Holyrood message...

FIRSTLY, I want to make Tele readers aware of my next advice surgery happening in the Oak Mall this coming Friday.

Between 10am and 1pm, I’ll be joined by representatives from Advice Direct Scotland, Social Security Scotland, Fair Start Scotland and the HEAT energy advice service (The Wise Group) and Inverclyde Common Housing Register.

They’ll be providing information about financial support for energy bills, employability support, the 12 Scottish benefits and housing. If you can’t attend, would like more information or are in urgent need of advice, please call my office on 720 930. My staff and I are here to provide a listening ear.

On Friday, I volunteered at Tesco’s Foodbank Collection in Port Glasgow. I have taken part in these food collection drives every year apart from during the pandemic when they didn’t happen. Please donate something to any of the local foodbanks if you can.

Alongside both local Tesco stores, my office and Ronnie Cowan MP’s office are drop-off points for items, and I’d like to extend a thank you to those who’ve already popped in to donate food and monetary donations. Every donation, big or small, will make a difference to someone struggling this winter.

On a positive note, I was pleased to welcome the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands – Mairi Gougeon MSP – to Port Glasgow as she visited Pawsitively Purrfect Pet Services which is run by Christina O’Donnell.

It was great to hear Christina speak so passionately about her pet grooming business and I support her ambition to see the sector regulated to help protect pets. Pet ownership has grown since the pandemic and I know that regulation of this growing sector would provide owners with the reassurance when placing their pets into their care.