McMillan Welcomes New Boiler Scrappage Scheme

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has welcomed the opening of a new boiler scrappage scheme from the Scottish Government.

Funds have been made available by the Scottish Government for over 6,000 households in Scotland to receive £400 towards the cost of a new boiler.

Households with poor performing boilers which convert less than 70 per cent of fuel into heat, will qualify for cashback on a new energy saving model.

Upgrading to a greener boiler will help reduce heating costs by about a quarter and save around £190 a year on fuel bills.

Households can apply over the phone 0800 512 012 or online through Home Energy Scotland, the Scottish Government's one stop shop for home energy help.

It is the third time the Scottish Government has opened the scheme in the last year, with up to 14,000 households expected to benefit from a total scrappage fund of £6 million.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am delighted the Scottish Government has opened up this scheme to help people with energy inefficient boilers.

"This will help reduce heating bills for people across Scotland and will work towards providing greener homes.

"As the scheme is working on a first come first served basis I would encourage all constituents to get in touch with Home Energy Scotland as soon as possible and see whether they are eligible for the scheme"

McMillan Welcomes Honours For Asbestos Campaigner

Stuart has congratulated Phyllis Craig of Clydeside Action on Asbestos on being awarded an MBE in the recent honours list. Phyllis played in an instrumental role in seeing the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) Bill being passed in the Scottish Parliament and has been a dedicated campaigner for sufferers of asbestos related conditions.

Stuart has lodged the following motion in the Scottish Parliament to celebrate her well deserved recognition.

Date of Lodging: 15 June 2011

Short Title: Honour for Clydeside Action on Asbestos

S4M-00318 Stuart McMillan () (Scottish National Party): That the Parliament congratulates Phyllis Craig on being appointed an MBE in the recent Queen's honours list for services to people with asbestos-related diseases; recognises the tireless campaigning that Phyllis has carried out on behalf of Clydeside Action on Asbestos (CAA) and for people fighting for compensation for asbestos-related illnesses; notes that Phyllis has worked with CAA for 17 years, and considers that this award is well deserved.

Stuart Support Action Mesothelioma Day 2011

With Action Mesothelioma Day 2011 only weeks away Stuart has lodged the following in motion in the Scottish Parliament in support of the day.

Date of Lodging: 07 June 2011

Short Title: Action Mesothelioma Day 2011

S4M-00219 Stuart McMillan () (Scottish National Party): That the Parliament supports Action Mesothelioma Day, on 1 July, which aims to raise awareness of the disease and improve the treatment and care of it; commends the dedication of charities, such as Clydeside Action on Asbestos, that provide an invaluable service to sufferers throughout Scotland; considers that the Scottish Parliament has an excellent record of supporting those with asbestos-related conditions, as evidenced by the passing of Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Act 2008, and recognises the importance of this day as many individuals and families living in Scotland and the United Kingdom have been affected by exposure to asbestos.

McMillan Shows Constituents Some TLC

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Monday) has joined forces with breast cancer charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer to help increase breast awareness in the West of Scotland region by taking part in the charity’s Touch Look Check campaign.

Touch Look Check (or TLC) is Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s breast awareness message and encourages women to Touch, Look and Check their breast’s regularly. A survey recently undertaken by the charity showed that only half of women in Scotland regularly checked their breasts.

Mr. McMillan said;

"Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Scotland with over 4000 women diagnosed every year. Each year around 1000 women die from breast cancer in Scotland.

"An early diagnosis of breast cancer can help save lives. This is why I am pleased to help spread Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Touch, Look, Check message to my constituents via my office, website, local press, and social media.

Audrey Birt, Director of Breakthrough Breast Cancer in Scotland, said:

"While more women are surviving breast cancer it is vital that women stay breast aware. Our message is as simple as TLC – Touch, Look, Check. Do this by regularly touching, looking for changes and checking anything unusual with your doctor and attending breast screening if you are over 50, as these are the best ways to identify breast cancer early. If you find any unusual changes or are worried by anything, you should talk to your GP straight away."

"I am delighted that Stuart McMillan MSP is helping to spread this important message."

McMillan Raises Concerns Over Ongoing Rail Problems

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) is to seek answers following yet another day of disruption on the Gourock and Wemyss Bay rail lines.

A number of trains were cancelled and delayed today causing major problems for commuters. The Gourock and Wemyss Bay lines have suffered major disruption over recent weeks with trains delayed and cancelled at short notice.

Mr McMillan intends to write to both Scotrail and Network Rail in order to get to the bottom of the problems.

Mr McMillan said;

"I was disappointed to hear of the disruptions today on the Wemyss Bay and Gourock rail lines, it seems to be the latest in a long line of problems on these lines.

"I am concerned that the frequency of disruptions on these lines indicates an inherent problem with the line and service to Wemyss Bay and Gourock. The service at present is not acceptable and is causing major problems for commuters.

"I intend to write to both Network Rail and Scotrail to find out where responsibility lies and see what progress can be made to improve the service on these lines and make it more reliable for passengers."