A COMMITTEE of MPs came to Castlemilk to hear how one the most controversial of the UK Government's welfare reforms is affecting people.

Normally these meetings are conducted 400 miles away in Westminster far from those living with the consequences of the decisions.

The Scottish Parliament Welfare Reform Committee has done a similar exercise holding hearings in Glasgow to hear directly for those affected.

Many people turned up in Castlemilk to observe the proceedings showing there is an interest in politics when it is a subject that matters to people's daily lives.

More meetings of both Holyrood and Westminster committees would be welcome in towns and cities around the country to take government closer to the people and allow greater interaction between politicians and the public.

There was one similarity that was noticeable at both the Scottish Affairs Committee and the Welfare Reform Committee visits to Glasgow.

None of the Conservative members attended, missing an opportunity to get valuable feedback on how the Government policies affect the people.

Perhaps this can be addressed in future.