Pauline McNeill’s April update for West and Central Glasgow
April 10th, 2009 | by Site Admin |It has been a busy time in the run-up to the Easter Recess.
I attended BVT’s School’s Education Road Show at Whiteinch Primary, with my colleague John Park MSP. The Road Show brings engineering to life for school children and with BVT offering the largest private sector apprenticeship scheme in Scotland, it was a good opportunity for John to discuss his proposed Members Bill on Apprenticeships, which aims to establish a right to undertake an apprenticeship for all those aged between 16 and 18, with some of the apprentices of the future.
In my role as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, I attended the launch of the Edinburgh International Festival and I responded to the Ministerial Statement on Creative Scotland. There remain serious concerns in the arts community about the new body and in real terms the arts face a standstill budget. As well as this, I am concerned about the potential loss of the Scottish Screen brand and the new model for grants and loans, with many artists worried that they may have to seek a loan rather than a grant.
I also lodged motions in Parliament, the most recent motion welcoming the announcement that Drama courses at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama (RSAMD) will be funded at conservatoire level. This follows my campaign calling on the Scottish Government to ensure that drama courses at the Academy are funded at the appropriate level.
I have also lodged a motion concerning the developments at the Daily Record and Sunday Mail, where staff have voted overwhelming for strike action, calling on management to reinstate the discretionary element of pensions in order that as many redundancies as possible are made on a voluntary basis,
My Shadow Cabinet portfolio also includes External Affairs and I met with the High Commissioner of India, HE Mr Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, who was in Glasgow Kelvin for the launch of the Visa Application Centre at the Mel-Milaap Centre in Berkeley Street.
As well as having my regular surgery in Townhead, I also visited the Home Heat Helpline which is based in the constituency and I would urge any constituents concerned about the cost of fuel bills to call the Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) for free advice and financial support.
St Mungo’s Primary School of Parsons Street in Glasgow visited the Parliament and I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in a question and answer session with the pupils who were so obviously interested in the Parliament and the work of an MSP.
First Minister’s Questions this week was dedicated to those who lost their lives in the helicopter crash in the North Sea on Wednesday and I send my condolences to the families, friends and workmates of those lost in this tragedy.
Thanks for stopping by.
Pauline McNeill MSP
for Glasgow Kelvin
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