CON DEM BENEFIT SQUEEZE ‘THE WRONG CHOICE’

CUTS WILL HIT SCOTTISH HOUSEHOLDS HARD

Commenting on the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, that the Con Dem coalition are making plans to scale back some universal benefits including child benefit and winter fuel allowance, SNP Work and Pensions Spokeswoman, Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP, said the UK Government kept making the wrong choices.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:

“The Con Dem coalition is piling the pain on Scottish households – hiking prices and squeezing incomes.

“Taking the axe to child benefit and winter fuel allowances at the same time as increasing VAT will hit families and old folk hard. While the frontbench of Tory millionaires might not miss these small but essential allowances, people across Scotland will.

“Choices must be made by the coalition government but they keep making the wrong ones. Instead of squeezing incomes for vulnerable households and trying to take milk away from young children, the coalition should scrap what we don’t need – starting with Trident.

“The SNP believe in the principle of universal benefits. That’s why we’re committed to ending prescription charges by April next year and guaranteeing free personal care for the elderly and concessionary travel for old folk.”

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LOCAL MP HAILS BANFF BAY SWIM A SUCCESS

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has hailed this year's Banff Bay Swim a great success after the event saw the largest number of entrants for many years. 

The MP was speaking at the presentation of the prizes by former Banffshire Lord Lieutenant – and former Banff Bay Swim winner – James McPherson after the event on Saturday afternoon. 

Speaking at Macduff Harbour, Dr Whiteford said: 

"This year's event has seen the largest number of entrants in recent years and each and every one of them, whether they were one of the winners in the various categories or whether they completed the distance from Banff to Macduff or not deserve our admiration and congratulations for being brave enough to try. 

"Our thanks go to the Coastguard, the Lifeboat crew and the Rib Rescue team for making the event safe for all those taking part, and also to the crowds who lined the harbour to cheer home the swimmers. 

"Finally, Rhoda and Phil Mitchell who took on the organising of the event this year deserve our thanks and congratulations on organising a safe and successful event."

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WHITEFORD & STEVENSON CONGRATULATE PETERHEAD FISHERMEN'S MISSION ON HARBOUR OPEN DAY SUCCESS

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford and local MSP Stewart Stevenson have congratulated Peterhead Fishermen's Mission on the success of the annual Harbour Open Day which was held this weekend.

Dr Whiteford, who was part of the platform party for the opening ceremony performed this year by actress Hannah Gordon, spent the morning chatting with visitors and touring the various stalls and exhibitions. On Sunday, Dr Whiteford also took part in the Mission's memorial service for fishermen lost at sea which was held at the Lido and laid a wreath at the fishermen's memorial in her capacity as Member of Parliament.

Commenting on the success of Saturday's Open Day she said:

"This was a fantastic event for young and old alike and praise must go to George Power, Paul Govier and the rest of the team supporting the Mission for the huge amount of work which went into making this year's event such a terrific success.

"I think it is a testament to the affection and the high esteem in which the Fishermen's Mission is held that so many people turned out on Saturday to support the Open Day."

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson also took time out to support the Mission by attending the Harbour Open Day. He said:

"I had a thoroughly enjoyable time at the Harbours Open Day which attracted a huge number of people. My congratulations go to the Peterhead Fishermen's Mission on another highly successful and enjoyable event which I know from talking to some of those present attracted a fair number of visitors to the town, which can only be a good thing."

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NEW LABOUR’S MILBURN TO WORK FOR THE OLD TORIES

Commenting on reports that leading architect of New Labour, Alan Milburn, is poised to join David Cameron’s government as "social mobility" czar, SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Eilidh Whiteford MP said the move showed that New Labour were now doing the bidding of the old Tories.

Dr Whiteford said:

“After Lord Mandelson’s admission that he would work for the Tories and Ed Miliband’s claim that there were no big differences between Labour and the Tories, news that Alan Milburn is set to become an adviser to David Cameron should be no surprise.

“New Labour and the old Tories are peas in a pod and Alan Milburn’s return proves that the parties are indistinguishable on crucial social mobility issues like poverty, benefits reform and the pensions crisis.

“Alan Milburn’s coalition job is deeply embarrassing for Labour, and will haunt them every time the Tories make an announcement on social mobility issues.”

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