Busy Katy Clark

Arran’s Westminster MP must be one of the busiest members of the House. She keeps in constant touch, sending press releases on the various causes she has backed or opposed. Among much else, we have received the following:

A chance to be part of Parliament

If you have views on how the country should be run, here’s your big opportunity. The Speaker’s Parliamentary Placements scheme offers 12 people the chance of a paid internship in Parliament. The idea is to ‘give people from working class backgrounds the opportunities that currently just aren’t open to them, and take an important step towards making our politics more representative of ordinary people.’ Katy hopes that local people in North Ayrshire and Arran will consider applying. THIS IS A PAID JOB – WHY NOT HAVE A GO? Click on www.socialmobility.org.uk where you will find all details and an application form.

Coastguard services

Katy secured a debate on the proposed closure of the Greenock Coastguard station, pointing out that the proposals will mean that coastguard rescue teams for the Clyde area could be co-ordinated from as far away as Aberdeen. She said, ‘These changes are based primarily on a desire to cut costs rather than to improve HM Coastguard … I am very concerned that if the Government’s proposals go ahead there is a very real chance that lives will be put at risk.

Jobs

Latest Labour market statistics show 3,606 people on Jobseekers’ Allowance seeking work in North Ayrshire and Arran, with only 157 vacancies in the area advertised by Jobcentre Plus. Katy points out that this means there are 23 people seeking work for every job vacancy that becomes available. She said, ‘I hope the Government realises the harm its current economic course is causing to households and communities across North Ayrshire’ and appealed for a change of course ‘before further damage is done.’

Robin Hood Tax Day of Action

The campaign for a Robin Hood tax on financial transations has Katy’s support. In common with parliamentarians across the world, she has signed a Parliamentary Declaration calling for the financial sector to make a greater contribution towards the economic recovery following the global financial crisis. She said, ‘In his last Budget speech the Chancellor stated that the country was “in it together” following the financial crisis. However as spending cuts are made and people are seeing their jobs lost, benefits slashed and local services reduced RBS was still able to pay around £950 million in bonuses with over 200 individuals receiving more than £1 million each. It is abundantly clear that the banking and financial sectors are not making a big enough contribution towards the nation’s economic recovery.’