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"...her campaigning against education cuts is good news for parents" - Rachael Ewing, Seedhill
"...her campaigning against education cuts is good news for parents" - Rachael Ewing, Seedhill
Wendy Alexander MSP is encouraging people to recycle more in the lead up to the holidays.
Wendy Alexander MSP said:
“I know in our house we generate more waste at Christmas than any other time of year. I’m encouraging all individuals and businesses to increase recycling.
“During the holidays, we tend to create more waste than at other times of the year. The weather makes it more difficult for everyone to pitch in – and many bin men have had to help with gritting. So it’s all the more important we each try and do our bit.”
In Paisley, household waste and recycling centres may be found at 52 Underwood Road and Leitchland Road, Foxbar. Mini recycling points, which provide large bins for glass, newspapers, cans, mixed plastics, clothes and textiles, can be found at Morrison’s locations at Anchor Mill and Neilston Road.
The bad weather set the scene for this festive season. My children’s initial joy at the first snow soon gave way to frustration. I could not wait for the ice to melt and temperatures to rise. What have we been doing to the world’s climate? And rising fuel bills are causing widespread anxiety as people turned up the heat just to stay warm.
It was through these days that I was reading my children a very traditional Advent calendar story. One that actually told the Christmas story day by day. A welcome change from the more typical chocolate calendars!
Somehow the bleaker our midwinter the more relevant the Christmas message seems. Are we properly stewarding the earth’s resources, looking after our neighbour, offering shelter to the stranger? The sheer discomfort of the cold makes you think harder about the good things life has given so many of us. Read more »
Today Wendy Alexander MSP issued Six Tips for what to do in severe weather to coincide with a debate Labour called in Scottish Parliament to improve winter resilience.
Wendy Alexander said:
“This month’s severe weather has showed that we must do better. In Parliament today we agreed new measures to protect everyone in the future. Lessons have to be learned about reacting to the exceptional weather conditions. Read more »
Research conducted by Carers UK released this month indicates that carers across Scotland are missing out on £72.5 million of unclaimed Carer’s Allowance each year, with carers in Renfrewshire missing out on an estimated £2.3 million in unclaimed benefit.
Figures released show that approximately 800 carers are missing out on Carer’s Allowance in Renfrewshire where there are an estimated 2,330 eligible.
Wendy Alexander MSP said:
“When carers are performing one of the most vital functions in our society – looking after loved ones who may not otherwise be able to obtain the support they need – a Carer’s Allowance can help with extra costs. Read more »
13,000 Renfrewshire homes miss out on fuel bill savings
During the chilly weather and tough economic times help is available for those who need assistance with their energy bills. According the Home Heat Helpline, there are approximately 13,000 households in Renfrewshire that could claim free insulation grants and reduced tariffs from their energy companies.
Despite the fact that people could typically save £260 a year on their energy bill, only 12 per cent have actually claimed the assistance.
Wendy Alexander MSP said:
“I am inundated with constituents’ concerns about rising bills. With the lower temperatures continuing, I encourage everyone who needs assistance to apply. Less than one in five eligible for help apply. Typical savings are over £250 per year. Read more »
Scottish Government statistics released this week indicate that knives continue to account for three times as many homicides as the second most common method of killing. Despite the figures showing an overall decrease in the number of homicides, the proportion of killings conducted using a ‘sharp instrument’ continued to account for the greatest number (44%) of killings across Scotland.
Wendy Alexander MSP reiterated the call to introduce mandatory minimum custodial sentences for those caught in possession of a knife. She said:
“While the overall decrease in the number of homicides is a positive development, we cannot be complacent when stabbings continue to account for three times as many homicides as the second most common method of killing. Read more »
Concerned residents have taken action after plans to close Whitehaugh and West Lane Gardens day centres were revealed by Renfrewshire Council. Wendy Alexander MSP and Hugh Henry MSP joined a group of supporters of the centres to present a petition to Councillors earlier this month. Cllr. Sharkey received the petition, as Deputy Convenor of the Scrutiny and Petitions Board, which stated that these centres should remain open as the services provided greatly benefit their local communities.
Wendy Alexander MSP says more bleak news for education
Wendy Alexander MSP today expressed deep concern over the collapse in numbers of post-probationary teachers gaining permanent jobs.
New statistics from the General Teaching Council Scotland say that the percentage of probationary staff who have obtained full time permanent posts has now fallen to just 16.1 per cent – a record low and it means that fewer than 1 in 6 new teachers get a full time permanent job. Also over a quarter of probationary teachers now have no teaching job at all.
These figures come only a week after the number of teachers in Scotland fell by another 800 and the pupil teacher ratio rose again to 13.3. Read more »
Wendy Alexander MSP is encouraging all local residents to get their Christmas letters and parcels in the post soon to ensure arrival in time for the holidays.
Wendy Alexander MSP said today:
“To avoid the Christmas rush, I’m reminding all buddies to get their cards in the post as soon as possible in the coming weeks.
“Royal Mail and our posties do a fantastic job over the holiday season, making extra deliveries in the winter weather and staying open for longer hours. If we all endeavour to get our post in on time operations over the holiday season run much more smoothly. Read more »
Wendy Alexander MSP has called on the Scottish Government to back Labour’s plans to take action on unemployment, and particularly youth unemployment. A new analysis from the STUC shows that long term youth unemployment has risen by 193 per cent in Renfrewshire since 2008. The total number of claimants aged 24 and under receiving Job Seeker’s Allowance in the area increased from 75 in January 2008 to 220 in September 2010.
Scottish Labour has pledged to create a Scottish Future Jobs Fund with the aim of providing 10,000 jobs or training places for young people. Labour is also committed to the reinstatement of Project Scotland and a guaranteed apprenticeship for qualified 16-18 year olds. Read more »