McMILLAN QUESTIONS OLYMPICS SCOTTISH IMPACT

Stuart McMillan MSP has questioned the benefits of the London Olympics to the West of Scotland after receiving a Parliamentary answer which does not indicate any benefits to Greenock & Inverclyde.

Asking what benefits the London Olympics will have for the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency the answer only mentions sportscotland’s National Centre at Inverclyde which is actually based in Ayrshire.

Commenting on the answer Stuart said “This answer highlights a very worrying trend for the benefits of the London Olympics to Scotland and Greenock and Inverclyde in particular. The London Olympics are spiralling out of control. From an initial estimate of £2.37 billion it is feared it could now reach £10 billion and eat into lottery funding for grass roots sport in Scotland.

I wish the games well and think they could be an opportunity for Scotland but revelations like this make me question why what are the benefits to Scotland. I also find it concerning that lottery funding is to be used to subsidise a project that clearly will never break even, never mind make a profit. Given the funnelling of lottery money from Scotland to an event in London that will have few tangible benefits for Scotland and apparently none for Greenock, I must ask why we Scots must help to subsidise the event?”

LOCAL INCOME TAX BACKED BY PARLIAMENT

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan has welcomed the vote in the Scottish Parliament calling for the discredited council tax to be replaced with local income tax.

Stuart said “The vote to scrap the unfair council tax and replace it with a fair system of local income tax based on ability to pay is an excellent first step in bringing fair local taxation to the people of Scotland”.

“It’s clear that not only a majority of in parliament but the majority of Scots support our policy of abolishing the regressive council tax. It’s an out-dated and punitive system of taxation which many in our society, such as pensioners, are struggling to pay. The vote in parliament was just the first step in the process but I believe that we are now on the road towards fairer local taxes”.

McMILLAN WELCOMES GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO END GRADUATE ENDOWMENT

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan has welcomed the proposal by Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop to scrap the Graduate Endowment scheme.

Stuart has said that “The graduate endowment scheme was always a fudge, introduced by the Lib-Lab coalition in 2001 to replace the highly unpopular tuition fees. It was introduced as part of a system of student support based on the principles of the Cubie committee: student support should promote social inclusion, barriers to widening access and participation should be removed. It is a policy that has failed to deliver those aims.

"Our government wants to see Scottish Education return to the principle that it is an individual's ability to learn, not their ability to pay, that dictates their educational achievement. Not only is the graduate endowment unreasonable, at a time when we need to invest in our most important resource, our people, it is also singularly inefficient as a method of raising money.

I regard this is a positive step forward for Scotland and the removal of a barrier to young people achieving their full potential. It also demonstrates this government's commitment to a thriving higher education sector”.

SUPPORT FOR YOUNG CARERS WELCOMED

The announced that a national festival for young carers across Scotland will now take place after a £400,000 funding package was put in place today has been welcomed by Stuart McMillan MSP. Minister for Public Health Shona Robison said £200,000 would establish the festival to give young carers a break from their responsibilities and an opportunity to come together and air their views and concerns. A further £200,000 will also help deliver training to give carers the knowledge and skills they need to cope more effectively.

Minister for Public Health Shona Robison said: "This announcement today represents the Scottish government's first step to ensure that Scotland's 600,000 unpaid carers receive the recognition they so deserve.

"This festival will provide young carers with the opportunity to meet with decision-makers, including MSPs, to have their say on the issues that affect them. Carer training is also crucial in supporting carers with their caring responsibilities. We acknowledge that more needs to be done to support carers to enable them to continue caring, whilst protecting their own physical, emotional and mental health. I am confident that the funding for crucial training will help us address these issues. "I look forward to working with carers and the carer organisation as we drive both of these initiatives forward."

Stuart McMillan MSP said of the announcement “I`m delighted that our government has given this recognition to young carers. These exceptional young people deserve support, gratitude and recognition of their caring roles”.

CRIMINAL’S CASH TO BE REINVESTED IN YOUTH

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has announced that £8m confiscated from Criminal is to be reinvested for the benefit of Scotland’s communities.

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan has said “We must promote good behaviour as well as punish bad behaviour. I am delighted that the Justice Secretary has announced that thanks to the increasing amounts of money that is confiscated from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, a new approach to reinvesting that money to benefit Scotland's communities is to be established. The money is to be targeted at communities who are hit hardest by crime.

“By this autumn, the Scottish Government will have about £8 million to reinvest in services and activities that will make a difference to young people's lives. I understand out government is to seek early talks with a range of key players to determine the best way in which to make a visible impact where it is needed”.

Kenny MacAskill said of the confiscated funds that “There is such a thing as society. Individuals are responsible for their actions and the government is responsible for all our communities. Where that culture flourishes, we will support it. Where it is fading, we will rekindle it. Where it is undermined and abused, we will fight for it”.

NHS STAFF TO RECEIVE PAY AWARD

West of Scotland MSP has welcomed the announcement that NHS staff in Scotland will receive their 2.5 per cent unstaged pay award next month after Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon took action today to deliver on the Pay Review body's recommendation.

Nicola Sturgeon told Scottish NHS staff at a conference in Glasgow that the uplift would be included in July's pay packets, backdated to April 1.Ms Sturgeon also said that tackling health inequalities in Scotland's most disadvantaged communities would be at the forefront of the Scottish government's health improvement agenda over the coming months, with alcohol a key focus for action.

Ms Sturgeon said: "When I took up my post, I was concerned to find that the 2.5 per cent unstaged pay award - recommended by the Pay Review body and agreed by the previous administration - had not been implemented. I am aware that there are continuing discussions at a UK level in relation to staff covered by the PNC. However, I wrote to unions confirming my intention to honour the commitment to a 2.5 per cent unstaged award and to express my desire to see the money in pay packets as soon as possible.

"It is clear from responses that I have received that there is a need to effect a balance between the natural desire of unions to ensure that their members receive agreed pay rises as soon as is practically possible, and the need to take account of the fact that there are still unresolved pay discussions affecting a significant number of NHS Scotland staff at UK level.

"Taking all of these factors into account, I have decided that I will issue the pay circulars to enable the pay uplift to be made in July. I hope that this decision demonstrates that I greatly value the commitment, dedication and professionalism of NHS Scotland staff."

SCOTLAND ON THE 'INTERNATIONAL STAGE'

For the first time ever, the National Theatre of Scotland (NToS) will tour America to showcase two highly acclaimed performances, thanks to funding from the Scottish Government.

The NToS will take the award winning 'Black Watch' and 'The Wolves in the Walls' to New York and Los Angeles this autumn. The Scottish Government has awarded £195,000 from the International Touring Fund. Minister for Culture Linda Fabiani said "This is a significant first for the National Theatre of Scotland, showcasing Scottish talent Stateside with the help of funding from the Scottish Government.

"Scotland has world-class artists who deserve to be recognised and that is why I'm delighted that these two powerful performances - Black Watch and The Wolves in the Walls - will be enjoyed by an international audience. These tours of New York and Los Angeles will boost Scotland's international image and attract new audiences to Scottish cultural life."

Stuart McMillan MSP has welcomed the move and said “The National Theatre of Scotland has already produced some remarkable work in its short history. This announcement of support form our government for international touring of Black Watch and The Wolves in the Walls is excellent. It will allow Scottish talents to been seen on the international stage”.

Stuart McMillan MSP

Welcome to the new website for West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan.

Stuart can be contact by phone on 0131 348 6807.

By email at stuart.mcmillan.msp@scottish.parliament.uk.

By fax to 0131 348 6809.

Or via the Scottish Parliament webite here.

This site will be growing the coming weeks and months.

Learning, Training & Employment

Connections
78 Drumfrochar Road, Greenock
- 01475 806013

Inverclyde Training and Employment Initiative
16 Nicolson Street, Greenock
- 01475 553303

Jobcentre Plus
99 Dalrymple Street, Greenock
- 01475 495495

Branchton Community Resource and Family Centre
78 Branchton Road, Greenock, PA16 7EN
- 01475 638481

James Watt College
Finnart Street, Greenock
- 01475 724433

James Watt College
Finnart Street, Greenock
- 01475 724433

Riverview Centre
3-5 Mansion Avenue, Port Glasgow, PA14 6QW
- 01475 746253

Second Chance Learning Project
Blairmore Centre, Blairmore Road, Greenock
- 01475 791650

Voluntary, Health & Community Organisations

Arthritis Care Dalrymple House
195 Dalrymple Street, Greenock
- 01475 787341

Barnardos - Inverclyde Family Support Team
Highome Community Centre, Highome Avenue, Port Glasgow
- 01475 741136

Inverclyde Volunteer Centre Westburn Centre
175 Dalrymple Street, Greenock
- 01475 787414

Inverclyde Women's Aid
30 Nicolson Street, Greenock
- 01475 781689

Port Glasgow Credit Union
9 John Wood Street, Port Glasgow, PA14 5HU
- 01475 744810

Tail O' the Bank Credit Union
14 Kilblain Street, Greenock, PA15 1SR
- 01475 734655

Woman's Royal Voluntary Service Westburn Centre
175 Dalrymple Street, Greenock
- 01475 553321

Glasgow and West of Scotland Society for the Blind
2 Queens Crescent, Glasgow
- 0141 5720747

Gourock Health Centre
Shore Street, Greenock
- 01475 634617

Greenock Health Centre
Duncan Street, Greenock
- 01475 724477

Headway Inverclyde
7 Hood Street, Greenock, PA15 1YQ
- 01475 728502

Inverclyde Carers Centre
2nd Floor, 16 Nicolson Street, Greenock
- 01475 735180

Inverclyde Community Care Forum
12 Clyde Square, Greenock
- 01475 728605

Inverclyde Royal Hospital
Larkfield Road, Greenock
- 01475 633777

Phoenix Health Project
19 Bogle Street, Greenock
- 01475 892197

Port Glasgow Health Centre
2 Bay Street, Port Glasgow, PA14 5EW
- 01475 745321

Stepwell Inn
6 Brymner Street, Greenock, PA15 1EA
- 01475 726476

Information Services

Cloch Housing Association
6 Regent Street, Greenock, PA15 4PL
- 01475 783627

Elderly and Disabled Resource Centre
Muirshiel Lane, Block 8 Industrial Estate, Port Glasgow
- 01475 745115

Financial Fitness
5 Sir Michael Street, Greenock
- 01475 729239

Inverclyde Advocacy Project
21 Grey Place, Greenock, PA15 1YF
- 01475 730979

Inverclyde Elderly Forum
John Galt House, Duncan Street, Greenock
- 01475 728461

Inverclyde Shopmobility
10 Clyde Square, Greenock
- 01475 732600

Inverclyde Council on Disability
10 Clyde Square, Greenock
- 01475 732700

Larkfield Housing Association
1 Cambridge Road, Greenock
- 01475 630930

Oak Tree Housing Association
41 High Street, Greenock
- 01475 807000

Peat Road Tenants Association
Flat 1, 85 Kenilworth Crescent, Greenock
- 01475 786291

Port Glasgow Central & West Tenants' & Residents' Association
10 Highholm Street, Port Glasgow, PA14 5HU
- 01475 741911

Port Glasgow Housing Association
30 Dubbs Road, Port Glasgow, PA14 5UA
- 01475 707603

The Samaritans
65 Cathcart Street, Greenock
- 01475 721212

Victim Support Inverclyde
16 Nicolson Street, Greenock
- 01475 787300