Tag: Politics

Local MSPs put politics aside to support Children’s Hospital Charity

Our local MSPs have joined forces to praise the work of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) and have pledged to support its work across Scotland. Acknowledging the vital work of ECHC, Edinburgh Northern & Leith MSP Ben Macpherson and Alex Cole-Hamilton, who represents Edinburgh West, are encouraging their constituents to back the charity and its essential contribution to children’s services across the country. Continue reading Local MSPs put politics aside to support Children’s Hospital Charity

FM announces action to improve women’s representation in politics

Projects to encourage greater representation of women in political roles at all levels of Scottish society are to be backed by a new £500,000 fund. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has set out the measures that will see grants provided for grassroots and local projects across the country to empower more women into politics.  Continue reading FM announces action to improve women’s representation in politics

Greens strengthen Social Security Bill

Scotland’s Social Security Bill will now be enshrined with a commitment to reducing poverty after a Green MSP’s amendment was passed by a committee. Green MSP Alison Johnstone says the commitment to reducing poverty means that Scotland will now be better committed to people in need, taking a different approach from the UK government. Continue reading Greens strengthen Social Security Bill

Short term lets report doesn’t address real issue, say Greens

Andy Wightman MSP, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said a report published yesterday by a Scottish Government expert panel falls short of critically analysing the impact of the collaborative economy on individuals and communities in relation to short-term lets.

The Green MSP is calling for local councils to be given powers to control the rapid growth of short-term lets to ease the pressure on already limited housing stock, and address constituents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour and loss of community.

Research for Mr Wightman’s Homes First campaign shows that many landlords are operating lucrative short-term letting businesses, and many are not paying non-domestic rates, depriving local authorities of funding for local services.

Mr Wightman said: “While the report contains some useful evidence and recommendations, those concerning short-term lets are framed very much by what is in the vested interests of the industry, AirBnB in particular. They fail to properly analyse and come up with proposals for the real problem which is the conversion of homes to commercial enterprises, and they are dominated by proposals to experiment, gather data, and explore viability when what is need is action very soon to stop any further loss of homes and community in Edinburgh.”

Collaborative Economy report

Homeless children figures are national disgrace, says Wightman

Andy Wightman, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said figures released yesterday showing that the number of children living in temporary accommodation has risen by 10 per cent over a year prove that the situation is a “national disgrace”. Continue reading Homeless children figures are national disgrace, says Wightman

Tories are bad for your health, Macpherson warns

Tory tax proposals could mean cuts of up to £74.2M in NHS Lothian, according to new Scottish Government analysis.

With the Scottish Parliament set to vote on Stage 1 of the budget this month, the Tories are proposing tax cuts for high earners that would leave a £500 million hole in the budget. With health receiving the largest share of devolved spending, a £500 million fall in available spending would see the NHS in the firing line – and NHS Lothian could lose up to £74.2M.

SNP MSP Ben Macpherson said: “Under the SNP, the NHS has record staffing and record funding – and the draft Scottish Government budget would see that funding increased. 

“But this investment is only possible because of decisions taken by the Scottish Government, with progressive policies seeing higher earners paying slightly more to support our public services. 

“Ruth Davidson’s Tory tax plans would blow a £500 million hole in the Scottish Government’s budget – this would be another Tory cut to Scotland’s public spending, on top of the £2.6bn of cuts that the Tory UK government are already imposing on Scotland over a decade of Westminster austerity. 

“Scottish Conservative policies would damage public services in our capital city, including cuts to the NHS, and their Tory cuts would be equivalent to cutting 1777 nurses in our region – the Tories should explain why they’d prefer to give a handout to millionaires than to fund our hospitals.” 

 Territorial Board

£501 million reduction

Equivalent number of nurses

£m

Ayrshire and Arran

-37.1

888

Borders

-10.5

251

Dumfries and Galloway

-14.9

356

Fife

-34.1

816

Forth Valley

-27.2

651

Grampian

-49.5

1185

Greater Glasgow & Clyde

-111.9

2680

Highland

-32.3

773

Lanarkshire

-61.9

1482

Lothian

-74.2

1777

Orkney

-2.4

57

Shetland

-2.5

59

Tayside

-39.3

941

Western Isles

-3.3

79

Total

-501.0

12000

 

 

MSPs take Brexit “dismay” to House of Lords

Six senior MSPs representing three Holyrood Committees will attend House of Lords talks today on the EU (Withdrawal) Bill and Brexit. The MSPs will set out significant cross-party concerns over Clause 11 of the Bill and the lack of progress from the UK Government on amending the Bill during its Commons passage. Continue reading MSPs take Brexit “dismay” to House of Lords