In a piece in the Edinburgh Evening News I discuss how the vaccination rollout has rightly prioritised the elderly, and how minds are turning to other groups. “Health and social carers have also been addressed but minds are also correctly turning to other vulnerable groups, whether retail workers, teachers or police. It’s not just for them but for the piece of… Read more »
Although the furlough extension was welcome the budget from the Chancellor was still disappointing. The burden has once again fallen on those least able to bear it whilst further benefits have been given to Boris Johnsons rich chumocracy. It was particularly disappointing that the current Universal Credit uplift has neither been extended nor made permanent feature. The proposal to stop… Read more »
A new fund has been released by East Lothian Council to all householders who are struggling to heat their homes at this time. On their website East Lothian Council say: “A one-off payment of £100 will be paid to people who need help with their gas or electricity. These payments will help alleviate poverty and financial hardship, providing a warm environment… Read more »
In my column in the East Lothian Courier I discuss conversations with the Health Secretary and the health board about the vaccine rollout. “The issue of many being asked to travel to Edinburgh is being addressed with the mass vaccination centre at Queen Margaret University opening up, East Lothian Community Hospital also, and improvements in supply to GP practices which… Read more »
This grant scheme, provided by the Scottish Government, is designed to help alleviate financial hardship for newly self-employed people who meet the eligibility criteria. I would encourage any constituent whose status as being newly self-employed makes them ineligible for the UK Government’s Self-employment Income Support Scheme to apply for this new scheme, which awards a one-off payment of £4,000. The… Read more »
In my column in the East Lothian Courier I discuss how I believe we should move on with the vaccine roll-out across Scotland. “Recent emphasis has been on protecting the elderly. Rolling out vaccinations to those in care homes and to the oldest age groups was the right thing to do. They’re the most vulnerable and require urgent protection. “I… Read more »
This morning a cold weather payment was triggered in areas of East Lothian. This includes postcodes beginning: EH21, EH22, EH31, EH32, EH33, EH34, EH35, EH36, EH37, EH39, EH40, EH41, EH42, TD11 and TD13. Cold Weather Payments are made to recipients of selected benefits. £25 will be paid to eligible residents. You can find more information and eligibility criteria at the… Read more »
In my column in this week’s East Lothian Courier I discuss the work that is going in to getting the vaccine out, as well as the issues of global inequality in the pandemic response: There are many concerns about the vaccine rollout. If everyone could be given the jag tomorrow, then it would be done. But this is an unprecedented… Read more »
I was interviewed on the BBC’s Politics Live programme this afternoon, discussing a number of topics including the potential requirement for all visitors to Scotland to quarantine in a hotel upon arrival. Subsequent to this interview the Scottish Government has announced that visitors will indeed have to quarantine. You can find more information on this new aspect of our efforts… Read more »
It was a pleasure to speak with young activists today in support of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill. These young people were ambassadors for the Bill, headed by Big Issue founder Lord Bird and Green MP Caroline Lucas, which is currently making its way through the House of Commons. I have also co-signed a letter to the UK Government… Read more »