Liam McArthur
Liberal Democrat
There are four questions as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that amendment S6M-08758.1, in the name of Alexander Stewart, which seeks to amend motion S6M-08758, in the name of Emma Roddick, on tackling social isolation and loneliness, be agreed to. Are we agreed?
There will be a division.
There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system.
16:59 Meeting suspended.
17:02 On resuming—
We move to the division on amendment S6M-08758.1, in the name of Alexander Stewart.
The vote is closed.
Colin Smyth
Labour
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes.
Gillian Martin
Scottish National Party
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was not able to log in, but I would have voted no.
Division number 1
Decision Time
The result of the division on amendment S6M-08758.1, in the name of Alexander Stewart, is: For 50, Against 67, Abstentions 0.
Amendment disagreed to.
The next question is, that amendment S6M-08758.2, in the name of Paul O’Kane, which seeks to amend motion S6M-08758, in the name of Emma Roddick, on tackling social isolation and loneliness, be agreed to. Are we agreed?
There will be a division.
Division number 2
Decision Time
The result of the division on amendment S6M-08758.2, in the name of Paul O’Kane, is: For 52, Against 66, Abstentions 0.
Amendment disagreed to.
The third question is, that motion
S6M-08758, in the name of Emma Roddick, on tackling social isolation and loneliness, be agreed to.
Motion agreed to,
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.
The final question is, that motion S6M-08720, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on behalf of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, on standing order rule changes, be agreed to.
Motion agreed to,
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.
That concludes decision time. There will be a brief pause before we move to members’ business.
Members’ business will be published tomorrow, Wednesday 3 May 2023, as soon as the text is available.
