Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed new figures showing spending on education in North Ayrshire rose by £4.9 million last year. The figures show councils spent £547 million more on education in 2019-20 than the previous year - a real terms spending increase of 8% across Scotland. The increase was driven in large part by the... Continue Reading →
Provisional Dates for Phase 2 and Phase 3 Measures Announced
Indicative dates for further relaxations to lockdown measures, including the restarting of the hospitality industry, have been announced by the First Minister. Setting out the dates for the remainder of Phase 2 and the early part of Phase 3, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stressed that while sustained progress has been made to suppress Covid-19, these... Continue Reading →
Progress Against Covid-19 Continues with Gradual Introduction of Phase 2
Ruth Maguire MSP has thanked local residents for their patience as Scotland will begin to ease into Phase 2 of its exit from lockdown from tomorrow the First Minister has announced. As of today, people who have been shielding from the virus since lockdown was introduced will now be able to leave their homes for... Continue Reading →
Local Groups Praised for Their Support as Covid-19 Next Steps Discussed
Ruth Maguire MSP has paid tribute to local volunteer groups and organisations for their role in providing support to their communities throughout the Covid-19 crisis. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, the SNP MSP noted that many organisations made up of dedicated volunteers have been working constantly to provide food, shopping and prescription services for people... Continue Reading →
What to Expect if You’re Called by an NHS Contact Tracer
Scotland’s approach to implementing the ‘test, trace, isolate, support’ strategy, Test and Protect, is now live across the country. Test and Protect will help us gradually change the restrictions that help to suppress COVID-19 so society can adapt to a new normal. If you experience any one of the symptoms - a high temperature, a... Continue Reading →
Flexibility in New Furlough Scheme Extension Needed to Protect Local Businesses
Ruth Maguire MSP has repeated calls from the Scottish Government for flexibility to be shown to employers as the furlough scheme has been extended until the end of October. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the extension of the job retention scheme which will enable employees to receive 80% of their salary November. However, the requirement for... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Demands Brexit Extension to Protect North Ayrshire Jobs
SNP MSP Ruth Maguire has called on the UK government to extend the Brexit transition period in light of coronavirus – with new analysis showing billions of pounds could be wiped from the Scottish economy. The transition arrangements currently keep the UK close to the EU and can be extended for two years – beyond... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Urges Caution as Scottish Government Moves to Phase 1 of Lockdown Exit
Ruth Maguire MSP today echoed the First Minister’s call to continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines as the Scottish Government relaxed some of its lockdown measures. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that following a “sustained and unmistakable” decrease in the spread of Covid-19, the Scottish Government has moved into the first phase of its... Continue Reading →
Inquiry Continues as Evidence on Human Rights Impact of Covid-19 Heard by Committee
Ruth Maguire MSP today thanked people and organisations who contributed evidence towards a Holyrood inquiry on the impact of Covid-19 on equalities and human rights. The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee today heard evidence from organisations acting on behalf of women and elderly people as groups who have been disproportionately impacted by the... Continue Reading →
Next Steps for Passengers and Transport Sector
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed new guidance for passengers and operators in Scotland which has been produced to help prepare for the lifting of some lockdown restrictions. Today’s travel guidance is published as part of the Transport Transition Plan. It follows the publication of a detailed route map by the Scottish Government regarding next steps... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 