Charities cost-of-living support
BY RENFREWSHIRE SOUTH MSP TOM ARTHUR
Across Renfrewshire South, every meeting and surgery I have sees the impact of the cost-of-living crisis laid bare.
From constituent conversations at my street surgeries, to organisations such as Citizens Advice, the impact of poor political decision making in London is clear to see.
The Scottish Government is doing what it can – from mitigating the bedroom tax to increasing support for families.
But without control of the economic levers to make our own path and decide how to make use of our abundance of resources, people in Scotland are tied to a failing Westminster parliament, with a legislature dependent on unelected life peers whose number grows and grows to attempt to bolster support for a crumbling Tory UK
Government.
As the Tories grasp for any policy to tilt the polls back from almost total political wipeout, Labour will be in government after the next election simply by benefitting from not being the Tories.
People deserve and need better than this.
At my most recent meeting with the team at Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau, I had the opportunity to find out more about their Stronger Start pilot programme.
The bureau received £94,415 from the National Lottery Community Fund to support people on the special needs in pregnancy pathway at the RAH.
This is a much-needed project which aims to improve financial capability and stability for families in need, especially for those who may be particularly vulnerable.
It was also a chance to catch up with the wider team who provide such a fantastic resource to my constituents in Renfrewshire South.
With so many people impacted by financial instability during this costof-living crisis, they really are an invaluable resource for people needing support to maximise their income and getting free, impartial advice on issues such as housing and benefits as well as consumer issues and debt advice.
I was also impressed with the work being done at Active Communities’ Station Seven base in Johnstone.
I caught up with them recently at the National Lottery Community Fund parliamentary reception in Holyrood earlier this year and was glad to visit them at their base to find out about the successes and challenges of operating a community pantry.
They are finding a huge demand for their services and their funding will help go towards using their space as a ‘community living room,’ providing a range of activities and services for the benefit of people in Johnstone and beyond.
My latest street surgeries took place this week as well, this time in Johnstone Castle with Councillor Jacqueline Cameron. These surgeries always prove incredibly popular and give me an excellent opportunity to see issues first hand and talk to constituents where they are most comfortable.
It was also good to see works taking place as part of the roads improvement programme.
I know that cold, wet winters take a hard toll on our roads and residents will soon see the benefits on the council’s work in their area.
This weekend will see my joining forces with others including Labour’s Paul O’Kane MSP as we undertake the Kiltwalk to raise funds for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity as part of the Another Star in the Sky team.
T h e proceeds from the walk will go towards AVM research and other rare conditions at the hospital – and I hope that we will be able to raise both funds and awareness this weekend.
As always, if there is anything that I can assist constituents with, please do not hesitate to get in touch with my office via tom. arthur.msp@parliament. scot or call 01505 331990.
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