Young voices to be heard at Public Petitions Committee

22.02.2013

Young politicians and the issues which matter to them will be at the heart of a special joint sitting of the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee and the Scottish Youth Parliament next Friday (1 March).

The event, part of the Scottish Youth Parliament’s national sitting, will provide a unique opportunity for MSYPs to not only present petitions, but to have a say in what action the Committee takes.

Speaking ahead of the sitting, Committee Convener David Stewart MSP said:

“One of the strengths of our Committee is giving a voice to people across Scotland and providing an opportunity for a range of issues to be raised in Parliament.

“There can be no doubting the enthusiasm and talent of the MSYPs and by holding this event, we are ensuring that our young people can have their say on the issues which matter to them the most.”

During the meeting, the Committee will take evidence from three MSYPs on their petitions:

• Petition PE1467 by Andrew McGowan (MSYP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) on a scheme to recognise employers who pay the living wage;
• Petition PE1470 by Lauren King (MSYP for Motherwell and Wishaw) which calls on the Scottish Government to establish a young carers grant for carers in full-time education or under the age of 18; and
• Petition PE1471 by Rachael McCully (MSYP for East Kilbride) on the establishment of young people’s wards in hospitals

In addition to taking oral evidence on these petitions, the Committee will also consider the next steps in relation to the petition by Andrew Deans MSYP on the use of so called ‘mosquito devices’ (PE1367).

Grant Costello MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament said:

“We’re very excited to have the chance to directly engage with the Scottish Parliament on issues young people truly care about. This Public Petitions Committee meeting gives MSYPs the opportunity to bring forward specific issues to Scotland’s legislators. These are important policies and we look forward to working with the Committee to bring about real change.

“The Scottish Living Wage Recognition scheme is a key plank of our national campaign, One Fair Wage.  But it’s just one of four important petitions being raised.  The other petitions, for young people’s hospital wards, a young carers grant, and of course the continued campaign to ban the Mosquito device, are also very worthy of the Committees attention. 

“We are grateful to the committee for working with us as part of our 50th National Sitting, and I’m sure Andrew, Lauren, Rachael, and Andrew will once again show how young people can make a real difference to Scotland.”

Any media wishing to attend the meeting should contact Linda Peters using the details on the right of this page.

Background

All three MSYPs will present their petitions to Parliament before Committee members discuss which action to take. During these discussions MSYPs attending the sitting will be able to put forward their suggestions for the next steps that the Committee should take.

Information about the Committee and the petitions being discussed at the meeting can be found at:

http://scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/29869.aspx

The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) is a non-party political organisation campaigning to highlight the voice of Scotland’s young people on a national and international stage. The Scottish Youth Parliament is made up of 150 young people aged 14-25 from across Scotland who represent every constituency. Some are also members of national voluntary organisations. More information can be found on the SYP website: www.syp.org.uk

The Holyrood sitting is one of three held each year by the Scottish Youth Parliament at a range of different locations.