Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the Foreign Office in Glasgow, and rescuing the Darnley Sycamore
February 2025
Welcome to February’s newsletter. We’re well into the swing of 2025, and it’s as busy as ever in both Westminster and Glasgow South West.
A lot of my work in Parliament throughout January was dominated by the Tobacco and Vapes Bill committee stage hearing. As part of my role as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Department of Health and Social Care, I have been sitting on the committee board for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, finishing what Labour started in Scotland in 2006, to bring about the first ever smoke free generation for all four nations.
In Glasgow South West, I’ve held several advice surgeries and community visits across the constituency, and I was honoured to welcome and host the Head of Pakistan & Afghan Security for the Foreign Office to our city.
Unfortunately, towards the end of the month Glasgow was severely impacted by Storm Éowyn which hit people’s homes, affected schools and public services, left trees blocking roads and posed a threat to our community. Devastatingly, the Darnley Sycamore - which means so much to our area and holds a deep historical significance in Glasgow - was damaged by the storm. I am working with local organisations to discuss how we can utilise the broken branches for good use.
In this month’s newsletter, I will give you an update on casework, my work in Westminster, events happening in and around Glasgow, and grant funding opportunities for charities to access.
As always, please get in touch with any casework enquiries or if you would like to have a chat about any concerns.
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Contact:
zubir.ahmed.mp@parliament.uk
0141 266 0233
Casework
In January 2025:
300 new cases have been opened. Constituents have contacted me with casework issues including social security, immigration, housing, governmental policy enquiries, and local issues.
550 emails have been sent to constituents who have been in touch.
Across Glasgow South West
Littering in Govan
In recent weeks, we have all witnessed an unacceptable rise in littering across the constituency.
In response to constituents’ contacting me about this issue, I wrote to the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability at Glasgow City Council. In my letter, you can see that I raised serious concerns about littering in the Govan area, and the health risks this poses, but since then, we have seen an increase in fly tipping across the whole constituency.
I will not accept this for my constituents, and will be meeting with the council in the coming weeks to discuss how we can resolve this issue for good.
Meeting with the Foreign Office
It was a pleasure to welcome the Head of Pakistan & Afghan Security for the Foreign Office, Richard Lindsay, to Glasgow.
In the meeting we discussed trade, cultural relations, the contribution of British Pakistanis to society in Glasgow, and the possibility of Pakistani International Airline flights to Scotland - an issue which I know affects a lot of my constituents who travel to Pakistan.
Casework win!
Casework is such an important part of being an MP - helping constituents with any issues they might be facing - and it is always great when we get a win!
It was a pleasure to meet one of my constituents, Dr Rohith, after helping him to secure his visa, ensuring he could continue his medical training. Dr Rohith is planning to train as a GP and become part of our precious NHS. We are wishing him the best of luck with his studies!
To see more casework/weekly highlights, look out for my weekly round ups on Facebook:
Rescuing the Darnley Sycamore
Storm Éowyn has passed but the damage is done. The Darnley Sycamore, which is more than 400-years-old, means so much to our area and has a deep historical significance. After the storm damaged the sycamore, I immediately met with David McDonald from Friends of Crookston Castle, contacted Glasgow Tree Lovers Society and spoke with my council colleagues about how we can save the sycamore and use the fallen branches for a good purpose.
In the coming weeks, I will be bringing all those interested and passionate about the Darnley Sycamore together. I will also be convening a public meeting and work with the community to establish a group to work on how we can protect this important part of our history and to discuss how to use the broken branches and create lasting Glasgow artefacts in this, our 850th year.
If you would like to know more, please get in touch with my office. I have also posted a list of emergency numbers for essential services if we face another storm.
Emergency numbers for essential services
Work in Westminster
Tobacco and Vapes Bill
As the MP for Glasgow South West and Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department of Health and Social Care, I have spent the last three weeks in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill committee scrutinising legislation that will see every child born after 1st January 2009 never being allowed to smoke and will further control the sale of vapes particularly those targeted at children.
Smoking of course is a devastating addiction for the smoker but also those around them. It is the cause of numerous cardiovascular diseases and cancers and it uniquely harms bystanders due to passive inhalation. As a vascular surgeon I have seen the devastating impact of both direct and inhaled smoke on my patients. Many of my patients continue to smoke even after undergoing amputation of their legs, such is the devastating nature of this addiction. Smoking is therefore never a choice, it is a compulsion and an illness. I am so glad my government is calling time on it for future generations and breaking this cycle of addiction once and for all.
That is politics in action, that is a Labour government in action.
Daily Record: Surgeon turned MP takes on vape and tobacco companies after a decade treating victims
Pakistani International Airlines
Along with my colleagues in Westminster, I fully support removing the ban on Pakistani carriers operating in the UK, following the recent decision by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to remove the 2020 ban on Pakistani International Airlines (PIA).
PIA are now in conversation with airports in Scotland and I met with them to discuss the significant difficulties the ban causes for British Pakistanis accessing flights to Pakistan, and to express my support. My constituency has the largest Pakistani diaspora in Scotland so I will do everything I can to help move this issue forward.
Fixing the Health System
I met with the former director-general at the Department of Health, Mark Britnell, who is now working with us on UK Labour’s 10 year plan for the NHS.
We discussed the importance of new infrastructure - both hospitals and primary care facilities - and how this can positively impact health in Scotland, where the SNP have overseen record numbers of people waiting longer than 8 hours in A&E, and failed to invest in technology and the work force.
We are also working with Jackie Baillie MSP and Scottish Labour health team to highlight how the 10 year plan can positively impact NHS Scotland after 19 years of SNP mismanagement.
Investment into Glasgow
Kickstarting economic growth is the number one priority of this UK Labour Government, generating investment, driving reform and boosting trade. I welcome The National Wealth Fund Strategic Partnerships which will be trialled in Glasgow City Region and three others across the UK.
These partnerships will provide enhanced, hands-on support with tailored commercial and financial advice to help regions develop and secure long-term investment opportunities.
Gov.uk: Chancellor unveils plan to turbocharge investment across the UK
BAE Systems
I met with Zakiy Manji from BAE Systems and my good friend and Chair of the Defence Select Committee, Tan Dhesi MP, to discuss our commitment to defence jobs in Govan and Glasgow South West.
In December I hosted an employability round table in the constituency to discuss bridging the gap between big employers and secondary schools from the local area, creating new work streams for our young people leaving school, and breaking down barriers to opportunities. It was good to discuss this project further with BAE Systems and carry on the work we started.
National Pharmacy Lecture
I chaired the National Pharmacy Lecture which focussed on the potential of vaccines as counter-measures to increasing superbug resistance.
Vaccines have enormous potential to reduce anti-biotic and superbug resistance around the world, both directly by reducing the number and severity of infections, and indirectly through reducing antibiotic usage which is the main driver of superbug resistance. We need to use vaccines as an important form of prevention from another pandemic.
All Party Parliamentary Group for Eating Disorders
I spoke at the launch of the APPG’s report into the state of eating disorder services.
Last year, there were 30,000 hospital admissions for eating disorders in comparison to 19,000 before the pandemic. Eating disorders are one of the most life-threatening mental illnesses with the highest mortality rates among mental health disorders, and too many people are discharged whilst still being critically ill.
As a doctor, I will always fight for better services for this treatable illness and support patients suffering from this debilitating disorder. Under the UK Labour Government, as part of the 10-year plan, an additional 380,000 patients will be able to access talking therapies on the NHS, an extra 8,500 mental health staff will be recruited and there will be access to support in every school. We now need to ensure that this is replicated in Scotland and implore that the SNP administration gives this issue the urgent attention it warrants.
Early Day Motions
This month I submitted an Early Day Motion in Parliament which celebrates and congratulates achievements.
The Hillwood boys Club and their founder, William Smith, are celebrating an incredible 55 years of community youth football which brings friends and families together, helping children from all backgrounds to pursue their passion for football.
We are also celebrating the 40th anniversary of Glasgow Central Mosque, the first ever purpose-built mosque in Scotland which is an anchor for the Muslim community. I was proud to support my colleague, John Grady MP’s EDM to mark this anniversary.
I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude and admiration for the incredible contributions and significant impact that grassroots organisations have on our community, I am truly thankful for their hard work.
Speaking in the House of Commons
You can find all my contributions and questions asked in the House of Commons on my YouTube channel on the link below.
Community Notice Board
Warm Homes Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount Scheme for 2024/2025 is open until 31st March 2025 for applications from Scottish Gas customers.
This is a one-off £150 payment towards electricity bills, paid directly by energy suppliers to customers. The payment is targeted to those on low incomes including those who receive means tested benefits and is separate from the Energy Bill Support Scheme. Check if you are eligible by calling 0330 808 3880.
Bank of Scotland Foundation - 2025 Grant Programme
The Foundation has now announced its grants programme for 2025:
Empower offers real security and certainty for charities with an annual income of between £150,000 and £500,000 with unrestricted funding of up to £150,000 over three years (£50,000 per year).
There will be one round opening on 3 February 2025.
Funding to improve sports facilities across Scotland
SportScotland offers grants of up to £200,000 for constituted, not-for-profit organisations to support capital projects that provide opportunities for people to get involved in and participate in sports and physical activity in Scotland. For projects in areas of high deprivation, grants of up to £250,000 are available.
Become a Mentor
Mentors spend an hour each week listening to and encouraging a young person in their school. The relationship that develops is what makes the difference, helping young people to build their confidence and discover their potential.
Glasgow pavement parking ban comes into force
New rules will hand out warning notices initially as drivers adjust to the changes. All parking fines in Glasgow are £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
Glasgow pavement parking ban comes into force
To advertise any community events or opportunities, please get in touch at zubir.ahmed.mp@parliament.uk