On Thursday 6th April, the UK Government’s controversial rape clause policy was introduced to widespread condemnation. The new benefits changes limit the child element of both Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit to a maximum of two children, whilst providing for exceptions such as unforeseeable multiple births, or the case of a child being conceived... Continue Reading →

The Scottish Government has spent nearly £400m between since 2013 in an effort to alleviate Tory cuts to household incomes, new figures reveal. The figures were revealed in a response to a parliamentary question by SNP MSP Ruth Maguire, showing that £152m was spent on the Scottish Welfare Fund and £125m on Discretionary Housing Payments... Continue Reading →

https://youtu.be/PvY72iBihqg?t=1h46m45s In a historic vote on Tuesday 28th March, the Scottish Parliament endorsed the Scottish Government’s plans to give the people of Scotland another choice about the nation’s future in the wake of Brexit. The Government motion called for a referendum to take place at a time when the terms of Brexit are known, around... Continue Reading →

UK Government changes to housing benefit, which would put more young people at risk of homelessness, have been condemned by the Scottish Government, which is taking action to mitigate the changes. The changes, due to take effect from 1 April, will remove the entitlement to housing support for 18 to 21 year-olds in receipt of... Continue Reading →

https://youtu.be/hzAJ3kAEWxY?t=27m18s On Thursday 23rd March, the Scottish Parliament held a sobering debate in recognition of the brutal genocide currently being perpetrated by ISIS against the Yazidi people. Scotland now joins the ranks of the many nations and institutions that have recognised and condemned the actions of ISIS as genocide, including the United Nations, the European... Continue Reading →

On Tuesday 21st March, local MSP Ruth Maguire hosted an evening reception in the Scottish Parliament to mark the launch of Financial Education Week 2017, which runs from 20 – 24 March. The week,  launched in partnership with Education Scotland, the Money Advice Service and the Scottish Financial Capability Partnership, is designed to raise awareness... Continue Reading →

On Tuesday 14th March, local MSP Ruth Maguire led a Holyrood debate celebrating and welcoming Scotland’s first Play Charter. The Charter was written by Play Scotland, a group which works to promote the importance of play, and describes a collective commitment to play for all babies, children and young people in Scotland, in line with... Continue Reading →

Ruth Maguire, SNP MSP for Cunninghame South, marked International Women’s Day by joining with school girls from across Scotland to speak out on child marriage - an issue which affects more than 700 million women around the world today who have been married as children. The girls were asked by international development charity Tearfund Scotland... Continue Reading →

  HARD BREXIT MEANS OPTION OF INDEPENDENCE MUST BE OFFERED SNP MSP for Cunninghame South, Ruth Maguire, has said that it is absolutely correct and appropriate for the people of Scotland to be offered a choice, once the options become clear, between a Tory hard Brexit and becoming an independent country, after the First Minister... Continue Reading →