EARLIER this month I took part in a cross-party debate in the Scottish Parliament demanding action to end the injustice for women born in the 1950s who are excluded from state pension equalisation.

This affects many women in Clydebank and is an issue close to my heart.

It’s outrageous the way the UK Government has broken its contract with these women without any redress.

Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) agree that men and women should retire at the same time, but they take issue with the totally unjust way this is being implemented.

When the UK Government changed the law on pensions back in 1995, they waited a full 14 years before sending letters to these women to let them know of the changes. That meant a large proportion of women were completely unaware that they wouldn’t be able to retire when they thought they would right up until the year before they were due to actually retire. Some women didn’t ever receive any official notification of the changes from the UK Government.

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The Westminster government acted appallingly in stealing pension rights from WASPI women – this is entirely unacceptable. Subsequently, they brought in legislation to make this theft of previously accepted rights legal – but that does not make it just.

The impact of this cruel measure on women’s well-being is, and continues to be, profound. It is time for the UK Government to recognise the damage done, reverse this mean-hearted measure and restore trust in the pension system.

I HAVE been watching, with keen interest, progress on the innovative municipal heating system at Queens Quay. The system will take water from the Clyde and use a process, like that used to extract heat from fridges, to heat the water and pump it to surrounding homes, businesses and public buildings.

District heating is economical for the consumer, produces less pollution than conventional heating systems and ensures continuity of supply.

I look forward to seeing residents reaping the benefit of this unique system.

Finally, although most people say they are sick of the Brexit shambles, I’m not sure if it’s just me, but everyone I speak to recently wants to talk about the ins and outs of Brexit and how it impacts on their future and their thinking on independence.