The Week in Review: 7 – 13 March
by This week the SNP celebrated International Women’s Day, stood up for EU nationals, and challenged the UK Government over workers’ protections during the outbreak of coronavirus. Here’s a round-up of all the latest news.
๐ย On Saturday we marked International Women’s Day by reflecting on progress so far, and by reaffirming our commitment to upholding, protecting and advancing the rights of all women and girls.
๐โโ๏ธ We’re working hard to ensure that future generations of women and girls grow up in a truly equal society.
๐ Today weโre celebrating #IWD2020 by reaffirming our commitment to upholding, protecting and advancing the rights of all women and girls. https://t.co/3keRebOnZi
โ The SNP (@theSNP) March 8, 2020
๐ย On Monday, SNP MP Stuart McDonald challenged the Tories’ approach to EU nationals, criticising the way they had been described as “cheap, unskilled labour”.
โ ๏ธ The Tories are wilfully damaging Scotland’s economy and insulting hard-working EU nationals as “cheap, unskilled labour”.
โ Unlike the Tories, we value immigrants and will always stand up for Scotland’s interests. pic.twitter.com/xYXGfeys6o
โ The SNP (@theSNP) March 9, 2020
๐ย That day the SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford also spoke to The National about the damaging effects Tory policies will have on businesses, and highlighted the need for Scotland to become an independent country.
I spoke with @ScotNational about the political landscape in Scotland and the damaging effects for business that the Tories plans will bring. The momentum is with the independence cause, we are on the right path and in time we will win our independence.https://t.co/dYaqOkeQa0
โ Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) March 9, 2020
๐ย On Tuesday SNP MP Kirsty Blackman called on the UK Government to boost its protections for workers and businesses in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
๐บ @KirstySNP on @SkyNewsPolitics, calling on the UK government to step up statutory sick pay and boost protections for workers and businesses.
No one should be driven into poverty because of #COVID2019uk. pic.twitter.com/Waj1gdPlBg
โ Olaf Stando ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ๐ช๐บ (@olafdoesstuff) March 10, 2020
๐ย Later that day Ian Blackford MP was on radio, calling for additional support for the hospitality and tourism industries during the crisis.
๐ฃ๏ธCoronavirus crisis ๐ป
The UK government need to pay particular attention to help the tourism and hospitality industry through the Coronavirus crisis – including a temporary drop in the VAT rate to 5 per cent to assist businesses reduce their costs. My interview below๐ pic.twitter.com/q6rEScoKMK
โ Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) March 10, 2020
๐ On Wednesday First Minister Nicola Sturgeon highlighted the action being taken in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, including the roll-out of new technology that allows people to consult their GP from home.
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ Scotland is taking action to relieve pressure on our NHS in the wake of #COVID19.
๐ป We’re accelerating the roll-out of new technology that allows people to consult their GP via video from home.pic.twitter.com/JsG9wuG9TJ
โ The SNP (@theSNP) March 11, 2020
๐ย Ian Blackford later challenged Boris Johnson to increase the UK’s statutory sick pay arrangements to at least the EU average, given the developing crisis caused by the coronavirus.
๐ Boris Johnson’s Tories are in denial over UK’s statutory sick pay. Meanwhile EU countries are providing for people in the wake of the Coronavirus.
๐ The UK’s lagging behind on SSP, it’s time for Westminster to step up. #PMQs
๐ฉ๐ช ยฃ287
๐ฆ๐น ยฃ287
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๐ธ๐ช ยฃ230
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๐ฌ๐ง ยฃ94.25 pic.twitter.com/CKdmpiMxeJโ The SNP (@theSNP) March 11, 2020
๐ย Responding to the UK government’s budget statement, Blackford also attacked the Tories’ record of austerity over the last 10 years, which has led to rising inequality, child poverty and use of food banks.
๐ Rising inequality.
๐ Rising child poverty.
๐ Rising food bank use.๐ The Tories have presided over a disastrous decade of austerity, and new slogans wonโt change the painful experience of Tory economics. #Budget2020 pic.twitter.com/l2cmX6KHkT
โ The SNP (@theSNP) March 11, 2020
๐ On Wednesday evening, on BBC Debate Night, SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth highlighted the growing need for Scotland to adopt its own immigration system.
๐ข @JennyGilruth: โThe UK government is ignoring Scotland on immigration and they’re also not interested in listening to the devolved governments on Brexit.”
Scotland deserves and needs its own immigration powers so we can build a fairer system. #bbcdnpic.twitter.com/YRaQChvtDF
โ The SNP (@theSNP) March 11, 2020
๐ On Thursday afternoon Nicola Sturgeon addressed a press conference about the spread of coronavirus, setting out the latest information on schools and public gatherings. The Scottish Government is due to publish further advice over the weekend.
"The decision has been taken that we have now moved from a contain phase, into the delay phase"
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon speaks following the UK government's Cobra meeting about coronavirushttps://t.co/IYmntjfZpe #CoronavirusPandemic pic.twitter.com/ItyuYJXDUv
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) March 12, 2020
๐ We released a video showing that Scotland under the SNP is a world leader in many diverse areas, from climate change to working conditions.
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ Scotland is a world leader.
๐ Global leadership on cutting emissions
๐ฉ Tackling period poverty
๐ A more progressive tax system
๐ฉโ๐ญ๐จโ๐ป Tackling exploitative working conditions
๐ฐ More satellites built in Glasgow than any city outside the US pic.twitter.com/ghdSD4Xi9P— The SNP (@theSNP) March 12, 2020
๐ And on Friday the Scottish Government launched a new helpline providing Scottish businesses with advice during the outbreak of coronavirus.
A helpline providing businesses in Scotland with advice and guidance on the coronavirus outbreak has been launched by the Scottish Government. https://t.co/9v3wY1aWtn
— STV News (@STVNews) March 13, 2020