12 4


although the overall female unemployment rate is now slightly lower in Scotland (7.3%) than for the UK as a whole (7.5%). 73,000 young Scots


are out of work, up by 6000 on this time last year. This equates to a youth unemployment rate in Scotland of 20%. In fact, the decisions taken by this Finance Minister and this SNP administration have led directly to the loss of 30,000 public sector jobs in little over a year. One of the few scraps of good news in this Budget is some help for the housing sector, but given the 30% cut in the housing budget last year and the 34% cut the year before that, Mr Swinney is again not even undoing the damage he has wrought on the sector. 12,000 builders lost their jobs last year – at least in part due tbudget. There has also been


and security. Of course rocket attacks


targeted at a civilian population deserve our categorical condemnation, but the deeper causes of the latest crisis reflect the failure over years and decades to achieve a two-state solution, along with the continued expansion of illegal settlements by Israel in Gaza and the blockade.


meaningful negotiations on resolving


Palestinian/Israeli conflict in recent months and years, despite Palestinians remaining stateless and Israelis continuing to fear rocket attacks.


there is no military solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Real security for the citizens of


much debate on the UK Government’s continued changes to the welfare system. With support for millions of working families relying on Ministers getting the new ‘Universal Credit’ right, the project is too important to mess up, particularly in these difficult times. I’m concerned about reports detailing that the project is in trouble.


There have been no the


What is clear is that


There has been


suggestions that chaos is swirling around the Government department in charge, with ministers having failed to take into account basic details of how the scheme will work. I’m in favour of Universal Credit and welfare reform. That is why I want it to succeed. The Government needs to come clean about the problems and set out a plan to address its flaws before it’s too late, and people across the UK end up paying the price. Many constituents


have been in touch about rail fares following the recent announcements on the West and East Coast rail franchises.


I share the


Israel and Gaza will only be achieved through the re- invigoration of a serious political dialogue, aimed at ending the Occupation and establishing a lasting and just regional peace.. I believe a critical part of


growing anger at the eye watering prices many people are having to pay. This was debated in the House of Commons last month where Conservative and Lib Dem MPs voted against a strict cap on future annual rail fare rises of no more than one per cent above inflation. The rising cost of rail


travel is adding to the financial pressures that many people are facing and this is an area where something can be done to make a real difference.


this is the international community’s recognition of the Palestinian's bid for enhanced status at the United Nations General Assembly meeting


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