It is worth noting at the outset that animal welfare is the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament. The SNP Scottish Government are committed to protecting and promoting our natural environment, and will build upon our success in conserving wildlife and habitats, including working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure we are working towards having the …
Month: November 2016
The SNP has concerns that UK international investment policy has not kept pace with commitments on human rights, the environment and international development. Most especially that the formulation of existing Bilateral Investment Treaties may prevent partner countries from implementing policies to further progress in those areas. Furthermore, we think that the process for parliamentary scrutiny …
Scotland’s health is of high importance and I am proud my colleagues in the SNP Scottish Government have ensured health spending has increased to record levels under the SNP, with Scotland’s health budget rising to a record high of nearly £13 billion this year, which includes a £250 million investment to be directed to Health …
This Bill would only apply in England and Wales. Unfortunately, the chances of this Bill becoming law are slim as very little parliamentary time is dedicated to the consideration of Private Members’ Bills. Nevertheless, the SNP Government in Scotland are committed to protecting the rights of disabled people to live with dignity and respect …
World attention on conflict in the Middle East tends to focus on Syria and Iraq and sadly, the catastrophic war in Yemen is largely overlooked; despite the conflict claiming many lives, causing untold damage and forcing millions of people to flee from their homes. The SNP have called on the UK Government to stop their …
I am familiar with the campaign from Guide Dogs UK to have AV equipment installed on all public transport buses by law, and I am supportive of public transport of all forms being accessible to those with physical impairments. I am firmly of the view that audio and visual displays and announcements would make public …
I firmly believe that those who suffer from MS should have employment support which works for them. My SNP colleagues and I broadly welcome the recent announcement from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Green Paper, “Work, health and disability: improving lives”, but remain concerned that cuts are still due to …
The protection and safety of civilians, and above all children, in conflict zones is a matter which the SNP takes very seriously. During this Parliament, we have consistently pressed the UK Government and others to meet their legal obligations under International Humanitarian Law and indeed their moral obligations in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and indeed Israel …
The SNP have welcomed a call from Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader for his party to ditch their unionist stance. In an interview in the Sunday Herald, Alex Rowley said that he had never considered himself a unionist, and admitted that the “status quo” of a Union dominated by Westminster and Whitehall could not deliver the …
Several SNP MPs participated in the Balfour Declaration debate in Parliament this week. (click here for the transcript in Hansard) Whilst the historical context is complex, we have stressed the need to learn some important and relevant lessons from the Balfour Declaration. We deeply regret that the UK Government did not fulfil its commission in …
Sea bass is an important fishery, particularly to recreational and commercial fishing interests on the West Coast of Scotland. I therefore note with some concern the studies of the ICES which have suggested that bass stocks are continuing to deplete. As you may be aware, the EU Fisheries Council agreed a suite of emergency conservation …
“Nobody can predict the full impact of the Presidential election just as few predicted a Trump win, but I am concerned about the international economic situation; the US Dollar has a huge impact on other financial markets, and fluctuations will affect small local businesses as much as multinational corporations. “What we can say with certainty …