McMillan Welcomes Major Recycling Campaign

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has welcomed the launch of the Scottish Government’s major campaign to encourage more recycling in Inverclyde.

The Zero Waste recycling campaign will work in partnership with local authorities and grocers to educate the public on how they can do their bit in their local area in the form of nation-wide road shows. Television, radio and outdoor adverts will be seen across Scotland for up to six weeks. A 10 foot blue elephant, taken from the advertising creative, will also tour iconic locations across Scotland to remind people to recycle more items, more often. It will also appear at various supermarkets across Scotland.

Mr. McMillan said;

"The Scottish Government has revealed how good Scotland is at recycling as a nation and this is a record we should be extremely proud of.

"However, whilst we are generally good about recycling household waste, with 67% of newspapers and magazines and 60% of glass bottles currently being recycled, it would be great to see the likes of metal cans, card and plastic bottles reach the same recycling levels.

"I would encourage everyone in Inverclyde to step up to the challenge of recycling more and not only in terms of household waste, businesses and tourist attractions can do their bit too.

"Scotland has a fantastic record on recycling so let’s see if we can go ever further and protect our children, streets and climate for the future".

· The 10 foot blue elephant will appear in a number of iconic locations across Scotland including Falkirk, Glasgow, Paisley, Ayr, Dumfries, Hawick, Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth, Aberdeen and Inverness.
· More information on the Scottish Government’s Zero Waste Plan can be found here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/waste-and-pollution/Waste-1

McMillan Supports CSV Grab A Grant Campaign

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) has today (Tuesday) welcomed the announcement by Community Service Volunteers (CSV) that they are offering 2 different awards - SNH Biodiversity grant of £250 and Action Earth awards of £50. These are both aimed at supporting local groups of volunteers to help make a difference to their local environment by carrying out practical work that revolves around improving biodiversity, habitat creation, litter pick ups, bird and bat box siting, pond and woodland renovation and planting.

Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome the announcement by CSV that they are to offer two awards to support local groups of volunteers in making a difference to their local community and environment.

"These awards will help volunteers to improve their surrounding communities and make them more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

"Therefore, I would encourage all local groups of volunteers to get involved and contact CSV to see if they can Grab A Grant."

www.csv.org.uk
www.actionearth.org.uk

McMillan Welcomes Jobs Announcement from T-Mobile

Stuart McMillan MSP, (West of Scotland, SNP) has today (Wednesday) welcomed the news from T-Mobile that they will be strengthening their team at the centre in Greenock.

Mr McMillan received the news in a letter from Ian Pitcher, Human Resources Director, who indicated in his letter that we will be recruiting an additional 20 people. This is on the back of a small increase in staff numbers which will happen in the coming months.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am pleased to hear from T-Mobile that their Greenock team continue to be a critical part of their operation.

"The centre is an important employer for the Inverclyde area and it's vital that it continues to grow and offer employment opportunities.

"Therefore, the response from T-Mobile, to my recent letter, that they are to offer more job opportunities is welcome news for the Inverclyde area.

"I look forward to continuing to receive updates from T-Mobile on their Greenock centre."

McMillan Encourages Inverclyde Spring Clean

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) is encouraging people in Inverclyde to take part in Nation Spring Clean events.

The annual event, which runs throughout April, has a number of clean ups organised in Inverclyde ranging from schools in Greenock to streets in Inverkip.

Mr. McMillan said;

"The National Spring Clean campaign is a great way for everyone to get involved in keeping Inverclyde clean and tidy, and shows a real sense of community spirit.

"It’s also good exercise and benefits all when we can look round at litter-free streets and parks.

"I would encourage people of all ages in Inverclyde to check out the campaign website and go along to an event that’s been organised – or even better, get together with some friends or colleagues to organise their own ‘spring clean’ and register that online too. It’s not too late and anyone who registers a Clean-Up event on the campaign website will be sent a free clean-up pack including tabards, posters, stickers and bin bags.

"We can all make a difference to the area and I’m looking forward to getting along to some events myself".

McMillan Comments on Energy Assistance Package

Stuart McMillan MSP, (West of Scotland, SNP) has today hit out at comments attributed to Duncan McNeil MSP in relation to Scotland's new Energy Assistance Package and related central heating installations in Inverclyde.

Commenting further Mr McMillan said;

"Labour are using figures for calls to the Scottish Government's ground breaking Energy Assistance Package helpline as being the same as applying for a free central heating system. This is plain wrong, a total abuse of statistics and is yet another Labour dodgy dossier. If Mr McNeil does not understand the distinction between calling a helpline and applying for a central heating system it is rather embarrassing for him.

"I am surprised Labour want to compare central heating installations under the old Labour Scottish Executive and the current SNP Scottish Government. The SNP record is far better. The Scottish Government are installing far more systems than Labour. In both 2007/8 and 2008/9 the Scottish Government installed more systems than in any single year under Labour. That has meant installing or upgrading 33,937 heating systems in private housing. In 2008-2009, waiting lists for central heating systems actually fell by more than 40 per cent.

"The SNP Government's Energy Assistance package is therefore delivering record installations but also offers far more than it ever did under Labour. The SNP Government extended the central heating scheme to include those in inefficient homes with children under 5 or disabled children under 16.

"We are also extending this further to households on certain benefits with children under 16, and to people with certain long term conditions.

"The Energy Assistance Package also offers a range of additional support such as benefits checks for those calling to ensure they get all the money they are entitled to, and it also works with energy suppliers to get a cheaper, lower tariff for those categorised as fuel poor. This has led to nearly 10,000 people saving £1.6m thanks to the benefits checks an increase in pensioner income by on average £26 a week and families with children have been helped to claim an extra £42 a week on average."

(1) Table 1.1 shows Council population. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/03/24121531/1
(2) Link shows installations by Local Authority area
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/default.aspx?pq=S3W-32144
(3) Scottish Government release on benefits checks from EAP
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/03/18135909

McMillan Welcomes Fall in Prescription Charges

Stuart McMillan MSP, (West of Scotland, SNP) has today (Thursday) welcomed the news from the Scottish Government that prescription charges fell again today and this is the last reduction before they are abolished entirely next year.

The new charges will see a single prescription charge fall by GBP1 to GBP3.

A four-month prescription pre-payment certificate (PPC) falls by GBP3 to GBP10 while a 12-month PPC is now GBP28, down GBP10.

Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome the announcement by the Scottish Government that prescription charges have be reduced, once again, and they will soon be phased out.

"The SNP Scottish Government has delivered on its promise to remove prescription charges and maintain healthcare as free at the point of need.

"Removing the prescription charge will ensure that cost is no longer a barrier to those needing to take the medication prescribed to them."

McMillan Welcomes Climate Challenge Funding for East Dunbartonshire

Stuart McMillan MSP, (West of Scotland, SNP) has today (Thursday) welcomed the news from the Scottish Government that the final tranche of Climate Challenge Fund has been announced and it will support 90 community projects throughout Scotland.

One of those projects to benefit from the funding is Baldernock Cut the Carbon, East Dunbartonshire, who is to receive £57,900 which is hoped will equate to 299.00 tonnes of Carbon Reduction.

Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome the announcement by the Scottish Government that it is continuing to invest in tackling climate change and providing funding to green projects.

"The Carbon Climate Fund has empowered local communities to tackle their carbon emissions at a local level.

"Therefore, it is great news to hear that Baldernock Cut the Carbon is to receive £57,900 of funding from the Scottish Government and its hoped that with this support they will be able to greatly reduce CO2 emissions."