Groundbreaking Housing Commitment Takes Shape
Mark Griffin MSP has hailed North Lanarkshire Council's ambitious house building programme as an example for Scotland's other 31 local authorities.
The local MSP made the comments as construction begins on two new sites in Cumbernauld and New Stevenston. 22 homes will be delivered at Brown Road in Cumbernauld, while the site of the former New Stevenston Primary School will see 15 new homes built.
North Lanarkshire is currently Scotland's largest social landlord and in 2016 committed to the most ambitious house building programme in the country.
Mark said:
"North Lanarkshire Council is leading the way on new house building in Scotland. Since making their landmark commitment in 2016, works are taking place on a number of sites, including the new projects in Cumbernauld and New Stevenston.
"With over 167,000 people on housing waiting lists across Scotland, radical steps are required by the Scottish Government, councils and partners. North Lanarkshire Council's £160 million investment is an example to all.
"Programmes like this not only provide quality homes for local people, but they assist in reducing poverty and stimulating the economy."
Disabled Set to Suffer from Delay in Welfare Powers
Shock new figures show 130,000 disabled people in Scotland could be forced to endure cruel UK Government assessments because the Scottish Government has delayed the transfer of social security powers to Holyrood. In Central Scotland alone 16,500 people will be impacted.
Mr Griffin, Scottish Labour's Social Security spokesperson, revealed the figures, which show that tens of thousands of working-age Scots currently in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are due to be assessed for the new Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
Last year it emerged that the Scottish Government asked the UK Government to retain responsibility for certain benefits in Scotland until 2020 .
Mark said:
“I have consistently called for an end to the cruel and inhumane assessments that have piled misery onto vulnerable people in our area and across Scotland.
"The decision to delay the transfer of responsibility for disability benefits from Westminster to Holyrood exposes an astonishing failure from the Scottish Government and means that 16,500 people in Central Scotland will be assessed under the current system. That is a dereliction of duty from Nicola Sturgeon and her ministers and shows the Scottish Government is not serious about taking a different approach.
“For years Scottish Ministers have rightly criticised the UK Government's cruel reforms to welfare. They promised that they would restore respect and dignity in the new Scottish social security system, but are now prepared to condemn some of Scotland’s most vulnerable citizens to the misery of the current system until the end of the decade.”
Victory for Griffin on Organ Donation Change
Mark Griffin MSP has welcomed a u-turn from the SNP Government on organ donation, with Ministers announcing plans to establish a soft opt-out system.
The issue has been championed by
Mark Griffin for many years, following the tragic death of his father, former
Kilsyth Councillor Francis Griffin. Francis died almost a decade ago shortly
after a transplant, having been on a waiting list for many years.
Mr Griffin moved forward with a Members Bill following the 2016 Scottish
Parliament election, fighting alongside relatives and campaigners for the
change in organ donation law.
The SNP’s change of heart has been welcomed as a victory for Mr Griffin and all
campaigners.
Mark Griffin MSP said:
“I welcome the move to a soft opt-out system for organ donation, something I
have been fighting to secure for many years. This long overdue change will
increase the number of organs available for transplant and see many more lives
saved throughout Scotland.
“Scotland has been trailing behind other countries on this important issue for
far too long and there was deep disappointment when SNP MSPs voted down
Labour’s plans to change the law in the last parliament. I am pleased that the
SNP Government has had a change of heart. This success is a result of the hard
work of relatives, campaigners, transplant recipients and those still waiting
for life-saving organs. Particular tribute has to be paid to Anne McTaggart,
former Labour MSP for Glasgow, who has long championed this cause and whose
Member’s Bill I took on after the most recent Holyrood election.
“People waiting for organs require swift action so they can live fuller, healthier lives. The SNP Government has finally seen sense on this matter and they must now move quickly.”
Organ Bill Ready If Scottish Government Does Not Act
Mark Griffin MSP's Bill on Organ Donation could be 'fast-tracked' if the Scottish Government fail to change the law to an 'soft opt-out' system.
The Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee agreed that Mr Griffin can pursue his plans without carrying out a consultation. A previous attempt by former MSP Anne McTaggart, was narrowly defeated in 2016.
Mr Griffin's father, Francis, died in 2007 just days after a heart operation, following a 10-year wait for an organ transplant.
The Scottish Government is carrying out its own consultation on a possible shift to a system of deemed consent, similar to a model that is working effectively in Wales. The consultation is due to end on 14 March 2017.
Mark said:
"Ministers are currently consulting on this issue. If they choose to move towards a soft opt-out model for organ donation, similar to Wales, I will support them in every way.
"However I have made clear that if they do not act, I will pursue legislation in the form of a Members' Bill.
"90% of Scots are in favour of organ donation, but only 43% are registered. Urgent steps must be taken to give those waiting for organs the best chance possible for a fuller, healthier life."
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