Scottish Parliament News
number 10

Cathy Peattie MSP
Falkirk East

Working to Improve Scotland's Health

The first progress report on how the Executive's four-year £100m Health Improvement Fund is being used has been published.

The Report, Putting the Pieces in Place, details how Scotland's share of extra tobacco tax revenue is being directed into innovative work in areas such as improving diet, taking more physical activity and improving mental health.

Malcolm Chisholm said that "now in its second year, the report card on the Health Improvement Fund shows that the range of work that is underway and planned right across Scotland. From Shetland to the Borders, in our urban centres and in our rural communities, the Health Improvement Fund has clearly unlocked the ambition of our communities for better health and the energy to achieve it."

Labour Combating Homelessness

Labour is acutely aware of the plight of homeless people :

¨ £27m has been allocated to support the homelessness provisions contained in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

¨ £14.5m over three years has been allocated to decommission Glasgow's outdated hostels

¨ In addition to £40m between 1997-2002 Labour has committed an additional £11m over the next two years to support the delivery of the recommendations in the Homelessness Task Force Report.

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 will improve the rights of homeless people and local authorities' duties towards them.

Funding for Firefighting

Fire brigades across Scotland have been given the green-light to up-grade facilities and equipment following a £7 million boost in funding from the Scottish Executive to support a wide variety of large-scale projects.

Tackling Youth Crime

Minister for Education and Young People Cathy Jamieson said the extra £2m made available would help tackle youth crime as part of the Executive's `Action Programme to Reduce Youth Crime' launched in January.

The Scottish Executive has set out its key objectives to reduce re-offending and to give victims an appropriate place in Scotland's system of youth justice. This investment of £2m is in addition to the four-year £23.5m investment in preventing youth crime announced in June 2000.

Support for Volunteers in Scotland

£925,000 of funding to help empower people to contribute to their communities were unveiled by the Scottish Executive last month.

Speaking at an event marking UN International Year of Volunteers Social Justice Minister, Iain Gray said:

"Funding in 2002-03 will rise to over £2 million. I am pleased to announce that, as part of this funding, for the first time, the Executive is to provide £175,000 over three years to the Scottish Association of Voluntary Managers to help support and train managers from a whole raft of voluntary organisations."

He also announced his decision to continue the Executive's small grants scheme enabling voluntary organisations to obtain grants of up to £500 for volunteering activities.

He further confirmed that the Unemployed Voluntary Action Fund has been awarded a grant of £750,000 over three years to administer such a scheme which will be renamed `Valuing Volunteers'.

Cash windfall for old fridges and freezers

Local authorities are going to benefit from £1.69 million of Executive support to help them meet the costs of disposing of fridges, freezers and other appliances containing ozone-depleting substances. This is a serious environmental concern that is being tackled by Labour, in partnership with our colleagues in the European Parliament.

Setting out the New Drugs Strategy

The Executive's Know the Score campaign to provide better information and more effective messages about the dangers of drugs was set out on the 19^th of March.

A key aim of the £6.3 million strategy is to strengthen communities by removing people's sense of powerlessness on drugs and is the product of extensive public research with equal input from national and local levels.

It includes the biggest-ever national public awareness drive comprising a Know the Score advertising campaign, a telephone information line and website. Local communication strategies targeted at specific groups will also be developed with the aim of providing consistent, comprehensive and relevant information from Stranraer to Shetland. As well as persuading young people to stay away from drugs, the Executive also aims to offer help to drug users who are not in touch with drug services.

The core message remains that all drugs can be dangerous while weblinks to Crimestoppers will make reporting drug dealing easier. However the initiative also recognises that more factual, reliable and consistent information in every community is needed if we are to fight Scotland's drug problem effectively.

National Debate on Education

There are currently two consultations taking place on Education in Scotland - one by the Scottish Executive and one by the Scottish Parliament's Education Culture and Sport committee.

"For The Purposes of Education Inquiry," said Falkirk East's MSP Cathy Peattie, a member of the Scottish Parliament's Education Committee. "The committee has produced a consultative document based around six key themes, and is inviting members of the public and organisations to comment on them.

"This can be done by post or email, or to a web forum, http://www.communitypeople.net/interactive/education1.asp , where others can read your comments. This will be open until June 21^st, and submissions can be from a few words to 1000 words per theme."

The Scottish Executive has also launched a National Debate on Education. The Education Minister, Cathy Jamieson said at its launch that their consultation paper "seeks the public's views on the `big questions' in order to inform and shape a vision for the future."

"The Executive and the Parliament have formed a unique partnership," said Cathy Peattie. "All feedback and information from these two initiatives will be shared so that we work together to improve a service vital to the wellbeing of Scotland.

Cathy said that she was writing to local schools and school boards to encourage them to participate in the consultation, and that copies of the documents would be available through her office.

"At the Moray School Board meeting last week, I stressed the importance of as many people as possible getting involved with both of these consultations. This is a chance for parents, teachers and young people to influence the future of education in Scotland."

Scottish Executive Briefing packs are being distributed widely; and there will be National Debate events, with press and radio advertising to raise awareness of the Debate and let people know how they can participate. Phone 08457 581 750 or see http://www.scotland.gov.uk/nationaldebate/ for more details.

Written submissions to the Scottish Parliament Inquiry should be made to The Inquiry into the Purposes of Education, The Clerk to the Education Culture and Sport Committee, Room 2.7 Committee Chambers, George 1V Bridge, Edinburgh EH99 1SP
Or by e-mail to Paul Howell, Committee Assistant: education@scottish.parliament.uk

MSP calls for better Children's Services

"Local waiting lists for children's health services are far too long," says Falkirk East's MSP, Cathy Peattie.

"It is not acceptable that children should wait so many months and even years for an appointment. Conditions such as skin complaints may not be life threatening, but children should not have to suffer for two years waiting to see someone.

"In the case of psychological services, two years of a child's development must surely make a big difference to whether the child's problems can successfully be addressed. I have raised this matter with the Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm, and he has assured me that an interim report on mental health services for children will be published soon.

"The NHS trust say that they will review appointments if a child's condition deteriorates, but the net result is that suffering increases while that review takes place.

"I believe that currently, children are not necessarily given the priority they deserve. An adult and a child may have the same medical problem, but for the child, this may be the cause of far greater suffering, and disruption to their education, and to their social interaction and development, than for an adult.

"I would like to see special consideration given to children on lists, and will be meeting Anne Hawkins of the Primary Care NHS Trust to discuss the local policy on children's waiting times."

Grangemouth Drug Support Group Formed

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie has welcomed the creation of a Substance Abuse Support Group in Grangemouth.

"This is very good news for the area, which shows the importance of community action and parents getting together to tackle their problems. Such groups have a very important role to play in ensuring that abusers and their parents and carers can get help and understanding when they need it.

"The Scottish Executive is making progress and moving forward with its drug policy, but an important part of their strategy is support for local initiatives, which depends on groups such as this. The Substance Abuse Support Group is a necessary channel to bring additional support to Grangemouth.

"We should also recognise the contribution made by the voluntary sector to get this group off the ground. The group's creation has been supported by several organisations, including VARC and the Kersiebank Community Project.

"The Police and the Council were at the launch meeting and I know that the Health Board is also supportive.
It is important that all these organisations agencies work together to ensure that there is a joined up response and coherent support for abusers and their families.

"The benefits of a group such as this are clearly visible just by looking to neighbouring Bo'ness, where the HOPE project has grown from similar beginnings into a major initiative providing a much needed service."

Renewing Local Democracy

"A major overhaul of local government is currently being considered," says Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie, "and now is the time to make your views known.

"The Scottish Executive has published a consultation document entitled Renewing Local Democracy - the Next Steps. The document deals with how councillors are elected and how they fulfil their role.

"One aim is to minimise the barriers to becoming a councillor, to enable a wider range of people to stand and ensure that councils are representative of their communities. For example, the current restrictions on who can stand exclude people under 21, and council workers must resign even to become a candidate.

"But this isn't just a matter of who stands, but also of how others, such as young people, can participate in the decision making process. This could include the co-option of non-elected members.

"The document also looks at the electoral system for local government, how councillors are paid, and the structure, powers and resources available to councils.

"Changes to the electoral system could mean councillors being elected through top up lists, or wards being made larger with several councillors per ward.

"Should councillors be paid a salary? If so, how should it be determined, and should it apply to all councillors? How should it take account of responsibilities?

"I know that most people will have views on at least some of these matters, but if they want to influence this debate, they need to make those views known.

"The document is available on the web at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/localgov/rldm-00.asp .
If you are not able to view the web at home, remember that it can be accessed through libraries. If that's a problem, then contact my office. Submissions should be sent by email to angela.stewart@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or by post to Angela Stewart, Local Government Constitution and Governance Division, The Scottish Executive, Area 3H, Victoria Quay, EDINBURGH EH6 6QQ

Modern Apprenticeships

Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie has called for greater use of "modern apprenticeships".

"In the past, apprenticeships were a primary route for the training of skilled workers", she said. "In the eighties, the apprenticeship model was largely abandoned. Only a few schemes persisted, such as the CITB apprenticeships, and even they used work experience schemes as a substitute for the first year of their programme.

"Yet there is much to be said for the apprenticeship model, and I am pleased to say that in the twenty-first century it is making a comeback, in a modern guise. Modern Apprenticeships offer paid employment combined with training for craft, technical and management jobs. They are available to anyone over 16.

"They were developed in partnership by enterprise companies and training organisations, with the active support of employers and trade unions in each industrial sector covered.

"One example of how the scheme is being progressed locally is MET-TEC, whose new Learning Plaza I recently opened in Grangemouth, thanks to £45,000 award from the Scottish Executive's Capital Modernisation Fund. The Fund supports all types of adult learner, whether in the community or at work."

For more information on this and other training opportunities, there is a free phone help line on 0808 100 9000.

Free Personal Care

What will it mean for you?

What's changing?

The Community Care and Health (Scotland) Bill, passed by the Scottish Parliament on 6^th February 2002, states that charges can no longer be made for personal and nursing care.

In other words, personal and nursing care will be free.

When will these changes come into force?

1^st July this year.

I am cared for at home…

If you are over 65, you are entitled to free personal care.

Who decides if I need personal care or not?

Falkirk Council will carry out an assessment of need.

Falkirk Council currently charges me for personal care services I receive. Will these charges also be abolished?

Yes.

I've worked and saved hard all my life. Although I own my home, have savings and a private pension, will I still be entitled to free personal care?

Yes. Free personal care is available regardless of your income, capital assets or marital status.

Will the Council still be able to charge for my home help?

Yes. The Council will continue to be able to charge, at their discretion, for non-personal care services.

Will my Attendance Allowance be affected?

No.

I don't want to go into a care home.

A number of steps are being taken. For example, Direct Payments _ which give the users of a service the cash to choose and pay for their own services themselves _ will be extended to people not in residential care.
Also, so you are not forced into a home for want of a simple adaptation to your house, steps are being taken to clear the backlog of such work.

I am cared for in a care or nursing home…

No. If you meet your own care costs (i.e. you are a "self-funder") and are aged 65 or over, a flat rate payment of £145 a week will be put in place for your personal care.

If you are a self-funder receiving nursing care in a nursing home, a flat rate nursing care payment of £65 a week will also be made available _ regardless of your age.

Do I need to undergo another assessment of needs before I am eligible?

Not if you are a self-funding resident living in a home on 31^st March 2002. You will automatically be eligible for the £145 for personal care payment and, if receiving nursing care, the further £65 per week. An assessment of need will only be required for self-funders going into a home after 31^st March.

What about living or accommodation costs?

If the fees charged by the care home are in excess of the amount shown above, self-funders will be required to pay the difference.

Will my Attendance Allowance be affected?

If you are under 65 and due to receive free nursing care, no.

If you are aged 65 or over, living in a care home, are currently a self-funder, receive Attendance Allowance and you decide to take up the offer of free personal care, you will continue to receive Attendance Allowance for 28 days. However, once the taxpayer has assisted you with the cost of your care for this period, Attendance Allowance payments will cease.

Remember, if you are in a care home and are being funded by Falkirk Council, you will not currently receive Attendance Allowance and so will not be affected by this.

I will shortly be going into a care home. How do I know if I will be a self-funder or not?

The rules for this will not change.

If your capital assets amount to less than £11,500, the state will still pay for the full cost of your care. Some of your State Pension, however, will still need to be put towards this cost. The maximum you can retain as a personal allowance remains at £16.05.

If your capital assets are between £11,500 and £18,500, you will still be expected to contribute a proportion of your assets towards the costs of your care.

If you have capital assets of more than £18,500, you will be expected to use them to fund the parts of your care not covered by the new system. In other words, non-personal care, "hotel" charges and any other costs above the £145 personal and £65 nursing care payments.

How can I find out more?

Simply call my office on 01324 666026

or write to: 5 Kerse Road, Grangemouth, FK3 8HQ

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