That this House notes with concern the continued decline in the number of high street bank branches across the UK, particularly noting the impact on rural communities and small businesses; acknowledges that there is no protection for face-to-face banking services in current legislation; recognises the need for an Access to Banks provision within the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023; further recognises that access to banking is the foundation of financial inclusion; and therefore calls on the Government to strengthen regulatory powers for ensuring access to in-person banking services, to make banking accessible for all.​

That this House notes with concern the continued decline in the number of high street bank branches across the UK, particularly noting the impact on rural communities and small businesses; acknowledges that there is no protection for face-to-face banking services in current legislation; recognises the need for an Access to...

That this House recognises that March is Scottish Tourism Month; notes the importance of the tourism industry in the Highlands, welcoming over two million visitors every year; highlights the significance of the tourism and hospitality sector to the economy and culture of the Far North, bringing in £762 million from international and domestic visitors in 2023; acknowledges that the Highlands possess some of the most unique, diverse, and breathtaking scenery in the United Kingdom; celebrates the hard work of all of those working in the tourism industry; and recommends that all enjoy the beauty and adventure that Scotland has to offer.

That this House recognises that March is Scottish Tourism Month; notes the importance of the tourism industry in the Highlands, welcoming over two million visitors every year; highlights the significance of the tourism and hospitality sector to the economy and culture of the Far North, bringing in £762 million from...

That this House recognises the English Whisky Guild’s application to obtain Geographical Indication status; acknowledges that the application includes a different definition of Single Malt; notes that the current definition of Single Malt Whisky denotes the production at a single distillery using a single variety of malted barley grain; further notes that, altering this definition will damage the reputation of the Single Malt category, thus devaluing the Scotch Single Malt Whisky market; further acknowledges that the Scotch Whisky industry contributed £7.1bn to the UK economy in 2022 and supported 66,000 jobs; highlights that the industry generated £3 in every £100 of Scotland’s Gross Value Added; and calls for the protection of the existing Single Malt category, outside of the English Whisky Geographical Indication in order to ensure the special reputation of Scotch Whisky remains undamaged.

That this House recognises the English Whisky Guild’s application to obtain Geographical Indication status; acknowledges that the application includes a different definition of Single Malt; notes that the current definition of Single Malt Whisky denotes the production at a single distillery using a single variety of malted barley grain; further...

That this House recognises the inequality in access to healthcare faced by residents in the far north of Scotland; acknowledges that thousands of people are struggling to reach Raigmore Hospital in Inverness due to inadequate hospital transport schemes; notes that residents of Caithness have to travel up to 100 miles for necessary medical treatments; highlights that public transport is not always viable and taxis are not always affordable; further recognises that this is deterring people from settling in the Highlands; and calls on the Government to recognise this issue and raise it with the Scottish Government.

That this House recognises the inequality in access to healthcare faced by residents in the far north of Scotland; acknowledges that thousands of people are struggling to reach Raigmore Hospital in Inverness due to inadequate hospital transport schemes; notes that residents of Caithness have to travel up to 100 miles...

That this house recognises the importance of carers in the UK, in the light of Carers Rights Day; in addition acknowledges the poor working conditions and low pay that carers struggle with; highlights the value of carers to societies across the UK; notes that while the recent budget has added more support for the care sector more needs to be done following the repercussions of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic; further acknowledges that unpaid carers are now providing care worth £184 billion per year; and calls on the Government to further support carers both in paid and unpaid roles.

That this house recognises the importance of carers in the UK, in the light of Carers Rights Day; in addition acknowledges the poor working conditions and low pay that carers struggle with; highlights the value of carers to societies across the UK; notes that while the recent budget has added...

That this House recognises the value of the Scotch whisky industry; acknowledges its £7.1 billion a year contribution to the UK economy; highlights the importance of Scotch whisky as a major UK export; further recognises that the far north of Scotland is home to many successful distilleries, such as Glenmorangie and Old Pulteney; understands the importance of protecting this revenue; rebukes the Chancellor’s hike in spirit duty and the damage it will cause to these businesses; and calls on the Government to reconsider.

That this House recognises the value of the Scotch whisky industry; acknowledges its £7.1 billion a year contribution to the UK economy; highlights the importance of Scotch whisky as a major UK export; further recognises that the far north of Scotland is home to many successful distilleries, such as Glenmorangie...

That this House recognises the impending closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Golspie in February 2025; further recognises the planned closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Wick by June 2025; understands that these services are vital to rural communities in the Highlands; highlights the importance of these banks for intercepting fraud; acknowledges that the demand for face to face banking services across the country is high; rebukes the fact that these closures will leave the counties of Caithness and Sutherland without any banks; and calls on the Government to intervene to prevent these closures and force Lloyds Banking Group to uphold this duty of service to their customers.

That this House recognises the impending closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Golspie in February 2025; further recognises the planned closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Wick by June 2025; understands that these services are vital to rural communities in the Highlands; highlights the importance of...

That this House celebrates and pays its sincere gratitude to Callum McDonald, an RNLI lifeguard from Dundee; recognises his heroic effort which saved two young children from drowning in Farr Bay; appreciates the grave risks he exposed himself to in doing so; and echos the calls of the RNLI for greater awareness of the risks of drowning ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day.

That this House celebrates and pays its sincere gratitude to Callum McDonald, an RNLI lifeguard from Dundee; recognises his heroic effort which saved two young children from drowning in Farr Bay; appreciates the grave risks he exposed himself to in doing so; and echos the calls of the RNLI for...

That this House offers its utmost congratulations to Tom Stoltman on his incredible achievement of winning World’s Strongest Man 2024; notes this is the third time he has claimed the title in only four years; further notes the sacrifices and challenges he has faced on his journey; and recognises the inspiring work he and his brother have done to act as ambassadors for the sport at a local level in the Highlands and nationally across the UK.

That this House offers its utmost congratulations to Tom Stoltman on his incredible achievement of winning World’s Strongest Man 2024; notes this is the third time he has claimed the title in only four years; further notes the sacrifices and challenges he has faced on his journey; and recognises the...

That this House notes the danger posed by water pollution and sewage spills to water sports athletes and participants; recognises that these sports, including angling, rowing, swimming, surfing and others are some the most popular participation sports in the UK; expresses its concern that the viability of certain sports may be threatened by water pollution; welcomes the campaign of the Clean Water Sports Alliance; urges the Government to support sports clubs affected by sewage dumping; and calls on the Government to take further and faster action on pollution by ending sewage dumping, banning water executives from paying themselves bonuses until sewage dumping stops, transforming England’s water companies into public benefit companies, replacing Ofwat with a new regulator with proper teeth to tackle sewage dumping, and introducing a sewage tax to fund the clean up of the most polluted lakes, rivers and coastlines.

That this House notes the danger posed by water pollution and sewage spills to water sports athletes and participants; recognises that these sports, including angling, rowing, swimming, surfing and others are some the most popular participation sports in the UK; expresses its concern that the viability of certain sports may...

That this House recognises the great contribution made by councillor Alasdair Rhind to local government in the Highlands, in Tain and Easter Ross in particular; acknowledges that his recent untimely death has caused great widespread sadness; and notes that his contribution to public life will not be forgotten.

That this House recognises the great contribution made by councillor Alasdair Rhind to local government in the Highlands, in Tain and Easter Ross in particular; acknowledges that his recent untimely death has caused great widespread sadness; and notes that his contribution to public life will not be forgotten.

That this House commemorates the life and achievements of Margaret Payne; acknowledges the huge contribution of £434,562 to the NHS, NHS Highlands, Highland Hospice and RNLI raised through her tremendous fundraising efforts; notes that Margaret raised this money by climbing her stairs 282 times over 73 days or 10 weeks, equating to the height of Suilven -Scotland's Sugarloaf Mountain of 2,398 ft; and pays tribute to Margaret as an outstanding citizen and a dear friend.

That this House commemorates the life and achievements of Margaret Payne; acknowledges the huge contribution of £434,562 to the NHS, NHS Highlands, Highland Hospice and RNLI raised through her tremendous fundraising efforts; notes that Margaret raised this money by climbing her stairs 282 times over 73 days or 10 weeks,...

That this House recognises the Radio Teleswitching Service’s (RTS) impending closure in March 2024; understands the importance of the service in optimising energy bills and supporting effective energy usage for almost one million consumers nationally; appreciates the challenges faced by suppliers in transitioning customers to new smart metre technology; further understands that not all households will have access to the smart metre network in time for the closure of RTS; and therefore calls on the government to step in and work with energy suppliers to ensure households are effectively transitioned to alternative technology within the mentioned time frame, alleviating potential price increases and protecting households from heating and energy supply disruption.

That this House recognises the Radio Teleswitching Service’s (RTS) impending closure in March 2024; understands the importance of the service in optimising energy bills and supporting effective energy usage for almost one million consumers nationally; appreciates the challenges faced by suppliers in transitioning customers to new smart metre technology; further...

That this House recognises the urgency of the current climate emergency; notes that listed buildings face practical planning barriers when installing energy efficiency measures; acknowledges that heritage sites, as tourist attractions, make many positive contributions to their communities; further acknowledges that historic houses are sources of education and job creation within and beyond their surrounding areas; considers the custodians of these estates to be sustainable partners that work to preserve culture for future generations; further notes that, given the right support, they could do more to raise awareness of the leading role heritage can play in environmental conservation; and calls on the Government to support heritage sites by publishing a review of planning and regulatory reforms.

That this House recognises the urgency of the current climate emergency; notes that listed buildings face practical planning barriers when installing energy efficiency measures; acknowledges that heritage sites, as tourist attractions, make many positive contributions to their communities; further acknowledges that historic houses are sources of education and job creation...

That this House notes the important role artists from Ukraine have played in sustaining morale and winning international hearts and minds during the terrible year of Russian invasion; urges the Government to set up a fund to enable British arts organisations to continue this work by presenting Ukrainian artists, musicians, dancers and others; and encourages the Government to help artists from Ukraine collaborate with colleagues in the UK.

That this House notes the important role artists from Ukraine have played in sustaining morale and winning international hearts and minds during the terrible year of Russian invasion; urges the Government to set up a fund to enable British arts organisations to continue this work by presenting Ukrainian artists, musicians,...

That this House congratulates The Glenmorangie Company Ltd on having Glenmorangie House recognised as the best luxury experience at the Thistle Awards and listed as one of the best UK country house hotels for 2023 in the Telegraph; notes the tremendous work of Glenmorangie House; commends the vital importance of businesses like The Glenmorangie Company to the Highland economy by employing over 25 per cent of employees in the Highlands and Islands; and hopes that Glenmorangie House continues to experience growth and success.

That this House congratulates The Glenmorangie Company Ltd on having Glenmorangie House recognised as the best luxury experience at the Thistle Awards and listed as one of the best UK country house hotels for 2023 in the Telegraph; notes the tremendous work of Glenmorangie House; commends the vital importance of...

That this House recognises positive impact of discounted broadband tariffs for consumers on low incomes or with special social needs, especially during a cost-of-living crisis; acknowledges that there is currently no mandatory requirement for broadband or mobile providers to offer social tariffs; notes that with the amendments to the Communications Act 2003 that came in force in December 2020, Ofcom has the power to consider the need for industry-wide social tariffs for disadvantaged groups of customers, with direction from the Government; further notes that if social tariffs were made mandatory, over 7 million households could potentially benefit from having the cost of bills reduced; acknowledges that just 1 per cent of potentially eligible households are taking advantage of social tariffs, which is often a result of lack of awareness around discounted offers; calls on the Government to direct Ofcom to instate mandatory and universal broadband and mobile social tariffs for vulnerable consumers and to take steps to improve the advertisement of current social tariffs on offer.

That this House recognises positive impact of discounted broadband tariffs for consumers on low incomes or with special social needs, especially during a cost-of-living crisis; acknowledges that there is currently no mandatory requirement for broadband or mobile providers to offer social tariffs; notes that with the amendments to the Communications...

That this House is concerned about the Government's plans to privatise Channel 4, a publicly owned company that does not cost the taxpayer a penny; notes that Channel 4 is not run for profit and is therefore free from the need to create return for shareholders; acknowledges that Channel 4's remit to demonstrate innovation, experiment and creativity makes a significant contribution to creating educational and distinctive programming; further acknowledges the substantial contribution Channel 4 makes towards the UK's creative economy and the levelling up agenda; considers that any step towards privatisation would inevitably replace Channel 4's characteristic public service ethos in favour of the narrow interests of shareholder profit; recalls the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications report entitled A Privatised Future for Channel Four? (July 2016), which warned that Channel 4 could be adversely affected by privatisation; further recalls that 96 per cent of people who responded to the Government's consultation on the ownership of Channel 4 disagreed with privatisation; and calls on the Government to end plans to privatise Channel 4.

That this House is concerned about the Government's plans to privatise Channel 4, a publicly owned company that does not cost the taxpayer a penny; notes that Channel 4 is not run for profit and is therefore free from the need to create return for shareholders; acknowledges that Channel 4's...

That this House is concerned about the Government's decision to press ahead with the privatisation of Channel 4, a publicly owned but commercially funded company; notes that Channel 4 is not run for profit and is free from the need to create return for shareholders; acknowledges that Channel 4 emerged from the pandemic with a significant financial surplus, was able to repay its furlough payments and avoid drastic measures taken by other media organisations such as mass lay-offs or pay cuts for junior staff; notes the diverse and valuable contribution the Channel makes to British television in its efforts to explore and televise alternative comedy, race, religion and disability; recalls that the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications report entitled A Privatised Future for Channel Four?, published in July 2016, HL Paper 17, warned that the distinctive quality and contribution of Channel 4 News in particular could be adversely affected by privatisation; considers that any steps towards privatisation would inevitably replace Channel 4's characteristic public service ethos in favour of the narrow interests of shareholder profit; and calls on the Government to halt plans to sell off a Great British institution and to publish its analysis of its consultation on a change of ownership of Channel 4 Television Corporation.

That this House is concerned about the Government's decision to press ahead with the privatisation of Channel 4, a publicly owned but commercially funded company; notes that Channel 4 is not run for profit and is free from the need to create return for shareholders; acknowledges that Channel 4 emerged...

That this House condemns Vladimir Putin’s aggression towards Ukraine; recognises that the 2022 Champions League final is scheduled to take place at the Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg on 28 May 2022; believes that Putin should not be rewarded by allowing this prestigious, widely-viewed sports event to take place in Russia; further believes that the UK must signal to Russia that they cannot expect to sportwash their actions and strongarm their neighbours without consequences; urges the Government to call on UEFA to strip Russia of the final; and calls on the Government, and the Football Association, to prepare Wembley as suitable to host the event.

That this House condemns Vladimir Putin’s aggression towards Ukraine; recognises that the 2022 Champions League final is scheduled to take place at the Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg on 28 May 2022; believes that Putin should not be rewarded by allowing this prestigious, widely-viewed sports event to take place in...