SNP MSP Ben Macpherson has renewed demands for the UK government to allow Scotland’s Police and Fire services to reclaim VAT, and for them to be refunded the £140 million they are already owed, ahead of hosting a debate on the issue last night. Continue reading Macpherson calls for end to Tory cash grab
“Transformational” expansion of free early learning and childcare
Spending on childcare will double to £840 million a year by 2021-22 in a bid to transform the life chances of children in Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday. The funding boost has been welcomed by local MSP Ben Macpherson. Continue reading Scottish Government to double childcare spending
To mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, SNP MSP, Ben Macpherson, stopped by North Edinburgh Childcare to speak with their modern apprentices and celebrate the benefits modern apprenticeships bring to organisations and the local economy. Continue reading Local MSP celebrates Apprenticeship Week at North Edinburgh Childcare
Local MSP Ben Macpherson has praised the work of Hibernian FC and it’s GameChanger initiative that hosted a festive lunch for the less fortunate on Christmas Day. The MSP also encouraged people across the country to reach out to those who may be spending the festive period alone. Continue reading Ben plays his part at Easter Road’s GameChanger Christmas lunch
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Ben Macpherson has criticised the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement – which drove home the fact that Brexit and continuing austerity will hit poorest families hardest. Continue reading Atumn Statement hits poorest hardest, says MSP
Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP, Ben Macpherson has welcomed the new Scottish Living Wage rate of £8.45 an hour and encouraged more employers across Edinburgh to sign up as Accredited Living Wage Employers.
The Scottish Living Wage, calculated to meet the cost of living, is reviewed every year based on living standards. The rise of 20 pence per hour will benefit thousands of workers at Living Wage-accredited organisations across Scotland, including many in Edinburgh. Across the area, there is already an encouraging amount of accredited Living Wage Employers – including Cyrenians, Volunteer Edinburgh, Port of Leith Housing Association, Visit Scotland, YMCA Edinburgh, Edinburgh International Science Festival and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
Ben Macpherson is a recently accredited/an accredited Living Wage employer himself, and works with the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative to promote the Living Wage in Edinburgh Northern and Leith.
The Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP said: “The new Living Wage of £8.45 will be a welcome pay rise for thousands of workers across Scotland and in Edinburgh Northern and Leith, ensuring that people’s basic wage continues to meet the real costs of living.
“I would encourage all businesses in Edinburgh to consider becoming Scottish Living Wage employers. For business, paying the Living Wage makes sense and benefits us all – it’s an investment in people and all the evidence shows it leads to increased productivity and reduced staff absence and turnover, while sending a strong signal to customers about fairness.
“With millions of workers worse off as a result of the UK Government’s welfare cuts, and low pay one of the main drivers of in-work poverty, employers can make a real difference by choosing to pay the real Living Wage.
“I encourage all businesses in my constituency to recognise the benefits of paying the real Living Wage.”
Ben Macpherson MSP was proud to welcome the Glow Gold September campaign to the Scottish Parliament recently to support them in their mission to get the world “Glowing Gold” to change the face of childhood cancer.
The Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP met with a group of parents and grandparents from the Glow Gold September campaign to find out how everyone in Edinburgh can “glow gold” and do their bit to raise the profile of childhood cancer and help raise awareness of the early warning signs and symptoms.
Glow Gold September is a grassroots campaign that was started by parents and grandparents whose families have been affected by childhood cancer. They are on a mission to get the world “Glowing Gold” and shine a spotlight on childhood cancer. They have been inviting childhood cancer charities to unite in the goal of raising the profile of childhood cancer by “glowing gold “ during September (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month) and spread awareness of the early warning signs and symptoms to aid earlier diagnosis and detection.
The campaign has had an incredible impact in Scotland and globally. It has seen more than 200 famous landmarks and buildings sign up to light their façades in gold, including Edinburgh Castle, the National Galleries and St Andrew’s House.
Ben Macpherson said: “I am proud to be supporting the Glow Gold campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms and signs of childhood cancer and I hope that everyone in the area will join me in Glowing Gold this September.
“The support that Glow Gold has gathered is incredible and I will do all I can to help support this important campaign in Edinburgh, and across Scotland.”
Commenting, Emma Barron, one of the Glow Gold founding parents said: “Our aim at Glow Gold has been to ensure the colour gold becomes synonymous with childhood cancer and our awareness month September. We have been asking iconic buildings and landmarks to illuminate gold. And have been asking charities to work together to raise the profile of childhood cancer and improve awareness. And have been using the interest generated to disseminate the information on the early warning signs and symptoms through the be child cancer aware and headsmart awareness cards”
“11 children and young adults are diagnosed with cancer in the UK daily, a quarter wont survive and the vast majority will be left with some form of long term disability as a result of their cancer or its treatment. Knowledge is power, and we wish to empower parents with the knowledge required to pick up the signs and symptoms early. We are proud to have over 200 buildings that have illuminated this month to raise awareness and we will be aiming to build on this in the coming years.”
Newly elected MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Ben Macpherson, has been selected as one of the First Minister’s Parliamentary Liaison Officers (PLOs). Continue reading Holyrood liaison role for new MSP
First surgery details announced
New MSP Ben McPherson was sworn in as the new member for Edinburgh Northern & Leith MSP yesterday, one of five new Edinburgh constituency MSPs voted in last week. Continue reading Ben Macpherson sworn in as Northern Leith MSP
