NEWS RELEASE – Changes to asylum system, but dawn raids continue
Posted on October 26, 2006GREENS ON ASYLUM SEEKERS: BRUTALITY OF DAWN RAIDS MUST END
Greens will today join calls to end dawn raids on families seeking asylum in Scotland, and press for meaningful changes to the entire asylum system so that it is fair, just and humane.
Patrick Harvie MSP, Green Speaker on Justice and Communities, said: “We called for a moratorium on dawn raids over a year ago, and today we are calling for it again.
“Changing the system so that applications made in Scotland are decided on by officials here is to be welcomed as it implicitly recognises that the current system is failing some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland.
“However, until the system is based on fairness rather than on refusing refuge to as many as possible regardless of circumstances, until families are no longer subjected to the brutal treatment which has led so many to despair and even to suicide, injustice will continue to be inflicted on those who come here in search of refuge.
“I welcome bringing any new powers and discretion to Scotland, but there must be a willingness to use them to make meaningful change in the system.”
Earlier this month, Greens called for dawn raids on asylum-seeking families to be halted following revelations that the agreement on the practice reached between the Westminster and First Minister Jack McConnell has been broken by the Home Office. (1)
The agreement was introduced after a Green-led debate on the practice of removing asylum-seeking families from their homes in the early hours sparked a public outcry and a spat between Holyrood and Westminster with UK ministers justifying the procedure and the then Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm indicating that the system must change.
ENDS
For more information call 0131 348 6360 or 07909 933 074.
Notes
1. See www.scottishgreens.org.uk – Dawn Raids
and
www.scottishgreens.org.uk – Asylum
NEWS RELEASE – Inquiry into supermarket dominance
Posted on October 25, 2006GLASGOW MSP URGES LOCAL PRODUCERS, RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS TO HAVE THEIR SAY ON SUPERMARKETS
Greens are calling on businesses, farmers and shoppers in the Glasgow area to have their say on how supermarkets operate by taking part in the Competition Commission inquiry. The call follows reports that some large suppliers are refusing to take part, prompting concerns voiced by the NFU Scotland and Greens that the investigation will not be as thorough as is hoped. (1) Submissions can be made up until April 2007. (2)
The UK-wide investigation started earlier this year in the wake of concerns about supermarkets’ abuse of power. Green MSPs have given written and oral evidence, and are now urging others to take part. Greens want to see a diverse, mixed grocery market that is focussed on meeting the needs of the public, including producers, rather than one based on the myopic pursuit of profit at all cost.
In urging local producers and food supply businesses to respond to the Competition Commission enquiry, Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow and social justice speaker for the Greens, said,
“This is a critical time for the food industry in Scotland, and the inquiry is a valuable opportunity for everyone, no matter what their role, to have their say. The current situation in which supermarkets are throwing their weight about leading to unfair trading practices for farmers in Scotland and abroad cannot continue – ultimately the consumer will lose out.
“Scotland’s health, environment, and the future of our agriculture industry is at stake. Nothing less than a thorough investigation, allowing for confidential submissions from producers and suppliers, will suffice. This is most definitely only the start, rather than the end, of the changes needed to save the Scottish high street.”
Greens are urging the Competition Commission to:
- scrap the weak supermarket Code of Practice and bring in much stricter rules to protect farmers and other suppliers
- recommend strengthening of planning rules to make it easier for local authorities to protect smaller retailers and encourage real choice
- consider measures to stop the use of price flexing and below cost selling
- review business rates with a view to creating a more level playing field between large out of town superstores and high street stores
- confirm that convenience stores are part of the grocery market so if supermarkets want to buy c-store chains their overall market share will have to be considered
- investigate supermarkets increasing share of non-food items such as books and clothes
ENDS
Notes
1. See p36 of yesterday’s Independent.
2. For more see www.competition-commission.org.uk
NEWS RELEASE – Debate on young people
Posted on October 24, 2006YOUNG PEOPLE’S REAL LIVES IGNORED BY ASBO-OBSESSED EXECUTIVE – Greens warn of dangers of “paedophobia”
Scottish Greens are to launch a stinging attack on the Executive parties for criminalising children and young people, undermining Scotland’s renowned hearings system and planning to force councils to use measures such as dispersal even when they may not be appropriate.
Following a report finding that children’s social work services are severely underfunded, Green MSPs will lead a debate on young people and families in Parliament tomorrow (Thurs, 1) arguing that the obsession with authoritarian responses to antisocial behaviour, in particular extending ASBOs to under-16s, has diverted attention and resources away from addressing the causes. It is also threatening to undermine the highly-respected and unique Children’s Hearings System which has formed the keystone for child welfare for decades. (2)
Patrick Harvie MSP, Green speaker on communities, said, “The Antisocial Behaviour Act was wrong from the offset and it’s no surprise that some councils have chosen not to use the powers it created. It is a draconian, aggressive, headline-grabbing gimmick that appeals only to those who want to present the impressions of a quick fix.
“Its focus on powers to be used against children and young people also reinforced the idea that they are to be feared. Research shows that the UK is becoming a nation gripped by “paedophobia”, and that condemning young people is not helpful – it’s clear we need more effective action to prevent a whole section of society becoming isolated and stigmatised.” (3)
Greens recognise that ASBOs can be beneficial as a last resort in some cases, but oppose them being applied to under-16s. Instead, Greens argue for a shift towards more family support, inter-generational community work, youth work, mediation, safeguarding the Hearings System from any further policy moves that may undermine its principles, and adequately funding children’s services.
Investing in keeping children out of the criminal justice system is cost-effective. For example, the inter-agency scheme Barnardo’s Freagarrach aims to reduce and ultimately stop the offending behaviour of 12?18 year-olds who are at risk of being removed from their communities because of the frequency/severity of their offending. (4) The scheme reduced offending in 2004/5 from 491 charges pre-programme to 179 during the programme, over a comparable period and has been shown to produce “significant savings” to the criminal justice system. (5)
Harvie added, “There are no quick fixes for youth offending and anti-social behaviour – any politician that promises one is lying. There needs to be more focus on prevention and rehabilitation, on supporting families when there are initial signs of problems, with the criminal justice system only used as a last resort in extreme cases. Only in this way are we going to address immediate problems and prevent them occurring in the future.
“Labour’s so-called “respect” agenda is nothing of the sort – it fails to respect the challenges young people and families face in our modern society, and the diversity of their lives. The LibDems are not much better. They backed Labour in shutting down the landmark Airborne centre in 2004, scrapping a programme that had remarkable results in helping young people break out of the cycle of repeat offending. They also supported the introduction of the Antisocial Behaviour Act, helping to present it as a solution to the problems faced by communities. It is painfully obvious now that it was nothing of the sort.”
Greens opposed the Anti-Social Behaviour Act (2004) because it fell way short of delivering a workable solution to the problem of anti-social behaviour. The legislation offers little in the way of prevention and rehabilitation. In contrast to the philosophy behind the Children’s Hearings System, the Act sees the child as a problem and does not address the issues which have led to the antisocial behaviour. (6)
ENDS
Notes
Draft motion for parliamentary debate on morning of October 26:
That the Parliament recognises that children and young people are shaped by their relationships and experiences at home, in their schools and communities, by the physical space they find themselves in, and by their economic circumstances; understands the absolute importance of these factors at the centre of healthy development;
acknowledges that families and young people need support from time to time and that communities, public services, local authorities and the Scottish Executive share a responsibility to meet this need; regrets however that public debate in Scotland has increasingly reduced children and young people to simplistic stereotypes, either as innocents to be protected or as problems to be contained; in particular that the tone of debate on Antisocial Behaviour has distracted attention and resources from the need to address the wider issues in young people?s lives; believes that where problems such as youth disorder have arisen local communities are best placed to decide on the appropriate response; therefore rejects the idea of forcing local authorities to use specific antisocial
behaviour measures against their better judgement, and calls on the Scottish Executive to develop a comprehensive approach to supporting families and young people.
2. Scotland’s Children’s Hearing system is focused on the individual circumstances of each child. It is predicated on the fact that keeping a child at home with properly assessed and resourced support will normally result in best long term outcomes. Indeed, the ‘no order’ approach is always a considered
option.
3. See www.ippr.org.uk
4. Introduction to 2004/5 Freagarrach Falkirk annual report
“In 1999 funding was provided by the Scottish Executive to extend the service to 16- to 17-year-olds to prevent them from entry into or escalation through the criminal justice system.The 5-year external evaluation of Freagarrach was published in 2001, hailing it as successful in reducing offending and long-term criminal careers in young people who attend, and in producing significant savings to the criminal justice system.”
5. See p5 of annual report, available from Greens’ press office.
6. See www.scottishgreens.org.uk
NEWS RELEASE – MSP joins the dinner queue
Posted on October 12, 2006GREEN MSP JOINS DINNER QUEUE AT INNOVATIVE EAST AYRSHIRE SCHOOLS
Green MSP Patrick Harvie will tomorrow (Friday 13th October) visit two primary schools in East Ayrshire to find out more about their ground-breaking approach to school meals. Hurlford Primary in Hurlford and Muirkirk Primary in Cumnock are both nationally recognised as having innovative, excellent school food.
Mr Harvie, who will work on the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Bill to update legislation on school dinners when it comes before the Parliament?s Communities Committee, is delighted to have the opportunity to talk to catering staff, teachers and pupils, and sample the meals for himself.
Mr Harvie, Greens? speaker on communities, said, ?I didn?t think I would ever look forward to school dinners, but the schools here are running the Soil Association?s Food for Life programme, and are making tasty, healthy meals for the children to eat in a sociable, relaxed setting. Lunch is really enjoyable in these schools and it will be a pleasure to join them.? (1)
Robin Gourlay, Head of Catering for East Ayrshire Council, will accompany Mr Harvie on his visits to explain how the council has funded and implemented its unique programme on school food.
ENDS
For more information contact 0131 348 6360
Note to Editors
(1) The Food for Life programme is designed by the Soil Association. It requires meals to be made from 75% unprocessed, 50% local and 30% organic food, along with encouraging more sociable eating environments and opportunities for the pupils to visit farms and learn about where their food comes from. See www.soilassociation.org for more details.
NEWS RELEASE – World HepC Awareness Day
Posted on October 2, 2006GREEN GLASGOW MSP SUPPORTS WORLD HEPATITIS C AWARENESS DAY 2006
Glasgow Green MSP Patrick Harvie will today (2 October) attend the open afternoon at C-Level, a voluntary organisation that provides a one-stop health promotion service to raise awareness about the prevention of hepatitis C in Glasgow. (1)
Patrick Harvie, a former sexual health worker and the Co-Convenor of the Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Sexual Health, said.
?I welcome the opportunity to show support for such an important service, and highlight what can sometimes be a ?hidden? disease. The recent release of £4 million from the Executive is an excellent step in tackling Hepatitis C, so long
as the money reaches those most at risk.?
Around 50,000 people in Scotland are currently infected with hepatitis C, with
around one-third of those cases in the Greater Glasgow area. The infection rate in Scotland as a whole is twice as high as England. (2)
People infected with hepatitis C virus often show no symptoms initially, but long term effects can include liver damage and cancer. No vaccine exists to prevent hepatitis C infection, but treatments are available that are effective in over 50% of
cases. The virus is transmitted by infected body fluids, and needle sharers are at particular risk. Babies can also be infected by their mothers during birth. (3)
ENDS
For more information contact 0771 761 8771.
Note to Editors
1. In honour of World Hepatitis C Awareness Day, the C-Level will be open on Monday 2nd October between 1.00pm and 4.00pm with complementary therapy taster sessions, home pampering packs to take away and information on the services and support C-Level provides.
2. Scottish Executive
www.scotland.gov.uk
3. Department of Health
www.dh.gov.uk
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