That the Parliament is concerned by the reported rise in demand for access to food parcels; understands that 48% of people receiving food parcels do so as a result of benefits issues; considers that problems and changes to the benefit system, including job seekers allowance sanctions and sickness benefit reassessment, have resulted in an increased need for food parcels as vital benefits are cut or delayed; condemns the notion that food parcels act as an acceptable substitute when claimants find themselves facing hardship; supports the work of Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) to focus policy on preventing families from being subjected to these problems, and welcomes CAS’ recommendation that clear guidance and training be provided to Jobcentre Plus staff to ensure that they can impose sanctions fairly and can identify where significant hardship may arise when sanctions are imposed.
Current Status:
That the Parliament is concerned by the reported rise in demand for access to food parcels; understands that 48% of people receiving food parcels do so as a result of benefits issues; considers that problems and changes to the benefit system, including job seekers allowance sanctions and sickness benefit reassessment, have resulted in an increased need for food parcels as vital benefits are cut or delayed; condemns the notion that food parcels act as an acceptable substitute when claimants find themselves facing hardship; supports the work of Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) to focus policy on preventing families from being subjected to these problems, and welcomes CAS’ recommendation that clear guidance and training be provided to Jobcentre Plus staff to ensure that they can impose sanctions fairly and can identify where significant hardship may arise when sanctions are imposed.
Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Nigel Don, John Finnie, Sandra White
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That the Parliament congratulates Gilcomstoun Primary School on receiving a £10,000 Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery Fund; understands that the school will purchase outdoor play equipment and planters for the children to grow plants and flowers, including a bongo panel, tipi with detachable cover, six rectangular seating planters, two combined basketball and football goal ends and ground markings for both courts, and appreciates what it considers the influential role of Lucy Adamson and others in securing this funding.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates Gilcomstoun Primary School on receiving a £10,000 Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery Fund; understands that the school will purchase outdoor play equipment and planters for the children to grow plants and flowers, including a bongo panel, tipi with detachable cover, six rectangular seating planters, two combined basketball and football goal ends and ground markings for both courts, and appreciates what it considers the influential role of Lucy Adamson and others in securing this funding.
Supported by: Bill Walker, Nanette Milne, Roderick Campbell, Bill Kidd, Joan McAlpine, Annabelle Ewing, Adam Ingram, Richard Lyle, Anne McTaggart, Mike MacKenzie, Rob Gibson, Chic Brodie, Stewart Stevenson, Colin Beattie, Stuart McMillan, Jamie Hepburn, Nigel Don, Gil Paterson, David Torrance, Colin Keir, Christian Allard, Jim Eadie
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That the Parliament welcomes what it considers the significant steps taken by NHS Grampian to improve services that focus on the prevention of blood borne viruses (BBV) and sexually transmitted infections; recognises that, since commissioning Gay Men’s Health (GMH) in summer 2012, the board has provided a health improvement service focused on education and prevention and provided support for gay and bisexual men in furtherance of The Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework 2011-2015, which was launched by the Scottish Government in 2011; recognises the range of activities that GMH carries out, which includes signposting, one-to-one support and community outreach work; understands that, in summer 2013, GMH will run its first awareness-raising campaign in Grampian, which will be on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and will aim to increase significantly people's knowledge of PEP, including its purpose and where they can get access to it, and looks forward to what it hopes will be continued success in taking forward the Scottish Government’s BBV framework.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes what it considers the significant steps taken by NHS Grampian to improve services that focus on the prevention of blood borne viruses (BBV) and sexually transmitted infections; recognises that, since commissioning Gay Men’s Health (GMH) in summer 2012, the board has provided a health improvement service focused on education and prevention and provided support for gay and bisexual men in furtherance of The Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework 2011-2015, which was launched by the Scottish Government in 2011; recognises the range of activities that GMH carries out, which includes signposting, one-to-one support and community outreach work; understands that, in summer 2013, GMH will run its first awareness-raising campaign in Grampian, which will be on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and will aim to increase significantly people's knowledge of PEP, including its purpose and where they can get access to it, and looks forward to what it hopes will be continued success in taking forward the Scottish Government’s BBV framework.
Supported by: Annabelle Ewing, David Torrance, Dennis Robertson, Joan McAlpine, Rob Gibson, Adam Ingram, Bill Kidd, Chic Brodie, Colin Beattie, Maureen Watt, Nigel Don, Mike MacKenzie, Christian Allard, Jamie Hepburn, Gil Paterson, Colin Keir
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That the Parliament notes that the UK Government will announce the shortlist of the cities to be considered as City of Culture 2017 on 19 June 2013; understands that the Aberdeen bid team is working hard to secure what it considers the Granite City’s well-deserved place on the shortlist, and wishes the bid team and all of the people of Aberdeen and the north east who are involved in the bid process all the best in their endeavours.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes that the UK Government will announce the shortlist of the cities to be considered as City of Culture 2017 on 19 June 2013; understands that the Aberdeen bid team is working hard to secure what it considers the Granite City’s well-deserved place on the shortlist, and wishes the bid team and all of the people of Aberdeen and the north east who are involved in the bid process all the best in their endeavours.
Supported by: Nigel Don, Christine Grahame, Nanette Milne, Graeme Dey, Rob Gibson, Annabelle Ewing, George Adam, Dennis Robertson, Bill Walker, Adam Ingram, Richard Lyle, Mike MacKenzie, Joan McAlpine, Maureen Watt, Alison McInnes, Chic Brodie, Colin Beattie, Sandra White, Bill Kidd, Gil Paterson, David Torrance, Christian Allard
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That the Parliament condemns what it considers the Labour Party’s decision to abandon the principle of universalism by enacting policies that will lead to the demise of the winter fuel allowance being paid to all senior citizens and the continuation of Tory cuts to child benefit; notes with concern that the Labour candidate in Aberdeen Donside is reported in The Times as saying that he supports a graduate payment for higher education, which, it considers, goes against the grain of the progressive free education for all policy that has been cherished in Scotland, and believes that this abandonment of universalism by the Labour Party will be rejected by all fair-minded Scots.
Current Status:
That the Parliament condemns what it considers the Labour Party’s decision to abandon the principle of universalism by enacting policies that will lead to the demise of the winter fuel allowance being paid to all senior citizens and the continuation of Tory cuts to child benefit; notes with concern that the Labour candidate in Aberdeen Donside is reported in The Times as saying that he supports a graduate payment for higher education, which, it considers, goes against the grain of the progressive free education for all policy that has been cherished in Scotland, and believes that this abandonment of universalism by the Labour Party will be rejected by all fair-minded Scots.
Supported by: Chic Brodie, Joan McAlpine, George Adam, Graeme Dey, Annabelle Ewing, Richard Lyle, Mike MacKenzie, Christina McKelvie, Stuart McMillan, Aileen McLeod, Nigel Don, Maureen Watt, Willie Coffey, Kenneth Gibson, Rob Gibson, Fiona McLeod, Adam Ingram, David Torrance, Bill Kidd, Christine Grahame, Colin Keir, John Mason, Dennis Robertson, Sandra White, Gil Paterson, Colin Beattie, Jamie Hepburn, Dave Thompson, Christian Allard
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That the Parliament welcomes the news that Dana Petroleum, which is based in Aberdeen, has laid the keel for a $400 million oil production vessel that will store up to 40,000 barrels of North Sea oil a day by 2015; believes that this investment shows that the oil industry continues to go from strength to strength; understands that just half the value of North Sea reserves has been pumped ashore and that £1.5 trillion worth of oil and gas remains, and hopes that Scotland’s second oil boom will benefit all of the people of Scotland rather than seeing the wealth squandered by UK administrations.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the news that Dana Petroleum, which is based in Aberdeen, has laid the keel for a $400 million oil production vessel that will store up to 40,000 barrels of North Sea oil a day by 2015; believes that this investment shows that the oil industry continues to go from strength to strength; understands that just half the value of North Sea reserves has been pumped ashore and that £1.5 trillion worth of oil and gas remains, and hopes that Scotland’s second oil boom will benefit all of the people of Scotland rather than seeing the wealth squandered by UK administrations.
Supported by: Joan McAlpine, John Wilson, Stewart Stevenson, Bill Kidd, Christian Allard, Rob Gibson, Christina McKelvie, Stuart McMillan, Nigel Don, George Adam, Chic Brodie, Colin Beattie, Kenneth Gibson, Adam Ingram, Mike MacKenzie, Roderick Campbell, Richard Lyle, John Mason, Annabelle Ewing, Bill Walker, Gil Paterson, Stewart Maxwell, Colin Keir, Dave Thompson, Maureen Watt, David Torrance, Jamie Hepburn
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That the Parliament expresses serious concern at the news that Aberdeen’s coastguard co-ordination centre was left short-staffed for 57% of the year ending March 2013; notes concern at suggestions of low morale, increasingly high workloads and possible industrial action; understands that the UK Government had promised to upgrade remaining centres following the closures in the Forth and Clyde and regrets that this has yet to be delivered; fears that this is putting safety in the North Sea at risk, and calls on the UK Government to end what it considers its neglect of Scotland’s coastguard and the vital work that the service carries out.
Current Status:
That the Parliament expresses serious concern at the news that Aberdeen’s coastguard co-ordination centre was left short-staffed for 57% of the year ending March 2013; notes concern at suggestions of low morale, increasingly high workloads and possible industrial action; understands that the UK Government had promised to upgrade remaining centres following the closures in the Forth and Clyde and regrets that this has yet to be delivered; fears that this is putting safety in the North Sea at risk, and calls on the UK Government to end what it considers its neglect of Scotland’s coastguard and the vital work that the service carries out.
Supported by: Joan McAlpine, Stuart McMillan, Stewart Stevenson, Bill Kidd, Rob Gibson, Mike MacKenzie, Kenneth Gibson, Nigel Don, John Finnie, Chic Brodie, Colin Beattie, Aileen McLeod, Adam Ingram, Richard Lyle, Fiona McLeod, John Mason, Annabelle Ewing, Bill Walker, Gil Paterson, Stewart Maxwell, Colin Keir, Dave Thompson, Maureen Watt, David Torrance, Jamie Hepburn
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That the Parliament congratulates Hanover Street School on being named as one of four regional champions in the Total Green School Awards; notes that children and staff will attend the Science Museum on 20 June 2013 to find out who will be crowned UK champion; recognises that all regional champions will receive a trophy and £1,000, with the UK champion receiving an additional £4,000; notes that Hanover Street School pupils were among 44,500 children to take part in the 2013 awards, and wishes the school the best of luck and hope that it will be crowned overall champion.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates Hanover Street School on being named as one of four regional champions in the Total Green School Awards; notes that children and staff will attend the Science Museum on 20 June 2013 to find out who will be crowned UK champion; recognises that all regional champions will receive a trophy and £1,000, with the UK champion receiving an additional £4,000; notes that Hanover Street School pupils were among 44,500 children to take part in the 2013 awards, and wishes the school the best of luck and hope that it will be crowned overall champion.
Supported by: Nigel Don, David Torrance, Bill Kidd, Joan McAlpine, Nanette Milne, Stuart McMillan, George Adam, Mike MacKenzie, Adam Ingram, Jean Urquhart, Rob Gibson, Richard Lyle, Colin Beattie, Annabelle Ewing, Gil Paterson, Colin Keir, Maureen Watt, Jamie Hepburn
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That the Parliament notes with concern the recent statistics published by StepChange Debt Charity on payday loans that suggest that there have been significant rises in the number of people borrowing and the amount owed both in Aberdeen and across Scotland; regrets that the average amount owed has risen to £1,665 while the monthly income of those taking out the loans averages only £1,268 per month; notes concern at the increasing need for people to use payday loan companies; commends the good work of StepChange Debt Charity in helping people manage their debts, and calls on the UK Government to take immediate action to further control the actions of payday loan companies.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes with concern the recent statistics published by StepChange Debt Charity on payday loans that suggest that there have been significant rises in the number of people borrowing and the amount owed both in Aberdeen and across Scotland; regrets that the average amount owed has risen to £1,665 while the monthly income of those taking out the loans averages only £1,268 per month; notes concern at the increasing need for people to use payday loan companies; commends the good work of StepChange Debt Charity in helping people manage their debts, and calls on the UK Government to take immediate action to further control the actions of payday loan companies.
Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, John Mason, Chic Brodie, Bill Walker, Joan McAlpine, Rob Gibson, Stuart McMillan, Anne McTaggart, Hanzala Malik, Nigel Don, Angus MacDonald, Adam Ingram, David Torrance, Marco Biagi, Mike MacKenzie, Jean Urquhart, Fiona McLeod, Colin Beattie, Maureen Watt, Annabelle Ewing, Gil Paterson, Colin Keir
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That the Parliament notes with concern that the Aberdeen charity, Instant Neighbour, has seen a 268% increase in its distribution of food parcels to people in need; condemns the UK Government's welfare reform policies, which, it considers are adding to the woes of many people in Aberdeen and throughout Scotland; considers that many people are facing the stark choice of paying rent and bills rather than buying food; believes that the Scottish Government's social wage policies, such as the council tax freeze, free prescriptions and free personal care, are helping to alleviate some of the excesses of the UK Government's austerity measures, but considers that much more could be done for the people of Scotland if there was an independent Scotland with all the levers of power.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes with concern that the Aberdeen charity, Instant Neighbour, has seen a 268% increase in its distribution of food parcels to people in need; condemns the UK Government's welfare reform policies, which, it considers are adding to the woes of many people in Aberdeen and throughout Scotland; considers that many people are facing the stark choice of paying rent and bills rather than buying food; believes that the Scottish Government's social wage policies, such as the council tax freeze, free prescriptions and free personal care, are helping to alleviate some of the excesses of the UK Government's austerity measures, but considers that much more could be done for the people of Scotland if there was an independent Scotland with all the levers of power.
Supported by: Nigel Don, Marco Biagi, Linda Fabiani, Dennis Robertson, Sandra White, Jamie Hepburn, David Torrance, Annabelle Ewing, Joan McAlpine, Kenneth Gibson, Maureen Watt, Fiona McLeod, Richard Lyle, Chic Brodie, Bill Walker, Mike MacKenzie, Adam Ingram, Rob Gibson, John Mason, Bill Kidd, Colin Beattie, Stuart McMillan, Stewart Maxwell, Angus MacDonald, Jean Urquhart, Gil Paterson, Colin Keir
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