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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MP DROPS IN TO WISH ERROLL COURT HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford dropped in on residents of Turriff's Erroll Court last Friday to help them celebrate 40 years since the complex first opened its doors.

The local MP was invited by staff to join in the celebrations scheduled for last Wednesday but unfortunately couldn't be there as she had to be in the House of Commons that day. However, Dr Whiteford made Erroll Court her first port of call after arriving in Aberdeen on Friday morning direct from London.

Turriff councillor Sandy Duncan, who attended the residents' party last Wednesday, accompanied the MP.

Speaking afterwards, Dr Whiteford said:

"I very much enjoyed my visit to Erroll Court and meeting the residents and staff there.

"It seems like a very happy place and it was a great pleasure to be able to share in some of the celebrations with the residents.  They were keen to share with me a large pile of photographs taken at the party on Wednesday and it certainly looked like everyone had an enjoyable day."

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TORIES AND LIBERALS VOTE FOR VAT BOMBSHELL

VAT INCREASE WILL HIT RURAL AREAS HARDEST - WHITEFORD

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has hit out at the London parties after the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats this evening (Tuesday) voted to raise VAT, while Labour MPs abstained in a vote for an SNP amendment to bring relief for households and businesses.

Speaking from Westminster this evening, Dr Whiteford said:

"The Con/Dem coalition's decision to proceed with this rise is economically illiterate. This increase in VAT will cause real pain for households and businesses, and hinder economic recovery. 

"For Labour MPs to sit on their hands and abstain on this vote is absolutely unforgivable.  First Labour let the Tories into government, and now they are standing back while the Tories and Liberals impose savage cuts and painful tax hikes.  This failure will haunt the Labour Party in Scotland for years to come. 

"The VAT increase will hit rural areas like ours hardest.  VAT increases on fuel will be in addition to the increases in duty, which will have a knock-on effect on the price of all goods transported into the North-east.  We will see prices of food and other essentials rise, and all of us will be affected, at a time when many are already feeling the spending squeeze.

"Increasing VAT will put a strain on our public services at a time when they need support more than ever. The NHS in Scotland, for example, will be hit by a £26m hike in the VAT bill.

"The VAT increase also piles the pain on businesses already struggling through Labour's recession – taking spending power out of the economy and exacerbating cash flow problems.

"The Tories and the Liberals have already endangered the recovery by cutting too far and too fast. The decision to increase VAT is a political choice and it is a wrong choice."

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