An announcement from Transport Scotland has revealed that the Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (the consortium who won the main contract to build the bridge) will be sourcing all their raw steel from China and EU.
I am extremely concerned that one of the biggest elements of the new Forth Bridge contract – supplying the steel- has not been awarded to a Scottish manufacturing base.
We need to make sure that such a major construction project boosts jobs and skills across the manufacturing sector, including our steel industry. I also want to see as many apprenticeship and training opportunities as possible for people in Fife and across Scotland.
I believe we need transparency on how the contracts have been placed and if the impact on Scottish businesses is as disappointing as some suggest then it would be sensible for an appropriate committee of the Scottish Parliament to examine why that has happened.
Community trade union have also expressed their concerns about the processes followed in awarding the main steel contracts. The Courier has coverage of this issue.
I welcome today’s announcement that Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) is to base its first European offshore wind project in Fife.
I am absolutely delighted that SHI is investing in the area, the people of Fife and in an exciting renewable energy future for Scotland.
Only last week in the Chamber of the Parliament I called for a green jobs bonanza in Fife. I said that Fifers should be at the heart of Scotland’s growing renewables sector – highlighting offshore energy in particular as a real growth area for Fife. I hope this is only the beginning of what I see as being key not only to our energy future, but to boosting and strengthening our local economy and skills base.
I hope that this off-shore project will bring quality full-time, permanent jobs for the people of Methil and Fife, that Samsung are here for the long-term and that we will not end up with a reliance on sub-contractors as happened all too often in the oil and gas sector previously.
I have called for Fifers to be at the heart of Scotland’s growing renewables sector.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament yesterday during the cities strategy debate, I focused on the opportunities and challenges Fife has being part of two of Scotland’s main city regions: Dundee and Edinburgh.
I said that although people were coming to live in Fife, they often work elsewhere and that Fife could have a “jobs bonanza” in renewables – particularly in offshore energy.
Shocking child poverty statistics which revealed that thousands of families across Scotland experience poverty were recently published. It is estimated that 1 in 5 children live in poverty in Scotland and the figure for those experiencing in work 
poverty is even higher.
I am drawing up a consultation document on the proposals which will seek to use contractual arrangements within public procurement to that businesses who benefit from public sector contracts would be obliged to pay the living wage to those employees working on the contract. I have also lodged a motion on the issue which I hope will lead to a members’ debate in the Parliament.
I hope that the proposals could benefit thousands of workers across Scotland, including those in Mid Scotland and Fife. In the past few months I have met with Scottish Government Ministers about my intentions, as well as meeting with Members of the Welsh Assembly and am working closely with Living Wage campaigners to bring forward my proposals.
Over Christmas and the New Year I was extremely worried to learn of the reported rise in violent incidents and robberies in the west of Scotland.
The figures from Strathclyde Police indicated in the first 11 months of 2011 there were 17 reported assaults with intent to rob at Strathclyde bookmakers.
Given that this compared with just three cases for the whole of 2010 I am worried that there has been such a resurgance in such incidents at betting-shops. The rise in robberies over the same period is also concerning.
I conduct roving surgeries on Mondays or can meet by appointment. I'm always keen to hear from the people I represent.
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