Banners, Balloons and Bairns
Fighting to keep your crèches open
George was at a protest held at the City Chambers on Thursday (29 May) to beg the Council to U-turn on its agenda of cuts and chaos. The Council’s proposed cuts to Edinburgh Leisure have resulted in forced closure of half the city’s crèche facilities with those left open facing an inflation busting hike in fees.
George used the opportunity to speak to many people, old and young, fed up of paying the price for this SNP Lib Dem Council’s mal-administration. He said, “With this Council, if you don’t fight you don’t get. We’ve seen cuts hit some of our most vulnerable communities and hurt some of our youngest, oldest and poorest people. If the Council actually bothered to speak to the parents and children here today, they would just how much their proposals for so called ‘dis-investments’ are effecting people across the city.
For more information go to www.stopthecuts.net
A ‘Heart-felt’ Thanks
George tabled a motion in Parliament this week thanking all the staff and donors who have made the 100th Scottish Pancreas transplant operation possible, and again calling for the increasing need for an ‘Opt-out’ system of organ donation.
The motion celebrates the fact that Stephen Proctor received a double pancreas and kidney transplant at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in early April, the only hospital in Scotland to offer the operation. The success of the operation, which gave Stephen a new lease of life, was down to the hard work of the Transplant Unit and the dedication of all those that work at the ERI. But ultimately, it would not have been possible without the gift of the organ which Stephen received.
Throughout the year long campaign which George has run to change the law on the donation, he has heard of so many instances where grieving families were given some respite in the knowledge that their loved one had given life to another. George learned of one gentleman whose organs had saved the life of 5 others.
A recent survey shows that 97% of Scots would support an ‘Opt-out’ system of organ donation, similar to those of Austria, Sweden and Spain, which means that consent of the deceased to use their organs for transplantation is presumed unless stated otherwise. Despite this overwhelming number of the population in support of the policy, only 27% of Scots are registered as organ donors, meaning that there is a large gap to be filled. Meanwhile, thousands of people across the UK each year die while waiting for organs, some of which are never well enough to even get on the register.
Commenting on the figures, George said, “We've got to fill that gap and be bold as politicians, because ultimately this is about people's lives and their ability to live them freely and in good health".
NHS Lothian performs Scotland’s 100th Pancreas Transplant That this parliament recognises that Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary is the only centre in Scotland to offer a pancreas transplant operation; notes that Stephen Proctor recently received a pancreas and kidney double transplant, becoming the 100th patient in Scotland to receive this ground breaking operation; congratulates all the staff at the Transplant Unit for the terrific work that they do; acknowledges the wonderful gift of the donor who made this transplant possible yet remembers the 100s of Scots who are yet to find their perfect match and are currently on the transplant register, encourages everyone to join the Organ Donor Register by calling 0845 60 60 400 and calls on the Scottish and UK Governments to introduce a system of “Opt Out” organ donation at the earliest opportunity.
Call the Organ Donor Register on 0845 60 60 400
Teachers’ Anonymity Should be Protected
George added his voice to the chorus of teachers in the teachers’ union the EIS and Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner Kathleen Turner, to have the identity of teachers under accusation until they have been convicted.
Over the past few years, too many teachers’ careers have been ruined by media ‘witch hunts’ and false accusations. Each case study is not only a difficult time for the teachers involved, but often result in life changing personal trauma, including the break up of families and future job prospects. Protecting the identities of these people until, if at all, they are convicted, will save the careers and lives of many innocent people, who through no fault of their own have found themselves cornered.
George, who said, “Our primary concerns must be for safety of the children and young people in our schools,” when on to say that while the support and call from the EIS was a very strong move, the support from the ‘well respected’ Commissioner Kathleen Turner was a “significant development”. He claimed, “Her sole purpose is to protect the interests of children and if she believes that providing teachers with anonymity actually enhances the trust and faith children can have in the system, it only increases my determination to pursue this issue."
George is looking for support in the Parliament at the moment for his motion, calling for a full review of practices from all stake holders, including unions, teachers, lawyers and media representatives.
The SNP’s Real 10p Tax
George recently put a motion to Parliament condemning the SNP and Lib Dem Council’s decision to increase the single bus fare to £1.10.
It comes just months after Gordon Brown gave Alex Salmond £7.5 million to counteract the rising fuel costs, but Alex Salmond spent it elsewhere. The reality for many people who get the bus a few times a week, is that they are spending more on the increase of bus fares, than they are saving on their council tax freeze. It is another example of the Government yet again making people work for politics rather than politics work for people, and it is damaging those who rely on public transport the most.
The extra 10p cost may or may not seem like a large amount, but it shall remain like this for at least the next 3 years, as Alex Salmond has spent 3 years worth of fuel rebate. So for people who don’t use the bus enough to justify having a bus pass, for example those who may get 5 journeys a week, the increase alone will cost them £75 over the three years.
On commenting on the extra tax, George stated, “£75’s a lot of money, never mind the inconvenience of having to fork out that extra 10p piece every time you are at the bus stop. So much from a Government who claims to want to widen public transport. I sincerely hope Salmond reverses his decision to spend Scotland’s fuel rebate elsewhere, for all our sakes”.
Don't Taunt the Tartan Army
George recently called on the Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill to withdraw his comments linking the Tartan Army to drink and crime, and asked him to make a public apology.
It was surprising to hear that Kenny was so keen in wanting to join his colleague, Alex, in getting booed off Hampden Park, for criticising a group who are world renowned for their good sportsmanship and humour.
George said, "Scottish fans are a great mascot for Scotland round the world… Having had time to reflect, I hope the Justice Minister does the decent thing and apologises to the Tartan Army for his own goal”.
Amongst many praises across all levels of the countries they have visited, they received an award from UEFA following the 1992 European Championship in Sweden for having the best supporters, and a similar award in 1998 after the World Cup in France. In 2000, the behaviour of 5000 fans was praised by the Mayor of Zagreb at the end of their visit there.
There are many challenges now facing Scotland’s society, and the rise in binge drinking and knife crime reflects this. However, the Tartan Army do not contribute to this, as their goodwill and humour are actually a solution to many of our problems today.
‘Look OK… Feel Crap?’
Depression Alliance Scotland have piloted a campaign across the Lothians in an effort to reduce mental ill health and suicide rate among young adults, and it has been a huge success. The 47% increase in inquiries from clients and carers illustrates how it is encouraging people to come forward and talk about depression.
The ‘Look OK… Feel Crap?’ campaign included a website being set up to offer support and advice to those living with the complex and immensely difficult illness, and to those who care for or are close to them. The campaign, launched to coincide with National Depression Week (4th to 10th June 2007) received support from George, who tabled a motion to Parliament in support and recognition of the scheme, which is widely believed to have saved lives.
National Depression Week this year is due to take place from 18th to 25th June 2008 this year, in order to raise further awareness of the issues surrounding depression, and to call on people not to go on suffering in silence.
On commenting on the issue, George said, “NUS Scotland report that 1 in 4 young people suffer from poor mental health. Raising issues like this in parliament helps to highlight the great work of organisations like Depression Alliance, but we need to do so much more to ensure future generations of young people have less reason to get depressed. That requires investing in a wide range of diverse youth services, promoting sport and healthy lifestyles more generally and ensuring that schools, colleges and universities have adequate guidance and support mechanisms in place to catch young people who start to feel down and helpless..."
"There will always be work for depression alliance to do, and they have my full support for their future endeavours."
www.dascot.org.uk
A Smart Move to Smart Meters
George has been alongside Green MSP Patrick Harvie and SNP MSP Shirley- Anne Sommerville to call on the government to introduce Smart Meters into every home in the Lothians.
Smart Meters are devices which state exactly how much energy is being used in your home and how much it’s costing you. Such a device would encourage people to become more energy minded, and would save them money. They would benefit everyone, especially as it would allow those living in fuel poverty to be energy efficient, saving them hundreds of pounds per year.
The Energy Retail Association are calling on each of the UK’s 45 million homes to have one of the meters, which would be an end to estimated bills, and would consist of an electronic dialogue between homes and the homes’ energy supplier.
The move would switch existing meters for the easier and more accessible methods of Smart Meters for both gas and electricity consumption, and would be the biggest home visit in Scotland’s history.
George Foulkes said, “Smart Meters will have a positive impact to consumers, the environment and energy suppliers alike, and the UK Government must recognise their importance.”
Save Our Somosas!
We all know that Alex Salmond enjoys a good curry, but the Curry industry across Britain are struggling to maintain staff due to new immigration rules being brought in at Westminster. The “skilled migrant” scheme requires many workers to have academic qualifications to stay in the UK, and therefore kitchens are finding themselves short staffed, and Scotland’s left hungry.
At a demonstration outside the Parliament on Thursday 13th March, George met with Noonu Miah, Chair, and Foysol Choudhury MBE, Secretary, of the Edinburgh Bangladeshi Association. Many of their members were out to highlight the problems they faced.
Some businesses have had to make plans to deal with the staff shortage, including serving frozen pre-cooked curries rather than fresh, closing their restaurants during the day and removing items form the menu to compensate for the lack of people with the ethnic culinary skill required.
On commenting on the £3.2 billion industry, George said, “While the proposed system is good in principle, we need some flexibility to allow for Bangladeshi workers who staff the vast majority of Indian restaurants in the UK…”
As well as modelling a ‘Save the Curry Industry’ hat, George took part in the protest, and went on to say he shall, “Urge the Home Office to consider amendments to the scheme which would deal with this and help save Scotland’s curry industry”.
Medal Slur Slap in the Face to Scotland's Veterans
George recently defended the George Medal as a great recognition of the acts of British civilians. He was forced to defend the medal, which rewards civilians who have shown selfless bravery for the interests of their country, after Nationalist Christine Grahame called for Scotland to have its own.
George Foulkes MSP said, "Once again Christine Grahame’s focus on peddling narrow nationalism gets in the way of the facts. It’s a slur to a generation of Scottish war veterans to suggest that the George Medal, introduced by King George VI to recognise the bravery of British civilians during the Second World War, is “quintessentially English.”
“Perhaps Christine Grahame would like to remember that one of the most recent awards for civilian bravery was given to John Smeaton for the unflinching bravery and selflessness that he demonstrated during the attacks on Glasgow Airport. I believe that every citizen in the whole of the United Kingdom is grateful for his efforts.”
George Foulkes has since tabled an alternative motion in the Scottish Parliament calling for the whole of the United Kingdom to recognise the bravery of Scots. The George Medal was inspired by the reaction of many civilians to the Blitz of the Second World War. King George VI felt that the bravery and sense of unity which surrounded the public at that time was worthy of recognition, and so he put his own name to an award given to those who showed ‘acts of great bravery’.
The Medal was a symbol of pulling borders down, not building them up, and it is that fact which is for many people the most hurtful stem which will grow from Ms Grahame’s remarks.
Sick Kids Saved!
I was delighted at the recent announcement to save the Sick Kids Hospital here in Edinburgh, despite many months of anxiety that the vital service would be moved to a new specialist department in Glasgow.
On a recent visit to the Sick Kids, I couldn’t have been more impressed with the determination and life of the staff, parents, and of course, the brave young patients. I was also moved by how remarkable the facilities were, and how much all those attached to the hospital depend on them. The building was far more than a department. It was a community. A community which gave support and strength to some of the most vulnerable children in our great City.
But the atmosphere of the Sick Kids Hopspital has been scared by many worried families concerned about its future. It was an unnecessary but very real strain on an already more than difficult set of circumstances.
Along with 20,000 others who signed the petition to ‘Save the Sick Kids’, I got involved in the campaign. It resulted in the Health Minister, Shona Robinson, ruling out a move to centralise neurology services in Glasgow.
However, the work is not yet finished. The last Executive acknowledged that the building did not match the standard of care it gave, or meet the needs of the patients or staff, and so it approved NHS Lothian’s planned move to Little France. A public consultation showed that 98% support the move.
This campaign hasn’t just been about saving the Sick Kids. This campaign has highlighted to the whole of Edinburgh and beyond that the work that goes on there is absolutely crucial, and deserves not less, but more support than is being given at the moment. The excellence of the centre is all the more reason for the planned move to go ahead.
Screening Matters
This month has seen many constituents get in touch with me in support of Cancer Research UK’s campaign ‘Screening Matters’. It has been a privilege putting my name to this, which seeks to achieve four aims.
The first is to screen at least 3 million more people over the next 5 years for cancers, including breast and bowel cancer. The second is to ensure greater equality over the country as a whole for screening. For too long it has been the case that wealthier areas have had far more screening than less affluent ones due to distribution of resources. Furthermore the campaign aims to reach out to more people who should be, but who are not, getting screened.
Since being elected in May, I have worked with a number of groups, organisations and individuals to fight for faster, more effective cancer diagnosis and treatment, but there’s still a long way to go!
The Scottish Labour Party made large progress on the issue of screening in Scotland while elected, putting a 62 day waiting time limit on all cancer patients and increasing automatic breast screening of women up to the age of 74. Along with a National programme for Bowel Cancer Screening which we planned to implement in 2009 and which we will ensure the present government delivers, as part of our election manifesto for May 2007 we committed ourselves to vaccinate all girls aged 13 to 18 against the HPV virus.
Those who have worked hard to bring this issue to the attention of the people and the government, including Cancer Research UK and all those who have signed their petition, deserve to be applauded, and may I urge you to keep up the pressure.
To sign the petition go to http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancercampaigns/screeningmatters
Snaring
The recent months have seen over 200 constituents get in touch with me regarding the issue of the use of snares to catch and brutally kill animals in Scotland.
We were all disappointed to hear that the SNP government decided not to ban the use of snares. Not only is this against the will of the 75% of Scottish people who support a ban, it defies morality as well, and for this there is no excuse.
I have always supported a ban on snares, and I commend the efforts of organisations such as Advocates for Animals and the League Against Cruel Sports for their continued efforts. I also signed a motion supporting the ban of snares put forward by Labour MSP Irene Oldfather.
While snares are still legal, the facts will not change. The SPCA say that only 23% of animals caught in snares are defined as pests, such as foxes and rabbits. Endangered species, pets and even humans are at risk of snares, and the government’s decision is bad news for us all.
I am extremely disappointed that the SNP decided to put landed interests is front of animal welfare, and ignored the fact that they are torturous and inhumane killers. But all is not lost! Whether it’s writing letters to Ministers, getting involved in organisations such as Advocates for Animals and the League Against Cruel Sports, or putting your name to campaigns and petitions, you can make a difference.
For as long as we keep up the fight, the battle against snares will not die. The League Against Cruel Sports www.league.org.ukAdvocates for Animals www.advocatesforanimals.org
Foulkes Echoes Calls for New Bank Holiday
George recently called on the Westminster government to implement another Bank Holiday for everyone in the UK. Scotland has nine Bank Holidays a year, which is three behind Europe’s average of eleven.
George added, “At this age of stressful existence and life at fast pace, it is essential we maintain a healthy work / life balance”
Nearly half a million people have signed Thomas Cook, the travel company’s, petition calling for a new bank holiday. As it stands, there are 121 days from the last Bank Holiday in August to the next public holiday at Christmas. A petition on the Westminster website also calls for another public holiday, and with half a million also signed up to it, the gap which represents about one third of the entire year is in desperate need to be filled.
According to a Thomas Cook survey, 85% of Scots support a new holiday, although it still has to be decided where it would lie. About a quarter of Scots said they would like to see at on Christmas eve, with around a fifth saying that a Bank Holiday on Remembrance Day would be the most appropriate.
George said, “It’s clear that Scotland is lagging behind in ensuring that its hard- working population get the respite they deserve and the rest of Europe enjoys”.
The SNP’s politically motivated move to see St Andrew’s Day a Bank Holiday fell flat on its face after just 3% of Scottish Government staff took it off. The people of Scotland don’t want to play political games, but it’s clear that they want and deserve a new Bank Holiday.
Holocaust Memorial Day
As you may or may not know, Holocaust Memorial Day falls on the 27th January each year.
In 1933 the Nazis were elected to office. For the next 12 years they were to embark on a state crusade to murder over 15 million people across Europe. The innocent were killed on the grounds of their colour, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and political affiliation. This movement believed that the people they killed had "life not worthy of life".
Set up in 2005, the Holocaust Day Memorial Trust (HMDT) has strived to make people aware of these events. They provide free advice and resources to communities and schools, and support commemorative events and activities throughout the UK.
But they haven't just created an organisation to remember the past. Their organisation exists also to inspire the future. Things happened throughout the Holocaust which were so truly horrific. But lessons were also learnt, and the values which bind us together became stronger. The importance of the HMDT stretches well beyond remembering, as it forces people motivated by none other than their hearts to help build a society of tolerance, respect and understanding, which the Holocaust so painfully lacked.
It is so important that we remember the Holocaust, not just so we remember the names and faces of the millions who died, but so we can build on our future, and make comparisons to some of the terrible injustices which still exist in the world today.
Yesterday, today or tomorrow, how we deal and learn from the Holocaust will help define who we are. Please support Holocaust Memorial Day on the 27th January.
George Foulkes congratulates Lothian Buses for being the Best in BritainLothians MSP George Foulkes has congratulated Lothian Buses on beating all bus companies across the UK and winning the accolade of UK bus operator of the year award. George Foulkes MSP laid down a motion in Parliament commending the company, its staff and the level of service Lothian buses offers travellers across the region and is pleased that this achievement has now been recognised and celebrated by members in the Scottish Parliament.
The Lothians MSP met with the Chairman of Lothian Buses, Pilmar Smith and the Chief Executive Neil Renilson to offer his congratulations in person and share his delight at their achievement.
George Foulkes MSP said:
"This is a very well deserved and significant achievement for the company, its staff and is representative of the consistent high level quality of service Lothian buses offer to the travelling public. For a publicly owned bus company to win this award over and above publicly and privately owned bus companies across the UK is a fantastic achievement and I tabled my motion to ensure that this achievement was recognised and acknowledged fully by parliament.
"A large amount of investment has gone into improving bus services across the Lothians over the past few years and this award reflects just how well this money has been used to benefit the travelling public who rely daily on public transport services. I hope all other bus operators throughout Scotland strive to reach Lothian Buses' high standards."
Pilmar Smith, Chairman of Lothian Buses said:
"It was a great achievement to win such a high accolade within the bus industry, especially when we were being judged against every other bus company in the UK, but to also get recognition from the Scottish Parliament really is the icing on the cake. "
George Foulkes welcomes new compensation bill after male staff's victory
Dozens of male cleaners, home helps and catering staff have won their fight to receive a fair pay deal from the city council after George Foulkes launched a campaign to ensure equal means equal. Councillors have backed down over a standoff that would have meant around 50 workers being denied compensation payments offered to female colleagues.
On becoming aware of this appalling and unacceptable situation, George described the situation as "outrageous" and lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament, demanding the council treat all staff equally.
Motion: That the Parliament believes that on the very few occasions where men are paid less than women doing the equivalent job, men should be paid the same, equal wage, believes that the City of Edinburgh Council should abide by the spirit of the Sexual Discrimination Act and ensure that equal pay means equal regardless of gender, condemns the SNP/Lib Dem led administration for exploiting a legal loophole which discriminates against low waged men just to save money and encourages the City of Edinburgh Council to rethink its decision to exclude men from the equal pay settlements which Edinburgh Council workers rightly deserve.
As a veteran Labour politician, George has always firmly believed in and campaigned for an equal society and that in this case on the very few occasions where men are paid less than women doing the equivalent job, men should be paid the same, they should receive an equal wage. Equal meaning equal.
Page last updated: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 11:42:54 +0100.
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