Pauline McNeill MSP

my regular blog from

Dear Constituent

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

I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak at Kelvinside Community Council, mainly on the issue of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). A number of my constituents and Community Councils in Glasgow Kelvin have raised the issue of HMOs with me and I am continuing to pursue this matter with both Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government.

I have lodged a number of motions in Parliament recently, one of the most recent of which welcomes the decision by Glasgow City Council, Scotland’s largest local authority, to pay its staff a new minimum wage of £7 per hour. This move has the potential to improve the lives of thousands of families across the city.

More good news was the BVT shipyard at Scotstoun securing a share of a £150 million order. The contract will help the yard maintain staff levels, especially important given that BVT offers the largest private sector apprenticeship scheme in Scotland.

I have also lodged a motion welcoming the Glasgow School of Art launching an international competition to design a new campus building opposite its iconic Mackintosh building in the heart of Garnethill, as well as a motion praising the British Red Cross, which has responded to recent international emergencies in Zimbabwe and Gaza, and a motion calling on supermarkets to use their purchasing influence to reduce excessive packaging, while one of the highlights of my week in Glasgow Kelvin was attending the Marie Curie Fundraising event at Garnetbank Primary School.

Pauline with pupils at the Marie Curie Fundraising event at Garnetbank Primary School.

As Labour’s shadow spokesperson on Broadcasting, I responded to the Minister’s statement on Broadcasting. I asked for assurances that the Scottish Government will put the interests of viewers before party politics. I reiterated my support for a new Scottish digital channel and we are willing to engage in a constructive debate about how we move this forward, but a priority should be ensuring that ITV continues to deliver quality public service programmes for Scottish audiences. This is an area where the Scottish Parliament and Westminster should be working together.

My question at General Question Time was on the Clyde Tunnel, which is an integral part of the road network not just in Glasgow but for the West of Scotland. It is time that the Scottish Government developed a distinct funding mechanism for the Tunnel and stop treating it just like any other road.

The main issue at First Minister’s Question Time was the issue of apprentices who are made redundant still being able to finish their training. As Iain Gray pointed out, the First Minister agreed to such an Apprenticeship Guarantee during the discussions on the Budget and he must make good his guarantee.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pauline McNeill MSP
for Glasgow Kelvin

Updated 20 March 2009

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Scotland to Gaza Convoy Appeal

I have also been busy with my plans for a Scottish medical aid convoy to the Gaza Strip and have secured the support of Edinburgh Direct Aid and many offers of assistance from local hospitals and others. A successful Fundraising Gig was held in G2 in Glasgow in November.

Click here for more information.

Gaza Convoy Leaflet

Please contact me for further information.