Inspired by our young people

In the past few weeks I have spent a lot of time with young people in the constituency.

I met with pupils at Glengowan Primary School in Larkhall last week who asked a lot of interesting questions about my role as an MP and the world in general. It is always inspiring to hear the perspectives of bright, curious children.

Last week, I also met with COVEY Befriending in Hamilton, who offer a fantastic service of helping vulnerable young people develop life skills and reach their full potential.

I had the chance to sit down with the Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Callum Speirs and Becky Gillan, along with my colleague Christina Mckelvie MSP.

The Scottish Youth Parliament is the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people.

Christina and I were delighted to have the opportunity to discuss issues such as the SYP opposition to mosquito devices, and their campaign for free sanitary products to be made available in schools.

It is important that we listen to the needs of young people, and Callum and Becky are doing a fantastic job in making their voices heard.

My inbox has been full of correspondence from constituents regarding the EU Withdrawal Bill that went through its second reading in the House of Commons chamber earlier this week.

While some constituents wished for the legislation to pass through unamended, the majority of those who contacted me expressed their concern that the powers given to the government in this bill are far too broad.

I see this legislation as a threat to democracy.

It means allowing widesweeping Henry VIII powers, where laws can be rewritten by ministers without consulting Parliament, and Clause 11 which seeks to centralise powers coming back from Brussels in London – including those under the remit of the devolved administrations.

What is most worrying is that those people who wrote to me in favour of the legislation did so with the intention of transferring powers from Brussels to the UK Parliament for reasons of greater scrutiny and accountability – yet with these Henry VIII powers in place, those arguments are invalid.

The EU Withdrawal Bill is set up as a power grab by Theresa May’s government, and as such is not fit for purpose.

It is with this in mind that I voted against the bill.

While the movements towards constitutional change as a result of the Brexit vote have dominated headlines, the UK government have pushed forward with their damaging welfare reforms.

Universal Credit, which replaces a number of existing benefits, is due for a full roll-out in South Lanarkshire later this year.

Where it has been applied already in Lanark and Hamilton East, I have already had to intervene in many cases where the rules are not being fairly applied and people are being denied benefits.

The Uk-wide roll out has been a disaster – people are being left without support for up to two months, driven into spiralling debt and homelessness.

It is plain to see that this benefits system is broken, and will do nothing to help people into work or to survive.

South Lanarkshire Council has spoken out against the Universal Credit system, joining 24 third sector organisations in calling for the roll out to be halted until problems with the system are fixed.

I will continue to tackle the government on its faulty welfare reforms in Parliament.

It is unfair and unethical to leave people destitute, and Theresa May’s government must face up to the consequences of their actions.

Parliament will enter Conference Recess next week, and I am looking forward to getting out and about across the constituency to meet with local groups and to hear your views so I can continue to do my best to represent you when Parliament returns.

Always inspiring to hear the perspectives of bright, curious children