An alternative curriculum pathway offering school pupils the chance to sign up for a 10 week programme out of school in venues across Fife is a great success. I visited one of the sites at the Lochgelly Miners Institute this week where 3rd and 4th year pupils are undertaking courses in construction, mechanics and engineering […]
I have questioned the decision to raise train fares by almost 9% as ScotRail published accounts for year to March 2023 show a 42% increase in revenue and a 36% increase in journeys from the year before. The published accounts, the first for the new public sector operator, show passenger revenue of £265million over 64 […]
I have called on the Scottish Government to cost a bus fare cap that would benefit all bus users by making bus travel more affordable in a question to the Minister for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP. I previously raised the issue of disparities in fares and access to bus services across the country, and pointed […]
A Community Hub based in Cowdenbeath that provides direct support to veterans and those struggling with the cost of living, isolation and homelessness is gearing up for a busy winter period. The Knights Templar Goodwill charity based at Thistle Street, Cowdenbeath, was founded by Veterans in March 2021 and has continued to grow and support […]
We continue to receive many complaints about violence and anti-social behaviour in schools and I have raised these issues directly in Parliament with the Government and with local education managers. I have also met with both the teaching and non-teaching unions who are pushing for action to address the pressures in our schools. In recent […]
Housing or the lack of housing remains a big issue for constituents. My office works with local councillors and the housing services within councils who do a good job but the fact remains there is just not enough houses and the idea that the private market was going to plug the gap has proven to […]
I have received a lot of correspondence from constituents who are rightly horrified by the news coming out of Israel and Palestine. What is clear in the increasingly complex situation is that neither Israeli nor Palestinian civilians have asked for this war and the bloodshed we have all witnessed is shocking. What is also clear […]
We Are With You are a charity that offers free, confidential support to people in Scotland who have issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health. The way in which we communicate, seek information and access support has transformed in recent years with the advancement of digital technology. We all now expect expert advice at our […]
Volunteers from 15 local groups came together this weekend in Cowdenbeath to promote the value of volunteering and the work the groups do in the local area to support the wider community. Organised by ‘My Cowdenbeath,’ a community interest company, the drop-in event highlighted the work of 15 voluntary groups and organisations from the area […]
I have raised the need for greater partnership between the Scottish Government and local authorities, businesses and communities on electric vehicle charging infrastructure in a debate in the Scottish Parliament. I spoke of my village of Kelty, which has zero public electric vehicle chargers, during the debate on the Prime Minister’s recent U-turns on key […]