Tag: Sarah Boyack MSP

MSP consults on wellbeing and sustainable development bill proposal

Autumn has arrived the the Scottish Parliament with leaves changing from green to gold and the final bits of gardening being done for the year in the landscaped gardens. 18 October 2022. Pic-Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament

A proposal to establish a Commissioner with a remit over wellbeing and sustainable development and to strengthen duties on the public sector has been published in a proposal for a Member’s Bill by Lothian Labour MSP Sarah Boyack, and is now out to public consultation.

Boyack hopes her planned Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Bill proposal will introduce a duty for public bodies to promote these principles and establish a Commissioner for Sustainable and Wellbeing in order to address the devastating consequences of short-termism at both local and global scale.  

The Members Bill proposal comes on the back of calls for a Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill during the Scottish Parliament election by a large number of individuals and organisations. The proposal builds on the 14 recommendations for policy makers published by the Scotland’s International Development Alliance in their report Towards a Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill  and Carnegie UK’s recent Five steps to put wellbeing at the centre of policymaking in Scotland publication.

The proposed Bill seeks to place new definitions of sustainable development and wellbeing into legislation and to bring forward the Scottish equivalent to the Welsh Future Generations Commissioner.

Introducing her consultation, Sarah Boyack said, “The climate emergency demonstrates in real terms the consequences of short-termism. We are now seeing countries that did nothing to aggravate the unfolding environmental catastrophe, bearing the cost for a damage they didn’t cause.

“Future generations in Scotland and across the world will be faced with the results of the actions we take – or not – right here and now. The proposal I am launching today is neither a new nor untested idea. In Wales, the Future Generations Commissioner was established in 2015 and has already made a difference.

“The Scottish Government talks a lot about wellbeing and sustainable development, but it has repeatedly failed to define them, let alone implement them.

“I want to hear from as many people as possible so we can strengthen the legislation currently in place and ensure that Scotland is a country that takes wellbeing and sustainable development seriously both now and for future generation.”

Speaking in support of the proposal; Frances Guy, Chief Executive Officer at Scotland’s International Development Alliance said: “The Alliance is delighted to see the launch of this Members Bill consultation.

“The Bill is an opportunity for Scotland to demonstrate joined-up policymaking, linking global and domestic priorities, alongside human and environmental wellbeing and putting them at the forefront of decision making.  It’s clearer than ever before that our systems are not working for people, or for the planet.

This legislation could trigger a step change in the way decisions are made in Scotland, ensuring sustainable development and wellbeing become the main drivers of policy and practice across public life”.

The Members’ Bill is supported by Carnegie UK, a Dunfermline-based charitable foundation that advocates for putting collective wellbeing at the centre of policymaking.

Sarah Davidson, Chief Executive of Carnegie UK, said: “It is time for Scotland to up the pace on putting wellbeing at the centre of big decisions.

“That means a new commissioner to look after everyone’s interests now and in the future, backed with statutory powers. That means policies and spending-decisions which balance the needs of the economy with other social, environmental, and democratic imperatives. It means longer term thinking, after a decade of crisis management at home and abroad.

“That’s why we’re pleased to see Sarah Boyack’s Members’ Bill and would urge forward-thinking organisations and individuals to get involved in this consultation.”

To see the full proposal and to respond to the consultation please visit https://sarahboyack.com/wellbeing-and-sustainable-development-bill/

Small Business Saturday at Dovecot Studios: At Home with Knitwear

This year’s Small Business Saturday takes place on 3rd December and it is an opportunity to support and promote small businesses in Scotland.

To celebrate Scottish knitwear, Dovecot Studios has invited local designers to take over the pop-up space in-store.

Highlights include Custom Loop, an app developed by Jeni Allison which enables people to personalise knitted scarfs or baby blankets, gansey knits by Di Gilpin, machine knits by Jennifer Kent, and cashmere throws by Kinross-based Todd and Duncan.

Jeni Allison, a knitwear brand based in Edinburgh, utilises and celebrates the historic successful innovation in knitwear which Scotland is famous for by creating contemporary garments and accessories. Orders can be placed in-store and online.

The creator, Jeni Allison, said: “Whilst working for a luxury knitwear manufacturer in the Scottish Borders I saw an opportunity to develop a product which would allow customers to design their own knitwear whilst also making knitwear manufacturing more sustainable.

“Custom Loop is a web-based application which makes it easy for people to customise knitted products and for factories to make the knitted goods to order, eliminating waste from excess stock. By having an input into the design of the product customers also feel more emotional attachment to it, and hopefully keep it longer as a result. 

“Running my business through the pandemic and now during the cost of living crisis, is challenging, and a main benefit of Custom Loop is I only pay for stock which has already been purchased, making my business both more environmentally and financially sustainable. 

“It’s really important that places like Dovecot exist to introduce the work of small businesses to a larger like-minded audience, especially as social media reach is getting smaller and smaller for small businesses.”

Shoppers will find a variety of brands such as Jennifer Kent studio, which specialises in modern knitwear, accessories and interior products and the Fife-based Di Gilpin, which creates one-off pieces and special commissions desired by private clients, fashion designers, and the catwalk, with a single Di Gilpin garment requiring as long as two months to complete!

The pop-up at Dovecot will also feature Todd and Duncan, founded in 1867: a Kinross-based brand that specialises in cashmere and uses traditional methods with a modern approach. Today they are the only Scottish spinner offering cashmere yarn to fashion houses and quality manufacturers worldwide.

The pop-up coincides with Dovecot’s exhibition; KNITWEAR CHANEL to Westwood. The exhibition showcases over 150 inspirational knitwear pieces from the collection of Mark and Cleo Butterfield as well modern Scottish pieces from the Studio of Di Gilpin and La Fetiche.

Outwith the pop-up, shoppers can find gift ideas produced by Scottish makers and business, including a selection of jewellery, textiles, books, cards, homeware and Edinburgh Printmaker prints – to name a few.

From next month Dovecot will also be introducing a selection of stock produced by Garvald members –  a creative community and charity supporting adults with learning disabilities made here in Edinburgh.

The pop-up shop will remain open up until March 2023.

Sarah Boyack Scottish Labour MSP for Lothian region will be at Dovecot Studios this Saturday and she encourages people in Edinburgh to join her.

She commented: “Scotland’s culture organisations are facing ‘a perfect storm.’ Before they even got a chance to recover from the pandemic, they have been hit hard by soaring bills and the chaos of the cost of living emergency.

“The impact on individual artists and makers is unimaginable. In a hostile economic environment, most people can hardly keep afloat, let alone run a viable, small business. The pressures are huge.

“It’s fantastic that Dovecot Studios gives local brands inspired by and celebrating Scotland’s rich cultural heritage and provenance the opportunity to showcase and sell the products right here in Edinburgh.

“Small businesses will face ‘a bleak winter’ – unfortunately, there will be many people who, no matter how much they want to support local makers, they simply can’t afford to do so.  

“But if you can, Scotland has a remarkable tradition in arts and crafts – this Small Business Saturday is an excellent opportunity to support them.”

Boyack warns against ‘cliff-edge’ in housing support

Sarah Boyack has warned against a “cliff-edge” in housing support in Lothian as a report reveals the number of open housing advice cases hit its highest point on record after pandemic protections were stripped away.

“Housing Options” services provide support and advice for people facing homelessness or other housing issues. Most people who seek advice through this system will go on to make a homelessness application, with this being the outcome in 55 per cent of cases in 2021/22.

In Edinburgh, in 2021/22 the number people approaching this service fell by 2 per cent, however, the average time taken for the local authority to deliver this support rose by a shocking 179%, up to 148 days in 2021/22 from 53 days in 2020/21, making it highest increase among all local councils.

The number of open cases in Edinburgh climbed by 13 per cent to the highest point since records began in 2014/15.

The number of people in Scotland approaching the service at risk of homelessness because of termination of tenancy or mortgage due to rent arrears or default on payments soared by a staggering 53 per cent in a single year.

This sharp increase is likely the result of emergency protections introduced during the pandemic ending. Labour have called these figures a “stark warning” and urged the SNP government not to repeat its mistakes when measures introduced to manage the cost of living crisis come to an end.  

Commenting, Scottish Labour Lothians MSP Sarah Boyack  said: “This damning report lays bare how badly tenants and homeowners were abandoned after the pandemic.  

“In Edinburgh, the council is struggling to cope with rising demand, with the need for high quality, affordable housing being more pressing than ever.

“People arriving from Ukraine are also in desperate need for accommodation.

“What will happen when the current rent freeze and evictions ban draw to an end?

“No-one should lose their home because of this cost of living crisis – we need a real long-term plan to prevent homelessness, protect tenants, and help homeowners, before a second wave of homelessness hits.”

Table 4a: Number of open PREVENT1 approaches as at 31 March, in Edinburgh: 2015 to 2022

20152,555
20162,875
20173,210
20183,515
20193,880
20204,725
20216,520
20227,370
Change
2021 to 2022
%		13%

Table 6a: Reason for PREVENT1 approach: 2014-15 to 2021-22

2020-212021-22Change
20-21 to 21-22
%
All Approaches37,41240,0627%
Homelessness type reasons:

Termination of tenancy / mortgage due to rent arrears / default on payments		36155453%


Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/housing-options-prevent1-statistics-in-scotland-2021-to-2022/documents/

National Planning Framework 4: New houses in Edinburgh cut by 4,500

The Scottish Government’s decision to reduce by 4,500 homes the number of houses to be developed in Edinburgh has been questioned by Sarah Boyack, Scottish Labour MSP for Lothian following the Ministerial Statement on National Planning Framework 4.

Ms. Boyack asked the Planning Minister, Tom Arthur, to explain why the number of houses to be developed in Edinburgh has been reduced by 4,500 homes at a time when the city is facing a long-standing deepening crisis.

The MSP for Lothian raised also issues around the capacity of GPs to cope with rising demand and asked about whether new GP and local health services will be included in planning application for the new housing being proposed across the Lothian given the challenges the region is already facing in terms of GP capacity in areas where significant new development is being planned.

The National Planning Framework (NPF) is a long-term plan for Scotland that sets out where development and infrastructure is needed.

Scotland’s fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) will guide national and regional spatial development and set out priorities and national planning policies up until 2045.

Commenting, Sarah Boyack MSP said:  “A housing crisis affecting those on low or modest incomes, students and families looking for long term housing is unfolding not only in Edinburgh but across Scotland. The available properties are unaffordable or inaccessible for many and affordable, high-quality properties are almost non-existent.

“Reducing the number of new housing developments in Edinburgh will be catastrophic for people, the city and our local economy. 

“The SNP claim they want to build a new Scotland – but they are going into reverse.

“In Musselburgh, people are struggling to access vital GP services – with rising local population and housing developments, this is rapidly becoming a pattern we see across Scotland.

“Planning applications should be considering issues around GPs’ capacity – we can’t gamble with people’s lives.

“The Minister dodged my question, offering nothing more than empty rhetoric.”

  • The revised draft NPF4 is available here
national-planning-framework-4-revised-draftDownload

Sarah Boyack calls on UK Government to deliver cost of living support

Scottish Labour MSP, Sarah Boyack, has called on the Tory UK Government to get on with delivering their cost of living support package as who do not have a domestic electricity contract are still waiting for details of the support they will receive, despite payments already being made to residents with a domestic energy contract.

People without domestic electricity contracts are still waiting for confirmation that they will receive the £400 Energy Bill Support and how this will be paid to them

In a policy paper, the UK Government confirmed that the support will be provided to those who do not have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier – however, there is still no clarity about the process.

Sarah Boyack, Scottish Labour MSP for Lothian, said: “While there is revolving door for Prime Ministers and Ministers, the Tories are failing to deliver for local residents here in Edinburgh.

“Local residents who do not have a direct relationship with their energy supplier are still waiting for the clarification on how and when they will receive the £400 Energy Bill Support, as the winter weather starts to come in. 

“The cost of living emergency is already starting to bite as more and more families are having to make the choice between heating and eating.

“I have written to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to announce details as soon as possible which will provide certainty to families.”

Boyack calls for urgent support for Scotland’s arts and culture sector

Following the news about the closure of the Modern Two art gallery in Edinburgh until next year due to rising energy bills, Sarah Boyack MSP, Scottish Labour’s Spokesperson for Culture and MSP for Lothian, highlighted the wider issues the sector is facing and called on the Scottish Government to deliver urgent action.

The Scottish Labour MSP commented: “Our arts and culture organisations are on the brink of collapse – many are fighting for survival, they are struggling to cope with the perfect storm of reduced incomes, skyrocketing energy bills and inflation.

“Earlier this month, we found out that Falkirk Town Hall, the Filmhouse in Edinburgh, the Belmont in Aberdeen and the Edinburgh International Film Festival have all gone under.

“The Scottish Government reassured us that Scotland’s National Collections will remain open to the public free of charge. However, the reality on the ground tells us a very different story.

“Instead of rhetoric and empty promises, we need the Government to deliver the urgent action the arts and culture sector needs at this moment of crisis.”

In his written response to Sarah Boyack MSP, on 30th September, Culture Secretary Neil Gray said: “the National Collections are an important part of Scotland’s culture.

!”As part of setting and reviewing annual budgets for grant in aid, the Scottish Government maintains close contact with National Museums Scotland and the National Galleries of Scotland about their cost and revenue, in order to continue to ensure that their permanent collections remain open to the public free of charge.”

Sarah Boyack: Scotland’s Arts and Culture on the brink of collapse

AROUND 30 arts and culture organisations attended a Roundtable on the impact of the cost of living crisis on culture, hosted last week by Scottish Labour’s Spokesperson for Culture, Sarah Boyack MSP and shared their concerns about the future of the sector.

The roundtable was organised to better understand how dramatically increasing running costs and falling income due to overstretched households will impact on arts and culture organisations in Edinburgh and across Scotland.

From smaller, community-based organisations such as Sing in the City, Project Artlink and the Scottish Contemporary Art Network, to bigger and diverse institutions, including Scottish Ballet, Museum Galleries Scotland and Glasgow Life, the picture painted was grim and raised questions about current plans to address the unfolding crisis.

Sarah Boyack said that the organisations varied in size, budgets, challenges and needs for the future, highlighting the scale of the problem and the need for action.

The list MSP for Lothian commented: “A common theme that emerged during our roundtable is that without urgent support, many of Scotland’s Arts and Culture organisations will collapse.

“In the last fortnight, Falkirk Town Hall, the Filmhouse in Edinburgh, the Belmont in Aberdeen and the Edinburgh International Film Festival have all gone under so we need urgent action and support for the sector now.

“Despite reassurances from the Scottish Government that our National Collections will remain open to the public free of charge, we recently found out that flagship Edinburgh galleries might have to not only reduce hours but also cut on their outreach programmes funded by earned income.

Sarah Boyack continued: “The Scottish Government has a history of empty promises and soundbites over action – they’ve been warned, time and time again, about the “perfect storm” of the pandemic, declining incomes, rising energy bills and inflation.

“Year on year real terms cuts to local government have exacerbated the sustainability community based art and culture organisations and led to a loss of highly skilled staff. The Scottish Government has been warned about the long-lasting impact that this will have on the sector, with haemorrhage of talent and skills, closures and under-provision of services.

“Arts and culture organisations are hugely important not only to our cultural landscape, our economy and people’s well-being and mental health, but are also spaces that people can spend time in during the cost of living crisis – for free.

“I will be writing to the Cabinet Secretary to ask about a detailed cross government plan to support our arts and culture – we need clarity and action now, not soundbites.”