SNP Pressure at Westminster Helps Deliver Fair Pay for Post Offices

Stevenson Welcomes Better Deal for Sub-Postmasters
Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed news that from October 2019 Sub-postmasters will receive better financial remuneration from the Post Office Ltd for key services that they provide to the public.

The announcement comes just weeks after SNP MP Gavin Newlands secured a House of Commons debate on the sustainability of Community and Sub-Post Offices, in which he reiterated SNP calls to give Sub-postmasters a fairer settlement. In recent months, SNP spokesperson for Small Business Marion Fellows MP, has written to the UK Government calling for these changes to strengthen the Post Office network.

At the National Union of Sub-postmasters Annual Conference, the Post Office Ltd announced that they will be increasing the rates of payment that Sub-postmasters receive for taking personal and business banking deposits, representing a near three-fold increase on current rates. The changes have been welcomed by Sub-postmasters.

The SNP has highlighted the rising importance of Post Offices to small towns and rural communities, the overwhelming majority of which are run by Sub-postmasters. As bank branch numbers continue to fall, local Post Offices have become increasingly important to communities - particularly to the elderly and those with additional support needs because of the face-to-face banking services that they provide. This is on top of the role they play in services regarding post, advice, pensions, benefit administration and working as community spaces.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“This is very good news indeed and I congratulate my SNP colleagues at Westminster for their campaigning on this important issue. These are important steps in securing the long term financial sustainability of our local Post Offices.

“However, more work is still needed to increase public and business awareness of the banking services available at Post Offices, and to protect Sub-postmasters from the risks associated with handling large volumes of cash.

“The local Post Office plays a huge role in public life – it is both a symbol of the community and a lifeline on everything from pensions and benefits to vital day-to-day banking services. This is particularly important, coming as it does just days after the TSB announced cuts across the North-east to branches and opening hours.

“In many small and rural towns in Scotland, the local Post Office is the last place where a face-to-face service is available, making it essential for the elderly and those with additional support needs.

“Sub-postmasters have continually raised concerns that they are not receiving adequate financial remuneration for services they provide to major banks turning over huge profits, resulting in many post offices operating at a loss. It is great to see that they have finally been listened to.

“I hope that this announcement represents the beginning of the end of this culture of unfair deals and unfair work for Sub-postmasters.”

Decision to Reinstate Gamrie Bus Service Welcomed by Local MSP

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has expressed his delight for local residents following Aberdeenshire Council agreeing to reinstate the supported bus service on Saturdays to Gardenstown.

Mr Stevenson wrote to Aberdeenshire Council last month urging a rethink following representations from constituents concerned at the inconvenience the loss of the Saturday service would cause.

Now, the council’s Public Transport Unit has confirmed the service will continue as funding has been found due to the outcome of the tendering process.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“This is very welcome news indeed and I’m delighted the council has taken on board the concerns that myself and local residents have expressed regarding the withdrawal of this service.

“A number of local residents approached me protesting that the axing of this service would result in the isolation of vulnerable residents. It would also seriously inconvenience the many tourists and visitors who rent summer properties in the village, for which Saturdays are a common ‘changeover day’.

“Now the route has been secured for this financial year, I’m sure the community will demonstrate that it is indeed a valued and important service.”

Babybox Gets Banff Makeover as over 9,000 Delivered in NHS Grampian Area Since Scheme's Introduction

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has hailed the success of the Scottish Government’s innovative Baby Box scheme as figures show that over 9000 boxes have been requested by parents in the NHS Grampian area since the scheme’s introduction.

The news comes as a series of new designs for the Baby Box have been unveiled, including one by 12 year-old Demi Burnett of Banff Academy, whose design was selected from hundreds of entries from a nationwide Young Scot competition celebrating the Year of Young People.

Demi commented:

“I enjoyed really getting to know everybody there, sharing ideas and talking about our past achievements. It was a great experience. It means a lot to me being part of the winning team, it really makes me proud of the team and its work. It just makes me feel happy and content with something I’ve helped to do, knowing it’s also really important competition.

“It honestly just feels unreal knowing that. It’s hard to believe that a team I was part of won such an amazing competition. Knowing how much that box will mean to families in Scotland is heart-warming, it still boggles my mind how my own ideas brought me all the way to Edinburgh to end up winning a national competition.

“It’s just great knowing I’m helping to do something that’ll make families so happy. I’m also just really thankful to get the opportunity.”

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson commented:

“There’s no doubt that the baby boxes have been a hit with new parents with the numbers of those requesting the boxes rising from 85% at its launch in 2017, to 96% today. I’m particularly pleased that a design from this constituency was one of the winners and I pass on my congratulations to Demi.”

Commenting, Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd MSP said:

“We are committed to giving every child the best start in life, and we do this by ensuring that every family with a newborn has access to essential items needed in the first six months of a child’s life through the Baby Box. 96% of expectant parents are requesting a Baby Box – a big rise on the 85% since they were first launched - and we have now delivered more than 80,000. That’s a huge vote of confidence in Scotland’s Baby Box.

“This new design - by children for children - is impressive in its detail and creativity. Parents have also told us that they love personalising their Baby Box, and as a result my favourite idea from the winning team is the free space left around the trunk of the tree on the lid to allow the family to add their newborns’ hand and foot print.

“It will touch the hearts of many parents that children from across the country have worked together, investing so much time and effort, into creating something truly special for their babies. I’ve met many families who have treasured their Baby Box and I can’t wait to see the new boxes in homes for years to come.”

Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young Scot, said:

“It is wonderful that a new generation of young Scots will be welcomed into the world with a beautiful Baby Box designed by today’s young Scots. I am delighted that 100,000 of these boxes will spark joy in households across the country over the coming years, and I thank every young person who has been involved in their creation.”

Jackie Brock, CEO of Children in Scotland said:

“The quality, creativity and skill shown by all the children and young people who entered the design competition was breath-taking. Each submission demonstrated what a great opportunity the Baby Box provides for showing what is special about being born and growing up in Scotland.

“Families will be really delighted with this addition to their baby’s welcome. Once the baby and their friends are old enough to colour it in, it will make a wonderful toy and memory in future years.”

Scotland’s Baby Box contains a selection of clothes from newborn up to the age of six months, as well as every day must-haves, like a bath towel, a travel changing mat, muslin cloth squares, a bib and a digital thermometer. Every Baby Box also comes with a number of books which parents and children can read together.