Stewart Stevenson Backs SNP Stimulus in Brexit Aftermath

SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, Stewart Stevenson, has backed the Scottish Government’s commitment to stimulate the economy with new infrastructure funding in the wake of the EU referendum.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced an additional £100m of funding in this financial year to speed up the delivery of health and other infrastructure projects – as well as the establishment of a new service to provide information and support to businesses affected by the EU referendum.

Projects will be assessed for accelerated funding against a range of criteria including how quickly work can start, the number of jobs that will be supported or created, the likely impact on the supply chain and geographic spread.

Stewart Stevenson has called on the UK Government to urgently announce its own economic stimulus package, which would enable the Scottish Government to do even more to accelerate capital spending to support communities in Banffshire & Buchan Coast and across Scotland.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said,

“Nicola Sturgeon has been clear that the Scottish Government will pursue all possible options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU.

“But in the meantime we must do all we can to ensure that our economy doesn’t suffer, hitting jobs and investment in Banffshire & Buchan Coast and across the country.

“It’s up to the UK Government to match the Scottish Government’s ambition and begin fixing this mess of their own making. Theresa May must take meaningful action to alleviate uncertainty and announce a UK wide stimulus, allowing the Scottish Government to do even more to secure jobs in Banffshire & Buchan Coast and beyond.”

Stewart Stevenson MSP Welcomes Access to Elected Office Fund for 2017 Local Elections

Money Will Assist Disabled People to Participate in Politics
SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, Stewart Stevenson, has warmly welcomed the opening of a £200,000 fund aimed at encouraging more disabled people to participate in politics and stand as councillors in next year’s local council elections.

The fund – which will help cover additional costs for accessible transport and communications support – underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for more people from under-represented groups.

Disabled people are significantly under-represented as local councillors – and the fund will back up wide-ranging support to help correct this imbalance.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said,

“Everyone should have equal access to politics, no matter their own personal background or whether they are disabled or not – and this funding will help ensure this is the case by alleviating some of the additional costs that disabled candidates can encounter.

“It is vital that barriers are broken down to encourage people from all areas of society to get involved in politics – which will help make policies more representative of society as a whole. The fund isn’t about giving anyone an advantage, but rather levelling the playing field and making it fairer for everyone.

“I hope people from across Aberdeenshire access this funding. It will help create equal access to politics for disabled people who wish to stand for selection or election in next year’s local government polls.”

Scotland "Left on the Outside Looking in" to UK Government's Economic Taskforce

The SNP has criticised the UK Government for failing to take Scotland’s unique economic interests into account – after new Tory Prime Minister Theresa May snubbed Scottish Secretary David Mundell by excluding him from a new economic taskforce with a remit to encourage economic growth across the UK.

The taskforce, consisting of more than 10 secretaries of state, has been launched by Ms May in an attempt to “drive growth up and down the country” – but with the UK Government’s man in Scotland conspicuous by his absence.

Questions have been raised at Mr Mundell’s omission from the taskforce given the current challenges facing Scotland’s oil and gas sector.

Separately, the Press and Journal reports widespread criticism of the decision to split responsibility for oil and gas between an unelected peer and a junior minister with no prior front bench experience.

Commenting, SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson said:

“If David Mundell’s job as Scottish Secretary isn’t to be at the table when his colleagues are making decisions about UK wide economic policy then it’s not clear what his job actually is.

“The Tories can’t even claim that the interests of Scotland’s vital oil and gas industries will be represented by the UK Energy Secretary – as they have downgraded that post and divvied up responsibility between an unelected Lord and a newly appointed junior minister.

“The Scottish Government has made supporting the oil and gas industry during the current period of uncertainty an absolute priority. The SNP will support any measures from the UK Government that will do likewise, but despite raised expectations after a change of government at Westminster – it is already starting to feel like Scotland is being left on the outside looking in.”