Even before the General Election was announced, this was already a busy time of year with all the local gala days and community events taking place all across my constituency and the wider Renfrewshire area.

All these events bring out the best in our communities, with local groups and charities working together to make sure each event is a memorable day out for families and local residents. These are important occasions for local groups, helping to fundraise to support their activities while also raising awareness of the issues they are addressing. With Volunteers’ Week Scotland taking place in the first week of June it is also important to thank the many people who volunteer for a wide range of organisations all across Renfrewshire North & West. Each volunteer makes a difference, dedicating time and energy to the causes they support.

One of the biggest events is the annual Renfrew Gala Day, held on the first Sunday of June. This year’s Renfrew Gala Day was a great family friendly event which attracted an excellent crowd, once again highlighting how well this event is supported by the wider Renfrew community. It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves and taking part in all the activities. I’ve been pleased to get along to many of these brilliant events across the constituency, including Bridge of Weir and Houston.

With the general election coming up it’s important to remember the distinctive policies we have in Scotland, such as the Scottish Child Payment. No other part of the UK has a similar policy, this is unique to Scotland and a key tool for tackling child poverty. I am pleased that the First Minister highlighted tackling child poverty as one of his key aims.

Recent figures show that the Scottish Child Payment supports over 329,000 children across Scotland, with over £677 million paid out since it was launched. New survey responses suggest the payment has helped the majority of recipients buy healthy food for their children, with the application process described as quick and straightforward.

The approach to benefits taken by Social Security Scotland is rooted in dignity, fairness and respect – helping everyone in Scotland to access the benefits to which they are entitled rather than the dogmatic, authoritarian approach of the DWP.

The Scottish Child Payment is helping families just now. Along with other key policies put in place by the SNP Scottish Government helping to mitigate the Westminster created cost of living crisis and the economic damage of Brexit. If we can achieve so much under the constraints of devolution, then think how much more we could achieve if Scotland has the full range of economic and social powers of a normal independent nation!