LOCAL MSP BACKS CARERS RIGHTS DAY

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson is backing this year’s Carers Rights Day on Friday 2nd December which will see the Peterhead-based Carers’ Centre organise a special ‘carers’ rights day’.

The event will take place at the Salvation Army Hall, Windmill Street, Peterhead and officials from the Department for Work & Pensions, Citizens Advice and Crossroads amongst others will be on hand to offer advice on a range of issues.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Stevenson said:

“It is staggering to learn that between 40 - 60% of disability benefits go unclaimed, and with many carers unaware of how to access practical help, Carers' Rights Day is designed to make carers more aware of their entitlements. The 2005 campaign is centred around older carers and the take up of benefits.

“I am delighted that this event has been arranged and I am pleased to be taking part. Carers deserve our recognition for the work which they do and there will be a range of agencies present on the day to provide advice and assistance to ensure that carers are getting all the help which is rightfully theirs.

“Many people don’t get the support they need because they don’t recognise the caring role they have. If you regularly provide or intend to provide care, you need to find out about the help available. The benefits system is complicated and finding out what you are entitled to can be difficult. Claiming benefits usually involves filling out forms. Try not to let this put you off. A local Independent Citizens' Advice Bureau, disability organisation or an Age Concern branch should be able to help you with the forms. The Pension Service (Freephone: 0800 99 1234) should also be able to help you with more information about benefits and completing the claim forms.

“Remember, even if you’re not entitled to claim benefits there is a range of other ways in which you get help with being a carer, such as equipment, practical help and getting access to a break.”

STEVENSON TO PRESENT TESCO COMPUTERS FOR SCHOOLS

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson will officiate at the Tesco ‘Computers for Schools’ presentation on Friday 2 December at the Tesco Store, South Harbour Road, Fraserburgh at 2.00pm.

Mr Stevenson commented:

“I am delighted to be handing out computer equipement to local primary schools once again and I am particularly pleased that many of the schools involved this year are benefitting for the first time.

“This is the fourteenth year of ‘Computers for Schools’ and a lot of very welcome additional equipment has gone into Banff & Buchan schools during that time. I think it is important that large national chains recognise that they have a duty to put something back into the community and I congratulate Tesco on this excellent initiative.”

STEVENSON RAISES DIGITAL RECEPTION IN PARLIAMENT

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has raised the issue of lack of digital television reception in Parliament. Speaking in a debate on the subject, Mr Stevenson said that there was a “big difference between switch-over and analogue switch-off”.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Stevenson said:

“People who are lucky enough to live in the right place can already access digital television by picking up a set-top box for a reasonable, one-off cost. In Banff & Buchan however, for many people this is not an option and the increasing number of digital channels can only be accessed through cable or satellite, which are far more costly and disruptive to install.

“I note with concern the BBC’s desire to increase the licence fee by 2.3% above inflation. It is extremely frustrating that not all licence payers are able to receive the entire package of programmes from the BBC. I feel that taking this into account, it is simply wrong to expect them to pay the same level of licence fee and there is a very strong argument in favour of a ‘no see, no fee’ television licence.

“The BBC have said recently that they wish not only to see an increase in the licence fee, but an increase which is above inflation. It therefore cannot be right that my constituents are expected to subsidise the costs of channels such as BBC3 and News 24 when they cannot access those channels. It’s a bit like paying for a set meal in a restaurant but being told you can’t have your pudding because you have chosen to sit too far away from the kitchen.

“It is unfair, and the North of Scotland deserves better.”