Bigger Bursaries Good News for for Nurses

The Save Our Schools campaign was successful in ensuring that In a speech at the SNP conference, High, Currie High, Woodlands, and the WHEC were not closed. The the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, proposals to merge the schools into a new “super” school for the region declared that will were deeply unpopular and would have created significant congestion as increase the bursary paid to buses and parents would have had to travel much further. student nurses to £8,100 in 2019, Having campaigned all along for the review to include options to and £10,000 in 2020. The current develop and expand existing educational facilities, Gordon is delighted bursary in Scotland is £6,578/year. to see news that Council are now taking this forward. Speaking to delegates at the Currie High is to be replaced over the next five years under the conference, she said, “In England, proposals and an extra £78 million is to be invested in the school the number of trainee nurses has building programme on top of £25m already set aside. There are also fallen dramatically as a result of proposals to rebuild the WHEC, and Balerno High, which are reliant on the decision to scrap the student securing additional funding. nurse bursary. In Scotland, we retained the bursary, but Gordon has emphasised that the Council should “use all the financial recruitment is a big challenge.” tools available to ensure that Balerno High, Woodlands and the WHEC also receive the investment they require, so the buildings are fit for the Commenting in support, Gordon 21st century. noted, “The SNP value our nurses and will defend and protect our “All the new schools should be designed as community spaces, with the NHS — to anyone from across the buildings used more intensively outside normal hours. They can fund UK attracted to a career in nursing, this a number of ways, including prudential borrowing, Scottish our message is simple. Come to Government grants, capital receipts, or developer contributions.” Scotland.”

Representing: , Balerno, Blinkbonny, , Broomhouse, Buckstone, Calders, , Colinton Mains, Currie, Dreghorn, , , Hermiston, , , Longstone, , Parkhead, , Redhall, Mains, Sighthill, Spylaw, Stenhouse, Swanston, and Whitson. Out and About... Programme Not Just World Clean Up Highlights a Wife Day

This year, the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government includes numerous financial commitments. Highlights include: -

 £1 billion investment every year in public transport.  Phasing out new petrol and Gordon recently hosted a viewing As part of World Cleanup Day, diesel cars and vans by 2032. of the photographic exhibition of Gordon participated in a litter pick  Creating at least 20 electric “Not Just a Wife” in Parliament. organised by Friends of the towns across Scotland by 2025. The exhibition celebrates the role Pentlands and local groups.  1,500 new vehicle charge points across Scotland. of military spouses, their resilience Volunteers in 150 countries and skills, as well as the challenges participated in this year’s event,  £20 million to help people switch to electric vehicles. they face. which was hailed as the biggest civic action in human history.  1,500 new ultra low emission The exhibition, by photographer vehicles to public sector fleets. Wendy Faux, was co-sponsored by 30 bags of litter were collected  £1.7 million for 100 green Gordon Macdonald and members with numerous larger items such buses. of the Cross-Party Group on Armed household goods.  £250 million to reform mental Forces and Veterans' Community. Gordon commented, “It was great health treatment — 430 school Gordon said, “The exhibition gave to be out with many volunteers mental health counsellors. a unique opportunity to discuss, who were willing to give up their  Fast-track specialist treatment face-to-face, the challenges facing free time to protect and enhance for serious mental illness. military spouses and how they the for everyone’s  Empowering head teachers to could be addressed.” enjoyment.” lead improvements with more power over their own budgets. Contact Details  Developing ways for parents By email [email protected] and pupils to ensure their voices Home visit Available for those who cannot travel are heard in decision-making. By phone 0131 443 0595  £10 million to help schools and By letter The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP councils work across regions Gordon Macdonald MSP @GMacdonaldMSP  £33 million over 3 years to help children in care in education. Monthly Surgeries — No appointment needed  £20 million national export plan. 1st Monday of the month, 6.30pm Wester Hailes Library nd  New support system for victims, 2 Monday of the month, 6.30pm Carrickvale Community Centre including dedicated case worker 3rd Monday of the month, 6.30pm Currie Library for families of murder victims. 4th Monday of the month, 6.30pm Oxgangs Library th  Improved information and 5 Monday of the month, 6.30pm Ratho Community Centre support on prisoner release. NB: NO SURGERIES DURING PUBLIC AND BANK HOLIDAYS Working for Edinburgh Pentlands Published by Gordon Macdonald MSP, 9 Kingsknowe Park, Edinburgh, EH14 2JQ. The SPCB is not responsible for the content of external websites.