News - 20 February 2012

Our Future Our Fight – Protecting Colleges in Scotland

FIGHT TO PROTECT SCOTLAND'S COLLEGES NEEDS TO GO ON

The Scottish Parlaiment recently debated the final stage of the budget bill and the overwhelming response to the NUS campaign from tens of thousands of students, staff and others has prompted the Scottish Government to announce additional funding for student support and college places amounting to £19.5m this year.

This funding will help to reverse the £11m cut to student support highlighted by NUS Scotland and will alleviate the fears highlighted by the Our Future Our Fight campaign in the next year. I will continue to monitor how this money is delivered to ensure that it addresses concerns about protecting places, staff numbers and course quality.

However, while this money will ease pressure on the college sector in the year ahead, there is still to be a cut of over £30m this year followed by cuts of £31.7m and £24m in subsequent years. This means that by 2014-15, the college budget will have been cut by £89m.

These cuts, if they go ahead will cause serious damage to the college sector, risking the quality and quantity of learning opportunities available in our local areas and impacting negatively on vulnerable groups.

At a time of rising youth unemployment, I believe that this is a backwards step and I will continue to work to preserve local access to colleges in recognition of the vital role they play in our communities.

Hugh Henry MSP

Renfrewshire South

Paisley Daily Express - 13 February 2012

Winter Dangers

The winter isn’t over yet and the recent cold snap is a sharp reminder of the dangers which cold weather can bring. We have seen in recent days the loss of lives across Europe because of the plummeting temperatures.  Weather is now more unpredictable than ever and the elderly and the house bound are at particular risk. The most important thing people can do across Renfrewshire is to look out for those who may be unprepared or can’t afford to heat their homes properly. I would urge you to be observant and vigilant. Keep an eye out for those close by who are not opening or closing their curtains. As a neighbour or friend you could visit to make sure they are OK or to see if they need anything.

Living Wage

A recent report from the Scottish Parliament’s local government committee into a living wage is stark reminder that many working people are not being fairly paid. The report estimates that around half a million people in Scotland are currently earning less than the living wage, which is set at £7.20 an hour. Scottish Labour is currently pushing forward a Member’s Bill on the living wage which will benefit thousands of workers across the whole of Scotland.  When we see the obscene salaries and bonuses being paid to financers and bankers then £7.20 is a reasonable and modest wage for hard working people.

Care Homes

New findings have shown a disturbing insight into the care of some of our most vulnerable citizens. Scotland’s older people deserve better but are being let down by a system that is supposed to look after them. Older people who are loved by family and friends alike and who have worked all their days deserve to be looked after properly. It is shameful to be denied even the most basic standards of care and dignity.

These findings could be the tip of the iceberg. They will not be helped one bit by SNP cuts to the Care Inspectorate. Scotland’s older people deserve the highest standards of care. The SNP government must ensure the Care Inspectorate has the resources and the support to do its job properly.

Double Standards

Alex Salmond and the SNP yet again display double standards. The SNP demanded action when  a Labour MP posted a mocked up video based on a film about the “Downfall of Hitler”. Similar spoofs of this film had been done before lampooning others, including football managers, twitter, the IPAD , Star Trek, to name but a few.  The righteous indignation of the SNP was palpable. Now Alex Salmond has used the Nazi term “Gauleiter” to describe the BBC’s most senior political adviser. This was the name used for a high ranking official in the Nazi Party. A leading political commentator in Germany said that if a politician of Alex Salmond’s standing was to use this word in Germany in this way, he wouldn’t be able to survive the political fall out.  Last week his Education Minister branded anyone who disagreed with the SNP as being “anti Scottish”. It seems no one is allowed to disagree with Alex Salmond or the SNP without being insulted or abused.

Carers Centre

Renfrewshire Carers recently launched their new website. The Carers Centre does a fantastic job in supporting carers across Renfrewshire and highlighting the issues faced by them. There are more than 20,000 unpaid carers in Renfrewshire alone, many of them young carers. Over the years Renfrewshire Carers Centre has provided fantastic support and training for carers throughout Renfrewshire.

Work colleagues, friends and school friends often do not realise the effort and hard work that carers do and how important a role carers do in our society.  Carers undertake an important job but sometimes they need respite so that they can do the things we take for granted. Family occasions, going on holiday, spending time with friends or even having a free evening to relax can be a major problem for carers. Carers need all the support they can get and as one person has said “we are not invisible”. Remember Renfrewshire Carers is there for any carer who needs support or advice. Check out their new website on www.renfrewshirecarers.org.uk or phone them on 0141 887 3643.

Paisley Daily Express - 25 January 2012

Bus Fare Worries

Communities throughout Renfrewshire depend on reliable and affordable bus services. So far Alex Salmond has refused to take effective action to guarantee services. The big bus companies don’t want it and Alex Salmond changed his previous policy and now backs the bus companies. Perhaps he was influenced by the £5000, 000 donation made to the SNP by Brian Souter, owner of one of Scotland’s biggest bus companies? Who knows?

I have held talks recently about two concerns affecting bus services in Renfrewshire. McGill’s buses are to take over Arriva in Renfrewshire. At the moment both companies compete on major routes. A number of constituents have contacted me to express fears that the removal of competition might lead to fare increases. I have asked for assurances that this won’t happen.

The second concern is that Alex Salmond’s SNP Government has decided to cut the Bus Operator’s Grant by 20% from April. The Confederation of Passenger Transport has already warned that fares could rise and services could be cut. This will hurt the people who can least afford it. We’ve already seen fares in Aberdeen rise by 8.5% and Renfrewshire could be next.

That’s why Labour forced a debate on this last week in the Scottish Parliament. Unfortunately we heard the usual blandishments and no promises to help areas like Renfrewshire.

The Scottish Epilepsy Centre

I recently attended a briefing by Quarriers about their plans for a new Scottish Epilepsy Centre, based in Glasgow, but also serving Renfrewshire. The centre would be a welcome boost to the NHS and it would help to complement the work being done by Epilepsy Scotland. Forty thousand people in Scotland have epilepsy. Anyone can have a seizure and in fact one in 20 people do. That doesn’t mean they have epilepsy. I hadn’t realised it, but epilepsy can develop at any age. One of the problems which confronts people with epilepsy is the lack of knowledge and sometimes fear, displayed by those who have to deal with someone having an epileptic fit.

If you want to know more about epilepsy the Epilepsy Scotland can provide factsheets and guides to help. Call their helpline on 0808 800 2200

Woodland Primary School

Often we only hear about the things which go wrong. We sometimes don’t take enough time to celebrate achievement and there is plenty of that across my constituency. I recently read the  inspector’s report on Woodlands Primary School in Linwood. All the indicators were either very good or excellent. It was heartening to read that the children are learning very well and are achieving highly. The report talked of a positive ethos in the school. It also spoke of high-quality level of care and education. Well done to everyone at Woodlands Primary.

Unemployment Crisis

Alex Salmond likes to take credit in the Scottish Parliament when things are going well. He is not so keen to take responsibility when things go wrong. It’s always the fault of someone else. Recent figures showed that Scotland has higher unemployment rate than elsewhere in the UK. Unemployment has hit 8.6 % and youth unemployment has increased by a staggering123.3%. Every day for the past three months, 200 Scots have lost their jobs. The figures hide the real human costs brought about by rising unemployment. Last summer Alex Salmond said “the economic policy of the Scottish Government in delivering and is continuing to create and safeguard jobs across our communities”. Well if 200 people losing their job every day is “delivering”, then God help us all if the Scottish Government stops “delivering”. Perhaps it’s time that Alex Salmond put as much effort into tackling unemployment as he is putting in to separating Scotland from the rest of the UK.

Castle Semple – Centre of Excellence

Well done to Castle Semple Centre for receiving recognition as Scotland’s first Royal Yachting Association (RYA) “Sailability” Centre for Excellence in Scotland. The award acknowledges that the Centre has the equipment and trained staff, to accommodate people with a wide range of disabilities. The Centre has received support from local sailing and windsurfing clubs as well as the Rotary Club of Gryffe Valley. It reminds as of the fantastic facility which we have, right here on our doorstep.

Short Changing Renfrewshire

Yet again Renfrewshire Council has received one of the lowest grant awards from Alex Salmond’s Government. Consistently the Council has been at the bottom end of the table as money is given out to Council’s. This money is what pays for the vital services in education and care, and for filling in potholes. We have an SNP led Council that can shout at the UK Government for wanting to close Coastguard Stations (none of which are in Renfrewshire, obviously). Why then is the Council less keen to shout at the Scottish Government for short changing Renfrewshire. 

Paisley Daily Express - 11 January 2012

Independence Referendum

The Scottish Parliament last week returned after the Festive break to an immediate argument about am independence referendum. We know the SNP wants to separate Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom. It’s also clear that Alex Salmond won an overwhelming victory in last year’s elections. Although many people who voted SNP don’t support separation, they knew they were voting for a Party which promised a referendum on independence. The issue is when should a referendum be held and what should the question be?

Alex Salmond says he has a mandate to hold a referendum in the later stages of this Parliament. But why delay if he is so confident? And also why talk about nothing else for the first 6 months of Government? And what exactly will be asked? Voters deserve to know that the question will be clear and unambiguous. And we also need guarantees that whatever happens, the process will be legal and definitive. If people are to be asked about Scotland leaving the UK, we need to know the exact terms, the costs, and the implications. We can’t take such a significant decision without knowing the facts.

At a time when youth unemployment is going through the roof, and family budgets are being squeezed, we need to focus on what concerns ordinary Scots. Surely it’s time for Alex Salmond to spell out the details and let us decide? It’s time to stop the dithering and uncertainty.

Weather Chaos

The Paisley Daily Express has reported on the damage caused by severe weather, right across Renfrewshire. A year ago we were having to cope with the consequences of snow and ice. This year it was hurricane force winds and rain. The response from power company engineers, and emergency and caring service staff has been fantastic. While most of us were grumbling about the weather, they made sure services were restored and maintained and help given to those who needed it.

Fair pay for teachers

Despite their promises, Alex Salmond and the SNP have cut teacher numbers by around 3, 000. On top of this they forced through a pay agreement to cut the wages of supply teachers who are brought in to cover for sickness and other absences. A supply teacher can earn less than half of a full time teacher they are working beside. As a result, teachers are turning down supply teaching and this is causing problems in Scotland’s schools. At the same time the SNP wants to train more new teachers despite failing to offer jobs to those who have been trained.

There is real anger among teachers about cuts and the slashing of pay to supply teachers is just rubbing salt in the wound. It’s time to play fair by our teachers and pay supply teachers the proper rate for the job.

Smoking cessation

Smokers will tell you just how difficult it is to stop smoking. The chemicals in cigarettes are highly addictive. Apart from the health dangers caused by smoking, the costs are huge and could be better spent. For those who are determined to kick the habit, help is at hand. Weekday and evening sessions are available to help those who want to stop smoking. If you want advice and help to stop smoking call 01505 821316. As well as this, community pharmacies across Renfrewshire are offering one to one support for smokers who want to stop. I know from talking to ex smokers who have given up the habit, that this is a decision they have never regretted. 

Child Poverty

Alex Salmond is so obsessed with the breakup of the United Kingdom and his pursuit for independence that he has taken his eye off the ball with the real issues that matter to Scotland. The new figures from the Campaign to End Child Poverty shows that nearly half of Scottish local authorities now have wards where over 30% of children live in poverty. Here in Renfrewshire it is at 19%. It is a stark reminder of the scale of the challenge we face as a country in tackling child poverty. It should be an urgent wake-up call for the SNP government, that has let child poverty increase on its watch, to redouble its efforts. It is nothing short of a disgrace that one in five children in Renfrewshire has to live in poverty.

Paisley Daily Express - 13 December 2011

Misleading Press Releases

In 2007, Alex Salmond and the SNP promised to maintain teachers numbers at the level delivered by Labour. In 2007 there were 55,100 teachers in Scotland’s schools. Today there are 51,441 teachers, a drop of 3,659. I was astonished to see a press release produced by civil servants on behalf of SNP Ministers which said “Target on teacher numbers met”. When Alex Salmond and the SNP realised that they could not deliver the promise which had been made, they cobbled together a new and lower target. Well, what do you know, they have been able to meet this lower target! All thoughts of what they promised the electorate have conveniently been forgotten.

Barrhead Health Centre

Last week I attended the opening of the magnificent new Health Centre in Barrhead. The centre brings together a number of services and will be a real boon to people living in Barrhead and Neilston. Councillor Jim Fletcher the Leader of East Renfrewshire Council reminded those attending of just how long it can take to bring a project to completion. The funding was put in place in 2006 and given the go ahead by the then Labour Health Minister, Andy Kerr. The two local Labour Councillors who guided the project, Danny Collins and Roy Garscadden, both left East Renfrewshire Council in 2007. Barrhead Community Council first promoted the case over six years ago!

I know it has been frustrating for the Council and the local community in having to wait so long. I’m sure that anyone seeing this new Health Centre will agree that it is well worth the wait. Well done to East Renfrewshire Council for pushing the Health Board and Scottish Government to make this a reality.

Knife Crime – not just a Christmas problem

I welcome the proposals from the Crown Office to ensure that anyone arrested and prosecuted for carrying a knife, will be tried before a Sheriff and Jury. This could lead to the maximum sentence rising from one year in prison to four years in prison.

Knife crime still blights too many families in Scotland. The best way to avoid someone being scarred or killed by a knife, is to make sure that the young men who carry knives, stop doing so. Tougher sentencing will send out the message that this will not be tolerated.

So why then, is this welcome new initiative only operating over Christmas and New Year? Knife crime happens in Scotland 52 weeks a year. I hope that the Crown Office will think again. Tackling knife crime should be an all year round effort, not a Christmas “special”.  

Euro or Not?

Alex Salmond is being unusually coy about whether an independent Scotland would have to join the Euro. He won’t publish the legal advice. Catherine Stihler the Labour Member of the European Parliament for Scotland, was refused the information. She has been forced to appeal to the Information Commissioner for help. What is Alex Salmond trying to hide.

Most people are of the view that any new member state would have to join the Euro. In fact the SNP has supported joining the Euro if Scotland became independent. Now Alex Salmond is trying to kid people on that an independent Scotland could still keep the pound sterling. Of course this would mean that Scotland would have no influence at all over a monetary policy designed purely for the rest of the UK. So what’s the point of independence? If Scotland kept the pound sterling, it would have no control over its monetary policy. We need to know if an independent Scotland would have to join the Euro. More than that we need to know if Alex Salmond wants to join the Euro. If not then he should tell us why Scotland’s currency and monetary policy would be controlled by a foreign country after Scotland leaves the UK? Perhaps Alex Salmond intends to create a new currency for Scotland. Perhaps it’s time to dig out your old Scottish groats?

Paisley Daily Express - 16 November 2011

Fewer Nurses

There seems to be a growing intolerance from SNP Ministers, of anyone who dares to criticise their actions. Recently, in a Health debate in the Scottish Parliament, Nicola Sturgeon suggested that Labour concerns about fewer nurses in the NHS, was talking down the NHS. She conveniently ignored the fact that MSPs like myself, are regularly contacted by nurses, who complain about falling staffing levels, increased workload, and concerns about patient welfare. How can we be talking down the NHS if we repeat what nurses say? We would be failing in our duties if we did not respond.

I pointed out that the SNP manifesto claimed that the SNP had increased the number of nurses in the NHS and that in this Parliament, they would continue the progress which had been made.

The facts don’t back this up. From September 2009 to January 2011, the number of nurses in the NHS fell by nearly 2,000. More posts are scheduled to go. This is affecting health care here in Renfrewshire. We know times are tough and that hard decisions will need to be made. But there should be some honesty in the discussion. Let’s cut out the spin. Alex Salmond is trying to use his majority to dampen down debate and scrutiny.

Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon should admit that there are now fewer nurses employed in the NHS. They owe an explanation not to the opposition parties, but to the doctors, nurses and staff across the NHS. Above all they owe it to the public, which needs to be assured that the Scottish Government is not gambling with the health and wellbeing of patients.

Remembrance Sunday

On Remembrance Sunday, I joined with thousands of others across the UK, to remember those who fought and died in war and conflict. I remembered my father’s generation who fought in the Second World War, and I reflected on the effects it had on many who survived. And the same is true today. Many young soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many more will carry the consequences for the rest of their lives.

We often debate the rights and wrongs of certain ward and conflicts. Politicians ultimately make the decision to send our young men and women to war. If they are in the armed forces, they don’t have a choice or say in the matter. They do their duty and they do it with courage and honour.

The wearing of the Poppy and attending these events, does not signify support for the glorification of war or killing. It gives us the chance to remember that there were many who laid down their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy. It gives us the chance to reflect that there are many innocents on all sides in wars and that it is ordinary people who suffer. And hopefully to remind us that our duty to those who were maimed and injured does not stop when they leave the armed forces.

Smoking in Cars?

Last week the British Medical Association said there was “compelling” evidence for extending the smoking ban to include vehicles. Not everyone agrees with the ban on smoking in public places. There is no doubt however, that most people welcome smoke free restaurants, cafes and pubs.

There is a particular worry where children travel in cars. Medical evidence suggests that exposure to smoke in such confines space, can put children at risk. My instinct is that we should protect children from harm caused by others. I would be interested to know what my constituents think. Let me know.

Cancer Care Lottery

The Roy Castle Foundation recently published a report on cancer rates in Scotland. Scotland still has the worst rates of cancer in the UK. Once again we see a post code lottery of care in Scotland, for cancer sufferers. I want the Scottish Government to do more to ensure quality of treatment, no matter where a patient lives. The current waiting time to see a cancer specialist should be halved in the lifetime of this Parliament. It’s time for action. 

Paisley Daily Express - 2 November 2011

Stop Knives, Better Lives

All too often we hear of the consequences of knife crime in Renfrewshire and across Scotland. We know the tragedy and grief which knife crime causes.  Carrying a knife is not a badge of honour - and it’s not a way to protect yourself. For too many people, the idiotic mistake of carrying or using a knife because you think it makes you hard or invincible has a huge impact on those attacked and on the families affected. It can blight local communities.

The Paisley Daily Express has been at the forefront of the local campaign to warn young people about the consequences of carrying a knife.

I was also delighted to see the initiative from the Johnstone Burgh FC. Their under 14 strip features the paisley Daily Express. “Stop Knives, Save Lives” logo. Craig Donohue, the club manager, and all those involved in the team, are to be congratulated for convincing the football authorities that the message should be displayed on the jersey.

I welcome the recent news that the Scottish Government’s anti knife campaigning is having an impact. Here in Renfrewshire there has been a reported drop of 29% knife crime over the last year. I hope that similar results will be produced as the scheme is rolled out across Scotland.

Nevertheless there is no doubt that we need to take tough action to tackle knife crime and the Government needs to remain vigilant. But we can all do our bit to highlight this problem. The commitment of local papers, like the Paisley Daily Express is invaluable. Hopefully, together, we can see a lasting improvement. 

Postcode Health

Recently published figures show that on average,  life expectancy in Scotland continues to be the lowest in the country. It’s a damning indictment that seven of the ten areas with lowest life expectancy in the UK are in Scotland. But even within Scotland there are huge variations.

Men and women living in Glasgow City continue to have the lowest life expectancy in the whole of the UK.   There are parts of my own constituency where life expectancy is lower than the national average.

How long you live should not be determined by the postcode you are born into  or live in. It’s scandalous that health inequality remains so stubbornly linked to income levels, poverty and deprivation.

Poverty traps too many too early. It remains too persistent to be tolerated in a country that aspires to be “healthier and fairer”. These figures should serve as a wake-up call to all politicians to redouble efforts to tackle poverty and healthcare. We are seeing a steady drift of public money to the better off areas of Scotland, just at a time when communities in Renfrewshire are facing cuts.   

The SNP must move on from the constant bickering about the constitution and start delivering on what Scotland really needs, now.  That means stimulating growth and creating jobs to tackle Scotland’s rising unemployment. It also means investing in our young people and ensuring a Living Wage for all.

But above all we need concerted action at an early age to stop more generations of Scots being born into health inequality and lower life expectancy.

Apology to Parliament

Alex Salmond has apologised to the Scottish Parliament for misleading  MSP’s. He said it was the fault of his most senior adviser who made up a false statement purporting to come from a renowned academic. But it’s not good enough just to offer a glib apology. We need to know why Alex Salmond’s senior advisor thought it was acceptable to make up such a statement. I have written to Scotland’s most senior civil servant to urge a full investigation of the facts. The issue related to Alex Salmon’s pursuit of an independence referendum. The people of Scotland need honesty and the full facts before any decision is made to break up the United Kingdom

The Big Lottery

The Big Lottery continues to deliver for Renfrewshire. It’s good to see local organisations receiving help, particularly when Council funding is being squeezed. Congratulations to Johnstone Senior Forum, Walking Tour, Wheels, 2nd Johnstone Boys Brigade, Scottish Wheelchair Dance Association and Linwood High School Parent Council.

If your organisation needs financial help, it might be worth making an application. For further information about the Big Lottery contact  the enquiries team  on 0141 242 1400 or go to www.biglotteryfund.org.uk (link also on this blog under ::community:: tab)