Tag: Holyrood

Justice Committee questions use of remand in Scotland

Holyrood’s Justice Committee has found that the proportion of remand prisoners in Scotland is high. This is particularly true amongst female prisoners, where remand prisoners account for almost a quarter of the total female prison population. Continue reading Justice Committee questions use of remand in Scotland

Prime Minister sets out five year funding plan for NHS

Scottish Government seeks guarantees

  • NHS will receive an average 3.4 per cent a year real-terms increase in funding over the next 5 years
  • increased funding will support a new 10-year long-term plan the NHS will bring forward
  • the long-term plan will help the NHS tackle waste and improve services.

Continue reading Prime Minister sets out five year funding plan for NHS

Holyrood Committee to investigate Social Security and in-work poverty

The social security benefits available to people who are in-work but struggling on low incomes is to be the focus of an inquiry by Holyrood’s Social Security Committee. MSPs want to understand if our social security systems are doing enough to help people get out of poverty. Continue reading Holyrood Committee to investigate Social Security and in-work poverty

Tories demand action on Lothian orthopaedic ‘crisis’

Health Minister in ‘cloud-cuckoo land’

Last week at First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) Miles Briggs challenged the First Minister to apologise to Lothian patients who are facing waits of up to 45 weeks for initial orthopaedic appointments.   Continue reading Tories demand action on Lothian orthopaedic ‘crisis’

Creative Scotland must urgently address its failings, says Holyrood Committee

Creative Scotland must urgently address its strategic failings following a catalogue of criticism from Scotland’s creative sector, says Holyrood’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee. Continue reading Creative Scotland must urgently address its failings, says Holyrood Committee

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