MP delighted as East End benefits from Scottish Government’s school building programme

26 Nov 2009

John Mason, the MP for Glasgow East, has welcomed the announcement that the construction of a new-build Garrowhill Primary is to go ahead, thanks to the Scottish Government’s £1.25 billion school building programme. The good news for Garrowhill was announced by Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, Fiona Hyslop MSP, earlier today (Thursday 26 November).

The £1.25 billion school building programme was set up by the Scottish Government to assist local councils with improvements in their schools. The City of Glasgow had asked the Scottish Government for money to re-build two primaries, Garrowhill and Glendale. However, under the plan unveiled today, the City Council will also be allowed to nominate a third primary school project.

Local MP, John Mason, had previously written to the Scottish Government in support of the Garrowhill bid. Welcoming the announcement, John Mason expressed his personal views as follows:

“This is great news for Garrowhill and for Glasgow. I have been pressing for improvements at Garrowhill Primary ever since I was elected as a councillor for the area in 1998. However, it is important to put on record that this new school is only possible thanks to the Scottish Government and the £1.25 billion school building programme that it has set up.

“Although this is a day for celebration, I am very aware of the fact that there are other schools in my area which also urgently require improvement. These include St Bridget’s Primary School and Caledonia Primary in Baillieston, Thorntree Primary and St Timothy’s Primary in Greenfield, as well as Wellshot Primary in Tollcross.”

Mason’s Month – November 2009

10 Nov 2009
  • UK Government must not axe attendance allowance for disabled pensioners
  • ‘A word from Westminster’
  • East End MP calls for ‘naming and shaming’ on minimum wage compliance
  • The Kelly Committee recommendations: Mason welcomes the end of ‘special treatment’ for MPs

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Mason highlights fireworks concerns in the House

04 Nov 2009

John Mason has taken part in a House of Commons debate on fireworks sales and safety. The Glasgow East MP would like to see fireworks sales restricted to the week before Guy Fawkes Night, and see a reduction in the maximum noise level that fireworks are legally permitted to create.

Commenting after having spoken in the House of Commons, the East End MP said:

“Like most people, I appreciate a well-organised fireworks display. But fireworks do create extra problems with anti-social behaviour in our communities. Many of our pets are also terrified by fireworks noise, and sometimes animals can iterally be stressed to death.

“I am not calling for a complete ban on fireworks, or a complete ban on sales to the public, but I think we could tighten the rules a bit.

“I have seen fireworks being fired across our streets, and people have told me about having fireworks put through their letterboxes. We clearly have a problem that needs to be addressed.”

Mason calls for ‘naming & shaming’ on minimum wage compliance

27 Oct 2009

John Mason, the MP for Glasgow East, has welcomed the publication of a new report, from the House of Commons Select Committee on Scottish Affairs, on the enforcement of the minimum wage in Scotland.

The East End MP, who has frequently called for the UK Government to increase the minimum wage, has echoed calls for London Ministers to do more to enforce compliance, including the ‘naming and shaming’ of those employers who break the law.

Commenting on the issue, John Mason said:

“In the East End, and across the City, there are many people who work in sectors that have traditionally had a very low average wage. It is important that these workers are given a good level of protection.

“For the most part, local employers are responsible and comply with employment legislation, ensuring that their staff enjoys terms and conditions that delivers at least the minimum wage. However, occasionally there are those who are less scrupulous.

“It is unacceptable for any employer to ignore Minimum Wage legislation, and I would like to see the UK Government step-up action on non-compliance, including the ‘naming and shaming’ of rogue employers who refuse to pay staff properly for the work that they do.

“Where employers break minimum wage law, it is low paid workers who are the victims. That’s why we need more action on this area.”