Latest news with #ElaineStewart
Daily Record
19 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Trade minister visits 'world class' facilities at Ayrshire firm
Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security visited Alex Begg Group in Ayr. Trade minister Douglas Alexander MP paid a visit to Alex Begg Group in Ayr on a trip to Ayrshire last week. The weaver & knitter of luxury cashmere garments welcomed Mr Alexander on Monday, August 11 alongside Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP Elaine Stewart. Both MPs were given a tour of the company's "world class" facilities and were shown the process used and the products made by Alex Begg Group. The visit came about after Ms Stewart extended an invite to Mr Alexander during a the UK's trade agreements programme in the House of Commons in June. Nick Clark, chief financial officer for Alex Begg Group, said: 'We were delighted to welcome Douglas Alexander and Elaine Stewart to our mill in Ayr where they could see first-hand the beautiful sustainable products we make. 'As a global B Corp business exporting sustainable luxury products to over 35 countries over three continents, we recognise the importance of the trade deals both with the US and India. 'However, we would also like to see an improvement in the requirements for moving product into Europe, an increase in funding for securing local skills as well as reconsidering the cost impact the NI increase continues to have for UK manufacturers.' A spokesperson for Alex Begg Group said: "We were thrilled that our business, Alex Begg Group was chosen for a ministerial visit on Monday, August 11 by Douglas Alexander, Minister of State for Trade Policy, accompanied by our local MP, Elaine Stewart. This visit came about after the invitation was extended by Elaine during Ministers Question Time in Parliament back in June. "Douglas Alexander and our local MP were very complimentary about our team, products, our processes and how we have managed to stay competitive in our market. "Our presentation and discussions touched on many points which we find challenging as a business exporting 76 per cent of our manufactured goods. "Being one of four businesses the entourage visited on Monday was a real honour. It certainly gave our team pride to be able to remind Ayrshire & beyond how amazing Alex Begg is."
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Ayr United Football Academy showcase community work to local MP during visit
Elaine Stewart visited the United Football Academy to learn about some of their important ongoing community projects. The hard working Ayr United Football Academy have showcased some of their best community work to the local MP. Elaine Stewart, who represents Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock in Westminster, stopped by the Somerset Hub yesterday to learn about the Academy's Football for Life programme, which includes vital projects to tackle social isolation. The Football Academy recently received funding, through the National Lottery Community Fund, for their programme which aims to provide services to all in the community. An AUFA spokesperson said: "An important aspect of this is tackling social isolation, particularly among the older population. With that in mind, Elaine visited our Honest Men's Club, which is a drop in centre for local males. "We also have our Strollers that join after their morning walk. Elaine met with Academy Chairman, Allan Gunning, Head of Academy, David White, and Community Programme Manager, Stuart Watson, to discuss all the good work being carried out by Ayr United Football Academy in the local community. She then joined our Honest Men's Club for coffee and a cake. "The timing was perfect as Jim O'Neil, one of our long term Strollers and attendees of the Honest Men's Club, turned 90 years old and was presented with a birthday cake which was enjoyed by all! "Elaine spent a large amount of time talking with our participants and learning about their experiences and how the Football for Life programme has helped them." For more information about the Academy's Football for Life programme, email Julie at wellbeing@ or phone 01292 263435 (Option 2)
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Around 10,000 Ayrshire homes earmarked for faster broadband
The annoumcement is part of the UK government's Plan for Change investment. Close to 10,000 homes in Ayrshire are to gain access to lightning-fast broadband for the first time as part of £157million UK government investment. The news, part of the government's Plan for Change to boost economic growth has been welcomed by all four Ayrshire Scottish Labour MPs. The aim is to tackle digital exclusion across the entire UK and boosting local economic growth through giving businesses the vital tools they need, to improving access to public services like virtual NHS appointments. In a collective statement, MPs Alan Gemmell, Elaine Stewart, Irene Campbell and Lillian Jones said: 'This is brilliant news for people in North, South and East Ayrshire. Access to the internet is no longer a luxury, it is an essential way we live, work and learn in our everyday lives. 'I'm delighted homes across Ayrshire are set to benefit from the UK Labour Government making this investment, which will help families and grow our economy.' Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray said: 'This £157 million UK Government investment is a game changer for tens of thousands of homes and businesses in the most remote areas of Scotland. 'Rolling out lightning-fast broadband will equip and inspire local businesses to thrive, enable families to access vital services, and build resilient communities. 'Our Plan for Change recognises that rural communities are the backbone of our nation and economic growth must reach every corner of Scotland, ensuring that opportunity isn't determined by postcode but by potential.' The deal was struck under an £800 million agreement with Openreach announced last August as part of wider plans to end the plight of digital exclusion across rural Britain, with work already underway to connect over 227,000 premises in hard-to-reach parts of Wales and England as part of the agreement. The agreement is funded by the UK government who will work alongside the Scottish Government and Openreach to deliver the coverage.
The National
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Dozens of Labour MPs 'could lose seats' in Waspi backlash, data says
The data from the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group shows more then 300 MPs across the UK have majorities smaller than the number of WASPI women living in their are, with many of those seats won by Labour for the first time in over a decade last year. The group says around 20 Labour MPs are in "extremely vulnerable positions" given there are at least 5000 more Waspi women in their constituencies than the size of their majority. Meanwhile, 133 MPs sitting on the Labour benches have a difference of at least 1000. The Scottish MPs deemed to be "at risk" according to the data include Elaine Stewart, Irene Campbell, Chris Murray, John Grady, Zubir Ahmed and Martin Rhodes. READ MORE: BBC Debate Night audience brands Kneecap row a 'distraction' The parliamentary ombudsman recommended in March last year that women born in the 1950s affected by increases to the state pension age be handed compensation of between £1000 and £2950 per person. The Labour Government offered Waspi women an apology, but opted not to hand out any compensation arguing it would be too much of a burden on the taxpayer – behaviour which was subsequently described as 'extremely unusual' by the ombudsman. The ombudsman highlighted a 99.9% compliance rate for its recommendations and warned the watchdog would become a 'toothless tiger if Parliament steps away from supporting us when there isn't compliance". So far, nearly 50 Labour MPs have publicly hit out at the UK Government's decision not to compensate Waspi women. (Image: Andy Buchanan/PA Wire) Angela Madden, Waspi chair, said of the data: "These results are a seismic blow for ministers and make grim reading for anyone who thinks they can take the votes of an entire generation of women for granted. 'The failure of Labour to compensate Waspi women – and indeed some opposition parties in properly challenging their decision – undermines the public's confidence in our institutions and creates a significant electoral risk. 'With women affected by DWP failures now forced to haul the Government before the High Court, ministers must stop defending the indefensible – we need justice now.' Last month, Waspi campaigners confirmed they had filed for a High Court judicial review following the Government's decision. The 1995 Pensions Act and subsequent legislation raised the state pension age for women born on or after April 6 1950. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) investigated complaints that, since 1995, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) failed to provide accurate, adequate and timely information about areas of state pension reform. The DWP's handling of the pension age changes meant some women lost opportunities to make informed decisions about their finances. It diminished their sense of personal autonomy and financial control, the ombudsman said.
