Speaking at a meeting in the Scottish Parliament, Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie gave her support to the Post Bank Coalition, which is campaigning for the creation of a new ‘Post Bank’ system.
The PostBank could provide personal and business bank accounts serviced by the Post Office network.
”This is a unique opportunity to answer concerns around secure finance for people and the future of the post office network,” said Cathy.
“The Post office already provides many vital services. The creation of a Post Bank would enhance the Post Office network and benefit our local communities. People who have been unable to access commercial banks will be able to get a bank account and stay in control of their finances; the trusted and valued Post Office network will be revitalised with a new role for 21st century Scotland, and a Post Bank will also create jobs in urban and rural communities across Scotland.”
Cathy and her colleague Hugh Henry MSP have tabled motions in support of the PostBank. After speaking at the meeting to launch the campaign in Scotland, they issued a joint statement:
”Based upon the Post Office network, local Post Banks could provide financial services such as a bank account to the three million people who are still not using banks, including the most disadvantaged people, pensioners, and people who live in very remote rural areas. There are also many small businesses that are looking for alternative sources of finance – two out of five would consider banking with a post bank. We believe that Post Banks will renew and support the Post Office, help people who are currently excluded by high street banks, and provide a significant boost for the local economies they serve.”
The Scottish Regional Secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) John Brown added: “I was very pleased to see so many MSPs supporting this launch event along with other supporters for what is an exciting and innovative move towards the creation of a Post Bank. We now look forward to further support for the campaign to ensure that the Post Bank is set up in the near future and will be universally available to all, serviced through the trusted Post Office network. This is definitely an ‘idea whose time has come.”
Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said: “The STUC welcomes the growing support for a Post Bank. This initiative demonstrates that we can work together to find solutions that not only meet the needs of people in this harsh economic climate, but also contribute to reshaping the way in which our economy should be run and regulated.”
With Falkirk campaigners Norman Philp, Corrie Cuthbertson, David Allinson
Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie said that she was “extremely pleased that MSPs had voted for a strong Scottish Climate Change Bill” and that playing her part in the passage of the Bill had given her great satisfaction.
“As Deputy Convener of the Climate Change committee, I have been involved at every stage, working with the committee and other MSPs, and with the members of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, considering and submitting amendments to make this a world-class piece of legislation.”
Representatives of the Grangemouth Transport Forum have met Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson to discuss Grangemouth transport needs – and what Grangemouth has to offer to Scotland’s economy and Scotland’s climate change strategy.
Do you think that the UK should continue to protect live and deferred coverage by free to air television of major events such as the Scottish FA Cup Final?
Were you annoyed that Scotland’s qualifying games were not protected?
If you want your views heard on these issues, Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie wants you to submit them to the current consultation on free to air events.
As part of the consultation, Cathy, who chairs the Cross Party Group on Culture & Media, organised a series of meetings in the Scottish Parliament with Advisory panel members David Davies (chairman), Dougie Donnelly and Professor Chris Gratton, who are looking at the issue.
Cathy said: “The panel met MSPs, broadcasters, sporting organisations, and members of the Cross Party Groups on Culture and Media and Sport. The message from MSPs and CPG members was clear – protect what we have and add Scotland’s qualifying games to the list. That message will be strengthened if more people submit their views.
“So far the UK has only listed sporting events. But other events can be listed too – examples include opera and music festivals in Austria, Belgium and Italy. So if you think that events other than sporting events should be listed, let them know.
“The consultation exercise runs until 20 July 2009. The Panel will then make recommendations to the Secretary of State, who will make the final decision. Note that listing an event doesn’t guarantee that it will be broadcast on free-to-air television, but the rights cannot be sold exclusively elsewhere. Also, remember that events don’t have to be listed UK wide – the Scottish FA Cup Final is listed in Scotland alone.”
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie has called on the Scottish Government to do more to support carers.
Cathy, who is the Convener of the Cross Party Group on Carers, spoke about the difficulties faced by carers dealing with bureaucracy and the costs that they face for respite charges, heating and travel to access health and other services.
Penalising Working Carers
Reminding the Minister that the Executive policy was that “carers should not be adversely affected as a result of their caring role”, Cathy highlighted local authorities which “are now considering assessing, or are beginning to assess, the income of parent carers when considering the services that it will provide to a disabled young person aged 18 or under.”
Transport
“Transport is a problem for many. It is costly, if it is available. People who cannot travel on their own are entitled to be accompanied by a companion, but only on buses, whereas the blind persons scheme permits a companion to travel also on rail and ferry journeys. Anyone who needs to be accompanied by a companion should be allowed that. Of course, not everyone has access to public transport. Services are sometimes not suitable and in some areas do not exist. Private transport is expensive and unpaid carers rarely have big incomes because many must give up work to provide care. Demand-responsive community transport can provide much-needed services and should be included in the national concessionary travel scheme.
Respite Care
“Respite care is in short supply. The Government is committed to providing an additional 10,000 weeks of respite care, but thanks to the concordat, the commitment is reliant on the good will of councils. To their credit, some councils are providing respite care, but others are not—or have different ideas about how the weeks should be counted.
Poverty
“It would cost a lot to pay carers from the public purse for the services that they provide. Through their unpaid work, they make a major contribution to the economy, which we should recognise by ensuring that the support and services they can access are as good as possible, right across the sectors. We need to recognise carers’ needs in our health service by providing decent breaks and respite care. We must also provide adequate benefits, in recognition of the additional expenses that carers face as a result of their work.
“Carers are everywhere and all of us may become carers at some time in our lives, so we must ensure that carers are seen and supported and that their voices are heard. As politicians, we are responsible for ensuring that carers are supported in every way possible, and for ending the dreadful situation that leaves them living in poverty.”
Commenting on the announcement of government support through Regional Selective Assistance (RSA), for modifications to the KG Ethylene Cracker at INEOS Chemical site, Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie said:
“Grangemouth is hugely important to the Scottish Economy, and I have been calling for this to be properly recognised within the Government’s strategy. It is crucial that improvements such as the cracker upgrade are given support, particularly in the midst of global economic problems.
“I would welcome a discussion with Ineos about their plans for Grangemouth. We need assurances about jobs and consultation with the workforce, and I hope the First Minister will take this on board in his discussions with the company.
“I will of course also be looking for assurances from the First Minister that the Scottish Government will build on this investment through a continuing commitment to the sustainable development of the industry and infrastructure of the Grangemouth area.”
Welcoming Alex Salmond’s first official visit to Grangemouth, which followed cent visits to Grangemouth by Jim Murphy, the Secretary of State for Scotland and by the China UK Business Council. Local MP Michael Connarty said:
“The need for substantial investment in the chemical processes at INEOS were part of the discussions with Jim Murphy, and have been part of my ongoing dialogue with the company as the gases coming to Grangemouth from the North Sea have changed. I welcome the decision of INEOS to commit to investment in the Ethylene Cracker upgrade and the support being offered by Scottish development through Regional Selective Assistance. This shows how important our campaign to retain RSA for the Grangemouth area was when RSA areas were reviewed by the UK government in 2006. I look forward to further commitments to investment on the INEOS site in the future”
In these times of economic austerity, we must all make sacrifices.
And if we find that we are wasting lots of money on something that is of little or no value, and indeed could not be used without detriment to everyone, then stopping that expenditure must surely be considered.
So let’s improve our balance sheet by a few billion, and call time for Trident.
Protest against nuclear weapons in Scotland …
Sing Out for Peace – Crunch Time for Trident in Glasgow on Saturday 20 June.
Assemble in George Square at 11 am to set off at 11.30 am for Kelvingrove Park where there will be a rally with a difference at 12.30 pm.
Protest in Harmony and other choirs will lead the singing of peace songs from the new Scottish CND Songbook. There will also be street theatre, face painting and the chance to meet and make friends over a picnic.
Great to see Scottish MSPs back up the people, the unions and the churches in Scotland. These MSPs helped to pass the motion in 2007 telling Westminster to think again.
Please help to publicise Sing Out for Peace by circulating the attached leaflet and/or ordering leaflets and posters (A3 and A4) from the Scottish CND office, phone 0141 423 1222 or email scnd@banthebomb.org The song was written by Ian Davison for the event, and you can download the mp3 from the website.
On FACEBOOK type Scotland for Peace in the Facebook Search to join the group and see Sing Out for Peace as an event on the group page.
The photograph shows Cathy with Epilepsy Scotland’s Allana Parker, promoting Epilepsy week in the Scottish Parliament. Cathy had her own personal tale to tell about epilepsy, having been diagnosed last year.
“My involvement with epilepsy groups became very personal a year or so ago, when I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I have seen first hand the quality of care that is available, but I am also aware that, for example, an increase in the number of dedicated epilepsy nurses would help people manage their condition and get on with their lives.
“Epilepsy takes many different forms, and is more common than many people imagine. There is a stigma attached to it. When I tell folk, some ignore it and talk about the weather while others make a fuss. It should just be accepted as a common disorder that needs to be treated – it affects nearly one per cent of the population.
“Since I began my treatment, I haven’t had any recurrence – fingers crossed. I am very grateful to the NHS staff who have helped me. It has given me an added incentive to make sure that people get the quality of treatment they deserve and need, not just for epilepsy, but also for diabetes, asthma and other conditions where better support – for example from specialist nursing and self-management training – could bring dividends not only for the health of sufferers, but also in turn deliver wider benefits to the NHS.”
Scottish MEPs David Martin & Catherine Stihler were in Grangemouth to talk to local people about the European Elections on June 4th. David and Catherine were joined by local MSP Cathy Peattie and local MP Michael Connarty.
David said “I enjoyed talking to people in Grangemouth about issues that affect them. Thousands of jobs in this area rely on exporting goods made in Grangemouth to the countries in the European market”
Catherine said “Everybody in La Porte precinct wanted to know what the European Parliament were going to do about jobs – and that has to be our number one focus”
Michael Connarty MP, the Chair of the European Scrutiny Committee said “I know from first hand experience how important it is that Europe puts jobs and workers rights first”
Cathy Peattie MSP said “it is vital people vote in these elections to stop extremists getting elected”.
Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie has tackled the Transport Minister on the issue of support for Community Transport schemes such as Forth Valley’s Dial-a-Journey.
Opening the Scottish Parliament Questions, Cathy asked whether the Scottish Government would “extend the national concessionary travel scheme to include demand-responsive community transport schemes such as Dial-a-Journey in Forth Valley, which is used by older and disabled people who are eligible for the scheme but cannot use scheduled services”
In his reply, the Minister said that “the scheme has been the subject of a review since last July. The review is now complete and the resulting report and recommendations will be published this month.”
Cathy then asked “why are private bus operators trusted to operate concessionary transport schemes when community transport organisations are not? A number of disabled and older people throughout the country cannot access travel schemes. Will the minister please look again at the discrimination that those people face daily?”
The Minister, Stewart Stevenson. accepted that this was “a perfectly fair point about the need to provide access to affordable public transport for people with a range of disabilities that prevent their having ready access to standard service buses. We provide substantial support for a wide range of demand-responsive transport, which comes in many shapes and sizes. Some forms fall within the present scheme, whereas others are outside it. We have commissioned additional work on the demands of the transport sector to which Cathy Peattie refers. That work will be available to us later.”
Speaking later, Cathy said: “I have raised this issue several times, through questions, motions and in committee. It is important to maintain pressure on the Scottish Government. Let’s hope that the report takes a positive and constructive approach to support for such services. They really should be included in the national concessionary travel scheme.”
Speaking at a meeting in the Scottish Parliament, Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie gave her support to the Post Bank Coalition, which is campaigning for the creation of a new ‘Post Bank’ system.
Scottish MEPs David Martin & Catherine Stihler were in Grangemouth to talk to local people about the European Elections on June 4th. David and Catherine were joined by local MSP Cathy Peattie and local MP Michael Connarty.
