Alan Brown MP Supports ‘Eat Out to Help Out Scheme’.

The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun welcomes the new initiative from the UK Government which aims to get locals out supporting bars and restaurants.

Starting this Monday (3rd August) you can get a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks, with up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner.

The Scheme will run every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 31st August There is no limit to the number of times customers can use the offer during the period of the scheme. Your customers cannot get a discount for someone who is not eating or drinking.

 The discount will be automatically available to customers at participating establishments. The restaurants and bars will then claim a reimbursement from the Government for the discount provided.

 Commenting, Alan Brown MP said:

“This is a welcome step from the UK Government and I fully support this initiative.

“It is imperative we support the hospitality industry and this scheme will certainly assist with getting the industry back up and running.

 “It has been a difficult time for the entire country, that should go without saying, but the hospitality industry has severely struggled not being able to operate and trade during this time. The last thing any of us want to see is businesses closing its doors due to this pandemic and bars and restaurants are no different.

 “My staff delivered letters to around 40 bars and restaurants across Kilmarnock and Loudoun last week to give details of the scheme and how to register for it.“Prior to this announcement, the UK Government cut VAT from 20 percent to five percent in the hospitality trade excluding sales of alcohol. This lasts from 15th July until 12th January 2021.

 “It is a welcome step in the right direction, although I have campaigned for a zero rating and will lobby the Chancellor to extend this beyond January 2021. The last thing we need is prices going back up post-Christmas.

 “I hope to see as many bars and restaurants utilise this scheme as possible in order to get business up and running again.”

Phase Three Update

Today the First Minister revealed the remainder of Scotland’s routemap out of lockdown.

At this moment we will remain in Phase Three, but some notable changes are on the horizon. I am delighted schools are set to fully open as of 11th August, along with driving lessons set to resume on 24th August, this is a massive step in the right direction.

I am sure I speak for everyone when I say I look forward to gyms reopening and the return of live sporting events, however we must ensure we continue to follow the measures already in place before these are set to return on 14th September.

Please find more details of the First Minister’s key dates below:

1st of August

• Pause Shielding 

3rd of August

• Relax certain restrictions on some support groups and services and for sports coaches – once relevant guidance is implemented

• Routine eye care services can be provided within community optometry practices and in patients' own homes

11th of August 

• Children to be able to return to school full time. Expect a phased return over the week with all children back by 18 of August.

17th of August

• Urgent dental care involving aerosols may begin to be provided in practices for NHS patients 

Indicative date: Monday 24th of August

• Live events (outdoor) – with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene, and restricted numbers – following guidance.

• Organised contact sports (outdoors) – all ages – following the guidance of relevant sports bodies

• Bingo halls (with physical distancing and following guidance)

• Funfairs – static and travelling – following guidance

• Amusement arcades and casinos – following guidance (incl. enhanced hygiene)

• Snooker/pool halls, indoor bowling – following guidance (incl. enhanced hygiene)

• Driving lessons can resume – following guidance

 Indicative date: Monday 14th of September 

• Gyms (indoor) – following guidance (incl. physical distancing and enhanced hygiene). Will keep under review to consider whether an earlier re-opening date is feasible

• Swimming pools (indoor) – following guidance. Will keep under review to consider whether an earlier re-opening date is feasible

• Soft play (indoor) – following guidance (incl. enhanced hygiene)

• Live events (indoor) – following guidance (e.g. with physical distancing and restricted numbers)

• Other indoor entertainment venues (e.g. theatres, live music/concert venues) following guidance such as physical distancing requirements. (Does not include nightclubs)

• Indoor sports courts – with physical distancing – following guidance (incl. skating, dance studios). Will review whether indoor classes for children can resume earlier or an earlier re-opening date is feasible

• Stadia (limited re-opening) – following guidance (e.g. physical distancing, restricted numbers) – with option for testing on earlier dates where agreed

 Not before 11th of September – Await further review

• Non-essential offices and call centres can re-open following implementation of relevant guidance (including on physical distancing). Working from home and working flexibly remain the default

• Public Services continue to scale up and re-open safely including NHS Mobilisation Plan

• Public transport continues to scale up to full services during Phase 3 with a move to 1 metre physical distancing, subject to appropriate risk mitigations, releasing further capacity in vehicles and vessels

NEW REPORT: UK GOVERNMENT ADVICE "CONFUSING, INCONSISTENT AND LACKING IN COMPASSION" WHILE Kilmarnock and Loudoun RESIDENTS TRAPPED ABROAD

In a new report, the cross-party Foreign Affairs Committee has slammed the Foreign Office’s repatriation initiative to bring UK citizens home at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, calling it slow and poorly co-ordinated.

Years of budget cuts and lack of leadership has left the UK unable to match its European neighbours, such as Denmark, Germany or Ireland, and repatriate its citizens trapped abroad during a deadly pandemic.

The Tory Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee said that many people had received advice which was "confusing, inconsistent and lacking in compassion".  Many Kilmarnock and Loudoun residents will recognise this – if not from their own experience, then from that of their friends or family.  This was reflected in the report’s findings that over 85% of respondents were either ‘very unhappy’ or ‘somewhat unhappy’ with the UK Government’s response.

Commenting, Alan Brown MP said:

“As soon the scale of the impact of the virus became clear, SNP MPs lobbied the UK Government to follow our neighbours – like Germany and the Netherlands – and actively organise flights to repatriate UK citizens trapped abroad.

“The lack of action in response shows the UK Government in a position it seems to be repeatedly found in these days: asleep at the wheel.  There was an absence of leadership and direction from the very top of this rudderless Tory Government which impacted my constituents when they most needed help.

“Years of cuts have hollowed out the Foreign Office and left it unable to protect its citizens in their times of need.  The UK Government needs to face up to this reality and commit now to reversing the cuts they have made to this country’s services.

“Despite the herculean efforts of individual Foreign Office staff around the world, it is painfully clear to anyone watching that years of sustained funding cuts have left the UK Government unable to fulfil its basic obligations to its citizens.  The pandemic has shown this to be as true abroad as it is at home.”

Eat Out to Help Out Scheme

By simply following this link and typing in your postcode you can find all the restaurants and bars who are taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.

Starting on Monday 3rd August you can get a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks, with up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner.

The Scheme will run every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 31st August.

The discount will be automatically available to you at participating establishments. Establishments will then claim a reimbursement from the government for the discount they’ve given you.

It is imperative we support the hospitality industry as much as we can now they are back open for business.

Phase Three: Route Map Out of Lockdown

Today the First Minister confirmed we will now be entering Phase Three of Scotland’s route map out of lockdown.

Although this is welcome news and conveys that the spread of the virus is reducing, we still must be vigilant and continue to adhere to the guidance issued by the Scottish Government.

From Friday 10th July:

• Face coverings will become mandatory in shops (exemptions for certain medical conditions)

• Some shops and modes of public transport will be exempt from the two-metre distance and it can be reduced to one-metre

• Up to eight people from three different households can meet indoors with hygiene and distancing measures in place (includes overnight stays)

• Up to 15 people from five different households can meet outdoors whilst adhering to social distancing and hygiene measures

• Children under-12 do not need to physical distance from members of other households both indoors and outdoors

• Those who are shielding no longer have to distance from others in the same household 

Monday 13th July:

• Non-essential shops inside shopping centres can reopen

• Children can play organised outdoor contact sports

• Dentists can see registered patients for non-aerosol routine care

• Optometrists can begin to expand their service throughout communities

Wednesday 15th July:

• Indoor pubs, restaurants and cafes can reopen in accordance with safety measures

• Hairdressers and barbers can reopen with enhanced hygiene measures

• All holiday accommodation can reopen along with, cinemas, libraries and museums

• Places of worship can reopen for communal prayer and congregational services, although with limited numbers and reduced singing

• Restrictions on attendances at funerals, weddings and civil partnerships will be eased

• The childcare sector can fully reopen

Wednesday 22nd July:

• Nail and beauty salons can reopen with enhanced hygiene measures

• Universities and colleges can begin phased return to on-campus learning as part of blended model with remote teaching

Other planned phase three activities which have not yet got a date attached to them, but will not restart before 31st July:

• The reopening of non-essential offices and call centres

• The resumption of outdoor live events

• The reopening of indoor entertainment venues such as theatres & bingo halls

• The reopening of indoor gyms and resumption of non-professional adult contact sports.

• It is the ambition and the intention of the Scottish Government for schools to return full time in August. This is dependent upon the continued suppression of coronavirus in Scotland

Food Standards Commission Petition

A petition presented to the House on behalf of constituents regarding the Food Standards Commission.

Video and Transcript below:

18th June 2020

Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun

I rise on behalf of the constituents of the constituency of Kilmarnock and Loudoun who have sent this petition in the consideration of a food standards commission. They are rightly concerned about food quality in the UK post Brexit. They understand that, despite assurances of the UK Government about keeping out the likes of chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef, proof of the UK’s intent was evidenced by the refusal to accept a cross-party amendment to the Agriculture Bill. They know that all bets are off when it comes to a trade deal with the US. They understand that trading under WTO rules in a no-deal Brexit crash-out means that these products cannot be banned; that is the position under most-favoured nation rules. They know that, with the number of free marketeers within the Tory Cabinet, there needs to be an independent food standards commission to protect the standards of food and drink on our shelves and to protect the Scottish farmers, who produce such high-quality goods.

The petition states:

The Petition of residents of the United Kingdom,

Declares that the UK Government has not put proper safeguards in place to protect food standards post the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union; notes that the Government has rejected cross party amendments to the Agricultural Bill that aimed to protect standards of imports and ensure that any imports would not be able to undercut UK producers; further notes that leaving the European Union without a deal on 31 December 2020 will mean trading on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms, and that the most favoured nation status will mean that the UK cannot prevent the import of hormone injected beef or chlorinated chicken from the US; further notes that the consumer group Which? has stated that a US trade deal poses the biggest risk to food standards since the BSE crisis and notes that the current deals struck by the EU provide the necessary protections; further declares that an extension to the transition period would create a short term protection against low standard imports, and that a Food Standards Commission with the remit of ensuring quality and welfare standards of food and drink imports in any trade deals could provide longer term protections for our farmers and growers in Scotland and the wider UK.​

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to consider the establishment of a Food Standards Commission to monitor any trade deals involving food and drink products and to protect UK welfare standards and value our farmers and growers who produce in Scotland and the wider UK.

Remainder of Phase Two and Early Phase Three

Today (Wednesday 24th June) the First Minister has announced a further update on Scotland’s route map out of lockdown.

The latest guidance confirms that the travel restriction will be relaxed (3rd July), we will be able to meet with up to two households indoors (10th July), as well as indoor hospitality and hairdressers to reopen (15th July).

This is welcome news and will stand us in good stead in our journey back to reality. However, this will only achieved if we continue to keep doing what we are doing and adhere to the current guidelines in place.

Please find below the First Minister’s plans in more detail and other key dates to look out for:

Monday 29 June

Indoor (non-office) workplaces resume once relevant guidance is implemented.

Includes: factories, warehouses, labs and research facilities.

Excludes: indoor workplaces due to open in Phase 3 (e.g. non-essential offices and call-centres).

Street-access retail can re-open once guidance is implemented. Interiors of shopping centres/malls remain closed for non-essential shops until Phase 3.

Outdoor markets can re-open once guidance is implemented.

Relaxation on restrictions on housing moves.

Outdoor sports courts can re-open.

Playgrounds can re-open.

Registration offices open for high priority tasks.

Marriages & civil partnerships allowed with minimal attendees - outdoors only.

Zoos and garden attractions can open for local access only (broadly within 5 miles) in this phase

Phase 2 - Indicative Dates

• Travel distance restriction relaxed - 3 July

• Self-catering accommodation and second homes (without shared facilities) permitted - 3 July

• Outdoor hospitality (subject to physical distancing rules and public health advice) - 6 July

Phase 3 - Indicative Dates

• People can meet in extended groups outdoors (with physical distancing) - 10 July

• Households can meet indoors with up to a maximum of two other households (with physical distancing) - 10 July

• Organised outdoor contact sports can resume for children and young people (subject to guidance) - 13 July

• All dental practices begin to see registered patients for non-aerosol routine care. Work will begin to return aerosol generating procedures to practice safely - 13 July

• Increasing capacity within community optometry practices for emergency and essential eye care - 13 July

• Non-essential shops inside shopping centres can re-open (following guidance and with physical distancing) - 13 July

• All holiday accommodation permitted (following relevant guidance) - 15 July

• Indoor hospitality (subject to physical distancing rules and public health advice) - 15 July

• Hairdressers and barbers - with enhanced hygiene measures - 15 July

• Museums, galleries, cinemas, monuments, libraries - with physical distancing and other measures (e.g. ticketing in advance) - 15 July

• All childcare providers can open subject to individual provider arrangements - 15 July

Phase 3 - Advice on dates at 9 July Review (unlikely to be before 23 July)

• Non-essential offices and call centres can re-open following implementation of relevant guidance (including on physical distancing). Working from home and working flexibly remain the default

• Universities and colleges - phased return with blended model of remote learning and limited on campus learning where a priority. Public health measures (including physical distancing) in place.

• Places of worship can re-open for congregational services, communal prayer and contemplation with physical distancing and limited numbers

• Easing of restrictions on attendance at funerals, marriages, civil partnerships, with physical distancing (limited numbers).

Following will be subject to further public health advice:

• Live events (outdoors) - with physical distancing and restricted numbers.

• Live events (indoors) - with physical distancing and restricted numbers.

• Indoor gyms - with physical distancing.

• Other personal retail services - with enhanced hygiene measures.

• Other indoor entertainment venues (e.g. nightclubs, bingo, theatres, music venues).

• Public services continue to scale up and re-open safely

Schools: 11 August: Schools should be preparing for children to be able to return to school full time in August (conditional upon ongoing scientific and health advice). This date may fall in Phase 3 or Phase 4, depending on broader progress. The blended model of schooling remains a contingency plan.

Shielding: The changes set out here do not apply to people who have been advised to shield. Their advice is to continue to shield until 31 July, although outdoor exercise and meeting people from another household in groups of up to 8 people is allowed, provided people follow strict physical distancing. We will continue to review the evidence leading up to 31 July and will continue to refine the advice as and when clinicians recommend it. By 31 July we will have put in place a new approach to shielding that will support people to make more individual decisions based on an understanding of their own risk profile and what matters to them, rather than blanket advice for the whole population.

Phase Two: Route Map out of Lockdown

Today the First Minister has revealed welcome measures which will ensure Scotland comes out of lockdown in the safest way possible.

As always we must adhere to these guidelines in order for us to progress into the next part of the Scottish Government’s four phase plan to exit lockdown.

It is essential we must continue to stay two-metres apart when meeting with members from other households, wash our hands thoroughly when we get back in our own homes (20 seconds) and cover our faces when on public transport and in supermarkets.

So what has changed as of today?

Friday 19 June

People who are shielding are able to leave their home for exercise (from 18th June) and to meet with 1 other household outdoors (max 8 people in total) with physical distancing. People who are shielding can take part in non-contact outdoor activities such as golf, hiking, fishing etc.

• People who are not shielding can now meet with more households outside. Limit increased from meeting 1 other household to meeting 2 households; 8 person overall limit and need for physical distancing remains.

• They can also use toilets indoors while visiting the outdoors of another household. (Hygiene measures are essential.)

• Certain household types can now meet others indoors in an ‘extended household’.

• People should continue to stay in their local area (broadly within five miles) as much as possible and should not travel further for leisure or recreation.

Monday 22 June

• Face coverings are mandatory on public transport.

• Places of worship can re-open for individual prayer or contemplation.

• Professional sport can resume – with public health restrictions remaining in place.

• Dental practices can re-open to see patients with urgent care needs.

• Construction sector can implement remaining phases of sectoral plan.

• College and university staff can return to make essential preparations for restart in Phase 3.

• Consistent with Phase 2, accommodation can be provided for those required to stay away from home for work purposes

Monday 29 June

Indoor (non-office) workplaces resume once relevant guidance is implemented.

• Includes: factories, warehouses, labs and research facilities.

• Excludes: indoor workplaces due to open in Phase 3 (e.g. non-essential offices and call-centres).

• Street-access retail can re-open once guidance is implemented. Interiors of shopping centres / malls remain closed for non-essential shops until Phase 3.

• Outdoor markets can re-open once guidance is implemented.

• Relaxation on restrictions on housing moves.

• Outdoor sports courts can re-open.

• Playgrounds can re-open.

• Registration offices open for high priority tasks.

• Marriages & civil partnerships allowed with minimal attendees – outdoors only.

• Zoos and garden attractions can open for local access only (broadly within 5 miles) in this phase.

• Update on remaining Phase 2 changes on Thursday 2 July

Key Public Services Scaling-up and Resuming across Phase 2

Public services will continue to resume and scale-up during Phase 2, continuing those set out in Phase 1. In addition to the services set out above, resuming activity such as visiting support to Housing First Tenants and the resumption of area-based energy efficiency schemes.

Public transport services will increase over the phase, including increased ferry services and capacity. All phase changes apply to islands. Public transport capacity will remain constrained due to physical distancing requirements – and active travel remains the preferred mode of travel.

A wide range of health and social care services are resuming and scaling-up during this phase, consistent with our NHS Mobilisation Plan – including the examples below. See the plan for more details.

• Continue phased resumption of any suspended or postponed GP services supported by digital consultation.

• Reintroducing some chronic disease management.

• Phased resumption of some screening services.

• Continued GP support for shielded patients, including home visits where clinically necessary.

• Increasing health care provision for pent-up demand, urgent referrals and triage of routine services.

• Priority referrals to secondary care.

• Consideration to be given to a phased resumption of visiting care homes starting with outdoor visiting where it is clinically safe to do so.

• Community optometry practices re-open for face-to-face emergency and essential eye care.

• Plan with COSLA and partners to support and (where needed) review social care and care home services.

For more info visit:

Scottish Government

SNP

Black Lives Matter

Alan Brown MP stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matters.

The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun is calling on the UK Government to ban the sale of arms to the US and condemned Donald Trump and his administration for their handling of protests. 

Mr Brown has signed two Early Day Motions and has pledged to write to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office over the ugly scenes we are seeing across the Atlantic.

However, the SNP MP recognises this is not just an American problem, but one which affects the whole world.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

“The scenes we are witnessing at the moment are terrifying. This is not just the murder of one innocent man, it is generations of systemic racism throughout the US police force and western society in general. 

“The amount of emails I have received on this issue from constituents emphasises this. This is not just a problem for American society to deal with, we cannot turn our backs and turn a blind eye. We have a duty as human beings to not stand for this and the best way to do this is get our own house in order, as we also must do more to eradicate racism from our society.

“This week I have signed EDM 525 which calls for the UK Government to support the Black Lives Matter movement. I have also signed EDM 520 calls on the Government to ensure the immediate suspension of sales of teargas, riot shields and rubber bullets to the United States. Additionally, I will write to the FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) to investigate whether UK defence equipment has been used for internal repression in the United States.

“The protests we are seeing are really becoming ugly and this is being fuelled by the response of Donald Trump’s administration. Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are fundamental rights that every government must respect, including the United States.  

“We expect the United States security forces to exercise maximum restraint in handling the protests and for protestors to be able to demonstrate peacefully. Any violence is unacceptable and the rights to freedom of expression and assembly must be guaranteed and protected by the government.

“As well attacks on protestors, I have to categorically stand up against violence directed at journalists and the media.

“Freedom of the press and freedom of expression and fundamental pillars of our democratic society and there must be no hold-up from the UK Government in condemning the arrest and assault of journalists and media for simply doing their job.”

Tweet

Petition

Alan Brown MP calls for UK Government to extend SEIS

Alan Brown MP calls on the UK Government to extend the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun says the Tories will be treating his self-employed constituents as “second class workers” if they do not extend the initiative.

Although the Job retention Scheme will continue until October, SEISS has yet to be extended by the UK Government. But Mr Brown – along with other MPs – is demanding the Chancellor continues to support the many self-employed workers across the UK. 

Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:

“As part of a cross-party initiative I signed a letter to the Chancellor calling for an extension to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. 

“It is welcome that they have extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, but they must also support the many self-employed constituents in Kilmarnock and Loudoun as well as the rest of the UK. I raised this with Jesse Norman MP as soon as the furlough scheme was announced as being extended.

“Some of my self-employed constituents may be able to return to work over the coming weeks and months, it remains likely that many will not. If the scheme does not continue, they will be left without work and without support.

“I am calling on the Chancellor to ensure SEISS is continued and for him to provide details of an extension as soon as possible. Frankly, the UK Government will be treating the self-employed as second class workers if they do not extend this scheme.

“Additionally, the Chancellor has not taken cognisance of the Scottish Government’s advice on what are acceptable working activities at this moment in time.

“It has never been clearer that Holyrood should be given the borrowing powers in order to set up our own scheme for the self-employed.”

Dominic Cummings Saga

Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP Alan Brown has joined calls for Boris Johnson to sack Dominic Cummings - after it emerged that police investigated the Tory Prime Minister's most senior advisor for breaking his own government's lockdown rules.

Over the weekend, it emerged that Mr Cummings broke multiple lockdown rules to drive 260 miles from his home in London to another home in Durham.

Pressure is mounting on Boris Johnson to sack Mr Cummings. More than 400,000 people have signed a petition calling for Mr Cummings to go, hundreds of constituents have contacted MPs with their concerns, and YouGov polling shows a majority think Mr Cummings should resign.

Meanwhile, Durham Police have confirmed a fresh investigation into Mr Cummings after further allegations of rule-breaking emerged.

Commenting, Mr Brown said: 

“Since Cummings won’t do the decent thing and resign, he should be sacked. It is pathetic to see the UK Government including the Prime Minister make excuses on his behalf. There is no doubt driving 250miles when at least one person has Covid-19 symptoms is reckless.

“Of course, childcare is important, but if someone is fit enough to drive the 250-miles he is fit enough to look after his child. I would plead with constituents not to follow this example.

“If you are so physically ill that you cannot look after your child, then of course you may need to consider alternative arrangements. However, anyone who is ill should not be leaving the house at all. And getting public transport is a big no-no. Therefore, you may need your child to be picked up. However, this would only be in the most extreme circumstances as this still involves risks of spreading Covid-19.

“It is a fact that the worst affected are generally those with underlying health conditions – therefore developing some symptoms does not necessarily mean you will be so ill you cannot function.

“But for now, people in Kilmarnock and Loudoun should continue to stay at home - it really is helping to save lives.”

Virtual Surgery

Next week Alan Brown MP will be hosting a virtual surgery for his constituents.

Due to the current pandemic, the representative has been unable to hold his regular office, outlying and street surgeries. Although, last month he did dedicate a surgery to businesses within the constituency.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 Mr Brown and his staff have been working from home and continuing to take on constituent casework. This surgery will enable constituents to speak to the MP and raise matters with him directly. 

The virtual surgery will take place on Friday (29th May) at 10am – 12pm and be made up of eight 15-minute time slots for those who need assistance. Constituents can speak with Mr Brown over the phone or via a video call using either Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said: “I am looking forward to having my first surgery since the beginning of March – although I did have a surgery specifically for businesses since the outbreak of the virus.

“Despite not having any surgeries, my office has taken on plenty of new cases with so many people contacting us for support and assistance due to Covid-19. Since it’s outbreak, my office has been dealing with more than 1,000 new cases as well as working on previous casework.

“This surgery allows constituents to speak to me directly with any matters they may need assistance with and as always, I will do everything in my power to help.

“Again, I have made special arrangements and had many conversations with constituents over the phone during this time, but this surgery enables me to be even more accessible.

“Constituents can book an appointment by contacting my office on 01563 501412 or by emailing me directly at alan.brown.mp@parliament.uk and detailing your preference of over the phone, Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

“If by the time some constituents get in touch and the surgery is fully booked, there is no need to worry as other arrangements can be made.”

Connectivity for Vulnerable Constituents

Alan Brown MP calls on the UK Government to support the most vulnerable in society.

Mr Brown has written to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport to raise the issue of constituents who are isolated with little or no internet access.

The letter calls on Westminster to take urgent action to support existing schemes to ensure constituents can receive the technology required to help them stay in touch.

The Office for National Statistics has identified 1.9 million households without access to the internet in the UK, who are currently digitally excluded as we face a socially distanced world.

In the letter to Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Mr Brown states: “COVID-19 has resulted in many of our constituents working and learning from home for the first time, but not for people who lack technology and digital skills.

“Digitally excluded people, who are often some of the most vulnerable in our society, find themselves shut in their homes facing social isolation with no means of communicating with the outside world. They are unable to find accurate health information, shop online for essentials, or access the Government services they need to support themselves.”

Meanwhile, yesterday (7th May 2020) the Scottish Government announced a £5m plan to tackle the same issue (The Connecting Scotland Programme). The initiative includes an internet connection, training and a laptop or tablet for vulnerable people who are not online.

Commenting, Mr Brown said: “Times like these has conveyed that connectivity has never been more important than it is today. Not only do we need good internet access to be able to work from home during the pandemic but also for so much more.

“We need it to stay in touch with what is going on during this ever-developing predicament. We also need it to stay in touch with friends and family, we have all been making more Facetime calls in order to achieve this.

“However, there are so many who are not able to do any of these things and that has to change. We must get them online in order to access vital services like health, employment, food shopping and banking.

“Once again the Scottish Government are leading by example through The Connecting Scotland Programme and I hope Westminster follow suit. We have pledged throughout this pandemic that no one can be left behind and I will do everything in my power to ensure we stick together.”

Covid-19 Self-Employed Update

A reminder that today (13th May 2020) you can apply for the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

For those who are eligible, the scheme will be capped at £7,500 and should take no longer than six working days from the date of application for the money to be paid into your account.

You are eligible if your business has been adversely affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, you need to have traded in the tax year 2019 to 2020 and intend to continue trading.

Other requirements are as follows:

• earn at least half of their income through self-employment

• have trading profits of no more than £50,000 per year

• traded in the tax year 2018 to 2019 and submitted their Self-Assessment tax return on or before 23 April 2020 for that year

Click here to see if you are able to claim.

 You will need both your Self-Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number and your National Insurance Number for this part.

 If you meet the requirements you can then apply for the grant here

 For this part you will need:

• Self-Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)

• National Insurance number

• Government Gateway user ID and password - if you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you make your claim

• UK bank details (only provide bank account details where a Bacs payment can be accepted) including:

•  bank account number

• sort code

• name on the account

• your address linked to your bank account

I am aware of some constituents having difficulty with signing into Government Gateway, therefore you should contact HMRC via telephone between 8am and 4pm: 0800 024 1222

Bear in mind they will be experiencing a high volume of calls during this time.

I will continue to work with my colleagues to do all we can to support the self-employed during this difficult time.

I trust this information has been useful but if you have any other questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please be assured that my staff and I are working to ensure that constituents have as much help as possible at this time. From my last update, I realise that there as specific issues we are looking to address and will be in touch shortly with those who require some further help.

2015 General Election

It is unbelievable to think I was first elected five years ago.

Little did I know I’d be contesting in two more general elections in my ‘first term’ as well as having to fight for Scotland’s right to remain in the EU.

It’s been the greatest honour of my life and I cannot thank my constituents enough for their faith in me.

I look forward to continuing to work hard for everyone in Kilmarnock and Loudoun as we fight against this pandemic together.