Column - Friday 14th September 2007
Posted on Friday, September 14 2007
Return of TroopsThis week has seen the return of the RAF Regiment service personnel who were stationed in Afghanistan, sadly missing their colleague SAC Christopher Bridge who died in an explosion while on patrol in Kandahar. The return of the troops will be a huge relief to family and friends and will give the a very welcome rest from the extreme stress of combat operations.The loss of SAC bridge will however leave all involved with a heavy heart, a loss which was recognised by a poignant minutes silence at the recent families and friends day at RAF Lossiemouth.It is important to recognise the contribution and commitment of servicemen and women from all the armed services. Spending six months away from family on a difficult mission in an area where being shot at is a daily fact of life is a job I do not envy but which I have huge respect for and I know that they will always go again when asked and carry out the duties asked of them.ImperialismOn the European front the European Commission has decided not pursue the conversion from imperial measures to metric due to the unique situation in Scotland and the rest of the UK where both are regularly used.While for some this will be a victory of European bureacracy it is important to remember that Europe is only as good as we want it to be. Other European countries may have pushed for the ending of imperial measures but equally we have made European proposals that other countries have difficulty in accepting.The fact that the Commission can accept that we will continue to use metric and imperial measures is really just an indication that Europe can work as one where necesary but equally that individuality can be protected.There is no point in complaining that Europe is imposing things. The London Labour Government represents us in Europe and they need to be doing better. A good example of this being the fishing industry. Fishing is currently used as a bargaining chip by the UK Government rather than being recognised as the key industry that it is for Scotland. That is why fishing delegations should be led by the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary because we have the most to lose and, equally, the most to gain but we need someone who understands the impact on Scotland.
RISING CONSUMER DEBT ALARMS MP
Posted on Wednesday, September 12 2007
"Lenders must act more responsibly" - Angus RobertsonMoray SNP MP Angus Robertson has called on banks and consumers alike to be very careful when it comes to borrowing. The Member of Parliament's call follows the news from the Citizens Advice Bureau indicating that more than 1.7 Million people sought advice on debt last year.Many consumers seek advice from high street lenders expecting them to take account of what a reasonable repayment plan is, however it seems that many banks are more concerned about the profit margin than the ability of the customer to repay the debt.The CAB have said that "Lenders need to do much more to check that borrowers are really in a position to keep up repayments when they take out credit". Additionally a report commissioned by the SNP last year shows that many High Street banks are lending to the most vulnerable customers at interest rates many times higher than other customers. The report showed how many household banking names carried out this type of work through less well known subsidiaries.Commenting the SNP's Angus Robertson said:" It has traditionally been the moneylnders that preyed on the poor and financially vulnerable in our communities. Now, though, we find that mainstream lenders are getting in on the act as well and acting as legal loan sharks." With record numbers seeking debt counselling through the CAB the major lenders must make a significant effort to offer more realistic advice about reasonable debt levels for customers and when customers get into difficulty - usually through unforeseen circumstances - they need to be more sympathetic." It is simply not acceptable that when somebody struggling with their finances seeks advice they have credit cards and loans with extortionate rates of interest practically thrown at them. It is irresponsible and increases poverty rather than providing genuine financial assistance." Credit and borrowing are a part of everyday life in the 21st century and it is important that consumers can access credit, however the difficulties are caused by profiteering business practices that encourage consumers to over-extend their finances creating serious social problems.Ends.
RISING CONSUMER DEBT ALARMS MP
Posted on Wednesday, September 12 2007
"Lenders must act more responsibly" - Angus RobertsonMoray SNP MP Angus Robertson has called on banks and consumers alike to be very careful when it comes to borrowing. The Member of Parliament's call follows the news from the Citizens Advice Bureau indicating that more than 1.7 Million people sought advice on debt last year.Many consumers seek advice from high street lenders expecting them to take account of what a reasonable repayment plan is, however it seems that many banks are more concerned about the profit margin than the ability of the customer to repay the debt. The CAB have said that "Lenders need to do much more to check that borrowers are really in a position to keep up repayments when they take out credit". Additionally a report commissioned by the SNP last year shows that many High Street banks are lending to the most vulnerable customers at interest rates many times higher than other customers. The report showed how many household banking names carried out this type of work through less well known subsidiaries. Commenting the SNP's Angus Robertson said: " It has traditionally been the moneylnders that preyed on the poor and financially vulnerable in our communities. Now, though, we find that mainstream lenders are getting in on the act as well and acting as legal loan sharks." With record numbers seeking debt counselling through the CAB the major lenders must make a significant effort to offer more realistic advice about reasonable debt levels for customers and when customers get into difficulty - usually through unforeseen circumstances - they need to be more sympathetic." It is simply not acceptable that when somebody struggling with their finances seeks advice they have credit cards and loans with extortionate rates of interest practically thrown at them. It is irresponsible and increases poverty rather than providing genuine financial assistance." Credit and borrowing are a part of everyday life in the 21st century and it is important that consumers can access credit, however the difficulties are caused by profiteering business practices that encourage consumers to over-extend their finances creating serious social problems.
MP'S CONCERN ON DEFENCE SPENDING
Posted on Monday, September 10 2007
Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson has expressed his concern at new figures showing ongoing and severe budgeting problems within the Ministry of Defence. The information has come out following an investigation by the House of Commons Defence Select Committee. At the present time the MoD's top 20 major procurement projects remain an incredible £2.6 Billion overspent and an unbelievable combined total of 433 months behind schedule. This equates to delays in projects totalling 36 years.The MP for Moray is worried that these ongoing problems will undoubtedly be causing cutbacks in other areas leaving the three main services of the RAF, Army and Navy short of equipment and manpower.Commenting the SNP's Angus Robertson said:" In an area like Moray with so many defence jobs the service personnel and the public alike have an expectation that the forces will be properly supported but when the MoD has massive cost overruns to the tune of more than two and half billion pounds there is serious concern about the cutbacks needed to cover these costs." We have all seen story after story of personnel in Iraq who are short of the most basic equipment and aircraft and vehicles that engineers and mechanics struggle to find parts for and it is a major concern." I have raised these issues with the Minister on numerous occasions and the cross-party committee's findings make for very worrying reading." Our service personnel have a right to the highest possible levels of support and with the MoD's appalling handling of major projects this support is clearly affected." I will continue to press the government on this key issue which they need to sort out rapidly."Ends.
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