Latest News Archives - Colin Smyth - Colin Smyth MSP

LOCAL MSP RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT POSSIBLE CLOSURES OF LEISURE, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY SITES IN THE BORDERS

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has said he is “very concerned” after recommendations to close numerous leisure, cultural and community facilities were made to Scottish Borders Council. A council report highlighted that the current Live Borders delivery model was “unsustainable” and said £2.5m of additional local authority funding had been…

REGION CONTINUES TO MISS A&E WAITING TIME TARGETS

Latest figures from Public Health Scotland have revealed that only 74.8 per cent of people who attended A&E in the week ending 13 April were seen within four hours. The Scottish Government has a legally binding target that means 95% of patients should be admitted, transferred or discharged from…

SOUTH SCOTLAND MSP COMMENTS ON SCOTTISH WATER STRIKE ACTION

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has commented on Scottish Water strikes, as Unite, the GMB and Unison union members took part in action across the region on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Unison warned that emergency repairs and water quality checks would not be carried out and problems with supply…

LOCAL MSP COMMENTS ON NHS DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY BUDGET SHORTFALL

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has commented on the news from NHS Dumfries and Galloway about the serious funding deficit facing the health board. The health board released a statement released this week which said that health and social care services in the region are facing a £58 million funding…

“INSPIRATIONAL” YOUNG PEOPLE SEND FIRST MINISTER A CLEAR MESSAGE OVER FUTURE OF THE USUAL PLACE

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has praised the young people at the Usual Place for the clear message they gave the First Minister John Swinney during his visit yesterday (15 April 2025) John Swinney visited the Usual Place to discuss the financial challenges facing the project, after the issue was…

FIRST MINISTER MUST DELIVER A FIRM COMMITMENT TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE USUAL PLACE DURING VISIT

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has urged First Minister John Swinney to give a firm commitment to providing financial support for the Usual Place, ahead of a visit to the café tomorrow. The Usual Place recently revealed that it faces serious challenges securing funding to cover costs. John Swinney is…

COLIN SMYTH MSP’S BILL TO CREATE AN OLDER PEOPLE’S COMMISSIONER FOR SCOTLAND INTRODUCED IN SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth’s bill to create a dedicated commissioner for older people in Scotland has taken another step forward. The bill has now been published and introduced to the Scottish Parliament and will begin formal consideration by MSPs. At present children and young people have standalone commissioners…

MSP PRAISES RESPONSE TO GALLOWAY WILD FIRES

South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has praised the response by emergency services and partners to the recent wild fires in Galloway. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, HM Coastguard as well as volunteers from Galloway Mountain rescue team and others have been involved in tackling the impact…

BORDERS COUNCIL PLANS TO MOTHBALL NURSERIES A DEVASTATING BLOW TO COMMUNITIES AFFECTED, SAYS MSP

South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has described plans by Scottish Borders council to “mothball” nurseries in the region as a “devastating blow” to the communities affected. The local MSP wrote to the Council’s Chief Executive after being alerted to concerns over the future of nurseries in the region when…

DELAYED DISCHARGE NUMBERS SHOW WORSENING PICTURE IN AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN

Figures released by Public Health Scotland on Tuesday show delayed discharge figures have got worse when compared to the same month in 2024. The figures for February 2025 show 5448 bed days occupied in Ayrshire and Arran, compared to 4889 in February 2024. Delayed discharge is when a patient is…

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