Liz Smith MSP has welcomed a debate in the Scottish Parliament which focused on the important issues affecting young people across rural Scotland and the recommendations they have made to a Parliament committee.
Commenting Liz Smith said,
"Many of the issues highlighted by the Scottish Rural and Islands Youth Parliament are raised with me by local young people. Their concerns about the opportunities for them to live and work in rural Scotland are very poignant. We know in rural parts of Perth and Kinross that communities really need young people to settle - have their families, start-up businesses or stay and work in family businesses. Nowhere is this more important than in farming, fishing and crofting and our communities across rural Scotland are being let down by the SNP-Green Coalition and their central belt bias. This is the view expressed by the Young People who are part of the Rural and Islands Youth Parliament and their voices need heard by all across the Scottish Parliament.
"The focus on mental health, young carers, transport and on the importance of promoting food security, high welfare standards for Scottish produce, cutting food miles and carbon costs are all issues that I know local young people also raise and care about. I hope that Ministers and MSPs across the Chamber will do everything possible to champion these issues."
