Financial Crisis Affecting Households, Charities, Businesses
Alyn Smith MP and Evelyn Tweed MSP have thanked local organisations and constituents for their time, following the Cost of Living event this week at the Raploch Community Campus.
Several organisations, both local and national, were invited to offer expert advice and guidance during the free drop-in session on the Cost Of Living Crisis.
A wide variety of stallholders attended, including energy companies Scottish Gas and Scottish Power, third-sector charities such as Citizens Advice Stirling, and public sector organisations such as Social Security Scotland.
Mr Smith and Ms Tweed listened to the concerns of Stirling residents, as they face soaring energy and food bills, a weakening pound, high inflation and greater uncertainty in the property market.
Alyn Smith, MP for Stirling, said:
‘I’d like to thank the various organisations for coming along and offering Stirling their expert advice and guidance during these tough economic times. Households and businesses really do face overlapping crises and calamities, affecting all aspects of their lives and operations. I urge the UK Government to do their job; to steady the ship and use the powers at their disposal to stabilise the economy.
‘Based on feedback, we will of course consider future events, including ones tailored to our rural communities. The UK Government support we’ve seen so far has barely scratched the surface of the deep uncertainties and tough times we’re seeing right across Stirling, the Forth Valley and Scotland. The time to act is now.’
Evelyn Tweed, MSP for Stirling, said:
‘Events such as these serve an important purpose, in bringing together different organisations in one easy-to-access location for members of the public to seek expert advice. Some of the stories coming through my inbox are heart-breaking – businesses in distress, households barely treading water; and all the while it’s local people who are suffering from callous UK Government policies.
‘The Scottish Government is doing what’s possible to assist with cost of living pressures – but the powers and policy levers required for the scale of intervention we need to see rest at the UK level. They should be used immediately, or powers and budgets devolved to Scotland. We can’t afford to wait.’
Notes: Attached is a picture of Alyn Smith MP and Evelyn Tweed MSP with representatives from Scottish Gas.
