Scottish Parliament News
number 6

Cathy Peattie MSP
Falkirk East

Working Together in Scotland

The Scottish Executive’s Programme for Government was launched on Thursday 1st February. Speaking to the Scottish Parliament, First Minister Henry McLeish said that the coalition partnership would continue to be guided by principle of Social Justice. Welcoming the document, Cathy Peattie said that she was pleased by the emphasis on tackling poverty; the strong commitment to public services; and the pledges on education and full employment. Working Together for Scotland also outlines some of the things that have already been achieved by the Scottish Parliament, including:

  • a new Health Plan;
  • new teacher’s pay arrangements;
  • a better deal - including central heating - for all pensioners;
  • a new drugs strategy;
  • a healthy economy and record employment levels; and,
  • a transport strategy that takes account of the environment and public transport alternatives to more roads.

Long Term Care

Welcoming the Scottish Executive commitment implementing the Sutherland report, Cathy Peattie said ”the Scottish Parliament has again shown that it is willing and able to go its own way on major issues, by backing proposals for universal free personal care, in addition to the nursing care already agreed.”

The announcement was made in an emergency Scottish Executive statement to parliament, minutes before a crunch vote on the issue - with the Executive facing defeat as backbench Labour MSPs threatened to vote with the opposition. “Backbenchers were upset that despite previous statements of support, the Executive had ruled out the introduction of free personal care for all pensioners in Scotland.

Speaking for the Executive, Tom McCabe MSP said that the Executive would “bring forward, as soon as practicable after consideration of the Development Groups Report in August 2001 proposals for the implementation of free personal care for all, along with an analysis of the costs and implications of so doing.”

“We have taken cognisance of the views expressed yesterday and today, especially the sincerely held views of our colleagues in the Liberal Democrat and Labour parties.”

2001: UN Year of Volunteering

This is the title of Motion S1M-1478, to be debated in the Scottish Parliament at 5pm on Wednesday 7th February - the first tabled by Cathy to be selected for Members’ Business. Every week, dozens of motions are submitted for the debates, but only two are chosen ...

That the Parliament notes that 2001 is the United Nations International Year of Volunteering; further notes that the year can facilitate the sharing of ideas, good practice and information about volunteering, community empowerment and the development of active citizenship within democratic systems; encourages all MSPs to take part in volunteering activity throughout the year through organisations such as the Falkirk Volunteer Network, and invites the Scottish Executive to mark the year appropriately.

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