WASPI, rural rights, healthcare and salmon
Salmon
The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee completed its follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland. The report was published on Friday.
WASPI
The deeply disappointing news for WASPI campaigners at the end of last year, when the UK Government announced that there will be no compensation for WASPI women, prompted a member’s debate in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday in which I took part. There will be another debate with a Scottish Government motion next week which I intend to speak in too. Campaigners have rightly pursued this injustice for years and I will continue to be with them as a member of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group for WASPI as they press for their compensation. The UK Government must rethink this decision and redress the unfairness brought upon many women.
Rights in the Highlands and Islands
With the conclusion of the Human Rights Commission’s Spotlight Project into Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Highlands and Islands the Scottish Parliament was able to debate the published report. I took the opportunity to highlight the longstanding and interconnected findings in the report including housing.
Rural healthcare
Thursday evening’s debate allowed me to raise Shetland specific issues surrounding access to rural healthcare. I spoke about the need for a new-build replacement to the Gilbert Bain Hospital, patient travel and lack of connectivity for innovative online healthcare. Pragmatism in delivery and greater investment in infrastructure is needed to ensure the best healthcare provision for islanders.
A9
On Thursday afternoon the Chamber debated a report by the Petition Committee on its inquiry into the A9. I responded on behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. The road has been dangerous for many years with causalities along its route. I pointed out the political turnover of SNP Transport Minister was not conducive to delivery in the dualling project of the road and that this had eroded trust with Transport Scotland amongst some communities in the Highlands.
Shetland Times column
Read my Shetland Times column for 17th January 2025.
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Phone: 01595 690 044
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