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Paisley Daily Express Column - 13 Jan 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

First things first. As its my first column of 2010 let me wish readers of the Paisley Daily Express a Happy New Year! I hope this year brings you health and happiness and brings us all a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. Lets hope the new year proves to be a good one for our community here in Renfrewshire.

This year also marks the passing from our screens of Paisley born David Tennant in his role as Dr Who. He's been a wonderful ambassador for the town,  has been on our screens for four years, and seemed to be omnipresent at Christmas. He has won near universal acclaim. So as Doctor David might put it, lets hope this year is out of this world for the people of Paisley!

WELL DONE JAMES!

I was delighted to see Renfrewshire residents get recognised in the New Years Honours List. Every one deserves our congratulations and thanks  for their contribution to our community. Yet in my first column of 2010 I wanted to say a special word of congratulations to  that Paisley legend James Wardrop.

I have known James for many years and have long admired his committment to our town and its community. Whether it is through the Abbey, or the Accord Hospice, or the Burns Club, there are countless individuals and organisations here in Paisley who have been helped  by James' involvement.

He is both a decent man and a real gent, and I am proud to call him a friend. so on behalf of our whole community, well done James. You're a credit to our town and its people.

BACK TO WORK - THROUGH THE SNOW

It was back to Parliament for me on Monday. There was no Bank Holiday in England on Monday, so it was the sleeper train back to Euston on Sunday night.

And the first thing that struck me when I got off the train was that there was no snow and ice on the ground. After a welcome break over the Festive season in snowy Renfrewshire it was just another reminder that the holidays are over!

CHILLS AND BILLS

With two kids at home  I know the pressures parents come under to buy their children the Christmas presents they want. So I was concerned but not suprised by new statistics that show that more than half of Scots spend more than they can afford over the Christmas period, leaving them struggling to pay bills in the New Year.

The research was carried out by Jobcentre Plus and their advice to people is to look at their finances and think about improving their money handling in the long term.

This is particularly important at the moment when money is tight for everyone given the recession cuased by the global financial crisis.

And I know from the calls to my office and my regular advice surgeries that struggling to pay the bills after Christmas is a situation that many people here in Renfrewshire can find themselves in. It can be very stressful and a source of real worry.

Loan sharks still try to profit from this misery, and the Jobcentre survey is correct with its advice that getting a job is the surst way to improve a households financial situation in the long-term.

Of course itt can be a difficult step to make especially if you've been out of work for a while, but Jobcentre Plus can help you work out which type of job is best suited to you and also advise on training, flexible working and childcare costs.

So if you think that Jobcentre Plus can give you the help and advice you need then why not get in touch. For more information, go online to www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk