LOCAL MSP WELCOMES MOBILE COVID-19 TESTING UNIT IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY BUT SAYS TESTING CAPACITY STILL TOTALLY INADEQUATE

05 May 2020

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has welcomed moves to increase testing for Covid-19 in Dumfries and Galloway with the use of a mobile testing unit but has warned that overall testing capacity remained totally inadequate to implement the Government’s proposed ‘test, trace and isolate’ plan as Scotland prepares moves into…

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AWARDS TO RECOGNISE LOCAL SCOTTISH-CHINESE ACHIEVERS LAUNCHED

04 May 2020

South Scotland MSP and deputy convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on China Colin Smyth is calling on local people from the Scottish-Chinese community to put themselves forward for a new award designed to recognise their achievements and contributions to national life. Nominations are now open for The…

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LOCAL MSP SAYS PLANS TO INCREASE RAIL SERVICES AT THIS POINT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ‘COULD RISK LIVES’

04 May 2020

South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour transport spokesperson Colin Smyth has echoed concerns from transport unions that plans to increase rail services during the Covid-19 pandemic have not received enough planning. Rail unions RMT, TSSA and ASLEF have written to the Scottish Government warning that the plans send mixed messages…

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MSP URGES BUSINESSES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW SUPPORT SCHEMES, BUT WARNS MORE HELP WILL BE NEEDED

30 Apr 2020

South of Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has urged local businesses to apply for funding from a number of new business support schemes that opened for applications today (30 April 2020). However, the local MSP warned that the level of funding allocated to the schemes would be too low to tackle…

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OVERDUE FUNDING FOR FERRY FIRMS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION SAYS LOCAL MSP

29 Apr 2020

South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour’s Transport Spokesperson Colin Smyth has described the UK Government announcement of a £17million support package for ferry services between Northern Ireland and Great Britain as a step in the right direction – but warned more will be needed. The money will be made available…

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LOCAL MSP CALLS ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TO BACK LANGHOLM MOOR COMMUNITY LAND BUYOUT

28 Apr 2020

South Scotland Labour MSP and Scottish Labour’s Rural Economy Spokesperson Colin Smyth has called on the Scottish Government to back the proposed community land buyout of part of Langholm Moor. One of Scotland’s largest landowners, the Duke of Buccleuch and family, is in advanced talks with a community group over…

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LOCAL MSP STEPS UP CALLS FOR MORE BUSINESS SUPPORT FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND BOOST FOR SOUTH OF SCOTLAND ENTERPRISE AGENCY BUDGET, DURING VIRTUAL PARLIAMENT SESSIONS

28 Apr 2020

South of Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has stepped up his calls for better business support for rural communities disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 lockdown, during a virtual Scottish Parliament question session with Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy Fergus Ewing on Friday. The local MSP highlighted the disproportionate impact of the…

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SOUTH OF SCOTLAND MSP URGES CONSTITUENTS WHO NEED MEDICAL HELP TO SEEK TREATMENT FOR NON COVID-19 RELATED PROBLEMS

27 Apr 2020

South of Scotland MSP Colin Smyth is urging local people to seek medical help when they require it during the Covid-19 pandemic. Figures released last week by ISD Scotland revealed that during the week ending 12 April 2020, NHS Dumfries and Galloway saw just 450 people attending A&E, while the…

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TRESPASSING ON THE RAILWAY NETWORK IS ‘COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND RISKS LIVES’ – COLIN SMYTH

27 Apr 2020

South of Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour’s Transport Spokesperson Colin Smyth is urging people to stay safe and stay off the region’s railway tracks during the Covid-19 lockdown. Network Rail Scotland has said that while most people are staying home and social distancing, Scotland’s railway is still seeing trespass and…

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LOCAL MSP DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM ECONOMY SECRETARY ABOUT PRESTWICK AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE REMAINING OPEN

22 Apr 2020

South of Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has demanded answers from Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop about why businesses such as Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance are continuing to remain open during the Covid-19 pandemic. The local MSP said that while most companies are acting responsibly and have closed their doors unless they are…

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