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Celebrating Living Wage Week (5-11th Nov 2017) with LESL and Poverty Alliance

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Constituency

living wage

This week marks Living Wage Week (5-11th Nov 2017), which is the annual celebration of the Living Wage movement in the UK.

 

The movement is made up of Employers, Experts, Organisations and People who all believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. Monday 6th November 2017 saw the new Living Wage rates announced in Scotland which adequately reflect the cost of living. The ‘real Living Wage’ is currently £8.75 per hour.

 

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

 

“Low pay can negatively affect both home and work life, so this is good news for individuals, families, businesses and society as a whole”.

 

The Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative was established in April 2014 with the aim of increasing the number of employers in Scotland who are recognised for paying their staff the Living Wage. Hosted by The Poverty Alliance, the initiative works in partnership with the Living Wage Foundation and is funded by the Scottish Government. They award the Living Wage employer mark to Scottish employers – a symbol of responsible business practice.

 

SNP MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston Fulton MacGregor further comments:

 

“I was delighted to visit the Chief Executive Ronnie Smith of LESL, an accredited Living Wage employer in my constituency of Coatbridge and Chryston on the 6th of November. LESL is a not for profit distributing enterprise that has operated in the field of economic and business development for over 20 years in Lanarkshire. As well as it’s invaluable contribution to the community it is now leading by example to other businesses by paying a real living wage to all their employees”.

 

Chief Executive Ronnie Smith of LESL said:

 

“The Living Wage is so important if we’re truly driving for a high wage, low unemployment Scottish economy.”

 

Lynn Anderson – Living Wage Accreditation Officer (Scotland) for Poverty Alliance, who also attended the meeting said:

“Thank you LESL for their continued commitment as an accredited Living Wage employer. Their support for the real Living Wage demonstrates leadership to small businesses in Lanarkshire and beyond that paying the Living Wage is not only the right thing to do, but makes good business sense”.

SNP TAKES THE LEAD ON INCOME TAX DISCUSSION

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Press

TAX MUST “PROTECT LOW EARNERS, BE PROGRESSIVE AND PROPORTIONATE”

SNP MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston Fulton MacGregor has welcomed the publication of a discussion paper on the role of income tax in Scotland and praised the Scottish Government for taking the initiative to discuss the issue in an open and honest manner.

The Scottish Government’s paper includes proposals from all of Scotland’s political parties – with progressive parties backing varied measures in order to support public services, and Tory proposals supporting tax cuts for highest earners at the expense of public services.

The First Minister also outlined that any changes to income tax in Scotland must pass four key tests – including supporting public services, ensuring the lowest earners don’t see their taxes increase, making the system more progressive, and supporting the economy.

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

“This discussion paper outlines the various proposals of Scotland’s political parties and where we stand heading towards the budget.

“It is perfectly clear that the Tories are isolated on taxation, as they are on so many other issues – with their proposals only offering a tax cut for the wealthiest and continued austerity for the rest of us.

“People in Coatbridge & Chryston and across Scotland have the right to an open and honest discussion about the income tax that they will pay – and this is exactly what the Scottish Government is delivering.

“We need to be prepared to ask these difficult questions and to work with other parties to find an answer that means individuals and businesses are treated fairly and pay the right amount for the services that they receive in return.

“And as we work towards delivering a budget that works for Coatbridge & Chryston and all of Scotland, we can rest assured that the Scottish Government will bring forward policy proposals that are in the interests of everyone, protecting the lowest earners and our public services in Coatbridge & Chryston as opposed to just standing up for a wealthy few and putting our education and health services on the bonfire.”

 

FULTON MACGREGOR MSP WELCOMES FRACKING BAN

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Press

frack

SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that fracking will be banned.

North Lanarkshire was one of the local authority areas identified as potentially having significant shale oil and gas reserves or coal bed methane, particularly the area of Moodiesburn in my constituency.

 

The Scottish Government previously announced a moratorium while it ran a public consultation and examined evidence over health and public safety.

 

The consultation was the second largest ever run by the Scottish Government, receiving 60,535 valid responses – of which 99% were opposed to fracking.

 

Commenting, SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor said:

 

“People in North Lanarkshire and across Scotland had deep concerns about the development of fracking, which is why the Scottish Government put in place a moratorium while the evidence was carefully examined.

 

“The Scottish Government has now undertaken one of the most far reaching investigations into unconventional oil and gas of any government in the world.

 

“The judgement is now clear – we could not pursue fracking in confidence that it would not undermine public health or our climate change targets.

 

“And, importantly, the public consent in the communities like Moodiesburn that would be affected simply isn’t there.

 

“I’m delighted that the Scottish Government are putting the interests of communities first.”

20 YEARS ON – DEVOLUTION HAS DELIVERED FOR NORTH LANARKSHIRE

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Press

SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor has praised the success of devolution twenty years on from the referendum on a Scottish Parliament.

82.6% of voters in North Lanarkshire backed the plans in the 1997 referendum, which saw 74% of Scots vote for a devolved parliament. The Scottish Parliament was then reconvened in 1999.

Commenting,  Fulton MacGregor said:

“Devolution has been an enormous success for North Lanarkshire and for Scotland.

“A whole generation of Scots has now grown up with a Scottish Parliament – and because of devolution those young people have votes at 16 for Scottish elections, the Educational Maintenance Allowance, free university tuition and one of the lowest youth unemployment rates in Europe.

“And whether it’s effectively ending the Bedroom Tax, providing free personal care for the elderly or having the best performing A&Es in the UK, devolution has benefited people across Scottish society.

“But we should always be restless in our ambition to make life better for the people who live here.  And the more powers our Parliament has, the more we can, collectively, do for Scotland.

“Over coming months the Scottish Government will bring forward proposals for further devolution of powers over employment, social security, immigration and trade.

“But the Tory Brexit plans threaten to undermine the very principle of devolution by reserving powers over areas such as agriculture, fishing and the environment as they return from Brussels.

“That would be an unacceptable power grab – and we shouldn’t stand for it.”

MSP URGES MONKLANDS EMPLOYERS TO SIGN UP TO LIVING WAGE

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Press

SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor has urged businesses in Coatbridge & Chryston, and wider Monklands, to sign up to the Scottish Living Wage – as the number of accredited Living Wage employers in Scotland hits 900.

The Scottish Living Wage is independently calculated based on the cost of living – with the real Living Wage currently at £8.45, above the minimum wage of £7.50 for workers aged over 25.

There are currently 31 accredited Living Wage employers in North Lanarkshire.

Fulton MacGregor pointed to the benefits of accreditation, with research showing paying the real Living Wage leads to a fall in absenteeism and a significant impact on recruitment and staff retention.

Commenting, Mr MacGregor said:

“The real Living Wage can make a huge difference to both workers and employers.

“For business, paying the Living Wage makes sense – it’s an investment in people and all the evidence shows it leads to increased productivity and reduced staff absence and turnover.

“Around 20 per cent of Scotland’s workforce earn less than the real Living Wage. With low pay one of the main drivers of in-work poverty, it’s vital that employers who can pay the real Living Wage do so.

“I would strongly encourage all employers in Coatbridge & Chryston to look into the real benefits of becoming an accredited Living Wage employer.”

SNP MSP DEMANDS TOUGHER UK GOVERNMENT ACTION ON FOBTS

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Press, Surgeries

OVER £89,979,230 LOST ON GAMBLING MACHINES IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE SINCE 2008

SNP MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston Fulton MacGregor has called on the UK government to take tougher action to tackle the scourge of Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) in our local communities – after figures from the Campaign for Fairer Gambling revealed that over £89,979,230 had been lost on the gambling machines since 2008 across North Lanarkshire.

Over £1 billion has been lost on the machines, known as the ‘crack cocaine of gambling’, since 2008 across Scotland – with £13,281,361 lost in North Lanarkshire in 2015/16 alone.

The figures have led to calls from SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor for the UK government to take action to tackle FOBTs, which remains reserved to Westminster – including by reducing the numbers allowed in betting shops, limiting the stakes that can be bet, reducing the time that can be spent on the machines, and also taking action to ban the machines altogether if people continue to lose out.

Commenting, SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor said:

“These are incredibly concerning figures – and show that the Tory government cannot continue to ignore this issue that is having such a negative impact on our communities.

“People across North Lanarkshire have lost out to the tune of over £89 million since 2008 – and over £13 million in 2015/16 alone. This is a huge problem – and the UK government need to get serious about tackling it.

“FOBTs are known as the ‘crack cocaine of gambling’ – and it is no wonder given how much people have lost out from using these toxic machines. The impact of these machines and the problem gambling associated on individuals and their families’ physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing is also quite evident. We must do more to protect these people.

“That is why I believe the UK government must take action to stop people losing out even more – by reducing the number of machines allowed in bookmakers, limiting the stakes that can be bet, reducing the amount of time that can be spent on the machines, and taking action to ban the machines altogether if people continue to lose out.

“I have raised these concerns directly with the regional director of Ladbrokes / Coral Bookmakers who have numerous shops across my constituency, but I feel that ultimately the UK government hold a responsibility for regulating FOBTs. The Tories have dug their heels on this issue for long enough – it is time for them to take action to help people across North Lanarkshire.”

LABOUR MUST PUBLISH REPORT INTO “BIZARRE” COUNCIL LEADERSHIP

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Uncategorized

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON KEZIA DUGDALE TO INTERVENE

Labour-run North Lanarkshire Council must publish their report into “bizarre and worrying” activity by leader Jim Logue, the SNP has said.

Auditors probed the creation of two subsidiary companies of the council’s arm’s length firm North Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd – neither of which appeared in Logue’s register of interests despite the councillor serving as a director for four years.

Internal auditors described the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the companies as “opaque”, with the creation of the firms neither “approved, or reported to, the NLL Board.”

The council are refusing to publish the full report, instead releasing a four paragraph summary, and so far Jim Logue has refused to step down as council leader while inquiries are ongoing into his activities.

The summary prepared by internal auditors continues: “We also noted that there were no reports to the NLL Board about the companies, nor did the then NLL Chief Executive or Chairman declare their interests in these companies to the NLL Board.

“We have also commented that there were a number of significant weaknesses in the governance arrangements within NLL which, in our view, mean that the Board was unable to provide effective scrutiny and challenge, or to hold the then Chief Executive to account.

“We also raised a number of issues about overseas travel.”

Coatbridge and Chryston MSP Fulton MacGregor has written to Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale calling for her to intervene. Commenting, Fulton MacGregor said:

“This whole affair absolutely stinks.

“The circumstances surrounding these apparently secret arms-length companies are both bizarre and potentially very worrying.

“The public deserve to know exactly what role council leader Jim Logue played and why he’s so desperate to keep this hush-hush. And meantime he should step aside as council leader and allow ongoing inquiries to run their course.

“This secrecy is completely unsustainable – Labour must publish this report and they should do it now. If the council group won’t take those steps themselves then it’s incumbent upon Kezia Dugdale to wade in and direct them accordingly.

“For this to rumble on any longer risks complete and utter embarrassment for North Lanarkshire council, with serious repercussions in terms of confidence in local democracy. And Labour’s head-in-the-sand approach can’t continue without serious questions being asked of Kezia Dugdale’s leadership.”

NHS LANARKSHIRE HITS FOUR HOUR A&E TARGET

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Uncategorized

The most recent data for NHS Scotland reveals that 95.8% of patients in NHS Lanarkshire’s emergency departments were seen, admitted or discharged within four hours – beating the 95% target, with Monklands Hospital coming out top in Lanarkshire with 95.9%.

 

Scottish hospitals have now had the best performing emergency departments in the UK for more than two years, according to the most recently available figures.
Commenting, SNP MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston Fulton MacGregor said:

“Scotland has had the best performing emergency departments in the UK for more than two years – which is testament to the hard work of our NHS and social care workers.

“It is extremely encouraging that Emergency Departments in NHS Lanarkshire are meeting the four hour waiting times target, with the latest figures published showing that 95.8% of patients are being seen within four hours. I am particularly pleased that Monklands Hospital A&E is performing at the highest level in Lanarkshire – 95.9% – a testament to the hard work and commitment of staff there in the face of near constant attacks from Labour politicians.

“We will always value the vital work done by our NHS staff – and we should always celebrate their success and continue to support their efforts.”

 

SCHOOLS IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE GET FUNDING BOOST

by fultonmacgregor, posted in Constituency, Press

Schools in North Lanarkshire will receive £7,774,966 in 2017/18 to help close the poverty-related attainment gap, the Scottish Government announced this week.

More than £45 million of dedicated funding will be provided to primary and secondary schools across Scotland in 2017/18 to help pupils from low-income backgrounds succeed at school.

The Scottish Attainment Challenge is providing £750 million during the course of this Parliament to tackle the poverty related attainment gap. It prioritises improvements in literacy, numeracy, health and wellbeing of children adversely affected by poverty in Scotland’s Primary and Secondary schools. This funding takes the Challenge Authorities and Schools Programme into its third successive year.

Nine local authorities and an additional 72 individual schools have been allocated funding from the Scottish Attainment Challenge, for education initiatives and projects targeting Scotland’s most deprived children.

Commenting, SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor said:

“Improving the education and life chances of our children and young people is the defining mission of the SNP in government.

“The Scottish Government are providing £750 million during the course of this Parliament to tackle the poverty-related attainment gap – and schools in North Lanarkshire will benefit to the tune of £7,774,966 this year through our Attainment Challenge.

“This latest round of funding will ensure that schools where the need is greatest have substantial additional funding for the coming year to improve literacy, numeracy and health and well-being.

“I’m delighted that schools in Coatbridge & Chryston are benefitting from this funding, which is targeted to improve the life chances of children and young people in Scotland.”