Lothian Green MSPs’ report January 2019

Alison Johnstone MSP and Andy Wightman MSP
– Branch report, January 2019

• Alison has been leading calls for a ban on foxhunting, and in response, Ministers have finally announced that legislation will be forthcoming. Alison will continue to work to deliver effective protection for Scotland’s wild mammals. Here.
• Alison wrote an article for the Evening News about the need to do more at a local and national level to tackle loneliness.
• The Herald highlighted Alison’s Planning Bill amendment to protect public toilet provision, in their article focusing on the public health and human rights concerns over one in three of Scotland’s council-run toilets facing being sold off or closed. Here.
• Andy has played a central role in the Article 50 case in both the European Court of Justice and then the Court of Session. Here.
• Alison highlighted that some childcare providers in Lothian region have expressed concerns over a lack of available funding for training staff aged over 25, and asked what the Minister for Children & Young People is doing specifically to attract those who might change career into early learning and childcare. Here.
• Alison asked the Minister for Mental Health whether she is confident that the pledge to create 80 to 90 new, additional counsellors in further and higher education over the next four years is sufficient to tackle what NUS Scotland describes as a mental health crisis. Here.
• In Local Government Committee, Andy has been taking part in budget scrutiny, questioning the Cabinet Secretaries for Finance, and Communities and Local Government. Here.
• Alison asked the Cabinet Secretary for Justice about an investigation by Professor Alison Britton into the review of the use of transvaginal mesh implants, and what mechanisms will be put in place to prepare and support people who take part in what could be very challenging review processes. Here.
• Andy spoke in the debate on the role of credit unions in our communities. Here.
• Alison asked a series of Parliamentary Questions about the Scottish Government’s proposed income supplement, and what consideration it has given to topping up Child Benefit. Here.
• Alison has asked what the Scottish Government is doing to raise awareness of the Assisted Prison Visits Scheme, and what potential there is to expand eligibility. Here.
• In Economy Committee, as well as budget scrutiny, Andy questioned the head of the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board. Here.
• In Social Security Committee, Alison asked the Scottish Ministers’ nominee for the position of Chair of the Poverty and Inequality Commission, Bill Scott, about his plans for the role. Here.