We’ll do all we can to help those fleeing Taliban

MP FOR STIRLING

In the wake of the

UK’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, a clear sense of our debt to those Afghans who worked with coalition forces to rebuild their nation prevails.

I was privileged to meet recently with three Afghans now resident in Stirling, and pleased to hear they feel welcome and safe.

But from their stories of torture and violence back in Afghanistan it is obvious the UK has much more to do to protect and relocate those vulnerable to Taliban rule.

Stirling Council, along with charities such as Forth Valley Welcome, have coordinated well to support families settling here in Stirling, and I’ve written to the UK Home Office seeking urgent clarity on the future of current resettlement schemes.

The chaotic scenes which played out from Kabul Airport on our news feeds will remain a stark reminder of what can happen when political rhetoric and reality clash.

It is vital for the UK Government to do what it can now to help the people and families it has previously failed.

I was also grateful to meet Norma and her team at ‘Change, Grow, Live’ on Cowane Street recently, a valuable third-sector organisation offering support to those in the community battling drug and alcohol misuse.

Stirling’s MSP Evelyn Tweed joined me as we heard first-hand regarding the difficulties posed to staff and service users by the pandemic, and how this had influenced their service delivery and engagement strategies.

This area of work remains particularly important given the mental health crisis facing the nation, only exacerbated by the social isolation and stress brought about by Covid-19.

Our fight against this virus has reached another crucial juncture in recent weeks, as case numbers have steadily climbed across Scotland.

Initial evidence suggests our vaccination programme is successfully weakening the link between case numbers, hospitalisations and deaths, however we must remain vigilant.

We can help reduce the spread by following the public health guidance around regular handwashing and face coverings, and encouraging as many people as possible to get fully vaccinated as soon as they can.

The Scottish Government remains committed to reducing the associated harms from the pandemic.

To that end, I believe the right balance has been struck in initial proposals over a vaccination certification scheme, the closer merits of which I have no doubt will be thrashed out in debate within the Scottish Parliament.

The scheme, alongside existing pandemic legislation, will be subject to continuous, regular review by the Scottish Parliament - maintaining democratic oversight and scrutiny.

In turning to economic and social recovery from the past 19 months, Stirling Council and a host of cultural organisations across Stirling have applied for the UK City of Culture Award 2025.

We’ve cultural heritage galore here in Stirling, and as restrictions have eased and events resume, the economic importance of reigniting our cultural scene cannot be understated.

I attended the reopening of the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, as well as a presentation by ‘Scene Stirling’ at the Tolbooth - a partnership between Stirling Council, Creative Scotland and our local arts & cultural organisations - to hear more about the city’s bid.

Even the process of application has done wonders to focus minds and attention to supporting Stirling’s cultural assets.

We should hear more about our progress through the competition in the coming weeks, and I wish the bidding partners the very best of luck.