MORAY MSP & MSP ON ROTHES FLOOD SCHEME NEWS
Posted on Thursday, December 20 2007
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead and MP Angus Robertson have responded to the news that the last objections to the Rothes flood scheme have been withdrawn.Richard Lochhead MSP said:" This is great news and an early Christmas present for Rothes. With the Forres scheme now underway and the Rothes application due to be submitted within a fortnight the efforts on Flood Alleviation in Moray are moving on apace." With flooding occurring in Rothes very recently the residents will find this progress very welcoming and the construction phase is now all the closer.Angus Robertson MP added:" The threat of flooding is steadily increasing with global warming and this news is a major step towards dealing with that threat." People in Rothes fear for the damage that the next major storm may bring and the news that an application for the flood scheme will be submitted to the Scottish Government in the next few days will go some way to easing those fears."
MP & MSP RECOGNISE EFFORTS OF CHRISTMAS WORKERS
Posted on Thursday, December 20 2007
Moray's MP & MSP have supported the efforts of Christmas and New Year workers.While many of us are celebrating the festive season with families and friends many others will be out working to provide essential services and services that we have now come to expect.Emergency service workers, hospital workers and rescue helicopter crews are the jobs many would associate with 24 hour 365 day a year cover and their work is essential to our well-being with critical services from public safety to dealing with serious accidents.Other workers who do not always receive the recognition they deserve include offshore workers on oil and gas platforms, emergency cover in Housing and Social Work services, hotel and bar workers, employees in 24 hour garages, home helps, retail workers covering the boxing day sales rush, council workers keeping the roads ice free and many, many others.Commenting Richard Lochhead MSP said:" I am lucky enough to be able to spend Christmas day with my wife and young son, as will many others but we should spare a thought for those who would wish to do the same but whose work does not allow them to take time off." Many of us use services on a daily basis that require to be covered over the festive period and in industries such as the oil and gas sector it is simply not possible to stop work for even a day. In the case of the emergency services we never know when we may need to call on their help." For all of the workers kept busy over this period I wish them all the best for the festive season."Angus Robertson MP added:" In addition to workers over the festive season, others may be in hospital, homeless, or have suffered a recent loss. For many Christmas is a difficult time and we must all do what we can to look after those who are most vulnerable." There will also be many of our armed forces personnel stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and a multitude of other areas of military activity round the world. Christmas will be very different for many in the forces and their families here in Moray and elsewhere." All of that being said it is still a time of togetherness and celebration and wherever you are and whatever you are doing I hope that the festive season will bring you some good cheer."Ends.
BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR MORAY FISHERMEN
Posted on Wednesday, December 19 2007
Moray fishermen will be among those rewarded with extra days at sea in recognition of their approach to conservation.Moray MSP and Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has been arguing for a better deal for fishermen in the annual quota EU fisheries talks. The talks were completed today and the SNP MSP is upbeat about the future for Moray fishermen.The talks have concluded with an element of control over days at sea being returned to Scotland. The Scottish Government will now have full flexibility to decide how days at sea are allocated with additional days available to vessels that carry out conservation measures.Fishermen from Moray who travel to fish off the West Coast for prawns are also seeing significantly less reductions in fishing time than was expected. The same also applies to west coast herring.There is also the significant news of an 11 percent increase in North Sea cod quota and an increase for Rockall Haddock.Mr Lochhead said:" This year's deal represents a new approach to fisheries conservation. As a direct result of the leadership shown by the Scottish Government and the Scottish industry, a new system which of Conservation Credits will be introduced." This means Scotland's fishermen will be rewarded for their commitment to sustainable fishing practices. We can do this because of our success in persuading Europe to pass responsibility of the management of fishing effort to the Scottish Government." This groundbreaking initiative has been made possible thanks to a historic agreement with the European Commission which will, for the first time, give Scotland flexibility over how fishing days are allocated to its fleet. Previously, the management of days at sea were decided in Brussels." Europe's go-ahead to develop Conservation Credits recognises and rewards the responsible leadership our industry has shown in implementing innovative measures to reduce discards and protect juvenile stocks. My aim is to have a new system up and running by the start of February and I will work closely with the industry in the month ahead."The news was also welcomed by Moray MP Angus Robertson, who has long argued in Westminster for the UK Fisheries Minister to give the Scottish fleet much better support. Mr Robertson said:" With an SNP Fisheries Minister in Edinburgh the Scottish fleet is enjoying much more substantial support. We are, of course, still campaigning to have full power over fishing negotiations affecting Scotland given to Scotland." The Conservation Credits which the SNP have negotiated will potentially enable Scottish fishermen to fish the same number of days next year as this year as part of a set of Scottish arrangements. Many Moray fishermen have been involved in blazing a trail for the whole of Europe by adopting sustainable fishing practices." This is a great example of the Scottish Government working hand-in-hand with the industry to create a sustainable future for fishing. This is exactly the kind of fresh start we promised for the industry." Many aspects of this year's negotiations were extremely challenging given the scientific advice, with some particular disappointments for the pelagic sector."Parts of the deal agreed today which affect Scotland are: * allowing Scotland to flexibly allocate days at sea to the Scottish fleet as it feels appropriate * the go-ahead to develop a new system of Conservation Credits, which we aim to have in place by February 1 2008 - this will enable the overall days at sea allocated to Scotland to be managed more sensitively and reward initiatives to promote more sustainable fishing opportunities by reallocating effort across the fleet * the option to bring forward a Discards Reduction Plan based on measures to reduce cod discards and to gain additional fishing opportunities * headline cut at days at sea of 10 per cent for the prawn fleet * headline white fish fleet cuts of 18 per cent on the west coast and 10 per cent in the North Sea - in Scotland these will be 10 per cent and six per cent respectively because of decommissioningEnds.
ROBERTSON - STAMP PRICE INCREASE WILL HIT RURAL CUSTOMERS HARDEST
Posted on Monday, December 17 2007
SNP Westminster MP for Moray, Angus Robertson, has warned that businesses and customers in rural areas will be hit hardest by the latest stamp rises announced by Royal Mail. From April 2008, the cost of a first-class stamp will go up 2p to 36p (an increase of 6 per cent), while the cost of a second-class stamp will rise 3p to 27p (an increase of 12 per cent). Mr Robertson said: “These prices rises will impact heavily on small businesses in rural Scotland. The so called “liberalisation” of the postal market is proving an unmitigated disaster for rural areas. “Businesses in urban centres can have a choice of postal providers. Large users can get special deals from Royal Mail. But neither of these options are available for small rural enterprises. “Rural customers are being squeezed by a steadily reducing service and an increasing cost. They already get one delivery a day which can come at any time of the day, reduced collections, closed post offices, and now substantial increases in stamp costs. If Royal Mail get their way and introduce zonal pricing it will be even worse. “Post Office services have been steadily chipped away in the name of “liberalisation”, small businesses and individuals can see little benefit.” Ends.
POSTAL REVIEW POSES THREAT TO MORAY POSTAL COSTS
Posted on Monday, December 17 2007
SNP Member of Parliament for Moray, Angus Robertson, has issued a stark warning against any attempt to use a review to undermine the crucial Universal Service Obligation (USO) following the Westminster Government's announcement of a review of UK postal services. Moray already suffers from the splitting up of mail services with several parcel companies charging so-called 'Island' rates for delivery to parts of the region.The Universal Service Obligation provides a vital guarantee that post will be delivered for the same price regardless of the location it is sent from or to. This is essential in ensuring reasonably priced postal communication between Moray and elsewhere.Other concerns raised by Moray constituents with Mr Robertson centre around the removal of key services from Post Offices putting their future and the jobs of Post Office staff at risk.The MP is concerned that one one of the terms of reference for the review is to consider how to maintain the Universal Service Obligation 'in light of trends and market developments identified'. Other terms of reference include the effect of liberalisation - the process of introducing competition against Royal Mail.Commenting on the announcement Angus Robertson MP said:" While a review of the Postal Service is much needed the terms of reference announced today are very concerning. It is not clear what aspects of the Universal Service Obligation will be reviewed and unless there were proposals to amend and almost certainly weaken the current obligation why would they review it now. " The USO is essential for rural areas and the Post Office has already attempted to make alterations through the concept of zonal pricing. Alarm bells should be ringing, and the government should give a clear commitment that there will be no attempt to undermine the USO." " The review announcement contains the statement that liberalisation has 'brought considerable benefits for the users of postal services'. This is not a view that I have heard many share. In fact most people who have expressed their views to me are concerned that allowing private companies to cherry pick the best mail business and leaving Royal Mail to pick up the difficult and expensive parts will destroy what has been an excellent mail service. " Since the introduction of liberalisation we have witnessed a steady decline in the postal service in many parts of the country. Second deliveries have gone, and the first delivery can come at any time of the day which is causing huge problems for many small businesses who rely on the Post Office. Sunday collection has disappeared or been serious curtailed." The biggest cause of problems to our Postal Service has been the Westminster Government's undermining of the system by cutting key services provided by Post Offices such as benefits payments and the issue of TV Licenses." In rural areas we have seen the withdrawal of some services that have existed for generations, such as the delivery of newspapers. " Over the last year we have also seen a damaging postal dispute as management have pursued a macho administration style against a loyal, but increasingly frustrated, workforce."Ends.
PARLIAMENT REPORT SUPPORTS WINTER CAMPAIGN ISSUES
Posted on Monday, December 17 2007
Moray's Parliamentarians Angus Robertson MP and Richard Lochhead MSP have welcomed a report published today [Monday] by the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee on tackling poverty in Scotland.The Select Committee's report supports many of the arguments made in recent years by local politicians and charities on issues that significantly affect Moray. Issues such as fuel poverty and rural poverty.Key recommendations of the report include a major simplification of the benefits system and extending the eligibility of benefits such as the Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payments to disabled people. The report also recommends that the government should investigate the possibility of regionalising fuel payments to take account of particularly cold climates which would include areas of rural Moray.Additionally the report recognises that Scots have had to pay higher rates for energy than elsewhere in the UK, a fact that is supported by an Energywatch Report last month showing that the poorest Scots can be up to £300 worse off with higher energy tariffs.Other recommendations of the report include a need for one-stop shops in rural areas offering advice on issues such as benefits and energy costs.Commenting on this latest report on poverty Moray MP Angus Robertson said:" This report vindicates the campaigning done in recent years by organisations such as Capability Scotland and Leonard Cheshire, who have regularly argued that there are many people not entitled to Winter Fuel Payments who should be." This is particularly important in regions like Moray with large remote rural areas that regularly experience extreme weather in the winter months. This coupled with rapidly rising fuel costs puts a huge financial strain on some of the poorest families, at a time of year that should be about celebration and thanksgiving." I have long argued the case for a simpler benefits system that provides support to those who need it the most and this House of Commons report backs up that call." Just three weeks ago I launched a campaign to help people understand what help and support is available over the winter months and this report deals with many of the issues I highlighted. The government could be doing much more to tackle the basic causes of poverty and in an energy rich nation it is unacceptable that we suffer high numbers of avoidable winter deaths."Moray's MSP Richard Lochhead added:" Shortly after taking office the new SNP Scottish Government started a major review of anti-poverty policies covering areas such as heating and insulation grants, the quality of housing stock, economic development and many other factors but essentially they key tools that can reduce poverty remain a matter for Westminster." The wider economy, energy pricing, taxation, benefits and pension rates are the major factors associated with poverty and until Scotland has control of these issues the UK Government needs to take much greater responsibility on this issue." The main conclusions and recommendations of the House of Commons report are aimed at the Westminster Government and they must review there policies in these areas as a matter of urgency." To have thousands of people dying every year as a result of fuel poverty is a disgrace.Ends.
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