AN MSP has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament after visiting Dunfermline Men's Shed and praising the "vital work" that they do.

Alex Rowley called on the Scottish Government to provide more money for the national organisation that creates community spaces for males to combat social isolation and loneliness.

The Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP's motion raised concerns over ministers' reported decision to end all statutory funding to the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) from this year.

Mr Rowley said: “I was delighted to visit Dunfermline Men’s Shed recently to see the vital work they do in providing a space for men to take part in group activity and friendly conversation.

“The SMSA rightly highlight that men can often be a hard-to-reach group at risk of social isolation and loneliness and I think their approach to tackling this should be applauded.

“I was concerned to hear from the SMSA that the Scottish Government plan to end their funding in 2023 when, post-pandemic, there has never been a greater need to bring people back together and support initiatives to tackle social isolation."

The association currently has more than 190 open and developing men’s sheds in Scotland, across all 32 local authority areas.

Mr Rowley added: “I have raised a motion in the Scottish Parliament supporting the SMSA’s call to the Scottish Government to provide stable, long-term funding so that they may continue their important work and create a start-up and development fund that new and existing sheds can access.”