Commenting on media reports of plans to close one or both of the Clyde shipyards MSP for Govan and Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "These reports will cause deep concern among the workforce and communities on the Clyde.

"I have recently spoken with Alan Johnston,Chief Executive of BVT who had assured me the company was working to secure the long term future of the yards and I will be contacting BVT this morning to demand assurances over
their commitment to the Clyde yards and the long term future of Scotland's ship building expertise."

The SNP MP for Glasgow East, John Mason, has welcomed the news from the Scottish Government that a new clause is to be used in its contracts to require payment within 30 days to all businesses in the supply chain, particularly small businesses.

The East End MP has met with a number of locally-based small businesses since his election to Parliament in July 2008, and one of the issues that is most often highlighted is the problem caused when larger corporate clients delaying paying their bills.

Scottish Ministers are getting ready for a summer of activity as the cabinet prepares to meet across Scotland during the summer recess. The decision follows the success of the tour last summer which saw the ministers meet in Dumfries, Inverness, Pitlochry and Skye.

Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris has welcomed the decision to hold a meeting on 1st September in Royston, Glasgow. The programme will form part of the "national conversation" public meeting circuit which will seek the views of citizens across Scotland.

Commenting on David Cameron's remarks about the SNP and replacing Trident Glasgow SNP MSP and anti-Trident campaigner, Bill Kidd said the Tory  leader had learnt nothing about why his party had become so unpopular in Scotland.

Mr Kidd pointed out that a Trident replacement was opposed by a majority of MPs, the Scottish Parliament, civic Scotland and the Scottish public and any attempts to foist it on Scotland were anti-Scottish.

Anne McLaughlin MSP has welcomed the formal approval of planning permission for the development of a Health and Wellbeing Centre by the Glasgow City Council's Planning Committee.

Commenting, Ms McLaughlin said: "This approval is a huge victory for the Govanhill Baths Community Trust and the tireless campaigners who have fought to keep the baths open since 2001.

"Planning permission is not just symbolically important; it is a key to securing funding from major donors such as the Big Lottery Fund.

'Transfer of lottery funding power to Scotland would be better plan' - Mason

East End MP John Mason has criticised proposals in the Calman report to unify charity regulations across Scotland and the rest of the UK, proposals which have also been heavily criticised by the volntary and charity sector.  Unfortunately, Labour representatives have given their backing to the Calman report despite this damaging recommendation to return powers to the hands of Westminster.

Commenting on the Calman proposals, Glasgow East MP, John Mason, said: "It is extremely worrying that Calman has proposed changing Scottish charity legislation and regulation. I don't believe that returning charity oversight powers to Westminster is a good move, and it is unlikely to benefit charity and voluntary organisations in the East End of Glasgow.  It is essential that, given the separate legal system, charities in Scotland are regulated in Scotland.

SNP MSP Anne McLaughlin has criticised proposals in the Calman report to unify charity regulations across Scotland and the rest of the UK.

The plans have been heavily criticised by the SCVO, Scotland's largest umbrella body for voluntary organisations.

Labour, the Lib Dems and Conservatives have given backing to the Calman report - despite this damaging recommendation.

Anne McLaughlin MSP commented: "Having worked for nearly a decade in the charity sector, for both Sense Scotland and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, I know how unique the Scottish Charity sector is.

Glasgow exposes Labour's true Council Tax colours

Reports in today's Herald show Glasgow's Labour Council, led by Stephen Purcell, are planning a council tax increase of over £150 for Glasgow householders - with a revaluation of council tax bands.

A revaluation exercise in Wales saw Council Tax values for band D homes increase by 12.9%. 64% of council tax payers in Cardiff saw their council tax rise.

In contrast the SNP's Local Income Tax proposal would see over 60% of people paying less local tax.

The revaluation proposal is part of the Glasgow Labour Council's proposals to reform local taxation.

SNP MSP Bob Doris has called for more Scotland international football games to be reserved for free to air television. A review of free to air events being conducted by the UK Department for Culture has this week come to the Scottish Parliament. Mr Doris has urged residents in Glasgow to come forward with proposals for any other events they think should be available on free to air TV.

He said: "Free to air television listings need to include the events of national significance that many people want to see. National football matches are only one example but a good example. We need to make sure that coverage reflects the importance of events and that people who do not have access to or cannot afford to buy premium TV services are not excluded from watching the national team."