North-East Farmers Will Benefit with Independence

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed comments from the Scottish Government’s Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead MSP, highlighting how farmers across the country will benefit with independence.

As part of his annual speech to the National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) Richard Lochhead highlighted the benefit the farming community will receive from being represented at the top table of EU discussions. Currently, the farming industry in Scotland is represented by ministers of the Tory/LibDem Government in London with ministers from Scotland shut out of meetings.

The Rural Affairs Secretary also highlighted how the UK Government has negotiated Scotland to the very bottom of the Common Agricultural Policy funding tables – with Scotland languishing in league tables for both direct farm payments and rural development funding, which also provides essential support for farmers.

Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

“Only with independence will we move from the bottom of the funding tables to a seat at the top negotiating table – enabling us to get the best possible deal for Scottish farming and Scotland’s rural communities alike.

“Instead of having UK Ministers negotiate on Scotland’s behalf – UK Ministers who want to eventually see an end to direct farm payments - Scotland can negotiate on her own behalf at the crucial EU negotiations that affect our vital farming industry and the wider Scottish economy.”

Welcoming the comments Stewart Stevenson said:

“Scotland’s farming industry has long suffered due to the actions of all Westminster governments who systematically fail to represent Scottish agricultural interests.

“Had Scotland been independent during last year’s CAP negotiations, our farmers would be benefitting from an extra €1 billion in support between now and 2020.

“Farmers in Banffshire & Buchan Coast and all across Scotland need not put up with this second class status any longer. Following a Yes vote in September we can look forward to no less than full parity with our neighbours across Europe at the next EU CAP negotiations, which start in 2017.”

Buckie First in Scotland to Benefit from Superfast Broadband Rollout

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has today announced that the first cabinet bringing next generation broadband services to rural Scotland is now live in the Banffshire town of Buckie.

The announcement signals the start of the most challenging next generation broadband project to be undertaken anywhere in the UK. The new fibre backbone will extend to remote communities across Scotland and will provide a platform for future economic development and regeneration across the region.

Around 400 premises in Buckie can now order fibre services and this figure will increase to more than 5,300 as BT engineers complete the local upgrade in the weeks ahead. Additional locations across Scotland will follow, with broadband infrastructure installed and upgraded across the country. In the Highlands and Islands this will include Moray and around Inverness which are due to go live by April.

Commenting, Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“I’m delighted that Buckie is the first area in the whole of Scotland to benefit from this investment in broadband.

“Having access to fast broadband connections is something that is ever more vital for both businesses and families, so I am pleased that people in the Buckie area are now able to benefit from improved connection speeds.

“Investing in broadband is critical to encouraging economic growth which is why Scottish Government has set out a strategy to deliver world-class digital infrastructure for Scotland by 2020. It is fantastic that people in Buckie will now benefit from the latest step towards that target and I look forward to other parts of Banffshire & Buchan Coast enjoying similar upgrades in the future.”

For the Scottish Government, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“Today marks an important milestone for the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband partnership and for the people of Buckie who are the first in Scotland to benefit from this service.

“It’s fantastic news that local households and businesses will now see the benefits of high quality digital connectivity.

“The scale of the challenge of delivering fibre broadband into rural Scotland outstrips any other part of the UK.

“This is one of the most ambitious broadband infrastructure projects ever to have been undertaken and will see 95% of premises in Scotland covered by 2017/18.

“This is an important step towards ensuring that Scotland has world-class digital connectivity by 2020. Our investment, and that of our partners in the project, will extend access to superfast broadband across Scotland. This will be a key factor in ensuring Scotland’s long-term economic prosperity.”

Stevenson Calls for Nominations for Local Football Heroes

Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, has called on constituents to nominate their local footballing heroes, as part of the Scottish FA Community Awards 2014.

The awards recognise volunteers and clubs who have made a difference to grassroots football in their local community. Nominations for the regional awards close on 26 May 2014 and those for the national awards close on 22 June 2014.

Mr Stevenson commented:

“Those involved in grassroots football commit a great deal of their time not for the awards or financial rewards but in order to ensure that children and adults alike have fun and are able to develop their football skills.

“Standing at the side of a football pitch on a dark, wet evening will not appeal to many people but that is what many people are doing right across Banffshire & Buchan Coast.

“Those that go the extra mile to help ensure our youngsters enjoy their free time whilst pursuing a healthy activity should be applauded, and I would urge anyone who has someone in mind for an award to nominate them.”

Awards are available in the following categories:

• Volunteer of the Year in Youth Football
• Volunteer of the Year in School Football
• Volunteer of the Year in Adult Football
• Volunteer of the Year in Disability Football
• Volunteer of the Year in Girls’/Womens’ Football
• Best Professional Club in the Community
• Community Football Club of the Year
• McDonald’s Community Champion of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Merit Award for Services to Football (People’s Award)

Nominations can be made at: www.mcdonalds.co.uk/awards