Latest news with #MichaelMarra
Daily Record
11-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
John Swinney accused of hitting 'independence panic button' over child poverty
Michael Marra said the SNP leader was "once again shamelessly attempting to shift the blame from his own government's failures". Labour has accused John Swinney of hitting "the independence panic button" after the First Minister claimed only ending the Union would finally eradicate child poverty in Scotland. Michael Marra, the party's finance spokesman, said the SNP leader was "once again shamelessly attempting to shift the blame from his own government's failures". Writing in his regular column for the Record, Swinney said today: "We are seeing progress in Scotland. Child poverty here is falling, it is much lower than south of the border and we are predicted to be the only part of the UK where it will continue to fall. "That is what happens when we take some of the decisions on child poverty in Scotland – and I think it perfectly makes the case for us taking all the decisions here rather than leaving too many in the hands of Westminster governments who choose to make the situation worse. "I am determined that we will end child poverty in Scotland. But to do that we need real change – and the only change that will work for Scotland is independence." It comes after Gordon Brown claimed child poverty in his former Fife constituency is getting "worse everyday" as he urged the UK Government to finally end the two-child cap on benefits. The former prime minister is calling on Rachel Reeves to slap targeted tax hikes on highly profitable parts of the gambling industry - such as online casinos and slot machines - in order to find the money required to scrap the hated two-child cap on benefits. The SNP Government has already announced it will mitigate the impact of the Tory-imposed policy in Scotland, with the first payments to affected families due to be made in March next year. Official figures published in March found relative child poverty in 2023-24 reduced from 26 per cent to 22 per cent in Scotland, while absolute child poverty fell from 23 per cent to 17 per cent. Marra said: "John Swinney is once again shamelessly attempting to shift the blame from his own government's failures by hitting the independence panic button. He is desperate to push a false narrative that only independence can address the issues facing Scots daily, despite having the powers at Holyrood already to do so. "There is no mission more important than tackling child poverty and it is nothing short of a national scandal that no progress has been made. "Fighting structural poverty means addressing the issues that cause and maintain inequality – from workplace practices, to education, to housing – but the SNP are failing on them all. "Only a Scottish Labour government will use all the powers at Scotland's disposal to end poverty and deliver the new direction that we need.'
The Courier
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University opens voluntary redundancy scheme
Dundee University has opened a voluntary redundancy scheme as part of a plan to reduce full-time posts by 300. An email seen by The Courier sets out the terms to staff days after we revealed the university had lodged a request for £100 million bail-out to reduce jobs losses and secure a stable future. The new voluntary redundancy scheme was put together after talks with campus trade unions and approved by the university court. The scheme opened today and runs until July 25. Staff accepting the deal will leave their jobs by September 30. A university spokesman said: 'This is an important step in the recovery plan for the university, as we look to reduce staffing by 300 fulltime-equivalent through the voluntary scheme.' Dundee-based MSP Michael Marra said the launch is welcome after a long wait. He added: 'It is right that employees have the chance to take control of their own future at a time of such huge uncertainty for the university community. 'I have been calling for many months for a scheme that can staunch the financial bleeding. This is a basic first step. 'We now need to see a published plan for recovery that can be scrutinised by parliament and the public as a very urgent next step.' Earlier, The Courier revealed a full funding request was received by the Scottish Funding Council after weeks of discussions with the university and government. It includes £40m over two years and access to a liquidity facility of between £40m-£60m to support day-to-day spending. Together, that means the government could be putting together a rescue package of £100m. This is all on top of a previous loan of £22m already provided in March.
The Courier
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Courier
Michael Marra: Dundee's humble champion is fighting for fairness, community, family and lasting change
If there's one thread running through Michael Marra's life and politics, it's a deep-rooted belief in fairness, community and the quiet strength of collective action. The Dundee-based North East Scotland Scottish Labour MSP is currently the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance. But long before Holyrood, he was marching for miners' rights as a child, raised in a household shaped by trade unionism, Catholic social teaching, and the melodic storytelling of his uncle – the legendary musician Michael Marra. Now 45, the MSP and former Lochee councillor speaks with the clarity of someone who has witnessed inequality firsthand – whether among the terraces at Tannadice, in Dundee classrooms where both his parents taught, or in the everyday struggles of his constituents. His politics embody practical socialism: less about slogans, more about delivering policies that make a 'real' difference. He's driven by putting money into people's pockets, investing in public services and rebuilding trust in a system many feel has left them behind. But when asked if he has ambitions to lead Scottish Labour, the self-described 'badly lapsed Catholic' and 'radical pragmatist' says it's not something he is 'actively pursuing'. 'Firstly, there's no vacancy at the moment – and I hope it stays that way,' he says in an interview with The Courier, speaking before Anas Sarwar was 'race baited' this week by Reform leader Nigel Farage. 'Anas (Sarwar) is a brilliant, charismatic, politically astute leader. 'Despite the current challenges – like the splintering of the anti-SNP vote – there's no one better placed to deal with them.' But while he doesn't rule out vying for party leadership in future, the father-of-three makes it clear he'd be reluctant to take on the role while his family are young. 'If it were to happen, it would be a long way off,' he adds. 'With my two youngest children at the ages they are, I couldn't do it. 'I've seen Labour leaders put in unbelievable work here in Scotland – often with little electoral reward, but with huge personal sacrifices. 'My children are in their early teens, and they need me now. Sometimes I don't feel I give them enough as it is.' Michael has strong views on international affairs, including the ongoing crisis in Gaza. But it's building a more equal society at home that truly drives him. That core motivator was powerfully reflected when he recently voted against assisted dying legislation at Holyrood. His decision wasn't influenced by his 'lapsed Catholic' faith, as some might assume. Instead, he explains, it stemmed from a deep concern that assisted dying could place a heavier burden on the poor and disabled. Until that fundamental imbalance is addressed, he cannot in good conscience support such a measure. This conviction underpins not only his stance on assisted dying but also his broader worldview, centred around what he calls 'Dundee first.' Born and bred in Dundee, Michael's roots run deep in the city's working-class and Irish immigrant history. His great-uncle was the secretary of the Labour Party in Dundee for 30 years. His great-uncle's father Nicholas Marra, meanwhile, founded both the Independent Labour Party in Dundee and the Jute and Flax Workers' Union. Growing up in a household where both parents were schoolteachers and active trade unionists, social justice and solidarity were lived realities. From marches organised by his dad during the miners' strike to organising holiday camps for children from Fife, activism and a belief in collective progress were part of his childhood. The Dundee of his youth was a city marked by economic hardship but also by community resilience and a fierce pride in local identity. Michael attended St Joseph's Primary and then St John's High School. He vividly remembers classmates who went on to be devastated by drugs and deprivation – a stark reminder of the city's persistent inequalities. He joined the Labour Party as a university student in Glasgow, initially hesitant due to New Labour's perceived shift to the right under Tony Blair. 'I wasn't a Blairite,' he admits. 'My sister joined before me.' But for Michael, Labour remains a vehicle for tangible improvements to ordinary people's lives. Asked if 'soft left' is an accurate description of his politics, he replies: 'I have a radical vision for a fairer economic future. 'I don't believe in the nationalisation of the top FTSE 500 kind of thing – I was never enamoured by Corbynism. I thought it was a pathway to electoral doom. 'But essentially I'm a socialist who wants to see significant progress on equality.' As Scottish Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, he focuses heavily on financial inclusion. He is critical of what he calls 'chaotic' SNP budget management and 'waste'. On the relationship between Scottish Labour and the UK party, he highlights the autonomy of the Scottish branch while stressing shared interests. He works closely with Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Michael, who previously worked for Oxfam, supports a two-state solution and a free Palestine when it comes to the Israel-Gaza conflict. While acknowledging the trauma of the October 7 attacks on Israel, he describes recent Israeli state actions as 'completely unacceptable' and is sickened by the 'horrific' humanitarian crisis in Gaza. His family's ties to Palestine run deep. His father is active in Dundee's Nablus Twinning Association, and his late colleague Ernie Ross was a long-time supporter of Palestinian solidarity. On a lighter note, Michael is an avid Dundee United fan who's delighted to see the club back in Europe. A season ticket holder in the Eddie Thompson stand where he sits with his football 'fanatic' son and dad, he speaks warmly of the club's recent successes and the passionate atmosphere at matches. But the legacy of his late uncle Michael Marra, the celebrated musician, also looms large. 'Mick was a storyteller who captured the spirit of Dundee – its people and its struggles,' he says. 'We didn't always agree politically, but he was kind, caring, and proud when my sister entered politics.' Though he describes himself as a 'badly lapsed Catholic,' faith remains a cultural touchstone. Michael is deeply concerned about the rise of populism and right-wing politics globally. He links this shift to the atomising effects of social media, which promotes individualism over community. Locally, he takes pride in Dundee's strong community spirit and its tradition of female-led activism. Yet he remains worried about persistent challenges: child poverty, drug addiction, and economic decline. He also campaigns on issues close to Dundee's heart, such as supporting footballers with dementia. Asked about his hopes for the future, Michael is clear: 'I want more and better jobs in Dundee. I want schools to improve, young people to get work, and a more equal Scotland where people feel at ease with themselves. If politics can help make that happen, I'd be happy.' And his dream when that day comes? 'I'd be quite happy sitting at Tannadice with my grandchildren and not being recognised by anybody!'
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
FMQs: Douglas Ross ejected from chamber by presiding officer
Update: Date: 13:15 BST Title: FMQs: The headlines Content: That brings an end to a lively First Minister's Questions. If you're just joining us here's what you missed: That's all from the live page team today. The editor was Mary McCool. Megan Bonar and Craig Hutchison were the writers. Update: Date: 13:01 BST Title: Swinney commits to securing financial future of Dundee university Content: Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie asks about the lack of progress on financial recovery for the University of Dundee, which is cutting hundreds of jobs due to a £35m deficit. 'This has been agonising for university staff, a cloud has been hanging over them since November,' he said. The first minister says the university is an autonomous institution, and no request from the Scottish Funding Council has been received. Michael Marra MSP also asks about the issue, he asks Swinney to commit to a voluntary severance scheme being put in place by next week. Swinney replies that he cannot commit to that because he would be breaking the law by telling an independent institution how to go about business. He does however give his 'absolute commitment to securing the future of the university of Dundee.' Update: Date: 12:57 BST Title: Swinney says government will consider ecocide bill Content: The legislation would introduce tougher sanctions for people who cause pollution in Scotland Monica Lennon is the next MSP to enter the fray and she asks what the Scottish government is doing to maintain its policy aim of keeping pace with the EU on environmental protection. Swinney replies his government intends to remain aligned with the EU when it is possible to do so. The Labour MSP refers to her Ecocide (Scotland) Bill which contains proposals for a new law which could see the bosses of major polluters jailed for up to 20 years. "This is Scotland's time to act," adds Lennon who asks if the FM agrees with her bill's aims. John Swinney compliments Monica Lennon for her bill and he says the government will consider it and will have further dialogue with the Labour MSP. Update: Date: 12:47 BST Title: What's the background to Findlay's points on net zero? Content: Kevin KeaneBBC Scotland environment correspondent The Climate Change Committee says emissions need to fall by 57% in five years A word on the issue the Tories raised at the beginning of FMQs - climate change. Independent experts have proposed a new set of targets to tackle climate change in Scotland over the next 20 years. Annual targets were abandoned by the Scottish government last year after repeatedly being missed – but ministers retained the pledge to reach net zero by 2045. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) says that to meet that goal, emissions need to fall by an average of 57% over the next five years and by 69% to 2035, when compared with 1990 levels. The Scottish government says it will consider the report's recommendations carefully but is expected to adopt the targets in the coming weeks. The government had set its original climate change targets in 2019 – which included reducing emissions by 75% by 2030. Read more here. Update: Date: 12:45 BST Title: Ross questions neutrality of speaker after ejection Content: Philip SimBBC Scotland political correspondent Football referee Douglas Ross is no stranger to a red card. But he is arguing that he should have been shown a yellow before he was ordered out of the Holyrood chamber today. Mr Ross told BBC Scotland he struggled to accept that the presiding officer was acting neutrally, and that she allowed SNP and Green MSPs to behave in a way that she did not extend to Conservative members. He said he had 'serious questions about the conduct of the presiding officer', and that he would be seeking to speak with Alison Johnstone and her officials about the decision. Update: Date: 12:41 BST Title: Douglas Lumsden told to 'desist' by speaker during SNP question Content: It's a rowdy one today. Douglas Ross' Tory colleague Douglas Lumsden is also given a slap on the wrist for shouting from his seat during a question from the SNP's Christine Grahame. 'Where you trying to attract attention?' the speaker asks as she tells him to desist. Grahame follows up on the play parks issue, saying after the Covid pandemic "when children were isolated for so long", plans for renewals is "an excellent project that liberates them". Swinney says his colleague makes an "incredibly powerful point". Update: Date: 12:39 BST Title: Tory Stephen Kerr 'too excited for words' over play park renewal Content: Scottish Tory MSP Stephen Kerr says the Scottish government has committed £60m to renew every play park in Scotland, but there are reports that less than half of the funding has been spent. The first minister highlights £35m allocated to local government since September 2021. He argues the £60m commitment will be met by his government. "That sounds like another Swinney broken promise to me," retorts Kerr. The chamber becomes raucous again as Kerr argues that the SNP government adopts gimmicks and fails to deliver. "I think Stephen Kerr needs to go to a play park to get rid of some of his excess energy," jokes the first minister to some laughter from his backbenches. "He seems just a little bit too excited for words." Update: Date: 12:36 BST Title: An unusual - but not the first - removal of an MSP Content: Philip SimBBC Scotland political correspondent I think Douglas Ross might be the first MSP to be kicked out of the chamber by Alison Johnstone. But it's not unheard of – his Tory colleague Oliver Mundell was ordered out by Ken Macintosh in 2020 for claiming Nicola Sturgeon had lied to parliament over the Salmond inquiry. Back in 2015, Labour's James Kelly was booted out by Tricia Marwick in a classic row about a point of order which she contended wasn't a point of order relating to the UK Trade Union Bill. Ms Johnstone has a reputation as a fairly mild-mannered presiding officer. But she has clashed quite frequently with Mr Ross in particular in recent weeks, with the former Tory leader always keen to pick away at the government's record – and the chances MSPs have to interrogate it in parliament. Update: Date: 12:35 BST Title: Moment Douglas Ross is told to leave the chamber Content: The former Scottish Conservative leader is asked twice by Alison Johnstone to leave the chamber - without warning - after talking over the first minister. This video can not be played Watch the moment Douglas Ross is excluded from the chamber at FMQs Update: Date: 12:33 BST Title: Swinney 'cherishes' Scotland's natural environment Content: As the appeal remains live he can't comment on the Flamingo Land proposal, replies Swinney, and he adds it is subject to 49 planning conditions. The first minister explains the reporter is required to make his decision on the planning merits of the case. Harvie argues the first minister is not even attempting to acknowledge the anger about this "unnecessary, unwanted, destructive" development The Scottish Greens co-leader asks if Swinney learned nothing from his "mistake" over Trump's golf course development. Swinney insists he values and cherishes the natural environment of Scotland. Update: Date: 12:31 BST Title: Opposition to Flamingo Land raised by Harvie Content: It's now the turn of Patrick Harvie to grill the first minister and he chooses to ask about protest outside parliament today against the Scottish government's intention to approve a resort by Flamingo Land on the shores of Loch Lomond. The Scottish Greens co-leader says the proposals have been opposed by 155,000 people. "It's the most unpopular development in the history of the Scottish planning system," he says. He argues there is still a chance to save Loch Lomond and he calls on the first minister to listen to the objections and recall this decision. Update: Date: 12:28 BST Title: Row on health will continue until election day Content: Philip SimBBC Scotland political correspondent This was a paint-by-numbers standard of the Anas Sarwar vs John Swinney FMQs exchange. Mr Sarwar loves to bring up NHS waiting times because he sees it as a great example of the government's handling of public services. He also frequently has a case study to hand of a patient who feels let down, to confront the first minister with a real voter. Mr Swinney meanwhile rarely misses an opportunity to criticise the record of the UK government, now run by Labour. He managed to link that back to health services by saying that any move to restrict immigration would affect the NHS's ability to attract international workers. To be honest they have this same exchange most weeks, and will continue to right up to polling day next May. Update: Date: 12:28 BST Title: Immigration plans will damage NHS - Swinney Content: Sarwar accuses the first minister of having no plan to fix Scotland's NHS. Swinney responds by saying the government has a plan in place to focus on expanding capacity. "We are working to make sure we have the staff and the resources in place to address this issue," he says. He adds that the UK's government's immigration policy will make tackling waiting times "ever more difficult". Swinney says: "The immigration policies will be damaging to our national health service and we do not want anything to do with them." Update: Date: 12:27 BST Title: Backround: Patients waiting more than two years for specialist appointments Content: Figures released this week showed that the number of patients waiting more than two years for to see an NHS specialist in Scotland has grown in the past year. Public Health Scotland said the waiting list for those referred to an outpatient clinic more than two years ago was at the highest level it had ever recorded, with the number more than tripling to 5,262. Government targets to provide treatment within 12 weeks were also still not being met for thousands of patients, with 24% of waits recorded going on for more than a year, the report found. More on this story here. Update: Date: 12:22 BST Title: Swinney defends government's actions on NHS Content: 'Week after week, John Swinney comes to this chamber and apologies. People don't want to hear sorry, they want treatment,' Sarwar says. He says thousands are waiting over two years for orthopaedic, ENT and neurosurgery treatment. Swinney says the government has made the largest investment in the NHS that has ever been made and by March had created over 100,000 additional appointments. Update: Date: 12:20 BST Title: There is a human cost to waiting times - Sarwar Content: Anas Sarwar is next up - he asks the first minister about new health statistics showing a growing number of people on NHS waiting lists. Sarwar says in total there are 860,925 people are on an NHS waiting list in Scotland, with over 13,000 people waiting over two years. 'There is a human cost', he says as he highlights the case of a woman who has waited over 100 weeks for surgery for an ovarian cyst. The first minister apologies to anyone who is on a waiting list and say the government is committed to tackling 'long waits'. Update: Date: 12:19 BST Title: Swinney accuses the Conservatives of 'cheap political opportunity' Content: Swinney wraps up on Russel Findlay's questioning saying Brexit has caused incalculable damage to agriculture. He says the 2045 target is the Scottish Parliament's, not the SNP's. Swinney accuses the Conservatives of "cheap political opportunity". Update: Date: 12:18 BST Title: Douglas Ross has just become far more memorable than his leader Content: Philip SimBBC Scotland political correspondent Russell Findlay ended up being eclipsed by his predecessor as Tory leader. Douglas Ross has persistently clashed with the presiding officer over recent weeks, and it seemed like Alison Johnstone had zero patience for his heckling today, ordering him out of the chamber without so much as a warning. Mr Findlay had been underlining the lack of a big story this week by leading off on a report published last Wednesday. He picked out various proposals from the climate change committee's report on carbon budgets, describing various things which the government has not committed to as 'utter madness'. But ultimately the government hasn't actually said what it is going to do, so it was hard for him to pin any particular policy on the first minister. And John Swinney seemed determined not to rise to the bait. His only real political barb was one about Brexit - which was what prompted Douglas Ross to blow his top. Ultimately that is going to be a far more memorable moment than anything prompted by Mr Findlay's questions. Update: Date: 12:13 BST Title: Eating a third less meat is 'utter madness' - Findlay Content: Prior to Ross' exit from the chamber, Russell Findlay says the number of cattle would need to fall by two million, around 25%, to achieve climate targets. The Scottish Tory leader says Scots would have to eat one third less meat. "This is utter madness, it's an act of national self-harm." John Swinney hits back reiterating his government will consider the proposals in the report. The Scottish Tory leader continues to look at those proposals, turning to heat pumps saying to meet the target would require 70% of homes to have one. "That proposal is simply not realistic," adds Findlay, who then calls on the first minister to reject it. Swinney insists agriculture is always in his priorities and he highlights the impact of Brexit. This leads to Douglas Ross's ejection. Update: Date: 12:08 BST Title: Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross asked to leave chamber Content: There is a brief pause in proceedings as former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross is kicked out of the chamber. The speaker asks him to leave the chamber and tells him not to return for the rest of the day after raising his voice over the first minister.
The National
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Fears 'rigged' Scottish Labour voting system boxes out left-wing MSPs
Anonyvoter, a controversial computer voting programme involved in a Met police fraud probe, is used by the party alongside traditional in-person and postal voting. But The Sunday Mail reports there are concerns it is being rigged following a selection for the Dundee West constituency. Earlier this month, Scottish Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba – who is considered more left-wing – lost out to Michael Marra, who is often seen as party leader Anas Sarwar's right-hand man and potential successor. READ MORE: High street in Scottish Highland town closed due to alleyway fire Villalba won the vote in the room but lost out after online votes through Anonyvoter were taken into account. It comes amid concerns over the past few years that Labour leadership have actively been purging the party of its left-wing members and politicians. The Sunday Mail reports that several members have contacted the party with concerns. One said: 'I emailed our local branch secretary last month as I was concerned about the fact we were having to use Anonyvoter but I didn't get any reply. 'I know someone else who also contacted the party's leadership team directly and was told that there had been no problem with Anonyvoter in Scotland and it was being used here. End of discussion. 'People are very sceptical of the system and don't understand why we are still using it when there were such problems before.' Mercedes Villalba Another member added: 'I'm worried that what we saw for the Westminster selections is now going to happen for the Holyrood ones. It seems to be already happening - just look at the situation in Dundee.' A former Labour staffer, meanwhile, told the newspaper: 'I can say that in standard parliamentary selections, ballot counting is carried out by staff but with clear oversight from CLP officials to ensure transparency and trust in the process. 'With Anonyvoter, that critical layer of local oversight is simply missing. We've already seen serious concerns raised about its accuracy and flaws, most notably in Croydon where the situation escalated to the point of police involvement.' Anonyvoter has previously insisted that its software was unrelated to the incident in Croydon and said Labour's database was to blame A Scottish Labour spokesman said: 'We have full confidence in the integrity of both selection processes and the use of Anonyvoter. 'Labour candidates are selected by the votes of local members who select the person they believe should represent them. 'All selections are carried out in line with rules and procedures agreed and overseen by Scottish Labour's Executive Committee.'
