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Shona Robison MSP

• CashBack From Crime Money for Dundee Announced

  18Dec

   

   Dundee’s politicians today welcomed the announcement by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill that more than a million pounds of money seized from criminal activity will be distributed between more that 230 youth projects across Scotland.

   Dundee East MSP Shona Robison said today: “I’m very pleased to see that more than £27,400 will be coming to Dundee to youth organisations including Fairbridge in Dundee, The Shore, Grey Lodge Settlement and Dundee West Youth Work Team.

   “This will help them to promote diversionary activities, to allow youth organisations to purchase equipment and to enable events both indoor and outdoor for youth people in the city.”

  Joe FitzPatrick, Dundee West MSP said: “CashBack for Communities enables young people to develop their interests and skills in an enjoyable, fulfilling and supported way, using funds recovered from criminals.

  “I’d like to congratulate the successful organisations which have received the cash, which are doing such a great job to get young people occupied in healthy activities.”

  “Organised crime brings misery to individuals and communities. It is only right that their ill-gotten gains are put to use in improving lives.”

  Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie said: “I welcome the expansion of CashBack for Communities which allows local youth groups to promote an ever-widening range of productive activities.

  “Thanks to this new funding, Dundee young people will enjoy more opportunities to get off street corners and into enjoyable, healthy activities.

  “I’m pleased that criminal’s cash will be put to good use in outdoor and indoor events, including residential weekends which will help to demonstrate to young people that there is more to life than petty crime and getting out of your head on drink and drugs. The benefits to young people themselves are clear – and the benefits are felt in the wider community.”

  In his announcement today in Edinburgh, Mr MacAskill said: “CashBack for Communities has opened doors to programme expansion for so many groups who were operating on a shoe string, the enthusiasm shown by young people and those who work with them who have received funding is infectious and refreshing.

  “This round of CashBack has seen so many new groups apply and we are delighted to see the money spread right across the country. We hope this funding stream has more than proved its worth over the past two years.”

  YouthLink Scotland, through CashBack for Communities, has been tasked with leading a £4 million grants programme, which supports a range of activities for young people. The previous two rounds have distributed £3 million to successful projects, and this third round distributes a further £1 million with the maximum grant capped at £10,000 to maximise the number of projects which can benefit.

  CashBack for Communities is a programme of diversionary activities for young people to increase the opportunities they have to develop their interests and skills in an enjoyable, fulfilling and supported way. Using funds recovered from the proceeds of crime, the Scottish Government has committed to investing over £13 million in a range of CashBack projects for young people.

  ENDS

  Notes:

  A range of free activities for young people can be found at www.youngscotwow.org

  Link to the CashBack for Communities site:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/17141/cashback

   

   

   

• A Warm Welcome for MSP as Dundee Women’s Aid gives Families Energy Support

  04Dec

  A project in Dundee which aims to help families find homes can now also help them with their initial fuel bills.  MSP Shona Robison is going along to find out how the work of Dundee Women’s Aid has been assisted by funding and support which the project has received from Scotland’s power companies.

  The visit is taking place as part of the nationwide Warm Homes Campaign, led by charity Energy Action Scotland and sponsored by ScottishPower, to raise awareness of the problem of cold and expensive to heat homes, and to highlight the support available to the public.

   

  Dundee Women’s aid received funding from the ScottishPower Energy People Trust to enable it to help families struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills when they first move into a new home.

  The project is just one example of the range of assistance available to people who are cold in their homes or who are worried about high fuel bills.

  Any member of the public wanting advice about saving energy in the home or about how they might be able to lower their energy bills is encouraged to contact the Scottish Government’s Energy Assistance Package on freephone 0800 512 012.

  Shona Robison MSP said: “I have long been aware of the valuable work of Dundee Women’s Aid and the work they do to help families and women who have suffered domestic abuse. I am delighted that with the support of Energy Action Scotland they can now extend that support to their clients to cover their energy bills when moving into a new home.”

  Barbara Atterson, Development Manager, Energy Action Scotland commented: “Many people are worried about making ends meet in the current economic climate and with the added concern about being able to afford home energy bills over the winter, it is essential that every effort is made to promote the initiatives that are available to help people.

  “Through the Warm Homes Campaign, we want to demonstrate to decision-makers in Government the continued need for and value of schemes that maximise incomes, reduce fuel bills and improve the energy efficiency of homes.”

  Jim Paterson, Sales and Marketing Director at ScottishPower said: “Tacking fuel poverty remains a challenge particularly during this time of recession, which will potentially see many households impacted financially.

  “However, we believe it is a challenge we can face together, pooling resources to have a lasting impact on tackling fuel poverty. We are delighted to be supporting the Warm Homes Campaign, which provides the platform to showcase many of the successful energy efficiency and fuel poverty initiatives already underway across the country.”

• Dundee MSP’s Congratulate Winners of Christmas Cards Competition

  04Dec

  Dundee’s two constituency MSPs were in Dundee Primary Schools today to congratulate their winners in the annual Christmas Card designing competition organised by Dundee City Council Education Department.

  Shona Robison went to St Luke’s & St Matthew’s RC Primary School in Longhaugh Road to congratulate P3A  pupil Nathan Harwood, whose collage design of a Christmas tree in snow against a blue night sky, was her winner. On the day, Nathan was ill, so that his older sister Kate-Lynne, collected his prize for him. The prize was sponsored by ASDA and gift vouchers were handed-over by ASDA’s Kate MacPherson. Also in the picture is Headteacher Kathleen Quinn.

  Over at Park Place Primary, Ruth Walton, of P6, was Joe FitzPatrick’s winner for her design of two teddy-bears unwrapping presents in front of a decorated Christmas tree. Joe said: “I was delighted with Ruth’s drawing and very happy to hand over several dozen copies of the final printed card to her and gift vouchers from Tesco.” The prize was sponsored by Tesco Extra. Joe is pictured with Ruth and her card and Headteacher Alison Starke in front of the school asssembly.