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Please find the following document which details all action taken in regards to the Shawhead Flyover;

FULTON MACGREGOR MSP: SNP GOVERNMENT HELPING COMMUNITIES ACROSS COATBRIDGE & CHRYSTON

FULTON MACGREGOR, MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston, has highlighted that £150,491,408 was issued by Social Security Scotland in 2023/24 to support people across Coatbridge & Chryston.

Social Security Scotland issues support payments including the Scottish Child Payment; Best Start Grant; Disability Payments as well as winter heating assistance, support for carers and additional resources for those seeking employment.

Almost £1.9 billion was issued across Scotland in 2023/24 – including £150,491,408 in North Lanarkshire helping to ensure that those who need help the most get it.

The SNP Government, in sharp contrast to the cruel DWP, has ensured that Social Security Scotland is focused on Dignity, Fairness and Respect – these support payments play a vital role in our journey to eradicating poverty.

Commenting, Fulton MacGregor MSP said:

“If we are to truly eradicate poverty in Scotland then it is essential that those who need support the most get it – that is why the principles of Social Security Scotland are Dignity, Fairness, and Respect.

“£150,491,408 in support payments such as the Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grant and specific payments to help those with disabilities, winter heating costs or caring responsibilities, was issued to people across North Lanarkshire in the past year – that is the SNP Government ensuring that everyone in society has the support they need.

“In sharp contrast to the cruel UK government DWP, Social Security Scotland aims to lift up and support as many people as possible. The SNP is prioritising eradicating poverty across Coatbridge & Chryston – these figures are evidence of just that.”

Fulton MacGregor SNP MSP has encouraged those across Coatbridge & Chryston who have not already applied for pension credit to do so by 22nd September to ensure they receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year.  

Across the UK, 37% of those eligible do not claim pension credit, which is now a prerequisite for receiving the Winter Fuel Payment of £300 after the UK Labour government cut its universal provision as part of its austerity agenda.

16th – 22nd September 2024 is qualifying week for those who are eligible for the payment this year, however over 800,000 pensioners across Scotland are now set to lose out.

Commenting, Fulton MacGregor MSP said:

“The abhorrent decision by the Labour UK government to cut the Winter Fuel payment has put thousands of pensioners in an unimaginable situation.

“As a result, 45,156 will miss out on the payment altogether whilst some who are eligible are also in danger of missing out.

“The SNP are clear: this is a cruel and inexplicable decision by the Labour government that leaves pensioners across Coatbridge & Chryston out in the cold.

“If you have not already done so, please check your eligibility and apply for pension credit by the end of this week to ensure you don’t miss out on vital support this winter.”

SNP MSP for Coatbridge & Chryston has said “the SNP remain committed to delivering for Scotland and protecting households from more Westminster cuts” in the face of Labour’s “betrayal of Scotland’s priorities.”

In a statement to the Scottish Parliament today, SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison emphasised the “impossible situation” that the Scottish Government has been put in, forced to act within a budget largely set at Westminster that now looks set to be cut by a Labour government.

Commenting, Fulton MacGregor MSP said:

“Under this SNP government, Scotland has some of the best performing public services in the UK, are lifting 100,000 children out of poverty and have made university tuition and prescriptions free.

“Though we are determined to continue to improve the lives of all Scots in Coatbridge & Chryston, this will be increasingly difficult under Labour’s plans for up to £22 billion worth of public spending cuts.

“By making the choice to pursue a policy agenda steeped in austerity, Westminster is once again harming families, public services and Scotland as a whole.

“Only by properly investing in communities like Coatbridge & Chryston will we build a more prosperous Scotland, and we can only do that with the full powers of independence.”

SNP URGE PENSIONERS TO CHECK PENSION CREDIT ELIGIBILITY

The Labour UK government’s decision to means test the Winter Fuel Payment without any consultation will result in many pensioners across Coatbridge & Chryston left unable to access the equivalent support in Scotland.

The austerity driven decision by the Labour Party directly resulted in an estimated £160m of funding being wiped from the Scottish Government’s budget – undermining the devolution settlement and leaving no choice but to replicate the policy in Scotland.

When the same measure was considered by the Tories last year, the Labour Party strongly opposed it saying “pensioners mustn’t be forced to bear the brunt of Tory economic failure” – yet now they are the ones imposing it on people in Scotland.

The UK already has one of the worst pension rates in North West Europe, lagging behind countries such as France and Spain and providing just enough for pensioners to break even when the cost of living is accounted for.

SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor is strongly encouraging people to check whether they are eligible for pension credits in order to ensure that they still have access to the Winter Fuel Payment.

Commenting, SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor said:

“The decision by the Labour UK government to means test the Winter Fuel Payment ensures that pensioners in Coatbridge & Chryston will face the brunt of Westminster economic chaos.

“This is something that has been coming up already in the local area when I’ve been doing street surgeries – folk are really worried about the impact.

“This decision, made in Westminster, has resulted in the Scottish Government’s budget being cut by an estimated £160m – as Labour picks up where the Tories left by driving a coach and horse through the devolution settlement.

“I am strongly encouraging pensioners in Coatbridge & Chryston to check if they are eligible for pension credit to ensure that if they are they will still receive the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment that they are entitled to.”

FIRST MINISTER REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Fulton MacGregor MSP marked Mental Health Awareness week by highlighting the crucial role physical activity and sport play in maintaining and improving our mental wellbeing, following the announcement of new Scottish Government investment in the Changing Room programme.

During First Minister’s Questions, the MSP asked what more the Scottish Government is doing to support efforts to improve mental health and resilience. John Swinney responded by highlighting the £66 million provided to community projects since 2021 – helping 300,000 people in its first year alone – and the £65 million provided to local authorities for community support projects since 2020.

The Changing Room programme – which uses football to promote mental health and wellbeing – echoes with this week’s theme of “Movement: moving more for our mental health” and the new funding will allow their services to grow.

Commenting, Fulton MacGregor MSP said:

“Initiatives like the Changing Room programme are making an enormous difference to folk across Scotland, providing a safe space for people to open up.

“Through this additional investment, the SNP Scottish Government is building on its long track-record of investing in mental wellbeing – with this project alone receiving £400,000 of government investment since 2021.

“Our mental and physical wellbeing go hand-in-hand, and I am pleased that the Scottish Government will continue to do everything it can to support efforts like this and bolster support for those who are struggling.”

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.