'Clydebank has a long history with mesothelioma'

Marie McNair: 'Clydebank has a long history with mesothelioma'

Marie McNair MSP (Image: Newsquest)

I hope everyone is well and that you have been able to get out and enjoy some of the nicer weather we have been having.

Hopefully, that’s not the end of our summer!

Just before I touch on some of my recent work, I want to mention what happened in my last couple of weeks in Parliament prior to summer.

During my fifth annual Action Mesothelioma Day debate – to raise awareness of asbestos illnesses – I was absolutely delighted to secure a commitment from the Scottish Government that they will introduce legislation that will scrap the current three-year time bar that asbestos-related cancer victims face when seeking compensation.

Clydebank has a long history with the disease as the area was once dubbed the asbestos capital of Europe, a title that no community would ever wish to hold.

For decades, workers were exposed to asbestos fibres, often daily, and without protection or being advised of the risks.

Evidence has since shown that companies were aware of the dangers long before meaningful protections were put in place.

My heartfelt thanks go to the Clydebank Asbestos Group and all the campaigners who continuously raised this issue and fought for change.

It is completely unjust that some people died without ever receiving compensation or even being able to bring a claim at all.

This commitment will right this wrong.

I am so pleased with this news and will keep following the developments when we return to Parliament in September.

As Parliament is in recess, I have loved the flexibility of being able to get out and about across the constituency.

As your MSP, being out in the local community speaking with constituents and taking away issues to act on is what I have always considered to be most important.

Recently, my colleague Councillor Sophie Traynor and I got out in South Drumry for a walkabout to pick up any issues from constituents.

This included visiting Montrose Street where we spoke to a number of residents about issues relating to waste, greenspace and infrastructure problems.

We have taken these issues away to raise with the relevant officers.

I also had a really interesting visit to Normobaric Glasgow, who are based in Clydebank, where I met with Michal.

We had a great discussion about the benefits of normobaric oxygen therapy.

It is something I was largely unaware of prior to their move to Clydebank.

If you want to learn more about them, you can visit their website, Normobaric Glasgow.

Remember I am here to help, so please get in touch on 0141 737 8010 or at marie.mcnair.msp@parliament.scot.