Irvine Times column, 27 November 2018 This week I attended the premiere of “Food Bank As It Is” in the Scottish Parliament.  This powerful play, based on the lives of Scots food bank users draws on the testimonies of food bank clients in Edinburgh and Glasgow. It is undoubtedly powerful, but the most shocking thing... Continue Reading →

Local MSP Heads Committee Call for Improvements in Parliament’s Approach to Human Rights The Scottish Parliament should be an international leader in human rights, and adopt procedures that ensure best practice becomes standard practice, according to a new report from Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee which is chaired by local SNP MSP Ruth Maguire.... Continue Reading →

At Ruth's Christmas Scam Aware Surgery, several organisations and agencies attended to pass on their advice to help consumers avoid being scammed this Christmas. Here, PC Colin Johnstone of Police Scotland, Emily Liddle of Citizens Advice Scotland, and Andy Wylie from North Ayrshire Trading Standards offer their top tips on how to be scam aware:... Continue Reading →

Irvine Times column, 20 November 2018 Whilst Westminster falls into a maelstrom over Brexit and the Tory infighting that has been the root cause of the mess reaches its crescendo, in Holyrood the business of governing Scotland continues despite the Brexit bourach. On Tuesday I led the stage 1 debate as Convener of the Equalities... Continue Reading →

BEST START GRANT TO COME INTO FORCE FOR CHRISTMAS LOWER-INCOME FAMILIES IN CUNNINGHAME SOUTH TO BENEFIT FROM EARLY PAYMENT SNP MSP Ruth Maguire has welcomed the announcement that the first payments of the Best Start Grant will be delivered to families in the Irvine, Kilwinning and Stevenson areas in time for Christmas.  The Best Start... Continue Reading →

Cunninghame South MSP Ruth Maguire was needled by health campaigners this week – but it was all in the cause of learning first-hand how our local pharmacies can help deliver a vital health service to the public more effectively. Unlike in England, highly qualified pharmacists are unable to administer flu vaccinations for the NHS –... Continue Reading →

This week Ruth visited met with folk from Broomlands and Bourtreehill at Age Concern’s local centre in Irvine, including Jayne Armour, Action on Hearing Loss Scotland’s Welfare Rights Officer and Betty Weir, Age Concern Bourtreehill chairperson. On Tuesday, Ruth spoke as Convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee in a debate on the Age... Continue Reading →

RUTH MAGUIRE MSP URGES OLDER CONSTITUENTS WITH HEARING LOSS TO DROP IN TO AGE CONCERN BOURTREEHILL Ruth Maguire MSP is urging older people in Broomlands and Bourtreehill who have hearing loss to pop in to Age Concern’s local centre to enjoy a cuppa, participate in the group’s recreational activities and get informed about social security... Continue Reading →

MSP 'SENT TO PRISON' REPORTS ON EXPERIENCE LOGISTICS AND COST OF FAMILY PRISON VISITS HIGHLIGHTED The challenges faced by families affected by imprisonment were highlighted at an event in the Scottish Parliament this week when Ruth Maguire SNP MSP for Cunninghame South spoke about her visit to HMP Kilmarnock. Ruth was sent to prison as... Continue Reading →

Irvine Times column, 13 November 2018 This week saw the Scottish Government adopting recommendations to promote an inclusive approach to sex and relationships education in our schools, while tackling LGBTI bullying and discrimination. All state schools will now have to teach equality and inclusion, and to tackle homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and other prejudices in relation... Continue Reading →