February 2003

MP highlights 'High Income Investments' risks

Friday, February 28, 2003

Moray MP Mr Angus Robertson has today [Friday] highlighted concerns about 'Precipice Bonds'. These investments are considered to be of a higher risk for investors and, with the average age of investors in Precipice Bonds being over 60, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has issued a fact sheet to help people understand the risks involved with such investments.

Precipice Bonds are marketed in various ways. These include High Income Bonds, Stockmarket Income Bonds and Extra Income and Growth Plans.

Commenting on the issue the Scottish National Party MP said:

" It is important for constituents, particularly those who are considering investment options for their life savings, to consider very carefully the pros and cons of any financial investment.

" The advice issued by the FSA about 'High Income Investments' is extremely helpful and I would urge constituents who are thinking about putting their money into such schemes to obtain a copy of the document, which should be available from financial advisors, directly from the FSA or through my constituency office in Elgin.

" The main point to consider is that investors may not receive back all, or any, of their original investment.

" High Income Investments can be very profitable but there is a significantly higher investor risk to justify this potential profit. Investors should consider what level of risk they are prepared to accept, ensure that they are comfortable with any risk and be prepared for their money to be tied up for a certain period. Such investments should form part and not all of any portfolio."

Ends.

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Mounting concern over Iraq crisis

Thursday, February 27, 2003

THIS WEEK has been one of high drama, with mounting concerns about the Iraq crisis and the prospects of war.

The phone has gone non-stop and the letters and e-mails have been pouring in. Constituents have been calling from Forres to Buckie, Elgin to Dufftown to make sure their voices were heard. Their views were unanimous, and they were in opposition to a unilateral military strike on Iraq.

I was glad that people got in touch to let me know their views. The results of all the lobbying throughout the country made sure that there was the biggest House of Commons rebellion in 100 years. The run-up to the big vote saw me get together with like-minded MPs from other parties, and we tabled an amendment to the government motion saying that: “the case for military action against Iraq is as yet unproven”.

In the debate I took the chance to speak, and highlighted the wish of chief UN weapons inspector Dr Hans Blix for more time to do his job. When I joined the tens of thousands of people who recently marched in Glasgow the overwhelming view was that the UN inspectors should be able to get on with their jobs, and I completely agree.

Meanwhile, many of our RAF neighbours and friends in Moray have now left and are on the way to the Gulf or are already in the region. On the news I just watched a Tornado pilot speaking in Kuwait, saying that he thinks that “People back home might not be behind the government but are behind the troops”. He is exactly right! Although most people are not happy about Tony Blair’s Iraq policy there is overwhelming respect for our servicemen and women, and our thoughts are with them and their families.

THE SUBJECT of Iraq and pensions were top of the agenda when I spoke last week at the Darby and Joan Club in Lossiemouth.

The senior citizens club has a formidable membership of ladies who put me on the spot and asked lots of questions about my job in the House of Commons. In a lesson to a younger generation like my own they all agreed how important it is to make your vote count in elections.

WITH ELECTIONS in mind the Moray SNP has formally adopted Margaret Ewing as its candidate in the forthcoming polls for the Scottish Parliament.

This will be the fifth election that Margaret will have contested in Moray. She has represented the area in the Scottish Parliament and previously in the House of Commons for 16 years and is well known, liked and respected for her hard work and commitment. A great turnout at the adoption meeting saw young and old members voice their support for Margaret. Voices were also raised in a sing-along, which saw Margaret, Fergus and Winnie Ewing take to the stage.
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Moray MP sponsors Amendment to Commons Iraq Motion

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson has welcomed the news that an amendment he has co-sponsored will be debated in the House of Commons today [Wednesday].

The amendment, which states that the case for war against Iraq is unproven, has attracted support from 115 MPs from four parties, SNP, Labour, Conservative, and Plaid Cymru. Mr Robertson was one of the six MPs who agreed on the text of the amendment and presented it for debate.

Commenting Mr Robertson said:

" I am delighted that the House will have the opportunity to debate the SNP backed amendment this afternoon.

" With the news this morning that the UN Chief Weapons Inspector Dr Hans Blix has called for more time for his team to complete its work, the case against war is now stronger than ever.

" France & Germany proposals to the UN are well thought out and should be supported by Bush & Blair. War against Iraq at the present time would be premature and would most likely lead to an increase in terrorist activities throughout the world."

Ends.

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Moray MP outraged at Nimrod overspend

Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Moray's Westminster representative, SNP MP Angus Robertson, has challenged the Defence Minister to account for the dramatic waste of public money in the defence sector.

His action comes following the recent news that BAE Systems will incur a £750 Million charge for cost overruns and delays in the Nimrod and Astute Submarine contracts that it has with the government.

The result of this is that the government has agreed to increase the project funding by hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers money.

Commenting the SNP MP said:

“ While the news that BAE and the Ministry of Defence have now resolved the major Nimrod contract problems is very welcome, I am appalled that the cost to the tax payer will be hundreds of millions of pounds.

" In recent years the MoD has repeatedly been in the news over problems with defence contracts and there is clearly something far wrong with the way in which their legal teams are negotiating contract terms with the private companies involved.

" It is entirely unacceptable for there to be repeated delays and cost overruns. There are inevitable knock-on problems for the RAF personnel on the ground to deal with and for maintaining efficient and modern security forces to protect Scotland and the UK."

The problems with the Nimrod contract follow on from concerns raised by RAF and civilian personnel about contracts issued to private companies under the government's controversial Private Finance Initiative (PFI). Under PFI private companies take on contracts to run public services for a profit and, in many cases, provide the equipment required.

The complaints from personnel in Moray and beyond range from concerns about fire cover at RAF stations to job security and pay and conditions worries.

Mr Robertson expressed his outrage with the long running problems saying:

" RAF and civilian personnel from Moray and elsewhere in Scotland and the UK have told me of their deep concerns at the way in which the government is pursuing its privatisation agenda.

" The problems are having a serious effect on morale in some defence sectors with employees seeing unwelcome changes to their pay and conditions and prolonged uncertainty on their job security.

" It is completely unacceptable for the government to continue to pursue a course of action that puts private profit before public provision and that lines the pockets of shareholders while devaluing the hard work of our armed forces personnel."

Ends.

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Moray Making Waves of Protest

Thursday, February 13, 2003

MANY PEOPLE are commenting that we live in unhappy times, with the prospect of war, our fishing communities under threat, a lack of government support after the Moray floods and the fire dispute still unresolved.

I share those concerns on these important issues, but take heart that at least voices are being raised to put pressure on decision-makers and try and force some changes.

At the present time many of our RAF neighbours in Moray are having to pack their bags and head for the Gulf after Tony Blair ordered their deployment. Service personnel are leaving their families behind, and there are serious worries about the prospects of unilateral military action. Those worries by service families and the wider community have been demonstrated in vigils in Forres and elsewhere. Buses are leaving Moray for a huge demonstration in Glasgow to support a peaceful resolution to the Iraq crisis. I will be adding my voice to local people on the march who think arms inspections and the United Nations should resolve the situation. There should be no confusion about the respect we have for our service community, but there are doubts about decision-makers who are sending them in harm’s way.

Moray folk are also highlighting the crisis in the fishing industry with the formation of ‘Moray Making Waves’ who join the Cod Crusaders in the fight for jobs. The group attended a Buckie meeting at the beginning of the week, hosted by Margaret Ewing MSP and Shadow Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead of the SNP. Quite apart from the daft EU/UK plans to dramatically cut the Scottish effort while allowing Danish industrial fishery, there are serious safety worries about the new rules.

Fishing leaders told people at the Buckie meeting that the European Commission has been shocked by the backlash in Scotland. That should give hope to ‘Moray Makes Waves’ and others with concerns about the future of fishing. It is possible to make a difference, and Margaret and I, together with our colleagues in the SNP, will continue to argue for a recovery, and not redundancy, in the fishing industry.

Recovery is also important for many businesses and individuals in Moray following the floods. Sadly, I had a very disappointing response from the Treasury this week, after asking them to introduce tax deferral measures. Despite admitting that they brought in similar special assistance after the foot-and-mouth crisis, the London Labour Government is denying help for Moray.
Promises have been made that the Inland Revenue will have some discretion. If any readers have experiences where they think they are being treated unfairly on taxation or insurance matters following the floods please call my Elgin office on (01343) 551111.

Since the last Week in Parliament column, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott announced Draconian measures to impose a solution in the firefighters’ dispute. This is, of course, deeply unwelcome, and he must have forgotten that firefighters’ pay and conditions are devolved and not reserved matters.

Any imposed settlement would require the permission of the Scottish Parliament, and his advisors must have got their sums wrong, because just at the critical time to legislate, the Scottish Parliament will have broken up for the elections.

So far in this dispute the SNP has not pursued a separate Scottish settlement because neither employers nor the employees sought one. However, the time is coming where, for the sake of public safety and natural justice, that position may have to change. I have always said that the firefighters have been pushed into a corner, and having met them many times I know they would far rather not be on strike. Maybe we have to find a local solution if London just keeps up the confrontation.

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Leap in Moray Unemployment

Thursday, February 13, 2003

Moray's Westminster representative, SNP MP Angus Robertson has condemned the London based Labour government for its economic policy that is leading to higher unemployment in Moray and the rest of Scotland.

Mr Robertson's comments come after the release of February's unemployment figures from the Office for National Statistics. The figures show that the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Moray rocketed from 955 in January to 1159 this month. This representatives an increase in unemployment of over 21%.

The increase in the jobless figure represents a double blow for the area, as it was revealed earlier in the week by the GMB Union that Moray is still languishing at the bottom of Scotland's average weekly earnings table.

With further major job cuts likely as a result of the ongoing fishing crisis the Scottish National Party representative for the area has slammed the government's policies which he says are 'running Scotland into the ground'.

Mr Robertson said:

“ It is very disappointing but not surprising that we are facing these problems in Moray and, indeed, through Scotland as a whole. Labour's economic policy is only helping the South East of England and while I do not grudge anyone economic success it is time that we took responsibility for our own country's economic policy.

" The plight that the fishing industry faces is simply the latest in a long list of Westminster sell-outs that we have been subjected to; including Ravenscraig Steel Works in the 1980s and, closer to home, the Nigg and Ardersier fabrication yards."

" Scotland has more than enough economic potential but our ambition to grow and expand is being stifled by the economics of London. The wealth of Scotland can work for the people of Scotland but only if we have control over all aspects of the economy within Scotland.

" Basically, for Scotland to fully release its potential we need to show the world that we have the confidence to control our own destiny through independence."

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Robertson critical of government's flooding response

Tuesday, February 11, 2003

Moray SNP MP Mr Angus Robertson has criticised the Treasury's poor response to Tax concerns raised by Moray businesses in wake of the recent flooding.

Local businesses had raised with Mr Robertson the possibility of getting their tax deferred so that they could recover more easily from the effects of the recent floods that so badly affected Moray. Mr Robertson tabled a question to the Treasury if tax deferral would be introduced for businesses affected. Regrettably the government's response was less than helpful.

The Minister responsible stated that in 2001 tax deferral measures were introduced to help viable businesses and individuals affected by the foot and mouth disease outbreak. The Minister went on to say that there were no plans to introduce similar measures for flood affected businesses in Moray.

Commenting on the response Mr Robertson said:

" The government's failure to offer concrete help to businesses affected by flooding is a dereliction of their duty.

" The businesses concerned are not asking for handouts, simply a little extra time to pay their tax bills, which would ease their cash flow while they rebuild their livelihoods.

" The Minister's ignorance of the problem is demonstrated by their mention of the recent foot and mouth outbreak. Yes, businesses deserved the assistance at that time, but the flooding in Moray has left many indivudals in an equally difficult position.

" It is a relatively simple measure that could easily have been considered and their failure to do so is quite simply galling."

Ends.

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SNP Push Broadband Message

Friday, February 7, 2003

“Broadband can provide a catalyst for rural business development” - Robertson

Moray MP Angus Robertson has made an appeal to constituents in the Lossiemouth, Forres & Findhorn areas to register interest in Broadband Technology to ensure that Broadband becomes available in the soonest possible time.

Broadband allows Internet access at around 10 times the speed of a normal modems and has become increasingly cheaper to install. This benefit increases to around 40 times the speed of a standard modem for some business products. The benefits of the technology include being able to make a simultaneous voice call while 'online' using just one phone line. It also provides an 'always on' Internet connection at a fixed cost.

Users are able to download real time video and sound from the Internet and business users can make more effective use of online sales systems and websites.

Commenting the SNP MP said:

" At the moment there has been a reasonable level of interest in broadband from constituents in both the Lossiemouth and Forres exchange areas with Findhorn a little further behind.

" BT have just announced that the 'trigger levels' for all three exchanges have been reduced from 400 to 350 in an effort to speed up the rollout of Broadband technology. I would urge any constituents who might be thinking about Broadband to register their interest with BT on their website at www.bt.com/broadband. Registering an interest does not in any way commit you to signing up for Broadband when it becomes available but it is an essential part of making the service available more widely through Moray.

" Broadband has been likened to colour television replacing black & white and the benefits to home and business users alike are potentially very great."

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MAKE THE POST OFFICE YOUR FIRST CHOICE SAYS MP

Friday, February 7, 2003

Moray SNP MSP Angus Robertson has lent his support to local postmasters in their campaign to retain their customers after changes to the benefits system - leading to payment by automated credit transfer instead of cash.

Mr Robertson has highlighted the issue in the wake of reports that some applicants for Child Tax Credits have been told that they must provide details of their Post Office Card Account within 14 days, despite the fact that no-one can open an account until March.

Commenting Mr Robertson said:

" Letters are being sent out to recipients of child benefit, in which they are asked how they wish their payments to be made after order book payments at withdrawn. One of those options is to receive the benefit into a post office card account, which can be accumulated or redeemed for cash at local post offices.

" I was outraged to learn that while forms are enclosed with letters to complete and return if you wish to receive your money paid into your bank account, if you wish to continue to support your local post office and collect your cash from there via the new Post Office card account, you then have to telephone a helpline. Not only that, but I am receiving reports that far from being a helpline, the customer is then subject to persuasion to switch to a bank account instead. This is really quite incredible and I will be taking this up with the authorities.

" I would urge all local residents to take a stand in support of their local post office in the face of these underhand tactics, and choose to have their payments made into a post office card account. The banks have mainly deserted our rural communities and by choosing a post office card account, local people can help ensure the survival of their local post office.

Ends.

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Catriona Completes Internship at Parliamentary Offices

Monday, February 3, 2003

The first High School pupil in Moray has completed an official internship at the Moray Parliamentary Office of Angus Robertson MP.

Lossie High School Student Catriona Barr spent this week working at the constituency parliamentary office in Wards Road, Elgin. She is the first of pupil to complete the official placement offered by Mr Robertson’s office for interested students within the Moray area.

Recent governmental statistics show an ever-decreasing youth interest in the parliamentary process and Mr Robertson felt inspired to include young people temporarily within his office team in a bid to encourage interest with the parliamentary process.

The non-partisan internship gives students insight into the work of a Member of Parliament and the running of an MP’s office. There has been a considerable take up for the scheme from schools across Moray after teachers nominated students following consultation with their parents.

Participants receive a Westminster education pack as part of the internship programme and are given a certificate and letter of reference.

Speaking about the internship programme Angus Robertson MP said:

“Catriona is the first of many students wishing to take part in our official Parliamentary Internship Programme. We in the office look forward to the fresh ideas and questions that students will bring”.

“It is essential that elected politicians do all they can to listen to and work with young people. 18 – 24 year olds are the least likely to vote among the electorate and politicians of all parties should seek to listen to and also inform young people of the parliamentary process”.

Speaking about her involvement in the internship programme Catriona Barr said:

“My interest to take part in the Internship Programme was prompted by my enjoyment of Modern Studies at school and my career ambitions.

“In October of this year I will start a media based degree at Glasgow University and I saw the internship as an excellent opportunity to develop my skills in media and further my knowledge of the political process.

“I would strongly recommend this programme to other interested students”.

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