MSP for the Highlands & Islands Emma Roddick has stressed the need for a social tariff to be introduced, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, questioning the First Minister on his work to pursue lower energy bills for those who have the least to spend.  Emma highlighted the fact that on top of the UK [...]

MSP for the Highlands & Islands Emma Roddick met with the Co-founder and Master Distiller of the Isle of Raasay Distillery, Alasdair Day, and the Scotch Whisky Association last week to hear about the impact the distillery is having on the island. The distillery, opened in 2017, now employs around 40 people, including people who [...]

MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick has urged the Scottish Government to invest money into making use of the building we already have. It comes after the Programme for Government was announced yesterday, which saw almost £600 million committed to affordable housing, including £40 million to bring existing homes into affordable use. Speaking on this, [...]

Bha e math a bhith còmhla ris an sgioba aig Cnoc Soilleir na bu thràithe air an t-seachdain. Tha am pròiseact, a tha na cho-bhanntachd eadar UHI agus Ceòlas Uibhist, a’ cuideachadh le bhith ag adhartachadh agus a’ comharrachadh dualchas cultarach Gàidhlig Uibhist a Deas. Bha e sgoinneil cluinntinn mu mar a tha an t-àite [...]

SNP MSP for the Highlands & Islands Emma Roddick called for councils to be given the power to place levies on cruise ships visiting island communities in Parliament earlier this term. The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, was passed in the last Parliamentary session before recess, and will allow local authorities to apply a visitor tax on tourists [...]

MSP for the Highlands & Islands Emma Roddick has reiterated the urgent need to do more to tackle homelessness in Scotland last month in Parliament. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament at the end of June, Emma noted that the Scottish Government must readjust their policy further in response to the housing emergency in order to [...]

I wrote to the Scottish Government recently to ask them to recommit to our rural & island communities and make clear an SNP Government will work for them. I am glad the First Minister recognises the importance of these communities, and the need to listen to them in order to support their needs. You can [...]

MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick has been appointed to the Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee at the Scottish Parliament. The Committee focuses on housing provision, building standards, the planning system, democracy, and local councils in Scotland, scrutinising the work of government and suggesting or making changes to legislation and policy. The Committee will scrutinise the upcoming Housing Bill which Ms Roddick [...]

SNP MSP Emma Roddick has asked the Scottish Parliament to remember the positive potential of the Highlands and Islands when considering how to address depopulation. In a debate led by the Tory colleague Tim Eagle, she asked the Government not to think of rural and island areas simply as places that need money to remain [...]

MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick believes that businesses in the Highlands and Islands would benefit from operating in an independent Scotland, compared to the current setup. Many businesses in the region have struggled with staffing since the UK left the EU, despite Scotland voting overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a member.  This, alongside tightening of immigration rules, has seen many [...]