Good morning from Leith. Here’s a reflected rainbow for you 🌈
#Edinburgh
Brilliant work by @cairngormsnews planners & @DiasporaDan with Cairngorms #Youth Action Team to make #planning come alive in the #Cairngorms #NationalPark. Will need to have a go on the kids xbox @RTPIPlanners @SGChiefPlanner @ScotGovPlanning @YoungScot
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-56197147
I was glad to vote this week for regulations to create short-term let control areas - this is something I’ve worked with the Scottish Government and others to achieve, on behalf of constituents, representing concerns about an over concentration of AirBnBs etc in Edinburgh Northern and Leith. I look forward to Edinburgh becoming a short-term let control area as soon as possible, now that these regulations have been passed. The SNP will also deliver our licensing system, if re-elected. #DeliveringforScotland #IBackBenMac #BothVotesSNP
SNP Edinburgh North & Leith Leith SNP Leith Walk SNP Forth SNP
(Promoted by Jane W Denholm on behalf of Ben Macpherson, both c/o Scottish National Party, Gordon Lamb House, 3 Jackson's Entry, Edinburgh, EH8 8PJ.)
Well if I lived in his area he would be on my list .
🏥 We're making our NHS fit for the future - with record funding, best performing A&E services, and more GPs per head than anywhere in the UK.
🧑⚕️ There are 19,500 more staff in Scotland’s NHS under the SNP.
🏴 #DeliveringForScotland: snp.org/record.
I was glad to vote this evening for regulations to create short-term let control areas - this is something I’ve worked with the Scottish Government to achieve, on behalf of constituents, representing concerns about an over concentration of AirBnBs in Edinburgh Northern and Leith. I look forward to Edinburgh becoming a short-term let control area as soon as possible, now that these regulations have been passed. #DeliveringforScotland
The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has updated the Scottish Parliament this afternoon on the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework and outlined the planned easing of restrictions.
The First Minister confirmed that the Scottish Government’s decisions will be driven by data rather than dates. The approach continues to be deliberately cautious.
The phased return of school pupils began this week, whilst an easing of care home visitation restrictions will also go ahead as planned.
Subject to the continued suppression of coronavirus across Scotland and the progress of the vaccination process, the First Minister set out some indicative dates for the easing of some of the current restrictions.
➡️ You can read Scotland’s Strategic Framework Update here in full here: www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-strategic-framework-update-february-2021.
📅 From w/c March 15th (subject to continued suppression of the virus and progress of the vaccination programme).
✏️ The next phase of school pupils will return to the classroom. This is likely to include all Primary school pupils, as well as an increased number of senior phase pupils.
⚽️ Outdoor organised sport for 12-17 year olds can restart.
👪 People will be able to meet in groups of up to 4 people from 2 households. Up from the current 2 people from 2 households.
📅 From w/c April 5th (subject to continued suppression of the virus and progress of the vaccination programme)
🏠 The core stay at home requirement will be removed.
👩🏫 A full return to school for all pupils.
⛪ Communal worship can restart, subject to limited numbers at first. This may happen a few days earlier to ensure worship can take place over the Easter weekend.
👪 People will be able to meet in groups of up to 6 people from 2 households.
🛍️ The definition of essential shops will be amended to allow the gradual reopening of retail.
📅 w/c April 26th (subject to continued suppression of the virus and progress of the vaccination programme).
3️⃣ Scotland will return to a Levels system, similar to the system we lived under last year, with all areas firstly moving back into Level 3 restrictions.
🛍️ Non-essential retail will reopen.
💪 Gyms will reopen.
❗️ Further details regarding the tests that need to be passed to ensure progress, as well as information about further reopening of the economy in May and beyond will be announced in March.
The First Minister recognises that this cautious approach is difficult for businesses and states that the Scottish Government will continue to support businesses throughout.
💷 Subject to the UK Government’s budget next week, the Scottish Government have committed to supporting the Strategic Framework Business Fund until at least the end of June.
The First Minister confirmed that the Scottish Government are also considering tapered support for businesses who may take some time to get back on their feet and back to full capacity.
The Finance Secretary will confirm details of this in due course.
✈️ All of the steps laid out above from the First Minister depend on the continued suppression of the virus and the population continuing to live under some restrictions, such as no international travel, for the time being.
😷 For now, the biggest priority for all of us is to stick to the current Stay at home message, follow FACTS, do not mix with other households indoors and work from home if possible.
❤️ If we stick together and stick with it for the next couple of months, the fantastic progress of the vaccination rollout has shown that there are brighter times ahead.
❓If any constituents have further enquiries or concerns at this time, you can get in touch with me by email to ben.macpherson.msp@parliament.scot or call my office on 0131 600 0134.
🦠 Please continue to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
Schools will be on Easter holidays so won’t return until the 19th April, again zero transparency and factually inaccurate reporting once again!
Dear Nicola, we are the hidden mothers and fathers of able talented children who took their home grown skills Firth of Scotland. They did it for very different reasons. University programmes which met their needs, to be with partners, or just because the circumstances better suited. We do not live with our children next door or even 20 miles away where we could, like some im sure, slide under the radar and feel their warmth and touch. We are struggling with the pain of distance. We weep to hear your weekly pronouncements. We agonise at loss. The infection numbers in Scotland are good. The vaccination programme is rolling out. Many of us have had a first vaccination. Our hearts were broken at Christmas after we had all made plans. Please,please show mercy. How long? How how long?
Thanks Ben ☺️
Shambles!!! Hopefully she'll resign next!!!! How many deaths have we had from suicide ????? Oh wait you don't show that!!!
All children should be back in school on 8 March, like their English peers! The snail's pace for reopening schools is not cautious but negligent to our children. What makes it even more of a joke is that 5 April is Easter Monday, in the school holidays.... which means that the final group of pupils will only go back to school on 20 April. It's completely perverse to me that communal worship will potentially be allowed before all pupils are back at school.
How cynical of the FM to misrepresent. 5th April is the start of the Easter 2 week break. So in reality earliest return for the forgotten cohort of desperately struggling S1-S3s will be April 20th. Might as well tell us the kids will go back on the 29th June.
Can you clarify, will the Easter holidays have been cancelled if all pupils are returning on April 5th? Easter holidays were supposed to be April 1st to 20th in Edinburgh.
So difficult. It’s hard going for the young ones not at school. It’s hard for all of us but we need to go slow. I hope to god that England’s numbers stay down. I’m frustrated we all are but look at last time and what happened. It’s not long, we are almost there!!
I need to ask the question if the decisions are being made by data and not date then where is the data set out? I can’t see anything like we had before when we had the levels which gave indicators of what level we’d be in? I’m trying very hard to defend today’s statement but I’m finding it very difficult when the guidance says data not date but the data being used (or which will be used) doesn’t appear anywhere obvious. Thanks
Not good enough at all. Political gamesmanship! The CMO’s from SCOT ENG NI AND WALES must meet up to discuss things like this, agree on a course of action (FOLLOWING THE DATA AS WE HAVE ALL COME TO KNOW) and decide to do completely different things 😂😂😂😂
Very disappointed. Once again no mention of special schools or anything to do with children and adults with special needs. They are the forgotten ones.
Ben - thanks for the update. what’s your opinion on tomorrow’s visit by Alex Salmond to Holyrood ? Will we get to the truth of the matter? It would be good to know your position.
Why aren't garden centres allowed to open? Scotland's garden centres still aren't allowed to open by the FM. Please sign the petition - chng.it/7RyBPD8V. Please watch YouTube video by Scottish growers showing how they are having to make difficult business decisions m.youtube.com/watch?v=CzhvONkzuv0&feature=share
Dear Ben , please read my recent post!
A very concerning incident on Iona Street. Thinking of all those affected and I am here to help if I can be of assistance (get in touch). Grateful to the services who are responding and thankful that, as far as I am aware, no one was hurt.
Roof blown off bock of flats in Edinburgh as emergency crews rush to scene
www.edinburghlive.co.uk
Police and fire and rescue crews are currently in attendance at Iona Street in Leith .My car had a lot of damage😢
Steven Weir
Jan Croall
Maria Shishlovskaya
How many Edinburgh buildings haven't been maintained properly for years! Many many accidents waiting to happen in Edinburgh, owners don't want to spend money on keeping the buildings maintained.
Glad no-one was injured but makes a person nervous thinking of other potential incidents of the same kind. It could be carnage!
🧒 Every child in Scotland deserves the very best start in life.
💛 That's why we've expanded free childcare to 600 hours, and we're going further still - expanding to 1,140 hours to save families £4,500 a year.
🏴 #DeliveringForScotland: snp.org/record
In May we face the most significant Scottish Parliament elections ever and I'm hoping to earn your support again. In 2016 I was elected as the first ever SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and since then I have worked tirelessly to serve our area, Scotland and the common good. I have done all that I can to honour the trust placed in me, and to make a meaningful difference locally and nationally, for individuals, businesses and organisations. But there is much more to do, and that's why I'm seeking re-election and asking for your support again. It would be a privilege to represent our communities for another term - to keep helping our constituency and our country through the challenges of the pandemic and Brexit, and into a fair and green recovery, independence, re-joining the EU, enhanced prosperity and greater social justice. If you have any questions then please get in touch. Stay safe and kind regards, Ben
Will you stop the trams fiasco, get rid of the spaces for people and the crazy cycle lanes that nobody wants, have been a complete waste of money and are an eyesore?
I am not an SNP supporter and do not usually vote for them but I can say wholeheartedly that Ben is one of the good guys having had a couple of interactions with him.
I am sure you will be re-elected. You certainly deserve to be.
Scotland budget deficit relative to gdp is much worse than Greece during the the financial crisis! Separation is economic suicide . Jobs, pensions all under threat
I have not had the privilege of working with Ben but I have watched him from afar and have been greatly impressed. In addition I hear great reports about him from former colleagues whose judgement I respect. If I could I would certainly be voting for Ben.
Very confident you will be re-elected this time round too. A hard working, locally based and focus guy who does the job with great diligence and all while also managing a senior portfolio in our Government - it’s a no-brainer Ben. Best wishes, we’re right behind you.
You’ll have my vote, I know you put in the work for us constituents and in government more widely. It’s good to know you have your finger on the pulse locally. 👍🏼
I would love to vote for you, but alas I am not in your constituency. However, I have Ash Denham as my sitting MSP and I will absolutely be voting for her. Good luck! 😁
Good luck.
Good luck Ben. Your doing a fantastic job and pretty confident you will be back for another 5 years.
Right behind you Ben. You do a great job.
Been trying to contact your office but no luck to try and arrange a postal proxy for elections. Please email me.
I’m excited to be able to cast my vote in May for the first time in Scotland—obviously I’ll be voting for you! Thank you for all that you have done, not just for Tony and me, but for the whole community #IBackBenMac
Never
Not a chance
Thanks for your recent assistance.
Thank you for the job you are doing, Ben. It makes a difference to living in Leith!
Time now to focus on your reelection
'worked tirelessly' what do you want a medal? Plenty of us work hard but we don't need to tell everyone 😂
You have my vote Ben.
Sorry but no thanks
Ben, save princess Alexandra eye pavilion. Keep it in Edinburgh under one roof. Do not make it the scapegoat for other mistakes. See ward E2 for contextual info. Thanking you. Miriam vickers
we're lucky to have you
Best wishes Ben for re-election. I think you are doing a great job. Sorry you probably won’t see me around as I’ve moved to the Borders.
⭐️ACTION ON PROBLEMATIC SHORT-TERM LETS⭐️
I'm looking forward to voting very soon for enhanced regulations to tackle problems with short-term lets. I will gladly be voting for legislation from The Scottish Government to enable councils to establish short-term let control areas. This legislation will empower local authorities to implement short-term let control areas, if they wish to do so, to address pressures created by whole property short-term lets, ensuring that homes are used to best effect in their areas. This will make a really meaningful difference in Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and is something I've pushed to achieve as your MSP.
Separately, but related, legislation for a short-term lets licensing scheme has been postponed until June to allow for draft guidance to be developed, after concerns from B&Bs like those we have locally on Pilrig Street, around Ferry Road and near Leith Links.
A stakeholder working group has been established to help develop the guidance and meets today for the first time.
Subject to the outcome of the election, the Scottish Government intends to re-lay the legislation before Parliament in June, accompanied by the draft guidance, to ensure that the timetable on introducing licensing remains the same. To be clear, the Scottish National Party (SNP)'s proposals and overall timetable remain the same! We will being in a licensing scheme for short-term lets - safety of those using short-term lets is vital and our proposals will ensure that all short-term lets across Scotland adhere to a common set of safety standards, as well as allowing local authorities to tackle issues such as antisocial behaviour.
The SNP's intention, subject to the outcome of the election, is to re-lay legislation in June alongside the published draft guidance. If it is passed, local authorities will be able to establish a licensing scheme from 1 April 2022 tailored to local needs, and existing hosts will have until 1 April 2023 to apply.
Read more here: www.gov.scot/news/draft-guidance-brought-forward-on-short-term-lets/.
👨👩👧👦 The pandemic has had a financial impact on many households so we’re investing an extra £100 million to help low-income families in the year ahead.
📣 We’re demanding the UK Gov don’t claw back any support, through reduced benefit payments or any other means. #ScotBudget
The introduction of the Scottish Child Payment will be a welcome boost for families across Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and I would urge anyone who hasn’t applied yet to do so as soon as they can (see the link below). This is a benefit that is unique to Scotland, using the powers we have to make a real difference.
As the Scottish Government rolls out this new benefit, this is in stark contrast to the Tories at Westminster who are planning on taking away the £20 uplift to Universal Credit at a time when families need it most.
Along with the Best Start Grant and other benefits rolled out by Social Security Scotland, the Scottish Child Payment is forming part of a benefits system built on dignity, fairness and respect, working for the people of Scotland.
More information on the Scottish Child Payment can be found here: www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment/.
🎓 We've abolished tuition fees - and in the past year, a record 260,490 students enrolled at our world-class Scottish universities.
🤝 Under the SNP, we'll always keep university education free.
🏴 This is how we're #DeliveringForScotland: snp.org/record
🏴 We've recruited 19,500 more staff to NHS Scotland - that's an increase of over 15% under the SNP.
🔎 And for over five years, Scotland has had the highest number of GPs per head anywhere in the UK.
💛 This is how we're #DeliveringForScotland: www.snp.org/record/
The SNP has a strong record in government, including:
🍼 The Baby Box
👪 The Scottish Child Payment
📚 Free tuition
💊 Free prescriptions
👨⚕️ Free personal and nursing care for all
🌍 World-leading climate action
Together, we can do so much more. #BothVotesSNP #TeamSNP
Read more: www.snp.org/record/.
Delivering for Scotland — Scottish National Party
www.snp.org
Here’s how we’ve delivered a better Scotland.But no to National Parks!
Pour yourself a beer
Keep up the good work Ben, your doing a grand job!
Slainte!
Lovely pic, Ben. Keep up the good fight. 😊
You are doing a wonderful job Ben you have my vote
Go Ben!!!!
We are with you 👏🙏
I was glad to help to this through parliament in recent weeks, as part of my Ministerial responsibilities. This matters for urban Scotland as much as rural Scotland. #landreform👏 The Scottish Parliament has passed landmark land reform legislation.
⛰ It paves the way for a public register of land ownership in Scotland, giving communities key info on those with a controlling interest in land - and transparency about land controlled by overseas trusts or entities.
🗓 The land ownership register will be operational from 1st April 2022, and is free to access.
💻 Read more here: blogs.gov.scot/rural-environment/2021/02/10/new-regulations-mark-land-reform-milestone/
Significant progress this week with the rollout of the Scottish vaccine programme. My team and I will keep working to help with any enquiries constituents may have. Thank you to NHS Lothian, and everyone involved locally, for all that’s being done to vaccinate people as quickly as supplies allow.🏴 is leading Europe in the rollout of the Covid vaccine. The teams delivering Scotland’s Covid vaccination programme are doing fantastic work.
🙏 My thanks to all of them.
Make your voice heard in #SP21 - watch and share this video, and make sure you're registered to vote in person or by post: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/register-vote-and-update-your-details.
In person
From Monday 15 February everyone arriving in Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area must book and pay for managed isolation in a quarantine hotel for at least 10 days.
Passengers will be tested twice for #coronavirus – once on day 2 and once on day 8 after arrival.
Travellers will be able to book and pay online for managed hotel isolation. Support will be made available for those unable to meet the costs.
❗ Remember, it's illegal to travel to or from Scotland unless it's for an essential reason.
Learn more ➡ bit.ly/ScotManagedIsolation
Common sense at last. We had really supressed the virus last summer to minimal levels - until lots of folk went on holiday abroad and brought new virus strains back with their suntans.
Not before time
In May we face the most significant Scottish Parliament elections ever and I'm hoping to earn your support again. In 2016 I was elected as the first ever SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and since then I have worked tirelessly to serve our area, Scotland and the common good. I have done all that I can to honour the trust placed in me, and to make a meaningful difference locally and nationally, for individuals, businesses and organisations. But there is much more to do, and that's why I'm seeking re-election. It would be a privilege to represent our communities for another term - to keep helping our constituency and our country through the challenges of the pandemic and Brexit, and into a fair and green recovery, independence, rejoining the EU, enhanced prosperity and greater social justice. If you intend to support me in May then I would be very grateful if you could share this post and say why - please post "#IBackBenMac because..." Thank you.
If you have any questions for me then please get in touch.
Together, we make Scotland better. #TeamSNP SNP Edinburgh North & Leith Leith SNP Leith Walk SNP Forth SNP Edinburgh SNP Deidre Brock MP Tommy Sheppard MP
#SP21 #VoteSNP #BothVotesSNP
If I can safely help out let me know
Got my first vote mate. Genuine guy doing a genuine job.
I think the SNP represents Scotland’s best opportunity for change- the way we want it.
You’re going to do it and you’ve got my vote again
If only we had people like you here in Italy! C'mon Ben! ♥
As always mate 👍
Your office took action when my son who is disabled faced an issue, and you resolved it.
I'll be voting for Ben again but in 2016 SNP were awarded zero seats for over 100,000 regional votes. I won't be wasting my second vote again. Let's get a third or even fourth seat for indy supporting Scottish Greens 💚
You have my vote Ben 🏴🏴
If you knock on my families door in Edinburgh, you will get your fortune told!
Both votes SNP eyes on the prize!
Got my vote.
You got my vote again Ben 🏴
m.facebook.com/EdinburghPoliceDivision/photos/a.1396506803938831/2827945664128264/?type=3 What are you going to do about making the streets safer for normal people to out and about?
Sorry not this time Ben
All my and my family's trust is in You ❤️
YES!!
The SNP’s plan to commit £3.5 billion to social security, in the areas devolved to the Scottish Government, is central to our commitment to tackling poverty and creating a social security system with fairness, dignity and respect at its heart.
This money will put money directly into the pockets of people in North Edinburgh and Leith who need it most - including through the ‘game-changing' Scottish Child Payment, which will tackle child poverty across Scotland and ease the struggle some families in our communities are facing due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Tory cuts are driving too many families into poverty – but the SNP is determined to use every power at our disposal to help.
Read more: www.gov.scot/news/tackling-poverty-and-inequality-1/.
Get free, confidential help with mental health on nhsinform.scot/mind or call NHS24 on 111.
The coronavirus vaccine is free to everyone in Scotland.
Do not share your bank details with anyone offering you the vaccine for a fee.
Find out more, including how, when and where it will be given, at bit.ly/CoronavirusVaccination
Mass vaccination centre to open in Edinburgh!
People aged 70 and over will get Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines in a range of settings, from community centres to mass vaccination centres, from Monday 1 February as the vaccination programme moves to the next stage.
Those aged 70-79 and the clinically extremely vulnerable – including over-16s on the shielding list – started receiving their invitations on Monday 25 January and, subject to supplies, will have received their first dose by mid-February.
Mass vaccination centres, including Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), will be in operation from Monday 1 February for members of the public with appointments. NHS staff at these centres have been vaccinating each other this week as part of their induction. The EICC will have capacity to vaccinate more than 21,000 people a week at 45 stations.
www.gov.scot/news/vaccine-programme-moves-to-next-stage/.Check us out tonight on STV and BBC evening news for a look at our mass vaccination site at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre preparing to go live on Monday.
The EICC has no parking so walk 6 miles or get 2 buses there and 2 buses back? How does this support everyone who has been told not to use public transport unless they have to? It's madness.
Mum aged 84 who's diabetic living smack bang in Edinburgh city centre still heard nothing.
What about disabled people on the Autistic spectrum, i checked and the EQIA for the Covid 19 vaccine has yet to be finalised and none of the Charities taking part represent Autistic or Neuro diverse people. It is unspeakable to force or exclude people who cant cope with strange places and strange people for essential treatment.
Great news!
Only a few days left to vote in £eith Chooses - so many good projects to choose from!
Leith Chooses 2020-2021 - City of Edinburgh Council - Citizen Space
www.edinburgh.gov.uk
Find and participate in consultations run by City of Edinburgh CouncilHi Mr.Macpherson Your office is still working? I sent emailt to Ellie and I didnt heard back nothing ...
Today Finance Secretary Kate Forbes MSP presented The Scottish Government's Scottish Budget 2021-22 to Parliament, announcing support for jobs and skills totalling around £1.1 billion.
Measures include a new Green Workforce Academy to help people secure work in the low carbon economy, a £100 million Green Jobs Fund over the next parliament, £7 million towards making Scotland a world class hub for digital business and an additional £115 million for the Young Person’s Guarantee.
Retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation businesses will get 100% non-domestic rates relief extended for at least an additional three months and the poundage has been reduced to 49 pence saving ratepayers more than £120 million and delivering the lowest poundage in the UK. Read more here: www.gov.scot/news/supporting-recovery-through-the-tax-system/.
Business support remains a priority so the Local Authority Discretionary Fund will be doubled to £60 million and businesses eligible for the Strategic Framework Business Fund will receive full Level 4 payments on 22 February, regardless of any future changes to local restrictions.
The budget also proposes:
• £98.2 million to improve Scotland’s digital infrastructure and deliver access to high quality broadband and mobile coverage
• A new £55 million programme to support town centres and community-led regeneration projects
• £1.6 billion for rail and bus services and £100.5 million for active travel to consolidate changes to healthy, green travel options seen during the pandemic
• Doubling the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, helping tourist attractions and local communities make improvements to cope with increased visitors
• An additional £27 million to expand woodland creation and the associated infrastructure, supporting green jobs
Other measures include:
• Record health funding of over £16 billion
• £1.3 billion for the Scottish Police Authority
• More than £3.1 billion in resource and capital investment for education and skills
• £711.6 million for affordable housing
• £68 million for the first full year of the Scottish Child Payment
I warmly welcome new funding to support local initiatives in Leith and Granton, through The Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF).
Schemes around Scotland are to receive a share of £25million from the RCGF - including the Granton Station, Enterprise Hub (receiving £1,236,150) and the Nourishing Leith Hub (receiving £944,744). Granton Station will mark the start of wider regeneration and opportunities in the area, and the Nourishing Leith Hub is an exciting development for Leith Community Crops in Pots and Leith Links. I will work to support both projects as plans are taken forward.
(The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund has been vital in supporting community-led regeneration projects and has invested more than £200million since 2014.)
Earth in Common are delighted with funding for Nourishing Leith Hub
theedinburghreporter.co.uk
It was announced on Wednesday that Edinburgh charity Earth in Common (until recently known as Leith Community Crops in Pots) has, ‘subject to agreed Scottish Budget’, been awarded £944,744 for it...I have introduced new regulations to give protected species status to the iconic, Scottish mountain hare.
For more ➡️ bit.ly/3t2twI4.
Protecting Scotland’s wild animals in their natural environment is a key priority for this Scottish Government. Mountain hares are an iconic Scottish species and it is right that we protect them.
Through the Animals and Wildlife Act 2020, we are taking action to safeguard the welfare of animals in Scotland and preserve our precious natural heritage for future generations to come.
Emma Hare you are an iconic Scottish mountain hare
Am I right in thinking they only need to apply for a licence to shoot hares now?? That's hardly Protected Status. Why don't you just stop them shooting them altogether? 🤷♂️
Great
The Scottish Government is working to increase the transparency of land ownership. Find out more about the ‘Register of Persons holding a Controlled Interest in Land’ here ➡️ bit.ly/3pak8Qj. #LandReform
Great news. What’s the next step?
Wishing everyone in Edinburgh Northern and Leith a happy and safe #burnsnightin later. #burns #burnsnight #auldlangsyne ❤️🥃🌍
“... For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne...”
Would Rabbie take kindly to a "Make England Great Again" Ben. We can’t reach Common Ground, because it is not Common to unite all of the Islands People of Wales, N. Ireland, Scotland and England. Why, because Borus Johnston "Make England Great Again", sounds like Trump"s "Make America Great Again" Johnstons "War Cry" is "Make England Great Again" they are being governed by a “Cromwellian Egotist, the English Way or No Way” approach, that is in all sense and reason antagonistic, of the common law for all peoples of Great Britain, who are Welsh, N. Ireland, England and Scotland, that is why no one in the Great British UK’s can find no common ground with the "Make England Great Again" English ruling and being the governing class and "Their Way or Know Way” politics with Royal approval. 🏴☀ eternal Light and ST Andrew Shine upon us for ever "Amen"
Do you know anyone who is on a low income with a child under 6? They might be eligible for The Scottish Government’s new Scottish Child Payment. Find out more and how to apply: www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment/.
Kirsty Alexandra Bell don’t know if you’ve seen this x
The ‘Stingy Six’ - shameful. #independence🚨 Scottish Tory MPs have refused to stop Boris Johnson's plans to cut Universal Credit.
✂️ Cutting Universal Credit by £20 a week would see 820,000 children fall into poverty.
🏴 The Tories simply cannot be trusted to stand up for Scotland.
Shameful, who voted for them? They should be ashamed too.
Snakes, the lot of them 😡
Put a plebiscite election in the manifesto for the May 2021 election & i will vote SNP.
“Our main message at the moment is a very simple one – stay at home. Do not leave home unless it is for a genuinely essential purpose. And think carefully about what is and isn’t essential - not just in general terms but for you personally. Even though an activity might be classed as essential, we should all ask ourselves on every occasion before we go out, is it really essential for us and are we doing it as safely as possible. For example, instead of going for essential shopping twice a week, could you cut it down to one? When you are out for daily exercise, could you take a route that avoids places where there might be more people around? In everything we do, we should assume the virus is there with us - because it very possibly is - and act in a way that avoids us getting it or spreading it.” ~ Nicola Sturgeon
From 4am, Monday 18 January, anyone arriving in Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area must isolate for 10 days.
Most passengers must also have a valid negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 3 days before departure.
Read more ➡ bit.ly/TravelChanges0121
This should have been implemented right from the very start. In fact, if the virus is as dangerous as we're told wouldn't banning all inbound flights make sense?
The work of the National Wildlife Crime Unit is hugely valued by communities across Scotland and the Scottish Government is committed to supporting it. Read more: www.nature.scot/new-scottish-wildlife-crime-investigator-appointed.
Good news and a good signal. Sadly Wardie Bay Beachwatch just got a threatening email from Marine Scotland informing me that I need a licence for the floating nature conservation pontoons just restored to Granton Harbour. Astonishing that they have time to respond to petty inaccuracies in a good conservation news article and do so little fact checking. They'd be better focusing on serious matters, especially at this time. If nature was given as much attention as property, our wildlife would be in a much better situation.
I trust you and the new Investigative Support Officer PC Ross will looking into closing the loopholes that still allow foxes to be hunted with packs of hounds under the guise of "Trail Hunting"?
Further measures to help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and limit non-essential contact will be introduced this weekend. Several constituents have contacted me about these issues. From Saturday:
👜 Click and collect will be limited to retailers selling essential items - includes clothes, baby equipment, homeware and books. Must have staggered appointments, and no access inside for collection.
🍕☕️Takeaways - customers no longer allowed to go into a takeaway to collect food or coffee - must be via a serving hatch or doorway.
🍺Alcohol no longer allowed to be consumed in public places.
🔨 Work only permitted in private homes if essential for the upkeep, maintenance and functioning of household.
💻 Employers - work from home obligations will be strengthened. If you were working from home during first lockdown you should be now.
🏠 Stay at home regulations will be changed so you are not able to carry out a non-essential task when out of house for an essential task.
You can read more here: www.gov.scot/news/strengthening-lockdown-restrictions/.
what about supporting vulnerable family members?
Understandably I am receiving a lot of enquiries from constituents about the Covid-19 vaccination programme. The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Jeane Freeman MSP, updated the Scottish Parliament this morning - you can read her whole statement here: www.gov.scot/publications/covid-19-vaccination-plan-1/. Please contact me if you have any further queries, and my team and I will respond to you as quickly as we can.
Keep safe
Vaccination Deployment Plan: www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-deployment-plan-2021/.
Boost your immune system with a good multivitamin and vit. C to help combat the virus. Bleach is a very effective antiviral.
I’m looking for a Constituency Assistant to join my excellent team. Closing date is 25 January 2021. Find out more and how to apply: ow.ly/FeYg50D5lqI.
Sean Reddie
Claire Philp
Ally Macdonald
Take care! Saludos desde Sevilla. Hopefully 'they' won't stop me voting!
The perfect candidate should be min on the same level as Ellie ❤️
