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Tag: Holyrood
SSPCA welcomes Holyrood debate on illegal puppy farming
MSP Emma Harper (above, right) is leading a Members’ Business debate at Holyrood today to highlight the practice of illegal puppy trafficking. Continue reading SSPCA welcomes Holyrood debate on illegal puppy farming
City support for Scotland’s Place in Europe
Edinburgh’s SNP politicians have backed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s proposals to keep Scotland in the European Single Market. And if support from her own party isn’t particularly surprising there’s support too from Labour’s former health minister Malcolm Chisholm. Continue reading City support for Scotland’s Place in Europe
MSPs unite to support MND Christmas Marathon
Rob Shorthouse will be runnning a marathon on Christmas Day for MND Scotland to help Gordon Aikman’s Fightback campaign – and he was joined yesterday by MSPs Ben Macpherson (Edinburgh Northern and Leith), Labour leader Kezia Dugdale (Lothians), Alex Cole-Hamliton (Edinburgh Western) and Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson (Edinburgh Central) who have added their support for this cause. Continue reading MSPs unite to support MND Christmas Marathon
A budget for ‘growth and public services’ – or a ‘massive con’?
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has unveiled a ‘budget for growth and public services’ as he announced new investment in healthcare, education and local services, combined with support for jobs through lower business rates. However opposition parties are less than impressed with the SNP plans and it’s likely that the government will have to rely on the support of the Greens to get their budget passed.
Continue reading A budget for ‘growth and public services’ – or a ‘massive con’?
COSLA: give us a break
It’s the blame game. Local government blames Holyrood for cuts to services. Holyrood blames Westminster. Westminster says it’s Holyrood’s fault – and so the cycle goes on. And on. And on. And while the various democratic structures pass the buck, communities continue to suffer – and, as ever, the poorest communities suffer most …
COSLA President Councillor David O’Neill said that Council Leaders had given COSLA a very clear message over the course of the last week that the Scottish Government have to treat local government fairly in tomorrow’s settlement announcement. Continue reading COSLA: give us a break
Local MSP challenges gender stereotyping
Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith has highlighted the need to change the perceptions of gender from a young age. The local MSP was speaking in a parliamentary debate to recognise the start of 16 days of Action to End Violence Against Women and Girls. Continue reading Local MSP challenges gender stereotyping
Fuel Poverty: Greens feel blue over Holyrood vote
Green MSPs expressed disappointment last night after Holyrood’s other main parties voted against proposals to allocate more than the proposed £125 million per year to eradicate fuel poverty.
An amendment from Andy Wightman MSP, housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, aimed to strengthen Labour’s debate motion as it did not call for additional funding. However, SNP, Conservative and Labour MSPs voted it down.
Andy Wightman, housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: “Fuel poverty is a national disgrace with over 800,000 households suffering. The Scottish Government did not meet its target to end fuel poverty by this month and there is broad agreement across the parties that action is needed.
“It was therefore sad to see SNP, Conservative and Labour members voting against the Green proposal to increase funding. When the draft Scottish budget is presented next month, it’s essential we see a firm commitment to increase funding. We need action, not more words.”
Andy Wightman’s amendment:
http://www.parliament.scot/
Holyrood calls for halt to welfare cuts
The UK Government must use the Autumn Statement to reverse its freeze on benefits and the damaging reduction of the benefit cap, and ensure low income families will not face any further welfare cuts Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has said.
He urged the Chancellor to reverse the further lowering of the benefit cap which came into force last week – which the Chartered Institute of Housing’s recent report estimates will affect up to 20,000 children in Scotland, and to reconsider the on-going freeze to working age benefits and cuts to work allowances in Universal Credit.
Mr Mackay also asked for confirmation that the UK Government will not add to the welfare cuts already planned to be imposed on Scotland which are expected to reduce annual spending on social security by around £1 billion by 2020.
Mr Mackay said: “Low income families have faced the brunt of the UK Government’s damaging welfare reform agenda to date so it’s only right that the Chancellor provides some reassurance that they will be protected from further attacks in the Autumn Statement.
“The impact of cuts and changes to benefits over the last few years, alongside a discredited sanctions regime, has widened the poverty gap, left families on low incomes worrying about putting food on the table, heating their homes and paying their bills, and driven the rise in the need for foodbanks.
“With £1 billion expected to be annually cut from benefits by 2020 UK Government policies will plunge significant numbers of households into financial difficulties – the UK Government should recognise it has squeezed enough from the welfare budget and low income families.”
Social Security Secretary Angela Constance added: “We will continue to urge the UK Government to reverse changes to the benefit cap and the on-going freeze to working age benefits as it is harming our poorest households.
“We are already spending £100 million a year in mitigating the worst of the welfare cuts inflicted by the UK Government, including fully protecting people from the bedroom tax. This is money which would be far better spent on lifting people out of poverty.”
Parliamentarians lead the way on youth issues
Last week, MSPs and Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) came together to focus on the views and voices of young people in Scotland. The Parliamentary reception focused on the Scottish Youth Parliament’s 2016-2021 Manifesto, Lead the Way.
Lead the Way is based on the analysis of 72,744 consultation responses from young people all over Scotland, and outlines their views on 54 different issues, everything from climate change to physical assault on children. At the reception, Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, got the opportunity to meet with local MSYP to discuss the issues affecting young people, specifically in the area.
Commenting Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Lucie, Shannon and Eilidh to hear about the great work they are doing to ensure that young people’s voices are heard in Scotland.
“As Scotland continues to move forward, the Scottish Youth Parliament’s work is extremely important to ensure that children and young people are listened to, at every opportunity, as we continue to build a fairer and more inclusive Scotland.”
Pictured: Lucie Duffy MSYP, Shannon Donoghue MSYP, Ben Macpherson MSP and Eilidh MacKay-MSYP