Tag: Foysol Choudhury

‘Scotland’s Budget Must Put Equality Education, Cultural Understanding and Inclusion at Its Heart’

WEDNESDAY’s UK Budget presents an important opportunity to consider how public investment can support a fairer, safer and more inclusive Scotland (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY).

While decisions about funding are often discussed in terms of economic growth, public services and household costs, we must also consider how investment can help tackle discrimination, strengthen relationships between communities and protect people from hatred.

As Scotland considers its Budget priorities, I hope the Scottish Government will recognise the importance of investing in equality education, cultural understanding and community safety. Public spending is not just about financial figures; it is also about the opportunities we create for young people and the kind of society we want to build.

As a former Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP), I spent considerable time working with communities, raising concerns about discrimination and advocating for equality. My parliamentary questions, meetings and engagement with educational institutions and community organisations reflect my longstanding belief that everyone should be able to live, learn and practise their faith without fear of prejudice or intimidation.

I believe the Scottish Government should work closely with third-sector organisations, schools, colleges and universities to ensure that equality education receives appropriate funding and support. Young people should have opportunities to learn about different cultures, religions and traditions, understand one another’s experiences and challenge prejudice wherever they encounter it.

My commitment to this work comes from years of community engagement, including my time as an MSP, my work as Chairman of Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC), and my role as Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice.

Drummond Community High School has a particularly important place in my life. I attended the school, and my family has maintained strong links with it over the years. As Chairman of ELREC, I supported initiatives bringing the school and community organisations together, including the Refugees’ Voices event in December 2016.

This initiative helped connect refugees with organisations offering advice and support on education, housing, healthcare and other important issues. I also supported the school’s football team and helped with football coaching. These experiences reinforced my belief that education, sport and community engagement can bring people together and help young people understand the value of diversity.

Beyond my connection to Drummond Community High School, my work has extended across numerous schools, colleges, and educational institutions throughout Scotland. Each plays a vital role in supporting young people at different stages of their development. My engagement with institutions like Edinburgh College, alongside the many schools I have visited, reflects the importance I place on listening directly to students and creating inclusive educational environments where people from all backgrounds can learn, develop, and progress.

Schools and colleges should be places where students feel respected and supported, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or background. I hope the Scottish Government will work with these institutions to ensure they have the resources, training and partnerships needed to promote equality, inclusion and mutual respect.

During my time as an MSP, I used parliamentary questions to raise concerns about discrimination affecting young people and students. I believe elected representatives have a responsibility to listen to the experiences of those affected by prejudice and bring their concerns directly to government.

On 23 June 2022, I asked the Scottish Government about action to protect Muslim communities from Islamophobic incidents and progress on the Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group. This reflected my concern that people must be able to practise their religion and participate in society without fear of hostility.

On 17 January 2023, I sponsored a Scottish Parliament event entitled Islamophobia, Education, and the Future, organised by the Community Policy Forum. The event brought together people concerned about the relationship between education, discrimination and the experiences of minority communities.

On 29 November 2023, I lodged written parliamentary question S6W-23363, asking what action the Scottish Government had taken to improve the reporting and recording of Islamophobia in schools, colleges and universities. On 4 December 2023, I lodged a further question, S6W-23522, seeking an update on progress in implementing recommendations from the Scottish Islamophobia inquiry.

On 26 June 2024, I raised concerns about making hate crime reporting more accessible in a parliamentary question. People who experience discrimination or religious hatred must have confidence that they can report incidents and that their concerns will be taken seriously.

I returned to these issues on 28 November 2024, asking about ministerial discussions on tackling Islamophobia and progress on recommendations concerning a definition of Islamophobia and a workplace discrimination toolkit. On 20 December 2024, I lodged further parliamentary questions, S6W-32712 and S6W-32713, seeking updates on implementing recommendations from the Scottish Islamophobia inquiry and its 2023 update.

These questions reflect a simple principle: discrimination must not be ignored. Students deserve to feel safe in their educational environments, and incidents of racism and religious prejudice must be recorded, investigated and addressed appropriately. Educational institutions need clear procedures, effective support for those affected and the resources to turn equality policies into meaningful action.

My concern about the experiences of students was also reflected in my parliamentary work on racist bullying. On 12 June 2025, I asked the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills how the Scottish Government was ensuring schools tackled racism and racist bullying. I raised the case of a pupil who had experienced prolonged racist bullying and asked how anti-racism resources were being put into practice. I also asked whether the Cabinet Secretary would meet me and the pupil’s mother to hear directly about the impact of the bullying.

I believe it is essential that young people and their families are listened to when they raise concerns about discrimination. Policies and guidance are important, but their effectiveness must be judged by whether they improve pupils’ everyday experiences. Schools must be equipped to respond to racist bullying, support those affected and take appropriate action when incidents occur.

Teachers and school staff also need suitable training and resources to recognise discrimination and create inclusive learning environments. No child should feel that their ethnicity, religion or cultural background makes them less welcome at school. Every pupil deserves to learn in an environment where they feel safe, respected and able to fulfil their potential.

As Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice, I worked to bring together parliamentarians, equality organisations, academics, faith representatives and community groups to discuss discrimination and identify practical ways to improve understanding between communities.

The group provided an important forum for discussing Islamophobia, racism, religious intolerance and the experiences of people affected by prejudice. It also offered opportunities to consider how government, public institutions and community organisations could work together to address these issues. The group’s discussions highlighted concerns about racial and religious hatred, threats against places of worship, online misinformation and the need for stronger cooperation between communities.

These issues cannot be addressed by one organisation or institution acting alone. Parliamentarians, government departments, police, educators, faith leaders and third-sector organisations all have a role to play. As Convenor, I considered it important to ensure that these conversations continued and that the experiences of affected communities informed discussions about policy and practical action. My parliamentary questions on the implementation of recommendations from the Scottish Islamophobia inquiry were part of this wider commitment, driven by the belief that recommendations must lead to tangible improvements in reporting, education, public awareness and the treatment of victims.

I am particularly concerned about the damage that inflammatory political rhetoric and misinformation can cause to community relations. Politicians have a responsibility to recognise that their words can influence public attitudes. Robust debate and disagreement about public policy are essential parts of democracy, but they should never become excuses for stigmatising entire communities or encouraging hostility towards people because of their ethnicity or religion.

When politicians or other influential voices repeatedly spread misleading claims about minority communities, the consequences can extend beyond political debate. Such rhetoric can deepen divisions, reinforce stereotypes and contribute to an environment in which people feel targeted or unwelcome.

Online misinformation can make these problems worse by allowing false claims and hostile messages to spread rapidly. We must challenge inaccurate information, encourage responsible public debate and ensure that people are able to discuss difficult issues without being subjected to racial or religious hostility.

We must challenge Islamophobia, antisemitism, racism and all forms of religious hatred consistently. No community should be singled out for hostility, and nobody should be excused from responsibility for encouraging hatred because of their political position or public profile.

Freedom of expression and political debate must be protected. At the same time, threats, harassment and incitement to violence must be taken seriously and addressed in accordance with the law.

Education and dialogue are essential, but they must be accompanied by practical measures to protect people. The Scottish Government should work with Police Scotland, local authorities, faith leaders and community organisations to ensure that appropriate security arrangements are available to communities facing credible threats. This includes effective systems for reporting hate incidents, timely investigations, support for victims and appropriate security advice for places of worship and community facilities.

Police officers need the resources and training required to respond effectively to hate crime and protect the public. People must have confidence that when they report threats or incidents of hatred, their concerns will be taken seriously. Online threats and incitement to violence must also be addressed.

The relevant authorities should enforce existing laws effectively, investigate credible threats and work with appropriate partners to tackle harmful online activity, while respecting freedom of expression and civil liberties.

Security measures must be proportionate and evidence-based. Protecting one community must never come at the expense of the rights of another. Security is not simply about preventing an attack; it is also about ensuring that people can attend school, go to work, visit their places of worship and participate in public life without fear.

Third-sector organisations are essential partners in promoting equality and preventing discrimination. They often have direct relationships with communities and understand the barriers people face when experiencing racism, religious prejudice or social exclusion.

These organisations can provide support to individuals, build relationships between communities and help educational institutions develop more inclusive approaches. Their knowledge and experience should be valued when the Scottish Government develops policies and makes decisions about public spending.

As Chairman of ELREC, I recognise the importance of supporting organisations that work directly with people affected by discrimination. Their work can help ensure that individuals understand their rights, receive appropriate support and have opportunities to participate fully in society.

I hope the Scottish Government will establish and maintain meaningful partnerships with equality organisations, schools, colleges and universities. These partnerships should be supported by appropriate funding, long-term planning and clear objectives. Practical initiatives could include training for teachers, culturally inclusive learning resources, opportunities for students to engage with people from different communities and programmes that help young people understand different faiths and traditions. Sustainable funding is essential if organisations are to plan effectively and provide consistent support to communities.

As Scotland considers the implications of yesterday’s UK Budget, I hope ministers will give serious attention to the resources required to promote equality, improve education and protect communities.

The UK Budget affects the funding available to Scotland, but it does not automatically guarantee additional spending on equality education or community security.

The Scottish Government must make its own decisions about devolved spending priorities and ensure that public money is directed towards areas where it can make a meaningful difference.

I believe equality education should be recognised as an important investment in Scotland’s future. Schools, colleges and universities need appropriate support to create inclusive learning environments, while third-sector organisations need the resources to continue their work with communities.

The Scottish Government should consult the organisations and institutions that have direct experience of these issues, listen to students and families affected by discrimination, and assess whether existing policies are delivering meaningful improvements.

Investment should support prevention as well as responses to incidents when they occur. By helping young people understand different cultures and religions, we can challenge prejudice earlier, strengthen relationships and encourage greater respect across communities. At the same time, government must ensure that appropriate security, reporting and support arrangements are available to those who experience threats or hatred.

My experience as an MSP, Chairman of ELREC and Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice has reinforced my belief that lasting change requires cooperation.

My engagement with schools, colleges, universities, students and community organisations has also demonstrated the importance of listening to people and understanding their experiences. These relationships can help identify challenges, encourage constructive dialogue and develop practical ways to make educational institutions and communities more inclusive.

Students, teachers, families, community organisations, faith leaders and public institutions all have a part to play in building a society where people feel safe and respected. As Scotland considers its Budget priorities, I hope equality education, cultural understanding and community safety will receive the attention they deserve. We must invest not only in what young people learn, but also in how they learn to understand and respect one another.

Equality education, community safety and inclusion are connected responsibilities. By supporting all three, Scotland can build a society in which diversity is valued, discrimination is challenged and everyone has the opportunity to belong and thrive. Everyone deserves to live in a country where they can pursue their education, practise their faith and participate in public life without fear.

That is the Scotland we should continue working towards.

Foysol Choudhury MBE is a former Member of the Scottish Parliament and Chairman of Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC)

Foysol Choudhury: Students must not become collateral damage

GOVERNMENTS AND UNIVERSITIES MUST ACT NOW TO PROTECT OUR STUDENTS, SAYS FORMER MSP

The commencement of a five-week strike at the University of Edinburgh, planned to run until 30th October, is deeply alarming for students, families, and our wider Lothian community (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY MBE).

While I fully respect university staff and support their fight against compulsory redundancies and excessive workloads under proposed £140 million budget cuts, we cannot allow our students to become collateral damage in this ongoing crisis.

There is a common misconception that all home students in Scotland attend university completely free. The reality is that thousands of local Scottish students enrolled in Postgraduate Diplomas, professional qualification courses, and specialized diploma programs are paying thousands of pounds directly out of their own pockets. Many exhaust life savings or take on heavy personal debt to gain these essential qualifications for their future careers.

At the same time, international students pay exorbitant tuition fees alongside steep visa and living costs to study in our capital city. Whether local diploma students or international postgraduates, these individuals have invested enormous amounts of money with the expectation of receiving top-tier, uninterrupted education.

To expect students to pay premium fees, or exhaust life savings, while losing over a month of core lectures, seminars, and academic support is unjust and unacceptable. Their degrees, financial livelihoods, and future career prospects are being placed at serious risk through no fault of their own.

University management must urgently return to the negotiating table with staff and trade unions to resolve this dispute fairly. Crucially, university leadership must immediately put protections in place, including academic remediation and financial compensation or tuition fee rebates for lost teaching time.

However, the burden does not rest solely on the university. The Scottish Government must also take accountability for the systemic funding crisis across our higher education sector.

Throughout my tenure in the Scottish Parliament representing the Lothian region, I have continuously raised parliamentary questions, challenged Ministers, and worked on parliamentary committees to champion student welfare, from campaigning against spiraling student housing costs to advocating for hardship support and fair education funding.

Our universities cannot fix institutional budget deficits at the expense of staff security and student futures.

Emergency action is required now from both university leadership and government ministers to step in, protect our staff, and ensure our students get the education and fairness they have paid for.

NHS Scotland’s biggest reform in years must put tackling racism and inequality at its heart

Scotland’s NHS is about to undergo one of the biggest structural changes in its history (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY).

The Scottish Government has announced plans to radically reshape the way NHS Scotland is organised, including replacing the existing 14 territorial health boards with two strategic boards as part of a wider programme of public service reform.

The Government says the reforms will reduce bureaucracy, improve services and deliver better outcomes for patients.

Those ambitions should be welcomed.

But there is a question that must not be lost amid the discussion about structures, savings and management: Where does tackling racism and health inequality fit into the future of our NHS?

This is not a question I raise simply because I have recently left the Scottish Parliament. It is an issue I raised repeatedly during my time as an MSP.

Throughout my five years representing Lothian, I used my position at Holyrood to raise concerns about health inequalities, access to treatment, poverty and racism.

I asked ministers about the inequalities faced by communities across Scotland and highlighted the stark differences in health outcomes between areas of deprivation and more affluent communities.

I raised concerns about access to NHS services and the pressures facing services such as NHS 24.

I also raised the need to ensure that staff are properly trained and supported, including questions about safeguarding training for NHS staff who interact with members of the public.

These may appear to be separate issues, but they are connected by one fundamental principle: A health service cannot truly be fair unless it works fairly for everyone. That includes the people who work in it.

In April 2024, I chaired a meeting of campaigners and business representatives on anti-racism in the workplace. What concerned me most was hearing how many people working in businesses and public organisations felt unable to report racial abuse.

I took that directly to the First Minister in Parliament and asked what the Scottish Government was doing to empower people to report racism at work.

This matters enormously to the NHS.

Our NHS depends on people from every community. Thousands of staff from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds make an enormous contribution to Scotland’s health service every single day.

They deserve to feel safe, respected and valued at work. Patients deserve the same.

And we should never accept a situation where someone is less likely to receive the care they need, less likely to be listened to, or less likely to feel comfortable speaking to a healthcare professional because of their ethnicity, religion or background.

During my time in Parliament, I also raised specific concerns about health inequalities affecting minority ethnic communities.

I asked the Scottish Government about access to kidney disease services among BAME communities following research highlighting inequalities in kidney health.

I raised wider issues around poverty-driven health inequalities and questioned ministers about what more could be done to close the gap in health outcomes.

I also spoke about access to medical technology for people living with diabetes, because advances in healthcare mean very little if the people who could benefit from them cannot access them.

These questions were never about creating a hierarchy of disadvantage.

They were about recognising that inequality has many causes, poverty, geography, disability, ethnicity, age and other circumstances, and that our NHS must be equipped to understand and respond to them.

That is why the Government’s proposed NHS reforms must be about much more than moving responsibilities from one organisation to another.

If we are genuinely going to build a better NHS, we need to ask whether the reforms will improve the experience of the patient who currently struggles to access care.

Will they reduce health inequalities?

Will they improve outcomes for communities that have historically experienced poorer health?

Will they give staff the confidence to report racism and discrimination?

Will they ensure that equality and anti-racism are embedded in leadership, recruitment, training and accountability?

And importantly, will communities themselves have a meaningful voice in shaping the new NHS?

These questions are particularly important in Edinburgh and Lothian, where we have diverse communities with very different experiences of health and public services.

Reorganisation cannot become an excuse to lose local knowledge.

Centralisation must not mean that decisions are made further away from the people affected by them.

And efficiency must never be allowed to become a substitute for equality.

I have spent many years working with communities through my work with the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) and other organisations, long before entering Parliament.

That experience taught me something very important: people often know where systems are failing them.

We need to listen to them.

The NHS is one of Scotland’s greatest institutions. It belongs to all of us.

That means reform must be judged not simply by how many boards there are, how much administration is removed or how much money is saved.

It should be judged by whether patients receive better care, whether staff feel safer and more valued, and whether the gap between those who experience the best health outcomes and those who experience the worst is finally narrowed.

Scotland has an opportunity here.

The Government can make anti-racism and tackling health inequalities a central part of NHS reform rather than something added afterwards.

I hope it does.

Because when we talk about building the NHS of the future, we should be clear about what that future must look like:

An NHS where everyone is treated with dignity.

An NHS where every patient is heard.

An NHS where every member of staff can work without fear of racism or discrimination.

And an NHS where your background, postcode or circumstances do not determine the quality of healthcare you receive.

That is the NHS Scotland I believe we should be building.

And that is why, as Scotland embarks on its biggest NHS reform in decades, tackling racism and inequality must be at the very heart of the conversation.

Foysol Choudhury MBE is a former member of the Scottish Parliament & Shadow Minister for Culture Europe and International Development.

Freedom of Choice, Religious Dress and Community Cohesion

I welcome the comments made by First Minister John Swinney on the issue of the burqa and, in particular, his clear statement that women should be free to choose what they want to wear (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY).

In Scotland, we should be proud of being a diverse and multicultural country where people are free to practise their faith, express their culture, and make their own personal choices without unnecessary interference from the state.

My Work in Parliament

I have consistently raised these vital issues in the Scottish Parliament to ensure our legislation, debates, and public policy reflect our core values of equality, personal autonomy, and human rights. Through parliamentary questions to the Scottish Government, I have formally challenged dangerous proposals to restrict religious dress and pressed Ministers on how they intend to safeguard minority communities.

Specifically, I have raised questions in Parliament pressing Ministers on:

  • Protecting Civil Liberties: What explicit measures the Scottish Government is taking to protect individual rights and ensure women retain the freedom to choose their own clothing free from state control or harassment.
  • Community Cohesion: How the Government is monitoring and mitigating the damaging impact that toxic political rhetoric and divisive debates have on minority communities across Scotland.
  • Tackling Hate Crime: What proactive steps are being taken to ensure women who choose to wear religious garments, such as the burqa or hijab, are protected from discrimination, harassment, and abuse in public spaces.

Stopping Political Hate and Division

It is deeply alarming to see some politicians actively using the floor of Parliament and public platforms to spread hate, target specific religious groups, and divide our communities.

When politicians play politics with people’s identity and faith, it is not harmless debate — it is dangerous, and it needs to be stopped.

  • Inciting Hatred and Division: Rhetoric that singles out Muslim women normalises Islamophobia and prejudice. It signals to the wider public that certain groups are acceptable targets for hostility.
  • Fueling Abuse on the Streets: Words spoken in Parliament have real-world consequences. Inflammatory political debates directly increase the risk of verbal and physical harassment faced by minority women in their everyday lives.
  • Undermining Democratic Trust: Politics should be about bringing people together to solve shared problems. When politicians use their platform to pit communities against one another, it erodes social trust and weakens the democratic principles of equality and mutual respect.

The Real Impact of Ban Proposals

Proposals to ban or restrict religious dress do not liberate anyone, they actively harm the women they purport to discuss.

  • Increasing Isolation: Rather than empowering women, dress bans risk forcing visually identifiable Muslim women out of public life, restricting their access to education, employment, and public services due to heightened fears for their safety.
  • Eroding Freedom for Everyone: Allowing the government or political parties to dictate what women can or cannot wear sets a dangerous precedent that undermines fundamental bodily autonomy and religious freedom for all citizens.

A Scotland Built on Freedom and Equality

For many women, religious and cultural clothing is an important part of their identity and faith. This is not unique to Muslim communities. Scotland is home to people from many different ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, all of whom contribute enormously to the country we share.

We must reject attempts by politicians to divide us. We should be having a conversation about freedom, equality, and choice, not using the parliament to tell women what they can and cannot wear.

Women must have the right to decide what they wear for themselves. That freedom must apply equally to everyone, whether someone chooses to wear a burqa, hijab, turban, traditional cultural dress, or no religious clothing at all.

Scotland is strongest when everyone can feel that they belong. 

Diversity is a strength to be celebrated, and protecting people’s freedom to express their faith and culture is fundamental to building a fair, safe, and inclusive society.

Foysol Choudhury MBE is a former Member of the Scottish Parliament & Shadow Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development

United Against Hate: Building Safer Communities Together

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No one should leave their place of worship fearing they may not make it home safely (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY MBE). Yet that is the reality members of Edinburgh’s Muslim community faced following the recent series of appalling attacks that left innocent people injured simply because of their faith.

These attacks were not only an assault on those individuals. They were an attack on the values that define Edinburgh and Scotland: respect, equality, freedom of religion and the belief that everyone should be able to live their lives without fear.

They also serve as a reminder that racism, religious hatred and prejudice have not disappeared. Across the United Kingdom, we have seen a worrying rise in hate crime directed at people because of their race, religion, ethnicity or background.

We must never become complacent. Every act of hatred, regardless of who it targets, is an attack on the values of fairness, equality and mutual respect that bind our society together.

My thoughts remain with those who were injured, their families and everyone who has felt fear, anxiety and uncertainty as a result of these deeply disturbing events. I also commend the courage of those who came forward to assist the victims and support the police investigation.

During my five years in the Scottish Parliament, I made community safety, equality and tackling hatred central to my work. I consistently raised issues relating to policing, hate crime, racism, Islamophobia, protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring that our emergency services had the resources they needed to keep people safe. I questioned ministers on community safety, challenged the rise in racism and anti-Muslim hatred, and consistently argued that prevention, engagement and visible policing are essential to building safer communities.

In March 2025, I raised the issue of rising Islamophobia directly with the First Minister following reports that anti-Muslim hate incidents had reached record levels across the United Kingdom. During Ramadan, I reminded Parliament that it is a month of peace, compassion and reflection, and I asked what further action could be taken to ensure that Muslim communities across Scotland felt safe and protected. Sadly, those concerns remain just as relevant today.

My work did not stop inside Parliament. Before, during and after my time as an MSP, I worked closely with the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC), Police Scotland, local authorities, faith leaders and community organisations to tackle racism, promote equality, strengthen community cohesion and encourage dialogue between people of different faiths and backgrounds.

Through ELREC and many other partnerships, I have supported initiatives that bring communities together, challenge discrimination and build trust between public services and the people they serve.

As Chair of the Cross Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice, I brought together Police Scotland, equality organisations, academics, faith representatives and community leaders to address racism, religious hatred and discrimination. Those discussions reinforced my belief that tackling hatred requires long term commitment, education, partnership and leadership.

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Throughout my time in Parliament, I also argued that Police Scotland should be properly funded. Our officers are expected to deal with increasingly complex challenges, including terrorism, organised crime, hate crime, cybercrime, violence against women and girls and the protection of vulnerable people. They cannot continue to be asked to do more with fewer resources. Proper investment in policing is an investment in safer communities.

The professionalism shown by Police Scotland throughout this investigation deserves the highest praise. Officers responded swiftly, carried out a thorough investigation and worked tirelessly to identify and arrest a suspect.

The involvement of specialist counter terrorism officers demonstrated that every available resource would be used to investigate these serious allegations thoroughly. Their dedication and professionalism should give reassurance to every community across Edinburgh and Scotland.

I know from my own experience working alongside Police Scotland over many years that officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep the public safe. They deserve our gratitude, our respect and the resources necessary to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

I would like to thank every officer involved in this investigation for their commitment, professionalism and compassion during what has been an extremely difficult time for those affected.

What has also given me hope is the response from the people of Edinburgh.

In the days following these attacks, faith leaders, community organisations, charities, volunteers, elected representatives and residents from every background stood alongside the victims and their families. They demonstrated that the values of compassion, respect and solidarity are stronger than hatred.

This is the true character of Edinburgh. We are a city built on diversity, where people from different cultures, faiths and backgrounds live, work, study and contribute together. The Muslim community has made an enormous contribution to our city’s success through business, healthcare, education, public service, charity and civic life. An attack on one community is an attack on us all.

We must continue to challenge racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti Sikh hatred, anti Hindu hatred, prejudice against Christians and every other form of discrimination wherever it appears.

Hatred does not begin with violence. It often begins with harmful language, stereotypes and intolerance. If we are serious about building a safer Scotland, we must challenge prejudice at every stage before it escalates into acts of violence.

Education, community engagement and early intervention are just as important as strong law enforcement. Building trust between communities and public institutions is one of the most effective ways of preventing hatred from taking root.

Throughout my public life, whether serving in the Scottish Parliament or working with organisations such as ELREC, I have believed that diversity is one of Scotland’s greatest strengths. We must never allow those who spread hatred to undermine the progress we have made in building a fairer, more inclusive and more compassionate nation.

Scotland has earned an international reputation as an open, welcoming and inclusive nation. We must never take that reputation for granted. It requires continued leadership, properly funded public services, strong policing, active community organisations and a collective determination to protect the values that unite us.

Hatred seeks to divide. Edinburgh chose unity.

Violence seeks to create fear. Our communities responded with compassion.

Extremism seeks to isolate people because of their faith. Scotland responded with resilience.

I commend Police Scotland for their professionalism, determination and reassurance throughout this investigation. I remain convinced that they must continue to receive the funding, officers and specialist resources they need to protect every community across our country. Supporting our police is not simply about law enforcement. It is about safeguarding the values of justice, equality and security that define Scotland.

The true measure of a society is not whether hatred exists, but how people respond when it appears. Edinburgh’s response has shown the very best of our city. Our police, our community organisations, our faith leaders and our residents stood together. They refused to allow hatred to divide our city.

That is the Edinburgh I have always worked to serve.

That is the Scotland I believe in.

Foysol Choudhury MBE

Former Member of the Scottish Parliament & Shadow Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development.

Former MSP calls for sustained investment following Edinburgh fire

The recent fire in Edinburgh serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage, professionalism and dedication of Scotland’s firefighters (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY).

I want to pay tribute to every member of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and all emergency responders who worked tirelessly, often in extremely dangerous conditions, to protect lives, homes and businesses.

Their commitment to serving our communities is nothing short of remarkable. Every day firefighters put themselves in harm’s way without hesitation, responding to fires, road traffic collisions, flooding, hazardous incidents and many other emergencies. They deserve not only our admiration and gratitude but also our full support.

Throughout my time as a Member of the Scottish Parliament, I consistently championed the work of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and repeatedly raised concerns about the impact that funding reductions and resource cuts could have on public safety.

I firmly believed then, as I do now, that public safety should never be compromised. Investment in our Fire and Rescue Service is not an expense. It is one of the most important investments any government can make.

One issue I campaigned strongly on was the proposal to remove the turntable ladder from Crewe Toll Fire Station. After meeting firefighters and hearing first hand about the operational implications, I publicly opposed the proposal, supported the Fire Brigades Union’s #CutsLeaveScars campaign and lodged a Parliamentary Motion calling on the Scottish Government to reverse the planned £11 million reduction in funding to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

The turntable ladder is a vital specialist appliance used for tackling fires in high rise buildings and carrying out complex rescues. At the time, I warned that removing this capability would leave more than 50 high rise buildings across north and west Edinburgh with reduced emergency cover.

My concern was always straightforward. Every community deserves the highest level of protection possible and firefighters deserve the equipment they need to carry out their duties safely and effectively.

My work in Parliament also focused heavily on firefighter welfare and safety.

Following the serious fire at Breadalbane Street in Edinburgh, I submitted a series of parliamentary questions seeking detailed information from the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

These questions covered firefighters’ exposure to harmful contaminants, decontamination procedures following major incidents, the availability of specialist personal protective equipment, and the measures in place to protect firefighters from the long term health risks associated with repeated exposure to toxic smoke and hazardous materials.

Firefighters willingly put themselves in dangerous situations to protect others. It is only right that we do everything possible to protect them in return.

Throughout my parliamentary career, I believed it was my responsibility to scrutinise decisions affecting emergency services, ask difficult questions where necessary and ensure that the voices of frontline firefighters were heard in Parliament.

The challenges facing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service continue to evolve. Climate change has increased the frequency of wildfires and severe weather events. Our cities continue to grow with more high rise developments and increasingly complex infrastructure.

Firefighters now respond to a far wider range of emergencies than ever before. These changing demands make sustained investment in staffing, training, specialist equipment and modern technology more important than ever.

The recent fire in Edinburgh once again demonstrates why we cannot afford to become complacent about public safety.

Our firefighters repeatedly show extraordinary bravery, professionalism and compassion under immense pressure. They run towards danger when everyone else is being told to run away.

They deserve modern equipment. They deserve appropriate staffing levels. They deserve continued investment. Above all, they deserve to know that the public and our governments stand behind them.

I remain incredibly proud to have supported Scotland’s firefighters throughout my time in Parliament. I consistently argued for greater investment in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service because I recognised that every decision on funding has real consequences for frontline services and for the safety of our communities.

Over the years I raised these issues in parliamentary debates, lodged motions, submitted written parliamentary questions and met directly with firefighters and their representatives to better understand the challenges they faced.

My commitment was always to ensure that those risking their lives on behalf of others had the resources, equipment and support they deserved. I hope this latest incident serves as a reminder to all decision makers that investing in emergency services saves lives. We should never wait for tragedy before recognising the importance of properly funding those who protect us every single day.

My thoughts remain with everyone affected by the fire. I wish those who have lost their homes or businesses every strength during this difficult time. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to every firefighter, police officer, paramedic and emergency service worker involved in bringing this incident under control.

Scotland owes you a tremendous debt of gratitude, and I will continue to support calls for sustained investment in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service so that firefighters can continue protecting our communities safely and effectively for generations to come.

Foysol Choudhury MBE

Former Member of the Scottish Parliament

Former Shadow Minister for Culture, Europe & International Development.

Edinburgh MSPs unite to demand funding for new Edinburgh Eye Pavilion Hospital

A cross-party group of Edinburgh MSPs have come together to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Michael Matheson, highlighting the urgent need to fund a new Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh.

MSPs representing Scottish Labour, Scottish Conservatives, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Alba, and the Scottish National Party have all co-signed the letter, in the run up to the capital spending allocation.

This letter reflects the strength of feeling of residents, right across Edinburgh towards the need for a new Eye Hospital in the city.

MSPs request Michael Matheson set out a clear timetable for the construction of a new Edinburgh Eye Hospital, after the current Eye Pavilion was declared not fit for purpose in 2014.

The MSPs have also called on Michael Matheson to consult with patients, visual impairment charities and elected representatives to achieve the best outcomes possible for Edinburgh and Lothian Residents.

The joint-letter follows a meeting of Edinburgh MSPs, Sight Scotland, Visibility Scotland and RNIB, at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 30th November, to discuss the situation in the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.

During the meeting, MSPs heard moving testimonies from patients and staff about the dire state of current facilities and why a new hospital is so vital going forward.

All parties involved emphasised that continuing to rely on the current Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion is not sustainable and will lead to deteriorating outcomes for patients and staff.

The MSPs who signed the joint letter are Sarah Boyack, Daniel Johnson, Foysol Choudhury, Miles Briggs, Jeremy Balfour, Ben Macpherson, Sue Webber, Alex Cole-Hamilton and Ash Regan.

The MSPs in attendance at the breakfast briefing were Sarah Boyack, Daniel Johnson, Miles Briggs, Ben Macpherson, Sue Webber. Alison Johnstone and Jeremy Balfour sent staff members, as they had previous engagements.

Commenting on the letter, Sarah Boyack said: “I am glad that MSPs across Edinburgh were able to come together to campaign for such a vital project.

“None of our constituents deserve to be relying on facilities that have been designated not fit for purpose, for over a decade.

“Michael Matheson needs to take note of the strength of feeling for this project – delivering the new Eye Pavilion is a priority for Edinburgh Residents 

“As Edinburgh MSPs, we will continue to work together to ensure the best outcome for our constituents, and the city.”

Lothian-Joint-Letter-regarding-Edinburgh-Eye-PavilionDownload

Letter: Scandalous

Dear Editor,

It looks like our so-called leaders are making a right fool of themselves and our country at a time when they should be dealing with this pandemic effectively. 

Matt Hancock the Health Secretary stated that the public doesnt need to wear masks and should leave them for the NHS staff.

Firstly, its absolutely appalling how this government has failed to respond to this pandemic and are now busy showcasing themselves and pointing the finger at the public who are just trying to keep themselves safe.

Secondly, most of the masks the public are wearing aren’t even fit for purpose for our health workers as they are purchased online on Ebay etc so are you saying this is what our frontline staff should be wearing? If so, this is s shameful suggestion.

The British government has proven itself to be one of the least well prepared of all global governments in dealing with this disease and protecting its people.

This government’s inaction and austerity policy have caused a shortage of face masks and protective for the NHS, so stop blaming the public and get your acts together before its too late.

And the Home Secretary Priti Patel finds it hard to apologise for these failings and thinks this is ok and can be ‘expected because of the situation’.

Stop the deception and do something for the people who are dying instead of bluffing your way through the questions as this is real life and real lives being lost.

These so called “low skilled” migrants who are fighting for this country: whats your contribution?

We want action that works.

 

Foysol Choudhury MBE

Chairman, Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council

 

Letter: Future is in our hands

Dear Editor,

I have sent the attached letter to our Prime Minister and First Minister:

Dear Prime Minister

As a Community representative, I wish to raise some points and concerns how the Covid-19 pandemic has been dealt with by our current government. I have many family and friends working on the frontline, alongside thousands of others who share the same concerns. Urgent help from the government is vital. 

Covid-19 has shown us what really matters. It has become apparent just how much the government have undervalued the NHS, along with other frontline services and keyworkers, who we are all now desperately relying on.
 
For the last ten years, funding for our frontline services, such as the NHS, have been cut by the government instead of increasing them. As a result of this, the NHS were not prepared for this pandemic and now risk their lives to save us – lacking the appropriate protective clothing and equipment they need. This lack of preparedness is a huge concern for all of us.
 
I agree that at times like these we all must work together, there is no doubt about it.  As a community leader I urge everyone to please follow the guidelines, stay home, protect the NHS and stop the spread of this disease. Undoubtedly, money must be invested into our NHS and frontline. Staff should always be protected and fully equipped, so they are prepared for the unexpected.
 
Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, the concerns surrounding climate change where rising. The enforced lockdown shows how human activity is largely responsible for the negative impacts of the Earth. This is proven by lower levels of pollution since the lockdown. Taking this into account, it is vital the government learn from this, as this outbreak reinforces the need of a direct government action plan to tackle climate change.
 
In conclusion, the first case of Covid-19 was reported in November 2019. If we had put resources and time into research and production, the NHS may have been fully equipped and prepared to fight this virus now. Lives may have been saved.
 
The past cannot be changed, but the present and future is in our hands. It is time to make a change.
 

Kind regards

Foysol Choudhury MBE

Chair ELREC
Foysol Choudhury MBE 
Chairman: Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council | Chairman:  Bangladesh Samity Edinburgh | Director: Edinburgh Mela | President: The Guild of Bangladeshi Restaurateurs, Scotland | General Secretary: Council of Bangladeshis in Scotland.