Last week I popped in to see Debbie at Johnstone TOA taxis to have a chat about the work they do with Renfrewshire Foodbank.

Since March 2014 Johnstone TOA have worked closely with the Foodbank and provide a number of free services in support of the charity.

This includes receiving foodbank donations at their office beside Johnstone Train Station as well as delivering the donations to the Foodbank.

The team at Johnstone also offer all schools around Johnstone a free delivery service for donations made to Renfrewshire Foodbank.

The service is designed to encourage schools in Johnstone to consider Renfrewshire Foodbank in their fundraising activities.

Wallace Primary in Elderslie has used this free service more than once and would I encourage other schools to get involved.

If you aren’t able to go along to the Taxi Office to drop off a donation, then Johnstone TOA taxi drivers will be happy for you to leave a bag or even a single tin with them to drop off when they are back at the office.

Meeting with Local DWP Staff I recently had a meeting with local Jobcentre Plus staff, including the district manager for the West of Scotland.

We had a productive and informative conversation around how they are implementing Universal Credit and how they are trying to help people into work.

I am looking forward to going back in the near future to spend a day observing the work that they do.

This meeting came at a great time as my work with the Work and Pensions Select Committee is about to include an inquiry into the delivery and processing of benefits.

I have already met with a number of local groups and individuals to discuss many of the problems in the system as it stands.

I will also be arranging several more meetings to get information and case studies that I can use.

Afro-Caribbean Festival On Saturday I attended the Scottish / Afro-Caribbean festival. It was a great event that brought a lot of communities together.

The parade from Freguslie Gardens to Barshaw Park was a great success in spite of the rain.

Thank you to the organisers (REEM) for inviting me. It was a fantastic day and fun for all.