SNP REPRESENTATIVES SUPPORT TEST CENTRE DEMO
Posted on Saturday, April 12 2008
Moray's SNP elected members have been showing their support for today's [Saturday's] rally and demonstration against the closure of Moray's Motorcycle Test Centre. Commenting Moray MP Angus Robertson said: " It is a huge mistake to close bike testing centres in Moray. The strong support from the biking fraternity and the wider community at today's rally shows the strong demand for a local centre. " The Driving Standards Agency is putting learner's safety at risk by making them drive along the dangerous A96 to Aberdeen or Inverness and they must reconsider their decision." Moray's MSP Richard Lochhead said: " The proposed closure of the motorcycle test centre in Moray is simply wrong. We have to continue campaigning to keep this important service available in Moray and not centralised out of the region. " The level of instruction in Moray is amongst the best in the country and by forcing instructors and students to travel long distances will inevitably mean that fewer people will be able to benefit from this excellent level of tuition. Far from improving safety the DSA's proposals will damage the future of road safety in this area." SNP Councillor for Elgin City South Graham Leadbitter said: " The level of support shown by bikers and supporters from across Scotland has been phenomenal. The Driving Standards Agency have to listen to the views of the public and respond by retaining test facilities in Moray. " Today's demonstration is sending them a strong signal that we will not accept the removal of key services from the area." Ends.
LOCHHEAD & ROBERTSON WELCOME NEW HEALTH CENTRE
Posted on Thursday, April 10 2008
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead has welcomed the opening of Moray's newest health centre.The local MSP, who attended the official opening of the Moray Coast Medical Centre today [Thursday] said:" This is a fantastic new facility for the people of Lossiemouth and the wider Laich area." The new centre has the capacity to offer a wide range of medical services in a modern comfortable location and represents a major enhancement to the wider medical services available in Moray." The SNP continue to provide investment in the NHS and over the next few years there will be new facilities opening in various parts of Moray and I am delighted to see these advances in our medical infrastructure."Moray MP Angus Robertson, who is also the SNP's Defence Spokesperson welcomed the joint efforts of the NHS & the Ministry of Defence.The local MP said:" The NHS and RAF Lossiemouth have worked hard together to deliver this project, which gives both the patients using the facility and the staff working there a fantastic environment for medical care." I am really pleased at the investment made by all the public bodies involves which will ensure that the people of Lossiemouth and the surrounding area will continue to receive the highest standards of care in the best possible setting."Ends.
ROBERTSON WELCOMES ASHCROFT’S INTERVENTION ON WHISKY
Posted on Thursday, April 10 2008
WHEN WILL WENDY ADMIT POLICY HAS BEEN A DISASTER SNP Westminster leader, Angus Robertson MP, has today (Wednesday) welcomed comments made by Professor Brian Ashcroft, condemning the UK Government’s treatment of the Scotch whisky industry. Professor Ashcroft, who is the husband of the Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander, predicted sales of whisky could slump as a result of changes introduced by the Labour Chancellor. Mr Robertson, whose constituency contains more than half of all of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries, said: “Professor Ashcroft’s intervention is extremely welcome, and underlines the damage that the Labour Government is doing to one of Scotland’s premier industries. “If there had ever been any doubt, it is now crystal clear that the Chancellor’s whisky duty hike had nothing to do with tackling binge drinking, and everything to do with propping up the UK’s failing finances. “Clearly Professor Ashcroft’s comments are also exceptionally embarrassing for the Labour Party, and expose the festering divisions over the UK Government’s astonishing attack on one of Scotland’s vital industries. “When will Wendy Alexander publicly admit this Labour policy has been a disaster for Scotland? "Whisky production is one of Scotland's key industries both in export, earnings and employment terms, and as Professor Ashcroft correctly points out, Alistair Darling’s Budget bombshell is undermining this vital sector.” ENDS Contact SNP Westminster Press: 07894 394 724 Notes: Wendy Alexander and whisky Chivas has bottling plants, headquarters operations and a distillery in Paisley. Bruichladdich have a base in neighbouring Paisley South, and have had offices in the Abbey Mill Business Centre where Wendy Alexander has her constituency office. Labour splits Pauline McNeil (shadow justice) Do you want to cut the tax on, specifically on whisky and other Scottish made spirits? “…Well, we supported the campaign on whisky.” (Newsnight Scotland, 27th Feb 2008) TIM REID: BBC ReporterThe Labour MP Brian Donohoe is one of those hoping Mr Darling decides against slapping the first duty rise in more than a decade on spirits, and even lobbied Ministers against it, but he concedes, like green taxes, this is about Ministers trying to change behaviour as well as raise much needed cash for the treasury. BRIAN DONOHOE MP: At this stage, it looks to me as though it’s a possibility, given all that we’ve got as a problem in the society that we live where every night in the streets you see those affected by binge drinking, and really, we’ve got to look at that, and certainly, you know, the argument against whisky being caught by that is that it’s not spirits that the youngsters are drinking. (Good Morning Scotland, 12/03/08) Gavin Hewitt, the SWA Chief Executive, said: “Scottish distillers are astonished by the Chancellor’s announcement. The government’s own figures show that any duty increase on whisky is likely to reduce revenue at a time when public finances are tight. “A tax rise is a blow to international competitiveness when the industry has been investing significantly to meet growing global demand for Scotch Whisky. It sets a damaging precedent that export markets may follow. “Today’s introduction of a two percent above inflation ‘alcohol tax accelerator’ in future Budgets abandons moves to a fairer alcohol duty system in the UK and reverses the Treasury’s long held position that it must retain flexibility when setting alcohol duty rates.” (SWA News Release, 13/03/08)
MP & MSP WELCOME INCENTIVE FOR GREEN ENERGY INNOVATION
Posted on Thursday, April 10 2008
Moray's MSP Richard Lochead and MP Angus Robertson have welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government of the opportunity to win one of the biggest international innovation prizes in history through its plans for the Saltire Prize. The Saltire Prize is one that will entail a £10 million challenge prize for those offering advances in clean energy.In Moray there is an amazing amount of expertise in clean energy such as solar and other micro-generation projects and the Saltire Prize is a boost for interest and innovation in their field of expertise.The Saltire Prize draws inspiration from great innovation prizes of the 20th century such as the Ansari X Prize that led to the first private spacecraft launch and more recently the Virgin Earth Challenge which came up with a way to remove CO2 gases from the atmosphere.The important initiative is one that will aim to put the spotlight on Scotland’s critical work taking place in clean energy and further highlight its vast reserves of renewables potential.Commenting on the award local MSP Richard Lochhead said:" This is a fantastic stimulus to the world’s scientific elite and one which puts Scotland on the world stage as a leader in promoting ground breaking innovation in green energy. Such prizes create a real intellectual buzz and new opportunities for further research and development. In areas like Moray we are in a great position to harness research and development investment due to the already prevalent world reputation that the region has as a hub of expert energy knowledge.“ With Moray on the edge of the North Sea, an area with vast marine energy potential and one where expert knowledge is not wanting we can stand to benefit from harnessing Scotland's vast renewables potential. With 25 per cent of European tidal power and 10 per cent of European wave power we are in the position to be a real world leader.Moray MP Angus Robertson said:" Moray and the North East has benefited significantly from an energy economy and we have an opportunity to take that further forward into the renewable sector. Energy expertise in the region could put us at the forefront of developments in renewable technologies and that could bring enormous economic benefit." With the recent cut in Business Rates by the Scottish Government we are ideally placed to support the development of renewables in Moray and give the economy a substantial boost." We already have local businesses leading the way in solar and other renewable energy systems and with a massive demand for micro-renewables for individual households the potential is fantastic."Ends.
MORAY MP CALLS ON LABOUR TO COME OUT OF HIDING ON INCOME TAX
Posted on Wednesday, April 9 2008
"Labour's tax hike is a disgrace for Moray's low earners" - Angus Robertson MP Moray's SNP Member of Parliament, Angus Robertson, has challenged the Labour Party to “come out of hiding” and say where they stand on the abolition of the 10 pence starting rate of income tax.The MP's comments reflect concerns raised by constituents who have seen the tax percentage of their pay increase.The Scottish National Party MP had raised concerns about this decision over a year ago in March 2007 when it was clear from the budget that the removal of the 10p tax band would hit low earners badly. The removal of the 10p tax band will affect thousands in Moray alone and over 300,000 people in Scotland as a whole.This tax hike on the low paid comes into effect at the same time as the SNP delivers on its promise to freeze council tax, cut prescription charges, scrap the graduate endowment and increase payments for free personal and nursing care.Commenting the Angus Robertson said:" This is a disgraceful tax hike for the lowest paid that the so-called Labour government tried to hide with a tax cut for middle earners. With rising food and energy prices pushing bills through the roof those who can least afford it will be hardest hit. “ Instead of helping the poor and the vulnerable this Labour tax increase will punish them. The Prime Minister said he would look again, the Work & Pensions Secretary contradicted him saying there would be no u-turn, and the Chancellor seems to have gone into hiding on the issue." In Moray I have repeatedly drawn attention to the fuel poverty suffered by many in the area, particularly pensioners, and this tax increase on top of those costs is just unbelievable.“ There is a stark contrast between Labour’s tax turmoil, and the Scottish Government’s plans to scrap the unfair council tax and introduce a fair local income tax based on the ability to pay. “ The SNP Government want to scrap the unfair Council Tax and introduce fair local taxation based on ability to pay – while Labour want to keep the discredited Council Tax and double the income tax of the lowest earning people in the country, including many women workers. “ And Labour’s doubling of the tax take from the low paid comes into effect at the same time as the SNP delivers on our promise to freeze council tax, cut prescription charges, scrap the graduate endowment, and increase payments for free personal and nursing care.”" While the reduction of the basic rate of Income Tax has benefited those on middle incomes my SNP colleagues and I are absolutely appalled that the government has taken no action to resolve the discrepancy caused by the removal of the 10p tax band. The result of this change is that those earning between £5435 and £18500 will lose out." The SNP recognised this problem over a year ago following the announcement of the tax change in Gordon Brown's last budget as Chancellor and at that time we raised the issue in debate, in correspondence with Ministers, as well as through the press."" It seems that Labour backbenchers have paid no attention last year and have now just realised the impact that we had already raised concerns about."Ends
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