All elected members have received correspondence from the Public Health Minister about the delivery of the Shingles Vaccination Programme. There has been recent enquiries about the expansion to this programme and hopefully the following information is helpful to anyone with queries. Eligibility of the Shingles Vaccination Programme has changed to allow individuals to get protected […]
I urged the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, to make the suspension of peak fares on Scotrail services permanent as it is simply a tax on workers. I raised the issue in a question in the Scottish Parliament, saying the Scottish Government’s decision to suspend peak fares was “absolutely correct” and called for […]
I am urging older people across the region to be “scam aware” as incidences of targeted scam and fraud crimes against them have seen significant rises. I recently met with representatives from Age Scotland at the Scottish Parliament where the very real threat of scammers trying to take advantage of older people was discussed. Recent […]
I have raised concerns over the announcement that Scottish Water water and waste charges will increase from 1 April 2024 by 8.8% amid speculation that the increase will repeat annually until 2026/27, meaning an overall increase of 29% in the next three years. Water and waste charges, paid via Council Tax, are determined by the […]
An alternative curriculum pathway offering school pupils the chance to sign up for a 10 week programme out of school in venues across Fife is a great success. I visited one of the sites at the Lochgelly Miners Institute this week where 3rd and 4th year pupils are undertaking courses in construction, mechanics and engineering […]
I have questioned the decision to raise train fares by almost 9% as ScotRail published accounts for year to March 2023 show a 42% increase in revenue and a 36% increase in journeys from the year before. The published accounts, the first for the new public sector operator, show passenger revenue of £265million over 64 […]
I have called on the Scottish Government to cost a bus fare cap that would benefit all bus users by making bus travel more affordable in a question to the Minister for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP. I previously raised the issue of disparities in fares and access to bus services across the country, and pointed […]
A Community Hub based in Cowdenbeath that provides direct support to veterans and those struggling with the cost of living, isolation and homelessness is gearing up for a busy winter period. The Knights Templar Goodwill charity based at Thistle Street, Cowdenbeath, was founded by Veterans in March 2021 and has continued to grow and support […]
We continue to receive many complaints about violence and anti-social behaviour in schools and I have raised these issues directly in Parliament with the Government and with local education managers. I have also met with both the teaching and non-teaching unions who are pushing for action to address the pressures in our schools. In recent […]
Housing or the lack of housing remains a big issue for constituents. My office works with local councillors and the housing services within councils who do a good job but the fact remains there is just not enough houses and the idea that the private market was going to plug the gap has proven to […]