Linda Fabiani MSP has welcomed the news that South Lanarkshire Council is to receive funding from the Scottish Government to help ensure that people going out during the festive season can enjoy themselves in a safe environment.

The “Safer Streets” funding of £660,000 is to be divided between all 32 local authorities with £26,000 going to South Lanarkshire to fund community safety initiatives to tackle criminal and anti-social behaviour.

Speaking after the announcement was made by the Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing, Ms Fabiani said:

“Christmas is a fun time of year but it is also a time of excess when some of us will go a bit over board with our indulgences so it is only right that we do what we can to protect people, when they go shopping or go out to socialise, to ensure that they can do so free from the threat of aggressive or antisocial behaviour.

“Throughout Lanarkshire this funding will be used to support a range of initiatives that includes high profile policing in town centres, taxi marshalling, road policing, radio/CCTV public space links, media campaign and publicity material, targeting off sales premises, public survey and public reassurance, portaloos and a youth event.

“We are working to make our streets safer and more enjoyable places to be and emphasising that our public areas belong to all of us and should not be abused by a minority.

“This initiative is a good demonstration of the partnership between the Scottish Government and Local Government that has been established since the SNP came to power. Together we are working to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour through initiatives such as this.”

Strathaven based MSP Linda Fabiani has welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government that it is increasing funding for government backed mortgage to rent schemes by an extra £5 million bringing a total investment in the scheme this year to £15 million.

The move could benefit thousands of home owners facing repossession as Sale and Rent Back schemes allow those facing repossession to sell their house but continue to live in it by paying rent.

A six month investigation by the Office of Fair Trading ruled that sale and rent back should be regulated by the Financial Services Authority to prevent unscrupulous landlords raising rent, evicting tenants or failing to make payments on the property.

Citizens Advice Bureau, the Council of Mortgage Lenders and Shelter all back the OFT’s recommendation for regulation by the Financial Services Authority.

Ms Fabiani said:

“There is a lot of pressure on homeowners at the moment due to the uncertainty created by the economic downturn and some firms are taking unfair advantage of the vulnerable position many people are finding themselves in.

“That is why the Scottish Government wants to see sale and rent back schemes regulated so as to ensure they are properly run and people are protected from unscrupulous operators.

“Some within the sector are buying houses at well below the market value and then committing to only a short-term lease and charging inflated rental prices to the former owners of the property. This is resulting in the former owner being forced out of their homes.

“This is why we want to see regulation in this area and are supporting the OFT recommendations.

”The threat of homelessness for some homeowners has put more pressure on the Scottish Government’s Mortgage to Rent Scheme and we have responded to this by investing an extra £5 million to boost the scheme. This is in addition to the £25 million home owners support fund already established to help people facing repossession.

“We need to ensure that homeowners considering the Mortgage to Rent Scheme have access to sound independent financial advice and £1 million has been pledged to advice agencies such as Citizens Advice Scotland and this goes on top of the extra £3 million already being provided to offer legal advice and representation for people facing repossession and other problems such as debt management.

“We are also funding an awareness-raising campaign for the National Debtline to encourage people to take early action to address debt problems.

The Scottish Government will continue to do what we can to help people in these difficult circumstances”

Linda Fabiani MSP is encouraging interested parties to respond to a new Scottish Government consultation aimed at supporting vulnerable people to live independently in their own homes and achieve the best possible quality of life.

The Scottish government is planning to simplify access to equipment and adaptations that assist in everyday living for those affected by disability, ill health, traumatic injury or immobility.

The new guidance being developed is aimed at ensuring a joined up approach between health, education, housing and social care services.

Ms Fabiani said:

“We know that installing even a simple aid such as a grab-rail in someone’s home can make a difference to a persons quality of life.

“This move is about improving the quality of life of those who have some physical difficulty but with a little help will still be able to live in their own homes so, we intend to design the service so that the needs of the person who has the difficulty and those who care for them are placed at the centre of the provision, to give them an greater capacity to live independently.

“I would encourage those individuals and families affected by such circumstances and the organisations and departments that work with and support them to read the consultation document and respond to it. All ideas, opinions and experience in this area are welcomed and we can benefit from as wide a response range as possible.”

The consultation asks for views on a range of proposals including:

*       A central online information hub with up to date and relevant information – highlighting what home equipment and adaptations  are available, who to contact, eligibility criteria and what services people can expect

*       A carers’ assessment, including equipment and adaptation needs, for anyone who cares for a disabled person or elderly relative

*       Training to ensure all care staff can demonstrate the use of home equipment and answer any questions

*       A good practice guide for home equipment provision

*       A good practice model for major home adaptations

The consultation document ‘Equipment and Adaptations Guidance’ can be downloaded at: www.scotland.gov.uk

SNP MSP Linda Fabiani has welcomed the vote in the Scottish Parliament which will allow free school meals to be extended to over 10,000 pupils in the South Lanarkshire area from 2010.

The legislation to extend free school meals to all P1 to P3 children passed on Thursday, November 27^th, despite all opposition parties’ initially failing to support the proposals.

Speaking after the vote the Strathaven MSP said;

“I am very pleased that additional pupils will benefit from free school meals as a result of this vote and it is excellent news for the young children of East Kilbride and their families.

“10,000 children in towns all across South Lanarkshire will now benefit from free school meals and by putting our children first we should begin to see improvements in their long term health.

“This is an important step not just in improving our children’s nutritional intake but in challenging the poverty that leads to a poor diet and ill health.

“As the pilot schemes showed, free school meals are popular and successful with children, parents and teachers. This decision is an excellent step forward for Scotland’s school pupils.”