REFERENDUM DATE set for 23 JUNE
Not quite a ‘peace in our time’ moment – but has the Prime Minister secured enough concessions to keep Britain in Europe?
The Prime Minister made a statement following the meeting of the European Council where he negotiated a deal to give the UK special status in the EU. Continue reading Europe Referendum date is 23 June
Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deirdre Brock is calling upon constituents to sign a petition which seeks to scrap the UK Government’s rape clause. Continue reading Brock calls for support to scrap ‘appalling’ rape clause
Prime Minister’s New Year message: ‘no new year’s resolutions for us, just an ongoing resolve to deliver what we promised’ Continue reading David Cameron: “a crucial year in this great turnaround decade”
Prime Minister David Cameron sends his best wishes to everyone celebrating Christmas in the UK and around the world.
If there is one thing people want at Christmas, it’s the security of having their family around them and a home that is safe. But not everyone has that. Millions of families are spending this winter in refugee camps or makeshift shelters across Syria and the Middle East, driven from their homes by Daesh and Assad. Christians from Africa to Asia will go to church on Christmas morning full of joy, but many in fear of persecution. Throughout the United Kingdom, some will spend the festive period ill, homeless or alone.
We must pay tribute to the thousands of doctors, nurses, carers and volunteers who give up their Christmas to help the vulnerable – and to those who are spending this season even further from home. Right now, our brave armed forces are doing their duty, around the world: in the skies of Iraq and Syria, targeting the terrorists that threaten those countries and our security at home; on the seas of the Mediterranean, saving those who attempt the perilous crossing to Europe; and on the ground, helping to bring stability to countries from Afghanistan to South Sudan.
It is because they face danger that we have peace. And that is what we mark today as we celebrate the birth of God’s only son, Jesus Christ – the Prince of Peace. As a Christian country, we must remember what his birth represents: peace, mercy, goodwill and, above all, hope. I believe that we should also reflect on the fact that it is because of these important religious roots and Christian values that Britain has been such a successful home to people of all faiths and none.
So, as we come together with our loved ones, in safety and security, let’s think of those who cannot do the same. Let’s give thanks to those who are helping the vulnerable at home and protecting our freedoms abroad. And let me wish everyone in Britain and around the world a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
‘Imposing Trade Union Bill on Scotland is unacceptable’ – FM.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will take the fight to stop the Trade Union Bill coming into force in Scotland to Downing Street today. In her meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron the First Minister will set out the clear opposition for the bill north of the border.
The First Minister will also make clear that Scotland must not lose out from changes to the way the Scottish budget is calculated after new tax and spend powers are devolved. Continue reading First Minister takes trade union fight to Westminster
Swinney condemns ‘austerity of choice’
Chancellor George Osborne’s U-turn on tax credits has been widely welcomed, but Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney has warned that the Scottish Government will see a real terms reduction of almost 6 per cent in the funding for day to day public services over the next four years. Continue reading U-turn welcome but Scotland still faces cuts
Chancellor must listen to growing opposition to austerity measures
The Scottish Government has consistently demonstrated that the UK’s deficit and debt can be brought down without the need for huge public spending cuts as set out by the UK Government, Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary John Swinney said today. Continue reading Swinney urges Osborne: do the right thing
‘A significant cut to lottery funding, coupled with increased demand from people affected by welfare cuts and unemployment would represent a perfect storm for many Scottish charities’ – SallyAnn Kelly, Aberlour Trust. Continue reading Devastation: charities fear impact of slashed Lottery funding
“The terrorists seek to divide us, and to destroy our way of life. But theirs is an empty, perverted and murderous ideology. They represent no one. And they will fail.” – Home Secretary Thesesa May
The Home Secretary made this statement on the Paris terrorists attacks to the House of Commons yesterday: Continue reading “France grieves. But she does not grieve alone”
Minister praises Beyond Gender’s ‘fantastic work’
UK Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan MP (above) met with transgender young people in Edinburgh last week. Speaking to young people from Beyond Gender youth group – recently awarded Youth Group of the Year at the Equality Network’s LGBTI Awards – the Minister heard young people’s stories and learned more about the issues affecting their lives.
The Minister’s visit is timely, given that The Women and Equalities Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into equality for transgender (trans) people. LGBT Youth Scotland works with LGBT young people across Scotland, and supports two trans specific youth groups – one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow.
LGBT Youth Scotland, Beyond Gender and Scottish Transgender Alliance all raised the importance of the Equal Recognition Campaign to reform the Gender Recognition Act, in particular the importance of legally recognising people who do not identify as men or women and lowering the age of gender recognition to 16 years old.
Fergus McMillan, Chief Executive of LGBT Youth Scotland said: “We were delighted to welcome Nicky Morgan (Minister for Women & Equalities) to LGBT Youth Scotland to visit the Beyond Gender youth group. It was a great opportunity for young people to have their views heard directly by a Government Minister. Young people spoke about their experiences of education and health services: they asked for more teacher training in order that transgender young people feel safe and supported in their education; recognition of non-binary identities; and work to reduce the waiting lists for gender specialists.
“Our research shows that 67% of transgender young people self-identified as having a mental health problem or condition due to experiencing prejudice and discrimination; 37% of transgender young people had left education as a direct result of homophobia, biphobia or transphobia; and less than half of transgender young people would be confident to report a hate crime. It is clear that more needs to be done – we hope the visit has been valuable in getting trangender young people’s stories heard and will go some way to improve the lives of transgender young people across the UK.”
Nicky Morgan MP said: “It was a pleasure to visit the Beyond Gender youth group in Edinburgh. The young people I met were truly inspirational, and it is clear that the organisation is doing fantastic work to tackle discrimination and raise awareness of the issues affecting LGBT young people.”
On young person from Beyond Gender youth group added: “It was nice to be heard by someone who has power to make changes and we hope that the minister acts on the issues we raised with her today. Beyond Gender is a lifeline for us – it’s a place you will always be accepted as yourself. We want to live in a Scotland and UK where trans people are accepted and respected for who they are and can grow up safe and happy.”
