Housing As an MSP I have found that the issue that people come to me most about is housing or I should say a lack of housing, affordable housing, suitable housing and it is the biggest issue in terms of the case load my office deals with. The fact is there is just not enough […]
Scotland in the world This week domestic politics have taken a back seat as people across the constituency and country express their condolences with those who have lost their lives and been injured in the attacks in Paris. We also saw a few days’ earlier horrendous suicide bombings in Beirut and before that, the plane […]
Further Education in Fife I have written to the Principle of Fife College asking for a meeting to discuss a number of issues including the recent problems that saw hundreds of students not receiving their bursaries for over a month with some still waiting. This caused major problems with students having to go to pay […]
Thank you gala committees I want to begin this column by thanking all the people who work all year round to make the local galas and community events happen at this time of year. Such events are great for community spirit and from what I have observed also good for the local economy as thousands […]
Scottish Apprentice week took place two weeks ago with the purpose of drawing attention to the success of apprenticeships in Scotland and the need to achieve more for our young people. I had the pleasure of visiting a company called Glacier Energy Services at Ross Offshore based in my constituency in Dalgety Bay where I […]
In recent weeks I have spoken in a number of debates that focussed on the economy and finance. I have used these debates to set out my view that we need a more strategic approach to tackling inequality and poverty in Scotland. When I spoke in the budget debate a few weeks ago I […]
Over the last few weeks I have been putting a calendar through doors across the constituency and this has given me a good chance to meet and speak to people and pick up any local issues and concerns. In Cowdenbeath as in Kelty there is great anticipation about the new community facilities being built whilst […]
I am hoping that the new year will be one where in the Scottish Parliament we can move beyond spending so much time speaking about the powers we would like to have to a more focussed drive on what we will do with the powers we do have, the new powers that come through […]
It was encouraging to see large gatherings of people on Sunday attending the remembrance services across our communities. I laid wreaths at three services in my constituency over the course of the day and observed not just high numbers of people but also lots of younger people paying their respects and taking part in services. […]
LAST week I spoke in the First Minister’s debate on the outcome of the Referendum and gave my view that the outcome was not about who won and who lost as I believe that all 3.6 million people who voted are the winners. We are all winners for we all voted for change, we were […]