Ruth Maguire MSP has asked the Scottish Government for a commitment for money to be released from the Ayrshire Growth Deal to alleviate economic harm to the area caused by Covid-19. The deal, worth over £250 million was agreed in March 2019 in order to bring jobs and long term opportunities to Ayrshire over the... Continue Reading →
Phased Return of Visiting Family and Friends in Hospital
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed new guidance from the Scottish Government which will allow people in hospital who do not have Covid-19 to have a designated visitor. Until 13 July, hospital visits during the pandemic had only been permitted in limited essential circumstances. These included where a patient is reaching end-of-life, where a patient needs... Continue Reading →
Hairdressers and Barbers to Re-Open
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed guidance from the Scottish Government which will allow barbers and hairdressers to reopen today (15 July). As part of Phase 3 of the Scotland’s exit from lockdown, guidance has been published to ensure that salons are able to safely reopen to customers. The guidance also covers services such as beauty... Continue Reading →
Brexit Used as Cover for Power Grab on Holyrood
Ruth Maguire MSP has repeated calls from the Scottish Government for Westminster to scrap a proposed law which has been described as an effort to undermine devolution. Constitution Secretary, Michael Russell wrote to the Cabinet Office minister, Michael Gove, to urge the UK Government to shelf the proposed enshrinement of the “UK internal market”. Concerns... Continue Reading →
National Debt Plan Must Be Introduced by UK Government
Ruth Maguire MSP has echoed a the Scottish Government’s call for Westminster to introduce vital new measures to support Scotland’s response to the current economic crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Following a formal request to the UK Treasury requesting temporary additional financial powers for Holyrood to tackle the crisis in Scotland, Finance Secretary... Continue Reading →
Scottish Government Announce Gradual Move to Phase 3 of Lockdown Exit
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the announcement from the First Minister that the Scottish Government will begin to ease into Phase 3 of its exit from lockdown. The announcement came with additional dates for further relaxations to lockdown restrictions. Starting from Friday 10 July, four households can now meet outdoors in groups of up to... Continue Reading →
National Scheme to Tackle Fuel Poverty Restarts
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the resumption of Warmer Homes Scotland, the national scheme to help reduce people’s fuel bills by making their homes more energy efficient. The Scottish Government has announced that the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme would restart, bringing 300 staff out of furlough to continue installing energy efficiency measures in people’s homes.... Continue Reading →
Face Coverings Mandatory in Shops from July 10 as Final Phase 2 Measures Announced
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that the use of face coverings will become mandatory in shops from July 9 as further lockdown restrictions are eased. The change in guidance is to coincide with the expected date that Scotland will move into Phase 3 of its exit from lockdown. Exemptions for young children and people... Continue Reading →
Local Organisations Encouraged to Apply for Cycling Friendly Funding
Ruth Maguire MSP has encouraged North Ayrshire businesses, secondary schools and community groups to apply for funding from Cycling Scotland’s Cycling Friendly initiative. A £1.7 million fund from the Scottish Government has been opened and open to applications from across the country in order to make cycling more accessible for people where they live, work... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Welcomes Phased Return to Care Home Visits
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed guidance published by the Scottish Government that will enable care home residents to receive visitors outdoors. The change in lockdown guidance comes into effect from 3 July on the condition that care homes meet strict criteria and keep infection control measures in place. A care home will only be able... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 