Michelle Thomson for Falkirk East

This week I met with the Wise Group at their exhibition stall in the Scottish Parliament. They use data and mapping to create targeted, impactful interventions that drive progress through a joined-up approach for the most vulnerable in our society. In Falkirk East, the Wise Group are currently engaged with Falkirk Council in providing support and advice on energy reduction as part of the project in the off-gas areas. You can find out more about the support they offer here: https://www.thewisegroup.co.uk/energy-advice/

The First Minister introduced his Programme for Government, with his statement on Tuesday and a debate on its impact for the future of Scotland taking place on Wednesday. Alongside general policies, my interest centred around a successful industrial strategy and delivering green jobs quickly through the ACORN project, which the UK Government are still stalling to provide a decision on. You can watch my question and the First Minister’s response here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ADmXMCH42/

I sponsored three individual roundtables this week: Passion4Fusion, Vodafone and SLAPPs. Passion4Fusion are a wonderful organisation helping to support black and multi-ethnic communities around Edinburgh, with discussions at the roundtable centred around the new report ‘They Took My Child Too’. The report highlights inequalities and racism in education and social work. The Vodafone roundtable centred around their merger with

Three and plans to enhance rural connectivity with 5G roll-out across Scotland. Finally, the Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) roundtable highlighted large companies threatening financial legal action against an individual who speaks out on their experience of perceived unlawful practices.

I ended this week by raising concerns at Portfolio Questions around Social Security Scotland’s capacity to take on further benefits. I also supported the Military Wives Choir, who gave a fantastic performance in Garden Lobby commemorating 80 years since VE Day. You can read about both of these in my previous posts.

The sudden closure of Grangemouth refinery operations was a shock to many this week. I was angry and disappointed for the 430 workers now made redundant and their families. The UK Labour government showed their true colours in supporting other industrial projects across the UK, with Scotland once again being treated as an afterthought. On Wednesday the Scottish Government made a Ministerial Statement on the closure and gave updates on Project Willow. I was pleased to be able to speak in this Statement - you can watch the full debate, including my contribution at https://www.scottishparliament.tv/.../ministerial...

I also spoke in Topical Questions on Tuesday, highlighting the possibility of legal implications following the recent Supreme Court ruling. On Wednesday, I spoke in Portfolio Questions where I asked the Deputy First Minister what economic benefits events such as Tartan Week bring through ‘Brand Scotland’. You can watch these questions and their subsequent responses at https://www.scottishparliament.tv/archive

The Finance & Public Administration Committee and the Economy & Fair Work Committee both met this week. The Finance & Public Administration Committee took evidence from both Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland and Fiona Diggle from Audit Scotland on the Scottish budget process in practice. We also looked into the Scottish Fiscal Commission Report on Fiscal Sustainability, taking evidence from Professor Graeme Roy, Professor Francis Breedon, Dr Caroline Carney and Claire Murdoch of the Fiscal Commission.

Discussions around Skills Delivery took place in the Economy & Fair Work Committee, with evidence from Sandy Begbie CBE of Scottish Financial Enterprise, Paul Campbell of Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB), Jack Norquoy of Scottish Renewables and Paul Sheerin of Scottish Engineering. Skills Delivery will be key to many sectors in Scotland in the future, including in my constituency given the recent news of the refinery.

This week, I have spoken twice in the Scottish Parliament – once on the subject of non-fatal strangulation, and again on the UK Government’s Spring Statement.

After a roundtable discussion on non-fatal strangulation, I have continued to explore possible pathways to legislate for criminal prosecution on this pervasive issue. Alongside awareness raising and social policy changes, the possibility of criminal legislation must be brought forward, and I look forward to submitting an amendment at Stage 2 of the Bill and working with the Cabinet Secretary going forward. You can view my contribution in this debate in my Facebook posts.

I also spoke in the ‘Impact of the UK Government’s Spring Statement on Scotland’ debate. Labour’s pre-election promises and tinkering of the budget to help people have been replaced with strict fiscal rules which attack the most vulnerable in our society, all so the Chancellor can reach and restore the headroom target of £9.9billion. A clip of my speech is available in my previous post, but you can watch the full debate here: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/scottish-government-debate-the-impact-of-the-uk-governments-spring-statement-on-scotland-april-2-2025

On Wednesday, the First Minister brought a Motion of Condolence forward to the Scottish Parliament following the passing of Christina McKelvie MSP. The contributions made by members across the political divide showed what a loss Christina is to this Scottish Parliament, and my sympathies go out to all who knew her.

This weekend and most of next week, I will be attending Tartan Week in both Canada and New York alongside some of my fellow Parliamentary colleagues. Promoting ‘Brand Scotland’ on the global stage is integral to bolster our cultural and trade links, and I look forward to meeting with many delegations throughout the week.

The role of an MSP is extremely varied, with this week’s commitments being no exception.

I was interviewed by Sky News earlier in the week. During Storm Eowyn in January, it was reported that NHS Forth Valley was subjected to power cuts, with whistleblowers now sharing their experiences of when the back-up generators also failed. I raised concerns with the Scottish Government at the time of the event, and I await the findings of a report. Given the whistleblowing allegations which have come to light, the UK and Scottish Governments should be considering routinely stress-testing our critical infrastructure.

The UK Government announced their Spring Statement this week, and I was pleased to speak to Politics Scotland about the implications this will have for many people in Scotland. You can find out more about this, including an excerpt, on my previous post.

The much anticipated Land Reform (Scotland) Bill came before the Scottish Parliament this week. While I support the general principles of the Bill, there is still a long way to go in the process, with consideration of amendments at Stage 2. I look forward to seeing this Bill progress and voting accordingly when in comes back before MSPs at Stage 3. This week the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson, also brought a motion to the chamber celebrating Scotland’s renewed status as a Fair Trade Nation. Not only important for businesses and communities across Scotland, this status puts Scotland on the global stage as a country with open markets, trade liberalisation and the entrepreneurial spirit for good trade deals.

Finally, I submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament this week after hearing Murray Leslie of Tesco in Redding has been awarded a Community Achievement Award for his charitable work in store. Murray has encouraged staff and customers to contribute towards fundraising efforts, supporting several Falkirk-based charities and organisations, including Strathcarron Hospice, Polmont Playgroup, Go Kids, Wee Braes Choir and Wallacestone and District Pipe Band. Congratulations once again to Murray for this achievement. You can read the full motion at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/votes-and-motions/S6M-16935

march 29

This week began with a visit from economics students from the Iowa State University in the USA. As part of their trip to Scotland, they visited the Scottish Parliament and I was delighted to meet with them to discuss Scotland’s economic landscape.

The Scotch Whisky Industry held a roundtable discussion on Tuesday evening in Edinburgh. A fundamentally important part of Scotland’s economy, we discussed the critical role and impact of the Scotch Whisky industry and how policy can secure the industry and its partners’ continued success.

I sponsored two events in the Scottish Parliament this week – the St Patrick’s Day dinner and an event celebrating 40 years of Community Enterprise In Scotland. I was pleased to welcome my colleagues from across political parties to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and the trade links between Scotland and Ireland. Supporting employability and skills development, CEIS are an invaluable organisation for SMEs who play an important part in Scotland’s economy.

I held several meetings this week. As issues around the cost of living continue, Reapit, a technology provider to residential property sales and letting agents, met with me to discuss the energy efficiency challenges facing the Private Rented Sector in Scotland. I also visited RBS in Edinburgh this week to find out more about their Accelerator scheme. Supporting entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, the Accelerator scheme opens up a wealth of opportunities to businesses looking to expand. You can find out more about the scheme here: https://www.rbs.co.uk/business/business-services/entrepreneur-accelerator.html

Finally, I spoke at both First Minister’s Questions and asked a supplementary on an urgent question this week. You can listen to my urgent question on my previous post. I also asked the First Minister about the recent NIESR report which highlighted the fact that the poorest people in Slovenia are now more wealthy than the poorest in the UK, that UK productivity is low and noted that medium sized countries that are independent are wealthier. You can watch my contribution here: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/first-ministers-questions-march-20-2025?clip_start=12:18:52&clip_end=12:21:51

march 21