MC

Anyone living in Linlithgow and East Falkirk can contact me through my local office or by coming along to one of my surgeries. I had 80 surgeries in the same public venues on Fridays and Saturdays in the past year. When Parliament has been closed I have held surgeries in communities around Linlithgow and Falkirk East. I deal with an average of 1000 new cases in each year.... I am always happy to help.

As Your Member of Parliament:
Constituents’ consultation sessions (surgeries) are always under review to ensure every community is covered. Please check in the local press for the latest arrangements every week... or phone the either constituency office in Grangemouth (01324) 474832 or Bathgate (01506) 676711.

I deal with Parliamentary and UK Government matters: Social Security (Benefits, DLA, CSA); Pensions; Employment (Job Centres); Tax; National Insurance; Defence; Foreign Affairs; Immigration and Nationality; The Constitution; the Civil Service; Financial & Economic matters; National Security; Trade & Industry; Energy Policy; Transport (most, including railways); Broadcasting; Equal Opportunities; Abortion; Genetics; Surrogacy; Medicines; Misuse of Drugs.

Question:
Alan Thompson, Grangemouth

My wife and I are trying desperately to keep our heads above water financially,it is a continuing daily struggle to pay our way. On a pension income of £10,300 the abolition of the 10p tax rate will result in our being £256.00 worse of annually. My wife is 62 and I am 63 and we will only start to draw the state pension when I am 65.I have been unemployed since September 2006 with little prospect of workig again due to my age. We have been lifelong labour supporters and voters and cannot understand the betrayal commited by this government against us. Please let us know that you are prepared to vote against the abolition of the 10p tax rate or ensure other measures are taken immediately to right this wrong inflicted on poorer members of society.

Answer from Michael Connarty:

As one of the MP’s who signed the Amendment which would have made it certain that compensation would be paid in some other way to everyone who lost out through the abolition of the 10p tax band, whether through Tax Credits, Pensions, Child Benefit or Allowances, I am very pleased that the Government has accepted our case for such compensation.

I have received a letter from the Chancellor to John McFall MP, the Scottish Chairman of the UK Parliament Treasury Select Committee, who will undertake a detailed analysis to assist the Treasury in identifying those who have actually lost out in the 2008 Budget. This Committee will hopefully report before the Finance Bill for 2008/09 which goes through the House of Commons in June and I will be looking very closely at the details to ensure that the compensation we were calling for is delivered.

I am particularly pleased that the Government have responded to my personal suggestion that we look at changes to the minimum wage for young workers. I think the full minimum wage should be paid to everyone who is 18 years and over.