Current guidelines stipulate the temperature hot liquids should be cooked to, not the temperature at which they should be served at. This results in inconsistency across establishments, with individual childcare settings being responsible for setting their own safe serving temperatures.
This lack of explicit guidance from the Scottish Government resulted in my daughter being badly injured and scarred for life when soup that had not been cooled was spilled on her at nursery. The Care Inspectorate stated "it is hard to prove that the nursery are at fault because no such guidelines exist as to the maximum temperature that soup should be served at." A lack of government legislation and clarity in existing guidance enabled the nursery to deny liability for my daughter's injuries.
A maximum serving temperature needs to be introduced and enforced; my daughter is proof that the current guidelines are not fit for purpose.
Introduce an energy strategy
- 10 Signatures
As windfarms march across Scotland, sending the energy south, we seem to think that wind is the only answer. We have started to look at other technologies such as solar, but again this is problematic as the solar farms in England take up precious agricultural land.
In March 2024, unable to walk or talk, I was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder. We were handed a card with a website, https://neurosymptoms.org, and told I would receive a follow up appointment and "recover in the community". No treatments were offered, no support groups were recommended. My family and I were left to learn and accept a new way of life.
Since then, I've had to take long-term sick leave from work, attended several GP appointments and used ambulances where I have had to explain to them what FND was! My seizures and symptoms have been poorly and rudely handled. I am not alone in these experiences.
There are FND charities with helpful websites, however, nothing Scotland based. Most useful services are based in cities, however, this isn’t always accessible for those who use walking aids or wheelchairs, most of which have been self-purchased due to lack of NHS Scotland support.
Prevent strangers from filming or photographing children in public play parks
- 4,773 Signatures
In recent weeks, there has been a disturbing rise in incidents where children are being filmed or photographed in public spaces, such as playgrounds, parks, and even outside their schools, by unknown individuals. Parents and communities across the country are growing increasingly concerned about the safety and privacy of their children, yet current laws do little to prevent these invasive and unsettling actions.
We believe that children deserve protection from being filmed or photographed without consent in public spaces. That is why we are calling for new legislation to make it illegal for anyone to film or photograph minors in public settings without parental or guardian permission. This change is necessary to safeguard the well-being of our children.
By signing this petition, you are supporting a crucial step toward stronger protections for our children. Let’s stand together and demand action before more children become targets of unwanted surveillance and exploitation.
Improve support for people trying to give up e-cigarettes and vaping
- 10 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.
BESS, especially at grid-scale, are a relatively new addition to the UK ecosystem. [Douglas Lumsden MSP noted in a parliamentary question one developer's view of a 'gold rush' of applications currently taking place] (https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-05-12-2024?meeting=16144&iob=137895#137895) which is supported by the number appearing on the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) portal (which only includes those above 49.9MW).
[The UK Government's Clean Power 2030 action plan] (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-power-2030-action-plan/clean-power-2030-action-plan-a-new-era-of-clean-electricity-main-report#electricity-networks-and-connections) describes the total UK need for BESS as 23-27GW capacity, with the current queue estimated to have as much as 80-100GW of capacity either under construction, consented or planned.
Recent BESS fires at Rothienorman in Scotland, East Tilbury in England, and Moss Landing in California pose real questions over the safety of the technology, particularly when in proximity to populated areas.
Some developers have in-house rules about proximity to communities, e.g. batteries must be at least 200m from residential properties. We are calling for guidelines that can add consistency to the consenting process.
I applied for a time extension from the SPSO believing I would get a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act on account of my neurodivergence and was rejected. I am aware of similar issues and anxieties from my local autism community and local services, where I have established that this practice is quite common.
Many neurodivergent people struggle with executive functioning, including adhering to strict deadlines. The time restriction creates an unfair barrier to justice, preventing valid complaints from being heard. We are being excluded from the SPSO by design. Allowing additional time for us would promote accessibility, fairness, and equal treatment under the law.
The SPSO has no record of what types of disabilities are granted ‘exceptional circumstances’. I feel their policy is unreliable. I don’t think the service is transparent or understands the massive impact being ‘timed bar’ has on the neurodivergent community. My intention is to have a Scottish wide protection of inclusion to stop this practice.
Ban all non-essential single-use plastics
- 86 Signatures
I’m aiming to make Scotland the first country in the world to ban the usage of all single-use plastics for good; this would include items such a silage wrapping, disposable vapes, wet wipes, crisp packets, balloons, and single-use water bottles, which are all huge polluters. Visit my website Make Scotland Plastic Free for more information on my campaign so far.
Further information on the debate around single-use plastics and tackling plastic pollution can be found on the Friends of the Earth Scotland website.
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 set out the measures already in place, which would need to be strengthened.
Halt the production of hydrogen from freshwater
- 283 Signatures
Green hydrogen is touted as a replacement for fossil fuels. Hydrogen production requires extreme and unsustainable volumes of fresh water. Borehole water is seen as a source. Manufacturing takes 25 to 40 litres of desalinated or freshwater to produce 1kg of hydrogen. 1kg of hydrogen will power a class 1 or 2 Large Goods Vehicle for 6 miles. One plant under development plans to use 500,000 litres of water per day to produce 12,800kg of hydrogen. Similar plants are proposed/under development. Water will be extracted from a very wide geographical area depending on ground conditions and regional rainfall. Water is a major element of life and is in short supply in many areas. The volumes to be extracted will adversely impact the countryside, local industries, agriculture, fishing, and households, and possibly affect flooding. Extracting water will cause serious adverse impacts on aquatic life.
Responses to my enquiries show little knowledge of the volume of water used and I have seen no scientific studies to identify possible adverse consequences.
Ensure planning consideration for equestrian accessibility
- 223 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.