Michelle Thomson for Falkirk East

MICHELLE THOMSON MSP CONDEMNS SCOTTISH TORIES FOR BACK “SHAMEFUL CUTS TO UNIVERSAL CREDIT”

The Scottish Parliament has voted overwhelming to support cancelling the Tory UK Government’s planned £20 cut to Universal Credit next month. Following the vote, Falkirk East MSP, Michelle Thomson, condemned the Scottish Tories for backing the cut which will remove over £1,000 from over 12,200 households across the wider Falkirk district.

Hundreds of anti-poverty campaigners, human rights experts, cross-party committees and the devolved Governments have all urged the UK Government to keep the lifeline, with the Tories now under pressure to support people who have been worst affected by the pandemic.

STEVE MCQUEEN & SEAN KERR WILL ATTEND PARLIAMENT’S OPENING CEREMONY

The SNP’s Michelle Thomson MSP has announced that Bo’ness based Sustainable Thinking Scotland CIC will attend the Scottish Parliament’s opening ceremony having been nominated as Local Heroes.

Steve McQueen will attend as the lead nominee for the social enterprise and will be accompanied by business partner Sean Kerr for the official opening of the Scottish Parliament’s sixth session.

Founded in 2016, Sustainable Thinking Scotland CIC have piloted a project to grow fruit and vegetables on Kinneil Estate to provide nutritious food to local foodbanks for free, while operating a truly circular system to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere by producing biochar using natural waste from forestry.

Falkirk East MSP, Michelle Thomson, said: “While I received several nominations of truly heroic constituents, I am delighted to announce that Steve and Sean will be attending the Opening Ceremony of the Scottish Parliament. These two gentlemen are true local heroes, working day and night in difficult conditions to provide food and real sustainable solutions to the local communities.

“Food poverty is a serious issue and simply meeting Steve and Sean you get a feel for how serious they are about it. I am proud to say that they are part of my constituency and applaud them for their effort and contribution over the past 5 years.

“I am excited to see where their vision will take them, not only in the fight against food poverty but in their efforts to reduce carbon emissions. They are a real inspiration and hope they enjoy a rare day off at the opening ceremony of the Parliament.”

Note:

More information on Sustainable Thinking Scotland CIC can be found at their Facebook page

MSPs have been warned that the cut to Universal Credit, furlough being wound down and sky-rocketing energy bills is creating a ‘perfect storm’ for households in Scotland as budgets continue to be squeezed.

Polly Tolley, Director of Impact at Citizens Advice Scotland, told the Holyrood Finance and Public Administration Committee that the advice service is ‘worried’ about the cut to Universal Credit and coupled with furlough being phased out and energy bills increasing there will be increased pressure on the budgets of low-income households.

MICHELLE THOMSON MSP ANNOUNCES 4 DAY TOUR OF FALKIRK EAST CONSTITUENCY

Michelle Thomson, SNP MSP for Falkirk East, has announced her schedule for touring her constituency over four days in August – starting in Slamannan on Monday 16 August at 2pm, and finishing in Brightons on Thursday 26 August.

During her campaign, Michelle made it clear that one of her priorities would be to get out into the communities she serves. This initial four-day tour is the first step, and the new SNP MSP for Falkirk East is in the process of planning more innovative ways of getting out to her constituents.

MICHELLE THOMSON MSP CONGRATULATES WINNERS OF YOUTH PHILANTHROPY INITIATIVE AT BO’NESS ACADEMY

Michelle Thomson, SNP MSP for Falkirk East, has put forward a motion to the Scottish Parliament congratulating Callum Bloomfield, Tayler Adamson and Jamie Demirkoc on winning the Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) at Bo’ness Academy.

The three pupils, all of whom attended S3 last year, had to research local organisations as part of the YPI and decide which, in their view, was best placed to make a positive contribution to their community. As the winners they received £3,000 to donate to their chosen charity or organisation, Bo’ness Storehouse.