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 →
Equal Protection from Assault Act Comes Into Force
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the introduction of legislation that gives children the same legal protection from assault as adults. The Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019, otherwise known as the ‘smacking ban’ came into effect on Saturday 7 November and removes the outdated defence of “reasonable chastisement” from the physical assault of... Continue Reading →
Scottish Government’s Young Persons’ Guarantee Must Reflect Diverse Backgrounds
Ruth Maguire MSP has asked the Scottish Government how its Young Persons' Guarantee will help remove structural barriers to employment for young people from all backgrounds. The initiative, backed by £60 million of funding from the Scottish Government, aims to tackle youth unemployment by offering every person aged 16-24 in Scotland the opportunity of a... Continue Reading →
Tighter Restrictions of Fireworks to be Considered
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the recommendations of the Firework Review Group established by the Scottish Government which has called for tighter restrictions on the availability of fireworks to tackle anti social behaviour. The independent group have called for the introduction of no firework zones and have also made recommendations to restrict the days and... Continue Reading →
Scottish Child Payment to Open Early for Applications
The new Scottish Child Payment - which has been described as a “game-changer” in the fight to tackle child poverty - will open early for applications this month. Ruth Maguire MSP has encouraged parents and carers in North Ayrshire who are eligible to apply now so that the Scottish Government can process and start making payments... 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 →
Case for Grouse Moor Reform Outlined to MSPs
Ruth Maguire MSP today hosted a preview of a campaign which will put forward the case for the reform of Scotland’s grouse moors. In an online session, MSPs were shown a trailer which parodies the TV series Dragon’s Den to highlight weaknesses in the arguments in favour of managed grouse moors in Scotland. Government’s Den,... Continue Reading →
Unfair Fire and Rehire Employment Practices Must End
Ruth Maguire MSP today raised concerns about unfair employment policies which have been highlighted through the pandemic. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament today, she drew attention to fire and rehire practices and sought agreement from the Scottish Government that steps should be taken to stop them. The SNP MSP for Cunninghame South said: “Appreciating the... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 