Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has highlighted and paid tribute to the work of a local charity which provides critical support to families in the Highlands. Founded in 2023 by Mel Thomson, Highland Action for Little Ones (HALO) supports children and families across the Highlands, providing essentials such as clothes, baby formula, and cots. [...]

Emma Roddick MSP for the Highlands and Islands region today welcomed the Scottish Government’s confirmation that 100% rates relief for hospitality businesses in the islands, including Orkney and Shetland, will continue. Ms Roddick has been a strong advocate for this relief, recognising the vital role that hospitality plays in the island economies. Ms Roddick emphasised [...]

Emma Roddick MSP has criticised what she calls Conservative colleagues' "punitive" and "stigmatising" approach to dealing with crime and justice. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament during a debate led by Elena Whitham MSP on alcohol use in the justice system, Ms Roddick, who represents the Highlands and Islands, argued for a more compassionate and evidence-based [...]

MSP for the Highlands and Islands region Emma Roddick today visited Highland BlindCraft in Inverness, a social enterprise providing employment and training opportunities for disabled people. Ms Roddick’s visit focused on the crucial role organisations like Highland BlindCraft play in tackling social isolation and poverty within the Highlands, filling gaps in provision while sustaining a [...]

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed new statistics which show the number of second homes and long-term empty properties has fallen across Scotland following the introduction of new measures to curb their growth. Scottish Government figures released this week show that the total number of second homes and properties that have been empty [...]

SNP MSP Emma Roddick has today hailed the landmark announcement by Creative Scotland, which will see a record number of cultural organisations across Scotland receive stable, multi-year funding—thanks to a significant budget commitment from the Scottish Government. With over £200 million being provided to 251 organisations over the next three years, this represents the largest [...]

SNP MSP Emma Roddick has pointed to the consensus between landlords and tenants, as well as organisations representing them, on the need for stronger data to guide decisions on housing policy, particularly in relation to rent prices. Ms Roddick is seeking to bring forward amendments to the Scottish Government’s Housing Bill to strengthen data collection. [...]

SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick is urging folk living in island communities to take advantage of government support in the face of rising energy costs.  As of December 2023, the fuel poverty rate in Orkney and Shetland was 31%, significantly higher than the Scottish average of 24%. This is despite the [...]

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has platformed the concerns of young islanders across Scotland in Holyrood, pressing the Scottish Government on the urgent need for more affordable housing available in all communities. During a parliamentary question to Housing Minister, Paul McLennan, Ms Roddick highlighted a recent report from the Young Islanders Network, which revealed [...]

During a visit to the site, Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to funding HMP Highland, the new prison which will replace HMP Inverness. The new prison, which is currently under construction, will provide modern facilities for prisoners and staff and will be designed to support rehabilitation and [...]