The view from the Scottish Parliament
Published 18 Aug 2011 09:30
With children heading back to school this week many parents will breathe a sigh of relief that life can get back to as normal a routine as possible.
Summer holidays can be a difficult time for working parents as they try to organise childcare and grandparents who step in to help out often feel they could do with a break when the kids go back to school.
It's important to remember our army of unsung carers and volunteers in the community who have to do this all year, day in, day out.
Scotland would grind to a halt without them and the work they do is often taken for granted.
There are nearly half a million unpaid carers in Scotland and a recent report undertaken for Carers' Week earlier in the summer revealed that more than 80 per cent of them are worried about cuts to services.
These cuts imposed by the Westminster coalition government compound the financial sacrifices people make when they start looking after someone who is ill, frail or disabled.
The Carer's Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind and many people just don't know how they are going to cope.
I will do my best to ensure the Scottish Government does everything in its limited power to minimise the effects of these cuts when the benefits axe falls.
On a happier note, I was delighted to introduce a motion to Parliament welcoming the announcement by the Heritage Lottery Fund that Dalmuir Park was to receive a grant of £869,500.
This money will be well spent on upgrading the park amenities and introducing a range of volunteering and training opportunities.
Public parks are vital to the well-being of communities and this funding is extremely good news.
I was disappointed by the recent reports of gang fighting on the A82 which led to the arrest of many youngsters.
This type of social unrest has been around for years but it is something that cannot be tolerated and we have to ensure our young people have enough to do during the holidays to avoid this happening again.
West Dunbartonshire Council's Midnight League football initiative is a good example of taking positive action to help reduce anti-social behaviour and I congratulate the council and its partner agencies for its continuing success.
More than 650 young footballers, boys and girls between the ages of 12 to 18, have enjoyed free games of seven-a-side football over a six-week period and this is exactly the type of scheme we need to curb the unrest.
When Parliament resumes in a few weeks time we have much work to do to improve the lives of everyone in society, young and old.
As ever, please feel free to contact me with any of your concerns.
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