If you’re looking for a new challenge and a chance to be involved in Scottish politics at an exciting time, I am recruiting for a communications officer and assistant caseworker (details of the jobs below). I look forward to hearing from you.
Was pleased to submit a Parliamentary motion supporting North Edinburgh Arts who have just secured £156,000 from the Scottish Land Fund. The funds will enable the charity to continue the regeneration programme of the land and building around MacMillan Square, after a recently-agreed community asset transfer from The City of Edinburgh Council.
North Edinburgh Arts will work in partnership with the Council to deliver a community and neighbourhood hub to promote culture, learning, work and wellbeing, including a new early years centre, library, affordable homes and refurbishment of the existing NEA building.
Also successful was Pentlands Community Space who will build a community hub for photography and art clubs, and activities on Water of Leith. Both groups worked hard for the funding to help make these sustainable ventures happen and deserve success.Read my Parliamentary Motion here: https://bit.ly/3l20DqR
Good to see our universities making efforts to keep new and returning students safe. The University of Edinburgh has provided a series of guides for students covering airport safety and travel documents, along with a Good Citizen Guide to help students navigate #Covid19 restrictions within Scotland.
More important than ever that as we recover from the pandemic that everyone is doing what the can to deter – or help slow – the spread of coronavirus, and that everyone feels safe in our city.
Download a copy of the guide here.
Disappointing to see just 700 affordable homes built after private developers receive £100m from housing fund. Govt must do more to ensure a healthy stock of affordable housing. Read the full story here: https://theferret.scot/scottish-government-housing-fund-100m/… via @ferretscot
The data was obtained by Friends of the Earth. Read here.
COSLA calling on more tax powers for councils in their document, Blueprint for Local Government. Councils have taken decisive action to protect and support communities, people, and businesses. Collectively they have provided shelter for homeless people, have kept essential services operational, delivered food packages and have been at the coal face of direct response during the pandemic.
The Local Government workforce is the largest in Scotland and has adapted to meet the needs of the pandemic, but COSLA are now pushing for more powers and funding to help meet the continued fallout. Key asks:
* Fair funding for Local Government.
* A Fiscal Framework for Local Government.
* Longer-term certainty in relation to budgets, allowing a focus on early intervention, prevention and transformation.
* Removal of a cap on Council Tax so that this is a truly local tax.
* More powers for discretionary taxation.
Read the full document here.
Shelter Scotland’s key asks ahead of the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government announcement on Sep 1, 2020. Includes Tackling Covid-19 rent arrears, Unsuitable Accommodation Orders, and an Affordable Housing Supply Programme. Full document here.
At 11am on Friday August 21, 2020, the Scottish Labour Party will livestream a keynote address from Richard Leonard MSP as he sets out his vision for a post-Covid Scotland.
We need fresh ideas for a fairer, greener Scotland. Inequalities, homelessness & low pay laid bare during the #pandemic. Now’s the time to plan for a better future.
Sign up for an invitation here: https://bit.ly/31ciuEt
In the wake of the Grenfell tragedy, building standards and accountability are more important than ever, and it is vital that all stakeholders are involved. I’m therefore dismayed to see that the Local Authority Building Standards Scotland (LABSS) has repeatedly failed to engage with the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee work on the issue of ‘zero valued homes’.
As deputy convenor of the committee, I would like to see LABSS participate in our scrutiny of the ‘zero valued homes’ problem when flats, most often in modern tenements or conversations, receive a zero valuation in a home survey because of a concern that cladding or other external wall systems might not meet current regulatory standards on fire safety.
I have been contacted by constituents on this matter which continues to worry and frustrate many home owners, and we have been seeking expert views of Local Authority Building Standards Scotland ever since ‘zero valued homes’ emerged as a significant concern a year ago. We have written to LABSS chairperson Scott McKenzie about this – would be good to hear something before our next evidence session on September 4. Full letter here.
Much to learn about Coronavirus & recovery by listening to children. Thousands responded to the How Are You Doing survey carried out April-June & the Children’s Parliament has now published its report. Thanks to all those who helped children connect with the survey and make their voices hear. Report here.
The Climate Emergency Response Group, working with WWF, has issued a report on steps for an economic recovery which is focussed on delivering practical, workable, solutions that could be implemented now, in order to move Scotland towards a net-zero economy, while recovering from the COVID-19 crisis. Read the full document here: CERG_Green-Recovery_Final-report_July2020
Excellent discussion with Edinburgh Young Carers, who offer a range of support for young carers, some as young as 5 years old. Lots of statistics and research identifying key concerns and worries of young carers, the impact on their education, the need for counselling and additional burdens placed on young shoulders during #lockdown.
PKAVS have also produced a helpful video with five young carers sharing their experiences – really important that young people know help is out there.
Research available here.
The pandemic has really driven home the value of care, the critical role of care workers and the need for a proper system that respects and delivers for those in care homes. Scottish Labour is committed to establishing a National Care Service that can address the recent failings witnessed during COVID19, and we need input and views from all interested parties, from stakeholders to caregivers.
You can read the full consultation document here to see what Scottish Labour has in mind for the campaign, and submit your views here: https://bit.ly/2BkAGBw
Richard Leonard MSP raised this very concern back in March and was assured all measures were in place to protect workers. This outbreak must surely act as a warning about the need for best practice with all firms where staff are work on site.
As Richard Leonard has said, “Workers must never be put in danger simply for doing their job. Employers need to up their game and fulfil their duty of care to keep staff safe.”
Scottish Labour Party remains committed to worker safety, especially during this very worrying period. See the Scottish Labour Leader’s letter and the Sitel response here.
Recent polling shows the public wants to see government tackle the climate emergency with the same urgency as COVID-19, reflecting increasing concern at the risks posed by a warming world. The Climate Emergency Response Group (CERG) proposes 4 priority areas and 4strategies to help the economy recover and set Scotland on a course for net zero climate emissions. These should be implemented as part of the Scottish Government’s actions to build a fairer, greener Scotland and includes ideas such as retrofitting buildings as one of their key actions. Full report here.
Young people and work the focus of much government discussion recently as we come out of #lockdown. The National Society of Apprentices Scotland has launched their report: Apprenticeships: are we working?’. The NSoA is hosted by NUS Scotland representing the views of apprentices from across all sectors and industries.
The NSoA recently sought the views of over 1000 apprentices from across the UK to find out about their experience of lockdown, how it affected their apprenticeship and the opportunities moving forward.
Findings showed:
• Two thirds (68%) of apprentices are still working in their normal jobs however, most are working from home.
• At the time of this survey a quarter of apprentices had been furloughed (25%). The current minimum wage for apprentices is £4.15 per hour, which means that some apprentices on furlough were earning just £3.31 an hour.
• The apprentices still physically at work came from a range of apprenticeships. Essential apprentice workers included care workers, manufacturing engineers, agricultural workers and administrators.
• Half of the apprentices surveyed said they are concerned about their mental wellbeing.
• 53% of apprentices reported that they only had access to a quiet place to work from at home for less than 2 hours a day.
• Over a fifth (21%) of apprentices told the NoSA that they don’t have the equipment they need to work or learn from home.
Full report here
New Homes First Report survey results on short term lets by Andy Wightman reveals some interesting stats for Edinburgh:
* There are over 6500 commercial STLs in Edinburgh
* Of 477 STL flats identified only 1 has planning consent
* 45% of residents has two or more STLs operating in their stairwell
* And almost 3%million in local taxes being avoided.
Read the full report here.
We’re long overdue for some monuments to women’s remarkable efforts through the ages, but this woman, Elsie Inglis (1864-1917), is especially worthy. Funds are being raised for a Royal Mile monument to this remarkable WWI surgeon and pioneer of social & war medicine. Inglis also founded women volunteers of The Scottish Women’s Hospitals. The Dr Elsie Inglis-Scottish Women’s Hospitals Trust is the only official charity to specifically raise funds for the commemorative monument, and is seeking £250,000 to make it happen. Details on how to contribute to this legacy here.
Eligibility:
* You live in Scotland
* The conflict is connected to social distancing or self-isolation
* The conflict is not part of a pre-existing dispute
* All of the people in the conflict agree to participate in mediation.
More details: https://bit.ly/38jukOJ
Call: 0131 556 8118
Email: admin@scottishmediation.org.uk
#pandemic #stress #Isolation #distancing #covidconflict #community
A really productive meeting with Shelter Scotland recently outlined a number of areas that still need attention if Scotland is to truly end homelessness after the pandemic. With tourism about to resume, and hotels and Bed and Breakfasts reverting to normal use, there remains concern about how and when the homeless population will be assured that enough accommodation exists to keep them safe and housed in the coming weeks.
Shelter Scotland has issued a 3 Point Plan on making this happen, and to ensure those who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, are protected both during and after the pandemic. This is not the time to become complacent, and we must continue to push for positive, permanent change.
An excellent bill from Johann Lamont seeking a national strategy to help young people with disabilities transition to adulthood. Key provisions of the Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions) (Scotland) Bill:
* The Scottish Government to introduce a national transitions strategy to improve outcomes for children and young people with a disability in the transition to adulthood;
* The Scottish Government to appoint a Minister with special responsibility for transitions;
* Local authorities to introduce a transitions plan to ensure each child and young person with a disability receives appropriate care and support before, and during, the transition to adulthood
Johann Lamont says, “Since 2008 the percentage of Scottish disabled people in employment has fallen. We need to do much more to assist young disabled people during this important and challenging time in their lives.”
Read the full proposal here: https://bit.ly/2YfGjcU
#ScottishLabour #Scottishgovernment #community #youngpeople #enablescotland #capabilityscotland
Met with the owner of Union of Genius this week, Edinburgh’s much-loved soup café. Like lots of local businesses, concerns around re-opening and ways to handle rent during #Covid19 were on the table for discussion. Businesses definitely needing support just now.
Lots more to come on how business fares as #lockdown restrictions are lifted.
#Edinburghbusiness #UnionofGenius #soup #community #cafes #greenEdinburgh #foodforgood
Happy to submit a parliamentary motion this week congratulating a group of young people from Lothians schools on making the Scottish National Debating Team. Well done to Lachlan White (George Watson’s College), Eoghan Connolly (Douglas Academy), Emma Bell (Broxburn Academy), Freddy Simonet-Lefevre (Craigmount High School) & Oscar Swire from (Stewart’s Melville College)
In addition, Emma is not only the first pupil at her school to make the team but is also only in S3, so best of luck to her and the team this coming year. And special thanks to the hard work of English-Speaking Union Scotland for bringing such a bright group of talented young people together. Read my parliamentary motion here.
The outgoing President of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), the country’s largest teaching union, will today use his final speech in office to warn against a return to the damaging programme of austerity that has decimated public services over the past decade.
The EIS President, Bill Ramsay, will also highlight the immense scale of the challenge facing Scottish education in the COVID-19 era. Mr Ramsay will deliver his speech to a special online meeting of the EIS Council which has been convened following the enforced cancellation of the EIS Annual General Meeting (AGM) – the Institute’s sovereign decision making body – as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Read the full speech here.
The Social Housing Resilience Group has created a guide to help social landlords restart services that have been paused due to COVID-19. The guide covers the re-opening of housing offices and the resumption of services delivered to tenants in their homes.
The document aims to summarise existing advice on the principles involved in re-starting services as part of the national recovery process.It aims to deal with the significant challenges the outbreak is causing so that social landlords can continue to provide the support their tenants and communities need. Read the document here:
The SHRG was convened by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations – SFHA in response to the coronavirus outbreak, and comprises the The Scottish Government, NHS Health Scotland, Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR), Wheatley Group, Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations, Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland and Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers.
Like many organisations, Waverley Care has had to rapidly change and develop the way they deliver their work. Among other changes, several of their services have moved to digital delivery, while Waverley Care Milestone has been repurposed as an interim care facility for homeless people recovering from coronavirus. You can read more about these developments here:
Lots of us know someone who has been affected by dementia at some point and around 90,000 Scots suffer from it. Over 60% of those in care homes have the condition and Alzheimer Scotland has seen a 30% rise in calls to their helpline during the pandemic.
Dementia, a terminal illness that affects the brain, is an umbrella term for over 100 different types of illnesses and disease symptoms, including memory loss and difficulties with daily tasks, language and problem-solving.
The charity is asking for support during Dementia Awareness Week and is asking people to print off and display their Forget-me-Not flowers or donate at: https://www.alzscot.org/support-us/donate
Call the 24-hour freephone dementia helpline on 0808 808 3000.
Download the Forget me Not here
Some good work from the Cooperative Party on ways to sustain bus travel for those living in areas without council-run or owned bus services. Download their campaign pack here for ideas on how to keep buses running in your area.
Dogs Trust Hope Project has been supporting homeless dog owners for more than 25 years through the veterinary and Welcoming Dogs schemes. The veterinary entitlement card scheme runs in over 100 towns and cities across the UK and provides free vet care for dogs belonging to homeless people. To run this vital scheme, they work with 346 homelessness organisations and 136 veterinary practices across the UK. The Welcoming Dogs scheme aims to keep people and pets together by working with hostels and housing providers to encourage them to accept dogs, increasing dog-friendly provision across the UK.
Since the UK went into lockdown, they have also seen an increase in requests for dog food supplies from homelessness services as well as homeless dog owners themselves who are struggling to purchase dog food for their dogs, through lack of funds.
To help with this we have adapted our Welcoming Dogs scheme during this time so that we can provide ongoing support and guidance to hotels and homelessness services on accepting and managing dogs. We have also updated our guidance on dog care for dog owners that are homeless. More information can be found on the Hope Project’s webpage: https://www.moretodogstrust.org.uk/hope-project-parent/hope-project-and-covid-19
Dogs Trust Freedom Project supports people fleeing domestic abuse by offering a free and confidential pet fostering service, and also raises awareness of how pets can often be used as a tool by perpetrators to abuse their partner/family member. As many refuges are unable to accept pets, Dogs Trust created the Freedom Project in 2004 to support people who need to flee their home but are unable to take their pets with them. The Freedom Project is continuing to run this vital service throughout the current Covid-19 period, with additional measures in place to protect our service users, volunteers, staff and dogs. More information about the Freedom Project can be found here: https://www.moretodogstrust.org.uk/freedom-project/freedom-project
Dogs-Trust-Supporting-homeless-dog-owners_Covid-19_DogsTrust
The National Union of Journalists’ UK-and Ireland-wide has launched a News Recovery Plan, to secure high quality journalism and help the industry sustain itself through Coronavirus. The union as issued a report outlining their path to recovery, along with future goals. Document here, and key points below:
• Establishing a government-funded Journalism Foundation – as recommended in the UK’s Cairncross Review– to invest in local journalism, innovative media projects, and vital areas of quality journalism which are no longer supported elsewhere.
• Conferring “asset of community value” status on local newspapers, ensuring that titles facing closure, or potential sale to owners who fund very little local content, are preserved for potential community ownership.
• Offering rate relief and other financial support for local social enterprises and journalistic co-operatives taking over titles from major commercial operators, and running them as not-for-profit enterprises.
• Persuading governments at all levels to introduce a windfall tax of 6% on “tech giant” companies, using means such as the Digital Services Tax, to help fund a News Recovery Plan, and continuing support for high-quality independent journalism.
• Ensuring that government advertising is strategically invested in innovative journalism and local and hyperlocal news initiatives, as well as in mainstream media.
• Considering a news voucher system, particularly for young citizens aged between 16 and 19, to encourage them to engage with the news sources available, and to make informed decisions about them. Such a programme could be combined with media literacy education in school, designed to prepare young people for their role as media consumers.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development have issued some advice for employers on how to handle a phased return to work. The Job Retention Scheme remains important for most businesses, though, and has saved an estimated 374,000 jobs so far. The CIPD has warned that changes to JRS will be required to avoid permanent redundancies in the future, with a survey showing that Scottish employers back the CIPD’s calls to extend the Job Retention Scheme and to make it more flexible to allow short-time working. You can read the return-to-work guidance here and access their coronavirus hub here: https://www.cipd.co.uk/news-views/coronavirus
The Capital City Partnership is facilitating a competitive grants process for phase one of the programme in several local authorities including Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian.The Intensive Family Support Service aims to target persistent worklessness and poverty evident throughout the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal area.
They’ll provide income advice, and work with local authorities to support progression of families to consider pathways to work and education.
Information and eligibility document here.
https://esescrdifss.co.uk/ https://capitalcitypartnership.co.uk
Macmillan campaigning to ensure people living with cancer can still receive the care they need. Many nurses have been redeployed to help fight Coronavirus, and the charity is rightly proud of their effort. However, with fundraising events cancelled or postponed as demand for services increases, and funding looks set to drop by almost 50%, it’s important that the Government remembers the other ‘C’. People living with cancer can access more information at Macmillan’s Covid centre here: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus or see their information leaflet here.
Citizens Advice Scotland have issued a report on the impact of coronavirus on its services, highlighting searches and advice sought across Scotland. It provides a useful snapshot of people’s worries at the start of #Covid19, and last month they issued 78,000 pieces of advice across Scotland. As the pandemic takes hold these figures are likely to increase and reflect a wider range of problems for people.
If you are worried about bills, benefits, debts, housing, employment etc.call them on 0800 085 7145. See the report here for a full breakdown.
Carers Scotland has released new research, ‘Caring Behind Closed Doors: the forgotten families of the coronavirus outbreak’ www.carersuk.org/closeddoors looking at the impact of Covid19 on the lives of unpaid carers across the UK.
The findings are based on the responses of over 5000 current and former carers, with almost 900 in Scotland. Not surprisingly, they show the pandemic is placing additional stress on unpaid carers, who were already stretched to breaking point. It is now imperative that unpaid carers concerns are listened to, and that they are urgently provided with the support and recognition they need to enable them to continue providing care.
Crucially, many paid care workers are having to self-isolate or work without personal protective equipment (PPE), others have had little choice but to care full time for family or friends with complex health conditions.
The Scottish Government has enacted some measures such as providing PPE to carers, adapting Carer’s Allowance rules and providing £500,000 for carers centres and young carers services. There’s still a lot more to be done, though. Read the full report here and please share.
Feel-good stories are always appreciated during tough times, so it’s great to hear of this young track-star-in-the-making raising a whopping £500 for The Bethany Christian Trust to help end homelessness. Young Jasper (6) from Edinburgh completed a 5K run in his back garden as part of the drive to celebrate the 2.6 Challenge on what would have been the 40th London Marathon on April 26. Well done!
Positive moves from the North Edinburgh Covid-19 Foodshare group, offering information on a range of services: hot food, packed lunches, toiletries and details on health, council tax and business. More info here.
A new partnership will help thousands of Scots that signed up to the Scotland Cares campaign to get involved with local efforts to bolster town centres after Covid19. It will be delivered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Volunteer Scotland, with over 45,000 Scots signed up already. Details here of available funds for additional business support and the £50m Wellbeing Fund
Lovely story in The Guardian on the joys of allotment gardening in Edinburgh during the pandemic; vital for health and wellbeing during stressful times. Guidelines from Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government on health and safety practices on allotments here.
It’s wonderful to see communities pulling together during Covid19 and bringing help to those who need it most. The Eris Liddell centre in Edinburgh is now offering free soup and sandwich deliveries, five days a week, to people in Edinburgh. To donate £5, text COVCARE to 70970. To donate £10, text COVCARE to 70191. Or visit: http://easydonate.org/COVCARE More info on the work of the centre here.
April 6. Elaine Smith MSP was quite right to call for The Scottish Parliament to reconvene. Constituents have getting in touch with issues that need to be raised with the Ministers as soon as possible. Surely, with recent events and Covid19 updates happening on a rapid, daily basis, now is not the time for recess? Parliament must sit again to deal with these pressing issues immediately. See the letter here and the response from the Rt Hon Ken Macintosh MSP, Presiding Officer.
The Scottish Government has updated its advice on the use of PPE in various care settings and has issued further guidelines. Advice is fine but we really need these frontline staff to have access to appropriate PPE before they can make proper use of it. You can access the posters and advice here and here. Or go to: https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/wuhan-novel-coronavirus/#guidelines
A quick reminder to constituents that you can arrange an appointment for a phone surgery with me or, if you prefer, a video chat. Email Sarah.boyack.MSP@Parliament or call during normal office hours on 07570 107005 and I’ll do what I can to help.
Shelter Scotland have updated their briefing on today’s Coronavirus Scotland legislation. Key changes to protect everyone includes: * extending protection from eviction to people whose case is currently in the court system or has already been heard by court * ban on future evictions for coronavirus debts where tenants are continuing to try and pay their rent either through LHA, furloughed wages or employment once restrictions lifted * calling for amendment to unsuitable temporary accommodation legislation * powers for local authorities to sequester holiday homes, if councils are unable to reach agreement locally as temporary accommodation. Full details here.
Scottish Veterans Residences are keen to remind veterans that they will offer their usual services with considerations around personal safety and protection during Covid19. They will continue to provide accommodation, catering and support for Veterans in need, and to take referrals for support for homeless Veterans through the routine referral pathways. They ask new service users, who may be at risk of Covid19, to isolate when first using their accommodation and for others to maintain 2 metre social distance in communal areas. More information here.
For parents and carers needing a little help entertaining kids (and themselves) during the pandemic, local communities have stepped up to provide a list of online resources including audio books, art resources, downloadable e-books, gym workouts, live concerts, online education courses and even webcams for updates on our furry and feathered friends at Edinburgh Zoo. Get the list here.
NHS Lothian looking for volunteers, especially ward helpers, to assist during the Coronavirus crisis. Use the fast track application form. For more details on the role see here. Contact Volunteer.Enquiries@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk or go tohttps://www.nhslothian.scot/GetInvolved/Volunteering/Pages/COVID–19-Application-Process.asp
Age Concern Scotland are offering a friendly daily Good Day Call to people who would appreciate someone checking in on them each day.
Many older people live alone and may not have regular visitors. Some feel lonely from time to time and worry that no one will notice if they take ill or are not up and about in the morning. Many don’t want their family to worry about them.
Our Good Day Call service is a daily call, 365 days a year, to have a chat and check on the welfare of an older person. Over time, we hope to become good friends on the phone, chatting about the day and the world, and being there to give support and to arrange assistance if needed.
You can sign up to receive calls yourself or make a referral for someone else to receive the service by calling us on 01856 898 222. If you are referring someone else, we will also contact the older person to obtain some additional information, their preferences and gain consent to receive the service. You can download the information form here , fill in the referral form here and return to Age Scotland. By post: FAO: Good Day Calls, Age Scotland, Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1PR
By email to: gdc@agescotlandorkney.org.uk
Age Scotland also offer their usual free helpline service on 0800 12 44 222 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm). You can call if you need help with anything, or are simply feeling lonely during lockdown.
Constituents have been in touch, expressing confusion over who exactly is classed as a key worker. The Scottish Government has issued advice on this, and explained that definitions may vary between local authorities, depending on need. See this document for details. https://sarahboyack.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FurtherGuidanceforKeyWorkers-24March2020.pdf
Pauline McNeill MSP absolutely right to raise the issue of homelessness in this pandemic, seeking more powers for local authorities to handle the crises on their doorsteps. She has written to the Scottish Government asking that councils be allowed to purchase accommodation for vulnerable groups including the homeless, victims of domestic abuse and asylum seekers. See the full letter to Housing Minister Kevin Stewart here.
RNIB have issued guidance for people who want to keep blind and partially sighted people up-to-date with Coronavirus advice. Also, social media guidelines are available here for anyone who regularly updates on their pages, designed to be accessible for everyone.
Disappointed with Minister Kevin Stewart’s response to my challenge on January 16, 2020, on overturning Edinburgh Council’s rejection of the Fountainbridge boatel planning application, saying there were “no material considerations” to justify planning refusal. Overwhelming community objections to this canal proposal – a key green site in Edinburgh – should not be ignored. https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/council/scottish-government-overturns-planning-appeal-union-canal-boatels-boroughmuir-vision-blocked-1355089
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers outside Parliament today, campaigning to keep large Scottish shops closed on New Year’s Day. New Year is a special holiday in Scotland, but this is not always reflected in the experience of retail workers. The Usdaw survey shows that many Usdaw members feel they’re not getting the time off they need to enjoy New Year with their family and friends, and Usdaw are calling for a government consultation on the issue.
Sign the petition here: http://external.parliament.scot/gettinginvolv…/…/newyearsday
Sarah Latto, Shelter volunteer organiser 
Volunteers and supporters at Edinburgh Sleep Walk 
Lyndsey, peer organiser 
With Graeme Brown, Shelter Scotland director
It was great to join Shelter Scotland’s Edinburgh Sleep Walk. Peer organisers, those who have been helped by Shelter and volunteer their time in turn, organised the event, made the banners and led the walk through Edinburgh. A great reminder of the importance of this election and why we need to ensure that those in government are taking every step to end homelessness. Shelter Scotland’s Are You With Us? campaign is seeking the right to housing to be enshrined in law. Sign the petition here: https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_involved/campaigning/are_you_with_us
With Colin Smyth 
Laura Ferguson (Trussell Trust) and Sheila George (WWF)
With colleagues at the Good Food Table outside Parliament today. The Scottish Food Coalition is an alliance of organisations working for food justice, supporting the Good Food Nation Bill, which seeks the right of everyone to access good food, a food commission to oversee standards, and make sure public bodies incorporate the national food plan into their decision-making.
I joined Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard and candidate Ian Murray in Edinburgh South. We had lots of positive responses from constituents and residents, and it really drives home that this general election is a chance to make some real changes in Scotland and the UK.
Out campaigning in Musselburgh with Martin Whitfield, and a strong show of support from the local branch, too. Just a few days left to drum up more support and votes as the general election approaches. A big thanks to those who came along.
Great to be interviewed by Hemen Abdullah of Rudaw TV. Lots of interest and discussion on Brexit, Scottish independence and Labour’s position on both.
Commenting on the Fairer Scotland Report: far too many children in Scotland are living in poverty. Strikingly, the number who are living in families where one parent is in work is rising. That cannot be right. Steps such as committing to the rights contained in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are positive and, as outlined by the UN special rapporteur, make a real difference for children living in poverty. However, what is key is to ensure that those measures are not just good rhetoric but are upheld, implemented and acceptable.
United Against Islamophobia
United Against Islamophobia: Great to catch up with friends and familiar faces, and support my colleague Anas Sarwar’s United Against Islamophobia event in Parliament today. With Abdul Sami, Scottish administrative assistant from Mend, Linsay Taylor, board member from the Muslim Council of Scotland, and volunteer Adeola Akisanya, also project officer at Active Communities. For more information on their work and activities go to: https://www.mcscotland.org/ https://www.mend.org.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/anas.sarwar
UCU Industrial Action
UCU speaker Mary Senior 
With Andy Wightman MSP 
Ian Murray, Mary Senior, Lena Wåggener, 
Anne Leaver, Peng Lee Yap and Pelaw the dog
Wet weather didn’t deter the supporters for the university lecturers’ UCU industrial action today who braved the elements to listen to some inspirational speakers and show solidarity. Strike action against casualisation of contracts, pay inequalities, pension contribution increases and unpaid overtime. Learn more here: https://www.ucu.org.uk/heaction
Labour Party manifesto launch, Glasgow, a radical and ambitious programme for government to transform Scotland. We will build a Green Industrial Revolution to tackle climate change, create jobs and rejuvenate communities. #OnYourSideYour copy here: https://scottishlabour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Scottish-Labour-Manifesto-2019.pdf
Local Government in action: Edinburgh City Council taking a proactive approach to addressing climate change. Edinburgh City Council formally declared a climate emergency in May and committed to becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030. Meeting the challenges of the climate emergency will require widespread support of national and local government, other public and voluntary organisations, the private sector and all of Edinburgh’s residents. The Council is looking for your views and opinions on how to make this happen, so please help by completing their survey. https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/ce/edinburghtalksclimate/consultation/subpage.2019-11-05.0236643060/
Powerful words from The Guardian yesterday on the Labour manifesto: “Labour’s manifesto offers a vision of a country that can begin to put to rights the dilapidation and dysfunction that has been the deliberate policy of the past decade.”
Well done to everyone who braved sub-zero temperatures this evening and joined Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard outside Haymarket train station, Edinburgh. Vote Labour for a renationalised rail service and an end to high train travel costs @LabourRichard@scottishlabour
One week to register to vote. It’s important that as many people as possible make their voice heard in such an crucial election. Even if you’re sofa-surfing, homeless or haven’t got a permanent address, your voice counts. Register here gov.uk/register-to-vote…@Election2019_UK