MP WELCOMES EQUITABLE LIFE PROGRESS

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed the announcement of a repayment scheme for money lost in the Equitable Life collapse but warned that, after a decade of dither and delay over compensation, this progress for policy holders must be maintained.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:

“Equitable Life policyholders have been badly let down – first by regulatory failure and then by a decade of dither and delay by the Labour Government over a compensation scheme.

“While the commencement of the scheme announced last week is welcome, there is still a long way to go to compensate those who invested with Equitable Life.

“It’s essential the Conservative-Liberal coalition work for a speedy and fair resolution to this sorry saga which has dragged on for far too long.”

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LOCAL MP OFFICIALLY OPENS CAIRNBULG HARBOUR

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford officially opened Cairnbulg Harbour development on Saturday.

The MP cut a ribbon to mark the end of this phase of development which has taken many years of effort and fundraising by the local community. A pontoon has been installed in the latest work and all berths have been taken up. In addition to small locally-owned fishing vessels, a local man is operating boat trips out of the harbour in a boost to local business and the economy.

Commenting after the opening ceremony, Dr Whiteford said:

"This is a great day for Cairnbulg and the community can be rightly proud of its achievement here today.

"Getting to this stage has not only taken many years of effort on the part of individual committee members, but also a huge fundraising effort on the part of the local community, backed up by support from the lottery, LEADER funding and Aberdeenshire Council amongst others.

"It really is a tremendous facility and I'm delighted to see it being so well-used. In particular, the boat trips are a fantastic initiative and should help draw visitors into Cairnbulg which I hope will in turn see them supporting local shops.

"The fact that we had such a glorious sunny afternoon for the opening ceremony made it all the more special for Cairnbulg and I wish the committee well in their future plans for the harbour."

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Whiteford supports new rules to stop holiday mobile bill shock

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed new rules which will stop people facing big mobile phone bills when they return from holidays in Europe.

With internet access on mobile phones it has never been easier to stay in touch with what’s going on at home. However, coming back from holiday to a huge mobile phone bill can be a nasty surprise. New European rules on roaming charges should make this ‘bill shock’ a thing of the past.

All mobile companies now have to apply a cut-off limit once a customer’s mobile internet bill reaches €50 – around £40 – per month, while in the EU. This will happen automatically, unless they opt out. Alternately, customers can select their own limit.

Mobile companies must also send customers a text message or email when they reach 80% and then 100% of the agreed limit. They must then stop providing and charging for that mobile internet service when the limit is met unless the consumer re-authorises their account.

The SNP MP welcomed the new rules as a way of protecting consumers from the shock of a high bill when returning from holidays.

Commenting on the issue, Dr Whiteford said:

"When a customer enters a different EU country, operators must send a welcome SMS/text message with basic price information on roaming services, a free phone number for more detailed price information, and the 112 emergency number. They must also send a reminder of data roaming prices when the customer first connects to that service in a different EU country. I've received a lot of e-mails from constituents on this issue and these changes should go a long way to resolving the issue."

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LOCAL MP VISITS NEW DEER SHOW

Banff & Buchan SNP MP Eilidh Whiteford visited New Deer Show on Saturday where she held a surgery and met with the local NFU Scotland branch. The MP also toured the cattle and sheep lines before visiting the various stalls and exhibitions around the showground.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford said:

"I'm very pleased for the organisers that, on the whole, the weather was kind to them this year.

"There is a tremendous amount of work goes into planning a successful show like New Deer and the Show President, Secretary and Committee deserve our thanks for pulling together another excellent showcase for the best of Buchan and North-east livestock.

"The support given to the show by the Buchan community and the public at large is vitally important to ensuring that this 163 year-old tradition continues not only as part of Buchan's farming heritage but also as a vibrant contributor to the rural economy."

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