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 →
Additional Social Distancing Support in Supermarkets Required for the Visually Impaired
Ruth Maguire MSP has called for extra support to be given to visually impaired people to help follow social distancing guidelines in supermarkets following concerns being raised locally and by leading organisations. This comes after a nationwide survey by the Royal National Institute of Blind People found that three in four people with visual impairments... 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 Adds Support to Call for Help for People With No Access to Public Funds
Ruth Maguire MSP has added her support to the Scottish Government’s call for support to be provided for people classed as having No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). People who have lived and worked across the UK for many years face significant financial hardship under this immigration rule, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic which has... 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 Welcomes Routemap to Easing Lockdown
Today in Holyrood, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed the nation to explain the Scottish Government’s routemap that will guide the country out of lockdown. The routemap gives practical examples of what people, organisations and businesses can expect to see change over time. If the evidence shows transmission of COVID-19 is under control and the number... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 