This week, Ruth: Teamed up with Shiloh, a loveable Lhasa Apso currently in the care of the Dogs Trust, to take part in Holyrood’s first Dog of the Year competition in the Scottish Parliament Gardens. At the inaugural competition, organised by the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust, MSPs turned out to wow the judges... Continue Reading →
Weekly Bulletin 1st May – 7th May
This week, Ruth: Held MSP advice surgeries in Kilwinning and Dreghorn In Education Committee, considered in private the Committee’s draft report on Personal and Social Education and agreed to consider an amended draft report at its next meeting. The Committee also considered its draft report on Additional Support Needs and agreed the report... Continue Reading →
Weekly Bulletin 24th April – 28th April
Last week Ruth: Joined MSPs from all other parties apart from the Scottish Conservatives to condemn the UK Tory Government’s two child cap and associated rape clause in a Holyrood debate on the issue. The Scottish Conservatives were visibly uncomfortable and unusually quiet throughout the debate, and refused either to take, or make, a single... Continue Reading →
Weekly Bulletin 17th April – 21st April
This week Ruth: • Joined campaigners and politicians from all of Scotland’s parties apart from the Conservatives outside Holyrood to protest the Tory imposed family cap and ‘rape clause. The family cap limits tax credits to only two children per family – unless the mother can prove that a third child was conceived as a... Continue Reading →
Weekly Bulletin 27th March – 2nd April
In Social Security Committee, took evidence on the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill at Glasgow City Chambers from individuals and organisations including John Dickie (Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland), Naomi Eisenstadt, Independent Advisor on Poverty and Inequality, and Eddie Follan (Barnardo’s Scotland). Ruth questioned the witnesses about income maximisation and what difference it would make to... Continue Reading →
Weekly Bulletin 20th March – 26th March
As a member of Holyrood’s Social Security Committee, travelled to Westminster for the second of two joint meetings with members of Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee to take evidence on and discuss inter-governmental co-operation on social security. Contributed to the first part of a historic Holyrood debate - as MSPs debated a motion calling for... Continue Reading →
Weekly Bulletin 13th March – 19th March
Weekly Bulletin 13th March - 19th March In Social Security Committee, held a joint meeting with members of Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee to take evidence on and discuss inter-governmental co-operation on social security. The Committee took evidence from a range of people and organisations including, Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, Inclusion Scotland, and the... Continue Reading →
Weekly Bulletin 6th March – 12th March
In Parliament In Local Government and Communities Committee, took evidence from the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers, Cyrenians, Shelter, and Streetwork on homeless. Ruth questioned whether the needs of people with multiple and complex needs were being met by the current system, and explored what opportunities the integration of health and social... Continue Reading →
Weekly Bulletin 27th February – 5th March
In Parliament Met with Blue Cross animal welfare charity to discuss ways in which animal welfare legislation could be strengthened In Social Security Committee, received an update on the Social Security Bill from Minister for Social Security, Jeane Freeman. Ruth sought assurances that the number of face to face assessments and the volume of paperwork... Continue Reading →
Weekly Bulletin 20th-26th February
This week, Ruth has: Met with the Chief Executive of North Ayrshire Council, Elma Murray, to discuss The Ayrshire Growth Deal As a member of Holyrood’s Local Government and Communities committee, taken evidence on subordinate legislation relating to non-domestic rates, or business rates, from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution, Derek Mackay.... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 