Will of course be a decision for local members in Clydebank & Milngavie but I'm delighted @RozaSalih is going for selection. I was inspired by Glasgow Girls' fight for justice. She will work tirelessly for her constituents if elected - & be a great asset to our Holyrood team! https://twitter.com/RozaSalih/status/1307230808185462786
After careful consideration and discussions with local members, I am delighted to announce I will be seeking selection to be @theSNP candidate for Clydebank & Milngavie at the Scottish Parliamentary elections in 2021
"It's a possibility...we can now move to a new age, with different values & a more realistic view of human nature, where we'll rely more on our ability to cooperate"
@rcbregman says Covid-19 has highlighted the failed values of capitalist neo-liberalism
https://bbc.in/2XHpVk1
6 years since #indyref & the case for independence has only got stronger - for internationalism, for social justice & for building a greener, wellbeing economy. The warmest welcome to all moving from #NoToYes - we keep looking outwards & we #persevere. #getready #keeptheheid 🏴🇪🇺
6 years, eh? Feels like a generation ago. 😜
No to yes.
Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan will break the UK union
Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan will break the UK union
www.ft.com
The insistence that England must decide what Scotland eats is a gift to the independence movementI hope Nicola has something up her sleeve because they will be up 1 January taking control.
Every cloud.
Recently the Scottish Government launched a consultation ahead of the Scottish Budget for 2021-22, focusing on the role devolved taxes and the Fiscal Framework can play in our Covid-19 economic recovery.
We would be pleased to hear from you and hope you consider taking part in the consultation, which will close on Thursday 8th October.
More information is available here: consult.gov.scot/financial-strategy/budget-2021-22-supporting-covid-19-recovery/.
Budget 2021/22: Supporting the COVID-19 Recovery - Scottish Government - Citizen Space
consult.gov.scot
Find and participate in consultations run by The Scottish GovernmentThe Scottish Government wants to hear your views on our proposed new legislation for the regulation of short-term lets. Please consider responding to our consultation.
consult.gov.scot/housing-services-policy-unit/short-term-lets-licensing-scheme/
Better regulation of short-term lets (e.g. AirBnB) is something I’ve pushed hard for action on, on behalf of many constituents. The Scottish Government is now consulting to seek final views on proposed new legislation. I encourage you to submit your views before it closes on 16 October: consult.gov.scot/housing-services-policy-unit/short-term-lets-licensing-scheme/.
The Scottish Government’s proposals include a mandatory licensing scheme to ensure that all short-term lets are safe and to address issues faced by neighbours.
The regulations, if passed by Parliament, would come into force by April 2021. These would also give councils powers to manage pressures created by the use of whole properties as short-term lets.
Shona Mcintosh
As many of you will already be aware, The Scottish Government have launched the Protect Scotland proximity tracing App to help slow the spread of Covid-19 coronavirus and complement the person-to-person approach of Test and Protect. Over half a million people have downloaded it since it launched yesterday.
The Protect Scotland App from NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect is a free, mobile phone App designed to help us protect each other, reduce the spread of coronavirus and avoid further lockdowns.
The App will alert you if you have been in close contact with another App user who tests positive for coronavirus. And if you test positive, it can help in determining contacts that you may have otherwise missed while keeping your information private and anonymous.
Using the Protect Scotland App, along with sticking to current public health measures, will help us to stay safe when we meet up, socialise, work or travel.
As we see the rate of infection start to rise, it is important that we all download and use the Protect Scotland App to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
You can download the Protect Scotland app for free here: protect.scot/.
700,000 have already downloaded, proud of you Scotland x
Yep, The more people joining the network the higher the chance of slowing it down.
I’m not sure how to enter my positive test that I got back in April. It says ‘enter code’ no idea what it was 🤷🏻♀️
I'm afraid I can't but I'm glad others can.
Done! And shared.
Thanks I’ve just downloaded and it only took me seconds
Your local registered Nurse Agency approves of this message: 🙂 trust-care.co.uk/2020/09/11/protect-scotland-app/
Why doesn’t she demand the borders closed then she wouldn’t need to give us a daily update and do more about independence How many people actually listen to her it’s so repetitive and is going on for too long She could make a career of it goodness knows how long before it kills more people in Scotland is she doing anything about the amount of camper vans that are crossing the border and bringing the bug with them 🤬🏴🏴🇮🇪
🙏 My thanks to the HALF A MILLION plus of you who have already downloaded the Protect Scotland app. Please keep spreading the word - the more who use it, the more effective it will be. We are in this together and together we can save lives.
📲 Download at Protect.scot
Hands off Scotland's powers
I agree with the video but we shouldn't forget that UK politicians pandering to Donald Trump began with Alex Salmond. He set the precedent of pandering to the President: www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/donald-trump-youve-been-trumped-too-anthony-baxter-golf-...
Photos from Nicola Sturgeon's post
I am actually gobsmacked and outraged this bill must be stopped if it puts devolved powers at risk. How can we stop this?
A helpful resource for North Edinburgh - Welcome to Your North Edinburgh Community Map: northedinburghmap.org.uk/
northedinburghmap.org.uk
Welcome to Your North Edinburgh Community Map This map shows you where events, advice, activities and groups happen in North Edinburgh. It has been produced by the Living in Harmony Project at Pilton ...Timeline PhotosWearing a face covering protects those around you. In Scotland, you must wear a face covering:
🔹 in shops
🔹 on public transport
🔹 in certain indoor public places
Some exemptions apply.
Find detailed guidance at bit.ly/Phase3FaceCoverings
It also reduces the demand upon the NHS which in turn allows for better care of those infected and increases capacity of other treatable conditions.
Evidently 99% of pupils on the bus to and from school have asthma or some reason to be exempt. The 19 of a morning is like a Covid-19 party.
Just in the local park and I am literally the only one wearing one.
Thanks Ben for all your good work
Giving every young person the chance to succeed.
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop has set out more details of how Scotland’s Youth Guarantee will give young people the chance to succeed despite the economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The guarantee will ensure everyone aged between 16 and 24 has the opportunity of work, education or training. The Scottish Government is funding it with £60 million which will be broken down as follows:
- £30 million through local authorities to help local partnerships to deliver employability support for young people
- £10 million to create additional opportunities in colleges
- £10 million additional funding for Developing the Young Workforce, the Scottish Government’s internationally recognised Youth Employment Strategy
- £10 million to support pathways to apprenticeships
news.gov.scot/news/delivering-the-youth-guarantee
Not At NCLAN SEN students being discriminated against!!!! Corona virus used as an excuse 🙁
This is brilliant Ben. How can a young person be pro active and seek support?
Funding for a just transition to net-zero.
Nearly £1.6 billion to directly support up to 5,000 jobs and tackle fuel poverty is at the heart of plans to drive Scotland’s green recovery and end our contribution to climate change.
Part of an enhanced Green New Deal, the investment will transform heat and energy efficiency of buildings and rapidly accelerate the decarbonisation of an area which makes up a quarter of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions.
An additional £500 million is being invested in Scotland’s natural economy including £150 million to help deliver a 50% increase in woodland creation by 2024 and an extra £150 million for flood risk management, vital to increasing climate change resilience.
The plans, outlined in the Programme for Government 2020/21, are among a range of measures to protect biodiversity, create green jobs and accelerate a just transition to net-zero.
Other commitments include:
- £100 million Green Job Fund;
- £60 million to help industrial and manufacturing sectors decarbonise, grow and diversify boosting youth employment opportunities in nature and land-based jobs by expanding apprenticeship and undergraduate schemes in public agencies, including Scottish Forestry, Forestry and Land Scotland and NatureScot;
- £70 million to improve refuse collection infrastructure and develop a new route map to reduce waste and improve recycling as part of plans to drive a thriving circular economy.
news.gov.scot/news/scotlands-green-recovery
👩👧👦 Our new Scottish Child Payment of £10 per week, which poverty campaigner's have called a "game-changer" for reducing child poverty, will open for applications in November, with the first payments made from the end of February. #scotpfg
£10 on fruit and vegetables is gonna go a long way
🏥 Nicola Sturgeon: "The National Health Service was born out of the tragedy of World War 2.
Let us resolve that we will build out of this COVID crisis, the lasting and positive legacy of a high quality, National Care Service." #scotpfg
Reviews are all well and good but it’s the actions taken forward that matter . Health and Social Care need action now particularly those resident or working in care homes who have been sadly let down .
🏴 Tackling the global climate emergency is a moral obligation and Scotland is leading the way.
🌍 By decarbonising our industrial and manufacturing sectors we are playing our part in helping to deliver a net zero economy. #scotpfg
💷 We're investing £2bn in Scotland's Low Carbon Fund to achieve our climate change target of net-zero emissions by 2045.
🌲 As part of it, we're creating a £100m Green Jobs fund to create new green jobs and investment in a greener economy. #ScotPfG
💻 Scotland has the potential to become a world-class tech sector and we're committed to making that a reality.
🏴 The Logan Review will help us create a more digitally literate, entrepreneurial and collaborative society. #scotpfg
👩💻 We are establishing a £60m Youth Guarantee to ensure that every young person gets the opportunities they deserve to succeed - whether that be in education, training or work. #scotpfg
The City of Edinburgh Council have published a proposed new vision for Leith Walk/Halmyre Street, following extensive local consultation. Cllrs will consider it at the next Planning Committee. Find out more: bit.ly/3luVFEa.
Proposed new vision for Leith Walk/Halmyre Street – The City of Edinburgh Council
bit.ly
New vision proposed for Leith Walk/Halmyre Street areaCare professionals from all over the world have played a vital role in caring for our communities during the COVID-19 crisis.
It is mind-boggling that the UK Government has introduced a ‘Health and Care visa’, intended to show the UK’s gratitude to frontline workers in these sectors, but that this initiative bizarrely continues to exclude and disregard the huge contribution of social care workers.
I urge the UK Government to do the right thing and include care workers as eligible for the recently announced ‘Health and Care visa’, so that people who make and have made such an important contribution to our society, particularly recently, can benefit from reduced fees, a fast-track application service, and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
This report, responding to the Migration Advisory Committee’s call for evidence on the UK Shortage Occupation List (SOL), shows how the UK Government’s ending of freedom of movement, and no replacement general route for what they have wrongly and offensively deemed ‘lower-skilled’ migrants, will be damaging to social care provision and key Scottish sectors of the Scottish economy. Adding social care roles to the SOL would allow employers to recruit international workers at a lower salary threshold of £20,480, instead of the proposed £25,600.
The Scottish Government is clear – we greatly value the skills and contributions of all people who come and settle in Scotland. Inward migration enriches our society for the better and migrants make a net contribution to our economy, our public services and our public finances. Family migration also contributes positively to our demography, and the sustainability of rural and remote communities.
Read: news.gov.scot/news/social-care-amongst-several-roles-that-must-be-on-shortage-occupation-list.
Absolutely right
Keeping the virus under control is in everyone's best interests
Wonderful plain speaking Scots...very thankful we have Nicola on the case.
"games abogey" such a great expression.
I couldn’t believe when I heard this was his strategy to get people back to work , it’s awful
Well said Nicola
Independence for Scotland.
You shouldn't socialise with more than 4 other households in total each day.
ℹ That's because limiting the number of people you meet makes it easier for #TestAndProtect to trace close contacts. It also reduces your risk of catching or spreading coronavirus.
🏠 Indoors no more than 8 people from a maximum of 3 households should meet at a time
🌳 Outdoors no more than 15 people from a maximum of 5 households should meet at a time
Detailed guidance at bit.ly/SocialisingPhase3
I think we should be encouraging people to keep a track of their own movements as well. In two weeks it would be easy to forget a chance interaction, or popping in for a half pint. I think citizens should be encouraged to keep a blow by blow of their movements in their phone Notes or / diary
confused. outdoors it's 4 households. or does that include mine, equaling 5? this is important for outdoor organised activities and everything else of course.
Thank you to the staff and volunteers at People Know How for all the work to increase digital inclusion and help others.
Delivering our 500th device | People Know How
www.peopleknowhow.org
We’ve delivered our 500th device through our Computer Delivery project. To celebrate this achievement, we invited Ben Macpherson MSP to make the delivery.I am in touch with the Head Teacher and the Council, and will continue to monitor this situation. The Council have said that they are working closely with NHS Lothian’s Health Protection Team to provide parents and the wider school community with information and reassurance.
www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/health/coronavirus/granton-primary-school-pupil-tests-positive-cor...
Granton Primary School pupil tests positive for coronavirus
www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com
A pupil at Granton Primary School has tested positive for coronavirus it has been confirmedWill the government be issuing any recommendations about children who have chronic health conditions now that it has been shown that there is a risk to children? No social distancing in seating for classes in some schools.
My latest article in The Leither Magazine (written in June, published late July): benmacpherson.scot/2020/08/23/theleithersummer2020/.
Remembering the Past, Supporting Each Other and Looking to the Future
There are a number of dates of importance to many Leithers. For instance, there’s 21 May 2016 for those who are Hibs fans! There’s the historically significant Leith Dockers’ strikes of 1913. And, of course, for those interested in Leith’s identity, there’s January 1920. It was then that Leith Town Council organised a Plebiscite of the 39,000 ratepayers of Leith, asking the question: “Should Leith amalgamate with Edinburgh or not?” In a 90% turnout, Leithers voted 6 to 1 against amalgamation. However, despite a second referendum, requested this time by the House of Lords, which again produced an overwhelming majority against, Edinburgh pressed ahead with amalgamation regardless. And on 2 November 1920 Leith was officially annexed by Edinburgh.
The folk memory of that experience still endures with a lot of people today. From the answer folk give to the question “Where are you from?” to the title of this magazine, Leith has always prided itself on having a different identity from Edinburgh as a whole. As a community, Leithers see ourselves as more down to earth, and perhaps a bit more rebellious, than neighbouring areas. We pride ourselves on our commitment to pulling together in challenging times – and we’ve certainly seen that in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. In a remarkable outpouring of community spirit, people have made contact with their neighbours, offered support to older and more vulnerable people, and found ways to come together to ensure no one is left to face these difficult times alone. And there’s also been the mass sing songs of “Sunshine On Leith” during lockdown - I can’t wait to do that again on Leith Walk when we celebrate the end of the pandemic together!
Last year, our sense of local solidary was also shown when we came together after an alleged racist attack on the Gurdwara. Together we gathered in a vigil outside the temple, to reaffirm how much the Sikh community, and our collective diversity, is an inherent and cherished pillar of Leith. And recently we’ve felt that sense of solidarity again as part of the Black Lives Matter movement, though in a more socially distant way to stay safe from catching or spreading the virus.
It would be naïve and inaccurate to suggest that there have never problems with racism in Leith, which sadly still exist today. There is always more work to do to tackle discrimination, and I am absolutely committed to doing as much as I can as your MSP. Together, let’s collaborate to do more to tackle racism and xenophobia. And, as part of that, let’s recommit to making Leith an even more tolerant and pluralist place in the years ahead.
As a port community, Leith has always been open to new people settling here from all over the world. By and large, Leith does look outwards – but let’s not be complacent about that. In the vast majority, Leithers welcome new Leithers - embracing and amalgamating cultures, cuisines and traditions, as an increasingly and proudly intercultural society – and let’s build on this.
Leith is big enough, emotionally and physically, to contain and embrace different nationalities and different faiths, and different social backgrounds too. Leith has always been a mix – from the grand houses along the front of the Links to the traditional tenements. And in response to all the challenges we face right now, in this chapter of our history, let’s aim to create a Leith that’s even more diverse and inclusive, in the broadest sense… Imagine, how vibrant and connected could Leith be by 2120?
Leith’s economy, like Scotland’s, has dramatically changed over the last thirty years. All the heavy industry has gone and new industries have emerged, such as renewables, the creative sector, tech and hospitality. Leith’s talent for innovation and imagination has endured and evolved, and this puts us in a strong position to build an even more successful Leith as we move out of the Coronavirus downturn.
And what will also be important in the coming years is Leith’s rebellious spirit, which is still very much alive! Like in 1913 and in 1920, we saw Leith’s activism during the recent successful shared effort to preserve the sandstone building on Stead’s Place, centred around the Save Leith Walk campaign. The strength of local engagement in Leith, and our passion for justice, will drive us to create a fairer Leith in the times ahead – and this is really important.
Sandy Campbell, Director of Workingrite, has a wonderful expression that “Leith is a state of mind”. In keeping with that broad, optimistic, inclusive spirit, in these challenging times, and in this centenary year since the Plebiscite, let’s take inspiration from all that’s been achieved in the last 100 years and what Leithers have done to help one another along the way. This is a difficult year, but our history reminds us to be hopeful. Persevere.
For the avoidance of doubt, I announce that I have written to SNP Edinburgh Northern and Leith Constituency Association to confirm that I will be seeking to be selected again as the SNP's candidate for the Edinburgh Northern and Leith Constituency for the May 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.
It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life to represent my home area in the Scottish Parliament since 2016, and to serve in the Scottish Government as a Minister since 2018.
Since being elected as the first SNP MSP for the constituency, I have worked tirelessly and with passion to serve all of the diverse communities of Edinburgh Northern and Leith. I have played a leading role in resolving significant issues in the constituency, like the terrible threatened eviction of Lorne Street residents and the inspiring and successful Save Leith Walk campaign. I have also led on challenging issues like tackling motorbike crime in the north of the city, securing investment in the Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works, arranging effective management of the Water of Leith Basins, working to bring more affordable housing to our area, and pushing for action to better regulate short-term letting - and, working with others, I am proud to have achieved meaningful progress on these and many other issues. My team and I have also helped thousands of individual constituents and I have supported numerous local organisations and businesses in a multitude of ways.
In Holyrood I have been proud to help build a fairer, internationalist, more progressive Scotland, at first as a backbencher and then serving as Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development and now as Minister for Public Finance and Migration.
There is more to do in many, many ways and this will be a crucial election at a difficult time because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis and Brexit. Therefore, building on my experience locally and my contribution nationally, I am putting my name forward again to the SNP as a prospective parliamentary candidate to contest the 2021 election, and to seek re-election to serve the people of Edinburgh Northern and Leith with strength, dedication and determination for another term - committed to continuing to contribute as much as I can to building a fairer society, to tackling climate change, and to securing a positive future for Scotland as an independent, successful, European country.
SNP Edinburgh North & Leith Leith SNP Leith Walk SNP Forth SNP
I'm not a natural SNP voter but, To thank you for your help in the past and to thank Nicola for her "statesperson" like response to COVID I will be voting for you in May
Here's hoping you get the re-election you deserve, I have no doubt you will
Well done, Ben and more power to you for all you will achieve in future days. The people of Edinburgh North and Leith are fortunate indeed to have you represent them. Best wishes!
Great news Ben and thank you for all of your support in the past 👏👏👏
Glad to hear it Ben. Your talent and dedication are vital right now.
Well done Ben, good luck!
Best of luck! Great record 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
Your a credit to your contingency.
Fantastic news Ben, Edinburgh North and Leith are lucky to have such a dedicated and passionate MSP.
You have done a excellent job long may it continue 🏴🏴🏴
Looking forward to campaigning for you.
Glad to hear it Ben!
Hope Scotland becomes INDEPENDENT soon
My vote is yours!
Good to hear, officially, on the air waves!👍🏴
Good news! 🙏
Brilliant. We're lucky to have you! 🏴
And this time, I get to vote!
Great I will definitely be voting you in again as I always have 🏴🏴
Great news Ben, you can count on my vote
Glad to hear it Ben!
You deserve it hands down. Fingers crossed
All the best Ben and good luck. 🏴🏴🏴
Its a Yes from me
fantastic news 🏴🏴🏴
The Scottish Government is introducing a new benefit for young people starting work.
A new benefit to support 16 to 24 year olds into work if they have been unemployed for six months will open for applications from today/Monday 17 August. I have put a link in the comments below to apply.👇
Job Start Payment is a one off £250 payment to help with the costs of starting a new job. The upper age limit rises to 25 for care leavers and the payment rises to £400 if the person has a child.
In its first year, it is estimated around 5,000 young people will benefit from this new financial support.💷 We've launched the Job Start Payment - a new benefit to help Scotland's young people aged 16-24 with the costs of starting a new job.
🔎 New work clothes, travel costs or childcare often have to be met before people get paid - and this helps young people cover these costs.
Leisha Williamson
Information about how to apply: www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/news/new-benefit-launched-to-help-16-24-year-olds-into-work.
I’m in contact with owners of Victoria Bar & will continue to monitor this situation closely. I’ve been informed that the necessary measures have been & are being strictly followed. This instance emphasises the importance of FACTS, quarantine & recording contact details to prevent & contain Covid-19. #staysafe
www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/coronavirus-edinburgh-leith-bar-forced-18778936
Edinburgh bar forced to close after customer tests positive for Covid-19
www.edinburghlive.co.uk
Victoria Bar had to shut its doors after a customer told them that he had coronavirusIt makes the point that removing a country from the quarantine exemption list very quickly is really important and in this case even that wasn't fast enough.
Chris Dutton
I am very sorry to see this. Very close to where l used to live
📈 As we chart the path to Scotland's recovery, we're determined to prevent youth unemployment and protect jobs.
🏴 That's why The Scottish Government just announced a further £10 million to help companies recruit and retain apprentices.
I hope everyone is safe and okay in this severe weather - if I can be of assistance please email me: ben.macpherson.msp@parliament.scot. Take care, Ben
What a night. Hope everyone is safe.
What a night , I’d imagine there will be some damage today , good man for offering x
Thanks for all your good work.
Please continue to #besafe, kind and considerate when interacting with others. There has been an increase in cases in Scotland in recent days - let's "keep our guard up", prevent an outbreak in our area and continue to look out for ourselves and each other.
FACTS:
🇫Face coverings in enclosed spaces
🇦Avoid crowded places
🇨Clean hands & surfaces regularly
🇹Two metre distancing
🇸Self isolate & book a test if you have symptoms
With Public Health Scotland’s new dashboard you can see the latest data on coronavirus in Scotland, including details of positive cases broken down by NHS health board, local authority area, age group and sex.
Access the dashboard at bit.ly/PHSCovidDashboard
Timeline PhotosToday First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that Scotland will remain in Phase 3 of our route map, but gave provisional dates for when further restrictions may be changed.
Read more ➡️ bit.ly/Phase3Update3007
Watch the FM's full statement ➡️ scottishparliament.tv
Very frustrated I can't reopen my small fitness studio amid a national health crisis.
We’re behind you! Slow and steady wins the race!
Thankyou!!!👍
Good!!
Timeline PhotosTo reduce the risk of the transmission of coronavirus by those travelling from Spain to Scotland, passengers will need to quarantine. Read more ➡️ bit.ly/2WYePrj
Where will they be quarantined and how can you be sure that they'll abide by it?
An interesting article. A number of important points, including from Dame Anne Glover, president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: “New Zealand is an independent nation. By contrast, Scotland has no independent fiscal powers. Like Wales and Northern Ireland it could not borrow to raise funds for lockdown and so was entirely dependent on what happens in the UK overall in regard to providing support for furlough. It had to wait for England to act, belatedly as it transpires.”
Plaudits for Nicola Sturgeon fuel talk of Scottish independence drive
www.theguardian.com
Top Scottish scientists back first minister’s handling of Covid-19 as polls show support for fresh referendumBen I get lots of people (young n old )asking me why Scotland has to ask England if we can have another referendum ? I really do not know the answer . This request was made by mostly older voters and young people which I believe is a good question
I have always predicted Scotland will be independent in 2021 😆
