The Scottish Parliament summer recess in Cunninghame South Constituency, has been productive for Ruth. Through August Ruth has held scheduled constituency surgeries in Stevenston, Kilwinning and Irvine, meeting constituents to hear their concerns, providing general advice and helping with any matters that she can raise on their behalf.
Ruth has also held on location Street Surgeries in Pennyburn and Springside; almost 2000 households received a hand delivered letter in advance to invite them to share local concerns and provide them with contact details should they require assistance in the future.
Ruth was joined in Pennyburn by colleague SNP Councillor for Ward 06, Kilwinning, Scott Davidson. Ruth and Scott heard concerns from residents on a range of matters and have taken away actions and some issues to investigate.
Springside street surgery was well attended. Ruth, joined by her office manager, spoke with constituents and have taken on several new casework enquiries.
However, constituent’s do not have to wait for the next street surgery to ask Ruth for help. Ruth constituency office is open Monday to Friday and Ruth’s team is available to respond to initial enquiries at times when Ruth is fulfilling Scottish Parliament duties.
What can Ruth help with?
There are certain things that the Scottish Parliament has the power to make decisions on. These are known as “devolved matters”. As MSP for Cunninghame South Ruth can provide support with issues relating to the following devolved matters:
- agriculture and fisheries
- education and training
- environment
- health and social services
- housing
- justice and policing
- local government
- transport
As MSP Ruth can also help with enquiries regarding some taxes – these include:
- Income Tax
- Land and Buildings Transaction Tax
- Landfill Tax
Now Social Security Scotland are managing more benefit’s, you can also contact Ruth about some aspects of social security – these include the following benefits:
- Best Start Grant
- Carer’s Allowance/Carer’s Allowance Supplement
- Funeral Support Payment
- Young Carer Grant
When contacting Ruth please include:
- your postcode, along with the rest of your contact details
- a brief description of the problem or issue
- suggestions on what can be done to sort out the problem or issue, if you have any
Information on how to contact Ruth can be found on her website here.
Information on Ruth’s next scheduled surgeries can be found here.
Festival of Politics
The Festival of Politics 2022 took place 11-13 August in the Scottish Parliament and featured a programme of engaging events, online and in person, considering the big issues for the people of Scotland. Themes such as end of life choices, the state of the UK union, cost of living crisis, our climate, migration and equality all featured.
Ruth Maguire MSP Co-Convener of the Scottish Parliaments Cross Party Group on Commercial Exploitation chaired a panel of front-line service providers and a prostitution survivor, to discuss the reality of commercial sexual exploitation and the role played by the industrial growth of online pimping websites, and how these impact both the buyers and sellers of sexual services.
The panel discussion and part-dramatised reading brought into a public forum the words of those who sell and buy sexual services.
Marymass 2022
Ruth was delighted that Marymass returned to Irvine, following a pause of two years due to the pandemic. Ruth joined colleagues to mark Marymass Day Celebrations on Saturday, a great day with the community in good spirits and the sun even made an appearance!
Thank you to all the organisers and those who joined in the celebrations.
Ruth has enjoyed the Scottish Parliament summer recess in Cunninghame South Constituency.
After a refreshing summer spent in Cunninghame South, hearing directly form constituents the issues that matter most to them, Ruth is all set for her return to Edinburgh. The Scottish Parliament will return for business on 4 September.
Ruth’s diary is already looking very busy. Ruth is particularly excited about her coming Member’s Debate scheduled for early September.
Ruth Maguire MSP 