That the Parliament notes the wide range of coalitions and alliances that have been formed across local authorities; notes, in particular, the Conservative and SNP alliance in Perth and Kinross, the SNP, Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition in Highland, the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Independent coalition in Aberdeenshire and the Conservative, Labour partnership in Stirling, and welcomes what it sees as all political parties being prepared to work in partnership, despite differences, for the benefit of their communities.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes the wide range of coalitions and alliances that have been formed across local authorities; notes, in particular, the Conservative and SNP alliance in Perth and Kinross, the SNP, Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition in Highland, the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Independent coalition in Aberdeenshire and the Conservative, Labour partnership in Stirling, and welcomes what it sees as all political parties being prepared to work in partnership, despite differences, for the benefit of their communities.
Supported by: Jim Hume, Liam McArthur, Colin Beattie
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As an amendment to motion S4M-02494 in the name of John Swinney (UK Government Budget), leave out from "is disappointed" to end and insert “welcomes the measures in the recent UK Budget that will raise the income tax threshold to £9,205, meaning that 165,000 Scots will have been taken out of income tax since 2010 and more than two million working people on low and middle incomes in Scotland will have seen their tax bill fall by £550; welcomes the measures on tax avoidance and stamp duty that mean that the tax burden on the wealthiest increases fivefold, especially the steps that discourage the use of offshore tax havens by the well-off to avoid paying their fair share of tax in this country; notes that pensioners will enjoy the biggest ever cash increase in the state pension, leaving pensioners better off this year, next year and in future years thanks to the restoration of the link to average earnings as part of the triple-lock guarantee for pensioners, and also welcomes the package of measures to support the oil and gas sector, the provision of enhanced capital allowances for three of Scotland’s enterprise zones, funding for Edinburgh to become a super-connected city, a boost for Scottish ski centres through VAT changes, the National Loan Guarantee Scheme to help smaller businesses in Scotland receive cheaper loans, the introduction of tax relief for the video games industry and the introduction of a Patent Box from April 2013, which will apply a reduced 10% rate of corporation tax for profits attributed to patents and similar types of intellectual property.”
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S4M-02494 in the name of John Swinney (UK Government Budget), leave out from "is disappointed" to end and insert “welcomes the measures in the recent UK Budget that will raise the income tax threshold to £9,205, meaning that 165,000 Scots will have been taken out of income tax since 2010 and more than two million working people on low and middle incomes in Scotland will have seen their tax bill fall by £550; welcomes the measures on tax avoidance and stamp duty that mean that the tax burden on the wealthiest increases fivefold, especially the steps that discourage the use of offshore tax havens by the well-off to avoid paying their fair share of tax in this country; notes that pensioners will enjoy the biggest ever cash increase in the state pension, leaving pensioners better off this year, next year and in future years thanks to the restoration of the link to average earnings as part of the triple-lock guarantee for pensioners, and also welcomes the package of measures to support the oil and gas sector, the provision of enhanced capital allowances for three of Scotland’s enterprise zones, funding for Edinburgh to become a super-connected city, a boost for Scottish ski centres through VAT changes, the National Loan Guarantee Scheme to help smaller businesses in Scotland receive cheaper loans, the introduction of tax relief for the video games industry and the introduction of a Patent Box from April 2013, which will apply a reduced 10% rate of corporation tax for profits attributed to patents and similar types of intellectual property.”
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That the Parliament welcomes the announcement that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will invest more than £500 million across its UK manufacturing sites, including more than £100 million in its two Scottish sites, at Irvine and Montrose; further welcomes the impact of these investments on job opportunities, with estimates that they will create up to 1,000 new jobs over the lifetime of the projects, 100 of these in Scotland; notes the statement from GSK’s chief executive that the introduction of the so-called Patent Box by the UK Government “has transformed the way in which we view the UK as a location for new investments, ensuring that the medicines of the future will not only be discovered, but can also continue to be made here in Britain”; commends the UK Government for also reducing corporation tax across the UK as part of its package of measure to make the UK a competitive and attractive location for investment, and believes that this new investment reinforces Scotland’s, and indeed the whole of the UK’s, reputation as a global leader in the life sciences sector.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the announcement that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will invest more than £500 million across its UK manufacturing sites, including more than £100 million in its two Scottish sites, at Irvine and Montrose; further welcomes the impact of these investments on job opportunities, with estimates that they will create up to 1,000 new jobs over the lifetime of the projects, 100 of these in Scotland; notes the statement from GSK’s chief executive that the introduction of the so-called Patent Box by the UK Government “has transformed the way in which we view the UK as a location for new investments, ensuring that the medicines of the future will not only be discovered, but can also continue to be made here in Britain”; commends the UK Government for also reducing corporation tax across the UK as part of its package of measure to make the UK a competitive and attractive location for investment, and believes that this new investment reinforces Scotland’s, and indeed the whole of the UK’s, reputation as a global leader in the life sciences sector.
Supported by: Mary Scanlon
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As an amendment to motion S4M-01789 in the name of Kenneth Gibson (The Sovereignty of the Scottish People), insert at end “and encourages all members of parties that did not sign the 1988 Claim of Right to find time to formally sign the declaration debated in the chamber on 26 January 2012.”
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S4M-01789 in the name of Kenneth Gibson (The Sovereignty of the Scottish People), insert at end “and encourages all members of parties that did not sign the 1988 Claim of Right to find time to formally sign the declaration debated in the chamber on 26 January 2012.”
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As an amendment to motion S4M-01822 in the name of Nicola Sturgeon (Claim of Right), insert at end “and encourages all members of the parties that did not sign the 1988 Claim of Right to find time to formally sign this declaration.”
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S4M-01822 in the name of Nicola Sturgeon (Claim of Right), insert at end “and encourages all members of the parties that did not sign the 1988 Claim of Right to find time to formally sign this declaration.”
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That the Parliament commends those involved in the Dunfermline Street Pastors project and believes that the work carried out by street pastor volunteers helps make the Dunfermline community safer; understands that this project provides a range of practical services, including the distribution of bottle stoppers to prevent drinks being tampered with and helping individuals to find their way home safely after a night out; further understands that volunteer numbers have grown steadily over the years, that the scheme has expanded to include Friday and Saturday nights and that a mobile bus has been added to the scheme, which acts as a safe zone at the weekends; congratulates Diageo for supporting the scheme, and believes that such partnership working between the drinks industry, police, the local authority and local volunteers is a great example of a community encouraging responsible drinking and working to make the streets safer.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends those involved in the Dunfermline Street Pastors project and believes that the work carried out by street pastor volunteers helps make the Dunfermline community safer; understands that this project provides a range of practical services, including the distribution of bottle stoppers to prevent drinks being tampered with and helping individuals to find their way home safely after a night out; further understands that volunteer numbers have grown steadily over the years, that the scheme has expanded to include Friday and Saturday nights and that a mobile bus has been added to the scheme, which acts as a safe zone at the weekends; congratulates Diageo for supporting the scheme, and believes that such partnership working between the drinks industry, police, the local authority and local volunteers is a great example of a community encouraging responsible drinking and working to make the streets safer.
Current Status: Fallen on 13/03/2012
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As an amendment to motion S4W-01678 in the name of Johann Lamont (Scotland's Future), after first “Scotland” insert “; agrees that a referendum must be legal, fair and decisive,”.
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S4W-01678 in the name of Johann Lamont (Scotland's Future), after first “Scotland” insert “; agrees that a referendum must be legal, fair and decisive,”.
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That the Parliament congratulates the Australian Government on being the first in the world to pass legislation requiring plain packaging of tobacco products; understands that, from December 2012, all tobacco products in Australia will be sold in green or brown packaging with increased health warnings and no corporate branding; notes research suggesting that two thirds of current smokers started smoking before they were 18 and that young people are less attracted to cigarettes in plain packaging; is aware of research indicating that plain packaging increases the effectiveness of health warnings and reduces the ability of manufacturers to imply reduced health risks through lighter-coloured packaging and other devices, and looks forward to a debate in Scotland on the plain packaging of tobacco products.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates the Australian Government on being the first in the world to pass legislation requiring plain packaging of tobacco products; understands that, from December 2012, all tobacco products in Australia will be sold in green or brown packaging with increased health warnings and no corporate branding; notes research suggesting that two thirds of current smokers started smoking before they were 18 and that young people are less attracted to cigarettes in plain packaging; is aware of research indicating that plain packaging increases the effectiveness of health warnings and reduces the ability of manufacturers to imply reduced health risks through lighter-coloured packaging and other devices, and looks forward to a debate in Scotland on the plain packaging of tobacco products.
Current Status: Fallen on 13/03/2012
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As an amendment to motion S4M-01501 in the name of John Swinney (The UK Government's Autumn Budget Statement and the Scottish Economy), leave out from "that the Office" to end and insert "; notes that the UK Government is investing £68 million in super-fast broadband in Scotland alongside £50 million from the Scottish Government, has won a fuel derogation for the islands from the European Commission, has deferred the 3p fuel duty increase scheduled for January in addition to the cuts in income tax worth £200 to low and middle earners, has increased the bank levy and provided the highest cash increase in the state pension ever announced; notes that the Scottish Government’s response is characterised by an absence of answers on its own plans, including for separation from the rest of the UK and publishing no opinion on the crisis in the Eurozone; is further concerned that the Scottish Government has published no analysis of the credit rating and interest rates likely in an independent Scotland, apart from an unsubstantiated assumption that the UK’s hard-won credit status and record low interest rates would continue in an independent Scotland, even though the evidence from across Europe is that governments that continue to increase borrowing without serious plans to tackle their deficit find that their borrowing rates rocket; understands that such a rise in Scottish borrowing rates on a £60 billion capital programme will result in billions of pounds of extra interest payments and lead to the delay and cancellation of capital projects the length and breadth of the country; finds it absurd that Scottish Government ministers have promised faster delivery of their published investment plans by incorporating additional borrowing made possible through the Scotland Bill while simultaneously threatening to veto the Scotland Bill; is concerned that the Scottish Government is still not using all of the current resources and powers at its disposal, not least on Scottish Water, which continues to have substantial resources locked in it when the Scottish Government’s independent budget review and the Scottish Futures Trust both offered alternative, public sector structures that could free substantial resources for investment in the economy; welcomes the UK Government’s £1 billion Youth Contract programme, which will see around £100 million of benefit to Scotland, a small part allocated to the Scottish Government but the vast majority provided direct to Scottish businesses to improve the prospects of a generation of young people through employment support; regrets that those prospects for young people are harmed by the Scottish Government’s continued plans to cut the budget for colleges despite the unexpected receipt of additional consequentials from the UK Government; notes that success in attracting investment by global companies in Scotland is best achieved by joint working with the UK Government, as evidenced by the recent result at Michelin in Dundee, and calls on the Scottish Government to set out the positive impact on its plans of the addition of £430 million capital consequentials, set out the projects funded by projected Scottish Government borrowing that would be lost if the Scotland Bill was vetoed and allocate its revenue consequentials, including a sum to prevent cuts to college budgets.”
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S4M-01501 in the name of John Swinney (The UK Government's Autumn Budget Statement and the Scottish Economy), leave out from "that the Office" to end and insert "; notes that the UK Government is investing £68 million in super-fast broadband in Scotland alongside £50 million from the Scottish Government, has won a fuel derogation for the islands from the European Commission, has deferred the 3p fuel duty increase scheduled for January in addition to the cuts in income tax worth £200 to low and middle earners, has increased the bank levy and provided the highest cash increase in the state pension ever announced; notes that the Scottish Government’s response is characterised by an absence of answers on its own plans, including for separation from the rest of the UK and publishing no opinion on the crisis in the Eurozone; is further concerned that the Scottish Government has published no analysis of the credit rating and interest rates likely in an independent Scotland, apart from an unsubstantiated assumption that the UK’s hard-won credit status and record low interest rates would continue in an independent Scotland, even though the evidence from across Europe is that governments that continue to increase borrowing without serious plans to tackle their deficit find that their borrowing rates rocket; understands that such a rise in Scottish borrowing rates on a £60 billion capital programme will result in billions of pounds of extra interest payments and lead to the delay and cancellation of capital projects the length and breadth of the country; finds it absurd that Scottish Government ministers have promised faster delivery of their published investment plans by incorporating additional borrowing made possible through the Scotland Bill while simultaneously threatening to veto the Scotland Bill; is concerned that the Scottish Government is still not using all of the current resources and powers at its disposal, not least on Scottish Water, which continues to have substantial resources locked in it when the Scottish Government’s independent budget review and the Scottish Futures Trust both offered alternative, public sector structures that could free substantial resources for investment in the economy; welcomes the UK Government’s £1 billion Youth Contract programme, which will see around £100 million of benefit to Scotland, a small part allocated to the Scottish Government but the vast majority provided direct to Scottish businesses to improve the prospects of a generation of young people through employment support; regrets that those prospects for young people are harmed by the Scottish Government’s continued plans to cut the budget for colleges despite the unexpected receipt of additional consequentials from the UK Government; notes that success in attracting investment by global companies in Scotland is best achieved by joint working with the UK Government, as evidenced by the recent result at Michelin in Dundee, and calls on the Scottish Government to set out the positive impact on its plans of the addition of £430 million capital consequentials, set out the projects funded by projected Scottish Government borrowing that would be lost if the Scotland Bill was vetoed and allocate its revenue consequentials, including a sum to prevent cuts to college budgets.”
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As an amendment to motion S4M-01440 in the name of John Swinney (Public Sector Pensions), leave out from “notes” to end and insert “further recognises that the cost of public sector pensions has increased by a third in the last 10 years; believes that long-term pension reform is needed to put in place pension schemes that are sustainable and fair to both public servants and taxpayers; acknowledges that the UK Government’s reforms will protect low-paid workers and accrued pension rights and that UK ministers have put forward an amended proposal for reform that will provide more generous accrual rates and protect those within 10 years or less of retirement, and recognises that Scottish Government ministers have informed Scottish public sector workers that they have chosen to make these changes and increase pension contributions in line with changes being made across the rest of the UK.”
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S4M-01440 in the name of John Swinney (Public Sector Pensions), leave out from “notes” to end and insert “further recognises that the cost of public sector pensions has increased by a third in the last 10 years; believes that long-term pension reform is needed to put in place pension schemes that are sustainable and fair to both public servants and taxpayers; acknowledges that the UK Government’s reforms will protect low-paid workers and accrued pension rights and that UK ministers have put forward an amended proposal for reform that will provide more generous accrual rates and protect those within 10 years or less of retirement, and recognises that Scottish Government ministers have informed Scottish public sector workers that they have chosen to make these changes and increase pension contributions in line with changes being made across the rest of the UK.”
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