Last week, Ruth:

  • Met with RBS officials to express her concern and disappointment at the proposed closure of the RBS Kilwinning branch. Ruth stressed the need to support customers and protect local jobs.

 

  • In Education Committee, took evidence from a range of people and organisations on the proposed reforms to education in Scotland

 

  • In a debate marking World AIDS Day 2017, underlined how stigma is one of the main issues still to be overcome – as well as highlighting the progress that Scotland has made to tackle HIV in recent years

 

  • Took part in a question and answer session with pupils from Ardeer Primary School on their visit to the Scottish Parliament

 

  • In Social Security Committee, considered the Committee’s Draft Stage 1 Report on the Social Security (Scotland) Bill

 

  • Met with Mairi Campbell-Jack of the Quakers to hear about their organisation and ongoing key campaigns

 

  • Spoke in a debate to welcome the Scottish Government’s ‘Equally Safe’ Delivery Plan, but also expressed her disappointment that it does not go far enough to tackle commercial sexual exploitation – in particular male demand