Christmas and New Year - useful information and contacts

My office will close to take a short break over the festive period so that my small team of staff can have an opportunity to rest after another incredibly busy year.

I will periodically check my email inbox for very urgent casework, however all other enquiries will be dealt with in the new year.

My office will close on Thursday 22nd December 2022 and reopen on Wednesday 4th January 2023.

Below is some helpful information and emergency contacts which may be of use to you over the holidays.

Council festive opening hours

There is information on the Glasgow City Council and North Lanarkshire Council websites regarding opening times and out-of-hours arrangements for different departments.

Glasgow City Council also has a dedicated page on its site on bin collections over the festive period.

Gritting and salt

Glasgow City Council

• General information on gritting
• Online form to report a grit bin needing filled
• Searchable map to find your nearest grit bins

North Lanarkshire Council

• Latest gritting update
• General information on gritting
• Searchable map to find your nearest grit bins

DWP

Some benefit payments will be made earlier if they're due between 26 December 2021 and 3 January 2022. Further details and information can be found on the DWP website.

Universal Credit helpline

• Telephone: 0800 328 5644
• Textphone: 0800 328 1344
• Online: gov.uk

Social Security Scotland

Some benefit payments will be made earlier if they're due between 24 December 2021 and 6 January 2022. If you are affected, you should receive a text message closer to the time advising you of when you will receive your payment. Further details and information can be found on the Social Security Scotland website.

Helpline

• Telephone: 0800 182 2222
• Webchat: socialsecurity.gov.scot

Crisis assistance

Scottish Welfare Fund

The Scottish Welfare Fund is provided by the Scottish Government and administered by local authorities. It can help by providing crisis grants as well as self-isolation support grant. If you live in the Stepps part of my constituency, please note that North Lanarkshire Council take responsibility for the administration of the fund in your area.

Scottish Welfare Fund: Glasgow City Council

• Telephone: 0141 276 1177
• Online: glasgow.gov.uk

Scottish Welfare Fund: North Lanarkshire Council

• Telephone: 0300 555 0405
• Online: northlanarkshire.gov.uk
• Email: swf@northlan.gov.uk

Emergency food parcels

Glasgow North East Foodbank may also be able to help if you are in crisis.

• Telephone: 07745 242738
• Online: glasgowne.foodbank.org.uk
• Email: info@glasgowne.foodbank.org.uk

For constituents living in Stepps, your nearest food bank is East Dunbartonshire.

• Telephone: 07425 134131
• Online: eastdunbartonshire.foodbank.org.uk
• Email: info@eastdunbartonshire.foodbank.org.uk

Homelessness

Simon Community Homeless Team (24hr line)

• Telephone: 0800 027 7466
• Online: simonscotland.org

Glasgow City Council out of hours homelessness service

• Telephone: 0800 838 502
• Online: glasgow.gov.uk

Samaritans

If you feel that your circumstances are overwhelming and you are in need of emotional support, you can contact Samaritans for free in confidence any time. Samaritans' service is provided by volunteers - they can't take action or fix issues on your behalf, but they are there round the clock to listen to anyone dealing with difficult thoughts and feelings.

• Telephone: 116 123
• Online: samaritans.org
• Email: jo@samaritans.org

Domestic abuse

Glasgow Women's Aid

• Telephone: 0141 553 2022
• Online: glasgowwomensaid.org.uk
• Email: getsupport@glasgowwomensaid.org.uk

Glasgow East Women's Aid

• Telephone: 0141 781 0230
• Online: gewa.org.uk
• Email: info@gewa.org.uk

Scotland's domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline

• Telephone: 0800 027 1234
• Online: sdafmh.org.uk
• Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk

Emergency contact telephone numbers

• Emergency police, fire or ambulance: 999
• Glasgow City Council: 0141 287 2000
• Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
• Floodline: 0345 988 1188
• Power cut: 105
• Gas leaks/cut: 0800 111 999
• NHS24: 111
• Scottish Water: 0800 0778 778
• Traveline Scotland: 0800 200 2233
• Traffic Scotland: 0800 028 1414
• Foreign Office travel help: 0845 850 2829
• Glasgow City Council asylum and refugee team: 0141 222 7352
• Glasgow and Partners Emergency Social Work Service: 0300 343 1505