Children pay the price for Westminster failure…

Anum Qaisar MP alongside Paul’s Parcels volunteers

This time last year, I launched my Christmas Advent Calendar Appeal in conjunction with local constituency organisations. The appeal resulted in over 1000 advent calendars being donated to vulnerable children – who were identified by their schools and support organisations. 

For some children during this cost-of-living crisis, their experiences of Christmas mean that the simple joy of an advent calendar is out of reach.  

This year, I am once again working with Airdrie Community School Uniform Bank and Paul’s Parcels in Shotts – two incredible local support organisations – to run ‘Anum’s Advent Calendar Appeal 2023’.  

Whilst I am proud to be running this appeal again, child poverty is a collective shame upon us all. We must do all we can to eradicate it. 

However, the question remains – why do we live in a society in which child poverty has become so normalised? 

It was ‘New Labour’ – that Starmer appears to emulate – who first pushed ‘workfare’ to the forefront of the UK Government’s agenda. Starting from the reasonable premise that work should be preferable to welfare, this decision set in motion the seismic changes that have led to the erosion of social security across the four nations. 

The result has been catastrophic for working families across Scotland. Cruel Westminster welfare policies like Universal Credit dehumanise people through blanket ‘back to work’ schemes whilst sanctions plunge people deeper and deeper into poverty with little chance of escape. 

And in the midst of this all, there are innocent victims – children. Their only crime is that they were born into the game of ‘social roulette’ which has been ongoing since the Westminster casino began dismantling our welfare system decades ago. 

They are the one in four children living in poverty across Scotland.  

And with 69% of children in poverty coming from a household where at least one parent is in work, and with the Trussell Trust saying that last year one in five people using their foodbanks was in work, it is clear: the ‘making work pay’ agenda from the Westminster establishment is not actually working. 

Children are paying the price for this failed system, a price that will be paid over their lifetime with the UK’s low social mobility rates consigning them to a lifetime of economic hardship. 

Devolution has granted the Scottish Government some powers over social security. In Holyrood we have made progress towards tackling this deep-rooted inequality. Through the lifeline £25 Scottish Child Payment, it’s estimated that the SNP Scottish Government will help lift 90,000 children out of poverty. 

But yet we cannot – and must not - shy away from the reality that, at present, our bold and ambitious policies can do little more than to mitigate the damage caused by consecutive Westminster Governments who hold the powers to enact real transformative change yet choose not to. 

Transformative change starts with having the necessary tools at Holyrood’s disposal to implement a bold and ambitious welfare system that embodies the models seen in Norway and Finland, and works hand in hand with our education system to give children the best possible start in life. 

Whilst further devolution of social security would allow the SNP Scottish Government to make considerable progress towards this, Independence remains absolutely essential. 

Why?

Because recent years have shown us that the existing status quo of remaining in this Unequal Union is simply unsustainable. 

Regardless of the poverty tackling policies that Holyrood implements, we will always be at the mercy of Westminster decisions. 

Therefore, who’s to rule out a future in which our progress is undone by a messy-haired populist Prime Minister seeking to cut us off from the world’s largest single market? 

What about a Prime Minister whose sole goal is to implement her own regressive economic agenda at a cost to an entire population - and imagine if she manged to accomplish all this in a tenure shorter than the lifespan of a lettuce? 

And what about a Prime Minister who is literally the richest Member of Parliament in the House of Commons? 

Unfortunately for us, we do not have to imagine these scenarios. We have lived them. 

Scotland has gone ignored by Westminster. Whether that be in our support of remaining in the EU, or when the disastrous mini-budget inflicted harm on everyday people’s pockets. 

Because of these decisions, children in Scotland have suffered the brunt of this economic chaos and will pay the price over an entire lifetime unless Independence is achieved. 

For now, it is incumbent upon us all to play our part in tackling child poverty head on and to the best of our current abilities. 

As part of my commitment to this cause, and alongside Airdrie Community School Uniform Bank and Paul’s Parcels, we are aiming to donate 1,500 advent calendars to children living across the Airdrie and Shotts constituency. 

We hope to play a small part in giving vulnerable children a little bit of joy this Christmas. 

This article was originally published in The National

‘Levelling Up’ is Letting Scotland Down

Anum Qaisar MP addressing the House of Commons

The Tory Levelling Up programme has provided Scotland with few rewards. 

Earlier this month, I took on the role of SNP Levelling Up Spokesperson - a year on from the Conservative Government publishing its White Paper on the programme, detailing how they will “spread opportunity more equally across the UK”. 

A lot has changed since then, to put it mildly, but Tory commitments to the programme and the wealth disparity across the four nations remain unchanged. With nearly all of Scotland’s 59 Westminster constituencies falling further behind, according to Bloomberg UK’s Levelling Up Scorecard, Scotland has been forgotten by Westminster yet again.  

The second round of Levelling Up funding in January 2023 saw £177 million distributed to Scotland. This figure is a let-down – considering it’s simply 8.4% out of the possible £2.1 billion. This Westminster system cannot meet our needs and continually leaves behind many local authorities including my constituency of Airdrie and Shotts. 

Across my local area, many are facing hardship. Cruel cuts from the Labour-run North Lanarkshire Council to vital local services such as swimming pools and leisure centres will result in people’s physical and mental health being impacted. And Tory economic incompetence means that foodbanks continue to grow in number to keep up with demand – with many people, including those particularly in low paid jobs, struggling to get by. 

These are the sorts of issues we need to be tackling immediately. 

We, in Scotland, know this. 

While Levelling Up funds will be spent on devolved issues, it will have no input from the Scottish Parliament. Yet prior to Scotland being forcibly dragged out of the European Union, EU regional development policy allocated Scotland up to €944m (£827.6m) in structural and investment funding for the period 2014-2020 and the Scottish Government played a key role in directing this funding.  

Brexit blocked Scotland’s access to these funds and, as a replacement, the Brexiteers - led by Boris Johnson and Michael Gove – offered fabricated promises of £1.5 billion a year for Scottish devolved services. With only £177 million delivered from the Levelling Up fund in 2023, this means that for every £1 the UK Government promised, they have given Scotland around 11.8p and Scotland has been short-changed by an incredible 88%. 

Instead, much of the ‘Levelling Up’ funding is going to strengthen Tory seats in England. 52 out of the 111 communities chosen to receive Levelling Up money in January 2023 are Tory constituencies. Even in England, out of the 80 successful bids for funding only half are among the 100 most deprived areas of the country.  

Meanwhile wealthier areas including Richmondshire borough in North Yorkshire, which covers more than half the Richmond seat of the wealthiest MP in the Commons (who also happens to be Prime Minister Rishi Sunak), received funding. 

As communities are pushed to compete against each other for funding it appears that those financial advantages are seemingly given to areas where the Tories seek to bolster their vote. 

Could it be that Levelling Up is nothing but blatant cronyism, masquerading behind the thin veil of regional development for the masses? 

My constituency of Airdrie and Shotts could make great use of this funding, like protecting our vital wellbeing facilities from the damage of a Labour-run North Lanarkshire Council’s budgetary mismanagement. 

The UK Government must justify why it is leaving so many disadvantaged communities high and dry whilst the cost of living continues to rise. 

A third tranche of levelling-up funding is yet to be distributed. Rather than the botched and broken system of funding distribution from Westminster, it is time to transfer the funding powers to Holyrood. That will serve as the first step in ensuring fair and efficient use of funds. 

However, the reality for Scotland is that only the full powers of independence will truly unlock our ability to decide what is best for our diverse communities. Until such point, Westminster will always attempt to dictate our local affairs with relentless power grabs that undermine both our parliament and our people. 

This article was originally published in The National

Actions Peak Louder Than Words

Tomorrow I’ll be joining Airdrie-based St Andrew’s Hospice as they embark on their annual fundraising hike up the highest mountain across the four nations - Ben Nevis. 

Earlier this year I met with St Andrew’s Hospice executives to hear directly about the challenges they are facing in the current economic climate. As the cost of living continues to harm Scotland – fuelled by Westminster’s economic mismanagement – it has increased the pressures on many families, businesses, and organisations. St. Andrew’s Hospice, who are partly funded by the NHS, have ramped up fundraising efforts to safeguard the care of residents and, subsequent, support for their families.  

As I gear up for the challenge of climbing Ben Nevis, I am reminded of the value of charity. St. Andrew’s Hospice is not far from Airdrie town centre, and one of their charity shops sits on a street corner nearby my constituency office. Upon the shopfront window rest the words:  

Because “you care, we can care.”  

This short phrase epitomises the importance charity, by stating the stark reality of the hospice’s reliance on the generosity of others. 

Without such public generosity, St. Andrew’s Hospice would be unable to provide specialised palliative care for those with life-limiting illnesses, and those around them, who will likely be experiencing a period of real difficulty. 

For me, St Andrew’s Hospice embodies values that we hold so dear to us. Values such as generosity, kindness, and compassion. The Abrahamic faiths place significant importance upon charity – I have cannot help but ponder over the wider significance of how this, in turn, impacts people from across the four nations.  

For followers of Christianity, charity stands as a poignant expression of selfless affection and concern. I know that many of the Churches across my constituency are a valuable resource for those in need, and reports show that 87% of Christians donate regularly. 

In Judaism, Tzedakah takes the form of embracing philanthropy to extend a helping hand, with 93% of those practicing in the UK donating at least once per year.  

Every economically able Muslim is required to donate 2.5% of their wealth as Zakat annually. By having charity enshrined within the faith, an estimated £150 million was donated by Muslims, across these four nations, in 2020 alone. 

Shifting to Hinduism, the ideals of Dana and Seva gracefully guide charity, seeing it as a selfless service that uplifts fellow souls.  

Meanwhile in Sikhism, charity finds its anchor in Daswandh, sprouting from an innate desire to sow positivity in the lives of others. 

Whether it be Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, or Islam, what is evident is that charity and generosity play a central role in the lives of many – regardless of faith. It has an immediate and tangible impact in sparking transformative change that builds individuals and entire communities alike. 

However. the charity sector is facing a burden in addressing the worsening inequalities in the ongoing cost of living crisis. 

I’m sure the Conservative Government are supporters of charity – yet their actions over the past thirteen years suggest that their version of charity lies in ensuring that the rich stay rich.  

With Labour’s Tory-lite policies and their refusal to commit to more public spending, it seems unlikely that Starmer’s Government would give any greater importance to generosity in 10 Downing Street. 

In Scotland, the SNP is committed to upholding the significant role of Third Sector workers by backing them with over £23m in investment to ensure their continued operations. Through bold initiatives like extending the Fuel Insecurity Fund until 2023-24, we protect people and families from the Westminster-driven cost of living crisis. 

So, why am I – as someone who fears the gym – climbing Ben Nevis?  

Ultimately those core values of generosity, kindness and compassion resonated with me when I visited St Andrew’s Hospice.  

They were embodied by the many nurses and volunteers that I met. By the executives working to guide the hospice through these difficult times. And, vitally, by those who donate regularly to ensure the continued care of residents and their loved ones. 

I suspect that these same values will be the reason why many will be marching through the streets of our nation’s capital tomorrow. 

Generosity, kindness, and compassion at the heart of our vision for an independent Scotland. 

This article was originally published in The National

Early Years Practitioners Deserve Better

It’s been two years since I was elected to represent the people of Airdrie and Shotts as their Member of Parliament, having previously worked as a secondary school teacher of Modern Studies and Politics. 

I often find myself reflecting upon my previous profession. Not least because I usually remark that my former pupils were better behaved than some of the MPs in the House of Commons chamber. 

However recently I was reminded of my former career when I was raising, in Westminster, the ongoing struggle of North Lanarkshire’s Grade 9 Early Years Practitioners. They are facing insecurity over their future, caused by Labour-run North Lanarkshire Council’s decision to cut Early Years Funding.

Early years education is the cornerstone of any cradle to the grave social security system. It is usually Early Year Practitioners that young people first encounter on their educational journey. It is these practitioners who help ensure that Scotland’s future generations get a head start in life - and help bridge the attainment gap. 

And long before pupils set foot in my secondary school classroom, it was Early Years Practitioners who fostered an atmosphere where children began developing learning and social skills that served them not only within educational settings, but also in wider society.

The importance of Early Years Practitioners is crystal clear to me. 

That is why I am proud to be a member of a party that has a strong track record in Government of putting early years at the centre of education policy. It was apparent back in 2009, within the Early Years Framework publication - and it remains apparent to this day - with the transformative expansion of childcare for those aged three and four, as well as for two-year olds from low-income backgrounds.

This principle was echoed at last year’s SNP conference which saw party members vote in favour of introducing a play-based kindergarten phase for children – something that would see the formal school starting age increase to six.

Scotland is emulating the success of the Nordic model. The approaches taken by our neighbours are often credited for their combination of high quality care and emphasis on the educational value of the experience. The Nordic nations have also demonstrated that bold and ambitious approaches to early years education can have a wider influence on social inequalities.

I recently met some of my constituents impacted by the council’s decision. Early Years Practitioners, who are predominantly women, told me that they feel undervalued when compared with the recognition received by others in the teaching profession. The possibility of a pay cut up to 30% resulted in one constituent becoming visibly upset whilst she explained to me that she’d no longer be able to afford her mortgage payments - and was now clearing her house in order to downsize. 

Not many could blame them for feeling such given the unacceptable employment practices that are being imposed, upon Early Years Practitioners, by Labour-run North Lanarkshire Council. These employment practices bear striking resemblance to ‘fire and rehire’ procedures - a practice that the Labour Party should be standing against.

We owe it to the young people of Scotland to ensure that they are equipped with the all the necessary skills to have the best possible start in life.

It is, however, paramount that we all recognise the vital role of Early Years Practitioners working at the very heart of achieving this mission.

In treating experienced Early Years Practitioners as disposable parts within the education delivery process, I worry that Labour-run North Lanarkshire Council will realise their value when it is too late.

This article was originally published in The National

The Tories must step up to tackle misogyny

Today’s Queen’s Speech is an opportunity for the Tory government to seize the agenda, and address the systematic disparity in gender equality faced by women.

In order to dismantle the structural barriers that women face at a public, private, and legislative level, it is vital that we reflect on what can be done to ensure women’s equality.

As women, we regularly encounter attacks rooted in misogyny both online and face to face.

The Online Safety Bill is the most recent strategy from the UK government to tackle online abuse. Despite women being 27 times more likely to be harassed online, the bill does not once mention women, girls, or gender.

Women’s rights organisations such as Glitch and End Violence Against Women have raised concerns over the disproportionate level of abuse faced by women on the internet.

These organisations like these have repeatedly called on the Tory government to recognise online violence against women in the bill and to implement specific measures within the legislation to tackle the issue.

Sadly, these calls have been ignored. In doing so, the Prime Minister has missed a significant opportunity to comprehensively tackle online violence against women — something organisations have stated will have a devastating and long-lasting impact on victims.

Alongside legislation, employers must play a part in tackling gender barriers.

In their most recent report “Menopause and the Workplace”, the Fawcett Society’s research found that a staggering one in ten women that experienced menopause subsequently left their job due to their symptoms.

At Women and Equalities select committee, our recent enquiry into “Menopause and the Workplace” is examining ways in which the Tory government could implement policy and encourage workplace practices to support women experiencing menopause.

Women play an integral role in the workplace, and it is important they receive the necessary support and accommodations to retain them in their chosen professions.

The number of women in paid employment remains lower than men, with recent ONS labour market data showing that the female employment rate sits at 72.2 per cent, compared with 78.8 per cent for men.

This data, however, fails to consider the unpaid work undertaken by women at home.

Deeply entrenched gender norms have long seen women bear the brunt of childcare and domestic work within the household.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic caused a shift in working patterns with the emergence of flexible and home-working, these benefits are often missed by women with increased pressures in the form of childcare, home-schooling and domestic work.

We must tackle conceptions of childcare responsibilities at a structural and policy level.

As a society, we must continue to normalise men taking on shared responsibility of childcare and move away from engrained gender norms that burden women with this role.

As for policy, the government could consider comprehensive public childcare provisions.

This will help disrupt gender roles by providing women with opportunity to offset their traditional role as primary caregivers, and enter the workforce.

The UK government should follow in Scotland’s footsteps — the SNP government have expanded free childcare to match the number of hours offered to primary school pupils, and plan to expand free early years education to all one and two-year-olds.

Issues of gender inequality impact all areas of women’s lives be it in the workplace, home or online.

Women are continually faced with invisible hurdles not faced by our male counterparts.

As the Tory government begins to set out its agenda for the forthcoming parliamentary year, it must consider the changes needed to take place at the public, private and legislative level to address ongoing disparities within women’s lives.

However, we have a Prime Minister, at the very top of the Tory government, who wrote: “Voting Tory will cause your wife to have bigger breasts.”

Be in no doubt — the Prime Minister is unlikely to prioritise legislation that tackles structural issues facing women.

But enough is enough. Misogyny is a pandemic, and the battle to challenge it does not lie solely with women.

This article was originally published in The Times Red Box.