I’m backing the fight to protect workers from violence after statistics showed an alarming rise in the number of workplace assaults across the country.

In 2007 the British Retail Crime Survey Report detailed a 50% increase in physical assaults against shop workers compared to 2006. A survey by shopworkers union Usdaw showed that nearly one third of shops had experienced at least one physical assault against staff in 2007. 

In 2007/08 the total number of physical assaults against public sector workers was a staggering 32,263. This number included 9121 assaults on local government workers, representing an increase of 3000 on the previous year’s figures.

The Workers (Aggravated Offences) (Scotland) Bill lodged by Labour MSP Hugh Henry has already gathered significant support from MSPs, Trade Unions, transport bodies, local councils and individual workers and seeks to give workers who have face to face contact with the public as part of their duties greater protection.

This would mean people committing such offences could be jailed for up to 12 months and face a fine of up to £10,000. I have now provided one of the 17 signatures required to have the Bill progressed through Parliament.

People should be able go to the work each day knowing that the law will protect them from assaults by thugs.

Those who serve our local communities deserve nothing less and it has to be said that it’s not just the victim who suffers, the whole community is affected. For example, if a bus service is withdrawn after an assault everyone loses out. Workers who serve the public need to know they will be protected from the thuggish minority who resort to violence.

These shocking figures show that there has been a sharp rise in assaults on workers who deal with the public.

This cannot be tolerated and the law should stand full square behind them.

Yoker residents have been victorious in their campaign to have the empty multi-story flats in the Plean Street area demolished.

Victory was confirmed via a letter to me from new GHA Chief Executive Martin Armstrong.

Earlier this year I met with the Plean Street Residents’ Action Group to discuss the flats after it emerged that the GHA was considering reneging on its earlier promise to demolish them. At that meeting I was presented with a petition containing over 400 names calling for this promise to be kept.

The flats were virtually uninhabited and had become the focus for anti-social behaviour in the area. Last month, the MSP held face to face to talks with Mr Armstrong in an effort to ensure the planned demolition went ahead.

Now those talks have borne fruit and demolition is planned for “early 2010.”

I am pleased that, following my meeting with its new Chief Executive, the GHA has now stated its intention to demolish the flats in early 2010.

I would like to pay particularly tribute to the Plean Street Residents’ Action Group for all their efforts to make this victory possible. I am sure that the group will have a lot of positive suggestions as to what they want to see in place of the flats and I will be urging the GHA and partner agencies to liaise closely with them on future plans.

Bill and Linda McTavish with Award Winners

Local students took centre stage at the annual Yoker Community Campus awards ceremony where, alongside Anniesland College Principal Linda McTavish, I presented awards to students who have excelled in a range of courses including ICT, Nail Care, Engineering, Catering and Beauty Therapy.

During 2009 the Campus had another hugely successful year: it obtained £42,000 of funding, over a three year period, from the Robertson Trust; witnessed its 100th student secure employment; and delivered a diverse range of courses with 171 students obtaining qualifications from Anniesland College.

The Community Campus is extremely important to the people of Yoker and, since it opened in 2006, it has helped over 700 people into further training and education and over 100 into employment.

I was particularly delighted to present an award to Lisa Taylor who has gone from being a student at the Campus to opening her own beauty business which will now work in partnership with the college to provide placements for other students. Lisa and the other winners make me very proud to represent such a vibrant community at Holyrood. The message today is loud and clear – Yoker has talent!

Full list of Yoker Community Campus Winners below;

Outstanding Contribution Award – Jeanette McGowan

ICT Skills Award – John Walker

Construction Skills Award – Jamie McAlinden

Interior Design Skills Award – Sandra Bryans Nail Care Skills Award – Leanne Willson

Engineering Skills Award – Nichola O’Neill Catering Skills Award – James McLaughlin

Beauty Therapy Skills Award – Jacqueline O’Dell

Community Education Course Award – Frank Quinn

Employability & Personal Development Award – Lisa Taylor

A leading charity has warned that a cancer ‘time bomb is ticking in Scotland.

A briefing paper published by Ochre, the leading Oesophageal cancer charity, highlights that fact that it is now the 8th most prominent cancer in Scotland and the 5th most common amongst males. More disturbingly, it is predicted to rise by a staggering 64.3% in Scotland by 2020.

Earlier this year I secured face to face talks between the Scottish Government and OCHRE and have now lodged a parliamentary motion calling for the Scottish Government to improve awareness of the condition amongst medical professionals and the wider public and to improve access to endoscopy services.

Ochre has highlighted a number of alarming statistics which point toward a sharp rise in the number of cases of oesophageal cancer in Scotland. It poses a very real and growing threat. It is very difficult to diagnose and challenging to treat and this situation often results in very poor prognoses and outcomes for most sufferers.

That is why it is crucial we ensure awareness is raised amongst both the general public and medical professionals. Given that 5 year survival rates for those diagnosed with oesophageal cancer are as low as 6% for males and 11% for females we are also calling on the Scottish Government to ensure better access to endoscopy services which will speed up diagnosis and improve outcomes.

Allan Lapsley, Chairman of OCHRE, said: “Oesophageal cancer is significantly more prominent in Scotland than other parts of the United Kingdom but our the research shows that the general public does not appear to be as aware of it as other cancers, some of which are not as common. Indeed, more than half (52%) of those who said they had heard of oesophageal cancer thought it was throat cancer which is a different cancer altogether. It can’t be stressed enough that early diagnosis of oesophageal cancer is critical for survival. All too often when diagnosis is eventually reached it is too late for effective treatment which is why it is essential that the public is aware of the cancer and of its symptoms so that concerns can be raised with GPs at the earliest opportunity, allowing the medical profession to react more quickly to the problem. Greater recognition of oesophageal cancer and its symptoms will have a direct and positive impact on survival rates as the chances of successful treatment is increased with early diagnosis.”

The winning design of this years Christmas Card Competition by Nicole Hutchinson

Congratulations to Nicole Hutchinson, the young Drumchapel schoolgirl, on her success in the Christmas Card Competition 2009.

Every year I hold a Christmas Card Competition for the local primary schools throughout Glasgow Anniesland to put the young pupils’ creative and artistic skills to the test.  Nicole’s Christmas card design was chosen from 400 entries received from over 14 primary schools across Glasgow Anniesland constituency.  Nicole, from Camstradden Primary School in Drumchapel, created a lovely design of a festive teddy bear in a Christmas stocking.  The design will feature on every Christmas card sent out from my office with recipients including hundreds of constituents throughout Glasgow Anniesland, MSPs in the Scottish Parliament, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The competition was judged by Mr and Mrs Glen of Knighstwood Wednesday Club and Cllr Anne McTaggart of Glasgow City Council.

I warmly congratulate Nicole on her success in this year’s competition and I thank all of the young people who sent in a design.  There is so much creative and artistic talent in the schools throughout Glasgow Anniesland and this made choosing the winner all the more difficult! It has been a pleasure to hold the Christmas Card Competition again this year and I would like to wish everybody in Glasgow a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

Bill with Mr. Allan Hamilton, winner of the Individual Public Service award

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Evening Times Community Champions awards ceremony which took place at the Drumchapel Community Centre.

More than 200 people attended the ceremony in Drumchapel Community Centre to celebrate the achievements of those whose hard work has helped communities across Anniesland, Blairdardie, Drumchapel, Knightswood, Scotstoun, Temple and Yoker. The awards recognise groups and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their communities across Glasgow.

Presentations were made by Assistant Chief Constable Ruaridh Nicolson of Strathclyde Police, Glasgow City Councillors Paul Rooney and Jean McFadden, and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay.

Winners included Drumchapel Citizens’ Advice Bureau which was named the Best Public Service Team, and Yoker Primary School janitor Allan Hamilton who was awarded the prize for Individual Public Service.  The award for Best Team was won by the West End Diversionary Project for its work with youngsters.  The Individual award was presented to Donald Hewitson, who supports adults with learning disabilities through his We Step Together group.  A special award for Champions aged 17 and under was also given to the Dumbarton Road Corridor Peer Education Programme, made up of pupils from St Thomas Aquinas and Knightswood Secondary Schools, which provides support and advice to fellow students regarding addiction issues.  The Senior Award went to Mr. Jimmy Young, a founding member of the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme more than 20 years ago who still sits on its board at the age of 84.

I have lodged a motion in The Scottish Parliament in support of the Evening Times Community Champions Awards.  The hard work and public-spiritedness of the many volunteers and public sector employees across Glasgow act as an inspiration to everyone engaged in improving the quality of life of people in our communities.

I look forward to the future award ceremonies to be held across Glasgow and congratulate all those who have taken part in improving their local areas.