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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Time Runs Out For Ill-Considered Clock Change Plans

Proposals in the Westminster Parliament to change daylight saving time, which would have plunged Scotland into darkness until later in the morning, have failed.

A Private Member’s Bill, promoted by Conservative MPs from the south and south-east of England was defeated in the House of Commons on Friday.  Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford took part in the debate and voted against the Bill.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Dr Whiteford said:

“Ultimately, it is a quality of life issue. One thing that struck me after the last debate on the Bill was that a huge number of people from England, mostly older people who remember the last trial, got in touch with me by letter, phone or e-mail. They all said the same thing: “This was a disaster when they did it in the ’70s.” They found it miserable getting up, going to work and delivering things in the dark. People who remember it did not like it.

“That has to be our arbiter: is this going to be helpful for our quality of life? I know that it is going to impact more on my part of the world than some other parts of these islands. For the sake of our health and well-being, we need to think carefully before messing around with something that might not need to be changed.

Commenting afterwards, Dr Whiteford said:

“MPs from the south attempted to push through this Bill, and with it the prospect of darker mornings for everyone north of Manchester, with little regard to the impact these changes would have on the quality of life for people in the north.

“I had real concerns that no account was being taken of our climate and the fact that the coldest hours are before dawn. While there’s not much evidence that daylight is a decisive factor in road safety, we know that weather conditions play a very significant role. Minimising the time drivers and pedestrians spend on icy roads and pavements has to be a key consideration.

    

“The evidence put forward supporting this change was entirely untested, and the proponents of this Bill have ignored the sound reasons why this change was abandoned after being trialled in the 1970s, and more recently by other European neighbours who found that the shift had a damaging effect on safety, health, energy consumption and commerce.

  

“This change would be acutely felt in Scotland, raising real safety and quality of life concerns.  I’m therefore pleased that the Bill has fallen and will not be progressing any further.”

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Whiteford Presses UK Government On Funding For Peterhead CCS Project

Participating in a Westminster Hall debate on carbon capture storage (CCS) projects earlier today (Tuesday) SNP Member of Parliament for Banff & Buchan, Dr Eilidh Whiteford challenged the UK Government to provide clarity on the funding and support available for the proposed  Peterhead project.

An announcement was made in November 2011 of a new joint development agreement between Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) and Shell UK Ltd for the development of a gas demonstrator CCS project at Peterhead, dependent on support from UK and EU funding streams.

Pressing the UK Government on their promise of access to £1 billion worth of funding for CCS projects, Dr Whiteford commented:

“Carbon capture storage is potentially game-changing technology and Peterhead has been identified as the best site in the UK for a gas demonstrator project.

“Peterhead lost a CCS project once before due to the previous Labour government being slow to act. Support from government and access to finance was not forthcoming, so investors simply upped sticks and took their technology and investment somewhere else.

“It is vital that we avoid a repeat of that situation, and that the UK Government provide access to finance within the timeframe of this parliament, so that the Peterhead scheme can move forward.

"I welcome the Government's indication that they are committed to bringing forward the new competition for funding next month, but the process needs to move swiftly if we are to avoid more missed opportunities. “

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Local Representatives Comment On Sangs

Commenting on the announcement that soft drinks manufacturer Sangs – producers of the popular MacB brand – have gone into administration, Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford said:

“This is very sad news for Macduff and for Sangs, who are one of the town’s major employers.

“I will be speaking with the administrators, Zolfo Cooper, to ascertain the position and to offer what help and assistance I can in seeking to secure the future of the plant and the workforce.

“Based on what the administrators are saying, it is my view that there is still the potential for a bright future for the plant, but I’m under no illusions that it won’t be easy in the current economic climate.”

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said:

“Sangs have a long and proud history in Banff and Macduff so this news is obviously very disappointing indeed.

“The company has made great strides in recent years and its award-winning MacB drinks is a very strong brand indeed which enjoys international recognition.

“We can take encouragement that the administrators will continue to trade the company and will look at all options.  My hope is obviously that it will continue in Macduff and I will be contacting the administrators to offer any assistance they require in my role as local MSP.”

SNP councillor for Macduff Bob Watson said:

“It must be a very worrying time for the staff and the local community but the administrators have said there is a strong underlying core business, which I think is a testament to the staff and management there.  The Sangs and MacB brands are very good ones so I would hope that the company can trade out of its difficulties.  In the meantime, I urge shoppers to ‘buy local’ and support the staff at Sangs at this difficult time.”

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