February Newsletter - Alan Gemmell MP
February Newsletter
Mar 02, 2026
Welcome!
This month I was proud to vote to end the Two-Child Benefit Cap, lifting over 400,000 children out of poverty, including almost 2000 children in this constituency.
I continue to raise local issues in Parliament and support constituents with casework. This month I have worked with government Minister Blair McDougall to address Royal Mail delivery delays, supported local charities, and welcomed young people from our area to Westminster.
As always, my focus remains on representing our area effectively and making sure constituents can access support when they need it. If you would like to raise an issue or arrange an appointment, please email me at alan.gemmell.mp@parliament.uk
Alan
Casework Wins
Sorting a DVLA Issue
A local resident was struggling to renew their driving licence. My team contacted the DVLA who apologised and rectified the issue.
Helping Claim Pension Credits
A constituent contacted us as they were having difficulty claiming the Pension Credits they were owed due to an administrative error. My team spoke to the DWP who rectified the error and issued a backdated payment of over £2,000.
Parliamentary Update
Speaking about Soft Power and Higher Education
I was invited to speak at a Soft Power and Higher Education event hosted by Duolingo in Glasgow this month. I spoke about using my roles at the British Council and as Britain’s Trade Commissioner to promote Scotland and Britain around the world, and discussed the importance of our brilliant universities and cultural institutions in helping us to forge and maintain international partnerships.
Meeting the Minister for Investment to make the case for bringing jobs and investment to Ayrshire
I met Lord Stockwood, Minister for Investment, with my Ayrshire colleagues Elaine Stewart, MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock and Lillian Jones MP for Kilmarnock and Loudon. We spoke about the opportunities for business to come to Ayrshire focussing on our strengths in advanced manufacturing and engineering, energy as well as the Prestwick airport cluster and the opportunities to increase defence investment in Ayrshire. We asked the Minister to dedicate more of his department’s resources to working with us, local councils and businesses to secure more jobs and investment for Ayrshire.
Royal Mail Delivery Delays
I have been working closely with Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation, Blair McDougall, to tackle Royal Mail letter delivery delays. Many of you have contacted me about Royal Mail delays in Troon, particularly for important NHS appointment letters. Minister McDougall continues to meet Royal Mail management to set out the government’s expectations going forward, with a focus on ensuring NHS appointment letters are prioritised.
West Lowland Battalion Army Cadet Force visit Parliament
It was a pleasure to welcome cadets and adult volunteers from Inkerman Company, West Lowland Battalion Army Cadet Force to Westminster, alongside my Ayrshire colleagues Lillian Jones MP and Irene Campbell MP. The groups were an outstanding group of young people showing real leadership in our community.
I am grateful to the Minister for the Armed Forces and the Secretary of State for Scotland for taking time to meet them — and to the cadets for representing Ayrshire and Scotland with pride.
Constituency Update
My letter to the Chief Executive of North Ayrshire Council about Irvine & Troon Cancer Care
I wrote to the Chief Executive of North Ayrshire Council in support of Irvine & Troon Cancer Care, following the end of their tenancy at Heathfield House after 39 years.
This fantastic local charity makes around 40 trips a week, helping people across the West of Scotland get to vital cancer appointments. I hope a new tenancy can be secured so their essential work can continue.
The Broadway Prestwick is Features on BBC’s Repair Shop on the Road
Great to see Friends of the Broadway Prestwick featured on BBC Scotland’s Repair Shop on the Road. A fantastic tribute to the volunteers who are bringing this iconic building back to life - and a proud moment for our community.
You can catch the episode now on BBC iPlayer.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport wins ‘Welcome of the Year’ award at the China-Scotland Business Awards
I was delighted that Glasgow Prestwick Airport has won the ‘Welcome of the Year’ award at the China-Scotland Business Awards. It is a testament to how hard everyone at GPA is working to help it succeed.
Prestwick Airport also joined the Prime Minister’s trade visit to China earlier this month. It is brilliant to see the town represented on the world stage. The cargo flights into Prestwick from 3 Chinese carriers are supporting hundreds of jobs and contributing to the Scottish and UK economies. The trade visit also resulted in Chinese import tariffs on Whisky being halved from 10% to 5% which is great news for Scotland including Lochlea distillery in the constituency.
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 me at alan.gemmell.mp@parliament.uk.
National Lottery Community Fund’s Supporting Change - Carers fund opens!
I’m pleased to share that the Supporting Change – Carers programme, from The National Lottery Community Fund, has reopened to help improve health outcomes for unpaid carers across Scotland. Organisations can apply for between £500,000 and £2,000,000 to help deliver projects that meet the outcomes.
Scottish Gas’ Energy for Tomorrow funding
Sports clubs in Central Ayrshire are being encouraged to apply to Scottish Gas’ Energy for Tomorrow Sports programme, which supports upgrades such as solar panels, insulation and LED lighting to cut energy bills and carbon emissions. Twelve clubs across the UK will receive funding this year.
Armed Forces Day funding
The Ministry of Defence is offering grants of up to grants available to £10,000 to support Armed Forces Day events across the UK. A Ministry of Defence grant could cover up to half of the overall cost of the event. You can find out more here.
Surgery Bookings
I hold weekly surgeries across the constituency. Please email alan.gemmell.mp@parliament.uk if you would like to book an appointment.
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