I am pleased to support this campaign from the charity Independent Age. The percentage of the population of retirement age in East Lothian is higher than the Scottish average. That means there are a significant number of pensioners in East Lothian who are not getting all the benefits they are entitled to. Pension credit not only tops up your pension… Read more »
Congratulations to those who have campaigned for this new cycle path. I’m quoted in the piece saying “This is great news. Safe, family-friendly active travel options are essential for both commuters and citizens alike. “This new pathway will be good for the health of local residents and our environment. Campaigners, CALA and local landowners are to be commended for making… Read more »
Outside the George Johstone Centre in Tranent after a busy day of surgeries in the west of the Constituency. For information on my future advice surgery dates, please see this page.
My column in The Scotsman today:- “The UK is weakened and diminished and it’s only going to get worse. In the space of a week, the bold Boris has provoked not just a fight but a backlash from the EU, the world’s largest trading bloc. Meanwhile over Huawei, he’s managed to irritate the world’s two superpowers, China and the USA…. Read more »
Great to catch up with Steve Gillan, the General Secretary of the POA, the Professional Trades Union for Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers. The welfare of staff a vital concern.
I wrote in today’s Scotsman about the tendering process charities must undergo to secure a contract to provide care services. “Social enterprises are universally lauded, yet we put a ball and chain around their ankles. “If football managers can get “rolling contracts” why not them? Surely a lighter touch can prevail for smaller community services, where it’s clear their skills… Read more »
I was given an interesting briefing from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) today. Though East Lothian is well placed on air pollution there’s no room for complacency given the effect it has on vulnerable individuals and local hot spots. The briefing made reference to PM2.5 particles, which are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air… Read more »
A great pleasure to meet Dr Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian Ambassador this morning. Donald Trump’s proposals are outrageous and the cause of the Palestinian people and their rights under international law must be protected.
Brexit isn’t a moment of celebration. The triumphalism from Downing Street is frankly disgraceful. It’s intimidatory and disrespectful towards those who have come from Europe and made this their home. – Longniddry, 31/01/2020
Minimum Unit Pricing Success – from the Daily Record Scotland’s former Justice Secretary has called on big booze companies to apologise for delaying the minimum pricing for alcohol. Kenny Macaskill’s call comes after the Treasury confirmed that there has been no increase in foreign duty on exports as a result of the 50p a unit base price. The SNP MP… Read more »