Stevenson Welcomes SSE Committment to Banffshire Business

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed a commitment by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) to support local businesses.^(R)

The company has set up the Open4Business web portal, which gives local business the opportunity to share in investment being carried out by SSE.

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission, a division of SSE, has received consent from Moray Council to build a new substation at the site of the existing substation at Blackhillock.

The Open4Business team will be holding an event at Ugie House Hotel, Keith. This event will give local businesses the opportunity to meet the team, register their business and learn more about the scheme.

Stewart Stevenson commented:

“I am pleased to see that SSE is looking to support small and medium sized businesses in the area.

“It can be difficult for companies to discover what opportunities are available and for organisations to know which businesses are able to provide them with the services that they are looking for.

“I therefore welcome this initiative, and would encourage any interested businesses to register their interest with SSE and to attend the event in Keith on 9 October.”

The Open4Business portal can be accessed at www.sseopen4businesshighlands.com

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plans to upgrade the electricity transmission in and around Blackhillock. Alongside the principal contractors, a consortium of Bam Nuttall Limited and Siemens Transmission and Development Limited, they are hoping to meet suppliers and award a share of the £120 million contracts to local businesses.

The Open4Business team will be at the Ugie House Hotel, Keith, AB55 5BR from 2.00pm to 6.00pm on 9 October 2013.

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^(R) Voluntary Declaration: My family and I are small shareholders in SSE. The total amount is below that which Parliamentary rules require be published in my Register of Interests.

Stevenson MSP Raises Royal Mail Privatisation with the First Minister

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Stewart Stevenson, SNP MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast has this week raised the issue in a parliamentary question to the First Minister about proposed privatisation of Royal Mail.

Royal Mail is set to be privatised in October this year, however, the plans have been heavily criticised by the SNP and union leaders. This sell-off is widely regarded as the largest privatisation since John Major’s Government’s railway privatisation in the 1990s. The First Minister had sent a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron calling for a moratorium on the privatisation of Royal Mail.

Mr Stevenson in a parliamentary question asked the First Minister if David Cameron had answered his calls to consider setting up a moratorium into the proposed sell-off. However, the First Minister Alex Salmond responded that he had not yet had any response.

Speaking after raising the matter with the First Minister, Mr Stevenson commented:

“I am disappointed to learn that David Cameron has failed to reply to the First Minister’s request for a moratorium to consider the privatisation of Royal Mail.

“The sell off of Royal Mail is a real concern for many constituents in the Banffshire and Buchan coast area and across Scotland. Rural communities rely heavily on the postal service- a reliable service is essential for providing a lifeline to people and businesses.

“David Cameron’s failure to respond to the First Minister’s letter demonstrates yet again Westminster’s failure to consider the wishes of the people of Scotland.”

Tammie the Puffin Takes Stewart Stevenson MSP Under his Wing

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP endorses outdoor learning with Scottish Teacher of the Year, Jenny McAllister, Education Officer of the Scottish Seabird Centre.

Stewart Stevenson MSP met with the Scottish Teacher of the Year, Jenny McAllister and Tammie the Puffin at the Scottish Parliament, to endorse outdoor learning in Banffshire and Buchan’s schools as part of the Curriculum for Excellence.

Jenny is the Education Officer at the Scottish Seabird Centre, an independent visitor attraction, conservation and education charity, which runs a Seaside School for outdoor learning. It has proved an outstanding success in its first 18 months, with Jenny’s work in encouraging children to learn and develop through outdoors experiences winning her the title of Scottish Teacher of the Year 2013. Jenny is the first non-classroom teacher to win the award.

There are numerous imaginative opportunities available in the Banffshire and Buchan area for outdoor learning, and schemes such as the John Muir Award also encourage local pupils to connect with and enjoy wild places within the structure of the Curriculum for Excellence.

Stewart Stevenson MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast said:

“I am delighted to learn about the fantastic work being undertaken by the Scottish Seabird Centre to encourage school children to get involved in learning in an outdoor environment.

“The Seabird School, working with Jenny McAllister as their educator, are providing interesting and innovative new ways of connecting with young people.

“The Banffshire and Buchan area provides a rich natural heritage and it’s great to see the Scottish Seabird Centre providing schoolchildren with the opportunity to explore and learn first-hand about their local area".

Jenny McAllister, Scotland’s Teacher of the Year and Education Officer at the Scottish Seabird Centre said:

“In my childhood I loved playing outdoors, but in one generation that has changed. Children have become more tied to indoor pursuits, and that has led to a gap between people and nature.

“That’s why I see learning outside the classroom as being so important. In England, it would appear that resources have been diverted away from outdoor learning – this is disappointing because it would mean English children are missing out on what I believe are vital learning experiences in the natural environment.

“So the Scottish Government, along with the largely supportive opposition parties, deserves much credit for pushing this up the agenda. I’m so proud and happy to be teaching in a country where progressive and sustainable outdoor learning opportunities are now firmly embedded in the Curriculum for Excellence.

“It’s incredibly fulfilling for teachers like me to see the difference that this sort of learning can make to a child’s life.”

New Current Account Switching Service Will Benefit Consumer - MSP

The Current Account Switch Service, launched on 16 September by the Payments Council, is a new free to use service designed to make switching current account from one bank or building society to another simple, reliable and hassle-free.

It has initially launched with 33 bank and building society brands, offering the new service and the accompanying Current Account Switch Guarantee, which will benefit consumers, small charities and small businesses in Banffshire & Buchan Coast, with more brands to follow in 2014.

Not only will the new service reduce the time it takes to switch accounts from between an average of 18-30 days to just seven working days, but it will also help to transparency and choice for customers. Importantly, the service is backed by the Guarantee, which offers protection should anything go wrong with the switch, and will give customers the confidence to switch their bank account should they wish to do so.

In the past two years, only 7 per cent of individuals in Scotland have chosen to switch their current account. Despite people in the region showing willingness to switch their providers of insurance and utilities services, there has been an apparent reticence to date to switch current account provider, staying with their current bank for an average of 19 years, and 33% of those using the same bank as one or both of their parents.

Commenting on the introduction of the new Current Account Switch Service, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“I warmly welcome the launch of the Current Account Switch Service and the benefits it will bring to constituents in Banffshire & Buchan Coast.

“Consumers, small businesses and small charities alike can now have the confidence to make that switch, knowing that all their payments in and out will be taken care of, and that the Guarantee exists to protect them should anything go wrong. I look forward to seeing increased competition in the current account market as banks and building societies work hard to attract and keep happy both new and existing customers.”

Funding for Families Welcomed by Local MSP

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the announcement of £400,000 of funding to help support families in and around Banffshire & Buchan Coast constituency by the Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell MSP.

Aberdeenshire Council, Homestart and Children 1st have been allocated £250,000 to provide support out of core hours when families and children are most in need. £150,000 has been awarded to Moray Council and Action for Children to allow them to provide a virtual family centre covering rural issues and intensive outreach using sports and recreation to engage fathers.

The allocations announced by the Scottish Government will help Scottish charities work with councils to support families who need extra help including access to out of hours support and parenting advice.

Welcoming the announcement, Stewart Stevenson commented:

“The early years of a child’s development are absolutely crucial. It is therefore essential that those families who need assistance are able to access it.

“I am pleased to note that both Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council, along with the charities that they are working with, have been allocated grants from the Early Years Change Fund.

“I believe that the work that this funding will support will help the Scottish Government to further its aim to make Scotland the best place to grow up in.”

Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell MSP, said:

“We want Scottish families to have the help they need. We will provide more free nursery care – saving families £700 a year per child while the UK Government cuts £700 from family benefits. We will also make nursery care more flexible. By next year, councils must ask what parents want and offer a choice. Together with the extra hours, this could mean two days a week instead of a few hours a morning or afternoon –– helping parents into a job or training.

“But we know that some families need more direct support – perhaps a source of advice on parenting or a neutral place to allow parents and children to spend time together. This funding will help charities across Scotland provide exactly that type of targeted help.

“This funding shows how decisions taken in Scotland are giving Scottish families the help they need. It will also help harness the expertise of those working in charities to help the councils deliver for families and maximise Scotland’s future economic prosperity.”

Stevenson Backs Prostate Cancer Charity's Quality Checklist

MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, Stewart Stevenson, has called on NHS Grampian to implement Prostate Cancer UK’s Quality Checklist as a first step towards delivering the best possible care and support for men with the disease.

Prostate Cancer UK has produced the Quality Checklist to be used as a best practice guide for men and clinicians in a bid to drive up standards and deliver more uniform levels of care and support. The Checklist sets out 15 standards for care and support that men with prostate cancer should expect and demand on the NHS, from their point of diagnosis onwards.

The document has been endorsed by the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the British Association of Urological Nurses, the British Uro-oncology Group and the Society and College of Radiographers. Prostate Cancer UK, and a cross party alliance of MSPs, are calling on all Scottish health boards to back the document and ensure it is distributed to all men who are diagnosed with the disease.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and is predicted to be the most common cancer overall by 2030. Despite this, we know that the quality of care and support men with the disease receive varies significantly throughout Scotland. It is incredibly important that we do all we can to ensure all men with prostate cancer get the care and support they need, regardless of where they live. That’s why I’m delighted to back Prostate Cancer UK’s Quality Checklist, and call on NHS Grampian to implement it as soon as possible to help all men who are diagnosed with this terrible disease.”

Drew Lindon, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Prostate Cancer UK, said:

“There is growing evidence of gaps and variation in prostate cancer care and support in Scotland. It is vital that every man with prostate cancer has access to the world-class information, care and support he needs and deserves if we are to help deliver a better quality of life in the future.

"We are delighted that Stewart Stevenson has joined a growing movement showing support for men with prostate cancer by endorsing our Quality Checklist. I urgently call on cancer networks, health boards and health care professionals to follow their lead. Men with prostate cancer deserve the best, and Prostate Cancer UK is absolutely determined that’s exactly what they are going to get.”

Prostate Cancer UK is working closely with men and their families, healthcare providers, politicians and health care professionals to ensure that the Checklist is adopted and implemented throughout Scotland. To view the Quality Checklist please visit: www.prostatecanceruk.org/qualitycare.

MSP Welcomes New Aberdeen to Oslo Service

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the announcement by airline BMI Regional of a new scheduled service between Aberdeen and the Norwegian capital Oslo, which will start operating on 28 October this year.

The new route announcement is the latest in a series of positive moves by the airline in the Scottish and Norwegian markets.

The confirmation comes just weeks after BMI Regional launched direct, scheduled flights between Aberdeen and Kristiansund in Norway. Earlier this month the airline also announced that it will operate scheduled services between Stavanger and northern Norway from January 2014. There are currently no direct flights between Aberdeen and Oslo.

Visitors to Oslo will find a range of cultural and natural attractions. The city is ranked number one in terms of quality of life amongst European cities. The Oslo Opera House is the city’s newest landmark and the largest cultural building in Norway, matching the artistic heritage found elsewhere in the city which was home to the playwright Henrik Ibsen and artist Edvard Munch.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“This is excellent new for the North-east and indeed Scotland as a whole. While I understand that demand from the oil and gas industry has, unsurprisingly, been key to BMI Regional’s announcement, it also opens up a range of new opportunities for leisure travellers in the North-east.

“As Scotland seeks to rejoin the international family of nations, it’s only right and proper that we should have transport links directly to the capital of our neighbours across the North Sea. I wish BMI every success with this new venture.”

Scottish Government Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, Fergus Ewing said:

“This new service is great news for Aberdeen, the North-east and Scotland. This new air route with Norway will help build business links between oil services companies in both countries and it also provides a boost for tourism in the north-east. It further underlines the importance of Aberdeen Airport to the economy of the North-east and the strong performance of the Airport in recent years. I congratulate everyone involved in securing this important new service.”

Stevenson Points to New Evidence on Prescription Charges Abolition

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has pointed to new figures released this week which show hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland with long term conditions are better off as a result of the abolition of prescription charges.

Latest figures show that since 2007/08, the number of items dispensed for long term conditions such as asthma, Crohns disease and diabetes has increased year on year, demonstrating the benefit of removing the barrier of cost.

Since charges were scrapped in 2011, there has been an increase of more than 10,000 items for those with Crohns disease and nearly 237,000 items for those with asthma. It is estimated that around 2 million, 40 per cent of the Scottish population have a long term condition.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“In the same week which marks one year to go to the referendum on Scottish independence, this policy is being held up as example of how decisions about Scotland are best taken in Scotland.

“These figures, along with the evidence from patients themselves, show that people with long-term conditions such as asthma, Crohns Disease or diabetes are benefitting greatly from the Scottish Government’s decision to abolish prescription charges.

“Indeed, the increase in uptake by some 10,000 items over the period by Crohns Disease sufferers alone should make those parties who opposed the change stop and think about all those people who were effectively denying themselves medical treatment prior to abolition simply because they could not afford the prescription charges."

Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil said:

“It is my firm belief that healthcare should be free at the point of access for everyone and that is why we scrapped prescription charges for all patients in 2011.

“Where we have the power to take decisions in Scotland, there are clear benefits for the people of Scotland.

“Prescription charges were nothing more than a tax on ill health that Scotland's poorest families could ill afford, and I am proud that in Scotland we took the decision to improve access to prescriptions for all.

“Scotland’s health service continues to lead the way, with take up of free eye examinations growing, and free personal care for all. We are also at the forefront of introducing innovative public health measures, such as minimum unit pricing of alcohol and standardised packaging for cigarettes.

“There is also a marked contrast between Scotland’s approach to the NHS, based on its founding principles of being free at the point of care, while privatisation in England is growing ever more pronounced and damaging.

"I have been very clear that the mutual NHS model we have in Scotland is the right model for providing the very best care for patients.”

In contrast, patients in England pay £7.85 per item or £104 for an annual pre-payment certificate.

David Barker, Chief Executive of Crohn’s and Colitis UK, who lead the Prescription Charges Coalition of 29 charities and organisations said:

“People with long-term conditions in Scotland do not face the barrier to effective treatment that those in England still do. As a result of an unfair, outdated and arbitrary system of exemptions, research shows that many with long-term conditions in England are severely compromising their health through being unable to afford prescription charges.

“Since this system was scrapped in Scotland, those with conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and heart conditions, who need medication on an ongoing basis throughout their lives to keep them well, or even alive, no longer have to face impossible decisions between paying for essential medication or feeding their family or covering rent or heating costs.”

MSP Backs MacMillan Coffee Morning

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson is urging constituents to take part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

The MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast said:

“I know that a considerable number of constituents have personal experience of the problems a cancer diagnosis can bring to both patients and their family, and I know that Macmillan has been there to support many of those in need.

“It’s a fun and easy way to raise money to help Macmillan be there for people with cancer and their families when they need them most.”

The official World’s Biggest Coffee Morning day is on September 27 but events can be held any time.

To find out more visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or call 0845 602 1246.

To access support from Macmillan visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call 0808 8080000.

Stevenson Welcomes Progress on A96 Dualling

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the announcement of the award of a major contract in connection with the A96 dualling project.

Halcrow has been appointed to undertake Strategic Environmental Assessment work for dualling approximately 86 miles of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen.

The £130,000 contract will assess the potential environmental impacts of the dualling programme at an early stage in its development and help identify ways to avoid or reduce these.

Welcoming the announcement, Stewart Stevenson said:

“The A96 is important for my constituents and local businesses so the awarding of this contract is very good news indeed.

“While there is a long way to go with such an ambitious project of this size which no Government has prioritised in the past, I’m in no doubt that it is vitally important to the North-east.”

Transport Minister Keith Brown MSP said:

“This £3 billion complex and challenging programme will be one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Scotland’s history and will ensure safer roads, less congestion and a better quality of life for road users and local communities.

“This commitment will deliver major economic benefits to road users, businesses, communities and industry who live along or use this important route between Scotland’s two northernmost cities.

“The environmental assessment work due to get underway later this month will give Transport Scotland a much fuller understanding of the route and along with the ongoing Preliminary Engineering Services (PES) work will help set the foundations for the detailed design.

“Along with the more advanced A9 Dualling programme, this ambitious project is further evidence of the Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting the economy by competently delivering major infrastructure projects.

“As for all major infrastructure projects, Transport Scotland is committed to engaging with affected communities and businesses through a programme of consultation. As part of this we intend to hold public exhibitions later this year in venues along the route. This is an opportunity to share our understanding of the challenges we face and ensure we have a good local input right from the outset of the A96 dualling programme.”

Stevenson Condemns Moray Council Libraries Decision

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP, Stewart Stevenson, has condemned the decision taken by the Tory-led coalition running Moray Council to close seven of the Council’s libraries.

Three of the libraries to close - Cullen, Findochty and Portknockie - are in Mr Stevenson’s Constituency. The decision taken by the Council’s administration went against the advice of officials who highlighted serious concerns should these three libraries close and was opposed by SNP Councillors on Moray Council.

Commenting on the decision to close Cullen, Findochty and Portknockie Libraries, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“This decision will be devastating for the communities affected. The Council’s officials noted the detrimental effect that taking such a decision would have, especially on groups such as the elderly, the disabled and those families with young children.

“I am therefore disappointed to note the Council’s decision to press ahead with these changes.

“The vote yesterday seems even more baffling owing to the need for the people to access the internet. With the challenges that many people in rural areas face in getting online, coupled with the UK Government’s decision to force people to access their services online, I am at a loss as to how the Council’s administration have taken this decision.

“I have raised my concerns with the Chief Executive of Moray Council and am willing to support any of my constituent who will be affected by these changes.”

Stevenson Welcomes Confirmation of Increasing Police Numbers

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed figures that have confirmed the Scottish Government commitment to recruit 1,000 additional police officers has again been exceeded.

The Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP says that quarterly figures published on Tuesday are in stark contrast to those south of the border, where the UK Government has slashed police numbers to their lowest point for 11 years.

Crime levels in the North-east and throughout Scotland have continued to fall consistently since the SNP came to power six years ago.  Police Scotland now has 17,324 officers serving in communities around the country, 1,090 more than was the case in 2007.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“The work of police officers here in the North-east and throughout Scotland has been simply magnificent.  Their commitment and professionalism is very much admired by us all and is reflected in the falls we are seeing in crime levels.“The SNP Scottish Government has always sought to support our police service by ensuring that they receive the backing they deserve.

“Additional officers on the ground has allowed much more time for the police to build good relationships with their communities and allowed them more time to concentrate on crime prevention.

“Crime in Scotland is at a 39-year low - but through talking to people in local communities and to police officers themselves I know that there is a determination to continue bringing levels lower still.  That has the effect of making our communities safer and more secure places in which to live.

“Our success in helping reduce crime levels through increasing the number of police officers underlines why it is so important that the Scottish Parliament is able to take decisions on issues affecting Scotland.”

Details of the Police Officer quarterly strength statistics Scotland can be found online at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice

MSP Completes Surgery Tour

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson was busy last week getting out and about in some of the constituency’s smaller communities holding mobile surgeries locally.

New Byth

The SNP MSP visited 37 towns, villages and rural communities in his annual ‘mobile surgery tour’ which is an established fixture, now in its 13th year.

Commenting afterwards, Mr Stevenson said:

“The surgery tour is an opportunity for these communities to engage with their Parliamentarian and for their Parliamentarian to do likewise. It is real grassroots Parliamentary work.

“In an age of electronic communications, there is still no substitute for getting out and about and seeing things at first hand and meeting with people face-to-face.

“I try to be as accessible as possible all year round and during the course of last week the total number of surgeries I have held since being elected in 2001 reached 850.

“I’ll be holding my more conventional ‘static’ surgeries in the main towns over the coming weeks and months and these will be advertised in the local press and in public libraries as usual.”

Constituents wishing to contact Stewart Stevenson MSP can do so in a number of ways: online www.stewartstevenson.net, by telephone on 01779 470444, by e-mail at msp@stewartstevenson.net or by writing to him at Unit 8 Burnside Business Centre, Burnside Road, Peterhead AB42 3AW.

Stevenson Hosts Open Meeting on Fisheries

Last night’s open meeting with Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead in Fraserburgh has been hailed a success by Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson.

Mr Stevenson, who hosted the event, had approached Mr Lochhead with the suggestion of an open ‘Question Time’ style meeting to coincide with the visit of the Scottish Cabinet to Fraserburgh. Mr Lochhead readily agreed and his Government office circulated details of the meeting to various fisheries organisations.

Around 50 people attended the meeting, which was held in Findlay’s Hotel.

Commenting afterwards, Stewart Stevenson said:

“I’m very pleased that Richard Lochhead agreed to my suggestion to take part in such a meeting. The idea originally arose out of a conversation with one of my constituents on fishing issues and I thought it would be a useful thing to do.

“The Scottish Cabinet held a meeting in Fraserburgh earlier in the day and it seemed like a good opportunity to arrange something.

“I was very pleased with the turnout which saw questions on a range of fishing issues being answered by Richard Lochhead and a useful exchange of views which I am sure the Cabinet Secretary will take on board. All in all, I think this was a very useful exercise.”