Speaking before a member's debate in the Scottish Parliament tonight (Wednesday) on the job losses announced by the owners of the Herald newspapers, Sandra White SNP MSP – who secured the debate – said that the Competition Commission should investigate the proposed changes considering Gannett/Newsquest's commitment to the Commission to develop and properly invest in these titles when they were acquired in 2003.

The restructuring of the Herald titles by Gannett/Newsquest has resulted in the all 250 staff being made redundant and forced to reapply for their jobs. This is despite the fact that in 2007 Gannett/Newsquest made a profit from its Herald titles of more than £23 million bringing the total since 2004 close to £100 million.

SNP Westminster Media spokesperson, Pete Wishart MP, today (Tuesday) met with Tim Blott, managing director of Herald/Times and new editor-in-chief, Donald Martin to discuss the restructuring of the Herald titles which has resulted in the all 250 staff being made redundant and forced to reapply for their jobs. Mr Wishart was accompanied by Enterprise Minister Jim Mather. The Scottish Parliament will debate the restructuring at the Herald titles this week.

Speaking following today’s meeting, Mr Wishart said: "We had a full and frank exchange of views on the Herald/Times restructuring plans and the management team heard very clearly our unhappiness at the current situation.

"We repeatedly asked them to get round the table with the unions and resolve their issues without these mass redundancies but it appears the Herald/Times management are determined to pursue this course of action and re-employ staff on reduced terms and conditions.

SNP MSP Sandra White has welcomed indications from the Scottish Government that it is considering the regulation of independent ambulances.

Independent or Private Ambulances are used to provide services such as patient transport and ambulance cover at major events and festivals.

A consultation by the previous Scottish Executive in 2006 received unanimous calls for private ambulances to be regulated by the Care Commission but no action was taken.

Following a letter from Ms White the Minister for Public Health Shona Robison has said the Government will look at regulating private ambulances as part of a wider review of regulation in Scotland.
 

Two of Britain's leading charities The British Heart Foundation  and Marie Curie Cancer Care today announced a £3.6 million investment to establish a groundbreaking palliative care service based at the Marie Curie Hospice in Glasgow.

This project will be the first of its kind in Britain and will see £1.8 million invested in the centre to provide services for advanced heart failure patients and their families. A further £1.8 million will fund research and evaluation of the project and establish how the needs of these patients can best be met, now and in the future.

The pioneering partnership will jointly develop innovative ideas to provide such support and care which may in the future benefit patients throughout Scotland.