This week, Ruth has:
- Lodged parliamentary motions congratulating the local organsaitions who received Awards for All Grants this week. Over £3.8 million in National Lottery funds was shared this week by almost 500 groups across Scotland. This community based cash boost comes from National Lottery Awards for All Scotland, which awards grants from £500 to £10,000 to community, arts and sports groups on behalf of Big Lottery Fund, Creative Scotland and sportscotland. A huge range of groups in Cunninghame South have been awarded funding, from Glencairn Fitness Club to Irvine Meadow Community Club CIC
- Joined with colleagues outside the Scottish Parliament to celebrate the second anniversary of the TIE, or Time for Inclusive Education, campaign. The TIE campaign was founded in June 2015 and has one very simple aim – to combat homophobia, biphobia and transphobia with inclusive education in Scottish schools. In March 2016, North Ayrshire became the first local authority to support the TIE campaign, after a motion moved by Ruth, who was then a North Ayrshire councillor, was passed at full council. Since becoming an MSP in May 2016, Ruth has continued her support for the TIE campaign, meeting with its co-founders in the Parliament and lodging a parliamentary motion congratulating the campaign on its first birthday this time last year
- Encouraged all expectant mothers in Cunninghame South, whose babies are due on or after 15 August 2017, to register for a baby box at their next midwife appointment. These boxes, containing various essential items for a child’s first weeks and months, signal the SNP Government’s commitment to ensuring that every child in Scotland, regardless of their circumstances, should get the best start in life
- Welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to introduce legislation for a soft opt-out system of organ and tissue donation, which was backed by 82% of those who contributed to their consultation. The 14-week consultation looked at various ways to increase the number of people being referred to the donation services in Scotland. Currently in Scotland, organ and/or tissue donation after a person’s death only occurs if they have given advance authorisation or if their nearest relative authorises on their behalf. A soft opt out, or deemed authorisation system, means that a donation can go ahead if the person has not opted out or told their family they do not wish to donate
- In Education Committee, taken evidence on School Infrastructure from a range of people, including Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government & Housing, and Bill Dodds, Head of Building Standards, Directorate of Loacal Governent and Communities. The Committee also considered two pieces of subordinate legislation – Education (Fees and Student Support) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (SSI 2017/180) and Welfare Reform (Consequential Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (SSI 2017/182). The Committee concluded by considering a draft report on Teacher Workforce Planning and its Work Programme paper
- Met with Dementia Carer Voices and the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland to hear more about the work that they do, including the outreach to 80, 000 health and social care professionals, families, and carers
- In Social Security Committee, continued scrutiny of the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2, considering and debating amendments. The Committee then had a briefing on the Bill from a range of people including Trudy Nicolson, Legislation and Operational Policy Unit Head, Chris Boyland, Legislation Team Leader, and Colin Brown, Senior Principal Legal Officer, Miriam Craven
Ruth Maguire MSP 