Ban the sale and use of artificial sweeteners in food and drinks
- 4 Signatures
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.
Bring in compulsory microchipping for cats in Scotland
- 73 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!
Review the policy on school commencement and deferred school entry in Scotland
- 1 Signatures
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
- 3 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.
In previous cases, victims have been treated worse than the perpetrators because of the policies that protect young perpetrators.
This has created circumstances where a person accused of rape is sitting in a classroom with the alleged victim. Schools should be required to automatically expel a pupil if charges are brought against them.
I urge the Government to take a look at this as kids should be protected and should not have to be subject to this. Their education and the rest of their lives are put at risk by ignoring this issue.
The common swift are migratory birds, returning from Africa to the same nest site each year, and are solely reliant on buildings for their breeding success.
Added to the UK Red List for conservation status in 2021, [nest site loss is a factor in UK swift decline of 62% since 1998] (https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/publications/bbs_report_2022_v1.1.pdf)
Nest sites are unseen and lost at an alarming rate due to unsympathetic building upgrades, inadequate nest protection, and no requirement to survey within the planning process.
To reverse the decline, we must provide nesting opportunities in their thousands and retain existing key swift colonies.
Swift bricks are building compliant, BSI standardised, inexpensive, incorporate into all build types, maintenance free, and will also serve other building reliant species.
Including swifts in all building surveys would significantly reduce the loss of existing nesting colonies and would make a huge impact. A mandatory approach is the ONLY way to achieve this.
For decades, people in Nairn and surrounding areas have called for a bypass to take traffic from the A96 trunk road out of its town centre.
In 2011 the Scottish Government pledged to complete the dual carriageway network between all of Scotland’s cities – including the dualling of the A96 and Nairn Bypass, with a preferred route published in 2014.
In March 2024, Made Orders were published and the process for the acquisition of land required for the scheme started in May 2024.
At present there is no timeline for when the project is set to be delivered.
After more than a decade of delays, local communities continue to face worsening traffic congestion, pollution, and road safety risks.
With significant developments set to bring thousands of new residents and workers to the area, urgent action is needed to address these growing challenges which will further impact the livelihoods of communities affected.
Introduce a parking badge for pregnant women
- 20 Signatures
Too often pregnant women can return to a car park and find that the person that has parked next to them on the driver’s side has parked uncomfortably close, making it a challenge for them to get into their car.
I believe that the Scottish Government should provide pregnant women with parking passes that last until a few months after their pregnancy. This would allow the woman time to recover and get used to having a child in the car, providing them with both peace of mind and ease of use in this very stressful time.
Fair regulation for non-medical aesthetic injectors
- 5,014 Signatures
Non-medical aesthetic injectors play a vital role in Scotland's beauty and wellness industry, offering accessible cosmetic treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers. While safety is paramount, banning these professionals is neither a practical nor fair solution. Instead, introducing robust regulation would ensure a higher standard of care while preserving consumer choice and protecting livelihoods.
A complete ban risks driving treatments underground, where unregulated and untrained individuals could operate without oversight, significantly increasing risks to public safety. By contrast, regulation would mandate accredited training, ongoing education, and adherence to strict safety protocols, ensuring injectors have the necessary knowledge to perform procedures responsibly.
Proper regulation, not prohibition, fosters a safer, more equitable industry while retaining the diversity of expertise and affordability that consumers value. Let us prioritise improvement over exclusion.