​CLYDEBANK’S MSP has spoken out after the town’s iconic Titan Crane was subjected to vandalism.

On Friday August 26, vandals climbed up onto the structure and removed lights, throwing them off the crane.

Clydebank police have issued an appeal for more information - but the incident has provoked a fierce reaction from the public, including Gil Paterson MSP and Martin Docherty-Hughes MP.

Mr Paterson said: "Damage to the Titan Crane like this is not just random vandalism but a crime against the whole of Clydebank. Because of what the Titan Crane means to the town, it's an attack on the community.

“Wanton violence is not acceptable in any shape but particularly when you're attacking an iconic landmark that is so important to Clydebank and its people.

“I hope the police are able to track down those responsible and bring about justice – and I urge anyone in the public who may know anything to get in touch with them.”

​RESIDENTS of Clydebank and Milngavie are to continue benefiting from free eye tests.

Gil Paterson MSP is throwing his weight behind the move by the Scottish Government who said it has saved constituents money, improved health and helped detect more serious illnesses early.

Health secretary Shona Robison also announced a review to consider the role that community eye services play within the wider NHS and whether more can be done to improve the level of care for patients.

It comes a decade on from the successful introduction of free NHS eye examinations, which has seen a 29 per cent increase in the number of tests carried out since 2006.

Over two million eye examinations a year are now carried out in Scotland, providing both a sight test and an eye health check that can identify treatable conditions at an early stage in their development.

Mr Paterson said it has benefited Clydebank and Milngavie by saving the public money but more importantly, picking up illnesses, some very serious, early.

He said: “It’s fantastic to hear the public of Clydebank and Milngavie will continue to reap the benefits of the free NHS eye examination.

"Free eye tests have saved my constituents save a lot of money, given them access to vital eye-care, helped detect serious illnesses at an early stage and make significant differences to people’s health.

"On the back of this, I encourage everyone in my constituency to make use of this if they have been putting off an eye test or think they might have an eye-care issue.

"I would like to thank all of the opticians­­ and their staff across Clydebank and Milngavie who have helped deliver this service to the public - your efforts are very much appreciated."

The review is set to report to Scottish ministers by the end of the year.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

In 2006/7 the number of eye examinations carried out was approximately 1.51 million. In 2014/15 this had risen to 2.04 million.

Anyone who wishes to share their view on current community eye-care services in Scotland can do so by contacting the Review team by email at the following address: nhseyecarereview@gov.scot

More information is available on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Health/Services/EyeCare

GIL Paterson MSP has raised concerns about the economic impact of Brexit to Scotland after new research was revealed.

Today, Scottish Government analysis drawing on research from a range of external organisations showed that leaving the EU could cost the Scottish economy as much as £11.2 billion per year by 2030.

The figures, which also showed Scotland’s public finances could fall by as much as £3.7 billion per year, are further evidence that in order to protect jobs and livelihoods across Dunbartonshire, Scotland’s position in the EU must be maintained. The analysis points to damage to exports, reductions in investment and reduced economic growth as major concerns.

Mr Paterson said: "The economic climate of Scotland is clearly under threat - it is important off the back of this research we do all we can to secure Scotland's place in the European Union.

"Scotland's economy could lose up to £11.2 billion as a result of Brexit - this is a potentially staggering loss.

"Clydebank and Milngavie reaps the benefits of Scotland's membership of the EU. Being part of it provides countless business and job opportunities.

"Scotland should not be taken out of the EU after it voted to remain - the Scottish Government is doing an excellent job of exploring all options for us to stay.

"The research clearly shows we are better off in the EU, and we should be taking action to remain in order to protect the economy of Clydebank and Milngavie and indeed that of the whole nation."

Notes:

Scottish Government research is available here: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00504615.pdf

​GIL Paterson MSP has condemned the life expectancy figures in West Dunbartonshire and pointed the finger at decades of neglect in the town by the British state.

Earlier this week, National Records of Scotland published how the average life expectancy among Scots is now 77.1 years for men and 81.1 years for women.

The last available data for West Dunbartonshire shows it is well below the national average.
Men in the region can expect to live to age 74.1 and women age 78.7.

Mr Paterson criticised the circumstances that have caused people to live less than others in Scotland.

The Clydebank and Milngavie MSP said: “Tragically, the lower than average rates in this region are of no shock or surprise to me – it is no secret Clydebank has suffered dearly in recent decades with the industrial exodus and closure of the yards caused by reckless Tory governments of the past.

“In more recent years, we have seen benefits reduced to our most vulnerable and poorest, and attacks on low income families orchestrated by Conservative politicians. This has transpired as the cost of living soars for the people of Clydebank. A psychological war has been waged upon the poor by the wealthy politicians and their class.

 “But this socio-economic problem is impossible to mitigate with the limited powers we have in Scotland – the government here needs full powers with independence to heal the wounds upon the former industrial heartlands plagued by poverty.”

​PARLIAMENTARIAN for Clydebank and Milngavie has announced he is open to the use of cannabis for medicinal use.

Gil Paterson MSP explained he is sympathetic due to the scientific case and cited how opium is used both legally and illegally in morphine and heroin.

He has backed Clydebank’s MP, Martin Docherty-Hughes, who this week said he would support the campaign for using cannabis as a medicine – End Our Pain, the Campaign to Legalise Access to Medical Cannabis in the UK

The scientific case shows cannabis can be used effectively for treating chronic pain, neuropathic pain, spasticity in various neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis, nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy and loss of appetite, especially in HIV and AIDS. Evidence is also emerging that it is helps with Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, Epilepsy, Tourette’s syndrome and aspects of Parkinson’s disease.

Medical cannabis is used in many countries around the world, including Germany, Canada, 24 US states, Czech Republic and more.

Mr Paterson said: “If we are going to use morphine in medicine – opium, the main ingredient of heroin – we have to entertain the notion of using cannabis for medicinal purposes.

“I am not supporting the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use, as I believe using one drug lead to many of its users experimenting with harder, more unsafe drugs.

“I think Martin Docherty-Hughes MP has done the right thing is signing the MPs pledge, and if there were one for the MSPs I would certainly back it.”

Find out more about the campaign at www.endourpain.org.

​GIL Paterson MSP has condemned the life expectancy figures in West Dunbartonshire and pointed the finger at decades of neglect in the town by the British state.

Earlier this week, National Records of Scotland published how the average life expectancy among Scots is now 77.1 years for men and 81.1 years for women.

The last available data for West Dunbartonshire shows it is well below the national average.
Men in the region can expect to live to age 74.1 and women age 78.7.

Mr Paterson criticised the circumstances that have caused people to live less than others in Scotland.

The Clydebank and Milngavie MSP said: “Tragically, the lower than average rates in this region are of no shock or surprise to me – it is no secret Clydebank has suffered dearly in recent decades with the industrial exodus and closure of the yards caused by reckless Tory governments of the past.

“In more recent years, we have seen benefits reduced to our most vulnerable and poorest, and attacks on low income families orchestrated by Conservative politicians. This has transpired as the cost of living soars for the people of Clydebank. A psychological war has been waged upon the poor by the wealthy politicians and their class.

 “But this socio-economic problem is impossible to mitigate with the limited powers we have in Scotland – the government here needs full powers with independence to heal the wounds upon the former industrial heartlands plagued by poverty.”

DISABLED people in Clydebank have been encouraged to stand for election as councillors next year. 
Gil Paterson MSP welcomed the grants the Scottish Government is giving to people with additional needs. 

The Clydebank and Milngavie MSP insisted there should be fairer representation of people with disabilities in elected office. 

The fund will help cover additional costs for accessible transport and communication support. 

The application process was announced at the beginning of August by the Scottish Government.

Mr Paterson said: "Disabled people are significantly under-represented as local councillors — and this has to change. We need our elected bodies to represent society as a whole. 

"This fund will help address the problems disabled people face in the practicalities of an election campaign, which requires attending events, street work and a lot of traveling around the constituency, among many other duties. 

"I encourage people living with a disability who would perhaps worry about standing in an election due to the concerns I mentioned to apply for this fund and participate in our democracy." 

The £200,000 is be used to help to cover additional costs for accessible transport or communications support for disabled people who wish to stand for selection or election in the 2017 local government elections. This also includes £40,000 delivery costs. 


For further information and details on how to apply - http://inclusionscotland.org/information/employability-and-civic-participation/access-to-politics/aeofs/ 
AUG
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Gil Paterson MSP urges disabled people stand for council elections with new grant 

Gil Paterson MSPDISABLED people in Clydebank have been encouraged to stand for election as councillors next year. 

Gil Paterson MSP welcomed the grants the Scottish Government is giving to people with additional needs. 

The Clydebank and Milngavie MSP insisted there should be fairer representation of people with disabilities in elected office. 

The fund will help cover additional costs for accessible transport and communication support. 

The application process was announced at the beginning of August by the Scottish Government.

Mr Paterson said: "Disabled people are significantly under-represented as local councillors — and this has to change. We need our elected bodies to represent society as a whole. 

"This fund will help address the problems disabled people face in the practicalities of an election campaign, which requires attending events, street work and a lot of traveling around the constituency, among many other duties. 

"I encourage people living with a disability who would perhaps worry about standing in an election due to the concerns I mentioned to apply for this fund and participate in our democracy." 

The £200,000 is be used to help to cover additional costs for accessible transport or communications support for disabled people who wish to stand for selection or election in the 2017 local government elections. This also includes £40,000 delivery costs. 


For further information and details on how to apply - http://inclusionscotland.org/information/employability-and-civic-participation/access-to-politics/aeofs/ 

OLDER members of the public are being urged to take bowel screening tests this month by Clydebank's MSP. 

Gil Paterson is backing the Scottish Government's drive to tackle bowel cancer across the country. 

All adults aged 50-74 are invited to take part in bowel screening every two years in Scotland.  

The test remains the best way of finding bowel cancer early, when survival is 14 times more likely. The number of participants between November 2013 and October 2015 was over one million. 

Mr Paterson said: "The bowel screening test is the best way to catch bowel cancer early. I urge all constituents who have been sent a test to do it as soon as they receive it – with it being 14 times more likely to survive bowel cancer when it is caught early. 

“Over a million people completed the test between November 2013 and October 2015, which is an uptake of 57.5 per cent. Whilst this is positive, the Scottish Government will always work to try and secure greater and earlier uptake, to ensure we find even more cancers as early as possible. 

“Returning the test early really could be a lifesaver.” 

For more information or to find out how to request a replacement test visit http://www.getcheckedearly.org ​

​MEASURES taken to reduce child poverty in Clydebank and Milngavie have been welcomed by Gil Paterson MSP.

On Monday, August 8 a consultation was launched ahead of The Child Poverty Bill, which will be introduced next year.

The Scottish Government aims to eradicate child poverty — an issue that has scarred Scotland for generations.

The consultation asks for comments on the proposals to introduce four statutory income targets seeking to drastically reduce child poverty by 2030.

It also focuses on how existing work can be strengthened.

It is among of other measures, such as the commitment to the Living Wage, free school meals, expansion of funded early learning and childcare, and the Scottish Attainment Challenge.

Gil Paterson MSP endorsed the work of the Scottish Government.
The Scottish National Party MSP said: “A great deal of the work my office handles is related to child poverty and the effects of it, so this is great progress in tackling this huge social and economic problem locally.

“I am delighted to see the Scottish Government taking an active approach to end the blight of child poverty. It will surely help youngsters in Clydebank and Milngavie who find themselves in dire circumstances through no fault of their own.”

The consultation asks for comments on proposals to introduce four statutory income targets. 

It also asks whether there are additional or alternative measures of poverty we should consider; and how particular elements of our approach – including our existing measurement framework and advisory structure - could be strengthened. 

Visit https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/social-justice/consultation-on-a-child-poverty-bill-for-scotland for more information.