Jenny Marra MSP : Why the National Football Academy Should Come to Dundee

Why the National Football Academy Should Come to Dundee

Jenny Marra MSP

31 August 2012

Dundee needs more sports facilities. I was speaking to a Dundee Dad recently who said that his son’s team train in Lochee Park on the pitch nearest the street lights because they can’t get a floodlit training ground. When it rains, the training is called off.

For most of the year that kids are out of school, the evenings in Scotland are cold and dark. We have to accept this and build sports facilities in Scotland where kids can spend their evenings warm and dry, playing sport. It keeps them healthy, fit, and builds their confidence.

That’s why I launched a campaign last year to bring the National Football Academy to Dundee. The SNP promised in their manifesto to build a National Football Academy that would be a training facility for some of our top players and other athletes - a new sports facility for the nation.

So why not in Dundee? Glasgow is getting big sports investment because they are hosting the Commonwealth Games. National facilities tend to be in the central belt, but actually Dundee is more central for folk travelling from Aberdeen and the Highlands and is an easy journey from Glasgow or Edinburgh.

This is a project separate from the Commonwealth Games so it’s only fair that the East Coast and Dundee should be considered for the Academy investment.

Dundee is the only major city in Scotland without a UEFA standard indoor football pitch. The Football Academy would bring this. Dundee also has more people who play football per head of population than any other of the 32 councils in Scotland. We are a proud footballing city.

Aside from the Sport, the Football Academy is exactly the kind of building project that we need in Dundee at the moment. The Waterfront development is fantastic but we need lots of new buildings and facilities to get our economy moving and get our people back to work.

Dundee has the worst unemployment per head of any city in Scotland at the moment, even worse than Glasgow. The Sports Minister Shona Robison would be doing a great service to her home city if she could bring the National Football Academy home to Dundee.

The lasting legacy from the Olympics is that sport can inspire, it can motivate, it can let our young people reach heights of success and fulfilment that dreams are made of. We are a nation of sports lovers. The challenge is to become a nation of sportspeople. It binds families together, it gives purpose and vision, it lets our young people achieve in the healthiest way.

I could list a hundred reasons why the National Football Academy should come to Dundee. But the same vision keeps coming back to me and keeps this campaign alive. I have a vision of local boys and girls heading into the National Football Academy here in Dundee for an after-school training session and bumping into some of their heroes who have spent the day training in Dundee; the Scotland squad, Commonwealth Games hopefuls, role models for their young sporting dreams.

5,000 Dundonians have signed the campaign to bring the National Football Academy to Dundee. They are ambitious for our city and want Dundee to be home to the new national sports academy. Why not here, why not now, and why not Dundee?

Jenny Marra MSP calls for new target to tackle record-high Drug Deaths in Dundee

Jenny Marra calls for new target to tackle record-high Drug Deaths in Dundee

29 August 2012

Dundee-based MSP and Shadow Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs Jenny Marra has called on the Scottish Government and Dundee City Council to strengthen their approach to tackling drug deaths in Dundee by agreeing a target to reduce the number of drug related deaths in the city.

The call comes after Scottish Government figures reveal that Dundee has the highest per capita rate of drug deaths in Scotland , having risen 108% since the SNP took power in 2007.

Ms Marra has criticised the way the Single Outcome Agreements, agreed in partnership between the Scottish Government and the City Council, have recorded their performance on the issue, and has called for the SNP to prove their commitment to reversing the trend in Dundee.

The Single Outcome Agreements have not monitored drug related deaths since 2009, where only alcohol related deaths were recorded, but without a target for improvement.

The only other monitoring of drugs was done in 2008 by a survey taking attitudes on whether Dundonians thought their neighbourhoods suffered from a high prevalence of drugs.

Ms Marra said,

“Dundee is suffering from a very real problem with drug deaths, which has gotten worse over time.

“Latest figures show that we have the highest number of deaths per population in Scotland, and since 2007 the average annual number of drug related deaths has risen over 100%.

“Despite the council recognising that drugs present a real challenge to the health and wellbeing of our city, our key monitoring of the issue has been left wanting and we have had no solid reporting on drug related deaths since 2009, as well as no agreed targets on how to reduce the increasing number of drug related deaths happening in Dundee.

“I am calling on the Scottish Government and the City Council to agree a clear target to work towards lowering drug deaths.

“If the City Council and Scottish Government are serious about tackling the drug problem in Dundee, they must commit to monitoring their performance based on hard evidence and clear targets.

“This is the only way to ensure a sharp focus on bucking the trend that is ending too many lives early.”

Lesley Brennan : 5,900 Underemployed in Dundee

5,900 Underemployed in Dundee

Lesley Brennan

29 August 2012

Dundee has 5,900 people who are officially classified as being “ underemployed”

The official Scottish Labour Force Survey defines “ underemployment “ as :

*all employed persons aged 16 and over who during the reference week were willing to work additional hours, meaning that they:

*wanted another job in addition to their current job(s),

*or wanted another job with more hours instead of their current job(s),

*or wanted to increase the total number of hours worked in their current job(s).

The 5,900 underemployed in Dundee account for some 9 per cent of those in the local workforce.

As well as purely “hours –based “ underemployment , there is also :

Income-based underemployment where the income earned is less than a person expects to earn

Skill-based underemployment where the person is overqualified and underpaid for his/her present job.

Dundee City Councillor Lesley Brennan, who is a health economist said,

“The degree of underemployment depends upon the strength or weakness of the economy.

“ The weaker the economy, the more likely workers are to agree, unwillingly, to work fewer hours or for less wages.

“ Underemployment carries the same risks of personal consequences to health as unemployment does, such as increases in stress levels, displaying symptoms of anxiety and depression , and a decrease in self-esteem.

“The best economic solution to underemployment is to create jobs by stimulating the local economy.

“And the best health remedy for underemployment is secure, well-paid employment.

Richard McCready : Five Point Plan for Dundee Jobs

Five Point Plan for Dundee Jobs

Councillor Richard McCready

29 August 2012

Labour in Dundee is continuing to put the city first and campaign for jobs in Dundee.

Our five-point plan is below:

• Start construction immediately on infrastructure programmes
• Guarantee that procurement plans start to benefit local jobs through a radical community benefit approach.
• Come clean on the status of long-promised renewables jobs for Dundee.
• Guarantee Dundee has priority for any new funds identified for infrastructure investment
• Publish an urgent plan for growth and employment for Dundee.
• 
  

It is important that we put Dundee First and make the case for jobs for Dundee.

Dundee City Council needs to take the lead and use its purchasing potential to invigorate the Dundee economy.

The City Council needs to look at bringing forward proposals for construction work for schemes like the replacement Harris Academy and also look towards building other new schools in the city.

We should also look at bringing forward developments in the waterfront which bring jobs to Dundee.

The council should also ensure that it uses its purchasing power in the interests of the people of Dundee and develops a policy on community benefit in procurement which allows the council to give local businesses a chance to win contracts from the council.

Labour in Dundee is willing to work with anyone with the city's best interests at heart to deliver and secure jobs for Dundee.

Jim McGovern calls for action over Dundee job losses

Jim McGovern calls for action over Dundee job losses

21 August 2012

Dundee West MP Jim McGovern has today called for the Scottish and UK governments to take action over unemployment in Dundee, as 100 job losses are announced at Brown Construction who are based in the city.

The job losses were announced by the company earlier today (Monday 20^th August), and support was immediately offered to the workers affected by the UCATT trade union, which represents them.

The most recent unemployment statistics for July showed that were 3,766 people currently claiming job seekers allowance in Dundee West, 79 higher than in June 2012, which is 9.9% of the working population. This is above the Scottish average of 7.9% and the UK average of 8%.

Jim McGovern said;

“The announcement that 100 jobs at Brown Construction are to be lost in Dundee is a terrible blow for the city, especially at time when the city is being redeveloped and construction jobs ought to be in demand.”

“As someone who served an apprenticeship and worked for 25 years in the construction industry I find this particularly disappointing.”

“Unemployment is already unacceptably high in Dundee and adding 100 more people to that is a great concern.”

Mr McGovern concluded,

“I will support my colleagues in UCATT as they offer assistance to those workers affected, and I am renewing calls for the Scottish and UK governments to start taking unemployment in Dundee seriously, to abandon their failed economic policies and to come up with a solution as a matter of urgency.”

Kevin Keenan : Dundee now has the highest unemployment rate of the four cities in Scotland

Dundee now has the highest unemployment rate of the four cities in Scotland

17 August 2012

Councillor Kevin Keenan, Labour group leader on Dundee City Council , has responded to official figures showing that Dundee now has the highest level of unemployment amongst the four traditional main cities of Scotland.

“Last month, unemployment in Dundee rose to its highest level in the past 14 years.

“So serious is the key issue of employment in the city, that Dundee now has the highest jobless rate of the 4 traditional Scottish cities .

“We now have a higher unemployment rate than Glasgow, for both overall rate and the rate for men.

“Dundee’s unemployment rate is now almost twice that of Edinburgh and almost three times that of Aberdeen.

The female unemployment rate in Dundee - 3.6 per cent – is now higher than the male unemployment rate in Aberdeen – 3.0. per cent.

“The city is crying out for action on jobs and the local economy.

“ We need measures such as :

- Bringing forward investment projects such as the new Harris Academy

- Giving small firms a one year national insurance tax break to allow them to take on extra workers

-A temporary cut in the UK Government's VAT rise which would mean a £450 boost for families with children.

-A cut in VAT on home improvements to 5% for a year to help homeowners and small businesses.

- A fair and just tax on bankers’ bonuses to fund a real jobs guarantee for all young people out of work for a year and help build many more affordable homes.

“Businesses across the city are already doing their best to help.

“It’s now up to the national governments to redouble their efforts to boost the local economy and get people back to work in Dundee.”

Kevin Keenan - Dundee Job Vacancies : "Figures make grim reading"

Kevin Keenan - Dundee Job Vacancies : "Figures make grim reading"

13 August 2012

Official figures have revealed that it is currently harder for unemployed people in Dundee to get a job than in the other 5 cities of Scotland .

The number of job seekers to job vacancies in Dundee was the highest of all the Scottish cities and almost twice the Scottish figure in June .

There were just 545 unfilled registered job vacancies in Dundee in June compared with 6,011 out of work.

This indicates that there are 11 unemployed people in the city chasing every job vacancy.

The number of people in Dundee receiving Job Seekers Allowance per job vacancies compared with other the other Scottish cities in June was :

Dundee 11.0

Glasgow 7.0

Aberdeen 1.3

Edinburgh 3.4

Stirling 2.8

Inverness (Highland region) 3.6

Scotland overall 6.1

Commenting on the figures , Councillor Kevin Keenan, Labour group leader on Dundee City Council, said,

“While this is just a monthly snapshot of the figures, it still makes grim reading.

“People who are out of work and seeking jobs in Dundee deserve better than this.

“They want to provide for their families, and play their part in building a strong economy for Dundee..

“Instead, they are paying the price for Government failure to bring more jobs to the city.

“We need a plan for jobs and growth.

“For example, Labour have already has a plan to tax bankers’ bonuses to gather in £2billion that would create many thousands of jobs for young people.

“We need long-term investment projects brought forward, and help for small businesses to take on more workers.

“ The unemployed need many more opportunities for productive work to get the local economy moving again away from recession.”

Source of data : Office of National Statistics

Jenny Marra : Speech at Hiroshima Commemoration, Dundee

Jenny Marra MSP : Hiroshima Commemoration speech

6 August 2012

I read last night that the grandson of Harry Truman, the American President who authorised the bombing of Hiroshima, is visiting Japan to mark this anniversary today.

67 years after the bombing, he is the first Truman to visit Japan.

His visit is sponsored by the peace group Sadako Legacy, named after Sadako Sasaki, an A-bomb victim who died of leukemia at age 12.

While in the hospital, Sadako folded hundreds of paper cranes after hearing a legend that people who make 1,000 origami cranes can be granted a wish.

Origami cranes have since become a symbol of peace.

Truman’s grandson, a former journalist, met Sadako's 71-year-old brother, Masahiro Sasaki, who survived the bombing, at a peace event in New York in 2010.

They agreed to work together to deepen understanding between the two countries, which are still divided over the question of the legitimacy of the atomic attacks.

"There are other opinions, there are other points of view, and I don't think we ever finish talking about that," Daniel said.

“The important thing is to keep talking, to talk about all of it."

To talk seems like a small act in comparison with the act of his grandfather, President Truman who authorised the Atomic Bombings and their horrific consequences.

But perhaps Truman the grandson is doing today as much as he can do, and in a way, exactly the same as we are doing now.

Only by continuing to talk and continuing to walk up here every year will our dream of a world free of nuclear weapons become a reality.

It is when people with hope and change in their minds and hearts cease talking, that the beacon of change is diminished.

That is why I have hope that the first Global Arms Trade Treaty currently being stalled at the UN, will make progress.

The more voices that continue to speak out against weapons and talk of peace everyday, the brighter our hope burns.

Because change comes when the voices become so loud that they cannot be ignored, when they become the progressive majority.

David Grimason, a young Scot who lost his two year old son to a gun attack in Turkey is travelling Scotland and the world talking about his experience and why the arms trade should end.

All he can do is talk, to bear witness to the destruction of life through the use of weapons, to add his voice and hope for more, to talk more about why weapons are wrong.

This is why our vigil is important tonight.

Because we will continue to talk about a more peaceful world and we believe in the power of our peaceful voices.

Jenny Marra : Questions Remain Over Dalai Lama Visit

Jenny Marra MSP : Questions remain over Dalai Lama Visit

9 August 2012

Further to the release of the minutes of a formal meeting between Alex Salmond and the Chinese ambassador, Liu Xiaoming, prior to the visit to Scotland by the Dalai Lama, Scottish Labour today argues that Alex Salmond is avoiding the difficult conversations that he should be having with other countries when doing business with them.

The meeting minute shows that the First Minister did not raise any questions about the human rights record of the Chinese government in Tibet, nor their treatment of the Dalai Lama himself.

Given that the Chinese ambassador raised the matter of the visit, it was an opportune moment for Alex Salmond to clearly state the Scottish government's position to the Chinese government.

Scottish Labour's Jenny Marra MSP, said:

"As if further evidence was needed, this shows that Alex Salmond did everything the Chinese wanted him to do to distance himself from the Dalai Lama.

"The SNP want to be an independent government, but they are not prepared to step up to the difficult issues of human rights that must be addressed when doing business with other countries.

"Alex Salmond wants the rights of a separate country, but none of the serious responsibilities.

"The First Minister should have proven his diplomatic mettle by voicing his concerns about human rights abuses in China and affording a proper welcome to the Dalai Lama, an international ambassador for peace.


“Instead, he was nobbled by the Chinese government and snubbed the Nobel Peace prize winner to the embarrassment of Scotland."

Dundee Labour smartphone websites

Dundee Labour on smartphone

Visit these sites

Dundee Labour dlab.mobi

Jenny Marra MSP jennymarra.mobi


Lesley Brennan lesleybrennan.mobi


Marlyn Glen marlyn.mobi



Laurie Bidwell laurie.mobi


Richard McCready rmcc.mobi

Jim McGovern backs petition to save Kemback Street Adult Resource Centre

Jim McGovern backs petition to save Kemback Street Adult Resource Centre

5 August 2012

Dundee West MP Jim McGovern today signed the online petition to save the Kemback Street Adult Resource Centre, which has been signposted for closure by the SNP administration on Dundee City Council.

The centre has over 20 years of experience in supporting people, many with severe disabilities, in the day care centre.

There are fears that the disruption of closing the facilities, expected job losses, and the loss of this experience will have a detrimental impact on those who use the service.

Jim McGovern said,

“It is disgraceful that Dundee City Council is planning to close this crucial centre.

"Any of those who use it, and their families, rely on the services the dedicated staff provide.

“The years of experience and dedication of those who work at the centre do not warrant seeing it closed.

"This decision is about short term financial gain, not the benefit of service users nor the hardworking staff.”

Mr McGovern concluded,“I oppose the plans to close this centre, and I will be pressing the SNP administration on Dundee City Council to change their plans and keep it open.”

Kevin Keenan calls for more work for Dundee's construction industry

Kevin Keenan Calls for More Work for Dundee's construction industry

4 August 2012


Kevin Keenan, Labour group leader on Dundee City Council, is calling for more measures to stimulate the construction industry in Dundee, as official figures reveal that there are 300 building trade crafts workers in the city, the same figures as this time last year.
Councillor Keenan said,
“In June , there were 300 building trade crafts workers in Dundee unemployed - the same figure as June of last year.
“There has been no change.
“Output in the construction industry fell by almost 7 per cent over the last quarter.
“Both UK and Scottish Governments must take action to stimulate the local economy.
“June’s unemployment figures for Dundee were the highest for the past 14 years.
“The UK Government must ensure that banks lend money to provide essential investment for small businesses, and there needs to be a cut in VAT to help kick start the revival,
“The Scottish Government’s flagship Scottish Futures Trust delivers cash for replacement schools
“Dundee City Council already has a number of projects ready to go,
“Take Harris Academy, for example, with its funding that was promised a long time ago.
“Let’s get projects started to assist the construction industry in Dundee.
“The construction industry plays a significant role in local industry.
“The Federation of Master Builders say that for ever £1 invested in construction, £2.84 p is generated in the local economy.”