SNP MSP Sandra White will tonight highlight the contradictions in the UK Government’s proposal to remove passport processing from Glasgow’s passport office.

Ms White has previously highlighted the diversion of passport applications from Glasgow to other offices prior to the decision to end passport processing with the loss of 100 jobs.  She is particularly concerned over the mis-information being presented to employees of the Identity and Passport Service(IPS). 

SNP Glasgow MSP Sandra White has today highlighted the support of English and Welsh businesses for the SNP’s Small business bonus.A survey by The Forum of Private Business found that 84% backed the small business bonus.  82% also felt the UK budget would not bring in positive changes for smaller companies.

Sandra White said; “The SNP’s small business bonus has been welcomed across Scotland and now it seems it has a fan club south of the border.

“The support of businesses in England and Wales for the measures the SNP has taken to boost our small businesses is in stark contrast to their lack of confidence in Alasdair Darling and the UK budget.

“As the SNP approaches our first anniversary in Government 150,000 small businesses are seeing the benefits of the small business bonus as their rates begin to fall.

“In contrast the UK Government has increased taxation on small business making it harder for firms to invest their profits and grow their business.

“The SNP is committed to making Scotland a more successful country that is both smarter and wealthier.  The SNP is delivering, perhaps the UK Government should take note.” 

Sandra White MSP for Glasgow has today called for the Scottish Parliament to investigate child Thai boxing, a practice which sees children aged four and upwards forced into battling each other in the name of 'sport'. Currently the 'sport' is unregulated and unlike boxing where children must be 11 to participate there is no age limit or requirement to wear protective headgear even though it is full contact. More worryingly still parents are asked by the fight promoters to sign disclaimers, which absolve promoters of any responsibility in the event of injury or death to the kids.

Medical experts have also condemned the contests, given the fact that children's skulls are not developed and are as a consequence softer than those of an adults and could therefore be damaged more easily. Figures of how many 'fight clubs' there are in Scotland are unknown leading to further worries over the control of these clubs.

Ms White said: "I am appalled and shocked that this is not only taking place in this Country but is actively being encouraged by parents"

"To allow children as young as five to punch and kick each other in front of a baying crowd is tantamount to child abuse and has no place in a civilized society and to actually sign a disclaimer absolving promoters from any injuries a child may sustain whilst participating is a complete abdication of parental responsibility"

"We have had Cage Fights now Cage Brawl what next Cage Toddlers!"

"These poor kids who are often terrified of going into the ring are then egged on by their parents to kick and punch their opponents in this barbaric practice. The parents should be ashamed of themselves"

"The defence that it is for the kids own good is ridiculous, I've nothing against kids learning self defence but to stretch this argument to having 4 year olds tear lumps out of each other is simply wrong "

"The fact that we now have kids as young as nine in cages being willed on by crowds of up to a thousand paying adults to knock their opponents out  is truly terrifying." 

" We cannot simply turn a blind eye to this, I have called on the parliament to act now and I will be discussing with Ministers how we can go forward"