Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has warned against normalising the large wealth gap in the UK. Leading a debate on UK Income Inequality in the Scottish Parliament today [Thursday 9th February], Ms Roddick highlighted the findings of recent analysis by the Financial Times which investigated the standard of living of the worst-off in the [...]

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has praised Social Security Scotland for its progressive approach to the delivery of benefits across the Highlands and the rest of Scotland. During her speech on the agency’s soon-to-be thirteen benefits for Scotland, Ms Roddick took the opportunity to highlight her visit to the Local Delivery Team for the [...]

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has been out and about in Uist speaking to several local organisations, parents, and employers with colleagues from the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee as part of its Poverty and Parental Employment Inquiry. Ms Roddick, Deputy Convenor of the Committee, delivered an introduction on the first [...]

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has said that Scotland’s poverty-related attainment gap cannot be tackled by schools alone, claiming that UK Government welfare policy is hindering Scotland’s progress. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Roddick pressed the Scottish Government on the measures being implemented to tackle the drivers of poverty. The Cabinet Secretary for [...]

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has spoken out in support of Scottish independence, stating that people across the Highlands have been hit hard by reckless UK Government decisions, and must now be given the choice. Speaking in the Scottish Government’s debate on People’s Right to Choose - Respecting Scotland’s Democratic Mandate, Ms Roddick highlighted [...]

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 [...]

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 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 [...]

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has called out Labour and the Tories for ignoring Scotland’s immigration needs. Questioning the Scottish Government on the effects of increased inflation on Scotland’s public services, Ms Roddick highlighted the value of those coming to live and work in Scotland, stating the need for more powers to deliver a [...]