Press releases

City MP visits inspiring Family Addiction Support Service

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Alison Thewliss MP meets with representatives of the Family Addiction Support Service to hear more about the services they provide to recovering alcohol and drug users

Glasgow MP, Alison Thewliss, today (Friday 11th March) visited the Family Addiction Support Service (FASS) which is based in the Tradeston area of her constituency.

Visiting FASS as they celebrate their thirtieth anniversary, the city MP said she was “incredibly inspired” by the dedication of the staff and volunteers who provide a lifeline service to families affected by alcohol and drug use.

Speaking after her visit to the FASS offices in West Street, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I am really grateful to Alicia, Katie, Andrew and Dot for taking the time to tell me all about FASS’ work this morning. I was incredibly inspired to hear of the team’s dedication to offering confidential support to those who are affected by alcohol and drugs. In one form or another, FASS have been doing this important work for thirty years now.

“It’s clearly important to help those with alcohol and drug addictions with their recovery and rehabilitation. FASS goes that one step further and offers vital practical support, advice and guidance to the family members of those who are affected by alcohol and drugs. What is even more impressive is the support they give to kinship carers, who are often the unsung heroes in our community.

“With over twenty-one local support groups in the city, I would very much commend FASS to anyone who has a family member affected by drugs and alcohol. It’s really simple to just pick up the phone and dial 0141 420 2050. I know from meeting them this morning that the staff at FASS are compassionate, kind people who are dedicated to providing a first class service to families who need help at an incredibly difficult time.

“A number of interesting policy issues were also raised this morning and I look forward to pursuing these on behalf of the service in the coming months.”

Alison Thewliss MP backs campaign to #MakeTaxFair in Malawi

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Alison Thewliss MP joins ActionAid to call on the UK Government to tackle tax avoidance

Alison Thewliss MP has backed a campaign calling for a fair tax deal for Malawi, a country with strong historic links with Glasgow Central.

ActionAid’s #MakeTaxFair campaign is pushing for reform of the 1955 UK-Malawi tax treaty, which makes it possible for UK companies operating in Malawi to dramatically reduce their tax bill. The call is part of a wider campaign to reform unfair tax treaties.

Scotland has had close links with Malawi, dating back to when Scottish explorer David Livingstone arrived in Malawi in the 1850s. Each year, more than 94,000 Scots are involved in organisations that link with Malawi, according to the Scotland Malawi Partnership, the national network which exists to coordinate, represent and support Scotland’s civic links with Malawi, and which is supporting ActionAid’s campaign.

The Scotland Malawi Partnership has a number of member organisations in Glasgow Central which have links with Malawi.

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, with GDP per person of just $255 per year. This is a country where 10.5 million people live in extreme poverty – surviving on less than US$1.90 a day. More tax revenue is desperately needed to improve public services and pay for more doctors and teachers. Malawi has one of the highest child mortality rates in the world with more than one in twenty children dying before the age of 5.

UK companies are the third largest investor there, with investments worth a total of US$157 million in 2010. Yet the outdated and unfair tax treaty has tied the hands of the Malawian government. The treaty was signed in 1955, prior to Malawi’s independence, by the British Governor on behalf of the governments of the British colonies of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

The treaty is so out-of-date that it does not cover the taxation of television related income. The treaty also makes it possible for British multinationals to easily move money out of Malawi untaxed using methods such as interest or management fee payments, dividends or royalties.

Ms Thewliss is supporting a joint campaign with Malawian and UK activists, calling on the Government to replace this treaty with one that is fairer, and that supports Malawi in its fight against poverty.

Since the campaign launched, both the UK Government and the Government of Malawi issued statements in which they say they hope a treaty can be renegotiated soon. ActionAid and the Scotland Malawi Partnership welcome this progress, and will continue campaigning to ensure that any new treaty is fair and helps Malawi raise revenue to fight poverty.

Commenting, Ms Thewliss said:

“Corporate tax scandals show how angry the British public are that big business isn’t paying its fair share.

“Scotland’s long and enduring relationship with Malawi stretches back over 150 years, and today many local people in [INSERT MP’s CONSTITUENCY] are actively engaged in building up social, cultural and economic ties. But the UK-Malawi tax treaty is not fit for the 21st century.
That’s why I’m calling on the UK government to agree a better deal with Malawi – one that ensures that UK companies pay their fair share in one of the world’s poorest countries.”

Charlie Matthews, ActionAid UK’s Senior Advocacy Adviser, said:

“Malawi is losing out due to an outdated and unfair treaty, which makes it possible for UK businesses operating there to dramatically reduce their tax bill. Women and girls living in poverty are the ones paying the price as public services like schools and hospitals are starved of funding.

“ActionAid is working with the Scotland Malawi Partnership to call on the UK government to negotiate a new, fairer treaty, one that makes tax fair for the people of Malawi.”

David Hope Jones of the Scotland-Malawi Partnership said:

“Scotland is rightly proud of its many links with Malawi which date back more than 150 years to Dr David Livingstone. This dignified two-way people-to-people partnership unites our two nations in solidarity and friendship. Many of our 800+ member organisations across Scotland are concerned at the out-dated 1955 UK-Malawi Tax Treaty. We applaud both the UK and the Malawian Government for their commitment to update this colonial-era treaty, helping Malawi retain more tax revenue for the benefit of the people of Malawi. We look forward to seeing the outcome of the re-negotiation as soon as possible.”

Alison Thewliss MP and Linda Robson ‘get behind the daffodil’ for Marie Curie this March

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Alison Thewliss MP meets with actress Linda Robson and shows her support for Marie Curie Cancer Care

Glasgow Central MP, Alison Thewliss and actress and presenter Linda Robson have joined forces to ‘get behind the daffodil’ this March and help Marie Curie Nurses provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness.

Alison Thewliss and Linda Robson were pictured together with Marie Curie Nurses, Leonie Christian and Elisabeth Goze, at a parliamentary event in Westminster to celebrate the launch of the Great Daffodil Appeal, Marie Curie’s biggest annual fundraising campaign.

Ms Thewliss pledged her support to the appeal and is encouraging local people to help the charity raise more money than ever before by simply giving a donation and wearing a Marie Curie daffodil pin, available from volunteers across the country, or Superdrug and WH Smith’s shops, and Wyevale garden centres, during March.

Ms Thewliss said: “Marie Curie carry out hugely important work in supporting people who are suffering from terminal illnesses. They are a fantastic organisation and I will be wearing my daffodil with pride this March”.

Linda, who plays Tracey in the hit television show Birds of a Feather, and co-presents ITV’s Loose Women, is a long-time supporter of Marie Curie, having experienced first-hand the vital work of the charity. She said: “Our mum Rita was cared for by Marie Curie and we could never have coped without their constant support and care in her final months. Our family still cannot put into words just how grateful we are.”

“I’m delighted to be here with Alison Thewliss to help launch the 30th anniversary of the Great Daffodil Appeal – and to thank personally Leonie and Elisabeth for their incredible care and support when we needed them the most.”

Scott Sinclair, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie, said:

“Having the support of Alison and Linda makes a huge difference to Marie Curie in terms of raising awareness about what we do and helping us to reach more people who need us.

“We know that seven out of 10 carers say people with a terminal illness don’t get all the care and support they need. We don’t think that’s good enough. That’s why we are asking MPs to commit to ensuring that everyone has the right to palliative care when they need it and help support our annual fundraising appeal.”

“Our services rely on charitable donations, so I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who gives a donation and wears a daffodil pin during March.”

The money raised from the Great Daffodil Appeal will help Marie Curie Nurses provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones at home and in one of the charity’s nine hospices.”

To coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Great Daffodil Appeal, Marie Curie has also published a new report which shows that people living with blood or brain cancer – which together account for around 10% of all cancer deaths annually – are more likely to miss out on care and support focussed on providing relief from symptoms, pain and emotional stress. The report, backed by Bloodwise and the Brain Tumour Charity, argues that all people with cancer should have their palliative care needs assessed when they are first diagnosed.

For more information about the Great Daffodil Appeal and to volunteer to collect for Marie Curie, please call 0845 601 3107* or visit mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil. To donate £5 text *DAFF to 70111 or call 0800 716 146 and donate over the phone.

Alison Thewliss MP backs Air Quality Bill to reduce diesel deaths

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Alison Thewliss MP and Geraint Davies MP present the Air Quality Bill to reduce deaths from diesel emissions

Alison Thewliss MP is supporting the Air Quality Bill, published yesterday with the support of the British Lung Foundation, Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Bill, presented by Geraint Davies MP, follows a report from the Royal Colleges that diesel fumes cause 40,000 premature deaths every year from lung cancer, strokes and heart disease. Diesel fumes also lead to underdevelopment in children and impact on foetuses, among other health effects.

The Air Quality Bill makes provisions for emissions testing to reflect on-road driving conditions, and assessment at the point of MOTs. The Bill also empowers local authorities to designate low emissions zones and pedestrianisation, and promotes cleaner public transport alternatives such as tram systems and LPG-powered vehicles.

The Environment Agency would be able to step in when a pollution cloud has hit an area, so that windows, doors and even roads can be closed, and if necessary local people evacuated until it is safe to return.

Alison Thewliss MP said, “Diesel pollution causes 40,000 deaths a year, and costs £20bn according to the Royal College of Physicians. That is why I am supporting the Air Quality Bill, published today, which aims to save thousands of lives and billions of pounds. This is achieved through effective emissions testing, following the Volkswagen emissions scandal and promoting greener transport systems and vehicles.

“Local residents in Glasgow are rightly concerned about their children coughing and wheezing, especially if children are already asthmatic. We now know that these health effects, and indeed thousands of deaths, are caused by toxic diesel fumes, which is why I am keen to support this important Bill.”

Geraint Davies MP, who published the Bill, said “Our cities are pumping out diesel clouds which threaten the lives of families, in particular young children and unborn babies. The Bill will ensure reliable vehicle emissions testing, new powers for councils to clean up local air, and a focus in the Budget on sustainable transport. This will help save thousands of lives and billions of pounds lost to diesel pollution.”

Dr Penny Woods, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “Air pollution causes tens of thousands of early deaths every year, increases the risk of lung cancer and impairs child lung development. Geraint Davies’ Bill further highlights these unacceptable dangers to the nation’s lung health. Immediate action must be taken by the government.”

Alison Thewliss MP attends launch of APPG on Fairtrade

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Alison Thewliss MP joins MPs from across the political parties to support Fairtrade Fortnight

On 1st March Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, attended the launch of the first All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fairtrade at a special breakfast event in Parliament for MPs to mark Fairtrade Fortnight (29 February-13 March). The event also heard from the International Development Minister Desmond Swayne, Co-Chairs of the APPG Holly Lynch MP and Jason McCartney MP, and two Fairtrade farmers, Julio Mercado Cantillo, a Colombian banana farmer and Patrick Kaberia Muthaura, a tea farmer from Kenya who have travelled to the UK for the campaign.

Ms Thewliss also met campaigners and secondary school students from West Yorkshire, who are supporting this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight campaign which is highlighting the hunger faced by millions of farmers in developing countries who, despite working hard to grow some of the UK’s favourite foods, do not earn enough to know where their next meal is coming from.

The event was also supported by UK retailer the Co-operative which provided breakfast refreshments and is doubling donations during Fairtrade Fortnight as part of its online growingstories.coop project which shares the experiences of farmers with the UK public.

Commenting on the launch of the APPG, Ms Thewliss said:

“I’m delighted to be supporting the Fairtrade movement. I am pleased that many events will be taking place across my constituency in support of Fairtrade Fortnight and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their efforts in supporting positive change for the world’s farmers, who supply us with essential products every day.”

Michael Gidney, CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation, said:

“Communities have always driven the Fairtrade movement, by using the pound in their pockets to make a positive change and by campaigning for better, fairer and more sustainable trade regimes enabling people to lift themselves out of poverty.

“This Fairtrade Fortnight, as thousands of communities stand in solidarity with the farmers who grow our breakfast products, I’m delighted that the people of Holme Valley have shown that action can lead to change. Establishing this APPG is a huge achievement and provides an opportunity for the public, parliamentarians and businesses to work together and make a difference to the lives of farmers around the world.”

MP Alison Thewliss visits Rags to Riches Project

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Alison Thewliss MP meets with Rags to Riches

Glasgow Central MP, Alison Thewliss, recently visited the Rags to Riches project in Govanhill, which provides sewing classes for Glasgow’s asylum seekers and refugees.

Ms Thewliss is calling for the city’s refugees and asylum seekers to make use the sewing group which meets every Monday at 9.45am at Govanhill Baths.

Speaking after she visited the Rags to Riches project, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I am really grateful to Gabi and Nadine for taking the time to show me around the workshop and to tell me about the inspiring work they are doing to integrate our newly adopted Glaswegians into the community. The phrase “People Make Glasgow” is perhaps best defined by groups like Rags to Riches.

“This sewing group is a great opportunity for people from all different countries and backgrounds to meet-up, make new friends, learn English, as well as new skills which – in some cases – have allowed people to go on and start up their own business.

“I know the group are currently looking for more asylum seekers and refugees to come along and join the free classes, which I would highly recommend. They are also looking for donations of old clothes, curtains and duvets, which I’m sure will be gratefully received”.

Questions on tampon tax fund transparency

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HM Gov screen grabAlison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, has criticised the UK Government for not transparently advertising tampon tax funding for women’s welfare groups.

Current legislation means that VAT, at 5%, is added to essential women’s sanitary products. The SNP was the only party in 2015 general election campaign to pledge in its manifesto to abolish VAT on women’s sanitary products, also known as the ‘tampon tax’.

Alison Thewliss first moved amendments to the UK Government’s budget in September, which sought to abolish the tax on ladies’ sanitary products. However, the Government asked for time to negotiate with the European Commission on EU VAT rules.

In November 2015, as part of the Autumn Statement, Chancellor George Osborne announced the establishment of a £15 million fund which would be open to bids for women’s welfare groups. The £15 million fund would return to women’s welfare groups the revenue generated from the tampon tax.

On 26th November, the day after the Autumn Statement, Thewliss wrote to the Chancellor and welcomed the establishment of the fund but asked how groups would be able to apply for the funding. It took the Government until 4th February 2016 to reply – some 76 days. Applications for the fund closed on 22 February 2016.

The Glasgow MP has now uncovered tracking changes on the UK Government’s website, which only informed groups how they could respond 16 days before applications closed – some 69 days after the Chancellor announced the establishment of the fund.

Commenting, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“The fact that it took the Chancellor almost 80 days to respond to a genuine enquiry from a Member of Parliament is shocking and shows gross disrespect to Parliament.

“None the less, when I received information from the Treasury, I passed it on to women’s welfare groups and encouraged them to apply for the funding. I was gobsmacked last week when we found out that there was such a quick closing date for applications to the fund, despite it taking 69 days for the Government to bother publishing information as to how groups could actually apply. This is simply not good enough.

“I’ve written to the Treasury demanding to know the exact chronology of events on this. Serious questions need to be asked, such as who was responsible for advertising this funding, what happened between 25 November and 2 February and whether the Government proactively advertised this fund to groups other than a small article hidden away on the gov.uk website

“It is clear that a number of charities might well have lost out on this opportunity for funding, which is totally unfair. I am therefore calling upon the Government to urgently re-open the application process and properly raise awareness about the tampon tax fund.”

PM finally intervenes in rape clause issue

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Prime Minister, David Cameron, has now personally intervened to respond to requests for clarity surrounding the Government’s proposed rape clause.

Although Alison Thewliss MP said the Prime Minister’s response “raises more questions than provides answers”, the Glasgow MP has nonetheless welcomed the Prime Minister’s personal intervention in the issue. She has written back to him to ask for a face-to-face meeting in Downing Street to press key questions which still cause major concern.

Downing Street initially responded to say that the Prime Minister had asked Treasury Ministers to deal with Ms Thewliss’ letter and questions. However, this week she received a further personal response from the Prime Minister, which suggests that the Government is “thinking very carefully” about how it responds to this “sensitive issue”.

Commenting, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“Enormous questions still remain unanswered. It is significant that this issue is now being dealt with personally by David Cameron and it represents a major breakthrough in the campaign to scrap the rape clause. I’m grateful to all who have helped put pressure on the Prime Minister thus far.

“I have written to ask David Cameron if he will personally meet with me to answer a number of key questions which remain unanswered and continue to cause serious concern amongst women’s welfare groups.

“In the Lords Report Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill, Lord Freud specifically ruled out an exemption for women who conceive a child in an abusive relationship. We know that the majority of rapes take place within relationships and the majority of abusive relationships also involve sexual coercion. What about women who are raped within marriage and later leave and have to claim benefits?

“There are still major questions about the burden of proof. The DWP are not known for taking people’s word on a range of issues and I don’t have any confidence that they will be able to treat women sensitively.

“We still don’t know what the regulations will look like but my caseload shows evidence of some poor decision making and cases later being overturned. If this was to be the case for a woman who has been the victim of abuse and rape, this will only add to the trauma and indignity of her experience.

“The more this issue rumbles on, the more convinced I am that both the two child policy and rape clause are completely unworkable. This isn’t about point scoring or getting one-up over the Government – it’s about doing what’s right and ditching a proposal that has the potential to cause enormous distress to vulnerable women.”

PM ducks rape clause issue again

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Prime Minister, David Cameron, has been accused of “shamefully ducking” questions about his Government’s proposed plans for a rape clause on tax credits.

A cross-party group of MPs representing nine parties in the House of Commons – including the Conservatives – recently wrote to the Prime Minister, calling upon him to unequivocally drop plans to introduce a rape clause. The Prime Minister’s plans would, as they stand, require a woman whose third child was born of rape to justify this to a Government official in order to receive tax credit payments.

Over 10,600 people recently signed a petition calling for the proposals to be scrapped. Despite the petition closing a fortnight ago, the Government is yet to respond or acknowledge it.

This week the Prime Minister’s office replied to Ms Thewliss and indicated that the David Cameron would not be responding to the cross-party letter and that he had passed the correspondence from nine cross-party MPs to a junior Treasury Minister for response.

Ms Thewliss commented:

“The Prime Minister is shamefully ducking very legitimate questions about his immoral, unworkable and cruel rape clause proposals.

“Given the serious questions raised, the significant public interest it has attracted and the strong cross-party consensus we have, it is utterly shameful that the Prime Minister is abdicating responsibility on this issue.

“If, as I suspect, he can’t defend this ludicrous policy, then he should at least have the guts to do the right thing and bin these proposals today.”

Alison Thewliss MP supports World Cancer Day 2016

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Alison Thewliss MP supporting World Cancer Day

Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, attended an event in Parliament yesterday (Wednesday 3 February) to show her support for World Cancer Day today (February 4, 2016).

Ms Thewliss met with representatives from four of the UK’s leading cancer charities who are working together to unite the nation and help transform the lives of millions of people who are affected by cancer.

Cancer Research UK, Breast Cancer Care, Anthony Nolan and the Movember Foundation are calling on people across Glasgow to show their support by wearing a Unity Band with pride today (February 4).

The Unity Band is made of two parts, knotted together, to represent strength in unity and the power of what can be achieved when people come together.

The Unity Bands are available from each charity in their own colours at www.worldcancerday.co.uk for a suggested donation of £2. All money raised from the Unity Bands will go towards the charities’ individual research projects and support services.
One in two people born in the UK will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime.

Alison Thewliss said:

“Today (February 4) is World Cancer Day and I’m calling on people in Glasgow to join me by wearing a Unity Band, making a donation or spreading the word on social media.

“Whether you want to celebrate people who have overcome cancer, show solidarity to those going through treatment or remember loved ones – World Cancer Day is a chance to get involved and help reduce the impact of cancer on future generations.”

Collectively the four charities support millions of people every year through their individual work in the prevention, detection, treatment and support of those affected by cancer.

Money raised from the Unity Bands will fund breakthroughs in scientific research; save and improve the lives of people with blood cancers; provide high quality care, support and information for people with breast cancer, and fund research and support services to tackle prostate and testicular cancer.

For more information, to get any of the charities’ Unity Bands or make a donation visit www.worldcancerday.co.uk