Local MP Welcomes BT Fibre Investment in Turriff

RAFT OF COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES COMING TOGETHER
Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has welcomed the latest investment in the North-east by BT, who have announced that 25 communities in Scotland are to see investment in high-speed fibre broadband. Turriff is included in the communities set to benefit, with Banff and Mintlaw having previously been announced.

Commenting Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“This announcement by BT of a major fibre broadband upgrade in Turriff is very welcome news indeed. It is critical to our local economy that we see investment in new communications technology to enable business to remain competitive with major urban centres and to attract new investment in businesses, including life sciences, which are viewed as so important to the area’s economic future.

“Combined with the upcoming plans for next generation broadband right across our region and more localised projects in harder to reach areas, this range of investment not only supports our economy in the future but such a major infrastructure upgrade also means jobs during the installation of these new technologies.”

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, Nicola Sturgeon, said:

“I very much welcome this latest announcement from BT. It is essential that households and businesses everywhere in Scotland have access to high-speed connectivity and fibre broadband will play a key role in enhancing our digital offering.

“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that a world class digital infrastructure is in place across Scotland by 2020 and that a significant increase in coverage has been achieved by 2015. This investment, along with significant investment by the public sector, will ensure that this ambition is achieved.”

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MP Backs Quality Scotch Beef in Commons Debate

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has spoken up for quality Scotch Beef in the House of Commons.

The SNP’s Westminster Agriculture spokesperson was responding to a statement from UK Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Owen Paterson, on horsemeat and food fraud.

Following the Secretary of State’s update on the situation to the House of Commons this evening, he was asked by Dr Whiteford:

“I think we have all been shocked by these unacceptable failures in our food supply chain. Does the Secretary of State agree that one way we can be absolutely sure what is on our plates is to buy Scotch beef—quality assured and fully traceable—preferably from a local butcher, and not least that which is produced in Banff and Buchan?”

Responding, Secretary of State Owen Paterson agreed and said:

“The hon. Lady is absolutely right. I talked to her Minister, Richard Lochhead, only yesterday. She may be a great advocate of locally produced Scottish beef, and I may be a great advocate of British beef—or Shropshire beef—but she is absolutely right that British consumers should have faith in locally produced food.”

Speaking from Westminster after the debate, Dr Whiteford said:

“The quality assurance schemes in Scotland guarantee Scotch Beef comes from cattle born, reared and slaughtered in Scotland. The industry, rightly, takes great pride in the world-leading traceability which it has in place.

“The clear message to consumers should be that bodies such as Quality Meat Scotland have rigorous assurance schemes in place covering everything from animal welfare to haulage standards; from auction marts to processors.

“By supporting your local independent high street butcher, the consumer can be assured that they are purchasing meat of the highest quality and traceability.”

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English NHS Minister Jeremy Hunt Says, "We Can Learn from Scotland"

In today’s debate in Westminster on the funding of social care in England the SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford, MP for Banff and Buchan asked :

“Obviously these proposals won’t apply in Scotland where people already receive personal and nursing care as they need it, when they need it, regardless of their income. But is the Secretary of State aware that this approach has helped substantially reduce the number of people requiring long term hospital beds -- has also helped reduce NHS hospital bed blocking and has enabled thousands of elderly frail people in Scotland to live in their own homes rather than face the crippling costs of moving into residential care?"

Health Secretary for England, Jeremy Hunt answered:

“There are some things that we can learn from Scotland and some things that we can’t learn. But I do think that Scotland has a very good record in identifying people with dementia, and I do think that the point she makes about helping people to live at home for longer is a very good one."

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MP Congratulates Award-Winning Sea Cadets at House of Commons

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford today hosted a visit to the House of Commons by Peterhead Sea Cadets, recent winners of the Stephenson Trophy for the top Sea Cadet Unit in the Northern Area (Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland). This is the fifth time the Unit has won the prestigious trophy in the last ten years.

In addition, one of the Peterhead cadets, Petty Officer Cadet Hannah Strachan, has received the accolade of Navy Board Cadet in the Northern Area, one of the top cadets in 2013.

Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP
with Scotland’s top sea cadet,
Petty Officer Cadet Hannah Strachan, and
Officer-in-Charge Sub-Lieutenant John Bowman
(both of Peterhead Sea Cadet Unit)

To mark these awards, Dr Whiteford invited Hannah and Peterhead Sea Cadets Officer-in-Charge, Sub-Lieutenant John Bowman, to visit the House of Commons and attend Prime Minister’s Question Time.

Dr Whiteford also sponsored an Early Day Motion, published today, congratulating the Peterhead Sea Cadets on their recent success and commending the work of the organisation in connecting young people to their maritime heritage and building practical life skills.

Speaking at the House of Commons, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“I’m delighted to be able to mark the achievements of the Peterhead Unit at Westminster today. I have been able to spend time with Hannah and John and hear about their activities and the big part Sea Cadets play in their lives and that of the community.

“This is the second occasion during my time as an MP that the Peterhead Sea Cadet Unit have won the Stephenson Trophy – and the fifth time in ten years. “This success is a testament to the Peterhead Sea Cadet Unit and their leaders. Peterhead can be justly proud of these young people.”

During their visit Hannah and John were also shown around the Houses of Parliament by Dr Whiteford and visited Sea Cadets’ Head Office before attending a reception for Highland and Lowland Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations, held in Parliament.

Text of Early Day Motion Published today:

Early Day Motion 983 : PETERHEAD SEA CADETS

That this House congratulates 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) for the fifth time in 10 years; further congratulates Petty Officer Cadet Hannah Strachan for her appointment as a Navy Board cadet; welcomes all cadets visiting Westminster on 30 January 2013; and commends the work of the sea cadets for connecting young people to their maritime heritage and building practical life skills through its activities.

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