New measures will help ensure the justice system can operate effectively and ease pressure on local authorities as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues. Public health restrictions introduced since the outbreak last March have significantly impacted upon unpaid work – the most common element of Community Payback Orders (CPOs) – that can be undertaken safely. Most... Continue Reading →
Number of Scottish Families Hit By Tory Benefit Cuts Doubles
The SNP has said the Tory government must urgently scrap the Benefit Cap to avoid more families and children being pushed into poverty - after stats revealed that the number of households hit by the ‘cruel’ policy has shot up. New figures revealed that the number of Scottish households affected by the Benefit Cap has nearly... Continue Reading →
SNP Announces Ambitious Budget with Record Health Funding
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the SNP Government’s ambitious draft budget - which includes record funding of £16 billion for our health and social care service - and urged MSPs from all parties to support it. Today, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes announced her budget, which focuses on three key guiding principles - a national mission for... Continue Reading →
Increased Fund to Support Wedding Sector
A £25 million fund to support the wedding sector and its supply chain will open to applications this week. In recognition of the ongoing challenges faced by the sector, an additional £10 million has been added to the £15 million announced by the Scottish Government in December. The fund will be launched on Thursday 28... Continue Reading →
Incorporation of UNCRC into Scots Law Agreed in Principal
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the progress made to incorporate the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child into Scots Law. The Scottish Parliament voted to accept the general principals of embedding the UN Convention into law to strengthen and protect rights for children and young people in Scotland. This follows months of evidence... Continue Reading →
Over £250 Million for Drug Deaths Emergency
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the announcement that an additional £50 million will be allocated every year for the next five years to improve and increase services for people affected by drug addiction. Talks have been taking place with people with lived experience, a range of organisations and the Drug Deaths Taskforce following the publication... Continue Reading →
Calls for UK Government Support Renewed as 1 in 10 Struggle To Pay Energy Bills
The SNP have renewed pressure on the UK government to urgently support households with energy costs after new research revealed 1 in 10 people have missed an energy bill because they ran out of money since Covid restrictions began. The call for action follows a YouGov poll for Citizens Advice Scotland that showed 15% of... Continue Reading →
Business Grants Top Up Announced
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the announcement of a significant top-up to the grant support available for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses across Scotland closed by level 4 restrictions will be paid following an announcement by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. Further to the grants businesses receive through the Strategic Business Framework Fund, eligible businesses will... Continue Reading →
Increase to Carrier Bag Charge to Take Effect This Year
The minimum price for a single use plastic bag is set to increase from 5p to 10p this Spring. The Scottish Parliament will be asked to approve the change from 1st April 2021. The charge on plastic bags was first introduced in Scotland in Scotland in October 2014. Prior to the charge, 800 million single... Continue Reading →
SNP Government Triples Support for Taxi Drivers in North Ayrshire
SNP MSP Ruth Maguire has expressed her delight that taxi and private hire drivers in North Ayrshire will have access to three times the amount of Scottish Government support than they did last year. Eligible drivers will be able to claim a £1,500 grant to cover fixed costs, boosting the support available to them by the Scottish... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 