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 →
Face Covering Exemption Card Launched
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the launch of an exemption card for face coverings from the Scottish Government. This is to support those who are unable to wear one to feel more confident and safe when accessing public spaces and using public services. The face covering exemption card is branded with the Healthier Scotland and... Continue Reading →
Scottish Government Publishes Winter Preparedness Plan
The Scottish Government have published an NHS Winter Preparedness Plan outlining steps to ensure a resilient and safe health care system. With coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continuing to rise, £1.1 billion has already been allocated to NHS Health Boards and Integration Authorities to meet the costs of responding to the pandemic. An additional £37 million has... Continue Reading →
North Ayrshire to be Placed into Level 3 Restrictions
The Scottish Government have today confirmed that North Ayrshire will be placed into Level 3 of the new five level framework of coronavirus. The five level framework comes into effect on Monday 2 November with Level 3 broadly resembling restrictions which were introduced to the Central Belt and West of Scotland earlier in the month.... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Hits Out at UK Gov’s Decision to End VAT Suspension for PPE
SNP MSP for Cunninghame South, Ruth Maguire, has branded the UK Tory government’s decision to allow the temporary suspension of VAT on personal protective equipment (PPE) to expire as “shocking”. VAT on PPE was cut to 0% in May following a campaign from trade union groups and opposition parties, with the cut applying to items... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Welcomes Funding Package for Free School Meals
SNP MSP Ruth Maguire has welcomed the announcement of a £30 million package of funding being made available to local authorities to support people facing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19), including money to provide free school meals over the school holidays. Local authorities will be given flexibility to use £20 million, previously... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 