026.

Further details available for S6M-21048

1. Martin Whitfield (S6M-20942)

Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026

That the Parliament, in exercise of the power conferred by section 15 of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”) makes The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026 and—

(a) resolves that with effect from the day after the first dissolution of the Parliament following the day on which this Resolution is made the provisions which are contained in paragraphs 1 to 4 of this Resolution shall come into force; and

(b) notes that in accordance with section 48(1) of the 2016 Act the Parliament has consulted the Scottish Ministers.

ANNEXE

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

THE LOBBYING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2016 (MODIFICATIONS) RESOLUTION 2026

Made...

Coming into force in accordance with paragraph (a)

That the Parliament—

(a) in exercise of the power conferred by section 15 of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”) resolves that with effect from the day after the first dissolution of the Parliament following the day on which this Resolution is made the provisions which are contained in paragraphs 1 to 4 of this Resolution shall come into force; and

(b) notes that in accordance with section 48(1) of the 2016 Act the Parliament has consulted the Scottish Ministers.

Citation

1. This Resolution may be cited as the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026.

Modification of section 5 of the 2016 Act

2.—(1) Section 5 (information about identity) is modified in accordance with this paragraph.

(2) In paragraph (a)—

(a) omit the “and” immediately following sub-paragraph (i),

(b) after sub-paragraph (ii) insert—

“(iii) the individual’s business email address (or, if there is no such email address, the individual's home email address), and

(iv) the individual’s main telephone number (if any),”.

(3) In paragraph (b)—

(a) omit the “and” immediately following sub-paragraph (iv),

(b) after sub-paragraph (v) omit “(each of those expressions having the same meaning as in that Act)”,

(c) after sub-paragraph (v) insert—

“(vi) its registered email address, and

(vii) the telephone number (if any) for its registered office,

(each of the expressions in sub-paragraphs (i) to (vi) having the same meaning as in that Act),”.

(4) In paragraph (c)—

(a) omit the “and” immediately following sub-paragraph (ii),

(b) after sub-paragraph (iii) insert—

“(iv) the email address of the partnership, which must be an email address to which, in the ordinary course of events, emails sent by the Clerk would be expected to come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of the registrant, and

(v) the telephone number (if any) for its main office or place of business, and”.

(5) In paragraph (d)—

(a) omit the “and” immediately following sub-paragraph (i),

(b) after sub-paragraph (ii), insert—

“(iii) the person’s business email address, which must be an email address to which, in the ordinary course of events, emails sent by the Clerk would be expected to come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of the registrant, and

(iv) the telephone number (if any) for its main office or place of business.”.

Modification of section 7 of the 2016 Act

3.—(1) Section 7 (additional information) is modified in accordance with this paragraph.

(2) Omit the “and” immediately following paragraph (a)(iii),

(3) After paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa) any information submitted by the registrant about any individual given responsibility by the registrant for the discharge of the duties imposed on the registrant by or under this Act, and”.

Modification of section 11 of the 2016 Act

4. In section 11 (information returns), in subsection (5)(b), after “(7)(a)” insert “and (aa),”.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Resolution)

The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the Act”) sets out a registration regime for “regulated  lobbying”, as defined in the Act. In doing so it makes provision for a lobbying register which is operated by the Clerk of the Scottish Parliament (“the Clerk”). Part 2 sets out the content of the register and the role and functions of the Clerk in operating it. This includes a requirement that the register contains specified information about each registrant’s identity (section 4). Section 5 sets out that information about identity. Section 7 sets out the additional information that the register must contain.

Paragraph 2 modifies Part 2 of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 by adding to section 5 that the information about the person’s identity must also include an email address and, if available, a telephone number. The type of email address varies depending on the type of person (e.g. individual, company, partnership or other person) but, for registrants who are not individuals, it must be an email address to which, in the ordinary course of events, emails sent by the Clerk would be expected to come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of the registrant.

Paragraph 3 makes provision for further additional information that may be provided by the registrant for inclusion in the register. That further additional information is such information as may be provided by the registrant about any individual given responsibility by the registrant for ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Act.

Paragraph 4 makes a consequential amendment.

These amendments aim to enable the Clerk to improve communication with registrants, for  example, to provide updates, notices and reminders that are important for the registrant. They are intended to assist the Clerk in the discharge of the duties and functions imposed by or under the Act.

Further details available for S6M-20942

1. Clare Haughey (S6M-20791)

Closure of Bank of Scotland Branches

That the Parliament notes with concern the reported decision by the Lloyds Banking Group to close 11 Bank of Scotland branches between June and July 2026, including the Rutherglen branch; understands that this is the latest in a series of bank closures across the UK; believes that these closures will have a significant impact on local residents, businesses and organisations that depend on high street banks for cash access and essential banking services, particularly older people, disabled people, small businesses and charities; considers that the closure of banks is hugely detrimental to the viability of local high streets, and notes the calls on the Lloyds Banking Group to reconsider its decision.

Further details available for S6M-20791

1. Fulton MacGregor (S6M-20902)

Strengthening Adoption Support for Families

That the Parliament notes the findings of the report, Strengthening the Safety Net: A Framework for Adoption Support in Scotland, which was published by the Cross-Party Group on Social Work and highlights what the group identified as serious and systemic shortcomings in adoption support services across Scotland; believes that adoptive families in communities in Coatbridge and Chryston, and across the country, frequently experience fragmented, inconsistent and inadequately resourced post-adoption support; recognises that the Adoption UK Barometer 2025 suggested that 78% of adoptive families in Scotland face significant challenges, with 40% reporting severe difficulties, and that official figures on adoption breakdown are believed to likely underestimate the true scale of family distress due to inconsistent definitions and limited data collection; expresses concern at reports that many families reach crisis point without timely access to specialist, trauma-informed support, respite provision or intensive family services, increasing, it believes, the risk of placement disruption and further harm to children and families; acknowledges that adoption does not erase the effects of early trauma, abuse and neglect, and that adopted children’s needs often intensify during adolescence and key transition points; considers that the transfer of post-adoption support from specialist adoption teams to generic children and families services after three years frequently fails to reflect the complexity of adoptive family life; notes the report’s recommendations for a national adoption practice model, improved training, mandatory data collection, minimum standards for preparation and support, enhanced crisis intervention and respite services, and greater flexibility in adoption allowances, and further notes calls on the Scottish Government to work with adoptive families, adopted people, frontline practitioners and local authorities to urgently develop and implement a comprehensive national framework for adoption support, and to ensure that families across Scotland, including in Coatbridge and Chryston, can access consistent, high-quality, lifelong adoption support, regardless of postcode.

Submitting member has a registered interest.

Further details available for S6M-20902