Tag: Lothian MSP Miles Briggs

Lothian MSP calls for vigilance amid spike in insulation scams

A Lothian MSP has asked for constituents to be ‘vigilant’ as reports of insulation scams increase over the winter period.

The calls from Miles Briggs MSP come as reports of home insulation scams are on the rise in Scotland as people try to cut their energy costs, with criminals attempting to exploit this.

The scams are leaving victims out of pocket to the tune of thousands of pounds, with many having to fork out additional money to remove fake insulation such as ‘spray foam insulation’ from lofts and other areas of their properties.

Many victims are lured in by dishonest ‘workers’ who inform them that they are liable to receive benefits and funding from the government while demanding that they pay upfront for the insulation.

As of mid-December 2023, 158 complaints had been received from Scottish consumers regarding insulation scams, a rise of 42 per cent on 2022’s total of 111.

Figures from Trading Standards Scotland suggest that a total of £500,000 has been lost to insulation scams in 2023 from Scottish homeowners, with an average cost of between £4,000 and £8,000 per consumer.

Older people are often the most vulnerable to these scams, particularly when contacted by cold-callers.

Scottish Conservative & Unionist MSP Miles Briggs said: “It is really important that people remain vigilant at this time and look for signs of scammers.

“Unfortunately, many of those involved are highly skilled at deception and can appear incredibly convincing in what they are saying.

“These scams are happening not just in my region of Lothian, but all across Scotland, and are far more present in the cold winter months as consumers seek to limit their energy usage.

“It is important consumers undertake independent research and refrain from engaging with cold callers who offer ‘free’ services.

“It is despicable that bad faith actors are exploiting the concerns of people during a cost-of-living crisis, and absolutely essential that consumers do whatever they can to protect themselves from these criminals.”

Lothian MSPs opens up about father’s alcohol use as part of new campaign 

Miles Briggs MSP has opened up for the first time about his father’s alcohol use, as he backs a campaign to alcohol and drugs.

In a candid and moving letter to his father as part of the See Beyond – See the Lives – Scotland campaign, Miles shares his experiences as the son of a single parent who drank; he lost his mother to breast cancer at an early age.

The Lothians MSP also talks of the loss and pain he feels due to his deceased father missing spending time with his children and grandchildren.

“We all miss you but also know the pain watching you try to deal with and hide your drink problem from family and friends – from bottles hidden in the garden and around the house, the difficulty in holding down a job and for the family the worry and concerns we all felt over what would come next,” writes Miles, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party MSP for Lothian.

He continues: “We probably don’t speak enough about you as a family – that’s partly because it can often return to what was a difficult few final years of your life. Dad, you know you weren’t perfect, but then which one of us is?”

Also backing See Beyond – See the Lives – Scotland is Monica Lennon, Scottish Labour MSP for Central Scotland. A long-time campaigner against the stigma surrounding substance use, Monica lost her father to alcohol in 2015.

Miles’ and Monica’s letters to their fathers are included with 14 others who share letters to their loved ones on the campaign’s website.

The two MSPs will front a Scottish Parliament reception this week in Holyrood where those who helped to create the website campaign will talk about their experiences. They will stress the importance of showing kindness and offering support to everyone affected.

‘Everyone knows someone’ is the message behind See Beyond – See the Lives – Scotland, launched last month by the University of Stirling, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), and The Salvation Army.

As well as hard-hitting stories and videos from family members and friends of people who have died, the website includes resources and advice for those harmed by substance use, whether for themselves or a family member or friend.

Since its launch, the campaign has gained national attention and support for its mission to shatter myths surrounding drug and alcohol use and deaths, and to encourage the public to showcompassion for those experiencing problems with substance useand the people left behind when a loved one dies.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “The important message with See Beyond – See the Lives – Scotland is that there is still stigma attached to alcohol and drug use, from how people talk about it to the judgements they bring to it. 

“Each of these letters is a rallying cry to make a change. 

“Everyone knows someone, and we can all help steer each other towards more of an understanding of substance use and its effects on people’s lives.”