McMillan Welcomes Nat Semi Jobs Announcement

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement from National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd that it’s set to create 36 permanent jobs and invest $27 million over the next 12 months at its Greenock site to meet increasing production demands.

Mr McMillan said:

"I’ve had the pleasure of visiting National Semiconductor on more than one occasion and meeting with their managing director Gerry McCarthy and employees.

"It’s evident from visiting the site that National Semiconductor is committed to Inverclyde and this announcement of further investment highlights their commitment.

"I wish Gerry and the National semiconductor team the very best for the future."

McMillan Highlights CommunityForce Awards Scheme

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Wednesday) highlighted the launch of RBS CommunityForce awards scheme.

CommunityForce is a platform that empowers local projects and charities to raise awareness of their work and make their plans a reality with the support of RBS and their local community. By applying to CommunityForce hundreds of local charities and projects stand to win an award of £6,000 each, with the winners decided by public vote in the autumn.

Mr. McMillan said;

"The CommunityForce awards scheme is a great opportunity to win an award of £6,000 each, with the winners decided by public vote in the autumn.

"I’m sure winning such an award and receiving much needed funding would be an ideal opportunity to raise a projects profile and also help sustain it for the future.

"Therefore, I would encourage local charities, organisations and groups to register their interest for the CommunityForce awards scheme and make an application to http://communityforce.rbs.co.uk".

McMillan Welcomes New Crack Down on Knife Crime

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has welcomed the news that people who choose to carry knives in public places will face tougher penalties from today as the SNP Government steps up its efforts to crack down on knife crime across Scotland.

In the last four years knife crime has fallen by 30% but the SNP Government is determined to see it fall further.

The new measures will see people caught carrying a knife in public places such as licensed premises, bus or rail stations or in crime hot spots facing penalties of up to four years and tried by jury to ensure harsher penalties can be imposed.

Speaking from Inverclyde, where £500,000 has been invested in getting knives off the streets Mr McMillan said:

"Communities like the one I represent in the West of Scotland know the damage that can be done by people carrying knives. The actions of the SNP in Government and the police over the last four years have seen knife crime fall by 30%. That is good news for communities but there is always more to do.

"The SNP will not let up in the fight against knife crime and today's announcement sends a strong message to anyone thinking of carrying a knife that they will be stopped, they will be searched and they will face the courts.

"The SNP is determined to do what works to tackle knife crime and working with the police and prosecutors today’s announcement is further evidence of our determination to drive the scourge of knife crime out of our communities."

McMillan Highlights Countdown to Commonwealth Games

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Friday) highlighted that with exactly three years to the start of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 it’s a perfect opportunity for people to take up sport and get fit. The Games will have enormous economic benefits not only for Glasgow but all of Scotland and is an ideal opportunity to start exercising and participate in sport.

Mr. McMillan said;

"Sport provides an enormous physical and mental boost to people who take it up, and can easily change habits of a lifetime. With this week being three years to the day from when the Commonwealth Games in 2014 will kick off, and summer upon us, it is the perfect chance to try your hand at a sport you have always fancied but never got round to doing.

"There are plenty facilities and parks throughout the West of Scotland for people to get active and take up exercising and play any given sport.

"Therefore, with the Games in Glasgow only three years away I would strongly encourage my constituents to take up a sport they have always meant to – you never know you might end up competing for Scotland in 2014!"

McMillan Highlights ‘see me’ Scotland Small Grants Scheme

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) and Deputy Convener of the Equal Opportunities Committee has today (Wednesday) highlighted the launch of the ‘see me’ Scotland small grants scheme to support communities in fighting stigma.

The ‘see me’ Local Grant Scheme and Equality Fund gives Scots the chance to tackle stigma at a local level and make a real difference in their community.

Mr. McMillan said;

"Last year I added my support to the See Me campaign which aims to tackle the stigma shown by family and friends to people suffering from mental ill-health.

"Therefore, I’m delighted to once again support ‘see me’ Scotland and highlight the launch of their small grants scheme to support communities, in Scotland, in fighting stigma.

"I would encourage groups in the West of Scotland with initiatives and ideas on how to tackle the stigma of mental health to make an application to www.seemescotland.org.uk".

Notes;

‘see me’ Scotland website – http://www.seemescotland.org.uk/

Link to Local Grants scheme which commences from 1st August - http://www.seemescotland.org.uk/getinvolved/local-grants-scheme

McMillan to Meet Riverside Inverclyde to discuss Sugar Sheds Building

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Tuesday) confirmed he is to meet Riverside Inverclyde (RI) to discuss their proposals for the Sugar Sheds Building.

Mr McMillan was responding to correspondence he has received from constituents in Inverclyde who are anxious to know what the plans are for the building.

A Facebook campaign - www.facebook.com/sugarsheds has been set-up to discuss the future of the building.

Mr. McMillan said;

"I recently received correspondence from constituents in Inverclyde who are concerned with the proposals for the Sugar Sheds Building.

"Alongside this, I was made aware of the Facebook page which has become the focal point of the campaign and I notice it has over 2,500 ‘Likes’.

"Therefore, I felt it was important to arrange a meeting with Riverside Inverclyde to discuss their plans for the building and to also convey the views of my constituents.

MSPS CALL FOR COASTGUARD SUPPORT

CONSULTATION MUST GIVE FORTH AND CLYDE A CHANCE

SNP MSPs Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) and Rod Campbell (N E Fife) are calling for support for the Coastguard bases at Clyde and Fife Ness after the UK Government confirmed it intends to close both bases.

Both MSPs have lodged parliamentary motions and are jointly writing to the UK Government for assurances that the final decisions have not already been made.

The SNP has argued that the UK Government’s failure to understand Scottish coastguard services and to respond to local needs should see the service devolved.

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan who has supported Clyde Coastguard said:

"This proposal simply makes no sense and it is unclear who is to lead on services for the Clyde. Is it Stornoway – the nearest station in Scotland - or is it Belfast which has apparently been saved because it has "local knowledge" of the Clyde.

"The best local knowledge of Clyde is surely within the Clyde base.

"The Navy buildings where Clyde is based have been run down for years and this decision is more about avoiding the costs of upgrading an essential service than it is about safety.

"I will be writing to the UK Government seeking guarantees that this consultation is real, that they are open to preserving Clyde and that the decisions have not already been made."

SNP MSP for North East Fife, where the Fife Ness station is located, Rod Campbell said:

"The Forth, like the Clyde, is part of a growing coastal and offshore industry with new developments, offshore renewables, cruises, increasing leisure traffic and of course significant shipping.

"Despite the UK calling this a consultation it appears to be a fait accompli. North East Fife is once again faced with having to battle the UK Government over cuts and services that have a significant effect on the area’s economy and its future.

"I will be working with politicians not just from Fife but across the coastal areas covered by Fife Ness and call on them to support Fife Ness as a working coastguard station keeping those who work in, rely on and enjoy our seas safe.

"The UK Government’s decision makes it clearer than ever that Scotland’s seas and the coastguard service that covers them should be managed from Scotland and that instead of allowing the UK Government to shut our coastguard services and risk exposing the safety of our seas we should continue to argue for devolution of coastguard services so their future is determined by those who understand both the requirements and the potential of Scotland’s waters."

The following motions have been lodged at the Scottish Parliament

Stuart McMillan: Clyde Coastguard Closure

That the Parliament notes with concern the recent decision taken by the UK Government to close the Clyde coastguard facility in Greenock, Inverclyde; notes the Tall Ships event highlighted how much potential there is in the Clyde and the decision to close the coastguard risks the safety of those waters; further notes the Clyde is an increasingly busy waterway with ferries, shipping, naval waterways, nuclear submarines, industry and tourist boats all using the waters; believes closing Clyde is reckless and misguided and shows the UK Government continues to miss the point of local coastguard services.

Roderick Campbell : Forth Coastguard Closure

That the Parliament notes with concern the recent decision taken by the UK Government to close HM coastguard facility at Fife Ness, Crail; further notes that Fife Ness Coastguard station currently covers some 300 miles of coastline, having responded to over 1,400 incidents in the past three years; believes that Fife is a county with a strong and continuing maritime tradition which requires a locally-based coastguard presence for the purposes of public safety on her coast and at sea.

McMillan Responds to Coastguard Announcment

The SNP today (Thursday) criticised the decision to continue with closure of the Forth and Clyde coastguard stations as “reckless.”

Commenting on the decision to close the Clyde Coastguard station, SNP West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan said:

“The UK Government’s determination to close Clyde is all about money and nothing to do with safety.

“The Clyde is an increasingly busy waterway with ferries, shipping, naval waterways, nuclear submarines, industry and tourist boats all using the waters. The Tall Ships event last weekend shows how much potential there is in the Clyde and the decision to close the coastguard risks the safety of those waters.

“Communities, industries and those employed at the coastguard will be outraged by this decision.

“Closing Clyde is reckless and misguided and shows the UK Government continues to miss the point of local coastguard services.”

McMillan Highlights Flooding Consultation

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Thursday) highlighted the current consultation being conducted by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on the issue of flooding.

Flooding in Scotland: A consultation on Potentially Vulnerable Areas and Local Plan Districts, seeks views on how the National Flood Risk Assessment identifies areas for flood risk management planning. Responses will help SEPA to identify those areas in Scotland where public bodies should focus their efforts.

Mr. McMillan said;

"The issue of flooding is a long standing one which requires drastic action from all interested and relevant parties to address the problems we face.

"I know businesses and local residents in Inverclyde are fully aware of the devastating effect flooding can have on an area.

"Therefore, I made my constituents opinions known about the issue of flooding in responding to the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act and note I was the only MSP to do so.

"I hope the relevant authorities make submissions to this consultation on flooding and we see the necessary measures taken to address this issue."

McMillan Writes to Southern Cross

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Wednesday) written to Southern Cross, the care home provider, and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon MSP to seek reassurances that the service residents in care homes receive will not suffer. This is in light of the recent news that Care home operator Southern Cross is set to shut down after landlords owning all 752 of its care homes said they wanted to leave the group.

Southern Cross owns two homes in Inverclyde: Merino Court Care Home in Greenock and Newark Care Home in Port Glasgow.

Mr. McMillan said;

"It is deeply disappointing that Southern Cross was unable to sort out what were clearly deep-seated financial problems and I understand the concern that will be felt by residents and staff in Merino Court and Newark care home.

"Locally and nationally, a lot of work has been done to prepare for this eventuality and I know that everything possible will be done to ensure that provision for the care and welfare of all residents remains in place with the minimum possible disruption.

"This is why I have written to Southern Cross and the Health Secretary, today, to seek reassurances that residents services will not suffer."

McMILLAN WELCOMES NEW RIGHTS FOR ASBESTOS VICTIMS

The SNP MSP for the West of Scotland, Stuart McMillan, has today welcomed the introduction of the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011, which comes into force today.

The legislation was passed by the Scottish Parliament in March and will benefit those affected by diseases acquired in the workplace, including victims of asbestos, by providing compensation without the need for long court cases.

Commenting Mr McMillan said:

"I very much welcome this new legislation and was proud to support it through Parliament last session.

"For too long the UK government failed to act on the growing calls to introduce proper legal rights for those affected by accidents and diseases in the workplace, especially for sufferers of pleural plaques.

"The previous decision by the House of Lords was absolutely shamefully and I am proud that the SNP Government has stood up for those affected.

"We should not forget the undeniable stress and trauma that the diseases can cause. Groups such as Clydeside Action on Asbestos have campaigned day and night for fair treatment and today their hard work has paid off."

McMillan Attends A78 Meeting

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has described today’s meeting regarding problems on the A78 as "positive".

The meeting was attended by members of Inverkip and Wemyss Bay Community Council's and Transport Minister Keith Brown MSP, amongst others.

This was the latest in a number of meetings to try and resolve problems at the A78/Inverkip junction, an issue that Mr McMillan has been involved in for a number of years. A number of issues were discussed including the possibility of altering the speed limit on this stretch of road.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am pleased that the Minister for Transport, Keith Brown MSP, was able to attend today's meeting and I was encouraged by the potential for progress to be made on this issue.

"I have long campaigned for a suitable resolution to the road issues at the A78/Inverkip Junction and will continue to so in the hope that we can find a solution that suits all parties involved.

"The outcome of the meeting was certainly positive and I am pleased the Transport Minister was taking the concerns of the Community Council's onboard."