Angus Robertson Column
Posted on Friday, December 14 2007
Police Pay AwardMuch has been made in recent days of the failure of the Westminster Government to implement the pay settlement negotiated with the police in full, while in Scotland the same pay settlement has been been agreed by the Scottish Government and backdated to the beginning of September.Understandably the police are extremely annoyed that what is being portrayed as a 2.5% payrise will only apply in Scotland, while in England & Wales where the settlement is only being made from 1st December the payrise is the equivalent of 1.9% over the year.I have received letters and e-mails from many officers in Moray on the issue of pay and, in particular, on the fact that Westminster Government refuses to continue using the pay formula that was agreed by negotiation.Given the challenging and often dangerous role that police officers carry out it is disgraceful that they have been treated so badly by the government. Although the police in Moray and Scotland as a whole have received their full pay settlement from the SNP Government in Scotland they continue to show great support for their colleagues in England & Wales who have not had the increase backdated as it should have been.Wider Pay IssuesIn a wider context the public sector continues to be hit hard by below inflation pay rises, which is effectively a pay cut in real terms. In addition the government continues to force massive job cuts on major public sector employers such as Jobcentre Plus.The result of this is low morale, loss of skilled employment and, ultimately, the degradation of important public services such as pensions and benefits processing. I continue to be involved in fighting these issues in Westminster, although the Prime Minister seems intent on pushing these service cuts through regardless of the consequences.Christmas LightsOn a lighter note (note the pun!) I have really enjoyed seeing the various displays of Christmas lighting in Moray's towns and villages. Many volunteers are involved in the committees organising Christmas lights and put a great deal of effort into making the displays as good as they are.It certainly makes Christmas shopping a less stressful experience and helps get folk in the mood for the festive season. I will still no doubt have a final last dash on Christmas Eve when I discover late on the 'batteries not included' sign on a kids toy or the final piece of wrapping paper that is just that inch too short! Nevertheless it is all worth it in the end.As this is my last column until after Christmas I wish you all the very best of cheer and ask everyone to spare a thought for those less fortunate or those who have to work providing essential services to the people of Moray.
WINNING CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARD DESIGN TO BE REVEALED
Posted on Wednesday, December 12 2007
Moray's Parliamentarians Richard Lochhead MSP and Angus Robertson MP are today [Friday] revealing the winner of their annual Christmas Card competition.The MSP & MP contacted schools throughout Moray inviting children of all ages to submit designs for their Christmas Card, which this year has an 'environment' theme.Each year the card highlights the work of a local charity and this year the charity chosen is 'Crossroads Caring for Carers Moray'.Crossroads provides short breaks and practical support for carers allowing carers to get important time for themselves. Services are available to all carers regardless of the age, disability or illness of the person receiving care.The Christmas Card Competition has received key sponsorship from local Moray businesses that will ensure the information about Crossroads reaches thousands of people in Moray.The sponsors of this year's competition are 'Robertson Group', 'Johnstons', 'Grigor & Young', 'Baxters', 'Baillie Brothers' and 'Lossie Print & Design'.Entries were received from local schools with the winning design chosen by Anne Dempster on behalf of Crossroads. The winning entry was designed by Rachael Russell, aged 11, from New Elgin Primary School.Commenting Richard Lochhead MSP said:" The competition this year attracted fantastic entries from local Moray schools. We will be sending out thousands of cards displaying the winning design and highlighting the vital supportive work of Crossroads." I also thank the local businesses who have sponsored this year's competition and whose generosity will ensure that the message about Crossroads work is seen by thousands of folk in and around Moray.Angus Robertson MP said:" The children who entered the competition came up with fantastic designs on this year's environment theme. The winning entry carries both the traditional message 'Merry Christmas' and the three Rs that we regularly hear of 'Reduce, Re-use, Recycle'." I would also thank the sponsors for their donations that make the production of the card possible. Crossroads is a well-known charity in Moray and provides essential services to carers.Note for Editors:Photo OpportunityAll the entries will be displayed today [Friday] from 3pm to 5pm in the Elgin Library Gallery.The winning card designer and runners up will be presented with prizes at 3.30pm in the Gallery.Ends.
DRIVE TO MAXIMISE BROADBAND COVERAGE
Posted on Wednesday, December 12 2007
Moray's Parliamentarians Richard Lochhead MSP and Angus Robertson MP are backing a campaign to find Scotland's broadband blackspots. Locals who are 'out of reach' are being urged to register their details by 18 January 2008. Local MSP, Richard Lochhead, is backing a new Scottish Government campaign targeting Scots in broadband enabled areas who have tried to order broadband and failed. As part of the new drive to get businesses and home users connected, Mr Lochhead is urging 'out of reach' constituents to log onto www.broadbandforscotland.co.uk and register their details by 18 January 2008.SNP MP for Moray Angus Robertson is also encouraging customers who are keen to use broadband but have been informed they can't get it at their location to submit their details. The local MP and MSP are highlighting their support for the campaign, which involves a three week print and radio advertising push, to help aid the search for those who have tried to and can't access broadband. The campaign is backed by a Scottish Government project, worth up to £3.5 million, to help those who register and who are eligible to get connected by the end of 2008. Commenting Richard Lochhead MSP said: " Scotland currently has over 99 per cent broadband availability; however a small minority of people still can't access a broadband service, usually because of the distance from their serving telephone exchange. Whilst predominantly a rural problem, these so-called broadband 'blackspots' can be found in urban, suburban and rural locations across Scotland. " Already, 2,000 people have already registered their request for help with getting connected, and through this awareness campaign, the Scottish Government is aiming to get a true reflection of the number of Scots affected in a bid to endeavour to bring them broadband." Those living in 'blackspots' are being asked to register their details before the 18 January 2008 deadline, to allow each application to be verified for inclusion in the project which aims to provide a suitable and sustainable solution by the end of 2008. Angus Robertson MP added: " I would urge anyone who has tried and failed to order broadband, to log on to this website and register their details by the cut off date. It's important that people in Moray have access to a broadband connection, whether it is for personal or business use, and this campaign will hopefully ensure everyone affected has the opportunity to flag up any problems they are experiencing in getting connected."If you are a householder or a business which has tried to get broadband and failed, register your details online at www.broadbandforscotland.co.uk or call 0844 499 2722 by 18 January 2008 at the latest. Those who have already registered need not reapply. Ends.
SNP MAKES FURTHER CALL FOR FAIR FUEL TAX
Posted on Wednesday, December 12 2007
As fuel continues to climb well past £1 a litre in Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson has called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to invoke an EU derogation to enable fair taxation of fuel in rural areas.SNP MPs in Westminster have consistently campaigned for a derogation that would take account of price differentials in rural areas, particularly in the North of Scotland and the Scottish Islands.Elsewhere in Europe France has adopted such a scheme to protect rural consumers and suppliers, which was accepted by the UK Government. The SNP is asking that the Government support similar measures for their own citizens. Mr Robertson said: " Fuel prices are now reaching staggering levels in rural Scotland. The Westminster Government has agreed that the French can use a derogation to tax fuel in areas of rural France at a 3% lower rate. " Instead of giving people in Scotland the same benefits they have agreed for the French, this Westminster Government is actually taxing fuel in rural Scotlandmore than anywhere else in the UK. " Fuel in rural Moray is significantly higher than the UK average, therefore, even with a 3% reduction, the Treasury would still be getting higher than average fuel taxes from Moray people. " The last time the SNP asked the Treasury for this almost two years ago they said that they could not implement the step as people would travel to the areas with the lower fuel, despite the large distances involved, to buy fuel that would still be more expensive than more urban areas. I hope the Treasury will not indulge in that type of nonsense economics. "The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling MP, is no stranger to rural Scotland, therefore, we are calling on him to act responsibly and ensure a fair tax take on fuel throughout the UK. Penalising rural Scotland, especially when Scotland's oil is giving him so much unexpected money at the moment simply must not go on." Ends.
MORAY MP & MSP WELCOME FLOOD COMMITMENT
Posted on Wednesday, December 12 2007
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead and Moray MP Angus Robertson have welcomed the comments by their colleague SNP Environment Minister Mike Russell MSP that the Scottish Government is committed to funding all planned flood alleviation schemes in Scotland.Moray's MSP Richard Lochhead MSP said:" The comments made by Mike Russell during his visit to Moray this week underline the SNP's commitment to funding Moray's flood schemes and ensuring that homes and businesses are much better protected." There has been recent attempts by opposition MSPs to scaremonger on these issues but let us be absolutely clear, the SNP Government will provide the funding and support that the people of Moray and the Moray Council rightly expect from us." We promised that support during the recent election campaign and we are delivering on that promise.Moray's Member of the Westminster Parliament Angus Robertson said:" The people of Moray rightly expect that we should provide the money necessary to deliver the planned flood alleviation measures in Moray. That is what we have done." It is only a few weeks since Rothes & Elgin faced the threat of flooding from torrential and sustained rainfall, fortunately on these occasions damage was relatively minor compared to the major floods of recent years but it demonstrates the urgent need for this work." With the Lhanbryde scheme completed, the Forres scheme underway and the Rothes and Elgin schemes close behind we are fully committed to these vital projects that will help give significant protection to lives and property in Moray."Ends.
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