McMillan Welcomes HMP Low Moss Contract Announcement

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has welcomed the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) announcement of the contract awarded to Carillion Construction Ltd to build HMP Low Moss.

Mr. McMillan said;

"It is great news that the contract has been awarded and construction can start later this year for the new prison building.

"I am pleased the preparatory construction work has already been done to make sure the building can begin as soon as possible.

"The investment will not only provide a boost to East Dunbartonshire in terms of skill deployment and employment opportunities when the prison opens but will also serve to alleviate some of the overcrowding issues facing the prison system.

"This signals the start of the Scottish Government’s commitment to building four new prisons under the modernisation programme for the current prison estate".

McMillan Welcomes Decrease in Carrier Bag Use

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has welcomed the news that carrier bag use in Scotland has decreased significantly.

A reduction of 49.4%, around 39 million single-use carrier bags, has seen Scotland become the most successful in the UK at reducing usage. The Scottish Government agreed with the supermarkets the voluntary target of a 50% reduction by May 2009, a target that was subsequently adopted across the rest of the UK.

Mr. McMillan said;

"This is a fantastic step towards a zero waste Scotland and is another sign of the Scottish Government working with retailers to implement effective environmental measures.

"It would be great if Scottish retailers can push on now and, as well as cutting bag numbers further, work to tackle other important environmental issues such as food waste and packaging.

"The initial ambitious target of 50% proves we are up to the challenge of meeting environmental targets and I hope the recently agreed Climate Change (Scotland) Bill is a sign of things to come".

McMillan Welcomes Flooding Issue Update from Council

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) has today (Monday) welcomed the news from Inverclyde Council that the Flood Action Plan will be reported to the September 2009 meeting of the Safe & Sustainable Communities Committee. Mr McMillan received the news in a response letter from Neil Graham, Corporate Director for Environment.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am pleased to hear the news from Inverclyde Council that the Flood Action Plan will be reported to the Safe & Sustainable Communities Committee in September.

"While I had hoped the Flood Action Plan would have been reported on sooner I am still glad to see the Council is trying to progress this serious issue and tackle flooding throughout Inverclyde.

"It's important that an action plan is drawn up and implemented for the area as soon as possible as this will be vital in addressing the flooding problems we witnessed throughout the East End of Greenock last year.

"I look forward to hearing the outcome from the Committee and seeing what real action will be taken to address the flooding issue in Inverclyde."

McMillan Urges Holidaymakers to Remember 112

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has urged holidaymakers from Inverclyde to remember 112 – the EU wide number for emergency services.

Mr. McMillan is encouraging people to store the number which works across the EU, including at home and connects users to the local emergency services anywhere in the EU. He has also called for greater effort to be put into promoting the number to holidaymakers.

New research produced by the EU show that only 7.8% of people in the UK know about the 112 number despite emergency services being able to track down the location of those in need of help who call from a mobile phone and in many countries calls can be handled in English.

Mr. McMillan said;

"Many people are holidaying at home this summer to enjoy Scotland’s Homecoming year but for those planning on travelling abroad 112 is a number worth remembering.

"It is not a number many people know about and whilst no one wants wasteful calls to the emergency services, it is important people with genuine emergencies know where to get help.

"There is a real need to increase awareness of access to emergency services overseas – and I would urge tour operators and airlines flying into European airports to make sure their passengers are aware.

"You never know what can happen on holiday and it is important people in Inverclyde know how to access help across the EU".

Notes:
1. 112 can be dialled in any European country to connect to emergency services.

2. The Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission on 11 February 2009 showed awareness of 112 in the UK was amongst the worst in Europe with only 7.8% knowing about the number.

3. The Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission on 11 February 2009 showed that only 24% of Europeans are aware that they can call this number for all emergency services across the EU.

McMillan Welcomes Crown Office decision to Introduce Specialist Accident Dept

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) has today (Friday) welcomed the news from the Crown Office that they are to create a specialist department which will concentrate on work related accidents. The Crown Office is to set up a special group of prosecutors dealing with work related accidents and one of the incidents they will give special attention to is the case of the Flying Phantom Tug.

Mr McMillan said;

"I hope that the prosecutor that will be in charge of the investigation into the Flying Phantom will look further than just the vessel, but examine the decision process that led to the Flying Phantom escorting the 222.9 metre length cargo ship MV RED JASMINE into the upper Clyde.

"I believe that an important question which should be investigated, is whether the vessel was ordered to move on the 19th of December 2007 for operational or commercial reasons.

"The sinking of the Flying Phantom was a tragedy for everyone in Inverclyde and Renfrewshire, and I like many people want answers and to find out who is responsible for these sad events occurring.

McMillan Welcomes Later Opening Hours for Post Office

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) has today (Friday) welcomed the news that Cathcart Street Post Office has recently introduced longer opening hours for postal services. Mr Patel and his son Satt Patel have increased the Post Office opening hours till 7.30pm on a weeknight and introduced a Sunday service.

Mr McMillan said;

"I was delighted to be able to visit Mr Patel's store on Cathcart Street, Greenock and hear of the excellent news that he has recently introduced longer opening hours during the week and Sunday openings for postal services.

"This is an excellent idea which I hope is fully utilised by members of the local community.

"I'm sure the late openings during the week will be of much benefit to people who are working till around 5pm. Alongside this, the opening of postal services on a Sunday is another opportunity for the local community to pay bills and send parcels and mail."

Mr Patel said;

"I hope the introduction of longer opening hours during the week and opening on Sundays will encourage more of the local community to use our postal services.

"Having the later opening during the week and opening on a Sunday will allow people to use postal services when the shops isn't as busy and I think this is a positive reason to introducing the new times. It encourages those who work 9-5 to undertake their business with the post office at a time which is more suited to their convenience."

Notes:
Picture of Stuart McMillan MSP with Mr Patel, his son Satt Patel and Councillor Grieve. Mr Patel is holding a clock to 7:30pm to represent the later opening time.

McMillan Welcomes Record Funding Settlement for Council

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) has today (Tuesday) welcomed the news of how Inverclyde Council has been able to spend the record funding from the Scottish Government on frontline services. The figures highlight that Inverclyde Council has been able to budget for a 4.1% increase in 2009-10 over what was spent in 2008-09.

The official statistics show in particular that education funding in Inverclyde has increased 13.2%, or over £6,300,000 per year, since the SNP Government came to power in 2007.
Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome the news from the SNP Scottish Government that Inverclyde Council is continuing to receive record funding to pay for frontline services such as education and police.

"The Scottish Government is showing its commitment to making Scotland fairer and stronger by giving Council's the necessary funding to invest in vital services.

"I would urge Inverclyde Council to invest this funding wisely and provide services which are fit for purpose. It's important they follow the lead of the Scottish Government and deliver for the people of Inverclyde."

Notes:

The vast majority of funding for councils comes from central Government. The Scottish Government currently provides over seven times more to Inverclyde Council (£185m) than it raises itself in Council Tax (£26m).

The figures can be found at;
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/07/06093528/0

McMillan Kicks off West of Scotland Summer Tour

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) has today (Monday) started his summer tour of the West of Scotland region which he covers as a Member of the Scottish Parliament. During the summer recess period Mr McMillan will be taking part in a number of activities and job which he hopes will give him a better understanding of the roles his constituents play in society. Some of the jobs Mr McMillan will be undertaking during the tour are working at a farmers market, crewing a boat, working at Citizens Advice Bureau and going on deployment with community wardens. The month long tour will kick off on Monday 6th July when Mr McMillan spends a morning with Jobcentre Plus in Greenock where he will learn more about how people try to find employment in Scotland.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am looking forward to starting the month long tour of the West of Scotland region and meeting lots of constituents and undertaking many differing activities.

"It's important that MSP's are seen to be active in the community and learning more about what their constituents do in terms of employment.

"I believe this summer tour will give me a better understanding of the many differing roles my constitutes undertake and I hope this will help me better fulfil my role in representing them as a West of Scotland regional MSP.

"This is the best way to meet the people you represent and learn more about their views. I hope I will learn a lot during this tour and go back to Parliament after the recess with a better and more fuller understanding of the views and opinions of the people of the West of Scotland."