• Virtual Surgery is a Scottish First

    25Nov

    Joe trialling the Skype service

    Joe trialling the Skype service

    Dundee MSP Joe FitzPatrick has added a new communication tool to the surgeries he holds for constituents by adopting Skype – or internet telephony.

    The technology, which allows face-to-face internet communication, has been widely welcomed by disability groups as it enables easier access to politicans from people who have a physical disability.

    It is believed that the Dundee MSP is the first politician in Scotland to offer the service although several MPs in England may be using the system.

    Trialling the new system in the Dundee Parliamentary Office, Joe said: “Skype Internet telephony is changing the way people work and communicate. It can be used to make conference calls for free.  It has been a great boost in the education field as it allows students to meet with their tutor at any time no matter where in the world they may be. 

    “And of course, if you have a physical disability, you can bring the world – including politicians – to you without having to leave your home. The use of Skype is increasing all the time and although I hold surgeries in various locations, and make home visits when neccessary, I am also now available  to my constituents face-to-face on the internet.”

     

    Ryan McQuigg, Policy & Parliamentary Officer for Leonard Cheshire Disability said; ”We welcome the introduction of Skype surgeries by Joe FitzPatrick MSP as this is another example of Scottish politicians breaking down barriers to ensure disabled constituents can engage in the democratic process”

    ”Those with physical disabilities often feel excluded from their political representatives as it can be difficult for them to attend regular surgeries and meetings. I would hope that as we see the use of Skype becoming more widespread this will become a thing of the past and I would encourage other elected officials to look into making use of this technology.”

    Constituents who wish to arrange a Skype surgery with Joe should email: skype@joefitzpatrick.net


     

  • ACTION TO SCRAP COUNCIL TAX BACKED

    24Nov

    LABOUR FAIL TO SUBMIT ANY ALTERNATIVE TO CONSULTATION – “NO IDEA, NO POLICY, NO CREDIBILITY”

    SNP MSP Joe FitzPatrick today welcomed the results of the Scottish Government’s consultation to scrap the unfair council tax with over half of all individual respondents supporting the SNP’s proposals for a Local Income Tax as fairer than the Council Tax.

    The consultation responses also support the retention of council tax benefit monies in Scotland, and show the failure of Labour to put forward any suggestions on one of the dominant issues in Scottish politics.

    Dundee West MSP and member of the Scottish Parliament’s finance committee Joe Fitzpatrick;
    “The SNP is committed to scrapping the unfair council tax – a position which carries majority support in the Scottish Parliament – and replacing it with a fair local income tax based on the ability to pay.

    “This consultation shows people and organisations across Scotland support the SNP’s plans to make local taxation fairer.

    “The SNP’s proposals have won strong backing with the majority agreeing that council tax benefit money should be retained in Scotland not put back in the pocket of the treasury.

    “The astonishing thing about this consultation is the absolute failure of the Labour Party to offer up an alternative. Only yesterday, Andy Kerr attacked the Tories for failing to offer any ideas to the Calman Commission on tax powers for the Scottish Parliament. He said that it was ‘not credible not to submit any view whatsoever on what is one of the biggest questions in Scottish politics’ (Sunday Times, 23 November). Yet on the major issue of local taxation to fund local services, Labour have no idea, no policy, no credibility, and made no submission.

    “As a leadership candidate Andy Kerr said he would immediately signal a desire to replace the council tax whilst Iain Gray said he would “replace or reform” council tax – three months on Labour’s leader and Labour’s finance spokesperson have offered nothing.

    “Labour’s credibility on the council tax abolition is in tatters. Their new leader has admitted their old proposals were made “on the back of a fag packet”. Now they don’t even have that.

    “The Council tax is unfair and unpopular. This consultation shows there is real support for scrapping the council tax and introducing a local income tax based on ability to pay. It is now for parties across Parliament to see sense and support scrapping the council tax.”

  • MSPs Back Congo Crisis Appeal

    24Nov

    Dundee MSPs Shona Robison and Joe FitzPatrick are encouraging local people to ‘dig deep’ to help save lives by backing the Disasters Emergency Committee Democratic Republic of Congo appeal organised by Oxfam, Red Cross and Save the Children.

    Many people are struggling to survive in Congo as a result of the ongoing armed conflict. More than 250,000 people have been forced to flee their homes to escape the fighting in recent weeks, adding to more than one million already displaced as a result of conflict.

    Agencies that make up the DEC are already delivering life-saving food, water, shelter and emergency medical supplies to those affected, but the scale of the crisis means much more is needed.

    Shona Robison MSP said: “Hundreds of thousands of innocent people have been caught up in the unfolding crisis in the Congo.  They are homeless and vulnerable and need our help in this very difficult time. That is why I am backing this appeal and calling on the people of Tayside to do likewise.

    Commenting on the appeal, Joe FitzPatrick said: “The situation in the DRC will be made worse by the onset of the rainy season, meaning that those made homeless are becoming ever more at risk. Already weakened by hunger and desperation they now risk falling prey to diseases such as cholera. That is why I’m asking people to send in their donations urgently. ”

    Donations can be made by calling the 24 hour donation phone line on 0370 60 60 900, visiting www.dec.org.uk or at any high street bank, post office, Oxfam, Red Cross or Save the Children shop.

  • MSP Backs Lottery Consultation

    24Nov

    Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick joined the chair of the Big Lottery Fund in Scotland in calling on the people of Dundee to have their say on how Lottery funding is invested over the next six years.

    The Big Lottery Fund’s Scotland wide consultation. Big Thinking was launched today [Thursday 20th November] giving people the opportunity to share their views on how the organisation builds for the future. 

    Joe FitzPatrick commented: “The big lottery Fund Scotland consultation, Big thinking, is an ideal opportunity for everyone in Dundee to share their views on how lottery funding should be invested.

    ‘”I would encourage those who want to make their views heard on where funding should go to visit www.big-thinking.org.uk as your input can make a real difference.”

  • SNP Politicians Welcome Investment At NCR Gourdie Site

    19Nov

    Reacting to the announcement of the redevelopment and investment at the NCR Gourdie site, Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said:  “I warmly welcome this £75 million investment in my constituency with the considerable number of jobs – up to 650 – which it will bring.

    “I particularly welcome the 250 construction jobs which this redevelopment will create. This will give a huge boost to the hard-pressed construction sector.

    “This news comes in the week when Dundee was named, in a Royal Mail Business Survey, as top city for business growth in Scotland. In the period of the survey 118 new businesses started in Dundee. With today’s announcement we have confirmation that Dundee has ambitious plans for wider economic growth.”

    Commenting on the announcement, Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie said: “The scale of this investment is very welcome. NCR will gain a new building which will help to minimise their overheads and be more energy-efficient. This will go some way to help the company remain competitive in Dundee.

    “The scale of the job opportunities in the retail, hospitality, office and construction sectors from this project will be warmly welcomed across Tayside.”

    ENDS

    Contact SNP Press Dundee tel 01382 903202, mob: 077899 46492

    NOTES

    Joe FitzPatrick lodged the following motion at the Scottish Parliament on 17 November

    S3M-02903 Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (Scottish National Party): Dundee Top City for Business Growth

    That the Parliament congratulates Dundee on being named as the top city for business growth in Scotland in a Royal Mail business survey; notes that between March and August 2008 Dundee achieved a growth rate of 1.89%, placing it third overall in the United Kingdom and up 23 places from last year; welcomes the 118 new businesses that started in Dundee over the six-month period of the survey, and recognises the support that the Scottish Government has provided to businesses in Dundee with the abolition of tolls on the Tay Bridge and the introduction of the Small Business Bonus Scheme.

    Lodged on Monday, November 17, 2008; Current

  • PARLIAMENT ENDORSES SCOTTISH FUTURES TRUST

    13Nov

    SNP MSP Joe FitzPatrick – a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee – has welcomed tonight’s vote in the Parliament which voted in favour of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Future’s Trust (SFT).

    Speaking after the vote Mr FitzPatrick said: “This vote shows the SNP Government is moving forward with its plans to bring forward a value for money investment system for the public sector. In contrast Labour and the LibDems are on the backfoot with their negative posturing which offers no alternatives.

    “The fact is that SFT offers a better deal for taxpayers and everyone in Scotland, whilst PFI wastes enormous sums of public money by placing greater burdens on councils and council taxpayers alike.

    “With the Scottish Futures Trust we are aiming to avoid repeating the costly mistakes of the previous Labour/LibDem administration. With SFT we will achieve all this without burdening future generations with huge debt at credit card interest rates.

    “That is just one of the defects which the SFT model can resolve on the basis of our £35 billion Infrastructure Investment Plan.”

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