McMillan Welcomes Continued Support for Small Businesses

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Thursday) welcomed statistics showing 55 per cent of small businesses in West Dunbartonshire are benefitting from the Scottish Government’s Small Business Bonus scheme.

In a written answer Finance Secretary John Swinney MSP confirmed over half of non-domestic properties in Scotland are in receipt of rates relief.
　
Mr McMillan MSP said:

"Scotland’s small businesses play a vital role in our economy and are at the heart of our communities. So it is extremely encouraging to see that 55% of our small businesses in West Dunbartonshire are benefitting from reduced or zero business rates.

"This scheme is helping to create a fairer Scottish business rates system and giving a boost to small companies in the face of economic pressures.

"Only this week Energy Minister Fergus Ewing announced the small business loans scheme, giving £2.5million in funding to help companies install renewables technologies.

"These policies are making a huge difference to small businesses – but I would encourage even more to apply.

"Successful small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, create local jobs and are a fundamental source of entrepreneurship.

"That is why the SNP Government is committed to helping our small businesses withstand the current tough trading conditions and continue to make their crucial economic and employment contribution."

McMillan Welcomes Budget for Economic Recovery

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Wednesday) welcomed the budget announcement from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, John Swinney MSP, which indicated further support for students and colleges.

Alongside this, transport, housing, health and digital projects will receive new investment to help boost the economy.

The Finance Secretary confirmed during the final stage of the Budget Bill 2012-13 that additional capital spending of £382 million for 2012 -2015, supporting around 5,000 jobs, has been allocated to support Scotland’s economic growth.

The Scottish Government will also support students by investing an additional £19.5 million in our young people, through maintaining top-up funding for student support provided in 2011-12 and providing an additional £8 million next year to the Scottish Funding Council to help colleges play their part in delivering Opportunities for All commitments.
　
Mr McMillan MSP said:

"The Budget announcement from the SNP Government will help boost public sector capital investment, takes direct action to tackle unemployment, in particular youth unemployment and enhances economic security across the Scottish economy.

"I’m particularly pleased to see further investment in our young people to assist their future life chances.　 The additional £8m, next year, to the Scottish Funding Council will be a huge boost to further education institutions.

"This is a budget which aims to get Scotland moving forward through the creation of employment opportunities, investment in our young people and delivering further capital infrastructure projects.　 I’m sure this will be welcomed throughout West Scotland and beyond."

McMillan Welcomes MacAskill Reassurance on Prisoner Complaints

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West Scotland) has today welcomed a commitment from Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill that the Scottish Government will carry out further consultation on the reform of the system for prisoner advocacy and complaints before a final decision is made about the future role of Prison Visiting Committees.
　
The SNP MSP for West Scotland has also welcomed the clear procedure for prisoner complaints set out by the government. Mr McMillan said:
　
"The members of Prison Visiting Committees are passionate and dedicated volunteers who give up their own time to monitor prison conditions, and we should be grateful for the service they provide. Regardless of what might have led someone to end up in prison in the first place, it is right and essential that society has a mechanism in place to ensure that they are treated properly once they are there and their interests represented.
　
"That does not mean we should not review that service from time to time, however, to ensure that it remains fit for purpose, and it is certainly true that prisons and the needs of prisoners themselves have changed enormously since the Prison Visiting Committees were established in the 19th century.
　
"Nonetheless, like other MSPs, I am keen to ensure both that the views of prison visitors themselves are listened to and that the best aspects of the Prison Visiting Service are built on and not discarded in the reform process. I am reassured that the commitments that the Cabinet Secretary has made today mean that this will happen.
　
"The Scottish Government’s aim in undertaking this reform is to put in place a modern and appropriate independent advocacy service for prisoners that is fit for the 21st century, working alongside a robust system of inspection. That is something that we need in our society and which all MSPs should be able to support."

McMillan Welcomes Scottish Care to Parliament

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has welcomed Scottish Care representatives to the Scottish Parliament building to brief MSP’s and Researchers on Care of Older People and the Role of the Third and Independent Sectors.

Scottish Care is the principal representative body for the voluntary and private sector care homes and care at home services across the country and works closely with the Government and public agencies on the range of matters relating to care of older people.

Mr McMillan met with Mr Charles Young who is also the Chief Executive of Greenock Medical Aid Society, a local charity founded in 1798, which operates two care homes at Bagatelle and Glenfield and sheltered housing at Bagatelle Court.
　
Mr McMillan MSP said:

"I was delighted to host a briefing event in the Scottish Parliament for Scottish Care representatives from throughout the country.

"It’s important we continue to recognise the role Scottish Care fulfill within the community and also acknowledge the many staff they employ throughout Scotland.

"I hope the briefing was an opportunity for MSP’s to learn more about the role of Scottish Care and for the organisation to create greater links with MSP’s for the future.

Charles Young, Scottish Care, Inverclyde branch said:

"I am grateful to Stuart McMillan for giving Scottish Care the opportunity brief MSPs at Holyrood. It is important that MSPs, along with other stakeholders who have an interest in the care, health and general wellbeing of older people, are kept aware of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead if we are jointly to achieve desired outcomes for this important group of people.

"It is vitally important that we plan now for the inevitable future increase in demand on social care and health services because of changes in demographics coupled with growing pressure on finances". 　

Backing for Asbestos Victims in Campaign Against Insurers' Time Bar

Clydeside Action on Asbestos has welcomed the supportive statement of Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill against a trick being used by insurers to try and avoid paying out compensation to asbestos sufferers.

It is understood that, following the Supreme Court’s backing of the Damages (asbestos-related conditions) (Scotland) Act 2009 re-establishing the right to compensation for pleural plaques sufferers, insurers are attempting to use a case (Aitchison v Glasgow City Council (2010)) to argue that if someone does not take up their damages case for pleural plaques within 3 years of diagnosis that they no longer have the right to claim for other developments in their condition such as deadly Mesothelioma.

In a clear warning to the industry, Mr MacAskill said in a reply to a Parliamentary Question tabled by Stuart McMillan: “a claim for damages for Mesothelioma should not be rejected simply because the limitation period for a claim for damages for pleural plaques has expired.”

He said the matter would also form part of the Scottish Government’s review into modernising the law on damages.

Commenting on the development, senior welfare officer at Clydeside Action on Asbestos, Phyllis Craig, said:

‘Our priority is to ensure that the rights of those with asbestos related disease are protected. We have to clearly establish the right in law to pursue a claim even if a person had a diagnosis of pleural plaque previously and did not pursue a claim. We have to remember that the insurance industry vigorously fought against the right to pursue compensation for pleural plaque in Scotland, and won’t honour claims for this condition in England and Wales. For insurers to then use the fact that someone did not pursue a claim for pleural plaque within a three year time limit as a defence to not pay out for a more serious condition is both perverse and unjust. Mr MacAskill’s commitment to those with asbestos related illnesses and his statement that a claim for Mesothelioma should not be rejected simply because the time limit for a previous diagnosis of pleural plaque has expired is most welcome, as is the continued dedication of Mr Stuart McMillan in supporting individuals and families coping with a diagnosis of an asbestos related disease.’


Stuart McMillan MSP said:

‘I have been directly involved in supporting the rights of people with pleural plaque and other asbestos related diseases for a number of years and have seen the insurers seek to restrict their right to compensation through various legal challenges. This latest attempt to erode the rights of those who have developed serious lung conditions through asbestos exposure must be addressed through the appropriate channels to ensure that the rights of those who develop serious asbestos related illnesses, such as Mesothelioma, are firmly protected in Scotland.’

McMillan Welcomes Bill to Tackle High Hedge Disputes

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Wednesday) welcomed the news that SNP colleague, Mark McDonald MSP has opened proceedings for a members’ bill at the Local Government and Regeneration committee, at the Scottish Parliament, to deal with the problem of high hedges.
Mr McMillan has received numerous correspondence from constituents since 2007 in relation to high hedge and other nuisance vegetation complaints.
　
Mr McMillan MSP said:

" The best way to achieve an effective, practical and sustainable resolution the long standing problem is by providing local authorities with powers of last resort.　 This will allow them to take action to resolve high hedge issues should other attempts to resolve the issue fail.

"This is the path that has been followed in all other parts of the UK – in England and Wales through the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003; in the Isle of Man through the Trees and High Hedges Act 2005; and in Northern Ireland through the High Hedges Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

"In short this means a Bill that will ensure neighbours attempt to resolve the problem before recourse to the local authority.　 Problems where everyone can agree on the solution are likely to be the most effective and sustainable.

"It may not sound like the most exciting piece of legislation but I know that for many people this is an issue that blights their lives and damages neighbourhood relationships."

SCOTLAND TOPS REPORT FOR INWARD INVESTMENT

RANKED NO 1 OUTSIDE LONDON

The SNP has welcomed a report showing Scotland has topped a table for attracting foreign companies to invest – ahead of every other region in the UK outside London.

Cardiff Business School Study says Scotland attracted an average of nine per cent of new UK inward investment projects between 2005-10 – far above the 6.8% of North West England ranked in second position.

Stuart McMillan, SNP MSP for West Scotland and member of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, said:

"This is a fantastic report that shows Scotland has and continues to attract foreign companies to invest in our country.

"Topping the list underlines that fact that Scotland is an attractive place to do business.

"This report comes on the back of Samsung Heavy Industries announcing yesterday it was investing in a £100m offshore wind project, creating 500 jobs in Fife.

"Scotland is recognised worldwide as a front runner in the renewables industry – and it is clear from the Cambridge report other businesses share the view that companies benefit by setting up in Scotland.

"There is a lot of interest in this country and this report lays bare the scaremongering by the anti-independence parties that the question of Scotland’s constitutional future is creating uncertainty for businesses."