Green-fingered children from Carmyle primary school rake in support from MP

25 Mar 2009

John Mason has visited Carmyle primary school to present pupils with a range of free gardening equipment so they can grow their own greens, as part of Morrisons supermarket’s ‘Let’s Grow’ campaign. The school is just one of over 18,000 from across the UK to get involved with the campaign.

Teachers will use the new tools and seeds to inspire millions of children across the nation: in this year alone the Morrisons ‘Let’s Grow’ campaign will see UK kids will grow nearly three quarters of a million radishes, 200,000 pumpkins and almost 2 million tomatoes! Across the nations of the Uk, Morrisons ‘Let’s Grow’ is helping kids develop a passion for growing their own fresh produce.

The campaign has captured the imagination of the public, with over 39 million vouchers redeemed by UK schools in exchange for gardening equipment. By the end of the spring growing season, UK schools will have taken delivery of:

4,750 greenhouses
3,703 pairs of wellies
16,463 pairs of gardening gloves
19,426 trowels
12,492 watering cans

Jean Miller of Carmyle primary school said: “We’re over the moon to get so much gardening equipment and the children can’t wait to get stuck in and put it to good use. This type of hands-on learning is really important for children’s development and its good fun too!”

John Mason said: “It’s great to see a local school embrace this opportunity – it’s a fantastic way of involving kids in learning about fruit and veg and that can only be a good thing.”

Lynne McGregor – Personnel Manager at Morrisons said: “The enthusiasm for the ‘Morrisons Let’s Grow’ campaign has been tremendous and we’ve had some wonderful feedback from parents, teachers and children. While it’s fantastic that the kids are looking forward to digging into the mud, there’s an important message here about engaging young people in healthy fresh food”.

Unemployment figures are a grim measure of recession, says Mason

17 Mar 2009

John Mason, the SNP spokesman on Work & Pensions, has expressed grave concern over the increase in jobless figures, amid reports from the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) revealing the ratio of jobs to applicants is exceeding 1 to 10 in many parts of the country.

Unemployment is set to exceed two million when the Office for National Statistics publishes its latest data tomorrow (Wednesday). Between October and December the UK jobless figure rose by 146,000 to 1.97 million, with this being the highest level since 1997.

Meanwhile, the STUC have published analysis which shows that the ratio of jobs to jobseekers is on average 1 to 10 across Scotland with some unemployment blackspots with an even higher ratio.

Commenting earlier today John Mason, the SNP MP for Glasgow East, said:

“The prospect of the UK jobless total passing two million is truly grim, and underlines the depth of the recession. These appalling unemployment figures underline the desperate need to get a grip on the economic crisis.

“In particular, the STUC analysis shatters Gordon Brown’s claims that there are plenty of jobs available for people who are prepared to look. We need to stimulate the economy, we need to create new jobs as well as protecting existing ones, and that means ditching irresponsible plans to slash public spending in Scotland.

“I have visited Jobcentre Plus offices and private recruitment companies in my constituency, and their staff are doing what they can to find work for people. But the UK Government must step up their action – and they should start by ruling out their senseless plan to cut Scottish public spending in the teeth of the recession.”

Mason backs ‘No Smoking Day’ in Glasgow East

10 Mar 2009

‘No Smoking Day’ (Wednesday 11th March) is encouraging smokers in the East End to take the first step and kick the habit. In its 26th year, No Smoking Day is encouraging smokers to quit, save thousands of pounds and take the opportunity to find out about the help and support available.

Glasgow East MP John Mason is supporting this year’s ‘No Smoking Day’. Speaking earlier, the SNP’s Work & Pensions spokesman said:

“No Smoking Day is a fantastic campaign to help and support smokers who want to stop smoking. I would encourage smokers in the East End, and throughout the city, to take the first step on No Smoking Day and give up cigarettes for good.

“There’s no denying that many parts of west central Scotland have a poor health record, and cigarettes are a major contributory factor. However, it’s not just your health that benefits – if you stop smoking today, within a month you are £170 better off as a result.

“Visit your local stop smoking service for help and advice on how to stop smoking and increase your chances of success by up to four times.”

Dan Tickle, Chief Executive of No Smoking Day, the charity behind the annual health awareness campaign, says, “Good luck to all smokers in Glasgow who are taking the first step to improving their health in the best possible way on 11 March. Stopping smoking is the ultimate lifestyle overhaul. You’ll feel fitter and healthier and have more energy and more money! Good luck!”

For more information about stopping smoking go to www.nosmokingday.org.uk

Strathclyde police numbers up by 339 since March 08

03 Mar 2009

The SNP MP for the East End, John Mason, has welcomed the latest figures on police officer numbers, which show that the Strathclyde force has enjoyed a surge in numbers since the first three months of 2008.

The new official statistics show that the number of officers in the Strathclyde Police area has gone up from 7,619 in the quarter ending in March 2008 to 7,955 for the three months ending on 31 December – an increase of 339 officers.

Speaking earlier today, Mr Mason, said:

“People in all of the communities that I represent will be delighted to hear that Strathclyde Police now has 339 more policemen and women on the streets than it did in March. After all, a visible police presence is important in terms of reducing crime and providing reassurance to the public.

“Wherever I go in the East End, people tell me that they feel reassured when they see police officers in their street, and that’s why recruiting extra officers is so important.

“When the last quarterly figures were published, I said that I thought there was even better news ahead in terms of police numbers. I’m happy to have been proved right, and I hope that the next recruitment statistics continue this positive trend.”