William graduated with an MA in Philosophy in
2009 and was awarded a scholarship to study Philosophy as a Postgraduate at
the University of Dundee.
Since leaving University he has taken an internship as a researcher within
the office of Anne Begg, MP for Aberdeen South.
He enjoys reading literature and Philosophy.
e-mail William :
williamsharkey@orkneylabour.org.uk
Orkney tops Scottish League with 33 per cent of unemployed claimants
between 18-24
Young workers are the real economic victims of this banker’s recession
with the government in denial that it is deliberately causing unemployment,
says the GMB union.
Orkney Islands top the Scottish league for the area in Scotland with the
highest percentage of 18-24 year old unemployment claimants for as a
proportion of all claimants in the area.
In December 2010, in Orkney Islands 65 claimants were aged 18-24 which is
33.3% of the 195 claimants there.
Next in the Scottish league was Midlothian where 31.9% of claimants were
aged 18-24.
Next came East Lothian (31.4%), followed by Dumfries and Galloway and
Scottish Borders (31.3%),
Aberdeenshire (31.1%), South Ayrshire (30.9%), Moray (30.4%) and
East Ayrshire (30.1%).
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant said: "The Orkney figures
are very poor.
"The best investment that any government can make is in the future of our
young people.
"These figures show that young people are the real victims of this
recession.
"In Orkney a Third of all unemployment claimants are aged 18 to 24.
"We simply cannot afford to stand by and watch as a new generation is
thrown on the scrap heap.
"That is why Labour is calling for the continuation of the Future Jobs
Fund and a guaranteed apprenticeship for every young person with appropriate
qualifications who wants one."
For Scotland as a whole there were 135,315 claimants of all ages in
December 2010.
Of these 36,850 claimants were aged 18-24 which was 27.2% of all
claimants.
Alzheimer numbers to double in Orkney over the next two
decades
The number of people in the Western Isles likely to be diagnosed with dementia
is predicted to double over the next two decades from its present level
of 307 to 675.
Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands MSP, who obtained this information from
Alzheimer Scotland , has given her support to the recent Charter of Rights for
People with Dementia in Scotland.
She is calling on the Scottish Government to give the same level of support to
dementia care as recently announced by the NHS in England
She said,
" As more and more people survive into older age, there will be a greater need
for the caring services to ensure that the quality of life is raised for those
with dementia, their carers and their families.
"Earlier this year, the NHS in England introduced a new £150 million investment
for the first two years of a five year plan that will provide early diagnosis
and treatment of dementia , raise public awareness of dementia , and improve the
standard of care for those with the condition .
" Alzheimer Scotland has called for £15 million of funding to increase care
provision for dementia in Scotland.
" The Scottish Government should commit itself to this new investment that
Alzheimer Scotland are proposing to match the corresponding increase in
resources in the NHS in England."
Figures for those estimated by Alzheimer Scotland likely to be diagnosed with
dementia in the Highlands and Islands in 2009 and the projected numbers for
2031.
Read the speech by David Stewart MSP in the Scottish
Parliament on the Orkney Air Ambulance Service
>>>
1st. December 2007
Gordon Brown addresses the National Policy Forum
29th. November 2007
No local office exempt from HIE job cuts
No local office will be safe from the jobs cuts facing Highlands and Islands
Enterprise – this was the stark warning issued to Labour MSP Peter Peacock.
The confirmation came from HIE Chief Executive, Sandy Cumming, under
questioning from the Highlands and Islands regional MSP in Parliament this week.
Despite its long term effort to decentralise the services provided by HIE all
the local area offices could face redundancies in a bid to shed 50 jobs to cope
with a budget reduction of £100 million over three years.
HIE has created centres of economic support and expertise throughout the
Highlands, from Lochgilphead in Argyll, in Fort William, Aviemore, Invergordon,
Inverness, Forres and Buckie, Thurso and Golspie, Stornoway and Benbecula,
Kirkwall and Lerwick.
Peter Peacock said, "HIE is under attack from the minority SNP government
with a massive budget reduction and the loss of key skilled staff who have
served the area well.
"HIE has an enviable record as possibly the most successful economic
development agency in Europe and the SNP should keep their hands off it and let
it get on with its job.
"Many of the areas of the Highlands and Islands are still very economically
fragile and their economy needs support, but what is happening is going to
severely compromise HIE's ability to provide all the services they have in the
past.
"Over the last few months we have seen HIE lose its careers functions, its
skills development functions and its business advice role. Now it is losing
budget and staff."
Peter Peacock concluded that the minority SNP government were being cavalier
in their approach to HIE and appeared intent on dismembering it.
28th. November 2007
Police numbers revealed for Northern Constabulary
North Labour MSP, Peter Peacock, has slammed the minority SNP government on
police numbers after an answer to a Parliamentary question revealed that
Northern Constabulary would only get 8 additional police officers next year, far
less than the SNP promised at the election.
He said, "The SNP made great play during the election about the huge number
of extra police they would recruit.
"They promised 1,000 extra police officers but it is now clear that is
another promise they have broken.
"We now know that next year the Northern police will only get money for 8
officers.
"With Northern containing the fastest growing city in the UK and at least 10
major population settlements, together with the largest rural area in Britain,
these extra officers will be spread so thinly they will be hardly noticeable.
"The people of the Highlands and Islands should have had 60 new officers from
the SNP promise - their rightful share of the extra 1,000 police officers.
"The 8 they have confirmed is only a tiny fraction of that.
"At a time of rapidly growing population compared to the rest of Scotland the
Northern police should be getting an increase under any circumstances, so its
not clear to me these police numbers will actually be truly additional anyway."
Peter Peacock went on to cast doubt over whether in fact any extra police
officers will be recruited over the coming four years.
He added,
"Over the next four years there are 2,300 police officers due to retire in
Scotland and the SNPs Justice Minister has indicated that the new police
officers recruited may not be enough to overtake those retiring.
"Northern police are no different and it is hard to see how the rate of
retirals will not be as great as this rate of recruitment and that could
potentially leave us with no more and possibly fewer police in the years to
come.
"I know the Chief Constable will do his best to ensure we do get extra
police, but he has a tough job to do.
"By short changing the police, the SNP have put extra police numbers in
jeopardy and that is a betrayal of the promises they gave at the election."
Returning to a theme he has been championing recently, to see a dedicated
wildlife crime unit in Northern, he said,
"Had the extra police number promised come through it would have made the Chief
Constable’s opportunity to gear up the fight against wildlife crime, as well as
the fight against drug crime that bit easier.
"People will feel very let down by the minority SNP government on all of
this."
21st. November 2007
Peter Peacock's questions on the SNP's plans for a Local Income tax
Peter Peacock tabled the questions below in the Scottish
Parliament.
They all received the same reply from John Swinney.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects a
local income tax to be operational in the Orkney Islands Council area.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the
Orkney Islands Council area it expects to be eligible to pay a local income tax.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated
cost will be of collecting a local income tax in the Orkney Islands Council
area.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive how the estimated cost
of collecting a local income tax in the Orkney Islands Council area compares
with the cost of collecting the council tax.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made a
projection of the level of any local income tax evasion in the Orkney Islands
Council area and, if so, what this projection is.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive what provision will be
made in the Orkney Islands Council area for assessing individuals’ incomes for
the purpose of collecting a local income tax.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive whether individuals
with large savings in the Orkney Islands Council area will be subject to a local
income tax on the income from those savings.
Peter Peacock:
To ask the Scottish Executive whether individuals
with unearned income in the Orkney Islands Council area will be subject to a
local income tax on this income.
Peter Peacock:
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria will be
applied to individuals in the Orkney Islands Council area in determining
residency for local income tax purposes.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policy in
respect of a local income tax will result in an individual in the Orkney Islands
Council area with an income of £20,000 from interest on savings and income from
share dividends paying no local taxes, while an individual with an income of
£20,000 from a job would pay local taxes and, if so, whether such a policy would
favour people with savings and shareholdings relative to working people.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has
made of income to Orkney Islands Council from a local income tax.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated
difference will be between funds currently collected under the council tax and
those estimated to be collected under a local income tax in the Orkney Islands
Council area.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Orkney Islands
Council will receive any additional government grants to make up any shortfall
between the amount collected under a local income tax and current income from
the council tax.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Orkney Islands
Council will contribute any local income tax collected in its area to any
central pool for redistribution to other local authorities and, if so, under
what circumstances.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people will
be required to administer a local income tax in the Orkney Islands Council area.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive whether a three pence
local income tax in the Orkney Islands Council area will yield sufficient income
to maintain current service levels.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive how many households it
estimates will be worse off in the Orkney Islands Council area under its local
income tax proposals.
Peter Peacock :
To ask the Scottish Executive how many pensioners
aged over 65 in the Orkney Islands Council area will be required to pay the
local income tax.
John Swinney:
We intend to launch a consultation later this year on
our proposals for a fairer local tax, before we introduce the necessary
legislation in the 2008-09 parliamentary year. While it is therefore too early
to discuss detailed impacts on particular local authorities and their residents,
we welcome views on this as part of the consultation exercise.
20th. November 2007
The SNP's Broken Promises
Click on the images below to view the Flash files
15th. November 2007
Police numbers to be cut in the North
The SNP’s broken promise on police numbers is going to cost the Highlands
and Islands almost 100 new police officers, claims north Labour regional MSP,
Peter Peacock.
The revelation comes following close examination of the SNPs statements on
their budget plans for police, following Wednesday's budget statement to
Parliament.
Based on their share of the promised 1,000 extra police Northern Constabulary
now won’t get the 60 new officers promised,
Moray will miss out on the 16 extra police officers they were promised, and
Argyll and Bute will have 18 fewer than promised – all following the minority
nationalist government’s u-turn in this week's budget on providing 1000 new
police jobs.
Peter Peacock has revealed detailed figures for each of the main communities
in the north to show "the full extent of the broken promise the SNP made to the
people of the Highlands and Islands".
He said: "The SNP promised 1,000 additional police officers in Scotland.
"That would have meant Northern Constabulary got 60, Moray 16, and Argyll and
Bute 18. Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey could have expected 20 of
those Northern police officers, Stornoway and the Western Isles six, Lochaber
four, Orkney and Shetland five each, Ross-shire 11 and the far north 9 new
police.
"Now the Justice Secretary has said he cannot guarantee any extra police at
all, let alone the thousand he and Fergus Ewing promised just 7 short months
ago.
"In fact he has even admitted there may be fewer police in 2011 than there
are today - that is a disgrace.
"The extra officers, had they been delivered, could have helped the fight
against drugs and organised crime and made our streets and towns safer.
"It could even have funded an increase in officers dedicated to fight
wildlife crime.
"Instead of extra police the SNP are now saying that if they can persuade an
officer to delay their retirement by a year or so they will be counted as a new
police officer.
"It’s a con, a police officer with 25 years experience is now to be called a
new police officer to try and let the SNP wriggle out of their commitment.
"That commitment was perfectly clear, it was for extra officers, not
re-branded officers.
"Every government in recent years has taken initiative to get more police on
the beat, for example by reforming court procedures which caught up police
waiting around courts.
"The SNP promised to go further, to provide an extra 1,000 officers – now
that promise has been ditched.
"Instead of adding to the efforts to fight crime and support police they have
abandoned their commitment and pretending a re-branding and re-deployment of
existing police is the same as their promise of 1,000 more police.
"With the biggest budget in Scotland’s history and twice as much money as
Donald Dewar had available, there is no excuse – it seems the SNP never intended
to keep this promise and Fergus Ewing, their Highland Minister responsible for
police should be particularly ashamed he misled the electorate in the north at
the election on this promise, a promise now broken.
"He should be hanging his head in shame.
"I will be seeking a meeting with the local Police Federation to explore with
them what difference actually having an extra 94 officers across our area would
have had on their capacity to deliver.
"The police do a superb job in protecting our communities and I want to know
just how much more could have been achieved had the minority SNP government not
broken this promise to the people of the Highlands and Islands."
8th. November 2007
Peter Peacock's speech on Food Policy
The text of Peter Peacock's speech in the Food Policy debate in the Scottish
Parliament ( Wednesday 7th. November) can be viewed via this link
David Stewart, Highlands and Islands Labour Regional MSP, is welcoming a
unanimous decision for the go-ahead of a major inquiry into ferry links to the
Scottish islands.
At a meeting of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee at
the Scottish Parliament this afternoon members emphasised the urgency of
launching the public inquiry which would explore all the major factors of what
Mr Stewart describes as ‘the most important rural transport issue facing the
Highlands and Islands’.
Mr Stewart, who hopes the inquiry will start before the end of the year,
outlined the importance of developing ferry services for users.
The inquiry will explore, amongst other things, tendering, Road Equivalent
Tariff, funding, routes, timetables, fares and capacity.
"It is important we develop a strong rural element to this inquiry and I have
proposed today that the committee holds visits in Shetland, the Western Isles
and Arran – all of which face difficult issues in terms of ferry transport,"
said Mr Stewart.
He added: "The speed, availability and cost of ferries has a major impact on
our island communities and are the life-line for sustainability, tourism and
cargo transportation.
"The Committee today discussed an inquiry which would explore all these
issues within a framework of understanding the costs of operating ferries so
that we can look at ways to create a viable commercial industry."
The inquiry will gain full views from ferry users by access to the
parliament’s website, by publishing leaflets which can be distributed on the
ferries and by inviting participation from interested businesses and groups.
Before confirming the final remit the Committee agreed to write to the
Minister for Transport, Stewart Stevenson, to confirm there is no duplication
between the inquiry and a government review which is set to take place as part
of the national transport strategy.
"Ferries are vital to the islands - not just as a service in themselves - but
as a source of economic development," said Mr Stewart.
6th. November 2007
Call for Government support for local farmers markets
Peter Peacock, Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP, is to call for more
government support for local food and farmers markets in the Highlands and
Islands.
His call will come in a debate (Wednesday) in the Scottish Parliament on
local food.
Peter Peacock said,
"The Highlands and Islands has some of the finest quality local produce anywhere
in the world.
"Our area is world renowned for its salmon, shellfish, beef and venison,
among many other quality products.
"While we have built up international markets for Highlands and Islands
products and need to do still more to grow those markets, we also need to do
significantly more to build our local markets.
"Farmers markets have become a very important outlet for local producers of
meat and vegetables and a range of other products, like honey and cheeses.
"The more these markets can be built up, the more opportunities for local
farmers and other local producers and those who are adding value locally to
produce.
"There has been an encouraging growth in farmers markets, but I want to see
that go much further.
"On the day the government are unveiling their strategy for Scottish food, I
want to urge them to put real resources behind developing local markets and
taking them to a new level, working with local producers to build and develop
new opportunities.
"The government should be encouraging HIE to give more strategic support to
this as a key economic objective for our region."
Peter Peacock is also expected to praise the many efforts to build local food
by, for example, the Highlands and Islands Food Network and Highland Feast, the
regions food festival, and Living Food, a celebration of organic and sustainable
production at Cawdor Castle.
Peter Peacock added, "There have been some truly outstanding initiatives in
recent years by local food producers.
"Every initiative helps build the profile of local food at its best and needs
to be a bigger and bigger feature of our regions profile for tourism.
"Many people now build their holiday and weekend breaks around trying
distinctive local food and there is nowhere better than in the Highlands and
Islands that we can cater for their needs and interests.
"We just need to give the issue more attention, the resources needed to grow
the markets and it can be a bigger part of our future economic success.
"But its not just for tourists, local consumers are more aware than ever of
the environmental and health benefits of local and organic food production and
sale, so the opportunities for local producers will grow.
"People want to know the source of their food and they want to try different
local specialities, we need more support to let them do so and the government
have a clear role here to help."
31st. October 2007
Funding Formula for Flooding
A Moray Christmas morning ruined, a Shetland peat flood on
hill croft houses, an Ardgay home abandoned for six months.
These are the kinds of experiences MSP Peter Peacock is
hearing following his appeal to the people of the North to give him their
stories for a Parliamentary Inquiry.
The Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP is gathering
evidence on the effects of flooding and the measures local people think can be
put in place to prevent it happening to them again.
And Mr Peacock is calling for action now on a new funding
formula to ensure investment is made available to protect communities in the
north from the effects of flooding, following changes in the minority SNP
government’s funding policies for local government.
His call comes following a briefing from Officials at
Highland Council who are working on schemes to alleviate flooding across the
region and a week after the anniversary of the major floods that hit Dingwall
and many other parts of the Highlands.
Peter Peacock said: "I have been contacted by many people
from across the Highlands with their experience of flooding.
"I have had letters from residents in Dingwall, Strathpeffer,
Newtonmore, Dornoch and many other communities.
"The disruption, misery and anguish caused by flooding takes
a huge toll on those affected, and we are seeing more and more flooding as
climate changes take effect.
"The briefing I have had from Highland Council illustrates
the scale of the problem with many schemes requiring work and new planning being
required as we anticipate more flooding events in future.
"Such is the scale of the problem that the Scottish
Parliament, quite independent of government, is starting a major inquiry into
flooding, changing weather patterns and whether our law and administrative
practices are fit to manage the increased flooding we all anticipate over future
years.
"The inquiry will report next year sometime, and the evidence
Highland Council can give will be invaluable, but there are urgent changes in
policy needed now to help Councils make key investments.
"The Highland Council faces a huge bill to make the necessary
investments to help prevent flooding affecting peoples’ homes over coming years.
"Sadly, their ability to do so has been all but removed from
them by one consequence of the minority SNP government’s policy on freezing
council tax.
"Councils have traditionally had to make a 20% contribution
to the costs of significant flood protection schemes, as well as now having to
increase spending on maintenance of gulleys and culverts, for example, to keep
drainage systems clear.
"With Council’s being told to freeze their Council tax it
becomes almost impossible for them to find the necessary cash to do their bit.
In the circumstances the minority nationalist government really have an
obligation to meet the bills 100% and that is what I am calling on them to do.
"Thankfully the recent spending review has given the minority
nationalist government twice as much money as Donald Dewar had at his disposal
only some 8 years ago.
"Within a £30 billion budget flooding needs to get a higher
priority and Councils need the extra support to overtake the vital work they
need done."
Peter Peacock will be writing to the minority nationalist
government seeking a change in policy.
6th. October 2007
Scottish Parliament Inquiry into Flooding and Flood Management Inquiry
Peter Peacock is a member of the Scottish
Parliament's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee which is holding an enquiry
into Flooding and Flood Management in Scotland. In the video below, Peter makes
an appeal to people to send evidence to him of their own experience of flooding
which he will forward to the committee.
Double click on the triangle at
the left hand corner of the video screen to watch the video
2nd. October 2007
Highlands and Islands MSP supports Caithness Archaeological Trust’s Role in
Promoting the Area’s Viking Roots
Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Peter Peacock will this week call
on the Scottish Executive to remember the Scandinavian heritage of the north of
Scotland.
Mr Peacock says it is vital to support the cultures of the Northern Isles and
Caithness, where, although Gaelic was spoken, strong roots are felt in the Norse
rather than the Celtic tradition.
"I was saddened to hear that the current funding stream for the Caithness
Archaeological Trust Officer, Emma Sanderson, is coming to an end this month.
"This is exactly the kind of work that should be supported.
"This was a group set up by the people for the people and despite great
voluntary support this must have an impact on the work that the group do in
highlighting Caithness’ role as a Viking Centre for tourists and locals alike."
According to CAT Chairman, the Earl of Caithness, the trust has kept the post
going for four years and there have been great developments in its outreach
projects, including the formation of the Young Archaeologists Club which has
attracted over 30 young members.
Mr Peacock says the benefits to tourism and the need to pass on our heritage
to future generations make the work of local groups and festival organisers
vital.
"There is a great culture of storytelling in the North of Scotland and the
Viking sagas play a major part in that. The traditional music also has links
with Scandinavian music and even the way of playing the fiddle is different,"
commented Mr Peacock.
"There are a lot of people keeping these distinct dialects and cultural roots
alive.
The Up Helly Aa fire festival in Shetland draws visitors from around the
world and a second phase of the highly successful Sagalands project – which
brought together people from Orkney, Shetland, Faroes, Iceland, Greenland,
Canada, Norway and Sweden – is set to be launched."
As part of a question to the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and
Culture on whether the government will be represented at the Royal National Mod
in Fort William, the Highlands and Islands list MSP plans to ask if the Scottish
Executive is prepared to support these important parts of our heritage in the
same way it supports Gaelic and Scots.
24th. September 2007
Gordon Brown addresses the Labour Party conference
Wendy Alexander addresses the Labour Party conference
20th. September 2007
Flood Funding or Face Cuts in Services
The Scottish Government must guarantee funding of up to 100%
for flood alleviation schemes in the Highland and Islands to avoid local council
cuts in services.
This is the commitment Highlands and Islands regional Labour
MSP Peter Peacock demanded from Environment Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead
for at a debate on managing the risks of flooding at Holyrood this morning.
He said that retaining existing government support of 80%
while restricting local authority’s council tax raising abilities would mean
that money for flood works would have to come from reduced spending on schools,
local roads and social work.
"I will not support putting undue burdens on the people of
the Highlands and Islands and local authority spending, because of changes the
minority government are making to local taxation." said Mr Peacock.
Mr Peacock cited the case in Moray where the bill for their
various flood schemes comes close to £140m.
He said that even under the most prudent financial measures
the Moray Council would face a 3.5% increase in their Council Tax which may last
for 25 years to fund their share of the projects.
"All avenues for funding the scheme are now being blocked by
this minority government with their tax plan changes.
"That potentially means the schemes can not proceed, or will
have to be funded by millions of pounds of cuts in other services.
"This is a ridiculous position to put the people of Moray
in."
He said that the only solution was for the Government to
guarantee to fund the flood alleviation schemes in Moray 100% - a commitment the
Minister singularly failed to give.
Mr Peacock said that he welcomed the discussions which took
place at Holyrood today examining issues including the role of climate change in
the debate, the length of time it takes to put flood schemes in place, the
effects on our emergency services of flooding, the support required by Island
Authorities in dealing with coastal erosion and a call generally for more
sustainable measures to prevent flooding.
"We in the Highlands have seen these effects in Dingwall, in
Inverness, in Elgin, Forres and Rothes, in East Sutherland, in Caol, Fort
William and Acharacle in the West, and in Kirkwall and the North Isles," said Mr
Peacock.
He added: "Flooding in Scotland is changing constantly and
requires urgent attention, but the SNP needs to consider its own policy of
handcuffing local authorities if this is going to happen."
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has called for an apology from
the First Minister following his "snub" to the Scottish Crofting Foundation.
She was shocked to read in Monday’s Press and Journal that the SCF had
been told they weren’t welcome at a summit on safeguarding a sustainable food
supply for Scotland with Alex Salmond.
In a motion to Parliament she said: "Crofting plays a vitally important role
in the food industry, given that crofters from all over the Highlands and
Islands supply thousands of store sheep, lambs and calves annually as well as
providing lambs for direct export to continental Europe."
She urged the Scottish Government to invite the Scottish Crofting Foundation
to any future meetings relating to the food industry in Scotland.
The text of her motion reads :
Call for First Minister to Apologise to the Scottish Crofting
Foundation—That the Parliament believes that the First Minister should
apologise to the Scottish Crofting Foundation for excluding it from the summit
held on 13 September 2007 on safeguarding a sustainable food supply for
Scotland; further expresses surprise that the Scottish Crofting Foundation was
not told officially that the summit had been arranged and, despite contacting
the Scottish Government, was still not invited to attend; believes that crofting
plays a vitally important role in the food industry, given that crofters from
all over the highlands and islands supply thousands of store sheep, lambs and
calves annually as well as providing lambs for direct export to continental
Europe, and considers that the Scottish Government should invite the Scottish
Crofting Foundation to any future meetings relating to the food industry in
Scotland.
The motion is supported by Peter Peacock and David Stewart
Highlands and Islands Regional MSP Challenges Environment
Minister Over Future Funding for Land Purchases
A Highland and Islands Labour Regional MSP is pressing the
Scottish Government for assurances after it failed to guarantee future funding
for land purchases in Scotland.
Following a debate in Holyrood on the Land Reform Act MSP
Peter Peacock, who hailed the progress the act had brought to local communities,
said it was ominous that the Minister for the Environment Mike Russell had
refused to answer when pushed on future funding.
"Labour Administrations since 1999 have ensured a growing
supply of cash to allow communities to buy land.
"However, that funding comes to an end within 18 months and
needs to be renewed. It is vital that funding continues after March 2009 and I
will continue to press the minority SNP government on this," said Mr Peacock.
During the debate Mr Peacock highlighted the importance of
the Land Reform Act.
"The 2003 act was symbolic of the power of the new Parliament
and of devolution. It reflected and took inspiration from earlier struggles for
land reform—the land raids of times past and in more recent times, the struggles
of the Assynt crofters and the people of the island of Eigg who, before the
legislation was passed, were successful in their efforts to buy their own land.
"The act also reflects the acts and campaigns of the
campaigners over many years who felt that they had been denied access to
Scotland's land."
The MSP commented that a transformation in the local economy
is evident in many localities where people have been successful in purchasing
their land.
"Such communities now have more economic activity, more land
available for housing and an increased population—we need only look at what has
happened in Gigha.
"In some of those communities, people also now have more
liberal access to the land than was ever the case previously.
"The aspirations of communities are being better met,
opportunities are being created and life has been put back into many
communities."
He called for the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee to
carry out a post-legislative scrutiny during this parliamentary session.
He wants Parliament's intentions on access and on a range of
other issues, including timescales to buy land, court interpretation of
interposed leases, rigid definitions of the legal difference between a crofting
community body and a community body to be examined.
"Important questions also need to be asked about access
following the Kinfauns decision recently involving Mrs Anne Gloag and public
sector accounting conventions which could make purchase of public land more
difficult than private land." said Mr Peacock.
Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP David Stewart is
quizzing Scotland’s top Prosecutor at Holyrood over the laws in place to protect
the public from sexual predators.
Scotland’s Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini is meeting with MSPs
today to explain the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the World’s End
murder trial.
The 30 years old case against Angus Sinclair, a convicted
double killer and paedophile who is currently serving a life sentence at
Peterhead prison, was thrown out by the trial judge on the grounds of
insufficient evidence.
Mr Stewart is pressing the Lord Advocate over what risk
management procedures are in place to ensure that predators like Sinclair can
not pose a risk to the public again.
"Since the Criminal Justice Act in 2003 those convicted of a
serious violent, sexual or life threatening assault can be placed on an Order
for Lifelong Restriction.
This means that offenders are assessed with a view to
minimising the risks – including remaining in prison until the Parole Board is
satisfied that the person can be released," said Mr Stewart.
"Attempted murderer Colin Ross was the first person to be
placed under an OLR following the appalling incident in the Highlands and it
clearly shows we are by no means immune. We need to see that those convicted
before 2003 face the same rigorous controls to safeguard the public."
Mr Stewart is also to ask the Lord Advocate whether she will
consider a review on allowing judges or juries sight of previous convictions
where a defendant has a history of predatory sexual assault.
"My concern is that all possible measures are put in place to
protect women from sexual predators and those who commit serious violent acts,"
said Mr Stewart.
From the Official report of the Scottish Parliament 13th.
September ’07
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Does the Lord Advocate
share my view that a case can be made for allowing juries sight of analogous
previous convictions when defendants have a history of predatory sexual
assaults? In the case of Angus Sinclair, what risk management procedures are in
place in the event of his release to ensure that he never endangers the public
again?
The Lord Advocate:
In Scotland, evidence of a previous conviction
can be admitted in the course of a trial only very rarely and in exceptional
circumstances. That is not the case in many other jurisdictions, where evidence
of similar fact, including previous convictions, may be introduced as part of
the Crown case to show a disposition, particularly if the conviction relates to
a similar crime. That is not the situation in Scotland. It would make my life as
a public prosecutor easier if I could lead such evidence, but that is not to say
that that is the correct approach. The matter must be considered objectively by
the Government, the Parliament and others more widely so that a fair balance is
reached. It would not be appropriate for someone who could be perceived as
partisan to decide on such principles. Of course I would say that I want
prosecutions to be made easier and to have more evidence available. My view is
that allowing such evidence would enable more prosecutions to take place but, in
a democracy, a balance must be struck by the Parliament rather than by
prosecutors.
Mr Stewart asked about the risk management of Angus Sinclair. As Mr Stewart
knows, Angus Sinclair is serving a sentence of imprisonment. He is not due to be
paroled until 2016. That will be a matter for the Parole Board for Scotland. He
is serving a number of life sentences and the Parole Board for Scotland will
decide if or when he will be released on to the streets. That is not a matter
for ministers, nor is it a matter for the prosecutor.
Opposition parties at Holyrood succeeded in voting down the Government on its
new skills strategy motion yesterday.
Suffering its second major defeat since May, this means that the SNP’s plans
on skills, which include its proposals to merge Careers Scotland and Learn
Direct Scotland to create a huge new central belt based quango, have been thrown
out by Parliament.
Mr Peacock spoke out in Parliament, where Ms Hyslop outlined her plans,
asking the Minister to: "explain why she is the first Minister in decades to
break a cross Party consensus which recognised that in matters of skills, social
and economic development in the Highlands and Islands the approach to service
delivery should be different to reflect the different powers, responsibilities
and approach of HIE and the local authorities to that of Scottish Enterprise."
He added, "HIE is widely recognised to have been outstandingly successful in
social and economic development and I hope this is not the thin end of a wedge
to progressively strip HIE of its ability to serve the distinct needs of this
unique region. "
He urged the Minister: "even now to undertake to re-consider her approach in
the Highlands and Islands, to work with HIE and the local authorities to retain
local decision making and develop a distinct regional approach which forges ever
closer connections to schools, where top rate careers advice is needed."
Following the 72-47 vote against the strategy Mr Peacock said, "This is a
significant defeat for the SNP minority government with Parliament showing it
has no confidence in their strategy.
"While the minority government are not obliged to revise their plans, given
they have not secured majority support in Parliament I believe they should take
the opportunity to reflect hard on what they have done and come back to
Parliament with new proposals which take better account of the region’s distinct
need."
Labour condemn Lib Dems over comments on Air Discount Scheme
MSP Des McNulty is condemning comments made by Liam McArthur
on Radio Orkney this morning criticising Labour’s Air Discount Scheme.
In a statement issued today Mr McNulty commented:
"Liam McArthur’s party says that they want to make Britain’s
transport system "carbon neutral" by 2050.
"They intend to do this by putting an extra £10 tax per
ticket on internal flights in Britain to help fund improvements to the rail
network.
"The costs of this policy would fall particularly heavily on
people in the Highlands - £12.4m would be paid by passengers using HIAL airports
each year – three times the amount allocated by the Labour-led Executive when it
set up the Air Route Development Fund to provide subsidised air travel for
Highlands and Islands residents.
"The Lib Dems have claimed that their ‘flight tax’ would not
include "lifeline" air routes, specifically including links between the Orkneys
and Shetland and the mainland where travel options are limited.
"They have been forced to create this policy loophole because
the impact of their policy on Orkney and Shetland would be profoundly unpopular.
"It is clear the policies of the Liberal Democrats will
disadvantage people in the Highlands as well as the Islands.
"Labour’s Air Discount Scheme has been warmly welcomed and we
will strenuously oppose Liberal Democrat attempts to impose unfair new taxes on
Highland passengers.
"Given concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, it is
perfectly reasonable to ask what impact any scheme has on the environment.
"The Liberal Democrats are unique in shamelessly facing both
ways but their blatant hypocrisy on this issue is hard to stomach."
MSP receives reply on offensive weapons figures for the
Northern Constabulary area.
Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has
received a reply from the Scottish Executive following a parliamentary question
she tabled several weeks ago, seeking information on the carrying of offensive
weapons in the Northern Constabulary area.
The question asked how many people aged both under 18 and
over 18 have been convicted of carrying knives or possessing an offensive weapon
in the force area in the last five years.
Mrs Grant said, "I tabled the question in response to
increasing public concern over the carrying of knives and offensive weapons in
our communities.
"During 2004-05 twenty people, aged 18 and over, were
convicted of ‘Having in a public place an article with a blade or point’ and a
further thirty three with ‘Possession of an offensive weapon.’
"These were the highest figures recorded for such offences
during the past five years.
"Over the remaining years the combined figures for both
categories have varied between forty and forty four, the figure recorded for
2003-04 and 2005-06.
"The statistics for those under 18 committing such offences
are lower but for the period 2005-06 seven persons under 18 were convicted of
‘Having in a public place an article with a blade or point’ and one with
‘Possession of an offensive weapon.’
"It is disturbing to see any such convictions in this age
group.
"Any conviction for carrying a knife or offensive weapon is
concerning, given the possibility of serious injury, or worse, if the weapon is
used in anger.
"In a largely rural area such as covered by the Northern
Constabulary, these figures must cause unease but they also confirm that the
force is working to address the problem."
Mrs Grant added, "I would yet again, urge any young person
considering carrying a knife or offensive weapon to bear in mind what the final
outcome might be.
"Carrying such a weapon for ‘defence’ or out of bravado is
extremely dangerous, particularly if alcohol is consumed.
"When a knife or offensive weapon is used, the outcome for
the victim, the assailant and their respective families can be dire and ruin
lives."
Executive forced to move on question of post offices support
Highlands and Islands Labour Regional MSP, Peter Peacock, has
got the SNP Scottish Executive on the move on the question of support for local
post offices, following questions in the Scottish Parliament.
He believes the outcome stands to benefit Orkney.
In a written answer to a question on providing funding to
help sustain local services, Mr Peacock has been told that Executive officials
"are examining the department of Trade and Industry’s plans for the post office
network to see where the Scottish Executive can add value".
Further, the reply says, "We will seek to do all we can
within our devolved powers to secure the best possible outcome".
Mr Peacock said, "This is a change of position over that
first given to me by Cabinet Secretary John Swinney in Parliament and I welcome
the fact he is at last listening to the needs of rural areas after having
pressure put on him.
"At least there now appears a commitment to look at funding
rural post offices and supporting them in other ways."
"I await the detailed proposals of how local communities can
apply for funding, what cash limits will apply and what the priorities for any
funding will be.
"There are huge expectations to fulfill and I hope he is not
going to let people down when the detail is released.
"I encourage the SNP Executive to match the commitment shown
by the Westminster Government to support new rural outreach services, such as
those being piloted in Caithness and Ross-shire."
Mr Peacock concluded, "There are many post offices in Orkney
and the islands facing challenging circumstances and I sincerely hope this
concession from the executive means something real in helping protect rural
services, but only time will tell."
North MSP calls for Financial Parity for Kinship Carers
Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has called for kinship
carers to be put on the same financial footing as foster carers.
Earlier this month Children and Early Years Minister Adam Ingram approved a
new package of training allowances for foster and kinship carers, who can now
claim up to £1,000 towards training.
The funding will allow carers to access approved childcare-related training
courses and cover relevant costs such as childcare.
Mrs Grant commented, "Last month I tabled a parliamentary question at
Holyrood on the role of grandparents who foster.
"They are typical of kinship carers in that they do not automatically receive
the same support as foster carers, despite carrying out identical functions in
supporting children.
"Local Authorities have discretion on whether or not they give financial
support to kinship carers, many do not and assessment is often carried out on a
case by case basis.
"My question called on the Minister to clarify what steps the Executive would
take to ensure Local Authorities provide grandparents with the same level of
support that they provide for other foster carers.
"Kinship carers are often financially disadvantaged and again grandparents
carrying out this role are typical.
"They are most likely retired and living off their savings or on a fixed
income.
"I readily acknowledge the excellent work carried out by those who foster
children but I would argue strongly that the level of financial support given to
foster carers should also be available to kinship carers.
"The £4 million package announced by the Children and Early Years Minister
contains some proposals which will significantly help support children who
require fostering care.
"I have however, written to the Minister expressing my concerns over the
issue of parity in financial support between the two groups of carers and asking
for more details on the financial package applicable to kinship carers."
Mrs Grant added, "The work carried out by both foster carers and kinship
carers is invaluable to the children who receive it. This level of care must
however be supported financially and it is vital that kinship carers are not
disadvantaged simply due to their relationship with the child being fostered.
North MSP seeks information on those carrying knives or
offensive weapons in the Highlands and Islands
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has tabled a
Parliamentary Question in Holyrood asking how many people aged both under 18 and
over 18 have been convicted of carrying knives or possessing an offensive weapon
in the Northern Constabulary area in of each of the last five years.
Mrs Grant said, "I am aware of increasing public concern over
the carrying of knives and offensive weapons in our communities.
"The parliamentary question is designed to find out if the
situation is deteriorating in the Highlands and Islands and the age of those
involved.
"Across Scotland knife crime seems to be an increasing
problem.
"Knives are sometimes carried by youngsters for so-called
defensive purposes but when an incident occurs the knives are used in anger,
frequently with horrendous outcomes.
"The long-term effects of such crimes are severe for the
victim, the assailant and their respective families.
"At the moment I have no accurate information on the
situation in the Highlands and Islands and the response I expect from the
Justice Minister should clarify the local situation.
"At one time carrying offensive weapons and knives was viewed
as a West Central Scotland problem, but sadly more incidents now seem to be
occurring in our region."
Mrs Grant added, "Police forces in Scotland, including
Northern Constabulary, have been active in addressing the carrying of offensive
weapons and knives and penalties for doing so have increased in recent years.
"I would urge any youngster contemplating carrying weapons
for ‘defence’ or simply bravado - to give serious thought to what the final
outcome might be."
Parliamentary question
Rhoda Grant MSP: To ask the Scottish Executive how many
people aged (a) under 18 and (b) 18 or over have been convicted of carrying
knives or possessing an offensive weapon in the Northern Constabulary area in
each of the last five years.
North MSP’s Disappointment over Scottish Executive Reply on
Orkney Funding
Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Peter Peacock has
expressed his disappointment over the Scottish Executive’s response to a
parliamentary question over central government funding for Orkney.
Mr Peacock said, "I had submitted a parliamentary question
asking the Scottish Executive why Orkney Islands Council receives a lower rate
of revenue support than the Western Isles and Shetland; whether the gap had been
narrowing in recent years and what further steps the Executive plans to take to
eliminate the gap in funding and in what timescales.
"The written response I received from the Cabinet Secretary
stated that the main reasons for the differences in the funding share between
the island groups can be attributed to the level of funding to support borrowing
for capital projects, allocations of the Special Islands Needs Allowance and the
effects of special payments to guarantee a minimum year-on-year increase in
grant from which Orkney doesn't particularly benefit.
"In responding to my other points the Cabinet Secretary said
that funding differential had narrowed slightly in the last two years and that
the ‘distribution methodology’ to local authorities is kept under review."
Mr Peacock continued, "This is a pretty flimsy reply and
displays no apparent commitment to act further, nor any real urgency.
"I will be passing the reply to Orkney Islands Council and I
am urging the minister, through a further parliamentary question, to meet with
Orkney Islands Council to discuss and plan further progress on the issue. "
Peter Peacock's Parliamentary Question: To ask the
Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance will meet with
Orkney Islands Council soon to discuss funding for the Council
North MSP tables Parliamentary Question on Orkney Funding
Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Peter Peacock has
tabled a parliamentary question on the level of funding received from central
government by Orkney Islands Council, which, overall, appears less than either
the Western Isles or Shetland.
Mr Peacock said, "Although Orkney historically has received
less overall grant from central government it also has a smaller population than
the other two islands groups.
"That said I do believe there remains a financial anomaly
between the island groups which continues to need to be addressed.
"The revenue support for councils is not earmarked for
specific services and the decision to allocate spending from the grant and
council tax rests with Orkney Islands Council.
"The council have debts to repay on previous capital
expenditure which still has a current impact on spending plans.
"Other income streams for islands council, like the Special
Islands Needs Allowance appears to be less than the other island groups.
"The previous Labour-led executive had committed to reviewing
the existing block grant formula and any such review needs to benefit Orkney
with its relative remoteness, transport infrastructure needs and a growing
ageing population.
"My parliamentary question seeks to draw out the precise
reasons for any differences in levels of support so that Orkney folk can see the
detail and it asks the SNP whether Orkney still received a lower of revenue
support than Western Isles and Shetland councils, it also asked whether the gap
has been narrowing over recent years, and what further steps the Executive plans
to take to eliminate the gap in funding and in what timescales."
Speaking on behalf of the Orkney Branch of the Scottish
Labour Party Iain Macdonald commented, "I am delighted that Peter Peacock, one
of Orkney's Labour representatives in the Scottish Parliament from the Highlands
and Islands regional vote, has raised this issue.
"This was an important issue that I spent a lot of time on at
the recent election and it needs further action to continue the progress made by
the last executive.
"It will be interesting to see the answer from the new
Executive."
North MSP tables Parliamentary Questions on Housing
Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has
tables a series of questions in the Scottish Parliament on housing issues.
Mrs Grant said, "Housing is a key issue across the Highlands
and Islands, and my questions were designed to establish what the intentions of
the new Scottish Executive are on housing provision.
"There is a shortage of affordable housing across the region
and this makes is difficult to attract and retain key workers such as nurses,
teachers and members of the emergency services.
"The previous Labour led Executive had taken steps to
increase the provision of affordable housing and my question seeks a commitment
from the new SNP Executive that they will continue this work and provide the
funding in the forthcoming spending review.
"First time buyers find it increasingly difficult to get on
the market in property hot spots such as Inverness, but the problem exists
across the Highlands and Islands and I have asked the Executive what plans it
has to assist.
"The Homestake shared ownership housing grant scheme has been
operating successfully in parts of our area and I have also asked if the
Executive will continue to support this scheme.
"Housing waiting lists are high for social housing and again
I have asked the Executive what it plans are to reduce such lists and address
Homelessness given its duties under the Homelessness (Scotland) Act.
"In many of the parts of the Highlands and Islands there are
a significant number of second or holiday homes and a shortage of affordable
housing.
"My final question to the Executive was to ask if it would
support a restricted occupancy policy such as has been adopted in the Yorkshire
Dales National Park or a two-tier housing market structure, such as exists on
the Isle of Guernsey.
"Other similar systems exist in other parts of the world
where the quality of life and landscape is a magnet for those who can afford to
buy into the housing market. It is essential for our towns and villages however,
that affordable housing is also available so that communities are sustainable
and balanced."
Mrs Grant added, "If the Highlands and Islands are to
continue to thrive economically the Executive must work across a range of
initiatives to deliver affordable housing.
"I will continue to lobby the Cabinet Secretary responsible
for housing on this issue."
Written Parliamentary Questions tabled by Rhoda Grant
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it will commit
to the provision of affordable homes in Scotland in the forthcoming spending
review
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to assist
first time buyers get on to the property ladder
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to
support the Homestake shared ownership housing grant scheme
To ask the Scottish Executive if it will outline its
proposals to reduce housing waiting lists
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will address the problem
of temporary accommodation given its responsibilities under the Homelessness
(Scotland) etc. Act 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to address the
shortage of affordable homes in areas where a significant proportion of homes
are classed as second or holiday homes
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would support a
restricted occupancy policy similar to that adopted by the Yorkshire Dales
National Park Authority or a two-tier housing market structure as is operated on
the Isle of Guernsey to alleviate the shortage of affordable housing for local
people
North MSP calls for the Role of Grandparents who Foster to be
Recognised
Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has
today asked the Scottish Executive to value the work of Grandparents who foster.
She played tribute to the role taken on many grandparents -
often in difficult circumstances.
Mrs Grant said, "In such circumstances grandparents are not classed as foster
parents but rather kinship carers and they do not automatically receive the same
support as foster parents.
"Because of this Grandparents who look after their grandchildren often face
hardship. Due to their age they are seldom working and have no way to supplement
their income. Also, the financial demands of bringing up children are well
known. "
"While Local Authorities have discretion on whether or not
they give financial support, many do not and assessment is often carried out on
a case by case basis."
Mrs Grant pushed the Scottish Executive to take steps to
require Local Authorities to provide the same level of support to kinship carers
as foster parents.
She commented, "I am please that the Minister for Children
and Early Years said that he would look at the support given to kinship carers
and it is important that those involved in this role push hard for this change
to be made.
"Many Grandparents would not qualify as foster parents due to
their age and circumstances, however, it is better for a child to remain within
their extended family were possible.
"Grandparents who take on this role often face financial
hardship which has a knock on effect to the children in their care.
"This limits their life chances and leaves them vulnerable.
"If Grandparents and family are unable to take on this role
the children would be placed in foster care at a cost to the public purse.
"We need to value this contribution and make sure we give
them adequate support to fulfil this very important role".
Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP David Stewart has
spoken of his support for the "Small Change, Big Difference Campaign" bring run
by Diabetes UK Scotland in conjunction with National Diabetes Week 2007.
Mr Stewart said, "I have had a longstanding interest in
diabetes and will be joining the new diabetic cross-party group in the Scottish
Parliament.
"Whilst previously an MP, I was for eight years a member of a
similar group at Westminster.
"Scotland has one of the highest diabetes rates and the
illness is the main cause of blindness for those of working age and half of
non-traumatic amputations are caused by the disease. "
"I have laid down a parliamentary motion calling on members
to welcome the ‘Small Change, Big Difference Campaign’ and commend the support
that Diabetes UK Scotland provides to Scotland’s estimated 173,000 people."
North MSP speaks out against Imbalance in Agricultural
Funding
Highlands and Islands Regional MSP Rhoda Grant has spoken in
support of crofting during a rural development debate in the Scottish
Parliament.
She condemned the fact that large lowland farms, which are
closer to markets receive a disproportionate amount of funding, while crofters
and small farmers on the periphery get little additional assistance.
Mrs Grant said, "Crofting has an important role in the
Highlands and Islands."
Attacking the unfairness of subsidy provision she said "It
has always seemed obscene to me that large farms with good land and access to
markets receive the same support as those farmers and crofters working in
difficult conditions, remote from markets.
"The Less Favoured Areas Scheme in the past even
disproportionately benefited the larger producers, and while this has been
rectified to an extent it still has a long way to go."
She expressed her disappointment that the new Scottish
Executive has made no indication that it wishes to carry on this process of
change, indeed the new Ministers barely referred to Crofting in their speeches.
"Mrs Grant added, "I was disappointed that the Cabinet
Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment in his opening remarks made
scant mention of crofting or show any sign of addressing the imbalance of
support for crofting and farming.
"While we must encourage diversification in farming but in
doing so we must recognise the contribution made by crofting and farming to
remote and rural communities and our wider environment.
"Finally, we need to ensure the support we give brings
benefits to the wider community and that this support ensures the survival of
remote rural communities."
North MSP speakes out on New Scottish Rural Development
Programme
Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP David Stewart has
spoken during the first rural development debate in the new session of the
Scottish Parliament.
Mr Stewart said, "In an area such as the Highlands and
Islands rural development policy is a vitally important issue.
"In my speech I stressed the need for government to listen to
rural communities and not to assume they know all the answers.
"Although those living in rural communities may not
appreciate some of the more obscure legislation affecting the issue they will
know about dualling the A9, rolling out broadband and ensuring full university
status for the UHI.
"We need policies that work with local communities to
identify their priorities, integrate them into a regional or national strategy,
and invest public money in ways that will deliver the greatest public good in
these areas.
"In recent years, Scotland’s environmental organisations have
also become a formidable campaigning force and I commend the work of the RSPB,
Scottish Environmental Link and others in getting their voices clearly heard in
the rural debate.
"But the social dimension of Scotland’s rural communities has
perhaps been under represented in that debate, and I hope the Cabinet Secretary
for Rural Development will reach out to those hundreds of thousands of citizens
whose work and life is so important to sustaining vibrant and successful rural
communities.
"My last job was in the voluntary sector and I met hundreds
of people in the voluntary sector throughout rural Scotland.
"The work carried out, some of it paid, some of it unpaid, is
the very lifeblood of rural Scotland, delivering services locally and building
the social capital that sustains real communities.
"The work these people do in their communities must be
properly funded to make it sustainable.
"We all know the rural development challenges facing rural
areas: distance, remoteness, peripherality, size of population, access to
services and low GDP.
"The loss of young people from our young people from our
remote and rural areas is also a concern.
"However, there are great opportunities.
"Rural Development in the Highlands and Islands needs to
build on individuality, developing the intelligence of the people; life
sciences; building up renewable clusters; stimulating research and development
industries and linking industries with higher education.
"We also need more rural businesses with headquarters in the
Highlands and Islands and enterprises with Scottish, UK and world reach."
Mr Stewart added, "The acid test of the new Scottish Rural
Development programme will be how it delivers to our most fragile and remote
areas – to the young, to the disadvantaged and the dispossessed.
"They deserve the spirit of leadership and vision that led to
the creation of the Highlands and Islands Development Board and the minimum
wage.
"Our communities look to the Scottish Parliament for action.
Highlands and Islands MSP Raises Worries Over Government
Support for Tourism
Highlands and Islands Regional Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has
question First Minister Alex Salmond on the future of tourism, following the
tourism portfolio being passed to a junior minister, who also has responsibility
for enterprise and energy.
Mrs Grant said, "In the last Labour-led executive the
responsibility for tourism lay with a full cabinet minister but the new SNP
executive has downgraded the post which is now the lumped together with
enterprise and energy, under the control of a junior minister who does not have
a seat at Cabinet.
"I asked the First Minister if he would acknowledge that
tourism has gone through a period of sustained growth, due in part to the
reorganisation and re-branding of VisitScotland.
"Tourism is vital to the economy of the Highlands and Islands
and is a multi million pound industry.
" I urged Alex Salmond to value the industry’s contribution
and not make changes to a successful brand just for the sake of it."
" It is clear that the new executive is committed to a root
and branch reform of enterprise support and this will obviously impact on
tourism, as the junior minister concerned holds both the enterprise and tourism
portfolios.
"The SNP government has already questioned the need for
enterprise companies and councils to provide enterprise assistance.
"Obviously there are going to be changes in the enterprise
sector but and I fear that the turmoil may have a negative effect on tourism,
which the government is closely linking with enterprise.
"The tourism industry, as Alex Salmond acknowledged, is by
certain measurements, the largest industry in Scotland and it is essential we
safeguard and protect it from uncertainty."
Mrs Grant added, "The Highlands and Islands tourism industry
is currently thriving and does not need this uncertainty.
"There are many able people working in the industry in our
area and hopefully they can weather the likely changes ahead."
Post-election letter to the press from Orkney
Labour candidate, Iain Macdonald
Dear Sir,
May I firstly congratulate the Liberal Democrats and Liam McArthur on the
election victory.
Liam is a fine person and I'm sure will work very hard to represent all
Orkney folk.
He certainly does so with my personal and genuine best wishes.
Thank you to all those who put so much effort into the Labour campaign and
who should be very proud that they defied the national trend, increasing the
vote two-and-a-half-fold, and achieving an increase of over 7% in voting share
In particular, I must thank my Election Agent, Graeme Brown, whose tireless
enthusiasm, wise counsel and sense of humour made a hard job much lighter.
Thank you also to those who entrusted your vote to us.
It is hugely appreciated and gives Orkney Labour a strong platform on which
to build.
The SNP did well to achieve second place but should pause to note that over
80% of all votes cast in Orkney were for parties and candidates who reject
nationalism and who believe that Scotland's interests are best served in
partnership rather than separation.
Overall, it was a great privilege to be part of a campaign which was robustly
fought on relevant issues, rather than personality battles and I'm grateful to
all my opponents for ensuring that things remained fair-minded throughout.
Orkney Labour candidate, Iain MacDonald, has warned that Liberal Democrat and
SNP plans to levy a local income tax would cost Orkney’s families hundreds of
pounds more than they are currently paying and would punish small businesses.
Iain said, "The Local Income Tax plans would hit Scotland’s hard-working
families hardest.
"A typical example is that of a nurse and a firefighter, who earn no more
that an average wage, and pay the average council tax. The Lib Dem and SNP plans
would leave them up to £913 worse off every year.
They will make Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK, which will merely
fuel another brain drain as professionals head south in search of lower income
tax - damaging the Scottish economy at a time when our population has just
started growing again.
The Lib Dems are promising to cut business tax, yet many smaller Scottish
businesses pay their tax as income tax – so they would see their tax bills rise
sharply.
Sir Peter Burt’s review concluded that the Local Income Tax rate would have
to be set at 6.5p.
"If, as they claim, the Lib Dems are going to cap local income tax increases
at 3-4% and the SNP at 3% then this will either mean substantial tax rises made
elsewhere or massive cuts in front-line local services on a scale that not even
Margaret Thatcher attempted.
"Most iniquitous of all is the fact that only earned income
will be subject to this tax, so those who make their money from share
investments and playing the stock market will pay nothing at all. In other
words, the very wealthiest people will be subsidised by everyone else.
The Lib Dem proposals are for a variable rate across all 32 local authorities
in Scotland.
"Even the SNP have realised how absurd 32 different rates of local income tax
across Scotland would be.
"Yet the Lib Dems continue to insist that an employer would have to calculate
which council area each of their employees live in so that the different rates
of extra income tax could be imposed.
"This is a huge additional burden on Scottish businesses.
"The SNP response has been to set a fixed charge at 3p in the £ across all
authorities, eroding local accountability in the process.
"Unfortunately this son-of-poll-tax charge will leave local authorities with
a massive shortfall (nearly £1 billion according to the Institute for Fiscal
Studies) which would leave Orkney people with a calamitous combination of income
tax rises and cuts to frontline services.
"The SNP and Liberal Democrats will also continue to levy water charges on
pensioners, many of whom will be paying this extra income tax.
"In marked contrast, Scottish Labour will halve water bills
for pensioners in two years as a step towards their complete abolition.
"We will also add new bands to the top and bottom of the
Council Tax scales.
"This will distribute costs more fairly and ease the burden
on many people".
Iain added, "Orkney people deserve to know the full
implication and costs of these proposals.
"The slogans may be cheap but the policy will prove very
costly indeed".
The Scottish Conservative manifesto states "we are the true voice of
rural Scotland"
May I therefore ask:
Who pushed on with the electrification of the Highlands and islands and the
hydro-electric power projects when the Tories said it was too costly?
Who set up the Highlands and Islands Development Board (now Highlands and
Islands Enterprise), which has helped Orkney business development for over 40
years now when the Tories said they shouldn’t and now propose to abolish it?
Who delivered devolution to Scotland, along with our Scottish Constitutional
Convention Partners, which the SNP wouldn’t take part in, and the Tories
campaigned vehemently against – a Parliament that has a disproportionately high
level of representation from Orkney (something the Tories would now put at
risk)?
Who, along with the same Convention partners, introduced a fairer voting
system to the Scottish Parliamentary Elections, which the Tories recoiled from
but without which they wouldn’t even have a foot in the door?
Who pioneered the National Minimum Wage Act, which the Tories said would be a
disaster, to guarantee a living wage for the poorest of all workers in places
like Orkney with its notoriously low-wage economy?
Who slashed air fares from Orkney and, unlike the Tories, will now extend the
discount scheme to ferry passengers?
Who gave people responsible access to their countryside through the Land
Reform Act and ended feudalism by giving communities the right to buy the land
they live and work on (a process that will now be simplified), against staunch
Tory resistance?
Who protected local services by extending the scope of the rural rates relief
scheme to singly owned petrol stations, public houses, small hotels/inns and small food shops,
whilst the Tories watched from the sidelines?
Who secured lifeline services through the Rural Community Transport
Initiative and empowered remote communities to take charge of their own destiny
through Initiative at the Edge, which the Tories derided?
Who introduced the SCHRI scheme which has funded community renewables
projects throughout Orkney whilst the Tories policy is to freeze planning
applications for many wind turbine developments?
Scottish Labour have delivered these things and remain committed to
sustaining thriving rural communities.
Living in an island community means that access to good public services is
even more important.
That is why Scottish Labour will continue to deliver good schools, quality
transport, a health service that can be depended on and more police with
improved powers.
Because access to affordable homes is a growing concern in rural areas we
have invested in shared equity and building new homes.
We have also committed to a wide range of road building schemes to improve
transport links across the north and to make our roads safer.
Tourism, farming, fishing and the food industry all play a major part in the
economy of rural Scotland and Labour are committed to supporting these
industries so they can remain successful, competitive, diverse and
environmentally sustainable.
If the Tories are indeed "the true voice of rural Scotland"
their actions have singularly failed to show it.
Orkney Labour candidate, Iain MacDonald, has warned that the Liberal
Democrats plan to privatise the Post Office.
Iain said, "This will be a revelation to many folk in Orkney because
the Liberal Democrats are trying to present themselves as defenders of the Post
Office yet the real truth is that they have a national policy to privatise it.
"They don’t tell you about that when they ask you to sign their petition"
"They are committed to selling off 75% of shares in Royal Mail, which in
turn, owns the Post Office Counters service.
"The vast majority of those shares will be sold on the open market. The
government will therefore become a minority shareholder, not the sole
shareholder"
"Of the shares to be sold off, two thirds will be sold on the open market,
and the remaining third to employees who would be free to sell their shares on
to anyone they want".
"Under the Lib Dem proposals, the total composition of shares would give 49%
to private companies, 25.5% to the government and 25.5% to employees.
"So it will take a mere 1% of shares to be sold by employees to private
companies for the Lib Dems to have privatised the Post office".
"This move will endanger local Post Offices here in Orkney and could lead to
massive rises in the price of stamps.
"A private business, needing to show profit for its shareholders will not
tolerate losses being made.
"That will also be a threat to regular, daily delivery of mail in places
where the volumes are comparatively low and loss-making - in other words, much
of Orkney".
"Scottish Labour believe that Royal Mail should be run as a public service,
not for others’ profit. We are committed to keeping the Post Office in 100%
public control".
The National Federation of Sub Postmasters and a cross-party group of MPs in
Westminster have agreed that the present configuration of Post Offices in the UK
is unsustainable and new methods of delivering postal services must be found for
certain areas.
Labour have responded with a robust defence of rural services, are
maintaining the rural subsidy, are introducing new access criteria to protect
vulnerable and island communities from closures, and have agreed to fund 500 new
mobile and outreach services with a large number of these coming north.
95% of the population in rural areas will be within just 3 miles of a Post
Office and there is a very strong commitment to maintaining proper services for
our island communities.
Iain added, "It will be a shock to many people that the Lib Dems have a
skeleton-in-the-cupboard policy that even Margaret Thatcher backed down from.
"Unsurprisingly, they’re not telling anyone about this policy but our Post
Office is too vital for rural communities to play reckless politics with."
Isles Freight Charge Reduction Orkney Labour candidate, Iain MacDonald, has welcomed the decision to
introduce a standardised tarrif for all isles-based commercial vehicles
travelling on Orkney Ferries.
The decision was announced today following a decision by OIC’s Inter-Isles
Transport Sub-Committee Iain said,
“This is an issue that we have campaigned on and
I congratulate OIC for making this sensible and helpful decision.
"I note that they will use £23,000 of the recent
additional funding from the Scottish Executive for this purpose and I
particularly welcome the fact that the new fares will be implemented
immediately”.
“It will be very important to study the small detail of this when it’s available
but it’s encouraging that the Council have accepted the need for a more
long-term solution and will be conducting a full review in the next few months”
“This is great news, not just for our Isles hauliers but for all Isles’
residents”
Scottish Labour's Manifesto, launched today, means more
investment and improvements for Orkney's schools and a 1st class
education system for local children to learn in.
It is a substantial document containing more than 100
pages of pledges for a third term and a commitment to make Scotland’s
education system the best in the world by 2020.
The manifesto is packed with ideas to build Scotland’s
future, and is the most comprehensive and strategic manifesto laid by any
political party since devolution.
Labour’s priority for a third term is clear – to build
up Scotland, invest in education and continue to deliver a strong stable
economy. Labour will not gamble with Scotland’s future like the SNP who have
made clear that their priority is to break up Britain causing tax and
turmoil and at a cost of £5000 to Scottish families.
Among the
pledges announced are:
100
Skills Academies will be created to bring back status and recognition
for vocational skills, coupled with higher standards and expectations in
literacy and numeracy.
Average
class sizes will be reduced year on year, to at least the OECD average.
A
radical expansion of globally useful skills such as languages and
science in primary school, to mark young Scots out in the competitive
global economy of the future.
For the
first time in a decade, to raise the cap on university and college
places, increasing the number of Scots studying higher and further
education.
Introduce community police teams and double the number of community
wardens.
Expand
free healthy school meals to 100,000 extra pupils.
Be the
first nation in the world to vaccinate young women against cervical
cancer.
As well as
key education promises, the Manifesto contains extensive policies to grow
the Scottish economy, improve the nation’s health, radically promote
renewable energy, build stronger local communities, step up the fight
against anti-social behaviour, half water charges for pensioners in two
years as a first step towards complete abolition, and invest in sporting
excellence.
If anyone
wishes to see the manifesto in full or abridged version they can do on this
websiteor at
www.buildingscotland.org.
The second week of local campaigning in this year's election got underway
today with Labour’s Highlands and Islands team highlighting local taxation and
spending as key issue for Orkney.
Highlighting clear differences between the Parties in this campaign, Peter
Peacock, Labour’s top ranked Highlands and Islands regional candidate emphasised
Labour’s plans to radically reform the Council tax to make it fairer and
commented, "Local taxation is always controversial and never popular, but as
everywhere else, it is local taxes that help pay for our vital services like
education, police, fire, street lighting, refuse collection and the like.
"We are committed to a radical reform of the Council tax so that it is fairer
for people in Orkney.
"We will keep the single person discount that benefits so many pensioners and
we are going to cut in half what pensioners pay in water charges.
"That will make a huge difference and reduce pensioner bills significantly.
"We will also keep the Council tax rebate scheme which helps the lowest paid
and we will create a new lower priced Council tax for the lowest valued
properties, while adding a band to the top for very big and very valuable homes.
"That way the very best off will pay a little more, while those least able to
pay will benefit.
"Unlike the LibDems we will retain the Council tax on second homes, which
they plan to abolish.
"Our plans contrast dramatically with the Liberals and the SNP who would
scrap the single person discount and the Council tax rebate and instead increase
income tax by 6.5 pence in every pound, making Orkney and Scotland the highest
taxed part of the UK.
"With so many people now in work that will hit working families very hard,
with many paying between £500 - £700 more.
"It will also hit small traders and businesses which abound in the Highlands
and Islands as they are taxed through income tax.
"For young people saving up for their first house, it will make it all the
more difficult for them to save and get on the property ladder.
"We don’t want hardworking families in Orkney to pay more, nor for pensioners
to start having to make tax returns to the local Council to see if they need to
pay more tax on their savings and nor do we want to spend huge sums setting up a
new tax collecting bureaucracy.
"Everyone remembers just what a disaster the Poll Tax was and how expensive
it was to administer and we don’t want a repeat of that level of wasted
bureaucracy to track down local taxpayers ever again."
"Local Labour constituency candidate Iain Macdonald said," Local Councils
make vital decisions about our services and they need stable predictions of
income to do that.
"Moving to a new and extra income tax isn’t going to help councillors do
their job in future and that is why we are so keen to bring in fairness reforms
to the Council Tax for pensioners, retain their single person discounts and
protect working families from more income tax."
Orkney Labour candidate, Iain MacDonald, has warned of a
threat to Orkney’s constituency status and called upon the Tories to clarify
their position following a manifesto commitment to cut back the number of MSPs.
The Tories launched their manifesto last week and have pledged
to reduce the number of MSPs from 129 to 108. Given that in Orkney we currently
enjoy single constituency status with an already disproportionately high level
of representation, that must surely now be at risk.
Orkney and Shetland were separated to form two Scottish
Parliamentary constituencies in 1999 as a direct response to the unique needs of
island communities with particular geographic issues.
That status is ring-fenced under the current legislation.
Orkney is the smallest electorate of any constituency in
Scotland - at about 15,500 voters, the electorate is less than a third of the
Scottish average and would be closer to one quarter under the Tory proposals,
even given the corresponding reduction in list votes.
Iain MacDonald said, "Scottish Labour
believe that the weighting enjoyed by Orkney’s electorate is the best and
fairest way to enfranchise people and to overcome the representational
difficulties caused by matters of geography and rurality.
"It has worked well for
Orkney, giving us a distinct voice, and it’s essential that we defend it from
those who simply look at statistics and think they can apply them wholesale
across the country".
"The Tories are now proposing a drop of almost 17% in the
number of MSPs.
"Given the very disproportionate leaning currently in Orkney’s
favour, this will be the obvious first target for those who see both Orkney and
Shetland as being out of sight and out of mind.
"As constituency boundaries are drawn up by the Electoral
Commission, who are independent of political parties, Orkney’s status must be
extremely vulnerable.
"I challenge Helen Gardiner to guarantee that Orkney will
continue to enjoy single constituency status and to tell us how her Party will
achieve that in light of their manifesto commitment".
Iain added,
The Tories says that slashing the number of MSPs could save
£3 million but what price is put on democratic representation?"
Members of Orkney Labour Party have called upon Orkney Ferries and Orkney
Islands Council to conduct a complete review of isles freight charges.
At a meeting in Kirkwall’s Town Hall last night
(Thursday 29th) members heard how North Isles hauliers are having to pay
substantially higher freight costs than are applied to other users.
In the case of farm tractors which travel for
almost one quarter of the price, it means that many farmers are finding it much
cheaper to haul their own goods and livestock.
This leads to a loss of business for the island
haulage companies and a resulting drop in profit margins.
It was noted that taking two 25 tonne vehicles
per day, (a common trip for one Isles haulier) amounted to around £800 every
week.
Members also heard that North Isles charges were
far dearer than those for other internal Orkney routes and that vehicles going
empty one-way were still charged a full rate.
Iain MacDonald, Scottish Labour’s Parliamentary
Candidate for Orkney said,
"These are huge costs being borne by hard
working folk who provide a lifeline service for the isles.
"They have no option but to pass these extra
costs onto the consumer, which in a small island means everyone.
"The comparison to farm vehicles is relevant but the main issue is simply that
these costs are unreasonably high.
"If the situation persists we will have
companies going to the wall and that would be calamitous for isles communities.
"It’s a situation that’s crying out for
sensible intervention and needs more than a short-term fix.
"I will certainly raise this with Senior
Council officials and will be urging them to resolve the situation speedily".
Constituency Party Chairman, Jim Lawson added,
"Labour are totally committed to supporting
lifeline services and the Scottish Executive have ploughed vast sums of money
into transport, including a recent seven figure sum for Orkney’s internal
transport services.
"Let’s hope that some of that extra funding
can be used to deal with this issue".
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