Latest News
New aid for blind and partially sighted voters this May
A new voting aid to help blind and partially sighted voters cast their vote will be available for the first time at the upcoming Scottish Parliament election on 7 May. The announcement was made at the Cross Party Group for Visual Impairment on 11th March chaired by Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan. The new card overlays have been specifically designed to fit the ballot papers used in each constituency and regional vote. Previously, voters could request a plastic template with numbered flaps placed over the ballot paper. However, the template often misaligned and still required a sighted person to
More than 26 million free prescriptions dispensed by NHSGGC in 2024/25
HOUSEHOLDS SAVE NEARLY £450 A YEAR THANKS TO SNP ABOLISHING PRESCRIPTION CHARGES New figures have shown that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde dispensed 26,837,298 free prescriptions last year – with the average Scottish household saving nearly £450 a year, thanks to the SNP abolishing prescription charges in Scotland. Research from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) has shown that on average households in Scotland received 44.5 prescriptions in 2024/25. With prescriptions costing £9.90 each in England this means that Scots households saved an average of £440.55 on essential medicines. With prescription charges at record levels in England and Nigel Farage’s
McMillan hails new legislation to make cosmetic procedures safer for people in Inverclyde
Inverclyde residents considering non‑surgical cosmetic or wellbeing treatments will benefit from stronger safety protections under new legislation introduced by the Scottish Government. The Non‑surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill aims to ensure that commonly performed procedures – such as Botox injections, dermal fillers and other higher‑risk cosmetic treatments – are carried out safely and in appropriate settings. The Bill was passed by MSPs on Tuesday 17th March and will require these procedures to be delivered only in premises that meet strict hygiene and safety standards, and where appropriate, healthcare professionals are available. Consumers will also be protected
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill – Stage 3 Voting Decision
The Scottish Parliament had the final vote on Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill yesterday. The vote was 57 For, 69 Against and 1 Abstention (the Health Secretary abstained as the Scottish Government retained a neutral position). Throughout the whole legislative process, from my first meeting with Liam’s team in November 2021, to amendments at Stage 2 and Stage 3, I have wrestled with the following questions: On both questions, my answer was no. I have never had a strong belief either for or against assisted dying. Family circumstances where relatives have suffered a terminal
Scottish Government expands free rail travel to assist visually impaired passengers
Stuart McMillan MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that free rail travel for companions accompanying blind National Entitlement Cardholders (NEC+1) will be made a permanent national concession from 1 April 2026. The decision follows a positive evaluation by Transport Scotland of the year‑long pilot scheme launched in April 2025. The review found that a significant majority of blind cardholders using the free companion travel increased their number of rail journeys and experienced substantial benefits, including greater independence, increased activity and reduced need for dedicated staff assistance when travelling with a companion. Stuart McMillan MSP, Convener of the Cross Party
SNP MSP Stuart McMillan marks Scottish Apprenticeship Week
OVER 575 PEOPLE IN INVERCLYDE TRAINING AS MODERN APPRENTICES Local SNP MSP Stuart McMillan has highlighted how apprenticeships are equipping the next generation in Inverclyde with the skills required for future jobs and industries as Scotland celebrates Scottish Apprenticeship Week. Latest figures show that there were 579 people training as Modern Apprentices in Inverclyde at the end of last year with 313 starting new Modern Apprenticeships in 2024/25. The SNP Scottish Government is investing around £198 million this year to support apprenticeships. This investment is supporting around 25,500 new Modern Apprenticeships in 2025-26 and more than 39,000 Modern Apprentices currently
