1 week Ago
His leadership, compassion, and messages of peace touched millions. Whether or not we shared his faith, his influence in promoting tolerance and compassion transcended religious and political boundaries. I join with people in Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West in paying tribute to that legacy, and my thoughts remain with all those mourning his death.
As Parliament returns following Easter recess, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on the past few weeks as our office supported you with issues that matter most. In Parliament, I was pleased to attend a drop-in session hosted by the MS Society. Approximately one in every 300 people live with MS in Scotland, and these events serve as significant reminders that the policies we shape must be informed by the lived experience of those directly affected.
MS Awareness Week is marked from April 26 until May 4, and I pledge to ensure that no one with MS feels invisible or unheard in our community. One of the pressing issues that continues to arise in my conversations with constituents is housing. This week, I attended a local housing summit organised by Inverclyde Council that brought together experts, housing associations, local authorities, developers, and community groups.
The discussions were robust and highlighted the need for action and collaboration on many fronts: building more affordable homes, improving the quality of our existing housing stock, and tackling homelessness. Right now, in Inverclyde, too many are struggling to find secure and affordable accommodation. I will be pushing for concrete actions to make sure our housing policy works for all.
We will also soon be running a housing surgery to provide support to people with housing issues locally. Keep an eye on this column for further information. Closer to home, I’ve been thinking of our local businesses, and was delighted to visit Scotcrest who make high quality traditional Scottish gifts in Port Glasgow.
These visits are always eye-opening and invaluable. Our local entrepreneurs are at the heart of Inverclyde - they provide jobs and keep our high streets vibrant. I’d also like to acknowledge the success of three of our local businesses who were recently recipients of awards at the Scottish Curry Awards - the Taj Mahal in Gourock, Mango Restaurant in Greenock and the Curry Lounge in Port Glasgow.
We’re lucky to have such wonderful places to eat on our doorsteps! This weekend, I’m holding several surgeries. These sessions are one of the most important parts of my role as your MP, and it’s an opportunity for you to share concerns directly with me. Whether it’s issues with housing, benefits, or public services, I take every case seriously and work hard to resolve them.
Finally, I want to extend my best wishes to all our school leavers as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. Whether you’re heading to university or college, starting an apprenticeship, or entering the world of work, your hard work has brought you to this exciting moment. I’d also like to wish the very best of luck to everyone beginning sitting their exams! As always, my door remains open.
Whether it’s by attending a surgery, writing to my office, or engaging with me online, I want to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to reach out by email on martin.mccluskey.
[email protected] or by phoning the office on 01475 789223..
