That this House recognises the immense challenges facing the hospitality sector during the cost of living crisis; notes that the Government implemented a temporary cut of 5% on VAT for hospitality businesses during the pandemic; further notes that VAT is not devolved and can therefore only be set by the UK Government; notes that the UK is an outlier for having a higher rate of VAT for the hospitality sector compared to other European economies; further notes that organisations such as the Scottish License and Trade Association, Scottish Beer and Pub Association and Scottish Hospitality Group support a cut of 5% on VAT as the most straightforward and effective policy measure to help many small and local businesses get through the current crisis; acknowledges that local hospitality businesses deliver an important social good to their communities as well as bring in vital income and jobs; and calls on the UK Government to implement a permanent cut of 5% on VAT for the hospitality sector to help hospitality businesses meet the challenges of the cost of living crisis.

That this House recognises the immense challenges facing the hospitality sector during the cost of living crisis; notes that the Government implemented a temporary cut of 5% on VAT for hospitality businesses during the pandemic; further notes that VAT is not devolved and can therefore only be set by the...

That this House recognises the immense challenges facing the hospitality sector during the cost-of-living crisis; notes that the Government implemented a temporary cut of 5% on VAT for hospitality businesses during the pandemic; further notes that VAT is not devolved and can therefore only be set by the UK Government; adds that the UK is an outlier for having a flat rate of VAT across the whole economy unlike other European economies; notes that organisations such as the Scottish License and Trade Association, Scottish Beer and Pub Association and Scottish Hospitality Group support a cut of 5% on VAT as the most straightforward and effective policy measure to help many small and local businesses get through the current crisis; acknowledges that local hospitality businesses deliver an important social good to their communities as well as bring in vital income and jobs; and calls on the UK Government to implement a permanent cut of 5% on VAT for the hospitality sector to help hospitality businesses meet the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis.

That this House recognises the immense challenges facing the hospitality sector during the cost-of-living crisis; notes that the Government implemented a temporary cut of 5% on VAT for hospitality businesses during the pandemic; further notes that VAT is not devolved and can therefore only be set by the UK Government;...

That this House believes that the preservation of sporting heritage is a vitally important strand of cultural work in the public, private and third-sector; also believes that the collection, maintenance and presentation of photographs, documents, records and memorabilia relating to sporting achievements, participants and institutions form a key part of a local community’s story; and welcomes the efforts of the Sporting Heritage organisation, who take forward campaigns and efforts to promote local, regional and national collaboration in this sector.

That this House believes that the preservation of sporting heritage is a vitally important strand of cultural work in the public, private and third-sector; also believes that the collection, maintenance and presentation of photographs, documents, records and memorabilia relating to sporting achievements, participants and institutions form a key part of...

That this House commends St Ninians Primary School in Stirling for their hard work and dedication in campaigning to improve educational access for children across the world; recognises the efforts of the children who are taking part in the Education in Emergencies campaign by Send My Friend to School, which aims to highlight the estimated 258 million children worldwide who are missing out on school; and backs calls to the Government to prepare, protect, invest and act to support global education through proper funding, exchange programmes, international aid and diplomacy.

That this House commends St Ninians Primary School in Stirling for their hard work and dedication in campaigning to improve educational access for children across the world; recognises the efforts of the children who are taking part in the Education in Emergencies campaign by Send My Friend to School, which...

That this House condemns proposals by the Government to further restrict visas for overseas students and their dependents from coming to the UK for study and research; notes with concern that these proposals are likely to disproportionately affect female international students and single-parents who may wish to bring their children; celebrates the contribution that international students bring to the economy and our local communities; further notes that international students provided a net contribution of £37.4 billion to the UK economy as recently as 2021-22 and enrich local communities with their knowledge and experiences; notes with concern that UK universities are already facing difficulties in attracting overseas students and researchers due to the decision to withdraw from the EU’s Horizon and Erasmus+ programmes; and urges the Government to withdraw its proposals to restrict visas for overseas students and to engage constructively with the university and higher education sector to help them address the challenges they face.

That this House condemns proposals by the Government to further restrict visas for overseas students and their dependents from coming to the UK for study and research; notes with concern that these proposals are likely to disproportionately affect female international students and single-parents who may wish to bring their children;...

That this House welcomes the proposals of Grand Union Trains to open a new train service from Stirling to London Euston; notes that Grand Union has been granted the right to introduce a similar service between London Paddington and Carmarthen; believes that a new direct service between Stirling and London will improve connectivity with calls along the route in Falkirk, Lanarkshire and South West Scotland as well as through England; further notes that the route will support the creation of approximately 100 jobs, primarily in Scotland and North West England whilst also reducing congestion along existing routes from Glasgow and Edinburgh to London and attract passengers from air reducing emissions; and further believes that the introduction of new train operators will provide higher quality rail travel at lower consumer costs which will help improve transport links across these islands.

That this House welcomes the proposals of Grand Union Trains to open a new train service from Stirling to London Euston; notes that Grand Union has been granted the right to introduce a similar service between London Paddington and Carmarthen; believes that a new direct service between Stirling and London...

That this House recognises that the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 states that where a Minister of eligible age ceases to hold office and is not reappointed to a ministerial office within three weeks, they will be entitled to a severance payment of a quarter of their ministerial annual salary; notes that this legislation is extremely generous for Ministers who hold positions for less than 12 weeks; and calls on the Government to amend this legislation.

That this House recognises that the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 states that where a Minister of eligible age ceases to hold office and is not reappointed to a ministerial office within three weeks, they will be entitled to a severance payment of a quarter of their...

That this House expresses its deep concern regarding the Government's review into moving the UK Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; notes that, on 21st September 2022, the Prime Minister told her Israeli counterpart about her review of the current location of the British embassy in Israel during a meeting in New York City; maintains that Jerusalem holds a unique position under international law; reminds the Government that, when the Israeli Government passed its 1980 basic law unilaterally naming Jerusalem the united capital of Israel, the UN Security Council declared this policy a violation of international law; reminds the UK Government of UN Security Council Resolution 478 (1980), calling upon UN Member States that have established diplomatic missions at Jerusalem to withdraw such missions from the Holy City; reiterates that any country which recognises exclusive Israeli jurisdiction and political legitimacy over Jerusalem without a mutually agreed peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians is in violation of Resolution 478 (1980); asserts that a comprehensive peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians is a pre-requisite for any change in the international community’s position towards Jerusalem; reminds the Government that then-President Donald Trump’s decision in 2017 to move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem sparked international condemnation; reasserts that if the UK is truly an arbiter for peace-building and reconciliation, it cannot consider moving the UK Embassy in Israel; and demands an urgent statement on the floor of the House on this issue.

That this House expresses its deep concern regarding the Government's review into moving the UK Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; notes that, on 21st September 2022, the Prime Minister told her Israeli counterpart about her review of the current location of the British embassy in Israel during...

That this House celebrates the 20th anniversary of Creative Commons, a non-profit organisation which provides licences that give a free, simple and standardised way to grant copyright permissions; recognises that Creative Commons licences remove legal and technical obstacles to enable the global sharing of knowledge and creativity; acknowledges that Creative Commons licences have unlocked nearly 2 billion works around the work, including all Wikipedia content which has been published using a Creative Commons licence since 2009; congratulates Creative Commons for increasing access to valuable information, historic images, scientific articles, educational resources, cultural artefacts and more; and agrees that greater access to information means a stronger global community, more innovation, and increased capacity to solve key challenges the world faces today.

That this House celebrates the 20th anniversary of Creative Commons, a non-profit organisation which provides licences that give a free, simple and standardised way to grant copyright permissions; recognises that Creative Commons licences remove legal and technical obstacles to enable the global sharing of knowledge and creativity; acknowledges that Creative...

That this House commends the work of Non-Governmental Organisations and civil activists to raise awareness of the presence of forced labour in the manufacturing of products around the world; recognises that existing UK regulations are insufficient for stopping the import of products which have been produced through forced labour; notes that the United States has implemented an import ban on some products from countries where there is evidence of forced labour; further notes that the European Commission has stated its intentions to implement a similar ban; and calls on the Government to implement an import ban on specific products where there is reasonable suspicion of forced labour and apply it to regions where forced labour is systematically used by the State, thereby preventing companies from enforcing their due diligence obligations.

That this House commends the work of Non-Governmental Organisations and civil activists to raise awareness of the presence of forced labour in the manufacturing of products around the world; recognises that existing UK regulations are insufficient for stopping the import of products which have been produced through forced labour; notes...

That this House recognises the importance of collaboration in research and innovation that has been fostered by Horizon Europe, which has resulted in collaborations which boost competitiveness and growth; notes that the Government has announced an association with Horizon Europe in January that has yet to be finalised; and urges haste in this matter to foster further collaboration and help the UK's world class universities.

That this House recognises the importance of collaboration in research and innovation that has been fostered by Horizon Europe, which has resulted in collaborations which boost competitiveness and growth; notes that the Government has announced an association with Horizon Europe in January that has yet to be finalised; and urges...

That this House congratulates University of Stirling swimmer Duncan Scott and teammate Tom Dean for winning Olympic Silver and Gold respectively in the Men’s 200 metre Freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games; notes the hard work, commitment and dedication both of those athletes have exemplified in their training and in previous competitions; and wishes Mr Scott and Mr Dean well in their future endeavours.

That this House congratulates University of Stirling swimmer Duncan Scott and teammate Tom Dean for winning Olympic Silver and Gold respectively in the Men’s 200 metre Freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games; notes the hard work, commitment and dedication both of those athletes have exemplified in their training and...

That this House congratulates Andrew Butchart, Kathleen Dawson, Ross Murdoch and Duncan Scott for being selected by Team GB to take part in the Tokyo Olympic Games; notes the hard work and dedication that it has taken to get to the games; and wishes them good luck and success in these Olympic Games.

That this House congratulates Andrew Butchart, Kathleen Dawson, Ross Murdoch and Duncan Scott for being selected by Team GB to take part in the Tokyo Olympic Games; notes the hard work and dedication that it has taken to get to the games; and wishes them good luck and success in...

That this House urges the Government to recognise the importance of investment in nutrition to support its aims for girls’ education; notes that impacts of malnutrition are particularly heavy on women and girls and that cases of anaemia, stunting and malnutrition are correlated with poor school performance; stresses that the UK was previously considered a leader in combatting malnutrition and now risks undermining its international reputation in addition to putting millions of lives at risk; and calls on the Government to incorporate nutrition aid into its focus area of girls education.

That this House urges the Government to recognise the importance of investment in nutrition to support its aims for girls’ education; notes that impacts of malnutrition are particularly heavy on women and girls and that cases of anaemia, stunting and malnutrition are correlated with poor school performance; stresses that the...

That this House condemns the actions by the Belarusian authorities on 23 May 2021 which resulted in the forced landing of Ryanair flight FR4978 in Minsk and the subsequent arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich and his partner Sofia Sapega; notes that the actions of Belarus are a breach of international civil and aviation law under the Chicago Convention; is concerned that 33,000 civilians have been arbitrarily detained since the fraudulent presidential election of 9 August 2020; further notes that there are currently more than 3000 prisoners of conscience which include activists such as Paval Sevyarynets, Yauhen Afnahel and Iryna Shchastnaya; calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience in Belarus; notes that the UK is Belarus’ third-largest trading partner and that Lukashenko’s government is heavily dependent on financial flows via London; and therefore further calls on the Government to implement new sanctions against Belarus, including halting Belarus from using the London Stock Exchange and banning any UK investment into Belarus until all prisoners of conscience are released and free and fair democratic elections held in Belarus.

That this House condemns the actions by the Belarusian authorities on 23 May 2021 which resulted in the forced landing of Ryanair flight FR4978 in Minsk and the subsequent arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich and his partner Sofia Sapega; notes that the actions of Belarus are a breach of international...

That this House regrets the erosion of democracy which has taken place under President Erdogan in recent years amid the arrests of elected politicians and party activists; notes its concern at recent reports that lawyers defending HDP politicians against charges which include attacking the integrity of the state have been denied access to the courtroom on arbitrary and unlawful grounds; further notes that the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the pre-trial detention of Selahattin Demirtaş and other Turkish citizens is unlawful and calls for their immediate release; recognises that the arrest of HDP parliamentarians is also an attack on the democratic rights of more than six million citizens of Turkey who voted for those parliamentarians; commends the work being done by the HDP in attempting democratic steps towards a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish question; and calls for the immediate release of those arrested and for the restoration of full democratic and civil rights for all people in Turkey.

That this House regrets the erosion of democracy which has taken place under President Erdogan in recent years amid the arrests of elected politicians and party activists; notes its concern at recent reports that lawyers defending HDP politicians against charges which include attacking the integrity of the state have been...