October Newsletter - basic text version

Published date : 06 October, 2021

Richard Thomson MP

Gordon Parliamentary Newsletter

October 2021

A message from Richard Thomson

Hello, and welcome to my October Parliamentary report. Here, you will find information on a number of the activities I’ve been involved in over the last month as MP for Gordon.

In September I was able to visit several local events and held a street surgery in Dyce. It has been good to see more public events cautiously returning. The serious work of an MP has also been in sharp focus this month. I have sought to defend those facing the Universal Credit cut, those who have seen a premature end to furlough and those many families in our communities whose financial welfare has been put at risk.

If my team or I can assist you in any way, please email [email protected] or call 020 3545 2236 to get in touch.

Sincerely,

Richard Thomson

In Westminster

7th September: Health and Social Care Debate

During a debate on Health and Social Care, I criticised the Prime Minister's intention to hit the least well off across the UK with a tax increase to solve England's health and social care crisis and his false description of the resulting monies returned to Scotland as being a 'Union Dividend'.

“With hedge fund owners to the left of him and millionaire property owners to the right, can the Prime Minister explain what it was that persuaded him to embed the advantages of inherited wealth and privilege, and instead shift the burden for paying for this policy on to the lowest earning and the youngest in society—those with the least assets?”

Watch more: https://www.facebook.com/RichardThomsonMP/videos/179352464235677

Standing up for Working People at Westminster

I spoke about the devastating effect of UK Government policy on working people during the 'Working People’s Finances: Government Policy' debate on 21st September. This past month alone we have seen the pension triple lock gone, the end of furlough, a £1,040 cut to universal credit and the breaking of the Conservative manifesto promise not to increase National Insurance. From Brexit to benefits, policy decisions being taken by the Conservative ideologues in the UK Government are leading us to a new 'Winter of Discontent'.

Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqlKhP-w45s

13^th September: Questioning the Government on Universal Credit

The UK Government's decision to cut the £20 Universal Credit uplift will mean 1 in 3 families in Scotland losing £1,040 a year and plunge 20,000 children into poverty. Regrettably, despite the calls from many quarters not to, the UK Government is intent upon pursuing this. I will continue the fight against this unjust decision, supporting the many constituents who have called for me to do so.

Watch here: https://twitter.com/RThomsonMP/status/1437784105412870147

60 years of Independent Television in the North of Scotland

EDM (Early Day Motion) 449: tabled on 20 September 2021

I tabled an EDM noting that 30th September 2021 marked the 60th anniversary of independent television in the North of Scotland. Grampian Television, which served the area with distinction from 1961 to 2006, produced programming in Gaelic, English and Scots at a time when the indigenous languages of Scotland were under increasing threat from globalisation. The EDM recognises that many of those programmes are now a valuable archive of the language and culture of North and North-east Scotland; and calls for the full devolution of broadcasting powers to the Scottish Parliament in order that broadcasting policy better reflects the priorities and needs of the people of Scotland.

Early Day Motions I signed this Month

The Ministerial Code and the conduct of the Prime Minister EDM 383
Communication of changes to the state pension age for 1950s-born women EDM 387
John Henderson and the 2021 World Cup of Darts EDM 452
Auchengeich Mining Disaster 62nd anniversary EDM 424

To read more about my Parliamentary contributions: https://members.parliament.uk/member/4796/earlydaymotions

Across the Constituency

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Offices

It was a pleasure to help cut the ribbons to open the newly refurbished Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce offices

Huntly Hairst

I enjoyed being able to attend the ‘Huntly Hairst’ to chat with stallholders and make a few small purchases of my own

Kintore Sustainability Group Event

I attended the Kintore Sustainability Group event at Kintore Parish Church to show my support and learn more about their volunteer-run activities.

Alzheimer’s Research UK

I met recently with Alzheimer's Research UK in Westminster to discuss support for dementia research. I support their campaign to press the UK Government to deliver on its promise to double funding for dementia research

Out and About in Dyce

This month, along with my team, I continued with my series of ‘street surgeries’, this time in Dyce. The main problems discussed were the conditions of the pavements and paths – matters which I have now raised with Aberdeen City Council - as well as a range of other, topical issues.

I also paid a visit to the ‘Abernecessities’ charity to see for myself the excellent work they do to support local, underprivileged families across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

In the news

Huntly World Champion recognised in Parliamentary Motion – read: https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/his-triumph-in-the-world-cup-of-darts-has-earned-huntly-man-252452/

MP warns against ending furlough scheme prematurely – read: https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/north-east-mp-warns-against-ending-furlough-scheme-premature-252470/

Aberdeenshire Council drafting masterplan to cut carbon emissions by 75% by 2030 – read: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeenshire/3502130/councils-route-map-to-2030-to-help-reduce-carbon-emissions/

Thank you,

Richard Thomson MP

Email – [email protected]

Website – www.richardthomsonmp.com

Call – 020 3545 2236

Address - Unit F6 Enterprise Centre, Aberdeen Energy Park, Exploration Drive, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, AB23 8GX

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