23 June 2017

Angus MacDonald MSP for Falkirk East has welcomed the passage of the Limitation Childhood Abuse Scotland Bill in the Scottish Parliament.
 
The Bill, which will have retrospective effect, removes the three year time limit in which victims of childhood abuse can bring a civil action against their abuser – meaning that survivors can pursue justice later in life.
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Angus MacDonald said:
 
“This Bill is a big step forward in ensuring that survivors of childhood abuse are able to access justice later in life.
 
“While bringing a civil action may not be the right solution for all survivors of child abuse, it is vital that survivors have the choice to come forward as and when they feel ready to do so.
 
“Those who have suffered abuse as a child may delay disclosing the trauma for a whole host of reasons, including a difficulty processing what has happened to them, feelings of shame, suppressed memories or indeed pressure from the abuser. And it’s important that they have the choice to take the time to come forward.
 
“While it remains the case that the courts will weigh up the available evidence in each individual case, these changes to the law will give survivors the all-important choice about what actions they can legally take to seek justice.”

21 June 2017

SNP MSP Angus MacDonald is encouraging all expectant mothers across Falkirk district, whose babies are due on or after 15 August 2017, to register for a baby box at their next midwife appointment.

These boxes, containing various essential items for a child’s first weeks and months, signal the SNP Government’s commitment to ensuring that every child in Scotland, regardless of their circumstances, should get the best start in life.

This comes on top of the SNP Government using new powers to create new Maternity and Early Years’ Allowances, the Best Start Grant, which provides expectant mothers on low incomes with £600 for their first child, £300 for second and subsequent children and a further £250 grant when their child starts nursery, and £250 again when they start school.

SNP MSP Angus MacDonald, Falkirk East, said:

 “The Scottish Government is proudly gifting a Baby Box to every child in Scotland to help tackle deprivation, improve health and support parents – just one part of our determination to ensure that every child has an equal start in life.

“For mothers in Falkirk district looking forward to welcoming a new born into the world on or after 15^th August this summer, all they need to do to be gifted a Baby Box is apply through their midwife in advance, supplying their preferred delivery address.

“The Baby Boxes are full of useful items such as books, clothes, blankets, a bath towel, a changing mat, a bib and a thermometer, while also providing a safe space for babies to sleep near their parents, to promote bonding and early attachment, and send a signal that every child, regardless their background, matters.

“And with the new powers coming to Scotland, the SNP Government will also provide targeted support of a significantly higher level than elsewhere in the UK, to help low income families via our new Maternity and Early Years’ Allowances- replacing the UK Sure Start grant with our Best Start Grant.

“The new Best Start Grant will be introduced in 2019.”