‘We need to do everything we can to stay safe and healthy.’

Over the past week, worrying news about increases in a new flu strain have dominated the headlines. Cases have more than doubled in a week and we need to do everything we can to stay safe and healthy this winter.

Getting vaccinated is the best way of protecting yourself and your loved ones from the flu.

Public Health Scotland has reported that more age groups are now being affected at levels that have not been previously seen at this time of year.

If you are over 65, or are aged 18-65 and defined as being at risk, you are eligible for a flu jag for free through the NHS. You should have already received information in the form of a text message, a phone call or a letter from the NHS with details of your appointment, but if you think you might be eligible and haven’t heard, you can find more information on nhsinform.scot.

You can also book to have your vaccine done privately at a pharmacy if you do not qualify, and many employers also offer free vaccinations at work.

Vaccinations are so important in the efforts to keep us all protected and I’d encourage anyone who is eligible or able to get their jag to do so this winter.

Last week, I held my Winter Help and Information event in Greenock Town Hall. It was really important to me to bring together so many of the organisations that are there to provide support over the coming months.

There is always support available if you need it. Projects like Wattwise from The Trust are there to provide help and advice on energy related issues, while CVS Community Link Workers are available to support patients of GP practices in Inverclyde by offering a helping hand to guide them to services for non-medical issues that impact on your health and wellbeing. If you think they might be of help, get in touch with your GP.

The UK Government has taken action on the cost of living this winter by working hard to cut energy bills for households. The Warm Home Discount Scheme is available to help in Scotland, and this year around half a million homes in Scotland are eligible to receive the payment.

If you are in receipt of the guarantee credit element of pension credit, you should have received a letter telling you about the discount if you’re eligible. If you haven’t received a letter but think you might be eligible, you can also call your energy supplier to check if you will receive the £150 payment.

As the weather also becomes more unpredictable, SP Energy Networks is encouraging those who may need extra support in the event of a power cut – including people with medical equipment at home, those over 60, households with children under 5, or anyone who feels they could use additional support – to sign up to the Priority Services Register.

Originally published by the Greenock Telegraph on 14/12/2025

This free service provides tailored help and proactive updates when there are problems in a customer’s area, as well as offering a 24/7 dedicated helpline number to contact. For more information, you can visit www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/powercut.

If you have a power cut, you can call 105 for free to report or get information about power cuts in your local area. It doesn’t matter who your electricity supplier is, anyone can call 105 for information.

If you missed the help and information event last week and require any support on the Warm Homes Discount Scheme, or any other issues, please do not hesitate to contact my office who can be reached by phone on 01475 789223 or by emailing me at martin.mccluskey.mp@parliament.uk.