McMillan Speak Out on the Rising Cost of Living

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) today spoke in the Scottish Parliament during Lib Dem debate on the rising cost of living affecting many people in Inverclyde.

The Lib Dems were proposing a 2p cut in tax, however flaws in the plans were pointed out including the original cost of the proposals jumping from £400 million to £800 million.

During the debate Mr. McMillan said;

"If the Lib Dems want to help hard pressed families in Scotland, they need to put pressure on the UK Government to work for lower energy prices, lower petrol prices and lower food prices and to back measures such as the fuel duty regulator. Anything less is just playing the electorate for fools.

Following the debate Mr. McMillan said;

"The rising cost of living is having a detrimental affect on so many people in Inverclyde.
"Rising fuel bills and energy costs are causing many people distress and it is time the Westminster Government took action.

"The SNP Government are helping people here in numerous ways including freezing council tax, providing record number of central heating installations and much more.

"It’s time the UK Government took their responsibilities seriously and gave something back to people in Inverclyde.

MSP Welcomes 21st Birthday of Inverclyde Council on Disability

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) today congratulated Inverclyde Council on Disability who are celebrating their 21st birthday. The celebrations will take place in the Greenock Town Hall on Wednesday 19th November.

Mr McMillan said;

"I was more than happy to put down a Parliamentary motion welcoming the 21st birthday of Inverclyde Council on Disability.

"The group are instrumental in providing information and services which has helped improve the quality of life for people with a disability. Alongside this, the group provide Disability Awareness Training (DAT) which has made members of the public more aware of what it's like to live with a disability and how people can be supported.

"I know the Shopmobility programme has been a well used service and I encourage people to continue to use this service. I hope Inverclyde Council on Disability go on to have many more happy returns."

Notes:

Short Title: Inverclyde Council on Disability Celebrates 21st Birthday

S3M-02785 Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): That the Parliament congratulates Inverclyde Council on Disability (ICOD) on reaching its 21st birthday, which is to be celebrated in Greenock Town Hall on Wednesday 19 November 2008; notes that ICOD has gone from strength to strength over the 21 years and, from its town centre location at 10 Clyde Square, Greenock, is involved in providing information on many issues, provides consultations with various agencies, carries out access audits, provides disability awareness training, supplies a well-used Shopmobility service which over 800 people have joined since it started in 2002, assists in partnership with a learning service from Greenock library, and further notes that ICOD provides benefits advice and has carried out research in the past and networks with many voluntary organisations in and beyond Inverclyde.

McMillan encourages local organisations to apply for funding

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has today (Tuesday) called on sports clubs and public bodies including local authorities in partnership with local clubs in Inverclyde to apply for Scottish Government funding through the CashBack for Communities scheme. The money is to be invested in projects brought forward by the Scottish Football Association (SFA). While football is expected to be the main beneficiary, other sports may also gain via access to the facilities.

Mr McMillan said;

"I would encourage all local sports clubs to apply for funding through the CashBack for Communities scheme and give the young people of Inverclyde the opportunity to reach their potential as well as staying fit and active.

"The scheme is an ideal opportunity for sports clubs to gain much needed extra resources and equipment which can be put to great use.

"I believe the CashBack scheme makes a real difference in the lives of our young people today and also highlights the Scottish Government's continued commitment to tackle crime in the community.

Notes:

Government release - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/10/27095548

CashBack for Communities website - http://www.cashbackscotland.com/

McMillan Welcomes Extra Funding to Speed up Community Service Placements

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) and member of the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee has today (Friday) welcomed the Scottish Government announcement that extra funding is to be made available to speed up community service placements.

Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome this important step taken by the Scottish Government to speed up community service placements. The additional funding of £1 million pounds will allow councils to recruit more staff to improve the delivery of Community Service Orders (CSO's).

"I recently spent the day meeting members of Inverclyde Social Work Services Department who briefed me on their role in implementing community service projects in Inverclyde. Alongside this, I had the opportunity to meet some of the men who were serving their CSO's and the overwhelming issue they raised was the time it took for them to complete their orders.

"Many of the men worked shift patterns which meant they were able to work two or three days in a row to complete their order, however this was not always possible due to a lack of staff provision. This additional funding will go someone to address this problem.

"I believe community service is a vital part of the Criminal Justice system and gives those who have committed offences the opportunity to give something back to the community they have wronged and be responsible for their actions."

Notes:

Release from the Scottish Government:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/10/24095553

McMillan writes to SPS for clarification on HMP Inverclyde

SNP MSP for the West of Scotland, Stuart McMillan – a member of the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee - has today (Friday) written to the Scottish Prison Service Chief Executive, Mike Ewart seeking clarification on where the replacement to HMP Greenock will be situated. Mr McMillan was responding to reported newspaper comments that the new prison could be built in Paisley.

Mr McMillan said;

"I felt it important to write to the Scottish Prison Service to seek clarification as to where the replacement to HMP Greenock will be located.

"I am keen to see the new prison facility built being a direct replacement for HMP Greenock within the Inverclyde area.

"In my letter to the Chief Executive I wrote that I am keen to know what meetings have taken place between the Scottish Prison Service and Inverclyde Council to discuss possible sites for the new prison facility."

Notes:

Evening Times article 23rd October 2008

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2462706.0.paisley_high_on_shortlist_in_search_for_new_prison.php

McMillan Welcomes Extra Funding to Speed up Community Service Placements

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) and member of the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee has today (Friday) welcomed the Scottish Government announcement that extra funding is to be made available to speed up community service placements.

Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome this important step taken by the Scottish Government to speed up community service placements. The additional funding of £1 million pounds will allow councils to recruit more staff to improve the delivery of Community Service Orders (CSO's).

"I recently spent the day meeting members of Inverclyde Social Work Services Department who briefed me on their role in implementing community service projects in Inverclyde. Alongside this, I had the opportunity to meet some of the men who were serving their CSO's and the overwhelming issue they raised was the time it took for them to complete their orders.

"Many of the men worked shift patterns which meant they were able to work two or three days in a row to complete their order, however this was not always possible due to a lack of staff provision. This additional funding will go someone to address this problem.

"I believe community service is a vital part of the Criminal Justice system and gives those who have committed offences the opportunity to give something back to the community they have wronged and be responsible for their actions."

Notes:

Release from the Scottish Government:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/10/24095553

MSP WELCOMES TWO NEW PRISONS

SNP MSP for the West of Scotland, Stuart McMillan – a member of the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee - has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) that work was now under way to find sites to replace Greenock and Inverness prisons.

Commenting Mr McMillan said:

"As a representative for the West of Scotland who lives in Greenock this is good news for the area. I am sure it will also be welcome news for the staff at Inverness prison as well.

"Under the SNP Government we have seen great strides to replace Scotland's ageing prison estate with three prisons already in the process of being built.

"Opposition carping doesn't hide the fact that the pace of delivery has far outweighed their own failed records.

"The utter hypocrisy from the Tories is simply breathtaking and their junior spokesperson is quite simply wrong. Not one single new prison opened during the 18 long years when the Tories were in power. Plenty of factories, mines and shipyards closed. Yet no prisons opened.

"Labour's response is equally incoherent. The prison population is at an all time high and rising because the SNP Government inherited it from the Labour administration. They had a chance to ease that pressure on staff with home detention curfews but abandoned this support for petty partisan reasons."