Press Release: 11708 local households to be hit by largest ever real terms benefit cut

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TORY AUSTERITY THREAT TO FAMILIES IN KILMARNOCK AND LOUDOUN SHOWS WHY INDEPENDENCE IS CRUCIAL

Alan Brown MP has said the austerity threat to families in Kilmarnock and Loudoun shows why independence for Scotland is so crucial, following stark warnings on the impact of real terms benefits cuts in the area.

11708 households in the constituency are set to be subjected to the largest real-terms permanent benefits cut in a single year, if Tory plans to uprate benefits in line with earnings rather than inflation come to fruition, according to analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).

Contrasting the approach to the cost of living crisis between the SNP Scottish Government and Conservative UK government, Alan Brown MP said Scots households were being punished under the Tories austerity agenda, with the Scottish Parliaments efforts to tackle poverty being consistently undermined by Westminster.

Commenting, the representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:

“The latest Westminster Tory austerity threat facing 11708 households here in Kilmarnock and Loudoun goes to show exactly why independence is so crucial as a means to escape the callous Conservatives once and for all. 

“Amidst a brutal cost of living crisis local families and households are set to be hammered by the largest permanent benefits cut in a single year ever, imposed by a party seemingly focused alone on making their mega-rich friends even richer.

“Their approach could not be more at odds on this crisis with the Scottish Government, who’ve just uprated eight benefits as well as increasing the Scottish Child Payment and doubled the four annual bridging payments.

“Sadly however that is work that is being completely undermined by Westminster Tories who seem determined to consign millions more to extreme poverty and destitution. 

“Households in Kilmarnock and Loudoun can no longer afford the rising price of Westminster rule and must be able to escape with the full powers of independence.”

Press Release: Scottish homeowners paying brutal price of Westminster control

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TORIES TOLD TO “GET A GRIP” BY ALAN BROWN MP AFTER RISE IN NUMBER OF HOMEOWNERS FALLING BEHIND ON MORTGAGE PAYMENTS

The Westminster Tory government has been told to “get a grip” of the cost-of-living crisis and the fallout from its disastrous budget by Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun following warnings that the number of homeowners falling behind on their mortgage payments is on the rise.

The UK’s fourth largest mortgage provider, Santander, announced plans to set more money aside for potential defaults as rates continue to rise and households struggle after the Tory budget pushed the UK to the brink of economic catastrophe.

Local MP Mr Brown said homeowners were being made to pay the brutal price of Westminster control and warned of the growing threat of a housing crash.

Commenting, the representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:

“The Tory government’s budget has been an utter disaster – putting people’s homes, pensions and incomes at risk, and demonstrating once again that Scotland needs independence so we can escape harmful Westminster control and get rid of the Tories for good.

“The latest grim warnings of a rise in the number of homeowners falling behind on their mortgage payments must be a wake-up call for the Prime Minister and Chancellor to get a grip of the economic crisis it has created by reversing the damage of its budget and acting to get mortgage rates back under control.

“Households across Scotland and the UK are being forced to pay a heavy price for Tory wreckonomics – with the very real threat of a housing crash and people losing their homes. In stark contrast, the SNP Scottish Government is taking the steps it can to support people by freezing rents and putting money in people's pockets through the Scottish Child Payment.

"However, it should not be left to the Scottish Government to clean up the mess as the Tories inflict hammer blow after hammer blow to the economy, households and businesses.

"It's beyond any doubt that only with independence will we be able to keep Scotland safe and escape Westminster control and the long-term damage and chaos it continues to inflict."

Press Release: Energy Advice Surgery

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Next week (Friday 28th October), Alan Brown MP will be hosting a special energy advice pop-up surgery in Kilmarnock.

The SNP Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change will be at Celebrate Kilmarnock on King Street for the event with the ongoing cost of living crisis being a major issue for everyone.

Mr Brown will be joined by representatives from Citizens Advice Scotland, EA Money and Home Energy Scotland, who will be on hand to assist constituents with concerns over their energy bills.

The surgery will be a drop-in event and open to all constituents - no appointment is necessary.

Commenting ahead of the event, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:

“Due to the ongoing cost of living crisis and the level of enquiries my office has been dealing with I wanted to hold a special surgery focusing on this matter.

“I have been raising the issue of the cost of living for some time and now we are only just seeing the devastating effects this is having on so many people. Businesses, small and large, ordinary people and the most vulnerable in our society are all facing the brunt of these astronomical costs.

“I know that times are tough, and I am concerned that my constituents may not be able to access all of the support that is available to them during the ongoing energy crisis. I have heard first-hand that constituents are struggling to pay energy bills and it is important that we work with local agencies to ensure that the right support is in place.

“I am encouraging elderly constituents to check if they are eligible for pension credit as this gets them additional support over and above the credit payment itself.

“My office has sent out letters to targeted residential areas and delivered posters all over the constituency to try and get spread the word as much as possible – keep an eye on my social media for further updates in the lead-up to the event.

“In the meantime, if constituents require any assistance or more information they should contact my office.”

Press Release: Alan Brown MP condemns "gaping hole" in support for off-grid homes

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ALAN BROWN MP CONDEMNS "GAPING HOLE" IN SUPPORT FOR OFF-GRID HOMES

The MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun has said Scottish rural households have been "hung out to dry" by the UK Tory government, following a financial statement that included nothing to support off-grid homes with energy bills.

Figures from the House of Commons Library estimate there are around 129,000 off-grid homes in Scotland reliant on home heating oil - households not connected to the UK energy grid and therefore not covered by the energy price cap or Energy Price Guarantee.

In the past two years, the cost of home heating oil for households has increased by more than 230%, rising from £0.31 a litre to £1.05 a litre. For a home in rural Scotland, £100 would buy less than 100 litres of heating oil, which would provide just two to three weeks of heating.

The UK government previously announced it will offer just £100 in total to households across the UK who do not benefit from the Energy Price Guarantee, leading to calls from the SNP and others to increase this amount. The Chancellor's statement on Friday made clear that call had been ignored.

Commenting, SNP Energy spokesperson Alan Brown MP said:

"Rural Scottish households have been hung out to dry by the Tories throughout this cost of living crisis. This latest lacklustre statement is an insult to thousands of families in rural communities across the country - and it's another gaping hole in the UK government's botched energy plan.

“I have had constituents contact me about this very issue. My office has sent letters out to farms and members of the rural community with information about the price of energy and many have come back to raise their concerns about these astronomical costs.

“I have written to the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for BEIS (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) to raise these matters and it is staggering they believe the £100 will offset the cost to rural properties. 

"The cost of heating rural homes is much higher than other parts of the country - with the price of heating oil soaring by over 230% in two years. It’s incumbent upon the Chancellor to recognise the financial fears of rural households and implement meaningful assistance to support them through what’s set to be a difficult winter.

"Scotland is an energy-rich country with more than enough energy potential to be self-sufficient - but yet again we are paying the price of Westminster failure and bearing the cost of not being an independent country.

"While the Tories are focused on boosting bankers' bonuses, and giving billions in tax breaks to big businesses and the rich, they have forgotten about ordinary families.

"The UK government must wake up to reality and give rural families the support they need. With every day they fail to act, they are demonstrating Scotland would be better off as an independent country with the full powers needed to secure our energy supply for all homes." 

Press Release: Tories Abandoning Rural Scotland

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'GAPING HOLE' IN ENERGY PLAN AS RURAL HOMES FORGOTTEN

The SNP has said the Tory government has "abandoned rural Scotland" by failing to announce any meaningful support for rural homes in today's energy plan.

In the past two years, the cost of home heating oil has increased by more than 230%, rising from £0.31 a litre to £1.05 a litre. For a home in rural Scotland, £100 would buy less than 100 litres of heating oil, which would provide just two to three weeks of heating.

Yet, today (21/9/22), the UK government has announced it will offer just £100 in total to households across the UK who do not benefit from the Energy Price Guarantee.

Recent figures from the House of Commons Library show there are around 129,000 off-grid homes in Scotland dependent on home heating oil.

Commenting, SNP Energy spokesperson Alan Brown MP said:

"The Tories have completely abandoned rural Scotland throughout the cost of living crisis. This latest snub is an insult to thousands of families in rural communities across the country - and it's another gaping hole in the UK government's botched energy plan.

"The cost of heating rural homes is much higher than other parts of the country - with the price of heating oil soaring by over 230% in two years. And yet, just as we face the cold winter months, the Tory government is ignoring calls from the SNP and refusing to provide any meaningful support for rural families in Scotland.

"Scotland is an energy-rich country with more than enough energy potential to be self-sufficient - but yet again we are paying the price of Westminster failure and bearing the cost of not being an independent country.

"While the Tories are focused on boosting bankers' bonuses, and giving billions in tax breaks to big businesses and the rich, they have forgotten about ordinary families.

"The UK government must U-turn immediately and finally give rural families the support they need. With every day they fail to act, they are demonstrating Scotland would be better off as an independent country with the full powers needed to secure our energy supply for all homes."

Press Release: Queen Elizabeth II

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My comments regarding the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II:

“I was saddened to hear of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.  I was in the Chamber for the Prime Minister’s energy statement when the news broke that she was not well - it was surreal to see it filter through the Commons.

“She ruled for over 70-years with such grace and dignity, it cannot be underestimated how sad a loss this is for the UK and the rest of the Commonwealth. On Friday, I closed my office to the public, staff continued to work from home, as a mark of respect for Her Majesty.

“My deepest and sincere condolences go out to her family, as beyond the status and royal duties, she was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

“For many people, she is all they knew as Head of State and the one constant in so many of our lives. The tributes from world leaders convey the respect she gathered from all across the globe.

“Her dedication and service to the people of Scotland will not be forgotten and there is something quite comforting that she passed at her much-loved residence at Balmoral.

“The incoming King, Charles III, also has a close affiliation with Scotland and my best wishes go to His Majesty ahead of his reign.” 

Visit: Utopia

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In addition to the Brownings visit, the Westminster representatives also stopped by Utopia Computers.

Again, another award winning, family-run, local business based in Kilmarnock. Utopia is a manufacturer of some of the world's most powerful desktops and laptop computers with a team of multi award-winning engineers, thinkers, modders and tech fanatics.

The MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun and SNP Westminster Leader met with Managing Director Craig Hume to discuss concerns over the cost of living.

Like Brownings, Utopia’s energy bills have sold from £2,000 to a staggering £9,000 per year. The Kilmarnock based business is a living wage employer as well as a profit-sharing business and Managing

Director Craig Hume expressed the issues this poses when dealing with the cost of living crisis:

“Obviously the cost of living crisis is a concern for any small business. We have got 13 people here that we are trying to look after and we don’t really see an easy way out at the moment.

“The cost of electricity in this one unit has went from £2,000 to potentially £9,000 per year. At the end of the day we are a profit-sharing business and that comes straight out of the pockets of the people we employ.

He added:

“It was really good to see Alan (Brown) and Ian (Blackford) today as we were able to share our story and get across some our concerns. Also, to get them to understand that we really do want them to push for other solutions beyond that of nuclear energy and fracking - Cop 26 has just passed and we should be looking at renewables and a new way of powering the UK.”

Also commenting, Alan Brown MP and SNP Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change said:

“I have corresponded with Craig over this issue but it is important to raise further awareness of what is at stake here for local businesses.

"Boris Johnson has destroyed his legacy but he could salvage some of his damaged reputation by scrapping the energy price cap rise as one of his final acts in office.

"Households and businesses need help right now - not months down the line. Westminster has repeatedly refused to devolve powers to Scotland, so it has the responsibility to act.

"By refusing to use its reserved powers to tackle this Tory-made cost of living crisis, Westminster is failing families and making the case for independence."

Commenting, after visiting both businesses Mr Blackford said:

"The cost-of-living crisis is growing worse by the day - yet we have a Prime Minister missing in action and two Tory leadership candidates who are refusing to put forward any sort of plan to support people through it.

“Households need help right now - and many businesses are on the verge of closing their doors. They can’t afford to wait weeks or months more, without knowing when, what or whether any meaningful support will come.

"This was made clear on my recent trip to Kilmarnock with my colleague and constituency MP Alan Brown. Brownings the Bakers revealed that their energy bills had jumped from £4000 to £11,000 per week, and Utopia Computers had seen an increase of £7000 per year.

“By refusing to use its reserved powers to tackle the Tory-made cost of living crisis, the Westminster government has abandoned households and businesses. It must now get a grip and stop passing the buck, reverse the energy price cap rise, and recall parliament immediately to deliver an emergency budget that provides the support people need - including scrapping VAT on fuel, doubling support for households, and introducing an energy price cap and grants for businesses."

Visit: Brownings the Bakers

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Last week (Friday 26th August 2022) Alan Brown MP was joined by the SNP’s Westminster Leader at Brownings the Bakers in his constituency.

The Westminster representatives met with Brownings Director Matthew Short, CEO of Scottish Bakers Alasdair Smith and Managing Director of McGhee’s Bakery Gordon McGhee.

The MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun was joined by Mr Blackford as they visited the family-run business to discuss the cost of living crisis.

Brownings contacted Mr Brown previously about their energy costs as they have gone from paying £4,000 per week to £11,000 per week before being offered £17,000 per week for a two-year fixed costs contract. The MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun raised the matter directly with Chancellor Rishi Sunak in March but was unsatisfied with the response to his question.

Mr Brown and Mr Blackford have called for the energy price cap increase to be scrapped and for parliament to be recalled immediately.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

“Brownings is a family-run business synonymous with Kilmarnock and the Irvine Valley. They are a big employer in the area and to hear of the difficulties that lie ahead with the cost of living crisis is heartbreaking.

“I raised their case in Parliament back in March with the Chancellor who palmed it off, as he does. These businesses need real help and not a mere £1,000 tax cut.

“To go from paying £4,000 per week to £17,000 is horrifying and completely unsustainable.

“As is the same with everyone, it’s fuel costs as well. A big part of the business is distribution and the cost of fuel is equally as ridiculous. This is something else I have written to the Chancellor about as I have supported the Road Haulage Association’s plan for an Essential User Rebate of 15p per litre on fuel duty in order to protect businesses in my constituency as well as UK-wide.

“The Tories must stop burying their heads in the sand and recall parliament immediately to freeze the price cap and deliver pandemic levels of support, including scrapping VAT on fuel, doubling help for households, and introducing an energy price cap and grants for small businesses.

”With every day Westminster fails to act, it is proving that gaining the full powers of independence is the only way to keep Scotland safe."

Brownings the Bakers Director Matthew Short added:

"We spend £4,000 every week on electricity, and when our new contract came around that shot up to £17,000 per week. The headline inflation figures of 10 to 12% are not the figures we are seeing; we’re paying 120% more for our vegetable oil than a year ago, 50% more for the meat in our pies, 100% for butter and the list goes on.

"We are right in the middle of Scottish society, we value our role, and we are very close to our consumers, and they’re struggling. The idea of us just passing our costs on to them is not realistic because people will ultimately not be able to afford to eat.

"We’re asking the government to come up with a solution because it’s not just Brownings the Bakers who are dealing with this, and it’s not just bakeries, it’s every food producer in Scotland."

Mr Blackford also added:

"The cost-of-living crisis is growing worse by the day - yet we have a Prime Minister missing in action and two Tory leadership candidates who are refusing to put forward any sort of plan to support people through it.

“Households need help right now - and many businesses are on the verge of closing their doors. They can’t afford to wait weeks or months more, without knowing when, what or whether any meaningful support will come.

"This was made clear on my recent trip to Kilmarnock with my colleague and constituency MP Alan Brown. Brownings the Bakers revealed that their energy bills had jumped from £4000 to £11,000 per week, and Utopia Computers had seen an increase of £7000 per year.

“By refusing to use its reserved powers to tackle the Tory-made cost of living crisis, the Westminster government has abandoned households and businesses. It must now get a grip and stop passing the buck, reverse the energy price cap rise, and recall parliament immediately to deliver an emergency budget that provides the support people need - including scrapping VAT on fuel, doubling support for households, and introducing an energy price cap and grants for businesses."