Motion S5M-05649: Supply Chains And Brexit

20 May 2017

That the Parliament notes the findings of a recent survey that was published by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, which, it understands, suggest that businesses in the rest of the EU are set to sever supply link chains with the UK as a result of Brexit; believes that the survey of 2,111 supply chain managers reported that 32% of UK businesses with suppliers on the continent are actively looking for alternative sources in the UK, while 45% of EU businesses working with UK suppliers are looking for new suppliers in their areas; understands that 65% of the UK businesses also said that supply chains were becoming more expensive as a result of the falling value of the pound; believes that other responses suggested pessimism regarding the UK’s negotiating position, with 39% saying that the UK was in a weak position; considers that keeping tariffs and quotas to a minimum should be the number one priority, and believes this should be achieved by making membership of the single market, rather than what it considers would be a damaging hard Brexit, the goal of the UK during the Brexit negotiations.

GLASGOW SHETTLESTON MSP LEARNS HOW RESEARCH CAN BEAT CANCER SOONER

15 May 2017

John Mason met Cancer Research UK scientists in Glasgow last week to learn about the charity’s world class research in Scotland.

 

John visited the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute where he witnessed first-hand the groundbreaking research being carried out by scientists and doctors, and heard how research such as this will help to save lives.

Cancer Research Lab visit - 2017

Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK was able to spend more than £24 million in Glasgow last year on world- leading scientific and clinical research.

 

The charity announced a further £8 million investment in Glasgow in March, to develop new treatments for pancreatic cancer. Led by Professor Andrew Biankin at the University of Glasgow, the PRECISION-Panc project aims to develop personalised treatments for pancreatic cancer patients, improving the options and outcomes for a disease where survival rates have remained stubbornly low.

 

John said: “Like everywhere in Scotland, cancer has a huge effect on families in Glasgow Shettleston, so it has been fantastic to visit the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute and hear more about how it’s research is offering new hope to families here and across Scotland.

 

During the visit to the Institute, John also heard about Cancer Research UK’s latest campaign Scale Down Cancer which is calling for more to be done to tackle obesity in Scotland.

 

The charity is urging the Scottish Government to introduce measures that will give children the best start in life, by curbing multi-buy discounts on foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar.

 

Gregor McNie, senior public affairs manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “Research is at the heart of curing cancer, yet we must not forget that four in ten cancers are preventable in the first place.

 

“Not enough of us know that obesity is the single biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking. Given the devastating impact that cancer has on families across Scotland, it’s vital we see political action on obesity.”

Join the conversation on twitter via @CRUKScotland and #ScaleDownCancer

Motion S5M-05589: Sunday Times Rich List

13 May 2017

That the Parliament notes the release of The Sunday Times Rich List, which shows that the wealth of the UK’s richest 1,000 people rose by 14% in 2016; understands that the list shows that Britain has more billionaires than ever before, with 134, increasing from 120 in the previous year; further understands that the combined wealth of the top 500 people on the list is £580.4 billion, which is more than the £575.6 billion for the entire rich list of 1,000 people in the previous year; notes that, at the same time, many ordinary people have no or little wealth, with many dependent on foodbanks to survive; believes that countries with a more even distribution of wealth are more likely to be at the top of global happiness indexes, and hopes that, as a society, the UK can move closer to such models.

Motion S5M-05585: Poorest At Greatest Risk From Binge Drinking

13 May 2017

That the Parliament notes the findings from a study led by University of Glasgow researchers, which it understands shows a disproportionate increase in ill health from excessive drinking for people living in poverty; notes that the study, Socioeconomic status as an effect modifier of alcohol consumption and harm: analysis of linked cohort data, was published in The Lancet Public Health; acknowledges the comments by the lead author of the study, Dr Vittal Katikireddi, which highlight that the poorest in society are at much greater risk of the harmful impact of alcohol on health, the cause of which is not related to drinking or binge drinking more often; notes with interest the suggestion that the increased impact on health could be a “direct consequence of poor material circumstances and psycho-social stresses”, which it believes suggests that poverty can reduce resilience to disease, leading to a greater danger to people from poorer backgrounds; appreciates that the proportion of people binge drinking has fallen in recent years but recognises that 20% of the population in the latest Scottish Health Survey admitted to regular binge drinking; believes that the study is a valuable contribution to understanding the challenges presented by excessive drinking, and hopes that it can help shape policy in a way that protects the most deprived in society.