Our European friends have seen the potential danger of forcing people back into work over the winter months, as well as the huge economic downside of pushing more and more people into unemployment and have very sensibly decided to extend the furlough scheme. We in Scotland do not have the economic powers necessary to implement our own furlough scheme so… Read more »
In my Column in the East Lothian Courier this week I discuss the need for greater vigilance in the face of rising case numbers in the constituency. “The coronavirus outbreak at the East Lothian Community Hospital and tightened lockdown re-imposed in the west of Scotland show the need for vigilance. “Outbreaks can occur in even the most rigorous of regimes…. Read more »
I had a meeting with the management, staff and Union reps at the East Coast Buses depot in Musselburgh on Friday. It was good to hear about the measures put in place to deal with the pandemic and ensure safety for staff and the public.
Scotland’s Test & Protect App is now available to download for your smartphone. You can download the app from the Protect.Scot website here. The Protect Scotland app from NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect is a free, mobile phone app designed to help us protect each other, reduce the spread of coronavirus and avoid further lockdowns. The app will alert you… Read more »
I support the Communities vs Blood Cancer campaign. Every year in the UK, around 2,000 blood cancer patients need a stem cell donor to save their life – but too often a donor isn’t available, and they pass away waiting for a match. The Anthony Nolan charity reports that 1189 people are on the donor list in East Lothian, within… Read more »
Today is the 200th anniversary of the execution of Andrew Hardie and John Baird, two of the leaders of the 1820 working class rising that became known as the Radical War. After involvement in the declaration of a National Strike in Glasgow in April of 1820, Hardie and Baird led a small company to march on the Carron Company ironworks,… Read more »
Today I visited the site of the works on the A68 to meet with Bear Scotland officials and see for myself what has been happening following the landslip. I was hugely impressed by the work and was delighted to hear that it seems that the road will reopen on Monday, albeit initially with traffic lights operating at the site. A… Read more »
In my column in the East Lothian Courier this week, I discuss the worrying trend in unemployment, and how that trend looks increase due to the end of the Furlough scheme. “Unemployment is creeping up, increasing by 180 in July from June. More worryingly, it’s up by 70 for youngsters aged 18-24. The rate of 5.6 per cent is still… Read more »
In my column in the Scotsman this week I discuss how “wars fought with weapons exported from developed countries, economic problems and environmental degradation are among the reasons why people leave developing countries in search of a better life.” “I don’t know why poor Mercy Baguma died or what brought her here. But it’s a tragedy that is going to… Read more »
I was pleased to sign this cross-party letter to Liz Truss (International Trade) and George Eustice (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) asking the government to clarify its commitment to protecting UK food standards in light of future trade deals. East Lothian is rightly famed for it’s fertile land and high quality produce, with farms across the county, and several local… Read more »