Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP Comments on Inquiry into Electoral Conduct

The Chairman of the Westminster All-Party Parliamentary group against anti-semitism, John Mann MP, has today [Tuesday 29th January] announced an All-Party inquiry into electoral conduct in the UK.

The purpose of the inquiry is to investigate the management of elections, with a specific interest in charges of misconduct during elections with a focus on racism and discrimination.

The inquiry to be chaired by the backbench business committee chair Natascha Engel MP and will include the Scottish National Party MP for Banff and Buchan, Dr Eilidh Whiteford, who is the only Scottish MP invited to sit on the inquiry. Commenting on her membership, Dr Whiteford said :

“This is an important opportunity to ensure that racism and discrimination have no place in our electoral system and I hope we can use the inquiry to build a consensus across society on how to achieve that aim."

The inquiry is seeking written submissions from interested parties by 29 March 2013. Oral evidence sessions, located in Parliament, will begin in April 2013 and a report will be published in the summer.

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Local MP Stands up to Prejudice by Signing Holocaust Memorial Day Book of Commitment

This week Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, in doing so pledging her commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who died during the Holocaust.

Sunday January 27th will mark the 68th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history. In the weeks running up to the day, the Holocaust Educational Trust placed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, giving MPs the chance to honour those who were persecuted and killed during the Holocaust and encouraging constituents to work together to combat prejudice and racism today.

In signing the Book of Commitment, Dr Whiteford paid tribute to those who perished during the Holocaust and honoured the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people about what they endured, through the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Outreach programme.

In the weeks leading up to and after Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. This year, people will also be encouraged to honour those communities that have been destroyed by genocide and reflect on the importance of coming together to oppose prejudice and hatred.

Commenting, Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity to remember the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. I encourage all constituents to mark the day and to join members of community in the fight against prejudice and intolerance.”

Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said:

“We are proud that Eilidh is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day this year. It is vitally important that we both remember and learn from the appalling events of the Holocaust – as well as ensuring that we continue to challenge all forms of hatred and bigotry.”

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MP Congratulates Peterhead Sea Scouts on Top Award

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has congratulated Peterhead Sea Cadets on being awarded the Stephenson Trophy as the top Sea Cadet Unit in the Northern Area (Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland).

In addition, one of the Peterhead cadets, Petty Officer Cadet Hannah Strachan, has received the accolade of top sea cadet in the Northern Area.

Eilidh was in attendance at the awards ceremony at the TS Caledonia in Peterhead’s Seagate on Friday evening when newly appointed Area Officer, Captain Peter Adams RN, presented the Stephenson Trophy.

Speaking after the event, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“I’m delighted for the young people involved in Peterhead Sea Cadets and send them my congratulations on their achievement.

“This was the second occasion during my time as an MP that the Peterhead Sea Cadet Unit have won the Stephenson Trophy, competing against all other sea cadet units in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England, so this is a major accolade.

“This success is a testament to the Peterhead Sea Cadet Unit and their leaders and the town can be justly proud of these young people.”

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Whiteford Welcomes Help for Citizens Advice from Scottish Government

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed extra resources for advice organisations to help them cope with increased demand for their services as a result of welfare cuts being introduced by the Tory-led London Government.

Organisations which offer advice on benefits will share more than £5 million of Scottish Government funding to help meet the rising demand for their services. The Scottish Government has set up a £1.7 million fund to provide support to advice services while a further £3.4 million will be spent over the next two years to help organisations mitigate the impact of welfare reforms.

Meanwhile, Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) will be given an immediate £300,000 cash injection.

CAS last week reported an increasing demand for its services and warned that this was likely to get worse as further changes to the welfare system come into force.

Benefits reforms passed by the Conservative-Lib Dem London Government last year include the introduction of the new Universal Credit and changes to Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“I know from my mailbag and casework that the cuts in welfare are hitting hard and are hitting some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“It underlines the need for Scotland to have full control of its own affairs with independence so that we can make decisions in Scotland which best serve the people who live here. In the meantime, the extra support being made available by the SNP Government to advice agencies who will be the first place those affected turn to for help in many cases is extremely welcome.”

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP said:

"Many people across Scotland are suffering as a direct result of UK Government benefit cuts and many more are concerned about how they may be affected by changes yet to come into force.

"Citizens advice bureaux across the country are currently dealing with nearly 800 new issues for every working day.

"It is clear that the impact of the cuts will extend across Scottish society, with vulnerable groups, women and working families all likely to suffer. This is putting more and more pressure on the organisations that provide crucial frontline advice to those affected.

"These are the people, who, on a daily basis see how lives are being damaged by the fall-out from the UK Government's welfare reform changes. That is why we have listened and are providing £5.4 million to help meet the demand for advice and support as it dramatically increases."

CAS chief executive Margaret Lynch said the money would be used to train more advisers and provide longer hours of service. She said:

"Bureaux across the country are already dealing with unprecedented levels of need due to current welfare changes and benefit cuts.

"We already can see the damaging aspects of cuts and changes on the lives of families and household across the country, and more is set to come over the next few years.

"We are, therefore, delighted that additional funding is being made available by the Scottish Government for all advice services across Scotland to help cope with the increased demand. It is much-needed and will be well-used."

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