Improve support for people trying to give up e-cigarettes and vaping
- 7 Signatures
The Scottish Government is keen to introduce an initiative aimed at young people who use e-cigarettes or vapes, this should be extended to EVERYONE who wishes to give these products up.
[There are 7 types of nicotine replacement therapy available, free on the NHS, to people in Scotland who want to give up smoking] (https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/stopping-smoking/how-to-stop/stop-smoking-medication/) However, there is little support or resources available to assist people trying to quit e-cigarettes or vaping. Those giving up have to purchase nicotine patches or other aids such as the "stress stick", which can become quite costly to the individual.
I have personally been a vaper for 13 years and am struggling to achieve my goal of being vape free.
Ensure planning consideration for equestrian accessibility
- 218 Signatures
It is incredibly upsetting for the everyday equestrian to watch as their already limited opportunities to ride are being paved over and greenspace being designed without equestrian usage in mind. Urban development is knowingly being approved without respecting the nearby community and is reducing or severing links to important greenspace and off-road opportunities.
New residents to these developments may have limited or no experience living in rural areas or for when encountering equestrians both on road and in shared paths and greenspace. We are made to feel unwelcome on both because our presence in the area has not been designed for, advertised, or protected.
Urban development must include access pathways and signage for all. New greenspace should include horse access either as full access or as a link to further equestrian-friendly spaces or places of interest, such as other equestrian facilities or local riding spots like local monuments, parks, beaches and woodland.
In 2023, I bought a house valued in excess of £300,000. Very quickly I noticed that there were inaccuracies within the Home Report that were going to be costly to fix. Evidence provided to all showcased that the problems were there long before the Home Report was provided, yet there was no recourse to challenge the surveyor. The repairs are going to be costly and I have decided to sell at a loss simply to get rid of the problematic property.
Whilst a rented house must be watertight and safe, there is no recourse to ensure that the same can be said for a purchased property. This puts the buyer at complete and utter risk, which in my view is inappropriate. There needs to be adequate scrutiny over the content of survey reports and the information provided to buyers, which would create accountability within the profession.
There is a crisis in lack of support for CAMHS patients when they turn 18. CAMHS referrals to Adult Mental Health Services have declined. Young vulnerable people are instead inappropriately signposted to the voluntary sector, which cannot provide the specialist support they need. Families are left in limbo when they are incorrectly signposted and turned away from the voluntary sector. This does not follow the clinical process guidance for young people moving between Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Adult Mental Health Services (Transition Care Planning action 21: principles of transition).
https://www.gov.scot/publications/transition-care-planning-action-21-principles-transition/
https://www.publications.scot.nhs.uk/publication/6327
https://syp.org.uk/project/transition-care-plan/
Not addressing this issue risks creating a lost generation that will cost more in the long term.
Grant protected status to primitive goat species in the Scottish Borders
- 4,640 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
- 20 Signatures
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
- 38 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.
Install speed cameras near schools
- 50 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
- 295 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!