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.”