Bob Doris MSP
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn Constituency

Parliamentary Report
Summer 2024

HEADLINE: Helping you with the Cost of Living crisis

STORY: Supporting households most impacted by the cost of living crisis across the UK has been a key part of my work as our constituency MSP.

As well as supporting those who attend my advice surgeries, I have hosted major ‘cost of living’ events across Maryhill
and Springburn. This has allowed large numbers of households to access the support and advice they need from various organisations. Previous events have been held in Milton, Summerston and Springburn.

I am currently organising two further major events, at Tesco Extra Maryhill and in Springburn Shopping Centre. These events can be very busy but organisations present will always take your details and get back to you even if they can’t assist there and then. Organisations present often include Advice Direct Scotland, Home Energy Scotland and Citizens Advice. 

There is also information, support and advice on how to get help online by visiting the Scottish Government website: www.gov.scot/costofliving

Find details of my upcoming cost of living advice events at www.bob-doris.scot/costofliving

HEADLINE: Community Link Workers

STORY: I made representations to the Scottish Government supporting community link workers in Glasgow’s GP surgeries. There had been very real concern this service would be reduced due to a funding shortfall.

I made it clear that I did not find such a reduction acceptable. I am therefore delighted that the Government confirmed to me that there will be an extra £1.2 million being made available to secure the service for the next 3 years. Link Workers provide a vital contribution to patient care and our efforts to address health inequalities.

HEADLINE: McClures Solicitors

STORY: When McClures Solicitors went bust in 2021, it came to light that up to 100,000 people may have either been mis-sold products such as Wills, Family Protection Trusts or products that may have not been set-up appropriately. Victims include families in Maryhill and Springburn. I have raised the matter in Parliament, met with victims groups, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC). I am also working with colleagues to improve the regulatory system. Anyone impacted should contact the SLCC.

HEADLINE: Mesh Survivors

STORY: I raised the case of supporting survivors of botched vaginal mesh implants in the Scottish Parliament. I am seeking to secure both improved treatment and compensation for survivors. This follows a report from England’s patient safety commissioner, Dr Henrietta Hughes, for the UK Government. I have secured a meeting with the Scottish Government along with survivors representatives.

HEADLINE: Global Justice Starts at Home

STORY: As a member of Scotland’s Net Zero Committee I am helping steer the Circular Economy Bill through the Scottish Parliament. There is much to welcome in the legislation including action on re-use and recycling, fly-tipping and much more. I am aiming for the Legislation to also help assist the Scottish public sector and larger private sector companies to do more to ensure human rights, due diligence and environmental protection in Scottish supply chains and procurement. I have been working with SCIAF on this matter.

HEADLINE: Improving Healthcare in Scotland

STORY: As Convener of two Cross Party Groups in the Scottish Parliament, I have been working to secure various healthcare improvements.

Newborn Baby Screening.
I am working to increase the number of conditions that the Scottish NHS screens babies for shortly after birth. The UK is way below the European average, screening for just 9 conditions. I am hopeful of adding a 10th soon, for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and we should go further. Early diagnosis can lead to early treatment and can be transformative.

Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).
I am seeking to boost treatment for those living with skin conditions, particularly those living with EB. In partnership with EB charity DEBRA, we want to secure research and clinical trials to repurpose existing treatments for other conditions.

Palliative Care.
I continue to work on expanding palliative care services, particularly for those approaching end of life. This has involved me working closely with Marie Curie and the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care.

HEADLINE: Tackling Child Poverty: Best Start Foods and Scottish Child Payment

STORY: Best Start Foods and the Scottish Food Pantry Network.
Best Start Foods is a prepaid card given to eligible families that can help parents buy healthy foods. It’s worth £42.40 every four weeks for children up to their first birthday – with a reduced amount available until age three, as
well as during pregnancy. Apply online at www.mygov.scot/benefits

I am currently working with the Scottish Pantry Network and the Scottish Government to see how the Pantry Network can become a strategic partner for Best Start Foods. Local food pantries provide food at affordable prices in a dignified setting. This includes the Courtyard Pantry in Westercommon which I visited, to hear of their plans for the future.

Scottish Child Payment.
I continue to vote in support of Scottish Government budgets to ensure the Scottish Child Payment contributes to tackling child poverty. When first introduced in February 2021, the new child payment (not available anywhere else in the UK) provided qualifying families with children under 6 with £40 every four weeks per child.

Today families with qualifying children under 16 receive £106.80 every 4 weeks. It is important that public policies to tackle child poverty have an impact. It is worth noting that the most recent child poverty statistics available (for 2021-2022) have child poverty in Scotland at 24%, England 31% and Wales 28%.

However, Scottish Government modelling work for 2023 suggests that child poverty is set to fall to 19% in Scotland as a result of Scottish Government measures. In such circumstances, with 100,000 children estimated to have been lifted out of poverty, I will continue to strongly support the Scottish Child Payment.

HEADLINE: Building a New Scotland

STORY: I contributed to a Scottish Government debate ‘Building a New Scotland - Social Security in an Independent Scotland’. It set out the core principles such a system should be based on, placing fairness, dignity and respect at its heart. As deputy convener of Scotland’s Social Justice Committee, I follow carefully the contrasts between the UK system of reserved benefits and those devolved to Scotland. For instance, different policy choices - not least of all
the Scottish Child Payment - means that the Scottish Government will invest around £1.1 billion more on social security in Scotland than would have be the case (if the Scottish Government had followed UK social security policies). I supported the Scottish Government budget for 2024-2025 to guarantee that additional investment. Scottish Government modelling work estimates this investment has lifted 100,000 children out of poverty. More details of the series of papers can be found online at: gov.scot/NewScotland

HEADLINE: Summerston Environmental Group

STORY: I was pleased to work with local residents in Summerston to help establish the Summerston Community and Environmental Group. The group has been proactive in trying to improve the area, from litter picks and community events to ambitions for wider environmental improvements. I commend the hard work and dedication of the many volunteers seeking to make their local neighbourhood more pleasant and welcoming. It has been heartening to see Easter, summer and Christmas community events are now a regular feature and there are plans to celebrate the area’s 50th anniversary.

HEADLINE: Making Votes Count

STORY: I have been working with Cllrs Jacqueline McLaren and Allan Gow to tackle the issue of voter education and spoiled ballot papers. The highest percentage of (unintended) spoiled papers at the last council elections was in Canal Ward, within our constituency. Three times the national average. I have raised the matter in Parliament and have met with the Minister and the Electoral Commission. The Scottish Elections (Representation & Reform) Bill was published in January 2024 and I hope to amend it to have a statutory obligation on the Commission to undertake a meaningful voter information strategy. 

HEADLINE: Tackling Off-Road Vehicle Misuse

STORY: I have once again contacted Police Scotland regarding the dangers of the misuse of ‘offroad’ vehicles in our constituency. I acknowledge there are responsible users but unfortunately others are not. This can be a major nuisance
to communities and a very real danger. We have tragically witnessed fatalities and serious injury in north Glasgow. I raised the matter in the Scottish Parliament to see how we can support Police Scotland and others to promote responsible usage, as well as take whatever enforcement action is possible. I will work in partnership with others who are seeking to tackle these issues such as Anne McLaughlin MP who has the Off Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill
lodged at Westminster and the Home Office who are establishing a Task Force on the matter.

HEADLINE: George Ward Exhibition

STORY: This excellent photo exhibit was on display in the Maryhill Burgh Halls and depicts life in Maryhill in the 1970s, capturing a Maryhill suspended in time, invoking nostalgia for a long-lost city landscape. It was wonderful to
meet George’s son, Richard. Sadly George passed away in 2022 before witnessing his exhibition. It was a privilege to acknowledge his contribution in a Parliamentary motion. 

HEADLINE: St Roch’s Juniors Museum

STORY: It was wonderful to visit St Roch’s FC in Royston to see their temporary museum. Visitors and supporters saw the wonderful exhibition of the history of St Roch’s Football Club - founded in 1920. The museum was curated superbly by the club’s walking group. I was pleased to recognise their work in the Scottish Parliament by raising a motion in the Scottish Parliament.

I am always keen to support such excellent initiatives across Maryhill and Springburn. If you know of one, please get in touch.

HEADLINE: Springburn Town Centre

STORY: I have been working with local charity Spirit of Springburn to push for much needed town centre improvements. Glasgow City Council has funded ‘Spirit’ to consult with the local community and various community groups to develop our vision for the local area within a ‘local place plan’. We hope this will drive some much needed improvements. I have also helped establish a local town centre Business Forum. Local businesses are key partners and that partnership working
will be crucial to help secure improvements.

HEADLINE: Springburn Train Station

STORY: I have been working with ScotRail and local groups to secure family friendly and disabled access to Springburn railway station. This included a recent site visit to push that case. This matter remains a UK Government decision via the Department of Transport. Springburn railway station has made it on to a shortlist for funding - for the second time. Last time out the Department of Transport unfortunately did not back the bid. I remain hopeful on this occasion they will release funds to secure this vital work.

HEADLINE: Regenerating Maryhill & Wyndford

STORY: I continue to work to tackle the blight caused by derelict buildings on Maryhill Road, including the Maryhill Tavern and The Redan. There has been strong partnership working between Maryhill Housing Association and Glasgow City Council. The process to secure a compulsory purchase as part of plans to redevelop and regenerate the area continues to progress.

Plans continue apace to demolish four high rise blocks and invest £100million in Wyndford to deliver over 380 new homes, 85% for social rent and 15% for affordable mid-market rent.I continue to engage closely with both Wheatley Homes Glasgow and Glasgow City Council on these plans. Proposals will also see over 40% of the new homes have three-bedrooms or more. Investment will include a new play park, more green spaces, bike storage and improved CCTV. There will also be a new community facility, with a new build Maryhill Hub.

HEADLINE: Cadder Community

STORY: I have been working with various constituents who have been seeking to see environmental improvement and enhanced amenities. A special mention to Blanche McLaren whose efforts to improve the area I recognised in a Scottish Parliamentary motion. I had been campaigning for some time to see the Cadder Community Centre re-opened. Whist I am pleased this has now happened, and thankfully with a new café in place, it did take longer than any of us would have wished to see.

HEADLINE: Get in touch

I hold regular surgeries across the constituency. For details visit www.bob-doris.scot/surgeries or call 0141 946 7700