Arran’s busy MP
Katy Clark MP issues constant bulletins about what she is doing, and this month she has been dealing with a particularly hectic range of subjects.
The question of whether CalMac will continue to provide ferry services or be replaced by private operators is of course in the hands of the Scottish Government, but Katy welcomed the decision to extend CalMac’s Clyde and Hebridean ferry contact for three years. The promise that routes shall be tendered as a single service in the autumn of 2014 was equally welcome. However, Katy pointed out that ‘these lifeline services provide a vital service to those living on the Clyde islands and are far too important to be simply harvested off and sold to the highest private sector bidder.’ She added, ‘It would be completely unacceptable if the Scottish Government have simply kicked this issue into the long-grass so that an unpopular decision can be taken after the Independence Referendum has taken place.’
Of more immediate concern is the plight of people who, while themselves elderly, are caring for a dependent relative. Scandalously, the carers allowance is withdrawn once a carer becomes eligible for the state pension, although they may face high costs for heating and electricity if nursing a bed-bound person. Research estimates that there around 2.8 million carers over the age of 50 in the United Kingdom. Because of the responsibility they take on, their ability to build up a private pension is often limited, and many of them face their own years of old age with scant funds while they continue to support someone even more dependent or suffering from a disability. Katy Clark has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling for carers’ allowance to be paid to pensioners, and says, ‘I am urging the Government to amend this poor state of affairs at the earliest opportunity.’
Katy Clark is equally concerned about the private company ATOS Healthcare and the basis on which it decides whether is eligible for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Speaking in the House recently, she said, ‘For a number of years many constituents have been in touch with my office raising concerns about Atos and the way in which they conduct the work capability assessment. I have experienced many cases where constituents have got in touch with very credible claims but have had to fight hard to become entitled ESA. A large number initially had their claim rejected but got it overturned through the appeals process.’ (Though not without much stress and anxiety.) Katy pointed out that organisations such as Mind and professional bodies like the British Medical Association are taking the view that the process is fundamentally flawed.
