Yesterday, I wrote to the UK Government’s Minister for Levelling Up Michael Gove regarding the relocation of civil service jobs across Scotland. Ayrshire has faced its set of challenges over decades due to deindustrialisation. I believe that real levelling up means rooting policy making within these communities and securing much needed jobs
Hospitality Staffing Crisis
This week, I’ve penned letters to both the Scottish and UK governments to call for urgent solutions to the hospitality staffing crisis in West Scotland. Industries like tourism and hospitality, which are particularly key sectors for jobs in our coastal and island communities, have taken a battering during the pandemic. I’m calling for a response […]
Domestic Abuse Courts
This week, I laid a motion in parliament on domestic abuse, highlighting the need for specialist courts. I believe these courts are key if we want to effectively prevent and prosecute domestic abuse. Women’s aid charities have been vocal in their support for them. Court cases can put victims at emotional or physical risk. This […]
Winter Fuel Payment
Millions of families face a cost of living crisis due to devastating Tory welfare cuts, fuel price hikes and the end of furlough. There are essential actions the Scottish Government can be taking to ease the burden on pensioners and low-income families to avoid preventable deaths. That’s why we urgently need to introduce a £70 […]
HGV and Bus Driver Shortages
Lack of staffing is impacting both public services and other sectors we all rely on. Key bus services have been cancelled across West Scotland in recent weeks, whilst supply chain issues are leading to gaps on supermarket shelves and uncertainty over supplies ahead of Christmas. I believe it is urgent we fill these roles and […]
Spot Leukaemia
On Wednesday, I asked the Scottish Government what they are doing to raise awareness among the public and healthcare professionals of the symptoms of leukaemia. This is a really important issue: according to Leukaemia Care, patients with leukaemia have a significantly higher rate of emergency diagnosis than those with other forms of cancer, which means […]
ScotRail’s New Timetable
Abellio ScotRail is currently consulting on a proposed timetable from May 2022 which will lead to 100,000 fewer annual services. I believe this will be devastating for passengers across the country and flies in the face of the Scottish Government’s stated ambition to get more people using public transport. An RMT survey of 400 ScotRail […]
Speech: A Care Service in the Public Sector
On Tuesday in Parliament, I made a speech on the proposed National Care Service. I very much welcome that the Scottish Government has recognised the need for social care reform. But I believe we need to be open and honest: their proposals are for a national care commissioning service, not a national care service. Whereas […]
CAMHS Waiting Lists Hit Record High
New statistics show Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting lists have hit their highest point on record in Greater Glasgow & Clyde, with nearly 3,000 young people waiting to be seen at the end of June. Of these, nearly half have been waiting longer than the target of 18 weeks and one in […]
Scottish Child Payment
The SNP pledged to double the Scottish Child Payment in their 2021 election manifesto – from £10 a week to £20 a week. However, when asked when this would be implemented this week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon merely signalled that it would be introduced “sooner rather than later”. The one in four children who live […]