]> Margaret Smith MSP Margaret Smith MSP for Edinburgh West http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/ 2011-03-22T17:16:49+00:00 Margaret Smith MSP Public engagement and consultation have been sadly lacking from Transport Scotland 2011-03-22T17:00:00+00:00 2011-03-22T17:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=454 Commenting as the new Forth Crossing Control Centre is launched,MSP for Edinburgh West Margaret Smith said: Creative jobs a welcome boost 2011-03-21T18:00:00+00:00 2011-03-21T18:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=453 Commenting on the announcement that a US computer games company will open a studio in Edinburgh, creating 22 high quality jobs in the sector, local MSP Margaret Smith said: Smith welcomes announcement of preferred Forth Replacement Crossing Bidder 2011-03-21T14:00:00+00:00 2011-03-21T14:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=452 Commenting on the announcement regarding the Forth Replacement Crossing project bidder, local MSP Margaret Smith said: Baking up a storm for Red Nose Day 2011-03-21T11:00:00+00:00 2011-03-21T11:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=451 Margaret Smith MSP for Edinburgh West and Westminster Colleague Mike Crockart MP showed their support for Red Nose Day 2011 by holding an afternoon tea at their shared Drum Brae office. The afternoon tea and bake sale raised over £70 which will help to transform the lives of poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged people across the UK and Africa. From restoring the sight of children in Africa to giving isolated older people in the UK the support they need to enjoy their lives. Lothian MSPs back capital’s bid to host Green Investment Bank 2011-03-18T10:00:00+00:00 2011-03-18T10:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=449 Local MSPs from across the political parties have today added their joint support for Edinburgh’s bid to host the UK’s first Green Investment Bank. In an open letter to Mike Crockart MP for Edinburgh West and Mark Lazarowicz MP for Edinburgh North and Leith who will present the business case to Michael Moore, Secretary of State for Scotland, along with Ron Hewitt from Edinburgh’s Chamber of Commerce on 30th March, the group of MSPs have backed the city’s bid to be home of the Green Investment Bank and its £1 billion plus investment. Smith presents prizes to Kirkliston youngsters fighting to save local leisure centre 2011-03-18T10:00:00+00:00 2011-03-18T10:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=450 Margaret Smith MSP for Edinburgh West presented the winners of a poster competition with their prizes at Kirkliston Leisure Centre this evening. The competition was run as part of the campaign to save the local leisure centre from closure. Children from Kirkliston set to work designing posters to encourage more visitors, children and adults alike, to use the centre’s facilities. Margaret along with colleagues at Edinburgh Leisure judged the entries and picked 3 winners, one from each age category. An overall winner was also picked - commenting on the entries Margaret said: Tidal energy announcement makes waves ahead of Green Investment Bank decision 2011-03-17T17:00:00+00:00 2011-03-17T17:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=448 Edinburgh West’s MP and MSP have today hailed the announcement that a major tidal energy project is to be built in the Sound of Islay as further proof of Scotland’s credentials to become home to the UK’s Green Investment Bank.  There is a need for a review of student support 2011-03-16T16:00:00+00:00 2011-03-16T16:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=446 Commenting after a Ministerial statement on higher education, Margaret Smith MSP said: Young people must be equipped with the skills they need to succeed 2011-03-16T16:00:00+00:00 2011-03-16T16:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=447 Commenting as the Skills in Scotland 2010 report is published, Margaret Smith MSP said: Red Nose Day in Edinburgh West 2011-03-16T14:00:00+00:00 2011-03-16T14:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=445 Margaret Smith MSP and Mike Crockart MP are showing their support for Red Nose Day 2011 by hosting an afternoon tea event at their Drum Brae office. Elected principals are not the answer to improving accountability 2011-03-15T14:00:00+00:00 2011-03-15T14:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=444 Commenting after the chairmen of 13 Scottish university courts criticised Mike Russell’s plan for elected university principals, Margaret Smith MSP said: Smith urges against awarding contract for Forth Replacement Crossing 2011-03-14T16:00:00+00:00 2011-03-14T16:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=443 Margaret Smith has lodged a Parliamentary motion urging that the contract for the Forth Replacement Crossing Scheme is not signed until the new Parliament is elected and sworn in. Smith speaks against cuts to Capital City Partnership 2011-03-09T15:00:00+00:00 2011-03-09T15:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=442 Commenting after speaking in today’s Members’ debate about employment services facing funding cuts in Edinburgh local MSP Margaret Smith said: Margaret Smith MSP backs WWF’S earth hour 2011-03-09T14:00:00+00:00 2011-03-09T14:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=441 Margaret Smith MSP today publicly backed WWF’s Earth Hour initiative and urged constituents, local businesses and organisations to also sign-up to the big switch off on Saturday 26 March. Money spent in early years is money well spent 2011-03-02T15:00:00+00:00 2011-03-02T15:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=440 Commenting on a report published today entitled ‘Joining up the Dots’ by the Scottish Government, Margaret Smith MSP said: Committed to finding a long term solution to Higher Education funding 2011-02-28T16:00:00+00:00 2011-02-28T16:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=439 Commenting ahead of the Higher Education summit, Margaret Smith MSP said: Looked after children need results rather than rhetoric on how best to support them 2011-02-23T13:00:00+00:00 2011-02-23T13:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=438 Statistics released today by the Scottish Government have revealed the number of looked after children is increasing in Scotland. Smith committed to supporting Scotland's colleges 2011-02-03T17:00:00+00:00 2011-02-03T17:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=436 Commenting ahead of a member’s debate on Scotland’s further education colleges, Margaret Smith MSP said: Smith welcomes report backing regeneration in Newbridge and Ratho Station 2011-02-03T12:00:00+00:00 2011-02-03T12:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=433 Margaret Smith MSP for Edinburgh West has welcomed the publication of the Rural West Edinburgh Local Plan Alteration Examination report. Commenting on some of the main points Margaret said: Smith calls for tram lessons to be learned 2011-02-03T12:00:00+00:00 2011-02-03T12:00:00+00:00 http://www.margaretsmithmsp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=434 Commenting on Audit Scotland’s report into the Edinburgh tram project, MSP for Edinburgh West Margaret Smith said: