Author: fultonmacgregor

MSP WELCOMES NEW FUND TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUS SERVICES

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Uncategorized

Local MSP Fulton MacGregor has welcomed the announcement of a new grant to support local bus services while passenger numbers recover from the COVID pandemic. 

The Scottish Government has committed £93.5 million of the 2022-23 Budget to support bus operators, due to the changed travel patterns during pandemic restrictions. 

Fulton MacGregor MSP said: 

“As passenger numbers recover across Coatbridge and Chryston due to the easing of restrictions, I’m delighted to see the Scottish Government offering significant support for Scotland’s bus services. 

“Committing nearly £94 million for 2022-23 offers financial certainty for companies and for passengers and ensures our communities can remain connected by vital local bus links. 

“Our travel options play a crucial part in Scotland’s transition to Net Zero – and this grant is an important step in protecting sustainable travel, cutting car kilometres and supporting connected communities across Scotland.” 

LCOAL MSP WELCOMES RECORD HEALTH INVESTMENT IN SCOTTISH BUDGET

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Uncategorized

Local MSP Fulton MacGregor has welcomed record investment in Scotland’s NHS, including for NHS Lanarkshire.

The Scottish Government Budget confirmed £18 billion for Health and Social Care, including £12.9 billion for health boards through the pandemic and to accelerate the recovery of vital services. 

The Budget also supports the creation of a new National Care Service – the single greatest public health reform since the establishment of the NHS.

Scotland’s Finance Secretary Kate Forbes also outlined:

  • £1.6 investment in social care, including £846.6 million for local government
  • £61 million to address the tragedy of drugs deaths
  • £290 million investment in mental health, including £120 million for our Mental Health Recovery and Renewal Fund
  • Additional funding of £559 million for NHS Boards
  • Funding of £232 million to address waiting times and supporting National Treatment Centres

Fulton MacGregor MSP said:

“The Scottish Government’s Budget commits £18 billion for Health and Social Care this year – that’s the highest investment in the history of the Scottish Parliament.

“Prioritising the NHS was a key commitment of the SNP in May’s election, so I’m delighted to see the SNP Scottish Government delivering on this commitment despite a challenging financial outlook.

“In NHS Lanarkshire, the Scottish Government has committed £1,346.8 million to NHS Lanarkshire – an increase of over £60 million on last year’s Budget.

“This year, Scotland’s block grant has no Covid consequentials from the UK government – meaning when Covid spending is included, our budget decreased from last year. Prioritising Health and Social Care is absolutely the right thing to do – but it means difficult decisions elsewhere in Scotland’s budget.

“Scotland doesn’t have the powers to borrow for our pandemic response under Westminster control, so the UK government must now deliver new money to aid Scotland’s fight against Covid.”

AT LEAST 10,715 FAMILIES IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE TO BENEFIT FROM DOUBLING OF SCOTTISH CHILD PAYMENT

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Press

FULTON MACGREGOR MSP WELCOMES DOUBLING OF SCOTTISH CHILD PAYMENT

SNP MSP, Fulton MacGregor, has welcomed the First Minister’s announcement that the Scottish Child Payment will be doubled from April 2022.

The announcement will see at least 10,715 eligible families across North Lanarkshire receiving £20 per week per child from spring next year, with more than 106,000 children across Scotland immediately benefitting from the increased payment.

Since the launch of the Scottish Government payment on 15 February 2021, £2,486,360  has been issued in payments to families in North Lanarkshire.

It is now expected that over 400,000 children could be eligible for the doubled payment by the end 2022, which is when the benefit, which is unique in the UK, will be extended to children under the age of 16.

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

“I am delighted that at least 10,715 children across North Lanarkshire will have their Scottish Child Payment doubled in just four months time. This will give £20 per child per week to 10,715 children in North Lanarkshire – four times the amount originally demanded by campaigners.

“Once again, the tale of two governments is striking. While the SNP are doubling the Scottish Child Payment to lift thousands of children out of poverty, the Tories at Westminster have just cut £20 per week from many of the same families – knowingly pushing thousands of families into poverty.”

FULTON MACGREGOR MSP SAYS WESTMINSTER CONTROL THREATENING RIGHTS OF CHILDREN IN COATBRIDGE & CHRYSTON

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Press

Fulton MacGregor MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston has said being under Westminster control is threatening the rights of children in North Lanarkshire and across Scotland and only independence can ensure we protect everyone in Scotland from the Tories.

After a legal challenge by the Westminster Tory Government the UK Supreme Court ruled that the Scottish Parliament could not enshrine the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law, a bill that was unanimously passed by the Scottish Parliament. The judgement laid bare the limitations of the devolution settlement in Scotland.

On the same day, the Tories at Westminster cut Universal Credit by £20 a week, taking away from the most vulnerable at a time when they need it most.

Commenting, Mr MacGregor said:

“The SNP Scottish Government introduced the UNCRC Bill to put the needs of children in Coatbridge & Chryston and across Scotland at the very heart of every decision made by Government and local authorities.

“However, those noble intentions have been scuppered by the Westminster Tories challenge. The court judgment lays bare the limits placed on the Scottish Parliament and within the devolution settlement that we cannot introduce vital protections for our young people – leaving them at the mercy of a callous Tory UK government.

“We cannot trust the Tories to protect future generations in Scotland as they cut Universal Credit this week and plunge 20,000 children into poverty.

“Families in North Lanarkshire will face a decision of whether to heat their homes or feed their children as the cost of living skyrockets with energy bills increasing and food bills going up.

“The only way we can ensure we protect the future of Scotland from an uncaring Tory UK government is with the full powers of independence.”

Local Activist, Ryan McShane, who worked on the Bill was also disappointed. He said;

“Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court regarding the UNCRC Bill is deeply regrettable. An important piece of legislation passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament to later be referred to English law officers by UK Government minister yet again goes to show just how Scotland is continually being mistreated by the UK Government.

“The bill sought to remedy any human rights violations children and young people experience by government and/or public bodies in Scotland as well as other reporting mechanisms around children rights violations and how Scotland can best protect its young people and their rights. It seems that no matter how progressive we are in Scotland, the Tory government takes us backwards meaning we in Scotland have to again mitigate the UK Government’s recklessness.

“In challenge poverty week and the week of the devastating Universal Credit cut, the UNCRC bill implementation delay has angered me even more as I was heavily involved in all stages of it’s introduction and passage. I’m genuinely gutted.”

11,355 CHILDREN IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE BENEFIT FROM SCOTGOV CHILD POVERTY MISSION

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Press

FAMILIES IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE TO RECEIVE £1,135,500 SUPPORT FROM SCOTGOV

Low income families in Coatbridge & Chryston will benefit from a £320 uplift before Christmas as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling child poverty.

Fulton MacGregor MSP welcomed the payments which Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison highlighted during a debate on the commitments in the SNP Scottish Government’s Programme for Government which aim to create a fairer society.

Families eligible will receive payments of £160 per child in October and again in December. Two Bridging Payments of £100 which have already been made takes the total to £520 this year.

The cash is equivalent to the Scottish Child Payment – a £10-a-week benefit to assist with the costs of caring for a child aged under six years old. The Scottish Government will extend the Scottish Child payment to all eligible under-16s by the end of 2022 and are committed to double the payment to £20 per week as quickly as possible.

The Social Justice Secretary highlighted the payments in the Scottish Parliament just a day after the six Tory MPs failed to vote to stop the UK government’s plans to cut the incomes of six million people across the UK by £1040 a year – the biggest cut to welfare since the 1930’s.

Commenting Julie O’Byrne, Founder and Chair Person of Cool School Uniforms in Coatbridge said:

“This will make a huge difference to local families like the ones we see at Cool School Uniforms. Times are tough and this extra payment will give families a boost that will ensure their little ones are at their best for the rest of the school year.”

“This will boost the confidence of children and ensure they have what they need to be able to learn to the best of their abilities. This funding will really help towards closing the attainment gap.”

Commenting SNP MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston Fulton MacGregor said:

“I know that many families in Coatbridge & Chryston are finding it hard just now. The impact that the pandemic has had on household finances is real, and has only been made worse by the cost of Tory’s obsession with Brexit and their unrelenting cruel austerity agenda.

“I am pleased that in Scotland, we have an SNP Scottish Government doing right thing by its citizens with these payments meaning £1,135,500 in the pockets of 11,355 low income families in North Lanarkshire

“The Scottish Child Payment is already the most ambitious anti-poverty measure currently being undertaken anywhere in the UK and we have committed to doubling it to £20-a-week per child as soon as possible in this parliamentary term.

“It’s clear that building a better future for children in Coatbridge & Chryston, and right across Scotland, is of at the top of the agenda in the SNP’s Programme for Government.

“As the Tories plough on with their indefensible move to cut £20-a-week in Universal Credit from those who need it most, the SNP Government are using the powers we have to provide real, practical help for families in Scotland. It’s crystal clear that the only way to keep Scotland safe from Westminster cuts is to become an independent country.”

11,355 CHILDREN IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE BENEFIT FROM SCOTGOV CHILD POVERTY MISSION

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Uncategorized

FAMILIES IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE TO RECEIVE £1,135,500 SUPPORT FROM SCOTGOV

Low income families in Coatbridge & Chryston will benefit from a £320 uplift before Christmas as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling child poverty.

Fulton MacGregor MSP welcomed the payments which Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison highlighted during a debate on the commitments in the SNP Scottish Government’s Programme for Government which aim to create a fairer society.

Families eligible will receive payments of £160 per child in October and again in December. Two Bridging Payments of £100 which have already been made takes the total to £520 this year.

The cash is equivalent to the Scottish Child Payment – a £10-a-week benefit to assist with the costs of caring for a child aged under six years old. The Scottish Government will extend the Scottish Child payment to all eligible under-16s by the end of 2022 and are committed to double the payment to £20 per week as quickly as possible.

The Social Justice Secretary highlighted the payments in the Scottish Parliament just a day after the six Tory MPs failed to vote to stop the UK government’s plans to cut the incomes of six million people across the UK by £1040 a year – the biggest cut to welfare since the 1930’s.

Commenting Julie O’Byrne, Founder and Chair Person of Cool School Uniforms in Coatbridge said:

“This will make a huge difference to local families like the ones we see at Cool School Uniforms. Times are tough and this extra payment will give families a boost that will ensure their little ones are at their best for the rest of the school year.”

“This will boost the confidence of children and ensure they have what they need to be able to learn to the best of their abilities. This funding will really help towards closing the attainment gap.”

Commenting SNP MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston Fulton MacGregor said:

“I know that many families in Coatbridge & Chryston are finding it hard just now. The impact that the pandemic has had on household finances is real, and has only been made worse by the cost of Tory’s obsession with Brexit and their unrelenting cruel austerity agenda.

“I am pleased that in Scotland, we have an SNP Scottish Government doing right thing by its citizens with these payments meaning £1,135,500 in the pockets of 11,355 low income families in North Lanarkshire

“The Scottish Child Payment is already the most ambitious anti-poverty measure currently being undertaken anywhere in the UK and we have committed to doubling it to £20-a-week per child as soon as possible in this parliamentary term.

“It’s clear that building a better future for children in Coatbridge & Chryston, and right across Scotland, is of at the top of the agenda in the SNP’s Programme for Government.

“As the Tories plough on with their indefensible move to cut £20-a-week in Universal Credit from those who need it most, the SNP Government are using the powers we have to provide real, practical help for families in Scotland. It’s crystal clear that the only way to keep Scotland safe from Westminster cuts is to become an independent country.”

Vaccines now extended to 12-15 year olds and boosters to be available to certain groups

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Press

Children and young people aged 12 -15 years old will be offered a dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination from Monday 20 September after Scottish Ministers accepted advice from the four UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs).

As a result, a single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be offered to all children and young people aged 12-15 who are not already covered by existing advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in a move to reduce the disruption caused to education by COVID-19.

This group will be offered their injections in drop-in clinics and community settings followed by each young person receiving a letter inviting them to attend a community clinic.

Meanwhile, people who received their vaccination during phase one of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme in Scotland will start to receive booster injections from 20 September.

This follows advice from the JCVI which has advised that the booster dose can be given alongside the flu jab and should be offered no earlier than six months after completion of the primary vaccine course.

Frontline health and social care workers will be able to book their appointment online at NHS Inform from 20 September and from that date, residents in care homes for older people will be offered both flu and COVID-19 booster vaccination.

Adults aged 70 years and over and adults aged 16 years and over who are on the highest risk list (previously known as the shielding list) will be contacted soon, either by letter or by their GP. 

Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston said;

“Since schools returned there has been disruption due to track and trace and we are obviously very keen that we do all we can to reduce this so it is promising that the recommendation has been accepted to allow for vaccination in older children.

“I would echo the Health Secretary’s comments that informed consent must be at the heart of decision making. I understand that there will be clear communication with this age group and their parents so they understand the potential benefits, potential side effects and the balance between them.

“I’m pleased that a new leaflet from Public Health Scotland will be circulated to ensure parents, carers and young people have all the information they need and I would urge constituents to look out for this.

“Alongside the booster programme this will be a busy period for our largest ever vaccination programme but work has been underway for some time to plan for this and I am confident our roll-out will continue to be a huge success.”

FULTON MACGREGOR MSP SAYS PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT WILL HELP BUILD BACK A BETTER COATBRIDGE & CHRYSTON

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Uncategorized
  • Contributed: Fulton MacGregor

Fulton MacGregor MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government’s 2021/2022 Programme for Government as a strong plan to begin the recovery from the pandemic for Coatbridge & Chryston.

The First Minister unveiled the Government’s programme for the next year to MSPs today, saying that “a better Scotland – as part of a better world – is waiting to be built”.

The Programme for Government focussed on building a greener, fairer country for all individuals and families in Scotland, and offering the people of our country an informed choice on Scotland’s future.

This was backed by commitments to invest at least £1.8 billion to make Scotland’s homes and buildings more efficient and easier to heat, doubling the Scottish Child Payment as quickly as possible and restarting work on a detailed prospectus for an Independent Scotland.

Commenting, Fulton MacGregor said:

“This is an ambitious policy programme from the Scottish Government which has clear commitments to deliver a better life for people across Coatbridge & Chryston.

“It addresses the challenges that the last 18 months has left us with and it has the ambition needed to rebuild a better country as we recover.

“The recovery and remobilisation of our health services is undoubtedly a top priority for people across Coatbridge & Chryston so the SNP Government’s commitment to a minimum of £2.5 billion more on frontline health spending will be particularly welcome news.

“Today we have seen that we have an SNP Government who keep their promises, has the ambition needed to help build a better Scotland but, most crucially, takes the action needed to make that ambition a reality.

“This is a prospectus that meets the challenges and opportunities ahead and offers the people of Scotland the choice the deserve over their future.”

8325 FAMILIES IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE BENEFIT FROM SCOTTISH CHILD PAYMENT

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Uncategorized

£1,393,530 IN SUPPORT GIVEN TO CHILDREN IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE

8325 families in North Lanarkshire have benefitted from the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment, with £1,393,530 paid out to families in the area.

The most recent Scottish Government figures demonstrate how many families in North Lanarkshire have benefitted from the support since its introduction in February to 30th June 2021.

So far, across Scotland 108,000 children have benefitted from the payment which provides eligible families with £10-a-week.

Commenting, Fulton MacGregor said:

“The Scottish Child Payment has been described by charities as game-changing and we are seeing that difference across Scotland and it is fantastic to see it make such a difference to the lives of families in Coatbridge & Chryston too.

“Not only is the Scottish Child Payment giving low-income families extra support, but coupled with other payments such as the Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, eligible families could receive up to £5,200 extra by the time their child turns six.

“I would urge any families in Coatbridge & Chryston who have not yet applied to do so.

“In Scotland, we are building a social security system built on fairness, dignity and respect. Contrast that with the system at Westminster where the Tories are planning on cutting Universal Credit at a time when vulnerable families need it most.”

Removal of NHS dental charges for all young people

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Uncategorized

£7.5 million to support dental sector

Young people aged under 26 are now eligible for free NHS dental treatment.

The change comes as a further £7.5 million has been given to support the dental sector to recover and build back to pre-pandemic capacity.

Free treatment for people aged under 26 will take effect immediately and there is no “opt-in” required. Those who started a course of NHS treatment before their 26th birthday will also be eligible.

The £7.5 million funding will help dental practices to purchase drills that do not create as much aerosol as standard drills, and so allow dentists to help mitigate the impact of COVID restrictions on the number of patients they can see.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said:

“We’re committed to scrapping NHS dental charges for everyone in Scotland, and removing them for everyone aged under 26 is our first step on that journey. Today’s announcement means around 600,000 young people aged under 26 will benefit from free dental care from 24 August.

“I want to thank the dental sector for its outstanding efforts over the last challenging period and I look forward to engaging with you further as the Scottish Government continues to support practice recovery and improved NHS dental services for patients.

“I am pleased to also confirm a further £7.5 million investment for the sector. This will be used to purchase new dental drill equipment that produces less airborne particles, and therefore helps reduce the risk of COVID transmission.

“Alongside our previously announced £5 million to improve ventilation, this will further enable dental practices to see more NHS patients under present COVID restrictions, and demonstrates our commitment to NHS dental services.  I will continue to engage with the sector, as we look to remobilise our dental services in a way that is safe.”