MP CONGRATULATES MORAY SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
Posted on Thursday, November 15 2007
Today marks Social Enterprise Day and Scottish National Party Member of Parliament for Moray Angus Robertson has congratulated Moray's numerous Social Enterprises on their ongoing success.Social enterprises are dynamic businesses with a social purpose working all around the UK and internationally to deliver lasting social and environmental change.Well known social enterprises include Cafe-Direct, The Big Issue and the Co-op.Moray Social Enterprises include organisations such as Community Halls, Charity Shops, Community recycling projects and Agricultural Machinery Rings, amongst many others. The contribution made by Social Enterprises to community stability, infrastructure and the wider economy is significant and the organisations can frequently provide services that would be difficult for public authorities to sustain.Many Social Enterprises are also contracted by public authorities, such as Wastewatchers in Buckie who provide can recycling facilities for the cans collected by Moray Council's waste management services.Speaking about the contribution made by Social Enterprises in Moray Angus Robertson said:" Social Enterprises in Moray employ literally hundreds of people, strengthening community infrastructure and boosting the economy." The positive effects of Social Enterprise are particularly noticeable in rural areas where the businesses are often a community hub." In many cases the Enterprises help support employment and opportunities for disadvantaged social groups, such as those with learning difficulties, people with limited access to transport and those whose work options are limited due to family circumstances and commitments." The majority of people in Moray, if not all, will have had some contact with a Social Enterprise, even though they may not have known it and the organisations involved deserve as much support as we can give them."Ends.
MORAY MP CRITICAL OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPING NATIONS
Posted on Thursday, November 15 2007
"Government cuts come at the expense of the poorest nations" - RobertsonMoray's Westminster Member of Parliament Angus Robertson has today [Thursday] criticised the Labour Government for a cut too far in the Department for International Development.The SNP MP's comments come in response to a report from the House of Commons International Development Committee which has expressed concern that more staff cuts are being made in DFID when the Department is focussing on the world's poorest nations. The committee criticises the government for forcing further cuts when the department has already lost a significant number of staff to cut costs.Mr Robertson receives hundreds of letters every year from concerned constituents who campaign for organisations like OXFAM, CAFOD, Christian Aid or are simply just concerned citizens, on issues relating to third world poverty and debt.Commenting on the report Mr Robertson said:" I find it deeply worrying that the government continues to cut staff numbers in critical government departments." The poorest countries of the world are disproportionately affected by developed countries like our own on issues such as climate change, trade laws that exploit the poorest workers and cause child labour and historical involvement that has left a trail of wars and destruction across an entire continent." We have a responsibility to do as much as we can to help countries and individuals in these difficult positions and to be cutting back on support is simply not acceptable." These are issues that the SNP continue to raise frequently in the House of Commons and elsewhere and we will continue to press the government to give the resources to International Development that are required to deliver a fairer and safer life for the world's poor."Ends.
MINIMUM WAGE NON-COMPLIANCE HIGHEST IN SCOTLAND
Posted on Tuesday, November 13 2007
41,000 SCOTTISH WORKERS NOT GETTING BARE MINIMUM The SNP in Westminster has written to Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alasdair Darling, demanding an explanation for the disproportionately high number of Scottish workers earning below the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The issue is a particular concern in Moray which already has a very low average wage when compared to the rest of Scotland. According to statistics published by the House of Commons Library, in 2006 Scotland had an estimated 41,000 workers earning below the NMW. At 1.8% of the total workforce, this represented the highest rate of non-compliance of any part of the UK. Moray MP Angus Robertson, who is also the SNP's Westminster Group Leader, has expressed serious concerns about the figures. Commenting, Mr Robertson said: " The Chancellor must explain why, eight years after the National Minimum Wage was introduced, as many of 41,000 workers in Scotland are still not even being paid the bare minimum. " The Office of National Statistics regularly shows that Moray has amongst the lowest average earners in Scotland, which in turn continues to have a comparably low wage to the UK." To allow this situation to go unchecked is not acceptable and the SNP are pushing the government to better protect low paid workers." At the very least this should mean ensuring that workers are paid at least the minimum wage and this clearly is not happening"Scotland has the highest rates of non-compliance of any part of the UK, and we need action to end this shameful situation now."Ends.Notes to editors:The text of the letter written by the SNP's Treasury Spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP states:Rt Hon Alasdair Darling MPChancellor of the ExchequerThe Treasury Dear AlasdairNational Minimum Wage Non-Compliance in Scotland.I was concerned to read in October's edition of Economic Indicators that in 2006, Scotland had an estimated 41,000 workers earning below the National Minimum Wage (Table 3, page v, House of Commons Research Paper 07/69).At 1.8% of the total workforce, this represented the highest rate of non-compliance of nay part of the UK. I would therefore be grateful if you could confirm for me the reasons why this might be so; and what plans your Government has to improve compliance so that as a bare minimum, all workers are paid that to which they are legally entitled.Yours sincerelyStewart Hosie MP
MORAY MP WELCOMES WEB INITIATIVES
Posted on Monday, November 12 2007
Moray's Westminster Member of Parliament Angus Robertson has today [Monday] welcomed major web developments giving members of the public easier access to information about parliaments activities and improved opportunities to give their opinions on key issues.In one development the official publisher of parliamentary and government documents 'The Stationery Office' has launched a website called 'Have Your Say' at www.haveyoursayonline.net.With the free Have Your Say service, constituents can: * Find out more - the Have Your Say news service rounds up the week's key Parliamentary Papers, describing the background, context and likely impact. * Keep up-to-date - The Parliamentary publication alerts let users know as soon as a relevant Paper is published. * Get involved - the Have Your Say Now index helps the user to identify the relevant government body and to find out how to contribute to the legislation process.Elsewhere on the web constituents can use the www.writetothem.com website to contact elected representatives and the www.theyworkforyou.com website to find out which debates MPs have participated in, how they voted and what questions they have asked.In a further development a sister website of They Work For You is also available at www.hearfromyourmp.com where MPs can post comments on a particular issue and constituents have an opportunity to give responses.In Moray more than 25 people have signed up for the service and Mr Robertson is keen for more constituents to do so.Commenting Mr Robertson said:" As more and more people use internet services it is becoming an increasingly important tool to help elected representatives hear from their constituents." The way the websites are developing now makes it easier than ever for constituents to get information and to give them their views afterwards." As an example a constituent could sign up on the 'Have Your Say' website and get free summaries about parliamentary business, they could then use the 'They Work For You' service to find out what I have previously said or how I have voted on a subject and use the 'Write to Them' website to comment directly to me." The websites are easy to use and are excellent to for keeping folk up to date with developments on the issues of concern to them." I am particularly impressed with the Hear From Your MP service which recently got enough subscribers from Moray to go live. My first post to the website related to Foot and Mouth and the feedback has been very well-informed and has been a great help to me when considering the SNP's position on such a key issue." Since first being elected in 2001 I have received a growing volume of contact via the web but I am of course still very happy to receive mail by traditional means!"Notes for Editors:Websites offering free services to constituents include:www.writetothem.comwww.theyworkforyou.comwww.hearfromyourmp.comwww.haveyoursayonline.netAngus Robertson MP's website can be found at:www.moraymp.orgEnds.
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