Whiteford & Stevenson Meet With Sangs Workforce

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson and Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford have met with workers from Sangs in Macduff yesterday (Sunday).

The Parliamentarians were there to hear concerns from the employees and also to update them on efforts being made by the Scottish Government to secure the future of the plant and the jobs in Macduff.

Speaking after the meeting, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“Having already talked to the administrators and management, I welcomed the opportunity to speak directly with the staff.  Obviously, it's a difficult and uncertain time for everyone.

“I was able to tell the staff that the Scottish Government’s Enterprise Minister, Fergus Ewing, will be meeting with Allied Irish Bank and the administrators in the coming week, and will, as a first priority, be pressing for time for Sangs to continue trading while potential buyers are being identified.

“Having talked with the administrators and the staff, it's clear to me that Sangs is a viable business with a lot of potential.  I am confident that it will be attractive to potential buyers, but we need time in order to secure a deal.

“Sangs has been part of the local community for decades, and has a loyal and motivated workforce. Stewart Stevenson and I will be doing everything we can to protect the jobs based here in Macduff.”

Happier Times

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson added:

“This was a useful meeting with the staff and an opportunity for them to receive an update on the work going on behind the scenes on the part of the Scottish Government.

“There is no doubt that the Scottish Government recognises the huge importance of Sangs to the Macduff and wider Banffshire economy and I hope that the efforts of Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing and his team will help to maintain Sangs in Macduff for years to come.”

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Whiteford Hears Young People's Input On Local Issues

SNP Banff and Buchan MP, Dr Eilidh Whiteford, this week visited Fraserburgh Academy to meet with representatives of the Academy’s pupil council and the Fraserburgh Youth Council to hear their views on a range of issues.

Topics under discussion ranged from of activities for young people in Fraserburgh to the extension of the vote to 16 and 17 year olds in the forthcoming independence referendum and future elections.

Dr Whiteford
Mark Buchan, Chair, Fraserburgh Youth Council
Fraserburgh Academy Pupil Council
Fraserburgh Youth Council

Speaking after the meeting, Dr Whiteford commented:

  

“I was delighted to be able to meet with the Fraserburgh Youth Council and the Fraserburgh Academy Pupil Council and hear their views on a whole range of current issues. It is great to see a large number of young people who have an inspiring sense of civic duty and are willing to act and get involved to make their town a better place.”

“The young folk also displayed a genuine interest in the forthcoming independence referendum. They had their own well-considered opinions and questions on the issue, and it was clear that they were itching to have their say in the debate. For me, this perfectly illustrated the argument for the right to vote in the referendum and all elections to be extended to 16 and 17 year olds. On the basis of my experience with young people of that age, I do not see how anyone could consider denying them that right, and their say.”

Mark Buchan, 16, Chairman of Fraserburgh Youth Council and in his 5^th year at Fraserburgh Academy commented:

“This was a really good opportunity for young people to engage with their local MP. I hope it  has given Dr Whiteford an indication of young people’s priorities for the town and sends a positive message about young people in general, that we are enthusiastic and want to be involved and empowered in our communities.”

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Research Reveals Concerns Over Flawed Welfare Assessments

MUNDELL UNAWARE HOW MANY AFFECTED BY WELFARE REFORMS IN SCOTLAND
SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Eilidh Whiteford MP has seized on a report published today (Tuesday) by the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) which warns that the UK Government’s Work Capability Assessment for Employment Support Allowance (ESA) is not able to properly assess mental health.

The report comes as Tory Scotland Office Minister David Mundell, speaking on BBC Good Morning Scotland, was unable to say how many people in Scotland would be affected by UK Government welfare reforms. Mr Mundell was asked repeatedly how many people would be affected by plans for a benefits cap.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:

“The UK Government must respond to the research from the Scottish Association for Mental Health that the assessment for ESA is flawed and failing to properly assess mental health.

“These findings echo the concerns raised in the independent review by Professor Malcolm Harrington which found that the assessment process was impersonal, mechanistic and lacks empathy.

“There are already huge questions over the assessment process with people undergoing chemotherapy, in some cases terminally ill people, being ordered to attend back-to-work interviews.

“As these concerns persist it is frankly shocking that the Scotland Office is apparently unaware how many people in Scotland will be affected by his party’s welfare reforms.

“There is a need to reform the benefit system, but genuinely vulnerable individuals must not become an easy target for Conservative and Liberal cuts.

“Return-to-work initiatives can benefit both the economy and the individual, but people should only return to the workplace when they are genuinely able and when correct support measures are available.

“Existing safeguards are not working and, with major reforms in the pipeline, we need real guarantees to ensure that that people living with genuine incapacity and ill health are spared added stress and uncertainty.

“This issue shows yet again the different stance Scotland would take if we had the power to legislate on this issue and it is our clear view that it is the Scottish Parliament, not the UK Parliament, that should decide on welfare policy for Scotland – as would be the case if Scotland was independent.”

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SNP Warning On Welfare Reform

INCREASING EVIDENCE FOR WELFARE TO BE DEVOLVED

SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP today (Monday) said there was increasing evidence that the welfare system should be devolved as the Scottish Local Government Forum Against Poverty and Rights Advice Scotland warned that UK welfare reforms will remove a safety net for hardworking taxpayers and their families.

The report comes as Peers challenge proposals for a benefits cap, and follows wider criticisms by SCVO that the reforms could leave Scottish local government, the Scottish Government and Scotland’s third sector picking up the pieces.

Dr Whiteford said:

“It is increasingly clear that the only way we will get a welfare policy that suits Scotland’s needs is by having the powers to set that policy in Scotland.

“The Local Government Forum Against Poverty and Rights Advice Scotland report adds substantially to the mounting concerns about the UK Government’s reforms, and shows the wider impact that these reforms will have, not only on individuals, but on the wider economy.

“From time limiting contributory Employment and Support Allowance to cuts in the availability and level of crisis loans, it is the most disadvantaged in our communities that are paying the price of the Tories reforms.

“Reform of the benefits system is necessary but the Tory/LibDem Coalition Government’s plan looks increasingly like an assault on the most disadvantaged. We must not have cuts for the sake of cuts. Not only would that risk forcing the most vulnerable in society into a perilous position, it also takes vital capital out of the economy without consideration of the impact.

“While reform is necessary, it must be done carefully and decisions on entitlements based on medical need – not government spin.

“The welfare system should maximise the potential for all people to work and live free from poverty, however, this cannot be achieved through cuts in support for disadvantaged people.

“This issue shows yet again the different stance Scotland would take if we had the power to legislate on this issue and it is our clear view that it is the Scottish Parliament, not the UK Parliament, that should decide on welfare policy for Scotland – as would be the case if Scotland was independent.”

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