Budget is a gamble for the Chancellor
Not Brexit – but the Budget, presented to the House by the Chancellor, Philip Hammond.
He has claimed that austerity is coming to an end, however, according to independent body the IFS, he has made a gamble with public finances that does not deliver on this end of austerity promise.
It is worth highlighting, of course, that the era of austerity was fully embraced by previous Tory Chancellor George Osborne.
There was realisation in the Budget by the Conservatives that Private Finance Initiatives, which have placed so many of our public services in long-term debt (akin to that of credit card debt), should now be consigned to the dustbin of history which has to be welcomed.
Additionally, the funding allocated to implement Universal Credit is welcomed but can be thought of really as nothing more than a sticking plaster for an inherently flawed system that continues to plunge local vulnerable people into poverty.
Prior to last week’s Budget, I wrote to the Chancellor as co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on New Towns about the importance of regeneration for our new towns like East Kilbride; including increased prioritisation, funding and a focus upon our town centres.
It is vital that such actions be taken to ensure sustainability and growth outwith city regions.
The Chancellor has now promised money for high street/town centre regeneration and it will be important to determine whether and how this can be implemented locally for East Kilbride.
Last week, I spoke in the debate in the House of Commons on the alleged mis-selling of green energy deals affecting nearly 3000 households in Scotland by the former company HELMS, which has left many of my constituents with huge debts and, in some cases, an inability to sell their homes due to being tied to decades of finance.
I highlighted the fact that elderly and vulnerable residents appear to have been deliberately targeted by this ruthless company, which is a complete disgrace and failure of consumer protection.
The minister has further indicated that the Green Deal Finance Company will look at these issues for consumers in the first instance, but if they are not dealt with satisfactorily, then the secretary of state can be contacted who will scrutinise the outcomes further.
I would, therefore, urge any of my constituents who have not yet alerted me to this important issue affecting them to do so now, so that I can assist in progressing their case. I have very fond memories of my mother and grandmother working in Rolls-Royce and also my 18th birthday at the then Rolls-Royce club so I was particularly delighted this week to meet with Bob Fulton, Stuart Barrie and John Keenan – our East Kilbride stars in the film Nae Pasaran!
It acknowledges the huge impact of our local RollsRoyce workers and unions in grounding the air force of the Pinochet dictatorship.
I was able to personally present them with their Early Day Motion that I had lodged in Parliament celebrating their work and the success of the film, and wished them well for their BAFTA Scotland nomination.
It is vital that such actions be taken to ensure sustainability and growth outwith city regions...