It was fantastic to hear more about the great work of The Polar Academy from its founder and Scotland's greatest polar explorer, Craig Mathieson, and his assistant Lorna Craig earlier today.
As chair of the new All Party Parliamentary Group on Greenland I'm keen to develop links between Scotland, the UK and the Greenlandic people.
The Polar Academy identifies ‘invisible’ 14-17 years old secondary school children, crushed by a lack of self-esteem and gives them the chance to redefine their physical and mental limits.
Participants are put through a rigorous ten-month training programme before being immersed in the wilds of Greenland, navigating through some of the world’s remotest terrain for ten days. Their confidence soars with every step.
On their return to Scotland, each pupil shares their experiences with their peer groups, speaking to more than 20,000 school children in their region. They are living, breathing proof that dreams are attainable and that ordinary pupils can achieve the truly extraordinary.
The Polar Academy has also been instrumental in welcoming a group of young Greenlandic people to Scotland. Three teenage Inuit students, accompanied by Axel, an Inuit fisherman, and his family from south-eastern Greenland, visited Scotland in June last year as part of a five-day cultural exchange initiative.
It is believed to have been the first time that students from Greenland have visited Scotland.
One of the expeditions featured in a BBC series 'Arctic Academy' and is well worth a watch www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00098my/episodes/guide ... See MoreSee Less
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The Chancellor has been warned against using his Spending Review to "pursue all the wrong priorities" in the middle of a pandemic, Tory unemployment crisis and looming extreme Brexit threat.
Ahead of the statement today, the SNP's Shadow Chancellor challenged Rishi Sunak to set out -
- A fiscal stimulus of at least £98bn and the devolution of financial powers,
- A package of meaningful measures to put money in people's pockets as a Tory unemployment crisis and extreme Brexit looms,
- And a major cash injection for the NHS and social care across the four UK nations.
It comes as reports grow that the Treasury instead intends to push ahead with plans to -
- Impose a pay freeze on millions of hard-working public sector workers in the middle of a crisis that has hit households,
- Waste nearly £30m on a Festival of Brexit style event,
- Change the law to cut the aid budget which will abandon the world's poorest and most vulnerable.
Commenting, the SNP's Shadow Chancellor Alison Thewliss MP said:
"This Spending Review comes at a critical time as the UK navigates through a devastating pandemic, faces a severe Tory unemployment crisis, and the looming threat of an extreme Brexit in a matter of weeks.
"The SNP has been clear that to deal with these challenges, the Chancellor must introduce a fiscal stimulus of at least £98bn and the devolution of financial powers, a package of meaningful measures to put money in people's pockets, and a major cash injection for the NHS and social care across the four UK nations.
"However, instead of pursuing meaningful measures to support the economy and public services, the Tory government is instead looking to pursue all the wrong priorities with a return to austerity.
"The reported plans to impose a pay freeze on millions of hard-working public sector workers, changing the law to cut its aid budget towards helping the world's poorest and most vulnerable, and the staggering reports that they will waste almost £30m celebrating Brexit – something Scotland overwhelmingly opposed - are extremely concerning.
"In stark contrast to the SNP and Scottish Government's calls to tackle this pandemic and secure a strong economic recovery, the Tories are putting party politics ahead of the country's interests.
"Scotland must not be forced to wait for Westminster to act. It's clear that by continuing to withhold investment and blocking the devolution of powers, our ability to respond has been held back.
"The only way to properly protect our interests, secure a strong economic recovery, and protect people's incomes is with the full powers that come from being an independent country." ... See MoreSee Less
Retailers in Helensburgh and the surrounding area can now apply for a share of £70,000 Scottish Government funding to to improve their shop fronts.
Grants are also available in other parts of the Argyll & Bute Council area – Lochgilphead & Ardrishaig (£33,500), Tarbert (£33,500), Tobermory (£28,000) and Bowmore (£33,500).
Please share this post to ensure that our local retailers don't miss out! ... See MoreSee Less
Thanks to both Oban High School and Rhu Primary School for inviting me to take part in their events for Parliament Week 2020.
I am delighted that they decided to play such an active role in learning about how parliament works and the role that Members of Parliament play both in the House of Commons and back home in our constituencies.
I thoroughly enjoyed taking to the pupils and discussing what my job entails and what I have done on issues that affect Argyll & Bute in particular; big issues like climate change and the impact of Brexit, to other hugely significant matters like helping refugees and asylum seekers, calling for a better welfare system especially for people who have lost their jobs in the pandemic, as well as working on local issues like a new route to replace the A83 Rest and Be Thankful as well as trying to make sure young people and their families have better broadband for education and employment.
It was great to take so many well informed questions from the P6 class at Rhu PS and the junior and senior Modern Studies classes at Oban High, and I am very grateful to their teachers for their interest as well.
Well done also to S1 – 3 pupils who took part in the UK Parliament Week quiz (winners pictured) and learned a lot about parliamentary structures across the UK. ... See MoreSee Less
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The Tory government's Brexit brinkmanship is leaving businesses in the dark and with no time to prepare for post-Brexit terms in just over one months' time, the SNP has warned today.
With the UK's future relationship with the EU still being negotiated, businesses - which are already struggling to survive due the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic - have been forced to the cliff-edge without any clarity or ability to prepare.
Just this month the National Audit Office warned of "significant disruption" at the border - regardless of whether or not the UK government secured a deal.
Meanwhile, experts from Warwick University revealed earlier this year in their research that Scotland is already £3.94billion worse off as a result of Brexit - losing £736 per head of population, with Aberdeen worst-hit at £9,000 per head.
Ahead of a crucial EU Summit this Thursday, the SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford MP said:
"The Tory government's Brexit brinkmanship is causing untold damage to the economy, businesses, and is putting at risk thousands of jobs across the UK.
"Rather than recognising the uncertainty and instability facing many businesses due to the economic hit caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Tories are instead dangerously doubling down and running down the clock.
"The Vote Leave cabal have completely failed to prepare businesses for an extreme Brexit because they have been far too busy mounting their own civil war inside Downing Street.
"We are just over one month away before the UK exits the transition period and businesses are still in the dark and - as reports have revealed - they face severe disruption and chaos in the new year.
"It's unacceptable that businesses have been pushed to the Brexit cliff-edge by the UK government. The government must now end its hostile tactics and engage meaningfully with our EU partners.
"Scotland faces the prospect of a low deal or no deal - with either outcome set to deliver a devastating blow to our economy and people's living standards. It's clear beyond any doubt that the only way to protect our interests and our place in Europe is by becoming an independent country." ... See MoreSee Less
The SNP has said Boris Johnson must U-turn on Tory cuts to Universal Credit - and deliver urgent support for the 3 million people who have been excluded from UK covid-19 support.
Speaking at Prime Ministers Questions today, Ian Blackford MP challenged Boris Johnson to make the £20 uplift to Universal Credit permanent and extend it to legacy benefits - warning the "UK faces a growing Tory unemployment crisis" as a result of Tory cuts and delays in support.
The SNP Westminster Leader also demanded the Prime Minister urgently deliver support for the 3 million excluded in the run-up to Christmas - warning he had "repeatedly refused to lift a finger" to help these families since the start of the crisis, who would face a "bitter winter" if the Tory government failed to act.
It comes as new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), published yesterday, revealed UK unemployment has risen to 4.8%, with 782,000 fewer people in employment since March, and the number of redundancies at a record high of 314,000 - a record increase of 181,000 on the quarter.
Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford MP said:
"The UK faces a growing Tory unemployment crisis. It is crucial that Boris Johnson urgently gets a grip, U-turns on planned Tory cuts to Universal Credit, and takes immediate action to support the 3million people who have been completely excluded from UK Covid-19 support schemes.
"It's now beyond doubt that the Chancellor's last-minute furlough U-turn came far too late for thousands who have already lost their jobs, as a result of Tory cuts and delays. UK unemployment has risen to 4.8%, redundancies are at a record high, and nearly 800,000 fewer people are in employment.
"It is shameful that Boris Johnson still refuses to give a commitment to support those who have lost their jobs and incomes. Since the start of this crisis, the Prime Minister has repeatedly refused to lift a finger to help the excluded. In the run-up to Christmas, the forgotten millions will be among those struggling to get by and worried about their future.
"The Tory government must finally fix the serious gaps in its support schemes to help the excluded, make the £20 uplift to Universal Credit permanent and extend it to legacy benefits - or Boris Johnson will be to blame for imposing a bitter winter on millions of families across the UK.
"Scotland shouldn't have to wait for Westminster to act. By withholding investment and blocking the devolution of financial powers, the Tory government has caused mass unemployment and hindered Scotland's ability to respond to this crisis. It is clear the only way to properly protect Scotland's interests is to become an independent country." ... See MoreSee Less
The Scottish Government’s £5million Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers will re-open for applications at noon today.
This includes the £4.3million element being delivered by Creative Scotland and partners BECTU, Crafts Council & Craft Scotland, Help Musicians, Society of Authors and Visual Arts Scotland; as well as £700K being delivered through Screen Scotland.
The Fund is designed to support creative freelancers working in the arts, creative and screen sectors who are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From this afternoon those applying through Creative Scotland and delivery partners can do so through the online portal available on the Creative Scotland Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers page.
Applicants will be asked to register before being channelled to the relevant funding partner to complete their application.
Freelancers applying through Screen Scotland – including photographers – are asked to complete their application through the online portal, which will be accessed via the Screen Scotland Hardship Fund page.
The £5million Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers is one of a series of Scottish Government emergency funds for creativity and culture being administered through Creative Scotland.
These funds have been put in place to help mitigate the immediate impacts of COVID-19 on the creative and cultural sector. There are five new emergency funds which were announced by the First Minister on Friday 28 August and which are being delivered through Creative Scotland as follows:
£15million Culture Organisation and Venues Recovery Fund which opened for applications on Thursday 17 September with a deadline of Thursday 24 September. 348 applications have been received totalling over £22million.
£3.5million Independent Cinemas Recovery and Resilience Fund, which opened for applications on Monday 14 September with a deadline of Monday 5 October. 27 applications have been received totalling £3.55million.
£3.5million additional funds for Creative Scotland’s Open Fund which is open for applications to individuals and organisations now. The application threshold has recently been increased from £50K to £100K.
£3million Youth Arts funding package comprises of at least £1.2million through the Access to Youth Arts Fund which will be open to applications until this Thursday (12 November); the £700,000 Small Grants Scheme which launched on Thursday 24 September and closed on Monday 2 November; £50,000 assigned to the Time to Shine Nurturing Talent Fund, and an additional £1,050,000 allocated to support a number of targeted national and local area youth music and wider youth arts organisations.
£1.5million for the Culture Collective programme (part of the £5million Sustaining Creative Practice Fund, referred to in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government), supporting organisations employing freelance artists to work in and with communities across Scotland.
For more details visit www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/hardship-fund-for-creative-freelancers ... See MoreSee Less
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Applications for the Scottish Child Payment, the bold new benefit designed to tackle child poverty in Scotland, are now open.
The new Scottish Child Payment has been described as a “game-changer” in the fight to tackle child poverty.
I would encourage parents and carers in Argyll & Bute who are eligible to apply now so that the Scottish Government can process and start making payments as quickly as possible once the benefit starts in February next year.
The SNP Government has prioritised the early introduction of the new benefit, which will provide eligible families on low incomes with a child under 6, an extra £10 per week for each child.
Latest figures estimate that 194,000 children aged under-6 in Scotland will be eligible for the new Scottish Child Payment - with 2500 children set to benefit in Argyll & Bute.
While the SNP does everything it can to tackle poverty, the Tories at Westminster are still helplessly trying to defend their shameless decision to deprive children of free school meals over the holidays.
Children and families simply shouldn’t have to depend on the whim of Boris Johnson’s callous Tory government to get through this Covid-19 crisis.
You can check whether you're eligible and apply online at mygov.scot/benefits or call 0800 1822222. ... See MoreSee Less
