2.9 MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS SCOTLAND COULD BE AFFECTED BY PENSION AGE INCREASES SNP MSP Christina McKelvie has called on the Conservative UK Government to scrap proposed rises to the pension age which would force people in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse to work until 68 before receiving their state pension. Citing new figures from the House of Commons Library, Christina McKelvie...

The SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Christina McKelvie, has described the UK Government’s Spring Budget statement as “a totally expected missed opportunity” to help households, businesses and public services through the cost of living crisis.She also said that the Tory Chancellor Jeremy Hunt had failed to make use of the full range of powers held at Westminster to tackle the...

The Labour minority that governs South Lanarkshire Council – propped up by Torys and Liberal Democrats – have more than doubled youth sports club fees.This is in the wake of a cost of living crisis which could see children priced out of youth sports clubs right across South Lanarkshire.Christina McKelvie MSP, the MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, has commented:“This is not at all...

THE SNP WARN OF FUEL POVERTY DANGERS AMID TORY PLANS TO SCALE BACK SUPPORTChristina McKelvie MSP, the SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, has called on the UK government to scrap proposals to reduce energy support to households, as energy prices fall while bills are set to soar.Households in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are set to pay through the nose for increased bills next...

13,160 children in South Lanarkshire have benefited from the Scottish Child Payment since it was introduced, according to new figures released by the Scottish Government.Now available to all eligible children under 16, 13,160 children in South Lanarkshire have received the Scottish Child Payment since the scheme’s inception in February 2021, totalling £9,409,345. The full roll-out has been...

Bernie Sanders, American politician and presidential candidate, stated on Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday show that Scotland should be allowed to ‘go their own way’.Sanders said: “My initial thought, not being an expert, they want to go their own way, they should be allowed to.”Many public figures, such as actors Brian Cox and Alan Cumming, have shown their support for Scotland’s right...

OVER 3300 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM SOUTH LANARKSHIRE HEADED TO WORK OR FURTHER EDUCATION96.2% of school leavers from South Lanarkshire are in positive destinations, according to new statistics from the Scottish Government. This represents 3313 pupils.Last year saw the highest number of young people across Scotland in work, education or further training after leaving school since records began.Of these...

A Tory MSP has (finally) admitted there are no benefits to Brexit when pressed by audience members of the BBC panel show Debate Night.Roz McCall was asked by an audience member to outline what she thought the benefits of Brexit were and on being further pushed by host Stephen Jardine she said she had ‘difficulty’ finding them.Commenting, SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse...

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is being urged to reverse a planned increase to the government energy price guarantee and pass on a reduction in wholesale energy prices after Ofgem published its reduced-price cap.This comes as news as the next increase in energy bills is scheduled to happen in April.In April, household bills are expected to jump from £2,100 to £3,000 and the UK Government are not doing...

Last week, Tory and Labour councillors elected to South Lanarkshire Council joined forces to pass a severely damaging budget which reneges on manifesto commitments and places at the centre of their fiscal decision making a contempt for the people of South Lanarkshire.Tory and Labour councillors voted to increase council tax by 5.5%, squeezing the pockets of the most economically vulnerable during...

The SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Christina McKelvie MSP, has applauded the work of high school pupils in her constituency and across South Lanarkshire.Christina McKelvie MSP visited the South Lanarkshire Industrial Cadet Bronze Project Graduation, ran by Energy Development Scotland.Here, S1 and S2 pupils were presenting their projects which had a STEM focus, and covered four...

Hospitality businesses will be able to place tables and chairs on the pavement outside their premises without submitting a planning application under measures expected to come into force at the end of next month.Strong support was expressed in a public consultation for the extension of permitted development rights to enable more cafés, bars and restaurants to offer outdoor eating and drinking....

The SNP says a report by the Institute of Fiscal Studies which concludes Scotland’s tax and benefits system is more progressive than the rest of the UK is a compelling argument in favour of independence. On Thursday, MSPs will vote on the proposed Scottish tax bands for the next financial year, which would increase taxes for higher earners. And the IFS think tank reports that policies...

Measures to ensure that teacher and pupil support staff numbers as well as school hours are protected have been announced by the Scottish Government.The Scottish Government has committed to increasing teacher numbers by 3,500 during this Parliament.Since 2017/18 local authorities have received funding to protect the pupil-teacher ratio, teacher numbers and to provide places  for all...

5 SNP MSPs representing South Lanarkshire Constituencies, have written a joint letter to the leader of South Lanarkshire Council, Councillor (Cllr) Joe Fagan, in their role as constituency MSPs.The five SNP MSPs, and their constituencies, are as follows:Christina McKelvie MSP, Hamilton, Larkhall and StonehouseClare Haughey MSP, RutherglenMairi McAllan MSP, ClydesdaleCollette Stevenson MSP,...

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie MSP has welcomed the news that around 26,400 households in South Lanarkshire will receive an automatic £50 from the Scottish Government’s new Winter Heating Payment in the coming few weeks regardless of the weather conditions.The new payment replaces the Cold Weather Payment - a Westminster benefit administered by the DWP – that only paid out when the temperature...

“Lifeline” funding of almost £1 million is going to groups working to tackle social isolation and loneliness.Equalities and older people minister Christina McKelvie said both the coronavirus pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis has “increased isolation” for some.Eighteen projects and organisations will receive a share of £971,019, and Ms McKelvie said the cash will help “keep...

Local MSPs representing constituencies across North and South Lanarkshire visited Baby Bank Scotland, who are currently situated in Hamilton Academical’s Fountain of Youth Stadium.Baby Bank Scotland support families living in poverty by appealing to the local community to donate items they no longer use for them to then pass on to those in need.These items range from cots, clothes and toys to...