big issues in Mid Scotland and Fife
There are some key challenges that John wants to take on over the coming years. He will campaign for more affordable decent housing, for the new Forth crossing to be multi-use and for increased workplace training opportunities including a right to a modern apprenticeship between the ages of 16-18. He believes that we can create more opportunities for the people of Mid Scotland and Fife but it will take hard work and a commitment to social justice.
If there are any issues of interest to you that would like John to raise on your behalf then please do contact the office .
Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill
The recent passage of this bill has received widespread media coverage and passionate debate. The Scottish Government’s bill was wide ranging including provisions on sentencing, DNA retention, new criminal offences and various provisions relating to licensing.
Controversial aspects of the bill included the Scottish Government’s proposals for scrapping all scrap custodial sentences of three months or under. The Scottish Government also opposed a Stage 2 amendment on knife crime which would establish a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of at least six months for any adult convicted of carrying a knife in a public place (except in exceptional circumstances) which John and his colleagues supported. The Scottish Government defeated this amendment.
John fully supported other aspects of the bill including an amendment supported by Capability Scotland and the Barred campaign to improve the accessibility of Edinburgh's pubs and clubs. The amendment requires venues to provide information on disabled accessability when applying for a license.
The final bill can be viewed here on the parliament website along with information about each stage of the bill and amendments submitted.
Alcohol Bill
The Scottish Government’s Alcohol Bill passed Stage One of the legislative process prior to the parliamentary recess. The bill, among other things, sought to implement a minimum unit price for alcohol, to restrict alcohol promotions and to give licensing boards the power to raise the purchase age to 21. At this early stage of the bill John voted with his colleagues for the minimum pricing aspect of the legislation to be dropped – an amendment which was successfully passed. The bill then passed Stage One.
It is recognised that further measures are required to tackle excessive drinking in Scotland and John and his colleagues intend to support and improve an amended Alcohol Bill. There remains a robust debate about minimum unit pricing not being the answer to this problem. John is in favour of taking a holistic approach to the problem of alcohol misuse and supports the setting up of an Alcohol Commission chaired by Prof. Sally Brown.
You can follow the progress of the bill on the Scottish Parliament website by clicking here .
Forth Crossing Bill
The legislative process to allow construction of the new Forth Crossing has begun in the Scottish Parliament and a Committee to consider the proposals has been established.
The progress of the Forth Crossing Bill can also be tracked online on the Bill's page on the Parliament website.
The Scottish Parliament publishes guidance on understanding the legislative process and explains the different types of Bills that can be brought forward.
Earth Hour - 27th March 
John joined with his MSP colleagues outside the Parliament to highlight WWF's Earth Hour taking place at the end of March. Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing people and nature, and demands urgent action and last year, the Scottish Parliament passed the toughest climate change legislation in the world.
On 27 March at 8.30pm individuals, businesses and public authorities in Scotland and across the world will turn off their lights for one hour in a graphic show of support for decisive action on climate change.
Last year world landmarks including Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Table Mountain in Cape Town, Houses of Parliament in London took part. Here in Scotland, the Forth Bridge, Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament all went dark for 60 minutes.
You can find out more about Earth Hour at the WWF Earth Hour website.
Asbestos Related Diseases
John Park has been campaigning over recent months to highlight the current dangers of asbestos, the deeply concerning numbers of people suffering from asbestos in Fife and the urgent need for co-ordinated research into asbestos related diseases. The Health and Safety Executive has more information on the numbers affected across Scotland.
John lodged a motion which was debated in the Scottish Parliament on the 7th January 2010 calling for a National Centre for Asbestos Related Disesases (NCARD). The motion focussed on how research into the causes and treatment of asbestos related diseases can be improved in Scotland. A copy of the motion can be read on the Scottish Parliament website and a transcript of the debate is also available.
The same week a judgement by Lord Emslie on the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Act 2009 saw off opposition from insurance companies who sought to challenge the authority of the act which gives sufferers of pleural plaques the right to seek compensation. The judgement has been published by Court of Session online.
Constituents who are affected by asbestos related illness can contact John for more information about the NCARD debate or any other issue .
The Climate Change (Scotland) Bill:
world leading climate change legislation
On the 24th of June 2009 the Scottish Parliament voted for the
strongest Climate Change legislation in the world. The strength of the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill is a real testament to all those who campaigned so hard - many of whom are constituents in Mid Scotland and Fife. After being contacted by an overwhelming number of concerned constituents and working with various environmental organisations, John and his colleagues pushed for a stronger Bill at each stage.
Whilst John and his colleagues supported the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, they felt the date set for the interim target was too far away to bring about the early action needed if global temperatures were not to spiral out of control. Members of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee successfully put pressure on the Scottish Government to bring forward the interim target date in the Bill from 2030 to 2020 and inserted requirements which will require that early action is taken, rather than left for future governments. It was also felt that there was a lack of measures to make the reductions in emissions a reality, and that is why there was a huge amount of work put in to include in the Bill a one-off £50 discount in Council Tax and discounts to business rates for homes and businesses that invest in energy efficiency.
In efforts to strengthen the Bill John and his colleagues have worked very closely with a wide variety of environmental groups and their partners in the Stop Climate Chaos coalition. Although not completely successful – regrettably some parties voted to weaken restrictions on the use of international credits and took out some of the restrictions that had been previously inserted at Stage 2 – John believes we have been successful in strengthening the Bill and ensuring that the issues raised with us, on targets, on the inclusion of aircraft and shipping emissions, on setting domestic effort targets, on public engagement, on public duties and on improving energy efficiency are included in the Bill, placing Scotland at the forefront of international efforts to tackle climate change.
You can find out more about all stages of the Bill, including the amendments submitted and debates in the Chamber and Committees, on the Scottish Parliament website.
John and his colleagues fought for a number of improvements to be made to the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill at each Stage. These improvements are:
1. We forced the Scottish Government to bring forward the interim target date for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2030 to 2020, by applying pressure in the Stage 1 consideration of the Bill
2. In the course of the Stage 1 debate, we secured agreement from Government Ministers that they would automatically raise the interim target from 34% to 42% if the Copenhagen agreement delivers an agreement for Europe-wide action.
3. We then put forward a Stage 3 amendment, with the backing of Stop Climate Chaos, which required the Scottish government to seek expert advice on the interim target and argued that the percentage target in the Bill should therefore be raised from 34% to 40%. This approach secured unanimous support from the Parliament and the final agreement was that a 42% interim target should be enshrined in the Bill, and could be adjusted up or down on the basis of expert advice from the UK Committee on Climate Change.
4. We inserted into the Bill a requirement that annual targets must be set in such a way as to be realistically in line with the goal of hitting the longer-term targets, so as to prevent the government putting off early action.
5. We worked with other parties to add to the Bill our policy of a legal requirement for local authorities to reduce Council Tax by at least £50 for those homes who install energy efficiency measures (e.g. insulation or microgeneration like mini wind turbines or solar panels). The schemes will apply across Scotland and to all Council Tax bands.
6. We worked with other parties to bring in business rate reductions for those businesses taking action to improve the energy efficiency of their premises (e.g. by installing insulation or microgeneration like mini wind turbines or solar panels).
7. Scottish Ministers now have to produce concrete provisions regarding emissions of greenhouse gases from international aviation and international shipping by 1 June 2010 or as soon as practicable thereafter.
8. We amended the Bill to ensure that the reduction on climate contribution is predominantly through action in Scotland rather than through the mechanism of international credits. The Scottish Government however weakened these restrictions by creating a loophole.
9. We amended the Bill to require Ministers to have regard to jobs and employment opportunities in setting their climate change targets and objectives.
10. We put forward clauses introducing duties on public bodies which will require all public bodies to consider climate change in their decision-making.
11. We amended the Bill to require Ministers to have regard to the impact on poorer and deprived communities, and on remote rural and island communities in setting their climate change targets and objectives.
12. We worked with the Church of Scotland and other political parties to have a requirement for a public engagement strategy included in the Bill.
13. We added to the functions of the advisory body the function of providing advice, analysis, information and other assistance to Scottish ministers in respect of setting and delivering the interim target.
14. We set tight limits on Scottish Ministers crediting carbon units to the net Scottish emissions account in the period 2013-2017.
15. We put in place effective reporting arrangements, including a requirement that ministers should attend parliamentary committees to give evidence, the publication of advice and additional reporting requirements on cumulative emissions and consumption.
16. We added a clause requiring a 2015 reporting date on how Scotland is doing on early action, ensuring that between now and 2015 the Government will be under pressure to make the necessary progress on meeting the interim target.
17. We secured support for an amendment that obliges public bodies to report on how they use procurement policies and wider workplace policies to comply with their climate change duties.
18. We ensured that employers and trade unions are involved in and consulted upon adaptation policies and that there will be public engagement on adaptation policies.
19. We amended the Bill to require the production of a land-use strategy.
20. Through amendments on behalf of the Energy Committee we ensured targets are put in place for the Scottish Government’s energy efficiency plan.
21. Through amendments on behalf of the Energy Committee we ensured the assessment of the energy efficiency of living accommodation is included in the energy efficiency plan.
22. We introduced amendments which enable the planning and building control systems to encourage increased energy efficiency.
23. We proposed regulations removing the burden of non-domestic rates on distribution pipes and risers, thereby making it easier to take forward combined heat and power schemes in Scotland.
24. We ensured permitted development rights would be brought in, to encourage the use of air source heat pumps and mini wind turbines in domestic properties and non-domestic buildings.
25. We amended the Bill to require the identification of expected contributions towards annual targets from the energy efficiency, energy production, transport and land use sectors.
26. We introduced a sustainability duty on Ministers and on the advisory body.
27. We amended Schedule 1 of the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 to include the installation of insulation as "maintenance".
Jobs and the Economy
Given the current global economic crisis, employment and protecting jobs is a big priority for John. With many large companies in the region as well as small to medium sized enterprises, John has been keeping regular contact with trade unions, small businesses, larger employers and the UK and Scottish Government to make sure that workers of Mid Scotland and Fife are supported through the downturn.
He is interested in the best ways to support workers and employers at this challenging time and is always ready to work hard on behalf of constituents. The Scottish Parliament has responsibility for aspects of Scotland’s economic development. Some matters are reserved to Westminster.
There are a range of resources available to help businesses or individuals or you may wish to raise your issue directly with John.
Individuals facing redundancy may find the information provided by Skills Development Scotland helpful.
Companies looking to take on a redundant apprentice can also find information on the Skills Development Scotland page or may wish to explore Business Gateway which provides provides practical help, advice and supportfor new and growing businesses in Scotland.
The Future Jobs Fund is a rolling programme provided by the Department for Work and Pensions to which to which local authorities and other organisations can bid to create jobs.
The first round of awards can be read about on the Scotland Office website .
Skills for Work
Skills have becoming all the more important as the economy has slowed down. A central priority of the Scottish Government must be to equip every Scot with the skills to achieve their full potential so that Scotland as a whole can flourish in the upturn.
John is currently working on a Bill in the Scottish Parliament that would guarantee a right to an apprenticeship for all suitably qualified 16-18 year-olds. You can find out more about his proposal on the Scottish Parliament website. There is a huge demand for more apprenticeships in Scotland. The Bill John is proposing would create thousands more opportunities for those with the potential to get an apprenticeship and it would strengthen the Scottish economy.
Sport
John believes that football is a sport that can bring together thousands of people to challenge some of Scotland's cultural problems.
He was a keen supporter of Show Racism the Red Card before entering Parliament and has continued this support as your MSP. The work undertaken by the group - particularly in schools - is vitally important in combating intolerance from a young age.
John works closely with Scottish Womens Football in supporting the development of womans and girls football. Youth Football plays an important role in developing Scotland's future talent encouraging young people to live more healthy lives. After the Scottish Football Association's (SFA) decision to expel Dunfermline Athletic Football Club from the ‘Performance Level Youth Football Initiative' in 2008, John worked closely with representatives from Dunfermline lobbying the SFA. Fortunately, Dunfermline youth football team have now met the criteria and will be allowed back into the league.
Transport
Transport across Mid Scotland and Fife is greatly in need of improvement. John has spent much of his time as an MSP ensuring that the Scottish Government invests in transport across the region and that they manage large transport projects with the interests of local residents in mind. 
The largest transport project in Scotland- the new Forth Road Crossing- is a particularly vital project that will boost the Mid Scotland and Fife economy and ease congestion on the existing bridge. John has concerns the proposed crossing is not "future proof" as it does not have a multi-modal capacity and has pressed the Scottish Government to reconsider its plans. You can sign up for updates on the Forth Replacement Crossing on their website.
John has also been advocating for a Rosyth Bypass to ease congestion in the Rosyth area. A local petition on the bypass was considered by the Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee on 16th June.
John is also concerned about traffic issues in relation to the Kincardine Bridge and the new Clackmannanshire Birdge. Traffic management updates are published by Transport Scotland online.
Page last updated: 22nd Jul 2010.