Irvine Times column, 30 October 2018 Last week the Scottish Youth Parliament visited Ayrshire for its 67th National Sitting, to discuss issues affecting children and young people. For much of my week in Parliament, children and young people were on my mind too. As Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee, for... Continue Reading →

SNP MSP Ruth Maguire has criticised the UK Government for failing the people of Cunninghame South, following this year’s Budget announcement. After promising to end austerity, the UK Government’s budget has in fact failed Scottish people, with Scotland’s resource block grant almost £2 billion lower in real terms next year than it was less than... Continue Reading →

This week Ruth visited St Mary's Kenmure Secure Unit in Bishopriggs, in her capacity as Convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee, on a fact finding session as part of the committee's scrutiny into the Age of Criminal Responsibility Bill. A huge thanks to staff and young people who took the time to share... Continue Reading →

As Convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee, Ruth had an opportunity on Wednesday 24 October 2018, to question the First Minister at the Conveners Group meeting within the Scottish Parliament. Noting that Scotland faces a number of significant challenges to Human Rights protections, including Brexit, Ruth asked the First Minister about her views... Continue Reading →

Irvine Times column, 23 October 2018 Last Thursday was Anti-Slavery Day, which shone a light on the growing problem of modern slavery and human trafficking within Scotland and across the UK.  Slavery is not something that has been consigned to history. Many people are trapped and exploited for their labour, whilst others are enslaved through... Continue Reading →

Ruth Maguire MSP pledges to back a law to end unsafe pavement parking The MSP for Cunninghame South helps raise awareness of the dangers of pavement parking Ruth Maguire MSP spoke with the charity Guide Dogs Scotland at the SNP conference about the challenges pavement parked cars create for blind and partially sighted people, who... Continue Reading →

Irvine Times, 16 October 2018 Last weekend I attended the SNP’s Annual National Conference in Glasgow, which had ‘Hope’ as its central theme. Conference provides a wonderful opportunity to engage with party members, academics, businesses and charities. I was particularly pleased to chair a fringe event sponsored by Charities Aid Foundation and the Scottish Council... Continue Reading →

On Tuesday 2 October, Ruth participated in a cross party group on credit unions, in which she heard from the Scottish Government about the Credit Union awareness campaign, and in which she heard presentations from East Kilbride Credit Union, 1st Alliance (Ayrshire) Credit Union, and Pioneer Mutual Credit Union. On Wednesday 3 October, Ruth made a... Continue Reading →

Irvine Times, 9 October 2018 This week in parliament there was a strong Justice theme.  During FMQs I had the opportunity to question the First Minister on the impact of the Disclosure Scheme. The disclosure scheme for domestic abuse in Scotland, introduced after Clare Wood’s tragic death, has enabled more than 3,500 people to request... Continue Reading →

Irvine Times, 2 October 2018 Last Tuesday I was pleased to attend an event in Edinburgh to formally launch Garnock Connections, an exciting new venture which aims to connect people within the Garnock Valley to their local environment. It hopes to do so by enhancing the local natural habitat, by exploring the area’s rich industrial... Continue Reading →