Michelle Thomson for Falkirk East

As the Scottish Parliament breaks off for Christmas recess, this week has seen a variety of commitments.

There were two important debates this week in the Scottish Parliament. The first, Stage 3 of the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill, mitigates the ability for elected representatives to stand in both the Scottish Parliament and Westminster seats at the same time, as well as other important aspects of elections including improving candidacy and campaigner
safety. The second, Stage 1 of the Education (Scotland) Bill, introduces the establishment of a new Qualifications Body called Qualifications Scotland and creates a Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland. The Bill will now go to committee scrutiny before it comes before the Chamber again at Stage 3.

I also met with Carolyn Currie of Women’s Enterprise Scotland this week. Carolyn is fundamental to the running of the Cross-Party Group on Women in Enterprise within the Scottish Parliament, which I convene on a regular basis. This week I met with her to discuss future topics for the CPG to progress in 2025 following the AGM last month.

On Wednesday I asked a question on mental health support for people living with long-term conditions at Health & Social Care Portfolio Questions. A recent report by IBD UK on Crohn’s and Colitis Care in Scotland found inadequate provision of psychologists and 4 in 5 people being treated for Crohn’s and Colitis in Scotland were not asked about their mental health. You can listen to my question and the answer from Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP in my previous post on Wednesday.

The final Finance & Public Administration Committee meeting of 2024 involved scrutinising the recently announced Budget 2025-26 and looking at the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill’s Financial Memorandum. As the work around formally presenting the Budget before the Scottish Parliament again in the coming months, the Finance & Public Administration Committee will continue to take evidence on the proposals. I look forward to continuing this work in 2025.

Over the last few months, the talented Choir group in the Scottish Parliament have been practicing for our annual Carol Service, which took place on Wednesday evening. I started up the Choir group to bring MSPs and staffers from across the political parties together and encourage a love of music in others. We have had a tremendous turn out and we all thoroughly enjoyed our performance – I hope others enjoyed watching too!

I began the week by visiting Sustainable Thinking Scotland CIC. I have long been a supporter of their excellent work, and it was joy to see their recent initiatives taking shape and helping to support our communities. You can read more about my visit and meeting with Gary the chicken here: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1031166525485980&set=a.377949410807698

Having convened the Cross-Party Group on Music for the last year, I was delighted to be re-elected as Convenor for

the coming year at the AGM this week. The Cross-Party Group discusses a wide range of issues affecting the music sector in Scotland and this meeting we were accompanied by two fantastic choirs – Rolling Hills Chorus and Loud & Proud Choir. We also bid farewell to Dave Francis of TRACS as he retires from his post in the new year – we will miss his hard work as secretariat for the group.

I spoke twice in the chamber this week. Firstly, the Conservative party motion for debate disputing the proposed Scottish Budget, which went on to offer no specific details as to where their cuts would fall. Having recently attended a round table hosted by Beira’s Place on non-fatal strangulation, I asked the First Minister what considerations are being given to legislate against this in Scotland to bring it in line with England and Wales. You can watch my question and the First Minister’s response here at 12:23 here:

https://www.scottishparliament.tv/.../first-ministers...

I managed to visit some of the exhibitions and drop-in events taking place in the Scottish Parliament this week, including Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, timeTIMESPOTspot, and Haven Products. You can read more ECHC and artist Elaine Robinson’s work in my previous posts. On Thursday Haven Products held a drop-in session - an issue affecting many in my constituency, I spoke with workers affected and offered my support to them.

On Monday this week, I visited the Forth Valley Rape Crisis Centre, which serves the Forth Valley area including my constituency of Falkirk East. They offer free and confidential information, advocacy and person-centred support to anyone aged over 13 in the Forth Valley area that has been affected by sexual violence. As with many small charities, they rely on multi-year funding sources and donations - neither of which are certainties. The incredibly important work being undertaken by staff and the Board is fantastic, and it was a pleasure to visit to discuss their work and the issues they face. If you or someone you know would like to know more about Forth Valley Rape Crisis Centre, visit https://www.forthvalleyrapecrisis.org.uk/

I attended the Scottish Financial Enterprise reception in the Scottish Parliament, celebrating the contribution the financial and professional services sector has on Scotland’s economy and society. The event was also supported by BNY, a global financial services firm marking 25 years in Edinburgh. Scotland’s financial and professional services industry is worth almost £15 billion in Gross Value Added to the Scottish and UK economies and supports over 150,000 jobs directly and in the supply chain. I was delighted to be able to pop along to this interesting and informative event.

This week the Scottish Government introduced the Scottish Budget 2025/26 to the Parliament and I was delighted to be able to contribute to the discussion. The budget has a clear focus on economic growth, and I was pleased to hear ScotWind monies will be used for their intended purpose. There is also much needed funding for our most vital sectors and the mitigation of the Winter Fuel Payment ; the payments for which were cut by the UK Labour Government. I look forward to future debates starting next week and continuing into the new year.

I also spoke at Portfolio Questions on Education this week. A number of constituents have contacted me ahead of Falkirk Council’s meeting next week on proposals to reduce learning hours. Falkirk Council must make savings to balance their budget, and I know Falkirk Council will carefully consider their options as more information about the real-terms uplift of 3% for spending on education.

I concluded my week by attending the Beira’s Place round table discussion. I was shocked by many of the statistics given in the presentation, including how strangulation is not a specific offence in Scotland despite the huge increase in occurrence. I look forward to taking some of the issues raised in this discussion further with the Scottish Parliament in the coming months.

This week has been extremely eventful!

I was delighted to sponsor the Logistics UK round table in the Scottish Parliament, where they introduced an interesting presentation, triggering discussions around post-EU trade and the various logistical factors of this. Brexit has impacted almost every sector and we must find ways to mitigate its effects.

While visiting Edinburgh from Houston in the USA, Sysco visited the Scottish Parliament. I met with them as a member of the Cross Party Group on USA to find out more abut their ideas for trade connections with Scotland. Having distribution site in Scotland, Sysco sells and distributes food products to several sectors and provide equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries.

I thoroughly enjoyed sponsoring the Scottish Property Federation’s event this week. The Scottish Property Federation represents over 400 businesses, investors and experts in the real estate industry in Scotland. Looking to strengthen Scotland’s built environment through initiatives such as energy efficient business premises, homes and wider amenities, the Scottish Property Federation works with members and both national and local governments to develop an industry which also successfully supports local community investment and job creation across the country.

As well as being asked to be a panellist on Politics Scotland and asking a question at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, which you can watch in my previous post, I also convened the CPG on St Andrew’s Day ahead of the day itself on 30 November. While some bodies in Scotland recognise the Bank Holiday for our national day, it is imperative we must not forget the significance the day represents in the values and culture in Scotland.

This week I had the privilege of visiting Bosnia for 'Lessons from Srebenica', an event focussed on gaining a wider understanding of the causes and long-term implications of the conflict which claimed the lives of so many innocent civilians. The event served to me as a reminder of the fragility of our democratic system and the reasons why it is so important for representation from all groups to be heard.

It was also a busy week in Parliament, I participated in votes on the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill and the debate regarding 'Keeping the Promise.'

This week I also submitted two motions highlighting the work and successes of local groups in the Falkirk East Constituency.