John Park MSP | Latest news

A New Focus for Dunfermline's Fire Station

Jenny Duncan — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:34:00 +0100

I am delighted that plans to turn Dunfermline's former Fire Station into an arts centre are progressing well.

Animal Cruelty

Jenny Duncan — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:55:00 +0100

In Rural Affairs and the Environment Question Time, I asked the Cabinet Secretary what steps the Scottish Government is taking to tackle animal cruelty. Currently, there can be a lack of consistency in the sentencing for those convicted of animal cruelty offences and I called on the minister to engage with the SSPCA to help tackle this.

£1.15 Million Victory for Dismissed Simclar Workers

Jenny Duncan — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:26:00 +0100

Former workers at Simclar's Dunfermline site have been s uccessful in their case for unfair dismissal following a ruling at an employment tribunal this week.

Welcome a Pet during Rehoming Week

Eilidh MacDonald — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:09:00 +0000

Next week is the SPCA's Rehoming Week people are encouraged to consider gving an abandoned, unwanted or neglected pet a loving home.

Community Gardens in Mid Scotland & Fife

Eilidh MacDonald — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:58:00 +0000

Last week I was delighted to visit Broomhill Community Garden in Burntisland to learn about this brilliant local garden and about the work of Trellis in Scotland.

Celebrating Scottish Tourism Week 2012

Eilidh MacDonald — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:16:00 +0000

Scottish Tourism Week 2012 is drawing to a close and I was delighted to have been able to support the Scottish Tourism Forum's special work this week to promote tourism in Scotland.

The Living Wage and In-Work Poverty

Jenny Duncan — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:07:00 +0000

I was pleased to secure a Members Debate in the Parliament this week highlighting the issues of the Living Wage - Tackling In-work Poverty. I also spoke about the impact of the Living Wage on raising women's incomes and the effect this has on tackling child poverty.

Scottish Passive House Centre Parliamentary Exhibition

Jenny Duncan — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:24:00 +0000

This week, I am sponsoring the Scottish Passive House Centre (SPHC) exhibition which is taking place in the Scottish Parliament.

Name the new Forth Crossing!

Jenny Duncan — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:06:00 +0000

The Scottish Government have announced that the name of the Replacement Forth Crossing will be decided by members of the public.

Clacks Kinship Carers Lodge Parliament Petition

Jenny Duncan — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:42:00 +0000

I was pleased to meet with Kinship Carers from Clackmannanshire at lunchtime today to listen to their concerns about changes to Kinship Care allowances.

Pars Cashflow Crisis Raised at FMQs

Jenny Duncan — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:42:00 +0000

I used First Minister's Question Time today to raise Dunfermline Athletic's plight following news of the £84,000 shortfall the club faces as a consequence of Rangers going into administration.

Proposed Closure of Kincardine Bridge

Jenny Duncan — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:28:00 +0000

I know that many constituents in and around Kincardine have concerns about the planned closure and refurbishment of the Kincardine Bridge. As Transport Scotland currently plan to close the bridge entirely for part of the works, I raised the issue in Parliament with the Transport Minister during Question Time on Thursday 23rd February.

As it seems that a full-closure is inevitable, I remain worried about traffic congestion in the village as vehicles are diverted via the new Clackmannanshire Bridge. I will continue to work with local Councillors to ensure that the relevant authorities prioritise minimising the impact of any diverted traffic on local businesses, residents and the community as a whole.

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.