Constituency

City MP urges council to reject student housing planning application

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On the eve of a meeting of Glasgow City Council’s planning committee, the MP for the city centre has issued a last minute plea to Councillors to reject a planning application that would “dwarf” the city’s historic Mackintosh building.

A proposal will go before Councillors tomorrow which, if approved, would allow a large student housing development to be built immediately to the south of Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh building.

Alison Thewliss MP said:

“This development is completely and utterly inappropriate and should be rejected without hesitation. The fact that so many objections have been submitted should speak volumes to the city’s planning committee.

“I visited Glasgow School of Art only recently and it’s absolutely clear that this development would significantly dwarf this unique Grade A listed building. The Mackintosh building is a precious part of Glasgow’s skyline and this should be protected. The scale of the proposed development would also restrict light into the building, which is crucial to the functioning of the School of Art.

“Glasgow is becoming saturated with student accommodation, with little assessment of either the need for this, the impact on local communities or on the wider landscape of the city.

“I hope the Council will take on board the significant concerns raised and throw these plans out unconditionally”.

Thewliss in Kit House Factory visit

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Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, recently visited the CCG off site manufacturing factory in Glasgow, which produced many of the homes in the Dalmarnock Athletes’ Village.

Thewliss is a member of the Commons Communities and Local Government select committee, which is currently undertaking an inquiry into the housebuilding industry. She has hailed CCG’s house building techniques as being revolutionary and a model which others should look to.

CCG has a well-developed model of building timber properties within its Glasgow factory. The facility stretches to 130,000 square feet and is capable of producing over 3,000 buildings every year.

Alison Thewliss MP said:

“My visit to CCG was absolutely fascinating – the work they are doing is nothing short of revolutionary and it’s great to see such a high quality product being assembled quite so rapidly. CCG have worked hard to make house building more efficient, dramatically reducing the time taken to construct new homes.

“CCG is a remarkable firm based in Glasgow with over 600 employees and a turnover of £120 million per year. I was particularly impressed with the strong emphasis they’ve put on training and apprenticeships, which will go some way to dealing with some of the skills shortages within the construction industry.

“As the CLG committee continues to look at capacity in the housebuilding industry, I am very hopeful that we’ll be able to take a closer look at the impressive work CCG is doing in Scotland.”

MP visits Youth Community Support Project

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Glasgow Central MP, Alison Thewliss, recently visited YCSA, a youth community initiative which is based in the Pollokshields area of her constituency.

Youth Community Support Agency (YCSA) is a leading BME charity with 20 years of experience, focussing on empowering young people in a variety of ways including support in education, the arts, and employability.

Visiting the project, Ms Thewliss learned more about the charity and spent more than an hour doing a question and answer session with over 20 young people supported by the project.

Commenting after her visit to YCSA, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I was so grateful to Clare and her colleagues at YCSA for such a warm welcome to the project. I was particularly impressed with the wide range of questions from all of the young people whose lives are being changed for the better by this fantastic community initiative.

“I would urge anyone who has an interest in supporting or learning more about YCSA, to visit their website – this is a fabulous community group which is doing valuable work.”

More cuts to disability benefits “completely unacceptable”

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Alison Thewliss MP sitting at her desk in Parliament

Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, has described planned further cuts to disability benefits as “completely unacceptable” and called for an assurance that disabled people will not be left financially worse off under new proposals from the UK Government.

The UK government has announced emergency legislation to change the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payment, and overturn the decision of two tribunal rulings against the Department for Work and Pensions last year. The UK Government claims that these changes would reduce spending on disability benefits by £3.7 billion. In reality, the changes will deny over 160,000 people access to Personal Independence Payment, cutting vital support which helps people cope with the extra costs of living with disability.

These changes come on the back of the comments made by Tory MP and head of the Number 10 Policy Unit George Freeman, who said that the changes would ensure that benefits went to people who are “really disabled” rather than people “who suffer from anxiety”. Mr Freeman’s comments have drawn criticism from disability rights organisations for the insensitive way that he portrayed sufferers of anxiety.

Commenting on the legislation, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“For a Tory MP, and one of Theresa May’s most senior advisers, to suggest that people with a mental health condition are not “really disabled” is completely unacceptable and wrong. George Freeman’s words highlight this Tory government’s total lack of understanding or compassion when it comes to providing for those who are less fortunate than others.

“The Tories said there would be no further cuts to disability support during this parliament, but once again they have shown that the price of their failed austerity project is to be borne by those who are least able to afford it.

“The UK government must urgently clarify what these new proposals will mean for people who currently receive Personal Independence Payment and give a concrete assurance that any changes will not result in a reduction in financial support for disabled people.

“I have signed the “prayer” motion laid down in the House of Commons to formally object to this legislation and I call on MPs from across the House of Commons to unite in opposition against these changes.”

MP calls for guarantee for the right to remain for EU citizens

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On Monday (20 February 2017), I was delighted to show my support for a mass lobby of Parliament organised by the3million.org.uk, UNISON and New Europeans in support of EU citizens’ right to stay in the country after Brexit.

I was proud to sign a pledge to call on Theresa May to guarantee unilaterally the rights of EU citizens living in Scotland and the UK, as the SNP-led Scottish Government has called on them to do following the result of the EU referendum. MPs from six different parties signed this pledge, representing the widespread concern of parliamentarians on this issue. Around 180,000 EU nationals are currently resident in Scotland and make a highly important contribution to Scottish society.

I believe workers from across Europe play a vital role in our public services, especially in the NHS where in Scotland 5% of the overall NHS workforce are EU nationals. Many of these people are long existing residents of Scotland and the UK, they and their families deserve better than years of uncertainty and being reduced to bargaining chips in the upcoming negotiations.

The Government must reconsider their stance on this important issue and unilaterally grants the Right to Remain for EU citizens before the process of Brexit negotiations begins.

Yemen air bombing campaign raised in Parliament

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Alison Thewliss MP speaking in the House of Commons

Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, today (Tuesday 21st February) raised with Foreign Office Ministers the difficulty posed to aid workers in Yemen as a result of the sustained Saudi air bombing campaign.

The SNP MP is a leading member of the APPG on Yemen and recently met with a delegation of aid workers in Parliament to hear first-hand the difficulties NGOs face as a result of “perpetual bombardment”.

Responding to the Glasgow MP, Foreign Office Minister Tobias Elwood undertook to raise this matter with Saudi Ministers in Riyadh later this week.

Commenting, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“The perpetual bombardment of Yemen by Saudi Arabia is decimating the region and has led to a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions.

“Thousands of people have died, millions have been displaced and many children are severely malnourished. Adding to this miserable situation, Yemen is now at risk of famine.

“The in-country aid workers I spoke to recently told me some really horrific stories about their work in the Yemen. Workers being stopped at checkpoints are being exposed to serious risk, and indiscriminate bombing is severely limiting the action NGOs and aid workers can safely take to meet the growing humanitarian need.

“I am grateful to the Minister for undertaking to raise these concerns later this week when he visits Saudi Arabia.

“We cannot stand back any longer whilst Yemen is in such severe crisis”.

 

Alison Thewliss MP shows her support for the 49,000

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Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, has committed to support the charity Together for Short Lives’ call to provide better support for children and young people who need palliative care and their families.

The charity, which speaks out for the 49,000 children and young people in the UK who are expected to have short lives, held a special Westminster reception on Tuesday (7 February) to highlight the devastating impact that life-limiting and life-threatening conditions can have on children and their families. MPs heard about the action that Together for Short Lives would like the Chancellor of the Exchequer to take to help these vulnerable families when he delivers his Budget on 8 March.

During the reception Ms Thewliss heard from Rachel Thompson, the mother of nine year old Frank who was diagnosed with a rare life-limiting condition when he was just four. Rachel told parliamentarians about the pressures of coordinating Frank’s 24/7 care and the support she and her family receive from their local children’s palliative care services.

The reception also saw the launch of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children Who Need Palliative Care. The group will provide an important forum for MPs and Peers to hear about the issues facing these seriously ill children – and what action they can take in Parliament to help.

Children with life-limiting conditions require a wide range of professionals working together across different health and care services to support them. Unfortunately, there is a postcode lottery of support for children and their families as many cannot access the care that they need. This is because it is not available in their area or there are not enough professionals with the right skills and experience to care for them.

Alison Thewliss MP said

“I really appreciated having the opportunity to hear Frank’s story and to learn about the wonderful support he receives from a range of services, including his local children’s hospice.

“It was evident at the reception that there is much more to do to help families overcome the serious challenges they face on a day to day basis. I support the charity’s call to make the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance available to children under three who are dependent on heavy and bulky life support equipment. Currently this benefit is only available to children aged three or over. I look forward to working with Together for Short Lives in Parliament to support children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families.”

You can find out more about Together for Short Lives’ work to transform the lives of children with life-limiting conditions at www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk or join the conversation using #forthe49000.

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.”

 

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.”