Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat, Beatrice Wishart, quizzed the Scottish Government on support for social landlords to retrofit buildings in order to meet modern energy efficient standards and future-proof the housing stock. As it stands social landlords, such as housing associations, are required to update ageing properties to modern energy efficient standards. These same properties may require further upgrades in the future as building standards change.

Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat, Beatrice Wishart, has responded to the First Minister’s weekly Covid-19 ministerial statement. The First Minister outlined the retention of legal restrictions, encouraged limiting interactions, working from home, regular testing and increased testing across the festive period. It had been anticipated that the Covid ID card scheme would be expanded to more locations, but instead a proof of a recent negative lateral flow test will also be acceptable to enter locations currently covered by the Covid ID card scheme.

Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat, Beatrice Wishart has written to Lord Matthews, Deputy Chair of the Boundary Commission Scotland, to get to the bottom of the origin of Shetland being wrongly represented on map images. Ms Wishart told the Lord Matthews that several organisations are printing representations of Shetland with the wrong shape, which she believes could originate from the Boundary Commission’s interpretation, and encompasses Yell Sound.

Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat Beatrice Wishart questioned the Cabinet Secretary at Rural Affairs and Islands portfolio session regarding food and drink supply chain shortages in the run-up to Christmas. Ms Wishart asked:

Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat, Beatrice Wishart asked the transport minister in a portfolio question session whether the Scottish Government would commit to extending free under-22s fares for buses to internal island ferries, which are relied upon in the same manner. The transport minister did not commit to the ask.

Shetland MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat Beatrice Wishart, during a session of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment (RAINE) Committee, has asked panellists about the impact of Climate Change on the movement of fish stocks such as cod. Ms Wishart raised the concerns of fishermen that North Sea cod is in abundance while data gathered by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) indicated fewer cod, and therefore point towards a lower Total Allowable Catch (TAC).

During a Justice portfolio questions session Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP, Beatrice Wishart, questioned the Cabinet Secretary to clarify if the Crown Office findings of a 9% increase in reported charges with a “domestic abuse identifier” includes any evidence of increasing abuse to pets. Wishart highlighted that such an indication can point to coercion and control of their partners by perpetrators of domestic abuse.

Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP, Beatrice Wishart has chaired the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment (RAINE) Committee, the first time since her appointment as Deputy Convener in early September. The session focused on animal welfare with evidence given by panellists from the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.

Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP, Beatrice Wishart, spoke for Shetland fishing fleet in a Scottish Government debate on 2021 Coastal States Negotiations. Ms Wishart raised the immediate priorities of Shetland’s fishermen: agreeing an increase in the North Sea cod quota, avoiding a cut in the ling quota and pressure on neighbours to reverse the unilateral increases in mackerel quotas announced this year.

Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP, Beatrice Wishart has highlighted the importance of keeping up to date with cervical screenings after a slight fall in statistics.  Meanwhile studies of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine show a clear cut in cancer rates.