Tag: Michael Matheson

Edinburgh MSPs unite to demand funding for new Edinburgh Eye Pavilion Hospital

A cross-party group of Edinburgh MSPs have come together to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Michael Matheson, highlighting the urgent need to fund a new Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh.

MSPs representing Scottish Labour, Scottish Conservatives, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Alba, and the Scottish National Party have all co-signed the letter, in the run up to the capital spending allocation.

This letter reflects the strength of feeling of residents, right across Edinburgh towards the need for a new Eye Hospital in the city.

MSPs request Michael Matheson set out a clear timetable for the construction of a new Edinburgh Eye Hospital, after the current Eye Pavilion was declared not fit for purpose in 2014.

The MSPs have also called on Michael Matheson to consult with patients, visual impairment charities and elected representatives to achieve the best outcomes possible for Edinburgh and Lothian Residents.

The joint-letter follows a meeting of Edinburgh MSPs, Sight Scotland, Visibility Scotland and RNIB, at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 30th November, to discuss the situation in the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.

During the meeting, MSPs heard moving testimonies from patients and staff about the dire state of current facilities and why a new hospital is so vital going forward.

All parties involved emphasised that continuing to rely on the current Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion is not sustainable and will lead to deteriorating outcomes for patients and staff.

The MSPs who signed the joint letter are Sarah Boyack, Daniel Johnson, Foysol Choudhury, Miles Briggs, Jeremy Balfour, Ben Macpherson, Sue Webber, Alex Cole-Hamilton and Ash Regan.

The MSPs in attendance at the breakfast briefing were Sarah Boyack, Daniel Johnson, Miles Briggs, Ben Macpherson, Sue Webber. Alison Johnstone and Jeremy Balfour sent staff members, as they had previous engagements.

Commenting on the letter, Sarah Boyack said: “I am glad that MSPs across Edinburgh were able to come together to campaign for such a vital project.

“None of our constituents deserve to be relying on facilities that have been designated not fit for purpose, for over a decade.

“Michael Matheson needs to take note of the strength of feeling for this project – delivering the new Eye Pavilion is a priority for Edinburgh Residents 

“As Edinburgh MSPs, we will continue to work together to ensure the best outcome for our constituents, and the city.”

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Holyrood publishes data charges bill

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has instructed Holyrood officials to conduct an urgent review of the Scottish Parliament’s policies on mobile devices and data roaming charges for MSPs.

The review will include options on disabling sim cards, a mandatory opt-in to data roaming bundles, and personal liability for MSPs where Parliament’s procedures have not been followed.

The Parliament has also published the full billing it holds for Michael Matheson’s data charges incurred while in Morocco.

Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: “Following a meeting of the SPCB on Tuesday afternoon, officials have been instructed to carry out an urgent review of the Parliament’s policies and procedures around mobile device use and data roaming charges, and how these are handled.

“This is an issue which I and the SPCB take very seriously. We must be in a position where we have reviewed and tightened all policies to ensure the present situation cannot happen again.

“The policy review will also set out the circumstances, and cost thresholds, for ‘out of the ordinary’ bills to be escalated to the SPCB for explicit sign off.  This will ensure full transparency and full accountability. It is vital that we have every confidence in the expenses scheme and that its integrity is maintained.” 

On Michael Matheson’s data charges, the Presiding Officer said: “The Member himself has acknowledged he failed to update his sim card and incurred significant charges, which he has now agreed to meet in full. 

“The review will give officials and the SPCB greater ability to intervene where Members have not followed guidance. 

“The SPCB recognises that Members are the elected representatives of their constituents and privacy and confidentiality is fundamental to that relationship.”  

The expenses scheme operates on trust, transparency and assurances from Members. The SPCB is satisfied that appropriate due diligence checks were carried out on Mr Matheson’s ipad and his billing charges – and that written assurances were sought and received that all use was for parliamentary purposes.

The SPCB is satisfied that the checks carried out by officials on Mr Matheson’s ipad struck the necessary balance between confidentiality and due diligence.

Mr Matheson’s data charges bill is available on the Parliament’s FOI disclosure log.

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A Budget to support a greener Scotland

Scotland’s Budget will deliver record levels of investment in tackling the climate emergency – helping to protect and restore the natural environment, and slash emissions from homes, industries and transport.

The 2022-23 budget provides more than £2 billion for measures that will accelerate a just transition to  a Scotland which leads the way in ending climate change.

This includes:

  • £53 million to protect and restore the natural environment, including peatlands, and a further £69.5 million to create and sustain woodlands;
  • £336 million invested in energy efficiency and low carbon and renewable heat to deliver warmer, greener homes. This includes £160 million to support those least able to pay for home energy improvements, helping to cut emissions while tackling a major driver of fuel poverty and creating jobs across the country;
  • Investment of £53 million for the energy transition and industrial decarbonisation projects;
  • The first £20 million allocation of the Just Transition Fund for the North East and Moray will be made – with impacted workers playing a key role in deciding how the funds are spent;
  • Almost £1.4 billion will be spent to maintain, improve and decarbonise Scotland’s rail network. Free bus travel for young people will receive £110 million, and £150 million will be invested in active travel, such as walking and cycling. This will support efforts to cut car kilometres by 20% by 2030.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said: “We are playing our part in tackling the global climate emergency head on. This budget carries forward the momentum created by COP26, with record investment in transforming Scotland into a net zero, climate resilient nation.

“We are prioritising investment in the natural environment, including our vital woodlands and peatlands. This is not just good for the planet, it will also support local jobs in the rural economy.

“We are also taking action to make our homes warmer and greener to help reduce emissions, while tackling fuel poverty and creating green jobs.

“The transition to net zero has to be made in a way that is fair and just, with no one left behind. Our Just Transition Fund will give communities impacted by the transition a real say in their future, and create new economic opportunities in which they can thrive.

“We have set a challenge of reducing the number of kilometres travelled by car in Scotland by 20% by 2030. Achieving this will require a big modal shift in how people travel and a greener, decarbonised public transport network as an attractive alternative.

“That’s why we are prioritising transport spending on public transport and active travel. By investing almost £1.4 billion in 2022-23 to maintain, improve and decarbonise Scotland’s rail network and providing record investment for walking, wheeling and cycling of £150 million next year.

“Bus services and users will benefit from £414 million, which includes £110 million for free concessionary bus travel for young people aged under 22, helping to establish and embed positive sustainable travel habits among our younger generations.”

Let’s do Net Zero!

Scottish Government launches climate campaign

A major TV, radio and digital campaign to encourage people across Scotland to come together to tackle the climate emergency has been launched ahead of COP26 in Glasgow later this year.

The Let’s do Net Zero campaign highlights the benefits a net zero society will bring for our economy, health and environment.

It also aims to raise greater awareness of the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, and the transformation that is required across all corners of our economy and society in order to end Scotland’s contribution to climate change.

The domestic campaign will provide information and resources to help support the choices and decisions we can all take to help reduce emissions whilst improving our health and wellbeing. It will also showcase the achievements of communities, businesses and organisations who have already taken action to reduce emissions and introduce more environmentally sustainable practices.

The international campaign will demonstrate the action that Scotland is taking to protect the planet, inviting global collaboration ahead of COP26.

Figures show that at least three quarters of the Scottish public agree that action on climate change must be taken now, while under a quarter consider themselves knowledgeable about the consequences of failing to act. 

Scotland is already committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 and record capital investment of £1.9 billion will be spent on low-carbon projects in 2021/22 to tackle climate change and create good green jobs.


Launching the campaign, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said: “Scotland was one of the first countries in the world to declare a climate emergency and we are wholly committed to ending our contribution to climate change, definitively, by 2045.

“We can be proud that we have already halved our greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, but the second half of the journey to becoming a net-zero nation will be far more challenging, and require everyone to play their part.

“Climate change is the greatest threat facing the world’s population. It’s not a distant, far away problem: we’re already seeing the impact here in Scotland.

“The journey to net-zero will transform every aspect of our lives: how we live, how we work, how we travel. It presents huge potential for us to seize the opportunities that becoming a net-zero society presents – growing our economy, improving our health and wellbeing whilst protecting and enhancing Scotland’s iconic natural environment. 


“2021 is a vital year for climate action and COP26 in Glasgow puts Scotland centre stage. We’ll demonstrate the climate action Scotland is taking, the ways in which we put people and wellbeing at the heart of all we do, and how our Scottish values underpin our place in the world.

“The time for action is now. It is the people living on this planet, at this moment, who can secure the future of our climate for the next generations.

“This campaign highlights the need for urgent, collective action. If we all play our part in the just transition to net-zero, Scotland can show the rest of the world how it’s done – and ensure our people, businesses and communities are at the forefront of our new green economy.”