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Stand Up for Nature Pledge
Today Bill Kidd MSP signed the 'Stand Up for Nature Pledge.'
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Stand up for Nature pledge “The joint emergencies of rapid biodiversity loss and climate breakdown require transformative action. As a member of the Scottish Parliament, I pledge to stand up for nature. “I will do everything in my power to ensure Scotland’s natural environment has strong and effective protection, alongside ambitious targets for its recovery and enhancement. When 1 in 11 species in Scotland is at risk of extinction, these measures are vital, whatever our future relationship with the European Union.” |
In Scotland, 1 in 11 species is at risk of extinction. Our environment is affected by global challenges: climate change, pollution, the spread of invasive species, and unstainable land and sea use practices.
But we still have a window of opportunity to restore the health of our nature, as the IPBES Global Assessment highlighted. To do that we need strong laws and effective implementation of environmental protections. As the First Minister has said, we need to ‘ensure that our actions produce the transformative change that is needed’. She also said, ‘On biodiversity targets, Scotland has more to do, just as all countries have more to do’.
Scotland has an important role to play and must lead by example. As a small nation we can drive progressive change through innovative policies. But even more importantly our nature is of global significance, making us custodians of some of our planet’s most valuable assets. For example, a third of Europe’s breeding seabirds are found in Scotland, while the Flow Country has 5% of the world’s resource of blanket bog, critical for carbon sequestration.
You can find out more here:
www.scotlink.org | www.fightforscotlandsnature.scot | www.savescottishseas.org
Drumchapel Citizens Advice Bureau ‘Help To Claim’ Universal Credit Service
The Citizens Advice ‘Help To Claim’ Universal Credit service will be on hand to assist people either in person at their local Citizens Advice office or over the phone and also web-chat. They can help with simple quick questions as you complete your claim online. Or provide internet access in their local bureau offices or signpost to other services that provide access like local libraries and Job Centre offices.
More practical support like setting up an email account, accessing a bank account and working through the claim ‘to-do’ lists is also available. Help and support can be accessed right through until the first Universal Credit payment; advice on available financial support and preparing for the appointment with a work coach at the local Job Centre. Lastly the documentary evidence needed to complete a claim can be checked for suitability.
A multi-channeled approach has been set up to enable people to access support in a way that’s right for them. Either through their local Citizens Advice Bureau to gain face-to-face assistance, by contacting the Help To Claim Universal Credit telephone number: 0800-0232-581 or the web chat accessed from the Citizens Advice Scotland website; Monday to Friday 8am-6pm. All channels are free, independent, confidential and impartial. I’ve included a link to the Citizens Advice Help To Claim webpage below.
World Blood Donor Day
I am supporting SNBTS and #WorldBloodDonorDay. Every time you give blood, you can save or improve the lives of up to three people. If you’ve given blood in the last year, here’s a huge Thank You!
If you want to register to give blood, you can do so here: www.scotblood.co.uk
Scottish Stone Group at the Scottish Parliament
My PA and I had a great time learning about Scottish stone and how to cut slate in the traditional method! Many thanks to the Scottish Traditional Building Forum and The Scottish Stone Group, amongst others, for preserving Scotland's building traditions and skills-base.
World Ovarian Cancer Day-8th May
Members of the Scottish Parliament united after First Minister's Questions today to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, in support of a charity campaign marking World Ovarian Cancer Day (WOCD).
This event was part of Ovarian Cancer Action’s UK-wide campaign to promote ovarian cancer symptoms awareness. The charity handed out 33,000 roses in cities across the UK with symptoms card attached, representing the number of women currently living with the disease in the UK.
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Welcome
Bill is MSP for Glasgow Anniesland.
His major political interests are the development of policies to eradicate poverty, job creation, housing policy and an end to the nuclear power and weapons programmes of successive British Governments.
