Our heath workers go above and beyond looking after people of Badenoch and Strathspey
Many of us across the north of Scotland had snow and ice for several days at a time until a week ago.
Whilst this was a photographer’s dream with beautiful portraits of snow and sunshine across the Cairngorms (my favourite was from the Farleitter Crag viewpoint looking across Uath Lochans and Glen Feshie), it brought home the harsh reality of Labour’s decision to withdraw the Winter Fuel Payment.
There continues to be a deafening silence from Labour MPs who represent areas with the highest proportion of fuel poverty, like the Highlands and Islands. This brutal decision affects almost 100,000 people across the Highlands and Islands – including over 15,000 in my own constituency.
The UK Budget confirms that Labour are unwilling to reverse these devastating cuts and support Highland households. The Scottish Government remains firmly opposed to these choices by Sir Keir Starmer, even stepping in where we can with a universal winter heating payment for pensioners.
Lastly, I would like to tip my hat to all of our healthcare and social care staff continuing to go about their duties in all weathers.
Their resilience and determination is incredible.
Every part of our health service has gone above and beyond to serve Badenoch and Strathspey during the coldest months of the year. I was also incredibly moved to hear of social care staff doing extra shifts to make up for colleagues being off sick with flu.
I am proud to represent such a relentless, skilled, devoted and dedicated health and social care workforce serving the people that need them most.
Reckless. Folly. Utterly irresponsible.
No that’s not an expert take on the UK Chancellor’s future spending plans (though you’d be forgiven for thinking so) but rather conservation charities’ views on the recent illegal release of at least four lynx in the Cairngorms.
I suspect my colleague Fergus Ewing would put it much stronger than that!
Having been contacted by scores of concerned constituents about these illegal releases, particularly farmers and crofters, I would very much like to thank the efforts of the Highland Wildlife Park team as well as Police Scotland and local gamekeepers in their work in recapturing the lynx.
The First Minister was also condemning of the illegal release, and I share concerns from across the chamber that this is a very serious wildlife crime requiring further investigation.
Kate Forbes (SNP) is MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch and Deputy First Minister of Scotland.
