I hope everyone has settled well into the New Year.
It has been lovely catching up with so many local groups recently - from joining Whitecrook Community Action Group for a litter pick, to attending Clydebank High School’s Careers Fayre, and hearing about the exciting plans at PALS to support families with Additional Support Needs.
I also attended the Provost’s Civic Awards, which showcased the very best of West Dunbartonshire.
Hearing about the incredible work going on across the authority was inspiring, and I send my warmest congratulations to every deserving nominee and winner.
Alongside Marie McNair MSP, I visited the Glasgow Airspace Change Consultation event in Clydebank Town Hall to speak directly with airport representatives.
We once again raised the lived experience of aircraft noise shared by residents in Whitecrook - concerns that were central to my official response to the consultation.
I hope the airport will listen to our calls for further support and mitigation.
Last month, the SNP Scottish Government published its draft Budget, focused on supporting families, public services, and the economy.
Policies such as the Baby Box, Best Start Grants, and free bus travel for under-22s have already helped make Scotland the only part of the UK where child poverty is falling, and this Budget builds on that progress.
Key commitments include delivering a breakfast club in every primary school, increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 per week for children under one, and a £20 million fund for third-sector partners to help people into work and training opportunities.
Support for local businesses will continue through £184 million in rates relief, including the Small Business Bonus Scheme and targeted support for retail, hospitality, and leisure.
The budget also invests a record £22.5 billion in our NHS and social care to improve GP access, reduce waiting times, expand community-based care, and ensure fair pay for the workforce who provide vital care every day.
By increasing tax thresholds, over half of Scottish taxpayers will pay less income tax than they would elsewhere in the UK, while protecting universal benefits such as free prescriptions, free university tuition, and free personal care for over-65s.
In contrast, Labour are choosing to abstain on the budget, offering no alternative proposals or constructive solutions while sniping from the sidelines.
At the same time, serious questions are being raised about the use of false quotes on Scottish Labour leaflets, as well as Keir Starmer’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson despite knowing about his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Labour’s lack of judgement and integrity are rightly under scrutiny, and the public needs answers.
Scotland deserves better than Labour.
On 7th May, vote SNP for a fairer, more equal and more prosperous Scotland.
Share