December Newsletter - Alan Gemmell MP
December Newsletter
Dec 19, 2025
Welcome!
Thank you to all the pupils who entered my Christmas card competition this year. I was pleased to be able to show Mr Speaker the winning entries and to send cards to people and businesses across the constituency as well as to the Prime Minister and MPs.
At Westminster we ended the year passing the Employment Rights Act – the most significant increase in workers’ rights in a generation. We have ensured that Scottish students and universities can take part in the EU’s ERASMUS programme.
I’ve continued to work with my Ayrshire MP colleagues and businesses to bring jobs and investment to our area.
Community organisations across our towns and villages are helping people celebrate Christmas. I was delighted to spend part of a day packing Christmas gift bags with the brilliant Annbank based charity – Night Before Christmas – who will, this year distribute presents to almost 8000 people across Ayrshire and south-west Scotland.
It has been a pleasure to meet so many constituents, organisations and businesses across Central Ayrshire this year. I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a happy, and healthy New Year.
Alan
Casework Wins
Regaining a Driving Licence
A local resident’s driving licence and been revoked by the DVLA. We spoke to the DVLA, resolved the problem meaning the constituent had their licence returned to them.
Sorting an eVisa
A constituent contacted us about a problem surrounding their eVisa. After we spoke to the Home Office, they sorted the issue for the constituent.
Parliamentary Update
Pre-1997 Pension Compensation
The Government announced plans to introduce indexation for pre-1997 pension compensation from the Pension Protection Fund and Financial Assistance Scheme. This change will deliver £1.8 billion to pensioners and benefit over a quarter of a million people. I hope similar action is taken on private pensions, and colleagues and I will continue to support the Ayrshire-led campaign run by Patricia Kennedy to secure higher discretionary pension payments for people in the Hewlett Packard pension scheme.
My speech in the House of Commons on NATs Aerospace
Constituency Update
Christmas Card Competition
Thank you to pupils from across the constituency for entering my Christmas card competition this year. There were so many excellent entries, it was difficult to choose the winning designs. I am delighted Shae from St. Ninians Primary is this year’s winner with Phoebe from Struthers Primary and Lucy from Glebe Primary being our runners up.
Christmas Celebrations
Communities across the constituency have been coming together for their switch on events and I am proud to have been able to sponsor a number of them.
I have been blown away by the amount of work the local communities have put in over the last few months to continue to make Christmas one of the most special periods of the year. From the logistics of the Christmas light installation to the planning and running of switch on events the work they do is outstanding. I want to once again thank all the organisations that make these amazing events possible.
Night Before Christmas Campaign
I visited the Night Before Christmas Campaign HQ in Annbank last week where I spent the morning packing bags and hearing more about the amazing work they do every year. Last year they distributed 8,072 Red Bags Full of Joy to children who otherwise might not have a Christmas across Ayrshire and this year they are on track to beat that. They always need help especially close to Christmas so I encourage you to find out more at www.nightbeforechristmas.co.uk
Local Opportunities
Each month we share new funding opportunities and information that might be of interest to community groups in the constituency. If you’d like us to include an update from your organisation please email us.
British Gas Energy Support Fund
Scottish Gas customers in Central Ayrshire could be eligible to support of up to £2,000 with their energy bills this winter, as Scottish Gas re-opens its Energy Support Fund. The Energy Support Fund is available exclusively for Scottish Gas customers who have energy debt between £50 - £2,000 on a pre-payment meter, or £250 - £2,000 on a credit account.
Emergency Contact Details over the Festive Period
I have compiled a list of emergency contacts and useful details for over the Festive Period, please share it with family and friends to keep everyone safe and informed.
Surgery Bookings
On most Fridays throughout the year, I hold surgeries across the whole constituency to meet residents and listen to how I can support them as their MP. Please email alan.gemmell.mp@parliament.uk if you would like to arrange to meet me at one of them.