Communities beat the Beast
For many people across the Stirling constituency the beginning of this year’s spring season has been one of the most difficult they have experienced for many years.
For almost a week we were battered by the Beast from the East along with most of the rest of central Scotland.
During most this spell I was busy in our parliament, watching the scale of the disruption that Mother Nature had brought to our doorsteps.
We have heard countless heart-warming stories of people helping each other out. I would like to thank everyone who did so, whether you are someone who helped clear your neighbour’s driveway, made sure that friends and family had enough supplies or checked on a vulnerable resident in your community.
Your kindness and compassion showed the best in human nature when we were faced with the worst that the weather could throw at us. This made a real difference to those in need.
I would also like to thank the emergency services, the search and rescue services and the local council services who have worked flat-out during this time to support as many people as they possibly could and to restore normality. On a number of occasions communities were cut off for days. For example, my office was in close contact with the residents of Carron Valley and Stirling Council as search and rescue took emergency supplies and medication to residents whilst local services worked hard to eventually clear the roads.
I know that this was a particularly challenging situation and the isolation caused by the extreme snow conditions was incredibly frustrating.
In the face of extreme weather, and with the media dominated by the Brexit negotiations melodrama, it can be easy to forget the progress that Scotland is making as a country.
For instance, Scotland now has an export market that is growing faster than anywhere else in the UK. To help prepare for the economic downturn expected after we leave the EU the Scottish Government has announced implementation plans for creation of the Scottish National Investment Bank.
This will be a publicly owned institution that will help our country realise our economic ambitions. Innovative companies will have access to strategic finance to help grow and thrive. This will make the Scottish National Investment Bank a cornerstone of our economy.
It was also good to note Scotland’s NHS staff force has just reached a record high with more than 140,000 whole-time equivalent roles now employed. This includes 44,000 qualified nurses – a 7.6 per cent increase since 2006 – and the Scottish Government plans to add an additional 2600 nurses to our NHS by 2021.
And mental health staff working in our NHS has increased by 79 per cent since 2006 as demand is increasing through our better understanding of mental health challenges.
The Scottish Government has now also provided more than 30,000 baby boxes to new parents and babies across Scotland. This is a powerful symbol of the type of nation we are: one that wants every child to have the same fair start in life.
In terms of the environment Scotland is on track to reduce carbon emissions by 66 per cent by 2032, recycle 70 per cent of annual waste by 2025 and increase woodland cover to 21 per cent of our land by 2032. In many areas Scotland is leading the way on the environment in the fight to tackle climate change.
These are great achievements that are sometimes easy to lose sight of.