

UK Budget Leaves Edinburgh Short-Changed And Families Worse Off
Edinburgh Pentlands SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald has said that the Tory UK Government’s budget, announced this week, makes it clear that “independence is the only way to give Edinburgh a fair recovery from the pandemic.” Gordon MacDonald has said that the budget, described by the head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies as “actually awful” for living standards, is failing the people of Scotland by failing to tackle the cost of living crisis, the Brexit crisis and the climate cris


SNP MSP Slams Tory Bank Tax Break Whilst 373,142 In Edinburgh Face NI Hike
SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has slammed the Tory UK government for its decision to hike National Insurance for 373,142 working age people in Edinburgh. Tory Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the decision to cut the tax surcharge for banks by more than 60% less than a month after he announced that thousands of hardworking families would face increases in their National Insurance. Commenting, Gordon said: “It should be a surprise to no one that the Tories are giving tax breaks to t


Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Welcomes Doubling Of Unpaid Carer's Allowance Supplement
Around 4700 unpaid carers in Edinburgh are set to have their Carer’s Allowance Supplement doubled by the SNP Scottish Government. The Carer’s Allowance Supplement (Scotland) Bill passed its third and final stage at Holyrood, meaning unpaid carers in Edinburgh and across Scotland will have their supplement doubled to £462.80. This is the second time the supplement has been doubled – the first time being in July 2020. Commenting, Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon MacDonald said: “


MSP Gordon Macdonald Says Westminster Control Threatening Rights of Children in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon MacDonald has said being under Westminster control is threatening the rights of children across Edinburgh and only independence can ensure we protect everyone in Scotland from the Tories. After a legal challenge by the Westminster Tory Government the UK Supreme Court ruled that the Scottish Parliament could not enshrine the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law, a bill that was unanimously passed by the Scot


Cruel Cut To Universal Credit Comes Into Force Today
Edinburgh Pentlands SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald has condemned the £20 a week cut to Universal Credit, which comes into force today (Wednesday 6th October). The First Minister of Scotland, the First Minister of Wales and the First Minister of Northern Ireland have also condemned the measure. The previous week, the Scottish Parliament voted overwhelming to support cancelling the Tory UK Government’s planned £20 a week cut to Universal Credit. Gordon MacDonald also raised the matte


Gordon Macdonald Welcomes Record Funding To Boost Scotland's NHS Recovery
Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon MacDonald has welcomed a £300m investment to boost Scotland’s NHS recovery from the pandemic – the biggest investment in the NHS in the history of the Scottish Parliament. The funding will help the NHS through what is predicted to be one of the toughest winters and will ensure a cash injection for NHS Lothian, such as maximising capacity in hospitals and primary care, reduce delayed discharges, improve pay for social care staff, and ensure those

Sistema Scotland Bring Positive Long-term Impact Of BIg Noise To Wester Hailes
Sistema Scotland is celebrating the positive impact of its Big Noise programmes across Scotland. This comes ahead of the opening of a new Big Noise programme in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh in spring 2022. Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon MacDonald will be leading a member’s debate in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 5 October welcoming the forthcoming Big Noise programme in Wester Hailes and the beneficial impact on children, young people, and local communities. Commenting ahead