2,780 North Ayrshire families have benefitted from new welfare payments introduced by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government opened the Best Start Grant for applications in December 2018. The payment provides parents or carers who get certain benefits or tax credits with financial support during the key early years of a child's life. In the... Continue Reading →
Week in Review (3rd – 7th February)
Ruth Maguire MSP hosted an exhibition within the Scottish Parliament by Eden Project Communities as they were promoting The Big Lunch.As part of efforts to strengthen community links and combat isolation, the Big Lunch, held from 6-7 June, encourages neighbourhoods, communities, organisations, schools and charities to host gatherings where people can form friendships within their... Continue Reading →
Vigilance Around Hedgehogs Called for as Hibernation Period Nears End
MSP for Cunninghame South, Ruth Maguire has urged members of the public to be mindful of young hedgehogs which may be in difficulty. Following on from National Hedgehog Day, the MSP drew attention to declining numbers of the species as a cause for concern. Having been appointed a species champion for hedgehogs in 2016 by... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Calls for Workers to be Equipped with ‘Overdose Reversing’ Drug
Cunninghame South MSP, Ruth Maguire called for workers who interact with people at risk of opioid overdoses to be equipped with naloxone kits. Speaking in a debate in The Scottish Parliament on preventing and reducing harm in drug and alcohol abuse, Ruth Maguire MSP echoed the asks put forward by the family reference groups of... Continue Reading →
Tory Brexit to Hit Most Vulnerable in North Ayrshire
A new report has warned that Brexit will hit the most vulnerable people in North Ayrshire – highlighting negative consequences such as the loss of legal rights, employment protections and healthcare rights. The report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, identified 137 potential impacts on those already facing inequality, discrimination, or social exclusion in society. It... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Backs Proposals for New ‘Scottish Visa’
SNP MSP Ruth Maguire has backed proposals for a new Scottish Visa to address depopulation and cut skills gaps in North Ayrshire set to be made worse by Brexit. Under plans announced by the First Minister, migrants who want to live in Scotland could choose to apply for a Scottish Visa, or one of the... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Encourages Funding Applications for Coasts and Waters Events
Cunninghame South MSP Ruth Maguire has called for young people in North Ayrshire to get involved with Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020. YouthLink Scotland have launched a small grants scheme to support young people across Scotland who wish to take part in the themed year’s activities that promote the nature, history and culture... Continue Reading →
St Winning’s Primary Faith Garden Pupils Presented with Parliamentary Motion
Cunninghame South MSP, Ruth Maguire presented pupils of St Winning’s Primary School with a copy of a motion raised in The Scottish Parliament praising them for the opening of a faith garden within their grounds. The Kilwinning school opened the faith garden in October 2019 as a place open to all pupils, staff, parents and... Continue Reading →
Holyrood Passes Plan to Transform North Ayrshire’s Economy
SNP MSP Ruth Maguire has said the new Scottish National Investment bank will help encourage economic growth across North Ayrshire, after the bill to introduce the body was formally agreed to in Holyrood. MSPs from all parties gave their backing to the Scottish Government’s blueprint for the investment bank that will begin investing in businesses... Continue Reading →
Evaluation of Delivery of Drug and Alcohol Services
A question was put to the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing on how the Scottish Government evaluates drug and alcohol services at Portfolio Questions within the Scottish Parliament. The Minister was also asked how the Scottish Government would ensure transparency and accountability around funding and the delivery of outcomes in order to allow... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 