I was clear from the outset that I hoped the council would use this money in Port Glasgow and, on Thursday, that decision was taken. by the authority
The funding from the Government’s Pride in Place fund is a direct injection of cash into Port Glasgow to improve the high street and the local environment. I am clear that local people must have a say in shaping how this money is spent and that’s why my next coffee morning – on Saturday, November 15, in Port Glasgow New Parish Church from 10.30am until 12 noon – will focus on this.
If you have an idea you want to share or a proposal, please come along and share it!
Jobs in clean energy and defence
Since being elected last year, one of my areas of focus has been on increasing opportunities for people locally in the defence and renewable energy sectors.
Last week, the Labour Government launched the Clean Energy Jobs Plan – the first ever national plan to ensure that a generation of young people across our country benefit from high wage, skilled jobs that clean energy can bring.
This plan will mean 40,000 new jobs to Scotland with key trades such as plumbing, welding and electrification standing to benefit.
When it comes to defence, this government is continuing to back British when it comes to jobs and innovation in the Defence Industrial Strategy. We know that the defence industry supports nearly 12,000 jobs in Scotland.
The recent export deal with Türkiye for 20 Typhoon fighter jets is another example of how Labour is making the UK an engine for growth, and is supporting 800 jobs here in Scotland, building on the thousands of jobs secured in shipbuilding on the Clyde.
Credit union crisis
The recent news that Family Protection Policies have been withdrawn from our local credit union has created significant distress for many people in our community.
This is not just a problem that affects local credit union customers – many hundreds of people across Scotland have been affected.
The problem doesn’t lie locally but with the underwriter who has chosen to pull out of the UK market. The most important thing now is ensuring that people get the support they need and working with national agencies to understand what action can be taken.
That is why this week I spoke directly to UK Treasury ministers, who are looking into this situation and contacted the financial regulator, the FCA, to understand what action they might be able to take.
People across our community paid into this policy in good faith, and it is not right that they have been treated this way by insurance companies.
In the next few weeks, my office will also be organising an event to help bring local people who are affected together with national advice services. If you are looking for support, please don’t hesitate to contact my office on 01475 789 223.
Coffee morning issues
Last weekend, I hosted my monthly coffee morning in Wemyss Bay. As expected, there were a lot of questions about the continuing road works at Inverkip which have now been causing disruption for some time.
While the roadworks are disruptive, it’s important to remember that these works will improve the safety on the road and also respond to the demands made by local people for many years.
People also raised local anti-social behaviour, issues with the NHS and the Government’s plans for digital ID.
I’m holding a surgery in Greenock on November 14, and have appointments remaining. If you would like to book an appointment, please do reach out to my office.
As always, you don’t need to wait for a surgery to get support from me – please do contact my office on 01475 789 223 or by email on martin.mccluskey.mp@parliament.uk.
