Local Government
I believe that it is essential that our public services are properly funded, however I feel equally strongly that we should not seek to burden people with higher taxes, and under the SNP, Scotland has become the highest taxed part of the UK.
Unfortunately, consecutive SNP budgets have ended the council tax freeze whilst at the same time, the latest budget has significantly underfunded councils, which has left them with no other choice than to hike up council tax or slash services.
My Scottish Conservative colleagues both in Holyrood and local Government have tried repeatedly to do everything they can to make sure council tax bills stay as low as is possible, in the light of savage SNP cuts to council budgets.
I believe wholeheartedly in ensuring there is fair funding for local Government, so that they receive a set proportion of the Scottish Government’s budget every year, in the same way Scotland receives funding from the UK Government.
The Scottish Conservative party would also invest £550 million directly into Scottish communities through community investment deals, we would also back projects that can create skilled local jobs in communities across Scotland.
The SNP have been underfunding and ignoring our councils for years, while they have been distracted by their constant focus on independence. My party, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party, will focus on rebuilding our communities by funding our local services properly.
Cost of living
I understand how hard it is for many families across the country to cope with the rising cost-of-living. The global cost-of-living crisis and Russia’s war in Ukraine, amongst other issues, are creating huge pressures on household bills and in particular energy prices. The UK Government is providing £94 billion of cost-of-living support to address the crisis facing households across the country. The UK Government previously announced a rise in the National Living Wage, meaning an extra £1,000 in the pockets of the lowest earners.
The UK Government also cut the Universal Credit taper rate and increased work allowances, representing an effective tax cut for low-income working households in receipt of Universal Credit. The point at which National Insurance is paid was also raised, putting more money in the pockets of the lowest earners by more than £330 a year.
In the recent Spring Budget, the UK Government extended its Energy Price Guarantee for a further three months meaning that a typical household in Great Britain will pay on average around £2,500 a year on their energy bill until June when prices are expected to fall. The Chancellor also announced that fuel duty would remain frozen and the 5p cut would remain in place saving drives an average of £100 next year.
The UK Government’s number one priority during a global cost-of-living crisis and increased inflation is to secure the country’s finances, so that ordinary families can be supported through the tough times ahead. I want to make sure that the SNP are focussed on delivering for the people of Scotland and not distracted by constitutional debates. Whilst the SNP continue to fight each other, I am committed to fighting for my constituents, and ensuring that your concerns regarding the cost-of-living crisis are raised with the Scottish Government.
At the recent Scottish Budget debate, I called for the SNP Government to properly fund local government, but it is regrettable that they did not go far enough to ensure a proper funding settlement to save jobs and services. I will always work to champion the interests of ordinary people and to secure a growing economy.
The Gender Recognition Reform Bill
The Gender Recognition Reform Bill is a sensitive and emotive subject, and I understand the strength of the feelings on both sides of the debate. I recognise the need to improve the process for trans individuals, however I believe unreservedly in the importance of protecting women’s safe spaces, vulnerable individuals and the rights of women and girls.
The Gender Recognition Reform Bill in its current form, does not strike the right balance between improving the process for trans individuals and protecting the rights of women and girls. My main concerns with the bill are reducing the age to obtain a GRC to 16, removing the requirement for medical evidence when applying to change gender, drastically reducing the period that applicants must live in their acquired gender before obtaining a GRC and the lack of sufficient engagement with women’s organisation by the SNP. This is why I cannot in good conscience, support the Gender Recognition Reform Bill in its current form.
I understand through personal experience how hard women and girls everywhere have had to fight for the rights and protections we currently have, and this bill undermines those hard-won protections and most worryingly puts women, girls and young people at risk.
My Scottish Conservative colleagues put forward a number of common-sense amendments to the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, such as keeping the need for a medical diagnosis to obtain a GRC and retaining the age one can apply for a GRC at 18 years old, however these amendments were sadly voted down by members of the SNP, Greens, Labour and Liberal Democrats. I am also very disappointed that the SNP, Greens and Liberal Democrats voted against amendments that would have prevented sex offenders from applying to change gender and amendments that would have protected single-sex spaces for women.
I welcome the opportunity, presented by the Secretary of State for Scotland in the form of an unprecedented Section 35 order, for the SNP Government to revisit this legislation and deliver a bill that provides respect, understanding and support to transgender people, without infringing on the rights of women and girls or on matters reserved to the UK Government.
Possible Assisted Dying Legislation
Coping with terminal illness, is deeply distressing and difficult both for the patient who is afflicted by a terminal illness and their family. Since becoming an MSP, I have met with a number of constituents who are currently battling a terminal illness and I have been truly moved by the support their families give them. Every case is different, but all evoke the highest degree of compassion and emotion.
I have also had the opportunity to meet with various doctors and palliative care specialists, who have voiced their concerns with the possibility of assisted dying being legalised in our country, and the subsequent effect this will have on people who live with chronic disabilities and terminal illnesses.
Should the law regarding assisted dying ever be altered, I believe wholeheartedly that this should be a matter for the Scottish Parliament to decide upon, not the Government nor the judiciary. In the event that a bill concerning Assisted dying is brought before the Scottish Parliament, I believe that MSPs should have the opportunity to decide in a free vote.
Following the proposals lodged by Liam MacArthur MSP, if draft legislation comes before the Scottish Parliament, I will listen to individuals on both sides of the aisle and carefully consider all the relevant information before coming to a decision.
Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)
Firstly it is important for me to state that I recognise the need for improved recycling in Scotland and across the UK. However, the implementation of this scheme by the Scottish Government has been a disaster and has left businesses of all sizes in a state of confusion. So much so that there is now little confidence that the scheme can be delivered successfully.
The Scottish Government’s own gateway review found ‘that a fully functioning and compliant DRS cannot be in operation for the revised August 2023 schedule’ and added that a ‘softer’ approach to DRS implementation should be pursued. In addition, the drinks and hospitality industry have been critical of the DRS, with over 500 operators writing an open letter calling for the Scottish Government to pause and revise their deposit return scheme.
I support a well-designed deposit return scheme as an opportunity to improve recycling and encourage consumers towards a circular economy. Nonetheless, I am very concerned the Scottish model will not deliver the desired objectives. Instead, a mixture of mistaken design and operational issues mean there is an increasing risk this will land in a manner which will be costly, confusing, and complex for consumers. There are also additional concerns that a purely Scottish model could have a huge impact on the UK internal market and could lead to less choice, and more expense, for people here in Scotland.