A busy week at home and afar

This week at Westminster I was pleased to host the first session of the All Party Parliamentary Dog Welfare Group (APDAWG) which was attended by over 100 participants from all across the UK alongside our Patron Peter Egan (of Down Town Abbey).

We heard presentations from Naturewatch who work to prevent badger baiting and puppy farming, and then the Abused Pet Rescue Project who explained their research on domestic abuse and pet abuse co-occurring, the important symptoms to look out for and the awareness campaign they are leading with Vets across the UK.

Further poignant presentations were given by the London Retired Dogs Trust about their work to re-home service dogs and animals, and then an entirely compelling account from Pen Farthing, a former Royal Marine, who rescues abused dogs from Afghanistan and re-homes them across the world.

Many excellent animal champions who do tireless work, and it was important to give them their platform in parliament.

The work of the APDAWG continues in this parliamentary term when we will see our campaign for Lucy’s Law come into force to prevent third party puppy sales from pet shops and via callous puppy farmers.

We are continuing to press for Finn’s Law to protect service dogs/ animals from attack (already agreed by the Scottish Government) and our support for a legislative ban on dog meat consumption (a loop hole that should be closed to show international leadership).

I also took the opportunity to highlight to the Communities Minister why homeless shelters must do much more across the UK to provide places for homeless persons along with their pets, as this often acts as a barrier to getting off of the street. Dogs in particular can act as a lifeline to those who are homeless and in desperate situations. Should you wish to receive updates from APDAWG, (which has got to be one of the most popular APPGs in parliament), please do not hesitate to contact me.

Locally, I was pleased to present my petition for Safe Walking Routes to School in Strathaven, signed by over 100 local residents and parents.

This week I will be taking part in the debate in Westminster Hall on Fair Business Rates for

Pubs like the Glassford Inn needs fair rates of business...

Pubs and once again highlighting the desperate situation of our Glassford Inn who have incurred extraordinarily high rates which have been totally crippling for a small rural pub.

The Glassford Inn, much loved by our constituents, requires fair rates to be implemented or the threat of closure continues.

In relation to my work for older adults, I have continued to press the Prime Minister on my petition to scrap TV Licence Charges for the over 75s.

The BBC can afford to pay their presenters millions of pounds and should not be penalising older adults with high charges, many of whom may be housebound and require a TV as their connection to society and each days news.

My surgeries continue to be extremely busy with Universal Credit, PIP and other issues so please do not hesitate to attend - 1pm every Friday in my Strathaven office and 330pm in my EK office.