Pothole Problems Raised in Parliament

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 […]

Members’ Debate on Physiotherapy Workforce Shortage in Scotland

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 […]

Traditional Construction Skills at Scottish Parliament

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 […]

Call for Improvements on Fife Trains

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 […]

Rail Peak Fare Suspension Should be Permanent

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 […]

Government Must Cost Flat Bus Fare Cap

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 […]

Housing Emergency

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 […]

Government Must Take Action on Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

I have raised the need for greater partnership between the Scottish Government and local authorities, businesses and communities on electric vehicle charging infrastructure in a debate in the Scottish Parliament. I spoke of my village of Kelty, which has zero public electric vehicle chargers, during the debate on the Prime Minister’s recent U-turns on key […]

Action Needed on Scottish Pensioner Poverty

I attended a drop-in event on Wednesday 31 May 2023 in Holyrood to discuss the need to tackle financial hardship in later life. The event was held by Independent Age, the national older people’s charity, as latest figures show that 1 in 7 older people now live in poverty in Scotland, a 25% rise in […]