Speyside's Amber Nectar or Chancellor's Golden Ticket?
Posted on Friday, March 21 2008
Last week saw the Chancellor instigating a smash and grab raid on the whisky industry with taxes on whisky being ramped up to ridiculous levels. It seems that the Labour Government have got it into their heads that the way to tackle binge drinking is to slap a massive tax hike on all types of alcohol, despite the fact that the whisky industry is already taxed significantly more heavily than beer and cider and also despite the fact that those who indulge in binge drinking rarely do so with a bottle of Speyside single malt. Needless to say Labour MPs have subsequently voted for the tax measure, despite several of their MSP colleagues in Scotland being opposed to the tax level. These Scottish Labour MP’s may be the Chancellor’s little darlings, but people involved in the whisky industry will be furious that, on yet another crucial issue, Scottish Labour MPs have betrayed the national interest. Last month they surrendered control over our fishing industry to Europe and last night they rubber stamped the Chancellor’s smash and grab raid on the whisky industry. The whisky sector is one of Moray's and Scotland's key industries both in export, earnings and employment terms, and this tax increase, will undermine future investment and competitiveness as well as damaging international trading conditions. This is not a tax to tackle the menace of binge drinking but simply an easy target to prop up the budget. The same principle applies to fuel tax where increasing the tax take penalises those in rural Scotland who do not have an option but to use a car. Again this is simply not in the interests of people in Scotland and I believe we continue to suffer from a policy focussed on London and the South East. For people in rural Moray thye choice between a car or a bus or train is not a simple one, indeed many may have to drive several miles to be able to reach a location where they can access public transport. Continually raising fuel tax does not stop people having to drive in areas like Moray, instead it reduces their quality of life as their household budget gets further hammered. This budget policy is dicriminatory and instead of increasing people's choice of transport it reduces their access to basic services. All in all we have seen a budget that is bad for Moray and a ridiculous dispute between Labour MSPs who oppose the tax and Scottish Labour MPs who probably also oppose the tax but are not prepared to vote against the budget.
MP & MSP ON HAND TO OPEN ELGIN RESTAURANT BUSINESS
Posted on Tuesday, March 18 2008
Moray MP Angus Robertson & MSP Richard Lochhead were on hand to officially open a new Greek restaurant business in Elgin's High Street.After a very successful first week Xoriatiki was officially opened on Sunday 17th March by the local MP & MSP who praised the investment in Moray and hailed the restaurant as a welcome addition to the varied social activities available to Moray's residents and visitors alike.Xoriatiki was the brainchild of Gordon MacaDonialeglu who recognised a gap in the restaurant market with no existing Greek restaurants in the Moray area. The ambitious project has been brought to fruition by the local restaurant manager Craig Pattison who has project managed the completion of the construction phase, designed decoration, layouts and menus and recruited staff to the new premises.Speaking about the opening Mr Pattison said:" I am delighted that the local MP & MSP accepted the invitation to open the business, which I believe offers a new food experience for those dining out in Elgin." Elgin has some great food establishments and the feedback from a busy first few days at Xoriatiki from customers used to sampling good food has been fantastic." The new staff have really given it their all and helped create a great dining experience. Customers have commented on the quality of the food and service, as well as the pleasant nature of the staff, which has been very pleasing to hear.Local MP Angus Robertson said:" The work and investment put in to create Xoriatiki is fantastic and the atmosphere in the restaurant is very relaxed. It is a worthy addition to the eating establishments in Elgin and I wish the owners and staff every success with the business." I am also very pleased that the business is using locally sourced food and produce as far as possible, which gives the added benefit of support for other local businesses.MSP Richard Lochhead added:" I am delighted to be involved in the opening of a new business in Moray. In recent months there has been noticeable investment in the Moray area in a variety of industries and Xoriatiki continues that welcome trend." I have had the very pleasant experience of sampling some of the restaurant's menu, which was excellent quality and well presented. I am sure that diners will be impressed with the standards and service being delivered for them."
MORAY MP & MSP WELCOME ROTHES ENERGY PLANS
Posted on Tuesday, March 18 2008
Moray's MP & MSP have welcomed news of a potential £24 Million investment in a renewable energy biomass plant in Rothes by the Combination of Rothes Distillers (CoRD).The proposed plant would utilise whisky by-products as a biomass fuel for producing renewable energy and could also incorporate a community heating project.Commenting on the proposal SNP MP Angus Robertson MP said:" Following the previous announcement of major investment by the whisky industry in a new distillery at Roseisle this further announcement cements the commitment of the whisky industry to Moray, despite the best efforts of the Chancellor to de-rail that in his recent budget." The market for whisky is very strong and that, in turn, means that there is a steady flow of by-product which can be put to good and innovative use, while at the same time securing skilled jobs and major investment in the region.`Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said:" This groundbreaking project has the potential to catapult Moray to the forefront of renewable technology. There is also a clear knock-on effect from investment like this supporting other local industries and jobs." The proposal for a community heating project as part of the development is also very interesting and shows that Moray has the potential to lead by example on reduction in carbon emissions through development of cutting edge technology." My understanding is that the company plans to discuss this in further detail with the local community and I very much welcome that local interaction."Ends.
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