Latest news with #GillianMackay
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Robust rent controls will prevent Lanarkshire residents from paying 'rip-off' prices
'Homes are for living in, not for grotesque profiteering' Lanarkshire MSP Gillian Mackay is pushing for robust rent controls to prevent people being 'ripped off' and left struggling to make ends meet. The Scottish Greens have published plans to end rip-off rents with their proposals for the upcoming Housing (Scotland) Bill, that will save people living in rented accommodation money. Amendments lodged by the Scottish Greens would allow rents to be increased by no more than the cost-of-living or increases in wages. And in areas where rents are already too high, local authorities could put in place lower increases, freezes or rent reductions. Statistics show that average monthly rent for a two-bedroomed privately rented property in North Lanarkshire rose from £488 in 2019 to £672 in 2024, a jump of 38 per cent. And in South Lanarkshire it went up to £714 from £533 in the same time period, a rise of 34 per cent. Rent caps during this time would still have resulted in rents rising but at a significantly lower level. Gillian Mackay MSP said: 'Far too many people in Lanarkshire are being made to pay rip-off rents. It's leaving them with very little left to pay for food, heating and electricity bills, or to simply enjoy their lives. 'All parties agree that we are in a housing emergency, but we need to start acting like it. The proposals we have published will ensure a robust system of rent controls that will support tenants across Lanarkshire and keep rents lower. 'Our proposals would give stability to households and families on the frontline of the crisis, and make sure rents are fairer across the board going forward. 'By tying rents to average earnings, we are establishing an important principle that rents should not rise faster than renters' ability to pay. 'Homes are for living in, not for grotesque profiteering. The Housing Bill was introduced by the Scottish Greens. It gives us the opportunity to transform the broken housing market and protect renters all across our country.'
Fox News
17-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Grandmother arrested at abortion clinic warns of expanding free speech 'buffer zones'
A grandmother in the U.K. who was arrested for holding a sign outside an abortion clinic is sounding the alarm against further attacks on free speech as lawmakers move to expand so-called "buffer zones" outside such facilities. Rose Docherty, 74, was arrested in Glasgow, Scotland near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in February for holding a sign that read: "Coercion is a crime, here to talk if you want." Docherty was the first person to be arrested and charged under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, which went into effect in September, the BBC reported. The law prohibits any protests or vigils from taking place within 200m or 656ft of 30 clinics offering abortion services in Scotland, but the law specifies that the Safe Access Zone could be extended if considered appropriate. Docherty's arrest came just days after Vice President JD Vance highlighted the law as an example of free speech being under attack in the U.K. Now, Gillian Mackay, the Green Party parliamentarian responsible for introducing the buffer zones legislation, has now suggested that the Scottish government consider expanding the area of prohibition on "influence" outside hospitals, according to ADF International, a Christian legal advocacy group. Docherty has rejected a formal warning from the Crown Office - arguing that it was "unjust" - and is waiting to find out what action may now be taken against her. In her first broadcast interview since her arrest, she told the BBC she had "no reason to regret" the incident, noting it was an "alarming" and "surreal" experience. She said she had read the law and believed her actions did not violate the legislation. "I gave consideration to what I was doing…I looked at the law and saw what it said I couldn't do, and thought, OK, well, this is what I can do…I can offer to listen, and if anyone wants to come and speak to me, they can do so, only if they want to come and speak with me," she told BBC's Scotcast. She said she is prepared to go to prison over the offense. Docherty has also said that the government essentially wants to stamp out any opposition to abortion. "I believe it wouldn't matter where we stood…it wouldn't matter how far they pushed the 'buffer zone,'" she told ADF International, a Christian legal advocacy group. "It wouldn't matter where we stood –201 meters, or 500 meters away – it seems the authorities would still try to crack down harshly and unfairly on individuals because the government simply disagree with their point of view. This is unjust – of course, there should be laws against harassment, and we all condemn such behavior. But merely offering conversations near a hospital is not a crime." Dr Greg Irwin, a doctor at the QEUH, was pictured confronting a group of protesters in February 2023, saying that they "cause emotional upset to patients, but also to staff members," per the BBC. Groups have been protesting outside the hospital for 10 years, leading to the passing of the Safe Access Zones Act. Mackay said patients and staff had told her that they still had to pass the protesters when attending the QEUH leading to distress. "I think it's appropriate that we take those concerns seriously and the government take a look at whether an extension is appropriate or not," Mackay told the BBC. The act allows ministers to extend the size of a buffer zone if it is decided that the existing zone is not adequate, a Scottish government spokesperson told the outlet. Docherty isn't the first person to be arrested outside abortion facilities. For instance, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a prominent pro-life activist, was arrested twice in Birmingham for silently praying without any signs near an abortion facility within a buffer zone. She was arrested under a local law known as a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). She was later awarded $13,000 in compensation for wrongful arrests, according to Christian Today. The U.K. has drawn international attention for its alleged clampdown on free speech. A number of people have been investigated and arrested for social media posts.
The National
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Why assisted dying vote showed Scottish Parliament at its best
Green MSP Gillian Mackay told me earlier this month she felt one of the reasons people have begun to move towards radical right parties is because politicians are consistently using their platforms for soundbites at the likes of PMQs and FMQs, which has led people to not only lose trust in them, but also lose faith that mature, reasonable debate in our politics is still possible. During the assisted dying debate at Holyrood on Tuesday – which saw Liam McArthur's bill pass at stage one by 70 votes to 56 – it was a relief to find that our politicians are clearly still capable of agreeing to disagree and listening to each other. Even as MSPs intervened in each other's remarks during the lengthy discussion, it was respectful, and I did not hear a single jibe being thrown across the chamber during the whole five-hour debate. The session showed the Scottish Parliament at its very best, with MSPs from all parties giving passionate yet balanced arguments explaining why they had come to the decision they had, while most of them paid tribute to McArthur's huge efforts to engage with everyone, no matter their views. READ MORE: How did MSPs vote in the landmark assisted dying vote? Social history expert Ewan Gibbs also highlighted how the usual divisions in the chamber seemed to vanish, as there was a mixture of opposition and support in all parties. MSPs have a free vote on the issue, and it was perhaps surprising to see the likes of Conservative MSP Sandesh Gulhane – a practicing GP – arguing passionately for the legislation while SNP MSP Marie McNair argued she couldn't support it having worked in a hospice for 14 years. Within the Scottish Government there were also splits, with Angus Robertson voting in favour, and Kate Forbes and John Swinney voting against. It was refreshing to see politicians taking up the opportunity to think with their conscience and not be afraid to disagree with their peers. (Image: Andrew Milligan) Whether the legislation will pass at the final stage remains to be seen. A swing of just a few votes at stage three could see it fall and many MSPs in the room set out they still have some reservations about the bill. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, for example, wants to make sure 'enforceable protections' are in place for vulnerable patients who could be coerced into ending their own lives, but she believed in the principles of the legislation enough to vote for it at this stage. But it cannot be understated that this is a significant moment for this Parliament which was only reconvened a quarter of a century ago, not only because assisted dying legislation has never got to this stage before, but because it proved that behind all the scraps and insults we see every week, humanity appears to still be alive at Holyrood. If parties really want to come together to stand up to the far right – with Reform inevitably on their way to Holyrood next year – many will believe it is now incumbent upon MSPs to keep this level of debate going and show what can be achieved with it.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gillian Mackay bids to be Scottish Greens co-leader
Green MSP Gillian Mackay has announced her bid to be co-leader of the party. Mackay, who successfully spearheaded the bill creating buffer zones at abortion clinics, said on social media she believes she can "take the party further and deliver great election results" if elected co-leader. Patrick Harvie, who has been in the role since 2008, previously said he is not standing to continue in the post. Fellow co-leader Lorna Slater, who has been in the job since 2019, is standing again. Scottish Green Party members elect co-leaders every two years, with at least one to be female. Results of the leadership contest are expected in August. Mackay said on social media: "At a time when politics is dominated by the egos of men, it is all the more important we have women with big voices and ideas in politics." The Central Scotland MSP successfully brought forward a member's Bill at Holyrood creating buffer zones around abortion clinics, preventing any protests or vigils taking place within 200m (656ft). She said that during four years at Holyrood, she has "shown I can deliver on the causes I champion and bring people together behind them". She added: "I believe I am the person who can not only take the party further and deliver great election results, but deliver fantastic things for Scotland and our communities." US Vice-President JD Vance criticised the bill earlier this year, falsely claiming people who live within safe access zones had been sent letters by the Scottish government warning them about praying within their homes. Mackay later said Vance's claims were "total nonsense and dangerous scaremongering."
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Gillian Mackay bids to be Scottish Greens co-leader
Green MSP Gillian Mackay has announced her bid to be co-leader of the party. Mackay, who successfully spearheaded the bill creating buffer zones at abortion clinics, said on social media she believes she can "take the party further and deliver great election results" if elected Harvie, who has been in the role since 2008, previously said he is not standing to continue in the co-leader Lorna Slater, who has been in the job since 2019, is standing again. Scottish Green Party members elect co-leaders every two years, with at least one to be of the leadership contest are expected in said on social media: "At a time when politics is dominated by the egos of men, it is all the more important we have women with big voices and ideas in politics." The Central Scotland MSP successfully brought forward a member's Bill at Holyrood creating buffer zones around abortion clinics, preventing any protests or vigils taking place within 200m (656ft).She said that during four years at Holyrood, she has "shown I can deliver on the causes I champion and bring people together behind them".She added: "I believe I am the person who can not only take the party further and deliver great election results, but deliver fantastic things for Scotland and our communities."US Vice-President JD Vance criticised the bill earlier this year, falsely claiming people who live within safe access zones had been sent letters by the Scottish government warning them about praying within their later said Vance's claims were "total nonsense and dangerous scaremongering."
