I AM PLEASED that Education Institute of Scotland (EIS) and Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) voted to accept the historic pay offer for teachers, which will see a 14.6 per cent pay uplift over 28 months.

It is the most generous offer to teachers in more than 20 years, with the Scottish Government supporting this deal with total funding of over £320 million across this year and next.

I am sure that the resolution of the dispute is a relief for teachers, parents, carers and pupils, especially in the run-up to this year’s SQA exam diet.

Not only is the Scottish Government supporting a pay deal for teachers in the last week but also launched a Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund. This £3.8 million fund aims to support community groups to bring people together to tackle isolation. It is important that we continue to work on investing in our communities to make them just that – a community where no one is excluded. I welcome this fund and I know it will make a difference to shape a Scotland we all want to be part of.

I have highlighted two progressive examples of the SNP Government working here in Scotland to ensure that we live in a fair and inclusive society. The latest budget prioritises those who need help the most during the cost-of-living crisis. The cost-of-living crisis is spiralling out of control and I have previously backed calls that the Chancellor must take action in the UK Budget to further minimise the impact on households across the UK.

Yet the UK Government has something else on their agenda – far from a progressive, fair and inclusive society – that being the Illegal Migration Bill, which sets out a clear intention to remove the right to seek refugee protection in the UK. This is utterly shameful and immoral. Let us be clear, Scotland does not and never will support such a Bill. These draconian measures show little regard or concern for human beings who need our support, and I am saddened the UK Government is even considering such measures.