Last week, Ruth: Joined MSP colleagues and the Kurdish community at the Cross Party Group on Kurdistan to discuss practical solidary   Led a Holyrood debate highlighting how flexible working allows business to maximise talent and drive inclusive growth.   In Education Committee, took evidence from a range of organisations on the Children and Young... Continue Reading →

This week, Ruth has: Held MSP advice surgeries in Bourtreehill and Kilwinning   Caught up with the local member of the Scottish Youth Parliament   Given a talk to the 7th Irvine Boys Brigade on ‘What an MSP does”   Signed a letter supporting Catalonia’s Right to Choose and urging the EU to uphold democracy... Continue Reading →

This month, whilst the Parliament has been in recess, Ruth has: Met with representatives of Family Friendly Working Scotland to prepare for the Breakfast Briefing Event on ‘Flexible and Innovative Ways of Working’ which Ruth is co-hosting with the organisation on Friday 8th All local employers are welcome and there is still time to sign... Continue Reading →

This month, whilst the Parliament is in recess, Ruth has:   Held a ‘Street Surgey’ in Hayocks along with Councillor Davina McTiernan to speak to constituents directly   Visited the wonderful team at Centrestage Communities, an Ayrshire charity which supports many thousands of people living with multiple deprivations, to feel more connected to the wider... Continue Reading →

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... Continue Reading →

This week, Ruth has: Praised hard-working NHS staff after hospitals in NHS Ayrshire & Arran outperformed both the 4-hour A&E waiting time target and the national average. Across Scotland, more than 95% of patients in core accident and emergency departments were seen, admitted or discharged within four hours, according to most recent figures. Hospitals in... Continue Reading →

This week, Ruth has: Debated the Scottish Government’s Child Poverty (Scotland Bill) - which introduces four main statutory income targets for reducing child poverty and includes stringent reporting requirements at both the national and the local level. The Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill will make Scotland the only part of the UK with statutory targets to... Continue Reading →

This week, Ruth has: In Education Committee, continued the Committee’s inquiry into teacher workforce planning for Scotland’s schools. The Committee took evidence from a wide range of organisations, including Education Scotland, COSLA, and the General Teaching Council for Scotland. Ruth asked in particular about how schools plan to accommodate early retirement and maternity/paternity leave. The... Continue Reading →

Took part in a Scottish Government debate recognising the valuable contribution that disabled people make to Scottish society and advocating further transformational change in order for disabled people to reach their full potential. During the debate, Ruth condemned the UK Tory Government’s ongoing violation of disabled people’s rights through punitive changes and cuts to disability... Continue Reading →