SNP Politicians Back The Courier’s Jobs Campaign
Commenting on the report published yesterday by the Centre for Cities which suggested that cities like Dundee might take longer to get out of recession, Dundee’s SNP politicians were concerned to highlight the positives and to assert that joint campaigns such as the Courier’s ‘Let’s Get Dundee Working’ can help to make things happen.
Dundee East MSP Shona Robison said today, “Of course, there are many problems in Dundee and these have been well-rehearsed many times, but there are numerous positives too. “The Scottish Government has been doing a lot to help Dundee recover, with £33m invested in the waterfront as a catalyst for further regeneration of the city. Scottish Government support can be the key for the V&A Dundee project which will provide hundreds of jobs and more importantly signal a new era for the city’s recovery and will only be possible through joint working of Dundee City Council, Dundee’s two Universities and other partners. “Despite the downturn and the tight financial settlement, the Scottish Government and its agencies has committed record spending on new social housing and on a new £22m swimming and leisure centre in Dundee with 5 new primary schools and a new building for Harris Academy forthcoming – all will help to keep Dundee’s recovery on track.
“Our freezing of the Council Tax across Scotland for a third successive year has helped ordinary families while the abolishing or slashing of Business Rates – welcomed by the Federation of Small Business as ‘making a real difference’ – has been a big help to thousands of small businesses across the country and in some cases has made the difference between businesses surviving or going under.
“As local politicians we are working hard with the Scottish Government and Dundee City Council to seize the opportunity to make Dundee the renewables capital of Scotland in the same way that Aberdeen benefited from North Sea oil and gas.
“By working with Forth Ports, Scottish Enterprise and Dundee Council, we can help the city take advantage of its port and ideal location for turbine manufacturing.”
Commenting on the report, Joe FitzPatrick,MSP for Dundee West said: “There is no point in glossing over the facts that Dundee has a long way to go to catch up with other more affluent areas.
“The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s refusal to allow the Scottish Government to bring forward accelerated capital spending has directly affected Dundee’s recovery. It could have allowed us to bring forward recovery projects to help bring us out of recession and protect jobs.
“Dundee’s situation has certainly not been helped either by Mr Darling’s refusal to agree to tax breaks for the computer games industry. This was the most important thing which could have been in the UK Government’s pre-budget report to safeguard Dundee’s digital media sector and allow expansion in the city.
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie said: “A new analysis of official statistics shows that Scotland has consistently outperformed the UK in recent decades when it comes to balancing the books on public finances. Even within the financial straightjacket of the UK, Scotland can prosper and the Scottish Government has done all within its powers to help the country through the recession.
“Alistair Darling’s decision to increase employers’ National Insurance contribution by 1% from 1st April 2011 is set to cost Scotland £104 million from 2011 to 2012. This is a tax on creating jobs and this was the wrong thing to do.
“The UK Government is making the wrong choice by cutting Scotland’s budget now before we are out of recession.”
Councillor Jim Barrie, SNP Candidate for Dundee West in the forthcoming General Election, said: “The Courier’s ‘Let’s Get Dundee Working’ campaign is helping to focus everyone’s minds on the main priority which is to ensure that when the economy recovers, Dundee is quickly able to revitalise itself. The expansion of existing business and regeneration in the public sector will create the opportunity to allow development of new jobs.
“I have seen at first-hand how the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus Scheme, which was extended this year has proved to be a huge help to small businesses, which are at the core of our economy.”
SNP Politicians Support Haiti Appeal
Dundee’s SNP politicians have urged the public to give generously to the Haiti Emergency appeals.
Shona Robison MSP said: “I’m pleased that Dundee has its own appeal and will be making my own donation to it. The disaster is of such magnitude that it is good that people in Scotland and the Scottish Government were quick off the mark in pledging money – more than £250,000 was pledged last week by Fiona Hyslop, the External Affairs Minister, to the NGO’s co-ordinating the aid effort from Scotland. “More importantly, the Scottish Government has also offered immediate help with the temporary secondment of its staff to allow charities and the disaster emergency committee staff to focus on the operation of getting the aid from Scotland to Haiti. This will be of immediate value as they attempt to respond to the huge logistical task of co-ordinating the public appeal and organising transport. Joe FitzPatrick MSP said: “Scots have responded with great generosity to the disaster appeal. More than £1m was raised from the Scottish public in the first three days, approximately one sixth of the UK total raised. I’ll be donating to the Disaster Relief Fund (Dundee) and urge everyone to give what they can afford – to the reception at City Chambers, 18 City Square. “The first wave of the aid effort will be for basic humanitarian aid – water, food and shelter but it is important that people continue to donate over the coming weeks. “There will be a requirement for more substantial aid once basic emergency supplies are delivered to all who need them. It’s our job, as politicians, to raise awareness of the Haiti Appeal and to urge people to donate by calling 0370 60 60 900 or by visiting the Disaster Emergency Committee website www.dec.org.uk “ Stewart Hosie MP said: “Although the situation is volatile with the transport network in Haiti in chaos and there have been reports of looting, these kinds of stories should not detract from the immensity of the human suffering which we have a duty to help alleviate. “There are many ways that the public can help by contacting the DEC the main appeal body or Save The Children, Oxfam Scotland, SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund) or the Mercy Corps, all of whom are involved in getting aid from Scotland to Haiti.” Councillor Jim Barrie said: “Our heart must go out to the thousands of ordinary folk who managed to survive the disaster but lost family members. “The sheer scale of the earthquake and the destruction it caused has taken us by surprise but we can play a part in helping to bring the suffering to an end more quickly. “There are many ways to get involved in helping to raise funds, through any networks you are involved in, social clubs, trade unions and church groups – and to make a personal donation of whatever you can afford to the Disaster Relief Fund (Dundee) at 18 City Square Dundee.”
SNP Working to Bring Jobs to Dundee
The SNP is working hard to bring jobs to Dundee and has created numerous jobs since 2007 and will continue to press for more civil service opportunities, says Dundee’s elected representatives.
Shona Robison, Dundee East MSP said: “We will continue to press Dundee’s case for civil service job opportunities. It is a fact that the Scottish Government has helped to create a considerable number of new posts in the city over the last two years, some of which are still to come on-stream.
“However, despite the Scottish Government’s ongoing job creation and support for ongoing regeneration projects, we need to recognise that we are now living in a very different economic world. The public sector is not immune to that. There is more likely to be contraction rather than expansion of the public sector.
“Some of the jobs which have come to Dundee recently include 70 posts created by £5m funding in 2008 for the Translational Medicine Centre at Dundee University.
“New life sciences jobs will be created at the Scottish Institute for Cell Signalling led by Sir Philip Cohen, set up by £10m funding in 2008.
“There will be a number of new jobs at the £16m Scottish Police Services forensic laboratory at City Court at the waterfront when that opens and the SPSA have taken a 35 year lease on the building.
“It has been estimated that the Scottish Government’s £33m investment in the waterfront regeneration project could create 3500 new permanent jobs and generate £2.6 billion into the national economy.
“The V&A project which the Scottish Government is working jointly towards with the City Council and the city’s two Universities, will begin construction in 2012 and be completed in 2014 and will generate 900 jobs and bring an estimated 130,000 visitors to Dundee every year.”
Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “Dundee’s Life Sciences sector also received funding from the Scottish Government’s Modern Apprenticeship Framework for Life Sciences last year, which will enable the recruitment of two apprentices for the price of every one taken on.
“The Scottish Government funded 1,000 additional police officers last year and this has meant new police posts in Tayside.
“Funding from the Scottish Government will allow Dundee City Council to build five new primary schools and a new Harris Academy building in the next few years thus providing a boost for the local construction industry.
“It should be noted that other political parties in the Scottish Parliament, and the Liberal Democrats in particular, have been demanding a reduction in the size of the public sector especially the number of quangos in Scotland.
“This really is not consistent with their call locally for more civil service jobs. They can’t have it both ways.”
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie condemned the recent announcement by the UK Treasury confirming plans to close 130 HMRC offices with the loss of up to 1,700 jobs.
SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie echoed concerns raised by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSU) warned that the public and businesses would suffer, with tax advice and support “severely reduced”, and tax collection “undermined”. More than 20,000 civil service jobs have been axed since 2006.
Mr Hosie said: “This is more than just the wrong decision at the wrong time, it is just madness to slash HMRC jobs and services at a time when they are needed most.
“We are in the teeth of recession, and it is no time for the Labour Government to be adding to the dole queue.
“As well as being a bitter blow to the HMRC workforce, these cuts will hit businesses and the public just when they need accessible and well-resourced services most.”
Dundee West Westminster SNP candidate Jim Barrie said that Alistair Darling’s decision to increase employers National Insurance contribution by 1% from 1st April 2011 could cost Scotland £104 million from 2011 to 2012.
The decision by the UK Chancellor is set to cost Dundee City Council £1.7 million and NHS Tayside £2.9 million.
Councillor Barrie said: “Labour’s decision to increase national insurance is going to have a direct effect on frontline services.
“The UK Government will be penalising employers so that they will be unable to expand and take on new staff when the recession is over.”
Scottish Parliament Urged to Welcome V&A Dundee’s ‘Next Step’
JIm Barrie, Stewart Hosie, Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop, Shona Robison, Sir Mark Strong (V&A Director), Joe FitzPatrick
Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick, who was present with SNP Colleagues, Stewart Hosie MP, Shona Robison MSP and Councillors Ken Guild and Jim Barrie at the announcement of the next step in the development of the V&A Dundee project on Monday, has raised a motion urging the Scottish Parliament to show their support for the project.
The MSP is keen to raise awareness of the international competition to find a design team to create an iconic building on the newly-announced site south-east of Craig Pier, next to the RSS Discovery.
After lodging the motion at the Scottish Parliament, Joe said: “The event at Discovery Point was very well-attended by a wide range of agencies and the mood was very upbeat and positive.
“It is great that we now have a site pinpointed and a timescale for the architectural design competition, with construction to commence in 2012 and the building to be completed in 2014.
“The competition is sure to garner massive publicity and interest worldwide, it will be a major boost to the construction sector and when complete will give the city an iconic building of national and international importance.”
Stewart Hosie commented: “The scope of this project is imaginative and large enough to re-define Dundee as a city of aspiration and achievement.
“The return of RSS Discovery in 1986 heralded a new phase in the city’s fortunes and it is fitting that the new V&A building will overlook the famous ship.”
MP and MSP’s Concern Over Balmossie Fire Cover
Stewart Hosie MP and Shona Robison MSP continue to voice their concerns over the Tayside Fire Board’s proposals to downgrade nighttime fire cover at Balmossie Fire Station. While responding to a press feature on the subject, both Stewart and Shona gave their reasons:
Stewart Hosie said:“Many of my constituents in particular from Broughty Ferry, Monifieth and the Sidlaw villages, were, and are, concerned at the proposals to downgrade night-time firecover at Balmossie.
“I received more correspondence about this issue when it raised it’s head last year than on any other single local issue since I was elected. The concerns raised with me formed the basis of my response to the Firemaster as part of the initial consultation. I attended and spoke at the FBU Rally and had various meetings with the Firemaster and FBU officials.
“My position has not changed. I believe that the Firemaster has failed to allay the very real concerns of local people that his plans for the service offer the best possible fire protection – and I am dismayed that a near identical proposal should be brought back to the Fire Board so soon after it was last rejected.
“Local people gave me a long list of specific concerns which remain unanswered. These include concerns that most fire deaths occur during the night, precisely the time period when fire-cover is to be downgraded; there are a large number of nursing homes in the area, Ashludie Hospital and many elderly people living in the area; that there will be longer response times in the areas presently served by Balmossie, with constituents in Monifieth believing that there would be an additional four minutes for an appliance from Kingsway East to get to them. Some are concerned that downgrading night-time firecover at Balmossie would be a first step to closing the station altogether. Others constituents point out that the area’s population is expanding, with new housing estates to the north and east and that it makes little sense to downgrade a station covering an expanding residential population.
“Therefore, as the local MP, I cannot support proposals which so many of my constituents remain deeply anxious about.
“Of course, no service can remain static for ever. And I am open to any imaginative proposals which would improve the fire protection of my constituents . But in the absence of any firm alternatives, I remain unconvinced about the benefits of downgrading the service in from Balmossie.”
In her comments on the situation, Shona Robison said: “It would be very foolish for any political party to try and make the Balmossie Fire station issue into a party political football.
“The fact is that members of all parties have voted in differing ways over this controversial proposal since its inception. Indeed it would be wrong for Fire Board members to vote along party political or indeed geographical lines. The safety of the public is too important for political point scoring. Rather the judgement is whether the Fire Master has made the case for change along the lines proposed.
“My own position is already in the public domain in both media comment and my submission to the first consultation back in March last year. The Fire master has not persuaded me that the proposals for Balmossie address two key concerns. Firstly that there is no diminution of safety for the public and secondly that any changes must be focussed on reducing the deaths and injury from fire which occur disproportionately in the poorest communities in Dundee.
“The statistics speak for themselves and yet the Balmossie proposals do little to address this fact. Therefore, I cannot support the proposals (to downgrade full-time night cover) as they stand and I would urge both the Fire Master, the Fire Board and the FBU to seriously investigate alternative options which can command broad support and deliver enhanced safety for the people of this city.”
MP and MSP’s Concern Over Balmossie Fire Cover
Stewart Hosie MP and Shona Robison MSP continue to voice their concerns over the Tayside Fire Board’s proposals to downgrade nighttime fire cover at Balmossie Fire Station. While responding to a press feature on the subject, both Stewart and Shona gave their reasons:
Stewart Hosie said:“Many of my constituents in particular from Broughty Ferry, Monifieth and the Sidlaw villages, were, and are, concerned at the proposals to downgrade night-time firecover at Balmossie.
“I received more correspondence about this issue when it raised it’s head last year than on any other single local issue since I was elected. The concerns raised with me formed the basis of my response to the Firemaster as part of the initial consultation. I attended and spoke at the FBU Rally and had various meetings with the Firemaster and FBU officials.
“My position has not changed. I believe that the Firemaster has failed to allay the very real concerns of local people that his plans for the service offer the best possible fire protection – and I am dismayed that a near identical proposal should be brought back to the Fire Board so soon after it was last rejected.
“Local people gave me a long list of specific concerns which remain unanswered. These include concerns that most fire deaths occur during the night, precisely the time period when fire-cover is to be downgraded; there are a large number of nursing homes in the area, Ashludie Hospital and many elderly people living in the area; that there will be longer response times in the areas presently served by Balmossie, with constituents in Monifieth believing that there would be an additional four minutes for an appliance from Kingsway East to get to them. Some are concerned that downgrading night-time firecover at Balmossie would be a first step to closing the station altogether. Others constituents point out that the area’s population is expanding, with new housing estates to the north and east and that it makes little sense to downgrade a station covering an expanding residential population.
“Therefore, as the local MP, I cannot support proposals which so many of my constituents remain deeply anxious about.
“Of course, no service can remain static for ever. And I am open to any imaginative proposals which would improve the fire protection of my constituents . But in the absence of any firm alternatives, I remain unconvinced about the benefits of downgrading the service in from Balmossie.”
In her comments on the situation, Shona Robison said: “It would be very foolish for any political party to try and make the Balmossie Fire station issue into a party political football.
“The fact is that members of all parties have voted in differing ways over this controversial proposal since its inception. Indeed it would be wrong for Fire Board members to vote along party political or indeed geographical lines. The safety of the public is too important for political point scoring. Rather the judgement is whether the Fire Master has made the case for change along the lines proposed.
“My own position is already in the public domain in both media comment and my submission to the first consultation back in March last year. The Fire master has not persuaded me that the proposals for Balmossie address two key concerns. Firstly that there is no diminution of safety for the public and secondly that any changes must be focussed on reducing the deaths and injury from fire which occur disproportionately in the poorest communities in Dundee.
“The statistics speak for themselves and yet the Balmossie proposals do little to address this fact. Therefore, I cannot support the proposals (to downgrade full-time night cover) as they stand and I would urge both the Fire Master, the Fire Board and the FBU to seriously investigate alternative options which can command broad support and deliver enhanced safety for the people of this city.”
CashBack From Crime Money for Dundee Announced
Dundee’s politicians today welcomed the announcement by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill that more than a million pounds of money seized from criminal activity will be distributed between more that 230 youth projects across Scotland.
Dundee East MSP Shona Robison said today: “I’m very pleased to see that more than £27,400 will be coming to Dundee to youth organisations including Fairbridge in Dundee, The Shore, Grey Lodge Settlement and Dundee West Youth Work Team.
“This will help them to promote diversionary activities, to allow youth organisations to purchase equipment and to enable events both indoor and outdoor for youth people in the city.”
Joe FitzPatrick, Dundee West MSP said: “CashBack for Communities enables young people to develop their interests and skills in an enjoyable, fulfilling and supported way, using funds recovered from criminals.
“I’d like to congratulate the successful organisations which have received the cash, which are doing such a great job to get young people occupied in healthy activities.”
“Organised crime brings misery to individuals and communities. It is only right that their ill-gotten gains are put to use in improving lives.”
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie said: “I welcome the expansion of CashBack for Communities which allows local youth groups to promote an ever-widening range of productive activities.
“Thanks to this new funding, Dundee young people will enjoy more opportunities to get off street corners and into enjoyable, healthy activities.
“I’m pleased that criminal’s cash will be put to good use in outdoor and indoor events, including residential weekends which will help to demonstrate to young people that there is more to life than petty crime and getting out of your head on drink and drugs. The benefits to young people themselves are clear – and the benefits are felt in the wider community.”
In his announcement today in Edinburgh, Mr MacAskill said: “CashBack for Communities has opened doors to programme expansion for so many groups who were operating on a shoe string, the enthusiasm shown by young people and those who work with them who have received funding is infectious and refreshing.
“This round of CashBack has seen so many new groups apply and we are delighted to see the money spread right across the country. We hope this funding stream has more than proved its worth over the past two years.”
YouthLink Scotland, through CashBack for Communities, has been tasked with leading a £4 million grants programme, which supports a range of activities for young people. The previous two rounds have distributed £3 million to successful projects, and this third round distributes a further £1 million with the maximum grant capped at £10,000 to maximise the number of projects which can benefit.
CashBack for Communities is a programme of diversionary activities for young people to increase the opportunities they have to develop their interests and skills in an enjoyable, fulfilling and supported way. Using funds recovered from the proceeds of crime, the Scottish Government has committed to investing over £13 million in a range of CashBack projects for young people.
ENDS
Notes:
A range of free activities for young people can be found at www.youngscotwow.org
Link to the CashBack for Communities site:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/17141/cashback
Hopes High at St Luke’s for Climate Change Agreement
Stewart with Rev Taylor and the youngsters
Youngsters in Broughty Ferry have expressed their optimism for the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change which begins in earnest tomorrow. Sunday school and Youth Group members at St Luke’s & Queen Street Church of Scotland participated, with adult members of the Congregation in a Climate Change Day and Prayer Breakfast on the issue.
A scroll created at the events outlines many of their ideas and suggestions to help tackle climate change. Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie was invited to the Church today to accept the scroll and pass it on as a contribution from Scotland to the Summit.
The Minister, Rev Graham Taylor along with many of the young participants was on hand to present the MP with the scroll.
Stewart Hosie said: “I am delighted to accept this scroll which contains many useful suggestions for tackling this serious issue. I will be passing it on to Stewart Stevenson, the Scottish Government Minister who will be going to the Summit and taking part in some of the events.
“The Scottish Government has passed the most ambitious climate change targets in the developed world, world-beating legislation which sets targets of 42% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020 with an 80% reduction by 2050. Scotland is leading the way on tough legislation to tackle the problem.
“But we will not achieve those targets without the public on board and that is where concentrated action and awareness-raising among local groups has a major part to play.
“I congratulate Rev Taylor, Anne Anderson and others who organised these climate change events at St Luke’s & Queen St Church for helping to keep people thinking about the issue – and what we as individuals can do to help. We all hope that the Summit at Copenhagen will be a success and that many other countries will agree to emulate the Scottish Government in terms of agreed targets for emissions.”
New Figures Show UK Diesel Tax is Highest in EU, say SNP
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie today highlighted new figures showing that diesel tax in the UK is the most expensive in Europe and warned that the UK Labour Government must take account of how its road fuel taxes are affecting the transport industry and the costs of goods in terms of economic recovery.
Stewart Hosie said: “While the SNP proposed a fuel duty regulator to limit price increases, Labour are proposing a fuel duty escalator with prices above inflation from next April.
“These latest figures from the European Commission’s Directorate General Energy and Transport – published last week – show that diesel in the UK is already the most expensive in Europe at 1.23 Euros per litre. This compares with an EU average of 1.06 Euros per litre. However, when tax is excluded, the price of diesel in the UK drops dramatically and is the second lowest in Europe at 0.44 Euros a litre. Only Bulgaria is lower at 0.42 Euros a litre.
The Dundee MP who is SNP Treasury spokesman at Westminster is concerned that the high price of diesel is damaging economic recovery in Scotland.
“The Treasury’s diesel tax regime is the highest in Europe. It is a national scandal that, in an oil rich country like Scotland, we are paying over 30p a litre more than motorists in Romania and Bulgaria.
“Key sectors like the haulage industry are reeling from these forecourt costs, and Alistair Darling must use his Pre-Budget report next month to bring down the cost of fuel.
“These costs impact on the price of goods in the stores for ordinary households.
“Economic recovery is being slowed by the high cost of transporting goods and raw materials and is making Scotland less competitive in critical global markets.
“Our vital haulage industry and Scottish industry and business need all the support they can get and that is simply not happening with this oppressive fuel tax regime from the UK Treasury.”
Copenhagen Negotiators Should Follow Scotland’s Lead say SNP
Stewart Hosie, Shona Robison and Joe FitzPatrick with Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment
With the Copenhagen Climate Summit now only 12 days away, SNP politicians Shona Robison MSP, Joe FitzPatrick MSP and Stewart Hosie MP joined with the Scottish Government’s Environmental Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead to urge negotiators at the summit to follow Scotland’s lead on greenhouse gas targets.
The summit, which runs from 7-18 December will host more than 8000 representatives from 170 countries, and their deliberations will lead to the Copenhagen Protocol, which will set the direction for the world’s actions to tackle climate change over the next few years.
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie said: “This is the most important international meeting on climate change ever and Scotland could really help make a difference. Previous summits have seen deadlocked talks resulting in watered-down proposals.
“It is unfair and unfortunate that no representative from the Scottish Government will be allowed to attend, to promote Scotland’s climate legislation as a great example at a time when the world desperately needs good examples.”
“The Vote Earth campaign calls on rich countries to set a target of reducing their emissions by at least 40% by 2020. Scotland has already committed to a 42% cut by that date with the Climate Change (Scotland) Act, passed by Holyrood in June.”
Shona Robison said: “Scotland is leading the world on setting ambitious targets for reductions in emissions. Our Climate Change legislation has set an interim target of 42% reduction by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050. This sends a message that we are serious about tackling this urgent issue, a message which we hope that other countries will emulate.”
Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick added: “Scientists say a reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions of industrialised countries of at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 is vital in order to keep global temperature rise below 2°C.
“It is crucial that the Copenhagen talks agree new and predictable public financing to ensure developing countries can develop cleanly while dealing with the impact of climate change. The summit must unite both the developed and developing world behind a set of achievable proposals, but these need to be ambitious, otherwise we will not effectively tackle the problem.”
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said: “WWF’s Vote Earth campaign is a great way for the general public to send a strong message to world leaders that they care about tackling climate change. The Copenhagen meeting is the most important discussion of climate change ever.”
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