Tag: Holyrood

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.”

Committee welcomes Crown Estate Bill

A Holyrood Committee has welcomed the Scottish Crown Estate Bill in a new report, while also suggesting ways it could be strengthened. The Scottish Parliament’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee made a series of recommendations followings its examination of the Scottish Crown Estate Bill. Continue reading Committee welcomes Crown Estate Bill

Best of the press at Holyrood in August

The aftermath of an attack that shook the heart of London; a rioter on fire running from police in Venezuela; a young boy being pulled alive from rubble in Mosul and concertgoers hiding from a gunman at a country music festival in Las Vegas … these are just some of the powerful images that will be on display in a free exhibition at the Scottish Parliament, as part of World Press Photo Exhibition 2018 from Wednesday 1 August – Saturday 25 August.

Continue reading Best of the press at Holyrood in August

Supporting our small businesses: Holyrood Committee launches survey

Is enough being done to support Scotland’s local businesses? A new inquiry by the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee will explore just this.

Continue reading Supporting our small businesses: Holyrood Committee launches survey

Minister is causing confusion over new homes promise, say Greens

A Green MSP is challenging the Scottish Government’s housing minister to clarify if the government still plans to build 50,000 new, affordable homes, as promised in its election manifesto. Kevin Stewart wrongly told a Holyrood committee yesterday that his party had only pledged to “deliver” 50,000 affordable homes. Continue reading Minister is causing confusion over new homes promise, say Greens