Edition 18 - March 2021 STIRLING|MATTERS News from Stirling's Parliamentary Team Chancellor lets- Scottish Budget deal Short-Term Let down on UK Budget delivers for Stirling support welcomed Stirling MP Alyn Smith has The Scottish Government has Local MSP Bruce Crawford and local expressed disappointment at the secured support from the Scottish Councillor Evelyn Tweed have latest UK Budget news, as the Green Party, to enable budget warmly welcomed an Chancellor Rishi Sunak fails to proposals to proceed in the Scottish announcement from the First deliver for Stirling’s communities. Parliament. Minister, on fresh upcoming support for B&B and short-term lets. Whilst the extension to furlough and Ambitious plans to tackle the impact self-employed support is welcome, of Covid-19, inequality and the During a question session in the this is something the Scottish climate emergency will build a firm Scottish Parliament, Mr Crawford Government has repeatedly called foundation for Scotland's economic emphasised to the First Minister the for to give employees and and social recovery. importance of tourism to Stirling’s employers greater certainty. The local economy, and enquired Chancellor refused to make the £20 Plans now include free bus travel for regarding specific sectoral support. uplift in Universal Credit permanent, under 22's, which will benefit young and failed to reverse cuts to people across Stirling in terms of Details of the new support scheme Scotland’s capital budget. employment and education. will be announced in due course. Read more here. Read more here. Read more here. @alynsmith @brucecrawfordsnp/@RHBruceCrawford 01786 471899 01786 471899 www.alynsmith.scot www.brucecrawford.scot [email protected] [email protected] Stirling sees rise in Short-Term Let law Applications unemployment rethink is welcome, welcome to new support claims says Stirling MP food & drink fund Official figures from the House of Local Stirling MP Alyn Smith has Stirling MP Alyn Smith and local Commons Library have shown a backed a Scottish Government councillor Evelyn Tweed have significant increase in the number of decision to withdraw proposed urged local Stirling businesses to claimants of unemployment benefits legislation aimed at regulating short- consider applications to the new (Universal Credit and Jobseekers term lets, to allow further Regional Food Fund. Allowance) in the Stirling area when consultation. January 2020 is compared with The scheme, run in collaboration January 2021. News of the pause will be with industry, aims to support welcomed by rural businesses, Covid-19 recovery and support local Alyn Smith MP has once again called particularly as focus turns to businesses. Applications close 15th on the UK Government to act. recovery from the pandemic. March 2021. Read more here. Read more here. Read more here. Stirling MP Backs Local Bruce delivers budget Infrastructure Rethink summary to Parliament Stirling MP Alyn Smith has called for a rethink on local Stirling SNP MSP Bruce Crawford has delivered what infrastructure projects and spending, following could be his final speech as Convener of the Finance & conversations with key stakeholders on the Viewforth Constitution Committee to the Scottish Parliament, Link Road project. bringing to a close his 5-year term in the dynamic role. In a letter to Stirling Council Chief Executive Carol In his speech, Bruce underlined the challenges faced by Beattie, Mr Smith emphasises that any future projects the future Scottish Government, in recovery from the must take post-pandemic life into consideration. pandemic and tackling deeply-felt inequalities. Read more here. Watch it here. Scot Gov: NHS Inform: Stirling Council: Business Support COVID-19 Guidance.