Rail Peak Fare Suspension Should be Permanent

I urged the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, to make the suspension of peak fares on Scotrail services permanent as it is simply a tax on workers. I raised the issue in a question in the Scottish Parliament, saying the Scottish Government’s decision to suspend peak fares was “absolutely correct” and called for […]

Government Must Cost Flat Bus Fare Cap

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 […]

Housing Emergency

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 […]

Government Must Take Action on Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

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 […]

Action Needed on Scottish Pensioner Poverty

I attended a drop-in event on Wednesday 31 May 2023 in Holyrood to discuss the need to tackle financial hardship in later life. The event was held by Independent Age, the national older people’s charity, as latest figures show that 1 in 7 older people now live in poverty in Scotland, a 25% rise in […]

Drop in Teaching Numbers Concerning

I raised concerns in the Scottish Parliament about the numbers of teaching staff across schools in Scotland and called for a detailed recovery plan to be put in place by the Scottish Government to tackle the problems. I specifically raised concerns over the number of pupils studying STEM subjects, following information showing that between 2008 […]

Wormit Primary 7 Class Visit to Parliament

I was delighted to meet and answer questions from P7 pupils from Wormit Primary School in Parliament. It is always great to listen to what questions children have to ask of politicians. It was great to hear their concerns about climate change, questions about exactly what MSPs do and even if you have to wear […]

Austerity is a Political Choice

I have spoken out against the news of further proposed cuts to public spending – the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, worsened by an inept Tory government cannot be landed on the shoulders of those least responsible and most affected by its impact. I have lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament restating my earlier […]