Press Release: Universal Credit Cut

/

KILMARNOCK AND LOUDOUN MP CALLS FOR U-TURN ON UNIVERSAL CREDIT CUTS 

Alan Brown MP has urged the UK government to U-turn on the “devastating” Tory cuts to Universal Credit – as new analysis shows 10,833 people in Kilmarnock and Loudoun could see their incomes slashed by £1040 per year from October. 

Analysis from the House of Commons Library, using the latest DWP data, has revealed that almost half a million (477,996) people in Scotland could be hit by the cut – at a total cost to Scottish families of around £430million a year.  

Of those, 10,833 live in Kilmarnock and Loudoun – representing 17.4% of the constituency adult population aged 16 to 65. 

The overwhelming majority of Scottish MPs voted in the House of Commons to stop the Universal Credit cuts but the Tory government plans to impose them anyway. The SNP has urged the UK government to think again in light of the energy bills crisis - and make the £20 a week uplift permanent and extend it to legacy benefits. 

Commenting, Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP Alan Brown said:   

"It is crucial that the UK government scraps the devastating Tory Universal Credit cuts, which could slash the incomes of almost half a million Scottish families by £1040 from October. 

"At a time when energy bills and the cost of living are soaring, it would be unthinkable for the Tory government to go ahead with cuts that would decimate the incomes of more than 10,000 in my constituency. 

"The UK is already suffering from a growing Tory poverty crisis, with the worst levels of poverty and inequality of any country in north west Europe - and the highest levels of in-work poverty this century as a direct result of Tory cuts, tax hikes and the cost of Brexit.

“I am urging the Chancellor to U-turn on these Tory cuts, and instead make the £20 Universal Credit uplift permanent and extend it to legacy benefits - as part of a wider package of measures to protect household incomes. 

"I will continue to press the UK government to reverse these damaging cuts but ultimately it is clear the only way to keep Scotland safe from Tory cuts is to become an independent country, with the full powers needed to build a strong, fair and equal recovery." 


Screen Shot 2020-12-17 at 12.47.33.png

Press Release: Cut to Furlough

/

TORIES WARNED AGAINST WITHDRAWING SUPPORT FOR JOBS AND BUSINESSES IN KILMARNOCK AND LOUDOUN.

 THREAT TO 2,000 JOBS FROM ENDING FURLOUGH PREMATURELY

Alan Brown MP has warned the Chancellor against withdrawing support for jobs and businesses - as new analysis shows 2,000 jobs in Kilmarnock and Loudoun are at risk from Tory plans to terminate the furlough scheme prematurely at the end of this month.

Analysis from the House of Commons Library, using the latest HMRC data, has revealed that 116,500 jobs remain furloughed in Scotland at the last count - that is 5% of eligible jobs. Of those, 2,000 jobs remain furloughed in Kilmarnock and Loudoun - representing 5% of eligible jobs.

 The analysis shows the number of furloughed jobs in Scotland fell by around 20% between the end of May and the end of June, and a further 20% between the end of June and the end of July. If the number continues to fall at the same rate, it could leave 75,000 Scottish jobs still furloughed when the scheme ends abruptly on 30th September.

 Across the East Ayrshire local authority area a total of 2,400 jobs remain furloughed, representing 5 % of eligible jobs.

The latest ONS data shows that unemployment is currently at a lower rate in Scotland than across the UK. The unemployment rate was at 4.3% in Scotland between May and July - below the UK rate of 4.6%.

Commenting, Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP Alan Brown said:

"It is vital that the Chancellor finally listens to SNP calls to extend the furlough scheme and deliver financial support for hard hit businesses and sectors. There is now a very real danger that Tory complacency on jobs could result in rising redundancies in Kilmarnock and Loudoun and across the UK.

"With thousands of Scottish jobs under threat from Tory cuts, including 2,000 at risk in our constituency, I am urging Rishi Sunak to ensure the UK government does not withdraw support for jobs and businesses abruptly and prematurely. This is especially important, given the risks of covid this winter and the fragile state of the UK economy.

"Too many people have been left behind by Westminster throughout the pandemic. The UK government must not create a Tory unemployment crisis, which could see thousands of people made redundant and left on the scrap heap, at the same time that Tory ministers raise taxes and slash Universal Credit by £1040.

"Scotland's recovery is increasingly under threat from damaging Tory cuts and tax hikes. The only way to keep Scotland safe is to become an independent country, with the full powers needed to build a strong, fair and equal recovery."

Visit: Foundations Hub (Recovery Enterprises)

/

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

IMG_20210820_143438.jpg

Press Release: Daimler Foundation

/

MP Visit to Daimler Foundation

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.”.

TWEET

235728557_3855506937888455_5690784222026656588_n.jpg

Visit: Blossom Hair

/

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.

228416978_3796908213748328_4682271397733804089_n.jpg

Visit: Impact Arts Exhibition

/

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.

TWITTER

223125792_3794385420667274_2675157654232520692_n.jpg

Press Release: WASPI PHSO Report

/

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.”

WASPI: PHSO Report

/

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

Facebook Twitter

E6u7M43X0AwbnB9.jpg