Latest news with #ClareAdamson
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Motherwell and Wishaw MSP pushing for tougher actions on misuse off-road vehicles
Residents across Motherwell and Wishaw are becoming increasingly concerned with the growing misuse of off-road vehicles. Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson is pushing for tougher actions on the misuse off-road vehicles, following ongoing reports of antisocial behaviour. Residents across Motherwell and Wishaw are becoming increasingly concerned with the growing misuse of off-road vehicles. Ms Adamson has met with local police regarding reckless use of quad bikes, mini bikes, and dirt bikes creating serious safety hazards, damaging public infrastructure, and causing problems on public roads, footpaths, and green spaces. The SNP MSP raised these issues in the Scottish Parliament earlier this week. She said: 'People in my constituency have had enough of the misuse of off road vehicles. Reckless behaviour is causing needless safety risks to both the public and to the people misusing the bikes. 'Local police have made it clear that existing regulations are not acting as an effective deterrent. 'This should not be about demonising any one group. But it's clear we need stronger regulations and meaningful consequences to prevent this problematic behaviour. 'People deserve to feel safe in their own community. 'Raising the storage levy on seized off-road vehicles is one option. It would make it harder for people to easily reclaim confiscated bikes. 'We also have to consider stronger action in cases of repeat offences. This could include the power to seize and destroy vehicles. 'This has to be balanced with effective community engagement with the people misusing these bikes. There are often individual contexts for why people act out in this way. 'But without an effective deterrent, reckless misuse will continue to cause problems for people in Motherwell and Wishaw. 'That is why I am pushing for action on this issue; we need to consider stronger enforcement powers to safeguard both members of the public and the people acting irresponsibly.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Bereavement support charity for children hosts Eid celebration in Motherwell
The event at Forgewood CC was with The Miracle Foundation's Together We Thrive initiative A bereavement support charity in Motherwell hosted a joyful Eid celebration. Celebrated worldwide, Eid Al-adha is the latter of two main festivals following Ramadan. Friends and neighbours are traditionally invited along to learn more about the faith and culture. The event was hosted by The Miracle Foundation, founded in 2016 to support bereaved children and young people in Lanarkshire. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today Through early intervention bereavement and trauma support, including counselling, art therapy, and mental health services, the Miracle Foundation's dedicated team and volunteers have extended a helping hand and a unique service to thousands of families across Lanarkshire. Clare Adamson MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw was delighted to attend the event marking Eid at the Forgewood Community Centre. The event at Forgewood was with The Miracle Foundation's Together We Thrive initiative. The project's aim is to create a safe place for young people, and their carers to support BAME girls by encouraging community engagement and providing a space to have open conversations about mental health and wellbeing. Clare Adamson MSP said: 'It was an absolute pleasure to take part in the Eid event at Forgewood Community Centre. 'The Miracle Foundation has become a beloved Motherwell charity offering invaluable services to young people across Lanarkshire. 'Charity founder Mariam Tariq and her incredible team have a relentless drive to help people in this community. 'The day was joyful and uplifting. It was an afternoon of celebration, connection, and community. 'My thanks go to the organisers, the performers, and the attendees for your energy and engagement. 'The Together We Thrive project is centred upon community participation. That was a perfect theme this for this event. If there are young people in Motherwell and Wishaw going through a difficult time, there are people who can help. 'The Miracle Foundation is dedicated to supporting individuals and families facing hardship. Whether it's providing practical help, emotional support, or simply being there when someone needs a hand, their work is a reminder of what community really means.' The Miracle Foundation provides complex trauma therapy support, supporting children and young people from the ages of four to 19 years old, and their families. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Daily Record
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Around 2000 families in North Lanarkshire impacted by removal of two-child cap
The Scottish Government has confirmed it intends to mitigate the effect of the two child cap with a separate payment administered by Social Security Scotland. Around 2000 families in North Lanarkshire will be impacted by the two-child cap, as the Scottish Government confirmed the Labour policy will be effectively scrapped in Scotland from March next year. The two-child cap restricts support in universal credit to two children in a family. It was introduced under the Conservatives and the new Labour government has kept the cap in place, despite campaigning against it in opposition. The Child Poverty Action Group says scrapping the two-child limit is the most cost-effective way to start to reduce child poverty. It would lift 350,000 children out of poverty and mean 700,000 children are in less deep poverty UK wide. Though the policy is reserved to Westminster, the SNP have pledged to use its powers over social security in Scotland to mitigate the effect of the two child cap with a separate payment administered by Social Security Scotland. Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson said: 'The two-child cap is a huge driver of child poverty. People in my Motherwell and Wishaw constituency are directly harmed by the two-child cap. 'We have repeatedly called on successive UK Government's to scrap this cruel and damaging policy. Scottish families cannot afford to wait any longer. Around 26,000 households across Scotland are impacted by this policy while the Labour government shrugs its shoulders. 'John Swinney's government will lift 20,000 children out of poverty, making progress on the key mission of this Scottish Government: to eradicate child poverty.' At Holyrood this week. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said applications will open for mitigation of the welfare policy on March 2, with payments being made 'as soon as possible' afterwards - meaning it will likely take place just ahead of the Scottish Parliament election. However, the minister also told MSPs she is 'deeply disappointed' that Scotland's interim child poverty targets have not been met, saying there is no single reason for them being missed. Labour has cited fiscal constraints for keeping the cap, but in May the Prime Minister said he will be 'looking at all options' to tackle child poverty. Following an announcement on Tuesday morning, Ms Somerville addressed MSPs on the Government's 'tackling child poverty delivery plan'. She said it is 'deeply disappointing' that interim child poverty targets have not been met, but rates are nevertheless coming down, and she pledged to 'build on that progress' ahead of 2030 targets. Conservative MSP Liz Smith pressed the minister on how the mitigation policy will be funded, saying the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) has noted a 'widening gap' between the Scottish Government's welfare spending and its funding. In March, the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned the policy could harm incentives to work because some of the lowest-paid workers could earn more on welfare than in employment. However, the move has been welcomed by anti-poverty charities, who have urged the UK Government to scrap the cap, with the Child Poverty Action Group saying the move would lift 350,000 children across the UK out of poverty.
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Wishaw MP calls on SNP to improve frontline services after spending review
Pamela Nash says the buck now stops with the SNP Scottish Government – and called on Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson to explain to their constituents why they have yet to see any tangible improvements in their communities. Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke MP Pamela Nash has welcomed the UK Labour Government's Spending Review as 'transformational for the country'. Overall, the settlement for the Scottish Government is the largest in real terms since devolution began. With £1.4 billion already confirmed by the Chancellor in last year's Autumn Budget, the UK Labour Government is now investing almost £1.7 billion in growth schemes across Scotland over the next decade. Pamela says the buck now stops with the SNP Scottish Government – and called on Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson to explain to their constituents why they have yet to see any tangible improvements in their communities. She said: 'While Labour has been building new homes in England, Scotland's housing crisis continues under the SNP. A year after declaring a housing emergency, 10,000 children are shamefully still living in temporary accommodation. 'Labour has been investing in regional transport across England, yet rail fares in Scotland continue to rise with three increases since March 2024, and 1,400 bus routes cut since the SNP came to power. '£1.7bn has also been invested by the UK Labour Government in local growth projects to improve Scotland's town centres, but the SNP has undermined public services with successive cuts to core council budgets. 'And despite more money than ever before, on the SNP's watch, the NHS is still on its knees – with one in six Scots on an NHS waiting list and record numbers of people being forced to turn to private healthcare. 'The Autumn Budget delivered a record-breaking sum for Scotland, but SNP economic failure and waste means it is failing to improve frontline services.' She continued: 'The people of Motherwell and Wishaw deserve better. 'The funding package for Scotland delivered by Labour is transformational, and the SNP has run out of excuses not to deliver. 'Clare Adamson needs to explain to our constituents why the effects of these record levels of funding for Scotland are not being felt in local GP surgeries, in our schools, and in our local streets, roads and parks.' Ms Adamson hit back saying it was 'alarming to see such delight at the Chancellor short-changing Scotland to the tune of £1.1 billion compared to spending on UK Government departments'. She continued: 'Ms Nash hasn't read any of the independent analysis of the Spending Review. She has bought into Labour's headlines hook, line, and sinker. 'The detail beyond the headlines is much more stark and we can expect dwindling budgets and belt tightening for years to come. 'It is because of the SNP that Scots have been shielded from the very worst of Westminster policy. 'Whether it's the baby box, the Scottish Child Payment, maintaining free tuition, bus passes, scrapping peak rail fares, mitigating the bedroom tax, or the best performing A&E services in the UK, people in this community and across Scotland know the SNP is on their side. 'The last Labour Government in Scotland built 6 council houses in total. The SNP has overseen completion of 136,000 affordable homes across Scotland - 6,000 in North Lanarkshire alone. 'And we will take action against the two child cap - a key driver of poverty - because Labour refuses to act. 'Labour has broken promise after promise after promise since getting into power: people are struggling with higher energy and grocery bills; stagnant growth; unsustainable UK debt; businesses and charities closing due to Labour's national insurance hike; and sick and disabled people are fearful for their future due to Labour's appalling welfare cuts. 'Brexit continues to wreak havoc on all of us and Pamela Nash gleefully supports all of this. 'I will always stand up for this community and demand better from this failing UK system. My team and I will get on with the job of helping people across Motherwell and Wishaw, from our office, electronically and in our regular community visits.'
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Lanarkshire MSP welcomes payouts over forced prepayment meter fitting
A total of £74million is being paid out by eight energy firms. This includes Scottish Power, EDF, Octopus, Utility Warehouse, Good Energy, Tru Energy and Ecotricity. A Lanarkshire MSP has welcomed the news that thousands of energy customers are due to receive payouts of up to £1,000 each over the forced fitting of prepayment meters. A total of £74million is being paid out by eight energy firms. This includes Scottish Power, EDF, Octopus, Utility Warehouse, Good Energy, Tru Energy and Ecotricity. It comes after energy regulator Ofgem launched an investigation into often vulnerable customers being switched to prepayment meters after they fell behind on bills. Ofgem's Market Compliance Review (MCR) required suppliers to examine their practices of involuntary PPM installation, including both meters that were installed under warrant and smart meters that were remotely switched to prepayment mode. At least 40,000 customers are expected to benefit from the new measures following a review carried out by the energy regulator. Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson said: 'I am glad to see some compensation for forced installations. I repeatedly raised cases from constituents with Ofgem and energy companies. 'Some companies dismissed the practice, and others said it was only used as a last resort. But my team and I have helped many people facing a range of unfair billing practices including forced installations. 'Ofgem's review has shown that multiple companies fell short of their obligations, and it was people in Motherwell and Wishaw, and struggling households across the country, that were at the sharp end of those failures. 'We still need to see further and faster regulatory action. My constituents face a raft of unfair energy practices: historical energy debt; so-called 'self-disconnection'; errors in debt calculation; and the unjust standing charge. 'Even the availability of the cheapest tariffs is often down to payment method and postcode. This disproportionately impacts the people on low incomes and drives fuel poverty. 'We need stronger regulatory enforcement across the energy sector so that my constituents, and people across Scotland, are not penalised by unfair practices. 'While there is good exploratory work in Scotland on a long-overdue social tariff, energy policy is reserved to Westminster. 'I welcome Ofgem's review, and today's announcement, but it is a small part of the system. The UK energy market is rife with inequity and Labour inaction on these longstanding problems is costing people in every community.' Energy suppliers can no longer forcibly install a prepay meter on the highest risk customers, including households where someone is over the age of 75, those with children under the age of two, and households where someone has a severe health condition. Dhara Vyas, chief executive of Energy UK, which represents energy firms, said: 'Involuntary installations have been a last - but necessary - resort for cases where repeated attempts to address debt with the customer through other means have been unsuccessful. 'It's bad for customers to fall further and further into arrears, and bad debt ultimately drives up the prices that is paid by all customers.' UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Justice is finally being delivered to many of the families, lots of them vulnerable, who were affected by the scandal of energy suppliers wrongly forcibly installing pre-payment meters. 'The government has campaigned tirelessly on this issue and are pleased to see the level of compensation increase to £18.6 million, up from £420,000 under the previous government. 'Consumers must come first, which is why we are reforming the energy market to stamp out bad practice and make it easier to access proper redress when things go wrong, through our comprehensive review of Ofgem. 'This increased compensation package is a good start, and we will be announcing further reforms in the weeks ahead as we deliver our Plan for Change.' It comes after it was revealed that energy bills will go down again this summer. The Ofgem energy price cap is being reduced by seven per cent - taking the typical annual bill from £1,849 to £1,720. The price cap for someone paying by pre-payment meter is falling from £1,803 a year to £1,672, and the yearly charge for someone who pays on receipt of bill is going down from £1,969 to £1,855.
