Paisley Daily Express - 18 October 2011

Enquiry needed

The shocking news last week that Renfrewshire Council spent £14.2 million on voluntary redundancy payments must be investigated. North Lanarkshire Council, which is twice the size of Renfrewshire, spent £4.25 million. Edinburgh City Council, which is nearly three times the size of Renfrewshire, only spent £1.27 million. There is no doubt that Councils will have to shed jobs because of cuts by the UK and Scottish Governments. But while Renfrewshire is cutting vital services for the elderly, the sick and the disabled, it is handing out shed loads of money to make people redundant. Why is it that Renfrewshire is spending more money for its size on making people redundant, compared to any other Council in Scotland?  The SNP run both the Scottish Government and Renfrewshire Council. Has Alex Salmond not given enough to the Council? We need to be told. Or has Renfrewshire Council acted without any regard to the consequences? And remember, for every member of staff who is paid off early under early retirement, Council tax payers will continue to pay an enhancement every year until that person dies.

Whatever has happened, we need an independent enquiry into the way Renfrewshire is spending our money and cutting services.

Stacey Salomon

And talking of spending money, do you remember the controversy last year about the large payment made to a losing X Factor ‘celebrity’ to switch on the Christmas lights? Well this year the ‘celebrity’ beneficiary of Renfrewshire Council’s largesse, is another losing X Factor finalist, someone called Stacey Solomon. Now no one would deny that a good family night out brings a real boost to Paisley Town Centre. But how can Councillors justify spending huge sums of money on B-list celebrities when vital services are being cut? It’s about time there was a reality check.

Pleural Plaques

In 2009, the Scottish Parliament passed welcome legislation to give those who suffer from pleural plaques the right to claim compensation. Pleural plaques is a condition associated with exposure to asbestos. Regrettably, the major insurance companies decided to challenge the right of the Scottish Parliament to pass this legislation. Thankfully the Supreme Court of the UK has thrown out the attempt by insurance companies to deny justice to those exposed to asbestos. I hope those companies will now respect the decision of the Scottish Parliament.

Defibrillators

Well done to Scotmid, the Co-op group which owns Semichem as well as local convenience stores in mid-Scotland. Scotmid has agreed a partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service which will see its stores equipped with life-saving defibrillators and staff trained to use them. The initiative is being backed by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland.

The chance of survival from a heart attack is much greater when a patient receives early defibrillation backed up by cardiac care from an ambulance team. This is a real life saving initiative and I hope other store groups will look at this Co-op led initiative.

Violence against Workers

Unison, Scotland’s largest union in Public Services, recently published its annual violence at work survey. It showed that last year 27,775 violent incidents were recorded by Scotland’s public bodies. The survey also showed that there were 280 convictions under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act, a decrease on the previous year. In the last Scottish Parliament, I tried to introduce a Bill to toughen up legal action against those who assault workers who are serving the public. Unfortunately Alex Salmond and his Ministers refused to support this Bill. There is a real complacency about violence perpetrated against workers who serve the public. These statistics show there is still a significant problem. I hope Alex Salmond will do the right thing and back a Bill to protect those who serve us.

Mumps, Measles and Rubella Vaccination

Leading microbiologist Professor Hugh Pennington has commented that a preventative measure exists and that it was "almost criminal" for the Scottish Government not to use it.

There have been 22 confirmed cases in Scotland this year so far, compared with 11 for the whole of last year. There has been a sharp increase in the number of measles cases in Europe in the last 12-18 months and with more than 12,000 cases of measles identified. This has led the European Centre for Disease Control to issue a warning to those who have not been vaccinated.

A preventative measure exists, yet the SNP government are failing to be proactive in its approach. I strongly urge the SNP to heed Professor Hugh Pennington's advice and embark on a catch-up campaign immediately.

Paisley Daily Express - 05 October 2011

Youth Unemployment

The UCS debate was a reminder that we can all do something to give our young people a future. Actions by the Tories and Lib Dems at Westminster, and inaction by Alex Salmond in Holyrood is leading a catastrophic situation for young people. The number of young people (18-24 year olds) out of work has increased again. The youth jobless statistics are worse than in any period since the Tories were last in power in January 1997. And it’s not just young people. More women are claiming benefit than at any time since August 1996. These statistics represent a waste of talent. We cannot afford to be complacent. If we fail to give this generation of young people a proper start in life, we could blight the rest of their lives. We need action to tackle the scourge of unemployment.

Carers Crisis

A recent survey has shown that less than one percent of Scots who are identified as carers, have actually received any services. The figure is getting worse. Just over a year ago 97 percent of carers did not have their needs assessed. And worse, of the few who actually have their needs assessed, only 0.2 percent actually received any services. Alex Salmond promised they would treat carers as partners and give them a more direct voice, with a “Carers Parliament”. But we need more than warm words of support. Why doesn’t Alex Salmond call a Carers’ Summit to get things moving? Carers provide an invaluable service and we should not take them for granted. 

Food Parcels?

David Cameron likes to talk about the “Big Society” and how the Tories have changed. Oh really? Recent press reports said that Hedge fund managers and financiers were pouring millions into the Tory party. Bankers’ pay and bonuses continues to soar and all in all, the wealthy are doing not too badly.

On the other hand, press reports indicate that many families in 21^st Century Britain are having to turn to charities for food parcels. In Northamptonshire concerns have been raised about increased demand. In Harlow in Essex, there has been a 35% increase in demand. In Wales there has been “a sharp increase in demand”. In Shropshire food parcel schemes are expanding. And here in Scotland, a major national newspaper reported on “Breadline Scotland”. The paper reported that Jobcentres have been told to send desperate families to charity food banks. The Tory/Lib Dem benefit cuts will make it worse for the poor and the needy.

We like to think of ourselves as a civilised country. It’s a badge of shame that families are having to rely on charities for food in 21^st Century Britain.

Bogus Collectors

Give with Care is a recently launched scheme which aims to increase public awareness about charity giving. The British public is incredibly generous with donations to help good causes here and abroad. But it’s not just money which is donated. More charities are collecting clothes and goods, often using doorstep collections. It’s a disgrace that a number of unscrupulous and bogus companies are trying to cash in on this generosity. These companies use misleading promotional literature that could lead the public to believe that their collections are for charitable causes.

The bogus literature often mentions vague causes rather than specific charities or good causes. I know that readers of the Paisley Daily Express are always quick to help out good causes and those in need. But I would urge you to be careful. If you don’t recognise the name or the charity, then think twice. These bogus collectors are stealing from genuine worthy causes. If you want information on this, call my office on 0141 848 7361.

Reid Kerr College

I recently spoke in a debate about Scotland’s colleges. Across Scotland, colleges provide a first class service to many who would otherwise be excluded from education. Here in Renfrewshire we are fortunate to have Reid Kerr College – a college with a reputation for excellence and commitment to local communities.

With the jobs crisis facing young people, we need to make sure that Reid Kerr and other colleges are able to respond to the demand for education and training.

Unfortunately the debate highlighted severe cuts by Alex Salmond’s Government, to our colleges, right across Scotland. We will pay a high price if we don’t educate and train our young people. Our colleges also offer a chance for education to women who missed out in further education first time round.

I hope Alex Salmond will think again. We need to shout loud and clear right across Scotland, that we value colleges like Reid Kerr.