From 29th April 2020:
Today is #PostalWorkersDay and it is right that we pay tribute to the fantastic work of postal workers across the country.
I also call on Royal Mail to ensure workers have proper PPE and an end to the delivery of advertising mail.
Also the picture is from this time last year for the record!
Alan Brown MP has hit out at the UK Government’s lack of action to support small businesses through the coronavirus crisis.
It has emerged that just over 10% of interested applicants seeking help had completed their applications.
During a Committee evidence session, BEIS Secretary Alok Sharma confirmed that less than half of the 36,000 loans that had been applied for have been approved. However, completed applications make just over 10% of the 300,000 businesses that have enquired about loans - raising the issue of a “forgotten majority” the UK government has left behind.
It was also revealed that total lending to 21st April is now £2.8 billion - a tiny fraction of the £300 billion scheme.
The British Chambers of Commerce have already outlined grave concerns that “a concerningly high number of businesses are still finding accessing the scheme too complex and too lengthy” and the CBI has revealed that “many firms are missing out”.
BEIS Committee member Alan Brown MP said:
“This crisis is a crucial time for the UK government to take the pressure off business, but the support laid out by Westminster means that struggling businesses are missing out on billions of pounds of vital funding.
“Business and industry has been clear - they need urgent financial support to get them through this difficult time. While current support risks a forgotten majority left behind by the UK government, the time for action is now.
“My Office has been dealing with a number of local businesses and companies who are not getting the support they need due to the barriers put in place by certain banks and the UK Government. This has to change.
“Westminster must commit to working with the financial sector to ensure that no-one is left behind. I will continue to press for action to ensure that cash gets into the hands of those who need it to protect our economy from the lasting damage this may cause.”
For my constituents who are students at college or university:
The Scottish Government has put in place an emergency £5m fund to assist students who are facing financial hardship as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19.
The £5 million includes an additional £2.2 million for Scotland’s Higher Education (HE) Discretionary Fund specifically to address COVID-19-related hardships, which will be available to colleges and universities immediately.
University and college students will be able to apply for any emergency discretionary payments directly to their own institutions.
Your individual university/college will have more information in due course but in the mean time you can visit the website HERE but I am aware there has been some issues with the site!
Alan Brown MP backs campaign for compensation for families of front-line coronavirus victims
The MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun has called on the Prime Minister to support the loved ones of key workers.
Mr Brown, along with 50 other cross-party MPs and 5,000 members of the public have backed a campaign asking for a Coronavirus Compensation Scheme.
The scheme will be for the families of key frontline workers who lose their lives to the virus.
The MPs’ letter to the Prime Minister states ‘those on the frontline of this battle against coronavirus are heroes’ and advocates for the scheme to mirror that already in place for the Armed Forces. The scheme would include; a lump sum up front, a guaranteed income for their family, child payments to eligible children under the age of 18 and contributions towards funeral costs.
The call follows reports that hundreds of doctors are less likely to return to the frontline or increase their hours because they fear their families will not be properly compensated if they lose their lives.
The MPs are proposing the Coronavirus Compensation Scheme should be open to the families of those classified as key workers, notably NHS and social care staff as well as teachers.
Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:
“Those on the frontline, who are putting themselves in harm’s way every day to save others, are heroes. They should know that the state will help their families if the worst happens.
“A Coronavirus Compensation Scheme would provide security and comfort for those risking their lives in the face of COVID-19, although of course no money could ever compensate for any loss of life.
“I’m calling on the Government to introduce this compassionate compensation scheme without delay. These workers are risking their own lives for our health and wellbeing – they deserve the security and comfort this brings.”
Sign the petition HERE
ALAN BROWN MP demands Chancellor works with supermarkets to combat Covid-19.
Last week, the representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun raised the issue of supermarket delivery slots for those up and down the country.
Mr Brown weighed in on the Chancellor’s Economic Update on Tuesday night to highlight the difficulties people are facing with trying to get home delivery. Previously, you could get next day delivery for groceries from supermarkets but now some suppliers are taking up to three-weeks.
The MP was contacted by a constituent who under the current circumstances could wait weeks for a home delivery due to following the Government guidance on self-isolation.
Mr Brown raised this case directly with Rishi Sunak MP:
“I was contacted today by a constituent who is self-isolating and has underlying health conditions. She was trying to get a food delivery, which she vitally needs. Tesco could only do it within 10 days, while other suppliers would take three weeks. There is clearly a massive issue, probably a combination of stock levels and delivery logistics. Will the Chancellor do whatever it takes to work with the supermarkets and logistics companies? There are opportunities to get other people into short-term employment if this is done right and quickly, so that people get the supplies that they need.”
The Chancellor responded:
“The hon. Gentleman is right that the security of our food supply and deliveries is critical. My right hon. Friend the Environment Secretary is already having those conversations and has already taken steps on delivery curfews to ensure that deliveries can continue and to maintain the security of those supply chains.”
Commenting on the event, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:
“I was disappointed with the Chancellor’s answer as I do not think he grasped what I was trying to say.
“I have had several constituents who have contacted me in the past week asking for clarity and what to do if they cannot leave the house and how can they get supplies.
“Some people are fortunate enough to have family and friends who can run errands for them and help them whilst they are rightfully following Government guidance and self-isolating to try and combat Covid-19. However, there are others who have no one to assist them and this is something we really have to look at.
“Additionally, my SNP colleagues have written to supermarket chiefs urging them to give priority to the elderly and most vulnerable in our society. Of course, this is a measure I fully support and will do all I can to help.
“I am currently working alongside East Ayrshire Council to sign-post constituents to the right areas and to try and assist those who cannot get out of their homes.”
A link to the video can be accessed HERE
Today I have written to employers in the area who are putting constituents at risk and taking the ‘business as usual’ stance.
We must be vigilant, listen to Government guidance and do all we can to combat the spread of Covid-19.
I am calling on constituents who are self-employed to add their voices to the concerns over the Covid-19 outbreak.
Although I welcomed the actions of the UK Government for supporting businesses and employers in the last few days, those who are self-employed have been completely overlooked.
At the moment, the only support available for self-employed constituents who have no income is to claim Universal Credit. Despite the Chancellor’s aims to increase this to the same level as Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), £94.25 per week will not make up for the loss of income many of my constituents will face. I understand that some self-employed constituents with partners in employment cannot access Universal Credit and this is another major problem that needs addressed and resolved.
In the meantime I will do all I can to fight for the self-employed, freelancers and sole-traders during these difficult and unprecedented times.
If you are self-employed and agree the need for more support from the UK Government then please add your details below. This will enable me to update you as matters progress.
Following the recent Government guidance on stopping non-essential contact with others, I have taken the difficult decision to close my constituency office in Kilmarnock. My office has been open throughout, however, in order to protect staff and my constituents, the office will be closing from today and staff will begin working from home.
All surgeries planned will be cancelled until further notice. I will also be working alongside my staff to arrange alternatives, which may involve conducting some telephone surgeries.
I have noted several concerns from constituents who have raised issues regarding travel, businesses and panic buying in supermarkets. I appreciate that this a worrying time and there a range of people who will be affected. Please be assured that I will continue to work hard to represent Kilmarnock and Loudoun in Parliament and I will do all I can to assist during this difficult time.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all health and care staff who are working around the clock in the battle against Coronavirus. Please also be aware of the environment in which you are in, where vulnerable groups could potentially be at risk and follow the advice to wash your hands regularly.
As mentioned, my office staff will be on hand to assist with enquiries and can be contacted by the following methods:
Email: alan.brown.mp@parliament.uk
Telephone: 01563 501412
Mail: 31A Titchfield Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 1QW
Last Friday (28th February) I was invited to meet with JP McKeown and Cheryl Francis from First Edition in Kilmarnock.
At the turn of the year a whopping £300k was invested and I was invited along to see the revamped premises in my role as MP.
However, just two weeks before I visited in an unofficial capacity for a staff night out - it was fantastic!. I can’t wait for the summer to be back out in the beer garden and I@m sure I’m not alone in that one!
It is always brilliant to see a local pub thriving, long may it continue.
Last week (Friday 28th February) Alan Brown MP visited Onthank Primary in Kilmarnock.
The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun met with the school’s Primary 3 class to take part in a Q&A session. Mr Brown also posed with the pupils to promote World Book Day which takes place this Thursday (5th March).
In its 23rd year, the aim of World Book Day is to encourage children to read and giving them the opportunity to own a book of their own.
Commenting, Mr Brown said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Onthank Primary, it’s always great to go into schools and engage with pupils.
“As always, question and answer sessions are never easy - the pupils certainly put me on the hot seat with some of their questions!
“I was given a tour from some of the students who showed me about the building and I was able to see the top-class work the school has been doing. I was also interested to hear from the class on their current topic of study, Scotland.
“It was great to hear the knowledge the Primary 3s had of their country and I was also asked questions on what my favourite aspects Scotland are.
“The passion and enthusiasm to learn were clear to see and I look forward to seeing how the school and pupils progress.”
The Trussell Trust was also present at Tesco on the day of Mr Brown’s surgery.
They were collecting items for East Ayrshire Foodbank after recent figures have shown usage is at an all-time high.
Data has revealed that between April 2018 and September 2019, 278,258 emergency food parcels were distributed by independent foodbanks in Scotland – with a further 318,214 parcels distributed by the Trussell Trust.
In Kilmarnock and Loudoun, between 1st April 2018 and 31st March 2019, 6228 three-day emergency food supplies were given to local people in crisis, with 2163 of these going to children.
After his surgery, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun made a donation to the foodbank as well as many other shoppers.
Commenting, Mr Brown said: “It was heartening to see the number of donations but there was a wide realisation and feeling amongst shoppers of disbelief that it shouldn’t come to this. It’s a disgrace.
“Foodbanks and their volunteers do an excellent job of providing support for those who need it, but the fact that they even exist is a damning indictment of Tory policies which are actively driving people into desperate situations.
“The Scottish Government is spending hundreds of millions mitigating the worst of Tory cuts but we know there’s a direct link between harmful policies such as Universal Credit and foodbank use. They should be utterly ashamed of what has come of their medieval policies which show nothing but contempt for the most vulnerable in our society.”
Below is a list of items local foodbanks are in need of:
UHT/Powdered Milk, cartons of juice, tinned meals (eg. Stew), tinned vegetables, tinned tuna, cereals, sugar, soup, biscuits, pasta, pasta sauce, crisps, toilet roll, tinned beans and tinned deserts (eg. Custard and rice pudding).
LAST WEEK Alan Brown MP held a pop-up surgery at Tesco in Auchinleck.
The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun was in the Ballochmyle area on Friday where he met with local residents as part of his supermarket surgery initiative.
Commenting, Mr Brown said: “I am always looking for ways to become more accessible to my constituents and supermarkets are a great place for this.
“With it being Valentine’s Day the store was busy with locals in buying last-minute flowers, cards and chocolates for loved ones so it was a good day to be there.
“In terms of new cases, my office picked up a few but the most important factor is being visible and accessible to my constituents.
“Over the past 12-months I’ve held a supermarket surgery twice at Tesco in Auchinleck but I have had a number of other initiatives. I’ve also chapped doors for my street surgeries in Catrine (twice), Muirkirk (twice), Logan, Lugar, Cronberry and Sorn. As well as my regular outlying surgeries in Mauchline, Auchinleck and Muirkirk.
“I’d like to thank the staff at Tesco for their accommodation and I’m looking forward to the next supermarket surgery.”
Alan Brown MP has pledged his support for a charity campaign to improve access to benefits for dying people.
The Marie Curie and Motor Neurone Disease Association campaign, #Scrap6Months, is seeking a change to the law which demands that a dying person must prove that they have six-months or less to live in order to access benefits quickly and at a higher tier.
The two charities believe that all people should get fast track access to benefits if a doctor says they have a terminal illness.
At present, dying people may have to go through a lengthy process to access benefits, during which they must undergo assessments of their fitness to work or even prove that they are looking for work.
Receiving benefits is vital for many people at the end of their lives as they rely on financial support due to being unfit for work, or because of the increased costs associated with living with a terminal illness.
Estimating how long someone will live is difficult and the six-month rule has no clinical basis or evidence. Many healthcare professionals don’t feel comfortable saying someone has six months left to live.
Commenting at the All Party Parliamentary Group for Terminal Illness event in parliament, Mr Brown said:
“I pledge to proudly support the scrap six months campaign from Marie Curie and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
“I find it ridiculous that at this moment in time, those who are terminally have to ‘prove’ they have less than six-months to live in order to access benefits – it is inhumane.
“Those at this stage should not have to go through this ludicrous process, we should be doing all we can to assist them and give their families peace of mind.
“In a caring, compassionate society dying people should receive all the support available to live with dignity and to make the most of the time they have left. No one who is at the end of their life should have to spend time jumping through hoops or worrying about how to make ends meet.”
I was delighted to get my street surgery initiative off the mark for the new year as my staff and I chapped doors in Hurlford on Monday 27th January 2020.
It was yet another positive experience as I was able to discuss with constituents a range of local and national issues. My office were able to take on some new cases and the most prominent issues in the area were both speeding and potholes.
Looking forward to visiting other areas of the constituency in the coming weeks!
At the beginning of October, I had the pleasure of meeting with members from the National Autistic Society before my street surgery in Catrine.
I dropped into the pop-up shop situated on Saint Germain Street in the village to discuss issues with members from NAS as well as local residents.
It was great to hear of the positive relationship between members of Catrine and the residents at Daldorch. It is clear to see Catrine is an inclusive community and I was happy to be a part of it.
This is the Constituency webpage of Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun.
You can find out what Alan has been working on in the Westminster Parliament and the issues he has raised and is supporting.
You can contact him through the page regarding any personal enquiries, or make him aware of any local issues and local campaigns to the Kilmarnock and Loudoun Constituency.
