Tag: Holyrood

Extra funding for suicide prevention – but Tories say young people are being let down

Suicide prevention services will benefit from an additional £3 million innovation fund, Mental Health Minister Maureen Watt has announced. Speaking ahead of a debate on mental health yesterday, Ms Watt also confirmed that a new suicide prevention plan would be published before the end of the month. Continue reading Extra funding for suicide prevention – but Tories say young people are being let down

Edinburgh loses £4.1 MILLION because of “toxic Tory” welfare cuts

SNP MSP GORDON MACDONALD DEMANDS DEVOLUTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY POWERS

Freedom of Information figures supplied by the Department for Work and Pensions have shown that Edinburgh has lost out on £4.1M because of Tory cuts to disability benefit. Continue reading Edinburgh loses £4.1 MILLION because of “toxic Tory” welfare cuts

“A dark day for devolution”: SNP fury as Brexit inches closer

The UK took another step closer to the Brexit trapdoor when MPs voted 324 – 298 in favour of the legislation last night. The Westminster government made concessions and has promised parliament a “meaningful vote” on the final deal, ensuring Britain remains on track to leave the EU on 29 March next year. Continue reading “A dark day for devolution”: SNP fury as Brexit inches closer

Green light at last for Frank’s Law

Legislation to implement Frank’s Law in Scotland has been given the green light by MSPs, nearly a year after the campaign was formally launched at Holyrood. It means the new rules – allowing under 65s with conditions like dementia to receive free personal care – will be in place by April next year. Continue reading Green light at last for Frank’s Law

Health and care staffing levels legislation to be examined by Holyrood Committee

Proposals that place a legislative duty on health boards and care service providers to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of qualified staff on duty are to be examined by the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee. Continue reading Health and care staffing levels legislation to be examined by Holyrood Committee

Government is failing children with mental health issues, says Greens

Children with mental health issues are being let down says a Green MSP in response to figures showing three out of ten children are waiting more than 18-weeks for treatment. Alison Johnstone MSP, the Scottish Greens’ health spokesperson, says the figures should convince government ministers to “look beyond” the NHS and include mental health awareness in the school curriculum. Continue reading Government is failing children with mental health issues, says Greens

Wightman challenges First Minister on ‘Tourist Tax’

Scotland’s capital is being denied “normal European city” status due to Scottish Government inaction on visitor levies, according to Scottish Greens local government spokesperson Andy Wightman MSP.

The Lothian MSP used yesterday’s First Minister’s Questions session to urge the Scottish Government to bring forward legislation to give local councils powers that municipalities in other European countries take for granted.

New research compiled by Edinburgh City Council, debated in the city chambers yesterday, says that a Visitor Levy would not deter tourists and could raise up to an extra £29million a year for local services.

Andy Wightman, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, said: “Local government finances are stretched due to our capital city’s status as a tourism magnet but an obvious solution exists and that is to give Edinburgh and Scotland’s other cities and councils the power of a normal European city – the power to levy a visitor charge. A small contribution per person would generate significant funds to maintain and improve local services.

“Such taxes are commonplace in other European cities and countries, including Paris, Rome, Venice, Amsterdam and Berlin. It’s baffling that the Scottish Government continues to drag its feet on this issue, and I will continue to campaign for real local democracy in Scotland.”