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.
