news
I try to keep constituents up to date with parliamentary work. You can follow what has been happening here or by signing up for my e-newsletter.
You can also follow my participation in debates here or find out further information on the work of the Scottish Parliament here.
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The Scottish Parliament is now in recess. It will resume the week commencing 6th September.
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Constituents can still raise any issues with me, please just get in touch.
May
Forth Crossing Bill – Stage 1
The debate on Stage 1 of the Forth Crossing Bill took place on Wednesday 26th May. The first stages of parliamentary debates explore the general principles of and the financial resolution for any Bill being brought forward. Detailed scrutiny, with the opportunity for amendments to the proposals takes place from stage 2 onwards in Committee and the Chamber. The general principles of the Bill were agreed at Stage 1. Fuller coverage of the Bill and its processes can be read on the Scottish Parliament website.
Banking Industry Debate - Economy Energy Tourism Committee Report
The Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee brought their report on the Banking and Financial Services Sector to the Chamber on 02 June. I took part in the debate and highlighted issues about skills and job losses among financial services industry and the need to look into problems faced by small businesses and bank lending. My contribution can be read here.
The Committee Report is available online and the full debate can also be read on the Scottish Parliament website.
Climate Change Targets
Following cross-party concerns about annual carbon emission reduction targets, the Climate Change (Annual Targets) Order was brought before the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 27 May. This proposed to increase the annual reduction target for 2012 from 0.5% to 1%.
The Climate Change Act, passed in 2009, set a target to cut carbon emissions by 42% in 2020. I and my colleagues were concerned that even the Scottish Government’s revised annual targets would not meet this so we voted against the Order. The Scottish Government must now work with parliament on a cross-party basis to find ways to bring forward the policies which we believe can make a real difference to reducing Scotland’s carbon emissions.
You can read the official report of the debate on the Scottish Parliament website.
Property Factors (Scotland) Bill
My MSP colleague Patricia Ferguson has gained enough support for her member’s bill to bring forward legislation to establish a register of property factors and require property factors to be registered. The Bill will also make provision in relation to the resolution of disputes between homeowners and property factors; and for connected purposes. The Bill is available online and will be considered at Stage 1 by the Local Government and Communities Committee. I was pleased to support these proposals and look forward to the Bill being brought forward.
Adult Learners Week
Adult Learners Week took place this year from 15th -21st May. I was pleased to be able to speak to both exhibitors from Scotland’s Learning Partnership and pop into an event hosted by Scottish Union Learning during the week to learn about the role of Union Learning in the workplace.
Billy Liddell Memorial Cairn
I was delighted to be able to attend the unveiling of the Billy Liddell Memorial Cairn in Townhill, Dunfermline on 22nd May. I laid a motion in the Parliament to mark the occasion which can be read online. I have been very supportive of this campaign since its inception by local community campaigners having also supported a public petition to the parliament and laid motions on the footballer entering the hall of fame.
April
Supporting Scotland's Colleges I asked the Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning a question during General Questions on 15th April about support for further education colleges in meeting Scotland’s skills needs. You can read the full question and answer and my specific follow-up about Carnegie College in Dunfermline here. Relay for Life
Instrumental Music Teaching I have received correspondence from several constituents concerned about possible cuts to instrumental music tuition by local authorities. I submitted a parliamentary question to the minister during the Education and Lifelong Learning Question Time on 22nd April to ask what support was being given by the Scottish Executive on this matter. Restrictions on parliamentary time ensured the question wasn’t taken on the day but the full question and its written answer can be read here. Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 22nd April. The legislation seeks to modernise laws on dangerous dogs and provides some powers to local authorities and Ministers on this issue. Further information about the bill is available on the Scottish Parliament website. Traditional Building Skills Exhibition
I was delighted to be have the opportunity to host an exhibition in the Scottish Parliament of traditional Scottish Building Skills at the end of April. Running from 26th - 30th April, the multi-media exhibition displayed the talents of the Scottish traditional building skills sector, provided information on protecting Scotland's built heritage and demonstrated to MSPs the need for investment in traditional green building methods. The exhibition featured a stone cone turret with slate roof, made from reclaimed materials and hand crafted by two incredibly accomplished apprentices. It was a fantastic exhibition and I have rarely seen such a high and enthusiastic turnout from MSPs. I hope to find a permanent home for the exhibit turret in Mid Scotland & Fife and I look forward to revealing details of this in the near future. Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill This very technical bill was passed on the 28th April and aims to deal with a number of statutory instruments and procedures, some of which are related to the Scotland Act. A detailed briefing on the technical aspects of the bill, produced by Spice, the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, can be read here and the progress of the Bill can also be followed online . Continued support for People Facing Unemployment I am aware from some constituents of difficulties in accessing support when made redundant. On the 5th May, I asked the Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning about highlighting PACE to employers and administrators dealing with redundancies and offered to highlight examples from Mid Scotland and Fife to help improve service provision for those affected. The full question and answer can be read here. 
I was delighted to host a Cancer Research Relay for Life briefing event for MSPs in the Scottish Parliament. Held on the 15th April the event gave Relay organisers and participants the opportunity to brief MSPs on some of their successes and provide advice on how to establish a Relay for Life in their own area. The great opportunity arose following the continued success of the now well-established Dalgety Bay Relay for Life which I have previously supported.
March
Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 25th March. The Bill’s provisions are very wide ranging and include the creation of Creative Scotland, Social Care and Social Improvement Scotland and Health Improvement Scotland. More information about the Bill can be found here and you can also read the Official Report of the stage 3 debate . Forth Crossing On March 18th, during General Question Time in the Scottish Parliament, I asked the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney about ensuring local communities and companies benefit from the construction of the new Forth Crossing. Community Benefit Clauses can be inserted into major public sector projects - such as the new Forth Crossing - which place contractual requirements on successful bidders on issues such as apprenticeships and training. I will keep pressing the Scottish Government to ensure that such clauses are included when the contracts for the new Forth Crossing are awarded to provide opportunities for local Fife businesses and local workers. The full Q&A can be read in the Official Report on the Scottish Parliament website. Public Information Notices – Update I am pleased to say that following a hard fought campaign and consideration of the responses to the public consultation, the Scottish Government has dropped its proposals to solely advertise public information notices online. I believe this has removed a threat to transparent governance and the financial viability of local newspapers. Therefore, public information notices will now continue to be placed in local papers as well as online. You can read all the responses to the consultation on the Scottish Government website. MSPs Vote for Expenses Overhaul You may have read media reports that as part of a review of Members’ expenses MSPs voted unanimously to forbid MSPs from employing family members as staff using parliamentary expenses. This will come into effect in May 2015. The review also means that MSPs will no longer be able to buy a second home in Edinburgh using public money but will be entitled to rent or if they live outwith a reasonable daily commuting distance. Those who previously purchased second home in Edinburgh under the old scheme, will have to pay Capital Gains Tax or a similar sum when they eventually sell the property. The detail of the changes can be read during the Parliamentary debate on 24th March. The full Members allowances scheme can be accessed online as well as all MSPs expenses claims. I do not employ any family members and I do not have a second home as I live within commuting distance of the Scottish Parliament. I have rejected the 1.5% pay increase offered to MSPs this year and requested that my salary be frozen. WWF’s Earth Hour I was pleased to be able to support WWF’s Earth Hour on 27 March 2010 at 8.30pm. WWF urged people to switch off their lights for one hour. The Scottish Parliament building also participated in Earth Hour by turning of the majority of its lighting for 60 minutes on the night. You can find out how Earth Hour went on the WWF website.
Welcoming Young Fife Entrepreneurs to Parliament This month I was delighted to meet fifth and sixth year students from Dunfermline High School, who are members of Young Enterprise Fife, who came to the Scottish Parliament for a showcase of talent. The young entrepreneurs came to the Scottish Parliament on the 10th March to tell MSPs about the many benefits of enterprise in education and to show them examples of the work they have been involved in. 
February
Tobacco Bill
The Tobacco and Primary Medical Services Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament at the end of January and I voted to support measures banning tobacco displays including vending machines. Whilst, this Bill introduces important new restrictions regarding point of sale advertising I was frustrated that proposed measures which closed loopholes and would have prevented advertising of tobacco products via linked products such as branded lighters and other merchandise were voted down in the final stage of the Bill. I and my colleagues will now be working to press the Scottish Government to ensure trading standards officers receive needed support regarding test purchasing and we will continue to monitor the practical impact of the new legislation – pressing for further measures if necessary. To find out more about the Bill on the Scottish Parliament website click here.
Marine Bill
Readers will be aware from previous reports of the progress of the Marine Bill. The final stage of this legislation was extremely complex with many amendments being brought forward by my colleagues in Labour’s Rural Affairs and Environment team.
The Marine Bill page on the Scottish Parliament website has further information on the different stages of the legislation.
We felt that the proposed Bill was initially not as strong as the UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill and it was essential that Scotland at the very least matches the UK in this area of legislation. There are now three overriding duties on Ministers and public authorities in relation to the health of the seas. These are that measures must be taken to progress sustainable development, enhance the health of the marine area and mitigate climate change. In summary the new legislation covers the following main points.
Ministers and public bodies have a duty to recognise the health of the marine area.
Ministers can now consider the mitigation of climate change as a factor in deciding the designation of marine protected areas and that there will now be consideration of renewable energy proposals.
That Ministers and public bodies must meet three obligations in relation to the health the seas regarding sustainable development, enhancing the health of the seas and mitigating climate change.
Killing seals is a last resort, only acceptable after all other appropriate control measures have been shown to be exhausted.
There are now very strict licensing conditions relating to the shooting of a seal and there are reporting requirements on anyone using a license to kill a seal.
Ministers now have powers to limit the killing of seals within licenses during the breeding season and there are new offences in relation to the deliberate harassment of seals.
There is now a commitment that guidance will be issued to decision makers in relation to the situation of fish farms and a review of how new provisions work in practice – with flexibility should any further adjustment or strengthening of conditions be deemed necessary.
I would be pleased to provide further information on any of the above points, please just contact my office.
The Budget (Scotland) Bill
The Budget (Scotland) (No 4) Bill was passed by the Parliament on 3rd February. Recognising the economic importance of the project, Labour proposed an amendment to reinstate the Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL) which didn’t pass and therefore we voted against the budget as a whole. The Budget passed by 66 votes in favour to 45 against with 14 abstentions.
The Official Report of the debate on Stage 3 of the Budget can be read online.
Public Information Notices
A campaign to retain Public Information Notices in local newspapers was launched in the Parliament recently by my colleagues and a debate on Local Newspapers held on 28th January. The Scottish Government are looking at removing the duty on public bodies from advertising in local papers and allowing all notices and adverts to be web-based only. I and my colleagues find this concerning as it removes a vital source of advertising income for the vital local press and risks marginalising those who do not have access to the internet.
NUS Parent Trap Campaign
NUS Scotland ran a lobbying event highlighting the financial pressures facing student parents which I attended.
Currently 360 student parents across Mid Scotland and Fife are in receipt of the Lone Parents Grant but it is estimated there are many more in need of financial assistance. Further information can be found on the Parent Trap campaign website.
Anne Frank
I was honoured to be able to host the Anne Frank Exhibition in the week of Holocaust Memorial Day on the 27th January. A condensed version of the exhibition was on display in the Parliament allowing MSPs, staff and parliamentary visitors the opportunity to learn more about the Anne Frank story. Fife was one of the first local authority areas where schools worked with the Anne Frank Trust and I am pleased to be able to continue to support it. You can read more about the Anne Frank, A History for Today Exhibition on the Anne Frank Trust website.
January
Asbestos-Related Diseases Debate and Judgement
On 7 January I held a Member’s Debate in Parliament regarding the need for Scotland to get involved in national research into asbestos related diseases. Exposure to asbestos is the single biggest cause of work-related deaths and numbers of people falling ill with devastating conditions caused by asbestos exposure are set to rise. There is a desperate need for research into the causes and treatments of these conditions and I was pleased that after some months of raising the issue with Ministers with disappointing results, the Scottish Government has now given me an assurance that they will work with their counterparts in the UK Government to explore how Scotland can benefit from national research, and of course, how national research can benefit from the Scottish experience of asbestos related diseases.
I am also meeting with members of the National Centre into Asbestos Related Diseases development group and will continue to campaign for co-ordinated national research into the conditions. To read a transcript of the debate click here.
On a similar issue, the day after my debate, Lord Emslie rejected a bid by insurance companies to invalidate the Asbestos Related Conditions (Scotland) Act 2009. This important legislation was passed by the Scottish Parliament last March and gives victims of asbestos related diseases the right to claim compensation. To find out more about the Act click here.
Extreme Weather Provisions
As I’m sure all constituents will have first hand experience of, the extreme weather over Christmas caused considerable and lengthy disruption to transport networks and streets across Mid Scotland and Fife. I have been campaigning throughout this time to try to get more grit on the roads and paths. The snow and ice have left many roads and paths un-passable and Council workers are to be commended on their dedication and hard work at this time. I pressed Councils and the Scottish Government to do more to make roads and paths safe, and to get Mid Scotland and Fife moving again.
The Scottish Government statement and debate on the Severe weather can be read here.
Bus Bill Falls in Parliament
Early January brought a huge disappointment when Charlie Gordon MSP’s proposed Regulation of Bus Services Bill, that sought to improve bus services across Scotland and to widen concessionary travel for disabled passengers, failed to gain the cross-party support it needed to proceed. However, despite the other main parties failing to support this important Bill, we will continue to fight for better regulation and services and for wider concessionary travel for disabled people in the Scottish Parliament. To read a transcript of the debate on concessionary travel click here.
Football Facilities
I have been supporting proposals for the development of improved football facilities across Mid Scotland and Fife. As well as the campaign for an all-weather pitch in refurbishment in Brechin, I have been working to secure the future of proposals to develop a multi-million pound football academy at Pitreavie in Dunfermline. I have raised this issue with Fife Council and the Scottish Government Minister for Public Health and Sport.
Update on High Hedges
Thank you to all constituents who responded to my call for submissions to the Scottish Government’s High Hedge Consultation. The consultation is now closed and I will keep constituents updated in relation to consequent developments in this area. It is clearly an issue that has a big impact on people’s quality of life and its important legislation is appropriately explored. To see all responses to the Scottish Government’s consultation click here.
November
High Hedge Consultation
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation document called ‘High Hedges, Trees and other Nuisance Vegetation’ and the public has until 13 November to respond. I am urging local people to make their voices heard regarding this issue. Westminster has already introduced legislation in this area and it is clear that Scotland needs to follow suit. I have been contacted by many constituents who are suffering considerable distress as a result of neighbours refusing to reasonably maintain garden vegetation. Legislation in this area will remove the burden of this problem from the victims of high hedges onto the Scottish Government and the Scottish Legal System.
I hope constituents will take part in this consultation – this is not about ridding gardens of greenery, it’s about ensuring hedges and trees are grown with consideration for those who live next to them. To take part in the consultation directly, click here. Or alternatively, you can contact the office on 0131 348 6753 to be included in my consultation response to the Scottish Government.
September
DIAGEO
I have been disappointed by the summer of uncertainty that was created for all Diageo workers across Scotland by the company's restructuring announcement. It has highlighted the need for businesses to engage with workforce representatives early on in any major decisions. I hope the Scottish Government will actively encourage trade union engagement from all companies in Scotland. Looking to the future for Fife, we must ensure that any new jobs created by Diageo are high quality, skilled and well paid positions.
Modern Apprenticeships
Recent figures from the Skills Development Scotland indicate that over 1000 apprentices have been made redundant across Scotland, the majority of whom have been in the construction sector. Unfortunately over 600 of these are still looking for alternative training or employment and I will continue to press the Scottish Government to ensure that the Apprentice Guarantee – that no redundant apprentice would be without employment – is met.
If you are facing redundancy, or are an employer looking to take on a newly unemployed apprentice, more information can be found on the Skills Development Scotland website.
I was disappointed by the recent announcement of over 70 job losses at the Rosyth site of multinational engineering firm Oceaneering. I have been in touch with the Company management, in Fife and at their Headquarters in the USA pressing for reasons behind this decision when Oceaneering is still a very profitable enterprise. I have highlighted the situation with the Scottish Government and remain in contact with the trade union Unite who represent the workforce at Rosyth.
Shelter Housing Campaign
The housing charity Shelter came to the Parliament to enlist support for their campaign for more affordable housing for rent for people in Scotland. Shelter believes investing in homes provides housing for the hundreds of thousands of people waiting for a home;· the immediacy of jobs for the struggling construction sector; regeneration for our communities; and a social asset for the future. You can watch the video I recorded for constituents or see the house I drew as part of the campaign.
Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill The first stage of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill was recently debated in the Chamber and the Official Report of the debate can be read online on the website of the Scottish Parliament. The Bill proposes to end the display of tobacco in shops, to ban vending machines, to register tobacco outlets and to tackle enforcement. I believe we need further action to reduce tobacco use, and discouraging early use of tobacco is essential in this endeavour. My colleagues will be exploring further some of the proposals in this legislation at Stage 2 of the Bill. Asbestos Related Illnesses
My party colleague and MSP for Dunfermline East, Helen Eadie and I have urged the Scottish Government to engage with the UK Department of Health with a view to establishing a National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases. Whilst the Scottish Parliament has passed two significant pieces of legislation relating to compensation for asbestos related conditions, we need to keep pushing for better research and treatment. Given our industrial history of shipbuilding, illnesses linked to asbestos exposure affect large numbers of people in Scotland and I feel that the Scottish Government should be working with counterparts south of the border to establish a dedicated centre for the research and treatment of asbestos related conditions. I joined with other MSPs on 2nd September to highlight the Breast Cancer Campaign's "Wear it Pink" Day 2009. The money raised from Wear it Pink funds innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure. August Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi The decision to release convicted terrorist Mr Al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds and the circumstances surrounding that decision have been met with a strong reaction across Scotland The Parliamentary debates can be read online and took place on the 24th August and 2nd September.
Recall of Parliament The Presiding Officer announced that the Scottish Parliament would be recalled on Monday 24th August. The Parliament reconvened with a Ministerial Statement at 2.30pm on the compassionate release of Mr Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi followed by questions from MSPs. Summer Recess The Scottish Parliament was in recess in July and August. The enews update will return in September. June 2009 June 12th 2009 was the 80th Anniversary of Anne Frank’s birth. To mark the occasion I worked with the Anne Frank Trust and Anne Frank Scotland to arrange a photoshoot for MSPs in the Scottish Parliament to highlight MSPs adding their support to the Anne Frank Declaration which seeks to challenge prejudice and hatred. I was also delighted to secure a Member’s debate on the same day, June 11th. Given the recent election of two fascist BNP MEPs, I also wrote a piece for the Scotsman on the legacy of Anne Frank and the importance of still fighting discrimination. You can follow the excellent Anne Frank Scotland blog here .
Climate Change (Scotland) Bill The Climate Change (Scotland) Bill is currently making its way through the Scottish parliament. I submitted an amendment on this bill at Stage 2 of the process (which is when the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee Scrutinise the legislation). The aim of the amendment is to ensure public bodies have to use procurement practice and workplace polices to meet their green targets and report back on their progress on this. The Scottish Government indicated that this measure would be adopted by them and brought forward at the final, Stage 3 process. More details about the Climate Change (Scotland) can be found on the Big Issues page .
Rosyth Bypass Petition
The Rosyth Bypass Petition has been submitted to the Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee. 630 signatures have been collected and the Committee will consider whether to invite principle petitioner, Rosyth resident, Carol MacKenzie, to give evidence on the issue. Fife Apprenticeships I have written to major Fife employers about apprentices and asking them to consider whether they have the capacity to take on a recently redundant apprentice. This was ahead of the Fifeworks-led Apprenticeship conference on 5th June that sought support for Fife’s construction industry apprentices and businesses. Labour gained major concessions from the Scottish Government during the budget negotiations to provide a guarantee of completion for all apprentices facing redundancy as well as the creation of an extra 7,800 apprenticeships in this financial year. Lawrence Daly I lodged a motion in the Parliament recently to commemorate the life of Lawrence Daly following his sad death on 23rd May this year. As many will know, Fife-born Lawrence was the General Secretary of the NUM who successfully led the union through the 1972 and 1974 strikes. Financial Sector Jobs I have been meeting with various representatives in the financial sector and specifically, have met with RBS and Clydesdale bank to discuss bank jobs in Fife and across Scotland as well as the wider challenges facing the industry over the next few years. Wage Subsidies I led a Labour debate in the Parliament on the need for a wage subsidy for employers on short term working to keep people in work. This would mirror the ProAct scheme brought in by the Welsh Assembly and provide support for businesses and ensure the Scottish Government would bring in a revised economic recovery programme prior to summer recess.
Oceaneering
Wear It Pink
and the rest of the world. With regard to the final decision itself, I know that there are strong and sincerely held views on both sides. I recognise that this was a difficult decision and MSPs across and within all political parties have differing opinions regarding the decision itself to release Mr Al-Megrahi to Libya on compassionate grounds. However, regardless of where one stands on the final decision, I believe a great deal of pain and anger has been caused by the manner in which Mr MacAskill reached it. The Scottish Justice Secretary’s actions raise a number of important questions and the families of the Lockerbie victims and the Scottish people deserve answers to these questions. Alongside my parliamentary colleagues I will continue to press the Scottish Government for those answers.
Anne Frank
Page last updated: 22nd Jul 2010.