Parliamentary Contributions

Oral Contributions:

• 09.12 – Grooming Gangs: Independent Inquiry – I intervened to draw parallels with the Scottish government’s lack of progress on this issue, and ask the government to provide regular updates on the progress of the inquiry
• 09.12 – Railways Bill – I made a speech in support of the Bill, highlighting how effective nationalised rail has been in Scotland
• 10.12 – Seasonal Work – I intervened to highlight the decline of licensed premises which occurred on the Conservative’s watch
• 10.12 – Conduct of the Chancellor of the Exchequer – I intervened to note that much of the unhelpful speculation around the budget came from the opposition benches
• 11.12 – National Plan to End Homelessness – I asked a question to raise awareness around the housing crisis in Edinburgh and probe what the government is doing to support homeless veterans
• 11.12 – St Andrew’s Day and Scottish Affairs – I made a speech highlighting the impact of various organisations and businesses based in Edinburgh South West.

Written Questions Answered:

• Lebanon: Cluster Munitions – information on the potential use of cluster munitions in Lebanon 
• Drinking Water – help to ensure that less potable water is used for non-potable purposes
• Cardiovascular Diseases: Women – steps to improve the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases that disproportionately impact women
• Ofgem: Pay – potential merits of Ofgem’s pay flexibility business case
• Ofgem: Job Security and Pay – discussions with the Chief Executive of Ofgem regarding the ongoing pay dispute, as well as job security at Ofgem.
• Electric Vehicles: Excise Duties – what behavioural changes have been assumed in modelling revenue projections for the proposed EV mileage charge scheme
• Electric Vehicles: Excise Duties – impact of the EV mileage charge on the rental and leasing motor vehicle sector
• Electric Vehicles: Excise Duties – impact of the proposed EV mileage charge on electric vehicle residual values and the cost of new electric vehicle finance agreements.

Media Mentions:

• 10.12 – Councillors approve report over controversial AI data centres – Deadline News covered Edinburgh Council’s recent decision to review the need for Apatura, the company behind the proposed data centre, to conduct an environmental impact assessment. I had previously expressed concerns about the lack of an EIA, and am happy to hear that the council has reconsidered the need for one, given the sizeable impact that this proposal will have on the environment.
• 11.12 – Rockstar Claim They Fired GTA 6 Staff For Leaking Features From Unannounced Games – A number of industry outlets covered the campaign which former Rockstar employees are mounting to contest their recent dismissal. Myself, Tracy and Chris – as local MPs with constituents impacted by the firings – are supportive of the campaign, and raised it with the PM in the chamber last week. In response, the PM said he finds Rockstar’s actions “deeply concerning” and promised that ministers will look into it.
• 12.12 – Controversy among local residents as 5G mast to be built near monument – Deadline News and the Edinburgh Inquirer both covered the concerns I have raised relating to the proposals for a 5G phone mast near the historic Covenanters’ Monument on Redford Road.