Ruth Maguire MSP has encouraged residents to consider active travel options as extra pressure on road networks is anticipated with children and young people returning to school. Schools across Scotland are welcoming pupils back this week following scientific advice to the Scottish Government which permits their safe reopening. A new campaign has been launched to... Continue Reading →
NHS Dental Services to Expand Under Phase 3
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed confirmation that NHS dental services will be re-introduced, under Phase 3 of the Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown. As of 17 August, dental practices who are suitably prepared will be permitted to provide aerosol generating procedures (AGP) on patients with urgent dental problems from. This includes the use... Continue Reading →
UK Government Must Reconsider Funding Position to Prevent Homelessness
Ruth Maguire MSP has today echoed the Housing Minister’s call for Westminster to reconsider its position on people with no recourse to public funds (NRPF). This follows a letter which was received by Immigration Minister Chris Philp which stated that despite the current global pandemic, the Home Office had no plans to suspend its approach... Continue Reading →
Original Predicted Grades for SQA Exams to Be Awarded
Ruth Maguire MSP has today welcomed an announcement from the Deputy First Minister that school students whose exam results were downgraded by SQA modelling would now receive reissued grades according to original teacher predictions. In a statement made in the Scottish Parliament, Deputy First Minister, John Swinney confirmed that all downgraded exam results would be withdrawn... Continue Reading →
‘Harmful’ Tory Benefit Cap Hits Over 200 Families in North Ayrshire
The number of households in North Ayrshire hit by the Tory government's 'harmful' benefit cap has soared by 46 per cent since the Covid-19 pandemic started. New statistics show that as of May this year, a total of 6,034 households in Scotland were hit by the benefit cap - an increase of almost 76 per... Continue Reading →
Hospitality Rules Tightened as More Indoor Public Places Mandate Face Coverings
Ruth Maguire MSP has urged local hospitality premises to adhere to the Scottish Government’s new rules before they come into law. From Friday (14 August) it will be mandatory for premises to record customer details in line with NHS Test and Protect guidelines. Ahead of the change in rules, the Scottish Government have noted that... Continue Reading →
2100 North Ayrshire Businesses Get £23 Million Cash Support Through Crisis
New figures show that 2,127 businesses in North Ayrshire have received support from the Scottish Government to support them through the coronavirus crisis. A total of £23 million has been awarded to businesses in North Ayrshire through a Scottish Government scheme designed to support small businesses and the retail, hospitality and leisure sector. Across Scotland,... Continue Reading →
Breast Cancer Screenings to Resume
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed news that plans are in place for breast screening appointments to restart safely from 3 August after being paused due to the Covid-19 crisis. Anyone who was invited for a breast screening appointment before the pause in March, who was unable to attend for any reason or had an appointment... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Urges Funding from Ayrshire Growth Deal to be Released
Ruth Maguire MSP has asked the Scottish Government for a commitment for money to be released from the Ayrshire Growth Deal to alleviate economic harm to the area caused by Covid-19. The deal, worth over £250 million was agreed in March 2019 in order to bring jobs and long term opportunities to Ayrshire over the... Continue Reading →
Phased Return of Visiting Family and Friends in Hospital
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed new guidance from the Scottish Government which will allow people in hospital who do not have Covid-19 to have a designated visitor. Until 13 July, hospital visits during the pandemic had only been permitted in limited essential circumstances. These included where a patient is reaching end-of-life, where a patient needs... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 