Young People Challenged to Submit Designs Young people across Cunninghame South are being called upon to send in their fun and vibrant designs and concepts, to be a part of the team who will design the new generation of Baby Boxes. In partnership with Scottish Government and Children in Scotland, Young Scot are looking for... Continue Reading →

In a ministerial statement on Wednesday, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, Shirley-Anne Somerville, confirmed that the new Social Security Scotland agency will determine eligibility for disability benefits with the support of public sector healthcare professionals, and not the private sector. Ruth followed the statement with a question, asking whether, given the stigma... Continue Reading →

Irvine Times column, 25 September 2018 Last week I contributed to a debate in the Scottish Parliament to tie in with the International Day of Peace 2018, for which the theme was “The Right to Peace—The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70”. I believe that the Declaration, adopted by the UN General Assembly in... Continue Reading →

Last week in the Scottish Parliament, Ruth contributed to three debates, and also asked a question at First Minister's Questions.  On Tuesday 18th September, Ruth spoke in a members business debate about the UN International Day of Peace 2018, which this year focussed on the theme “The Right to Peace—The Universal Declaration of Human Rights... Continue Reading →

Irvine Times column, 18 September 2018 Last Tuesday was the 21st anniversary of the day when the Scottish people voted in a referendum to authorise the re-establishment of our national parliament, after a gap of three centuries. At Holyrood, the Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations, Mike Russell, used the opportunity to give... Continue Reading →

Ruth Maguire MSP has been appointed as the new Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee. She replaces Christina McKelvie MSP within the role, following her recent ministerial appointment to the Scottish Government. As part of the Committee’s current business, Ruth will oversee consideration of the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Bill,... Continue Reading →

Ruth's Irvine Times column, September 11 2018 This week the Scottish Parliament reconvened, with much of the week dedicated to the SNP’s Programme for Government for the next year. Last year the Scottish Government delivered on policies that were radical and ambitious, and which were widely praised both in Scotland and beyond. The public sector... Continue Reading →

Irvine Times, Tuesday August 28, 2018 Last week I had the chance to work as ‘an Apprentice for a Day’ at the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plant in Irvine. It was another opportunity to see for myself the continuing success of the Scottish Government’s initiative to boost the number of Modern Apprenticeships across the country. During my... Continue Reading →

Irvine Times, Tuesday 21 August 2018 Summer Recess The Scottish Parliament is in recess at the moment and at this time of year the nature of an MSP’s job changes. Instead of the Parliamentary debate and committee work which is the focus of life at Holyrood, and which will restart in September, I have much... Continue Reading →

Irvine Times, Tuesday 14 August 2018 Last week saw a welcome announcement from the SNP Scottish Government about the National Concessionary Travel Scheme, which provides National Entitlement Cards to Scotland’s older and disabled people, allowing users to travel for free on our excellent local and Scottish long-distance bus services. There has been a lot of... Continue Reading →