Hidden Work - Gorbals Initiative launches new report
Posted on June 29, 2006GREENS WELCOME ‘HIDDEN WORK’ IN THE GORBALS - New report highlights government undermining of the social economy and sustainable community development
Glasgow Green MSP, Patrick Harvie, yesterday (Wednesday) welcomed the launch of the Gorbals Initiative, New Economics Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Foundation report into ‘Hidden Work’ which highlights the unwitting impact of government employment policy which in many cases is undermining the ’social economy’ and the fabric of some local communities.
Hosted by Green colleague and speaker on social enterprise, Mark Ballard, the report was launched in the Scottish Parliament today. Mr Harvie said: “This report demonstrates that current government emphasis on moving individuals from deprived communities into any job, and often into low-paid work, may not fully take account of the voluntary contributions individuals make to local communities and the social economy. By pushing people into paid work, whether appropriate or not, the government may unwittingly destroy social networks that increase many peoples’ quality of life. Greater attention needs to be given to the unremunerated work that individuals do during the transition from unpaid work to paid work.”
Mr Harvie further commented: “While it is very important that everyone has access to paid work, the government policy of forcing people into low-paid work may stifle the ability of communities to generate their own employment opportunities. The tendency for government interventions into communities to become overbearing can destroy much of the social fabric that could allow for sustainable growth through which communities could help to regenerate themselves. This research from the Gorbals leads the way in showing that people and communities must be at the core of Glasgow’s regeneration.”
The report, entitled “Hidden Work - Co-production by People Outside Paid Employment” by David Boyle, Sherry Clark and Sarah Burns, details ways in which community support is often undervalued and ignored in economic analyses.
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Notes to editors
For a copy of the report go to:
www.jrf.org.uk
The new economics foundation (nef) has consistently argued that without active citizen engagement, modern welfare systems and philanthropy will impact only on the symptoms, and not the root causes of society’s problems.
This controversial research project, led by nef, studied a range of co-production initiatives in London, Glasgow (in partnership with the Gorbals Initiative) and the Welsh Valleys. In a highly innovative approach, field research was carried out using people from the study population – people outside paid work. At the same time, staff at nef interviewed high-level policy makers and academics about their views on the merits of co-production, and barriers to implementation.
The findings cast a new light on the current debate over the future of public services, and will be of interest to all those in the policy and academic communities who have an interest in social capital and renewing government.
NEWS RELEASE - M74 case collapses
Posted on June 28, 2006GREEN MSP MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release 28th June 2006
M74 COURT CASE: LABOUR AND LIBDEM MINISTERS WILL PAY DEARLY FOR RIDING ROUGHSHOD OVER PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Responding to the news today that the court case against the M74 is not being continued, Green MSP for Glasgow, Patrick Harvie said: “The end of the court case in no way diminishes the clear case against this monstrous motorway project. Ministers cannot hope to get away with forcing the people of Glasgow to bear the environmental and social injustice that this road represents. Labour and Libdem politicians are likely to pay dearly for their massive motorway expansion plans and their decision to ride roughshod over people and the environment.”
Green MSPs cried ’shame’ on Libdem Minister Nicol Stephen for pressing ahead with the motorway despite an independent Public Inquiry ruling that it should not go ahead, and that the case for it was overblown and unjustifiable. (1)
Green MSP Mark Ballard, Transport Speaker, said: “The M74 extension tells the true story of this Executive, and Libdems in particular. Even when they had the chance to oppose the construction of this monster, with the back-up of an independent Public Inquiry report, they ran scared from doing what was right for communities and right for the environment. I applaud Friends of the Earth for taking the action that they have taken, and we will continue to oppose the climate wreckers who have taken up residence in the Scottish Executive up to May next year.
“They should hang their heads in shame. And it is equally shameful that Tavish Scott should now join in with his support for Nicol Stephen’s other legacy - the totally unjustified decision to press ahead with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. They are real tarmac addicts these Libdem Ministers, anyone would think that Jeremy Clarkson was pulling their strings behind the scenes.”
Editors notes
1. For details of the M74 go-ahead decision go to:
www.scottishgreens.org.uk
Extracts from the report:
Conclusion
Drawing these various strands together, and looking at all the policy, transport, environmental, business, and community disadvantages of the proposal as a whole, it is concluded that the proposal would be very likely to have very serious undesirable results; and that the economic and traffic benefits of the project arising from the transfer of future jobs from other parts of Scotland would be much more limited, more uncertain, and (in the case of the congestion benefits) probably ephemeral. It is therefore concluded that the public benefits of the proposal would be insufficient to outweigh the considerable disadvantages that can be expected.
Recommendation
For these reasons, it is recommended that this proposal should not be authorised, and that the various orders should not be confirmed; and that if this recommendation is not accepted, that the steps suggested in paragraph 11.101 above should be pursued to minimise the adverse effects and maximise the beneficial effects of the proposal.
2. For further information on the M74 go to www.foe-scotland.org.uk
NEWS RELEASE - LAUNCH OF LGBT YOUTH CHARTER
Posted onLAUNCH OF CHARTER OF RIGHTS FOR LGBT YOUTH WELCOMED BY GREENS
- equal rights as valued and respected members of society, not ‘mere tolerance’
Patrick Harvie MSP, Green Speaker on Justice, welcomed the publication today of a Charter of Rights for young people who are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender. Harvie, who chairs today’s launch event in Edinburgh said that in publishing the Charter Scotland’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people are making clear that they expect more than mere tolerance - they expect to be treated as equally valued and respected members of society.
Patrick Harvie said: “LGBT rights are human rights, and a society which takes them seriously will be stronger as a result. Much of the homophobic legislation has been abolished, and we are now on track to remove the last elements of legal discrimination.
“However LGBT young people still experience great prejudice and bigotry in their lives. Sometimes this means verbal homophobia, whether in the national media or in their own classrooms. It can have an appalling effect on young people, and everyone in public life has a responsibility to challenge it. But homophobia can also lead to physical violence, and the Scottish Executive needs to reconsider its apparent decision to ditch new protections against hate crimes.
“I will be calling on the First Minister this week to honour previous commitments by introducing the new hate crime legislation. As for today, Scotland’s LGBT young people are making the call themselves. They are asserting their own rights and making it clear that all public services have responsibilities toward them. I am delighted to be a part of the launch event.”
The Charter Launch event is being held at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Edinburgh on 28th June 2006 at 2pm and will be chaired by Patrick Harvie MSP.
Other organisations involved are Lothian & Borders Police, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Barnardo’s. They will be speaking on the subject of the inclusion and support of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) young people and how the LGBT Youth Charter of Rights can help achieve this.
The LGBT Youth Charter of Rights sets out rights that all young people should have, stated in Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). However, LGBT young people are often denied these rights due to homophobia, heterosexism and a general lack of awareness of LGBT issues. The Charter toolkit sets out a practical process that organisations can use to promote the inclusion of LGBT young people.
For more information contact 0790 99 33 074 or 0131 348 6360
Contact LGBT Youth Scotland at: 0141 221 5970 or www.lgbtyouth.org.uk
Pride Scotia, and response to Civil Partnership figures
Posted on June 22, 2006GREENS WELCOME CIVIL PARTNERSHIP FIGURES
Commenting on today’s release of the first set of Executive figures on civil partnerships, (1), Green MSP Patrick Harvie, who in 2003 proposed a bill to introduce civil partnerships in Scotland, said, “These figures are very welcome, and show that same sex couples in Scotland are enthusiastic about civil partnership. It will of course take time before the institution is firmly established, and I am sure that uptake will grow steadily over the years. But right now I want to congratulate the hundreds of happy couples who have tied the knot since last December, as well as the many people including registrars across the country who have worked to make these ceremonies happen.”
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For further information call the Green MSPs’ press office on 0131 348 6360.
GLASGOW’S PRIDE: Green MSP welcomes Pride Scotia to the heart of the city
Tomorrow (Saturday), Glasgow city centre will come alive as it hosts Pride Scotia, Scotland’s national LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) festival.
The city’s Green MSP, Patrick Harvie, who previously worked in the Gay Men’s Team at PHACE Scotland, will be speaking at the event.
Mr Harvie said, “Pride Scotia is taking place alongside hundreds of similar events across the world. The day is a unique chance for people from all over Scotland and beyond to get together to celebrate the diversity and strength of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Pride reminds us of the discrimination we’ve worked to overcome, and the challenges which still face our community.
“This year we have a lot to celebrate, with figures released this week showing that hundreds of same-sex couples have tied the knot in Scotland since civil partnerships were introduced. Alongside Glasgow’s tradition of supporting civil liberties and equality for all, I am sure this event will also be a lot of fun.”
The Pride Parade starts off at Blythswood Square at 1pm reaching George Square around 2pm. The event will also include a health and community fair, music, performances and the official Pride Party.
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For more information contact the Greens Press Office on 0131 348 6360 or 0771 761 8771
Glasgow Airport Rail Link
Posted onParliament yesterday agreed proposals for a Glasgow Airport Rail Link. For many people this is an open and shut case - the Link will help Glasgow’s economic growth, so we have to build it. I think the arguments are more complex than that.
Getting airport traffic off the road is a sensible aim, and a rail link can help to achieve that. But with the Executive still dithering over the much more important Crossrail scheme it’s clear that the full benefits of the airport link will not materialise.
Crossrail has the potential to imrpove public transport throughout the region, and is easily affordable. There is now simply no serious case against it.
With Ministers supporting the airport rail link but not Crossrail, I can’t shake the suspicion that this is being done not to improve public transport and reduce climate change emissions, but merely to encourage and facilitate increased air travel, with the long term effect of fuelling the environmentally-disastrous growth in air traffic.
The Executive talks a good game on climate change, but if it wants to be taken seriously it needs a complete change of attitude on transport issues.
You can read how yesterday’s debate went here or visit SPTE’s website for more information about Crossrail.
NEWS RELEASE - Transport conference
Posted on June 20, 2006GLASGOW CONFERENCE: GREEN MSP RENEWS CALL FOR CLEAN, SAFE, HEALTHY TRANSPORT
On the Transport Scotland ‘Good for Business’ travel planning conference taking place in Glasgow today, Green MSP for Glasgow Patrick Harvie commented,
“Good travel planning makes good business sense. The CBI estimates that congestion costs the UK economy upwards of £20bn per year and air pollution kills over 600 people across the central belt annually. That’s why I launched the Glasgow Clean Air Campaign at the Radisson Hotel last year and wrote to businesses, including information on travel planning.
“The Radisson, on the edge of Scotland’s most polluted street, offers their employees free travel loans to encourage them to commute to work by public transport. As Glasgow’s city centre air quality management zone is likely to be extended, with another three pollution hotspots across the city soon to be declared, it is clear that we need to tackle the root cause - Glasgow’s soaring traffic levels. We cannot continue to waste public money on road building projects, such as the M74 extension which will be brought to court next week. This scheme will only put more cars on the road and further pollute our city.
“We all want Glasgow to be a safe and attractive place to live, work, socialise, shop and visit. The Executive’s promises on investing in public transport need to become reality if it is to support businesses with travel planning.”
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NEWS RELEASE - Dowanhill Tennis Court
Posted on June 15, 2006PUBLIC MEETING TONIGHT: GREEN MSP URGES COUNCIL TO SAVE DOWANHILL TENNIS CLUB
Ahead of a meeting tonight to save Dowanhill Tennis Club from trustees selling the site to housing developers, (1) Green MSP for Glasgow Patrick Harvie said, “There is wide spread political and community opposition to any development on the site. I would urge the council to stick to its greenspace plan, which protects the site as recreational open space, and reject any application.
“Dowanhill Tennis Club was set up for the purposes of tennis and public money has gone into improving it. The people of Glasgow deserve well maintained, publicly accessible sports facilities and greenspaces that meet community needs. If the site gets planning permission and trustees walk away with bulging pockets, other Glasgow sports clubs may follow, spelling disaster for sport, health and greenspace across the city.”
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NEWS RELEASE - Planning Bill reaches stage 2
Posted on June 14, 2006PLANNING BILL: GREENS PUSH FOR MORE PUBLIC SAY ON INCINERATORS, TOXIC WASTE DUMPS, LANDFILLS AND ROADS
Greens today pushed for changes to the Planning etc (Scotland) Bill to ensure the public and parliament have a say on the siting of controversial developments such as toxic waste dumps and incinerators. Effective scrutiny of the National Planning Framework is essential to avoid the current imbalance in the system - where the public do not have equal rights to developers - from becoming worse, and to prevent ministers having too much power. (1)
The move at Communities Committee today came as lobby group Environment LINK issued a map detailing the possible developments across Scotland that could be given the go ahead with little or no scrutiny from MSPs or the public. Greens want changes to the NPF to include robust public and parliamentary scrutiny, a sustainable development duty and formal opportunity for public challenge.
Patrick Harvie MSP, Greens’ speaker on communities and member of Communities Committee, said, “Under the Executive’s proposals, major controversial developments could be fast-tracked through the system with cursory parliamentary scrutiny, and the public having next to no say whatsoever.
“Elsewhere in the UK, spatial strategies are subject to short examination in public which gives objectors the chance to put forward their arguments and to influence the decision-making process. We are calling for the same process for Scotland’s NPF.
“It is also illogical that the level of parliamentary scrutiny on the NPF, which could include incinerators, nuclear waste sites and powers stations, landfill sites and roads equates to that for approval of the most trivial piece of secondary legislation.
The NPF will have a profound impact Scotland and on people’s lives for decades to come, yet what is on offer is the very flimsiest scrutiny process for Parliament and for the public.
“Far from opening up the planning system to put communities at the heart of decision-making, it is currently a centralising charter for ministers, and any debate over what constitutes the public interest will be cut short. This is a once in a generation opportunity to improve the planning system and I am afraid Ministers are about to miss it.”
As the Bill progresses further, Greens will propose further amendments to improve the status of individuals and communities in the planning system, and to challenge the Executive’s general approach which removes real rights from people, and gives mere consultation instead.
ENDS
For further information call the Green MSP press office on 0131 348 6360/0771 761 8771.
Notes
1. Today Mr Harvie proposed amendments to:
- strengthen the proposed sustainable development duties, and extend them to cover the NPF and other aspects of planning;
- improve the public consultation on the NPF, including a formal examination in public;
- ensure that the people most likely to be affected by National Developments (the big infrastructure projects which will be included in the NPF) are given special attention during consultation on the NPF;
- remove the arbitrary guillotine on the parliamentary scrutiny of the NPF;
- ensure that Ministers cannot revise the NPF without a resolution of Parliament.
The committee rejected most of these amendments this morning. The committee did agree an Executive amendment on the sustainable development duty which extended a weaker version of the duty to the NPF.
[ENDS]
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