BBC BOSSES MUST ALLOW GAZA APPEAL TO BE SHOWN ON TV.

BBC BOSSES MUST ALLOW GAZA APPEAL TO BE SHOWN ON TV.

SNP MSP Sandra White has expressed her outrage at a decision by the BBC not to show a Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for Gaza out of concerns it could compromise its impartiality.

Other broadcasters are reported to have followed the BBC's decision.

Glasgow MSP Ms White who has recently visited Gaza on a fact finding trip said;

"This is an unbelievably ridiculous decision by the BBC that will hinder efforts to raise funds to provide essential supplies and medical care for the people of Gaza.

"Whatever people's views on the conflict there is no doubt that international aid is of vital importance in Gaza at this time.

"The Scottish people are well known for their generosity to appeals from the DEC but without TV time many people will not know where or how to make their donation.

"This is a vital appeal to support the work of the Red Cross, Oxfam and others not a political statement.

"The BBC's position is simply absurd and I would urge BBC management to reconsider this decision as a matter of urgency."

SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY MSPs CELEBRATE 250th ANNIVERSARY OF ROBERT BURNS.

SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY MSPs CELEBRATE 250^th ANNIVERSARY OF ROBERT BURNS.

SNP members of the Scottish Parliament are kicking off Homecoming 2009 with numerous Burns celebrations across Scotland.

The group of 47 MSPs will be attending a host of events from Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock, taking part in the Burns Supper at Kilmarnock Prison to Stuart McMillan MSP, West of Scotland, playing the bagpipes at a local event.

South of Scotland MSP Aileen Campbell has urged her fellow MSPs and people across Scotland to take part in the World Record attempt at the largest simultaneous Burns toast; and John Swinney will toast the lassies at the Perth Burns Club supper.

2009 is the 250^th Anniversary of birth of Scotland’s national bard and Burns Night is kicking off the celebrations that run all the way through to St Andrews Day.

Kilmarnock MSP Willie Coffey said;

“Burns night is one of the highlights of our National Calendar and this year is even more special with it being the 250^th Anniversary of Burns birth and also the start of Homecoming.

Some of the events SNP MSPs will be attending over the next few weeks include;

Willie Coffey, Attending Kilmarnock Prison Burns Supper and Kilmarnock
Amateur Operatic Society

Aileen Campbell, Hosts a World Record Attempt Burns Supper, Sunday 25^th

John Swinney, Perth Burns Club – Toast to the lassies.

Stuart McMillan, Piping at three Burns Suppers

Fergus Ewing, Highland Hospice Burns Supper

Bruce Crawford, Stirling Incorporation of Skinners (the seven trades associations) Burns Supper

Alasdair Morgan, Immortal memory at Kirkcudbright Bowling Club

SNP MSP JOINS PARENTS AGAINST LABOUR'S SAVAGE SCHOOL CUTS.

SNP MSP JOINS PARENTS AGAINST LABOUR'S SAVAGE SCHOOL CUTS.



Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris today (Friday 23rd January 2009) joined parents from across Glasgow (including those he has already met with from Wyndford and Ruchill) at a protest outside Glasgow City Chambers against the ruling Labour group's proposed school closure programme.

Commenting on the Labour-run Council's plans Mr Doris said: "The savage school closure programme proposed by Labour controlled Glasgow City Council is worrying. I have spoken to parents who learned of the proposed closures in the media. "That's no way to treat children, parents and the community.

Whilst every proposal must be viewed on its own merits I fear that a decision has already been taken and that the consultation about to begin may be a case of the City Council merely going through the motions. "A six week consultation period is not enough to fully listen to communities. These proposals should be halted in their tracks and real engagement should start with parents. Only then should the Council come back with any proposals that will enhance the education provision of Glasgow's school children. "

I have met with parents from two effected areas in Wyndford and Ruchill. There is a huge amount of anger. Wyndford is losing two schools and closure will leave this hard pressed area devastated at a time when it is desperately trying to attract families into the community.
"The Wyndford has experienced several tragic events in recent months and is trying to rebuild. The relatively new but successful head teachers in both St Gregory's and Wyndford primaries are part of that rebuilding exercise. What Labour councillors are proposing is a demolition job on the community.

"Parents from the Ruchill area have similar concerns. They are losing Ruchill and Our Lady of the Assumption primaries. Parents have also been left wondering about what will happen to the Autism Unit based in Ruchill primary if the school closes. "I will be protesting with parents from these schools outside Glasgow City Chambers and the ruling Labour Group must show they are capable of listening and responding positively. It seems Glasgow City Council may be attempting to undermine efforts by the Scottish Government to reduce class sizes and it is the children and parents in our city who will suffer."

UK TREASURY BACKS PFI PAYMENTS TO INCREASE BANK PROFITS.

UK TREASURY BACKS PFI PAYMENTS TO INCREASE BANK PROFITS.

UK TREASURY CONFIRMS £216 BILLION BILL.

Jamie Hepburn, SNP MSP for Central Scotland, has expressed his amazement at a statement from HM Treasury which states that the Treasury will not negotiate better terms for the repayment of PFI debt with banks which have benefited from Government recapitalisation [1] as it would damage Treasury shareholdings.

The Treasury also confirmed that PFI repayments for the next 25 years come to £216 billion – a figure disputed when the SNP revealed it following the pre-budget report.

Responding to a letter from Mr Hepburn Treasury official James Dunstan told Mr Hepburn:

“The Government’s investments are managed on a commercial basis by a new arm’s-length company, ‘UK Financial Instruments Limited’ (UKFI), which is wholly owned by the Government. Its overarching objectives are to protect and create value for the taxpayer as shareholder, with due regard to financial stability and acting in a way that promotes competition…

“For these reasons HM Treasury would not wish to compel improved terms for PFI/PPP payments from the recapitalised banks”.

Commenting, Jamie Hepburn MSP said:

“It sounds as if the UK Government is robbing Peter to pay Paul, and taxpayers in Scotland are being ripped-off twice over.

“Not only are taxpayers funding billion-pound bail-outs for the banks with few guarantees in return they are paying these same banks even more billions in PFI debts – and it seems that the UK Government not only thinks this makes sense, but that it is a good thing.

“Taxpayers money is propping up the share price in more ways than one.

“In these extraordinary economic times, a bit of common sense should prevail, and the Government should start negotiating better terms for the PFI debts held by banks in which it is now a shareholder.”

SNP MP and Treasury Spokesman Stewart Hosie noted the Treasury’s confirmation in its letter to Mr Hepburn that there is a £216 billion bill for PFI projects

“When the SNP revealed the cost of PFI was £216 billion the Treasury told us we were wrong. Now their own officials are accepting this figure as the cost of PFI for the next 25 years and it seems there is billions of more debt soon to be added to that bill.”