[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LH7crnprgQ[/embedyt] This week I spoke in a debate in the Scottish Parliament calling on the Government to re-set the target for addressing fuel poverty. I also highlighted the advances on energy efficient homes made by local councils and housing associations, and argued that action must be taken to introduce similar standards in the […]
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bVxfjsmsg4[/embedyt] Last week in the Scottish Parliament we saw the difference in approach from the political parties to the funding of local public services. The SNP proposed changes to the upper bands for Council Tax. Whilst Scottish Labour did not oppose the proposal that would make the tax a little more progressive, we […]
New figures released today show the average private sector rent in Scotland has soared by 14 percent since 2010. This completely underlines the extent of the housing crisis we are facing here in Scotland and is why I have made repeated calls for a national house build plan to be undertaken, alongside planned local […]
Last week a group of campaigners came to the Scottish Parliament to raise awareness of the impact of sanctions on people who rely on social security because they have very low incomes. I agreed to meet with the campaigners and hear the issues they were raising. One of the campaigners used a tin of spray […]
Brexit is far too important to be left to the politicians! That was one view expressed by an attendee when I hosted my first “Brexit – what next?” public meeting this week. I thought they have a point and certainly it cannot be simply left to Theresa May and a few of her […]
I was very pleased that the work carried out between the National Executive Committee and the Scottish Executive Committee on autonomy for the Scottish Labour Party was approved by our national conference this week. Autonomy for Labour in Scotland is long overdue and will strengthen our ability to make decisions in Scotland, for Scotland […]
President John F Kennedy (© Harry Benson 1961) The Scottish Parliament is hosting a free exhibition of Glasgow-born photographer Harry Benson’s work from August to December this year. Benson arrived in America with the Beatles in 1964. This exhibition explores Benson’s fascination with the political and historical events that unfolded in America in the 1960s […]
***Press Release: Rowley Opposes Centralisation of Vital NHS Service that will Hurt Families Across Fife*** Alex Rowley MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife met with local campaigners this week outside the Scottish Parliament as they presented a 6,200 strong petition opposing the centralisation of cleft lip and palate surgery services. The current plans would see […]
***Re-regulation of bus services a must says Rowley*** Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley has said Labour will bring forward proposals for the re-regulation of bus services in Scotland as it emerged the number of bus routes registered with the Traffic Commission has fallen by 21% in the last decade. Speaking to local […]
Scottish Labour’s plan to tackle Tory austerity Last week saw the first debate in the Parliament on John Swinney’s budget for 2016/17. Given the significance of the cuts, particularly impacting on council services, I suppose it was always going to be a passionate debate. When I wrote this column last year and talked about the […]