Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the SNP Government’s ambitious draft budget - which includes record funding of £16 billion for our health and social care service - and urged MSPs from all parties to support it. Today, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes announced her budget, which focuses on three key guiding principles - a national mission for... Continue Reading →
Increased Fund to Support Wedding Sector
A £25 million fund to support the wedding sector and its supply chain will open to applications this week. In recognition of the ongoing challenges faced by the sector, an additional £10 million has been added to the £15 million announced by the Scottish Government in December. The fund will be launched on Thursday 28... Continue Reading →
Over £250 Million for Drug Deaths Emergency
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the announcement that an additional £50 million will be allocated every year for the next five years to improve and increase services for people affected by drug addiction. Talks have been taking place with people with lived experience, a range of organisations and the Drug Deaths Taskforce following the publication... Continue Reading →
Business Grants Top Up Announced
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the announcement of a significant top-up to the grant support available for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses across Scotland closed by level 4 restrictions will be paid following an announcement by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. Further to the grants businesses receive through the Strategic Business Framework Fund, eligible businesses will... Continue Reading →
SNP Government Triples Support for Taxi Drivers in North Ayrshire
SNP MSP Ruth Maguire has expressed her delight that taxi and private hire drivers in North Ayrshire will have access to three times the amount of Scottish Government support than they did last year. Eligible drivers will be able to claim a £1,500 grant to cover fixed costs, boosting the support available to them by the Scottish... Continue Reading →
56,000 Parents Apply for Scottish Child Payment
Ruth Maguire MSP has encouraged parents to apply now for the new Scottish Child Payment which opens in February. Social Security Scotland is taking applications ahead of the new benefit’s introduction to help manage demand. 56,000 applications were received between Monday 9 November and Sunday 3 January. Those who apply before the start date will... Continue Reading →
Ban on Evictions Extended to Protect Tenants
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the extension of the Scottish Government’s temporary ban of eviction notices until the end of March. The extended ban – will apply to all evictions in areas subject to level 3 or 4 restrictions, except cases of serious anti-social behaviour, including domestic abuse. Subject to review every three weeks to... Continue Reading →
Self Isolating Guidance Update Won’t Affect Grant Payments
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the announcement that the Scottish Government’s self-isolation payment will not be impacted, following an update that anyone required to self-isolate will need to do so for 10 days, rather than 14 days. The £500 grant - which will not be reduced as a result of the updated clinical guidance -... Continue Reading →
New Scottish Government Support to Target Sectors In Need
Businesses in North Ayrshire will receive their share of targeted Scottish Government coronavirus funding worth £185 million. The funding was announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and will benefit a wide range of sectors, such as taxi drivers, arts venues and the hospitality sector. The Scottish Government is developing grant schemes for hospitality, the events sector, live music,... Continue Reading →
Covid Restriction Levels Updated
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the updated coronavirus restriction levels which sees all three council areas in Ayrshire now sitting at Level 3. As of Friday 11th December, North Ayrshire will be joined by East and South Ayrshire which are among the 11 local authority areas which will move from Level 4 following improvement in... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 