As an amendment to motion S4M-06131 in the name of Kenneth Gibson (Crocodile Tears over Legal Loan Sharks) leave out from "is ill-advised" to end and insert "acknowledges that some people believe that constructive engagement with legal loan sharks is key to reforming their practices while others think that a boycott is a more effective means of highlighting the dangers of what it considers a predatory practice that seeks to profit from poverty; notes that the Labour Party came to power in 1997 and that Wonga operated a loss until 2008; understands that Wonga's profits began to soar during the recession and that the latest figures from the Office of Fair Trading suggest that the industry is now worth up to £2.2 billion to the UK economy; believes that, in response to what it considers this rapid rise, regulation is needed and that capping the cost of credit is crucial to defeating legal loan sharking; understands that the campaign to cap the cost of credit has been led by the Labour MP, Stella Creasy, with the support of, among others, the UK Labour Party, the Co-operative Party and the Scottish National Party; supports the work of Debtbusters, which is a campaign established to take on payday loan companies street-by-street by promoting what is sees as the role of credit unions in providing affordable and accessible credit and by campaigning to enhance debt-relief laws; understands that, although Debtbusters is a campaign established by a Labour MSP, it is non-aligned and involves activists of all political parties and none; believes that those who agree that legal loan sharks should be stopped and exposed for what it considers their immoral and exploitative attempts to profit from poverty should unite together in action, and considers that those who seek to divide this issue down party political lines only serve to let down people who are in difficulty because they are at the hands of legal loan sharks."
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S4M-06131 in the name of Kenneth Gibson (Crocodile Tears over Legal Loan Sharks) leave out from "is ill-advised" to end and insert "acknowledges that some people believe that constructive engagement with legal loan sharks is key to reforming their practices while others think that a boycott is a more effective means of highlighting the dangers of what it considers a predatory practice that seeks to profit from poverty; notes that the Labour Party came to power in 1997 and that Wonga operated a loss until 2008; understands that Wonga's profits began to soar during the recession and that the latest figures from the Office of Fair Trading suggest that the industry is now worth up to £2.2 billion to the UK economy; believes that, in response to what it considers this rapid rise, regulation is needed and that capping the cost of credit is crucial to defeating legal loan sharking; understands that the campaign to cap the cost of credit has been led by the Labour MP, Stella Creasy, with the support of, among others, the UK Labour Party, the Co-operative Party and the Scottish National Party; supports the work of Debtbusters, which is a campaign established to take on payday loan companies street-by-street by promoting what is sees as the role of credit unions in providing affordable and accessible credit and by campaigning to enhance debt-relief laws; understands that, although Debtbusters is a campaign established by a Labour MSP, it is non-aligned and involves activists of all political parties and none; believes that those who agree that legal loan sharks should be stopped and exposed for what it considers their immoral and exploitative attempts to profit from poverty should unite together in action, and considers that those who seek to divide this issue down party political lines only serve to let down people who are in difficulty because they are at the hands of legal loan sharks."
Supported by: Jayne Baxter, Anne McTaggart, Jenny Marra, Neil Findlay, Lewis Macdonald, Margaret McDougall, Hugh Henry, Iain Gray, Elaine Murray, Jackie Baillie, Patricia Ferguson, Malcolm Chisholm, John Pentland, Claudia Beamish, Hanzala Malik
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That the Parliament notes Moredun Community Initiative Week, which is to be held from 2 to 7 April 2013; congratulates the City of Edinburgh Council and other organisations that have deployed significant resources to hold the week-long event; wishes local emergency services and council departments that are taking part in the initiative well; notes that the week aims to tackle antisocial behaviour and underlying problems in the area; believes that this event is an enthusiastic show of confidence in the strength of the Moredun community, and wishes the event the best of success.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes Moredun Community Initiative Week, which is to be held from 2 to 7 April 2013; congratulates the City of Edinburgh Council and other organisations that have deployed significant resources to hold the week-long event; wishes local emergency services and council departments that are taking part in the initiative well; notes that the week aims to tackle antisocial behaviour and underlying problems in the area; believes that this event is an enthusiastic show of confidence in the strength of the Moredun community, and wishes the event the best of success.
Supported by: David Stewart, Gordon MacDonald, Mike MacKenzie, Rob Gibson, Jayne Baxter, Kenneth Gibson, Nigel Don, Anne McTaggart, Paul Martin, Jim Eadie, Roderick Campbell, Annabelle Ewing, Jackie Baillie, Malcolm Chisholm, Patricia Ferguson, Maureen Watt, Neil Findlay, Iain Gray, David Torrance, Helen Eadie, Jamie Hepburn, Elaine Murray, Sarah Boyack, Hanzala Malik, Stuart McMillan, Gil Paterson
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That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) year-long compliance review of the payday loan sector; supports the warnings that the OFT has given the leading 50 payday loan lenders that account for 90% of the market to comply with standards within 12 weeks or risk losing their credit licences; notes with concern the report finding that lenders are heavily reliant on customers who fail to repay loans, as so-called rolled-up loans account for 50% of lenders' revenue; further notes that the UK Government has agreed to work with the Advertising Standards Authority to set out new advertising restrictions for payday loan lenders; considers, however, that, while the actions of the OFT and restrictions on advertising are welcome, the best way to prevent the problems that payday lending causes is to cap the costs of credit, and recognises calls for every group with power to rally and act to prevent what it considers the financial misery that these companies cause people in Lothian and across the rest of Scotland by seeking to profit from poverty.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) year-long compliance review of the payday loan sector; supports the warnings that the OFT has given the leading 50 payday loan lenders that account for 90% of the market to comply with standards within 12 weeks or risk losing their credit licences; notes with concern the report finding that lenders are heavily reliant on customers who fail to repay loans, as so-called rolled-up loans account for 50% of lenders' revenue; further notes that the UK Government has agreed to work with the Advertising Standards Authority to set out new advertising restrictions for payday loan lenders; considers, however, that, while the actions of the OFT and restrictions on advertising are welcome, the best way to prevent the problems that payday lending causes is to cap the costs of credit, and recognises calls for every group with power to rally and act to prevent what it considers the financial misery that these companies cause people in Lothian and across the rest of Scotland by seeking to profit from poverty.
Supported by: Mark Griffin, Iain Gray, Chic Brodie, Mike MacKenzie, Hanzala Malik, Patricia Ferguson, Jackie Baillie, Jenny Marra, Neil Findlay, Bob Doris, Elaine Murray, John Finnie, Sarah Boyack, Maureen Watt, Jean Urquhart, Gil Paterson, Nigel Don, Sandra White, John Mason, Anne McTaggart, Colin Beattie, Fiona McLeod, Clare Adamson, Jayne Baxter, Graeme Pearson, Mark McDonald, Jamie Hepburn, Neil Bibby, Rhoda Grant
Current Status: Fallen on 08/05/2013
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That the Parliament notes Edinburgh College's decision to move its construction and joinery courses from Dalkeith to Granton; understands that this decision comes four years after the installation of multimillion pound facilities at the campus in Dalkeith; believes that people will be deterred from signing up for these courses; considers that the added commuting time will disproportionately impact on people who fund their studies with a part-time job; believes that the free bus service being offered is helpful, but that this will not ultimately alleviate concerns; considers that the move will have an adverse impact on employment in the Dalkeith area; understands that there was no formal consultation process and believes that, as a result, the college has failed in its duty to students, staff and external stakeholders, and calls for a formal consultation to be carried out and for the results of this to be taken into account before a final decision is made.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes Edinburgh College's decision to move its construction and joinery courses from Dalkeith to Granton; understands that this decision comes four years after the installation of multimillion pound facilities at the campus in Dalkeith; believes that people will be deterred from signing up for these courses; considers that the added commuting time will disproportionately impact on people who fund their studies with a part-time job; believes that the free bus service being offered is helpful, but that this will not ultimately alleviate concerns; considers that the move will have an adverse impact on employment in the Dalkeith area; understands that there was no formal consultation process and believes that, as a result, the college has failed in its duty to students, staff and external stakeholders, and calls for a formal consultation to be carried out and for the results of this to be taken into account before a final decision is made.
Supported by: Patricia Ferguson, Neil Findlay, Hanzala Malik, Jackie Baillie, Iain Gray, Anne McTaggart, Richard Simpson, Margaret McDougall, Hugh Henry, Sarah Boyack, Graeme Pearson
Current Status: Fallen on 08/05/2013
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That the Parliament recognises and welcomes the campaign, One Billion Rising, which has been established in response to UN reports that one in three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime; notes that the campaign, which was set up by Eve Ensler, is attempting to end violence against women; condemns all violence against women wherever it occurs; welcomes the campaign's "dance strikes", in Lothian and across Scotland on 14 February 2013, and recognises calls for unity and action against gender stereotyping, inequality and violence against women in all its forms.
Current Status:
That the Parliament recognises and welcomes the campaign, One Billion Rising, which has been established in response to UN reports that one in three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime; notes that the campaign, which was set up by Eve Ensler, is attempting to end violence against women; condemns all violence against women wherever it occurs; welcomes the campaign's "dance strikes", in Lothian and across Scotland on 14 February 2013, and recognises calls for unity and action against gender stereotyping, inequality and violence against women in all its forms.
Supported by: Jenny Marra, Anne McTaggart, Linda Fabiani, Iain Gray, Jayne Baxter, Dennis Robertson, Patrick Harvie, Elaine Murray, Roderick Campbell, Jean Urquhart, Hanzala Malik, Nigel Don, Graeme Dey, Patricia Ferguson, Marco Biagi, John Mason, Alison Johnstone, Jackie Baillie, Angus MacDonald, Mike MacKenzie, Bill Kidd, Sandra White, Richard Simpson, Kevin Stewart, James Dornan, Maureen Watt, Fiona McLeod, Malcolm Chisholm, David Torrance, John Finnie, Sarah Boyack, Gil Paterson, Clare Adamson, Colin Beattie, Margaret McDougall, Jamie Hepburn, Mark McDonald, Colin Keir, Rhoda Grant, Jamie McGrigor
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17/04/2013
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That the Parliament notes that 5 February 2013 is Safer Internet Day; understands that this year's theme is the promotion of online rights and responsibilities; welcomes the ongoing campaign by Children 1st, See Hear Speak Act, which aims to raise awareness of child sexual abuse; is concerned at the findings of a survey conducted by the charity that suggest that just under half of parents and carers in Scotland have not set parental controls on equipment in their homes and that many think they do not need to; welcomes the charity's work in urging parents and carers to "do one thing" on Safer Internet Day and set parental controls on all such equipment; understands that parents and carers needing advice and information on what to do can call ParentLine Scotland, the national helpline for anyone concerned about a child, on 08000 28 22 33, and, to help protect children and check that parental controls on all their equipment and devices are set, calls on members to support Children 1st's campaign by "doing one thing" on Safer Internet Day.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes that 5 February 2013 is Safer Internet Day; understands that this year's theme is the promotion of online rights and responsibilities; welcomes the ongoing campaign by Children 1st, See Hear Speak Act, which aims to raise awareness of child sexual abuse; is concerned at the findings of a survey conducted by the charity that suggest that just under half of parents and carers in Scotland have not set parental controls on equipment in their homes and that many think they do not need to; welcomes the charity's work in urging parents and carers to "do one thing" on Safer Internet Day and set parental controls on all such equipment; understands that parents and carers needing advice and information on what to do can call ParentLine Scotland, the national helpline for anyone concerned about a child, on 08000 28 22 33, and, to help protect children and check that parental controls on all their equipment and devices are set, calls on members to support Children 1st's campaign by "doing one thing" on Safer Internet Day.
Supported by: Neil Bibby, Iain Gray, Elaine Murray, David Stewart, Graeme Dey, Patricia Ferguson, Dennis Robertson, Hanzala Malik, Stewart Stevenson, Jamie Hepburn, Chic Brodie, Jackie Baillie, Mike MacKenzie, Richard Simpson, Liam McArthur, Claudia Beamish, Neil Findlay, Bill Kidd, Anne McTaggart, John Mason, Alex Johnstone, John Finnie, Jean Urquhart, Hugh Henry, Alison McInnes, Kevin Stewart, Nigel Don, Graeme Pearson, Margaret McDougall, Colin Beattie, Gil Paterson, Mark McDonald, Sarah Boyack, Clare Adamson
Current Status: Fallen on 08/05/2013
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That the Parliament recognises that January is a long and hard month for working families, made even worse in 2013 by the ongoing recession and austerity programme; notes with concern the rapid boom in payday loan companies that target low-income working people who struggle to make ends meet; recognises the need to both regulate more heavily payday loan companies and cap the total cost of credit; believes that local authorities and the Scottish Government should demonstrate leadership and seek to curtail the explosion in high interest, short-term lending that results in huge debts and financial misery for thousands of people in Scotland; notes that the welfare reform changes will force more people in Scotland into debt; recognises the important role that credit unions can play in providing a viable alternative and, believes that the Scottish Government should take the lead and warn against the dangers of legal loansharking.
Current Status:
That the Parliament recognises that January is a long and hard month for working families, made even worse in 2013 by the ongoing recession and austerity programme; notes with concern the rapid boom in payday loan companies that target low-income working people who struggle to make ends meet; recognises the need to both regulate more heavily payday loan companies and cap the total cost of credit; believes that local authorities and the Scottish Government should demonstrate leadership and seek to curtail the explosion in high interest, short-term lending that results in huge debts and financial misery for thousands of people in Scotland; notes that the welfare reform changes will force more people in Scotland into debt; recognises the important role that credit unions can play in providing a viable alternative and, believes that the Scottish Government should take the lead and warn against the dangers of legal loansharking.
Supported by: Ken Macintosh
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30/01/2013
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As an amendment to motion S4M-05434 in the name of Alison Johnstone (Gift Voucher Protection), leave out from "calls" to end, and insert "supports Labour MPs at Westminster, including the Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, who lobbied HMV and Deloitte to reverse the original decision, which, it understands, could have resulted in the loss of over £100 million for consumers with vouchers that would have been worthless, in continuing to call for UK ministers to look at how consumers can be better protected by law when companies go into administration, including by honouring gift cards and vouchers."
Current Status:
As an amendment to motion S4M-05434 in the name of Alison Johnstone (Gift Voucher Protection), leave out from "calls" to end, and insert "supports Labour MPs at Westminster, including the Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, who lobbied HMV and Deloitte to reverse the original decision, which, it understands, could have resulted in the loss of over £100 million for consumers with vouchers that would have been worthless, in continuing to call for UK ministers to look at how consumers can be better protected by law when companies go into administration, including by honouring gift cards and vouchers."
Supported by: Hanzala Malik, Iain Gray, Jackie Baillie, Mary Fee, Neil Findlay, Anne McTaggart, Patricia Ferguson, Sarah Boyack, Elaine Murray, Rhoda Grant
Current Status: Fallen on 22/03/2013
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That the Parliament congratulates the City of Edinburgh Basketball Club on reaching the Scottish Cup basketball finals in the senior men, senior women and under-18 divisions; understands that the club, which celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2013, relies heavily on a large number of dedicated volunteers; recognises that much of its training and competitive games take place in Portobello High School; considers that the school is long overdue a rebuild, and hopes that the club will retain a prominent place in the new school with facilities to match its repeated successes.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates the City of Edinburgh Basketball Club on reaching the Scottish Cup basketball finals in the senior men, senior women and under-18 divisions; understands that the club, which celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2013, relies heavily on a large number of dedicated volunteers; recognises that much of its training and competitive games take place in Portobello High School; considers that the school is long overdue a rebuild, and hopes that the club will retain a prominent place in the new school with facilities to match its repeated successes.
Supported by: Iain Gray, Gordon MacDonald, Sandra White, Malcolm Chisholm, Hanzala Malik, David Torrance, Patricia Ferguson, Jayne Baxter, Mike MacKenzie, Anne McTaggart, Neil Findlay, Jamie Hepburn, Colin Beattie, Dennis Robertson, Richard Lyle, Mark McDonald, James Kelly, Jackie Baillie, Siobhan McMahon, Gil Paterson, Colin Keir, Stuart McMillan
Current Status: Fallen on 12/03/2013
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That the Parliament notes with deep regret the death of Savita Halappanavar, who died during pregnancy after being denied an abortion in the Republic of Ireland; recognises that the Irish Government is currently considering a report following a 2010 European Court of Human Rights judgment that the state failed to implement existing rights to lawful abortion where a mother's life was at risk and the comments from the health minister, James Reilly, that the Irish Government plans to legislate on abortion law within a year; supports the work of abortion rights groups across Scotland; notes the UK Abortion Act 1967 and the equality, autonomy and freedom it considers that it has given women over the past 45 years, and believes both in the principle of a women’s right to choose and, specifically, the right to access safe abortion as well as a full range of sexual and reproductive health services wherever in the world they live.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes with deep regret the death of Savita Halappanavar, who died during pregnancy after being denied an abortion in the Republic of Ireland; recognises that the Irish Government is currently considering a report following a 2010 European Court of Human Rights judgment that the state failed to implement existing rights to lawful abortion where a mother's life was at risk and the comments from the health minister, James Reilly, that the Irish Government plans to legislate on abortion law within a year; supports the work of abortion rights groups across Scotland; notes the UK Abortion Act 1967 and the equality, autonomy and freedom it considers that it has given women over the past 45 years, and believes both in the principle of a women’s right to choose and, specifically, the right to access safe abortion as well as a full range of sexual and reproductive health services wherever in the world they live.
Supported by: Linda Fabiani, Willie Rennie, Alison McInnes, Jackson Carlaw, Patrick Harvie, Richard Simpson, Mark Griffin, Jackie Baillie, Iain Gray, Christina McKelvie, Bill Kidd, Mike MacKenzie, Jim Hume, Anne McTaggart, John Park, Drew Smith, Jean Urquhart, Colin Beattie, Dennis Robertson, Helen Eadie, Claudia Beamish, Malcolm Chisholm, Sarah Boyack, Mary Fee, Margaret McDougall, Bruce Crawford, Mark McDonald, Jamie Hepburn, Graeme Pearson, Rhoda Grant, Neil Bibby, Margaret McCulloch, Stewart Maxwell, Elaine Murray, David Stewart, Lewis Macdonald, Jayne Baxter, Richard Baker, Alison Johnstone
Current Status: Fallen on 12/03/2013
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