McMILLAN WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

Stuart McMillan MSP has welcome the news that the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund, which helps some of the world's poorest countries, is to be doubled to £9 million.

The Scottish Government also confirmed its commitment to continue working with Malawi. At a recent meeting with the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland (NIDOS) to discuss the future direction of the Scottish government's International Development Policy, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani said "The Scottish government is determined to build on Scotland's existing international development work and to that end, I can confirm that the International Development Fund will be doubled to £9 million over the life of this Parliament. This will be done within the context of a policy review to ensure the Fund targets those in greatest need”.

"I can also confirm that our commitment to supporting Malawi will continue, with the current level of support being maintained at a minimum £3 million per year. However, Scotland also has strong links with other countries, many of which would benefit from assistance and it is right that we do not forget them”.

"NIDOS currently represents 67 Scottish organisations involved in international development and I will draw on their knowledge and expertise to inform our future priorities for international development policy. As we move towards doubling the international aid budget I want to ensure our money is not wasted and that our support is properly targeted to achieve positive, sustainable outcomes."

Stuart McMillan said of the announcement that “this is very welcome news. The new Scottish government doubling the international development fund to £9m over the life of the Parliament by 2011 shows Scotland’s clear support for helping those in need. Understandably the increase in funding will be done within the context of a policy review and will aim to ensure the Fund targets those in greatest need and achieves measurable, sustainable outcomes”

WHITE PAPER ON INDEPENDENCE LAUNCHED

Stuart McMillan, MSP West of Scotland, has welcomed the launch of the Scottish Government’s White Paper on Independence. The white paper was launched by the First Minister Alex Salmond MSP and it is the beginning of the national discussion on Scotland’s constitutional future.

Stuart said “This White Paper fulfils yet another SNP manifesto commitment and it is an open document allowing the population of Scotland, and further afield, to take part in discussing Scotland's constitutional future. It’s no surprise that the First Minister and the SNP believe that Scotland should be an Independent nation but this document highlights other options available to Scotland as well”.

“The national conversation website has received many responses up to now I’m sure it will receive many more as views are raised. I will be contributing to the national discussion in due course and I would encourage the population of the West of Scotland to take part. This is a chance to get involved in the wider debate about how to take Scotland forward. It is also a chance for politicians of all parties to take note of what the electorate are saying”.

McMILLAN WELCOMES OPENING OF WEAVERS LINN RESPITE CENTRE

MSP for the West of Scotland, Stuart McMillan MSP has welcomed the opening of the new Weavers Linn respite Centre in the Glenburn area of Paisley. Mr. McMillan attended the opening of the centre which was officially opened by Cllr. Eileen McCartin, the Convener of the Community & Family Care Policy Board.

Stuart has said that he was “delighted to attend the opening of this new centre which will help families across the whole of Renfrewshire. I also commend Renfrewshire Council for investing in such a facility at a time when it doesn’t appear to be the fashionable thing to do”.

“I had a tour of the facility by the Manager; Winnie Sweeney, and I was impressed by the dedication of Winnie and her staff to ensuring the service users have a comfortable and enjoyable stay. I am sure that every person who enters the centre will be equally impressed and appreciate the dedication that has gone
into making this centre a reality”.

“I would like to wish everyone concerned with the centre every success in the coming years and once again I would like to commend Renfrewshire Council for investing into this worthwhile facility”.

(l-r): Cllr. Derek Mackay (Council Leader), Winnie Sweeney
(Manager of Weavers Linn Respite Centre), Cllr. Eileen
McCartin, Stuart McMillan MSP, Cllr. George Adam and Provost
Ceila Lawson.

McMILLAN WELCOMES £3m CHILDRENS’ HOMES INVESTMENT

Stuart McMillan MSP has welcomed a £3 million one-off grant from the Scottish Government which will help looked after children to get extra help to support the transition to living on their own, and pay for general improvements to residential schools and care homes.

Children and Early Years Minister Adam Ingram said "Taking the step from residential care to independent living can be daunting so we want it to be as easy as possible for these young people to make the switch and enjoy future success. As well as giving young people better chances of securing a job or training course when they leave residential care, this money will adapt living conditions to better reflect independent life”.

"Familiarising residential care children with domestic duties will help give them the confidence to be self-supporting and play a full part in a flourishing Scotland."

Stuart McMillan MSP said "I`m delighted that the SNP Government recognises that Looked after children have their whole lives ahead of them and this funding will help get them prepared and energised to seize every opportunity. This funding will support many look after children across the West of Scotland including in Inverclyde and East Dunbartonshire”.

“We want everyone to play a part in a smarter, more prosperous Scotland and this money can help looked after children fulfil their ambitions. Education and opportunity are the keys to empowering our country’s young people”.

Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care Director Jennifer Davidson has said that “We are pleased the Scottish Executive recognises, through this supplemental funding, the need to improve the environment and opportunities for young people experiencing residential child care. Many young people in residential care have experienced educational disadvantage and it is important that residential units are equipped to help them overcome this."

McMillan Welcomes Investment in Libraries

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan has welcome the announcement that ten projects aimed at improving the quality and diversity of Scotland's public library services have been awarded £450,000 from the SNP Scottish government.

Announcing the successful projects, SNP Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said "Our public libraries play an important role, not only educationally but culturally and socially, for the communities they serve. I am glad to see projects offering library support to groups such as young people and migrant workers - this is where great results will be achieved".

"This funding will help libraries across Scotland continue to improve the quality and diversity of the services they offer. It will allow more people to access information and learning opportunities – helping to nurture skills and realise ambitions."

Stuart McMillan MSP said that “This is welcome news for library services in East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde who will both benefit from the announced funding. I understand that East Renfrewshire will benefit from £46,004 of funding which will be directed towards establishing libraries as a key artners in health information and support services".

"In Inverclyde £33,650 will be used to enable those with additional learning needs to access computers with the support of the local learning partnership through a range of courses of learning activities and support”.

Elaine Fulton, Director of the Scottish Library and Information Council comment that "Public Libraries continue to provide a range of services to almost 60 per cent of the population. We are delighted with this continued support for public libraries through this successful programme. This builds on work we have been doing with local authorities to evaluate and improve their services. These projects will demonstrate how libraries can contribute to meeting local and national objectives."

WINNERS COLLECT THEIR TICKETS

The winners of the FA Community Shield tickets meet Stuart McMillan MSP at the Greenock Telegraph Offices to collect their briefs.

McMILLAN FUNDING FOR MOUNTAIN WEATHER INFORMATION SERVICE

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan has welcome the announcement that sportscotland will be investing £36,000 per annum, over the next three years, to support the Mountain Weather Information Service.

The service, operated independently by Geoff Monk and Associates since 2004, will now benefit from Scottish Government funding for the first time.

It covers five geographical areas in Scotland: North-West Highlands; West Highlands; Cairngorms; South-East Highlands and Southern Uplands.

Stuart has said that “Countless climbers already rely on the Mountain Weather Information Service for accurate information about conditions on Scotland's mountains. I`m delighted that the Scottish Government will now be fully funding this service, through sportscotland, for the first time from this winter season”.

“Geoff Monk and his colleagues have done a fantastic job to date in helping to ensure the safety of all those who make use of our wonderful natural environment."