eNews 22nd December 2024
‘Tis the Season
This will be my final eNews of the year and 2024 seems to have gone by very quickly. I would like to wish every a happy festive season and especially to those who will be working shifts and on the frontline, such as the emergency services.
WASPI
There was deeply disappointing news for WASPI campaigners this week when the UK Government announcing that there will be no compensation for WASPI women. The announcement flies in the face of the findings the independent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman who acknowledged a failure by the UK Government to provide those women who would be impacted by state pension changes with accurate and timely information and that those affected should receive compensation. Campaigners have long fought this battle and I will be with them as a member of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group for WASPI as they continue to press for their compensation. The UK Government must rethink this decision and redress the unfairness brought upon many women.
Marine Directorate
Wednesday afternoon gave me the opportunity to raise with the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs my concerns about the resourcing provided to the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate charged with the study, monitoring and protection of our seas. I have frequently questioned whether the organisation is receiving the resources it needs to achieve its objectives.
Shetland Times column
Read my Shetland Times column for 20th December 2024.
Inter-Islands Transport Connectivity Survey
Open now for six weeks, from 9th December, Shetland Islands Council (SIC) is gathering responses of travel in and around Shetland’s islands. The survey can be completed online or contact IITCShetland@stantec.com or 0131 335 4200 to receive a paper version. This will help to develop future plans to connect islands including the possibility of tunnels between islands. I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to have your say. Responses are welcome from everyone, businesses, those living in the isles and Mainland Shetland. The survey asks about travel behaviour, views of the existing ferry services and day-to-day transport challenges and is the first stage of the consultation on SIC’s Inter-island Transport Connectivity Programme. Please share the survey far and wide to ensure the all views are taken into account.
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Contact me
Phone: 01595 690 044
Email: beatrice.wishart.msp@parliament.scot
Write or drop in: Shetland Parliamentary Office, 171 Commercial St, Lerwick, ZE1 0HX
Helpful information over the Festive period
The Shetland Parliamentary office will be closed from 5pm on Friday, 20th December and my team and I will return to full service on Monday 6th January. The inbox will be monitored intermittently during this time so if anyone has urgent need to contact me please e-mail: beatrice.wishart.msp@parliament.scot
Festive opening times for local charities can be found online at Voluntary Action Shetland.
Scottish Women’s Aid: call 0800 027 1234, by email helpline@sdafmh.org.uk or webchat.
The national Rape Crisis Scotland: call 08088 01 03 02, text 07537 410 027, email support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk and webchat through the website: https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/
Victim support: call 0800 160 985 and webchat on https://victimsupport.scot usual opening hours Monday to Friday 08:00 – 20:00 Saturday to Sunday 10:00 – 16:00 Christmas Day 10:00 – 15:00 Boxing Day 10:00 – 15:00 New Year’s Day 10:00 – 15:00
Emergency services: 999
Police Scotland (non-emergencies): 101
NHS24: 111
Shetland Islands Council - main switchboard: 01595 693535
Shetland Islands Council - out of hours social work: 01595 695611
Power cuts and emergencies: 105
Scottish Water: 0800 077 8778
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA): 01595 696926
SEPA Floodline: 0345 988 1188
READY SCOTLAND
Preparing for and dealing with emergencies