McMillan Welcomes Fall in Reconviction Rates

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Tuesday) welcomed the announcement from the Scottish Government that statistics show the two year reconviction rate in Scotland has dropped to their lowest level in 11 years.

Mr. McMillan said:

“I welcome the announcement from the SNP Government that reconviction rates in Scotland have dropped to their lowest level in 11 years.

“This is very much progress in the right direction and demonstrates how this SNP Government is continuing to act tough on crime.

“We’ve seen crime rates fall to a 30 year low in Scotland and a record number of police officers on our streets.

“Therefore, Scotland’s communities, neighbourhoods and streets are becoming safer thanks to the SNP Government’s justice policy.”

MCMILLAN COMMENTS ON COASTGUARD MEETING

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan has today [Wednesday] said that the UK government’s current proposals to close the Clyde coastguard station are threatening lives.

The Tory-Lib plans will see the Greenock MRCC closed in the next four years with responsibility for the busy and extensive waters being divvied up between centres at Belfast and Stornoway.

At a meeting in Greenock today campaigners pledged to continue their fight to keep Scotland's busiest coastguard station open.

There will now be a further rally in Greenock on September 24 as the opposition to the planned cut gains momentum.

Mr McMillan said:

“I got involved in politics to try and help people, not to put peoples’ lives into danger, and putting peoples’ lives into danger is exactly what the UK government proposals will do if the cuts are made.

“I wonder if the people behind these proposals have looked into the possible loss of lives when there is a delay when there is a call out from Belfast or Stornoway?

“What impact will a boat or helicopter taking an extra five minutes have on stranded people’s lives?

“What if that delay is 10 minutes - or half an hour?

“Nobody has been told these things but what is certain is that lives will be lost if Clyde Coastguard is allowed to be lost.

“And there is no substitute for local knowledge. Not only will the teams from the other centres be stretched if they have to look after Clyde’s huge and busy area but they won’t know the coastline the way the team here do.”

PROPOSED CLOSURE OF SCOTLAND’S BUSIEST COASTGUARD PUTS MONEY BEFORE LIVES

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan has stepped up the fight to save Scotland’s busiest Coastguard base saying that lives will be lost if it is allowed to close.

Mr McMillan is to contact his counterparts in Northern Ireland to discuss the UK’s plans to make Belfast responsible for the Clyde area.

Clyde Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) deployed more Search and Rescue hours than any other station in Scotland in 2010, and was the third most active in the UK.

Mr McMillian, speaking ahead of a public meeting in Greenock next week, described the UK Government’s proposal for Clyde coastguard area’s responsibility is to be divided up amongst existing centres in Belfast and Stornoway as “dangerous and foolish”.

Clyde covers a unique area including Glasgow and Prestwick airports, seven ferry routes, dozens of islands and the Faslane naval base.

A community-led and nationwide online campaign to save the vital service is in full flow and is supported of Mr McMillan who is in regular contact with Clyde staff.

He said: “It is imperative that the UK Government’s Department of Transport looks again at the facts and reviews the case for saving Greenock’s Clyde Coastguard Centre.

“The UK government are prioritising saving money ahead of saving lives. It really is that serious.

“The Firth of Clyde is one of the busiest and strategically most important waterways in the UK.

“It is a part of Scotland that is loved by tourists and locals and has some of the best sailing waters in the world. Over 2.5million people travelled on passenger ferry journeys in the area last year alone.

“The river remains an important corridor for trading vessels and fishing boats alike.

“And it houses the UK’s nuclear weapons. Do the UK Government really think it’s a good idea to have no coastguard service located in an area with such a high concentration of interests.

“To do away with a committed and fully functioning coastguard service with expert local knowledge would leave a void that could not be filled by an over stretched centre in Belfast. The UK’s plans would see the largest coastguard area handed over to a base in Belfast that is currently responsible for one of the smallest.

“It would be a dangerous and foolish move to let the Clyde centre close.”

The Clyde centre serves a vast area of western Scotland including; Mull of Galloway to Ardnamurchan Point, the Islands of Jura, Gigha, Islay, Arran, Coll, Tiree, Mull, Bute and Cumbrae.

With other emergency services devolved, Mr McMillan argues that the Scottish Government should be granted responsibility for the coastguard in Scotland.

He added: “Both in delivering and operating services there is no substitute for local knowledge and understanding.

“Scotland’s emergency services should be managed for Scotland’s needs.

“The west coast of Scotland needs this service and it is essential Westminster recognise this. If they are unable to deliver the services required then they should transfer the responsibility to the Scottish Government.”

Visit to Weaver's Cottage, Kilbarchan

Stuart McMillan MSP alongside Christine Macleod of the National Trust for Scotland at Weaver's Cottage, Kilbarchan

McMillan Condemns Banks Over Cash Machine Cut Off

Plans by state owned banks RBS and Lloyds to restrict the use of cash machines by people on low incomes and in rural areas have been condemned by SNP MSP Stuart McMillan.

According to reports Lloyds TSB, NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland basic bank account customers, who are often on low incomes, are to be banned from using any cash machine not belonging to their own bank.

Current account holders who pay fees every month will still be allowed to use any machine.

Stuart McMillan MSP, who is a member of the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, said:

“This move by the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds is nothing short of scandalous.

“It clearly discriminates against economically deprived customers who will now face difficulties accessing their own money and will hit those in rural areas hard.

"In many deprived areas and in rural areas there is only one cash machine and only one place to access money.

“This policy will make life more complicated for customers on low incomes who tend to use cash machines more and could force them to spend more to get access to their own cash.

“RBS and Lloyds are penalising the same taxpayers who bailed them out."

McMillan Receives Scottish Government Response to Clyde Coastguard Closure

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Monday) received a response letter from the Scottish Government in connection with the proposed closure of Clyde Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC).

The letter from the Minister for Transport, Keith Brown MSP highlights the Scottish Government’s disappointment with the plans to close Clyde and Forth stations. The Minister argues, it is vital the final structure is fit for purpose and ensures the safety of mariners and those using the Scottish coastline.

Mr McMillan said:

“I share the Minister for Transport’s disappointment in the proposed closure of Clyde Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC).

“Only last week I, once again, meet with staff representatives at Clyde to discuss the way forward in fighting these closures.

“It’s important we continue to highlight how reckless the decision being taken to close Clyde is. The facility must stay in-order to maintain safety along our coastline.”

Piping Live!

Stuart has lodged the following motion in support of the Piping Live! Events in Glasgow and the World Pipe Band Championships.

Motion S4M-00584 - Stuart McMillan ( West Scotland ) ( Scottish National Party ) : World’s Biggest Week of Piping

That the Parliament welcomes what is considered to be the world’s biggest week of traditional music, held between 8 and 14 August 2011 in Glasgow; notes that tens of thousands of traditional music fans and 8,000 pipers, drummers and performers will descend on the city for Piping Live!, Glasgow's International Piping Festival and the World Pipe Band Championships; further notes that the World Pipe Band Championships or ‘the Worlds’ have predominantly been held in Glasgow for around 70 years while Piping Live! is entering its 8th year and has established itself as one of the world’s top celebrations of Scottish culture, showcasing a diverse blend of traditional music; acknowledges the importance of these cultural events, and wishes the festival and all participants the very best.