http://www.moraymp.org Fri, 02 May 2008 16:14:25 GMT The latest news from Moray MP. en-gb Copyright Moray MP Coranto using the Feed Builder Addon Fri, 02 May 2008 15:10:36 GMT http://www.moraymp.org/scgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkpAZuEpFyGYfZxdqu http://www.moraymp.org/scgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkpAZuEpFyGYfZxdqu A Year of GovernmentTomorrow marks the end of the first year in government for the SNP, an achievement that many commentators thought was impossible. But with a fast moving rate of change in key policy areas I believe that my SNP colleagues in the Scottish Parliament and Cabinet colleagues including local MSP Richard Lochhead have aquitted themselves very well. Most notably we have achieved a freeze in Council Tax, a cut in prescription charges and the introduction of the Small Business Bonus Scheme which provides rates cuts to support small and growing businesses. 2008 Whisky Festival UnderwayYesterday saw the launch of the 2008 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival which looks set to attract record numbers of visitors over the next few days. At a time when whisky exports have also soared to record levels and we are seeing massive investment in Moray by the industry the future bodes very well for our national drink. Here in Moray we have a vibrant industry that is going from strength to strength and must continue to make the most of ongoing initiatives like the Spirit of Speyside festival to ensure that the entire community benefits from the industry success. Children's Advertising Raises ConcernsIn a recent debate in the House of Commons MPs debated the issues surrounding the advertising of products to children which, as many parents will testify to, can cause huge problems with what childrena are prepared to eat and with the financial and other demands that they put on their parents. Adverts for sugary and fatty foods, soft drinks, multi-coloured foodstuffs and even fast food restaurants are constantly being aimed at children causing friction at home and on shopping trips and putting parents in a difficult position trying to keep their children happy. I have been contacted by several concerned constituents and at the debate last Friday the SNP raised some of these issues. It is an indidcation of the level of concern on this issue that the debate in fact lasted several hours and with a large number of MPs wishing to contribute to the debate it will continue to be considered in early June. ...and finally I am absolutely delighted to be able to congratulate my local SNP colleague Richard Lochhead MSP and his wife Fiona on their new addition to the family with the birth on Monday of Fraser at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin! Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:19:27 GMT http://www.moraymp.org/scgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkpAZuEVyZHsDQIjjX http://www.moraymp.org/scgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkpAZuEVyZHsDQIjjX "Moray workers will lose out after the 10p tax change" - Angus Robertson MP As the House of Commons considers the Finance Bill, Moray MP, Angus Robertson, along with SNP colleagues in Westminster is demanding assurances over how and when low paid workers, hit by the abolition of the 10p tax rate, will be compensated and whether it will be fully backdated. The Scottish National Party MP is continuing to pursue the issues raised by the abolition of the 10p tax rate which has seen millions of low paid workers paying more tax to subsidise a tax cut for the better off. As workers and pensioners start to receive their first payments under the new tax rules the local MP has been contacted by more constituents who are discovering their income cut by the Westminster Labour Government's decision to increase tax for the lowest paid. While exact figures are not available it is clear that in Moray alone several thousand low paid workers and pensioners will lose out under the new tax regime with all those earning under £18,500 having to pay more. Commenting on the ongoing row over the tax changes Angus Robertson MP said: “ We must have straightforward answers from the Chancellor over how and when low paid workers and pensioners will be compensated, and whether it will be fully backdated. “ Gordon Brown sidestepped a revolt on the abolition of the 10p tax rate by promising compensation, but his assurance is starting to look less like a u-turn and more like a diversion. “ First Gordon Brown fleeced those on low incomes, now it seems he’s pulled the wool over the eyes of Labour MPs by making a vague promise of compensation. “ It is not even clear whether everyone who is losing out as a result of the abolition of the 10p rate will be compensated, or when any compensation might be delivered." Ends. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:09:31 GMT http://www.moraymp.org/scgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkpAZupAZExkkmqmQK http://www.moraymp.org/scgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkpAZupAZExkkmqmQK New record export statistics by the Scotch whisky industry have been welcomed by Angus Robertson MP whose Moray constituency contains more than half of all malt whisky production.The Westminster SNP leader described the international growth as “tremendous news” and contrasted it with the recent domestic tax hike announced by the UK Labour government.Speaking about the new record export statistics Angus Robertson MP said:“The whisky industry is going from strength to strength around the globe. Everybody involved in whisky production, marketing and sales should be tremendously proud of their efforts.“It is ironic that while the rest of the world is boosting the industry the UK Labour government is undermining the domestic sector by hiking penal rates of tax.Background:Scotch Whisky exports earned £90 every second for the UK last year, with the value of shipments increasing by 14% to reach a new record of £2.8bn, according to figures published today by The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).The SWA revealed export volume was also at a historic high in 2007, growing 8%, with the equivalent of 1,135 million bottles of Scotch Whisky shipped overseas.Bottled Blended Scotch Whisky exports broke the £2bn barrier for the first time, with shipment value up 15% (to £2.22bn). Bottled Malt exports also rose by 11% in value (to £454m).Exports to most regions increased over the year, with shipments to Central & South America (+4% in value), Asia (+4.5%), North America (+5.5%) and the European Union (+27%) all growing. Tariff reform in the middle of 2007 gave exports to India - a key emerging market – a welcome boost, up 36% in value (to £33m). South Africa’s rapid rise into the industry’s top ten markets continued, with exports up a further 9% in value (to £91m).ENDS Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:17:05 GMT http://www.moraymp.org/scgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkpAZuEukVPUyArElN http://www.moraymp.org/scgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkpAZuEukVPUyArElN Moray MP, Angus Robertson, along with other Scottish National Party MPs in Westminster is demanding assurances that ID cards will not be introduced by the back door.Mr Robertson's comments come after the SNP questioned Scottish Secretary, Des Browne, on the issue. The questioning highlighted the widely held concerns of Scots over the government's proposals for ID Cards. In his response the Scottish Secretary failed to dismiss concerns over the cost of the proposals, the effectiveness of the proposals or whether Scottish students could be used as “biometric guinea pigs”. Commenting Angus Robertson MP said: “ I have been contacted by a significant number of constituents here in Moray on this issue and Des Browne is living in cloud cuckoo land if he thinks there is support for the introduction of ID cards." Of the correspondence I have received in my office in Elgin there has been a large number against and practically no-one in favour. Some of the Moray constituents who have written include individuals who have previous and current experience of ID card technology and they do not see the need for such a system." Not only is the government insisting on pressing ahead with this policy but have not denied that they may be considering trialling a system with Scottish students.“ The Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament, including some Labour MSPs, have made clear that ID cards are unwanted, and will certainly not be required for devolved services. UK Ministers should respect that, and groups such as Scottish students must not be forced into taking ID cards by stealth. “ It seems students have particularly been targeted by the UK Government, and they must not be compelled into taking ID cards for securing bank accounts or student loans. " The loss of personal data from various UK Government departments, and the fact that experts tell us that that ID cards will do nothing to improve security, underlines exactly why people are against the introduction of an ID card scheme. " Scottish students must not be used as biometric guinea pigs for a system that experts do not believe will work."Ends. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:18:25 GMT http://www.moraymp.org/scgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkpAZuEVpVswBBsaWX http://www.moraymp.org/scgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkpAZuEVpVswBBsaWX Moray's MSP Richard Lochhead and MP Angus Robertson have urged Moray residents to remain calm as the planned strike at Grangemouth Oil Refinery approaches.Richard Lochhead MSP said:" There is a normal amount of fuel in the distribution system in Scotland and if drivers simply purchase their fuel as normal there should not be a shortage." The Scottish Government has contingency plans in place to keep the supply of fuel going in Scotland and there are reserves of fuel to draw upon while the industrial dispute goes on at Grangemouth.Angus Robertson MP said:" I would urge the public not to panic about fuel and simply purchase their fuel as normal, whether that is a £10 fill or a £50 fill, if customers buy their normal amount then supplies should remain secure well into the month of May." Panic buying does not mean that there is not enough fuel to supply people's needs but that fuel users have more fuel than they would normally and that puts unnecessary extra demand on the distribution system, which is still able to supply the normal demands across Scotland."