Latest news with #FoysolChoudhury
Edinburgh Reporter
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Coastal Perspectives in the Marine World: From Scotland to Bangladesh
Lothians MSP, Foysol Choudhury recently visited 'Finding the Balance; Perspectives on Marine Protection', a presentation by the University of Edinburgh and SRUC postgraduate students. He reflects here on the partnership and how it affects everyone in the world. He is chair of the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Bangladesh, where there are 'similar climate induced struggles'. 'The Public Participation in Policy class at The University of Edinburgh has partnered with the Scottish Wildlife Trust to carry out a project to engage the Scottish public in discussions about inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), with a group of postgraduate students presenting their research at the Scottish Parliament. 'The students conducted a series of interviews with aims to explore people's relationships with the sea, gaining insights into public knowledge and views on inshore MPAs, and ultimately translate these perspectives into policy recommendations. Their presentation was quite compelling and focused on people's true connections to the sea and its use. 'It is crucial to shine a spotlight on Scotland's marine environment and the deep connection its people share with the sea, as it plays a vital role in the economy and the lives of many coastal communities. With consultations and legislation like the National Marine Plan 2 under review, gaining diverse stakeholder perspectives is essential, particularly about inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), to fully understand how these measures will affect coastal communities and their way of life. Research has revealed a significant gap in marine protection governance between policymakers and the public. This disconnect comes from limited access to reliable information, distrust in decision- making processes, and unequal power dynamics. 'Small-scale fishers feel excluded from policy discussions, perpetuating the perception that these policies favour more powerful interests. Yet, the strong public enthusiasm for marine protection offers a unique opportunity to bridge these gaps through more inclusive and participatory governance. 'The health of our marine environment and the impacts of the climate crisis are interconnected challenges that transcend borders, affecting coastal communities worldwide, from Scotland to Bangladesh. 'As the chair of the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Bangladesh, I recognise the importance of addressing these challenges. Bangladesh, with its extensive coastline along the Bay of Bengal, faces some of the most severe impacts of the climate crisis. Rising sea levels, intensifying cyclones, and coastal erosion have placed immense pressure on the livelihoods of millions who depend on the marine environment. 'Despite contributing only a fraction to global emissions, Bangladesh ranks among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with projections indicating that up to 18 million people could be displaced by rising seas by 2050. Coastal communities, particularly small-scale fishers, are at the forefront of this crisis, grappling with the loss of arable land, declining fish stocks, and frequent natural disasters. 'By fostering local participation, incorporating traditional knowledge, and ensuring equitable power- sharing in marine governance, Bangladesh can strengthen its resilience against climate-induced challenges. 'The parallels between Scotland's and Bangladesh's marine struggles highlight the universal need for inclusive and transparent governance. By learning from each other's experiences, both nations can work towards protecting their marine environments while empowering the communities that depend on them.' Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
24-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
Public meeting about EIJB cuts
Free tickets for a public meeting about the effect of cuts by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) on mental health services in the capital have 'sold out'. While the EIJB will not meet to discuss the cuts until 17 June, charity Change Mental Health has set up a town hall style meeting which will be attended by around 1,200 people. The charity says the EIJB are now reviewing Thrive contracts worth £1.8million – with a view to cut services to close their deficit. 'But this doesn't add up: Cuts to cheaper and more effective community services will only increase demand on GPs, A&E, social work and other statutory services. These services are already at breaking point. Early intervention and prevention saves money in the long run and can lead to better clinical outcomes. 'Come along to our public meeting, hear directly from the charities and people involved, and join us to organise a stop to cuts to Let Edinburgh Thrive' Change Mental Health says its centre in Edinburgh saves the NHS up to £4.4 million a year in psychiatric related hospital admissions. The Stafford Centre which runs early intervention and prevention-based services in Broughton Street offers support to more than 640 people. It also provides an additional 9,870 hours of mental health care under the Thrive programme which is delivered by several organisations and charities. The Edinburgh Thrive Collective is an award-winning programme for delivering mental health services in Edinburgh. The charities and the public sector work together to deliver community mental health services and support in Edinburgh – including vital early intervention and prevention measures. The cuts which are planned by The Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) have been severe for the third sector organisations affected – but a spokesperson for the mental health charity Change said these cuts will not only be devastating for their organisation but for community mental health all over Edinburgh. He said: 'Edinburgh could potentially be left as an outlier in Western Europe where other cities continue to invest in community-based mental health services'. At Holyrood Foysol Choudhury MSP raised the matter at a recent session of First Minister's Questions. Mr Choudhury asked First Minister, John Swinney: 'The First Minister talks about prevention, but the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board is being forced to make cuts to preventative care and third sector organisations, including the Stafford Centre, which supports 640 people with mental health issues and is estimated to save the NHS up to £4.4 million in hospital admissions. Given the situation in joint boards across Scotland, does the First Minister recognise that prevention will not be possible if IJBs are in permanent financial crisis?' The First Minister replied: 'Obviously, I want to make sure that the types of services that Mr Choudhury has raised are supported around the country. Those are operational decisions for integration joint boards to make. They can make those decisions based only on the financial allocations that this Parliament makes, and Mr Choudhury was unable to support the allocations of funding that the Government made to cover such services. 'We will certainly work with the integration joint boards, but Mr Choudhury cannot be absolved of his responsibility for failing to support the budget, which is delivering the investment that is necessary in health and social care. [Interruption.] The Labour Party members can moan at me all they want about the public finances but they have not been prepared to put the money in to support people in the communities of Scotland.' Jeremy Balfour MSP for Lothian asked a question on a similar vein. He asked: 'I have been contacted by numerous charities in my region that will have to cease providing vital preventative care for individuals in the Lothians due to the IJB cuts. The First Minister said that he wants to lay aside politics and do the best for the people of Scotland. Will he now intervene in the crisis to make sure that NHS Lothian does not cut the budget to the IJB? That cut would put vulnerable people out of the services that they require. Rather than talk about previous measures, will he now be proactive in working with NHS Lothian and the council to make sure that the IJB gets the appropriate funding?' The First Minister replied: 'The Government engages with health boards around the country, and local authorities have their own decisions to make as part of the IJB structures. We will engage constructively in any way that we can to help on those issues. 'Mr Balfour is another one who comes here and asks me to invest in local services, when his party leader wants me to cut public expenditure by £1 billion. How will that help IJBs around the country? 'I will not tire of pointing out the total and utter hypocrisy of the people who come here asking for tax cuts and wanting me to spend more money. It is hypocrisy on stilts.' Miles Briggs MSP asp asked a question about the same topic. He said: 'As we have already heard, the proposals by the Edinburgh integration joint board are likely to see key services cut, including drop-in support, carers services and, even as we mark victory in Europe day, veterans support services. The First Minister apportioned blame, but the cuts are not acceptable. The IJB will cut £29 million from services in Edinburgh. Does he think that our health services will be improved by the decisions that are being taken by the IJB? Will he agree to meet the cross-party group of MSPs who are trying to raise the issue in Parliament and who have just had the First Minister whack this back at us? We need action and we want the First Minister to take heed of that today.' Mr Swinney responded: 'I am simply being straight with the Parliament about the realities that we have to face. That is what I am doing. 'I understand the issues that Miles Briggs is raising with me. I am totally familiar with them and I understand the importance of them. I have just answered Mr Whittle about the importance of a focus on preventative interventions, and many of the interventions that Mr Briggs is talking about are preventative interventions. 'However, the point that I am making to the Parliament is that investment in those services does not happen by accident. It happens by political choice. Mr Briggs was one of those who voted against the Government's budget and he argued in favour, as his leader did, of £1 billion of cuts in public expenditure. How does Mr Briggs think that it would be possible to invest in local services with £1 billion of swingeing cuts from the Conservatives?' Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Empowering women and girls through netball
Netball holds a unique position as one of the most popular team sports for women worldwide, yet its impact and reach in Scotland remain underwhelming compared to England. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This disparity calls for urgent attention, especially considering the role netball plays in fostering empowerment community, and physical activity among women and girls. Foysol Choudhury MSP Netball, a fast-paced team sport involving two teams of seven players, was originally adapted for female students with the intention of maintaining "female etiquette." Over the years, however, it has evolved far beyond its origins, becoming a tool for empowerment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Today, initiatives like England Netball's aim to tackle challenges such as the 65 per cent dropout rate of girls from sports during puberty, offering resources and encouragement to ensure women and girls thrive at every stage of life. Local team the Fill Ins won the All Nations Mixed Adult League Despite its widespread appeal, netball in Scotland has yet to achieve the same level of support. Many aspiring players face long waiting lists to join clubs outside of school and the professional opportunities within Scotland are limited. In contrast, England boasts a thriving netball ecosystem with better funding, more professional roles and higher salaries, pushing some of Scotland's most talented players to seek opportunities elsewhere, particularly in Australia. Netball Scotland has made strides in promoting the sport through various leagues and training programmes to develop players and coaches. However, the existing resources and support systems are not sufficient to meet the growing demand. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The dominance of football in Scotland, coupled with the perception of netball as a "women's sport" has further hindered its development. A stronger professional league structure is necessary to provide local talent with opportunities to shine on home soil. Scottish players say that education is the main pathway to improvement for the sport, as it plays a critical role in bridging this gap. Schools should be encouraged to integrate netball into their curricula, emphasising its role in fostering teamwork, confidence, and physical health. Combating toxic narratives around femininity in sports is also essential and netball allows women and girls to embrace their femininity while challenging stereotypes. Additionally, there is a plethora of evidence that physical activity and team sport assist with mental health. Having a strong social connection can improve well-being and mental challenges, especially in younger years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Team sport correlates with fostering long-term friendship, reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and building resilience, all while promoting a sense of belonging and accomplishment. With netball's inclusion in the 2026 Commonwealth Games, there is a golden opportunity to inspire a new generation of players and fans. This event can serve as catalysts for increased funding, community engagement, and media coverage. I am calling for increased support for netball in Scotland. By prioritising netball, Scotland has the chance to foster an inclusive sporting culture that celebrates women and girls. Netball offers more than just a game, it provides a sense of belonging, empowerment, and resilience. Active players in Scotland have voiced the difficulty they face due to the gap in the sport's popularity, which affects opportunities and professional pathways. Closing this gap between Scotland and England is not only an investment in sport but also an investment in the empowerment of women and girls across the nation.
