UK Government must act The cost of living crisis brings bad news for almost everyone, however, it is the people who are on low to middle incomes for whom it potentially poses an unmanageable challenge. Whilst higher earners might be able to absorb higher costs, years of austerity and low income growth under Tory Governments have... Continue Reading →
Westminster mismanagement holding back Scotland’s economic potential
Ruth Maguire MSP raised concern that Brexit continues to harm Scotland’s economy – a persistent reminder of the ongoing cost which Scotland is paying for Westminster mismanagement. Reflecting on the Scottish Government's publication which showed analysis that the status quo is not allowing Scotland to fulfil our potential and that the UK economic model and Westminster... Continue Reading →
World Refugee Day
MSP marks World Refugee Day by welcoming and recognising the contribution of refugees to Scotland's communities Joining colleagues in the Scottish Parliament chamber Ruth Maguire MSP used the opportunity of World Refugee Day to welcome people who have sought refuge in Scotland from war and persecution, including refugees and people seeking asylum. Recognising the contribution... Continue Reading →
Education reform centred on children and young people
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government's approach to education reform, with children, young people, families and teachers being invited to join a National Discussion on education. In an update to Parliament on reform plans, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville appealed for fresh, innovative ideas to help to deliver change and drive improvement. Ms Somerville... Continue Reading →
Scotland can be happier, healthier and wealthier with independence
SCOTLAND HELD BACK BY WESTMINSTER CONTROL AS FIRST GOVERNMENT PAPER PUBLISHED Local MSP Ruth Maguire has welcomed the publication of the first in a series of documents from the Scottish Government, which shows how Scotland in the UK compares to other similar-sized independent European nations on key comparators. The paper outlines how other comparable nations are wealthier,... Continue Reading →
4,245 Children supported in North Ayrshire by Scottish Child Payment
4,245 children in North Ayrshire have been supported by the Scottish Child Payment since its introduction by the SNP Scottish Government. Since the support started putting extra money in the pockets of families £1,927,360 has been spent supporting families in North Ayrshire since February 2021. Children across North Ayrshire are already benefitting from further support after the Scottish Government doubled the payment to £20... Continue Reading →
SNP announce record social security spending for North Ayrshire
HOUSEHOLDS IN NORTH AYRSHIRE TO BE SUPPORTED BY £23 BILLION As communities across recover from the pandemic and face a Tory made cost of living crisis the SNP Government’s spending review outlined record social security spending to help households facing increasing pressures. The Scottish Government allocated around £23 billion for social security over the course of the parliament.... Continue Reading →
Analysis of risk to female refugees fleeing Ukraine, Portfolio Question
During Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Portfolio Question Time in the Scottish Parliament today, Ruth Maguire MSP asked the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the specific risk to female refugees who are fleeing Ukraine to resettle in Scotland. Response provided by Neil Gray, Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and... Continue Reading →
£3,196,736 Spent in North Ayrshire protecting households from cruel tory cuts, including Bedroom Tax
£3,196,736 has been spent this year in North Ayrshire mitigating cruel Tory cuts including the disgraceful bedroom tax. In 2021/22 £3,196,736 was provided by the SNP Scottish Government in Discretionary Housing Payments to protect families from cuts, with £2,863,853 spent mitigating the impact of the cruel Tory bedroom tax in North Ayrshire. Across Scotland £82million has been used to mitigate Tory cuts, with £71m... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP welcomes progress on UNCRC
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed plans to progress Scotland’s ground-breaking children’s rights legislation, announced by Deputy First Minister John Swinney today. The UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill was backed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in March 2021, but could not be implemented because of a legal challenge brought by the UK Government. In October, the Supreme... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 