Tag: Politics

Lorna Slater joins Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Green candidate campaign launch

Scottish Green co-leader and Lothian MSP, Lorna Slater joined Edinburgh East and Musselburgh candidate Amanda Grimm for her election campaign launch at Portobello Promenade today.

The launch took with Lorna Slater, Amanda Grimm and local members at Straiton Place Park on Portobello Promenade.

Amanda lives and works in the constituency as a researcher at the Scottish Parliament. She has also worked in the culture sector and was a professional ballet dancer in Washington DC before moving to Edinburgh in 2007.

Lorna Slater said: “I’m really pleased to be supporting Amanda. She is a really excellent candidate and would be a fantastic voice for people in Edinburgh East and Musselburgh.

“I’ve known Amanda for years. She is grounded in her community, and would bring so much to Westminster. I have seen first hand how committed she is to her work and her values. She has a real interest in expertise in what is happening locally and around the world.

“I wish Amanda every success and will be working hard to get the highest vote possible for her campaign.”

Speaking ahead of her campaign launch, Amanda said: “I’m delighted to launch my campaign today as the Scottish Greens candidate for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh.

“We need real change at Westminster. 14 years of Tory austerity has worsened inequality and brought our public sector to its knees. Labour promises little change, even refusing to cap bankers’ bonuses.

“Different choices are possible. While the Scottish Greens were in government we doubled the child payment to support thousands of families, made bus travel free for everyone under 22 and secured record investment in nature and green jobs.

“We are the only party that is serious about tackling the climate emergency. Voting Green will send a strong message to Westminster: voters want real action on climate, not empty promises and U-turns.”

Michael Davidson launches campaign to be first ever Labour MP for Edinburgh West

Scottish Labour candidate Michael Davidson has vowed to put Labour on the map in Edinburgh West as he kicked off his general election campaign at the Corstorphine Fair yesterday.

Michael, 28, is a fresh face for the constituency, having never stood for election before and has been a Labour Party member for five years. 

Working in the energy sector, Michael has seen the devastating impact the cost of living crisis has had on people across the country. 

That’s why Michael is committed to Labour’s GB Energy policy, a publicly owned clean power company, headquartered in Scotland to cut bills for good and create jobs.

Scottish Labour is campaigning to win in Edinburgh West, a seat that has been dominated by the Liberal Democrats previously. 

Michael’s campaign will focus on building the Labour vote in the constituency and delivering the party’s plan to deliver the change that Scotland needs after nearly two decades of decline at the hands of the Tories in Westminster and the SNP in Holyrood.

Michael said: “I am proud to launch my campaign to be the Scottish Labour MP for Edinburgh West. I have lived in this constituency for most of my life and I’ve seen the difference a Labour government has made here previously. I went to a great school with brilliant teachers and small class sizes. 

“There is no denying this area is an affluent area but there are parts of our constituency in desperate need of investment. 

“That Blackhall Library remains closed, with no sign of re-opening any time soon, is a scandal and I will be campaigning for action on the issue.

“We have had a brilliant turn out of activists today who say they’ve been re-energised. We’ve spoken to Edinburgh West residents crying out for change because they know that the Lib Dems and the SNP have nothing to offer here.

“We’re not just sending a message, we want to send a Labour government because only Labour can bring about the change we need.”

Anas Sarwar, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, said: “The people of Scotland and the UK are desperate for an election and desperate for change.

“After 14 years of Tory chaos and failure, this is an opportunity that we cannot afford to miss. Scotland is crying out for change and that change is only possible with a Labour government led by Keir Starmer that is on the side of working people.

“Voting Scottish Labour means booting out this rotten Tory government, maximising Scotland’s influence with Scottish Labour MPs in government and delivering the change that Scotland needs. It’s time for change and Labour is ready to deliver it.”

Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, said:“This is a chance to change Edinburgh West with Labour. Over the course of the last four years, we have changed the Labour Party and returned it once more to the service of working people.

“All we ask now, humbly, is to do exactly the same for our country. A vote for Labour is a vote for economic and political stability, an end to Conservative chaos, and a to deliver the change that Scotland needs.”

Asylum accommodation and Rwanda: Little to show for money spent so far, PAC report finds

Westminster’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has published its report scrutinising asylum accommodation and the UK-Rwanda Partnership.

The report finds that, despite the Home Office committing significant sums of money to the Rwanda partnership and its large accommodation sites, there is little to show for the money spent so far.

Questions also remain as to what will happen to the more than 50,000 people left in limbo by the system – people who are living in the UK, with no ability to claim asylum, who are officially “pending relocation”.

On asylum accommodation, the report welcomes Government’s progress in closing asylum hotels in communities.

However, the report finds the Home Office’s assessment of the requirements for setting up alternative accommodation in large sites fell woefully short of reality and risked wasting taxpayers’ money, while the new sites will not house anywhere near as many people as initially expected, exacerbating existing accommodation issues.

Politicians must urgently address “relentless reality” of hardship as 7 million households continue to go without essentials

📢 All political parties must explain how they will urgently tackle hardship this #GeneralElection, says the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. .

The latest findings from our cost-of-living survey, out today, found the number of households going without essentials hasn’t dropped below 7 million since May 2022. This is unacceptable.

Millions of low-income households are having to take drastic measures to cope with a crisis that is far from over:

-1.6 million households turned off their fridge or freezer

– 4.9 million households couldn’t replace worn out clothing

– 5 million households reduced showers

Meanwhile, party leaders remain silent on what they would do to address this in power. This should bring shame to a country as wealthy as ours.

🗳 Politicians must set out how they will bring an end to this relentless hardship. They need to tell us their immediate plan to help families who can’t afford life’s essentials – as well as their long-term strategy to tackle poverty.

Find out more about the relentless reality of years-long hardship for low-income families, here:

New research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) shows the relentless reality of years-long hardship for low-income families, with almost 5 million households finding themselves having to cut back on showers.

Those on the lowest incomes, over 5 million households, have continued to go hungry, skip meals and cut back on food. 

Carried out immediately before the general election was called, the latest data shows the number of low-income households who are going without essentials like food, adequate clothing and a warm home hasn’t fallen below 7 million since May 2022.

JRF is calling on the politicians to set out their plans to tackle ongoing hardship. It found the bottom 20% of low-income households are facing levels of hardship that refuse to budge and whose situation is no better compared to last year, despite some improvements to the economic situation for families higher up the income scale.  

Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) finds that: 

  • 7 million low-income households (60%) were going without essentials in May this year. [3] [4] 
  • 5 million low-income households (42%) took fewer showers or baths due to cost during the cost-of-living crisis so far. 
  • 7 in 10 (71%) low-income households in the bottom 20% were going without essentials in May this year, the same as May last year.  

Families on low incomes say they are still taking the same drastic measures to try and save money that were widely reported at the height of the cost-of-living crisis.  

In May 2024, low-income households reported that they had taken the following measures through the cost-of-living crisis to cope, due to cost:  

  • 4.9 million couldn’t replace worn out or outgrown clothing (42%) 
  • 3.7 million sold their belongings (32%) 
  • 1.6 million turned off their fridge or freezer (13%) 
  • 6.8 million reduced their use of appliances (58%) 
  • 7.2 million heated their homes less than they needed to or less often (62%) 

Those with the least are struggling the most, with levels of hardship staying at stubbornly high levels. In the last 12 months, the proportion of households going hungry, cutting down on food or skipping meals in the previous 30 days has not budged for those in the bottom 20% of incomes. But there is a slight improvement for those in the bottom 20-40% of incomes. [5] 

Our social security system should act as a safety net for families who’ve fallen on hard times. However, 86% of low-income households who received Universal Credit were going without the essentials in May this year.

Rachelle Earwaker, Senior Economist at JRF, says: “The number of low-income families in our country who’ve been forced to choose which essentials to go without because they can’t afford them hasn’t fallen below seven million since May 2022. Despite inflation falling there has been no let up for the poorest families, who are just as likely to be going without food as last year.” 

“We need our politicians to set out how they will bring an end to this relentless reality of hardship in the general election campaign.

“Political leaders need to tell us what they will do straight away to help families who can’t afford life’s essentials, as well as their long-term plans to tackle poverty.”  

Scottish Hindu Foundation hosts inaugural ‘Dharmocracy Works’ event

The Scottish Hindu Foundation held its inaugural ‘Dharmocracy Works’ event on May 25, 2024, at The Fred Paton Centre in Glasgow. The event aimed to engage and inspire Scottish Hindu youth to understand and actively participate in the political system.

The well-attended event featured representatives from all the major political parties, including:

  • Alison Thewliss, MP and candidate from the Glasgow Central region-Scottish National Party
  • Paul Sweeney MSP from Glasgow Region-Labour
  • Pam Gosal MSP from the West of Scotland Region and Deputy of the Scottish Conservative Party
  • Susan Murray, Councillor and MP candidate for Mid Dunbartonshire from the Liberal Democrats
  • Naveed Asghar, MP candidate for Glasgow North and Chairman from the Conservatives
  • Abdul Bostani a former refugee and councillor  from the Maryhill ward from SNP

Youth Engagement and Insights

The program kicked off with introductions and an interactive session where questions by young members of the community were posed to the panel of politicians. young aspirant Shreya Deshpande [12] asked if they had always wanted to go into politics or had other career aspirations. The panellists shared how most grew into politics after time in either the private sector or through the ranks of their respective parties.

The second question posed concerned professional skills gained in their time in politics, the politicians uniformly agreed on  – listening skills and problem-solving abilities. 

The third question that was selected for the Panel requested insights for the next five years on the Scottish economy, expected to be a central issue following the recently called general election on July 4th 2024.

Alison Thewlis shared her vision on how future industries will be connected to the environment whilst Paul Sweeny offered an integrated example referencing the Beatles record label also being an investor in Medical Technology leading to breakthroughs in CT Scans.

Mr Bostani said Scotland’s inability to borrow means we can’t put money back into the economy as we should. Naveed Asghar raised his concern on rising taxes in Scotland and supporting the best of existing industries, health care etc and ensuring that higher professional earners are not de-incentivised from staying in Scotland due to punitive taxes.

This must be controlled to make Scotland more lucrative for people to move. Pam Gosal talked about how AI as an industry can fuel growth.

All the panellists concurred that Scotland had a pivotal role to play and the next generation is capable of thriving and succeeding.

Keynote Address:

Dhrishti Bhardwaj [17], the first elected Hindu MSYP (Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament) from Dumbarton and the Vale, shared her inspiring journey into politics.

Driven by a desire to explore her Hindu and Scottish roots and a passion for public service, she gained experience with more than ten organisations and charities, from food banks to youth groups and work experience with MSP Jackie Baillie.

Importance of Hindu Representation

Dhrishti emphasised the crucial need for Hindu representation to ensure their voices and needs are considered in politics.

She highlighted the difference Scottish Hindus could make by being involved and the pride they would feel through participation. She also highlighted that professional career and politics are not mutually exclusive and can be balanced efficiently.

As the only Hindu MYSP, she proved it is possible despite the underrepresentation of Hindus in the political system. Hindu youth can make strides over the coming generations and represent the best of both Scotland and the Hindu Community. 

Closing Remarks: “Dharmocracy” Concept and Voter Registration Drive

Dr. Yatish Rangappa, the Scottish Hindu Foundation’s Public Relations Officer, explained the unique ‘Dharmocracy’ concept, a compound word combining ‘Dharma’ (righteousness, truth and Justice) and ‘Democracy.’

Dr Richa Sinha, Chairperson of the Scottish Hindu Foundation, shared insights on future Dharmocracy Works engagements planned across various cities due to significant community interest.

She also highlighted their “Register to Vote” campaign to ensure Hindus, including those new to Scotland from Commonwealth countries and a large number of Indian students coming to Scotland, are registered for the upcoming July 4th elections. 

The event concluded with a networking session over chai and samosas, allowing youth to interact informally with various party leaders. Some youth were even roped in for campaigning!

*Scottish Hindu Foundation is the official representative body of Hindus with All Scottish Mandirs part of it.

Holyrood passes Visitor Levy Bill

TOURIST TAX: Local authorities empowered to invest in tourism

MSPs have backed legislation giving councils a new power to introduce a visitor levy that would raise funding for local visitor facilities and services.

The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill will enable local authorities to apply a levy on overnight stays with all money raised to be reinvested in services and facilities largely used by tourists and business visitors. Similar levies already apply in tourist destinations across Europe, including Amsterdam and Berlin as well as in countries outside of Europe, such as Canada.

Councils that want to introduce a visitor levy will be able to do so after they have consulted with local communities, businesses and tourism organisations.

An 18-month implementation period will then apply before any local authorities can introduce a visitor levy scheme in their area. This is to provide adequate time for councils and businesses to put in place the systems needed to collect and administer a levy.

An expert group of representatives from the tourism industry, COSLA and other partners will continue to work together to produce guidance for local authorities putting in place a visitor levy scheme.

Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: “We share a vision with the tourism industry for Scotland to be a global leader in tourism and one of the most economically, environmentally and socially sustainable destinations in the world.

“A visitor levy can help achieve that vision by empowering councils to raise funding, if they wish to do so, that can be invested in local visitor services and activities.

“This Bill has been a clear example of partnership working between the Scottish Government, local authorities and the tourism industry, in line with the New Deal for Local Government and New Deal for Business.

“We have sought to deliver as much flexibility to local authorities as possible and to listen to businesses to make it as easy as possible for them to adopt these measures.”

Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson, said: “I am extremely pleased that the Visitor Levy Bill has now passed through stage 3 in Parliament. With the introduction of these new Visitor Levy powers, councils across Scotland will have the ability to use a discretionary mechanism, that is firmly based on local flexibility.

“The opportunity of these new powers recognise the great diversity of Scotland’s communities, acknowledging that a one-size-fits all approach does not work. It will allow councils to respond to the needs and circumstances of both the local communities and our important visitor economies.

“The revenue raised through the introduction of visitor levy powers will be to the mutual benefit of residents, tourists and businesses. There will be opportunities for much-needed additional investment, potentially available across a range of facilities and services, from transport and culture to maintaining and improving our world-famous natural heritage and environment.

“The visitor levy is a crucial step towards greater empowerment for local government, and we will continue to progress joint work with the Scottish Government in ensuring the smooth progression of these powers into the hands of councils across Scotland.”

Council Leader Cammy Day has welcomed the Scottish Parliament’s decision to pass the Visitor Levy Bill.

He said: “We will continue to work closely with the sector, @VisitScotland and other partners to develop the scheme in the months and years ahead.”

Former Edinburgh city council leader SNP Cllr Adam Nols-McVey said: “Delighted to see this pass! It took a great deal of work, determination, engagement & collaboration when I led this process & changed @scotgov policy.

“The tourist tax can create investment for Edinburgh to help communities & local businesses thrive!”

The earliest a visitor levy could come into force would be spring 2026.

Delivering the best start in life

Over £829 million in social security payments providing boost for families 

The families of more than 329,000 children under 16 are benefitting from Scottish Child Payment, latest statistics show. 

The weekly payment of £26.70, which is unique to Scotland, is helping families with the cost of living crisis, with over £677 million paid since the payment launched.

Scottish Child Payment is part of a wider package of payments – including the three Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods – which together have provided over £829 million in vital financial support at key stages of a child’s life.

There is no cap on the number of children in one family who can receive these payments.

In a survey, also released today, the majority of families said that the payments helped their child to take part in social or educational opportunities and also helped them buy milk and healthy food for their children.

Survey responses also suggest that families are finding it straightforward to apply with more than 90% of people noting the application was clear and did not take too long to complete.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “As the First Minister has set out, eradicating child poverty is the number one priority for the Scottish Government.

“Scottish Child Payment plays a key part in that mission. Together with our Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods payments, this package of financial support, which is worth almost £25,000 per child by the time their child turns 16, is helping to make sure all children in Scotland get the best start in life.

“We have provided over £829 million to help people raise their families, putting money into the pockets of people who need it most.

“This crucial cash is available as soon expectant parents know they are pregnant all the way through to their child starting nursery, then going to primary and secondary school and helps them cover costs of caring for their children.

“We know from our recent research that families say the application process is clear and doesn’t take too long to apply. So I would urge families to apply for our package of five family payments and get the money they are entitled to.”

Whistleblowing: Committee calls for civil service cultural change to create ‘speak up’ environment

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has published its report scrutinising whistleblowing in the civil service.

The report finds that it is clear the civil service has more to do to promote a culture supportive to whistleblowing, and calls for a cultural change to raise awareness and provide assurance on whistleblowing processes and create a ‘speak up’ environment.

Following the PAC’s findings in 2016 of disappointing progress from Government in improving whistleblowing arrangements, Saturday’s report finds that the Cabinet Office is still missing key metrics on whistleblowing concerns across the civil service, and lacks assurance over the completeness and consistency of data being reported by departments.

Stronger guidance and controls needed to protect children from screen time, says Westminster report

For young children, the benefits of screen time are significantly outweighed by the risks, a report by Westminster’s Education Committee has found.

The committee has published its report “Screen time: impacts on education and wellbeing”. 

There has been a 52% increase in children’s screen time between 2020 and 2022; nearly 25% of children and young people use their smartphones in a way that is consistent with a behavioural addiction.  

Screen use has been found to start as early as six months of age. One in five children aged between three and four years old have their own mobile phone, increasing to one in four children by age eight and to almost all children by age 12. The amount of time those aged 5–15 years old spent online rose from an average of nine hours per week in 2009, to 15 hours per week in 2018.  

As well as harms to mental and physical health, screen time can disrupt pupils’ learning both at home and in the classroom, as it can take up to 20 minutes for pupils to refocus on what they were learning after engaging in a non-academic activity such as browsing the internet or noticing a notification on their phone.             

 The report strongly supports the tougher guidance on keeping phones out of the classroom and breaktimes that the Department recently issued. However, the Committee heard mixed evidence on how well taken up this will be, we therefore recommend formal monitoring and evaluation of this approach by the next Government with the possibility of a statutory ban if needed.  

The Committee also concludes that screen time should be minimal for younger children and better balanced with face-to-face socialisation and physical activity for older ones.  

Parents need clear guidance from Government on managing children’s screen time, and in particular advice to parents of babies and young children should be revised to ensure it gives sufficient attention to face-to-face interaction and warns of the risks of screen time in reducing opportunities for this. 

While the Online Safety Act 2023 will undoubtably play a role in keeping children safe from online harms, the Committee is concerned that children will not feel the full protections of the Act until implementation is completed in 2026.   

79% of children have encountered violent pornography before the age of 18, with the average age that children first see pornography being 13 years old. Some 81% of girls aged 7-21 have experienced some form of threatening or upsetting behaviour, and online sexual crimes committed against children online has risen by 400% since 2013. 

One in five children (19%) aged 10-15 experienced at least one type of bullying behaviour online, and out of them, around three-quarters (72%) said they experienced at least some of it at school or during school time. 

It is clear that the entire system surrounding the digital age of consent and how it is verified is not fit for purpose. The Committee heard no evidence to suggest that 13 is an appropriate age for children to understand the implications of allowing platforms access to their personal data online.

Yet even with the digital age of consent currently formally set at the lowest possible level, it is widely ignored and not effectively enforced. This must change urgently. The next Government should consult on raising the age of digital consent and should recommend 16 as a more appropriate age.  

The report also calls for the level of digital age of consent to be effectively enforced. The Online Safety Act 2023 allows for substantial fines or even imprisonment for executives of companies who breach its rules, and the Government should consider how this approach can be applied to social media companies who knowingly breach age verification requirements and expose children to addictive content which is not appropriate for them. 

Within the first year of the new Parliament, the next Government should work alongside Ofcom to consult on additional measures regarding smartphones for children under 16 years old, including the possibility of a total ban of smartphones (internet-enabled phones) for children under 16 or parental controls installed as default on phones for under 16s.  

The next Government should work with mobile phone companies and network operators to promote children’s phones, a class of phone which can be used for contact and GPS location but not access to the internet or downloading apps.

Chair of the Education Committee, Robin Walker MP, said: “Excessive screen and smartphone use has a clear negative impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of children and young people. Our inquiry heard shocking statistics on the extent of the damage being done to under-18s, particularly those who are already extremely vulnerable, such as those in care.  

“Without urgent action, more children will be put in harm’s way. From exposure to pornography, to criminal gangs using online platforms to recruit children, the online world poses serious dangers.

“Parents and schools face an uphill struggle and Government must do more to help them meet this challenge. This might require radical steps, such as potentially a ban on smartphones for under-16s.  

“Our report found that digital age of consent checks are not fit for purpose. We heard no evidence demonstrating that thirteen-year-olds understood the ramifications of sharing personal information online and today’s report urges the Government to increase this age to sixteen.  

“It’s also clear that children require face-to-face and in-person social contact in order to thrive. Our report found that screen time is inversely associated with working memory, processing, attention levels, language skills and executive function.  

“Whilst there can be some benefits from the online world and sharing information or interests with their peers, ready, unsupervised and unrestricted access to the internet leaves children vulnerable, exposing them to a world they are not equipped for. Their safeguarding and protection must be our priority.”

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