SNP COMMENT ON MORAY COUNCIL TAX FREEZE
Posted on Wednesday, January 9 2008
Moray's SNP elected representatives have welcomed the confirmation that The Moray Council administration will propose a Council Tax Freeze.Commenting Richard Lochhead MSP said:" In the Scottish Parliament and Local Government elections last May the SNP pledged to deliver a Council Tax freeze if we were elected to government. The concordat agreed with Scotland's Local Authorities has ensured that Moray Council and other local authorities can freeze the Council Tax at existing levels and I am delighted that Moray is one of the first Authorities to confirm this.Angus Robertson MP said:" Freezing local taxes was a key plank of our campaign last year and on the doorsteps it was clear that the voting public supported that position. This key policy will benefit the least well off in Moray and will be a welcome relief following years of substantial tax increases under Labour and the Lib Dems.The SNP Opposition Leader in The Moray Council, Councillor Pearl Paul, said:" I am delighted that the SNP's proposals are being supported by The Moray Council. For years the folk in Moray have been saddled with tax rise after tax rise, we promised to freeze Council Tax and that is exactly what we have delivered. The SNP Scottish Government has ensured that Scotland's Local Authorities have enough additional funds to stop any tax rises which is great news for the public."Ends.
LOCHHEAD AND ROBERTSON URGE MORAY RESIDENTS TO GO GREENER IN 2008
Posted on Wednesday, January 9 2008
Moray's residents have been urged by local MSP Richard Lochhead and local MP Angus Robertson to do their bit for the planet's future by pledging to go greener in 2008.In Westminster Moray MP Angus Robertson is pushing the government to set strong carbon reduction targets and invest heavily in renewable energy.Richard Lochhead, who is also the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment said that by signing up to one or more of the Scottish Government's 10 Greener Pledges, people would reduce their impact on the local and global environment.The 10 Greener Pledges are: * Recycle household waste using locally-provided facilities * Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth * Switch to using energy-saving light bulbs * Leave the car at home at least once a week and cycle, walk, share a car or use public transport more often * Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones * Reuse carrier bags when you shop * Buy more seasonal and unpackaged food * Hang your washing up to dry rather than using a tumbler dryer * Organise or volunteer in an environmental project in your local community * Pay back the environmental impact of any flights you take and choose not to fly when there's a suitable alternativeRichard Lochhead MSP said:" In Moray we have a fantastic record on issues such as recycling and the efforts of people in the region are an example for others to follow but we cannot rest on our laurels. We must continue to do all that we can to contribute to a sustainable future for Moray and wider world." Climate change is a challenge for all of us. It is already affecting the world around us. In Moray we have already seen increased flood risks and more erratic weather. There are constantly increasing temperatures and dramatic increases in rainfall in the winter." Every time we throw away rubbish, get in the car or turn on the lights we are leaving our mark on our planet." The visible affects of climate change and a growing awareness of the consequences of our actions have already made many of us stop and think about what we can do to reduce our impact on the environment. Many of us are already taking action - recycling more, driving less and using energy-efficient light bulbs." But we can - and must - do more. Our 10 Greener Pledges offer everyone the chance to go greener in 2008 and make a real difference. Most of them are simple but very effective ways of becoming more environmentally-friendly.Angus Robertson MP said:" The SNP in Westminster are continuing to push for strong climate change targets from the government and much increased investment in renewable energy technology such as wave and tidal power and offshore wind." The government must also take action to create a level playing field rather than charging electricity suppliers more to transmit electricity from renewable sources than from fossil fuel power stations." As elected representatives we will continue to make these arguments at the highest levels but like everyone else we can also do our bit by committing to the green pledges outlined by the SNP Scottish Government." Together, even by making some small changes, we can contribute to a greener Scotland in 2008."Ends.
MORAY MP SLAMS DIVISIVE POST OFFICE CONSULTATION
Posted on Wednesday, January 9 2008
"A consultation that pits one community against a neighbouring community to save a Post Office is simply wrong" - RobertsonMoray's Westminster MP Angus Robertson has raised further concerns in the long-running campaign to protect rural Post Offices. With the announcement covering Moray due in only a few weeks the the consultation procedures seen elsewhere are causing serious concerns for campaigners.The local Member of Parliament has described the Post Office consultation process as a farce after the results of the first consultation in the West of Scotland show that saving one post office only resulted in a new post office being added to the closure list.SNP politicians had earlier warned that the Post Office tactics left the public in a “catch 22” situation. Whilst four Post Offices have won a reprieve, four new Post Offices have been added to the closure list.Speaking after the announcement by Post Office Ltd Angus Robertson said:“ This is a ridiculous state of affairs and this consultation is clearly a sham. While some Post Offices have won a reprieve it has only meant others being added to the closure list instead." It is completely incomprehensible that Post Offices that were not in the consultation originally are now being closed simply because of successful community campaigns elsewhere." When the proposals that will include Moray are published the last thing we want is a consultation that sets different communities at loggerheads. The government's policy on Post Office closures is totally divisive and an economic blow to rural communities.“ The public in Moray and our Post Offices are in an impossible situation. If they save themselves from closure they simply condemn the post office down the road. What happens if the community then demonstrates the need to save Post Offices added to the least? Where does it stop.”" This so-called consultation has been a mess from day one, and this latest development simply underlines how utterly flawed this process is."The whole consultation is descending into complete farce, and UK Government Ministers should step in and stop this nonsense now."" The SNP will continue to press the Labour Government on this issue at every opportunity and I would urge those concerned about the future of their local Post Office to make their views known to the Post Office."Ends.
ROBERTSON BACKS MOTION FOLLOWING DISABILITY REPORT
Posted on Tuesday, January 8 2008
"Government must act now to tackle disability poverty" - Angus RobertsonDisabled people in Moray are being failed by current Westminster government policies according to local Member of Parliament, Angus Robertson. The SNP MP for Moray comments follow the publication today [Tuesday] of a report entitled "Disability Poverty in the UK" produced by leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire. Mr Robertson is also supporting a parliamentary motion in Westminster calling for urgent action by the government to support people with disabilitiesThe report examines the key factors leading to poverty amongst disabled people and finds that disabled people are twice as likely as non-disabled people to live in poverty.In area's like Moray there are particular problems associated with fuel poverty, particularly following recent hikes in electricity, gas and heating oil tariffs, as well as significant additional transport costs for those in rural areas.The reports key recommendations include extending Winter Fuel Payments to those in receipt of disability benefits, re-vamping the benefits system, improving access for the disabled to basic services such as Education and Criminal Justice and improving communication between service providers and disabled clients.Commenting on the report Angus Robertson MP said:" Most people in Moray will know someone who is disabled, whether by loss of mobility, sensory loss or developmental difficulties." Many disabled people will not have the same earning potential as those who are non-disabled and, in addition, will frequently have significantly higher than normal living costs such as high household heating bills." The SNP has supported calls for major reforms of the benefits system and improved communication from government departments and this report from Leonard Cheshire adds significant weight to these arguments." Disabled people in Moray are being failed by current Westminster Government policies and instead of cutting jobs within Jobcentre Plus offices the government should be providing more support to frontline services." On issues like access to services much more needs to be done to ensure that organisations and businesses comply with existing disability legislation giving disabled people equal opportunities. "Notes for Editors:Leonard Cheshire's "Disability Poverty in the UK" can be found at www.lcdisability.org/?lid=6367The House of Commons Early Day Motion supported by Mr Robertson reads as follows:"That this House notes that the Leonard Cheshire Disability report `Disability Poverty in the UK' finds that disabled people are twice as likely as non-disabled people to live in poverty; further notes that disabled people can experience poverty in a number of ways including financial poverty, poverty of aspiration and poverty of opportunity; further notes that average basic living costs are much higher for disabled people; further notes that disabled people are twice as likely to be unemployed and seeking work than non-disabled people and that disabled people who are not expected to work are often trapped in inescapable poverty; believes that the extent of disability poverty in the UK today is unacceptable; and calls on the Government to make tackling disability poverty a priority."Ends.
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