The Scottish Government suffered an embarrassing defeat over their plans to reintroduce peak fares on ScotRail services as the Scottish Parliament supported a motion I amended calling for the decision to be reversed. I was successful in passing my amendment by 64 votes to 62. This followed another embarrassing defeat for the Scottish Government over […]
I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, to ask her to work collaboratively to find a solution to the antisocial behaviour that is plaguing Scotland’s bus services. I have asked the Transport Secretary to arrange a summit that brings together the key stakeholders – trade unions, bus operators, the Scottish […]
I have called for the Scottish Government to urgently intervene in the ongoing college lecturers pay dispute as the new academic year fast approaches. My call came after the announcement of a further two weeks of strike action at the start of the new academic year by trade union EIS-FELA after a successful reballoting of […]
The British Sign Language (Scotland) Act passed in 2015 and requires public bodies to prepare a BSL Plan every six years. The Scottish Parliament has recently launched an online consultation on a new BSL Plan, approaching its 2nd iteration, which can be accessed through the link below. If you have interest in BSL please feel […]
In a debate on improving Scotland’s roads in the Scottish parliament I accused the SNP government of causing suffering to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians over the conditions of roads across the country due to chronic underfunding of local authorities. The debate comes as recent Freedom of Information requests show the total estimated cost of the […]
I held a Members’ Debate in the Scottish Parliament today on the reported shortage of physiotherapists in the NHS workforce in Scotland. The debate follows the campaign “Scotland Needs More Physios” from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s which claims that Scotland does not currently educate or train enough physiotherapists to supply the workforce needs, with […]
It is always a pleasure to sponsor the traditional construction skills demonstration at the Scottish Parliament and to see young people, including pupils from Inverkeithing High School, receiving mini-masterclasses in stonemasonry, roof slating, 3D & Thermal Surveying, Passive House/Insulation, Electrics and Painting and Decorating. Well done to all involved! I was very impressed once more by the level […]
The Scottish Government have confirmed that plans for decarbonisation of the Fife Circle Rail network are in development. Transport Secretary, Fiona Hyslop MSP in answer to a written questions I submitted said “It is expected this will be one of the next parts of the Scottish network to be decarbonised, after the current work to […]
The Scottish Government have introduced new safeguards in relation to XL Bully dogs that have come into effect on the 23rd of February 2024. Below is a copy of a letter sent to all MSPs setting out what the new rules are.
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 […]