I signed, along with MPs from the SNP, Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats and Labour, a letter to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, calling on him to prevent economic support going to big businesses who are registered in tax havens. The letter also calls on the Chancellor to put restrictions on “excessive executive pay”. The letter reads in full: Dear Chancellor,… Read more »
Responding to the Prime Minister’s speech this evening (10 May), I wrote, along with Cllr Stuart Currie, SNP Group Leader for East Lothian Council that: “As representatives for East Lothian, we welcome Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement this evening, following the lead of devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in confirming that the lockdown will continue with some… Read more »
Writing in the East Lothian Courier, I talk about the changes that we must make to our economy, our society and our treatment of the natural world: “The Irish President, Michael D Higgins, made a remarkable speech about how both a better country and a fairer world need to come from this. Those sentiments and that ambition must apply here,… Read more »
In my column in the Scotsman today (Thursday 7 May) I discuss the recent programme on the Scots language by Alistair Heather. “It built on much good work especially by the erudite Billy Kay. A Scots tongue there most certainly is and it’s both contemporary and historic. “I recall reading a biography of Mary of Guise, Mary Queen of Scots’… Read more »
I joined other MPs from across parties in signing this petition calling on the Chancellor to introduce a recovery Universal Basic Income (UBI) in response to the coronavirus crisis. This measure must form a part of our recovery plan, but personally I would also hope that it could lead to the permanent introduction of a UBI when the crisis is… Read more »
A £100 million package of additional grant support for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and newly self-employed people opened today (30 April). Scottish Government Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Our economy has been hit hard by this crisis and previously profitable businesses have seen demand dry up overnight. Our support will help alleviate the hardship those individuals and companies… Read more »
UPDATE 22 April: A reminder that the deadline to be sure payment comes through before the end of the month is today (Wed 22 April). HMRC have produced advice having difficulty accessing the system because they do not have an active PAYE enrolment. In order to make a claim they will need to: • have a Government Gateway (GG) ID… Read more »
Kenny MacAskill – Representing East Lothian Dear Friends, Welcome to the April edition of my newsletter. As I write, the lockdown period has just been extended another three weeks. I know how difficult this is for many of you, so can I take this opportunity to thank the people of East Lothian for their willingness to do what is right… Read more »
In my column in the Scotsman Newspaper I write about how COVID-19 will only be wiped out if we do so all over the world, and how the poorest nations on earth will need our help. You can read the full piece at the Scotsman’s website here.
The Scottish Government have set up a new helpline for those in vulnerable groups who do not have family or community support. From the Scottish Government website: “The service – which opens tomorrow (Tuesday) – will offer help to those who do not have family or existing community support and cannot get online and who are over 70, disabled, require… Read more »