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Dear Constituent

Welcome to my website and the regular update on my work.

The main issue at First Minister’s Question Time was the fact that new teacher unemployment has risen under the SNP. The latest General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) survey came out this week and shows that one in five new teachers have been unable to find work. As Iain Gray pointed out, this is the first full year with the SNP in charge and the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has said that:

“The rate of unemployment among new teachers has risen dramatically, and the quality of employment for those who do find work has deteriorated.”


There are 700 new teachers without jobs at a time when the GTCS says that:


"We are currently producing some of the most talented teachers we have seen in Scotland".


These are talented teachers whose talents are going to waste under the SNP.

The Labour Party has spoken to two sisters who are newly qualified teachers, one secondary, and one primary. Both have been unable to find permanent teaching jobs that use their skills and talents and both are now looking at the possibility of going abroad. The SNP should realise that Scotland cannot afford to lose the brightest and best of our young people, especially when 2009 is meant to be the year of coming home to Scotland.

I have lodged a motion in Parliament welcoming the fact that the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw MP is looking to change the Act of Settlement 1701; I strongly believe that it is wrong to have a settled constitutional position that discriminates against any section of the population.

I have also lodged a motion regretting BBC Scotland’s decision to stop producing the Scotland at Ten radio programme in its current format. Scotland at Ten has been an important feature in Scotland for people who want to be more informed about Scottish politics and Scottish affairs. I am concerned that this represents a lowering of standards in the coverage of current affairs as there will not be live discussion in the new format. I urge BBC Scotland to reconsider its decision.

In Glasgow Kelvin, I attended the Garnethill Pensioners Christmas dinner/dance at Garnethill Multicultural Centre as well as holding my Constituency Surgery at Partick Burgh Hall.

I was absolutely delighted that the Glasgow Lighthouse Arts Centre has been saved from Closure. I have lodged a motion in Parliament welcoming the fact that the Lighthouse will be able to continue to promote Scotland’s architecture and design as well as bringing world-class thinking and projects to Glasgow. I congratulate Glasgow City Council for devising the rescue package after the Scottish Government’s decision not to invest in the Centre seriously impacted on its funds.


Pauline looking at the school project on the 30's at a recent

visit to the Glasgow Steiner School’s Doors Open Weekend

 

Thanks for stopping by.


Pauline McNeill MSP
for Glasgow Kelvin

Updated 12 December 2008

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