McMillan Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has joined the fight against breast cancer by taking part in Breast Cancer Campaign’s flagship fundraiser, wear it pink day.

The theme of wear it pink this year is to ‘look good, do good’ in support of breast cancer research. On Friday 24 October people across the country will come together to find fun and stylish ways to wear pink in the office, at home or at school. Donations raised by this year’s fashion inspired event will go to Breast Cancer Campaign to fund lifesaving breast cancer research.  

Mr McMillan said;

“Every year in Scotland more than 4,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Sadly, more than 1,000 women die from this disease each year. This is why we need to support Breast Cancer Campaign’s fundraising efforts to support world-class breast cancer research that saves and improves lives, giving people quicker diagnoses and more effective treatments. 

“I hope you’ll all join me by wearing it pink on Friday 24 October and showing your support for breast cancer research.”

Stuart McMillan MSP showing his support for Wear it Pink campaign

wear it pink on Friday 24 October to support Breast Cancer Campaign’s lifesaving research. 

For more information or to register for wear it pink and receive your fundraising pack visit www.wearitpink.org. 

McMillan Welcomes Scot Govt Case for More Powers

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has welcomed the case put forward by the Scottish Government, in its submission to the Smith Commission, for extensive new powers to be brought under the control of the Scottish Parliament.

The proposals – which focus on equipping the Scottish Parliament to create more jobs, tackle inequality and protect public services – have also been sent to the Commission led by Lord Smith of Kelvin.

Mr McMillan was especially pleased by the recommendation that full responsibility for the law on gambling should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

Mr. McMillan said:

“I welcome the proposals put forward by the Scottish Government, in its submission to the Smith Commission, for extensive new powers to be brought under the control of the Scottish Parliament.

“I have been campaigning for tougher rules surrounding the number of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBT’s) on our high streets and am pleased the Scottish Government have included that gambling should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

“By devolving Gambling legislation to Scotland, there can be greater integration of both gambling and existing planning legislation to assist our town centres economically and socially.

“The Scottish Government’s case for more powers to the Scottish Parliament is supported by a great number of people who voted for exactly that in the referendum.  The status quo is no longer acceptable, and people want to see real change over issues such as taxation and welfare.

“I look forward to hearing more about the commission and the discussions about which powers should be transferred to the Scottish Parliament.”

More Powers for the Scottish Parliament: Scottish Government Proposals - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0046/00460563.pdf

McMillan Encourages Regular Blood Pressure Testing to Avoid Stroke

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has had his blood pressure taken at the Stroke Association’s stall in the Scottish Parliament to encourage others to have regular testing to avoid the potential for a stroke.

About half of strokes could be prevented with better identification and management of high blood pressure, which is the single biggest risk factor for stroke.

Mr. McMillan said:

“There is a well-established link between high blood pressure and stroke. I hope that events like this will help to raise public awareness about reducing the risk of stroke.

“I would therefore urge anyone who thinks they might be at risk to get tested. We are very fortunate that the Stroke Association laid on such a service to us here in the Scottish Parliament, and other employers should be encouraged to offer this to their staff.”

Stuart McMillan MSP having his blood pressure taken at the Scottish Parliament.

•           A recent Ipsos MORI Poll showed that public awareness of high blood pressure as the biggest risk factor for Stroke has dropped from 48% to 46%. (November 2011- November 2012).

•           A stroke is a brain attack, which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. About 12,500 people have a stroke in Scotland every year and it is the leading cause of adult impairment and disability.

•           The Stroke Association is a charity who work directly with stroke survivors and their families and carers, with health and social care professionals and with scientists and researchers. They campaign to improve stroke care and support people to make the best recovery they can, as well as funding research to develop new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. The Stroke Helpline (0303 303 3100) provides information and support on stroke. More information can be found at www.stroke.org.uk

McMillan Highlights UK Govt Continued Refusal to Discuss Cruise Industry Issue

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) and Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism has highlighted a letter from the Scottish Government to the UK Government which indicates the UK Government’s continued refusal to discuss the concerns regarding passport checks on cruise passengers.

The on-going issue has previously been raised by Mr McMillan in-relation to the continued rise in the number of cruise ship passengers which are visiting Scotland and disembarking in port and harbours, such as in Greenock, Inverclyde and the checks which are put in place by the Home Office, as the issue is reserved to the UK Parliament.

Only this week it was announced, through the Office for National Statistics, that overseas visits to Scotland increased from over 2.2million in the year to the end of June 2013 to almost 2.6million in the year to the end of June 2014.  Spending by tourists from overseas was also up, rising from almost £1.5million in the year to the end of June 2013 to over £1.6million in the year to the end of June 2014.

Mr. McMillan said:

“On a week where we learn that the number of tourists which are visiting Scotland is increasing we also learn the UK Government is continuing to dig it’s heels in over passport checks on cruise ship passengers.

“The cruise industry is a very valuable one to the Scottish economy and brings in much needed support to areas such as Inverclyde when the cruise ships dock in Greenock and the passengers disembark to spend their money in the local economy.

“Therefore, it’s disappointing the UK Government will not discuss the on-going and unresolved concerns regarding passport checks on cruise passengers.

McMillan Welcomes a Budget for Fairness

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has welcomed the publishing of the draft Budget by the Scottish Government which places fairness and a more equal society at the heart of its agenda.

The Scottish Government’s budget will see spending on the health service rise – with an increase to £288m in 2015/16. This is £86m more than the increase planned and takes health spending to over £12bn for the first time. 

West Dunbartonshire will receive a share of the £10.8 billion local government allocation, a £5.5 million boost to its housing stock and Scottish Government investment in Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School.

Mr. McMillan said:

“This budget demonstrates the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to building a fairer and more prosperous society.  One that leaves no one behind and helps those with the most need.

“The investment in our schools in West Dunbartonshire, along with the continued freezing of the council tax are important policies which will help hard working families and individuals with getting on with their daily lives.

“Alongside this, the £288m increase in the NHS budget announced will be welcomed across the country.

“With the limited powers currently at our disposal we have taken strong action to deliver for the people of Scotland – the Westminster parties must now deliver the substantial economic and welfare powers we need to make Scotland an even more prosperous and fairer country.  The people of Scotland will accept nothing less.”

Finance Secretary John Swinney outlined that people living in Scotland will benefit from:

•           Average savings of around £1,200 thanks to extra money provided to freeze council tax since 2007
•           Free prescriptions
•           Free school meals
•           Free personal care for the elderly
•           600 hours of free childcare for three and four-year-olds and the most vulnerable two-year-olds
•           More affordable housing
•           Continued measures to fully mitigate the Bedroom Tax
•           A commitment to the Living Wage
•           Quality healthcare and a protected NHS budget
•           Improvements to transport links
•           1,000 additional police officers across Scotland’s streets

MSP Pops into Towns Bookmakers

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan this week visited a bookmakers in Inverclyde to see Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBT) at first hand.

The SNP MSP has been campaigning against the proliferation of the machines in town centres and in April led a Members Debate in which he called for the minimum bet per spin to be decreased from £100 to £2.

During the visit to the William Hill store in Greenock Mr McMillan spoke to staff and was given a demonstration play on a FOBT. He was also shown the stores compliance procedures and responsible gambling tools used to protect the players using FOBTs.

Currently £100 can be bet per spin every 20 seconds on FOBTs.

Following the visit Mr McMillan said:

“As someone who does not frequent betting shops on a regular basis, I felt it was important that I visited a shop and seen the workings of a FOBT for myself.

“I am grateful to William Hill and the shop staff for their friendly welcome, and for taking the time to show me the procedures they have in place to try and protect gaming machine players.

“Over the last few months I have spoken to many people who have had their life ruined by FOBTs.

“Even from the 5 minute demo mode that I played, I could clearly see how people can become addicted to the machines.”

McMillan Welcomes Plan to Block Poll Tax Collection

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan has welcomed the announcement by Alex Salmond that The Scottish government will bring in new laws to stop Councils pursuing people for historic Poll Tax debts.

First Minister Alex Salmond announced the move after it emerged local authorities were using the electoral register to chase outstanding bills.

The Poll Tax, or community charge, was introduced to Scotland in April 1989 and replaced by council tax in 1993.

Mr Salmond told MSPs it was misguided for councils to use current records to chase debts from decades ago.

Speaking during First Minister's questions in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Salmond said that, more than 20 years since the Poll Tax came to an end, the expanded electoral roll should not be used to claim those unpaid debts.

Mr Salmond said the total collected in 2013 from poll tax debt in Scotland was £396,000.

He added: "Therefore, I can announce today it's the government's intention to bring forward legislation to ensure that councils can take no further action to recover ancient poll tax debts.

"After 25 years, it's about time that the poll tax was finally dead and buried in Scotland."



Commenting on the announcement Mr McMillan said:



“The Poll Tax was a unfair and unpopular policy that was enforced on the people of Scotland by a Thatcher led Tory Government we did not elect.

“The fact that it was introduced in Scotland a whole year before England was testament to how little the Conservatives thought of the people of Scotland.

“It is disgraceful to think 25 years on Labour Councils are doing the dirty work of the Conservatives by pursuing debts enforced by them decades ago.

“I therefore fully welcome the announcement by the First Minister today.”