IFS ANALYSIS CONFIRMS COALITION ATTACK ON POOREST HOUSEHOLDS

The SNP have hit out at the Coalition Government’s regressive agenda after research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) confirmed that George Osborne’s emergency Budget would hit the poorest hardest.

Commenting, SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“This analysis removes any doubt that the Tory/Liberal coalition is pursuing a regressive, not progressive, agenda which will widen the gap between rich and poor.

“We have the same old Tories, now helped by the Liberal Democrats, cutting too far and too fast and leaving the poorest households to bear the brunt of tax rises, benefit cuts and the loss of public services and jobs.

“The IFS research totally contradicts claims by the Chancellor that the emergency Budget was progressive, and exposes the measures being taken as an unfair attack on the most vulnerable households.”

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WHITEFORD VISITS BANFFSHIRE DISTILLERY

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford visited Glen Deveron Distillery, Macduff today.

Dr Whiteford was invited to visit a local distillery by the Scotch Whisky Association as part of their briefing on the importance of the whisky industry to the Scottish economy.

The MP met with Campbell Evans, Director of Government & Consumer Affairs for the SWA and Ian Lochhead, Operations Director of John Dewar & Sons, who hosted the visit and gave a tour of the distillery.

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LOCAL MP UNVEILS PLAQUE TO FORGLEN HERO

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford unveiled a plaque commemorating Victoria Cross winner Piper George Findlater at a ceremony in the Public Hall, Forglen last Friday. The event was attended by members of the Friends of Forglen Hall, Turriff Royal British Legion as well as descendents of Piper Findlater.

Dr Whiteford was also able to present Piper Findlater's descendents with a copy of the announcement of the awarding of his VC which appeared in the London Gazette in May 1898 which she had asked the House of Commons Library to see if they could obtain from their archives.

Piper Findlater was a local Forglen man who enlisted in Gordon Highlanders in April 1888 and being interested in music started the study of the bagpipes after he joined the army.

For bravery under battle in 1897 in the NW Frontier in British India (now Pakistan) he was awarded the VC. He was wounded in both ankles but continued to play the pipes. In 1898 Queen Victoria travelled from Windsor to Netley Hospital, Southampton to award him the VC.

Piper Findlater served in WW1 and was wounded again. After the war, he was active in Turriff Pipe Band as Pipe Major.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:

"It is a huge honour to be asked to unveil the new plaque and great that Forglen is remembering its most famous son.

"Many VCs were awarded posthumously but he survived his injuries and settled back in the North-east, contributing to the civic life of his local community."

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EILIDH WHITEFORD MP OFFICIALLY OPENS NEW ST COMBS POST OFFICE THAT HAS SERVICE LICKED

Customers in St Combs can now lick their ice-creams and postage stamps at the same time thanks to the opening of the new post office service.

The new service in Buchans Ices, Mid Street, St Combs, will be officially opened today (August 20 2010) by Banff and Buchan MP, Eilidh Whiteford. The MP will be able to watch as customers post parcels while ordering their ice cream cones in the new venture.

Dr Whiteford said:

“Post Offices are at the heart of rural communities across Banff & Buchan offering local people access to vital services. This is also a fantastic example of where different services can be combined to help small communities.

“I know that there were some concerns when the previous branch closed, and this new service will be a real boost for residents of St Combs, safeguarding services in the area.

“I am delighted that Buchan Ices has been appointed and I would like to wish them and Fiona every success in their new venture.”

Local woman, Fiona Thomson, who will run the service, said:

“We offer a wide range of post office services and our customers are enjoying a first class service and we would like to thank them for all the support they have shown us so far.”

Kenny Lamont, Field Change Advisor for Post Office Limited, said:

"I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to re-open a Post Office service in St Combs. Post Office services are extremely important for the community and this service is a vital asset to the local area.”

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