New Education Secretary’s out and about in Edinburgh today
The biggest talking point of the First Minister’s Cabinet reshuffle this week was the appointment of John Swinney to the Education brief. Nicola Sturgeon’s trusted deputy is held in the highest regard and his surprise move clearly indicates that education will be the Scottish government’s top priority. Continue reading Education, education, education: John Swinney gets to work
The Scottish Parliament elections take place on Thursday 5 May – one week to go! See below for all the information you could ever wish for!
Your local constituency candidates are:
EDINBURGH CENTRAL
BETTSWORTH, Hannah (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
BOYACK, Sarah (Scottish Labour Party)
DAVIDSON, Ruth (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
DICKIE, Alison (Scottish National Party (SNP))
JOHNSTONE, Alison (Scottish Green Party)
LAIRD, Tom (Scottish Libertarian Party)
EDINBURGH NORTHERN & LEITH
CALDWELL, Jack (Independent)
HINDS, Lesley (Scottish Labour Party)
MACPHERSON, Ben (Scottish National Party (SNP))
MCGILL, Iain (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
VEART, Martin (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
EDINBURGH WESTERN
BATHO, Sandy (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
COLE-HAMILTON, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
GIUGLIANO, Toni (Scottish National Party (SNP))
HEADLEY, Cat (Scottish Labour Party)
Other Edinburgh Constituencies:
Edinburgh Eastern
COOK, Nick (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
DENHAM, Ash (Scottish National Party (SNP))
D’INVERNO, Cospatric (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
DUGDALE, Kezia (Scottish Labour Party)
Edinburgh Pentlands
FARTHING-SYKES, Emma (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
HEARY, Blair (Scottish Labour Party)
LINDHURST, Gordon (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
MACDONALD, Gordon (Scottish National Party (SNP)
Edinburgh Southern
BRIGGS, Miles (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
EADIE, Jim (Scottish National Party (SNP))
JOHNSON, Daniel (Scottish Labour Party)
SUBBARAMAN, Pramod (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
LIST VOTE
The names of the parties for the Lothian Region are listed below in the order that they appear on the ballot paper.
Seven candidates will be elected to the Lothian Region as Members of the Scottish Parliament, from the following list:
RISE – Respect, Independence, Socialism and Environmentalism
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Scottish Green Party
Scottish Labour Party
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish National Party (SNP)
Scottish Women’s Equality Party
Solidarity – Scotland’s Socialist Movement
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
THE VOTING SYSTEM
The Additional Member System (AMS) is used to elect members to the Scottish Parliament.
How it works:
There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
There are two ways an MSP can be elected.
Each elector (voter) has two votes.
Scotland is divided into 73 constituencies and each constituency elects one MSP. These are known as constituency MSPs and are elected by ‘first past the post’ in exactly the same way as MPs are elected to Westminster. This is the elector’s constituency vote.
The regional vote is used to elect 56 additional members. Scotland is divided into 8 parliamentary Regions and each region elects seven regional MSPs.
In the second vote the voter votes for a party rather than a candidate. The parties are then allocated a number of additional members to make the overall result more proportional. The regional MSPs are selected from lists compiled by the parties. These MSPs are also sometimes referred to as List MSPs.
HOW DO I VOTE?
Always read the instructions for filling in the ballot papers carefully, even if you have voted before.
You will receive two ballot papers.
On the lilac coloured ballot paper you will vote for your constituency MSP. The ballot paper lists the name of each candidate along with their party name and party logo.
Simply put a cross (X) next to the one candidate that you wish to vote for.
On the peach coloured ballot paper you vote for a party or independent candidate competing for the seven regional seats for your region of Scotland. The ballot paper lists political parties and independent candidates.
Simply put a cross (X) next to the one party or independent candidate that you wish to vote for.
If you make a mistake then you can ask the polling staff to give you another ballot paper.
WHERE DO I VOTE?
Your polling place will be noted on your Poll Card, or you can check it online. You should go to your polling place to vote on 5 May, between 7am and 10pm.
WHO DO I VOTE FOR? THE MANIFESTOS …
What do they stand for? What are they offering?
RISE
SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE & UNIONIST PARTY
Scottish-Conservative-Manifesto_2016
SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY
Scottish Greens Manifesto_Online
SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY
Scottish Labour Manifesto 2016
SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
Manifesto_-_Be_The_Best_Again-_Scottish_Liberal_Democrats_2016
SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY
SCOTTISH WOMEN’S EQUALITY PARTY
SOLIDARITY – Scotland’s Socialist Movement
Manifesto available on Solidarity website
UK INDEPENDENCE PARTY (UKIP)
FURTHER READING
Keep up on Twitter:
#SP16 #VoteSocialEnterprise #Holyrood2016 #SP2016
#VoteRISE #GreenHolyrood #VoteGreen2016 #BothVotesSNP #BothVotesLabour #VoteLibDemTwice #TeamRuth
“Public confidence needs rebuilt as well as school walls: and fast” – Green Candidate Andy Wightman
The Scottish Government’s resiliency committee has met to discuss the emergency closure of seventeen PPP schools across Edinburgh – but The Scottish Greens say the ‘fiasco’ highlights the need to expose private finance failures. Continue reading Closed schools update: Scottish government offers ‘full support’
Ahead of it’s tenth anniversary tomorrow, Public Health Minister Maureen Watt reflects on the impact of the smoking ban.
“We know in Scotland we have some really deep rooted public health challenges to deal with. But we also have a proud record of taking brave and innovative steps to make our country a healthier place.
“There is no doubt the ban on smoking in public places ranks highly amongst the steps that, as a country, we have taken together.
“As we approach the tenth anniversary of the smoking ban, it is clear that this was, without doubt, the right thing to do. The positive impact on our health and our future health is without question.
“Things have had to change. But few would argue they haven’t changed for the better.
“Scotland was the first country in the UK to ban smoking in public places. Since then, evidence shows that the smoking ban has contributed to a 39 per cent reduction in second-hand smoke exposure in adults and 11-year old children, a 17 per cent reduction in hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome and improvements in the respiratory health of bar workers.
“Nearly nine out of ten Scottish adults – and almost two thirds of smokers – support the smoking ban.
“It has increased awareness of the risks associated with second-hand smoke and there is some evidence of changing social norms around exposing others to second-hand smoke. There was also a 15 per cent reduction in the number of children with asthma being admitted to hospital in the three years after the ban came into force. And just last month, a study suggested that the ban may have helped reduce the number of teenagers taking up smoking by a fifth.
“But we know there is much more to do, and we remain firmly committed to creating a tobacco-free generation by 2034.
“We’ve taken further action to reduce the harm caused by tobacco: banning the display of tobacco products in shops, banning cigarette vending machines, creating a new tobacco retail register, supporting plain packaging and making it illegal to smoke in cars where children are present. Most recently we passed legislation to restrict the sale and availability of e-cigarettes to under-18s and make it an offence to smoke near buildings on hospital grounds.
“Since the ban came into place, Scotland has continued to pursue a bold and innovative approach towards public health. We remain committed to minimum unit pricing, which we know is the most effective pricing measure to tackle Scotland’s harmful relationship with alcohol.
“And we are taking advice on how Scotland could fortify flour with folic acid, which we believe can help to save many families from the heartbreak of being told their baby has Spina Bifida.
“Together, and with the public’s support, all of these steps take us closer to our goal of a healthier Scotland.”
The smoking ban was introduced in Scotland on 26 March 2006
Charities supporting children, families and adult learning will be invited to apply for a share of a new project fund that will award £2 million over the next two years. Continue reading New £2 million innovation element added to Empowering Communities Fund
£900k for schemes that support local communities
Over £900,000 of grants have been awarded to voluntary organisations working to improve Scotland’s health.
Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn, announced the awards during a visit to the Food Train in Dumfries, one of the successful bidders, on Friday.
The funding has been awarded as part of the Section 10 grants scheme. Including on-going grants, this year’s pot of £912,990 brings the current Scottish Government investment in this scheme to £2.7 million.
The Food Train, which received a grant for £42,890, delivers food to older people who are unable to go shopping. It started in Dumfries in 1995 and now helps more than 1,400 people a year across Dumfries and Galloway, West Lothian, Dundee, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Stirling and North Ayrshire. This additional funding will help them to expand their services to help more older people in Scotland.
The full break down of grants is as follows:
Headway, various locations, £80,000
SAMH, Glasgow, £90,000
Scottish Huntington’s, Paisley, £73,000
PAMIS, Dundee, £100,000
People First (Scotland), Edinburgh, £79,568
Sandyford Thrive, Glasgow, £35,000
Stop it Now, Edinburgh, £90,000
Arthritis Care Scotland, Glasgow, £30,000
COSCA, Stirling, £70,000
SDEF, Alloa, £80,132
Contact the Elderly, Kilmacolm, £42,400
Food Train, Dumfries, £42,890
Alzheimer Scotland, Edinburgh, £100,000
Mr Hepburn said: “Through these grants the Scottish Government helps the third sector in its vital work in Scotland’s communities. These organisations are all working to improve health, reduce inequalities and build social inclusion. Many are run largely by dedicated volunteers, who give up their free time and expertise to help others.
“I’m delighted to be here in Dumfries to visit the Food Train, which has been doing excellent work for more than two decades, both here in the south west and now right across Scotland. Food Train is typical of the kind of organisation that want to help through this scheme. They help their members to live independently and to play a full and active role in society.”
Michelle McCrindle MBE, Chief Executive of the Food Train said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding support from the Scottish Government who continue to play a key role in the national expansion of our food access service to older people.”
PEOPLE FIRST is based on Easter Road – click on link below to find out more about the member-led organisation
https://youtu.be/eCBpNiwSMls
The Scottish Government will award £2.5 million to support Sistema Scotland to transform the lives of thousands of children and young people in disadvantaged communities, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced last week. Continue reading Tune in: Four year package to support and enhance youth orchestras
Scotland’s councils are to share £406 million in grant subsidy in the new financial year to deliver more affordable homes, it’s been announced. Continue reading Over £400 million for affordable homes
Judy Murray has teamed up with the PlayTalkRead campaign to encourage parents and carers of babies and toddlers to ‘Play Ball’ with their wee ones. Continue reading Aileen and Judy have a ball!
Scottish Women’s Aid to support women into employment
Women who have suffered violence or abuse at the hands of a partner will benefit from an investment of £190,000 to help them back into work, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today. Continue reading Helping domestic abuse survivors into work
