It’s been a busy summer here in East Ayrshire, with the dust now having settled on the General Election.

I’ve been continuing to get on with the day job of representing my constituents here in East Ayrshire and I will work with the newly elected Labour MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock in order to best serve local people.

Local residents want our politicians to work together, no matter what colour of rosette they wear.

But local people should be able to trust their politicians.

READ MORE: Ayrshire MSP says Cumnock banking hub can provide support

Labour told us that they wouldn't raise taxes if they got into power.

Now, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer seems to be saying that taxes will be raised at the next Budget.

And it’s been even more concerning to see the Chancellor cut the winter fuel payment for around 10 million pensioners in her first few weeks in the role.

The last thing I want to see here in East Ayrshire is working people paying more tax.

And for those who have worked all their lives, it's not right that their winter fuel payment is cut.  

Sharon Dowey has previously called for more police in Ayrshire.Sharon Dowey has previously called for more police in Ayrshire. (Image: NQ Archive)

The responsibility for the winter fuel payment in Scotland is set to move to the Scottish Government this winter, and pensioners should receive a ‘pension age winter heating payment’.

But with the SNP First Minister now warning of ‘tough decisions’ to be made in Scotland, I’m concerned that the SNP are going to follow in Labour’s footsteps.

Labour promised real change.

Yet, cutting winter fuel payments and proposing to raise taxes is the opposite kind of change that local people want to see.  

And it’s not just working people that could be taxed more.

We’re now hearing reports that in the October Budget, the Chancellor could impose a tax on the state pension.

All of this leaves pensioners and working people here in East Ayrshire worse off.

I’ll continue to stand up for my constituents in the Scottish Parliament and campaign as hard as I can to stop other parties from raising taxes and taking money from pensioners.