Five things I did this week
A visit to the Royal Edinburgh Infirmary
Thrombectomy treatment is extremely beneficial for stroke patients and can dramatically improve their health outcomes.
It was great to visit the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary’s stroke unit on Wednesday morning, to learn all about the service they provide.
Unfortunately, due to restricted budgets, Thrombectomy procedures are not available 24/7 in Edinburgh. This means that many patients are unable to access vital treatments, with Scotland falling behind both England and Northern Ireland in terms of the number of Thrombectomy treatments that take place.
More must be done in Scotland, to make sure those that need it have effective access to thrombectomy treatment.
Changing Skills
As part of my role as Scottish Labour Party spokesperson for Economy, Business and Fair Work I have been focusing on the skills crisis facing Scotland.
Our economy is going through a process of change. Rapid technological advancements and net zero commitments will mean the jobs and skills required in the economy in the future will look very different to today.
There are also very distinct demographic changes which will see global population growth slow until the end of the century before going into decline. Labour will therefore increasingly become a scarce commodity meaning the ability to solve skills shortages through immigration alone will no longer be an option.
In this context I have published my Changing Skills consultation and have been meeting with business and industry to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the skills system as is, and what constructive changes can be made to equip workers with the skills of the future.
Road Works in Marchmont
Scottish Water are beginning a new phase of works on July 24th, which will result in some roadworks across Marchmont.
For more information on the timeline for works and other services affected, visit: www.scottishwater.co.uk/marchmont
Interview with BBC Radio Scotland Drivetime
Any incoming government will inherit economic carnage from the fiscally incompetent and morally bankrupt Tories. To make the changes we want to make, we have to stabilise and grow the economy.
Because of the Tories economic chaos, there is a long list of things Labour will have to fix to get the country back on track, and we recognise that we will not be able to do everything we want to all at once. To promise this would be irresponsible. Having said that we know that the 2 child limit has to go, and we will push for any incoming Government to, working within the fiscal rules, abolish it as soon as possible. My interview on BBC Radio Scotland:
