Thanks to storm first responders.

Chris Kane writes a regular column for the Stirling Observer. This column was published on the 29th January issue.

Many, many thanks to the emergency responders out in the full force of Storm Eowyn, and to everybody involved in the subsequent and ongoing clean up and repair mission. Your commitment is remarkable, and we all appreciate everything you have done and continue to do.

It has been a busy start to the year for me as your Member of Parliament.

Here in Stirling, I have had meetings with community groups and charities, including ‘Action in Mind’ where I heard about the services they provide, along with the challenges of an ever-increasing demand and an ever-decreasing budget. I visited a dementia friendly cafe in Dunblane to hear about the experiences from those living with dementia, and also from their carers. I continue to help individual constituents with a broad range of issues, from dealing with the Department of Work and Pensions, to immigration issues, and help navigating emergency access to government services such as the passport office.

In Parliament, the Public Account Committee is the influential body that seeks assurance that the many billions of pounds of public money spent by public bodies is providing value for money and achieving good outcomes. I am one of the 16 members of the committee and this month I took part in a hearing into the roll out of public charge points for electric vehicles around the country, where I was able to point points raised with me by constituents in Balfron and in Thornhill direct to senior civil servants. I’ve taken part in hearings into improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged children, and concerns with the lack of capacity in our prisons. I took part in a session with senior officers of Google and Microsoft, along with academics from UK universities, on the ongoing technological revolution that is Artificial Intelligence.

I was delighted to meet with the Prime Minister to discuss key issues including my experiences of local government and the punishing effect of SNP cuts to local budgets and services. I highlighted the need for both UK and Scottish Governments to work closely together to deliver for everybody and strengthen the ties of the United Kingdom.

I also spent time visiting members of our Armed Forces in in Portsmouth to learn how they help keep our country safe, and some of the challenges and opportunities they and their families face with a career that is extraordinary. In the Commons, I was happy to vote for the creation of an Independent Armed Forces Commissioner to improve service life.

I attended a cross party discussion with ‘Universities UK’, a membership organisation made up of 141 universities across the United Kingdom, including Stirling University, to discuss how we can maximise the impact of research and innovation on local economies.

I met with the Scottish Trade Union Congress to talk about the Government’s Employment Rights Bill, and to express my commitment to the vital ongoing work to ensure a future for the refinery in Grangemouth and the jobs it supports. I also met with representatives of the Road Haulage Association where I was able to pass on our thanks to their members for the role they played in delivering Christmas, and the ongoing vital role they play in our economy.

I celebrated Burns Night with a reception in Downing Street and a Burns Supper in Parliament where I was delighted to give the Address to the Haggis.

It is an honour and a privilege to represent you as your Member of Parliament and I hope this gives you a flavour of some of the ways I have been doing that in January. If you would like to be kept up to date with my work on your behalf, you can sign up for my newsletter at www.chriskane.net