The first vaccinations against coronavirus (COVID-19) have been given in Scotland to those who will be carrying out the vaccination programme. Initial supplies of the Pfizer vaccine have been arriving at NHS Boards across Scotland since the weekend and are being stored at the required Ultra Low Temperature ahead of the start of the vaccination... Continue Reading →
Tougher Penalties for Wildlife Crime as Act Comes into Force
New measures to increase the maximum available penalties for the worst cases of animal cruelty have come in to force. The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 increases the maximum penalty for the most serious animal welfare and wildlife crimes to five years imprisonment and unlimited fines. Under the act, tougher... Continue Reading →
Ban on Evictions Over Christmas Introduced
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the introduction of a six week temporary halt to enforcement of evictions from rented properties until mid-January. This move will give extra protection to tenants during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It will reduce the burden on local authorities, who have a duty to rehouse people made homeless through evictions, and... Continue Reading →
Financial Support for People who Have to Self-Isolate Expanded
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the expansion of the Scottish Government’s expansion of the £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant to help more people who are affected by Covid-19. The grant is being extended to include parents on low incomes whose children are asked to self-isolate as well as those who may be eligible for Universal Credit, but have not yet... Continue Reading →
Voluntary sector has shown how vital it is: it must now be valued accordingly
The Equalities and Human Rights Committee’s 2019 Valuing the Third Sector report and our most recent budget scrutiny work have highlighted the significant contribution of the third sector in providing support to the most vulnerable in society, while also demonstrating the need for a new approach to funding and collaborative working to ensure this vital... Continue Reading →
Plan to Eliminate HIV Transmission by 2030 Announced
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the announcement of Scottish Government plans to eliminate HIV transmission in Scotland within the next decade. The HIV transmission elimination proposal, announced today [Tuesday 1 December] to mark World Aids Day, will be developed alongside other measures to prevent transmission, including widening access to medication that prevents HIV infection, increasing... Continue Reading →
SNP Pledge Free School Meals for All Primary School Pupils
SNP MSP Ruth Maguire has welcomed the announcement that every primary school pupil in North Ayrshire will be eligible for free school meals, all year around, if the SNP is re-elected in May. Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, set out this latest step in the drive to tackle child poverty and make Scotland the first... Continue Reading →
£100 Million Fund Announced to Support People In Need Through Winter
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has today unveil a £100 million winter fund for low income households - including a £100 direct payment for families of children in receipt of free school meals. The announcement was made as the First Minister addressed the SNP annual conference, warning that the COVID-19 crisis has laid down a challenge of... Continue Reading →
Scotland Becomes First Country to Offer Free Provision of Period Products
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the passing into law of the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill. The bill, which was passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament, makes Scotland the first country in the world to provide free period products in all public buildings. The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill enshrines the right to... Continue Reading →
New Equipment and Training to Help Families Get Online
Applications have opened to help thousands of disadvantaged young people to develop valuable digital skills through the Scottish Government’s Connecting Scotland Programme. The programme, launched by the Scottish Government in response to the coronavirus pandemic aims at helping to support people who are digitally excluded by providing equipment and training. More than 23,000 iPads and... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 