After weeks of media speculation the Government has now published its Green Paper on reforming Incapacity Benefit. A Green Paper is a discussion document that can then lead to a White Paper proposing legislation. The Green Paper suggests a new benefit called Employment and Support Allowance to replace Incapacity Benefit. Those with more severe health conditions or disabilities will receive a benefit at a higher rate with no expectation that they will be able to work. Those who have more manageable conditions will be paid a higher rate if they take part in regular interviews and work related activities. They will be able to access training, counselling and advice. However, refusal to take part will result in a reduction in allowance. The aim is to help a million people off IB and back into work over the next decade.

It came as no surprise to me that Ayr Carrick and Cumnock Constituency has the dubious status of joint 75th highest in the UK in terms of the number of people on Incapacity Benefit with 6,500 claimants. The root of the problem lies back in the Tory years when getting people on to incapacity benefit and the predecessor invalidity and sickness benefits was seen as a way to mask soaring levels of unemployment. Claimant numbers trebled between 1979 and 1997 at a time when there were massive job losses locally.

There has been substantial progress under Labour since 1997 with 2.3 million more people in work and unemployment at its lowest for nearly 30 years.  However, there is no room for complacency especially in the light of recent job losses. This constituency has the 12th highest unemployment rate in Scotland at 5.2% against a national average of 3.5%.

The present system of support for disabled people is not working and needs to be changed. That was the message from the disability organisations in Scotland I met with in London a couple of weeks ago. But this must be on the basis of providing people with the support they need to get back into work. There can be no place for terrifying people with the threat of benefit cuts.

My priority is to ensure that people do not end up being punished for being poor. Many of those on Incapacity Benefit have spent working lives in extremely harsh and difficult jobs like mining. They may be in their 40s and 50s. We must be realistic about what jobs they could do and what jobs are available. If we recognise that, then I welcome the Government’s attempts to give people increased support to get off benefit and into work.

I am sponsoring a meeting in Westminster on 7th February to bring together representatives of the National Farmers Union Scotland and Scottish MPs with Gerry Sutcliffe, the Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs

Following representation from constituents in Girvan and areas to the south concerning problems with TV reception, I have asked for a meeting with the Chief Executive of Digital UK, the body charged with leading and co-ordinating the Digital Switchover. There are a number of local concerns from the lack of Channel Five reception to digital matters like whether Borders or Scottish Television can be accessed depending on postcodes. Generally speaking, the digital switchover will bring great benefits when it starts in 2008 but with it comes a certain amount of confusion and public anxiety. The Government intends providing extra help and support to people over 75 and those with severe disabilities and I welcome this. However, in the short term I want to get answers to the problems raised with me by constituents.

Within a day of taking control of South Ayrshire Council, the Tories were voting to shut down a whole department, leaving hundreds of workers worried sick about their jobs. Now they seem to be considering selling off Maybole Golf Course and half of Dalmilling Golf Course. They deny it, of course, but some Tories have wanted to do this for some time, even as far back as when I was a councillor on South Ayrshire Council. In golfing terms, the Tories have driven the ball out of bounds well to the right.

Finally this month can I remind you that I am holding surgeries on Saturday 18th February in Maybole Town Hall at 11.00am and the McKechnie Institute, Girvan at 12 noon. No appointments are needed. If you have problems attending because of mobility issues phone my office for other arrangements (01292 262906)