MP honoured as kindness champ

The impact of coronavirus upon the economy is severe and we are beginning to see the longer-term effect of this upon local livelihoods.

I have been extremely concerned by proposed mass redundancies at Rolls Royce Inchinnan affecting hundreds of staff who were transferred there from Rolls-Royce East Kilbride prior to its closure.

I have therefore written on behalf of our constituents to the Prime Minister and have also requested a meeting (virtual) with the CEO of Rolls-Royce.

Gavin Newlands, MP for Inchinnan has been granted an adjournment debate in Parliament on this vital issue this week and we will continue to do everything possible to support all staff affected.

The aviation industry has been badly affected by coronavirus and I continue to work with local constituents who are employed by British Airways who are also facing large scale job losses.

I have received a reply from CEO Willie Walsh to date, but the reply failed to answer many of questions raised by staff and by Unite the Union and I am pursuing these matters further with the Minister.

It has also been a very busy period in terms of local casework.

I am pleased to have been in touch with the resilience groups across East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, supporting community work with the most vulnerable including those shielding, older adults and people with disabilities.

As meeting restrictions continue, in addition to my telephone office helpline on 02072196855 and email enquiry system on lisa.cameron.mp@ parliament.uk , I am delighted to let you know that I will be hosting virtual surgeries via Zoom from next week.

If you would like an appointment to speak with me confidentially online then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

The first surgery will run at 1pm-3.30pm on Friday, June 19.

As Chair of the Health All Party Parliamentary Groups, I was pleased to be named a Kindness Champion by the British Red Cross this week in Parliament linked with my ongoing work for older adults who need additional support leaving hospital.

The Red Cross are campaigning for improved funding for the social care sector across the UK and undertake vital First Aid Training.

I thank them once again for this accolade and will continue to do everything I can to assist with their health campaigns.

Locally, I am getting a bit better online and was delighted to join the Interfaith Event hosted by Debbie Raffaat and attended by so many local church groups and faith organisations across our constituency.

It was an inspirational event and so nice to meet multi faith leaders across the constituency.

This year, I have been given the honour of speaking at the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast from Westminster Hall where I will be saying the 2020 prayer for our NHS and care staff.

The Prayer Breakfast is entitled Hope and Peace in a time of Fear and Suffering.

If any constituents or local church groups would like to attend this years’ Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast live stream, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

South Lanarkshire’s MPs have called for a return of virtual parliament sessions while coronavirus restrictions remain in place.

From Tuesday, June 2, full parliamentary sessions returned to Westminster, albeit with social distancing still in place.

Virtual sessions have occupied the Houses of Parliament in London since the UK-wide lockdown came into force in March to allow MPs to safely represent their constituents.

However, temporary legislation sanctioning virtual participation in debates and votes has now lapsed and MPs are being recalled to debate the best way forward due to the difficulties in physical distancing in the 150-year-old building.

Some committees and all-party groups are still able to meet online but debates in the House of Commons will now need to take place in the chamber.

East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow MP Dr Lisa Cameron has said she won’t be returning to parliament this week as she won’t be speaking in the Commons.

Dr Cameron said: “As Chair of the Disability All Party Group in parliament, I have been liaising with Speaker Hoyle highlighting issues for MPs and peers who have disabilities and are shielding, asking for hybrid measures to be put in place to ensure that everyone can continue to participate virtually, representing constituents without compromising coronavirus health and safety advice.

“The SNP are sending down to London those who are speaking only this week to minimise travel and risk during the Covid-19 lockdown, and I am not on the Order Paper.

The impact of coronavirus lockdown on older people in South Lanarkshire was raised in the Scottish Parliament by Monica Lennon MSP.

The Labour MSP for Central Scotland raised the concerns expressed by Seniors Together chair Helen Biggins about the detrimental impact of lockdown on the local older population.

Specific concerns include the potential rise in elder abuse, which can be emotional, physical or financial, as well as the fear that ongoing age restrictions will be discriminatory.

Ms Lennon, health spokesperson for Labour, also pressed Scottish Government Ministers for an assurance that any ongoing age restrictions as lockdown is lifted would only be advisory and not legally enforced.

She made reference to statements by the British Medical Association and the Royal College of GPs that age alone should not determine social distancing rules.

Ms Lennon said:“Many older people are more isolated than ever because of the lockdown.

“Seniors Together are a fantastic local organisation and they have raised valid concerns about a potential

“I will continue my constituency work meantime, chair my All Party Health and Disability Groups online, and expect to be back at Westminster leading my debate on mental health supports for frontline staff within the next few weeks.”

Prior to the recent Whitsun parliamentary recess, Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg explained why the government have decided not to extend the temporary legislation.

He said: “Under the hybrid proceedings, the time this House is able to spend debating legislation faces being cut by around two thirds.

“I am sure all members will agree that each and every one of the 36 Bills put forward by the rise in elderly abuse.

“Lockdown is making it harder for us to be vigilant and many older people feel cut off from the people they trust. government in the Queen’s Speech deserves the proper level of scrutiny.

“We have to recognise that if we persist with the present arrangements, it will become harder to make progress in a timely fashion.

“That is why, in line with government advice for those who cannot do their jobs from home, I am asking members to return to their place of work after Whitsun.

“We will not be returning to the crowded, bustling chamber of old. We will be observing social distancing. As a member of the House of Commons Commission, I was reassured by the progress being made in making the parliamentary estate a Covid-19 secure workplace.”

That’s why I’ve raised it in the Scottish Parliament.

“Older people need to have their rights protected and the Scottish

Government must listen to doctors and other experts who are warning against age-based lockdown restrictions.”