Parliamentary Contributions

Oral Contributions:

• 27.10 – Statutory Maternity and Paternity Pay – I made a speech highlighting the inadequacy of statutory maternity pay through a constituent’s personal story
• 27.10 – North Sea Oil and Gas Industry – I raised the issue of the energy profits levy, noting that the SNP have criticised it, but have not been able to suggest a viable alternative
• 28.10 – World Stroke Day – I highlighted gaps in care, in Scotland, relating to the delivery of life-saving, thrombectomies
• 28.10 – Stamp Duty Land Tax – I argued that the housing crisis, in part, stems from the last government’s lack of investment in house building
• 28.10 – China Spying Case – I asked the opposition to clarify what their stance on China had been, when they were in government
• 28.10 – Support for Disabled Veterans – I intervened in order to name-check two fantastic charities which work with veterans in my constituency: Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans
• 29.10 – Vehicle Headlight Glare Standards – I intervened, on behalf of a constituent, to argue that more research into this issue is required  to fully understand the negative impacts of these lights
• 29.10 – Gaza and Hamas – I encouraged the government to intervene on behalf of Palestinian healthcare workers who are currently held without charge in Israeli detention centres
• 30.10 – Investment in Businesses – I asked the SoS for Business and Trade about the government’s plans to encourage investment in businesses, highlighting the flourishing renewables sector in my constituency and asking the Minister to visit them
• 30.10 – Sudan: Protection of Civilians – I raised the ICC investigation into atrocities in Sudan, suggesting that the scope should extend to those involved in supplying weapons to help perpetuate the conflict

Written Questions Answered:

• Cybersecurity: Research -legal frameworks to support legitimate cybersecurity research
• Cancer: Health Services – improving long-term quality of life for people living with and beyond cancer
• Postural Tachycardia Syndrome: Diagnosis – steps to ensure the timely and consistent diagnosis and treatment for people living with postural tachycardia syndrome
• Occupied Territories: Health Professions – representations to the Government of Israel on the release of medical personnel detained in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
• Motability: Motor Vehicles – discussions with Motability Operations on encouraging the sourcing of UK-manufactured vehicles
• Children: Poverty – impact of the removal and reform of the two-child benefit cap on educational outcomes for children
• Stem Cells: Donors – increasing the availability of donors for stem cell transplants
• Alcoholic Drinks: Advertising – the role of industry advertising in reducing the rate of alcohol harms
• Alcoholic Drinks: Advertising – plans to publish a timeline for strengthening voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling

EDMs Published:

• Held In Our Hearts
• 100 years of Boroughmuir Rugby and Community Sports Club at Meggetland

Media Mentions:

• 27.10 – I was pleased to play a small role in the ceremonial opening of a new post office in Wester Hailes – Experienced father and son postmasters step in to run Edinburgh’s new Wester Hailes post office
• 28.10 – I was quoted in this moving article about Jamie’s struggle to fund her cancer treatment – NHS worker from the Midlands resorts to bake sales in bid to raise £120,000 for cancer treatment