Much has changed in the world in the last three months at Westminster. Dramatic changes in this time have included the end of the Brexit transition period and the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Spring Budget, and it has been more vital than ever before to scrutinise the UK Government’s legislative programme and to support my constituents in a time of economic and financial crisis.

Here is a summary of my constituency and parliamentary activity over the last three months.

Constituency work

Casework
My team and I have continued to work hard over these last few months assisting constituents on a range of matters including DWP, business and employment support, broadband and immigration, just to name a few. Since March 2020 my staff have dealt with thousands of cases on a variety of subjects and are always delighted when we get a good result for the constituents of Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

In these last months I have attended a raft of meetings with organisations, groups and community councils operating in our constituency. I have also liaised with companies and organisations at the request of constituents to assist them with their cases. Most notably, I have been liaising with Openreach, the Reaching 100% programme, CityFibre and broadband providers regarding the rollout of superfast fibre broadband in our constituency.

Community Council meetings

• Hillhouse Community Council
• Blantyre Community Council
• Cambuslang Community Council

Other constituency meetings

• Vaslan (Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire)
• Digital Scotland, to discuss rollout of R100 programme and related broadband constituency issues 
• CityFibre, on broadband issues
• Liberty Steel, update on Clydebridge and Dalzell Steel plants 
• Scottish Enterprise, to discuss the Parliamentary Export Programme
• NHS Lanarkshire Veterans Champion, to discuss support for veterans and armed forces personnel in South Lanarkshire
• National Lottery in Scotland, to discuss funding for constituency based organisations
• SGN, to discuss planned upgrading of the Gas Network in Halfway
• Friends of the Calder, Blantyre
• Logan Street Tenants and Residents Association, Blantyre
• Federation of Small Businesses

Parliamentary meetings

European Scrutiny Commitee
The European Scrutiny Committee, which I am a member of, has been holding virtual meetings on a weekly basis. The committee is set up to assess the legal and political importance of EU legislation and its continuing impact on the UK.

The committee has produced three inquiries: on parliamentary scrutiny of the UK Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and the application of the Northern Ireland protocol, on the future operation of the Channel Tunnel Fixed Link, and on the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU.

All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Meetings
Over these three months I attended virtual meetings of several APPGs I am a member of, including:

• Ending the Need for Foodbanks
• Universal Credit
• Gaps in Support
• Frozen Pensions
• Universal Basic Income
• Green Deal Mis-selling
• Gambling Related Harm
• Fire Safety and Rescue
• Online and Home Electrical Safety
• Leasehold and Commonhold Reform
• Ceramics
• UK Cleaning and Hygiene
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Night-time Economy
• Road Freight and Logistics
• Aerospace
• Future of Aviation
• Business Travel
• Fairtrade
• Parliamentary Human Rights Group
• Ahmadiyya Muslim
• Choice at the End of Life
• Scottish Sport
• Ireland and the Irish in Britain
• British Overseas Territories
• Gibraltar
• Hong Kong
• Malta
• Faroe Islands
• Canada

Other parliamentary meetings and briefings

Meetings

• GambleAware CEO
• Animal Equality UK, to discuss animal welfare issues
• Heathrow Airport, update on their Global Travel Taskforce submission
• Representatives of the coach industry, regarding lack of support by the UK government
• Electrical Safety First, to discuss ways of including legislation in the Online Harms Bill
• Anglo-Israel Association, regarding the vaccination programme in Israel
• Airwars, regarding civilian harm from airpower-dominated international military actions in conflict zones such as Syria, Iraq and Libya
• Baha’i community, to discuss issues of Human Rights in Iran and Yemen
• Bahraini activists, on human rights in Bahrain

Briefings

• Jo’s Trust, on HPV self-sampling
• Human rights situation in Sri Lanka
• Department for International Trade, update on bilateral trade deals
• Parliamentary briefing on current state of UK airports and the government imposed travel restrictions
• Online Harms Bill
• People’s Postcode Lottery, on funding

Virtual Events

• Disability Benefits Consortium Report launch
• Business Backing Talent Event – Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2021
• GMB virtual strike action against Centrica/British Gas
• British Heart Foundation online event
• Open Door 2021 World Watch List launch
• Samaritans ‘Brew Monday’ drop in
• Consulate General’s St Patrick’s Day online reception 
• UK Commemorative Ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day
• Theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 launch

Legislative work

Parliamentary scrutiny
I have remained active in scrutinising Government legislative policy with oral and written questions and letters to UK and Scottish Government ministers. I have also participated in surgeries with UK Government ministers to resolve casework matters.

Parliamentary debates
I have been lucky to participate in three essential parliamentary debates in this three-month period at Westminster. These have been:

January 28, Holocaust Memorial Day 2021: I was honoured to speak in the debate commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day 2021. I sought to highlight the importance of the message of HMD 2021, “Be the light in the darkness”, and the personal accounts of survivors of the Holocaust. (video)
March 8, Chancellor’s Spring Budget 2021: I had the opportunity to raise the concerns of many businesses in my constituency about the Chancellor’s plans for economic recovery, including insufficient support for the aviation and wholesale distribution sectors. (video)
March 18, Human Rights in Sri Lanka: I highlighted the ongoing human rights abuses in Sri Lanka under the administration of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the continued participation of individuals complicit in mass human rights abuses during the Sri Lankan Civil War in the Sri Lankan government. I called on the UK Government to follow our allies in the US in sanctioning Army Commander Shavendra Silva and Defence Minister Kamal Gunaratne, both of whom have been credibly accused of mass human rights violations. (video)

Oral questions
January 14, Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: I pressed the Secretary of State on the need for an independent clearing house for European exports based in Scotland, which would allow fish and seafood producers to receive written clearance before exports leave for the EU. (video)
January 21, Business of the House: I pressed the Leader of the House for a debate on Government time on the merits of a Directors’ Income Support Scheme, a costed proposal to provide income support to limited company directors denied support by the Government during this crisis. (video)
February 1, Ministry of Defence: I pressed the Minister for Veterans on the need to defend the right of veterans of the British armed forces in Hong Kong who are arriving in the UK from Hong Kong via the new BN(O) immigration pathway to acquire UK citizenship. (video)
February 2, Cabinet Office: I requested clarification from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on whether UK military support to the Police Service of Northern Ireland under Operation Helvetic would be in any way complicated by the need to complete customs forms when moving equipment or personnel to Northern Ireland. (video)
February 8, Home Office: I asked the Home Secretary if the Home Office would consider exercising flexibility for Hong Kongers presently in the UK under tier 4 or 5 visas who are considering applying for a BN(O) visa, and incorporating the time already spent in the UK in further considerations of their immigration status. It is unfortunate that the Home Secretary chose to dodge this question in this instance. (video)
March 10, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: I pressed the Minister for Asia on the subject of the electoral reforms in Hong Kong, and whether the FCDO has made an assessment of whether the reforms contradict the Sino-British Joint Declaration. (video)
March 11, Business of the House: I sought to highlight the Parliamentary Export Programme, which launches this year in my constituency. See further detail on the Parliamentary Export Programme here. (video)
March 16, Prime Minister’s Questions: I pressed the Prime Minister on his dangerous and unwise decision to endorse expanding the UK’s nuclear arsenal at a time when the US and Russia have renewed the New START treaty on nuclear arms reduction just last month. (video)
March 24, Women and Equalities: I pressed the Government on the subject of artificial insemination procedures in the UK, highlighting that many same-sex couples face difficulties in accessing these procedures via the NHS due to current regulations preventing sperm for artificial insemination from being delivered to people’s homes, thereby accruing same-sex couples extra costs in travel to licensed clinics and other barriers. (video)
March 24, Home Office: I pressed the Home Secretary on her New Plan for Immigration, which envisions agreements with countries outside Europe with the intention of removing legitimate asylum seekers who have arrived in the UK by irregular means. (video)
March 25, Cabinet Office: I pressed the Paymaster General on what steps are being taken to simplify export procedures for UK manufacturers, noting that the Road Haulage Association has highlighted that UK exports to the EU will not recover until summer at the earliest due to a shortage of customs agents. (video)

Written questions
Asked on 8 January, Home Office: “To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of potential accommodation alternatives to housing asylum seekers in former army barracks.”
Asked on 8 January, Home Office: “To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential health and safety risks to asylum seekers housed in former army barracks.”
Asked on 15 January, Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: “To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the economic effect on the creative sector of the exclusion of creative professionals from the visa-free travel list in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.”
Asked on 20 January, Treasury: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many letters were sent by HMRC to people affected by the Loan Charge, in December 2020.”
Asked 22 January, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: “To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on redress for victims of HELMS Green Deal mis-selling.”
Asked 22 January, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: “To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans the Government has to provide further financial support to the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund.”
Asked 2 February, Health and Social Care: “To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans the Government has to increase the number of specialist treatment services for women with gambling disorders.”
Asked 2 February, Health and Social Care: “To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the correlation between trauma and levels of problem gambling among women.”
Asked 2 February, Health and Social Care: “To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the barriers to treatment for women suffering from gambling disorder.”
Asked 2 February, Ministry of Justice: “To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women are serving (a) custodial and (b) suspended sentences where gambling has been identified as a relevant motivational factor in the offence.”
Asked 2 February, Health and Social Care: “To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with (a) gambling industry organisations and (b) gambling industry-funded treatment services on the review of the Gambling Act 2005.”
Asked 10 February, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: “To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the Government’s policy is on the export of pesticides banned in the UK to other countries; and if he will make a statement.”
Asked 10 February, Housing, Communities and Local Government: “To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on leasehold which will will apply to tenants of the Duchy of Cornwall.”
Asked 19 February, Treasury: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of introducing an aviation recovery package.”
Asked 19 February, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: “To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to support UK citizens (a) Natalia Kaliada and (b) Nikolai Khalezin, who have reportedly been threatened by media outlets in Belarus.”
Asked 19 February, Transport: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the economic effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) regional airports compared with other airports and (b) the Government’s levelling up agenda.”
Asked 19 February, Transport: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he plans to take to support the aviation sector to increase connectivity to pre-covid-19 pandemic levels.”
Asked 19 February, Transport: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment his Department has made of the loss of air routes in Europe on the UK’s ability to trade with Europe.”
Asked 19 February, Transport: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what economic forecasts his Department has made of recovery and growth in the (a) air transport and (b) travel sectors.”
Asked 19 February, Transport: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to recent ONS figures showing that air transport companies have contracted by up to 89 per cent in GDP terms since February 2020, what assessment he has made of the potential economic effect of an aviation recovery package.”
Asked 19 February, Treasury: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to publish information on the revenue that has not accrued to the public purse as a result of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the travel sector.”
Asked 19 February, Transport: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the UK’s existing regional aviation network.”
Asked 19 February, Transport: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to introduce a stimulus package to incentivise new air routes after covid-19 travel restrictions are eased.”
Asked 19 February, Transport: “To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made on the effect of the severe downturn in the aviation industry due to the covid-19 outbreak on the wider economy.”
Asked 19 February, Health and Social Care: “To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to his Answer of 10 February 2021 to Question 147873 and with reference to his responsibility in addressing gambling related harms, what role his Department will have in the Review of the 2005 Gambling Act; and whether he has met with non-industry funded gambling treatment services.”
Asked 22 February, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: “To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Woodhouse Colliery project on the UK’s Paris Climate Agreement obligations.”
Asked 22 February, COP26: “To ask the President of COP26, what representations he has made to Cabinet colleagues on the effect of the Woodhouse Colliery project on the UK’s Paris Climate Agreement obligations.”
Asked 23 February, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: “To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to add Chen Quanguo to the UK sanctions list.”
Asked 15 March, Ministry of Defence: “What recent progress he has made on the implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant commitment on housing for military personnel; and if he will make a statement.”
Asked 15 March, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: “To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish an updated strategy of UK support for human rights defenders.”
Asked 23 March, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: “What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect on the UK manufacturing industry of proposed freeports.”
Asked 23 March, Housing, Communities and Local Government: “To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of tariff-free arrangements for materials imported through a freeport on the competitiveness of domestic manufacturing.”
Asked 23 March, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: “To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with the British Ceramic Confederation on the effect of Government policy on freeports on UK ceramic manufacturing.”

Voting record
You may find an up-to-date record of my participation in parliamentary votes on Hansard, or in easier-to-read form on They Work For You. Please note the They Work For You record only records the last couple of months of most recent votes, so for older votes you may need to check Hansard or request clarification from my office.

Early Day Motions
I have in these three months tabled four Early Day Motions (EDMs): EDMs no. 1456, 1527, 1640 and 1669.

EDM 1456: Tenth anniversary of the Bahraini revolution
That this House recognises the tenth anniversary of the Arab Spring and the Bahraini revolution of 2011; remembers the horrific events of the deadly pre-dawn raid of 17 February 2011, also known as Bloody Thursday; recognises the countless forms of repression that have targeted peaceful opponents of the regime, such as human rights defender Mr Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and the leader of the political opposition in Bahrain Mr Hassan Mushaima, who has been in prison for the last 10 years; calls on the Government to press the Bahraini Government to abide by the principles of good governance, self-determination and human rights; and urges the Government to use whatever leverage it has with the Bahraini authorities to advance the democratic demands called for by the Bahraini people in 2011.

EDM 1527: Fairtrade Fortnight 2021
That this House commemorates Fairtrade Fortnight 2021; recognises that the theme for this year is Choose the World You Want, aiming to highlight the growing challenges that climate change brings to workers and communities the Fairtrade Foundation works with around the world; highlights the work of the Fairtrade Foundation to support a sustainable future for farmers around the world, including their campaign to secure a living income for cocoa farmers, ongoing for the previous two years; and encourages the Government to do all in its power to support the Fight for Living Incomes campaign and all the work of the Fairtrade Foundation.

EDM 1640: Peace and accountability in Libya
That this House welcomes the UN-sponsored intra-Libyan political talks to agree a unified governance framework and ensure a lasting peace; notes with deep concern the serious war crimes and human rights violations that have been committed by the warring parties in the protracted conflict in Libya since 2011; stresses the importance of justice for the many victims of these widespread violations, by ensuring there are effective investigations and prosecutions of the alleged perpetrators, believed to include British nationals who were former Royal Marine commandos and involved in mercenary operations for the Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar; further notes the reports of drone strikes and attacks on civilians in Libya and other violations committed by foreign countries which should also be investigated; supports the work of the Fact-finding Mission on Libya established by the UN Human Rights Council, and other initiatives to ensure meaningful accountability; further supports the call by the UN Mission in Libya for the immediate closure of migrant detention centres in that country, further to reports of arbitrary detention, torture, extrajudicial killings and sexual violence; and urges the Government to work with others in the international community to secure accountability for these violations and for countries and mercenaries, including British nationals, who have supported the warring parties.

EDM 1669: Belarus Freedom Day 2021
That this House extends its greetings to the Belarusian people and Belarusians in the UK on the occasion of Freedom Day on the 25 March 2021; notes that Freedom Day commemorates the proclamation of the independence of the Belarusian People’s Republic in 1918, the first independent and democratic Belarusian state; recognises the importance of that date for Belarusians in Belarus and around the world; expresses its admiration for the Belarusian people, who have protested continually demanding free and fair elections since August 2020; affirms its support for a sovereign and democratic Belarus; and expresses its hopes that the Belarusian people can celebrate the next Freedom Day in a free and democratic Belarus.