SINCE last writing in the Glasgow Times, the UK has a new Government

The people have spoken and delivered a massive majority for Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party.  

In recent days I have written to Sir Keir offering my congratulations and making clear the willingness of Glasgow’s SNP City Administration to work in partnership with his government to achieve the improvements in living standards and economic growth our citizens need.  

I’m delighted to say that I’ve already had a productive meeting with new Scotland secretary Ian Murray and raised with him the opportunities which can be delivered by continued investment across the Glasgow City Region.  

Labour’s victory was delivered on the promise of change, change from the ideologically driven austerity of the most right-wing Tory government in living memory, and from the sleaze, cronyism and attacks on the poor which characterised its 14 years in power.  

It’s now incumbent on the new Prime Minister to deliver the change hundreds of thousands of our most vulnerable citizens here in Scotland and millions across the UK have been crying out for and which only his government has the powers to deliver.

As mandated by the council, my correspondence with the new Prime Minister laid out our deep concerns at the expected continuation under his leadership of the two-child benefit cap and other social security austerity measures.  

Given the direct link between UK Government policies including the two-child cap on child poverty rates and the severe stress placed on local budgets by high levels of deprivation, this surely must be a “change” priority for the Labour government.  

I’ve also made clear the really positive impact which the Scottish Child Payment has made to the lives of thousands in our city and invited Sir Keir to visit Glasgow to witness first-hand the pioneering work the council and its partners carry out to alleviate child poverty with the resources we have.  

But if the Prime Minister is true to his word and is, as he puts it, “not immune” to arguments to the removal of the two-child cap, then he needs to listen to the evidence and see for himself the effects of this cruel and demeaning policy. His chancellor, Rachel Reeves, this week again cited costs as the reason for not lifting the cap. The cost of not doing so will dwarf that many times.

The election also saw a change to representation at Westminster across Glasgow. The city’s six new Labour MPs have a huge responsibility. They are members of the party of government and Glaswegians will expect them to do nothing less than use their influence with their colleagues to deliver what’s best for this city’s needs and ambitions.  

Again, I’ve written to all six and offered my congratulations and commitment to working together in the best interests of Glaswegians. That, of course, is a two-way street and I look forward to hearing from them on our shared agendas and how they intend to use their privileged position at the heart of UK politics to address Glasgow’s needs.  

While child poverty and reversing austerity policies are clearly priorities, there are a range of Westminster agendas which I hope that our new MPs can support for the benefit of our city.  

For example, ending the successive UK Government policies which have made the accommodation and integration of refugees and asylum seekers extremely challenging and which continue to place local services and the city’s housing supply under immense strain.  

Or advancing climate investment and equipping local government with the financial powers to deliver net zero through to building on Glasgow’s safe consumption facility with policies that reduce the harm caused by addiction.  

And, of course, ensuring that public spending commitments mean that Scotland gets its fair share and that our local councils don’t end up facing the same cliff-edge crises many of their counterparts south of the border are experiencing.

The City Administration’s doors, and those of key council officials, are open to our new MPs to discuss the true nature of both the challenges and opportunities facing Glasgow. I look forward to cooperating with them on delivering for Glasgow.