Press Release: Dementia Diagnosis Drop-In

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Alan Brown MP calls for improvements in dementia diagnosis in Kilmarnock and Loudoun

Alan Brown MP has called for action to increase the number of people with dementia who receive an accurate and timely diagnosis.

Attending a parliamentary event in the House of Commons on 25th October 2022, Mr Brown highlighted the importance of prompt diagnosis to enable people with dementia and their carers to receive the support they need.

Organised for the Front of Mind campaign, a joint initiative between Roche UK and tide (together in dementia everyday), the event saw MPs discuss findings of a new report, ‘Levelling up dementia diagnosis’, which found that 43% of people with dementia remain undiagnosed.

In Kilmarnock and Loudoun, it is estimated that 1,395 people are living with dementia, 1.44% of the population, and there around 1,046 unpaid carers.

The report by Future Health, which was commissioned and funded by Roche in partnership with York Health Economics Consortium, also found that diagnosis rates vary markedly across the country from 83% to 47%, while people in rural areas and those from ethnic minorities face particular barriers to accessing services they need.

Commenting, Mr Brown MP said:

“Without a confirmed, accurate diagnosis of dementia, people will struggle to access medical and social interventions that could ease their symptoms and support their unpaid carers. We need to set out the steps to tackle the unfair variations that exist across the country in the diagnosis pathway.”

During the event, Mr Brown explored the impact of dementia in his constituency through an interactive data mapping dashboard. He also spoke to representatives from tide, before photos were taken with a pledge to keep diagnosis for dementia front of mind.

Sam Bolam, Chief Executive of tide added:

“It’s really encouraging to see MPs come together to discuss the impact of underdiagnosis on people with dementia. Too often, receiving dementia support is a postcode lottery, and we want to ensure everybody affected by dementia can access vital services – regardless of where they live.”

Press Release: Kody Blois MP

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Alan Brown meets Canadian MP with connection to Kilmarnock

Last week (Wednesday 26th October), Alan Brown MP met a Canadian MP with a special connection to Kilmarnock.

Despite being 2,645 miles across the water, MP Kody Blois has an extraordinary association with Kilmarnock - that being his wife, Kim, who hails from the town.

Mr Blois is a 31-year-old Canadian MP for the Liberal Party and was elected in the 2019 Canadian Federal Election at the age of just 28 – he married Kim in July 2022.

Blois was part of a Canadian delegation who were visiting Westminster but personally reached out to Mr Brown in advance in the hope to meet the elected member of his wife’s hometown.

Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:

“I was delighted to meet Kody and it was remarkable to hear that his wife, Kim, comes from Kilmarnock and his father-in-law still stays in the town - it really is a small world we live in.

“Kody told me he and Kim’s marriage took place in Cape Breton, an area with close links to Scotland and a strong traditional music scene – he even got married in a kilt!

“Unfortunately, we didn't have more time but it was good to make introductions. He told me, before becoming an MP, he was lucky enough to get a tour of Holyrood with Willie Coffey MSP. Presumably, he has always been interested in politics and that wasn't what inspired him to become an elected MP!

“We both attended a roundtable event with the Canadian delegation meeting with members of the APPG on Frozen Pensions – which I am part of as Pensions Spokesperson. Sadly, more than 125,000 UK (or dual nationals) living in Canada have had their UK pensions frozen at historical levels - even though Canada uprates the pensions of their citizens here.

He added:

“The Canadian Government have also offered the UK Government to enter into a "reciprocal arrangement' to end this unjust system. We also heard that UK nationals in the United States do receive full uprated pensions. This shows the unfairness of the current pensions policy- if you live on one side of Niagara Falls you get full assistance. On the other side, your pension is frozen relative to when you qualified for it.

“On a brighter note, I look forward to keeping in contact with Kody and hopefully will see him on future visits.”

Press Release: MP supports Royal Mail workers

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LOCAL MP SHOWS SUPPORT FOR ROYAL MAIL POSTAL WORKERS THREATENED WITH 10,000 JOB LOSSES

Alan Brown MP has called on the Royal Mail to 'stop the threats of job cuts to valued postal workers and 'engage meaningfully' with the Communications Worker Union to find an acceptable solution to prevent further postal strikes. 

In a joint letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Mail, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun told the Royal Mail Chief that it is "unacceptable to see the language employed by Royal Mail in threatening its workforce with job losses because they dare to ask for a fair work package."

Postal workers across Kilmarnock and Loudoun were on strike last week (Tuesday 25th October) and have several more strike days planned early next month, from the 2nd of November to the 4th of November.

Recently, the Royal Mail's announced its intention to slash 10,000 jobs, citing the strike action and low parcel delivery sales as the reason. Alan Brown MP has called this move a 'tactic in the ongoing pay dispute with postal workers' and has accused Royal Mail of 'acting in bad faith'.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

"Postal workers across my constituency are struggling to make ends meet in the face of the cost-of-living crisis while Royal Mail shareholders benefited from bumper profits in the millions.

"It is understandable that postal workers find the argument that there isn't money for them to have a fair wage unpalatable when there are millions of pounds of profit for shareholders, who should share the burden – when hard working postal staff are struggling to put food on their table this winter.

"Royal Mail staff in Kilmarnock and Loudoun and their families need financial security. The decision to strike will not have been easy for any of them, but this is about more than pay; it is also about protecting the universal mail service we all expect and value.

"Royal Mail need to get back to the negotiating table – in a meaningful way – and put our communities at the heart of discussions."

APPG on Frozen Pensions: Canadian delegation

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I was delighted to meet Canadian MP, Kody Blois, whose wife comes from Kilmarnock and his father-in-law still stays in the town!

Unfortunately, we didn't have more time but it was good to make introductions. He told me, before becoming an MP, he was lucky enough to get a tour of Holyrood with Willie Coffey MSP. Presumably, he has always been interested in politics and that wasn't what inspired him to become an elected MP!

We both attended a roundtable event with the Canadian delegation meeting with members of the APPG on Frozen Pensions. Sadly, more than 125,000 UK (or dual nationals) living in Canada have had their UK pensions frozen at historical levels - even though Canada uprates the pensions of their citizens here.

The Canadian Government have also offered the UK Government to enter into a "reciprocal arrangement' to end this unjust system. We also heard that UK nationals in the United States do receive full uprated pensions. This shows the unfairness of the current pensions policy- if you live on one side of Niagara Falls you get full assistance. On the other side, your pension is frozen relative to when you qualified for it.

On a brighter note, I look forward to keeping in contact with Kody and hopefully will see him on future visits.

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.”