Ayrshire Killie Champions

/

As the weekend draws to a close, I have to finish with a "well done Killie" post.

A great night and in many ways the perfect way to do it, coming from behind and scoring the winner in the 90th minute. Second half atmosphere was fantastic. It was fantastic to share it with my nearest and dearest, three generations of Kilmarnock Football Club and we would never change it for the world.

Great to see the team back in the top league, where we belong, and great for the town.

I also wish I had the celebration staying powers the team apparently have.

Facebook

Press Release: Asda Supermarket Surgery

/

This week Alan Brown MP is hosting a special pop-up surgery at Asda in Kilmarnock.

The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun will be at the supermarket on Friday from 11am – 12pm. Constituents will be able to approach the MP after their weekly shop and speak to him about potential casework or even just for a friendly chat.

With most restrictions now being lifted, Mr Brown is excited to get back out and about in the constituency.

Commenting, the representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:

“I am looking forward to being at Asda on Friday for the pop-up surgery. With a lot of restrictions now being eased, I am delighted to get back out in the constituency, be visible and having face to face interactions. I have still been having regular virtual surgeries – all through the pandemic – but it is far better to be able to engage with constituents in person.

“This will be my first supermarket surgery since before the pandemic as I look forward to making this a regular event with restrictions now being eased. Asda has been great to deal with and are giving us a good spot behind the checkouts so that shoppers can approach us on their way out after getting their shopping for the week!

“We have lettered some households near the venue to let constituents know we will be there if they want to raise anything with me. If anyone has an issue they would like to raise or, if you would just like to have a chat then please come along.

“If you can’t manage along to the surgery but need assistance with any matter dealt with at Westminster, such as; social security, employment or immigration issues, please contact my office and I will do all I can to help.”

Press Release: Spring Statement

/

Alan Brown MP slams Chancellor over budget.

The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun has branded Rishi Sunak a ‘conman’ after his spring statement last week.

The Chancellor announced a rise in national insurance but promised to reduce income tax along with a 5p cut to fuel.

But Mr Brown feels the cut to fuel is a ‘con’ given the money generated through the national insurance hike.

He also slammed the UK Government on failing to tackle the cost of living crisis.

 Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:

“The Chancellor’s spring statement delivered nothing to address the largest fall in living standards since the 1950s.

“Instead of taking urgent action to reduce energy bills and protect the most vulnerable in our society, the Tory Government have done nothing to combat the cost of living crisis - and proved, yet again, that they are completely out of touch.

“In regards to the price of fuel, specifically, the 5p cut in fuel is nothing short of a con. Petrol is currently 40p more expensive than it was in March 2021, so the increase in VAT the Treasury receive more than pays for the 5p temporary cut. Actually, they have failed to put a dent in the current cost of living crisis and to boast about a “household fund” in England where people can apply for hardship money is Dickensian in thought process.

“On VAT this year with energy bills doubling he will receive well over £1bn from billpayers; I pointed out at parliament in November they predicted they will get £6bn extra in oil and gas revenues over the parliament – I am sure this is now an underestimate. Overall VAT income this financial year was £21bn more than predicted. It is a disgrace and he is a conman.

“They are building up a warchest for an election and future tax cuts while people are struggling in the here and now. It is so frustrating and I intend to keep reminding them of the additional money they should be using to support people.”

Mr Brown believes the introduction of a fuel duty regulator will provide more efficiency and a better long-term strategy.

He added:

“As opposed to these rash one-off decisions in and around Budget season, a regulator would provide a far better balance when costs skyrocket and equally when they reduce significantly when we have to consider our move away from fossil fuels.

“For some time, I have highlighted high oil prices; high fuel prices and high energy costs have meant that the UK Treasury has had an unexpected windfall from the extra levies, duties and VAT returns. Therefore, the least the Chancellor should do is use this money to offset the cost of living crisis.

"The Chancellor has said he can't do anything about poverty but of course he can. It is the choices he is making. Countries all over Europe are taking action to limit the energy price increases and once again the UK is the outlier.“

Press Release: BHF Turns 60

/

ALAN BROWN MP CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF LIFE SAVING BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION RESEARCH

Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, pledged to work with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to help make ‘science fiction a reality’ during a special parliamentary reception.

The event, held on Wednesday 2nd March, celebrated the BHF’s 60th birthday and the pioneering research it has funded.

Alan Brown heard about the BHF’s life saving research over the last six decades, and met with some of the BHF-funded researchers who have made these advances possible.

Since the BHF launched in 1961, the number of people dying from heart and circulatory diseases in the UK each year has halved.

BHF-funded research also contributed to the first UK heart transplant, and the charity was behind discoveries that revealed the cause of a heart attack - helping to transform treatments ever since. 

The BHF’s research has also identified many of the genes responsible for conditions that cause sudden heart attacks and cardiac arrests, meaning people can be identified before these deadly events strike.

Today, the BHF is the UK’s biggest non-commercial funder of research into heart and circulatory diseases. However, despite six decades of progress, there is still more to do to improve the lives of the 7.6 million people in the UK who are living with these conditions.

The leading charity is now urging more people to donate to the BHF so that it can help turn more mind-blowing ideas from the realms of science fiction into life saving treatments and potential cures.

Commenting, Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, said:

“I was delighted to attend the BHF’s parliamentary reception and hear more about the huge advances in research that the charity has made possible over the last 60 years.

“Today, heart and circulatory diseases are one of the biggest killers in the UK, so it is important that the BHF continues to receive support to help fund the scientific breakthroughs of the future. I look forward to working with the BHF to help highlight the crucial part it plays in the UK’s research and development landscape and how the work it funds benefits my constituents.”

The event was hosted by Elliot Colburn, the Member of Parliament for Carshalton and Wallington.

Elliot Colburn MP said: “The BHF’s research has been pivotal in helping to advance treatments for the millions of people living with heart and circulatory conditions in the UK.

“It was inspiring to hear from the BHF’s researchers and to also find out more about how their work is directly benefiting patients.”

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: “It was great to speak with Alan Brown to not only recognise the improvements made for people living with heart and circulatory conditions across the UK, but to also highlight the progress we urgently need for those living in their constituency.

“Beating heart and circulatory diseases is still one of the world’s biggest challenges and, despite huge steps forward over the last 60 years, the BHF’s research has never been more needed.

“We want to thank all MPs and peers who attended our parliamentary reception and signed our pledge to help make science fiction a reality. We look forward to working with them in the future.”

Press Release: Bereavement Leave and Pay

/

                          Alan Brown MP backs the extension of bereavement leave and pay

MPs and Lords are supporting the extension of bereavement leave and pay to employees experiencing a close family bereavement

Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun attended a Parliamentary event on 2 March in support of extending bereavement leave and pay to employees experiencing a close family bereavement.

The event was hosted by the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, Patricia Gibson MP, Lucy Herd (The Grief Educator and mother of Jack, after whom Jack’s Law is named), and Lord Knight of Weymouth.

Jack’s Law was introduced in Great Britain in April 2020 and focuses on the right to parental bereavement leave and pay. It applies to employed parents who lose a child under the age of 18 or suffer a stillbirth (from 24 weeks of pregnancy), irrespective of how long they have been with their employer.

Parents with at least 26 weeks’ continuous service with their employer and weekly average earnings over the lower earnings limit are also entitled to Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay.

 The CIPD and Lucy Herd have been campaigning to change the law to ensure that employees who experience the loss of a close family member receive bereavement leave and pay*.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many employees will have been affected by losing a loved one and some may have been unable to take appropriate leave from work to grieve or to make suitable arrangements.

Ms Gibson brought a Ten Minute Rule Bill to Parliament, Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill, which introduced paid bereavement leave. The Second Reading is due on 18 March 2022. 

The CIPD and Ms Gibson invited MPs and Lords to the drop-in session to pledge their support to their campaign and Ms Gibson’s Bill to extend bereavement leave to employees.

Commenting, Alan Brown MP said:

“I fully support extending paid bereavement leave to employees and was pleased to attend this important event. When someone suffers a bereavement it can have a huge impact on their mental health and wellbeing and as such they might not be able to perform as usual at work. Access to paid bereavement leave can support an employee by giving them time away from work to grieve and assist with any practical matters as necessary.”

The CIPD’s latest research found that 75% supported an extension of Jack’s Law so that more employees experiencing a close family bereavement will be able to take leave and be paid for it.

Claire McCartney, Senior Resourcing and Inclusion Adviser at the CIPD comments: “Employees that have experienced a close family bereavement will need time to come to terms with what has happened and will be highly unlikely to be able to perform well at work if they are forced to return too quickly. While many organisations provide paid bereavement leave to support employees at one of the most difficult times of their lives, this is far from universal and extending the statutory provision is likely to give employees time and space to grieve rather than worrying about paying their bills and financial worries.”

Lucy Herd, The Grief Educator and mother of Jack said: “When I started this campaign nearly 11 years ago, I had always hoped legislation would be created for everyone to be able to take time off should they need to, in the event of a family death. Time is precious and we should not have to worry about taking time off from work because our whole world has altered due to grief. Therefore, we are working towards ensuring Jacks Law is amended, to better protect future families from being told they can’t take ‘time’.”

Twitter

Facebook