McMillan Raises Bank Closures with Scottish Government

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West Scotland) has raised the issue of banks closing agencies and branches throughout Scotland and what impact this will have on jobs and communities.

Mr McMillan asked the Scottish Government what its position is on banks closing agencies and branches throughout the country and specifically the West of Scotland region. The question resulted from the recent announcements that Nationwide is to close the Dunfermline Building Society agency based in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire and RBS is to close its branch in Gourock, Inverclyde.

Mr McMillan said:

“I have been contacted by constituents who have raised their concerns with the proposed closure of the Dunfermline Building Society agency in Alexandria and the RBS closure of its branch in Gourock.

“These closures will mean my constituents having to travel larger distances to locate another suitable branch and it will also have a direct impact on jobs in the local community.

“Plainly, my constituents are aggrieved with the proposed closures and what this will mean for the service provided by banks in the West of Scotland.

“Therefore, I have asked the Finance Secretary what reassurances can the Scottish Government provide to my constituents that it will liaise with those banks who are closing agencies and branches to minimise the affect it will have on customers.

“It’s vital that any changes and closures to banks take into consideration the local community and the customers who regularly use the banks.”

SNP COMMENT ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM COMMITTEE REPORT

Commenting on the report by the House of Commons Constitutional Reform Committee which recommends that a UK-wide referendum may be required to ratify further powers for the Scottish Parliament, SNP MSP Stuart McMillan - who sits on the Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee - said:

"This report is a huge blow to the No campaign and a big boost for Yes, because it underlines that a Yes vote for independence in next year's referendum is the only decision we can take in Scotland which will give Scotland the powers we need to build a strong economy and fair society. A 'No' vote is a vote for nothing - a Westminster veto applies to any further devolution, which we know from bitter experience has held Scotland back.

“Westminster’s failure to deliver devolution of corporation tax to Northern Ireland shows how empty the promises of more powers for Scotland from the anti-independence parties are. The truth is the only way we can complete the powers of the Scottish Parliament - and bring the welfare, tax and spending powers to Scotland that a majority of people want - is with a Yes vote for independence in next year’s referendum."

McMillan Joins Purple Ribbon Brigade for International Epilepsy Day

The world will be turning purple on Tuesday 26 March when Stuart McMillan MSP wears a ribbon to raise awareness of epilepsy on Purple Day.   Mr McMillan will join thousands of Epilepsy Scotland supporters holding purple-themed fun activities in schools and workplaces across the country.

Mr McMillan said: “I’m keen to support Purple Day and draw attention to this important cause.  Around 700 of my constituents have epilepsy.  Yet a public opinion poll shows one in four Scots know nothing about this long-term condition.

“When people ask me what the purple ribbon is for I can tell them about this international awareness day.  The beauty of Purple Day is that it offers a light-hearted way to get people thinking and talking about epilepsy.  This in turn can help to remove some of the stigma and fear people associate with the condition.

“Everyone can enjoy Purple Day in their own way.  Epilepsy Scotland has a free pack with an A-Z of ideas on their website: www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk”

WESTMINSTER’S CORPORATION TAX OBSTRUCTION DAMAGING TO ALL UK NATIONS

The damage caused by Westminster’s dithering on corporation tax to all UK nations has been laid bare after business groups in Northern Ireland blasted the Treasury’s delays in devolving the tax as having “long-term and far-reaching” implications.

In today’s Financial Times (Monday 25th March) CBI Northern Ireland has warned David Cameron he risks alienating the business community, politicians and public further by delaying the decision to devolve corporation tax.

The Scottish Government’s calls for corporation tax to be devolved to Scotland has been consistently met with obstruction from Westminster at every turn.

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan, who is a member of the Referendum Bill Committee, said:

"Yet again Westminster’s obstruction has been demonstrated to be damaging all UK nations with its dithering over corporation tax.

“It’s not just the people of Scotland who are fed up of the delays and constant U-turns that have become the hallmark of George Osborne’s Treasury.

“It’s no wonder the Scottish Social Attitudes survey showed 71 per cent of people trust the Scottish Parliament to act in Scotland’s best interests – four-times more than trust Westminster.

“The refusal to take the steps necessary to secure our recovery is having devastating effects in every nation in the UK.

“If it is right that Northern Ireland gains control over corporation tax then it is difficult to see how anyone can argue that it is not also right for Scotland.

“The latest Ernst and Young Corporate Tax Survey report concluded that Scotland gaining responsibility for raising its own corporate revenues offers a ‘big opportunity’ for businesses. We cannot trust Westminster to act in Scotland’s best interests.

“An independent Scotland, with full fiscal powers and the ability to take our own decisions on taxation, will be able to do even more to support companies, strengthen our economy and create jobs.”

McMillan Welcomes Date of Scottish Independence Referendum

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) & Member of the Scottish Parliament Referendum Committee has today (Thursday) welcomed the news from the Scottish Government that the date of the Scottish Independence Referendum will take place on 18^th September 2014.

The date is contained in the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill, introduced to the Parliament and published today, which also confirms that voters will be asked the question “Should Scotland be an independent country?”.

The legislation provides that the referendum will be:

•preceded by a 16-week formal campaign period, during which limits will apply to the amount of money any registered participant may spend on campaigning, aimed at ensuring a level playing field for both sides of the debate;

•overseen by the independent Electoral Commission, responsible for regulating the campaign rules, informing the public about the referendum and reporting to the Scottish Parliament on the conduct and administration of the referendum; and

•conducted under the direction of a Chief Counting Officer responsible for appointing local Counting Officers to run the poll in local areas.

Mr McMillan said:

“I wholeheartedly welcome the news that the Scottish Independence Referendum will take place on Thursday 18th September 2014.

“The announcement of the date for the Scottish Independence Referendum is an historic occasion for the people of Scotland.  An independent Scotland will allow the country to become a normal independent nation and ensures that Scotland takes responsibility for its own decisions.

“Scotland now has the opportunity to create a fairer, more prosperous society for the future of our children and the ability to use the full economic and fiscal powers to create growth and increase employment opportunities for our country.

“I look forward to campaigning in the independence debate and engaging with members of the public.”

McMillan Speaks in Trident Debate

Stuart McMillan (SNP, West Scotland) yesterday (Wednesday) re-iterated his long standing opposition to the Trident nuclear weapons programme in a symbolic vote in the Scottish Parliament.

Mr McMillan spoke in the Scottish Parliament debate on a motion against Trident nuclear weapons being stationed in Scotland, and in favour of the UN’s five-point plan for nuclear disarmament.

The vote follows a poll last week that showed 80% of Scots want Trident removed from Scotland and the shores of the Clyde. The UK Government is currently pushing ahead with plans to renew the Trident nuclear weapons at a cost of up to £100 billion at a time when budgets are being slashed by the UK Treasury.

The Labour Party refused to support the motion and were briefed heavily by the ‘No’ Campaign to support investment in the renewal of weapons of mass destruction based on the Clyde.

Mr McMillan said:

“I was pleased to have the opportunity to make my voice heard in opposition to the Trident nuclear weapons programme. I have long campaigned for the removal of Trident from Scottish waters.

“I believe nuclear weapons are abhorrent. It fills me with dread knowing we have weapons of mass destruction based in the West Scotland region that I represent, they have no place in modern Scotland and the people of Scotland are overwhelmingly opposed to them.

“Scotland currently contributes £163 million a year to the running costs of Trident, and will soon receive a bill for billions of pounds towards the renewal of the weapons system. This is money that we could be investing in conventional weapons, schools, hospitals, jobs, instead of investing in an obsolete cold war relic.

“I was disappointed in the Labour Party who opted to abstain on this vote, a vote which they could easily have supported.

“The argument against the renewal of Trident even has the support of prominent Tories such as former Defence Minister Lord King and his colleague former Defence Minister Michael Portillo who stated Trident is ‘completely past its sell by date…It’s a tremendous waste of money. It’s done entirely for reasons of national prestige and at the margins it is proliferation.’

“Under Independence we would get rid of Trident and turn Faslane into the Scotland’s main conventional navy facility, securing jobs and the local economy without the need for wasted investment in nuclear weapons. Scotland needs a defence base on the Clyde, there is a positive future for Faslane but no moral, strategic or economic reason for keeping Trident.

“It is now clear that only a Yes vote in next year’s independence referendum can rid Scotland of nuclear weapons, allowing us to invest the billions saved in helping to build a fair society and strong economy.”

McMillan Welcomes Record Youth Unemployment Drop in Scotland

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Wednesday) welcomed the news from the Scottish Government that youth unemployment experienced the biggest fall in 20 years and unemployment in Scotland fell by 4,000 over the three months to January 2013, as shown by official statistics published today.

Scotland now has a lower headline unemployment rate of 7.4 per cent than the UK’s at 7.8% and a lower youth unemployment rate of 17.0% in Scotland compared to 20.6% per cent in the UK.

This is the fourth month in a row that shows unemployment in Scotland is falling and Scotland’s unemployment rate is now at its lowest in over three years.

Mr McMillan said:

“These figures show the SNP Government’s continued commitment to job creation and addressing youth unemployment is working. Unemployment has fallen by4,000 and youth unemployment has fallen by levels not seen for over 20 years.

“Employment is on the increase and our employment rate is the fifth joint highest of the UK nations and regions.

“No matter how much progress is made, there can be no let up as long as even one young person needs help finding their way out of unemployment.

“The time when young people are starting out in their careers has a massive effect on their life chances, so it is absolutely critical that every support possible is provided.

“Looking at the improvements Scotland has made with its current limited powers, we know we could achieve so much more armed with the full economic and fiscal powers of a normal independent nation.”