LIB DEMS DITCH SATURDAY POSTAL SERVICE

SNP MP VOWS TO FIGHT FOR DELIVERIES

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has expressed concern over the future of the universal service obligation after it was revealed Business Secretary Vince Cable is considering scrapping Saturday deliveries and switching to five day a week delivery – the absolute minimum allowed under European regulations. The proposals will be put forward in a forthcoming bill at Westminster.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:

“It is deeply ironic that, on the same day as Vince Cable was attacking capitalism, that he was himself acting like an unrestrained capitalist with plans to privatise Royal Mail.

“This is an outrageous stab in the back to rural communities across Scotland. Earlier in the week Tavish Scott claimed the universal service obligation was safe, but now we find out that, all along, Vince Cable was planning to ditch Saturday services.

“This is a major reduction in the universal service obligation that people in rural areas, and crucially businesses, rely upon. At a time of economic turbulence it is absolutely crucial that businesses in rural areas have access to high quality mail services.

“Royal Mail cannot be viewed as just another company. It provides an essential public service, especially to smaller communities and small businesses who do not have access to alternative carriers.

“While Lib Dem MPs may have swapped concern for local business for ministerial limousines, the SNP remain committed to fighting for local services.”

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PQ REVEALS HOW MURPHY TOOK TAXPAYERS FOR A RIDE

Commenting on the publication of a parliamentary question which reveals the amount of public money spent on taxi's by the Scotland Office almost doubled in the final year of the Labour government,

SNP Member of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee, Dr Eilidh Whiteford said:

"Just as Jim Murphy was telling people in Scotland to tighten their belts, it appears that he and his advisers were buckling up in the back of a taxi, and leaving the public pick up the tab. With this extravagance, it's no wonder Labour left the public finances in such a mess.

"Jim Murphy and his advisers may now have to pay for their own cabs, but he should still explain just how his department's taxi bill nearly doubled in the last year. Where on earth were all these taxis going?"

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THE NEWBY TEAS TIFFIN CUP 2010

B RAJ TANDOORI REPRESENTED AT LONDON LAUNCH

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford and Fraserburgh's B Raj Tandoori Restaurant attended the launch of the Newby Teas Tiffin Cup 2010.  This year a record 74 MPs nominated a restaurant from their constituency to find Britain's Best South Asian restaurant.  

The launch was held at The Red Fort Restaurant in Central London on Tuesday.  All restaurants that were nominated for this prestigious accolade were invited to attend and  were briefed on the next stages of the competition. 

Mr Baldev Soni, owner of the B Raj, travelled to London for the event. Participating restaurants were be able to celebrate their success as regional finalists whilst meeting other nominees who they will compete against for a place in the Grand Final of the Newby Teas Tiffin Cup 2010 which is to take place on Tuesday 9 November 2010 in the House of Commons. 

This year's competition will be the in aid of World Vision which works globally to speak out for children affected by injustice and poverty. 

Commenting, Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford  said: 

Eilidh Whiteford MP, Mr Baldev Soni, Keith Vaz MP

"The launch of the Newby Teas Tiffin Cup begins an exciting period for the B Raj Tandoori.  I am sure that it will be a close fought contest, but am confident that with the support and enthusiasm of everyone in Fraserburgh, the B Raj will be chosen to participate in the Grand Final." 

Keith Vaz MP, Chair of the Tiffin Club said:

"The UK's love affair with curry has come a very long way since we started the Tiffin Club in 2005.  I am delighted the launch will be at the Red Fort Restaurant in Central London, one of the first to tickle the British taste buds. This will be a first of many events to find MPs' Best South Asian restaurant in the country and it's all for an excellent cause" 

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LIB/DEMS CONVERT TO CONSERVATIVES ON BENEFITS

The SNP has warned the Liberal Democrats over their new zeal for Conservative plans to dramatically slash welfare benefits after Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander revealed that planned cuts to the welfare budget could be far greater than the £4 billion in extra savings suggested by the Chancellor last week.

Mr Alexander’s enthusiasm for Tory cuts in an interview in today’s Scotsman comes as the Scottish Local Government Forum Against Poverty revealed research showing that changes to Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Housing Benefit, Child Benefit and public sector pensions will take as much as £614million from the economy directly jeopardising 14,000 jobs.

Commenting, SNP spokesperson on work and pensions Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP said;

"Having jumped into bed with the Tories, the Liberal Democrats clearly have the zeal of the convert. The next thing, Danny Alexander will be saying there is no such thing as society – real Lib Dems will be horrified.

“Danny Alexander’s assumption appears to be that everybody on benefits is somehow cheating the system or work-shy.

“Of course welfare reform is necessary and of course we must deal with welfare cheats, but reforms must be based on the medical circumstances of individuals, not some random figure which will compound the poverty and social exclusion experienced by disabled people.

“The Scottish Local Government Forum Against Poverty report shows the changes already announced will have a serious impact on Scotland’s economy attacking the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

“We have the same old Tories, now helped by the Liberal Democrats, cutting too far and too fast and leaving the poorest households to bear the brunt of tax rises, benefit cuts and the loss of public services and jobs.

“We simply must not have cuts for the sake of cuts. Not only would that risk forcing the truly vulnerable in society into a perilous position, it also takes vital capital out of the economy without consideration of the impact.”

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