Tom Arthur
RENFREWSHIRE SOUTH MSP
WITH the Scottish Parliament in recess for Easter, I have been out and about in my constituency to meet with local groups, businesses and residents.
It has been an opportunity to discuss the matters that are important to them.
I was delighted to head along to St Luke’s High School, in Barrhead, the other week to congratulate staff and pupils on their outstanding Education Scotland inspection report.
It was a real pleasure to meet with headteacher Christine Downie, whose leadership was praised.
Having visited the school, it is clear that Christine, along with her staff, have a positive vision for St
Luke’s High and I look forward to the school’s many future successes that will no doubt come from such a devoted and nurturing environment.
I also met with pupils from a variety of year groups and was encouraged by their enthusiasm and constructive attitude towards the school and staff.
In other news, the Scottish Government has published its ambitious new Housing Bill, which will strengthen tenants’ rights, keep people in their homes and help to prevent homelessness.
The Bill will build on Scotland’s emergency tenant protection legislation, which led the way in the UK for rented households during the worst moments of the cost-of-living crisis.
If passed by the Scottish Parliament, this legislation will put into effect a New Deal for Tenants, with long-term rent controls for private tenancies, new rights to keep pets and decorate rented homes and stronger protections against eviction.
It will also mean that people facing homelessness have more choice and control over where they live, helping them to maintain relationships in their community and stay in work.
Despite more than a decade of Westminster austerity, around 130,000 affordable and social homes have been completed under SNP governments since 2007.
This includes more than 90,600 council and housing association homes, as well as in excess of 37,600 homes for affordable home ownership and mid-market rent.
Scotland has consistently had the highest average supply of affordable housing per head of population in the UK.
The SNP-led government will continue to take action, including committing more than £550m to the affordable housing supply programme this year, to ensure everyone has the chance to live in a safe and comfortable home.
As part of my engagement with constituents, I have been holding supermarket surgeries across the constituency, with my most recent event taking place at the Asda store in Barrhead.
As an MSP, I have always strived to be as accessible as possible.
I am continuously looking at different ways to engage with constituents, to ensure that as many people as possible can access the help and advice they require from me.
Events like these and the upcoming street surgeries I have planned are a great opportunity to speak to constituents when it suits them.
Of course, those in need of support can also contact my constituency office at any time by calling 01505 331990 or sending an email to tom.arthur.msp@ parliament.scot.
I am continuously looking at different ways to engage with constituents, to ensure that as many people as possible can access the help and advice they require from me