Don’t forget to

register to vote

IN ORDER to vote in May’s Scottish Parliament election you must be registered to vote by the April 18. This is especially relevant to those who will be 16 or 17 in May and are voting for the first time.

Many people may have been taken off the electoral register without realising or – like 16 and 17-year-olds or EU nationals – may not be aware that they are entitled to vote in this election or don’t know how to register to vote.

It’s easy to apply online now at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote in just a few minutes. Alternatively, you can pop into the Electoral Registration Office at 16 Glasgow Road, Paisley.

Scottish

budget

Just before Christmas the Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced a Scottish budget which set out a clear alternative to austerity and one which protected and reformed vital public services in what is very challenging circumstances.

Health board spending will increase by £500 million, meaning total investment in the frontline NHS budget next year of almost £13 billion.

An additional £90 million is being delivered to build more affordable housing and our frontline policing budget is set to rise by £100 million, helping our hardworking police officers keep our communities safe.

In addition, £70 million is being invested to continue the council tax freeze for another year, saving the average Band D household in Renfrewshire around £1,226.

While Labour like to attack the council tax freeze, let us remember that they themselves campaigned for this in 2011 and at every single by-election since.

And a few months ago the leader of Renfrewshire Council himself admitted on national television that he would not have increased the council tax. However, most importantly, independent research has shown that the freeze has not only been fully funded, but in fact over-funded.

While the SNP have continued to do everything we can to support front-line services and improve people’s lives during challenging times, Labour continue their negative brand of politics while failing to put forward any serious alternative vision for Renfrewshire and Scotland.

Free school meals

Additional funding from the Scottish Government to enable local councils to continue to deliver free school meals for all Primary 1 to 3 pupils is welcome news.

Following its launch by Nicola Sturgeon in January 2015, the number of pupils registered for a free school meal has more than doubled to over 259,000.

It is estimated the scheme saves families of every eligible child at least £380 per year.

As well as saving families £380 a year, this policy makes sure young children in Renfrewshire are getting a healthy meal every day.

And evidence shows that can help close the attainment gap.

The introduction of free school meals is just one aspect of the SNP Government’s work to tackle child poverty.