Government Back Down on Corroboration
The Scottish Government’s plans to end the need for evidence in Scottish criminal trials to come from two sources have been put on hold in an embarrassing climb-down by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.
There had been fierce opposition from sections of the legal profession, who raised concerns of an increased risk of miscarriages of justice, and serious questions were asked by opposition parties, and some SNP MSPs.
Labour MSP Mark Griffin said:
“It is vitally important that we support the victims of crime in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth and across Scotland, but it is equally important that when passing legislation of this significance we get it right.
“Just a few weeks ago, Kenny MacAskill behaved in a despicable manner in the Parliament, attacking those of us who dared to question his approach to abolishing this significant piece of the Scottish criminal justice system as being part of a vast conspiracy because of the Referendum.
“This type of behaviour shows us the utter obsession SNP Ministers have with Independence, linking a very serious debate on criminal justice with the constitution.
“I hope that we can now work across all parties to ensure that victims receive justice whilst protecting the innocent.”
Living Wage Voted Down Again
Mark Griffin MSP has criticised SNP MSPs for failing to support the living wage for some of the lowest paid workers in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.
With over 400,000 people across Scotland earning less than the Living Wage, 36% of them under the age of 25, Labour MSPs have pressed the SNP Government to extend the living wage to those undertaking public sector contracts. For the second time SNP MSPs voted against the plans, which would have offered a welcomed amendment to the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Bill.
Mark said:
“SNP MSPs have been quick to get their picture taken with the Poverty Alliance in support of the living wage, yet they have repeatedly voted against Labour’s plans to extend the living wage to some of the lowest paid public sector workers, whose jobs are subcontracted out.
“The living wage would boost the earnings of a full-time minimum wage worker by over £2,600 a year, yet the SNP Government is consistently shrinking away from its responsibilities on this matter and continue to show a shameful level of hypocrisy.”
STUC General Secretary Graeme Smith added:
“The STUC and our campaigning partners continue to believe that delivering the living wage through performance clauses in public contracts is entirely possible and we are deeply disappointed that the Scottish Government has not given further consideration to this possibility.”
Volunteers Welcomed to Watch Us Grow
A number of new volunteers who signed up to support popular Palacerigg-based social firm Watch Us Grow in November, attended a special introductory coffee morning in Cornerstone Church on Friday 28 March.
Mark Griffin MSP and Gregg McClymont MP, both of whom joined Watch Us Grow in greeting the new volunteers at Friday’s event, assisted at organisation’s plant sale last year and helped sign up volunteers from across Cumbernauld and Kilsyth to ‘Friends of Watch us Grow’.
Mark said:
“I am delighted that a number of the volunteers who committed their time and support in November came along to the coffee morning.
“Watch Us Grow is a tremendous organisation and I am really pleased that more people from our area will experience first hand the excellent work they do in our community.”
Gregg said:
“Once again, it was great to be able to show my support for Watch us Grow.
“Watch us Grow can only operate with the support of volunteers and I was pleased to meet with some of those we helped sign up in November again.”
Call to Reinstate Vital Services Amidst Out of Hours Review
Mark Griffin MSP and Gregg McClymont MP have called on the SNP Government and the Health Board to reinstate vital NHS services, systematically cut over the last several years.
The call comes as NHS Lanarkshire seeks the views of local people on the Out of Hours service. This is part of a wider review of the service, which has already been scaled back in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.
Mark said:
“Under this SNP Government vital local health services have been cut. Our x-ray services were removed; the plans for a minor injuries unit were abandoned; the out-of-hours service was slashed and the treatment rooms were centralised.
“Both the SNP Government and the Health Board say they want to improve NHS services available to local people – the best way to do this is to reinstate the important local services they have cut from our community.”
Gregg said:
“These reviews have been detrimental to Cumbernauld and Kilsyth in the past so I would encourage local people to respond and make their voices heard.”
Note:
To share your views, concerns and experiences, or to comment on the review of the Out of Hours Service email: OOHreview@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
Carrickstone Beds Secured
Mark Griffin MSP and Gregg McClymont MP have welcomed the decision of NHS Lanarkshire to revise the contract with Carrickstone Care Home to ensure that older people in Cumbernauld continue to receive high quality care in the community.
Mr Griffin, Mr McClymont, and community activists had put pressure NHS Lanarkshire last year, when the Health Board controversially planned to reduce the capacity of elderly beds available in Cumbernauld by two thirds, from 35 to 10.
NHS Lanarkshire confirmed on Monday 17 March that, following a review, the service would be retained.
Mark said:
"Cumbernauld and Kilsyth have been consistently targeted by the SNP. Our radiology services have been removed, the operating times of the out-of-hours services have been slashed and plans for a minor injuries unit abandoned.
"Cumbernauld’s elderly population would have been abandoned had the plans gone ahead, so I am pleased that NHS Lanarkshire has seen sense on this matter and retained this vital local service."
Gregg said:
"I am pleased that the decision to cut the number of beds at Carrickstone Day Hospital has been reversed and I pay tribute to the community for campaigning to protect these beds from an SNP Government determined to centralize health services outwith Cumbernauld and Kilsyth."
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