Bob Doris, newly re-elected as a Scottish National Party MSP for Glasgow Region, recently met with members of St Bride's Ladies' Afternoon Club at their Church Hall in Cambuslang.

Mr Doris was invited to address the club and spoke of the Scottish Government's commitments to ensuring a Council Tax freeze for another five years, retaining the free bus pass, and guaranteeing an additional £1billion on the NHS despite UK cuts. He also discussed at length with members their views on proposed UK Government pension reforms.

Mr Doris was accompanied by local SNP councillor Clare McColl to the gathering, which both politicians left with a number of new constituency cases in order to assist constituents with local issues.

After the meeting, Mr Doris said: "I congratulate Marie Hayes and Margaret Traynor, the club's president and vice-president, for providing this valuable service to Cambuslang. The club is very well attended, and it was clear to me that its members benefit greatly from the opportunity to meet and socialise regularly.

"Some of the women I met expressed their concern about the UK's proposed flat pension rate. They were also perturbed by plans to raise the retirement age. As these changes will not affect those who are already retired, such as those who attend the club, this is an excellent example of the older generation looking out for younger people.

"Several of the people I spoke to had been unable to retire until their mid-sixties, and were worried that an even tougher future awaits their children and grandchildren.

"I would prefer for control over pensions to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament so that we could legislate on these matters directly; but for now, I hope the UK government will take on board the views of people such as those I met today."

Councillor McColl also extended her congratulations to Ms Hayes and Ms Traynor, saying: "We were made to feel very welcome by the club's organisers and members, and I plan to visit again soon.

"No one needs to feel lonely when a club you have a club like this, which provides fish supper evenings, bus runs, Christmas dinners and many more activities. Members are really treated like part of an extended family."