Small businesses need our support

I am aware of the strong feeling surrounding the introduction of parking charges across Bearsden.

As a Member of the Scottish Parliament, I am not part of East Dunbartonshire Council decision making, however I recognise the concern of local businesses and have been in contact with constituents over this matter.

Understandably, due to the Labour UK Government’s mismanagement with a national insurance hike, businesses are feeling the pressure now more than ever. I have been vocal in calling out this decision and the Scottish Government has made clear that this hike will have adverse impacts on Scotland’s businesses and public services.

The Scottish Government has called on the UK Government to reverse this decision but unfortunately the Labour Party is unwilling to reverse this.

Small businesses are the backbone of our community, so I have written to the Chief Executive of East Dunbartonshire Council on behalf of my constituents and local business owners in the area and look forward to a response.

We are fortunate to have so many wonderful small businesses in Bearsden and Milngavie, so please do shop local where you can.

In the constituency, I want to highlight the fantastic work of Bearsden’s Vicki Houston. Through her CardioFunk fitness classes at Bearsden Community Hub, Vicki has raised over £24,000 for a number of charities, but predominately for the Beatson Cancer Charity.

Vicki has been running fundraising fitness classes since 2022, after losing her own mum to lung cancer in 2020.

This is such a worthwhile cause and my sincere thanks to all who got involved to raise money for the charity. This is particularly poignant for me as we recently lost the wonderful Christina McKelvie MSP following her battle with cancer.

Christina was a woman of principle and a friend to many. I will never forget her guidance to me when I was elected in 2021. She was such a warm and kind person who has touched many lives and will be sorely missed.

In recognition of Vicki’s fantastic fundraising, I am looking forward to presenting her with a framed Parliamentary Motion which acknowledges her hard work and the work of all involved.

Wishing you all a lovely and sunny Easter break.

Image description: Marie McNair MSP with Vicki Houston and the CardioFunk exercise class, held at Bearsden Hub. Marie is handing Vicki a framed copy of a recent Parliamentary motion congratulating the Boogie for the Beatson Core Barre classes that has raised thousands of pounds for charity.