Today I have written to Harriet Harmon urging her on behalf of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland to give Government time to the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Bill on Thursday 18 March. It is currently listed under 'remaining orders of the day' and is highly unlikely to be passed. I believe that her intervention is needed to make official Government time for it instead.
The trouble with vulture funds is that they are intrinsically exploitative and contribute to making poor countries even poorer. Heather Stuart from The Guardian explained it brilliantly “They buy the debts of poor countries, usually at a sizeable discount, wait until the government has received debt relief from foreign creditors, and then pursue their share of the debt in courts around the world.”
It is disappointing that a Conservative MP blocked the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Bill on its third reading in Parliament on 12 March. However, George Osborne has stated that "The Conservative frontbench did not object to further progress of the Debt Relief Bill on Friday 12 March 2010, nor in any way collude with the objection. The Bill is due to be debated this Thursday and we are willing to co-operate with the Government to allow this Bill to progress on that day."
The Government still has the power to prevent the Bill from dying. I do hope that necessary actions be taken to ensure vulture funds are no longer able to prey on the world's poor.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
The effects of passive drinking.
Lucy Adams, the chief reporter from The Herald in Scotland has written a piece on the effects of alcohol abuse on unborn children. It is a tragedy to recognise that thousands of children are suffering the aftermath of alcohol abuse which got into their bodies as foetuses.
Dr Jonathan Sher, director of research, policy and programmes at Children in Scotland has stated that children can visible suffer malformations due to the effects of alcohol ingested by the mother during the first three months of pregnancy. In a report which has been submitted to the UK and the Scottish Parliament, Dr. Sher stated that not all the damages are visible at birth, but only become apparent later on in the life of a child, who might suffer from learning disabilities, or suffer in his/her abilities to plan, learn from experience and impulse control. Apparently over 900 children in Scotland are directly affected by Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, (FAS) and thousands more suffer from its diverse effects later on in life.
Scotland has long had a culture of alcohol abuse and a” good night out” is not seen as complete without an alcohol binge. My own city of Glasgow has been documented as far back as the 1990’s as having a severe case of alcohol dependence particularly in the east end of the city. Sadly this dependence continues. The Rowntree Foundation released a report stating the steady rise in the consumption of alcohol by women where binge drinking was commonly done in 2009 by 15% of the female population in the UK.
Children do not need to be born with FAS and live with debilitating disabilities for the rest of their lives. This tragedy is entirely avoidable, if we modify our attitude towards alcohol. Alcohol abuse is entirely unacceptable. This goes both for men and women. The Church of Scotland has had a clear policy against alcohol abuse and is a supporter of the minimum pricing policy.
Dr Jonathan Sher, director of research, policy and programmes at Children in Scotland has stated that children can visible suffer malformations due to the effects of alcohol ingested by the mother during the first three months of pregnancy. In a report which has been submitted to the UK and the Scottish Parliament, Dr. Sher stated that not all the damages are visible at birth, but only become apparent later on in the life of a child, who might suffer from learning disabilities, or suffer in his/her abilities to plan, learn from experience and impulse control. Apparently over 900 children in Scotland are directly affected by Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, (FAS) and thousands more suffer from its diverse effects later on in life.
Scotland has long had a culture of alcohol abuse and a” good night out” is not seen as complete without an alcohol binge. My own city of Glasgow has been documented as far back as the 1990’s as having a severe case of alcohol dependence particularly in the east end of the city. Sadly this dependence continues. The Rowntree Foundation released a report stating the steady rise in the consumption of alcohol by women where binge drinking was commonly done in 2009 by 15% of the female population in the UK.
Children do not need to be born with FAS and live with debilitating disabilities for the rest of their lives. This tragedy is entirely avoidable, if we modify our attitude towards alcohol. Alcohol abuse is entirely unacceptable. This goes both for men and women. The Church of Scotland has had a clear policy against alcohol abuse and is a supporter of the minimum pricing policy.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Anti-Nuclear March this Saturday in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Quakers have put a banner on their building in the capital's Victoria Terrace in preparation for an anti nuclear weapons march and demonstration. This event organised by Scotland's for Peace for this Saturday aims to ensure that the Trident nuclear weapons system is on the general election agenda. The march will be led by First minister Alex Salmond and passes the Meeting House en route for the Grassmarket.
The banner's message is at the heart of an ecumenical movement that sees the UK Government's proposal to upgrade the Trident nuclear weapons system based in Scotland as morally indefensible.
This morning, Cardinal O'Brien met Ian Galloway from the Church of Scotland at the Quaker Meeting House to admire the banner. Although the Cardinal will not be able to make the demonstration on Saturday, he encourages people of all faiths to attend, and says
“The use of nuclear weapons is wrong in all cases, and it therefore followed that retaining them, with the threat to use them if necessary, is also unacceptable. Possessing such weapons undermines Britain's moral authority. ”
Ian Galloway; Convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland added
“On the 13th of March I will be in Edinburgh marching and speaking against nuclear weapons. I do this out of a firmly held personal convictions that nuclear weapons are wrong as they kill indiscriminately but also because the Church of Scotland as long spoken out against such weapons.”
Recently, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Bill Hewitt, joined the Scottish Clergy against Nuclear Armaments pressure group in launching their new campaign to put Trident and nuclear weapons at the heart of the general election campaign.
After Alex Salmond speaks in the Grassmarket at Saturday's rally, the other speakers are Ian Galloway, Mark Lazarowicz MP (Labour), John Barrett MP (Lib Dem), Alis Ballance, candidate, (Greens), Kate Hudson (CND Chair) Trade Union representative Mike Kirby, and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch.
The event will be chaired by actor David Hayman, with music from the Commotion Drummers and community choir Protest in Harmony. Assembly is outside the Parliament at 11.00am on Saturday. Local information at http://www.peaceandjustice.org.uk/and about action to be taken at Scotland's for Peace at www.scotland4peace.org
The banner's message is at the heart of an ecumenical movement that sees the UK Government's proposal to upgrade the Trident nuclear weapons system based in Scotland as morally indefensible.
This morning, Cardinal O'Brien met Ian Galloway from the Church of Scotland at the Quaker Meeting House to admire the banner. Although the Cardinal will not be able to make the demonstration on Saturday, he encourages people of all faiths to attend, and says
“The use of nuclear weapons is wrong in all cases, and it therefore followed that retaining them, with the threat to use them if necessary, is also unacceptable. Possessing such weapons undermines Britain's moral authority. ”
Ian Galloway; Convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland added
“On the 13th of March I will be in Edinburgh marching and speaking against nuclear weapons. I do this out of a firmly held personal convictions that nuclear weapons are wrong as they kill indiscriminately but also because the Church of Scotland as long spoken out against such weapons.”
Recently, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Bill Hewitt, joined the Scottish Clergy against Nuclear Armaments pressure group in launching their new campaign to put Trident and nuclear weapons at the heart of the general election campaign.
After Alex Salmond speaks in the Grassmarket at Saturday's rally, the other speakers are Ian Galloway, Mark Lazarowicz MP (Labour), John Barrett MP (Lib Dem), Alis Ballance, candidate, (Greens), Kate Hudson (CND Chair) Trade Union representative Mike Kirby, and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch.
The event will be chaired by actor David Hayman, with music from the Commotion Drummers and community choir Protest in Harmony. Assembly is outside the Parliament at 11.00am on Saturday. Local information at http://www.peaceandjustice.org.uk/and about action to be taken at Scotland's for Peace at www.scotland4peace.org
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Temperance in the application of immigration law
Within the last few days Glasgow has witnessed two children being taken into prison, for the crime of being Nigerian, and three people from Eastern Europe plummeting to their death under the possible threat of deportation. These are tragic examples of the way people facing desperate situations react when placed against the wall. In 2007 Glaswegians demonstrated their distress at the imprisonment of children by immigration authorities and the unease in the city is just as palpable now.
The onus is on the immigration authorities to apply the law with justice and temperance, exercising the judgement required by each particular case. If asylum seekers behave in the way which is expected of them by our immigration authorities and they present no risk of flight, there is no real reason to place them in prison prior to deportation, particularly if children are involved. Since 2004 The Church of Scotland has opposed the imprisonment of children.
Scotland has long prided itself on its democratic and Christian values. Should we not remind ourselves that we need to treat others as we would like to be treated?
The onus is on the immigration authorities to apply the law with justice and temperance, exercising the judgement required by each particular case. If asylum seekers behave in the way which is expected of them by our immigration authorities and they present no risk of flight, there is no real reason to place them in prison prior to deportation, particularly if children are involved. Since 2004 The Church of Scotland has opposed the imprisonment of children.
Scotland has long prided itself on its democratic and Christian values. Should we not remind ourselves that we need to treat others as we would like to be treated?
Growing up with alcohol abuse
Alcohol consumption in the UK has doubled in the past 50 years. In 1960 every person over 16 drank 5.7 litres of pure alcohol. In 2007 it had risen to 11.53 litres per person. We also drink in a different way. There is now more than 60% consumption of spirits at home as opposed to drinking in public spaces. Alcohol is now at the centre of family life in some Scottish households. This means that there is an increased potential for children to be involved in alcohol related incidents.
A number of children's charities have backed up the proposal for a minimum pricing on alcohol in an attempt to curve down the drinking problem in Scotland. Research commissioned by Childline Scotland and Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems has found that children suffer emotional and psychological damage as a direct result of parental alcohol abuse. Children who phone Childline often speak of alcohol in the same breath as mentioning physical violence, abuse and neglect.
Children should be protected from harm. The Church of Scotland, has long had a clear position on alcohol abuse and is a clear supporter of the campaign on minimum pricing of alcohol. Clearly, the needs of our children and young people should be placed above purely commercial interests.
A number of children's charities have backed up the proposal for a minimum pricing on alcohol in an attempt to curve down the drinking problem in Scotland. Research commissioned by Childline Scotland and Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems has found that children suffer emotional and psychological damage as a direct result of parental alcohol abuse. Children who phone Childline often speak of alcohol in the same breath as mentioning physical violence, abuse and neglect.
Children should be protected from harm. The Church of Scotland, has long had a clear position on alcohol abuse and is a clear supporter of the campaign on minimum pricing of alcohol. Clearly, the needs of our children and young people should be placed above purely commercial interests.
Monday, 8 March 2010
Against Nuclear Weapons
On the 13th of March I will be in Edinburgh marching and speaking against nuclear weapons. I do this out of a firmly held personal convictions that nuclear weapons are wrong as they kill indescriminately but also because the Church of Scotland has long spoken out against such weapons.
Recently, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Bill Hewitt, joined the Scottish Clergy against Nuclear Armaments pressure group to launch a new campaign placing Trident and nuclear weapons at the heart of the general election campaign. The Church and Society Council which I convene supports this campaign and has been actively distributing postcards encouraging people to contact their MP’s regarding their stand for or against nuclear weapons.
The march will assemble at the Scottish Parliament at 11 am and march off at 11.30 with the Rally at the Grassmarket at 12.30. Speakers will include
I will be sharing the platform with Alex Salmond, Mark Lazarowicz MP (Labour), John Barrett MP (Lib Dem), Alis Ballance, candidate, (Greens), Kate Hudson (CND Chair) Trade Union representative Mike Kirby, and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch, chaired by actor David Hayman. More information on the march is available at the Scotland for Peace website.
Recently, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Bill Hewitt, joined the Scottish Clergy against Nuclear Armaments pressure group to launch a new campaign placing Trident and nuclear weapons at the heart of the general election campaign. The Church and Society Council which I convene supports this campaign and has been actively distributing postcards encouraging people to contact their MP’s regarding their stand for or against nuclear weapons.
The march will assemble at the Scottish Parliament at 11 am and march off at 11.30 with the Rally at the Grassmarket at 12.30. Speakers will include
I will be sharing the platform with Alex Salmond, Mark Lazarowicz MP (Labour), John Barrett MP (Lib Dem), Alis Ballance, candidate, (Greens), Kate Hudson (CND Chair) Trade Union representative Mike Kirby, and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch, chaired by actor David Hayman. More information on the march is available at the Scotland for Peace website.
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Grandparents in childcare
Hilary Osborne reported in the Guardian a few days ago that grandparents are increasingly looking after their grandchildren and incurring loss of income as a result of this. Grandparents have a lot to contribute to enrich the lives of young people and their role in child development has been amply documented. Grandparent’s involvement in childcare is a sure sign of the strength of the extended family unit and is a clear example of intergenerational solidarity. All of these things are extremely positive.
However the “Protect, Support, Provide” Report commissioned by Grandparents Plus and the Equality and Human Rights Commission shows that grandparent’s involvement in childminding is more likely to occur in lower income families, ethic minority families, single parent families or where there are disabled family members. It is more than likely given the child poverty conditions in Scotland as mentioned in the “Growing up in Scotland” report that the situation detailed above is happening in Scotland as much as in the rest of the UK. The Scottish Ministers’ vision for children as expressed in the Charter for Grandchildren mentions a number of professionals that are responsible for helping children grow up as responsible, healthy, happy human beings. The list includes not just professionals, but also parents and grandparents.
In 2009 the Treasury estimated that 45,000 people were looking after their grandchildren mostly for free, therefore saving the taxpayer around £3.9 billion per year. The government seems to have a clear recognition of the contributions financially and socially that grandparents bring to their families and to society at large through the nurturing of our young. Should it therefore not encourage and reward their efforts financially beyond the promised credits for the basic state pension scheduled to start in April 2011?
However the “Protect, Support, Provide” Report commissioned by Grandparents Plus and the Equality and Human Rights Commission shows that grandparent’s involvement in childminding is more likely to occur in lower income families, ethic minority families, single parent families or where there are disabled family members. It is more than likely given the child poverty conditions in Scotland as mentioned in the “Growing up in Scotland” report that the situation detailed above is happening in Scotland as much as in the rest of the UK. The Scottish Ministers’ vision for children as expressed in the Charter for Grandchildren mentions a number of professionals that are responsible for helping children grow up as responsible, healthy, happy human beings. The list includes not just professionals, but also parents and grandparents.
In 2009 the Treasury estimated that 45,000 people were looking after their grandchildren mostly for free, therefore saving the taxpayer around £3.9 billion per year. The government seems to have a clear recognition of the contributions financially and socially that grandparents bring to their families and to society at large through the nurturing of our young. Should it therefore not encourage and reward their efforts financially beyond the promised credits for the basic state pension scheduled to start in April 2011?
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