MP Welcomes APD Devolution Calls From Leading NE Figures

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed the publication today of an open letter by a group of leading North-east business and public sector figures to the Chancellor calling for devolution of Air Passenger Duty (APD) to the Scottish Parliament.

The letter is endorsed by Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, the LibDem Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, the Leader of Aberdeen City Council, North-east Scotland SCDI, NESTRANS, BAA Aberdeen Airport, Aberdeen City & Shire Economic Futures and Eastern Airways.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:

“Support is growing for devolution of APD and, given the changes proposed for Northern Ireland, the Treasury must recognise its refusal to devolve control to Scotland is unsustainable.

“There is overwhelming evidence for the devolution of APD with all four of Scotland’s largest airports backing the call and Transport Scotland saying ‘there is no good reason why passengers in Scotland should have to continue to travel in such numbers through other UK airports or should not benefit from levels of connectivity enjoyed in other parts of the UK’.

“Devolution of APD would enable us to incentivise airlines to provide new direct international routes, providing Scotland's passengers with enhanced options as they go about their business more freely and more effectively. It would also provide a substantial boost to the Scottish economy and create jobs.

“It is time for the UK Government to stop being hypocritical and allow Scotland to have control over flight taxes, just like Northern Ireland.”

HM Treasury’s Northern Ireland announcement: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_107_11.htm

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SNP Comment On Rennie Speech

'CONFUSED AND CONTRADICTORY'

Commenting on Willie Rennie’s speech to the Scottish Lib Dems' autumn conference in Dunfermline, SNP MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford said:

“The Lib Dems' continuing obsession with the SNP is plain for all to see. By becoming frontmen for the Tory Government in London, their position on the constitution has crumbled into a mess of confusion and contradiction.

"They say they want Home Rule but fail to support the extra powers the SNP propose for the Scotland Bill. Their position sounds as hollow as their pledges in 2010 to oppose increased tuition fees, higher VAT and accelerated Tory cuts.

"Scaremongering against the financial and operational benefits of a single police force was at the heart of the LibDems' disastrous election campaign in May - and they were rejected by the people of every single constituency in mainland Scotland: rural and urban, Highland and lowland, north, south, east and west.

"They also promised 3,000 police officers in their 2010 election manifesto but since they have become Tory frontmen there are over 4,000 less police officers in England & Wales. Another pledge as hollow as their stance on Home Rule."

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Eildih Whiteford Engagements In Banff & Macduff

PUBLIC HALL AND SHOP TO BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY LOCAL MP

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford will carry out engagements in Banff and Macduff on Saturday 8 October.

At 2.00pm, Eilidh will officially re-open the refurbished Macduff Old Folk’s Association Community Hall in Buchan Street, Macduff. The Buchan Street hall was one of the contenders on ITV’s ‘People’s Millions’ and won a popular vote to secure lottery funding to upgrade the facility.

Commenting ahead of the opening, Eilidh said:

“The Buchan Street Hall is a great community facility which I know is well-regarded locally by the various hall user groups.

“I’m looking forward to hearing from the committee members on Saturday about the upgrade and their future plans for the hall.”

At 4.00pm, Eilidh will perform the official opening of the The New Arc shop at 21 Low Street, Banff.

The New Arc is one of Scotland’s largest independent animal rescue centres based just outside Ellon and is currently home to over 400 animals and birds both domestic and wild. The centre is run entirely by volunteers. The charity pays no rent, no expenses, no utilities, fuel, travel or phone costs ensuring that all proceeds raised are spent 100% on the animals in their care.

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Local Bereavement Care Group Cashes In On MP's Opinions

Deveron Branch of Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland has benefited from a cash donation from Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford.

The SNP MP was recently asked to take part in a research study by a well-known polling organisation which offered a £75 fee. Eilidh donated this to Cruse following an invitation to assist the local group with their recent supermarket bag-pack which raised over £700, thereby adding another 10% to the sum raised when she visited the volunteers at the Turriff branch of Tesco at the end of July.

All the funds raised stay locally, and will be used to buy new books for their library, and finance the ongoing training required to ensure volunteer counsellors are equipped to a high standard. The Deveron Branch of Cruse covers Fraserburgh, Memsie, New Pitsligo, Huntly, Oldmeldrum, Banff, Macduff and everywhere else within that area, and the counsellors are kept busy with many referrals coming from GP’s and other health professionals.

Dr Whiteford commented:

“I was delighted to support the Deveron Branch of Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland.

“I am very much aware of the excellent job Cruse counsellors do in providing a listening ear, advice and support for those suffering after the loss of a loved one. Their support has proved invaluable for many individuals and helped them through a traumatic and distressing time in their lives.

“I am therefore pleased to be able to add to the sum raised by the Cruse volunteers at their recent bag-pack.”

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