REPORT HIGHLIGHTS BROWN'S TAX CREDIT FAILURE
Posted on Saturday, June 24 2006
GENUINE APPLICANTS GIVING UP IN EXASPERATIONCommenting on the release of the latest report by the Independent Adjudicator in respect of HM Customs and Revenue Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson said it showed there were still huge problems with the tax credit system, and particularly with the IT system.Mr Robertson also raised concerns that the continuing problems are undermining confidence in the system to such an extent that constituents are giving up on claiming tax credits.Commenting Mr Robertson said:"It comes as no surprise that the report notes that the adjudicator has 'continued to receive a large and increasing number of complaints about tax credits' and that complaints were upheld fully or partially in 74% of cases. My constituency office in Moray continues to see complex Tax Credit cases on a daily basis with constituents at their wits end unable to understand paperwork that not even Tax Credit staff can make head or tail of."Although the adjudicator does say the department are attempting to address the problems she also notes that 'the IT system constrains the quick delivery of some of the most desired changes'."This goes to the core of the problem - it is overly complex and relies on an IT system that is unable to deliver."Many applicants have found that information is not being properly recorded and when cases go wrong there does not seem to be any easy way to intervene and put it right."I have dealt with numerous cases where I am assured that matters are being sorted out. Yet constituents continue to receive computer generated letters and demands contradicting what I have been told."The continuing problems with IT are totally undermining confidence in the system to the extent that several constituents have told me that they are no longer prepared to claim tax credits."That is completely unacceptable and continuing delays in sorting out the system will only make matters worse. This is Gordon Brown's creation and he should be dealing with this as a matter of extreme urgency."ENDS
Faith In the Future
Posted on Friday, June 23 2006
If some media reports are to be believed then faith groups are on the way out. Apparently there is little respect for the churches and the pews are emptying. However, my recent impressions as a member of parliament are that the opposite is true.Last week I had two great opportunities to witness the positive impact of our churches, both locally and nationally. My initial experience came with the kind invitation from the Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin to meet with the head of Scottish Roman Catholic Church Cardinal Keith O’Brian. His Excellency was visiting Westminster just as the Moderator of the Church of Scotland regularly does, to discuss matters of importance with members of parliament. The Speaker hosted the Cardinal in his residence, where he spoke to parliamentarians and answered questions. He was keen to build dialogue with politicians and underlined his commitment to improving ecumenical relations and spoke out against sectarianism. The Cardinal spoke passionately about the joint efforts he is undertaking together with leaders of the Church of Scotland and the Episcopal Church against nuclear weapons. They are appealing for the UK not to replace the ageing Trident nuclear weapons system.The message against weapons of mass destruction is clearly a difficult one for many Labour MPs. They once shared the same principled opposition to missiles which can destroy the world many times over. They also remember that we have a special responsibility on this issue in Scotland as all the Trident submarines are based in our country. As I sit and write this column, news is emerging that Chancellor Gordon Brown is signalling that he wants to spend billions of pounds on these weapons. Although he met with the Cardinal during his London visit he has chosen to follow his own priorities. In the months ahead I and my SNP colleagues, will support the initiative of our churches and campaigning organisations to oppose Trident.My second positive experience of a vibrant church in the last week was at the centenary celebrations of St Columba’s South in Elgin. There was hardly a pew free for the service led by Reverend George Rollo. The message I took from the sermon and the event as a whole, was of an active congregation who make a significant contribution to our community. This is replicated across the faiths and denominations.I for one am pleased for the input of our faith communities. When we politicians make decisions about laws which effect our daily lives it is right and proper that we are open to all views. It might not be a fashionable thing to say but our churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are an important part of our society. I look forward to continuing working together with people of all faiths and none.
BROWN TO WASTE BILLIONS ON REDUNDANT DEFENCE SYSTEM
Posted on Wednesday, June 21 2006
Commenting on the news that Gordon Brown is to support a replacement system for the Trident Nuclear Missile system Mr Alex Salmond MP, Leader of the SNP, said:“Only today in the House of Commons the Prime Minister promised a full debate on the issue of replacing the Trident system.“Now, only a few hours later, we hear that Gordon Brown is to sign up sign up for a new Trident system. He has already short-circuited the Prime Minister’s announcement by making up his mind already.“It is extraordinary that the ‘Iron Chancellor’ finds it difficult to find finance for a range of positive proposals but can casually wish away over £20 billion of taxpayers’ money on renewing a redundant defence system.“A new Trident system is not just immoral but a total waste of taxpayers’ money. This waste is more to do with a desire for the image of UK prestige and one man’s personal ambition than any conceivable defence requirement.“There seems little point now to replace Tony Blair with Gordon Brown if all we get is Blairism with a different accent.”ENDS
SNP PROPOSE PLANS FOR ROAD FUEL REGULATOR
Posted on Wednesday, June 21 2006
MORAY COMMUNITIES WOULD BENEFIT FROM PROPOSALThe Scottish National Party has brought forward new amendments to the Finance Bill in the House of Commons to protect motorists and road users from the impact at the pumps of soaring international oil prices.In areas like Moray where the weekly wage is below average and where public transport is limited in many areas, people rely on their own transport. Additionally many people's livelihoods depend on the use of vehicles in rural areas. Increasing fuel prices will again put more pressure on constituents struggling to cope with current transport costs.The initiative proposes a Fuel Tax Regulator to counter rising fuel prices across Scotland . The proposal would see the introduction of a mechanism so that higher oil prices trigger lower fuel duties, which make up 60% of the price of petrol and diesel. The Regulator would result in an automatic freeze on fuel duty increases and a reduction in duty to match any increases in VAT revenues from higher pump prices.Proposing the motion the SNP's Stewart Hosie MP, who sits on the Committee debating the Finance Bill, said:" Areas like Moray have many constituents who rely on their own transport for everyday activities and many workers who rely on vehicles for their livelihood." There is growing concern across Scotland over the steep rise in fuel prices which has meant pump prices in many parts of rural and northern Scotland breaking the £1 a liter mark. That is a 20% increase from when we raised this matter last year." Both motorists and businesses in those areas need urgent government action to protect them from the worst effects of a soaring world oil price." This SNP proposal would see a huge protection for motorists and the road haulage industry."Moray MP, Angus Robertson added:" Firstly, higher oil prices would trigger an automatic payment from VAT on petrol or diesel as a result of higher pump prices going into an equivalent cut in fuel duty." Scottish motorists and the road haulage industry have had a raw deal in recent years. Every time oil prices go up we pay through the nose. However Gordon Brown rakes in extra cash from increased VAT on the rising price at the pumps." It is the greatest irony that Scotland has such soaring fuel tax whilst being one of world's largest oil producers. Our haulage industry and rural motorists shouldn't have to wait on the whim of the Chancellor for protection from higher fuel costs." Long suffering motorists and hard-pressed haulers need some solutions now and I will be arguing strongly for this amendment."Ends.
Robertson Expresses Concern at Post Office Service Cut
Posted on Wednesday, June 21 2006
Moray MP Angus Robertson has expressed concern at the apparent decision of the Post Office to cut yet another service to rural areas. Mr. Robertson has been approached by a Moray constituent who had enquired about having newspapers delivered by the Post Office. It seems that in many areas of Scotland this service is no longer being offered and the response by Royal Mail to the SNP is that the service is not economic. They say a review is underway but they have already stopped providing the service for new customers.Commenting on the matter Mr. Robertson said: " This is yet another example of the death by a thousand cuts being suffered by rural postal services. The newspaper delivery service that has been enjoyed for many years could now come to an end. This will mean anyone wanting a newspaper will have to travel into town, hardly good either for rural communities or indeed the environment." "Clearly the Post Office is now looking at rural services in a purely economic light and cutting those that it deems uneconomic. How long will the universal service obligation survive in this atmosphere?"" A chill ran through rural communities when Adam Crozier the chief executive of the post office talked about the radical transformation of the rural post office network. It appears that the Post Office intends to go much further and slash other services to rural communities, a process likely to be intensified under the ludicrous proposals from the Liberal Democrats to part privatise the organisation."" The Post Office cannot be seen as a purely commercial operation and government must recognise its essential social function in rural Scotland . Government policies have led directly to the closure of many sub post offices, failure to continue support to the remainder amounts to a deliberate assault on our rural communities." Ends.
SNP Warns Against Scotland Becoming Nuclear Dump
Posted on Monday, June 19 2006
Tony Blair’s fixation with nuclear power over all other new energy sourcesthreatens to make Scotland a nuclear dump according to SNP MP AngusRobertson who will be speaking in a debate on nuclear dumping tonight(Monday).Commenting Mr Robertson said:“Tony Blair has pre-empted his own energy review by opting for nuclearpower ahead of other options. This seriously threatens Scotland’s image asthe vast majority of proposed nuclear dumps have been pinpointed inScotland."Of the 33 identified sites considered as high level waste dump sites inthe UK 22 are in Scotland. It is obvious that Scotland is highly placed asa nuclear dump for Tony Blair's obsession with nuclear power."Scotland doesn't want or need new nuclear power stations and certainlydoesn't want to become the dumping ground for Britain's nuclear waste. Wehave the opportunity instead to become Europe's renewable power house andgovernment policy should be focused 100% on maximising our clean, greenenergy potential."Not only does Scotland face that threat but we have already seen in theCommons the emerging Tory-Labour alliance on this issue as they try todownplay its significance.“However at the very least they admitted this would be a responsibilityfor the Scottish Executive."That alone shows why it is important that Alex Salmond is elected asFirst Minister next year to avert this putative Tory-Labour allianceturning Scotland into a nuclear dump."ENDSNote - According to Greenpeace, there are 33 sites which have previouslybeen considered as high level waste dump sites in the UK. 22 of them arelocated in Scotland.
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