Budget, SaxaVord, Fire stations
Budget
All eyes were on the budget this week as the Scottish Government made the first statement on details of spending in 2024-25. There were lots of headlines in this statement that Scottish Liberal Democrats have been pushing for, including additional monies for Shetland’s creaking transport network. We are, however, still very far from the final vote on the budget and now we must look at the detail as the process continues.
Fire Stations
I took the opportunity to raise the ongoing concerns about Shetland’s fire stations with the Minister for Community Safety on Wednesday afternoon. Reportedly Shetland has some of the worst fire station facilities. The Scottish Government need to ensure that fire station facilities in Shetland are fit for purpose with safety for firefighters at its heart. It should turbo charge its national upgrade programme to ensure a modern service. I look forward to the Minister’s letter and hope we can engage in a meaningful dialogue on thie issue.
16 days of Activism
I took part in the annual debate to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence on Thursday. The international campaign began on 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and concludes on 10th December, Human Rights Day, and seeks to highlight and stop gender-based violence and killing.
Delivery charges
It is good to see the end of extra delivery charges for Skerries, Papa Stour, Foula and Fair Isle. This change has been a long time coming and I am pleased to have been able to play a part in bringing an end to this unfair policy.
SaxaVord
There was some great news for Shetland’s space sector this week after it was announced that Scottish firm Orbex will pause construction at the Sutherland spaceport and focus exclusively on developing launch services at SaxaVord Spaceport. The global space community is interested in the growing satellite launch market in Scotland and SaxaVord is the right place for that continued interest and activity.
Cross Party Group (CPG) meetings
On Tuesday morning I was re-confirmed for another year as one of the three depute conveners of the Cross-Party Group on Space.
Shetland Times column
Read my Shetland Times column for 6th November 2024.
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Phone: 01595 690 044
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Advice surgery
I generally hold monthly surgeries on the first Friday of the month in the Shetland Parliamentary Office, Lerwick. Joint surgeries with Alistair Carmichael MP in Lerwick are usually in a meeting room in Isesburgh Community Centre. Other surgeries throughout Shetland are held during the year. For more information contact: beatrice.wishart.msp@parliament.scot or 01595 690 044