I WANT to begin by thanking everyone who donated to the 12 Days of Kiltmas appeal in aid of Ardgowan Hospice. At close of play on Monday, we had raised more than £800. This may feel like a drop in the ocean for our local hospice, but every little counts towards helping them deliver palliative care to those who need it – as well as supporting their families too.

Before one of my surgeries on Friday, I visited Gourock Railway Station to see Inverclyde Women’s Aid's exhibition marking the end of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

The exhibition was powerful, and I spoke to the staff in attendance about the events they’ve hosted and discussions they’ve had about gender-based violence. To speak to one of their team members, please contact their helpline on 01475 888505.

While I am trying to get more into the festive spirit, statistics and reports continue to be published which demonstrate the dire situation facing Scotland due to decisions taken by Westminster.

For example, new analysis has shown that Scotland is potentially missing out on billions of pounds worth of funding from Next Generation EU – the EU's €800 billion fund to support economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and build a greener, more digital, and more resilient future.

Figures have shown that countries with similar population sizes to Scotland, such as Denmark, Finland and Ireland, are benefiting from this funding – with them respectively receiving €1.6bn, €2.2bn and €1.1bn.

These statistics highlight the ongoing cost to Scotland of a Brexit we did not vote for – yet our businesses and communities are suffering because of Westminster's disastrous decision-making.

On top of this, Scotland has suffered from 13 years of austerity under the Tories, but Labour continues to prove that it doesn’t matter which unionist party is in government – as Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall MP, backed the Tories' destructive proposal to increase the salary threshold for migrants and their dependents.

This is a policy that will directly impact Inverclyde as we have a declining population and need to attract people to live and work here.

Labour signing up to this disastrous policy shows how out of touch with the needs of Scotland they truly are.

We urgently need independence so we can put in place a system based on fairness that meets the needs of our economy, public services, and tackles long term issues such as depopulation.

Finally, the Mental Health Foundation has published a survey showing one third of Scots have been forced into debt during the Westminster-made cost of living crisis.

Yet instead of hosting a press conference detailing how the UK Tory Government is going to tackle this issue, the Prime Minister is more concerned with ‘stopping the boats’ to keep his party base and back benchers onside, so he can remain in power.