Campaigns

Alison Thewliss MP is supporting Action on Hearing Loss’s campaigning to break down the barriers facing people who are deaf or have a hearing loss trying to secure or stay in employment.

Following a presentation of its Working for change: Improving attitudes to hearing loss in the workplace report to MPs, Ms Thewliss is backing the charity’s call on businesses and the UK Government to work closer together to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing to find and stay in employment.

Ms Thewliss also found out about the positive impacts of Action on Hearing Loss Scotland’s specialist employability service, Moving On, which is available to support young people in Glasgow Central who are Deaf or have hearing loss into employment, and advises employers how to meet their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 to be accessible and make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for jobseekers and employees with hearing loss.

Alison Thewliss MP, said:

“It’s been great to find out more about Action on Hearing Loss’s specialist support for people who are Deaf or have hearing loss in to employment as well as the charity’s work with businesses to bust myths and eradicate concerns about employing deaf or hard of hearing staff.

“An increasing number of people of working age have hearing loss so it is vitally important that employers across Glasgow Central are aware of the support that it is available and the small changes they can make to break down barriers facing talented jobseekers or staff who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Delia Henry, Director of Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, said:

“We are delighted that Alison Thewliss MP took the time to learn more about the full range of support – including our Moving On service – that is available to help people who are Deaf or have hearing loss to gain valuable work experience, stay in employment and fulfil their career potential.”

Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, has pledged to work alongside leading charity, Arthritis Research UK to represent the thousands of people in Glasgow living every day with the pain of arthritis.

Arthritis is the single biggest cause of disability and pain across the country with 10 million people living with arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain. The pain, fatigue and lack of mobility caused by arthritis affects every aspect of a person’s life, making everyday tasks such as making a cup of tea, travelling to work or getting out of bed extremely difficult.

As well as the personal impact, the cost to NHS Scotland for hip fractures alone exceeds £73 million per year, and these conditions are the cause of one in five working days lost in the UK.

Alison Thewliss MP, pictured at Arthritis Research UK’s annual Parliamentary reception, has pledged to support Arthritis Research UK’s Prevent, Transform, Cure manifesto in Parliament as an Arthritis Champion, which calls for:

• Making arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions a public health priority
• Ensuring people have timely access to health and care services that enable them to improve their musculoskeletal health
• Ensure people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions have fair and timely access to services that support them to be in work, including financial support
• Protect the UK’s position as a global leader in science and sustain the benefits of the life-science sector to the economy

Speaking about becoming an Arthritis Champion, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I’m proud to champion Arthritis Research UK’s policy calls to tackle the prevention, transformation and cure of arthritis. We need to put the issues affecting people with arthritis at the forefront of Parliament’s agenda.

“I’m committed to making a difference. Together we can fight this painful condition that has such a huge impact on all aspects of people’s lives in Glasgow.”

Dr Liam O’Toole, chief executive officer of Arthritis Research UK, said:

“I’m delighted that Alison Thewliss MP has become an Arthritis Champion. It’s imperative that we have the support of as many MPs and Peers as possible to stand up for the rights of people with arthritis.

“There needs to be a public health approach focusing on preventing arthritis, transforming services and finding a cure for the 10 million people affected by this devastating condition. It’s vital we work together to make life better for everyone affected by arthritis.”

Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, joined a cross-party Parliamentary event on Tuesday 18th July to celebrate the number of people who are registered as stem cell donors.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Stem Cell Transplantation, supported by blood cancer charity and stem cell register Anthony Nolan, held the event to mark the progress made by the transplant community in the past year.

In Glasgow Central, the number of potential stem cell donors registered with Anthony Nolan is 1,760. 44% of these donors are male, and the average age of a donor is 30.

In total, 645,000 people in the UK are on the Anthony Nolan register, any of whom could be a match for someone with blood cancer and asked to donate their stem cells to give a patient a second chance of life.

Alison Thewliss MP is encouraging more people from Glasgow Central, particularly men aged 16-30 and people from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, to register as stem cell donors and make sure that a match is available for everyone in need of a transplant. While anyone on the register could be a match for someone with blood cancer, men aged 16-30 are most likely to be asked to donate, and are currently underrepresented on the register. There is also a shortage of donors from non-white and mixed-race backgrounds.

Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I am very proud that Glasgow Central has 1,760 people who have selflessly volunteered to give someone a second chance at life. Donating stem cells is straightforward but it could make an enormous difference to someone with no other chance of a cure.

“I strongly hope that more people across Glasgow will be inspired to sign up and show that together, our communities can provide a cure for blood cancer.”

Henny Braund, Chief Executive of Anthony Nolan, said: “It’s wonderful to have this opportunity to celebrate the achievements the transplant community has made in the past year, and we’re particularly grateful to all the registered donors in Glasgow Central for helping us in our goal of saving and improving the lives of people with blood cancer and blood disorders.

“Anthony Nolan’s pioneering research, dedicated nurses and patient-focused services mean we have increased the support patients receive at every stage of their transplant journey – but without the contribution of selfless donors, our vital work would be impossible.”

Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central , has committed her support to help Cancer Research UK save more lives in her constituency and across the UK.

The MP attended a parliamentary event held by Cancer Research UK in Westminster on 12th July to find out how she can keep cancer at the top of the new Parliament’s agenda.

Over the course of this Parliament, two million people will be diagnosed with cancer across the UK, so Cancer Research UK needs political support in order to continue to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

Cancer survival in the UK is still lagging behind other countries and too many cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when they are harder to treat successfully.

At the event, Ms Thewliss met some of Cancer Research UK’s dedicated volunteer Campaign Ambassadors. She found out that, in Glasgow Central constituency, 6800 people are diagnosed with cancer each year, underlining the need for MPs to join the fight against the disease.

Commenting after the event, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“We must not underestimate the devastating impact cancer will have on people in Glasgow now and in the future, so it gives me hope to hear that Cancer Research UK’s pioneering research is turning the tables on the disease.

“The outlook for new and better cancer treatments in the UK is bright. However, it is clear that there is a critical role for politicians to play in helping to prevent and detect cancer earlier and bring innovative new treatments to patients faster.

“One life lost to this terrible disease is one too many and that’s why I’m supporting Cancer Research UK in their mission to beat cancer sooner.”

Matt Davies, Cancer Research UK’s Head of Public Affairs and Campaigning said:

“At Cancer Research UK, we’re resolute in our ambition to see 3 in 4 patients surviving cancer by 2034. To achieve this we need cancer at the top of the political agenda and so we’re grateful to (insert name) MP for helping to highlight the importance of research and action in beating the disease.

“Survival in the UK has doubled in the last 40 years. But there’s still so much more to do and we cannot do it alone.

“Creating the right environment for cancer research alongside cancer prevention, early diagnosis and ensuring patients have access to the best possible treatments must be key priorities for the new Government.”

Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, has revealed the staggering amount lost on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) in Glasgow Central constituency and backed the work of the FOBT All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in Parliament, expressing his/her support for the Group’s ‘Cut the Stake, Reduce FOBT Harm’ campaign.

FOBTs allow punters to stake £100 every 20 seconds on electronic versions of casino games such as roulette, but in a low supervision high street bookie environment. Political concern and controversy has been growing about the highly addictive nature of the machines, with one campaign group even calling them the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling.

The cross party group of MPs and Peers, published its report in January 2017, assessing the impact of FOBTs, and called for a substantial reduction in the maximum stake playable, stating that there was a strong case for this to be no more than £2.

The campaign has secured the widespread support with 93 local authorities, the Royal Society for Public Health and politicians from all parties supporting the campaign.

Lending her support to the campaign for a stake reduction, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“The case for action on FOBTs is clear and I urge the Government to act now and cut the stake. There is no excuse for the continued misery these machines are causing. The problems associated with them are obvious, and it is really not acceptable to be able to walk in off the street and stake such a high amount with no checks or safeguards in place whatsoever.

“I am extremely concerned to hear that £10,303,128 was lost to FOBTs in Glasgow Central. We cannot go on with this situation. I urge the Government to bring forward their proposals, and to cut the maximum stake on FOBTs to £2 without further delay.

The Government is currently considering responses from the Call for Evidence into Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility launched in October 2016. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is expected to publish the next stage of the Review, with its proposals, in October 2017.

The FOBT APPG is chaired by Carolyn Harris MP and is supported by groups including Bacta, The Hippodrome Casino, Novomatic, Praesepe and the Royal Society for Public Health.

Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, has pledged her support for the British Lung Foundation’s lung health awareness campaign by taking their online ‘breath test’ at the Houses of Parliament and encouraging others to do the same.

The charity’s UK-wide campaign aims to raise awareness that feeling out of breath doing everyday tasks could be a sign of lung disease. They encourage anyone who feels breathless take their online breath test.

The test allows people to check their health through a 10 simple questions, based around the Medical Research Council breathlessness scale. The aim is to reassure people who don’t have a problem and guide those with significant breathlessness to make an appointment with their GP.

At the British Lung Foundation’s summer reception, MPs and Peers had a chance to find out more about lung disease and try the ‘breath test’ themselves on iPads.

Alison Thewliss MP said:

“Completing the BLF’s online ‘breath test’ is a really easy way of checking your lung health. I’d encourage everyone to try it. It’ll either give you peace of mind or start you on a path to helping you manage your breathlessness.

“If you’re even slightly worried a loved one has been feeling increasingly short of breath – please make sure they take the test.”

Dr Penny Woods, CEO of British Lung Foundation said:

“Our reception in Westminster gave us the opportunity to throw the spotlight on breathlessness, which can be sign of lung disease. Fewer than half of us would be concerned at feeling short of breath doing daily tasks. Often people put it down to age or fitness, and don’t seek advice from their GP.

“There are thousands of people in Glasgow with a lung condition, but not everyone’s aware they have one. It’s great to have support from Alison Thewliss MP in encouraging people to ‘Listen to their lungs’ if they feel breathless. Together we can ensure that those people who are suffering with an undiagnosed lung condition seek help and get the support they need. With treatment, people can live longer, healthier lives.”

Over 250,000 people have taken the test since it was launched last year. Over 70% of people who have taken the test have had medically concerning levels of breathlessness.
The BLF’s Listen to your lungs campaign complements the Scottish Government’s national Detect Cancer Early campaign, which aims to increase the proportion of people who are diagnosed in the early stages of breast, bowel and lung cancer. To take the test visit: www.blf.org.uk/breathtest

The creative industries are worth over £87bn in GVA – more than oil and gas, life sciences and aerospace combined – and is the fastest-growing sector of the economy, employing 1 in 11 people. The UK has the largest cultural economy in the world relative to GDP and is the largest producer of recorded music in Europe and is the second largest exporter of music (after the US).

It is vital we get the best possible deal for the sector in a number of areas that have been so critical to its success – the ability to tour and trade easily with the UK’s largest export market and to attract talent, IP protection, EU arts funding, workers’ rights and the rights of EU citizens in the UK.

Musicians are very concerned that the Brexit process may lead to the introduction of individual member state work permits and/or visas for British musicians touring and working across Europe. Most professional musicians and performers rely on touring and travelling for their careers and livelihoods and gigs are often organised at short notice. As some performers can be working in several different European countries over the course of a few days, the possible introduction of work permissions and/or visas for British musicians touring and working in Europe could be extremely detrimental.

Alison Thewliss MP says: “Today, I confirmed my support for professional musicians and performers in my constituency, and will urge the Government to ensure that they can continue to be able to travel easily across Europe post-Brexit for touring and performing with minimum administrative burdens”.

Horace Trubridge, Musicians’ Union General Secretary says: “British musicians have long enjoyed easy access to touring in Europe, as UK venues and festivals have benefited from easy access to European performers. We know from touring in the US and elsewhere, that visas and other restrictions impose significant costs and administration, and occasionally considerable financial loss when visas aren’t processed in time. We are calling on MPs and the Government to help secure a deal that will ensure ease of movement for touring and performing post-Brexit”.

Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, met with older people from across the country at an event in Parliament organised by the charity Age UK.

The Age Champions event was the charity’s annual summer reception and highlighted the challenges of an ageing population and opportunities in later life.

MPs heard how they can tackle issues affecting older people in Glasgow and across the country, including loneliness and isolation, social care and ‎the importance of a decent income.

Commenting on the event, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I’m delighted to become an Age Champion and support Age UK’s work to support older people in Scotland. I will be working with several organisations, including the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission, to give older people the support they need and I look forward to working together to tackle the challenges and opportunities that an ageing population presents.”

Speaking at the event, Age UK Chief Executive, Tom Wright CBE, said:

“I am delighted to say that we now have over 130 Age Champion MPs from all sides of the House and I hope that many others will want to join as this Parliament proceeds”

“This new Parliament offers a great opportunity for policymakers to work together with organisations like Age UK with a view to ensuring that every older person can live with dignity and enjoy a fulfilling later life”

“Issues like the fragility of our social care system and the chronic loneliness that affects too many are not going away and our older population badly needs us to find solutions for them”.

The event also heard from Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke, who spoke about the Department’s work, as well as the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population.

Throughout the event MPs learned more about how Age UK can help them to improve the lives of older people in their constituencies and make the most of their role as an ‘Age Champion’.