Edinburgh Council is set to receive a significant funding boost as a result of this year’s SNP Scottish Government budget – with local services in Edinburgh benefiting from an extra £16.5 million, says local SNP MSP Ben Macpherson, Continue reading Budget is a fair deal for Edinburgh, says local MSP
A bus emblazoned with ‘Brexit to cost £2,000 million a week” is to visit Scotland on Saturday (24 February) as part of a 33 stop national tour. Continue reading Brexit: Is it worth it? – Remain campaign battle bus to visit Edinburgh
Integration initiative delayed indefinitely
The Joint Programme Board overseeing the integration of British Transport Police (BTP) in Scotland into Police Scotland has agreed to review the timetable. A longer timetable will allow for enhanced engagement with officers, staff and their representatives on key issues, including pay and conditions. Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has expressed disappointment at the delay, but the news has been welcomed by opposition parties at Holyrood. Continue reading Transport Police plan hits the buffers
Another £3 million to be cut – but Council Tax set to rise again
“That’s the real effect of cuts. In local government, you cut the people, you cut a service.”
Council tax will go up and leisure services will be cut under the city city council’s budget proposals for the coming year. The SNP – Labour ‘Capital Coalition’ administration says no jobs will be lost, but service cuts are inevitable despite a better than expected Scottish Government settlement. Trade unions say council services are being ‘silently slaughtered’ and year on year cuts threaten the council’s ability to meet its statutory duties. Continue reading Silent Slaughter: Capital braced for more council cuts
Scottish Green MSP Andy Wightman, whose Homes First campaign aims to regulate the rapid growth of the short-term letting sector, today published examples of legislative change to show how the Scottish Government could help local Councils tackle the problem. Continue reading Short Term Lets: Wightman publishes legislation options to tackle problem
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
Conservative health spokesperson Miles Briggs has called for a more structured diabetes education programme across the country and is urging the Scottish Government to take a lead. Continue reading Briggs calls for structured diabetes education
The Royal Bank of Scotland “has listened and engaged with customers, communities and elected representatives from all parties” and will now keep ten branches open – at least until the end of the year. Continue reading Stay of execution for bank branches
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
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
