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- Aviation – Mark raises concerns over takeover of bmi and speaks in debate on bill
Mark made a wide ranging speech on the Civil Aviation Bill yesterday which emphasized the need to safeguard the interests of consumers in a number of ways and also touched...
- Green Investment Bank: Mark presents case to Ministry
Today Mark joined with Mike Crockart MP for Edinburgh West to deliver the city’s bid to be the base of the new Green Investment Bank to the UK Business Secretary....
- Mark seeks justice for local Woolworths staff denied compensation
 Mark is demanding justice for Woolworths staff in the former Stockbridge store [pictured opposite] who have been denied redundancy compensation awarded to colleagues in larger stores by an Employment Tribunal....
- Holocaust Memorial Day - Mark recommits to combating prejudice
 Mark signed the Book of Remembrance at the House of Commons for Holocaust Memorial Day, Friday 27th January, and recommitted himself to combating prejudice and discrimination in all its forms....
- Prime Minister's Questions - Mark raises delay in responding to drought and famine in East Africa
At Prime Minister’s Questions this week, Mark raised the delay by the international community in responding to the drought and famine in East Africa and stressed the importance of learning...
- Big Energy Week to help cut fuel bills – Mark backs campaign and speaks out on fuel poverty
Mark is backing Big Energy Week – a new initiative by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) to help people cut their energy bills by making sure people have all the information...
- Mark calls for action to tackle rising tide of pub closures
Mark is one of the signatories of a Motion being debated in Parliament today calling for urgent action by the Government to tackle the increasing number of pub closures with...
- Daylight saving - changing the clocks
 On 20th January the Daylight Saving Bill will be debated once more in the House of Commons. This would set up an independent review of the pros and...
- As UK loses vital influence after EU summit Mark asks for views of local firms on impact on exports
Following concerns raised by business leaders at the UK’s isolation at the recent European Council meeting, Mark is asking local firms in his Edinburgh North and Leith constituency to let...
- Mark leads debate on cross-border rail services
 Mark raised a number of concerns about the future of rail services affecting Scotland in a Parliamentary debate yesterday. You can find what he said in full here. He expressed...
- Financial Services Authority Report into Royal Bank of Scotland – Mark highlights fatal flaws in way RBS was run
Yesterday the Government published a report by the regulator, the Financial Services Authority into what went wrong at RBS. Speaking in Parliament, Mark raised the issue at the heart of...
- Climate change – Mark calls for continued focus if deal is to become reality
After the important breakthrough at the UN climate change conference in Durban Mark warned that continued commitment from Governments was vital if a historic agreement is to be finally reached....
- Mark says PM’s stance leaves UK badly isolated in Europe
In a packed day at Westminster Mark started by challenging the Prime Minister on his isolation at the European Council; meeting at the weekend. Mark pointed out the UK would...
- Mark: Edinburgh the natural home of new Green Investment Bank as race enters final phase
 Mark made the case for Edinburgh as the natural home of the new Green Investment Bank as the UK Government set out the criteria today for choosing the location which...
- Consultation event with Mark, local City Councillor and MSP
Mark will be holding a public consultation event this weekend along with City Councillor Lesley Hinds, and Lothians MSP Sarah Boyack. They’re keen to meet you and hear your views....
- Carers Rights Day 2011: Mark stresses carers should get the help they need to cope with costs of caring
 On Carers Rights Day, Friday, 2nd December, Mark is strongly backing Carers Scotland’s campaign to publicise the financial support available for carers but which is often unclaimed – whether Carer’s...
- Cut VAT to boost building industry: Mark highlights campaign with visit to local architect’s practice
 Mark recently visited a local architect’s practice in Stockbridge to highlight the campaign to cut VAT on building repairs and maintenance to 5%. He is pictured opposite with the architect,...
- Fight against AIDS at crossroads: with renewed commitment Mark says end of epidemic could be in sight
 On the eve of World AIDS Day (1st December), Mark is calling for the UK Government to renew its commitment to the fight against AIDS both here in the UK...
- Renewed action to boost economic growth urged by Mark
Mark intervened strongly in a debate at Westminster on the economy and stressed the need for concrete action by the Government to boost growth and create jobs. He stressed the...
- Mark backs fees protest by Edinburgh students – march at lunchtime
Students will be protesting today, 23rd November, against the introduction of fees of £9,000 a year for students from the rest of the UK to study at Edinburgh University by...
- New campaign to help people struggling with energy debts
 Mark has praised a new campaign by Consumer Focus and Citizens Advice to help people understand what to do and what their rights are if they fall behind on their...
- Mark calls on Government to take action on air pollution deaths
 The Government is putting thousands of lives at risk by trying to water down EU air quality rules instead of prioritising action to cut pollution on UK roads – according...
- Action needed not just promises: Mark speaks out on sharp rise in youth unemployment over last year in Edinburgh North and Leith
In the House of Commons this week Mark spoke out on the fear and despair felt by many young people looking for work. He called for concrete action from Government...
- Future of Edinburgh City Centre Jobcentre still unclear says Mark
 Mark has been told by Jobcentre Plus that for the moment at least it is not going ahead with plans to close the Edinburgh City Centre Jobcentre in South St...
- Disability benefits - rally in Edinburgh at weekend and Mark calls for urgent review of ESA form for visually impaired
 EDINBURGH RALLY: Mark attended a rally in Edinburgh at the weekend to support the campaign against the UK Government’s changes to disability benefits. These include Requiring everyone claiming...
- Major new report by MPs calls for commitment to green growth from Governments at UN Rio Summit
 Mark is one of the MPs responsible for a major new report published today, Preparations for the Rio 20+ Summit, that calls on the Prime Minister to agree to attend...
- Scotland must be part of High Speed 2! Mark calls for planning to start ASAP for new High Speed rail lines to come to Scotland
 Mark has called for the UK Government to give the go-ahead for plans to be drawn up as soon as possible for new High Speed rail lines to come to...
- Disabled access to public transport: Mark calls for better awareness of the needs of disabled passengers
 In a debate at Westminster this week on disabled access to public transport, Mark stressed the need for the voices of disabled people themselves to be heard in planning services....
- Mark backs Stop AIDS campaign: renewed commitment could see disease wiped out within a generation
 Mark is backing the Stop AIDS campaign and has called for Governments to renew their commitment to tackling AIDS worldwide as the epidemic nears its 30th anniversary. Speaking...
- Put safety first and act on oil transfers at sea – Mark attacks UK Government dithering
 Mark is calling on the UK Government to stop dragging its feet and finally implement new tougher safety rules for ship-to-ship oil transfers. These were passed under the last Labour...
- Scotland plays important role in international development
 Mark today met Gillian Wilson, Coordinator of NIDOS, the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland. As Shadow Minister for International Development, Mark was keen to get an update on...
- UK Government to licence even longer HGVs – Mark highlights safety risks
Mark has raised with the Transport Minister the real risk to road safety if the Government goes ahead with plans to allow much longer HGVs. The UK Government is planning...
- New appeal for young men to join the Anthony Nolan stem cell register gets Mark’s support
 Mark is backing a new campaign by the medical charity Anthony Nolan for young men aged 18 – 30 to join its stem cell register to save the lives of...
- Mark calls for renewed drive to ensure world’s poorest benefit from new medical technology
 At a major conference on medical technology and developing countries Mark has called on governments and international agencies to take action so the world’s poorest people benefit from advances in...
- Mark opposes Bill to restrict right of Scottish MPs to vote in Parliament
At Westminster today Mark spoke in opposition to a Private Members Bill introduced by a Conservative MP which proposed that when publishing draft legislation the Secretary of State must set...
- Government rethink on language schools rules called for by Mark:
 Mark is calling for an urgent rethink by the UK Government of new rules for language schools. Mark said: “At present, most English language schools are accredited by the British...
- Scottish Defence League "Not Wanted" In Edinburgh
Mark today warned that Edinburgh Council must not grant permission for the Scottish Defence League to hold a march in Edinburgh in September. A decision on the organisation’s application to...
- New support for kinship carers
 As many as 13,000 thousand people across Scotland care for children because their natural parents can’t do so for whatever reason – they may be grandparents, aunts or...
- Mark voices concern over closure of Jobcentre in South St Andrew Street
Mark has written to the head of Jobcentre Plus for Edinburgh to raise concerns over the proposal just announced to close the Jobcentre Plus office in South St Andrew Street....
- Whale protection – Mark visits research vessel ahead of international meeting
 Mark spoke out in favour of protecting whales at an event organised by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) recently. Mark said: “There is no humane way to kill...
- Transport – making sure the voices of disabled people continue to be heard
Mark spoke in a debate on the Public Bodies Bill about the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC). Headlines like ‘Bonfire of the quangos’ make good copy but ignore the...
- Fight against AIDS is not over - Mark stresses funding and commitment needed more than ever
At the weekend Mark took part in a discussion on policy in Scotland and internationally on HIV/AIDS and how we can challenge discrimination. The meeting – Scotland is positive –...
- Mark backs bid for more affordable housing in Leith
 Mark is backing calls for the Scottish Government to provide funding for new affordable housing for Leith. He has joined with the other local representatives for the area, Malcolm Chisholm...
- Digital Switchover - where to find help
The switchover to digital TV in Scotland is due to be completed on 22 June. The hope is that for most viewers the switchover will prove straightforward but some...
- Student visas - Mark speaks out at Westminster
 In a debate at Westminster yesterday, Mark raised the concern that is felt in universities and colleges here in Edinburgh over the UK Government’s changes to the rules on student...
- Humanitarian aid - Mark responds to new report
 Mark made a speech this week on UK humanitarian aid in emergencies such as January’s earthquake in Haiti or the floods in Pakistan almost a year ago. A new report...
- Mark calls for Government to take action on energy bills
 At Westminster today, Mark pressed the Prime Minister to take action to help the millions of people across Scotland and the UK who are once again facing big...
- Greater recognition needed for Scotland's 660,000 carers
 Mark is strongly supporting this year’s Carers Week which takes place next week, 13th -19th June, which recognises the contribution made by carers in Edinburgh and throughout the...
- Coastguard closures - Mark sounds mayday on Coalition plans
 Mark spoke in a debate yesterday on coastguard closures proposed by the UK Government. Currently there is a network of 18 centres around the UK coast, all open around the...
- Women's pensions - Mark calls on UK Government to think again
 The UK Government is intending to rapidly accelerate the increase in the state pension age to 66 by 2020. This will hit women in their mid to late-50s in particular...
- Mark holds Coalition to account on climate change pledges
 At International Development questions at Westminster yesterday, Mark asked the Minister about just how far the Government is living up to its commitments on providing finance for developing countries...
- 5000 Edinburgh women will be hit by Coalition Government's hike in women's pension age
 Mark has made a strong call for the UK Coalition Government to think again on its plan to sharply accelerate the rise in the state pension age (SPA) to 66...
- Mark meets Edinburgh disability campaigners on cuts
Yesterday Mark met constituents at Westminster who had travelled down to take part in a march to protest against the cuts to support for the disabled being made by the...
- Access to clean water for world's poorest - Mark highlights need for renewed commitment
 Mark recently joined campaigners at Westminster to mark United Nations World Water Day. He is strongly backing the campaign to ensure that people in the world’s poorest countries have access...
- Ivory Coast - Mark raises 'forgotten crisis' in Commons
 In the House of Commons today, Mark raised the urgent question of the crisis in Ivory Coast where escalating violence has seen up to a million people flee...
- Mark argues the case for Edinburgh as home for Green Investment Bank
 Mark helped to organise a high-profile meeting at Westminster at which the business case for locating the Green Investment Bank in Edinburgh was presented to an audience of MPs, business...
- Mark speaks in Scotland Bill debate
 Mark spoke in the debate on the Scotland Bill yesterday which is currently going through Parliament. The Bill, which has all party support, will give more powers to the Scottish...
- Biomass proposals - Mark's submission highlights key problems
 Mark has made a submission to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the proposals to build a new biomass plant in Leith near Albert Dock. It sets his opposition to the...
- Welfare Reform Bill - Mark speaks out at Westminster on changes
 Mark spoke in the debate on the Welfare Reform Bill in the debate on Wednesday and outlined his concerns about proposals in the Bill including changes to housing benefit and...
- 3,000 Edinburgh families to lose over £400 a year from April as Government cash for childcare is cut
 Mark has condemned cuts by the UK Government in support for childcare costs faced by working families. As a result of the cuts, 3,000 families in Edinburgh are set to...
- Mark backs 'Publish What You Pay' Bill that could lift millions out of poverty
 Mark is backing a new bill that could help lift millions out of poverty in developing countries across the world. The Resource Extraction (Transparency and Reporting) Bill which...
- Government u-turn on Housing Benefit cut for long-term unemployed
 Mark has welcomed the u-turn by the UK Government on its proposal to cut housing benefit by 10% for people who have been unemployed for over 12 months. Mark said:...
- Mark warns of tough times ahead for local young people
 Mark has warned that for the first time, there is a danger the next generation will find it harder to get on in life than the last as the latest...
- MPs and business leaders take campaign on Green Investment Bank to Secretary of State
 Mark and Mike Crockart, MP for Edinburgh West, yesterday led a delegation of Scottish business leaders to lobby the Secretary of State for Scotland, to make the case for Edinburgh...
- Mark supports Peace One Day campaign of non-violence led by filmmaker Jeremy Gilley and Jude Law
 Mark showed his support for the non-profit organisation Peace One Day and the UN International Day of Peace yesterday at the House of Commons. He said: “I’m thrilled to be...
- Exhibition on biomass plan in Leith Library
 There is an exhibition on the proposed biomass plant near Albert Dock currently taking place in Leith Library, Ferry Road until 7 February (Opening hours: Mon-Thurs-10am-8pm, Friday - 10am-5pm...
- Mark urges npower customers to claim £20 million in outstanding refunds for overpayments
 Mark is urging constituents who overpaid for gas supply from npower in 2007 to claim their refund and get their share of more than £20 million still unclaimed. On 1...
- Government action needed to offer hope to young people looking for work says Mark
 Mark has joined with Gordon Brown in calling for action by the UK Government to tackle the worrying rise in youth unemployment so as to ensure that young people don’t...
- Mark warns of dangers of VAT rise
 Mark has expressed concern that the sharp rise in VAT from 17.5% to 20% introduced by the Coalition government on 4th January will see family budgets stretched even further and...
- Campaign for new safety rules for oil transfers finally achieves success!
After a long battle to get new safety regulations for ship-to-ship oil transfers, Mark and other local MPs breathed a sigh of relief as the UK Government finally confirmed that...
- Mayday, mayday, Forth coastguard to be axed by Coalition
 In an article published today in the Evening News, Mark has spoken out against sweeping cuts made by the UK Government to the coastguard service, including the closure of a...
- Mark backs campaign to save vital disability payments
Mark has pledged his support for a campaign to save a payment vital to the independence and quality of life for thousands of disabled people. The Independent Living...
- Tuition fees: Mark votes against changes
 Yesterday (9 December) Mark voted against the UK Coalition Government’s proposal to put up to £9000 the cap on tuition fees charged by English universities. He has met...
- World AIDS Day - Mark calls for UK to keep pledges
On World AIDS Day this week (1 December), Mark called on the Coalition Government to maintain the previous Government’s commitment to funding AIDS programmes in developing...
- Language students - Mark speaks out on effect of caps on local schools and colleges
 In a debate yesterday (23 November) in Parliament, Mark spoke out on the effect on language schools and further education colleges in Edinburgh of the Government’s proposals to restrict visas...
- HS 2 - Mark argues for high speed line for Scotland
 Mark intervened twice in a debate on high speed rail at Westminster yesterday (23 November) to press the case for the line to extend to Edinburgh. You can read what...
- Broader vision than just cuts needed - Mark points to gap in training and support
Mark recently raised the way the cuts in public spending will affect people directly with the UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, in a debate...
- Burma - Mark shows solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi and Burmese prisoners of conscience
 Mark joined with other Shadow Ministers today to show their solidarity with Burmese political prisoners ahead of the Burmese elections scheduled for 7 November 2010. He said:...
- Fair treatment for UK staff in Italian universities - Mark backs constituent's campaign
 After recently being contacted by a constituent, Dr David Petrie who teaches at the University of Verona, Mark has put down a Motion in Parliament calling for fair treatment for...
- Government Spending Review: a reckless gamble with no plan for growth or jobs. Mark says there is an alternative
 Mark has warned that the cuts announced in the Chancellor’s Comprehensive Spending Review risk plunging the economy back into recession without any plan to secure a return to sustained growth...
- Fairtrade movement and Edinburgh's place in it
 To celebrate the imminent naming of the 500th Fairtrade town, Mark has backed a motion in Parliament (Early Day Motion 848) to recognise the achievement of Fairtrade campaigners in Edinburgh...
- Mark appointed Shadow Minister for International Development
 Mark has been appointed by Labour’s new leader, Ed Miliband, to the post of Shadow Minister for International Development. Mark said: “I am delighted at this appointment, as I have...
- No compromise on safety: Marks urges Government to implement new laws on oil transfers ASAP
 Mark has just made a submission to the Government consultation on ship-to-ship oil transfers in which he calls for an end to the delay in implementing new safety regulations introduced...
- Mark urges local schools to go green in competition to win solar panels
 Mark is urging schools in Edinburgh North and Leith to take part in a British Gas competition to win free solar panels worth between £20,000 and £40,000 each. Schools...
- Campaign to tackle loan sharking gets Mark's backing
Mark is calling for an end to legal loan sharking by capping the cost of credit and ensuring there are alternative sources of affordable credit available. He will be signing...
- Equitable Life - Mark speaks up for policyholders
 In the House of Commons debate on Equitable Life, Mark spoke up again in favour of a fair settlement for policy holders. Like the last Government, the Coalition has accepted...
- Mark calls for campaign to get new Green Investment Bank for Edinburgh
 In an article published in the Scotsman, Mark has called for a broad alliance to campaign for the proposed new Green Investment Bank to be sited in Edinburgh....
- Local MPs voice fresh concerns over delay to ship-to-ship oil regulations
 Mark, together with local MPs, Fiona O’Donnell and Thomas Docherty met with the Minister responsible at the Department for Transport, this week to raise concerns about the new...
- Floods in Pakistan - Mark praises work of Edinburgh Direct Aid
 Yesterday in Parliament Mark spoke in a debate on the floods in Pakistan. It is now nearly a month since they first hit Pakistan when the equivalent of ten years...
- Big Lottery Fund for World War 2 Heroes gets Mark's backing
Mark is strongly supporting the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Heroes Return’ Programme. This provides grants for veterans or their widows, along with spouses and a carer to visit places where they...
- Mark: Standard Life Job Losses 'A Real Blow'
Reacting to news that 480 jobs are to be cut by Standard Life in Edinburgh, Mark said: "This is another deeply worrying announcement for the financial sector in...
- A fair deal for working carers needed
 Mark is calling for a fair deal for Edinburgh North and Leith’s working carers. He is supporting Early Day Motion 246 which highlights the vital contribution by the UK’s 6...
- Outrage as coalition backs down on safety plans for UK offshore oil transfers
 Mark expressed outrage as the Coalition Government announced today that it is going to defer the introduction of new regulations on ship to ship oil transfers. Mark said: “As oil...
- Mark says terminate the rate and soon!
 Mark is calling on mobile operators to act quickly to cut termination rates in reaction to a new Ofcom Review proposing that they should be reduced to 0.5p...
- Action to prevent UK repeat of US oil nightmare - Mark fights to keep new checks on tankers
 As oil continues to gush into the Gulf of Mexico, Mark has welcomed new regulations introduced by the last Government to control ship-to-ship transfers of oil in UK waters. This...
- Neither fair nor good for business - Mark on the Budget
Mark spoke out strongly against the benefit cuts in today’s Budget and warned of likely lost opportunities for Edinburgh. Mark said: "Cuts to tax credits, pregnancy grants taken from new...
- Mark says "Don't scrap the future jobs fund"
 Mark is urging the new coalition Government not to cut support for jobs as figures just released show that unemployment in Edinburgh North and Leith is now 2, 747 or...
- Mark calls on Coalition to commit to high speed line for Scotland
 Mark led a debate in Westminster Hall today on high speed rail and called on the new Government to commit from the start to extending the line to Scotland. He...
- Mark shows his support for planet friendly farming
 Mark has joined Friends of the Earth’s campaign for rainforest-free meat and dairy. He is one of more than 160 MPs to back calls for farm animals to be reared...
- Mark to lead debate at Westminster on the future of high speed rail
Mark is to lead a debate in Westminster Hall next Wednesday morning, 9th June, on the future of high speed rail. He has long been campaigning for a high speed...
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