John Park MSP | Latest news

Reopening of Ardroy Celebrated in Parliament

Eilidh MacDonald — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:58:00 +0000

The reopening of Fife’s Outdoor Education Centre in Lochgoilhead was marked in the Scottish Parliament this week when I tabled a motion celebrating the reopening of Ardroy with a view to holding a debate in the parliament.

Working Links Visit

Jenny Duncan — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:54:00 +0000

I recently visited employment and skills specialists Working Links to see how the organisation helps people get back to work and to meet fellow Fifers on the road to employment. It is the first public, private and voluntary organisation in the UK.

Concern over lack of Scottish Steel in new Forth Crossing

Jenny Duncan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:39:00 +0000

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.

Fife Green Jobs to be Welcomed

Eilidh MacDonald — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:47:00 +0000

I welcome today’s announcement that Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) is to base its first European offshore wind project in Fife.

Call for Renewables Job Bonanza in Fife

Eilidh MacDonald — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:42:00 +0000

I have called for Fifers to be at the heart of Scotland’s growing renewables sector.

The Living Wage, Tackling In-work Poverty

Jenny Duncan — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:14:00 +0000

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.

Call for Summit on Betting Shop Violence

Jenny Duncan — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:25:00 +0000

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.

SPL Decision on Standing at Football

Jenny Duncan — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:17:00 +0000

I was pleased to learn of the Scottish Premier League’s decision at its recent meeting to relax the rules surrounding standing at football.

Employment Crisis Hits Mid Scotland & Fife

Eilidh MacDonald — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:48:00 +0000

The unemployment rate in Scotland has overtaken the rest of the UK and Mid Scotland & Fife has been affected by a national crisis in employment.

Supporting Today's Industrial Action

Eilidh MacDonald — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:01:00 +0000

Today hundreds of thousands of public sector workers will take to the streets in the biggest day of strike action we have seen for decades.

Supporting Rare Disease UK in the Parliament

Eilidh MacDonald — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:48:00 +0000

Rare Disease UK is a national alliance for people with rare diseases and I met with the Development Officer for Scotland, Natalie Frankish today to discuss the work of the alliance.

Dalgety Bay Relay for Life raises £100,000

Eilidh MacDonald — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:15:00 +0000

I was delighted to welcome to the Scottish Parliament the team behind Dalgety Bay Relay for Life and congratulate them on their astonishing achievement of raising £100,000.

Mustachioed for men's health

Eilidh MacDonald — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:59:00 +0000

I am taking on a hairy challenge in support of the world-wide Movember campaign to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues during the month formally known as November.

Fife Youth Work Week

Jenny Duncan — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:33:00 +0000

This week is Fife Youth Work Week (1st -7th November).

Wearing it Pink to support Breast Cancer Campaign

Jenny Duncan — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:41:00 +0100

I was really pleased to join forces with Breast Cancer Campaign in the parliament to raise awareness of its award winning fundraising event, wear it pink day.

CHAS visits the Scottish Parliament

Eilidh MacDonald — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:24:00 +0100

I visited Children’s Hospice Association Scotland’s (CHAS) exhibition stand in the Scottish Parliament today to show support for this brilliant charity which has a hospice in the constituency.

Reduction in Health Budget Deeply Concerning

Eilidh MacDonald — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:07:00 +0100

Constituents will be aware that I have been campaigning alongside colleagues in Fife to save hospice beds at Queen Margaret Hospital. These cuts are part of a wider, deeply concerning, funding issue affecting health services across Scotland and will hit people in need of medical services in Mid Scotland and Fife.

Beware of Bogus Doorstep Collections

Eilidh MacDonald — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:25:00 +0100

I'm asking constituents to be cautious when giving unwanted items to charitable causes and to make sure the goods reach genuine beneficiaries. It can be difficult to know how to check and it's important to raise awareness of how to do this.

Supreme Court Ruling on Asbestos Compensation Welcome

Eilidh MacDonald — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:33:00 +0100

I am delighted that the Supreme Court has upheld the right for people with pleural plaques to be able to claim compensation. And now it's critical we push for increased support by the Scottish Government for research into asbestos-related illnesses.

Welcoming Local Pupils to Parliament

Eilidh MacDonald — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:31:00 +0100

After visiting primary 5 at Duloch Primary, I was pleased to be able to welcome the pupils to the Parliament this week. The class are running mock elections and were keen to get a feel for the Scottish Parliament.