LAST week I helped launch a major new report into the safety of nuclear weapons convoys being driven on our roads in Scotland.

For many people it will be a startling to hear that nuclear warheads for the Trident weapons system are regularly driven between Burghfield in Berkshire and the Coulport base on Loch Long.

The convoys consist of a string of up to 20 military vehicles, from land rovers to military police cars and articulated lorries that hold the warheads. Chances if you have been driving on the M9 since the 90s you will have passed them and as the Trident system is upgraded there are signs convoys are getting more frequent.

There have been numerous incidents over the decades, from breakdowns to convoys getting lost. Despite reassurances from the MoD there remains a risk of terrorism and a catastrophe occurring. Any incident involving a breach of the containment vessel could result in plutonium and other radioactive matter being spread for miles.

The report was compiled by Nukewatch UK using data I gathered from councils. It shows that none have been able to properly assess the risk of the convoys, neither have they met their duties under Civil Contingency laws to inform communities of the risks.

While the immediate vicinity of an incident would be the responsibility of the MoD, there would be a wide exclusion zone where councils and Scottish Government led services and would need to co-ordinate the response.

The fact that councils are utterly un-prepared for an incident, however small the risk, is a major cause for concern.

The Scottish Government must lead a review of the risks and response with councils, but so far they have retreated from acknowledging there is any concern to address.

This week Green MSPs have a new report out that looks at what the impact of the benefits cap has been on families across Scotland.

The benefits cap was lowered again last November and evidence shows that in Clackmannanshire this has more than doubled the number of families facing a significant reduction in support.

The cap takes families below what is needed to meet basic needs with most losing up to £100 a week.

This cap could push families into rent arrears with potential evictions in turn causing homelessness, which in itself is an expensive problem for governments to deal with and devastating for those involved.

The Scottish Government need to act as they have done already over the Bedroom Tax and put in place funds to protect the most vulnerable.

£1-2m would prevent this draconian cap from pushing more people into a desperate state from which they will struggle to return to stability and employment.

Constituents can get in touch with me via my Stirling office - 67a King Street, Stirling, FK8 1BN.

Call 01786 448203 or email mark.ruskell.msp@parliament.scot to book a surgery appointment or share an issue.