June 1st, 2011

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP has called on the Scottish Government to take action over the traffic chaos likely to be caused by the removal of the Gourock-Dunoon vehicle ferry service.

Vehicle traffic from Dunoon will now be routed through the crossing at McInroy’s Point and forced to travel through the bottleneck at the town centre to get to Greenock, Paisley or Glasgow city centre.

The MSP fears that the changes will cause considerable traffic congestion in Gourock and inconvenience for residents and businesses.

Mr McNeil said: “The communities and workforce rightly feel let down by this loss of service, which was hidden from them before the election and then dumped on them just weeks later.

“This preventable decision will also create a serious traffic congestion problem that will further anger people and businesses in Gourock.

“I believe it would be appropriate for the minister to come to Gourock to see this for himself and work with the community, the road agencies and Inverclyde Council to bring about a traffic impact assessment and deal with this problem.”

June 1st, 2011

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has called on the SNP Government to bring forward a plan for jobs after the latest figures revealed Inverclyde has one of the highest unemployment rates in Scotland.

In particular, youth unemployment was the sixth worst in Scotland, with nearly one in 10 people aged between 18-24 on job seekers allowance.

Across all age groups, the unemployment rate was five per cent, well above the national average (4.1 per cent).

Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, said: “It is clear that jobs and opportunities for young people are the priority for people and these figures show the scale of the challenge we face.

“People facing unemployment or who currently can’t get a job are becoming impatient with a government which is allowing constitutional point-scoring to dominate the political debate rather than focusing on jobs.

“It is time to use the powers that we do have to bring about the apprenticeships, job placements for the unemployed and support for the small business who create new jobs.

“Nothing less than this direct action will do.”

CLAIMANT COUNT BY LOCAL AUTHORITY

Figures as at April 2011

March 16th, 2011

A78 BREAKTHROUGH

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP is delighted that Transport Scotland has agreed to look again at the safety measures taken on the A78 at Inverkip following local pressure.

Stewart Leggat, network manager at Transport Scotland, contacted the MSP to inform him they would look again at safety measures implemented last year which have angered the local community.

Transport Scotland has agreed to put up new cameras so that they can compare the before and after to discern whether they have made a positive or negative impact. This will be completed by mid-April and road bosses have agreed to meet with the MSP afterwards to discuss the findings.

Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, said: “While I am disappointed that the minister has declined the opportunity to engage with this problem, I am pleased that the pressure put on Transport Scotland by the local community has allowed progress to be made and this issue at least is still open.

“The road markings have not been helpful according to residents and indeed, there is a belief that it has made the situation worse.

“I welcome Transport Scotland’s steps to establish whether this is indeed the case and I hope this process will allow us to reach a solution that ensures this road is safer for the Inverkip community.”

March 15th, 2011

MSP challenges coastguard cuts

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has challenged the Government to think again over dangerous cuts to the coastguard services.

The local MSP met with Sir Alan Massey, the chief executive officer of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to Navy Buildings in Greenock this week.

Mr McNeil believes the UK Government is playing politics with the locations of the centres and the decision to remove MRCC Clyde could leave the area dangerously exposed.

He said: “The Clyde coastguard centre is responsible for the longest and most challenging stretch of coastline of any of the MRCCs, has the fifth highest levels of incidents in the UK and has the highest level of search and rescue hours in Scotland.

“To remove this centre is not only daft but dangerous and I am disappointed that Sir Alan Massey was not able to give any good reason why Aberdeen should be favoured over Greenock in the review.

“It was confirmed at an earlier meeting in Edinburgh with the chief coastguard Roger Johnston that had they been starting with a blank piece of paper, the likelihood would have been the retention of the centre here in Greenock.

“I can only conclude that this is being driven by political consideration and not safety or cost efficiency.”

March 10th, 2011

Tribute to Lee Jeans heroines

Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, has paid tribute to the 240 women who took part in the Lee Jeans sit-in at the Scottish Parliament.

On the 30th anniversary, the MSP invited former trade union convener Helen Monaghan and ex-workers Margaret Wallace and Catherine Robertson to Edinburgh to hear a debate he had secured on the historic protest.

The women also met with Labour leader Iain Gray, deputy leader Johann Lamont and Port Glasgow MSP Trish Godman.

Mr McNeil said: “Although they didn’t realise it at the time, these women captured the imagination of a country that was being crushed by unemployment at the time.

“They became an inspiration to workers all over the world, not just for the principled stand they took but because they won that fight and kept their jobs.

“In these difficult times, with unemployment rising, they represent a timely reminder of what people can achieve if they stand together and recognise the importance of the right to work.”

S3M-07898# Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Scottish Labour): 30th Anniversary of the Lee Jeans Sit-in— That the Parliament remembers the 240 women who staged what it sees as a historic sit-in at the Lee Jeans factory in Greenock 30 years ago, beginning on 5 February 1981; notes that the workers barricaded themselves into the canteen for seven months in protest at the decision to close the factory; salutes the workers for capturing the imagination of the whole country and achieving a landmark victory against a US multinational; wishes the former convener, Helen Monaghan, and machinists, Margaret Wallace and Catherine Robertson, well for the 30th anniversary reunion event that they have organised, and considers the Lee Jeans sit-in to be an inspiration to women workers all over the world.

Link to debate -

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/apps2/business/orsearch/ReportView.aspx?r=6175

March 9th, 2011

Cheers to the volunteers

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil and shadow health secretary Jackie Baillie said ‘cheers to the volunteers’ during a visit to Inverclyde Royal this week.

The local MSP introduced Ms Baillie to the Hospital League of Friends, the voluntary group who run the tea bar and raise thousands for the IRH.

Chairperson Jean Rees told the shadow health secretary about the local campaign that saved the tea bar last year when health bosses threatened to close it.

Mr McNeil has gained an assurance from Jackie Baillie that these voluntary groups will have her full support if she is Scotland’s health secretary after the May election.

Jackie Baillie, shadow health secretary said: “It was clear there was huge support for the volunteers at Inverclyde Royal when health bosses got it badly wrong last year and it was a reminder to us all the huge part they play in delivering the local services people want.

“Like all other parts of Scotland, Inverclyde faces a significant challenge in sustaining and even improving on the current standards of health provision at a time of spending cuts.

“But I am confident that we can retain a health service in Inverclyde that is both local and of high quality and I know that volunteers have big role to play in helping us to achieve that ambition.”

During her visit to Inverclyde, Jackie also met with the Inverclyde Elderly Forum and the Inverclyde Carers Centre to take questions on her plans for a National Care Service.

She also visited the oncology department at the hospital to discuss her proposals to cut cancer waiting times to just two weeks.

Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, said: “It is clear from our meetings today that people recognise in Jackie someone who will stand up for local services and ensure the most vulnerable get the best possible care.

“A National Care Service will tackle the challenges of our growing elderly population and ensure care is not compromised and people can have dignity in their old age.

“And the pledge to cut cancer waiting times will save lives by ensuring we get the earliest possible diagnosis and can begin treatment as soon as possible.”

March 4th, 2011

COLLEGE FUNDING OVERHAUL

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has gained an assurance from shadow education secretary Des McNulty that he will overhaul the broken system which is selling James Watt students short.

The Labour pair met with Principal Sue Pinder, EIS officials and student reps to discuss the impact of the funding cuts being imposed by the Scottish Government.

Mr McNulty said that Labour would hold a root and branch review of the sector and overhaul the further education funding system. Colleges are being forced to cut courses and staff because of cuts of 10.4% in college budgets announced by the SNP Scottish Government.

Currently, the Scottish Funding Council assigns a budget to colleges based on student numbers rather assessing the quality of courses or industry requirements.

Des McNulty, shadow education secretary, said: “Colleges and universities all over Scotland are hurting right now because of the SNP’s failure to invest in further education and this bears out from my discussions with the students and staff at James Watt.

“The cuts are made worse because the system that funds colleges is unfit for purpose and I want to see this addressed rather than paper over the cracks.

“The James Watt is a good example of a college which is being forced to compromise quality and scale back at a time when young people need it most.”

Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, said: “Given the deep cuts to the James Watt budget, I have very real concerns about the future of the college.

“I was delighted that Des was able to see for himself that great progress that has been made at James Watt and understand the significant challenges the college faces.

“I am pleased that Des is committed to addressing some of the funding issues and ensuring James Watt students get the most from their studies.

“This was a timely visit with the consultation on the future of the college on-going and I hope the management reflect on the representations we have made as they take this forward.”

March 3rd, 2011

SNARING BAN DEFEATED

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has expressed his disappointment that the Scottish Government has blocked an attempt to ban animal snaring.

During a debate this week on the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill, an amendment was put forward that would have introduced an outright ban on the manufacture, sale, possession and use of snares in Scotland.

But the amendment was defeated by a coalition of the SNP and Tories in the parliament.

Mr McNeil said: “It is clear that snaring causes indiscriminate and unacceptable suffering to foxes, rabbits and badgers and previous attempts to make them safer have not worked.

“The SSPCA has reported some horrific and distressing examples of the damage this barbaric practice can bring upon animals.

“It is clear that public opinion is strongly in favour of a ban and I am disappointed that this opportunity has been missed to bring this to an end.”

March 3rd, 2011

VICTORY FOR ASBESTOS CAMPAIGNERS

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has welcomed a new law passed at the Scottish Parliament to end lengthy legal wrangling over damages claims.

The Damages (Scotland) Bill was passed with cross-party support and will improves right to damages in respect of personal injuries and wrongful death

The bill overhauls the current system and provides a fair level of compensation in cases of wrongful death without the need for unnecessarily long and distressing court cases.

On average, 30 people die each year in Scotland in workplace accidents. Between 1st January 2009 and 20th April 2010, 210 people with mesothelioma and 58 people with asbestos-related lung cancer sought assistance from ‘Clydeside Action on Asbestos.’

Mr McNeil said: “Unfortunately, a community like ours with a strong industrial heritage is well aware of the dangers that are present in the workplace.

“The Scottish Parliament has consistently stood up for the victims and their families and I am delighted that we have come together to act to speed up the legal process for damages.

“It is not acceptable that people who have suffered the tragic death of a loved one have to endure lengthy legal cases before they can begin to rebuild their lives.”

The bill was brought forward by Labour MSP Bill Butler.

 Annette Smith, of Clydeside Action on Asbestos, said: “We have backed these proposals from the outset and this act will be of very real benefit to hundreds of people each year.”

Joe O’Neill, Treasurer of Clydebank Asbestos Group, added: “Protracted legal proceedings have placed unnecessary strain on families and I am pleased that these changes ensure that justice can now be accessed as quickly as possible.”

February 24th, 2011

REGENERATION CUTS THREATEN PROGRESS

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP has accused the Scottish Government of ‘lacking ambition’ for Inverclyde after the full extent of its cuts to the regeneration budget were revealed.

Finance Secretary John Swinney had claimed last month he would partially re-instate the Riverside Inverclyde budget following a local campaign against his 70 per cent cuts.

But the MSP has discovered this week only £1.1 million has been added to the original £2.9 million that was offered.

This represents a 61 per cent cut from the £9.5 million budget last year.

In a debate at the Scottish Parliament this week, the local MSP highlighted the good work that has been done by Riverside Inverclyde and made the case further investment.

Mr McNeil said: “It is clear that the SNP Government in Edinburgh does not share our ambitions for Inverclyde.

“Finance Secretary John Swinney has cut over 60 per cent of our regeneration budget and yet he expects us to be grateful.

“We have made considerable progress in modernising the area and attracting new jobs and businesses but we are only halfway there.

“These cuts seriously jeopardise our plans for Inverclyde and undermine the investment that has already been made.”