The factors which stop young women getting involved in sport have been highlighted by a group taking part in a Scottish Parliament project aimed at increasing women’s participation in politics. Continue reading Removing barriers for young women in sport
Holyrood’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee is looking for a wide range of views from businesses that have received ‘Regional Selective Assistance’ (RSA) or other financial support from Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise over the past ten years.
RSA is Scotland’s main national scheme of financial assistance to industry and has existed since 1970. It is managed and delivered by Scottish Enterprise and offers discretionary grants with the aim of creating and safeguarding jobs.
The Committee is also looking to hear from businesses who have been unsuccessful in their application to RSA or have received financial assistance from another body.
Committee Convener, Gordon Lindhurst MSP (above) said: “Over the last ten years over 960 projects have received £337 million of RSA investment. This has represented a significant attempt to address regional disparities across Scotland.
“The Committee wants to gain an understanding of impact these grants have had and whether grant support could be improved, and I urge businesses who have engaged with this scheme to tell us about their experiences.”
The outcome from this exercise is expected to feed into the upcoming Scottish Government budget plans and policy development.
The key areas that the Committee hopes to find answers to are:
Businesses are encouraged to complete a short questionnaire which aims to capture the experiences and views of successful, and unsuccessful, recipients of RSA and other grants. The questionnaire can be found here
Alternatively, you can respond to the call for views which can be found here
The deadline for submitting views is Friday 16th August 2019.
A free exhibition showcasing some of the most thought-provoking photographs taken over the course of 2018 will go on display at the Scottish Parliament this summer, it has been announced. Continue reading World’s best photojournalism to go on display at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee is starting its detailed scrutiny of plans to enhance protections for women and girls who have suffered or who are at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM). Continue reading MSPs seek views on anti-Female Genital Mutilation plans
Ten members of the public will have the best seats in the house as they watch Her Majesty The Queen address the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 29th June.
Continue reading Win tickets to see Her Majesty The Queen address Parliament’s 20th Anniversary
The introduction of Universal Credit has greatly increased rent arrears and a Scottish Parliament Committee has called for immediate action to tackle this issue. Continue reading Universal Credit responsible for increasing rent arrears, says Holyrood Committee
A new initiative has been announced by an alliance of women’s organisations and the Scottish Parliament in a move to tackle the gender imbalance in Scottish politics. Continue reading Major new initiative to get more women into politics
As part of the Scottish Parliament’s 20th anniversary programme, the Presiding Officer has announced that he is to visit every region in Scotland to reaffirm the importance of Holyrood’s engagement with local communities. Continue reading Presiding Officer launches tour to strengthen engagement with local communities
Can you tell the difference between the Netherlands and Luxembourg flags? Do you know how many officially recognised languages are spoken in Europe? Continue reading P6 pupils all set for Euroquiz Final at Holyrood
Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) united after Thursday’s First Minister’s Questions to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, in support of a charity campaign marking World Ovarian Cancer Day (WOCD).
Cross-party MSPs stood together on the steps of the Garden Lobby and were pictured holding symbolic white roses for a special photo call, organised by research charity Ovarian Cancer Action and sponsored by Monica Lennon (Scottish Labour MSP for Central Scotland).
The event was part of Ovarian Cancer Action’s UK-wide campaign to promote ovarian cancer symptoms awareness. The charity handed out 33,000 roses in cities across the UK with symptoms card attached, representing the number of women currently living with the disease in the UK.
White roses were also worn by Prime Minister Theresa May, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, and dozens of MPs in the House of Commons; the Welsh First Minister and Assembly Members to promote life-saving symptoms awareness.
Ovarian cancer kills one woman every two hours, yet according to research by Ovarian Cancer Action, 82% of women do not know the four main symptoms1. These are: persistent bloating, persistent stomach pain, feeling full quickly, and weeing more frequently.
Low awareness, combined with a reluctance to visit the GP immediately (70% of women would hope their symptoms disappeared in time) is particularly dangerous.
There’s no screening tool for ovarian cancer and quick symptoms recognition and action is the only way to detect the disease early. Ovarian Cancer Action is calling on the Scottish Government to fund a Detect Cancer Early awareness campaign for ovarian cancer to raise vital awareness of the disease and its symptoms.
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs, said: “Early detection of Ovarian Cancer is the best way to improve survival rates for women.
“If you have any of the four main symptoms, persistent bloating, persistent stomach pain, feeling full quickly or weeing more frequently, do not hesitate to book an appointment with your GP to get checked.”
Monica Lennon, convener of the Cross-Party Group on Women’s Health, was delighted to bring the campaign into Scottish Parliament. “It was superb to see Members from all parties take a rose today and stand with the 33,000 women currently living with ovarian cancer – 3,300 of which live in Scotland.
“It’s vital we know the symptoms of ovarian cancer, a disease too easily confused with other conditions, and this is costing women their lives. It was wonderful to join forces with my fellow MSPs and with the other national parliaments, to project a message of hope for World Ovarian Cancer Day.”
Cary Wakefield, Chief Executive of Ovarian Cancer Action, said: “The UK has one of the worst ovarian cancer survival rates in Europe. To improve survival rates we need more research and better symptom awareness, which is why we are handing out 33,000 white roses this World Ovarian Cancer Day.
“It’s easy to ignore symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain if you don’t know they are symptoms of a potentially deadly disease. Listen to your body and head straight to your GP if something isn’t right.”
