Mid Scotland and Fife MSP and Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Claire Baker, has raised her fears for the future of ash trees in the Kingdom after Ash Dieback was confirmed in Kinghorn.

Ash Dieback is a fungus disease which affects ash trees and was first diagnosed in the UK at the beginning of this year. The disease has the potential to cause major damage to the UK’s 80 million ash tree population as affected trees may have to be destroyed. The disease had previously infected 90% of ash trees in Denmark and could be as devastating as the Dutch Elm disease which killed or destroyed millions of elm trees in the 1970s and 80s.

The disease was first suspected in Scotland in July at a site near Kilmacolm in the West of Scotland. Since then further tests have revealed that ash dieback has spread, including to Fife, and is present in trees near Kinghorn. Other sites in the surrounding area include Cowdenbeath, Glendevon, Blairgowrie and Scone.

Whilst a summit was held in the Scottish Parliament this week the Scottish Government have come under criticism for the length of time it has taken them to inform the public since they first became aware of the disease.

Speaking from Kirkcaldy, Claire Baker said:

“I was shocked to learn that ash dieback has spread into the Kingdom and is attacking our ash trees. The Scottish Government have been aware that this disease has been in the country since the beginning of this year but it was only until the final week in October that the wider public and parliament were informed.

“What we are seeing at the moment is the Scottish Government closing the stable door well and truly after the horse has bolted. The SNP failed to be proactive in containing the disease when it first came to their attention and now the Fife countryside has been put at risk.

“I will be writing to the Forestry Commission in Scotland to find out what action they will be taking to contain the disease and ensure it doesn’t spread across the whole of Fife.”

Claire Baker MSP has warmly welcomed the work undertaken by the Citizens Advice Service Scotland in Fife after a recent survey found they contributed to 92 jobs and £2 million in wages to the Fife Council area.

The study by Fraser of Allander Institute found that the total common good of the Citizens Advice Service across the whole of Scotland totalled £166.2 million.

The Service also contributes an annual client financial income of £63 million which results in a further £27.4 million in wages and 1246 jobs. It is from this fund that the Fife Council area benefits from the 92 jobs and £2 million in wages.

The Scottish Citizens Advice Bureaux Service has been offering advice in Scotland since 1939. Since its formation the Citizens Advice Bureaux has offered confidential advice and information for free to ensure individuals don’t suffer through a lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities.

Citizens Advice Scotland is the national umbrella body that provides support for the Bureaux’s across Scotland. It is a membership organisation that aims to shape policy in Scotland and the UK through the experience of its members and clients.

Speaking in Parliament after meeting Citizens Advice Scotland, Claire Baker MSP said:

“The money and jobs that is invested in Fife by Citizens Advice Scotland is vital not just for those that benefit from the jobs but for the local community as a whole. It’s important that during these difficult economic times that support is offered to communities and CAS fits that bill.

“The service has helped a lot of people with advice and information across Fife. With the huge challenges facing people across the Kingdom from welfare changes and with the rise of payday loans its essential that the public have an independent and confidential point of contact for any help they may need.

“It was great to meet with them in Parliament to discuss their work across the Kingdom and hear about their great success stories. I hope to visit their bureaux in Fife in the near future and see first-hand the help the offer.”

Scottish Labour MSP Claire Baker has reiterated her calls for jury trails to remain at Kirkcaldy Sherriff court after the Scottish Court Service consultation proposed ending jury trials in the town. The proposed change would mean that only Dunfermline would be able to hold jury trials in Fife.

The move could take place despite Kirkcaldy being the busier of the two courts and the consultation recognising the “strength of comments made to us that Kirkcaldy would be more appropriate location for a Sherriff and jury centre serving East Fife.”

Statistics released to Claire Baker by the Scottish Court Service revealed that in the past year almost three times as many jury trials took place in Kirkcaldy compared to Dunfermline. Kirkcaldy sat for almost double the amount of days as Dunfermline and had almost double the Indictments.

Other potential changes from the consultation that would affect the Kingdom include the amalgamation of Kirkcaldy justice of the peace court into Kirkcaldy Sherriff Court and the closure of Cupar Sherriff Court.

The Scottish Court Service consultation comes on the back of the Scottish Governments draft budget that will see the Scottish Court Service budget cut by £10.9 million over the next two years.

Claire Baker has previously spoken in the Scottish Parliament about her concerns that local and rural courts could be closed due to Scottish Government cuts.

Speaking from her office in Kirkcaldy, Claire Baker said:

“The people of Kirkcaldy deserve justice to be delivered locally and in a meaningful way but I have grave concerns that by moving jury trails out of Kirkcaldy and into Dunfermline we will see a number of difficulties including an increase in delays for trials.

“Scottish Court Service statistics shows that Kirkcaldy has three times the number of jury trials than Dunfermline. Moving trials from Kirkcaldy will only add pressure on to the staff at Dunfermline who will be inundated with cases and could potentially lead to longer waiting times for cases coming to court.

“Any delays will just add to what is already a stressful ordeal for victims. What we should be seeing is a system that makes it easier for victims to have justice delivered, not a system that sees them waiting for their turn.

“Going to court can be an extremely emotional time and lives can essentially be on hold until they see an end to the case. The Scottish Government should be making the process easier, not harder, for all involved but by stopping jury trials in Kirkcaldy they will be penalising the victims and the innocent.

“Any potential move is not being made for the benefit of the people of Fife but due to SNP budget cuts. This round of budget cuts by the Scottish Government may prove to be the final nail in the coffin for local courts across Scotland and Fife.”

Claire Baker, along with fellow MSPs John Park and Dr Richard Simpson  joined constituents from Mid Scotland and Fife in calling for the Scottish Government to get their act together after missing their first Climate Change Target.

The Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Mass Lobby took place in Parliament on Thursday and was well attended by people from across Scotland with a particular strong showing from Mid Scotland and Fife.

The event followed a statement to Parliament on Tuesday detailing that the Scottish Government had failed to reach their first target as enshrined in the Climate Change Act.

 Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker today took part in Barnardo’s Scotland’s Make a Difference Day by volunteering in the local Barnardo’s charity shop in Cowdenbeath. Ms Baker met with Shop Manager, Amelia Howie and Cathie Thomson of the Baranrdo’s Children’s Service before spending the afternoon volunteering in the shop helping and serving customers.

The visit afforded Ms Baker the opportunity to learn how the fundraising role at Barnardo’s supports their varied children’s services. Barnardo’s work with more than 10,000 children, young people and their families in over 98 specialised projects in communities across Scotland.

Claire Baker said:

 “It was great to have the opportunity to volunteer with Barnardo’s and meet and serve local constituents.

“You cannot put a price on local volunteering and I can’t speak highly enough of those that give up their time for the benefit of others. Continue reading →