Withdrawal of Funding Support for the 2024-25 Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award

That the Parliament calls on the Scottish Government to reinstate the funding of £75,000 to support the 2024-25 Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award, which it has reportedly withdrawn; understands that this funding reportedly also generates contributions from other private funders; notes that the Outward Bound Trust learned in December 2023 that funding would not be provided for the next financial year; understands that the programme is only able to take place with the Scottish Government’s long-standing financial support towards the cost of the award; believes that the objectives of the award are important and necessary, and include developing the talents of young people, enhancing their self-confidence, resilience and learning how to work together effectively with others, and addressing divisive issues in society, including sectarianism, racism and intolerance; further believes that these objectives are more important now than ever, given increased community tensions and the damaging consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and education of young people; considers that, without this funding, the award programme is at risk, and that young people from across Scotland will be denied the opportunity to benefit from it, and urges the Scottish Government to reverse its reported decision to withdraw this funding as a matter of urgency.