ROBERTSON MEETS CONSTITUENTS AND M.A.P. ON SOARING ENERGY COSTS
Posted on Friday, February 22 2008
Moray MP, Angus Robertson, is today [Friday] meeting with constituents concerned about soaring energy and fuel costs. The meeting, which is taking place at Moray Against Poverty's office in Elgin, will focus on the ever-growing concerns of constituents on issues such as recent huge rises in energy prices from major suppliers like Scottish Power and British Gas and the massive financial toll placed on pensioners and rural constituents from road fuel price increases.The SNP has repeatedly called for an investigation into energy pricing industry watchdogs. After months of concern OFGEM have finally reacted to the calls and launched an inquiry into the energy industry's pricing and profit policies.Scottish National Party MPs are, however, insisting that the Competition Commission should also investigate, as OFGEM may not cover all of the issues that need action.Local MP Mr Robertson has specifically called for social energy tariffs aimed at the least well off and the introduction of a Fuel Duty Regulator that would reduce fuel taxation levels as prices increase.Commenting on the problems facing the less well off in Moray Angus Robertson MP said:" The soaring price of energy, whether it is for gas, electricity or road fuel, is a major worry for thousands of people in Moray." I receive regular correspondence from pensioners, families and those in lower paid jobs who are struggling to pay for essential items such as clothes, food, basic travel costs and heating charges." Report after report from numerous organisation continue to highlight this major and continually growing problem but we are short on action from the Westminster Government." The Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners has not increased in recent years and in Moray this year we have seen one of the coldest winters in several years." Residents in Moray will soon be receiving energy bills covering the winter period and the price of the bills will cause budget problems for many. The difficulty is, of course, that people must heat their homes. That is not a choice, it is a necessity." In the last few days we have seen British Gas announcing utterly obscene profits of more than 500 million pounds while the least well off suffer the consequences.Ends.
Angus Robertson Column - Friday 22nd February 2008
Posted on Friday, February 22 2008
CongratulationsFirstly my congratulations go to John Sharp, who was elected as an SNP Councillor in last week's Elgin City South By-election.As John said on the night, this was an election that nobody wanted, but democracy moves the process on and we are where we are.It was a hard fought election with ten different candidates and I know that following his success John will work hard in representing the people of Elgin City South and the wider Moray Community during debates in the Council Chamber, at public and community meetings and behind the scenes helping resolve individual problems.In many ways it is a similar role to being and MP or MSP and I wish John every success as an Elgin Councillor.KosovoLast weekend saw the momentous declaration of independence by Kosovo, which follows the bloody Kosovo war and the subsequent years of reconstruction that have now taken place.It is not by any means the end of a process but it is certainly one of the most significant steps in that process.While the circumstances here in Scotland are much calmer and the constitutional debate is taking place in a non-violent way it does serve to demonstrate the enthusiasm with which small countries view their future in the current international climate of change.The European Union and the United States have been heavily involved in the running of Kosovo since the war and the stability afforded by that arrangement remains very important, however it is equally important that we do not dictate and allow ourselves, as far as possible, to be guided in our actions by the democratic wishes of Kosovans.Military Equipment and SupplyIn a further development this week on the long-running military equipment issue, a coroner in England has heavily criticised the MoD saying they breached soldiers trust by sending to Afghanistan without basic equipment.This is simply not acceptable, and after repeated stories of lack of equipment or poor equipment I had hoped that lessons had been learned by the Ministry. Unfortunately the reports continue and our service personnel are being left under-equipped and more vulnerable in what is already a dangerous situation.Personnel and their families in all of the military disciplines accept the risks associated with military service but what they do expect is that they will be given the right tools to do the job and not be put at additional risk by the MoD.The Ministry of Defence is failing in its basic Duty of Care and that is an issue I have raised and will continue to raise at the highest levels in parliament.
MP & MSP WELCOME FAIRER SCOTLAND FUND ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MORAY
Posted on Monday, February 18 2008
Moray's MP, Angus Robertson, and MSP, Richard Lochhead, have welcomed news that the Scottish Government is providing £150,000 extra funding over 3 years for Moray for Community Regeneration, Working for Families, Community Voices, Financial Inclusions, Workforce plus and elements of Changing Children's Services and More Choices, More Chances.The Moray Parliamentarians have welcomed figures which show that Scottish Government spending for deprived areas in Highlands is due to rise throughout the current spending period which ends in 2011.On top of this an additional £300,000 will be spent over 3 years in Moray for Community Regeneration, Working for Families, Community Voices, Financial Inclusions, Workforce plus and elements of Changing Children's Services and More Choices, More Chances.Commenting MSP Richard Lochhead said:" This increase in money shows that the SNP Government are committed to help the poor and vulnerable in the community."" The funds prioritise money for areas of high multiple deprivation. The Government has provided stability on spending for the next 3 years. This means that organisations and charities will be given the backing and stability from the SNP to provide a vital service in communities that suffer high levels of deprivation." During the budget process all we have heard from the opposition is doom and gloom. The scare stories and smears against SNP Councillors and MSP's has been nothing short of disgraceful."Moray MP Angus Robertson said:" This is the best deal that local authorities have received from central Government since devolution. No mean feat when you consider that it was the worst financial deal that the Labour Government has given to Scotland since devolution." After a 75% rise in Moray of the unfair Council Tax the SNP Scottish Government has put in place the funding that has allowed a Council Tax freeze to happen. I am sure that this will be welcomed my the majority of people in Moray. The Government will raise spending in the future for vulnerable groups. From my point of view both of these outcomes are welcome."ENDS.
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