Develop guidance on child contact domestic abuse
- 71 Signatures
I experienced domestic abuse through child contact processes from an ex-partner but Police Scotland did not regard any of it as abuse.
Non-resident parents post-separation routinely need to fight in the courts to see their children. Abusive and controlling parents have no desire to use mediation to reach an agreement and will use malicious allegations and the court process to frustrate the non-resident parent. These parents often suffer significant mental health and financial problems as a result.
Grant protected status to primitive goat species in the Scottish Borders
- 13,126 Signatures
[Feral goats found around Langholm and the lower Scottish Borders have their origins in the native species of the Iron Age] (https://www.tafac.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/V28-p81-99-Smith.pdf) but are not recognised in any capacity other than general protections for wild and feral animals.
These neglected species survive in the last truly wild and free habitats of the Borders, and represent an independence of spirit reflective of our national character. Their numbers are dangerously low, and in danger of extinction due to loss of habitat, and systematic and ongoing culling.
The feral goats of the Cheviots in Northumberland, which share similarities with the native goats in Scotland, have been added to [the Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist] (https://www.rbst.org.uk/news/britains-oldest-primitive-goat-joins-the-watchlist) to support their conservation, and are also included on [DEFRA’s Native breeds at risk list] (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-breeds-at-risk-from-exotic-animal-disease-outbreaks/uk-breeds-at-risk-list-bar#goats)
[The British Primitive Goat Society summarises identification of primitive goats] (https://britishprimitivegoats.org.uk/what-is-a-british-primitive-goat/) and also explains the Cheviot goat herd protection process, close relatives to the Langholm herd.
Reduce council tax by 50% for single persons
- Final Signatures: 70
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
- 63 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
- 613 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
- 25 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.