Virtual Surgery: Friday 23rd July 2021
/Details of my Virtual Surgery on Friday.
Contact my office to book a slot or for information on further availability.
Interview: Practical use of hydrogen boilers
/Ahead of COP26, I was happy to speak with the Scotsman about Scotland leading the way on hydrogen boilers and net-zero plans.
Again, Westminster is holding us back and it is high time they step up.
East Kilbride v Killie
/On Saturday I was delighted to see my beloved Kilmarnock away to East Kilbride.
I made the trip with youngest son, Dylan, and we were treated to a 2-0 Killie win. A lot of new faces to get used to given the much needed summer clear out.
The staff and set up at Kay Park was fantastic and I was glad to see everyone adhere to safety measures - let’s hope this is the first of many games - and Killie wins - this season!
Visit: Recovery Cafe
/I was delighted to visit the Recovery Cafe in my constituency on Friday to meet with Mark and Lorna (pictured) and other staff as well as some of the folks who were attending the drop in this afternoon.
Enjoyed my chat and the cup of tea! It was clear to me that the cafe is greatly appreciated by those who attend, not only as a chance to get together to share experiences, but to have access to vital support and advice. The cafe was launched at the new venue of "The Hut" in November 2020 and although this has certainly been a challenging time to operate they are open 4 days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10.30am till 2.30pm)
Recovery Enterprises Scotland are an innovative community interest company with a social conscience, aiming to work with communities tackling social issues such as poverty and isolation, and they appear to be reaching a number of individuals not known to services providing support as well as offering volunteering and employment opportunities.
I wish them all the best.
Video: Tory non-executive directors
/I was astounded to hear from a Government Minister that hand selected executive directors made up of pro-Brexit and Tory donors could still be impartial in scrutinising the Westminster Government. A baffling response to my question.
Palestinian health care workers' support
/Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Palestine, I call for urgent international action to support the Palestinian healthcare system and end the deepening wellbeing crisis among healthcare workers.
Video: Nuclear power station closures
/Given 75% of the existing nuclear stations will be offline before Hinkley Point C is up and running. I asked the Minister if the need for base load is a myth or else she can tell us when the lights will be turned off.
Virtual Surgery: 9th July 2021
/Details of my Virtual Surgery this coming Friday.
Contact my office for future availability
Debate: Grid Charges
/I am delighted to secure a debate on electricity grid charges. I will be highlighting that Scotland faces the highest charges in Europe and that reform is overdue. Westminster could damage our renewable energy revolution.
Video: Covid Enquiry
/I have once again called for a proper enquiry into the UK Government's handling of the pandemic. Grubby contract awards to friends and cronies as well as elitist lobbying must be investigated. The public deserves answers.
Virtual Surgery: Friday 2nd July 2021
/Details of my Virtual Surgery this coming Friday.
Contact my office for further details and availability.
Open Letter to Therese Coffey
/Children are being pushed into poverty because DWP have stopped classing lone parents under 25 as adults. - this can’t be right. I’m proud to stand with 100+ charities, academics and colleagues from across the House who have sent a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Therese Coffey MP urging her to end the young parent penalty.
I have also signed EDM 177 which states:
That this House notes that there are 1.8 million single parents across the UK, with nearly half of all children in single parent families living in poverty; further notes the particular impact of Covid-19 on single parents who are both the carer and income generator for their family; believes that all single parent families should receive appropriate support from the UK Government; regrets that young single parent families under the age of 25 have to claim Universal Credit at a lower rate than those aged 25 or over; further notes that until the introduction of Universal Credit in 2013 young single parent families were entitled to the higher rate of standard allowance in recognition of the cost of caring for a child alone and that this exemption still exists for claimants of legacy benefits; and urges the UK Government to end this Young Parent Penalty and reinstate the exemption for all young single parent families.
Provost Tribute
/I would like to thank Provost Jim Todd for all his hard work the 9+ years in post.
Very disappointed that labour worked with the Tories and the Rubbish Party to oust him rather than allowing him to serve the last 10-months of what would have been a 10-year tenure.
The public loved the rock n roll provost and it's a real shame that some fellow Councillors have done this to him.
Best wishes for the future Jim as you see out the rest of your term as Councillor.
Cervical Screening Awareness Week
/Cervical Screening looks for HPV, but 1 in 2 know nothing about it. This Cervical Screening Awareness Week, help the Joe Trust get the facts out so that everyone understands their results and knows that cervical screening can prevent cervical cancer.
