PDE Column, 16th February 2008 – Challenge 21, Call to reverse Nuresry Cuts, Star Success

Challenge 21

As many of you will know I have been running a local campaign against rogue retailers who sell drink illegally to under-agers.

In the last 5 years only one off-licence locally in Renfrewshire has had its license suspended. I think we need to change the approach and in every case where there has been a prosecution for selling to under-agers the local licensing board should consider removing the license.

Very soon we will know how the public have reacted to plans to ban under-21s buying alcohol. Labour believes it would be much better to concentrate on sorting out enforcement to stop under 18s getting illegal access to alcohol. That is why I am supporting plans to introduce a “Challenge 21″ Scheme and calling on the Scottish Government to make the “Challenge 21” scheme mandatory for all alcohol retailers to help curb the supply of booze to under 18s.

This is a workable plan that will help curb the supply of alcohol to under-18s and a practical solution to solve a real problem – rather than headline grabbing unworkable policies.

By making Challenge 21 compulsory for all retailers it will not only send a clear message to young people not to chance it, but also lead to a healthy culture where young people know and expect to be challenged when buying alcohol.

It is sensible at the same time to introduce measures that will make it easier for young people to prove their age and increase the protection of shop workers who are responsible for implementing the policy. I urge the Justice Secretary to look seriously at these proposals.

Call to reverse Nursery Cuts

I recently spoke up for Renfrewshire’s Nurseries in the Scottish Parliament.
The SNP in Renfrewshire were heavily criticised in a parliamentary debate on the early years for their plans to downgrade all nursery schools later this year. What the SNP promise and what the SNP deliver are two different things. Nursery teacher numbers are being slashed and by august there will be no Renfrewshire nursery schools left. Nursery school teachers are being forced to consider redundancy or early retirement. Children will be the losers. With £6m extra cash next year from the Scottish government – the SNP in Renfrewshire should be using it to make good last year’s education cuts and halting the closure of nurseries.

This week in England and Wales parents of all vulnerable 2 year olds were guaranteed a nursery place this autumn. Here in Scotland under the SNP that is not happening

Star Success

Finally some good news! For many years I have been supportive of the “Star Project” which began in Shortroods some ten years ago by local churches it aims to support local young people, parents and families.

Recently it received a massive vote of confidence from the Big Lottery – the grant will support its future work in the North End. The picture shows me with David Close, Project Director and Women’s Support worker Sharon McAuley.

This is a fantastic well deserved boost for the Star Project. Their work in the North End to support young people and their parents will be greatly expanded by this vote of confidence from the big lottery. From humble beginnings in a flat in Shortroods the Star project is helping people forge new beginnings and live life to the full.

David Close STAR project manager said, “We are thrilled at the opportunities which this grant from Big Lottery Fund opens up for STAR to better support adults and families in North Paisley.  We can now plan for the next four years and employ two full-time workers who will give individual help and support as well as developing a wide range of groups and services.  Together with local people we can continue to build a community where there’s a place for everyone.”