MP Backs Friends of the Earth's Bee Campaign

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford joined a giant bumble bee and campaigners from the environment charity Friends of the Earth this week to draw attention to the alarming decline in bee numbers.

Eilidh was one of more than 125 MPs to show their support for our threatened bees. Last year Friends of the Earth launched its Bee Cause campaign, which has been backed by more than 80,000 people and calls for the UK Government to urgently to introduce a National Bee Action Plan aimed at saving our bees.

Bees are not only makers of honey, they are also crucial for pollinating crops and plants. A sharp fall in their number in recent years has led to growing concerns about the impact this may have on our local environment, farmers and the economy.

A study last year found that if bees disappeared it would cost UK farmers at least £1.8 billion a year to pollinate their crops by hand - which would cause food prices, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, to rocket.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“The rapid decline in bee numbers is a concern. They’re not only an iconic part of our countryside; they play a vital role in pollinating our crops and flowers too.

“Across the North-east there are many bee-keepers and honey producers and, indeed, I’ve met with some of them, and it’s clear that our local shops would be the poorer without their high quality honey.”

Friends of the Earth’s Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

“I’m delighted Eilidh Whiteford MP is showing support for Britain’s threatened bees – they are under severe threat and need all the support they can get.

“People up and down the UK can help by creating bee-friendly gardens and habitats to enable bees to thrive, but it is vital that the UK Government does its bit too by introducing a National Bee Action Plan.”

Friends of the Earth’s Bee Cause campaign is asking David Cameron to adopt a National Bee Action Plan:

• to ensure our towns and countryside provide bees with enough flowers to feed on and places to nest; 
• to help farmers, gardeners and park keepers to reduce chemicals that harm bees; 
• and to protect Britain’s 250+ bee species, not only the ones who make our honey.

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Westminster Caught "Red-Handed" on Scotland's Underspend

SCOTLAND SOLD SHORT ON DEFENCE SPENDING TO THE TUNE OF £7.4 BILLION
A Freedom of Information request has revealed Scotland is being sold short on defence spending – to the tune of £7.4billion – and gives conclusive proof that the Ministry of Defence has hidden damaging evidence of this massive underspend in Scotland, having consistently denied holding this information.

The MoD has repeatedly claimed in the House of Commons, and elsewhere, that they no longer produce spending statistics for the nations and regions of the UK – but this FOI shows they do.

The FOI adds £1.9bn more to the known underspend in the whole defence establishment in Scotland taking the total over ten years to 2012 to at least £7.4billion.

Despite repeated attempts to unearth this information, the MoD has evaded and avoided answering – and moreover has lied about its ability to produce these figures, making alarming reading for Scots.

Commenting on the report’s findings, Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford said:

“The MoD has been caught red-handed. They told us they stopped publishing statistics of this type, only for it to be revealed that they do – but only for internal consumption.

“This is really nothing more or less than a cover-up as the minister assured SNP MPs in parliamentary questions and debates that they were no longer published.

“Worst of all these figures show the underspend in Scotland continues to fundamentally undermine any remaining defence case for the Union.

“Scottish taxpayers will feel rightly outraged at this deception and begs the question if any MoD pronouncements can be taken seriously.

“It is of course a devastating blow to Unionist claims that Scotland gets a good deal on defence spending and totally exposes the deliberately misleading behaviour of the anti-independence parties."

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Whiteford Comments on Algerian Hostage Crisis

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford said:

“Until we know the status of all those caught up in this crisis our thoughts and prayers are with the individuals and families concerned.

“I met with the Foreign Office Minister on Thursday afternoon when it became apparent that one of my constituents was affected and I am being kept informed of developments.”

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Westminster Pension Claims - Another Tory Con

The SNP today said the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies analysis of the Tories latest pension reforms showed claims it would help mums where a con. The long awaited proposals for a new flat rate state pension were almost instantly derided by the IFS :

"as is often the case with pension reforms – the overall effects will be more complex and in the long run will be to reduce pensions for the vast majority of people"

The IFS also stated that those who have children and took time out of their contributions would be worse off :

"the reform will not increase pension accrual for part time workers and women who take time out to care for children. In fact, in common with almost everyone else, these groups would end up with a lower pension at the state pension age under the new system than they would do under the current system"

Commenting on the statement today SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson , Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP said :

“The coalition’s claims have been exposed as another Tory con.

“If we have learned anything from the last three years of Tory rule it is that the devil is always in the detail.

“In the long run workers who take time off for child care - principally women - and part time workers , will be worse of with these proposals . The independent IFS analysis makes it clear that the main effect of these reforms will be to reduce pensions for the vast majority of people.

“On top of the cuts already put in place for public sector pensions, the child benefit changes hitting some families by up to £1,300 a year and the impact of serious cutbacks in support for vulnerable people the UK Government are cutting back on support people need in difficult times.

“People in Scotland have an alternative. With a Yes vote in next year’s referendum we could set pensions policy, which is more affordable in Scotland, in the best interests of the people of Scotland, ensuring proper equality of pensions and protection for all."

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