Tag: Gordon Macdonald MSP

SNP ‘delivering 35,785,216 FREE bus journeys in Edinburgh’

  • OVER 178 MILLION FREE BUS JOURNEYS MADE IN SCOTLAND IN 2023/24
  • ENGLAND’S ELDERLY WAIT AN ADDITIONAL SIX YEARS FOR FREE BUS PASS 

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands Gordon Macdonald has welcomed figures showing 35,785,216 free bus journeys have been made in Edinburgh this year, thanks to the SNP protecting free bus passes for the over 60’s and those with disabilities, as well as introducing free bus travel for the under 22’s. 

In Scotland, the SNP Government has consistently protected free bus passes for everyone over 60, and disabled people, while also extending the scheme to injured veterans. By contrast, in England, pensioners only receive their free bus pass upon reaching the state pension age of 66 – six years later than is the case in Scotland.  

The free bus travel scheme for under 22s, introduced in 2022, is helping young people across Edinburgh access work, education, and further training, free of charge. No equivalent scheme exists anywhere else in the UK. 

In Edinburgh 35,785,216 free bus journeys have been made under these schemes in 2023/24, contributing to the over 178 million free journeys recorded across Scotland this year. 

Commenting, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands Gordon Macdonald, said: “The delivery of almost 36 million free bus journeys across Edinburgh this year is a fantastic achievement, that demonstrates the SNP Government’s commitment to improving mobility for our youngest, oldest, and most vulnerable citizens.  

“These free bus passes are a lifeline for many, helping people access essential services, education, and employment. 

“While the UK Labour Government is determined to strip pensioners of their Winter Fuel Payment – the SNP Government is supporting our pensioners by protecting the free bus pass from age 60 – unlike in England, where it’s issued at age 66.  

“While the UK Labour Government is busy increasing tuition fees in England, we’re supporting our young people by introducing free bus passes to support them going to work, school, education or further training.  

“The SNP is committed to continuing to support all of Scotland – and it’s important to celebrate the difference that SNP policies are making here in Edinburgh, with 35,785,216 of free bus journeys made this year under the free bus travel schemes – part of over 178 million free bus journeys made across Scotland this year.” 

Edinburgh MSP warns of looming deadline for Winter Fuel Payment

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has encouraged those across the city of Edinburgh who have not already applied for pension credit to do so by 22nd September to ensure they receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year.  

Across the UK, 37% of those eligible do not claim pension credit, which is now a prerequisite for receiving the Winter Fuel Payment of £300 after the UK Labour government cut its universal provision as part of its austerity agenda.

16th – 22nd September 2024 is qualifying week for those who are eligible for the payment this year, however over 800,000 pensioners across Scotland are now set to lose out.

Commenting, Gordon Macdonald said: “The abhorrent decision by the Labour UK government to cut the Winter Fuel payment has put thousands of pensioners in an unimaginable situation.

“As a result, 67,555 across Edinburgh will miss out on the payment altogether whilst some who are eligible are also in danger of missing out.

“The SNP are clear;  this is a cruel and inexplicable decision by the Labour government that leaves pensioners across the city worse off.

“If you have not already done so, please check your eligibility and apply for pension credit by the end of this week to ensure you don’t miss out on vital support this winter.”

Additional £40m allocated to councils to ease pressure on temporary accommodation

Councils will receive a share of an additional £40m this year to increase the supply of social and affordable homes.

The funding, which was confirmed in April and has boosted the affordable housing supply programme budget to nearly £600m this year, will mostly be distributed to the five council areas with sustained temporary accommodation pressures: Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian.

The money will be used to purchase properties to help reduce the number of families in temporary accommodation or, where appropriate, to bring long term voids back into use.

The remaining 27 local authorities will receive a share of the remaining funding. A further £40m will be allocated to councils next year.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “The delivery of affordable homes is the foundation of family life and is fundamental to how we achieve our priorities of eradicating child poverty and growing the economy.

“The key to tackling homelessness and reducing the time spent by families in temporary accommodation is to deliver more affordable homes.

“We have already supported councils to purchase almost 1,500 properties in 2023-24 for use as affordable homes. However, we must do more and, by committing £40m this year, we are accelerating that work.

“This money will help councils provide a warm, safe place that families can call home again.”

MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald has welcomed the SNP Scottish Government announcement of £40 million for councils across Scotland, including almost £15 million for Edinburgh, to boost the supply of affordable homes. 

First Minister John Swinney outlined in the Programme for Government that £600 million would be committed to affordable housing in the current financial year and allocating this £40 million will allow for the purchase of properties to reduce temporary accommodation and bring vacant buildings back into use.

Across Scotland councils have been supported to purchase almost 1,500 properties in 2023-24 for use as affordable homes and the allocation of this £40 million will accelerate that work to ensure that families across Edinburgh have a safe and warm place to call home. 

Commenting, Gordon Macdonald said: “Tackling the housing emergency is one of the major issues across the city and one of the key ways we can solve it is by bringing empty and vacant buildings back into use.

“This £40m fund, introduced by the SNP Government as part of the £600m affordable housing budget, will ensure that we can build on the 1,500 properties that were brought into use for affordable housing in the past year and the almost £15m allocated to Edinburgh will have a significant impact in tackling the housing crisis across the city.

“Every family in Edinburgh deserves to have a safe and warm place that they can call home and with the SNP in government that is exactly what they will get.”

Local authorities will receive the following share of funding:

Local authority£m
Aberdeen City0.375
Aberdeenshire0.173
Angus0.066
Argyll and Bute0.135
City of Edinburgh14.882
Clackmannanshire0.173
Dumfries and Galloway0.222
Dundee City0.637
East Ayrshire0.122
East Dunbartonshire0.224
East Lothian0.440
East Renfrewshire0.196
Eilean Siar0.082
Falkirk0.751
Fife1.848
The Highland Council0.653
Glasgow City11.544
Inverclyde0.040
Midlothian0.471
Moray0.369
North Ayrshire0.293
North Lanarkshire0.673
Orkney Islands0.085
Perth and Kinross0.066
Renfrewshire0.168
Scottish Borders0.146
Shetland Islands0.082
South Ayrshire0.301
South Lanarkshire1.724
Stirling0.750
West Dunbartonshire0.309
West Lothian2.001
Total40.000

Gordon Macdonald MSP: Get informed on landline switchover

BT ROADSHOW EVENT – 10 JULY from 10am – 3pm NICHOLSON SQUARE

Local SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald is encouraging Edinburgh residents to get informed about the forthcoming changes to landlines across the country.

The existing analogue technology which has supported phone and broadband services for decades is being retired and switched off with the works already underway.

Landline phone calls have traditionally been delivered over a network known as the public switched telephone network (PSTN). This network is old, and becoming harder and more expensive to maintain, so it needs to be replaced.

BT has taken the decision to retire its PSTN by December 2025 and this means other providers that use BT’s network must follow the same timescale. Other companies with their own networks such as Virgin Media plan to follow a similar timescale.

Mr Macdonald recently met with representatives from BT to discuss the changes and how this will affect households.

BT advised they are taking an information roadshow on tour across the country with an event in Edinburgh on 10 July at 25 Nicolson Square between 10 and 3pm where anyone can drop by to find out more about the switch.

Commenting Gordon Macdonald said: “Many people may not even be aware of the plans to switch all telephone lines over to digital, some may have limited knowledge but still have unanswered questions on what it means for them and their telephone service.

“BT’s roadshow event will go some way in addressing any concerns or queries residents have and I would encourage people to drop by on the 10 July to speak to the team from BT about what steps they need to take and how they can be supported in the switchover.”

MSP welcomes year-round support for Edinburgh students

Edinburgh Pentlands SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has welcomed the news higher education students can now apply to spread their student financial support package over a 12-month period for the first time this coming academic year.

The year-long package of support will be available for eligible undergraduate students from August 2024. The change will ensure that payments of relevant student loans and bursaries can continue throughout the summer months. This follows a successful two-year programme, which saw care experienced students being given the option of 12-month support.

Care-Experienced students will continue to receive additional support for their living costs under the Summer Accommodation Grant from Summer 2024. Students eligible for the grant – which will replace the Care-Experienced Accommodation Grant – will be entitled to a payment of up to £1,330 to help ensure they do not fall into rent arrears over the summer.

These changes will coincide with the £2,400 increase to the annual support package, which sees the main undergraduate funding package rise up to £11,400.

Commenting on the announcement Mr Macdonald said: “Coping financially as a student in Edinburgh can be extremely difficult but the changes announced to the way students can receive their funding will make a huge difference across the summer months.

“This is another example of the actions being taken by the Scottish Government to support students through the cost of living crisis. Scotland already has the lowest student debt levels in the UK, thanks to the commitment to free tuition and enhanced student support.

“We have a record number of students from Scotland’s most deprived areas applying to study at university and these changes to the student support package will contribute further in breaking down barriers and ensuring that access to our world-class institutions is not denied to anyone, whatever their background.”

MSP welcomes tailored support for veterans across Edinburgh

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has welcomed the announcement that veterans and the families of those in the armed forces are to receive more tailored healthcare under a new scheme for GPs. 

The General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme is now open to GP surgeries across Scotland, including Edinburgh, following a successful pilot. It includes easy access to training materials setting out the specific issues these individuals face in clinical case to aid understanding of specific needs and the range of healthcare support that can be provided.  

This will better enable healthcare providers to focus on the specific health challenges they may face following military service. 

Commenting, SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “The launch of this scheme will see more tailored, local support delivered across the wider city but is particularly important in the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency given the high numbers of forces families and veterans living there. 

“The SNP Scottish Government is taking meaningful action to support those who have served our country and continue to do so, along with their families, and this scheme will go a long way to addressing the specific challenges that these individuals face. 

“It is also important to recognise the huge sacrifice that so many have made to keep us safe, particularly as we approach Remembrance Sunday. 

“I encourage GPs both in the south west and the wider city who have not already done so to sign up so that more individuals and their families can benefit from this scheme.” 

MSP welcomes new payment for care leavers

Gordon Macdonald MSP has welcomed the announcement that a one-off £2,000 payment from the SNP Scottish Government will be made available to young people who are leaving the care system across Edinburgh.

First Minister Humza Yousaf announced the payment following the Independent Care Review’s findings that those with care experience have an increased risk of poor mental health, addiction, homelessness, and exploitation.

The payment is co-designed with care experienced people to ensure that it meets their needs and helps to reduce some of the financial impediments in their way as they seek to live independently.

Commenting, Gordon Macdonald, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands said: “The SNP Scottish Government is committed to Keeping the Promise by 2030 to all children and young people leaving care, and part of that is ensuring that they are supported on their journey into adulthood.

“Living independently can be a huge adjustment and comes at a pivotal time for young people leaving care across Edinburgh, especially if they don’t have family support.

“The SNP Scottish Government is therefore providing support to care experienced young people across Scotland through the Care Leaver Payment, and this will make a real difference to the lives of young people across the city.”

MSP urges residents to shape delivery of winter heating payment

Gordon Macdonald, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, has urged residents across the city to take part in the Scottish Government’s consultation on the introduction of the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. 

From winter 2024, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, which will be an annual payment, will replace the UK government’s Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland.

The Scottish Government are consulting people across Edinburgh to understand who should be eligible for this payment, when and how it should be delivered, and what measures can be put in place to support those living off the gas grid. The consultation closes on January 15th 2024. 

Gordon Macdonald MSP is urging constituents across Edinburgh Pentlands to complete the consultation to ensure the payment is as effective as possible in helping pensioners with their winter heating costs.

Commenting, Gordon said: “The new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment delivered by the SNP Government will help over a million pensioners in Scotland with their heating costs, including thousands across Edinburgh.

“The SNP Government is committed to helping the most vulnerable through the difficult winter period – but it is vital people make their views known of how this payment can best be delivered. 

“Since setting up a devolved social security system with compassion, fairness, and respect at its core – 13 benefits, of which 7 are unique to Scotland, have been established. 

“Social Security Scotland is set to deliver £5.3 billion in devolved benefits in 2023-24 alone, supporting over 1.2 million peopleas the SNP continues to deliver every day for the people of Scotland.”

Consultation can be completed here: Pension Age Winter Heating Payment – Scottish Government consultations – Citizen Space

94% of Edinburgh school leavers are in positive destinations

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has welcomed new figures that show 94% of school leavers across Edinburgh are in positive destinations nine months after finishing school.

Across Scotland, the proportion of school leavers in the 2021/22 cohort accessing further or higher education, employment, training or an apprenticeship nine months after leaving school is at its highest since records began. The number of school leavers in work has also reached a record high of 31.8%.

This year has also seen a reduction in the poverty related attainment gap, with the gap between young people from the most and least deprived areas across Scotland in work, training or further study narrowing to a record low of seven percentage points – down from 18.7 percentage points in 2009-10.

Commenting, Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “Despite the challenges of the pandemic and the impact of the ongoing Tory cost of living crisis, young people across Edinburgh are continuing to achieve and excel, and I welcome that 94% have went on to secure work, further education or a training post nine months after leaving schools.

“These encouraging numbers are testament to the hard work and commitment of our young people, teachers and parents – and show that this Scottish Government is delivering on its education commitments and closing the attainment gap.

“Much progress has been made in Scotland to increase opportunities for young people, but the only way to properly tackle the poverty related attainment gap is to tackle poverty – which will always be impossible under this Tory UK government, and their punitive austerity measures.

“Scotland needs independence now, so that it can have the full powers at its disposal to properly address poverty and continue to support young people across the city to thrive.”

YearLA codeLA NameNumber of leaversPositive DestinationPercentage %
2021/22100Aberdeen City1,7911,62791%
2021/22110Aberdeenshire2,8032,63094%
2021/22120Angus1,3101,21493%
2021/22130Argyll & Bute83678894%
2021/22150Clackmannanshire54247688%
2021/22170Dumfries & Galloway1,6421,53293%
2021/22180Dundee City1,3891,27292%
2021/22190East Ayrshire1,2971,20493%
2021/22200East Dunbartonshire1,4271,39598%
2021/22210East Lothian1,1021,04295%
2021/22220East Renfrewshire1,4281,39297%
2021/22230Edinburgh, City of3,5873,37994%
2021/22235Na h-Eileanan Siar26725796%
2021/22240Falkirk1,7001,57693%
2021/22250Fife4,0793,75892%
2021/22260Glasgow City4,9764,71695%
2021/22270Highland2,5542,38493%
2021/22280Inverclyde83576792%
2021/22290Midlothian1,0841,02094%
2021/22300Moray96090394%
2021/22310North Ayrshire1,5141,41093%
2021/22320North Lanarkshire3,9033,58592%
2021/22330Orkney Islands213[c]
2021/22340Perth & Kinross1,4601,38495%
2021/22350Renfrewshire1,9071,75192%
2021/22355Scottish Borders1,2461,18795%
2021/22360Shetland Islands25924695%
2021/22370South Ayrshire1,1761,14097%
2021/22380South Lanarkshire3,4413,24394%
2021/22390Stirling1,1401,06994%
2021/22395West Dunbartonshire98087789%
2021/22400West Lothian2,1822,01192%

Record number of school leavers in work, training or study – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald welcomes £50 boost to around 27,500 households in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon Macdonald has welcomed the news that around 27,500 households across Edinburgh will receive an automatic £50 from the Scottish Government’s new Winter Heating Payment in the coming few weeks regardless of the weather conditions.

The new payment replaces the Cold Weather Payment – a Westminster benefit administered by the DWP – that only paid out when the temperature in Edinburgh fell far enough for an extended period.

This meant many areas across Scotland missed out on any help at all from one year to the next because it was just not cold enough for long enough.

In contrast, the new £50 Scottish payment is guaranteed to be paid to every eligible household regardless of what the weather is like.

Earlier this week, the SNP Scottish Government received the data needed from the DWP to identify everyone in Scotland who is eligible. That data is now going through a quality assurance process to make sure all payments are paid safely and securely.

And the money will be delivered to eligible households later this month and next.

Commenting Mr Macdonald said: “This really is a massive improvement for around 27,500 hard-pressed households across Edinburgh.

“We have replaced the old Westminster payment – which only paid out when the temperature plunged for a sustained period – with a new Scottish payment that is reliable because it is guaranteed every year and does not depend on the temperature turning Baltic.

“It means those in need will get the much-needed extra cash this month or next without having to shiver away at home while hoping the weather stays cold long enough to trigger a payment.

“Last winter, no cold weather payments were made across whole swathes of the country. In total, only 11,000 people in the whole of the country received the cash from Westminster. This year, because of the SNP Scottish Government, around 27,500 households across Edinburgh alone will get an extra £50 to help with the Tory cost-of-living crisis.

“And the total amount paid out by Westminster also varied enormously from year to year. Between 2015 and 2022, an average of only £8.3million was given out in Scotland to an average of 185,000 households.

“The new Scottish benefit will see £20million put into the pockets of 415,000 households in the next few weeks.

“That means around 27,500 households in Edinburgh are guaranteed to receive £50 to help with their bills – regardless of how cold it is.”