The Pound in your Pocket was the subject of the United with Labour meeting in Ayr Town Hall last Thursday.

A packed meeting heard from local MP Sandra Osborne and Labour's Shadow Trade and Investment Minister, Ian Murray MP.

Mr. Murray said: "If Scotland became independent you would face the prospect of the cost of energy bills going up by hundreds of pounds and higher mortgage repayments and credit card bills.The failure of the Nationalists to address these issues as well as what they would replace the Pound with, is totally irresponsible." Sandra Osborne said: "Being part of the UK and using the UK Pound means cheaper car loans, lower mortgage repayments and cheaper credit card bills for people here in Scotland. Why would we want to trade that for the risk and uncertainty of independence. September’s vote will allow people to either vote for the best of both worlds - a strong Scottish Parliament with the guarantee of more powers backed up by the strength, security and stability of being part of the UK - or step into the uncertainty of independence with a much higher cost of living." This was the first three meetings the local MP is organising as part of the United with Labour campaign. On May 8, Gregg McClymont MP, Shadow Pensions Minister, will be in Ayr Town Hall to speak about Pensions, and on June 5, in the Citadel, Dame Anne Begg MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee will speak on Sharing the risk on Welfare.