Stuart McMillan Challenges Duncan McNeil to Live Head to Head Debate

SNP MSP and local Yes campaigner Stuart McMillan has today challenged his Labour counterpart and No campaigner, Duncan McNeil MSP, to a live head to head debate in September.

In a letter to Mr McNeil, Mr McMillan says “With September’s Referendum now only 50 days away, I write to seek your agreement to a live head-to-head debate with myself during the first week in September.”

Mr McMillan goes on to say that “September’s Referendum will be the biggest decision voters in Inverclyde will ever undertake, and I feel it is only right that everyone in Inverclyde has the opportunity to hear both sides of the debate go head to head.”

Wednesday marks 50 days to go until September’s referendum and the SNP MSP believes a live debate between the area’s pro union and pro independence MSPs would be warmly welcomed.



Commenting Mr McMillan said:

“September’s referendum is the biggest and most important election anyone in Inverclyde will likely ever vote in.

“I feel it is proper and correct if Duncan and myself, as MSPs from both sides of the campaign, debate head to head.

“Over the last few months we have seen the leader of the Conservatives in Scotland come to Inverclyde, we have seen Johann Lamont and Ed Miliband also come to Inverclyde. However, on both occasions the public were never given the opportunity to quiz these senior No politicians on the Referendum.

“This is in stark contrast to the public meetings the Yes campaign have had with Green MSP Patrick Harvie, former MP Dennis Canavan and former MSP Colin Fox of the SSP, to name but a few. In the coming weeks we will also see Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon and Cabinet Secretary Angela Constance, come to Inverclyde to take part in public, open to all, free events.

“If Duncan McNeil’s colleagues in the No campaign in Inverclyde are not willing to hold well advertised public meetings, then I hope he is willing to have a head to head debate with myself.

“I look forward to seeing Duncan at a debate during the first week in September.”

McMillan Welcomes Shipbuilding Comments

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today welcomed the comments from central figures from the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders work-in which indicate support for independence.

In the letter published today, seven key figures involved in the famous work-in have made clear that a Yes vote offers a "stronger, brighter future" for the shipbuilding industry – compared to Westminster’s legacy of job losses and yard closures over the last thirty years.

 

　

The shipyard veterans also condemned the No campaign’s scare stories on shipbuilding - making clear that after a Yes vote Scottish shipyards could continue to build ships ordered by Westminster as well as building Type 26 frigates for use by an independent Scotland.

 

Mr. McMillan said:

"These key figures from the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders work-in are backing independence is a real boost for the Yes campaign – and shows the No camp’s claims on shipbuilding are just more of the usual Project Fear scaremongering.

"The fact is that the expertise and experience of our workforce mean Scottish shipyards are the best place to build the next generation of ships – and our shipbuilding industry has a bright future after a Yes vote."

 

The letter from seven central figures in the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders work-in can be found here:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/open-letter-signed-seven-famous-3889002　

 

No camp’s nuclear obsession puts jobs at risk:

http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/jul/no-camps-nuclear-obsession-puts-jobs-risk

INDEPENDENCE OFFERS FAIRER DEAL FOR OLDER SCOTS

As the Tory led UK Government refuses to come clean on the level the new single tier state pension will be set at in 2016, the SNP MSP Stuart McMillan has today highlighted the fairer deal independence offers older Scots in Inverclyde.

The SNP Scottish Government has said that in an independent Scotland new pensioners can expect to receive £160 per week on the single tier pension from 2016. However, the UK Government are refusing to reveal what the UK rate will be. And despite Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon calling on David Cameron to come clean, a letter from Scottish Under Secretary David Mundell has made it clear there is no intention of doing this before the referendum.　

The UK Government has said that the new single tier pension rate will be slightly above the minimum guarantee – currently set at £148.35 per week. Taking this into account, it is estimated that the UK single tier pension rate will be around £155 per week in 2016.

This means that Scottish Government plans will see pensioners in and independent Scotland benefit by around £5 a week – or £260 a year. The Scottish Government is also committed to introducing a pensions triple lock with independence. This means that pensions will increase either by inflation, earnings or 2.5 per cent – whichever is highest.
 

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan said:
 

"The SNP Scottish Government has been clear that in an independent Scotland new pensioners can expect to receive £160 per week on the single tier pension from 2016. While the UK Government are refusing to come clean on how much pensions will be in 2016.　
 

"The full powers of independence will allow Scotland to introduce a triple lock on the state pension to help ensure it keeps up with the increasing cost of living. This is something I know is important to people across Inverclyde.
 

"It will also allow an independent Scottish Parliament to establish a state pension age that meets Scotland’s needs, and also review Westminster’s plans to increase the retirement age to 67.
 

"Westminster politicians cannot get away from hiding the truth from Inverclyde’s older people. They must come clean about how much our new pensioners are going to lose staying part of the UK.
 

"Only a Yes vote in September will deliver the powers the Scottish Parliament needs to bring about a fairer deal for our pensioner and ensure we have a pension system that is right for the people of Scotland."

McMillan welcomes funding boost for OYTS

“This is great news for Ocean Youth Trust Scotland and will help them provide further sail training opportunities for young people in Scotland,” said Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP – West of Scotland).


The Scottish Government has announced that £375,000 of CashBack for Communities funding is being awarded to Ocean Youth Trust Scotland to create life changing opportunities for young people across the country.

The money is the latest award from the third phase of CashBack funding, which has so far seen over £74m invested and committed to projects and initiatives across Scotland since its inception in 2007.

National sail training charity, Ocean Youth Trust Scotland, will use the grant to fund New Horizons, a three year national project to provide sail training opportunities for 576 young people in Scotland.

Stuart McMillan added:

“As an Ambassador for OYTS I am really pleased that they have received this additional funding. It will allow them to provide even more sailing opportunities for young people.

“This funding will provide 5 day residential voyages for over 500 disadvantaged young people from all over Scotland providing them with new experiences.

“This project is a fantastic opportunity for young people across Scotland to develop unique skills, build confidence and gain vital experience to better equip them for the rest of their lives. This also gives young people living next to our beautiful coastline, but who have never before left dry land, their first adventure on the high seas.”

The funding was announced by Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny McAskill MSP who said:

“The young people who will gain from this experience join a growing generation who are benefitting from more than £74million Cashback for Communities funding which has been invested or committed since 2008 for a whole range of sports, cultural and other activities for Scotland’s young people.

“It is particularly gratifying that The Ocean Youth Trust Horizons project is being funded through the ill-gotten gains of the very criminals who seek to cause misery in Scotland’s communities.”

Over the last four years OYT Scotland has received £72k of CashBack funds through YouthLink Scotland, working with 177 young people in eight local authority areas. The latest phase of funding from CashBack will enable Ocean Youth Trust to roll out the New Horizons project to 16 local authorities in 2015 and all 32 local authorities by 2016, helping to create lasting opportunities for young people across the country.

The new announcement signals the biggest direct Government grant for the charity and will help to deliver positive outcomes to all young people involved in the project across Scotland, particularly those who are at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.

Labour Plan to Bring Back Prescription Charges

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan has today commented on the revelation in yesterday’s Mail on Sunday that Labour is planning to re-introduce prescription charges for everyone except children and pensioners.

The report makes clear that as part of Johann Lamont’s Cuts Commission, a plan has been put forward to bring back prescription charges – which were abolished by the SNP – for the majority of adults in Scotland. Other measures under consideration include an outright ban on prescribing painkillers – despite their role in preventing heart attacks - and raising the eligibility age for the concessionary bus pass.

The removal of prescription charges has benefitted people with chronic conditions including asthma, chron’s disease, motor neurone disease and cancer sufferers requiring non-cancer related medication.

The Labour proposal comes despite Welsh Labour leader Carwyn Jones promising to stand on a platform of free prescriptions in the 2016 Welsh Assembly election and front bench MSP Kezia Dugdale previously making clear her view that “free prescription charges would need to stay”.

The Prescription Charges Coalition in England which supports people with chronic conditions found in a survey this year that 37% of people had reported that the cost of their medication had prevented them from taking it as prescribed. A previous survey by the same group found that 73% of their respondents pay for their prescriptions - which currently cost £8.05 for a single prescription in England.

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan said:

"The revelation that Labour are planning to re-introduce prescription charges, punishing those who have the misfortune to become ill, will rightly make people across Inverclyde furious.

"It seems that Labour have completely lost touch with the founding principles of the NHS - that healthcare should be free at the point of need.

“The removal of prescription charges has made a huge difference to the lives of people across Inverclyde and Labour now seem determined to follow in Westminster's footsteps and undermine the principles of the NHS.

"The SNP has been determined to protect our NHS from Westminster's privatisation agenda and I fundamentally oppose any re-introduction of prescription charges, which is effectively a tax on the sick.

"This is the first blow delivered by Labour's Cuts Commission and people across Inverclyde will be wondering what is next?”

McMillan Highlights Call for Evidence on the Air Weapons and Licensing Bill

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) and Member of the Local Government & Regeneration Committee has today (Tuesday) highlighted the committees call for evidence on the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill.

The Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Parliament by Kenny MacAskill MSP on 14 May 2014.

The policy objective of the Bill is to strengthen and improve aspects of locally led alcohol and civic government licensing in order to preserve public order and safety, reduce crime, and to advance public health. This is being achieved through reforms to the existing systems to alcohol licensing, taxi and private hire care licensing, metal dealer licensing and; giving local communities a new power to regulate sexual entertainment venues in their areas. The Bill will also protect public safety by creating a new licensing regime for air weapons.

Mr. McMillan said:

“I would encourage those who have an interest in the issues of air weapons and licensing to make their views know by responding to the Committees call for evidence.

“The process is now open for responses and all interested parties (whether individuals, groups or organisations) can respond until the call for evidence closes on Monday 29 September 2014.

“For more information please do not hesitate to contact the Committee clerks by email at: airweaponsandlicensingbill@scottish.parliament.uk.” 

Scottish Parliament website – Air Weapons & Licensing (Scotland) Bill - http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/78273.aspx 

McMillan Welcomes Flood Funding for Inverclyde

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Tuesday) welcomed the news that Inverclyde Council has secured over £1.7 million, from the Scottish Government, to tackle flooding in the area.

Previously, local authorities were invited to apply for flood protection and full details on project priority and eligibility were set out in the guidance which accompanied the invitation to bid. 

Seven applications for flood protection scheme funding were received, from the following local authorities: Angus, City of Edinburgh, Dundee, Dumfries and Galloway, Inverclyde, Perth and Kinross, the Scottish Borders.  Of the applicants, only two met all the requirements for funding set out in the guidance; these were Angus Council (Brechin Scheme) and the Scottish Borders Council (Selkirk Scheme).

Mr McMillan has been campaigning, since his election in 2007, for better flood protection in the west of Scotland and in-particular the Inverclyde area.

Mr. McMillan said:

“It’s pleasing to learn, at the second attempt, that Inverclyde Council has secured funding from the Scottish Government to tackle flooding in the area.

“The need for better flood protection for the area is something I have been contacted on by many Inverclyde residents and I have since campaigned for during my time as an MSP.

“In my meeting with the Minister for Environment in May of this year I strongly urged the need for funding to be provide to Inverclyde for flood protection.

“I hope the securing of this funding will lead the local authority to take the necessary action to address this issue and show the people of Inverclyde they are as serious about flood protection as I am.”