18th July 2021: A Week in Parliament

Covid Update

On the same day, Scotland moves into Level 0, England under the UK Government is lifting all restrictions. Their decision is a farce given they advise wearing masks in public places, yet are removing the laws to make it mandatory. What kind of leadership is this? Throughout June, Scotland had a higher case rate than England. It was as if the Scottish Tories revelled in this, blaming the Scottish Government. Of course, the delta variant arrived here because the UK Government refused to red list India quick enough. In terms of case rates, England is now 75% higher than Scotland. We have been on a downward projection, while at the moment unfortunately England is still on a very steep upwards curve with regards to case rates. The fact the Health Secretary has tested positive despite being double vaccinated shows how fragile a position we are in.

Meanwhile, experts are now warning that the approach in England is a risk to the entire world. This is alarming and 1200 scientists have backed a letter to the medical journal, The Lancet to chime with this opinion. As well as restrictions being lifted, I fear that in England we have still to see the full effects of all the chaotic mixing that happened for the Euro Championship Final. It is the wrong time to lift all restrictions. Given how these people make decisions that directly impact Scotland, this is further proof we need a better system of governance.

Football Racism

I cannot pretend anything other than supporting Italy for the Euro Finals. However, I thought Gareth Southgate has been excellent in the media and how he has conducted himself. Many of the England players are a real credit to themselves and it is a disgrace the racial abuse those that missed penalties suffered. The outpouring of support is welcome, but of course, that display of public support shouldn’t be required. I also welcome that some of the England players have called out the likes of Boris Johnson and the Home Secretary, Priti Patel for giving signals to racists because of them calling “Taking the Knee”, “gesture politics”. It is a fact that Boris Johnson has written plenty of racist articles. His standard defence is they “have been taking out of context”. That is just plain wrong and he never has been fit for office.

Crowds At Rugby Park

Many people have been questioning why Killie are not allowed bigger crowds at Rugby Park given the size of the stadium. The reality is that the level zero rules mean any outdoor event has an automatic upper capacity of 2000. If a club wants a larger crowd and can do so safely with 1m outside social distancing then it is up to that club to make an application to the local authority. I would like to think it therefore possible to have at least all season ticket holders in attendance at the Ayr game. Even better, if case rates continue to fall, we should see more restrictions lifted on August 9th, allowing much larger crowds.

11th July 2021: A Week in Parliament

Recovery Café

I was pleased to get out and visit The Hut, which is operating as a drop-in café by Recovery Enterprises, Scotland. While it is good to see the work being done by volunteers, it was equally alarming to hear how they have had to help people with food during the pandemic. It is a real injustice when people cannot afford to feed their families. Unfortunately, it is a sign of just how unequal our society is. We need the economy to be rebalanced and wealth more fairly distrusted. Worse, the pandemic has increased the wealth gap, and the richest have continued to get richer.

Pension Rates

Analysis from the House of Commons library has shown that pension rates in the UK are the worst in Europe when considered as a percentage of the average working wage. This is outrageous – given we are repeatedly told that one of the biggest benefits of Scotland being part of the United Kingdom is the shared aspect of the UK pensions. Of course, Scotland contributes its fair share anyway, but it is an eye-opener to have it confirmed by research how relatively poor the UK pension actually is. It is little wonder we have pensioners living in poverty. By default, having pension credit as a top-up in itself is an admission that the state pension is inadequate. Additionally, only 60% of those who are eligible actually claim it. So, please, if you think you or a family member is eligible for pension credit, check out the criteria and make a claim. It is bad enough to be possibly struggling financially but even worse if there is assistance there that is not being utilised.

UK Growth

Further analysis from the House of Commons library has shown that for 21 years in a row, the UK has had the lowest growth rate in northwest Europe. The UK is behind all thirteen neighbouring countries, including Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Iceland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Austria, France and Germany. The analysis, using data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), shows per person the UK is £5,062 less wealthy than the average of all countries in northwest Europe, and £15,739 less wealthy than those independent countries with a population similar or smaller than Scotland. The data also shows that the wealth gap between the UK and our European neighbours has grown worse over the past two decades. It is worrying that the UK economy has been shown to underperform so poorly compared to other European countries for such a consistent period. It also shows that all the talk of new trade deals post-Brexit is only a sticking plaster for this underperformance.

4th July 2021: A Week in Parliament

Grid Charging Debate

I have secured my own chamber debate on 8th July into reform of electricity grid charges. Scotland currently pays the highest grid charges in Europe, so I will be highlighting this as a key issue. It is a barrier to deployment of offshore renewable windfarms in particular and means Scottish projects are 20% more expensive than English ones. To put it in context, a 1GW Scottish offshore windfarm will pay £38m in charges a year whilst a southern England site will get paid £7m. over a 15-year term then there is a differential of £675m between the Scottish and English site. It is a disgrace, puts Scottish jobs at risk and also is a risk to renewable energy generation which we need to combat climate change.

This also shows how badly Scotland has been represented over the years – it is not a matter that Labour ever tackled and so it has been left to the SNP Government and SNP MPs like myself to push for change for fairness. An associated matter with this is that interconnectors that bring electricity from other EU countries do not have grid charges applied to them. Therefore, the system incentivises companies to consider building in other EU countries and exporting spare electricity to the UK! Also, the UK Government have confirmed that they cannot control whether the electricity imported is green or not which is also crazy.

US Trade Deal

We keep hearing how a trade deal with the United States will bring a post Brexit boost. However, the U.S. International Trade Commission has reported to Congress that trade deals only have a marginal beneficial impact for the United States. This means they will be in no hurry to sign a new deal with the UK. Mind you, given how bad the Australia Trade Deal is and how it could ruin farmers here, not getting a deal with the US might be a blessing in disguise.

Constituent Success

Yet again, my office had to intervene on behalf of a constituent badly treated by the system. Due to her health conditions getting more chronic, she should have been entitled to higher rates of PIP. Instead they downgraded her award from what it was. After assisting in an appeal, we are delighted show now gets the enhanced rates required to help her get by. A pleasing outcome, but it is also frustrating seeing these obvious injustices.

HGV Driver Shortage

When I was SNP Spokesperson for Transport, a matter I raised a number of times was a shortage of qualified HGV drivers. I raised the matter with the Secretary of State a number of times and highlighted that there is a dependency on EU qualified HGV drivers and that Brexit will cause problems in this regard. Naturally my concerns were dismissed out of hand. Unfortunately, these predictions have come true and there is potential crisis looming. The largest food supplier in the UK, Premier Foods, have suggested using the army to plug gaps. This really would confirm a failure of Government.

28th June 2021: A Week in Parliament

Provost Todd 

Anyone who has met Provost Todd will have been taken by his gregarious personality. He puts people at ease, likes a laugh and can engage with people of whatever age and demographic. He is hardworking and loved being the civic head who engaged with people on behalf of the council. I thought it really poor that Labour with other political parties in a grubby deal ousted him with just 10-months left of a 10-year tenure. They say it is “just a democratic vote” but it was basic spiteful politics. If all those councillors who clubbed together really think they can do things much better, why not try and run the council? They clearly know they cannot do a better job. It is fair to say there will never be another provost like the “Rock and Roll” one, and I am sure Jim will “Keep on Rocking” for the remaining months he wills serve as a councillor.  

The new provost is Councillor Barry Douglas. I have always got on well with Barry, who is hard working and I know will do a good job. As he observed himself, he will be breaking the mould too, by being the youngest elected provost, and the first gay man to serve in the position as well.  While I disagree with the politics of it all, I wish Barry all the best in the role.  

Depute Provost Leitch 

Another victim of the political coup was Depute Provost Claire Leitch. As a young female in the role, Claire made this position way more than a standard “depute” who covered for the provost. She was extremely hard working and made sure that between the two, they were covering a record number of events. Claire still has a great future ahead of her and I know she will do a great job in the council’s cabinet.  

Bonnyton Post Office 

I was disappointed to be notified of Spar’s [CJ Lang] decision to close Bonnyton Post Office. I immediately arranged for a meeting with the chief executive of CJ Lang to express my concerns and understand the decision. It became clear that the main issue is actually the way the Post Office model operates, and that the Post Office is supposed to be reviewing this and make changes. However, the Post Office has effectively been moving too slowly, so along with a number of MPs and MSPs I have now contacted the Post Office to express our concerns.  

New Royal Yacht/ British Army 

The British Army is at its smallest size in 400 years. While it can be argued this is means reflects more peaceful times, it is still an incredible statistic. Incredibly 400 years ago, the population of Britain was less than 10% of what it is now, so the army is effectively less than a tenth of what it was back in the 1600s. However, the Tory Government has still decided that the Ministry of Defence can afford £200m for a new Royal Yacht. Everyone knows it will cost even more, but what kind of skewed priorities is this? 

21st June 2021: A Week in Parliament

Hapless Hancock

It isn’t just opposition MPs who think the UK Government Health Secretary is useless…apparently the Prime Minister thinks so too. This has been confirmed in new leaked WhatsApp messages from Dominic Cummings, the former chief advisor to the Prime Minister. What is also incredible is that the Prime Minister admitted to Cummings that Hancock was failing in things like the purchase of PPE and ventilators, yet over a year on is still in post. If there is no one better that also is telling.

Borders

In questions on a COVID health update, I suggested that a lesson to learn on border control would be to compare the costs of quarantine and protecting the travel and tourism industry to the financial impact of repeated restrictions, particularly now due to the delta (Indian) variant which could have been successfully kept out of the UK. 

Another dereliction of duty I highlighted was back in December while cases were peaking was that they applied a self isolation exemption to business class flights. I observed that it seems the UK Government believe that the richest are immune to covid. I maintain that this decision was not only reckless but it told us everything we know about who the Tory Government. Just think….according to the UK Government they were willing to risk a COVID spike to allow business class fliers to come and go as they please.

UK Levelling Up Fund

I spoke in a debate about the UK Levelling Up Fund. This is the pots of money the Tory Government has allocated to allow councils and third parties to apply to get funding for projects that will help with regeneration or improved transport links. The theory sounds good – make up for injustices and provide much needed additional funding. Except it isn’t necessarily additional funding, as we no longer access EU funding. The Capital budget of the Scottish Government has been cut. It is bizarre that the Tories are actually saying “we know Westminster has let down your area for decades. Don’t worry though – trust us and we will sort it”. That is so illogical. However another issue I have, is their desire to spend money quickly. That means it isn’t actually strategic and it also means that it doesn’t have a real long term objective of levelling up. The closing date for the first funding round closed on 18th June. However, any successful bids need to have the project completed in a year. East Ayrshire Council have chosen not to submit and want to work on a more strategic long term project. I agree with this – the idea that all those councils around the UK or voluntary organisations have projects sitting around, fully designed, just waiting on funding makes no sense. A road project for example needs outline design, site investigation works, full detailed design, land purchase and possibly planning permission. Then contractors have to be hired. This takes time and so it is clearly impossible for such projects to meet the timelines. I will of course support projects that will benefit the area.

14th June 2021: A Week in parliament

Tory Corruption Continues

Yet another high court ruling has confirmed that the Tories acted illegally in the way they handed out lucrative contracts to friends and cronies, as well as hiding the extent of this. How damning is it that a secret contract worth millions of pounds was awarded directly to a company owned by friends of Dominic Cummings?

It has also emerged that the UK Government also illegally set up a secret department whose operation was to block information requests from “troublesome” journalists. This is another move to an authoritarian state. We really have to be careful given that the UK Government are taking away rights to protest; have tried to create a snoopers’ charter and are continually found to be acting illegally when it comes to transparency. They have also set up a deal for the English NHS to data share patient information with private companies. So, they want to take away individual freedoms while doing their best to cover up what they do themselves. It is actually quite sinister.

Overseas Aid

While talking of acting illegally, the plans to cut overseas aid may be illegal given it breaks the law without even a parliamentary vote. The Speaker has indicated there should be a vote, but the Tories have refused so far, frightened of a rebellion. I am sure many people accept the argument that with financial pressures within the UK, then the Overseas Aid budget can be seen as a “nicety”. However, as the budget is supposed to be 0.7% of gross national income, by default, as the UK’s income falls, then the 0.7% value falls. So, slashing it further to 0.5% is unnecessary. Meanwhile, they are finding money for additional nuclear weapons for example. They have maintained tax breaks for the richest in terms of inheritance tax and capital gains taxes. So, there are many other sensible ways to restructure the economy to protect the poorest in the UK and maintain the 0.7% overseas aid and help protect the poorest around the world. When we have a global pandemic, then only by getting the entire world vaccinated will we all be safe – the so-called Indian variant is proof of this.

Scotland Euros
Here is hoping that Stevie Clarke works his magic with the Scotland team at the Euros. It really would be a feel-good fillip for the country after the effects of the pandemic. There has been a backlash with the creation of a fanzone in Glasgow. On one level I can understand people saying “why is this allowed when Glasgow hospitality has just been allowed to re-open?”. However, some of the people complaining are also the ones who have been arguing the Scottish Government ease restrictions quicker. Therefore, they need to be careful what they wish for. Surely, we want more test events to go ahead as we try to get more outdoor events underway? So, let’s hope it is a success and again, that the team do well. C’mon Scotland!

7th June 2021: A Week in Parliament

Covid Restrictions

Having watched covid rates increase locally, it was no surprise that East Ayrshire remained in level two when other areas moved into level one. As I write, the case rate is 126 per 100,000. Just a couple of weeks ago, it was 21 per 100,000. Test positivity is heading towards the 5% rate that the WHO state indicates problematic levels. So, once again, I would urge everyone to be careful. Some people and politicians say that due to the vaccinations, people are getting less ill and we can continue to open up. However, that is too simplistic – just allowing the virus to spread could mean more people suffering from covid even though  they are not ill enough to be hospitalised. It could mean letting the virus mutate again. I would rather stay in level two to work towards level one rather than go to level one and then go backwards again, which would be really bad for morale and businesses. 

Travel

I feel for the people in the travel industry, especially with the likes of Portugal added to a green list and then removed after a couple of weeks. This shows the Scottish Government approach of trying to discourage travel and control the borders is a much better strategy. However, it feels that we have effectively been bounced into adopting the UK scheme as it was too easy for travellers to come and go via England. I am angry that the blasé approach by the UK Government has allowed the latest variant into the UK and causing the current problems. It would be more cost effective to control the borders and provide proper support for those involved in the travel industry. It seems the UK Government has learned nothing. They obsess about controlling the borders against immigration, but are unwilling to do so for public health. 

Building Supplies and House Prices

House prices appear to continue to rise since house sales were stopped during the first lockdown. If you are selling and buying then any extra profits on one house disappears into the overpayments you have to make on the next one. If you are a first time buyer, then it becomes even more difficult. Now, there is another issue which could put further inflation on the cost of houses – Brexit. There are real shortages of building materials. The shortages will mean further cost increases, partly directly due to supply and demand but also indirectly if it causes delays to projects. Anyone doing their own DIY projects will have noticed how difficult it is to get wood, and sand and cement stocks are hit and miss as well. I have a meeting with a building materials supplier to hear first handthe issues being caused. I fear it is not something that I can help resolve quickly. 

Grid Charges

A report confirmed that Scotland pays the highest grid charges in Europe. It is shocking our net zero ambitions are put at risk with this. I will be raising this in a meeting I have secured with the Energy Minister.

1st June 2021: A Week in Parliament

Killie FC

I was “lucky” to attend the play off match at Rugby Park between Killie and Dundee. The first game with some fans since March 2020. Relegation was a bitter pill to swallow, especially as the team performance on the night was so limp. However, 28 consecutive years in the top flight was a big achievement with only Celtic, Motherwell and Aberdeen also managing this. Except Aberdeen and Motherwell would both have been relegated had Falkirk had a ground which complied with the rules. Well done to Billy Bowie and the club for promising to maintain player budget in the Championship. I really hope we get back up at first attempt as it benefits the town in prestige and more importantly business wise due to larger crowds. 

Ayrshire Business Women

I was pleased to do a question and answer session with the members’ organisation Ayrshire Business Women. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and while I would rather do it in person rather than Zoom, it feels good to be engaging with local organisations again. There is no doubt that there has been a drop off due to covid, but as restrictions ease, please remember I will always try to make myself available for invites to events, businesses or voluntary group venues. Just get in touch at alan.brown.mp@parliament.uk

Tory Sleaze and Incompetence

Matt Hancock the UK Government has a 20% stake in a company otherwise owned by his sister and brother-in-law. The company won a multi million pound contract from NHS England and Matt Hancock didn’t at the time declare an interest. Yet, he has only been found to have breached the Ministerial Code in “a minor way” and somehow it is his sister’s fault for not telling him the company won the contract. How can such a defence be deemed credible? 

Meanwhile Boris Johnson didn’t break the Ministerial Code but only acted “unwisely” in ordering a refurbishment of his flat without knowing how it would be paid. And he didn’t know who initially paid the bills. So, nothing to see here either. Basically, we are to re-assured that the so-called leader of the UK is stupid and didn’t know what was going on. Phew, that’s a relief! 

Dominic Cummings

I am wary of believing everything Dominic Cummings said in evidence at the Select Committee enquiry. He is motivated by revenge. However, it is clear that we had an incompetent UK Government, who were going for the herd immunity protection; a prime minister who didn’t take things seriously and who refused to protect the borders. All of which cost unnecessary deaths and left Scotland equally exposed, particularly on the borders issue. 

Pumped Hydro Storage

As Energy Spokesperson I sent a letter to the Minister asking about support for pumped storage hydro. After two months of no response, I submitted a written question asking when I would get a response to my letter, knowing the written question is on public record. I got one within three days of my written question. A poor way to do business but I never give up!

24th May 2021: A Week in Parliament

Rural Surgery

Copying my virtual street surgeries, I took the chance to do a virtual rural surgery. With the best will in the world, my constituency is too large to do any meaningful door knocking in the rural areas. When I was a councillor I tried doing personal leaflet deliveries to the rural area for the Irvine Valley ward. Three full days and I didn’t quite complete the task, so the entire constituency is impossible timewise. Instead, I was able to do one online/by telephone. It was good getting feedback that people appreciated me making myself available in that way.

Australia Trade Deal

While I was trying to engage with the rural community, news broke about the UK signing a trade deal with Australia which will be tariff-free. What this means is ultimately cheap Australian lamb will edge out Scottish (and Welsh) farmers. Another case of the UK Tory Government being obsessed with free trade and do not care about the livelihoods of our farming sector. Sadly, I have long argued this would happen – the EU have strict quotas on Australian and New Zealand lamb which actually protected Scottish farmers while helping us export to the EU. Alistair Jack, the Scottish Secretary owns vast tracks of farmland so he should understand the risks. He really needs to step up. He may get a concession such as a phase-out of tariffs but in reality, that means a slow death for many farms. Also, it does nothing in terms of fighting climate change.

Covid Updates

It is great that we have moved into level 2 with premises and facilities opening up. We still have to be careful as the spikes in Glasgow and Moray have shown. The Glasgow spike is been driven by the Indian variant which is spiking in many areas in England. Yet again, this is a dereliction of duty by the UK Government – taking so long to put India on the red list. It is inconceivable that the variant didn’t arrive here without it coming from people travelling from India via England which meant avoiding quarantine hotels. That’s not to say they were deliberately flouting the Scottish rules, as travelling via Heathrow is often forced on us due to the limited direct flights from Scotland. The key issue though is the UK Government not reacting quick enough, while they put Bangladesh and Pakistan on the red list much earlier. Yet again, economics and chasing a trade deal would appear to have been prioritised over health.

DWP

My office has been dealing with a case where the DWP wrongly paid a constituent universal credit. They were notified about a change of circumstances and they were queried several times. A court ruling found the DWP were wrong on several counts. As a result of this ruling, they (DWP) admitted it was a mistake on their part for paying the money. The ruling? The law states any overpayments must be recovered so the constituent is now haunted by a large debt. The law can be an ass and I will continue to fight this.

17th May 2021: A Week in Parliament

Covid Public Inquiry

I am glad Boris Johnson agreed that a public enquiry into covid will happen. It is important that this is judge-led though and not a Tory stooge. At his ministerial statement I put it to him that the enquiry will need to consider serious matters such as why the UK Government refused to control the borders; why they delayed the first lockdown while they had advisors talking about creating herd immunity; how Dido Harding (wife of a Tory MP and closely linked to the party) was directly appointed as chair of the body to create the £37billion English Track and Trace system; about all the PPE contracts awarded directly to Tory chums with companies that had no experience in this field and importantly that such an enquiry needs access to all electronic communications between these people and Government Ministers because of all the lobbying.

Being cynical I would say it is clever politics for Boris Johnson to be seen to be keen to understand the lessons to be learned, just a couple of weeks after it emerged he had said he would rather “let the bodies pile up than have another lockdown”. Whatever, I hope this inquiry does get to the bottom of the decision making and make sure any mistakes are not repeated.

Crossroads Community Hub

While out and about for the election campaign I was delighted to pop into the newly opened Crossroads Hub and Café, aka Ayrshire Food Hub. It is a fantastic facility and testament to a group of people who were determined to see a community legacy replace the former primary school there. There is a fantastic selection of produce, including meats, fresh vegetables and fine cheeses. There are also cooking ingredients and relishes and likes as part of the delicatessen selection. I thoroughly recommend a visit and if you are anything like me you will fill your shopping basket!  

Election Analysis

In the aftermath of the Scottish Parliament elections, it has transpired that a party called “Independent Green Voice” picked up a lot of votes which could only have been intended for the Scottish Green Party. This prevented the Greens from getting an additional seat in Glasgow and a seat in the South Scotland region. So really, there should be 74 pro-independence MSPs and only 55 unionist MSPs. It has also been highlighted that unionist affiliated organisations were promoting tactical voting techniques without having a political imprint on them. This is illegal, and while it is difficult to quantify if these posts had any impact on the election, action needs to be taken to stop such illegal activities. I have submitted questions to the Electoral Commission on these matters.

Killie FC

It has been a rollercoaster of a season for sure, and sadly more downs than ups. We are good enough to come through the play-offs so hopefully, we will – it’s good for businesses in the town that we are a Premiership team. It is also astounding you have to be over 30 to remember us in the lower leagues.