Author: fultonmacgregor

3676 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM NORTH LANARKSHIRE HEADED TO WORK OR FURTHER EDUCATION

94.1% of school leavers from North Lanarkshire are in positive destinations, according to new statistics from the Scottish Government.

Last year saw the highest number of young people across Scotland in work, education or further training after leaving school since records began.

Of these school leavers, a record 25.1% had secured employment- the highest number since records began.

The statistics also show a further reduction in the overall attainment gap across Scotland, with the gap between school leavers from the most and least deprived areas progressing after school narrowing to a record low of 4.4 percentage points.

Commenting on the latest statistics, Coatbridge & Chryston MSP Fulton MacGregor said:

“These record-breaking figures show that the Scottish Government’s education recovery plan is working and young people in North Lanarkshire are continuing to succeed despite unprecedented challenges in recent years.

“Education is a clear priority for this SNP Scottish Government, and I am delighted that 3676 young people in North Lanarkshire have secured a place in further education or employment three months after leaving school.

“These figures also show good progress in closing the poverty-related gap – with those from the least and most deprived areas going onto a positive destination at a record-low.

“These encouraging numbers are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all North Lanarkshire’s teachers, parents and, of course, young people, and is something everyone in the community should be proud of. “Opposition parties want to downplay our young people’s achievements, but these numbers don’t lie. SNP action is delivering in Scottish Education, and it is right that all parties celebrate

‘GAME CHANGER’ ANTI-POVERTY TOOL VITAL IN TACKLING TORY COST OF LIVING CRISIS

16,635 children in North Lanarkshire have benefited from the Scottish Child Payment since it was introduced, according to new figures released by the Scottish Government.

Now available to all eligible children under 16,635 children in North Lanarkshire have received since the scheme’s inception in February 2021, totalling £12,149,865. The full roll-out has been described as a “watershed moment” in tackling poverty in Scotland.

The Scottish Child Payment is unique to Scotland and is projected to lift around 50,000 children out of poverty in 2023/24.

It has been hailed as a “game-changer” by anti-poverty charities and is backed up with £442 million of funding from the Scottish Government in the next financial year.

Commenting, Fulton MacGregor MSP said:

“I am delighted that these new figures show a significant uptake in families being supported by the Scottish Child Payment in North Lanarkshire – with 16,635 children benefitting since its inception.

“The Scottish Child Payment, which is now £25 a week – a 150% increase – is a momentous achievement of this SNP Government and is the most ambitious poverty reduction measure in the UK.

“This flagship payment underlines the SNP Scottish Government’s unwavering commitment to tackling child poverty, particularly as the Tory cost of living crisis deepens.

“While the Scottish Government continues to dig deep in its fight to end child poverty, its efforts are repeatedly curtailed by the UK Government’s reckless pursuit of ideologically-driven austerity.

“Only independence gives Scotland the full powers to tackle poverty at source and uphold the values of respect, dignity and compassion for all.”

MILESTONE QUARTER OF A MILLION BABY BOXES NOW DELIVERED ACROSS SCOTLAND

Coatbridge & Chryston SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor, has welcomed the news that 28,654 of Scotland’s Baby Box have been delivered across NHS Lanarkshire since the scheme’s inception – as more than a quarter of a million boxes have been delivered across Scotland.

The Scottish Government introduced the Baby Box in 2017, entitling every newborn in Scotland to a box containing essential items intended to make sure that every child has the best possible start in life.

In total, 250,560 boxes have now been distributed to parents across Scotland since the start of the project. The estimated cost of items provided in the Baby Box is approximately £429.

Commenting Futon MacGregor said:

“I am delighted that 28,654 baby boxes have been delivered across NHS Lanarkshire by the SNP in government since 2017.

“Providing essential items needed for the first six months of their child’s life is a particularly important gift to new parents when household budgets are under increasing pressure with the cost-of-living crisis.

“The baby box is one of many transformative actions the SNP is taking to make a real difference to children and families on low incomes – like the game-changing Scottish Child payment, which now totals £25 per week per child.

“While the SNP government continues to deliver bold policies in government for a fairer Scotland, with the limited powers at its disposal, it is only with the full powers of independence that we can properly build a better future that works for everyone.”

26,898 BABY BOXES ALREADY DELIVERED IN LANARKSHIRE

Coatbridge and Chryston SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor has welcomed the news that Scotland’s Baby Box – 26,898 of which have already been delivered across Lanarkshire – is receiving a makeover for its fifth birthday.

The Scottish Government introduced the Baby Boxes scheme in 2017, entitling every newborn in Scotland to a box containing essential items intended to make sure that every child has the best possible start in life.

Based the latest figures for number of Baby Boxes given out by health boards, 235 622 boxes have been distributed to parents across Scotland since the start of the project.

Commenting MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Fulton MacGregor, said:

“I am delighted that Scotland’s much cherished Baby Box is being given a makeover in time for its fifth anniversary. Already, 26,898 baby boxes have been delivered across NHS Lanarkshire by the SNP in government since 2017.

“With updated clothing designs, the refreshed baby box also now includes a baby toothbrush to promote oral health from the very beginning of a baby’s life.

“The arrival of a new baby is a wonderful moment for every family in Coatbridge and Chryston but, as every new parent no doubt appreciates, the costs of welcoming a new addition to the family are significant – particularly when household budgets are under increasing pressure with the cost-of-living crisis.

“Regardless of the circumstances of new mums and dads, receiving a baby box as a celebration of their new arrivals – and the essential items needed for the first six months of their child’s life – really is a welcome gift.

“And the addition of a toothbrush in the baby box for the first time will hopefully encourage good dental health from the beginning and all the way through life.

“The baby box is one of many transformative actions the SNP is taking to make a real difference to children and families on low incomes – like the game changing Scottish Child payment, which will soon be £25 per week per child.

“While the SNP government continues to deliver bold policies in government for a fairer Scotland, with the limited powers at its disposal, it is only with the full powers of independence that we can properly build a better future that works for everyone.”

11,055 CHILDREN IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE HAVE BENEFITTED FROM SCOTTISH CHILD PAYMENT

11,055 children have been supported by the Scottish Child Payment since its introduction in North Lanarkshire, according to figures released by the Scottish Government – with £6,670,130 having been paid to families.

The Scottish Child Payment of £20 per week per eligible child under 6 has been hailed ‘an absolute game changer in the fight to end child poverty’ by anti-poverty charities and described as a “lifesaver” by parents. 

The payment, unique to Scotland and in place since February 2021, provides regular financial support to parents and carers to help with the costs of caring for a child and latest research has also found that the payment is contributing to reducing child poverty in Scotland.

The Scottish Child Payment is set to increase to £25 per week and be rolled out to all children up to 16 years old by the end of the year.

Commenting SNP MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston Fulton MacGregor said:

“During a Tory-made cost of living crisis, it is great to see the progress being made with the SNP’s Scottish Child Payment – especially knowing the huge difference it has made to 11,055 children in North Lanarkshire since its introduction.

“I know the severe pressures facing household across Coatbridge & Chryston just now and that families are struggling to get by and the £6,670,130 support that the Scottish Child Payment is providing support for low income households is lifesaving. 

“Sadly, we know that the cost of living is only set to increase so I am glad that families will benefit even further from this payment increasing to £25 per week and being extended to under 16 year olds by the end of the year. 

“During these difficult times, the SNP Scottish Government is taking the bold action it can to support families with the powers at its disposal but sadly it is battling against a cruel Tory Westminster government refusing to take any meaningful action to help people.

“This level of negligence by Westminster is inexcusable and down right cruel. It illustrates exactly why we need to have the full welfare and tax powers of an independent country so we can build a fairer country.”

Fulton MacGregor MSP has welcomed the introduction of the SNP Scottish Government’s newest social security benefit, the Adult Disability Payment (ADP).

The payment will be rolled out nationwide after a successful pilot in 13 local authorities across Scotland. New applications for the benefit are open.

ADP will replace the UK government’s Personal Independence Payments (PIP). People in Coatbridge & Chryston receiving PIP do not need to re-apply and will be automatically transferred from the DWP to Social Security Scotland, with the process expected to be completed by 2025.

Commenting, Fulton MacGregor said:

“I am delighted to see the Adult Disability Payment being rolled out in Coatbridge & Chryston and across Scotland. This is the 12^th and most complex benefit to be introduced by the SNP Scottish Government, building a system of fairness, dignity and respect.

“No longer will those with disabilities need to be subjected to the intrusive and degrading assessments or health examinations as was previous under the DWP system.

“This one of a raft of other social security payments that have been introduced in Scotland, including the ‘game-changing’ Scottish Child Payment, and demonstrates how we are building a system in Scotland that is built for the people that need it.

“Those who are already receiving PIP or DLA do not need to make a new application do be moved on to the Adult Disability Payment and I would encourage anyone who is eligible to apply for this new disability benefit.”

WOMEN IN COATBRIDGE AND CHRYSTON NOW OFFERED MESH REMOVAL SURGERY IN THE US

Coatbridge & Chryston MSP has welcomed the news that women in Scotland who require the surgical removal of mesh implants are to be offered surgery in the US as a potential treatment course.

Women in Scotland now have the option to request for referral to one of two independent providers for mesh removal surgery. The Scottish Government has announced a contract has been agreed between the NHS and Gynaecologic and Reconstructive Surgery Ltd in Missouri, USA, where Dr Veronikis practices. The contract allows NHS Scotland to facilitate arrangements for those who wish to travel to the USA for mesh removal surgery.

This option is in addition to the treatment options currently being offered with Spire Healthcare in Bristol and the Complex Pelvic Mesh Removal Service in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC). Each of these options will be available free of charge.

Commenting SNP MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston, Fulton MacGregor, said:

“I am delighted that the Scottish Government has acted to ensure that women in Coatbridge & Chryston seeking mesh removal surgery can access the surgery they need.

“Many women have suffered an unimaginable amount of pain due to complications as a result of transvaginal mesh implants and it is absolutely right the Scottish Government is doing all it can to ensure they now get the treatment that they want and need. This contract gives women access to Dr Veronikis’ services and adds to the range of free options for treatment including the service already available in NHS Scotland and a specialist NHS centre in England.

“I encourage anyone in Coatbridge & Chryston who would like a referral to any of these services to make their wishes known to their clinical team so they can access the best possible treatment for them as quickly as possible.”

£5,936,978 has been spent this year in North Lanarkshire mitigating cruel Tory cuts including the disgraceful bedroom tax.

In 2021/22 £5,936,978 was provided by the SNP Scottish Government in Discretionary Housing Payments to protect families from cuts, with £5,360,055 spent mitigating the impact of the cruel Tory bedroom tax in North Lanarkshire.

Across Scotland £82million has been used to mitigate Tory cuts, with £71m spent to protect households from the bedroom tax.

Commenting, SNP MSP Coatbridge & Chryston Fulton MacGregor said:

“The introduction of the bedroom tax has been one of the cruellest policies introduced by this UK Tory government as it targets the most vulnerable in our society.

“The SNP Scottish Government has spent millions across Scotland, including in Coatbridge & Chryston to protect households from the most devastating impacts of Tory cuts and policies. This is money that could be invested on pulling people out of poverty but instead the Scottish Government has to mitigate against the Tories pushing people further towards poverty.

“This demonstrates the tale of two governments facing the people of Scotland as we have one in London implementing cruel policies such as the bedroom tax, whereas we have one in Edinburgh investing in a social security system built on fairness, dignity and respect.

“However, the Scottish Government should not have to clean up the mess left by the Tories. That is why we must have the full powers of independence to build a fairer, more equal Scotland.”