On #HolocaustMemorialDay we honour those who brutally lost their lives as a result of genocide.
Tonight I will watch Holocaust Memorial Day Trust's ceremony and light a candle of remembrance.
I have also signed EDM 1305 as I stand against prejudice, hostility and division in the world today.
The shameful levels of child poverty in the UK are directly linked to welfare cuts. It is imperative the Gov. continue with the £20 UC uplift or else we'll see more pushed into poverty. I asked the Sec. State what discussions she's had with the Chancellor about maintaining this.
ALAN BROWN MP BACKS CALL FOR COMPREHENSIVE RECOVERY PACKAGE FOR AVIATION, TRAVEL AND TOURISM
The MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun has today joined over 80 parliamentarians in calling for greater support for the aviation, travel and tourism industries following the recent closure of all travel corridors.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Future of Aviation, Mr Brown has acknowledged that the latest restrictions were a necessary measure to protect the UK public from the spread of new variants of COVID-19 but highlight that these industries need urgent support to recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.
He has joined calls for a comprehensive ‘Aviation, Travel and Tourism Recovery Package’ to provide immediate financial and additional support alongside a pathway to allow aviation to come out of these restrictions when safe to do so.
Commenting the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:
“The closure of all travel corridors is a necessary measure to protect the public from new variants of COVID-19 but will be another significant blow to industries which have faced the pandemic without the same levels of support afforded to other sectors.
“Our aviation, travel and tourism industries have been amongst the hardest hit by the pandemic sadly leading to job losses and leaving our world class aviation industry a shadow of its former self. I have been contacted by several constituents on the matter and I will continue to do all I can to support them during this time.
“These businesses are vital not only to our local economy, but also to our ability to bounce back from the devastating impacts of the pandemic. It is vital that the Government listen our call to support and protect the businesses, their supply chains, employees, and communities who have borne the brunt of the near total collapse of UK passenger numbers.
“Our aviation, travel and tourism sectors are running on empty and I urge the Prime Minster to back these vital industries and deliver the support they so desperately need and deliver it now.”
During my BEIS Committee meeting, the Sec. of State said the collapse in the price of fish was due to Covid-19 rather than Brexit. He argued that because restaurants are closed in France there is no demand. A truly remarkable response given what's going on #ToryFishingBetrayal
I support @IndependentAge and other charities call for supermarkets to suspend delivery charges and reduce minimum spends deliveries for priority slots. Those at risk should not be financially penalised for following guidance.
Write to the supermarkets here
Alan Brown MP is calling on his constituents to check if they are eligible for the latest Cold Weather Payment.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced that residents of Kilmarnock and Loudoun may be eligible for a payment of £25 due to the recent freezing temperatures.
Those in receipt of certain benefits such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit may be eligible for the payment. To trigger the payments, the average temperature at a specified weather station must be recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.
The alert was triggered last week (11thJanuary) for the period between 4th January and 10th January 2021.
And the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun is asking his constituents to check their eligibility:
“This time of year can be difficult at the best of times never mind the current situation we all face. As we all have to do our part to save lives and protect the NHS by staying home in the fight against the virus, it is only natural we are going to use more heating, gas and electricity.
“I hope for those who are eligible that this payment will make a difference and soften the blow for what is a financially uncertain time for most people.
“If you are in receipt of either; Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest then you may be eligible for this £25 payment.
“After sharing on my social media platforms I have been contacted by some constituents who are frustrated that they are not entitled to this because they are not in receipt of the benefits listed. I would like to reinforce my stance that it is vital we must continue to support the most vulnerable in our society. I appreciate the pandemic is affecting every single person just now, but it is important to remind ourselves that the vulnerable are still in need of our support, we cannot let that slip.
“I’d also like to draw attention to Big Energy Savings Month which is a campaign run by Citizens Advice Bureau which commenced last week and runs for the whole of January.
“Recent figures released by the Scottish Government revealed 1 in 4 households in Scotland (over 600,000 households) find themselves in fuel poverty and official estimates suggest this could rise to 29 per cent of households as a result of the pandemic. With this in mind, Big Energy Saving Month is looking to raise public awareness of the simple changes people can make to help them save this winter.
“I would encourage my constituents to visit Citizens Advice Bureau’s website and social media channels or contact Energy Advisor Linda Corbett directly for more information on how to get involved.”
Useful Links:
I am calling on my constituents to check if they are entitled to DWP's Cold Weather Payment.
A payment has been triggered between the period of 4/1/2021 to 10/1/2021.
If you are in receipt of benefit you may be entitled to this £25 payment.
For more information please visit their website
Labour went missing when the country needed them to stand up and deliver for devolution.
I won't allow them rewrite history.
Watch HERE
Tweet:
Scotland’s renewable energy sector displaces millions of tonnes of carbon each year and brings significant socio-economic benefits to some of the country’s most rural areas. I’m supporting the 2020 Scottish Renewable Energy Festival #SREF20 @ScotRenew
More info: https://bit.ly/3hc1tik
Last week, the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill Alliance thanked Alan Brown MP for joining [63] other MPs in signing the House of Commons resolution, Early Day Motion 832, in support of the Bill.
The new legislation - known as the CEE Bill - was drafted by expert scientists, lawyers and academics, and sets a viable pathway for the UK to follow by:
Requiring the Government to ensure that the UK reduces greenhouse gas emissions in line with its legally-binding international obligations to limit global heating to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels
Requiring the Government to protect and restore habitats, woodlands, wetlands and the wider natural world
Establishing a representative Citizens’ Assembly to involve people from all parts of the UK in deciding which policies are needed to avoid irreversible environmental damage.
Supporter of the CEE Bill, Alan Brown MP said: “Climate change is very real and the most serious issue facing the planet. I will do all I can to help enact the CEE Bill before the UN climate conference in Glasgow next November. The CEE Bill is a great opportunity to bring climate action and restore the natural world. It offers a viable route to tackle the environmental crisis. I am calling on the Prime Minister to ensure the Bill becomes law.
“I was delighted to sponsor EDM 832: Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill which draws parliament’s attention to the bill.
“In my role as SNP Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change it is imperative I support any progressive and logical action to try and preserve the planet the best we can. At this moment we are seeing a rapid decline in our climate. From wildfires in California to the Antarctic melting away, we simply cannot sit on our hands and let this happen.
“If the UK has any hope of achieving net zero by 2050 then we must act now. Of course, the Scottish Government have the target of getting to net zero five years earlier in 2045 and are well on course to achieving this.
“With the UK set to co-host the UN Climate Change Conference in 2021, this Bill calls for the Westminster Government to play their role in the collective goal limiting global temperatures to 1.5°C.
“It highlights a number of ways this can be achieved; by taking account of the UK's entire carbon footprint, including consumption emissions released overseas as a result of goods manufactured abroad for use in the UK - as well as protecting and restoring our ecosystems".”
Dr. Amy McDonnell, from the CEE Bill Alliance, said: “The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that any increase above 1.5°C will have disastrous effects on our planet, causing sea levels to rise, the loss of homes for millions of people and irreversible damage to Earth’s natural systems. The Bill is the UK’s best and last chance to meet the Paris Agreement 1.5°C commitment and limit the impact of catastrophic climate change.
Ahead of the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow next November (COP 26), MPs must ensure that Britain fulfils its international obligations and prevent runaway climate change. All of us need to be involved in choosing the best solutions, and that’s why a Citizens’ Assembly is essential.”
Alan Brown MP has pleaded with the chancellor to extend the furlough scheme to save jobs.
The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun has written to Rishi Sunak asking him to extend the furlough scheme in order to safeguard jobs and businesses.
The letter signed by all SNP MPs highlights businesses face a triple hit of laying off thousands of staff due to Treasury support being pulled, bracing for the impact of a second wave of coronavirus cases and further restrictions being introduced. As well as navigating the damaging economic consequences of Brexit as the Tories charge towards a bad deal or a no-deal exit.
This week, Mahle announced its plans to cut up to 45 of the 181 workers in its Kilmarnock plant. Analysis from the Scottish Government shows that extending the furlough scheme by eight months could save around 61,000 jobs in Scotland.
Commenting, Alan Brown MP said: “Of course, I am bitterly disappointed with the news this week that Mahle in Kilmarnock had planned on issuing redundancies. I received updated correspondence from the company who detailed that this moment in time, the number of redundancies was 17 – and that they hoped this would be found on a voluntary basis.
“Although this is still heart wrenching news, it is positive that this was not as bad as initial fears of up to 45 jobs set to be lost. Having said that, there are clearly ongoing concerns about the possible future losses which means ongoing worries for all the workers at the plant.
"This year we have already seen the disastrous effects of the pandemic hit Wabtec, and now sadly Mahle.
“We in Kilmarnock know only too well the devastation caused by industry being ripped out the heart of the town, that is why I will do everything in my power to try and prevent these job losses. I have already written to Unite the Union and Mahle directly offering support and anything they would like me to raise with the UK Government.
“It is clear that the extension of the furlough scheme will save jobs, not just in Kilmarnock and Loudoun, but up and down the whole of the UK.
"The Chancellor once pledged that he would 'do whatever it takes' to protect the economy, but he is now setting the country up for a winter of significant and entirely avoidable redundancies.
"Rather than abandoning workers and employers in their time of need, the Tory government must U-turn on its plans, move to extend the scheme into 2021, and fix the gaps in support to ensure no one is left behind.
"The Scottish Government's calls for the devolution of financial powers needed to protect our economy have been completely ignored and, without consultation with the devolved governments, the UK government has scrapped the Budget - putting Scottish budget plans at risk.
"By withholding the investment and powers required, scrapping the Budget, and threatening an extreme Brexit, the Tory government is confirming that only by becoming an independent country can we properly protect Scotland's interests."
MPs call the government to tackle supermarkets' 653,000 tonnes of plastic waste
A cross-party group of MPs have called for new targets to stop thousands of tonnes of supermarket plastic waste each year.
A motion laid by Geraint Davies, Swansea West MP, notes that supermarkets annually use 114 billion pieces of single use plastics, which amounts to 3,000 747 jumbo jets worth of waste.
Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun who signed the motion, said: “Hundreds of constituents have contacted me about tackling the plastic problem, with many switching to reusable bags and bottles or flasks.
“Despite these efforts they haven’t been able to avoid their food being covered in unnecessary plastic packaging in the supermarkets.
“After a lot of warm words, the government must take decisive action with ambitious targets to focus minds on reducing our plastic footprint and stopping single use plastic entering our oceans.”
The motion notes that leading supermarkets in the UK fail to provide detailed data on the amount of plastic they use and therefore calls for greater transparency.
The Environment Bill, which is due to return to Committee next month, puts new targets on exporting plastic waste to third countries, but does not include domestic use of plastics.
The MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun has taken part in the Kiltwalk challenge for the third year in a row.
Last weekend, Mr Brown walked 25-miles from Glenbuck to Failford in aid of Ayrshire Cancer Support. The MP has previously walked on behalf of the charity as well as other local charities like Break the Silence.
The event was initially meant to take place in Glasgow back in April but had to be cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, Kiltwalk bosses decided to make the event virtual to enable participants to fundraise for their respective charities.
The MP took part this year by walking from Glenbuck in his constituency into the hamlet of Failford with his wife and youngest son.
Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:
“I was delighted to take part in this year’s Kiltwalk, even though it was only virtual! I was looking forward to doing the official and organised Kiltwalk in Glasgow back in April but due to the current restrictions this was the only feasible option.
“The walk itself was beautiful and very scenic. I am a big fan of the Scottish countryside and it was a pleasure to walk the route for such a great cause.
“The walk burnt us out, but we couldn’t get enough as myself and youngest son Dylan ended up taking on the nine-mile stomp from Failford to Ayr the day after!
“I have previously walked for Ayrshire Cancer Support who carry out unbelievable work on a daily basis. Since my election as MP in 2015 I have worked closely with the charity, but I have supported them for many years. The work they do is nothing short of remarkable as they provide essential help and support to cancer sufferers and their families.
“Everyone knows at least one person who has battled cancer as it affects all different walks of life, all creeds and all colours. I have had close friends and families who have fought against it and therefore I cannot emphasise enough the importance of raising awareness for this cruel disease. Everyone can play their role in this; every action can make a massive difference.
“The walk was also completed in memory of my good friend Johanna Collins who sadly lost her battle with cancer back in June. Johanna did so much charitable work whilst fighting her own battle, this made Saturday’s walk extra special.”
You can donate to Ayrshire Cancer Support here:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alan-brown68?newPage=True
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.
