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        <copyright>Promoted by the Liberal Democrats, First Floor, 66 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AU.
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                <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:46:32 +0100</pubDate>
                <title>Caseworker for Adam Harley MSP (Strathkelvin and Bearsden)</title>
                <link>/tech-blog/news/article/caseworker-for-adam-harley-msp-strathkelvin-and-bearsden</link>
                <description>Adam Harley MSP is recruiting a full time Caseworker to join his team in the Strathkelvin and Bearsden constituency.</description>
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            <p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Salary: </strong>£29,335 - £36,012 (depending on experience)&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Contract: </strong>Permanent&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Hours: </strong>37 hours per week&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Closing date:&nbsp;</strong>16th&nbsp;June 2026&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Location: </strong>Hybrid; based in the constituency office (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) Mondays and Fridays with the option of home working Tuesday – Thursday. Occasional attendance at Holyrood as required.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;">Adam Harley MSP is recruiting a full-time Caseworker to join his team in the Strathkelvin and Bearsden constituency. This is a full-time role with the hours split between working from the constituency office on Mondays and Fridays and working from home and at times from Holyrood Tuesdays – Thursdays.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;">This role involves supporting constituents with a wide range of issues and ensuring they receive effective representation and assistance. The successful candidate will work closely with the MSP and office team to manage casework, engage with local organisations, and support constituency priorities.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;">This role offers opportunities for development and progression for the right candidate.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Responsibilities</strong>&nbsp;</p><ul style="margin-left:0px;"><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e447408469345c76569b2e09bf8b2b93c">Ensuring that every constituent who contacts the office gets a response and follow-up to their query.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="eda5fdb836e265f55344a0b4de383edc2">Supporting with keeping casework up to date and responding to public enquiries.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<ul style="margin-left:0px;"><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e989c8a975cf75794d388c043dcb6a466">Keeping cases up to date by tracking,&nbsp;logging&nbsp;and recognising when to escalate issues within team.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e171de8f28242d334a8532189629dbcf2">Meeting constituents on a wide range of issues, including those of a sensitive nature and escalating accordingly.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="eec917cfd51204efa54849be20f34d93e">Advocating on constituents’ behalf with relevant bodies to resolve matters.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e0bea1ac13fc346683465489c39857d48">Attending surgeries, producing reports and monitoring media trends on my behalf.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<ul style="margin-left:0px;"><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e96ae50ddb29e242928a67195425c73ba">Conducting basic research and surveys.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="ef2747f4a672ff67df999dac4d4b1bb62">Investigating patterns of enquiries and producing reports.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="efffa90650ecb83141a3a165165831399">Monitoring local and regional media and generating media coverage.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="ee75e11e0409aee14bfa51b35759aaa80">Briefing me and drafting responses.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</li></ul></li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e50422a97ac5196880e06bbf60a344ac2">Reviewing constituent records and documentation in line with casework GDPR requirements.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<ul style="margin-left:0px;"><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="ef0d23e66350f88204e32ff8458bf91e3">Ensuring casework filing systems, both electronic and manual, are kept&nbsp;up-to-date&nbsp;in line with GDPR requirements.&nbsp;</li></ul></li></ul><p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Requirements</strong></p><ul style="margin-left:0px;"><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e60c84ea85e1e3e039fe88c8151ab6115">Have excellent organisational skills while being flexible in prioritising workloads during busy times.&nbsp;</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="ecda10414f80ab31bd4d5565400f01dfa">Have excellent communication skills, with accurate attention to detail and the ability to work effectively with colleagues.&nbsp;</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e852ad39577d46b70893df43831cd760f">Be a self-starter, able to identify tasks that need completing.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="ea2ba17caeccc95bf688f06cbf6d87030">Be patient and sensitive while remaining objective and open-minded.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e4768fdd137b65aaf56e50b701868c73e">Be comfortable being in a front-facing role explaining regulations such as GDPR to the general public.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e5f239b2627e2e062ad1162830e7d7613">Be acutely aware of the responsibility of representing those unable to do so themselves in certain situations.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="ead6caea02786efa479d0556ec9d20ec8">Have a natural interest in helping people with a curiosity to probe for further information where&nbsp;required.&nbsp;</li></ul><p style="margin-left:0px;">To apply, please send a CV and&nbsp;a supporting statement&nbsp;outlining your suitability for the role to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:adam.harley.msp1@parliament.scot" class="customHTML" style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;white-space:normal;">adam.harley.msp@parliament.scot</a>&nbsp;with&nbsp;"Caseworker – Job Application”&nbsp;in the subject line.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Closing date:&nbsp;</strong>16th&nbsp;June 2026 at 11:59pm&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p>
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                <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:40:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <title>From the Leader: The choice is yours</title>
                <link>/tech-blog/news/article/from-the-leader-the-choice-is-yours-1</link>
                <description>Politics - at local as well as national levels - is about choices, above all yours, but also those made by the political parties competing for your support.</description>
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            <p>You may want to use your vote to register your dissatisfaction with the government of the day, or your disillusionment with national politics, or even your unhappiness with the state of the world.</p>
<p>But in making your choice, I urge you to think local, not national or international. Wokingham Borough Council cannot change the nature of national policy making, let alone influence international politics. But your vote is important because the council provides services on which many local people depend.&nbsp; Who you chose to represent you on the council can make a real difference to your local community.</p>
<p>In making your decision, I hope you will reflect on the choices political parties themselves make. Parties can choose to focus on the negative, to attack their opponents relentlessly, seeking to encourage and exploit a sense of grievance for their electoral advantage. Parties can also choose to divide people, setting one part of our community against another, in a worrying imitation of the kind of politics we see in the United States. Parties can choose, too, to offer utterly unrealizable promises of reduced council tax and improved services to win votes, even when they know that the council is experiencing a significant reduction in its government support.</p>
<p>There is, however, a different and - in my view - much better set of choices that can be made by political parties. They can present their own achievements and aspirations in a positive way, making the case for voting for them without indulging in relentless knocking copy directed at their opponents. They can choose to bring people together rather than divide them. They can be realistic and honest about the difficult decisions that any party running the council would face - choices that affect not just us now, but our children and grandchildren.</p>
<p>This more positive brand of politics - focusing on achievements and aspirations, uniting people rather than setting them against each other, honest and open about difficult choices, and thinking ahead - is very much the hallmark of the approach of my party, the Liberal Democrats.</p>
<p>Over the past four years, while all around us has seemed uncertain and volatile, we have sought to provide calm, measured, forward-looking leadership of the council. We have kept the council solvent while many other councils have effectively become bankrupt. We have saved more than £30 million over the last three years and been rated as the second most efficient council in England in terms of outcomes achieved per pounds spent. Yet our sharp focus on sound financial management has not blunted our ambition – we have been able to improve services in many areas, from better bus travel to more Special Educational Needs and Disabilities places in the borough, and from new care homes for the elderly to much higher recycling rates.</p>
<p>Our guiding principle, which unites much of what we have done, is to make Wokingham a borough where everyone, regardless of who they are, can achieve their potential and live their best possible life.</p>
<p>You now have the chance to decide whether we can continue with our work or whether you trust our opponents to deliver better outcomes - not just for now but for the future. I hope you will place your faith in the party that has taken its responsibilities seriously, does not shirk difficult decisions, and recognizes that an insolvent council can help no one. I hope that you will vote for your Liberal Democrat candidates.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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                <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:34:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <title>From the Chamber: Moving forwards in Wokingham </title>
                <link>/tech-blog/news/article/from-the-chamber-moving-forwards-in-wokingham</link>
                <description>This week, with the Prime Minister and his cabinet, we have seen what happens when your leadership team do not work well together.</description>
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            <p>Instead of focussing on what the country and its citizens need, they are now falling out with each other and fighting amongst themselves, rather than focussing on moving us all forward. The current parliamentary lead party are not tackling the financial problems which are clearly at the root of most of the issues that this country is facing - with inflation, instability from Brexit, and the rising costs of fuel prices, there just isn't enough to go around and there are clearly parts of our country have been neglected for years, by successive governments.</p>
<p>I can certainly say that the governance of Wokingham Borough Council is rather different. We agree that we cannot do everything that we would like to do, because we just don’t have the money to do so. We have to be able to agree and prioritise what is really needed for our residents and provide stability, while listening and being patient when people who are unhappy about the difficult decisions we have to make. We try to work with groups, political parties, residents and even those who disagree with us, trying to find a consensus and move things forward in a positive direction.</p>
<p>I am immensely proud that in our local elections, the residents of Wokingham did not choose to vote for people and parties that promote division and were only offering vague solutions and ideas of what they might do differently. Strangely, some of those parties are already part of the Council and are very much included in the decision-making processes that the Council makes, but rather than asking questions and offering ideas in our council meetings they choose just to attack the decisions in their political literature instead.</p>
<p>In short, Wokingham Borough Council is losing £43m over the next three years, mainly through central government taking a bigger slice of our business rates. This year, the current government has increased their share of our Business Rates and will take 94%, using it elsewhere in the country. I completely understand that we have a lot of big businesses here, but those businesses have the expectation that their business rates are spent locally, improving the roads and services that they need to operate their businesses at its best.</p>
<p>While the Labour government are saying they are giving us bigger grants for some things - the bottom line once the business rates are taken away, it leaves the Council a lot less to provide the services our residents need. But, we have to meet that challenge - on top of the over £30m of savings that have been made, since the Liberal Democrats took over Wokingham Borough Council and I am confident that we will.</p>
<p>Despite this and on the positive side, we are still moving the Wokingham Borough Council area forward. We are building SEND schools, new Sixth-Form units, new roads and infrastructure. Projects such as building our new Solar Farms involve many players, are complex and problematic, but they are fully expected to bring a good stable income, once built. I think that with the current events in the middle east, most of our residents will agree that removing ourselves from fossil fuel dependency is the way forward.</p>
<p>These are things that we are already doing for our residents here in Wokingham.</p>
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                <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:29:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <title>Transport Sec pushed on A9 dualling committee</title>
                <link>/tech-blog/news/article/transport-sec-pushed-on-a9-dualling-committee</link>
                <description>The Scottish Government has been urged to embrace calls for the creation of a new dedicated committee to scrutinise its progress on dualling the A9 at the Scottish Parliament.</description>
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            <p><strong>The Scottish Government has been urged to embrace calls for the creation of a new dedicated committee to scrutinise its progress on dualling the A9 at the Scottish Parliament.</strong></p>
<p>David Green, the new MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, challenged the new Cabinet Secretary for Transport Stephen Flynn MSP during oral questions to welcome proposals put in writing to the Presiding Officer by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.</p>
<p>The establishment of a dedicated Parliamentary committee to scrutinise the A9 Dualling Programme was a key recommendation of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee Inquiry into the dualling of the A9 programme.</p>
<p>Speaking in the chamber, Mr Green said: “my Liberal Democrat colleague, Andrew Baxter, has called for a dedicated A9 scrutiny committee in this Parliament</p>
<p>“While this matter is for the Parliament, would the Cabinet Secretary welcome that? And can he also tell Parliament what further steps he will take to ensure that this project has the level of transparency Highland communities deserve?”</p>
<p>While the Transport Secretary would not be drawn on the proposal for a dedicated A9 committee in the chamber, he did agree to meet with the Far North MSP to discuss those matters further.</p>
<p><strong>Following the exchanges, Mr Green said:</strong> "For far too long, communities in the Highlands have been left behind by the Scottish Government’s failure to get to grips with the A9 dualling project.</p>
<p>“This isn’t just a drag on economic opportunity; it is a serious question about road safety. Far too many families have already lost loved ones on the A9, and without action, I fear those numbers will only rise.</p>
<p>“Former MSP Fergus Ewing was right to argue that a dedicated committee would help ensure no more backsliding and delays. We should get on with it. I therefore welcome the Transport Secretary’s commitment to meet with me to address the dualling of the A9.”</p>
<p><strong>Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Andrew Baxter added:</strong> “Highland Liberal Democrats are working together to make sure the SNP government hear the needs and views of businesses and residents in the north. That is why a dedicated committee for the A9 programme is so important.</p>
<p>“But our representations don’t stop there we are fighting for better transport links across the Highlands and the new minister, Stephen Flynn, will not be able to hide in Holyrood or his Aberdeenshire constituency and ignore our demands.”</p>
<p><strong>ENDS.</strong></p>
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                <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:12:27 +0100</pubDate>
                <title>Parliamentary Researcher for David Green MSP (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross)</title>
                <link>/tech-blog/news/article/parliamentary-researcher-for-david-green-msp-caithness-sutherland-and-ross</link>
                <description>David Green MSP is looking for a Parliamentary Researcher, based in their office in the Scottish Parliament.</description>
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            <p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Salary: </strong>£33,000 per annum</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Hours: </strong>Full time, 37 hours per week</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Location:</strong> Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Job Details</strong></p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;">David Green MSP is looking for a Parliamentary Researcher, based in their office in the Scottish Parliament.<br><br>Experience of working in politics, public affairs, campaigns or similar environments is desirable, but not essential.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Responsibilities:</strong></p><ul style="margin-left:0px;"><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="ebd201c856c9eb1d7ead47a00b72d47bd">Draft speeches for parliamentary debates such as members’ business.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="ec3ca1076d9dc9ce8b02928e8c763337d">Draft questions to be asked in the Chamber.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e593e698ac2d667286af0449defb5c957">Devise and submit freedom of information requests and written parliamentary questions.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="ec3c71498ffc68e5dd873b580f85c2b65">Analyse statistics and publications.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="ee79e651ba5e80729544ea1d02f8f651e">Carry out research projects and write briefings.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e75ee359f51d789e9b6887ffd9af35bfe">Help sort the MSP’s email inbox, tracking, drafting and responding to correspondence.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e5d25cb0a4f3ab0b9bc461de058435c24">Work with casework colleagues to identify opportunities to raise constituents’ issues in the Chamber.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="ea2658c95bd1d79b2b72bc35197860c79">Arrange meetings and events, helping arrange the MSP’s diary around parliamentary business.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e648d13c8d6144ac1fa632ff03b31222d">Ensure compliance with data protection legislation and GDPR requirements.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="eae2f15ac4d3aeb8c1a1d6ec2ccc689ba">Draft press releases targeted at Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, building relationships with local media, and monitoring local media to maintain a good awareness of local issues.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e7518e97386e087e51d465d364f67c2a6">Growing the MSP’s social media presence and engagement, working as part of a team to keep constituents informed about how they are being represented at Parliament through engaging content.</li></ul><p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Requirements:</strong></p><ul style="margin-left:0px;"><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e80b9533d7ed00ff2f6abc9bef75359ca">Be curious and driven to uncover new and interesting information.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e238e29a54f1cbc5ae6b1aa42bb22e8e2">Be a quick learner with the ability to multitask and work with accuracy within tight timescales.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e63e4afb089bba95ba4d052eeb936a885">Be a proactive problem solver with the motivation and resilience to adapt and deal with challenges.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="e54005e572dbe861f8643e6ed692cf8ff">Have analytical skills with the ability to identify and investigate trends while interpreting data.</li><li style="margin-left:0px;" data-list-item-id="ebd654ce897d36cbba2c03ac56a6b230e">Have the creative flair and strategic thinking to produce influential work.</li></ul><p style="margin-left:0px;">Occasional travel and out-of-hours work may be required.<br><br><strong>How to Apply:</strong></p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;">For any questions about the role please contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:David.Green.msp@parliament.scot" class="customHTML" style="box-sizing:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;white-space:normal;">David.Green.msp@parliament.scot</a></p>
<p>Please apply via this link: <a href="https://ce1046li.webitrent.com/ce1046li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=3959440553" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Job search</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;">Upload your CV along with a supporting statement as a single document. Please note that the system does not allow you to upload your supporting statement separately.&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;">Your supporting statement should outline how you meet the requirements detailed above for this role. Applications that do not include a supporting statement may not be considered. &nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Closing Date:</strong> Thursday 18<sup>th</sup> June at 11:59pm</p>
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                <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:47:32 +0100</pubDate>
                <title>McArthur urges First Minister to protect lifeline air services for islanders</title>
                <link>/tech-blog/news/article/mcarthur-urges-first-minister-to-protect-lifeline-air-services-for-islanders</link>
                <description>Orkney&#039;s MSP Liam McArthur has today called on the First Minister to instruct Highlands and Islands Airports Limited to reach an agreement with Loganair that would prevent service cuts on routes that connect the Northern and Western Isles with the Scottis</description>
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            <p style="margin-left:0px;">Orkney's MSP Liam McArthur has today called on the First Minister to instruct Highlands and Islands Airports Limited to reach an agreement with Loganair that would prevent service cuts on routes that connect the Northern and Western Isles with the Scottish mainland.</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;">Speaking during the first session of backbench First Minister's Questions, Mr McArthur shared that Loganair's Inverness-Kirkwall-Sumburgh and Inverness-Stornoway routes will soon see the frequency of services reduced. Loganair officials have cited insufficient support from HIAL and an unsustainable operational framework as factors contributing to this scheduling decision.</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;">Speaking further after the exchange, Mr McArthur said:</p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><i>"These cuts to lifeline air services to the Northern and Western Isles are concerning. They will reduce options for those who rely on the routes while potentially pushing up costs for health boards.</i></p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><i>"I met Loganair’s management earlier this week where they argued that the cuts are an inevitable consequence of a lack of support from HIAL. As HIAL is government-owned, islanders have a right to expect the First Minister and his Transport Secretary to step in.</i></p>
<p style="margin-left:0px;"><i>"I’m pleased that the First Minister appeared to accept this and has assured me that the Transport Secretary will now engage with HIAL and Loganair in a bid to find a resolution. I hope this process can pave the way for an agreement that protects services and meets the needs of islanders.”</i></p>
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