Much to be celebrated in public service
Dear Editor I confess that I am disappointed in Tory MSP Dean Lockhart taking the time to write to the Stirling Observer in response to my recent column, which focussed on the success of our education and health service in Scotland.
It would be irresponsible for any politician to claim that there aren’t challenges in these public services, but it is equally irresponsible for any politician to decry the achievements of those who work in such services.
Scotland’s NHS, in many areas, by far outperforms the health service south of the border – where Mr Lockhart’s party has been in government for a decade.
Forth Valley NHS has seen a significant 55 per cent increase in funding since the SNP came into government in 2007.
This helps local doctors, nurses and health professionals to carry out high quality, modern health care services for local people.
We now have record numbers of pupils leaving high school and going on to positive destinations, including University, College, employment and Modern Apprenticeships. More than 70 per cent of pupils attending high school in the Stirling area, leave with a pass in at least one Higher level grade – more than ever before.
And the most recent figures for Modern
Apprenticeships in the Stirling area show an increase to over 430 for the year 2018/19.
This is made possible by the dedication of those who work in our education and health services, enabled by the investment in these areas by the SNP Government, despite having faced a decade of austerity handed to Scotland by the Tories in Westminster.
The budget this year commits record spending in services like health.
I would encourage politicians like Mr Lockhart to spend less time writing negative letters to local papers about public services, and more time working with the SNP Government to help deliver this investment.
Bruce Crawford MSP, SNP Stirling Dear Editor, Your article on homeless figures in your February 5 edition of Stirling Observer has prompted me to say “I told you so”.
The current programme of Rapid Rehousing Transition Programme and Housing First strategy operated through Stirling Council is clearly not working. This programme was instituted through the Scottish Government to “assist” councils to combat homelessness and the threat of homelessness.
The idea that councils would operate a plan to lessen the uses of temporary accommodation and “fast track” those on homeless waiting lists, as well as others, into main stream housing. As a five-year plan, the savings from temporary accommodation would assist in the financing of such a scheme. Scottish Government put forward £59m to kick start the programme. Councils across Scotland set out budgets of £182m for the scheme. Stirling Council’s budget for the scheme was £2.6m. Scottish Government awarded Stirling £101k. I accept that we need to tackle homelessness, but it’s not just enough to rehouse victims. There are underlying problems that require specialist officers to deal with these issues. Housing officers in Stirling are excellent members of staff, and are working under tremendous pressures, but there are no specialist officers nor has there been specialist training in my view.
Stirling, and other authorities, need a properly funded and specialist programme to counteract the underlying issues that exist with those who are, or are potentially, homeless. It requires long term planning, including building of more single status homes.
The current stock, including new homes coming on stream, cannot cope with demand.
Until that time, when we deal with the problem properly, the homeless count will only get worse.
Hugh McClung MBE