GLASGOW politicians have united in their support for our campaign to create a city of life-savers.

MSPs and MPs from every party have backed our bid to persuade the council to be the first local authority in the UK to make CPR training mandatory in all its secondary schools.

British Heart Foundation Scotland has pledged to equip every school with a £1300 kit, which requires no teacher training.

Figures show the majority of schools already have a training pack but it is unclear how many are using it. Making lessons a mandatory part of the curriculum would ensure the majority of pupils leave school with the life-saving skill.

Labour MSP James Kelly said the scheme would leave the next generation of pupils “equipped for life” with skills that could save lives, and added: “This is clearly an excellent idea.”

Sandra White, SNP MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, said: “This is a fantastic initiative one that has the potential to save many lives and make our young folk aware of heart conditions which can strike at any time I’m fully behind this campaign well done all involved.”

Read more: Survival rates tripled after Denmark introduced compulsary CPR training in country's schools 

Labour MP Paul Sweeney said the move had the potential to save, “numerous lives” in the years ahead.

He said: “This is an excellent campaign idea that will equip our young people with vital skills and confidence to act as first responders in an emergency situation. 

“Glasgow has a higher than average rate of deaths from cardiac arrests so sending the awareness and knowledge of how to immediately respond in our city’s young people will undoubtedly contribute to saving numerous lives in the years ahead.”

Glasgow Times:

Our campaign - Glasgow’s Got Heart - fits in with a Scottish Government drive to create another 500,000 CPR life-savers by 2020.

Alison Thewliss, SNP MP, said: “When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, quick action can be the difference between life and death.

“More people trained in delivering CPR means more people who can react in an emergency, and the campaign being launched by the Evening Times and British Heart Foundation can ensure that young people can be taught these lifesaving skills, in a school setting, at no extra cost. 

“I am delighted to support this important campaign, and wish it every success”. 

Read more: Hero bus station boss tells of battle to save passenger after cardiac arrest 

Figures show Glasgow has the highest rate of cardiac arrests in Scotland due to the health and deprivation link but research shows people from poorer areas are less likely to know CPR.

Anas Sarwar, Glasgow MSP and health spokesman, said: “I am delighted to support the Evening Times’ Glasgow’s Got Heart campaign. 

“We should absolutely make CPR training compulsory in our school curriculum.

"It will help build confidence in our young people, teach us the benefit of the common good and crucially help save lives.”

Glasgow Times:

Annie Wells, Conservative MSP for Glasgow, said: ““CPR training in schools is certainly something that should be encouraged in schools."

John Mason, SNP MSP for Shettleston, said he would like to see young people equipped with a range of “life skills.”
He said: “I would be delighted if more young people were to be trained in CPR. Well done to the Evening Times for pushing for this.

“There is a range of life skills which I would like to be see young people being able to handle, including first aid (including CPR), swimming , a basic understanding of finances and the dangers of drugs and gambling.”

SNP MSP for Glasgow Anniesland, Bill Kidd, said Glasgow would be,  “leading Scotland” if the council adopted the policy.

Ross Green, Education Spokesman for the Scottish Greens, said he was in favour of CPR forming part of the personal and social education curriculum.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: “Councillor Chris Cunningham, City Convener for Education is meeting with the British Heart Foundation this week to discuss the next steps and how we can all work together.”