Latest News –  Martin Whitfield MSP

Martin Whitfield MSP has given his backing to a campaign against compulsory redundancies at the University of Edinburgh. Organised by UCU Scotland in partnership with other trade unions, the campaign is part of the unions wider #StopTheCuts campaign opposing cuts in Scottish Higher Education. Earlier in the week, Mr Whitfield raised the issue of redundancies at Edinburgh and other universities during topical questions and challenged the HE Minister on what the Scottish Government is doing to tackle the funding crisis in our universities. Martin Whitfield MSP said: "I'm standing with UCU Scotland and other unions to support the action they [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP is backing the Fostering Network’s 2025 #TickTheBox campaign which officially begins today. The UK-wide #TickTheBox campaign encourages people with care experience to ‘tick the box’ on their UCAS application to say they have spent time in care, so they can get the support they may need, to help them enter and thrive at college or university. From 2008 to 2022, the number of people ticking the box more than doubled, but there is still a long way to go. In Scotland, the latest data shows that less than three quarters (72.4%) of looked after pupils were in [...]

The Aviation Preservation Society of Scotland's recent award success at the Aviation Heritage UK AGM has been recognised at the Scottish Parliament in a motion tabled by Martin Whitfield MSP. The APSS were given the Organisation of the Year award at the AGM in Derby, recognising the group's remarkable commitment to its 24-year project to construct a WW1 Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter biplane. Martin Whitfield MSP said:  "I have been following the work of the APSS and its remarkable Strutter project for many years now and know how much dedication has gone into it.  "To have been recognised by their [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP has hosted a parliamentary reception to help celebrate 70 years of Action for Children Scotland supporting children and young people in Scotland. The reception brought MSPs, supporters, partners and volunteers together to recognise and celebrate that over the past 70 years, Action for Children has supported hundreds of thousands of children, young people and families throughout Scotland. Action for Children’s vision is “that every child has a safe and happy childhood and the foundations they need to thrive". The charity currently delivers 90 services for children, young people and families across 30 of Scotland’s 32 local authority [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP is backing the retail trade union Usdaw, which launched their annual Respect Week with shocking statistics showing unacceptable levels of verbal abuse, threats and assaults against retail staff. Interim results from over 3,000 retail staff responses show that in the last twelve months (change from last year): 71% (-6) have experienced verbal abuse. 48% (-5) were threatened by a customer. 9% (-1) were assaulted. The annual Respect Week runs from 10-16 November, with Usdaw members raising awareness of the union’s year-round ‘Freedom from Fear’ campaign and talking to the public to promote a message of ‘respect for [...]

Martin Whitfield MSP has tabled a motion at Holyrood congratulating Zidane Rafique and Summer Ramsay on their election as Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament. Zidane, from North Berwick High School, and Summer, a student at Ross High School, were elected in a by-election following the resignation of two former East Lothian MSYPs, and join Katie Fairfull in representing East Lothian in the Scottish Youth Parliament. Martin Whitfield MSP said:  "I was pleased to table this motion welcoming Zidane and Summer's election to the Scottish Youth Parliament. I know that all the MSYPs do their utmost to represent the views [...]