SCOTS up and down the country are turning to their MPs to deal with their thorniest Brexit concerns. Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, gave the Sunday National a snapshot of her Brexit-related workload.
She said: “For many months now constituents have been raising serious concerns with me regarding the devastating impact that Brexit is having, or is likely to have, on them and their families. They are coming to my constituency surgeries, visiting my office, and they are emailing and phoning on a daily basis.” Common issues include:
• Medicines shortages – constituents have expressed concerns about not receiving their normal quantity of insulin from their pharmacy to treat diabetes. Other concerns have been raised regarding forward-planning for methadone stocks.
• Immigration – many are already worried about the impact of the Tory’s hostile environment policy. There is increasing anxiety among constituents that the UK will tighten its policies more on leaving the EU.
• EU Citizens – there has been an increase in the number of EU citizens whose applications for Universal Credit have been refused on the basis that they are told they have no right to reside, despite evidence to the contrary.
• Impact on businesses – a number of businesses have contacted Thewliss with concerns about a lack of transparency and clarity surrounding trade tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
• Visa fees – the MP has a growing number of constituents from non-EU countries who often have to pay thousands of pounds to progress applications for themselves and their families to stay in the UK.
• Food standards – the office has received multiple enquiries from constituents regarding concerns about food standards and safety after the UK leaves the EU.
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