[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWy9QSY_kOk[/embedyt] Parliament started back following Summer recess last week, and kicked off with the Programme for Government for the year ahead. The First Minister unveiled her plans for the upcoming legislative programme for the year, with plans to introduce 16 new bills during the 2017-18 session of the Scottish Parliament. These bills will cover […]
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rreoRP0in90[/embedyt] The facts are fairly sobering, in the areas where the pilots have been run for Universal Credit, Citizens Advice Scotland are reporting that they have seen a 15% rise in rent arrears issues compared to a national decrease of 2%, an 87% increase in Crisis Grant issues compared to a national increase of […]
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsTEQiBuh98[/embedyt] This week I raised specific questions with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney about the lack of funding in our schools. Mr Swinney is pushing ahead with a number of education reforms but, in my view, is failing to address the key issues for education which are the cuts […]
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIRJQdnfL1o[/embedyt] This week I spoke in the Scottish Parliament on the Freedom of Information Requests debate. There have been many concerns raised surrounding the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and the performance of the SNP Government in responding to requests under the act. It has been repeatedly said that the application of the […]
I was pleased to sign my support for Unite’s Fair Hospitality Campaign today in the Scottish Parliament. In the wake of the success of the Better than Zero campaign in forcing some of Scotland’s most exploitative employers in the hospitality industry to change their ways, Unite Scotland have launched the Fair Hospitality Campaign – a campaign which […]
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r15Ns4kVbo[/embedyt] In 2017 poverty amongst children and adults is on the rise. This cannot be right – it is not right – and we need government to accept responsibility. Nelson Mandela once famously said: “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty […]
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sffA_cxsPpY[/embedyt] Tory austerity is having a devastating impact on those most in need of support. It is failing to support people to get to a point where they can access the labour market. It also targets those who are ill and unable to work. The cuts are not fair and the latest […]
Kinross-shire Day Centre spent the day visiting the Scottish Parliament as guests of local MSP Alex Rowley. The organisation which provides a welcoming, safe and homely atmosphere for elderly members took a day trip to learn about the workings of the Scottish Parliament and their local Mid Scotland and Fife MSP. The Deputy Leader […]
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agUH6yh0_8g[/embedyt] Last week I raised with the First Minster a report published by Age Scotland that showed around 8,680 people in Scotland wait longer than six weeks for a care assessment and that potentially 8,550 older people may have waited longer than the maximum waiting period for a care package to be put […]
This week I spoke in the Scottish Parliament in a member’s debate brought forward by my colleague Neil Findlay MSP. Mr Findlay had table the following motion for debate: Motion S5M-04708: Neil Findlay, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 20/03/2017 Flawed Airport Consultation That the Parliament notes what it sees as the growing concerns about […]