[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px1UAOv6ldg[/embedyt] This week at FMQs I questioned the First Minister on the release of a new Audit Scotland report on the state of Scotland’s health service. This report raises massive concerns for the state of our NHS. It shows the failings in budgets and the financial management of health and social care, the […]
I was pleased to join with campaigners from Scotland Against Fracking, the Broad Alliance, WWF Scotland and Friends of the Earth Scotland outside the Scottish Parliament today calling for support from the Parliament to end fracking in Scotland. I supported the Government motion which due to a Labour amendment effectively bans fracking from taking […]
I recently joined with a number of fellow MSP’s and campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament to support Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s campaign calling for five year sentences for animal cruelty offences in Scotland. There is no place for animal cruelty in Scotland. This is why I have regularly stood up against it. I have […]
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f0DUjJezx8[/embedyt] I opened a Scottish Labour Party debate in the Scottish Parliament on fiance. I moved a motion in my name stating: “That the Parliament believes that income tax should be increased to allow greater investment in public services.” The issue at the core of the debate is our public services, and how […]
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO0NH1ni9c8[/embedyt] This week at FMQ’s I questioned the First Minister on cuts to our Fire and Rescue services. It is sadly the case that Scotland has lost 24% of its fire safety inspecting officers since 2013/14 and it is the responsibility of Government to make sure that the Fire and Rescue Service has the […]
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ts_-S14sh0[/embedyt] At First Minister’s Questions I highlighted that too many children in Scotland are being let down when it comes to mental health services. We can do better for them. It is clear that nothing needs more investment than mental health services, particularly children’s mental health services. Actions speak louder than words. The Scottish […]
[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 […]