MSP RONA MACKAY JOINS FELLOW ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TO HOST EVENT
Residents turned out in their droves for help at a special event organised by three East Dunbartonshire parliamentarians, aimed at supporting local people in tackling the soaring cost of living.
Strathkelvin and Bearsden MSP Rona Mackay, East Dunbartonshire MP Amy Callaghan and Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East MP Stuart McDonaald invited local people to the Cost of Living Advice Event held recently at the Park Centre in Kirkintilloch.
A number of organisations, including Citizens Advice, Home Energy Scotland, East Dunbartonshire Foodbank and East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action were also on hand to help, as well as Social Security Scotland who gave residents advice on the benefits available to them which are devolved to Scotland.
Local SNP MSP Rona Mackay said: "Assisted by fantastic third sector organisations, Citizens Advice and numerous other agencies, we did our best to answer the concerns and queries of worried people. We wanted to provide as much help and support as possible.
"Frankly, we shouldn't have to hold this event in the first place but I hope it was useful to those who attended.
"The number of constituents coming forward for help was a damning indictment of the UK Tory government who are responsible for this cost of living crisis.
"Many of my constituents cannot afford to heat their homes. Many are now struggling to afford even the most basic foods with prices for essential items soaring."
The full range of organisations who took part in the Cost of Living Advice event were Ceartas; Carers Link, Christians Against Poverty, Citizens Advice, Home Energy Scotland, East Dunbartonshire Foodbank, East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action, G61/62 Respone and G64 Response.
In a joint statement, Rona Mackay MSP, Amy Callaghan MP and Stuart McDonald MP told the Kirkintilloch Herald: "We brought together a number of organisations under one roof to offer their expertise and guidance on everything from energy bills to managing income and accessing social security payments, to support in the local community."