Monday began with a Westminster Hall debate on Cash Acceptance. This was an important debate prompted by a e petition, so I made several interventions. I firstly raised the importance of cash in helping individuals to budget, particularly during the cost of living crisis. I then noted that 70% of people using cash prefer it due to privacy concerns around other forms of payment. I also raised concerns that those who pay for medical supplies with cash may be at risk of being unable to access the appropriate care they require if unable to pay with cash. I followed this by raising the success of the Bank Hub scheme in my constituency of Cambuslang and how a role out of such a system could help other communities most in need. Finally, I raised concerns that those with gambling issues may find it more difficult to budget when using debit cards alone and that access to cash could safeguard against the risks of gambling harms. You can watch the entire Cash Acceptance debate here on ParliamentTv.

Tuesday began with Oral Questions to the Treasury Department. I highlighted the difficulties that pubs and breweries were having with extremely high energy costs and asked what support the Government were planning on offering such businesses, particularly given the increase in alcohol duty. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.

Then, during Topicals I asked what steps that the department were taking to support households long term with energy costs. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.

In the afternoon I participated in a Commons debate on Budget Resolution and Economic Situation. Here I made a speech on the impact of the recent Spring Budget on people and businesses. You can read a transcript of my contribution here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.

Thursday was an extremely busy day, beginning with Oral Questions to the Business and Trade Department. I asked the Minister what measures were being taken to support small to medium sized high street businesses. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.

Then during topicals I asked the Minister if the Government would take into consideration the human rights records of Golf Cooperation Council countries before signing trade agreements with them. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.

During Business Questions, I congratulated Azeem Ahmed, one of my constituents who has developed his own fashion line of accessible clothing. I also requested time for a debate to discuss accessibility, diversity and equal opportunities in the fashion industry. You can find a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.  

Following on from this was an Urgent Question on Food Inflation. I raised the issue of how packaging costs are driving up prices for manufacturers and subsequently the consumer and asked the Minister what measure were being taken to reduce packaging or make it more affordable in the future. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.   

Next came a Ministerial Statement on Post Office: Horizon Compensation. Here I highlighted reports from workers at the Horizon help desk regarding the toxic and racist work atmosphere and asked the Minister if such an environment might have hindered efforts to bring this scandal to light earlier. You can read a transcript of my question here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.

In the afternoon I participated in a debate for World Down Syndrome Day. Here I made an intervention to ask if better awareness of Down Syndrome might help to ensure that children have access to the right learning environments. You can read a transcript of my intervention here in Hansard or watch it here on ParliamentTv.

Finally, I attended a Westminster Hall debate on Support for Women in Poverty. Here I made three interventions. Firstly, to highlight the disparity in pay between single men and single women and the factors that might influence this. Then to raise concerns that the Government’s benefits policy may be perpetuating the cycle of poverty. And finally, to raise the issue of economic abuse, the impact that this has on keeping women in poverty and how awareness around this needs to be improved. You can watch the whole debate here on ParliamentTv.