Reduce council tax by 50% for single persons
- 44 Signatures
The cost of living is rising, council tax is rising, electricity and gas bills, not to mention the price of food at the moment. People such as myself who work full time but live on their own have the same bills as everyone else but with only one wage. It is getting more and more difficult to prioritise between health and necessities.
Ban the sale and use of artificial sweeteners in food and drinks
- Final Signatures: 42
Artificial sweeteners are a serious health concern and are in many foods and beverages, such as Coca Cola, Fanta etc. Many people do not realise what they are putting into their body and I believe it would be one step closer to having a healthier country if artificial sweeteners were banned.
Artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose, have been linked to increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is why I believe artificial sweeteners must be banned for everyone’s health.
Thousands of complaints about damp and mould have been made across Scotland in recent years. A Sunday Post Freedom of Information request to 22 local authorities in Scotland showed that 14,451 complaints about damp and mould were made in 2021-22, a 19 percent increase on the year before.
In late 2024, Glasgow Councillors discussed the massive increase in complaints about damp and mould in low-income social housing with some of them demanding an [Awaab’s Law] (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/emergency-hazards-to-be-repaired-in-24-hours-through-awaabs-law) in Scotland, as has been done in England.
The health problems associated with mould spores from mouldy homes can be potentially fatal for people with underlying health conditions, such as lung and heart disease, according to an increasing number of doctors. It can also cause mental health problems.
There is a major problem with damp and mould in Scotland, and it is clear that we need legislation to ensure that this is tackled.
Install speed cameras near schools
- 57 Signatures
Since 2023, many roads adjacent to schools have had a 20mph speed limit introduced to ensure the safety of school children. At many of these roads there is still a problem with speeding. Enforcement is mostly non-existent.
Speeding is a problem at my local primary school. Transport Scotland has introduced more signage and paintings on the road with no visible results. Children and parents are scared to walk along the road to the school or the playground. Transport Scotland is unwilling to introduce more than signage to the road and there are no speed checks. Where a road is more than 200 metres, average speed cameras should be installed.
I believe this is an issue in other areas of Scotland. It would be prudent to make it compulsory to have speed cameras in front of schools to ensure the safety of children, parents, teachers and other pedestrians.
Bring in compulsory microchipping for cats in Scotland
- 595 Signatures
This legislation was passed in England in 2023, but sadly, it is still not compulsory in Scotland.
I run a Facebook page Cats Lost and Found West Lothian, Scotland, and the number of missing cats that are not microchipped is truly shocking.
It’s heartbreaking to find deceased cats on the road. When a microchip is present and the owner's details are current, we can quickly reunite them with their beloved pets.
Organisations like Bear Scotland pick up deceased cats and work with another group to ensure someone is available to scan them. I’ve been to their depot myself and scanned a cat, successfully returning it to its owner. This process is vital for bringing closure to owners who may otherwise never know what happened to their furry friend.
Microchipping our cats and kittens in Scotland is crucial. It will significantly increase the chances of reuniting lost, stray, and even road-killed cats with their families, making a real difference in our community. Let's take action and spread the word about the importance of microchipping!
Children are cohorted for good reasons for sport and education. In almost all other countries, and in many sports, it is tightly limited to 12months. In Scotland it is permitted to extend to 19months.
Our deferral rates are among the highest in the world and it is likely to be doing more harm than good.
We know that being among the youngest in a normal cohort places you at disadvantage with higher rates of physical injury, mental ill health, suicide, some SENs, lower academic attainment, and lifetime earnings making this a public health problem. This is known as the Relative Age Effect. It can be expected that the effect is causing significant harm to children, but we do not know for certain because Scotland did not study the effect of this decision.
We also know that deferral is disproportionately chosen by white, wealthy, males; often the least disadvantaged thus widening inequality.
Support the neurodiverse community by providing funding for psychoeducation
- 23 Signatures
Psychoeducation is crucial for autistic individuals as it empowers them with the knowledge and tools to better understand themselves and their unique experiences. By learning about autism, they can identify their strengths, navigate challenges, and develop coping strategies tailored to their needs. This understanding promotes self-acceptance, reduces feelings of isolation, and supports mental health by normalising their experiences. Furthermore, psychoeducation fosters improved communication and relationship skills, enabling autistic individuals to articulate their needs and connect with others effectively. It also encourages self-advocacy, equipping them to seek appropriate accommodations and challenge stigma, ultimately enhancing their autonomy and integration into society.
Increasing numbers of women are placed in unsuitable hotel/bed and breakfast accommodation, where there is a ratio of 14 men to 1 woman.
There is a clear lack of safeguarding in emergency temporary accommodation in general, but very little attention has been paid to the specific challenges faced by women who are stuck in the homeless system. [Women are particularly at risk in mixed-sex emergency accommodation, and the hotels are notorious, with increased reports of rapes and sexual assaults] (https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-20-06-2024?meeting=15946&iob=136132#orscontributions_M5605E452P848C2603152)
We need secure women-only halfway accommodation that meets the specific needs of women with the objective of rapidly placing them in permanent social housing.
As part of the Glasgow Times “End the Homeless Hotel Shame” campaign, and with official figures suggesting that the number of families living in homeless hotels and B&Bs quadrupled in 2024, we support calls for more emphasis to be placed on the affordable housing supply budget.
Improve access to ADHD diagnosis and treatment across Scotland
- 1,434 Signatures
Scotland faces a growing ADHD crisis, with years-long waiting times for diagnosis and treatment or no access at all due to regional funding disparities. Some areas have halted assessments entirely, leaving thousands in crisis. A postcode lottery has been created.
Untreated ADHD impacts mental health, relationships, and life opportunities. Testimonies reveal years of being passed between services, job losses, and severe mental health crises.
The Scottish Government must act urgently to:
* standardise diagnostic pathways for equitable access across Scotland
* fund services to reduce waiting times and improve capacity
* provide post-diagnostic support, including therapy and medication
* develop a national ADHD strategy to address the societal and individual impact of untreated ADHD.
Untreated ADHD is a social justice issue. Many cannot afford private diagnosis or care, making urgent action essential to end this postcode lottery and ensure fair access to ADHD services.
Currently, the SHR’s focus is limited to social tenants, leaving owners of ex-council houses without adequate oversight or advocacy when structural crises arise.
I have sought updated data from the SHR on homes affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), with the SHR confirming 2,445 social homes are impacted, but emphasized its limited focus on social tenants. SHR does not collect data on private properties, however, UK RAAC Campaign Group figures now confirm at least 2487 council homes are affected. Through FOI requests, 1,357 privately owned homes were identified, bringing the total to over 3,844 affected properties in Scotland, though private home data remains incomplete. I have criticised the SHR for withholding information and providing inaccurate figures.
It is crucial that a formal mechanism is established to address the gaps in the current system, which leaves owners of ex-council houses vulnerable and without recourse when faced with widespread structural challenges.