Yesterday I attended the Muslim Council of Scotland’s rally outside the Scottish Parliament, to call for an end to Islamophobia (writes FOYSUL CHOUDHURY MSP).
While freedom of expression must be protected, this should not be exercised in a way that incites hatred or acts of violence against others. It is unacceptable that anybody should be a victim of discrimination, prejudice or abuse based upon a protected characteristic.
I felt it important to attend the rally to firmly show that I believe we should actively oppose, and try to prevent, this kind of hate crime. Minority communities should be confident about reporting incidents of hate and abuse to the authorities and be assured of the support they deserve.
I believe that this starts with authorities and communities openly acknowledging the existence of hate crime and being dedicated to prevent and punish such crimes.
I hope to continue raising awareness of this important issue in Parliament throughout my time in office and I encourage the Scottish Government to bring forward its new hate crimes strategy as a matter of urgency.
The Scottish Government also needs to speak out against injustices that we witness against minority communities around the world. Similarly, acknowledgement of the lived experiences of minority communities and the effects of hate upon them should be taught and prioritised within the school curriculum and institutions such as Police Scotland.
I hope that diverse communities can come together to call out hate speech and hate crimes against their fellow citizens, supporting one another so that our ever-interconnected world can flourish through respect, tolerance and togetherness.
If you witness a hate crime, whether in-person or online, please report this to Police Scotland or a third-party reporting centre.
Stand against hate, both in Scotland and around the world.
Last week I asked the Scottish Government about the rates of evictions after the COVID-19 pandemic, and if they would comment on evidence heard at the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee that sheriff officers are “making up for lost time” since the pandemic (writes FOYSUL CHOUDHURY MSP).
I was astonished by the answer. Green MSP Patrick Harvie, in his capacity as Minister for Tenants’ Rights, said that I was “overstating the case”.
But the words he dismissed were not my own. I was simply presenting the Minister with evidence heard at the committee, from a worker on the front line of dealing with Scotland’s increasing problems with debt and arrears.
Not only was Harvie’s response dismissive and insulting to those working to aid people with problem debt, it demonstrates a Scottish Government that is asleep at the wheel when it comes to the growing housing and homelessness crisis.
The scale of that crisis was reported recently: a 2,052 per cent spike in court proceedings initiated by local authorities since the eviction ban ended; 366 households facing eviction in just the first quarter of this year; a 16.5 per cent rise in homelessness applications from the last quarter.
Any analysis of this grave situation must also consider other evidence heard by the committee, that the cost to local authorities of evicting a social tenant and putting them into the homelessness system is exorbitant, at an estimated minimum of £24,000 for a relatively simple case without complex challenges.
As we all discovered afresh during the pandemic, prevention is better than cure. The Scottish Government had been repeatedly warned of the potential for spiralling evictions after the scrapping of the evictions ban.
Scottish Labour have been clear that Scotland badly needs targeted support for tenants in social housing to avoid this coming storm. Instead, we get denial of the scale of the problem as reported by those on its front lines. Scotland deserves better than a government that dismisses the concerns of its most vulnerable citizens.
I am unfortunately sure that this will not be the last the Social Justice and Social Security Committee hears on this matter in this Parliament.
I will continue to monitor the situation as it potentially affects many vulnerable people in the Lothian region I represent, and continue campaigning for better targeted support for vulnerable tenants who have been hit by the dual shocks of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.
We must have a compassionate approach. Allowing cases like these to be pushed into the homelessness system has no moral or financial case, and the Scottish Government should explore every avenue to avoid it.
Holyrood drop-in session highlights the national digital network’s plans for Scotland’s ultrafast future and commitment to apprenticeship programme
Lothian MSP Foysol Choudhury met engineers and apprentices from Openreach to discuss the roll out of full fibre broadband and the economic benefits fast, reliable connectivity is bringing to Scotland’s economy during a drop-in session at the Scottish Parliament.
The Lothian MSP was updated on work being done to upgrade the country’s broadband network – including across the Lothians, where 190,000 properties now have access to the new, ultrafast technology. He also met apprentices Hayley Goldthorpe and Jack Cotton to hear first-hand about their experiences.
Openreach recently announced it will create and fill around 500 more Scottish jobs during 2022 – including around 390 apprenticeships – as it continues to invest billions of pounds into its UK broadband network, people and training.
Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Reliable connectivity is a hugely important feature of life in modern Scotland and a necessity for people living and working across Lothian. Openreach engineers and apprentices are working tirelessly to roll out full fibre broadband to more local homes and businesses each week.
“The event in parliament was a great opportunity to quiz management about the priorities ahead and the challenges in more complex areas of build – and discuss how policy changes could help. It was great to learn more about opportunities that can be unlocked, especially for remote and rural communities, by ultra-reliable full fibre broadband.”
According to thinkbroadband, the UK’s largest independent broadband news and information site, nearly 95 per cent of Scots can currently access superfast broadband at 30Mbps+.
At the beginning of the year Openreach announced that more than half a million Scottish homes and businesses can connect to its new gigabit-capable, full fibre network.
Around 40 locations across Lothian – from Edinburgh to Gullane, Loanhead and Dechmont – are included in its plans to reach 25m premises with the technology by the end of 2026.
The drop-in session was hosted by Fraser Rowberry, Openreach’s Chief Engineer for Scotland, who thanked Emma Harper MSP for sponsoring the event.
Fraser Rowberry said: “We know that reliable, ultrafast internet connections can have a transformative effect on businesses, online learning and people’s daily lives. That’s why we at Openreach are committed to rolling them out to homes and business premises across Scotland.
“Research from Cebr last year evidenced the hugely positive economic impact universal connections could have in Scotland. A comprehensive full fibre network could enable 76,000 people to re-enter the workforce and contribute billions of pounds to the Scottish economy.
“We were delighted to be able to take that positive story to MSPs and set out our vision and plans for bringing ultrafast broadband to more of Scotland.”
South Queensferry residents are embroiled in a bitter battle with Transport Scotland to secure road access to their new homes.
Transport Scotland have refused access to the Ferrymuir Gait road forcing all residents from the new development to travel through the existing Varney Estate.
All 124 houses on the development must now use Henry Ross Place despite Ferrymuir Gait being the most direct route into the housing development.
Heavy construction traffic used Ferrymuir Gait throughout the build.
The developer has offered to upgrade the road to adoptable standards and Edinburgh Council has indicated a will to adopt the road once this takes place.
Transport Scotland could risk court action if the refusal to permit access continues.
Lothian MSP Foysol Choudhury said: “There is considerable anger among residents from both developments. They are strongly in favour of Ferrymuir Gait being used to access the new development.
“Despite my attempts at mediation, this issue has remained irreconcilable for many months, and looks like it will inevitably end in legal action.
“For the sake of the use of one road, Transport Scotland appear to be willing to drag this through the courts at what will inevitably be great expense to the taxpayer.
“I do not believe that the Scottish public will see legal action to prevent residents’ access to new homes as a good or explicable use of public funds.
“It seems to me that it is clearly in the public interest – from the point of view of the residents and the Scottish taxpayer – that this matter be settled reasonably between the two parties.
A new report published by the Scottish Government shows that not enough is being done to recruit and retain ethnic minorities inGovernment.
‘The Scottish Government’s ‘Race, Recruitment and Retention Action Plan: Equality Impact Assessment Results‘, highlights several disparities within government staffing such as:
• Falling short of the 5% of minority ethnic groups visible in the Scottish population
• Highlighting an ethnicity pay gap
• Revealing poorer appraisal markings for ethnic minorities compared to white colleagues
Commenting on the report, Lothian MSP Foysol Choudhury, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Culture, said: “These figures are very disappointing and shine a light on the inequalities that remain within employment practices, and in our society. It confirms that people of colour are treated less favourably, which has nothing to do with their skills or talent – it’s simply racist.
“We need to eradicate the culture of bullying, racism and discrimination and only then will we see a true representation of our population in the workplace.
“Race has nothing to do with an employee’s talent. Every employee should be treated fairly based only on their abilities. Sometimes our personal biases and opinions of people, race or culture can deter our judgements, that’s why workplace managers need to be properly trained in both diversity and managing people well.
“The results give a true reflection of diversity in the workplace and Holyrood is no exception. The number of BAME staff in Holyrood is very few and for them also to receive less favourable treatment is disappointing to say the least.
“I strongly agree with the findings and recommendations the Scottish Government have laid out in its recruitment and retention plan. The government needs to be the leading force in promoting and accepting diversity in the workplace.
“It should provide all staff with equal opportunities and ensure there is zero bullying and discrimination culture. The Scottish Government must take action now if they are to get anywhere near its 2025 ambition”.
Edinburgh Labour list MSP Foysol Choudhury has slammed the SNP’s failure to end delayed discharge, after it was revealed that it has cost £82,411,987 in the City of Edinburgh over the last five years.
Statistics revealed by Scottish Labour have shown that the total cost of delayed discharge across Scotland has hit over £1bn over the last eight years.
In total, 325,736 bed days have been lost in Edinburgh due to delayed discharge between 2016/17 and 2020/21 with a total cost of £82,411,987.
Local MSP Foysol Choudhury has said that this is symbolic of SNP failure to deliver on its promises and shows the damage done to public health and finances by SNP incompetence.
He warned this will only get worse if the SNP fail to fix the growing crisis in social care, criticising the Scottish Government’s decision not to give carers a fair pay deal in this year’s budget.
TheEdinburgh Labour MSP said:“Never mind the spin and promises, the numbers speak for themselves – SNP incompetence has cost Edinburgh £82,411,987 in delayed discharge alone.
“For years the SNP promised to end this dangerous and costly practice and for years they have failed.
“It is simply unacceptable to have patients left needlessly stranded in hospital and the public purse drained due to poor provision of care for those leaving hospital.
“Things will only get worse if the SNP fail to deal with the crisis in our social care system.
“This makes the SNP’s failure to give carers a fair deal in this budget all the more damaging.
“Ending this costly and dangerous practice must be top of Humza Yousaf’s priority list as we enter the new year.
“This means properly funding social care in Edinburgh and giving staff the real pay rise they so badly deserve.”
Shadow Culture Minister Foysol Choudhury MSP has set out his vision for a culture recovery as the Holyrood Parliament returns next week.
Whilst welcoming the recent announcement from the Scottish Government on additional funding, Foysol Choudhury said that a number of small community culture groups across Scotland were still struggling to gain access to crucial sources of finance.
Mr Choudhury also said that Scotland’s gets a big return for the small for a small investment and urges more investment in the sector.
Shadow Culture Minister Foysol Choudhury MSP said: ‘’Parliament returns after the Christmas break on Monday and there can be no doubt, as the omicron continues to spread, our Culture sector needs help more than ever.
“The arts and culture sector needs a long-term recovery plan that’ll respond and support the sector. It was one of the first to shut and will be among the last to fully open.
“People’s livelihoods have been decimated and too many have fallen through the cracks.
“Whilst the Government has announced funding which is welcomed, many are still facing barriers to gaining access to funding, particularly from our smaller, community cultural groups.
“We need to better recognise the role our cultural and creative industries have in contributing to our economy and society. Not many will know that just 0.2% of the Scottish budget is spent on culture. Scotland gets so much back for so little investment.
“We need protection for essential cultural, social infrastructure in our communities which includes our local museums, historical sites, libraries and archivist services.
“Scotland needs a genuine Culture recovery as we emerge from COVID-19 and as Shadow Culture Minister, I’ll hold the Government effectively and ensure Scotland’s culture sector not only recovers from the pandemic but truly prospers.
Labour MSP Foysol Choudhuryhas warned that children may be stuck in temporary accommodation this Christmas, with the latest figures showing 850 families in Edinburgh were in temporary accommodation.
Across Scotland, the number of families in temporary accommodation has hit a 10 year high, with latest figures suggesting 3,645 families are in temporary accommodation.
The length of time people are spending stranded in temporary accommodation is also rising nation-wide. Since its low point in 2014, this figure has increased by an astonishing 47 per cent.
In Edinburgh, not only are there 850 families stuck in temporary accommodation, but the average stay for a couple with children is an appalling 541 days.
Edinburgh Labour list MSP Foysol Choudhury said:“It is a scandal that so many children across Scotland will be stuck in temporary accommodation this Christmas.
“Here in Edinburgh there are 850 families in temporary accommodation, with families typically waiting 541. It is simply unacceptable.
“These children are being badly failed by the SNP, who have ignored the warning signs year after year.
“Leaving thousands of children in limbo for months on end will have a devastating impact on these children’s wellbeing, attainment and life chances.
“This is not a housing strategy – it is a total dereliction of duty that should shame the SNP.
“Families must have the safe and secure housing they need, and children should never bear the burden of the failures of the SNP Government .”
Lothian list MSP Foysol Choudhury visited Streetreads Library yesterday.
Streetreads has been taking books and stories out to people affected by homelessness for several years , and in August 2021 opened a library space in the City of Edinburgh Methodist Church at 25 Nicolson Square.
This initiative has been backed by leading city authors such as Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin, and the publishers Canongate, who have donated several titles of their own.
The Labour MSP said: “I’m fully behind the fantastic work Streetreads does.
‘’This library is about so much more than just books and offers a number of ways to connect with stories including. running classes and events helping people connect with their world, where people can listen, take part and create their own stories and provide audio books and the tech for people to listen to them.
“During Scottish Book Week, I am pleased to have been able to highlight this project, which serves as a great reminder that we really must ensure everyone has access to the world that is opened up through books “
Foysol Choudhury MSP has called on the Scottish Government to be ambitious in its approach to Social Security.
During a Holyrood debate ‘’Accessing Scottish Social Security Benefits’’, he called for the rise of the Scottish Child Payment to £40 a week in 2022/23, given that over a quarter of Scottish children now live in poverty in Scotland. He also called for a raise to the 20-metre rule. Currently, if you can walk one step over 20 metres you cannot access the enhanced rate of mobility support.
MS Society Scotland has also called for the extension of the rule say that it has acted as a barrier to people with MS accessing social security benefits.
Mr Choudhury asked if the Government was prepared to change the eligibility criteria.
Commenting after the debate, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Scotland needs to be ambitious. The devolution of welfare powers gives us the chance to shape what kind of society do we want to be.
‘’The chance to restore dignity and respect to the heart of the social security system, yet now we know that the delay of the SNP has only halted the progress and affects the potential benefit takeup for Scotland.’’
Foysol Choudhury’s speech in full:
Thank you Presiding Officer and it gives me great pleasure to speak in today’s debate.
Presiding Officer, the devolution of welfare powers gives us the chance to shape what kind of society do we want to be. The chance to restore dignity and respect to the heart of the social security system, yet now we know that the delay of the SNP has only halted the progress and affects the potential benefit takeup for Scotland.
There can be no doubt that Covid-19 has hit low-income families and the most vulnerable disproportionately hard, deepening poverty and dragging more families into financial insecurity. Today half of the families in poverty have a member who is a disabled person and even before the pandemic, child poverty rates were high and projected to rise further.
The over next decade, Scotland must be bold, must be willing to use the full levers of powers to transform if we are to meet our targets on child poverty and live up to our ambitions of being a nation that respects, protects and fulfils human rights and where we can all achieve our potential.
We can start of course with the Scottish Child payment, something that has continued to be on the minds of the chamber thanks to the efforts of my friend and colleague, Pam Duncan Glancy.
Just over a quarter of Scottish children live in poverty in Scotland. 260,000 children, right now in 2021. That’s something that should shame us all. We talk a lot, but this Parliament needs to seriously get ambitious for Scotland’s children.
Let’s raise the Scottish Child Payment to £40 a week in 2022/23. Let’s ensure that every kid in Scotland have a good quality of life, without the people that love them having to worry about where the money is coming from.
Even with the full rollout, the Scottish Government is likely to miss their interim child poverty target by six percentage points – leaving an extra 50,000 children in poverty. From the end of the furlough, the cruel cut to Universal Credit thanks to the Tories, and the Scottish Government delays to rolling out and increasing the Child Payment have squeezed Scottish family incomes when they are already having to deal with the economic shocks dealt by the pandemic. We can and must do better.
Presiding Officer, for those with lifelong conditions, they look to this chamber and ask, ‘how are you going to defend me’?
Those with MS for example are looking for hope. The MS Society, Labour and many organisations are all calling for the removal of the 20-metre rule from the proposed Adult Disability Payment. The Scottish Government are replacing PIP with ADP and as part of this new benefit, the Government has largely replicated the PIP eligibility criteria, including retaining the 20-metre rule as part of the assessment criteria for ADP.
A Citizens Advice Scotland Survey in 2021 found that a majority of Bureaux advisers working to help people with disabilities navigate the social security system agree that the 20 metre rule should be extended to 50 metres.
Presiding Officer, for those who don’t know that the 20-metre rule is, it was introduced as part of the eligibility criteria to access Personal Independence Payment. Under the rule, if you can walk one step over 20 metres you cannot access the enhanced rate of mobility support.
Fatigue, both physical and mental is one of the most debilitating symptoms of MS and other neurological conditions. The rule does not consider the severity of fatigue many will experience after walking 20 metres.
So, I would be grateful if the Government can respond to concerns raised by those who have MS. Is the Government prepared to change the eligibility criteria. Because those claiming disability payments deserve dignity and respect.
Presiding Officer, the social security system we shape in this Parliament must ensure no one is held back by poverty and inequality. Scottish Labour would use all the powers we have here in Scotland to make sure that people have the support they need to participate fully in society.
The social security system Labour would build to secure the wellbeing and human rights of everyone and seek to guarantee a Minimum Income Standard that no one would fall below. Having a strong, adequate and automated SSS will lead to higher levels of takeup.
Scottish Labour will build a social security system based on the principles of Adequacy, Respect and Simplicity. Those are the principles that will guide me as we come together to shape our Social security for Scotland to ensure it works for all.
