The SNP Government has significantly expanded the support available through Scotland’s Migration Service. This service, introduced by the SNP in Government, ensures newcomers to Scotland have the information they need to move here and that businesses are guided through the process of sponsoring and employing international workers. Population decline is one of the biggest challenges [...]

Emma Roddick MSP has praised the work of teachers at Brae High School and the Shetland Islands Council’s Youth Employability Service after a visit to the young people, who asked a range of questions about the impact of government decisions on the isles. She said: ”I just love how engaged the young people in Brae [...]

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has written to the Managing Director of NorthLink Ferries urging the company to reinstate shared cabins on its service between Shetland and Aberdeen.  The option for passengers to share a cabin on the overnight service between Shetland and Aberdeen was removed during the COVID-19 pandemic and is yet to [...]

MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick has pressed the Scottish Government on the urgent need to improve healthcare for those who suffer with chronic pain and fatigue conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Myalgic Encephalitis (ME), and Long COVID. Ms Roddick pressed the Scottish Government on what steps it is taking to ensure that [...]

Emma Roddick MSP has highlighted the need to introduce regulations to keep workers safe in the workplace. The SNP MSP highlighted the fact that in the Highlands and Islands, more people work remotely, which means the online world is their office. Given the recent rise in the use of AI in our daily lives, including [...]

MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick has welcomed recent news that the Scottish Government is investing £3 million into Orkney’s internal ferry fleet, hailing the announcement as “really positive for Orcadians.” However, speaking to the Minister for Connectivity in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Roddick also urged the Scottish Government to continue to work [...]

MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick has celebrated 10 years of Shetland Reel Gin by lodging a motion in her name in the Scottish Parliament. The first Shetland Reel Gin was produced on 31st October 2014 in the Saxa Vord Distillery in Unst, the most northerly distillery in the United Kingdom. Originally only [...]

Emma Roddick MSP for the Highlands & Islands has praised a pilot Youth Voluntary Services Scheme in Shetland, which brings together young people from the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service’s Youth Volunteer Scheme and Police Scotland’s Young Volunteers.  Emma met the team at Lerwick’s shared Fire and Ambulance Station and heard directly from those involved [...]

Emma Roddick MSP is set to lead a Members' Business Debate on Tuesday 29th October, calling on members of the Scottish Parliament to recognise the dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The debate comes after a motion lodged by Ms Roddick gained cross-party support earlier this year. The SNP MSP believes that, for AI to operate [...]

Emma Roddick MSP for the Highlands & Islands has praised the resilience and dedication of the team at the SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst, following an explosion during testing on the site in August. Ms Roddick visited the site herself, to hear directly from those involved in the project. SaxaVord is Europe’s first fully licensed vertical [...]