S3M-05951 Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (Scottish National Party): State of the Union— That the Parliament notes the calls in Westminster for MPs to have an annual Scotland Day debate and considers that there should be a reciprocal arrangement whereby MSPs debate the state of the Union every year, noting that, if such a debate were held now, the Parliament would be debating the deployment of Scottish forces in theatres of war overseas without the full range of proper equipment, the collapse of the UK economy and lack of fiscal stimulus, the potential downgrading of the UK’s debt rating and the scandal of MPs being prosecuted for misuse of their allowances.

Linda Fabiani MSP has welcomed confirmation that every single patient in the NHS Lanarkshire area is now being seen within the maximum waiting time target set by the Scottish Government.

The latest waiting figures, for December 2009, show that 100% of Lanarkshire patients referred by their GP or dentist for either an inpatient or outpatient appointment receive that appointment within a maximum 12 week period. Almost 20,000 local patients were seen during the period.

Central Scotland MSP Ms Fabiani said:

“This is a good result for Lanarkshire patients. NHS Lanarkshire staff also worked hard to keep waiting times in A&E under four hours for over 98 per cent of patients during December, despite the extra pressures caused by the unprecedented cold snap.

“I congratulate all those in NHS Lanarkshire who have contributed to bringing waiting times down to these levels and ensuring that patients get the treatment they need as quickly as possible.

“The NHS in Lanarkshire is clearly on track to meet the Scottish Government’s target of an 18 week ‘whole journey’ referral-to-treatment wait by the end of 2011.

“That’s a tough task, but given their performance in recent months, I’m confident that NHS Lanarkshire is up to the task of delivering the shortest ever waiting times for local patients.”

Linda spoke in the debate on 3 March.

“Although I am delighted that we are moving towards Scotland becoming a fair trade nation—I offer congratulations to everyone who has been involved in that—we have to ensure that that designation is meaningful…Being a fair trade nation is about more than just the products that are bought in shops and having Fairtrade towns, councils and schools; it is about carrying on lobbying Westminster and Europe—and the Scottish Government, to an extent—to ensure that work that can be done through procurement and other big things continues to be embraced…

“I think that the things that happen in communities across the country are wonderful. In my area, East Kilbride and Hamilton are Fairtrade towns. I visited a school in Wishaw with Jack McConnell; it brought us joy to see how children have embraced the fair trade idea…

“I congratulate Strathaven academy, which is in Scotland’s first Fairtrade town—I acknowledge that it shares that honour with Aberfeldy—on the Madinafest that it held last week. At that event the youngsters pointed out, rightly, that fair trade is not about giving people handouts but involves a mutually beneficial exchange in the marketplace and represents a way of giving people a helping hand. They tied the fair trade movement in with Strathaven’s weaving history and the story of the radical uprising of 1820, which led to James “Perlie” Wilson’s being executed for calling for workers rights. That thread of history is important in relation to some of the things that Bill Butler said about fair working. The concept of fair trade and working together has been around for a long time. The pupils of Strathaven academy recognise that. One of the big benefits of the fair trade movement is that people throughout the country recognise that it is both historical and for the future—and about giving a fair deal to workers in communities the world over.”

Read the full debate here.

Linda spoke in the debate on 3 March.

“Mistakes were made in the past in the planning of communities. The peripheral estates that started to appear in the middle of the previous century tore the heart out of communities. Lots of houses were created, but there was no infrastructure that would enable people to feel that they were part of something. It is certain that the architectural and planning communities have learned from those mistakes and are now talking about place making. That is not just another term that is loosely thrown about. We missed the importance of place over the decades and we must get our heads round what it means. Communities that feel that they are part of something have a sense of security, of belonging, of history and of continuity…

“I am delighted that the Government and the minister recognise the value of the housing co-operative as a social and economic model around which communities can be built. As the minister said, we have had so many initiatives: the GEAR, the cities growth fund and then the town centre regeneration fund. Some successful work was done under the latter fund. The North Lanarkshire town centres received more than £2 million for a worthwhile cause and East Kilbride & District Shopmobility received £100,000 for soft play and the sustainability of the organisation.

“The sustainability of communities is at the heart of this debate. It is not just about pumping in money through some new initiative then cutting the initiative off because it has been successful and looking for something else. It is about sustainability and continued growth.

“In my last minute, I will consider the new towns as an example of what has been carried out. I am fortunate to represent two new towns: Cumbernauld and East Kilbride. East Kilbride is held up as Scotland’s most successful new town—it is certainly the oldest one, having been established in 1947. It works in the place making sense that I talked about. Part of the reason why it works is that the new town was built round an existing community, albeit a small village community—East Kilbride village—with a recognition of the rural community that was round about the area. Its wonderful history—I commend Mr Bill Niven, our East Kilbride local historian, who documents it all well—gave the town the important sense of place, the security of belonging and the sense of continuity that define a sustainable place that people feel proud of and want to make and keep successful.

“My plea for today is that we recognise that people need places where they feel comfortable and happy. They need not only a roof and a job but somewhere where they feel at home.”

Read the full debate here.

Linda Fabiani MSP has tabled a Scottish Parliament motion congratulating the pupils and staff of Strathaven Academy on the success of their MadinaFest Fairtrade celebration, which took place on 25 February.

Strathaven Academy achieved Fairtrade status in September 2009 and the pupils and staff have made a commitment to promote the principles and values behind the Fairtrade movement.

The MadinaFest took the form of a fashion show highlighting the need for fairness and sustainability in the textiles trade, particularly in West Africa and India, interspersed with short dramatic performances linking historical struggles for fair trade with those of the present day.

Strathaven-based MSP Linda made a speech at the event and said afterwards:

“Everyone at Strathaven Academy should be very proud of this wonderful celebration of Fairtrade. This was a fashion show with a difference. Everyone who saw it will understand what Fairtrade means, the real difference it makes and our own role as consumers in demanding Fairtrade goods.

“I was really delighted to see the performances featuring one of Strathaven’s own heroes, James Purlie Wilson, who campaigned in 1820 for the rights of local weavers to be treated and paid fairly for their work. As those performances made very clear, Fairtrade is not a new idea but one that has been with us for centuries.

“The workers’ rights that Wilson fought and died for in 1820 are the same ones that the modern Fairtrade movement seeks for textile and other producers in the developing world today. Fairtrade is not about charity but about an exchange of goods that is mutually beneficial to the producers as well as the buyers.

“Strathaven was one of Scotland’s first ever Fairtrade towns and it is clear to me that the pupils of Strathaven Academy will continue to build on that success for many years to come.”

The full text of Linda Fabiani’s motion is:
S3M-05849 Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (Scottish National Party): Strathaven, Celebrating a Marketplace That is Fair and Sustainable— That the Parliament congratulates the pupils and staff of Strathaven Academy for their Madinafest celebration, held on 25 February 2010, Madina being recognition of fair trade as a mutually beneficial exchange in the marketplace, and notes that Strathaven Academy gained Fairtrade status in September 2009, marking the continued success of Strathaven Fair Trade Town.

Information about James Purlie Wilson and the Radical Rising of 1820 can be found at http://www.sorbie.net/strathaven.htm.

S3M-05849 Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (Scottish National Party): Strathaven, Celebrating a Marketplace That is Fair and Sustainable— That the Parliament congratulates the pupils and staff of Strathaven Academy for their Madinafest celebration, held on 25 February 2010, Madina being recognition of fair trade as a mutually beneficial exchange in the marketplace, and notes that Strathaven Academy gained Fairtrade status in September 2009, marking the continued success of Strathaven Fair Trade Town

S3M-05851 Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (Scottish National Party): Lanarkshire, Excellent for Business— That the Parliament commends South and North Lanarkshire councils for their continued commitment to business excellence as evidenced at the Lanarkshire Business Excellence Awards 2010, which were held on 26 February 2010; thanks both councils, media partners Johnston Press plc and Scottish and Universal Newspapers, main sponsor Amey and award sponsors QTS Group, Lanarkshire Colleges Consortium, UK Steel Enterprise Ltd, Lanarkshire Area Tourism Partnership, Lanarkshire Enterprise Services, Morrisons, Saltire Ltd and Westcrowns Contracting Services Ltd for their support, and congratulates all nominees, particularly the category winners: Lanarkshire’s Best Green Business, CMS Enviro Systems, Lanarkshire Employer of the Year, Clyde Valley Housing Association, Lanarkshire’s Best New Business, Edge Testing Solutions Ltd, Best Performance in Manufacturing and Innovation, Intaglio Glass and Design Ltd, Lanarkshire Tourism Excellence Award, Holiday Inn Express, Hamilton, Lanarkshire’s Best Small Business (25 employees or less), Alba Facilities Services Ltd, Best Performing Social Enterprise, Liber8 (Lanarkshire) Ltd, Lanarkshire Food and Drink Award, Lazy Day Foods Ltd, Business Growth through Marketing and Sales, M&D Leisure Ltd and Lanarkshire’s Best Business (26 employees or more), Healthcare Environmental Services Ltd, which have all demonstrated excellence in their field.

£740m package will secure free travel for older and disabled people

Linda Fabiani MSP has warmly welcomed today’s (Tuesday 23 February) announcement by the Scottish Government of an increased funding package for bus transport, which will secure free travel throughout Scotland for older and disabled people, introduce free travel for disabled armed forces veterans from 2011, support the bus network and keep fares affordable for all passengers.

The £740m package of support for the bus industry announced by Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson today also includes incentives for bus operators to switch to vehicles with low carbon emissions.

Welcoming the announcement, Strathaven-based MSP Ms Fabiani said:

“I know from the letters I get in my constituency office how important affordable and accessible bus travel is for many people in the East Kilbride area, so I’m very pleased that the Scottish Government has identified it as a funding priority.

“The increased support for bus operators announced today will help to maintain existing bus routes, encourage new ones and keep fare increases to a minimum – something that is more important than ever in these tough times.

“I’m also delighted at the Minister’s confirmation that the over-60s and disabled people will continue to enjoy unlimited free bus travel across Scotland.

“Good bus networks are a fundamental requirement for thriving communities – and buses also make an important contribution towards helping Scotland meet our world-leading climate change targets.

“Today’s announcement shows that the SNP Government understands the importance of buses to our communities and is taking action to support affordable bus travel that meets the needs of passengers.”

Scottish Government’s Third Sector Resilience Fund helps six South Lanarkshire organisations

Linda Fabiani MSP has warmly welcomed news of a cash injection for East Kilbride & District Dementia Carers Group which will help it to continue to provide much needed services, despite the difficulties caused by the recession.

The Group is one of six South Lanarkshire voluntary sector organisations to receive a grant from the Scottish Government’s Third Sector Resilience Fund which has been increased to £2.2 million to help organisations providing vital frontline services survive these difficult economic times.

Central Scotland MSP Ms Fabiani, a strong supporter of the Dementia Carers Group which serves her home constituency of East Kilbride, said:

“The Third Sector Resilience Fund is a very welcome initiative by the SNP Government and I’m delighted that one of its beneficiaries will be the fantastic East Kilbride & District Dementia Carers Group.

“The Group’s staff and volunteers work incredibly hard to provide a range of services that are of enormous benefit to many people with dementia and their carers in the East Kilbride area. The Group’s ethos of empowerment and care and the principles behind its services represent the best of Scotland’s third sector – as do all of the South Lanarkshire organisations who’ve received grants from the fund.

“The Group was facing financial difficulties as a result of the recession, with increased costs and lower incomes, but this grant will help them to get through these tough times and continue to provide the services that their users and carers value so much.”

Following a visit to East Kilbride pharmaceutical product company Controlled Therapeutics Ltd, Linda Fabiani MSP has congratulated the firm on its work to develop drug delivery technologies to help prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Controlled Therapeutics has entered into a development programme in partnership with an American not-for-profit product development organisation to assess whether its new polymer drug delivery system can be used by women to help protect themselves against HIV infection.

Central Scotland MSP Ms Fabiani has previously cited the success of Controlled Therapeutics during Scottish Parliament debates about the role of scientific innovation in the Scottish economy. Speaking after her visit to the company’s East Kilbride premises, Ms Fabiani said,

“Controlled Therapeutics is a real success story for East Kilbride and Scotland. It was fascinating to hear about how a product developed right here in East Kilbride’s science park is now the world’s leading obstetric brand, used every minute of every day to assist a woman in giving birth, in over 50 countries.

“I’m very heartened that such a successful company is now putting its expertise to work to help tackle one of the biggest problems facing the developing world, the spread of HIV infection.

“Controlled Therapeutics’ partnership with the highly respected reproductive health and HIV prevention agency CONRAD has the potential to transform the health and welfare of women across the world by giving them the ability to take action to protect themselves against HIV.

“This pioneering collaboration is something for East Kilbride to be proud of. I wish Dr Cameron Macdonald and his team at Controlled Therapeutics every success and am really looking forward to hearing about the progress of this project.”