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Dear Constituent

Welcome to my website and the regular update on my work.


The main issue at First Minister’s Question Time was the SNPs humiliating U-turn on Local Income Tax. As Iain Gray pointed out, SNP manifesto promises to pay-off student debts and develop a Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) have also gone. While I’m pleased that people in Glasgow Kelvin, including the many students at the Colleges and Universities in the constituency, will not have to pay the Local Income Tax, we all need to remember that the SNP still plan to re-introduce the Local Income Tax if they are re-elected in 2011. The Local Income Tax is a bad policy, it would damage the Scottish Economy and destroy local services.


The other main issue at Parliament this week was the Alex Salmond’s ministerial reshuffle. It was a genuine surprise to everyone and amazingly it was not leaked in advance. Moving Linda Fabiani does not take away from the SNP's lack of vision for the Arts in Scotland. The Artistic community are frustrated at the lack of clarity and engagement on developing the new arts body Creative Scotland and it is wrong to think the blame for the collapse of the Creative Scotland bill is down to one person. I have written to Michael Russell the new Culture Minister congratulating him on his appointment and urging him to consider the case for Central Government funding for Glasgow’s internationally renowned Museums and Galleries.


I was the studio guest on Holyrood Highlights, the Scottish Parliament’s weekly programme. This week the programme looked at the issues of Climate Change, Local Government Finance as well the Cabinet Secretary for Justice’s evidence to the Parliaments Public Petitions Committee on Community Prisons.


My Constituency Surgery at Partick Burgh Hall this week was extremely busy. It lasted for three and a half hours and I extend my apologies to the constituents for the long wait to see me. I am glad that so may of my constituents give me the opportunity to communicate directly with them in this way.


We are still in the process of confirming the plans for the Edinburgh Direct Aid Scotland to Gaza convoy which is heading to Gaza with much needed medical supplies and equipment. An article on the convoy was featured in the Glaswegian newspaper and I am delighted that Edinburgh Direct Aid were successful in their application for funding from the Scottish Government. The convoy truck was at the Scottish Parliament recently to acknowledge the work that MSPs have done to support the convoy and photos from this event are on the right-hand side of this page.


Finally, you may not be aware that the deadline for applying to the Scottish Government’s current Central Heating Programme is the 31st March 2009. I want to urge all pensioners who are entitled to this offer to apply to make sure that they don’t miss out on a new central heating system which could save them around £275 a year on their energy bills.


Last year, the current SNP Government narrowed the eligibility criteria for the scheme.  However, many pensioners over 60 could still be eligible for a new central heating system.  Over 60s who own or privately rent their home and currently have no central heating are being urged to call the Freephone number to see if they qualify for a new central heating system.  Also, over 60s with partial or inefficient heating should also check to see if they are eligible, though they may need to be in receipt of the guarantee element of Pension Credit to qualify.

The Freephone number is 0800 316 1653, and you will also get a free benefit health check to make sure you are getting all you are entitled to.


Thanks for stopping by.


Pauline McNeill MSP
for Glasgow Kelvin

Updated 16 February 2009

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[N.B. Parliament is now in recess until 23 February 2009]