Long Term Youth Unemployment Worsens
--- Fears of Lost Generation rise
---Griffin: Government ‘seem incapable’ of tackling problem
Fears have been expressed that an entire swathe of young people in North Lanarkshire and across Scotland are being lost to long-term joblessness, as official figures reveal that 15,865 16-24 year olds have been claiming jobseekers allowance for over 6 months – doubling the same figure recorded last year.
In North Lanarkshire alone, 3,555 16-24 year olds are on jobseekers allowance, with 1,505 having claimed for over 6 months (up by 785 from April 2011) and 565 having claimed for over 12 months (up by 460 from April 2011)
Mark Griffin MSP is pressing the SNP Government to do more.
Mark said:
"Long term unemployment has a devastating impact on our young people. It leaves scars on their lives, and has a lasting legacy throughout our communities.
"The SNP Government seem incapable of addressing the problems – these figures show this as clear as day.
"I am pleased the Labour Council has established an action plan for jobs and has made job creation its number one priority in the coming years by providing the support that local employers need to take on new staff.
"However figures in North Lanarkshire are rising and it is the Government that must step up to the plate. The SNP created a ministerial position solely to address the scourge of youth unemployment. These figures show a catastrophic failure on Angela Constance’s part and she must develop a cohesive, strategic plan to tackle this crisis, not just in North Lanarkshire, but across the country."
Bus Operators Tell of Woes
In a recent meeting with Mark Griffin MSP and Gregg McClymont MP, several local bus operators have hit out at the Scottish Government for cutting funding to the Bus Service Operators Grant and underfunding the Concessionary Travel Scheme - which could see local services reduced or scrapped altogether.
Speaking after the meeting, Mark said:
"Bus operators in our area are at breaking point as a consequence of the actions taken by the Scottish Government.
"In a recent meeting with several local operators, it was made clear to me that the 20% cut to the BSOG will have a serious impact on the level of service across the area.
"Furthermore, the disgraceful lack of funding given to bus operators to implement the concessionary travel scheme could result in many companies pulling their service altogether.
"By law, bus operators must implement the concessionary travel scheme, and it is wholly unacceptable that the Scottish Government is not giving them the funding they need to do so. The Government’s actions could see companies fold, jobs lost and the already inadequate bus service in our area get even worse.
"The Scottish Government should be doing all in its power to encourage people to use public transportation; instead it is imposing deeply damaging cuts on local bus companies, cuts that operators cannot absorb and that risks future service provision across Cumbernauld and Kilsyth."
Police Support Staff Cut By 26%
Mark Griffin MSP has hit out at the SNP Government as newly obtained figures reveal that there has been a 26% cut in Strathclyde Police support staff since 2006.
Figures revealed by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill show that the number of police support staff in the Strathclyde Police Authority has dropped from a record high of 3,083 in 2006, to a record low of 2,269 in the fourth quarter of 2011 – a drop of 814.
Mr Griffin has expressed his concern that these cuts are leading to police officers being forced off the beat in order to complete back office jobs.
Mark said:
"These are worrying figures and this continual cut is impacting our communities here in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.
"Police support staff are crucial in providing a wide range of functions that are vital to modern day policing. The role of support staff allows police officers to concentrate on their frontline operational duties. The fact that 814 support staff jobs have been cut, and that those positions are now being filled by police officers, is deeply concerning.
"The Justice Secretary seems to be in denial about the figures that he revealed as well as the impact the cuts are having on the frontline. It is simply not good enough."
Planning Application Withdrawal Welcomed
Mark Griffin MSP has welcomed the decision by the owner of the Circle and Black Bull public houses to withdraw his application for two outdoor drinking areas, which would have infringed the Main Street in Cumbernauld Village.
Mr Griffin, who had been contacted by many concerned local residents, made formal objections to the council’s planning department.
Mark said:
"I am pleased that the applicant has withdrawn the plans."I had grave concerns about the proposals and the impact they would have had on Cumbernauld Village Main Street. I made them clear in my representations to the council’s planning department.
"Residents of the Village would have suffered from increased disturbance caused by the level of noise generated by people drinking late into the night on the decking. Furthermore it was my belief, and the belief of others in the Village, that the plans would also have had a detrimental impact on the conservation area. This is a victory for people in the local community."
Special Visit Brings Back Memories
St Patrick Primary School’s pupil council visited the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 21 February in a visit organised by one of the inaugural members of the pupil council, local MSP Mark Griffin.
The seven members of the pupil council were given a tour of the Parliament, had a question and answer session with Mark and sat in on a meeting of the Parliament’s Justice Committee.
Mark, himself a former pupil of St Patrick’s, said:
"I was a member of the first St Patrick’s pupil council in 1997 and seeing the new generation on Tuesday brought back a lot of memories.
"The children were very well behaved throughout and were excellent ambassadors for their school. I hope they enjoyed their visit to the Parliament."
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