The first vaccinations against coronavirus (COVID-19) have been given in Scotland to those who will be carrying out the vaccination programme. Initial supplies of the Pfizer vaccine have been arriving at NHS Boards across Scotland since the weekend and are being stored at the required Ultra Low Temperature ahead of the start of the vaccination... Continue Reading →
Ban on Evictions Over Christmas Introduced
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the introduction of a six week temporary halt to enforcement of evictions from rented properties until mid-January. This move will give extra protection to tenants during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It will reduce the burden on local authorities, who have a duty to rehouse people made homeless through evictions, and... Continue Reading →
Financial Support for People who Have to Self-Isolate Expanded
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the expansion of the Scottish Government’s expansion of the £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant to help more people who are affected by Covid-19. The grant is being extended to include parents on low incomes whose children are asked to self-isolate as well as those who may be eligible for Universal Credit, but have not yet... Continue Reading →
Voluntary sector has shown how vital it is: it must now be valued accordingly
The Equalities and Human Rights Committee’s 2019 Valuing the Third Sector report and our most recent budget scrutiny work have highlighted the significant contribution of the third sector in providing support to the most vulnerable in society, while also demonstrating the need for a new approach to funding and collaborative working to ensure this vital... Continue Reading →
£100 Million Fund Announced to Support People In Need Through Winter
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has today unveil a £100 million winter fund for low income households - including a £100 direct payment for families of children in receipt of free school meals. The announcement was made as the First Minister addressed the SNP annual conference, warning that the COVID-19 crisis has laid down a challenge of... Continue Reading →
New Equipment and Training to Help Families Get Online
Applications have opened to help thousands of disadvantaged young people to develop valuable digital skills through the Scottish Government’s Connecting Scotland Programme. The programme, launched by the Scottish Government in response to the coronavirus pandemic aims at helping to support people who are digitally excluded by providing equipment and training. More than 23,000 iPads and... Continue Reading →
Assurances Provided on Face Covering Exemptions for Public Transport
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed reassurances of support from the Scottish Government for people with disabilities which exempt them from wearing face coverings on public transport. Speaking today at Portfolio Questions, the SNP MSP for Cunninghame South highlighted that not every disability which gives people a valid exemption is visible and asked what support is... Continue Reading →
Evidence Led Routine Testing of Health and Social Care Staff is Essential
Ruth Maguire MSP has called for evidence led routine Covid testing for Scotland’s health and social care workers. The SNP MSP for Cunninghame South gave her backing for staff working in the healthcare sector to be given access to routine testing while speaking in the Scottish Parliament in a debate on the subject. It was... Continue Reading →
Questions Remain on Income Support for the Self Employed
Ruth Maguire MSP has called for the Scottish Government to continue to pressure the UK Treasury for improved coverage of income support for self employed people who have lost income due to the pandemic. Speaking at Portfolio Questions, Ruth Maguire addressed the gap in support being offered to people who recently became self employed prior... Continue Reading →
Assurances Given on Covid Travel Exemptions for Caring Responsibilities
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed reassurances given to local constituents from the First Minister that exemptions to travel restrictions apply to people who have caring responsibilities. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made the clarification today in the Scottish Parliament following her update on changes to restrictions by local authority area. While the West of Scotland and... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 