CUMNOCK and Doon Valley residents are being urged to sign up and help shape a new social security system for Scotland.

The campaign to get people involved is entering it’s final days and Cumnock MSP Jeane Freeman has appealed for her constituents to get involved.

Ms Freeman, the Scottish Parliament’s Minister for Social Security, said: “I hope people across Cumnock and Doon Valley take this final opportunity to sign up to the Scottish Government’s panels and play their part in creating a social security system with fairness at its heart before the campaign ends.

“This is a golden opportunity to build a new public service for Scotland that directly involves and takes account of the personal experience and views of people who have used this service at the frontline.

Inviting 2,000 people to join us in building that new service is vital to the success of the work we have to do.

“The Scottish Government is committed to building a new social security system based on dignity and respect for people across Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, and contributing to the panels is an important step on the way to achieving this.”

Corri Wilson, who is standing for re-election in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock at the forthcoming General Election, added:“The social security system across the UK is in desperate need of a complete overhaul, as recent changes have sought to penalise the vulnerable and strip much needed support for the working poor. The rollout of Universal Credit has been beset by problems and has left many families unsupported and forced into debt.

“That is why we need to be sure that the system we implement here is one that works for people, not against them, and I am delighted that the Scottish Government is involving those who use the system to help design it. We have a chance to take a different approach, and this is a real opportunity for people to highlight their issues with the current system. We need social security to do what it says, to provide a safety net for those in need.”