Alison Thewliss

Response to Formula Marketing Bill consultation published

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A Member of Parliament seeking to tighten up the law around advertising of formula milk has published the results of a recent consultation on her proposed Feeding Products for Babies & Children (Advertising & Promotion) Bill.

SNP MP Alison Thewliss was given unanimous approval by MPs in November to press ahead and draft a new law which would curtail the “excessive marketing techniques” employed by the formula industry.

The Glasgow MP’s consultation ran from 5th December 2016 until 9th January 2017. She received 332 consultation responses, including from health professionals, parents and the representatives of the formula industry itself.

Commenting after publishing the consultation response document, Ms Thewliss said:

“I am incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to submit their thoughts and ideas around my proposed Bill. I was absolutely overwhelmed by the immense expertise and passion coming through in all of the responses. These have been invaluable in forming my thoughts on what to include in the Bill itself.

“Understandably there have been a great many suggestions to include certain policies in the Bill, not all of which can be included in this particular piece of legislation. I want to make explicitly clear that this Bill is about making sure parents are equipped with impartial, trusted information to make informed choices about how and what they feed their children.

“Tomorrow I will be meeting with parliamentary draftsmen to start writing the Bill, which will be published shortly.

“I look forward to publishing the Bill and seeking the Government’s support in the next few weeks.”

MP hails Living Wage progress in Glasgow

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Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, has today welcomed news that almost 100 employers in her constituency have signed up for Living Wage accreditation.

Research conducted by the Scottish Living Wage Foundation has shown that 98 employers based in the Glasgow Central constituency have signed up for Living Wage accreditation. These employers form part of a network in Scotland which has seen over 700 Scottish-based employers sign up for Living Wage accreditation.

Ms Thewliss has repeatedly highlighted the existing inequality within the UK Government’s so-called “National Living Wage”, which is only paid to workers over 25 and is £1.50 per hour below the real Living Wage rate of £8.45 per hour outside London. Ms Thewliss has consistently called on the UK Government to raise the minimum wage rate to match the real Living Wage and extend it to all workers over the age of 16.

Commenting on the research, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I am delighted that so many employers in my constituency have taken the important step of achieving Living Wage accreditation.

“Living Wage accreditation demonstrates an employer’s commitment to supporting their employees, as well as bringing benefits to productivity and morale. Research conducted by the Scottish Living Wage Foundation has revealed overwhelming numbers of employers believe that the Living Wage has improved their employees’ quality of work and highlighted a reduction of absenteeism of 25% in Living Wage employers.

“The positive benefits of paying all workers the Living Wage is also recognised by the Scottish Government’s Business Pledge, which has over 300 businesses signed up so far. The Living Wage is a key part of the Scottish Government’s efforts to promote fair work across Scotland. I want to see this progress continue for all workers in Scotland and I have consistently called on the UK Government to commit to paying a Living Wage for all workers.

“I am pleased to see that so many employers in Glasgow are committing to the Living Wage, however I know there are employers who meet the criteria for the Living Wage and are not yet accredited. I encourage employers to seek Living Wage status and demonstrate their commitment to fair pay.”

 

Yet more DWP cuts for Glasgow

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SNP MP Alison Thewliss has hit out at yet more plans by the DWP to shut down Government offices in her constituency. Her comments come in response to news today that Tory Ministers plan to shut fifteen more Jobcentres and back offices in Scotland, including Portcullis House and Corunna House in her Glasgow Central constituency.

Currently, the UK Government is already consulting on plans to close eight of Glasgow’s Jobcentres, including Bridgeton Jobcentre within Ms Thewliss’ constituency.

Alison Thewliss MP said:

“Last month this Tory Government delivered a body blow to communities all across our city by proposing to shut half of Glasgow’s Jobcentres. That consultation is still running and the fight to save those Jobcentres is still ongoing.

“Now we learn that UK Ministers are planning to scrap even more of the DWP estate in Glasgow by shutting down Government back offices. This comes on the back of recent HMRC cuts in Scotland, which we were told wouldn’t happen if Scotland rejected independence in 2014. That was obviously a blatant lie.

“These erratic Tory plans raise a number of very serious questions for Glasgow. Where are the jobs are being transferred to? What consultation has been carried out with staff? How does this fit into the current proposals to shut half of Glasgow’s Jobcentres? UK Government Ministers have been at great pains to stress the Jobcentre closures are only proposals, but how can Glaswegians trust them with these new cuts coming like a bolt from the blue?

“I am demanding an urgent meeting with DWP Ministers to get answers on these incredibly serious questions. This Tory Government’s slash and burn approach to civil service jobs and buildings needs to stop right now.”

MP urges Glasgow to join the Smear for Smear campaign

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Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, has today issued a rallying call for women across Glasgow to take part in the #smearforsmear campaign during cervical cancer awareness week.

The #smearforsmear campaign, organised by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, seeks to raise awareness of the importance of attending screening tests for cervical cancer. The campaign encourages women to take selfies of themselves with smeared lipstick and nominating another person to do the same.

Commenting on the campaign, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I am delighted to give my support to this excellent campaign by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to raise awareness of the importance of cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer for women under 35, but the good news is attending for a smear test can reduce the risk.

“Despite considerable improvements in the technology available to detect cervical cancer, not enough women are taking up the offer of screening. According to figures published by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, around one third of women aged 20-60 in Glasgow have not taken up the offer of cervical cancer screening within the last 5 years. There is clearly more work to be done to improve screening rates and I therefore welcome the efforts made by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to highlight this important issue during Cervical Cancer Awareness Week.

“It’s really important that cervical cancer is detected as early as possible; attending that appointment could save your life. I encourage women across my constituency and across Glasgow to make an appointment with their GP today to take the smear test.”

City MP visits Glasgow Vaults

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Local MP, Alison Thewliss, last week visited Glasgow Vaults which is based in Pollokshields. The Vaults were formally opened in February 2016 by local MSP and First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon. It is the only independent safe deposit box facility in the whole of Scotland and provides a number of excellent facilities, including 24 hour access as well as bilingual staff.

Speaking after visiting Glasgow Vaults, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I am so grateful to the Manager of Glasgow Vaults, Nazia Ramzan, for taking the time to give me a tour of the business last week. It was absolutely fascinating to see the vaults and I was really impressed about the security in place.

“Some people may previously have relied on banks for a safety deposit facility; sadly with so many high street banks cutting back on local branches, that is less of an option now. People may still wish the reassurance of a safe, secure place to keep important documents or valuables, and Glasgow Vaults seek to fill that gap in provision.

“It’s great that we have such a top class and unique facility here in Glasgow and I wish Glasgow Vaults every success in the future as they continue to go from strength to strength.”

Rape clause concessions sneaked out as Trump takes centre stage

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Alison Thewliss MP joins supporters at the launch of her campaign to scrap the rape clause

SNP MP Alison Thewliss has commented on the UK Government’s decision to use Donald Trump’s inauguration to sneak out details of concessions on its “pernicious” two child policy and rape clause.

The UK Government chose Trump’s inauguration day to issue a response to a controversial public consultation which closed back in November last year.

Alison Thewliss MP said:

“The UK Government clearly tried to sneak out this news just hours before Trump’s inauguration in the hope it would be buried amongst other anti-women headlines in America. That they wanted this callous policy to be buried speaks volumes in itself.

“Women across the world have been marching this weekend in solidarity with America, whilst here in the UK, the Westminster Government ploughs ahead to undermine women’s rights.

“Obviously I am pleased that the UK Government has made a number of concessions, which will go some way to reducing some of the cruellest aspects associated with this pernicious proposal.

“I particularly welcome the u-turn on multiple births and that there will be no time limit on the reporting of rape. What is also encouraging is the decision to remove frontline DWP and HMRC staff from gatekeeping on this incredibly sensitive process. However, there are still fundamental problems with this pernicious two-child policy, not least concerning those of faith and ethnic minority backgrounds.

“The UK Government’s own response clearly identifies that the most controversial aspect of the policy was the rape clause. Ministers even go on to concede that most respondents felt it was unacceptable for the UK Government to ask women to re-live the ordeal of a rape just in order to make a claim for benefit. Despite receiving that loud and overwhelming message, this appalling and crass Tory Government refuse to listen.

“The fact remains that this policy, however diluted, is still anti-women, anti-family and fundamentally wicked.

“There are still a number of very serious unanswered questions about the practicalities of a policy due to be implemented in just a few months’ time. I’ll be using this crucial time to fight these proposals all the way, particularly when they come to the House as a statutory instrument.”

Alison Thewliss MP signs Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment

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This week Alison Thewliss MP signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, in doing so pledging her commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who were murdered during the Holocaust as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people.

Friday 27th January will mark the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, the site of the largest mass murder in history.

In the lead up to and on Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘How can life go on?’

After signing the Book of Commitment, Alison Thewliss MP commented:

“Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity for people from Glasgow and across the country to reflect on the tragic events of the Holocaust. As the Holocaust moves from living history, to just history, it becomes ever more important that we take the time to remember the victims and also pay tribute to the survivors. I would encourage my constituents to show their support for such an important day.”

Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said:

“Our mission is to educate young people from every background about the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance. We are very grateful to Alison Thewliss MP for signing the Book of Commitment, signalling a continued commitment to remembering the victims of the Holocaust as well as challenging anti-semitism, prejudice and bigotry in all its forms.”

Action to end pregnancy and maternity discrimination

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Alison Thewliss MP has called for an end to pregnancy discrimination in the workplace, backing a campaign led by the charity Maternity Action.

This week Maternity Action released three videos to empower pregnant women to address pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.  Pregnancy discrimination has risen dramatically in the past decade and now affects three quarters of pregnant women and new mothers at work. Research by the Equality and Human Rights Commission has found that 20,000 women each year leave their jobs because of health and safety concerns and 53,000 are discouraged from attending antenatal appointments.  A total of 54,000 each year are forced out of work because of unfair and unlawful treatment because of their pregnancy.

Ms Thewliss hosted an event in Westminster on Tuesday 17th January to coincide with the launch of the three videos and took part in a panel discussion with Sarah Champion, Labour MP and Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, Maria Miller, Conservative MP and Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, Ros Bragg, Chair of Maternity Action, and representatives of the trade union Usdaw.

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I am delighted to host Maternity Action in Westminster and promote the three new videos to support pregnant women who encounter problems at work.  The videos help women to raise concerns with their employer and resolve issues as early as possible and I hope they will become an important resource to support pregnant women in the workplace.

“It is essential that pregnant women and new mothers have a safe working environment and it is worrying that so many women are encountering problems at work. The EHRC’s research should be a wake-up to politicians from all parties that urgent action is required to tackle pregnancy discrimination and I was delighted to be joined by prominent MPs from Labour and the Conservatives who attended the Maternity Action event in Westminster and pledged their support to the campaign.

“The SNP-led Scottish Government are already taking action to tackle pregnancy discrimination in workplaces in Scotland and we now need a cross-Government strategy to bring an end to pregnancy discrimination across the UK.  There is much more that can be done to deter rogue employers and better protect working women when they are at their most vulnerable.”

Partial victory as Government issues new guidance on asylum volunteers

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Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, has welcomed changes in Home Office guidance, which has been issued to asylum decision makers just days after she raised complaints about “fundamentally flawed” rules surrounding asylum seekers volunteering and working.

Just two days after raising the case of her constituent Olivier Mondeke Monongo – a Christian Pastor from the Democratic Republic of Congo – the Home Office quietly issued new guidance to its decision makers, making explicitly clear that “it is Home Office policy to support asylum seekers volunteering for charities or public sector organisations”.

The Christian Pastor and his family were granted refugee status in the UK several years ago but he was later denied British citizenship because he had volunteered for the British Red Cross as an interpreter during his claim for asylum. At the time, doing such volunteering was considered in breach of his asylum application conditions and a sign of ‘bad character’. Monongo, who is also a mental health nurse for the NHS, cannot now re-apply for British citizenship until 2020.

In light of the guidance which has just been issued, Ms Thewliss is now asking for Ministerial discretion to be used to allow Olivier and his family to apply for British citizenship immediately.

Commenting, the Glasgow Central MP said:

“This new guidance makes much clearer that volunteering should not be regarded as a sign of bad character and indeed encouraged. This will be of great comfort to individuals and to the organisations who value the contribution volunteers make.

“The previous rules were fundamentally flawed and led to an honest and upstanding member of the community being denied British citizenship, simply because he volunteered for the British Red Cross. That is absolutely ridiculous.

“I’m glad that my debate in Westminster Hall last week highlighted the folly of this policy; I’m very glad to see revised policy being issued to Home Office decision makers. However, I went into Westminster Hall last week with two asks – one was to make sure people can’t be penalised for volunteering and the other was to lift the ban on asylum seekers working. Although I’m pleased that there has been progress on the first issue, I am still going to pursue the wider issue of allowing asylum seekers to take up paid employment, which we know would save the Government tens of millions of pounds.

“As for my constituent Olivier, I am today writing to the Home Secretary Amber Rudd and asking her to personally intervene and set in motion the process of allowing Olivier and his family to apply for citizenship – not in 2020 but now.”