Fuel Poverty Continues to Soar
Mark Griffin MSP has hit out at the Scottish Government as figures show a cut in the Fuel Poverty budget. The cut will have a detrimental impact on over 200,000 people in Scotland, many of them pensioners.
Mark said:
"I am deeply angered by the decision of the Scottish Government to cut the fuel poverty budget by £15 million. This equates to a 13% reduction in the fund and will have a detrimental impact on over 200,000 people in Scotland.
"The last Labour-led Government set an ambitious target to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016. The current Scottish Government has been in power for 9 years and have consistently failed to make meaningful steps to address this crisis. This latest decision shows their lack of resolve to take appropriate action, and will likely add pressure to NHS and social care services, whose resources are already stretched.
"I support Scottish Labour's ground-breaking Scottish Warm Homes Act to tackle the problem head on and stop those living in fuel poverty for being forced to choose between having an evening meal and heating their home.
"The Scottish Government must take urgent action to increase investment, and offer resources and advice to those in fuel poverty."
Radical Action Needed on Public Transport
Mark Griffin MSP has welcomed Scottish Labour’s plans to shake-up public transportation in Scotland.
Mr Griffin welcomed plans outlined by Scottish Labour Leader Kezia Dugdale earlier this week to create a Scotland-wide transport card and to reregulate bus services.
Mark said:
“Scottish Labour has a radical vision for public transportation in Scotland. Under the current Scottish Government, transport bosses benefit, while commuters suffer. I am pleased that Kezia Dugdale supports reregulating our buses to end the existing postcode lottery.
“Under the current system, some communities in Central Scotland that do not sit within a profitable route are cut off; that is something that must stop.
“I am also delighted at plans to introduce a smart card, covering all transport services in Scotland. London has operated a similar card for 13 years, which works very well. Figures show that there has been a fall in people using public transport in Scotland, so it is important that positive action is taken to encourage people back. We know the technology exists, we just need the political will.”
Mark Participates in Kilsyth Academy Big Debate
Mark Griffin MSP participated in Kilsyth Academy's big debate on Monday 15th February .
The event, organised by senior pupils in the school, brought together candidates from all the major parties ahead of the Scottish Parliament election.
Mark said:
"I was delighted to take part in the debate on Monday.
"Pupils asked a number of insightful questions on a variety of subjects, from my priorities for the upcoming Scottish Parliament election, to the importance of votes at 16, and the impact of Scottish Government cuts to education services.
"I thank those who organised the event and look forward to participating in further debates in the future."
Disappointment as Organ Transplant Bill Falls
Mark Griffin MSP has expressed his deep disappointment at the falling of the Organ and Tissue Donation (Scotland) Bill.
The Bill proposed by Anne McTaggart MSP did not receive the support it needed to progress to the next stage in the parliamentary process, falling by just 3 votes.
Mark said:
"Anne's soft opt-out Bill gave those who did not want to partake in organ donation the opportunity not to participate and according to the NHS Blood and Transplant Service, the British Medical Association and the British Heart Foundation would have increased the number of donors and provided organs for those in desperate need.
"Witnessing the Bill fall yesterday is certainly a low point from my time as an MSP. I was also deeply angered to see 24 SNP MSPs who had supported the Evening Times Opt for Life campaign fail to back the Bill.
"I will continue to fight for an 'opt-out' system in Scotland."
Mark Welcomes Cumbernauld Academy Funding Decision
Mark Griffin MSP has welcomed the decision on the new Cumbernauld Academy. The Scottish Government has finally sourced funds for the project, which will replace Abronhill and Cumbernauld High Schools, creating a state-of-the-art education complex in the town.
The project was placed in limbo in September when a review of the Scottish Futures Trust by the Office of National Statistics, and a tightening of European Union rules pertaining to publicly-funded buildings, led to fears that the Scottish Government were flawed in the way they were funding public infrastructure.
Mark said:
“I have been raising this matter with for months now with four different Ministers and I am pleased that they are now finally coming forward with the money for the new Cumbernauld Academy.
“In November the Deputy First Minister indicated 12 projects that were getting the green light and there was rightly local anger that Cumbernauld Academy was not included in the list. I am pleased that the Scottish Government has now seen sense and confirmed its support for the project.”
Councillor Stephen Grant added:
“I am delighted that the Scottish Government is finally coming up with the money they promised for the school.
“This is a significant local project and pupils, parents and staff will benefit from a state-of-the-art education centre, fit for the 21st century.
"I am proud that the council is currently investing £66 million in the school estate in Cumbernauld. This is represents a tremendous commitment and should be welcomed by all."
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