Glasgow North Labour Party

Ann McKechin MP’s Glasgow North summer Newsletter

I have been helping constituents fight unfair bank charges, working with Patricia Ferguson MSP to secure regeneration funds for Maryhill, as well as leading a successful campaign in the constituency for fair tips for waiting staff in local bars, restaurants and cafes. I’m encouraging local people who have had problems with their mobile operator to come forward as part of a national investigation aimed at improving the regulation of these services.

I’m working hard for Glasgow North all year round, and standing up for local people is my number one priority.

• If you need help, advice or have any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
• If you are using a PC, you may need Adobe Reader to view PDF files.
• Contact details and surgery times for your local MP

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Your Labour MP: Fighting unfair bank charges

Doris Pope from Partick shows Ann the apology she received from the bank

Glasgow North MP, Ann McKechin is keen to speak to pensioners who may be experiencing problems with their bank, after one of her constituents was charged £65 for being accidentally overdrawn by a mere 18 pence. 

Ann immediately took up the case of Partick pensioner, Mrs Doris Pope, when she called at her home during one of the local MP’s regular “Roving Surgeries”.  

Doris said:

“£65 is a lot of money for me. I didn’t know my account had gone over until bills started pouring in.
 
“I was just getting nowhere with the bank. When I complained about these unfair charges they tried to fob me off with a token £15, but I wasn’t having any of it, so I went to speak to Ann.”

Doris, 74, receives the state pension and didn’t realize the account was overdrawn – or even that it could be overdrawn.  When she went to open an account to deposit savings, she was told she should open a current account with an ISA, even though she had never previously held an account which had the potential of going into overdraft. 

The bank had been ratcheting up the charges against Doris by £5 every single day that her account was overdrawn by just pennies. That’s an interest rate in real terms of over 36,000%.

Commenting on Doris’ experience, Ann said:

“I am astonished and frankly horrified that my constituent was charged not only a penalty of £15 but on top of that another charge of £50, leaving her facing a bill of £65.  That’s the equivalent of an interest rate in real terms of over 36,000 per cent.  

“It beggars belief that the bank only offered her £15 back when she complained.  I immediately contacted the bank to demand that they waive this ridiculous charge for such an obvious mistake.”

Following Ann’s demand for a bit of common sense from the bank, the charges have now been dropped and Mrs Pope has received a full apology from their head office. 

But Ann says banks shouldn’t be offering overdraft debts to pensioners:

“I would have thought that a basic saver account would have been a much preferable option and the more socially responsible one given that Mrs Pope has never previously held a current account or one which had the potential of going into overdraft”

Doris added:

“I’m sure lots of people will have experienced unfair bank charges.  I want them to know about my case and get in touch with their local MP.  Ann was a real help.  She made sure I got all my money back and I want other people in my situation to know that they can get real help from the local MP. 
 
“I know one thing;- getting Ann on my side certainly changed their minds.”

Standing up for local people like Mrs Pope is my number one priority.  If you or someone you know has had problems with unfair bank charges, I can help.  Please get in touch with me.

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Get your copy of Pauline McNeill MSP’s summer newsletter

•  If you are using a PC, you may need Adobe Reader to view PDF files.

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Maryhill MSP signs up to Groundbreaking Study into causes of Breast Cancer

Patricia Ferguson MSP has joined the world’s most comprehensive study into the causes of breast cancer – the Breakthrough Generations Study.

Patricia Ferguson MSP with Audrey Birt, Scotland Director for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, with the Study questionnaire

The study will follow 100,000 women for the next 40 years, providing information about lifestyle, environmental, genetic and hormonal factors which will help identify the causes of breast cancer. In future the findings will enable women to reduce their risk of the disease and hopefully to ultimately prevent it.

The Breakthrough Generations Study has been set up in partnership between Breakthrough Breast Cancer and The Institute of Cancer Research.

Participants in the study are asked to fill out a detailed lifestyle questionnaire and give a blood sample every five years for the next 40 years. Such a long study is required in order to understand the complex mixture of factors which may be involved in the development of breast cancer and which may act at different stages of life.

Patricia Ferguson MSP said:

“I am very pleased to take part in the Breakthrough Generations Study as it is vital we establish what actually causes breast cancer. With 4,000 women in Scotland diagnosed with the disease each year and 1,000 women dying we need to find out why and I am keen to play my part.”

Audrey Birt, Scotland Director for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said:

“The Breakthrough Generations Study is an amazing example of women from all walks of life working together with scientists to try to find answers to breast cancer and we are very pleased to have the support of Patricia Ferguson MSP. We hope that the information collected by the 100,000 participants will lead to significant leaps forward in our knowledge of this disease.”

The Breakthrough Generations Study has been set up in partnership between Breakthrough Breast Cancer and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). The ongoing analysis costs of the study are being met in part by Marks & Spencer, through its support of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

The target for recruitment was set at 100,000 women. This target has now been met and the MSPs form part of this figure. As such the Study is not looking to recruit any more participants.

• To find out more about the Breakthrough Generations Study, visit www.breakthroughgenerations.org.uk.

Posted in Patricia Ferguson MSP, Uncategorized, health | No Comments »

Glasgow Kelvin summer blog update from Pauline McNeill MSP

Dear constituent

A busy time since my last blog started with an extremely busy surgery at Partick Burgh Hall and I also attended the Townhead Health Day in the Constituency.

In Edinburgh, I spoke at the World Week for Peace in Palestine/Israel at St. John’s Church, where I was able to speak about my recent visits to Gaza. I have lodged a motion in Parliament noting President Obama’s recent remarks on the situation in Gaza.

I attended the launch of the Calman Commission Report on Scottish Devolution. I welcome the increased Financial Accountability that the Commission recommends through the introduction of a Scottish Income Tax rate, as well as supporting the introduction of borrowing powers. I had the opportunity to ask the First Minister if he welcomed the Commission’s report. The First Minister has to recognise his responsibility to all of Scotland, not just to those who support the SNP’s Independence agenda.

At Education Question Time, I asked the Cabinet Secretary whether the Scottish Government was concerned at the recent HESA statistics that show that Scotland has the highest student drop-out rate in the UK. Our proposal for using existing resources to fund a minimum income of £7000 for the poorest students in Scotland would help reduce these rates and is something I will continue to push the Scottish Government for. I am not satisfied with the Government response as they do not appear to have a strategy for tackling drop-out rates.

I also spoke in the Conservative Debate in the Scottish Parliament on whether there should be a UK General Election.

I am afraid that the Conservatives and SNP are attempting to make political gain out of the issue of MPs’ allowances, an issue that all political parties need to take responsibility for.

It is correct that the expenses system at Westminster is reformed ahead of the General Election, which of course will be held within a year in any case. That time will also be used to steer the country through this difficult period for the economy. Rather than displaying such self-interest, the time for the debate should have been used to discuss how we can stimulate the Scottish economy and how we can address the situation of those who face repossession, an area in which the Scottish Government has been slow to take the right steps, as well as how we can kick-start the construction industry, which is suffering from the Scottish Government’s broken promises on school buildings and the Scottish Futures Trust.

I am deeply concerned at the news that the Scottish Government’s manifesto pledge to provide children with free access to council swimming pools has been abandoned. The Sports Minister Shona Robison has confirmed that it is instead a matter for individual local authorities. This is a matter of serious concern, especially ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and I am delighted that Glasgow City Council provides year-round free access to council swimming pools for under 16s.

The Music of Black Origin music awards ceremony will take place in Glasgow on 30th September this year. As well as adding to Glasgow’s renowned status as a UNESCO City of Music, the awards will also deliver a substantial boost to the Glasgow economy and I have lodged a motion in Parliament welcoming the awards coming to Glasgow.

I also attended the Andalus Charity Fundraising Dinner, as well as attending Festival Sunday at the West End Festival.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pauline McNeill MSP
for Glasgow Kelvin

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SNP Schools Plan Fails Maryhill

Patricia Ferguson MSP has expressed disappointment at the SNP Government’s failure to offer any hope of new schools for Maryhill.

The Labour MSP questioned the Education Minister in Parliament on her plans but the response she received fails to offer any hope to pupils and parents from schools facing closure at the end of the current term.

Ms Ferguson said:

“The SNP promised to match Labour’s school building programme brick for brick.  We have waited over two years for them to announce how they will do that and their proposals offer nothing to the people of Maryhill.

“The latest phase of Glasgow City Council’s pre-12 strategy is the fifth of an ongoing programme to create the most effective education environment for pupils and teachers.  It is however the first under an SNP Government and the first to offer not a single new school.

“As a result almost 500 pupils will see their schools close at the end of the current term and they will be moved to schools which, in some cases, are in not much better condition.  The SNP Government has failed to match Labour’s school building programme in Glasgow and has failed my constituents in Maryhill.”

• More info on Patricia Ferguson MSP’s website

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Pauline McNeill MSP’s Kelvin spring blog update from the Scottish Parliament

• Click here for your digital copy of Pauline’s Spring Newsletter
• Click here for your digital copy of Pauline’s Annual Report

During the Easter Recess, the Scotland to Gaza convoy that I organised along with Edinburgh Direct Aid made its journey to Gaza. After extensive negotiations with the Egyptian authorities, the Rafah border was opened for the convoy. The first group of us entered Gaza with a small consignment of aid bought in Egypt with money raised by Edinburgh Direct Aid, as well as funds collected by Glasgow Central Mosque and money provided by the Scottish Government. A few days later, the main consignment of aid from Scotland, including medical aid and equipment donated by the Scottish Public and collected by Members of the Scottish Parliament through their local pharmacies was able to enter Gaza. The people of Gaza know that Scotland has played its part in responding to the Humanitarian crisis.

Further information and photos from the convoy’s journey.

I had the opportunity at Health & Wellbeing Question Time to ask the Cabinet Secretary the reasons for the widening gap between the closure of the Queen Mother’s hospital in the constituency and the transfer of integrated services to the new gold-standard children’s hospital at the Southern General, which is now four years, rather than the expected one year. As many of you will remember, I fought extremely hard to preserve the world-renowned integrated child and maternity services that are currently at Yorkhill hospital and the Queen Mother’s hospital and I am concerned that it will be four years without an integrated service. The Evening Times also covered this issue on the same day.

I am delighted that the Whiteinch Centre in the constituency successfully applied to the Big Lottery Fund’s Growing Community Asset programme and I lodged a motion in Parliament congratulating the centre, as well as lodging a further motion congratulating Glasgow-born Carol Ann Duffy as the first woman to hold the post of poet laureate in 341 years.

I am delighted that the Scotstoun Leisure Centre is a Pre-Games Training Camp for the 2010 Olympic Games and I had an opportunity to visit the facilities with Tessa Jowell MP, Minister for the Olympics, as well as Ann McKechin MP and John Robertson MP.

Finally, in my role as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, I participated in a cross-party panel on supporting and promoting the arts and cultural activity at the Holyrood Conference ‘Future Arts & Cultural Policy’.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pauline McNeill MSPfor Glasgow Kelvin

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Gordon Brown: You have to grow not cut your way out of a recession

Britain cannot cut its way out of this downturn – we have to invest our way out.

Over the last few months, Labour has taken action to protect savings, make more lending available to people in businesses, save and protect jobs and invest for the future. 
 
 

This sits in stark contrast to the last recession when people were left to fend for themselves.

So the choice is clear, the Labour plan to grow Britain out of recession or the alternative – public service cuts for everyone.  

Together we can fight back against this international recession. Together we can build a stronger, fairer Britain.

Posted in Gordon Brown MP, apprenticeships, benefits, budget, business, campaigning, economy, education, employment, environment, housing, jobs, mortgages, regeneration, tax, tax credits, video | No Comments »

Labour wants Real Action on dangerous Climate Change

Labour believes that along with the important fight against global recession, global warming is the biggest generational challenge Scotland faces today.

Labour joined climate change campaigners at the Scottish Parliament to support calls for meaningful year on year reductions in emissions to protect our children and grandchildren’s futures.

The SNP want to put off radical action on reducing carbon emissions till 2019 but this is way off the mark – we need to see results much sooner than that.

We believe it’s time for real action on Climate Change, not just warm words. That’s why, in the Scottish Parliament, Labour is pushing for the most radical reductions in carbon emissions that our society can achieve.

Posted in Iain Gray MSP, campaigning, environment, video | No Comments »

Patricia Ferguson welcomes first step in the campaign for Maryhill regeneration cash

Patricia Ferguson MSP has welcomed an announcement by the Scottish Government that Maryhill can bid for money from the new Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Patricia and the Labour Party in the Scottish Parliament called for the establishment of this new fund, which will provide £60m to regenerate town centres in Scotland. Since then she has launched a campaign and petition with the local MP, Ann McKechin, to ensure town centres in the Maryhill constituency get a fair share of the cash.

The Scottish Government has now confirmed that the fund is open to any area designated in a local authority development plan as a town centre which both Maryhill and Possilpark are.

Commenting on the Government announcement Patricia said:

“Maryhill and Possilpark are thriving communities that have benefited from investment in housing, schools and facilities over the last 10 years, but their town centres which serve around 30,000 local residents have not shared in this regeneration.

“That’s why I supported a town centre regeneration fund and it’s why I’ve been campaigning to make sure Maryhill and Possilpark don’t get overlooked when the cash is being allocated.

“I welcome the Government’s announcement but it is only the first step. My campaign will continue to make sure that the strongest possible case is made for funds to regenerate these town centres, with the support of local residents and partners within these communities.

“I will be meeting again with the Leader of Glasgow City Council and with the Minister for Housing and Communities later this month to discuss this.”

• If you support Patricia and Ann’s campaign to secure a new cash boost for Maryhill, please click here to sign online
• Contact details for Patricia Ferguson MSP

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