McMillan Sponsors Scottish Canals Reception

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP & Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism has yesterday (Wednesday) sponsored a reception at the Scottish Parliament building for Scottish Canals.

The reception provided MSPs and other stakeholders with an informative and stimulating overview of the strategic direction of Scottish Canals and their varied activities contributing to the Scottish Government’s Purpose and Strategic Objectives.

The receptions key speaker was the Minister for Transport, Keith Brown MSP.

‘The continued renaissance of Scotland's canals will see them become bustling centres of activity for recreation, tourism and sport, and act as a catalyst for wider regeneration.’ Transport Minister Keith Brown made the prediction as he revealed details of the Scottish Government’s policy for the country’s historic canals in the Scottish Parliament. http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/water/canals/policy

Mr McMillan said:



Stuart McMillan MSP speaking at the event held in the Scottish Parliament



"I was delighted to host the event in the Scottish Parliament for Scottish Canals as this provided an excellent platform for the organisation to update MSP's and stakeholders on their strategic direction.

"Only recently, the Cross Party Group on Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism, which I am Convenor, hosted a marine tourism symposium, the first event of it's kind at the Scottish Parliament building.

"The marine and boating industry contributes significantly to Scotland's economy and supports thousands of jobs, attracts millions of pounds in visitor spend and helps to position Scotland on a global stage.

"Canals are a vital part of Scotland's marine industry, with 31% of all boats on our canals coming from outside Scotland. With the Bowling Basin benefitting from a £1m invested in January from the SNP Government, it shows their commitment to our canals and Scottish Canals have a bright future ahead".

The revised canals policy Making the most of Scotland’s canals outlines the Government’s aspirations for Scotland’s canals over the next 5 to 10 years based on the experience gained since the publication of the Scottish Government’s initial canals policy document Scotland’s Canals: an asset for the future in 2002. The strategy for achieving the aims of Scotland’s canals are based on the following principles:

• Valuing the heritage of our canals

• Fulfilling statutory and regulatory obligations

• Risk management and safety

• Increasing awareness of the potential contribution which canals can make

• Delivering a high quality experience

• Working through partnerships and collaboration

• Monitoring and measuring outcome

Scottish Canals is a Scottish public body which runs its affairs on a commercial basis consistent with its statutory powers and objectives agreed by the Scottish Government. It promotes the use of its waterways for leisure, recreation, tourism, regeneration and transport while also conserving the waterways' natural and built heritage. It will receive grant-in-aid of £10m in 2013-14 as well as £3.3m in additional funding of shovel ready projects announced by John Swinney in December 2012.

Formerly a cross-border body, British Waterways became a Scottish public body, with its board wholly appointed by Scottish Ministers, following the transfer of its functions in England and Wales to the Canal and River Trust on 2 July 2012. Whilst legally it continues to be the British Waterways Board, it now operates under the name Scottish Canals.

McMillan Marks International Workers Memorial Day

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) & Honorary Member of Clydeside Action on Asbestos has shown his support by taking time to remember the international day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work.

Mr McMillan will speak in a Members’ debate in the Scottish Parliament chamber tomorrow (Thursday) in recognition of International Workers' Memorial Day which takes place annually around the world on April 28th. Alongside this, Mr McMillan will attend a memorial event in Greenock on Monday 29th April.

International Workers Memorial Day seeks to renew an on-going commitment to improving workplace conditions. There were 20 work related fatalities in Scotland alone in 2011/12 (173 across the UK). Official HSE figures don’t include deaths caused by occupational cancers which are estimated to be around 8000 in the UK, and of this, 1000 are thought to be in Scotland.

Mr McMillan said:

“Workers' Memorial Day is a day to “ Remember the Dead and Fight for the Living” Those killed and injured as a result of work are remembered and the fight to keep people safe is redoubled.

“All workers have the right to work safely and without risk to their health. With hundreds of people dying at work and thousands injured or made ill due to poor standards of health and safety, it is of utmost importance that health and safety processes are in place to protect workers' lives.

“I hope we can all take our time on the 28th of April to remember these workers around the world”

McMillan Visits West Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has recently visited West Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau based in Dumbarton.


Mr McMillan was visiting to learn more about how West Dunbartonshire CAB is dealing with the welfare changes which have come into affect from 1st April.

The CAB Service is independent and provides free, confidential and impartial advice to everybody regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief and sexual orientation.

Mr McMillan said;

“I would like to thank West Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau for allowing me to visit their premises in Dumbarton.

“The Citizens Advice Bureau in West Dunbartonshire undertake a tremendous job in providing free, confidential and impartial advice to clients which can be so important.

“It was a thoroughly worthwhile visit and I learned a great deal about how the Citizens Advice Bureau is dealing with the recent welfare changes and the impact they will have on their clients in West Dunbartonshire.”

McMillan Raises James Watt College Campus Location

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West Scotland) has today (Tuesday) written to the Principal Designate of the new West College Scotland, Riverside Inverclyde, Inverclyde Council, Clydeport and the Scottish Funding Council to ask for a Feasibility Study on a new campus for James Watt College within Inverclyde.

One of the suggestions could be to relocate the college to the Sugar Sheds at the James Watt Dock in Greenock.



Stuart McMillan MSP at the Sugar Sheds building in Greenock holding a copy of his letter to the Principal Designate of West College Scotland, Audrey Cumberford.



Mr McMillan said:

“With the Scottish Government’s college regionalisation process currently underway there are exciting times ahead for students and lecturers in the West of Scotland.

“One of the areas that may be uncertain however is the fabric of the buildings at James Watt College on Finnart Street. Therefore, I have been considering the long term operations of the Finnart Street facility.

“The college moved to Finnart Street in 1973 and there has been investment in the building over the years with £2.6 million from the Scottish Government being spent on refurbishment in January 2009.

“However, the question of the condition of the building in say 5 or 10 years time needs to posed. I don’t think anyone would want to leave it until the last minute to then scramble about wondering what to do. Leveraging in large scale investment to either upgrade or move to a new location takes time so I am starting the discussion and process now.

“I am posing the question on the long term future of the building and in doing so would like relevant partners to consider a Feasibility Study for the Sugar Sheds at the James Watt Dock to be examined. As the current economic climate is still slower than we would all wish for, it may be the opportune time for Riverside Inverclyde and its partners to consider a Plan B for the James Watt Dock site in terms of regeneration.

“Education has a pivotal role to play in regeneration and utilising the iconic Sugar Sheds may provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to provide a truly inspirational facility. Moving the college campus to this site would retain the world renowned name of James Watt and it would also provide huge stimulus to regenerate the remainder of the James Watt Dock site.

“Therefore, I have written to the Principal Designate of West College Scotland, Audrey Cumberford, alongside Riverside Inverclyde, Inverclyde Council, Clydeport and the Scottish Funding Council asking for a Feasibility Study to take place.”

PROSECUTION ANNOUNCEMENT ON FLYING PHANTOM DEATHS WELCOMED

The announcement that Clydeport and Svitzer Marine Ltd are to face prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act over the events surrounding the sinking of the Flying Phantom has been welcomed today.

The sinking of the tug in the Clyde in December 2007 saw the loss of three lives and left the families of those involved frustrated at the lack of answers over how the tragic events had been allowed to happen.

Commenting, SNP West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan said:

“This has been a tragedy for all concerned. Three people lost their lives and their families have been left devastated ever since.

“Today’s announcement will hopefully be the start of a healing process for those families who have waited so long for answers on how the tragic events of 2007 could have happened, but there is still some way to go.

“I know that the crown office has spent some considerable amount of time investigating the Flying Phantom tragedy and that today’s announcement would not have been made if they didn’t feel confident in their investigations.

“I hope that we will now find the answers we need so that the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy see the justice they have waited so long for.”

McMillan Raises James Watt College Issue with Scottish Government

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West Scotland) has recently raised the issue of James Watt College and the campus estate in the Scottish Parliament chamber.

Mr McMillan asked the Scottish Government what assistance it will provide to maintain and improve the fabric of West College Scotland’s campuses once the merger takes effect

Mr McMillan said:

“I raised the issue of the fabric of the James Watt College with the Government as it has been suggested that facilities at the Finnart Street Campus in Greenock and the Reid Kerr College Campus in Paisley are tired.

“It’s vital our college students have the best opportunities available and this includes campuses that will assist and deliver the best possible outcomes.

“The Clydebank College campus is new and was opened in 2007. With the regionalisation process I am asking the Scottish Funding Council to ascertain what assistance they can provide to colleges, such as the soon to be West College Scotland, to ensure that the future fabric of the facilities in the Greenock and Paisley assist students with their studies.”

McMillan Hails Economic and Employment Growth in Scotland

In welcoming positive trends in employment and in economic growth for Scotland, Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP – West of Scotland) said:

“Even in times of austerity Scotland is consistently showing signs of recovering, and recovering even stronger than the rest of the UK”

Newly published statistics show that Scotland’s growing economy has helped to secure significant increases in employment and reduction in unemployment. Scotland’s employment has risen by 39,000 which is higher than the rest of the UK. Meanwhile Scotland’s unemployment has fallen by 0.5% in the first three months of the year to a rate of 7.3%, lower than the UK’s unemployment rate which has risen to 2.56 million during this period.

Progress on tackling youth unemployment also continued, with the rate of youth unemployment now down 6.8% in the past year. Scotland’s youth unemployment rate of 16.1% compares to a higher UK rate of 20.6%, while Scotland’s youth employment rate of 56.7% is higher than the UK’s rate of 49.7%.

Economic figures also show that while the UK economy shrunk in the last quarter of 2012, the Scottish economy achieved growth of 0.5%. These figures show that Scotland is well on its way to achieving a much more stable economic position than the rest of the UK.

Stuart McMillan MSP continued:


“To achieve better employment and unemployment rates than the rest of the UK, given that we have very restricted powers, goes to show the huge effort that this SNP administration is putting in to provide people with secure jobs.

“After the publication of these statistics, we cannot help but imagine the kind of results we could achieve if the Scottish Government was to have full power over decisions made in their country. Only a Yes vote in next September’s referendum will give Scotland the full economic and fiscal powers we need to build the fairer, more prosperous nation that the people of Scotland have been crying out for.”

Notes

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics

Other figures relating to this matter:

Largest rise in employment for 12 years with unemployment below 200,000 for first time since 2009

Scotland’s headline employment rate, which refers to the population aged 16 to 64, rose by 1.0 percentage point to 71.7 per cent and is now higher than the UK rate of 71.4 per cent

Over the three months December to February 2013 total unemployment fell by 11,000 or 0.5 percentage points to 7.3 per cent – making Scotland’s unemployment rate lower than the UK rate which rose by 0.2 percentage points to 7.9 per cent. It is the first time that unemployment has been below 200,000 since August to October 2009

Scottish economy grew for the second successive quarter with growth of 0.5 per cent from October to December, compared to the UK where the economy contracted by 0.3 per cent over the same period.

MSPs make an exhibition of themselves for lung cancer

This week Stuart McMillan MSP’s portrait is appearing in a one off unique parliamentary photographic exhibition to raise awareness of lung cancer, the most common cancer worldwide[i]. In Scotland alone, there are over 5000 people diagnosed with the disease every year – more than 13 people each day.ii

Mr McMillan is among a group of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who have had their photographs taken for the exhibition.

The exhibition is a joint project between the charity Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and the pharmaceutical company Boehringher Ingelheim Ltd. It shows photographs of MSPs holding lung x-ray images, which are accompanied by statements explaining the reason for their involvement in the project. The photographs are on display in a pop-up exhibition at the Scottish Parliament from 15-19th April.

Paula Chadwick, chief executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said:



“This exhibition will help to raise awareness among MSPs of three key issues: supporting the introduction of a national lung cancer awareness publicity campaign; tackling regional variations in treatment and care; and backing plans to introduce plain packaging on cigarettes in order to prevent the next generation of lung cancer victims.”



John Dixon, Boehringer Ingelheim UK and Ireland’s Managing Director commented:



“Boehringer Ingelheim is proud to have worked in partnership with Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. We have had a fantastic response from parliamentarians who wanted to participate and raise awareness of this devastating disease and issues around early diagnosis, signs and symptoms and access to treatments. The exhibition is a means of highlighting to politicians and the wider public how early detection and diagnosis is key in the treatment and management of this disease for patients, their families and carers.”



The main signs and symptoms of lung cancer are:

• A cough that doesn’t go away

• A long standing cough gets worse

• Unexplained breathlessness

• Chest infections

• Coughing blood

• Unexplained weight loss

• Chest and/or shoulder pains

• Unexplained tiredness or lack of energy

• Hoarse voice

If you have any of these symptoms for more than three weeks, make an appointment with your GP today. There are a number of reasons why you may be experiencing some of the above symptoms, and it may be nothing serious, but it is worth getting checked out.

For information on local support groups and general information on lung cancer issues call the freephone helpline on 0800 358 7200 or visit www.roycastle.org

McMillan Welcomes Rail Stations Funding

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Wednesday) welcomed the news from the Scottish Government that nearly 60 train stations throughout Scotland, including Dumbarton Central & Wemyss Bay, will benefit from a £5.27million investment programme, including a major refurbishment of Gleneagles Station in time for the Ryder Cup.

The money, identified within existing Scottish Government budgets, will see improved car parks, enhanced facilities for cyclists and upgraded toilets at stops up and down the network, including those feeding the world’s biggest golf tournament and the Commonwealth Games, as the 2014 Year of Homecoming approaches.

Mr McMillan said:

“I’m delighted to learn the Scottish Government is investing over £5.2m in upgrading nearly 60 train stations throughout Scotland, including Dumbarton Central and Wemyss Bay.

“As recent figures indicate more and more people are utilising the rail network throughout Scotland. It’s vital we continue to invest in the fabric and infrastructure to make peoples journeys as pleasant and smooth as possible.

“Therefore, I look forward to seeing the new improvements at stations throughout Scotland.”

Transport Scotland release - http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/homecoming-station-investment

McMillan Welcomes Additional Funding for Colleges

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP – West of Scotland) has welcomed the news that student support, including funding for childcare, will be increased through additional financial support for the college sector from the SNP Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council have set out how the £61 million of additional funding added to college budgets for 2013-15 will be spent.

Focusing on improving attainment, the additional investment over the next academic year (2013-14) includes:

* £1.9 million for additional student support through bursaries and childcare

* £2.1 million targeted for some college regions to meet increased demand

* £6.6 million for an additional learner places, including for women returning to study and part time places

* £4 million to aid the successful integration of newly merging colleges.

Stuart McMillan MSP said:

“Further funding will also help colleges with increasing demand and help institutions work closely together on a regional basis such as James Watt College. This is a substantial investment in a sector with enormous economic importance to Scotland.”

Education Secretary Michael Russell added:

“Earlier this year the Scottish Government showed its commitment to Scotland’s colleges by adding £61 million to the sector’s budget compared to what was originally announced for the spending review period. Since then, we have been discussing with college representatives and NUS Scotland how to allocate this funding to improve attainment so that more students gain and complete their qualifications, while moving towards a system of large, efficient regional colleges that offers courses responsive to local economic need.

“I am very pleased to be able to map out how we can further support the sector and its students. Increased student bursaries will mean more money in the pockets of our hard pressed students in times of economic difficulty. While full time courses for younger people remain a priority, there will be more learning opportunities for older and part time students, including women returning to study.

McMillan welcomes Funding to reduce re-offending

Six projects are to receive a share of almost £7.7m to establish a national network of mentoring schemes to tackle Scotland’s high re-offending rates.

The funding, to be invested during the next two years, will be targeted towards prolific male offenders and women offenders who are at risk of re-offending. They will be given one-to-one support, provided by around 130 mentors, to deal with their problems, including practical support to get their lives back on track, help to access public services and encouragement to comply with court orders and community sentences.

This investment – the latest round from the Scottish Government’s Reoffending Change Fund - includes £2.658m for a partnership of voluntary and public organisations led by Sacro to work with female offenders, and £2.9m for a partnership led by the Wise Group to undertake mentoring with prolific male offenders. Each of these programmes will be delivered Scotland wide.

Action for Children & Barnardo’s will also receive £1,267,751 to work with young prolific male offenders in East Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Highland.

Stuart McMillan MSP said:

“We need to break that cycle so that offenders make a more meaningful contribution to society, enter a life free of crime and stop our communities suffering from the impact of their repeat offending.

“This funding will help expand or set up mentoring schemes across Scotland, including Inverclyde, to improve throughcare and support for younger offenders leaving prison and in the community.”

Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill added:

“Although crime in Scotland is now at a 37 year low, re-offending rates remain stubbornly high. Without the right support, those leaving prison will all too often end up back behind bars – in some cases, time and time again.

“I want to thank the Robertson Trust for its £2m contribution towards the Change Fund and for joining with us and the Scottish Prison Service to support these projects. I now look forward to visiting these projects later in the year to see the impact they are making on individuals’ lives and on building safer, stronger communities.”

Tom Halpin, Chief Executive of Sacro, speaking on behalf one of the national PSPs, said:

“Providing mentors to support women and young people to make positive changes in their lives will take many out of the cycle of offending. Sacro believes these innovative services will address offending earlier and more effectively, resulting in fewer crimes, fewer victims and safer communities.

 

For case studies relating to some of the projects who are to benefit from this funding see:

http://scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/offender-management/rr-case-studies-10042013

Background

This is the second tranche of funding from the Reducing Reoffending Change Fund, established last year. In total, £10m will be allocated between 2012 and 2015 to support mentoring projects, of which £7.5m comes from the Scottish Government, £2m from the Robertson Trust and £500,000 from the Scottish Prison Service.

All grants announced are being allocated to Public Social Partnerships (PSPs), each a combination of public and voluntary sector organisations who are working together to design and deliver mentoring projects. The two national PSPs include the following:

Women Offenders - lead organisation Sacro, with partners Apex Scotland, Barnardo’s, Circle, The Wise Group, Turning Point Scotland, Access to Industry, Venture Trust, Scottish Prison Service, Association of Directors of Social Work and Scotland’s eight Criminal Justice Authorities.

Prolific male offenders - lead organisation The Wise Group, with partners Sacro, Apex Scotland, Scottish Association for Mental Health, Turning Point Scotland, Families Outside, Circle, Relationships Scotland, Youth Community Support Agency, the eight CJAs, SPS and the National Prisoner Healthcare Network.

Mentoring provides ex-offenders with one-to-one support to help them deal with their problem, and not to commit crime in the future. It will be tailored, based on each individual’s needs. The mentor can be a paid worker, or can be a trained volunteer.

For information on Scotland’s latest published re-offending rates see:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/TrendReOffending

UKBA CRUISE LINER CHECKS “DAMAGING” & “FUNCTIONALLY REDUNDANT”

Warnings from the cruise industry of the chaos being caused by the UK Border Force’s new procedures - which have so far fallen on deaf ears – are being reinforced by the Scottish Government to in the form a letter to the UK minister of state for immigration.

The agency’s new interpretation of the rules is causing significant problems to the industry, with every cruise ship passenger now subject to a face to face interview upon arriving in anywhere in the UK.

Previously cruise ship passengers and crews were cleared in advance with manifests checked via agents.

With large cruise ships potentially carrying thousands of passengers at a time, the delays and increased costs associated with the move are causing fears that operators will become increasingly reluctant to visit Scotland, reversing the rapid growth that the industry has seen in recent years.

Last year visitors to Scotland from cruise ships were estimated to have generated £41 million for Scotland’s economy.

Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Fergus Ewing MSP wrote:

“This is very damaging: it reduces the length of time available on-shore and makes cruise companies less inclined to call at UK ports – both are highly detrimental to local economies.

“We believe it is also functionally redundant as these checks duplicate the rigorous controls performed at the port of embarkation when passengers initially check-in for cruise embarkation.”

Stuart McMillan MSP wrote to the Westminster Government in early December highlighting the problems that the new approach, but received no reply.

Mr McMillan, who convenes the Cross Party Group on Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism, also spoke with Cruise Scotland Chairman Richard Alexander who is equally concerned about the changes.

Mr McMillan said:

“The cruise ship sector is increasingly important to Scotland’s economy, with passenger numbers growing rapidly as more and more people visit our shores via cruise ship. I am delighted that Fergus Ewing has made contact with the UK government – they can no longer stay silent on this issue which has a profound impact on Scotland’s economy.

“We should be doing everything we can to boost and support the tourism sector, not putting ill-considered obstacles in its path as Westminster seems determined to do.

“It is completely unacceptable for Westminster to simply ignore the repeated warnings that the cruise industry has given them. These latest calls must act as a wakeup call to Westminster that can no longer simply be brushed aside.

“Instead of continuing to put the arbitrary goals of the Tories ahead of the needs of this multi-million pound sector of the tourism industry, Westminster must listen to the evidence and bring an end to this chaotic new approach as a matter of urgency.”

The Herald: http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/stricter-uk-border-checks-a-threat-to-cruise-industry.20467503

McMillan Welcomes Measures Outlined to Tackle Metal Theft

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP – West of Scotland) has welcomed proposals for tackling the scourge of metal theft in Scotland that have been published this week by the Scottish Government.

The consultation seeks views on introducing a tougher licensing regime and banning cash payments for metal. Following an initial consultation last year, this further consultation specifically focuses on what conditions dealers should be subject to under a new licensing regime with all dealers licensed, and the question of cash payments for metal.

The Scottish Government will collate responses from this consultation, before bringing legislation forward to the Scottish Parliament for scrutiny.

Mr McMillan said:

“Metal thieves are putting lives at risk, causing expensive damage and massive disruption. From delayed train journeys to loss of telephone and internet connections, to damaged churches, most people are affected by this crime. This is an issue that the Scottish Government treats extremely seriously.

"In addition to causing severe damage to buildings and infrastructure, metal theft also carries a financial penalty for those businesses and organisations that have been affected by it.

“The police are doing what they can to bring those responsible for crimes such as this to justice and with the full backing of the Scottish Government we hope that, together we can alleviate this crime.”

Superintendent Matt Richards, from Police Scotland, said:

"There is an established link between metal theft and serious and organised criminality, and Police Scotland work closely with partners to prevent criminal groups profiting from this illicit trade.

"We will take firm action against anyone who we identify as being involved in stealing metal, who can expect to be dealt with to the full extent of the law.

"Anyone seeking advice on how to guard against metal theft can make contact with their local crime prevention officer, or visit the Metal Theft Scotland website at https://www.metaltheftscotland.org.uk/.”

Consultation on Licensing of Metal Dealers: A consultation on expanding the licensing regime for scrap metal dealers and prohibiting cash payments for scrap metal. Deadline for responses: 03/07/2013

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/04/5185

 

Welfare Cuts to cost West Dunbartonshire £36million

“West Dunbartonshire will be one of the worst hit areas when the present welfare reforms come into effect,” said Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP – West of Scotland).

This is made clear in the conclusion of research published commissioned by the Scottish Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee.

The study, undertaken by the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University, has estimated that when fully implemented, the welfare reforms will take more than £1.6 billion a year out of the Scottish economy. This is equivalent to around £480 a year for every adult of working age in Scotland. In West Dunbartonshire, this rises to £600 a year.

The research also details the number of households affected by each part of the welfare system and its impact. It shows that although Child Benefit changes affect the largest number of households, the largest financial impact is on those in receipt of incapacity benefits and Disability Living Allowance.



Stuart McMillan MSP said:



“It is obvious to all that the impact of welfare reform is dramatic – and more so in the areas that can least afford it, such as West Dunbartonshire which will see £36million in benefit payments lost every year.



“Coping with disability is physically and emotionally difficult, even if the incapacity is short lived. It is also expensive and the research has highlighted that in Scotland, for the 144,000 working age adults adversely affected by incapacity benefit loss is on average £3,480 a year. I don’t see how this is supporting people in their time of need or helping people break out of the cycle of poverty.”

The research was undertaken by Professor Christina Beatty and Professor Steve Fothergill. It focussed on adults of working age as this is the group most affected by welfare reforms. It concludes that more than £1.6 billion a year will be taken out of the Scottish economy when the reforms come fully into effect. This is considerably higher than previous estimates as this research takes into account the impact of reforms on payments of incapacity benefits, Tax Credits and Child Benefit.

Stuart McMillan MSP added:

“These new figures have once again laid bare the scale of the human and economic damage of Westminster’s brutal welfare cuts.

“The Bedroom Tax has rightly attracted widespread condemnation and protest, but sadly its devastating impact on the vulnerable is only the tip of the iceberg. From cuts to incapacity benefit to tax credit changes and child benefit cuts, the most vulnerable are being made to pay the price for Westminster’s economic incompetence.

“It doesn’t have to be this way, and it shouldn’t be this way. Scotland has already made its opposition to these welfare cuts absolutely clear, and a majority of Scots believe that the Scottish Government would be best at deciding welfare policy for Scotland. The case for this is now becoming unanswerable.”


Notes

Key findings include:

Top-line figures

The biggest financial losses will arise from reforms to incapacity benefit (£500 million loss a year), Tax Credits (£300 million loss a year) and the 1% up-rating of most working age benefits (£290 million loss a year). This compares with £50 million for Housing Benefit reforms (‘bedroom tax’).

Impact on Scottish households

• 144,000 individuals in Scotland will be adversely affected by changes to incapacity benefits, with individuals on average losing £3,480 a year.

• 372,000 households in Scotland will be affected by changes to Tax Credits, with households on average losing £810 a year.

• 80,000 households in the social rented sector in Scotland will be affected by changes to Housing Benefit (‘bedroom tax’), with households on average losing £620 a year.

Impact on West Dunbartonshire

• It is estimated reforms will cost West Dunbartonshire around £36 million a year, equivalent to £600 a year for every adult of working age in the city.

McMillan Welcomes Off-peak Rail Travel Victory

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West Scotland) has today (Monday) welcomed the announcement from ScotRail that the 08:57 service from Wemyss Bay will be designated an off-peak journey from 20th May.

Mr McMillan, who had previously raised the issue with the Minister for Transport, Keith Brown MSP, in the Scottish Parliament, received the news from ScotRail. The train operator confirmed the 08:57 from Wemyss Bay to Glasgow will be exempt from the usual restriction. This means that from 20 May customers will be able to travel with an off-peak (cheap day return) ticket on this service.

Mr McMillan said:

“I am delighted to learn from ScotRail that the 08:57 service from Wemyss Bay will be exempt from the usual restriction and it will become an off-peak service.

“Constituents have previously contacted my office to highlight how rail travellers are missing out on off-peak train travel because the service misses the threshold by one or two minutes. This has been a concern for a number of train travellers who felt they were being punished due to this restriction.

“Therefore, I am pleased that ScotRail have listened to the concerns I have raised, on behalf of my constituents, and addressed the differentiation in ticketing.”