Withdrawal Bill Amendments Leave Scottish Fishing Exposed

Tories Can't Be Trusted -
Scotland Needs A Seat At The Table
The amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill tabled at Westminster this week expose the Scottish fishing industry to further betrayal by the Tories.

Last month the Tory UK government confirmed that the rights of Scottish fishermen would be used as bargaining chips in negotiations with the EU, despite Brexiteers promising that a Leave vote in 2016 would mean taking back control of our fishing waters.

The latest Tory amendments to the Withdrawal Bill would prevent the Scottish Parliament legislating to protect fishing communities for up to seven years – with Westminster being able to dictate how we manage our fisheries and having the power to further barter away any of Scotland’s fishing interests during that time.

Commenting, Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said:

“The Tories have one view of Scottish fishing, and one view alone – they see it as ‘expendable’.

“They think they can do what they want to Scotland’s fishing sector and get away with it – bartering away an industry with a proud past and a bright future, and the many jobs which it supports.

“Just a few weeks ago the Tories let the cat out of the bag, that we would remain in the CFP after Brexit with no seat at the table in negotiations. Despite the wild promises of the Brexiteers, under Tory plans there will be no taking back control of Scottish waters, no influence in fishery reforms, no say in quotas – it’s an absolute disgrace.

“The amendments to the Withdrawal Bill this week will only compound the fears of Scottish fishermen.

“Even if the Scottish Parliament expressly refused consent to Westminster calling the shots on fishing – a devolved power under the Scotland Act – the Tories could dictate rules and impose restrictions on Scottish fishing anyway, without our say.

“We cannot – and will not – agree to legislation that puts Scottish fishing in such peril.

“With hundreds of millions of pounds of value to Scotland’s economy at stake, this situation makes clear that powers over Scottish fishing should be exercised in Scotland – with our government taking the lead to negotiate the best deal, unlike the Tories who will always see the industry as expendable.”

Praise for Cullen Sports Club in Parliament

Cullen Bowling and Tennis Club has been praised in the Scottish Parliament by the Minister for Public Health and Sport.

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson highlighted the work being done by the club with its coaching sessions for young people, to encourage more from that age group to take up sport.

The SNP MSP recently visited the club to hand over cheques to assist with the coaching which were the result of fees he received for taking part in research projects. The club has now received £160.00 as a result of being nominated by Mr Stevenson to receive the proceeds.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“I was pleased to take the opportunity to highlight the efforts of a grassroots sports club in my constituency to make a real difference in their community by encouraging the next generation of bowlers and tennis players. I’m delighted the Minister recognised the contribution that clubs such the one at Cullen can make.”

Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell MSP said Cullen Bowling and Tennis Club is “a great example of encouraging young people to join a club”.

She continued:

“I wish Cullen Bowling and Tennis Club every success. Our commitment to the active schools programme will not only allow children to try new sports but will provide them with a pathway to local sports clubs. I actively encourage that partnership.”

“I commend the club in Cullen, particularly during this year of young people, for its endeavours to get our young people and children active.”

Stevenson Comments on Dr Gray's Public Event in Buckie

“I am confident that the public sessions will contribute
to a mixture of innovative solutions”
– Stewart Stevenson MSP
Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the public drop in session in Buckie which was held by NHS Grampian in response to concerns over the overnight closure of the children’s ward at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.

Women’s and children’s services have been affected by a shortage of staff resulting in the closure of wards overnight.

The MSP for Buckie has highlighted that whilst the funding is in place for the posts there have not been sufficient applicants coming forward to fill jobs and ensure a safe level of service can be provided through the night.

Commenting on the sessions which were being held this week in Buckie Stewart Stevenson said:

“There are many people in the Buckie area who are, quite rightly, concerned about the overnight closure of the children’s ward at Dr Gray’s in Elgin. However, it should be stressed that this is not due to a lack of funding but rather a difficulty in recruiting the adequate number of staff to keep the service running safely through the night.

“The drop in sessions are a critical way of NHS Grampian engaging with the local community to see what more can be done to get people to apply for these posts as well as answering questions. I am sure that NHS Grampian managers have been given many ideas to reflect on and I look forward to seeing the results.

“A number of actions are already underway including a fantastic promotional video aimed at recruiting medical staff to Moray and the establishment of the Keep MUM group which is doing a great job. I also welcome the ‘Move to Moray’ initiative being driven by my SNP colleague Richard Lochhead MSP which is looking at developing a package of incentives as another tool to attract people to the area.

“I am glad to see that actions are being taken to try and resolve this worrying situation and I am confident that the public sessions will contribute to a mixture of innovative solutions.”

Stevenson Welcomes Fraserburgh Port Masterplan Project

Banffshire & Buchan Coast SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the announcement from Fraserburgh Harbour Commissioners of an ambitious project to diversify and modernise Fraserburgh Harbour.

Constituency MSP Stewart Stevenson said:

“With the right consultation, a masterplan for Fraserburgh will help support economic development in the region. There is no reason why it shouldn’t be in the same league as Peterhead and Wick and it’s promising to see innovating ideas put forward.

“This is the first masterplan of this scale considered for Fraserburgh Harbour which is no small undertaking. But if we can envision progress and development over the next two decades there could be real benefits to the town and its community.

“I am particularly interested in how the board and its strategic partners look to develop the fishing industry.”

MSP Welcomes 95% Broadband Target Being Met

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed figures which show more than 95% of Scotland’s homes and businesses are now able to connect to fibre-enabled broadband.

It comes as the Scottish Government continues to deliver the rollout through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) project.

Around 890,000 premises are now connected and there has been a total contribution of £280million from across the public sector in Scotland.

Without the DSSB programme, it is estimated that only 66% of Scotland would be able to receive fibre broadband.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“For rural areas fast and reliable internet is necessary for the future economic and social success of communities.

“There is still work to do, but these most recent figures are a landmark for the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme.

“Around 890,000 premises have been connected to fibre broadband so far. We want to ensure Scotland can offer world-class digital infrastructure including in the North-East of Scotland.

“We know that by 2021, the Scottish Government has pledged to make sure every single premise in Scotland can access speeds of at least 30Mbps.”

MSP Welcomes Road Safety Figures

Figures have revealed the number of people fatally injured on North-East roads is at its lowest level since current records began in 1974.

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the data which shows last year 14 people were killed compared with figures from more than 40 years ago, which show there were 102 people died within the same time frame.

The figures are provisional statistics for the combined local authority areas of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.

The previous lowest figure occurred in 2011, when 22 people died during the year.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“The decrease in the number of fatalities is welcome but we must not become complacent about the safety on our roads.

“The impact on family and friends from the death of a loved one is tragic and has consequences that are long-lasting.

“I would like to commend the emergency services and local authorities for all their hard work on this issue.

“Progress has obviously been made and I fully support the work of all those involved to see what can be learnt from the most recent figures in order to decrease the number of fatal incidents on North-East roads.”

MSP Welcomes Changes to Tax Bands

More than two-thirds of taxpayers will pay less on their current income this year under Scotland’s new tax bands.

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the move as changes to the Higher and Top rate tax bands take effect from today (April 6th).

It also means there will be an additional £428million available in 2018/19 to invest in vital public services and the economy.

And under the new system, low earning taxpayers are protected through the introduction of a new Starter Rate of tax.

The income tax system will also be more progressive, raising additional revenue through the introduction of a new Intermediate Rate of 21% and increases to the Higher and Top Rates, to 41% and 46%.

As a result of these changes, and the increase in the personal allowance, all taxpayers earning up to £33,000 - 70% of all taxpayers - will be protected from any increase.

Those earning more than £33,000 will pay only a proportionate amount more.

A majority of taxpayers (55%) in Scotland will pay less income tax in 2018-19 than they would in the rest of the UK, while those who can afford to pay more will make a marginally higher contribution to support public services and investment in the economy.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“The new income rates and bands will make the system more progressive.

“As well as this, they will help to deliver additional revenues to invest in public services and the economy.

“These measures will help to ensure the North-East and Scotland as a whole will be the fairest taxed part of the UK.”

Mundell Power Grab Tour Failing to Answer Key Questions

David Mundell faces tough questions over the threat to Scottish farming as he starts a tour promoting the Tory power grab.

Earlier this week it was reported that the Tories may allow low-quality hormone-treated beef to be sold in the UK to secure a trade deal with Australia – a proposal the National Farmers’ Union said would put farmers in the UK at a competitive disadvantage.

The Scottish Secretary is visiting food and drink producers in Scotland to justify a power grab over devolved areas as part of Brexit.

Commenting, SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson said:

“The Tories think they can do anything they want to Scotland and get away with it.

“Once upon a time the Scottish Tories agreed that a power grab over devolved issues would be unacceptable. Now David Mundell is touring the country as a Brexit salesman – but Scottish food producers won’t be sold a pup.

“Despite all of the Tory promises that countries would be lining up to sign gold-plated trade agreements, it’s becoming ever clearer that the UK government would sell their granny to get a deal.

“There’s a very real risk that Brexit will mean the UK market is flooded with hormone-treated beef, chlorinated chicken and GM crops – putting our farmers at risk to save Theresa May’s blushes.

“That’s why the power grab matters, and that’s why David Mundell’s PR operation is falling completely flat.

“The Tories have already sold out our fishermen – they must not be allowed to sell out our food producers.”

MSP Encourages Youth Groups to Apply for Erasmus Funding

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson is encouraging youth organisations to apply for Erasmus + funding.

It has been revealed that there is more than €12million of funding available with the deadline for applications closing later this month.

The Erasmus+ funding enables participants from the UK to go abroad to study, work, volunteer, teach or train.

It funds around 16,000 higher education students to benefit from a study or work placement abroad.

The funding is open to schools, further and higher education, adult education and youth organisations.

Commenting, Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said:

“The Erasmus+ programme has benefited many young people for years.

“I am pleased even more funding have been made available to help even more young people and groups in my constituency benefit from these opportunities.

“I would encourage everyone to take a look at the possibilities available for them to teach, learn and live abroad.”

Stevenson Responds to Review of NE Minor Injuries Units

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has submitted his response to the review of Minor Injuries Units which closes tomorrow (Wednesday 4 April).

Fraserburgh is one of a number of units under review

Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership initiated the review in December 2017 which aims to take into account “location, demand and activity, practitioner competency and ongoing sustainability”.

In his submission, Stewart Stevenson says:

“The geographic nature of my constituency and indeed Aberdeenshire as a whole is very much rural, and localised medical treatment is an issue of importance for many of my constituents.

“I am aware that some of the services provided in Chalmers Hospital in Banff for example, such as the availability of expert radiographers and the provision of specific blood tests to identify blood clots or heart attacks, help to reduce acute admissions to care providers in Aberdeen and Elgin many of which would require ambulance transport.

“As you will appreciate there are numerous challenges faced by local GP practices in terms of recruitment and the rural nature of the community results in additional pressure on the ambulance service. I am concerned that any diminution in the service provided by local Minor Injury Units could lead to unnecessary demands on the ambulance service or local GPs.”

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“While it is right that provision of any public service is reviewed from time to time to see how it may be improved, it seems clear from the feedback I have received from constituents that these services are greatly valued in their communities and any reduction in service would have knock-on effects, not only potentially to local GPs and the ambulance service, but to patients themselves who may be faced with longer journeys for minor injuries.

“For some people, that will not be sustainable and may simply increase pressure on the health service elsewhere.”

Tory Trade Secretary Set to Betray Scottish Farmers

Following reports that the International Trade Secretary may consent to watering down food standards to secure a trade deal with Australia, the SNP’s Stewart Stevenson has warned that the Tories “cannot be trusted to protect Scottish farmers’ interests in Brexit negotiations.”

Today’s Scottish Times reports that Liam Fox may bow to the Australian Government’s demands that cheap, low-quality hormone-treated beef can be sold in UK markets in any post-Brexit trade deal. The sale of hormone-treated beef has been banned in the European Union since 1981, amid concern about a potential cancer link.

Responding to the news, the National Farmers’ Union chief livestock adviser has said:

“We do not believe the British public would want our own farmers to be put at a competitive disadvantage by allowing the import of food produced to different standards and using methods which are not allowed in Britain.”

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP, who sits on Holyrood’s Rural Committee, said:

“The hard line Brexiteers are now a clear threat to the producers of high quality Scotch beef, and their desperate scramble for trade deals is putting the future of Scotland’s rural economy on the line.

“The Tories have already sold out Scotland’s fishermen in Brexit negotiations - they must not be allowed to treat Scottish farmers with the same contempt by lowering food standards and allowing cheap, hormone-treated beef to flood the UK market after Brexit.

“While the SNP continues to stand up for Scottish farmers and the jobs they support - Liam Fox must immediately confirm whether Scotland’s prized farming industry will pay the price for a post-Brexit trade deal with Australia, as his Tory Government continues to pursue a disastrous Brexit ‘at all costs’ policy.”