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Fulton MacGregor MSP has welcomed £2,345,176 funding to accelerate the decarbonisation of public sector properties in North Lanarkshire.

North Lanarkshire Council will be one of 7 recipients to benefit from a clean heating and energy efficiency improvements grant from the SNP Scottish Government that will transform leisure centres, schools and university campuses across Scotland.

The £11 million funding, which is part of the £20 million Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund, will help to support Scotland’s ambition to reach Net Zero by 2045.

Commenting, Fulton MacGregor MSP said:

“I welcome this funding from the SNP Scottish Government that will help to improve the energy efficiency of the Watersports Centre at Strathclyde Park – an essential step in reducing Scotland’s heat emissions.

“We know how important reducing our emissions is for accelerating Scotland’s journey to Net Zero, and how much heat from buildings contributes to this pollution.

“Under the SNP, Scotland is taking steps to ensure that all public sector buildings in Scotland have moved to clean heat by the end of 2038, and making sure that we take every step in our power to tackle the climate crisis.”

I understand that Sunnyside Road Bridge (locally known as Redbridge) will be closed to HGVs over the weight of 7.5 tonnes.

This is to allow for essential works to be done to the structural integrity of the bridge. There will be a five-mile diversion route will be in place for all vehicles that exceed the weight restriction.

The bridge is safe for traffic and the weight restriction is to help limit further deterioration of the bridge, while ensuring it can remain open to most vehicles.

Network Rail is working with the council on a long-term plan to replace the bridge, which is planned to happen in 2026/27.

This complex project will involve significant planning, design and investment and further information will be provided as the project progresses.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) will be informed of the weight restriction to allow them to consider the impact on bus services in the area. Passengers will be informed of any changes to services before the restriction comes into effect on 8 April.

A further FAQ section can be found here.

I have written to the Council to ask what considerations were given to local businesses. In addition, I have reached out to local businesses to offer them support at this time. If you are also impacted by this restriction and require representation, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.

I’m delighted that my annual report has been hitting doorsteps across the constituency showing what I’ve been up to in the last 12 months.

If you’d like to read a digital copy of this – please click the following link!

Click to access fulton-macgregor-ar-january-2024.pdf

Fulton MacGregor, SNP MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston, has welcomed new figures which show that 24,340 children in North Lanarkshire are currently receiving the Scottish Child Payment.

The Scottish Child Payment, which provides £25 per week to every eligible child, is estimated to lift 50,000 children out of relative poverty in 2023/24.

In North Lanarkshire, 289,430 payments worth £34,788,735 have been paid out to help tackle child poverty – with over £450 million issued across Scotland.

The SNP Government has made tackling child poverty its number one priority, and Fulton MacGregor MSP has welcomed latest figures showing it has reduced 5% in 2023/24.

Commenting, SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor said:

“The SNP Government’s Scottish Child Payment is taking direct action to eliminate child poverty in Scotland and it is very welcome that it is currently supporting 24,340 children in North Lanarkshire.

“As we head into the winter months, and with the Tory-made cost of living crisis continuing to affect households across Coatbridge & Chryston, families will face even greater challenges, with many struggling to make ends meet. The Scottish Child Payment will therefore be even more vital.

“The fact that 289,430 payments have been made in North Lanarkshire, worth £34,788,735, is very positive and I know this will be going a long way to support young people who need it most.

“The SNP are taking action to meet our mission of tackling child payment and I strongly encourage people to spread the word so as many children eligible for this payment get it as possible”.

Fulton MacGregor MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government’s latest paper, ‘Migration to Scotland after Independence’ as the sixth paper in the Building a New Scotland series.

The paper outlines how Scotland, with the full powers of independence, would address problems such as worker shortages and depopulation with an approach to migration that stands in stark contrast with that of the UK government.

Under these plans, Scotland would implement a humane, dignified and principled migration system which would maximise the many benefits of migration to both our society and our economy. There is also emphasis on protecting the rights of migrants and free movement as a member of the EU.

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

“This paper demonstrates that whether you are coming to an independent Scotland seeking refuge or to make a new life for yourself, you will be welcomed and supported in doing so.

“For too long the immense value that migrants add to communities like Coatbridge & Chryston, whether that is through cultural or economic enrichment, has been ignored.

“Westminster control over migration policy has done immeasurable harm to both migrants and Scotland and the current hostile environment is a shameful scourge on the UK.

“With the full powers of independence, Scotland will create a migration policy that is tailored to the needs of our people, our businesses and our economy.

“We must be able to implement policies which reflect the values and needs of communities like Coatbridge & Chryston, and this paper outlines how, with the full powers of independence, we would do exactly that.”

Local MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston encourages young people and care leavers on benefits to check whether they are eligible for the support payment following recent changes to the application process.

The Job Start Payment was launched in 2020 and is a one-off cash payment, worth £294.70 or £471.50, from Social Security Scotland that is designed to help with the costs associated with starting work.

The Scottish Government is encouraging people to check whether they are eligible as changes mean that income from trial shifts no longer rules out a young person from receiving the payment, while the deadline for applying has been extended from three months after a job offer to six months and more simplified support information about the job offer is required.

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

“Young people and care leavers across Coatbridge & Chryston make an invaluable contribution to our community, and I welcome these changes which make it easier for them to access support in seeking employment.

“In the last three years the Job Start Payment has made a huge difference to the lives of many young people, alleviating the pressure of starting a new job and helping to ease costs that can be extremely prohibitive.

“As cost of living pressures persist – largely due to a hard Tory Brexit and the disastrous mini-budget – the SNP Scottish Government is doing all it can to support those who need it most, showing just what is possible with the full powers of independence.

“The SNP are determined to ensure that people in Coatbridge & Chryston are getting the money that they are entitled to and I strongly encourage those who think they may be eligible to check and apply for this payment.”

Fulton MacGregor, SNP MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston, has welcomed the introduction of the Baby Loss Memorial Book for anyone who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss prior to 24 weeks.

The book, designed with the support of charities and health professionals, will give parents in Coatbridge & Chryston the opportunity to commemorate their loss with a physical record. The book is free and entirely optional.

The development of a Memorial Book was undertaken by the Scottish Government after listening to parents who told their experiences of how difficult it was that their losses went unrecognised. 

Commenting, SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor said:

“Losing a baby during pregnancy can only be incredibly painful and difficult for any family and up to now there was no formal way to recognise their loss.

“The Memorial Book will hopefully provide the opportunity for families in Coatbridge & Chryston who have suffered this loss a source of comfort that their baby will be acknowledged and remembered.

“I encourage anyone in Coatbridge & Chryston who has suffered through this experience to apply, should they wish, to this free and voluntary service.”

Also commenting, Julie and Bryan Morrison from Baby Loss Retreat said;

“We are absolutely delighted the parents voices have been listened to by the Scottish government. 

“The charity worked tirelessly with Fulton Macgregor and the Government to make sure every baby has recognition and give the parents acceptance that their Baby mattered. 

“We encourage every parent to register their babies and if they need any support on this to contact the charity.”

At North Lanarkshire Council’s Active & Creative Communities Committee, Labour and Conservative groups teamed up to ensure vital and cherished venues across North Lanarkshire are to close despite being offered an alternative solution by the SNP Group.

Such venues in Coatbridge & Chryston include the Janet Hamilton Centre, Shawhead Community Centre, The Ian Nicholson Centre, Lochview Golf Course, and Moodiesburn & Stepps Library to name but a few. Further venues across North Lanarkshire include John Smith Pool and the Matt Busby Sports Centre.

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

“I was incredibly disappointed to hear of the outcome at the Council’s Policy and Strategy Committee – an outcome I believe would have been avoidable if the administration had given serious consideration to the SNP Group’s well-thought-out amendment that would have halted these cuts.

““The impact of these closures will be felt in all corners of my constituency – from the closure of the libraries in Moodiesburn and Stepps which leaves the Northern Corridor with only one library – to the closure of Lochview Golf Course in Townhead– a much loved and unique facility that cannot be replaced. Also what will now happen to the fantastic community organisations like Bannans Fitness and the Airdrie & Coatbridge Harriers that have brought so much to so many people. We must fight for them. There will also be a massive impact on jobs at a time of a cost of living crisis. We must also fight for them.

“Closing community facilities like this in an area which already suffers from poor health outcomes and high levels of poverty and deprivation is utterly reckless. The Labour / Tory administration at North Lanarkshire Council is actively choosing not to listen to their constituents which is simply appalling. 

“I appreciate the upset this will have caused to so many – I too am upset and disappointed. I will continue to fight for the retention of these facilities where possible and my office and I will be offering whatever support we can to those groups affected – or where suitable to those who wish to pursue a community asset transfer. The council promised more resources into community asset transfers and we now need this to happen”