Peterhead Project Through to Carbon Capture Shortlist

Two Scottish projects have made it through to the shortlist of CCS projects which will now be considered for financial support.

The UK Government today announced that carbon capture projects in Peterhead and Grangemouth had both made it onto a four project shortlist that will be considered for financial support in the New Year.

It was also announced that Peterhead would be considered a reserve project when applying for European funding through the NER300 scheme, while the Sound of Islay Tidal project has been put forward as a full candidate project for NER300 funding.

Commenting, Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said:

“It is positive news that Peterhead is one of two Scottish projects to make it onto the final shortlist for funding for carbon capture.

“I firmly believe that Peterhead has an extremely strong case to make and I would certainly hope that the UK Government will fully recognise that when it makes its decisions in the New Year.

“Westminster has a sorry track record when it comes to supporting innovative carbon capture projects in the past, with jobs and investment allowed to slip away before at Peterhead and Longannet.

“People in Peterhead remember all too well that they have been let down before by dithering at Westminster, so what is most important is that history is not allowed to repeat itself.”

Local MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford added:

“This is a very important step along the road for the Peterhead project so I welcome today’s announcement from the Secretary of State for Energy. 

"In Scotland we are working to deliver a diverse and balanced energy portfolio to provide us with secure and affordable heat and electricity for decades to come, and CCS technology could have an important role to play in that.

“Scotland is also ideally placed to develop this technology, with massive geological stores, high-value technological expertise and vast experience of working in deep waters offshore.”

Whiteford Speaks Against Botched Pensions Plans

Commenting on tonight’s debate in the House of Commons on the Public Service Pensions Bill, Banff & Buchan MP and SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford has condemned the Tory/Liberal coalition’s plans for public sector pensions without proper consultation, causing great uncertainty and insecurity amongst Scotland’s public sector.

Speaking after the vote, Dr Whiteford said:

“These punitive reforms are all about the UK Government's deficit reduction plans, and have nothing to do with securing sustainable pensions. The need for affordable, sustainable and fair public sector pensions is of critical importance to everyone, which is why the short term cash grab by the UK Government is so concerning.

“This bill places new and significant constraints on the Scottish Government’s ability to deliver a fair agreement which reflects Scottish circumstances.

"It appears to leave no flexibility for Scottish public servants’ principal concern which is around scheme Normal Pension Ages being equalised with the State Pension Age, or age 60 for police officers and fire-fighters. The UK Government continues to have the power to meddle and influence issues which are central to the future of Scotland and which should be for the Scottish Government to decide.

“Instead of uniting against these punitive reforms, it is incredible that Labour have chosen to let the Tories off the hook and let public sector workers down by sitting on their hands. The SNP will continue to ensure that the voice of ordinary public sector workers is heard in parliament.”

Local MP Backs Calls for Full Welfare Devolution

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed the call from the SNP’s Conference in Perth for the Scottish Parliament to have full responsibility for benefits and welfare so it can tailor its kinship support to the individual needs of Scotland.

The SNP’s Dr Whiteford also welcomed the overwhelming support for a resolution calling on the Scottish Government to develop a new Kinship Care Order, enshrining in law the rights of carers.

Commenting Eilidh said:

“We need the UK Government to pass responsibility for benefits and welfare to the Scottish Parliament so that we can better support children and families involved in kinship care.

“The SNP in Government has done more than any previous administration to support kinship carers and our upcoming Children and Young People Bill will recognise the rights and responsibilities of kinship carers for the first time by putting a new order on statute to support their role.

“This will provide a clear route to a permanent home for many vulnerable children, reflecting the close family bonds between the child and the carer and the different expectations and circumstances compared with other forms of care.

“It will also provide the basis for carers to access any wider support already available to parents to help them stay in, or find work and access appropriate benefit entitlements.

“No other administration has gone as far to support kinship carers as the SNP have – the Labour-led executive between 1999 and 2007 failed to take any action.

“The UK Government’s failure to act on this issue demonstrates how vital it is that decisions on benefits that affect the people in Scotland should be taken here in Scotland.”

MP Welcomes Sporting International to Fraserburgh

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed the staging of the World Indoor Bowls Council’s (WIBC) World Under 25 Championships to Fraserburgh.  The SNP MP attended today’s opening ceremony at Fraserburgh Leisure Centre as a guest of the host club, Fraserburgh Indoor Bowling Club.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford said:

“This is a really important event for Fraserburgh.  The sport of bowls has a huge following among both young and old in the North-east and this is the first time that a major championship has been held in the North of Scotland.

“I am very pleased for the event organisers who have put in a tremendous amount of work to make this happen.  Today’s opening ceremony reflected very well on the town and I hope that local people will take the opportunity to catch some of the action this week featuring some of the most talented young bowlers currently involved in the sport.  It promises to be an exciting week.” 

Fraserburgh SNP councillor Brian Topping, who was also a guest at the opening ceremony added:

“I’m delighted that this event has come to the Broch and I congratulate the committee at Fraserburgh Indoor Bowling Club and the Fraserburgh Leisure Centre for bringing this event to the town.

“It shows once again just what an excellent facility the Leisure Centre is and has helped put the Broch on the map in terms of sporting achievement.”

MP visits Community Pharmacy in Peterhead

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford will visit Buchanhaven Pharmacy, Skelton Street, Buchanhaven, Peterhead on Friday 5 October (today) at 1.00pm.

The visit has been arranged by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland to demonstrate how the pharmacy service works and why Scotland’s pharmacists are world-leaders.

Commenting ahead of the visit, Eilidh said:

“Pharmacists are frequently the first point of contact with the NHS for people who are unwell.  Pharmacy also lies at the heart of how the NHS will evolve to meet the changing patient needs in Scotland.

“Whilst health is devolved to the Scottish Parliament there are a number of important issues that are still controlled by Westminster, such as preventing medicines shortages and making sure medicines are dispensed safely.

“But perhaps the most important aspect of health policy in relation to pharmacies has been the removal of prescription charges by the Scottish Government, benefitting over 8000 people in Banff & Buchan on low incomes.”