On Tuesday 2 October, Ruth participated in a cross party group on credit unions, in which she heard from the Scottish Government about the Credit Union awareness campaign, and in which she heard presentations from East Kilbride Credit Union, 1st Alliance (Ayrshire) Credit Union, and Pioneer Mutual Credit Union.
On Wednesday 3 October, Ruth made a contribution to the Justice Committee Debate into the use of Remand in Scotland, in which she described her experience recently in participating in the “Send your MSP to prison” campaign, organised by Families Outside (https://www.familiesoutside.org.uk)
During the debate Ruth also asked Conservative MSP Michelle Ballantyne if she believed that the impact on, and the damage to, children and families are the same whether a family member is imprisoned for a short sentence or on remand?
On Thursday 4 October Ruth asked the First Minister what impact the disclosure scheme for domestic abuse in Scotland has had since its introduction in 2015:
Also on Thursday 4 October, Ruth asked Jeane Freeman, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, about the consequences for the financial framework in terms of Barnett consequentials if the UK Government’s budget later this month does not deliver on its promises:
On Friday 5 October Ruth also met with KWISA, African women in Scotland at Herstory Woven, celebrating and commemorating Women of African descent who fought for equality (pictured above).
Finally, Ruth was also interviewed by Third Force News about her work as convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee at Holyrood, and how the committee will be working with voluntary organisations to help the legislative body make contact with those who feel their rights are under threat – you can find the interview at http://thirdforcenews.org.uk/tfn-news/third-sector-at-the-heart-of-human-rights-work.
Ruth Maguire MSP 