On Friday I was delighted to pop across to Recovery Enterprises Scotland Foundations Hub in my constituency.
It was great to get along to the Open Day and find out more about the future plans for the group - as always the hospitality was top class!
The turnout was fantastic but well deserved for or an organisation that does so much great work in the constituency.
Thanks again to everyone involved and all the volunteers.
Find out more HERE
The last few weeks have been great getting out and about in the constituency again.
Today I had a pop-up surgery at the Cross in Killie town centre - it was fantastic engaging with constituents face-to-face with my staff member Isaac.
Of course, safety measures were in place and adhered to by all!
I intervened on the PM as he stated they are doing "everything they can" to evacuate those who helped us and are fleeing the Taliban. However, he cannot explain how they plan to do this. Especially, when some are already in hiding, fearful for their lives across Afghanistan.
Last week (Thursday 19th August), Alan Brown MP visited the Daimler Foundation at Morris Equestrian in his constituency.
The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun was given a tour of the premises and met with members of the Foundation, as well as the riding school, in Fenwick.
Although Morris Equestrian plays host to regional and national competitions, through the Daimler Foundation, horse riding is used as a form of therapy to assist people from all walks of life.
A series of initiatives are there to back this up. For example, children with disabilities, as well as some from care homes, come and learn the basics of horse riding through the Daimler Club – which also includes grooming the horses and mucking out stables.
In the coming weeks, the Foundation look forward to welcoming Iraqi and Syrian children who will take part in a six-week programme at Morris.
In addition to this, they also offer employment opportunities to people from disadvantaged backgrounds to come and work at Morris Equestrian Centre – both in the stables as well as the events and hospitality wing of the registered charity.
Commenting on his visit to the centre, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:
“I was honoured to be invited along and meet with representatives from Daimler Foundation at Morris Equestrian.
“I was blown away with the work they carry out and hearing some of the success stories was fantastic. Horse riding can often be viewed as an elitist pastime but the initiatives the Daimler Foundation run make it accessible to everyone across the constituency and ensures no child misses out as a result of affordability.
“In addition to this, the employment opportunities they offer to young people, as well as those needing a second chance, is just brilliant. Like everywhere, Covid had a drastic effect on the centre but being there and hearing the enthusiasm from the team, it looks to be recovering well and exciting times are ahead.
“I even got on a horse myself! It was a nervous experience but I’m really glad I just went for it. It wasn’t a bad attempt considering it’s the first time I’ve really been on one. However, I won’t be entering any show jumping competitions just yet!
“I look forward to supporting the Daimler Foundation in the future and seeing some of the exciting plans they have to fruition.”
Also commenting, Operations Manager and Senior Instructor, Alison Dorby said:
“It was great to have the local MP come and see first-hand the work we are doing here. We have loads of exciting initiatives coming up and it is important for us to have the support of Alan when it comes to this.
“We have been working hard to create an environment where equestrianism is an inclusive sport and nothing should hold anyone back from being involved in their passion.
“We want people to come here, learn and go home with a smile on their faces. Although it is an extremely competitive environment, we want people to enjoy what they get from us and be eager to come back.
“You see people coming in, suffering from all different kinds of stresses but the half an hour or hour they get with the horses allows them to put their anxieties to the back of their mind and forget about it for that short time. The difference it makes is truly remarkable and it is certainly the most rewarding aspect of my job.”.
I was pleased to meet with Regan Moran this morning (July 30th) at his newly opened business Blossom Hair on King Street. It was good to see another empty shop unit occupied and a small business doing well during these times when Town Centres are trying to recover. Also great to meet a young businessman and hear of his ideas, not only for diversification of the salon, which offers beauty treatments as well as hairdressing, but his thoughts on support for young people starting up their own business and having that ambition and inspiration to make it happen.
They offered to take a look at my hair colour which to be fair has grown a bit lighter over recent years… but I decided against the full head tint.
I attended an exhibition in my constituency earlier today as part of the Cash Back to The Future Ayrshire YP Showcase and was impressed not only with the artwork on display, but also the enthusiasm of the young people who participated in this programme as a summer workshop run by Impact Arts.
Zoe and Kai are pictured (FACEBOOK) alongside their own creative displays and I certainly tried to speak to everyone in the room who had taken part, as well as Youth Support Workers, and it seems working creatively has not only helped to develop skills and gain accredited awards but has also boosted confidence and given opportunities to meet friends and work collaboratively.
I found the exhibition to be a really positive way of showcasing the hard work and dedication of these young people.
Well done to all involved.
Alan Brown MP has welcomed the recent report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) which has found the WASPI women were mistreated by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
The report published last week (Tuesday 20th July) found failings in the way DWP communicated changes to women’s State Pension age.
In 1995 John Major’s Conservative Government passed the State Pensions Act which set to increase the retirement age for women. However, the way in which the changes were brought affected almost four million women in the UK born in the 1950s.
Women were given, in some cases, as little as one year’s notice of up to a six-year increase to their State Pension Age, compared to men who received six years’ notice of a one year rise to their State Pension Age.
Mr Brown has worked closely with the official WASPi campaign since his election in 2015 and continues to update members of the local Cunninghame WASPI group on parliamentary progress.
Commenting on the recent report, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:
“I welcome the report from the PHSO Ombudsman which confirms what we knew all along - the DWP mistreated the WASPI women.
“The report is a step in the right direction in addressing this grave injustice which has affected more than 6,500 in my constituency and 3.8 million across the UK. However, I hope proper action is taken and the UK government is held to account for this, as well as compensation to be paid to the individuals.
“Under the current devolved settlement, pensions policy is a reserved matter for the UK Government. The SNP has been clear and consistent in our support for women born in the 1950s who have been short-changed by the Tory Government due to the accelerated timetable for increases in the women’s State Pension Age.
“Now more than ever it is crucial that the UK Government remedy the injustices suffered by 1950s born women across the UK.
“I look forward to continuing to work alongside the WASPI campaign in trying to deliver justice for these women.”
I welcome the report from the PHSO Ombudsman which confirms what we knew all along...
...the DWP mistreated the WASPI women.
The report is a step in the right direction in addressing this grave injustice which has affected more than 6,500 in my constituency as well as further afield. However, I hope proper action is taken and the UK government is held to account for this, as well as compensation to be paid to the individuals.
I look forward to continuing to work alongside the WASPI campaign in trying to deliver justice for these women.
Read the full report HERE
Details of my Virtual Surgery on Friday.
Contact my office to book a slot or for information on further availability.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
