Banffshire MP Welcomes South Korean Whisky Trade Boost

“TRADE PACT IS A BOOST FOR BANFFSHIRE” - WHITEFORD

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and South Korea that is expected to see the whisky industry as one of the biggest beneficiaries.

The agreement will reduce taxation on Scotch whisky making its way into the Asian country and removes a range of onerous warehousing and labelling requirements that added cost to the process.

The Agreement should help the already significant South Korean market for whisky grow and expand.

The most popular single malt brands in South Korea are Macallan and Glenfiddich – both significant producers from Banffshire.

Commenting, Eilidh said:

“This agreement between the EU and South Korea is of real significance for the whisky industry with the European Trade Commissioner stating it could even double exports from the current level of over 150 million pounds.

“In addition to the opening up of much bigger sales opportunities the agreement also includes important brand protection measures put in place to prevent forgery and fakes from undermining the brand quality that is of crucial importance to one of Scotland’s most recognisable products.

“This is particularly important to Banffshire as the home of the Scotch whisky industry.”

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SNP Comment On Cameron's Welfare Leak

CAMERON MUST DITCH POLICY

SNP Spokesperson for Work and Pensions, Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP, has today [Sunday] reacted with concern over reports in the Observer newspaper that UK Government welfare reforms risk making 40,000 families homeless.

The newspaper received a leaked letter sent to the Prime Minister from the office of communities secretary Eric Pickles.

Dr Whiteford said:

“For a long time we have warned about the series of cuts contained within the Welfare Reform Bill and the damaging effect it will have on the most vulnerable in Scottish society.

“These revelations today show that the leadership of the Conservative party are well aware of the severe damage their policies will do but choose to ignore.

“David Cameron has no option now but to ditch these absurd plans and instead install real measures which will improve the lives of thousands across the country and improve our society.

“In Scotland we have seen encouraging signs with the SNP Government introducing a range of measures to help people in Scotland through the tough times including a council tax freeze and the phasing out of prescription charges but the Tories are proceeding with a Bill which could set our progress back.”

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Turriff's Moonlight Tandoori Wins Place In Tiffin Cup Grand Final

Turriff’s Moonlight Tandoori restaurant has been chosen to represent Banff & Buchan as one of the twelve finalists in the prestigious Tiffin Cup competition. The Grand Final of the Lyca Tiffin Cup 2011 is to be held in the House of Commons on Wednesday 6th July 2011. The competition is held each year to find the best South Asian restaurant in the UK.

Mr. Choudhury, Proprietor, Moon Light Tandoori
with Eilidh Whiteford MP

The Tiffin Cup winner is chosen from a list of restaurants that have been nominated by their local MPs. This year 62 restaurants were nominated by local MPs, and the Moonlight Tandoori was nominated by Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP.

Keith Vaz MP, Chair of the Tiffin Club said:

“We are delighted that Moonlight Tandoori has beaten extremely stiff competition in order to become one of the finalists in the Lyca Tiffin Cup on 6th July 2011. This is a great tribute not just to the nomination of Moonlight Tandoori, but also to the constituency of Banff & Buchan as a whole. We wish them the very best of luck for the final.”

Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“I am delighted that Moonlight Tandoori has made it into the final of the Lyca Tiffin Cup 2011. This is such a prestigious award, and I will certainly be there on 6th July to cheer Moonlight Tandoori and I am sure that everybody in Banff & Buchan will be rooting for our restaurant to be crowned the 2011 champion.”

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SNP Raise Energy Inflation Concerns In Commons

SNP MPs tackled the UK Government on soaring energy prices in the House of Commons and called for action to help hard pressed households with escalating energy costs

Figures obtained from the Office of National Statistics show that in four out of the last five years the rise in domestic gas prices has far outstripped the rate of inflation.

Speaking from Westminster, Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford said:

“The Office of National Statistics’ figures confirm the rise in domestic gas prices has far outstripped the rate of inflation, and that is before the latest round of prices hikes.

“Energy prices increases are getting out of hand for households that are already struggling to make ends meet. People just cannot keep absorbing continuous and colossal energy price increases and the UK Government must step in.

“Soaring prices are particularly hard to swallow when Scotland is such an energy rich country, yet faces steep rises in prices.

“We must have a top level review of the domestic and international energy market.

“UK Ministers need to take action to help long suffering domestic customers, as well as businesses which are being crushed under the weight of these additional costs."

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