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FULTON MACGREGOR SNP MSP OPENS NEW INDEPENDENT HOME SHOP
Fulton MacGregor was pleased to officially cut the ribbon and open Coatbridge’s latest independent business called Heart Style on Friday 15th December 2017. The outlet is located in the Bank Street shopping precinct.
Commenting, owner Jillian Letham said;
“Heart Style offers customers a selection of fresh, new contemporary home, luxury gift brand items at affordable prices, which are fashion forward and trend led. I am grateful for the support I received from Lanarkshire Gateway, The Coatbridge SMART accelerator programme and of course my family and friends”.
Commenting Fulton MacGregor said;
“I was delighted to open Heart Style and I encourage my constituents to support this local shop. I see small businesses being the backbone to our economy, providing an invaluable service to consumers, supporting local jobs and growth in our communities, something which I am very passionate about.
It’s great to see the Scottish Government’s Business Rates Initiate working for businesses such as Jillian’s, where they pay little or no rates at all. I praise the work of organisations such as Lanarkshire Business Gateway in providing free support for new and existing local businesses, and those involved in the SMART accelerator 12-week business programme.
I’m pleased to say there has been a number of independent, locally run businesses establish in my constituency over recent months, I wish them all the best for the future and I hope to welcome more in 2018”.
Fulton MacGregor SNP MSP calls on entrepreneurs to enter for a chance to be crowned Scotland’s leading small business
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Entrepreneurs and businesses in Coatbridge and Chryston are being urged by their local MSP Fulton MacGregor, to enter the search for Scotland’s startup Business of the Year.
Virgin Startup10: Scotland is open to startup businesses and entrepreneurs, the competition will offer ‘startup can’t buy prizes’ including mentoring and support from a leading Scottish law firm.
The top ten finalists will be shortlisted in February and recognised as Virgin StartUp’s 10 Scottish ambassadors. The overall winner will be revealed at an awards ceremony in March and will receive a mentoring session from an all-star judging panel of leading Scottish entrepreneurs.
Commenting, Fulton MacGregor said:
“I am hoping to see a finalist from Coatbridge and Chryston, entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the Scottish economy and I want to see a finalist from my constituency to showcase the talent that we have here. I encourage local entrepreneurs to take the challenge and download the entry pack as soon as they can, and I wish them the very best of luck.”
Judging the process are four of Scotland’s most renowned entrepreneurs, Jackie Waring – the founder & CEO of Investing Women and leader of Scotland’s only all-female business angel group, Leah Hutcheon – the founder and CEO of Appointedd, Bob Kieller CBE – Chairman of Scottish Enterprise, Cally Russell, Founder and CEO of Mallzee, the UK’s leading multi-retailer shopping app.
They will also mentor the overall winner as part of the ‘money can’t buy’ prizes on offer to all ten finalists. To find out more and submit an entry, visit www.virginstartup.org/10-scotland . The closing date for entries is 8th January 2018.
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LABOUR MUST PUBLISH REPORT INTO “BIZARRE” COUNCIL LEADERSHIP
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
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.”
LOCAL MSP WELCOMES PASSAGE OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE BILL FOR SURVIVORS SEEKING JUSTICE
Fulton MacGregor MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston has welcomed the passage of the Limitation Childhood Abuse Scotland Bill in the Scottish Parliament.
The Bill, which will have retrospective effect, removes the three year time limit in which victims of childhood abuse can bring a civil action against their abuser – meaning that survivors can pursue justice later in life.
Commenting, SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor said:
“This Bill is a big step forward in ensuring that survivors of childhood abuse are able to access justice later in life.
“While bringing a civil action may not be the right solution for all survivors of child abuse, it is vital that survivors have the choice to come forward as and when they feel ready to do so.
“Those who have suffered abuse as a child may delay disclosing the trauma for a whole host of reasons, including a difficulty processing what has happened to them, feelings of shame, suppressed memories or indeed pressure from the abuser. And it’s important that they have the choice to take the time to come forward.
“While it remains the case that the courts will weigh up the available evidence in each individual case, these changes to the law will give survivors the all-important choice about what actions they can legally take to seek justice.”
37,000 YOUNG SCOTS IN MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS TODAY
SNP SECURING SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE
Fulton MacGregor MSP has today led a Holyrood debate highlighting the positive impact of apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities for the 37,000 young people currently going through an apprenticeship in Scotland.
The SNP manifesto committed to delivering 30,000 apprenticeships each year by 2020, up from 15,000 when we took office, targeting the additional places on higher level courses, including graduate-level apprenticeships.
The SNP is also committed to addressing gender imbalances and increasing the numbers of trainees who are disabled, care experienced, or from a BME background.
National Apprenticeship Week will take place from 6 to 10 March.
Commenting, Fulton MacGregor MSP said:
“It’s great to see increased participation in Modern Apprenticeships from under-represented groups in society such as women, ethnic minorities, carers and people with disabilities – but we need to widen access even further.
“I am delighted that Skills Development Scotland has launched an action plan to encourage more BEM young people into Modern Apprenticeships, as well as committed to ensuring support is in place to help care leavers into Modern Apprenticeships, for example by raising the age limit for care leavers to 29.
“The SNP’s extra investment and focus over the last decade has transformed apprenticeships – building bridges with industry, filling skills gaps and enhancing productivity, while giving our young people the skills they need to be at the forefront of our economy and our jobs market. It’s important that we can provide opportunities to young people who feel that college or university is not for them.
“Countries with well-developed vocational learning systems and significant employer engagement have the lowest levels of youth unemployment. The fact that Scotland has the second lowest youth unemployment in the EU demonstrates that we are heading in the right direction by investing in Modern Apprenticeships.”
MSP CALLS FOR OPPOSITION TO SUPPORT POSITIVE INVESTMENT IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE
LABOUR AND LIB DEMS SHOULD STOP ALIGNING WITH PARTY OF AUSTERITY
SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor has challenged opposition parties to back the Scottish Government’s support for jobs, wages and public services in North Lanarkshire in Stage 3 of the budget debate this week.
Even under extreme budgetary pressure from Westminster – the Scottish Government’s budget will benefit North Lanarkshire with nearly £10 million of funding.
Fulton MacGregor has condemned the Labour and Conservative parties for choosing to oppose investment in communities throughout North Lanarkshire, including Coatbridge & Chryston.
Commenting, SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor said:
“Despite continuing Tory austerity, the Scottish Government’s budget will deliver above inflation investment in the NHS.
“Coatbridge & Chryston itself will benefit from a range of direct spending commitments, including infrastructure, which will include the continuing upgrade of the M8, M73 and M74.
“This comes on top of additional funding for health and social care partnerships and for schools, with £4,392,000 attainment cash going directly to primary and secondary schools in North Lanarkshire.
“Additionally – 79% of businesses in North Lanarkshire will see either a reduction in their rates, or no change at all after the revaluation.
“It’s time for the opposition to get behind this strong package of investment in North Lanarkshire.”
SNP MSP MARKS NATIONAL CARE DAY
SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor has marked today’s National Care Day by welcoming the progress made on the First Minister’s commitment to holding an independent review into the care system.
It was announced yesterday that Fiona Duncan, the Chief Executive of Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland, had been appointed as chair of the root and branch Care Review.
Today’s National Care Day giving people the chance to celebrate looked after children across Scotland, and engage directly with those who have experience of the care system will ensure that their voices can be heard. The Scottish Government is committed to speaking with 1000 care experienced people over the next two years.
Commenting, SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor, who is a former social worker and is Deputy Convener of Holyrood’s CPG on Children and Young People, said:
“The launch of the independent care review was a very welcome development and it’s great to see that progress has been made in appointing a chair. Fiona Duncan is an excellent choice to take forward this root and branch review.
“The Scottish Government is committed to speaking with 1000 care experienced people over the next two years as part of this wider review into the care system – and it is vital that we listen to the experiences of those who have been or are within the care system. Their voices need to be heard.
“I am keen to make the most of today’s National Care Day by engaging with those in the care system – and look forward to the independent root and branch review of the care system progressing, as we continue to try and improve the quality of life and outcomes for those who have grown up in care.”
Fulton MacGregor 