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Maree Todd: Programme for government will help our rural communities


By John Davidson

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Holyrood Notebook by Maree Todd

Drop-in vaccination clinics are available at Wick. Picture: DGS
Drop-in vaccination clinics are available at Wick. Picture: DGS

This month we saw the Scottish Government announce a bold and ambitious programme for government (PFG). This policy programme commits billions of pounds to tackle the challenges, and grasp the opportunities, facing us.

The PFG has much to offer our rural communities. For instance, the Remote, Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan which will help address the housing crisis and attract and hang onto folk in our communities.

A Land Reform Bill will be taken forward to tackle the pattern of land ownership in Scotland which disproportionately and negatively impacts our rural areas and, in supporting businesses to thrive, a Rural Entrepreneur Fund will be launched to help support the relocation and creation of 2000 businesses.

The historic agreement reached between the SNP and the Scottish Green Party meant we welcomed two new colleagues to government last month, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater.

Although our parties do not agree on everything, we have been able to compromise on both sides to find common ground and agree on areas where we can work together to build a better country.

Both new ministers will be covering portfolios that will be crucial to Scotland’s response to the climate crisis and our recovery from the pandemic. Patrick Harvie will cover zero carbon buildings, active travel and tenants’ rights and Lorna Slater, green skills, circular economy and biodiversity.

I’m particularly pleased to see a focus on tenant’s rights within Patrick Harvie’s responsibilities. We face real challenges when it comes to housing in the far north and, in addressing this, we must look at every corner of the market, including the rented sector. In increasing tenant’s rights, we can improve the health, happiness and life-chances of people in our rural communities.

As we talk of a Covid recovery, it’s worth stressing that this remains a time for continued caution. The virus is still circulating, and we are seeing a significant rise in cases locally.

We must remember to take care and think how we can limit the ability of the virus to spread. Vaccination remains the single best tool to protecting ourselves against the virus. If you are not yet vaccinated or are awaiting a second dose and it’s been eight weeks since your first, please take a look at NHS Highland’s website for details of drop-in vaccination clinics in Wick.

I know there has been much contention around the Covid Vaccine Certification Scheme, which the Scottish Parliament backed last week. The reality is that if we are to avoid imposing Covid restrictions again, we need to act to stem the rise in cases.

Covid certification has already been introduced by several governments – of different political persuasions – in countries across Europe. Our use of the certificates will be limited and reserved for higher risk settings. This targeted approach will – we hope – enable certain events and venues to continue operating, even at times when rates of Covid may be high and even rising.

This decision is not one the Scottish Government took lightly, but it is what will allow us to maintain a degree of normality.

Finally, to end on a lighter note – I was absolutely delighted to nominate Joan Lawrie as Caithness, Sutherland and Ross’s ‘Local Hero’ ahead of the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament.

From delivering food during lockdown to launching Thurso’s Sharing Shed, Joan is a worthy nominee who has played a crucial role in Caithness’s resilience response to the pandemic and is so very deserving of this recognition.

  • Maree Todd is the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.

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