Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed a package of funding and financial flexibilities for Scottish councils which has been agreed between the Scottish Government and COSLA. To address the financial pressures caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic over the next two years, councils will be granted additional spending powers which could be worth around £600 million.... Continue Reading →
Updated Guidance for Parent and Baby Groups
The Scottish Government have announced updated guidance for parent and baby groups which increases the number of adults who are allowed to attend, subject to certain conditions. Following the publication of updated public health advice, groups will now allow up to ten adults to attend groups where all children are under 12 months old. The... Continue Reading →
New Grant Announced to Support People Who Have to Self-Isolate
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed a new grant for people on low incomes which allows them to receive £500 if asked to self-isolate. The new Self-Isolation Support Grant will help those who would lose income if they needed to self-isolate, such as those unable to carry out their work from home. This grant is for... Continue Reading →
Extra Funding to Help Health and Social Care Services in North Ayrshire Respond to Pandemic
Health and social care services in North Ayrshire are to receive an additional £38 million from the SNP Government to support the local response to the Coronavirus pandemic and prepare for winter. The extra funding has been allocated to help local services meet COVID-19 related costs such as additional staffing or sickness expenditure, enhanced infection... Continue Reading →
Additional Accommodation Guidance for Students Published
Ruth Maguire MSP has today welcomed additional guidance published for people living in student accommodation. While students are encouraged to remain on campus following measures implemented to prevent the spread of coronavirus, those who wish to return home on a permanent basis are now permitted to do so. Students who opt to do this have... Continue Reading →
Decision to Scrap UK Budget Shows Contempt for Scottish Government
Ruth Maguire MSP has today criticised the UK Government’s decision to abandon its Autumn budget which allows Scotland to set its own spending and taxation plans. The announcement was made in a statement by the UK Treasury which said: “Now is not the right time to outline long-term plans - people want to see us... Continue Reading →
Advance Loans Must Be Scrapped to Prevent Thousands Falling Into DWP Debt
Ruth Maguire MSP has added her voice to calls for the UK Government to convert Universal Credit advance payment loans into non-repayable grants. This comes after figures show 1.6 million people in receipt of the benefit suffered an average deduction of £60 in just one month at the height of lockdown. Two in five households... Continue Reading →
Domestic Violence Support Highlighted as Covid Restrictions Reintroduced to Slow Spread of Virus
Ruth Maguire MSP today welcomed comments from the First Minister which highlighted available support to women experiencing or at risk of domestic violence. The comments came after the MSP for Cunninghame South asked a question in response to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s statement detailing new Covid restrictions which take effect across Scotland this week. Under... Continue Reading →
Council Tax Reduction Scheme Supports Over 17,000 Local Households
New figures released this week reveal that 17,450 households across North Ayrshire were supported by the SNP Government’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme in June 2020. Across Scotland, almost 500,000 Scots received the support in June, with the number of local households in receipt of the Council Tax Reduction support rising by 630 since April 2020.... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Urges People in North Ayrshire to Download ‘Protect Scotland’ App
SNP MSP Ruth Maguire has urged people in North Ayrshire to download the new ‘Protect Scotland ’app - to help slow the spread of Coronavirus and support the easing of lockdown restrictions. The app can be downloaded onto phones and will let users know if they have come into close contact with someone who has... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 