Peter's constituency includes Cardenden and Kinglassie

HOUSING BENEFIT

The UK Government’s recent u-turn on housing benefit for those aged under 21 shows the Tories have finally realised penalising young people in this way is wrong. Any change of policy in the shambolic and damaging roll out of Universal Credit is welcome but I will be seeking more clarification on the ‘youth obligation’ sign up.

CHILD POVERTY

27.27% of children in Lochgelly & Cardenden and 28.72% of children in the Kinglassie & Glenrothes West ward, are living in poverty. These were absolutely shocking figures released in January by the campaign group End Child Poverty.

The SNP would like to see the UK Government’s child benefits freeze lifted so families – many of whom have two working parents in the household – are no longer living in poverty and hardship. Last month the SNP passed a new Child Poverty Act, published a new action plan and introduced a £50m fund to step up our efforts to end child poverty.

We are doing what we can with the limited powers available to us in Scotland, it’s time for Westminster to take ending child poverty as seriously as the SNP.

SEASONAL WORKERS

A survey published in February by NFU Scotland revealed farmers are increasingly worried about their access to EU workers post Brexit. I, along with my SNP colleague Stephen Gethins MP, have raised this issue in the House of Commons. Farmers in Fife need access to seasonal workers from the European Union.

ANIMAL WELFARE

I made a recent visit to Second Chance Kennels, in Thornton, following a consultation earlier this year seeking views from the public on regulations for the registering and licensing of animal sanctuaries and re-homing shelters.

On the subject of animal welfare, following SNP pressure at Westminster plans are now afoot for the UK Government to outlaw the sale of electric shock dog collars across the UK. It follows a decision by the Scottish Government in January to ban the use of the collars in Scotland.

KINGLASSIE SKATE PARK

Last week I visited the Skate Park in Kinglassie, which was recently allocated funding from Fife Council to be flood-lit. I commend Kinglassie Action Group for their success in funding this and other improvement in the village. Lochty Park Ballcourt will also be flood-lit as part of this funding package.

SCRAP PLASTIC BAGS IN CARDENDEN

I’m delighted to support Councillor Rosemary Liewald in her campaign to urge those in the Cardenden area to scrap plastic carrier bags in place of compostable ones during a three month trial period. This idea already has the support of the Co-op in Cardenden.