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Latest News
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overwhelming case for cutting building repair work VAT
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Alex has today claimed that the case for a cut in VAT for all building repair and maintenance work is now overwhelming. The Federation of Master Builders is campaigning to have the rate reduced from 17.5% to 5%, following a sharp rise in the number of families in Scotland living in fuel poverty. Alex recently tabled a parliamentary motion calling on the UK Government to adopt this recommendation, and a ComRes survey has this week found that 75% of Scottish MPs favour a cut. |
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North Lanarkshire missing out on £278m oil revenue windfall
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Alex has today released figures showing that North Lanarkshire would be £278million better off every year if Scotland were in control of its oil revenues. A report by leading international accountancy firm Grant Thornton found that an independent Scotland – with 82.5% of North Sea revenues – would have a massive £4.4bn surplus. Alex calculates that this equates to £860 for every person in Scotland, and £278million for North Lanarkshire. With these resources, he claims, poverty and deprivation in North Lanarkshire could be eradicated. |
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Council must accept some of the blame for Ibstock's demise
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Alex has today claimed that North Lanarkshire Council must take a large part of the responsibility for the closure of Ibstock’s Tannochside factory, and the expected loss of 54 jobs. After a 2-year slump in the UK brick market, Ibstock today announced that the Tannochside operation was no longer financially viable, and outlined plans to cease manufacturing operations at the site by the beginning of next month. |
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concern over planning process for flood-plain Uddingston grammar school
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Alex has written to Archie Strang, Chief Executive of South Lanarkshire Council, to express his serious concern over the lack of public notification in the press for the new planning application for the Uddingston Grammar School. With the deadline for objections closing on 5th May, Mr Neil claims that the public have effectively been excluded from the planning process, which will seriously undermine any decision that is made. |
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