Great to hear the Chancellor’s Spending Review today setting out bold commitments to drive real change across Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 : 🏡 £234M for Scottish communities 🏭 Delivering carbon capture 🏥 £9.1B for Scottish Public Services 🖥️ £750M on UK super computer based in Edinburgh #SpendingReview

Another beautiful day in Hamilton - out with @kittysull1.bsky.social @frankmcnallymp.bsky.social and Lillian Jones MP for local Labour candidate Davy Russell 🌹🗳️

Nice to meet Lauren Gilmour from Little Signs, which supports deaf families in Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Forth Valley and promotes deaf awareness. We had an interesting conversation about some of the challenges faced by deaf people and how these need to be addressed.

The next @AsdaFoundation grant scheme - the high value Local Community Spaces fund - is opening on 7th May. Groups that benefit local people are encouraged to apply. You can find more information here: asdafoundation.org/our-grants/l...

Monday marks International Workers Memorial Day, and this afternoon I was proud to join trade union colleagues at Summerlee to commemorate those who have lost their lives in the course of their work. Remember the dead; fight for the living.

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis. A humble shepherd who led with compassion, courage, and unwavering faith. His legacy will endure in the hearts of millions. May he rest in peace.

Today, on Good Friday, we reflect on a message of sacrifice, hope, and renewal. May it offer a moment of peace and reflection for all. Wishing everyone a meaningful Easter weekend.

Parking enforcement on Bellshill Main Street and adjacent streets was the single issue raised with me by all the business owners I met with during my small business surgery in March. Last night we held a traders meeting to discuss the situation, and identify possible next steps.

Following news that Pulpex is investing in a recycling plant near Glasgow, I was encouraged by the ministers response to my question today, and the potential investment opportunities for Coatbridge and Bellshill, and the wider North Lanarkshire

Pleased to host today’s CPI drop-in session for MPs, highlighting the role of the paper industry to our circular economy. The industry contributes £13 billion to the UK economy and supports 115,000 jobs. Important discussions on boosting recycling rates and green economic growth.

Earlier I popped into Bellshill Academy to speak to students about my role as an MP. I was impressed by the quality of questions and engagement. It was clear the pupils gave great thought to their contributions. Many thanks to them and the Bellshill Academy staff for making it such a great visit.

Ramadan Kareem to all who celebrate ☪️

Advice Direct Scotland provides free and independent advice to people on a range of issues from debt, energy, welfare and consumer advice. Earlier today at #ScotLab25 I joined their fringe to discuss the work they do and how they can help support constituents.

Thank you to the Coatbridge business owners who took time to meet with me today to discuss their priorities for their businesses and for the town centre.

Today I conducted a small business surgery in Coatbridge Main Street. I enjoyed meeting with business owners, gaining their perspectives & getting an understanding of their priorities. Small businesses are critical for our local economies and I will be undertaking mor surgeries in the coming months.

With Parliament in recess this week, I took the opportunity to join Mark Griffin MSP, councillor Beth Baudo and councillor Helena Grayfor a street surgery in Mossend. I’m grateful to local residents for taking the time to raise their priorities with our team.

This morning I met with Ecomac Innovation, a Coatbridge-based renewable energy company to hear about their plans. Creating sustainable energy sector jobs is vital to securing a just transition and lowering energy costs.

It was pleasure to speak at this afternoon’s Coatbridge CAB AGM. The staff, volunteers and trustees provide crucial support and advice for people across Coatbridge and the surrounding villages. A big thank you also to Sir Tom Clarke who is stepping down as Chair after 6 years in post.

British workers are left having to live on £3 an hour because of the UK's low rate of statutory sick pay. We need a sick pay system that is good for growth, good for public health and good for working families. That is why I support the @progressivechange.bsky.social sick pay campaign.

As part of Children’s mental health week, l met with ‘Hidden Strength’. From bullying, body image and anxiety to self-harm, family and relationships, ‘Hidden Strength’ aims to support children with life’s challenges . Their dedicated app also delivers free therapy.

The autumn budget provided record funding for the Scottish Government. Despite this, the SNP is cutting a staggering £200 million from the retrofitting programme. To provide warmer homes that are cheaper to run, the SNP must reverse this unnecessary cut.

It was a pleasure to meet the Asda Foundation team in Parliament earlier this week, particularly as they have awarded £16,941 to local primary schools across Coatbridge and Bellshill. Applications to the fund can be made using the link below. asdafoundation.org/wp-content/u...

Employing 350 local people, Alliance Healthcare is a significant employer in our area. Today I visited the site to meet with Marie Evans, Managing Director of Alliance Healthcare UK, Scott Balfour, Service Centre General Manager and @usdawunion.bsky.social Scottish General Secretary, Tony Doonan

📢 Advice Surgery 📢 2pm - Friday 24th January- Coatbridge To book an appointment, please email me at [email protected]

Productive meeting with Secretary of State for Scotland @ianmurraymp.bsky.social in the Scotland Office last night. I used our discussion to raise important issues on investment and making work pay for people in Coatbridge and Bellshill.

Thanks to the team at Bellshill @specsaversuk.bsky.social for taking the time to speak with me about their optometry and audiology services today -as well as the wider role they are playing within our community. It was great to see the terrific investment they have made in their Main Street branch.

I was pleased to host last night’s @nationwideuk.bsky.social reception, it was great to hear about their Fairer Futures programme, which provides support for the charities @centrepointuk.bsky.social @actionforchildren.bsky.social @dementiauk.bsky.social, thanks also to @ianmurraymp.bsky.social

Local people have justifiably been long expressing their concerns about the safety on the Shawhead Flyover, given the scale of incidents taking place there. As I highlighted recently, there have been 289 incidents on the flyover since 2020. www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottis...

Thank you to the team at Summerlee Museum for an engaging tour this morning. I was impressed by the ambition of the museum staff as they begin the process of transforming the museum over the coming years. Thank you also to the wonderful volunteers in the museum's tram restoration project!

Thanks to the team at the Coatbridge Delivery Office for having me join them earlier this morning. Postal workers are vital in our community, particularly in the run up to Christmas, and I was happy to get the opportunity to thank them for all their efforts at this busy time of year.

The @aoc-info.bsky.social have produced an excellent report on putting colleges at the heart of learning. The college sector in Scotland has endured cuts to funding for far too long. This must be addressed during the current budget to support colleges in providing the skills we need in Scotland.

This is a victory for the many former mineworkers in Coatbridge and Bellshill. For far too long miners across the country did not get the pension they deserved. Today the new UK Labour government put that right! www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politic...

An interesting and informative breakfast meeting with ‘The Net Zero Technology Centre’, hosted by my colleague @kennethstevenson.bsky.social Great to hear about their role in working with GB energy to position the UK as a world leader in clean energy and creating good quality jobs in the sector.

‘Keir Starmer has said the SNP Government is "out of excuses" after questions were raised about a taxpayer "bail out" to a Spanish recycling firm.’ www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politic...

The SNP have consistently presided over a catalogue of serious failures when it comes to safely disposing Scotland’s clinical waste. Today I raised the issue with the Prime Minister.

Today I hosted an MP drop-in with clinicians opposed to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill along with ‘Care Not Killing’, to allow them to share their concerns with MPs. Their petition against the Bill has been signed by 3400 medical professionals and I am grateful to them for attending.

It was a pleasure to join members of the Woodhall, Faskine and Palacecraig Conservation Group, along with my colleague @kennethstevenson.bsky.social for a walk around the area. It was inspiring to spend time with a group so dedicated to local conservation.

Bellshill Athletic ,Bellshill Athletic Boys & Girls Academy were recently awarded the Gold quality mark by the SFA. The award is something that everyone involved is extremely proud of. I visited the club to congratulate them on their achievement and to hear more about their work in our community.

This morning I enjoyed meeting the senior modern studies pupils at Coatbridge High School . The excellent questions covered the important issues at home and abroad and demonstrated that the students had given these topics careful consideration. Their school and their families should be very proud.

I am saddened to hear of John Prescott’s death. John was a man of principle, of conviction and dedication. He committed his life to the cause of working people and to public service. My thoughts are with his family and friends. He will be deeply missed.

Great turn out for this morning’s APPG on Hospice and End of Life Care. On the agenda were crucial issues like the funding model for hospices and the significant stresses on palliative care services across the UK. @hospiceuk.bsky.social