Emma Roddick, MSP for the Highlands and Islands has stated that organisations “could learn a lot” from Anchor - Shetland Islands Council’s pioneering family support service. Roddick met yesterday with the organisation which provides support to families facing difficult situations, helping them to navigate their struggles before reaching crisis point by providing advice, food packages [...]

Shetland Soap Company is part of Cope Ltd, who works with adults with learning disabilities to produce various handmade products, including skincare and soaps. Speaking following the visit, Roddick said: "It was fantastic to meet the Shetland Soap Company team earlier today! "It was a joy to see a focus on ability and an example [...]

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick was pleased with the announcement made today by the Scottish Government regarding the £2 million Island Communities Fund. Twenty-nine successful community groups and businesses across twenty-three islands have been awarded grants of up to £150,000 each. This fund is managed by Inspiring Scotland and comes from the £9.5 million [...]

Emma Roddick, MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has advised that she is keeping endometriosis on her agenda following a meeting with Kirsteen Campbell from Endometriosis UK North Highland branch. Roddick, who has spoken in the past about the need for better diagnosis times and treatment for endometriosis, said that improving access to medical care [...]

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick made some four-legged friends in Lerwick, on Wednesday the 13th of October, during a meeting with Dogs Against Drugs Shetland. Dogs Against Drugs Shetland is an organisation that was created by the people of Shetland in 2001 to help detect and deter drug misuse in the isles. Their specially-trained [...]

Emma Roddick MSP Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick visited Orkney Harbour Authority yesterday to discuss their Masterplan for Scapa Flow. The plan details their vision for a new multi-user deep-water pier and quayside facility at Scapa Flow, with the end goal of delivering a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and also [...]

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has asked the Scottish Government what work they are doing to support councils to buy back homes sold off under Right to Buy. Cabinet Secretary Shona Robinson confirmed that local authorities are encouraged to buy back ex-council properties in order to help tackle Scotland’s housing crisis. Roddick commented: “We [...]

When groups lobby MSPs, Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers or Law Officers, they should submit a return to the Lobbying Register. Entries can be searched at: https://lobbying.scot/SPS/LobbyingRegister/SearchLobbyingRegister However, many meetings do not meet the criteria for lobbying, and MSPs cannot submit their own entries, meaning their Lobbying Register may seem incomplete. During the first few [...]

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has raised concerns with the Scottish Government that short-term lets are “devastating” housing stock in the region. Speaking on Thursday morning, Roddick said: “The high density of short-term let properties is having a devastating effect on the availability of housing in the Highlands and Islands. “The number of holiday [...]

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has today asked the Scottish Government to consider revisiting existing restrictions on the role of Community First Responders in assisting the Scottish Ambulance Service. Roddick urged the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to explore further ways in which Community First Responders can aid Scottish Ambulance Service crews [...]