Meeting of the Parliament

Time for Reflection Megan Laird, NDCS Young Changemaker followed by Topical Questions Liam McArthur S6T-01340 1. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of the grounding of MV Pentalina and any impact on ferry services to and from Orkney. Jamie Greene S6T-01344 2. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported comments from the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association that its plans for juryless trials would be an affront to justice and that any proposed pilot could result in boycott action. followed by Scottish Government Debate: Tackling Social Isolation and Loneliness Emma Roddick S6M-08758 That the Parliament recognises that social isolation and loneliness can affect anyone at any age or stage of life, but that not everyone is affected equally; acknowledges that the COVID-19 pandemic meant that more people experienced social isolation, and that this was disproportionately felt by disabled people, younger people and single-person households; recognises the action taken by the Scottish Government since its strategy for tackling social isolation and loneliness was published in 2018, including working with young families that are facing adversity, stigma and exclusion, supporting disabled people, carers and grassroots projects to ensure that communities can make a difference on their own terms; believes that preventative action is vital to ensure that the negative mental health consequences are addressed; welcomes the investment that the Scottish Government is making through the three-year, £3.8 million Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund, which will create opportunities for people to connect with one another in Scotland's communities; commends the work of organisations and communities to tackle this issue, and recognises that tackling this public health issue is a collective responsibility and requires a shared commitment across the public, private and third sectors. Alexander Stewart S6M-08758.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-08758 in the name of Emma Roddick (Tackling Social Isolation and Loneliness), insert at end ", and calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that its strategy for tackling isolation focusses on increasing awareness of loneliness, particularly among young people and older people, connecting communities, implementing a national awareness campaign on loneliness and isolation, and supporting innovation." Paul O'Kane S6M-08758.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-08758 in the name of Emma Roddick (Tackling Social Isolation and Loneliness), leave out from "welcomes" to end and insert "acknowledges the investment that the Scottish Government is making through the three-year, £3.8 million Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund, which will create opportunities for people to connect with one another in Scotland's communities; commends the work of organisations and communities to tackle this issue; recognises that tackling this public health issue is a collective responsibility and requires a shared commitment across the public, private and third sectors; notes that precarious funding risks the third sector’s contribution and ability to deliver vital services for people and communities across Scotland; further notes that this can lead to disconnects between national policy and the implementation of policy at the local level, and understands that a long-term, flexible, sustainable, and accessible approach to funding is central to a sustainable voluntary sector, which can deliver measurable impacts on loneliness and isolation in Scotland." followed by Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee Debate: Standing Order Rule Changes Martin Whitfield S6M-08720 That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 9th Report, 2023 (Session 6), Standing Order Rule changes - minor amendments (SP Paper 352), and agrees that the rule changes to Standing Orders set out in the annexe of the report be made with effect from 4 May 2023. followed by Decision Time followed by Members' Business — S6M-08651 Beatrice Wishart: Highly Protected Marine Areas That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the importance of Scotland’s fishing and aquaculture industries to coastal and island communities such as Shetland, as well as the wider Scottish economy; notes that the Scottish Government consultation on Highly Protected Marine Areas, a policy that forms part of the Bute House Agreement, closed on 17 April 2023; further notes that there are different views on Highly Protected Marine Areas and the contribution that they can make to protecting the marine environment; understands that many, including the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, have concerns about these areas and the impact that they will have on the fishing and aquaculture industries, as well as other activity of importance to coastal and island communities and the wider economy; notes the view that work should be done to ensure that all stakeholders are fully engaged with the process and that local community perspectives are taken into account; further notes stakeholders’ reported suggestions that scientific studies and pilot schemes should be considered and evaluated before any Highly Protected Marine Areas are formally designated; notes the view that this work should be carried out as soon as feasible and that any findings from studies or pilot schemes should be shared with all relevant stakeholders, and further notes the view that any work that directly affects coastal and island communities should always be undertaken in partnership with them to ensure that livelihoods are protected.