Whiteford Backs Dairy Farmers at Westminister Protest

SNP Westminster Agriculture spokesperson Eilidh Whiteford MP has called the UK Government to provide greater support for dairy farmers who face crisis in light of cuts to the cost of milk.

Speaking after meeting dairy farmers from across the UK at a protest at Westminster, Dr Whiteford said:

“The milk supply chain is not operating fairly and the UK Government must act to increase pressure on the major retailers and processors to provide producers with a return that properly rewards their commitment and reflects the cost of production.

“Scotland’s dairy farmers produce a high quality product for which they deserve a fair price. The cut of two pence per litre of milk due to be introduced in August will leave farmers at a loss, paying more to produce than sell. This is wholly unsustainable and threatens the future viability of the sector.

“While welcoming efforts encouraging the milk processors and producers to agree a voluntary code of practice to tackle current price imbalances I welcome the Scottish Government’s readiness, if they fail to act, to legislate.

"The summit today will give farming unions and their members the opportunity to voice legitimate concerns over the future of their industry. With livelihoods at stake I fully intend to join them in putting pressure on the Government to act in the interest of ordinary working people, both buyers and producers."

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SNP Respond to Remploy Statement

The SNP has expressed its disappointment at the UK Government’s announcement to close the Remploy factory at Wishaw, but welcomed the acceptance of business plans for the Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Springburn sites to continue outside of Government control.

The UK Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller MP, announced the closure of 27 of the 36 Remploy factories across the UK which had been earmarked for closure in March.

Of the four sites under threat in Scotland, alternative bids were accepted for three, following concerted efforts by the Scottish Government working with Scottish Enterprise, social enterprise partners, trade unions and Remploy staff to support continued employment and help those who wish to develop proposals for the sites.

SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“This is a devastating blow to the employees at Remploy in Wishaw and my thoughts are with all those affected. It is crucial that meaningful, specialist employment advice is available and a fair support package is put in place for those facing redundancy.

“Any efforts to assist disabled people into mainstream work are to be commended, but there is little in the UK Government’s plans to show how this will happen in practice.

“The Tory plans to no longer support Remploy factories were taken forward with undue rush, making it difficult for alternative proposals to be developed. The Scottish Government worked tooth and nail to help those who wished to develop alternative proposals and it is good news that three of the threatened factories have bids being taken forward.

“Remploy sites in Scotland are valuable enterprises which play an important role in the community, so I am pleased that bids are going forward for Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Springburn.“

Clare Adamson, SNP MSP for Central Scotland who has visited the Wishaw Remploy factory, said:

“The SNP is extremely disappointed with the UK Government’s blatant disregard for disabled workers employed at the Remploy site in Wishaw.

“This is a sad day for Remploy Wishaw. My concern is for the workers there who are now facing an uncertain future. What support will be made available to them from the UK Government?

“This simply demonstrates why decisions should be made in Scotland. Despite the hard work of the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and unions to find practical solutions the UK Government has crushed the hopes of workers employed at Remploy Wishaw."

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MP learns How to Spot Cancer Early

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has teamed up with cancer awareness nurses at Westminster as Cancer Research UK’s Cancer Awareness Roadshow made a special stop outside the Westminster Parliament.

The SNP MP climbed on board to learn more about the steps people can take to reduce their risk of cancer and the importance of spotting it early.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“When cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is often simpler and more likely to be effective. I wholeheartedly support Cancer Research UK’s call to spot cancer early and want to help share the message with my constituents that early diagnosis can save lives.”

Senior Cancer Awareness Roadshow nurse Ceri Eames said: 

“We were delighted to have Eilidh on board helping us to spread the word.  More people are surviving cancer than ever before, but thousands of cancer deaths could still be prevented each year if more cancers were diagnosed and treated at an early stage.”

“If you notice any unusual or persistent changes in your body, visit your GP without delay. If it is something serious then finding it early could make all the difference.”

Smoking is the most important preventable cause of cancer and is responsible for one in four deaths from the disease in the UK.

During her visit Eilidh found out about how Cancer Research UK’s new campaign – The answer is plain – aims to discourage young people from starting to smoke.

Research shows that striking logos and distinctive packet designs make cigarettes more appealing to children, so the charity is calling for cigarettes to be sold in plain packs which all look the same and are stripped of their attractive branding.

Sarah Woolnough, Director of Policy for Cancer Research, said:

“Around 157,000 11-15 year olds start smoking every year so we must do more to make cigarettes less appealing to children.

“Girls are attracted to brands which have long, slim cigarettes with sophisticated names and glamorous packaging, while boys tend to respond to designs with a rugged, macho image. In an age when any parent tries to teach their children about the dangers of this deadly addiction, cigarette packs are sending a very different message.

“Over 80% of adults in the UK believe that children shouldn’t be exposed to tobacco marketing* so we’re urging MPs and their constituents to help us end the packet racket and give millions of children one less reason to start smoking.”

People in Banff & Buchan are being urged to sign Cancer Research UK’s campaign petition at www.theanswerisplain.org before the Government closes its consultation on plain cigarette packaging on the 10^th July.

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Polling Shows Extent of Scotland's Opposition to Tory Welfare Cuts

TORY CUTS MEAN INDEPENDENCE WILL PROTECT SCOTLAND’S PROGRESS

Analysis of the latest ICM polling on welfare cuts by the Tory-led Westminster government shows the level of pronounced opposition in Scotland to their welfare cuts agenda. The Scottish breakdown for the UK wide poll shows:

• Clear opposition in Scotland to Tory plans to stop paying housing benefit to all under 25 year olds
• Overwhelming opposition in Scotland to plans by the Tories to set benefit payments according to where recipients live with the Tory voting South East taking a completely opposite view.
• A majority in Scotland are against ending the full entitlement of pensioners to payments of winter fuel allowance, free bus passes, and TV licences.

SNP MP and Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford said independence was now the only way to ensure a fair welfare system that meets Scotland’s needs instead of the uncertainty of years of future Tory governments following a cuts agenda that sees inequality in the UK growing.

Dr Whiteford also said that it left Labour having to answer why they are in a pact with the Tories to keep decisions for Scotland’s welfare and pensioners being made by a Tory-run Westminster government which was rejected by people in Scotland instead of a Scottish Parliament 100% elected directly elected by people in Scotland?

Commenting Dr Whiteford said:

“This poll underscores a previous Scottish poll where a majority favoured welfare policy being run by the Scottish Parliament and government instead of from Westminster. And no wonder. Cutting benefits simply because of where you live, or how old you are risks forcing the most vulnerable in society into a perilous position.

“However a Labour’s UK leaders at Westminster cannot be trusted to reverse these plans since their shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne has already stated Labour’s support for regional welfare caps.

“As for Scottish Labour, instead of standing up for the vulnerable, they are standing together with the Tories. It’s for them to explain how we can be ‘better together’ under the Tories than making decisions for ourselves in Scotland. They have to answer why they are in a pact with the Tories to keep decisions for Scotland’s welfare and pensioners being made by a Tory-run Westminster government which was rejected by people in Scotland instead of a Scottish Parliament 100% elected directly elected by people in Scotland.

“There is no doubt the welfare system needs reform but the deep and damaging cuts to benefits and services to fund their fiscal policy fundamentally undermine the system. The Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament are doing their best to mitigate the damage of Tory welfare reforms where it has the power to do so, but full powers are needed to build a better system.

“And analysis of the figures from GERS for social protection - which includes state pensions and welfare payments - show that the size of Scotland's expenditure stands at 40% of Scottish revenues, less than the 42% for the UK. This compares to 42% for Scotland in 2009-10 and 43% for the UK as a whole.

“These latest welfare attacks show yet again the different stance Scotland would take if decisions on this issue could be made in Scotland. Independence is the only option that will allow Scotland to protect its progress in social welfare.”

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