Welcome,
It is a privilege to represent the Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn constituency as your Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP).
I stay in Maryhill with my wife Janet, together with my young son and daughter. Before I became an MSP, I was a secondary school teacher for 10 years. Since first being elected as a Glasgow MSP in 2007 I have worked hard to deliver for local constituents. As your constituency MSP, I will contiune to help to protect the communities I know best, and deliver to all people in Maryhill and Springburn
Bob Doris MSP
A Statement from Bob Doris MSP
Nicola Sturgeon has been an outstanding public servant for our nation. Her contribution to public life, as well as the cause of Scottish Independence, has been exceptional.
The actions taken by Nicola as First Minister has helped make our nation a fairer, more socially just and progressive country.
The dedication she has shown, not least of all during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been immense.
I am hugely disappointed that the First Minister has decided to stand down but we should thank her for all she has done for Scotland.
I have no doubt Nicola will continue to make a substantial contribution to our independence movement in the months and years ahead.
In Parliament: Social Security Debate
Today in Parliament, I spoke of the progress made by the Scottish Government in delivering a thirteenth Scottish benefit.
First Minister's Questions: PayPoint
Today, I raised concerns in the Scottish Parliament about a constituent being forced to make a purchase in a shop before they can use the PayPoint facility.
PayPoint is an essential service used by many people - often the most vulnerable in our society - to pay bills and top up a pre-payment energy meter.
PayPoint - Free to use for everyone
I have been contacted by a constituent concerned that a shop is expecting customers to buy something in-store before being allowed to use the PayPoint service. This is an essential service for many people every day to receive payments and pay bills such as electricity and gas.
Cost of Living Drop-in Event: Maryhill
Many people are struggling with the cost of living.
I am hosting a drop-in event with various organisations present offering advice and support. Help available will include advice on debt, benefits, income maximisation and energy costs.
NHS Winter Pressures: NHS24
I raised In the Scottish Parliament how long waits for some constituents for receiving support and advice from the NHS 24 phone line has placed additional pressures on hospital services. Some who struggle to get through end up going to hospital when they may not need to.
The Cabinet Secretary informs me he is addressing unprecedented demand on NHS 24 by recruiting an additional 200 operatives.
Ensuring workers receive fair pay
Fewer people in work in Scotland are earning below the Real Living Wage than in the rest of the UK.
Figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) reveals that just 9% of people in work in Scotland are earning below £9.90 per hour. On average 12.2% of workers across the UK are earning below the Living Wage, with 11.8% in Wales, 12.5% in England and 14.6% in Northern Ireland.