Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed the Scottish Government’s assurance that work is continuing towards the implementation of long-term protections for private housing tenants, stating that more permanent measures are vital in ensuring the security of renters across Scotland. Ms Roddick pressed the Minister for Tenants’ Rights, Patrick Harvie, to report on the [...]

After sharing her own love of music in the Scottish Parliament chamber, Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has received a commitment from the Minister for Culture to ensure children from all backgrounds across Scotland have the opportunity to get involved in theatre and music. Ms Roddick pressed the Minister for Culture, Europe and International [...]

My team and I would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year when it comes. My office will be closed on the 23rd of December and will reopen on the 9th of January. My inbox at emma.roddick.msp@parliament.scot will be monitored periodically for emails on the most sensitive and urgent [...]

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has celebrated the passing of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, after being one of the final speakers on the legislation following three days of deliberations. Speaking at the end of the Stage 3 debate, Ms Roddick told colleagues the debate had planted unwarranted fear, both amongst the trans [...]

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed UNISON’s Year of Disabled Workers 2022, stating the importance of promoting the social model of disability and highlighting the benefits of inclusivity in the workplace. Speaking in the parliament chamber, Ms Roddick said that disabled people must be encouraged to self-identify as such and called for more [...]

MSP for the Highlands & Islands Emma Roddick has welcomed news that £20 million will be allocated to extend the Scottish Government’s Fuel Insecurity Fund during today’s [Thursday 15 December] 2023/24 Scottish Budget statement. During his statement, Deputy First Minister and acting Cabinet Secretary for Finance, John Swinney, highlighted the need to make use of [...]

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has questioned the adequacy of the UK’s social security system, highlighting that Cold Weather Payments have failed to deliver for communities with the highest levels of fuel poverty. During a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee, Deputy Convener Ms Roddick pointed out that areas [...]

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick recently visited staff, volunteers, and service users at L’Arche Highland. Ms Roddick visited two of the charity’s shared homes which each provide supported accommodation to up to seven adults with disabilities, and chatted to service users at the four workshops which give people with learning disabilities the chance to [...]

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed the launch of a £1.4 million Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund, stating that the extra support will be a lifeline for many islanders in the coming months. The emergency fund, which was announced by the Scottish Government in early November as part of the 2022/23 Emergency Budget [...]

MSP for the Highlands & Islands Emma Roddick has today [Thursday 8th December] welcomed news that the Scottish Government has made progress on delivering its BSL National Plan. Ms Roddick said she was pleased to hear that the government’s policy Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 approach, which promotes the learning of modern languages, had [...]