National Domestic Issues

I have called for a change in the Scottish Emergency Heating oil scheme after it emerged that only 10 per cent of the £10 million fund has been disbursed. I raised this issue in the House of Commons as it is necessary to change the rules of the scheme to make more people eligible for support. The £300 per-household payment was introduced by the UK Government in March after the US strikes against Iran led to a spike in heating oil prices for consumers. The Scottish Government

Almost half of homes in the Western Isles rely on heating oil. There’s uncertainty over prices and supply and to get a picture we can present to Ministers the Labour Rural Research Group, basically backbench Labour MPs with rural seats, is undertaking a national survey. This survey will run for one week, and will be provided to Government w/c 15th March 2026. If you are a household or business with an oil tank or LPG let us know your experience. We need your postcode to give

I am delighted to announce that the first refunds for expenses incurred as a result of the Citroën stop-drive recalls have been issued to constituents in Na h-Eileanan an Iar. I pressed the car giant into action after several constituents were left facing huge ferry and overnight bills to have their recalled cars repaired on the mainland. In July this year Stellantis UK, the company which owns Citroën, issued a safety recall for nearly 168,000 of its cars after an airbag exp

Haemochromatosis is a long word for too much iron in the blood. It's an inherited genetic condition, a disorder often known as the Celtic curse, because it is particularly prevalent in Celtic bloodlines and is common in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Once spotted, Haemochromatosis [HCT] is easily treated by venesection—another long word—which simply means bloodletting. About 450 ml of blood is taken off the patient at each session to chase down the iron levels in th

In December 2024 I was privileged to represent a constituent in Parliament during the debate on compensation for LGBT veterans who were drummed out of the Armed Forces until 2000. You can see my contribution here: [LGBT Veterans: Etherton Review - Hansard - UK Parliament]

Over 150 jobs and apprenticeships at the Arnish fabrication yard were secured in December 2024 when the UK Labour government negotiated the takeover of Harland & Wolff by Navantia. Jonathan Reynolds MP, the UK Trade Secretary, visited the site with me during the election campaign. Having a Labour MP connected directly to a Labour Minister made a huge difference to the outcome. Read more here: Spanish shipbuilder Navantia completes Arnish yard takeover and on my Facebook, here