March Newsletter

Apr 08, 2026

Welcome!

This month I was pleased to secure real results for local constituents, including helping to recover £11,000 in pension credits after they were stopped incorrectly.

From April 6, workers across the country will be granted with new protections and rights at work through the Employment Rights Act. Hundreds of thousands of children will be lifted out of poverty by lifting the two child limit, including almost 2,000 children in Central Ayrshire. And millions of pensioners will be made better off as the state pensions increases by up to £575.

I am pleased to have been elected to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, and had the opportunity to visit Angola with The HALO Trust to see the impact of their work clearing landmines and supporting communities. Closer to home, I have been meeting with local organisations and continuing to raise key issues affecting residents.

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

Helping Reclaim Pension Credits

A constituent contacted us after their pension credits were incorrectly stopped. We got in contact with the DWP and they rectified the error, resulting in a backdated payment of £11,000 and an increase in ongoing payments.

Helping Secure an NHS Appointment

A constituent contacted us as they were told they would have to wait over a year to secure an emergency appointment. My team got involved and we managed to secure an appointment for the next day.

Parliamentary Update

Visit to Angola with The HALO Trust

It was a privilege to meet the Hon Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola and the Governors of Huambo and Bié for the HALO Trust who have been clearing landmines in Angola for over 30 years returning unusable land to farmers and communities across the country.

I have wrote about my time on the visit in an article for the Daily Record.

Read the article here

Foreign Affairs Committee

I have been elected by my colleagues as a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. I look forward to using the role to speak up for values-driven, sensible foreign policy and working constructively with the Government.

Showcasing Scotland at Westminster

I am delighted that I was able to attend Holyrood Magazine’s “Showcasing Scotland at Westminster” reception earlier on in the month. It was great to see so many people who are championing Scotland’s businesses, communities and innovation.

Introduction of the New Minimum Wage

From 1 April, the new National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates came into force, putting more money into the pockets of working people across the country. This uplift is part of a wider commitment to ensure that work pays and that wages better reflect the real cost of living.

For many workers in Central Ayrshire, this means a welcome boost in take-home pay and greater financial security.

Cost of Living Support

I know many households are still feeling the pressure of rising costs, and continued support remains essential.

From April, this includes help with energy bills, expanded childcare provision offering up to 30 hours of funded childcare for eligible families, and changes to Universal Credit to provide additional support for families.

Support for Constituents who use Heating Oil

On 16 March, the Minister for Energy Consumers set out the Government’s response to the sharp increase in global oil prices caused by instability in the Middle East, including Iran’s actions around the Strait of Hormuz.

This has led to significant pressure on the 1.5 million UK households who depend on heating oil, and I appreciate how worrying this is for families here who are already seeing higher prices or difficulties securing deliveries.

The UK Government will provide £50million of support for low-income households using heating oil, with £4.6 million allocated to Scotland. The Scottish Government have added to this fund. Details of how to apply can be found here: Help for Households Using Heating Oil

In addition to financial support, the Government plans to introduce stronger consumer protections for heating oil customers. This includes a strengthened industry Code of Practice, improved price transparency, more flexible delivery options, and clearer support for vulnerable households. Further measures, such as improved dispute resolution routes, more repayment options, and the potential creation of an ombudsman or regulator, are also being explored. The Competition and Markets Authority has been asked to monitor the market closely to prevent unjustified price increases.

Constituency Update

Ryanair Expand Operations at Glasgow Prestwick Airport

As many of you will know, I am proud to represent businesses at the heart of Scotland’s aerospace sector. I was delighted to see that Minister Kirsty McNeill MP visited Glasgow Prestwick Airport to celebrate the announcement that Ryanair is investing £40 million at Glasgow Prestwick Airport to build the company’s largest heavy maintenance hangar in Europe.

My visit to the Irvine Pilot House Restoration Group

I had the pleasure of visiting the Irvine Pilot House Restoration Group recently to hear more about the fantastic work they are doing to restore the pilot house.

Projects like this really show what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared goal.

My Joint Letter to South Ayrshire Council about Ayr Diving Club

Along with Elaine Stewart MP, I wrote to the Chief Executive of South Ayrshire Council to express our concerns over cuts which threaten the future of Ayr Diving Club.

The pool at the Citadel is one of four diving pools in Scotland and the only pool with diving boards in the west of Scotland.

We support the club’s continued use of the Citadel and we hope the council and the club organisers can reach an agreement so we do not lose this important community asset. We have asked for an update on the discussions between the council and the club.

Introduction of 40MPH Signage at St. Quivox

In March we had an amazing outcome for a decade-long campaign by residents. 40MPH signage was finally installed between Nellie's Gate and Whitletts Roundabout.

This would not have been possible without the hard work of local residents and organisations who have campaigned for the introduction of road safety measures.

Thanks also to Police Scotland and Ayrshire Roads Alliance who have helped make the change happen.

My All-Constituency Mailout

Many of you may gave already have received my latest constituency-wide newsletter through your letterbox. If not, please don’t worry — my team is working hard to ensure every household receives a copy.

The newsletter sets out what my team and I have been doing since I was elected in July 2024, along with some of the positive outcomes we’ve been able to achieve for local residents.

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.

VASA’s Employer Supported Volunteering Days

VASA will be hosting Employer Supported Volunteering Days on the 26th and 27th of August at Hansel. Many Employees are entitled to take a paid day off each year to go and volunteer with a charity but around 60% of people don’t take theirs. It can be difficult to find one off volunteering opportunities so they are organising these days to try and make it easier for people to volunteer. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and you can sign up for a half day, one full day or both days to help out with tasks like gardening, painting and general maintenance. Any questions, or to register for a place please email volunteer@vasa.scot or call 0800 432 0510.

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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