The SNP Government is on track to deliver its commitment to abolish prescription charges as the charge drops from £4 to £3 on 1st April on its way to complete abolition next year.

Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow said: "People are struggling right now and prescription charges add to the misery for many who are suffering ill health.

Glasgow SNP MSP Anne McLaughlin has welcomed the vote in the Scottish Parliament which will secure £2 million funding to support a boiler scrappage scheme on top of the £60 million which has already been invested in the Energy Assistance Package to tackle fuel poverty.

In contrast the Labour party voted against this measure as part of the overall Scottish budget thus threatening a scheme they previously supported and advocated.

The SNP MP for Glasgow East, John Mason, has today slammed the Labour Party, following the City Council’s announcement of further planned school closures.

The SNP MP is particularly concerned because St Mark’s Primary, one of the schools that would face the axe under Labour’s latest plan, serves the communities of Shettleston and Tollcross in the city’s East End.

MSPs have been debating whether or not to lift the obligation on councils to publish public information notices in newspapers. It is estimated that advertising costs for public information notices cost the taxpayer £6 million a year in Scotland. The Scottish Government is running a consultation on the matter at the request of Scotland’s local authorities.

SNP work and pensions spokesman, John Mason MP, has called for an investigation into new benefit rules after reports people with serious mental health problems are inappropriately being told they are fit to work.

Proposals from the Scottish Government to inspect and regulate private ambulance services have been welcomed by SNP MSP Sandra White who first raised the issue with Health Minister Shona Robison at the end of 2008.

Glasgow MSP Sandra White raised her concerns after being approached by people working for private ambulance firms over the lack of regulation and inspection of private ambulances which are often used to transport patients in need of care and to provide medical services at events such as concerts, festivals and sports events.

Anne McLaughlin MSP (Glasgow) and her colleague Bob Doris MSP (Glasgow) have welcomed comments from Mike Lees, Managing Director of Tennent Caledonian Breweries, backing the SNP Government's plans for a minimum price on alcohol to help combat misuse.

Commenting on the endorsement of the policy Ms McLaughlin said: "The consensus grows yet again. Scotland has a problem with alcohol misuse and I'm glad to hear that one of the biggest players in the industry are taking their responsibility seriously and backing these tough measures.

Scottish construction 'leading the pack'

Iain Gray’s blunder filled question time has been contradicted by reports from the Construction Skills Network and the news that Labour’s Glasgow City Council is using the Scottish Futures Trust to help increase jobs and investment in the City Centre.

In a revelation which backfires on Iain Gray papers from Glasgow City Council show the Labour leadership is working with the Scottish Future’s Trust to deliver jobs, construction and investment.

Tomorrow SNP MSP for Glasgow Anne McLaughlin will host a meeting in the Scottish Parliament where an eye witness update will be given on the situation in Haiti.

MSPs will hear from the DEC and Islamic Relief about the work that they are doing on the ground and be updated on how the situation currently stands. Adil Husseini from Islamic Relief, who arrived in Haiti 36 hours after the devastating earthquake and spent a week in the area, will also give his account of events along with a visual presentation of photos and video footage.