Austin Sheridan MSYP to lead debate against VAT increase at SYP

Austin Sheridan MSYP is to lead the debate against the VAT increase, from 17.5% to 20%, at the next sitting of the Scottish Youth Parliament. This will be put forward to MSYPs from across Scotland in March through a members motion tabled by Austin Sheridan.

Austin Sheridan said "In these difficult times the last thing that people and the economy needs is a tax on goods. For the economy to make a recovery we need to encourage spending, for people we need to make sure that they can afford things that they need. It would seem that the UK Government are set on hitting the most vulnerable people in society from cutting child tax credits, proposing National Citizens Service which would see young people forced in to unpaid work for 6 weeks or this tax on consumption which will make the price of fuel even higher which will have a detrimental effect on families and people in rural areas. The attack on the vulnerable has to stop now"

At the March Scottish Youth Parliament sitting members will be asked the following question written and tabled by Austin Sheridan MSYP:

"The SYP does not support the VAT rise from 17.5 percent to 20 percent as it will have a detrimental effect on young people and the poorest people in Scotland."

Agree
Disagree

The March SYP sitting will also see the first leaders debate between Holyrood party leaders for the upcoming Scottish Elections. The Party leaders are: Alex Salmond, First Minister, Leader of the Scottish National Party, Iain Gray, Leader of the Labour MSPs, Annabell Goldie, Leader of the Conservatives MSPs and Tavish Scott, Leader of the Liberal Democrat MSPs.

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP's constituency office.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Govan High Autism Unit

Today (13/12/10) I attended the Govan High Autism Unit's Christmas Fayre. It was a really good opportunity to catch up with the young people that attend the Govan High AU in my constituency. There was home baking that pupils in the unit had made in their home economics department as well as pitching in to decorate the corridors and class rooms for the Christmas season.

While I was there I picked up a few cases such as the lack of grit in the area that the school is situated which makes it difficult for pupils and staff to walk around the School grounds and community due to the ongoing poor weather conditions that Scotland has at the moment. Another thing that has been raised was the fact that the school library has been closed for almost 3 months now due to the librarian resigning. After a phone call to Glasgow City Council I was assured that the library will be open after the Christmas holiday.

The event today was a good opportunity for the AU to raise money so I made sure I was digging deep and managed to pick up a few things. I brought a DVD called Animal Farm which is based on the book that George Orwell wrote who I am a great fan of. I also brought some home baking which was made by the pupils in the AU and also won a few prises on the raffle stall.

It was a fantastic event and I would like to think all AU pupils and staff for making such a cracking effort to make the day the success that it was. I'm already looking forward to next year's Christmas fayre!

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP.