Whiteford & Allard Welcome Record Fish Landings

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford and North East MSP Christian Allard have welcomed news of record fish landings in Scotland.

The value of fish landed in Scotland increased by 19% to £513m in 2014, according to figures released by the Scottish Government today. The volume of landings has also increased over the last year by 31% to 480,400 tonnes.

Mackerel continues to be the most valuable stock, accounting for £195 million of Scottish landings.

Commenting on the latest Scottish fish landing statistics, Eilidh Whiteford said:

“The fishing industry remains a critical employer in Banff & Buchan and despite all the challenges of the last year, these figures indicate that the Scottish industry is resilient and has a profitable and prosperous future ahead of it.

“Going forward, I am confident that the Scottish Government will continue to press for the best deal for our fishing industry, and do all that it can to promote Scotland’s quality produce to international markets.”

Christian Allard, MSP for North-east Scotland, added:

“As someone who has worked in the fishing for well over 30 years, it is great to see an increase in the value and volume of fish landings in Scotland.

“The amount of fish being caught is definitely back in both size and quantity. It is important that local people are given the option of Scottish fish before imports.

“Recently, I praised supermarket Aldi’s decision to promote Scottish fish in their stores. I hope to see more of this throughout our food retail outlets, as it is clear there is scope for growth in local seafood retail to coincide with the growth in local fish landings.”

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Allard and Whiteford Welcome Record Voter Numbers in Scotland

SNP MSP Christian Allard (North East Scotland) and Banff and Buchan Westminster candidate, Dr Eilidh Whiteford, has welcomed the latest figures on the number of people registered to vote with the Electoral Commission in local councils, Scottish Parliament, and UK Parliamentary elections.

March, 2015 figures show that this number now sits at 4,035,394, which is the highest it has ever been for Scotland. This figure surpasses last year’s record of 4,027,187.

With the exception of 2009, the number of people registered to vote in elections has risen every year in Scotland. The number of people registered to vote last year also broke records with 4,285,323 registered to vote in the referendum on Scottish independence – however, this figure also takes 16-17 year olds into account who are not yet entitled to vote in parliamentary or local elections.

North East Scotland constituencies have seen records of their own with regards to levels of registered electorate. As of March 2015, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine had 73,096 people registered to vote – the highest number recorded for that constituency. Gordon constituency also has a record number of people registered with 79,002 people signed up to vote.

In 2004, Banff and Buchan constituency had 65,684 people registered to vote. As of March 2015, that number has now risen to 68,532.

The deadline for electoral registration before the 2015 UK General Election is Monday, 20th April. Online registration can be found at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Commenting, Christian Allard MSP said:

“Democracy works when people get involved. It is great to see such high numbers of people interested in their politics and registering to vote.

“People across the North-East, and across Scotland as a whole, have felt the sting of Westminster cuts to our services. With wages being driven down in real terms, and the cost of living spiralling out of control, it is clear to see that the economic recovery is not being felt by many.

“People want great change as a result of this UK General Election. I urge all who have not yet done so, to register to vote.”

SNP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Banff and Buchan, Dr. Eilidh Whiteford also commented:

"There is a re-energisation of politics in Scotland and people are once again engaged and prepared to act on issues which they feel strongly about. I welcome the rise in numbers of people in Banff & Buchan registered and would urge anyone hoping to vote, to take action now to get on the register."

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Workfare not Fair for New Fathers

SNP QUESTION UNCOVERS THE HARSH REALITY OF WESTMINSTER SANCTIONS
The SNP has today (Sunday) condemned Westminster’s failure to offer support to new fathers after it was revealed that the legal entitlement for Paternity Leave does not extend to jobseeker's allowance claimants in mandatory work or a community placement.

A parliamentary question tabled by SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP uncovered that the legal entitlement to Paternity Leave is not available to people who are forced to work for their benefits.

SNP MSP Christian Allard – a single father - said:

“These unfair rules effectively leave new fathers who are working for their benefits without any rights to see their baby and partner whatsoever.

“Not only does the Westminster system demand people work for free but they don’t even get any time off to be with a new born child - and if they go off anyway then they will sanctioned – it is totally ridiculous.

“I understand exactly how hard it is being a lone parent and fortunately I have always had understanding and fair employers, but sadly the UK Government either don’t understand or just don’t care about this.”

Eilidh Whiteford MP added:

“The sanctioning of a new parent’s benefits who is in a workfare programme threatens to be hugely detrimental to vulnerable families and is grossly unfair. I will be pursuing the Department of Work and Pensions on this matter and will be seeking clarification of the moral and legal grounds on which it was implemented.”

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Scottish Interests Frozen Out of Vital Discards Talks

North-east representatives condemn Westminster’s silencing of Scottish Fisheries Minister

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has condemned the UK Government for its decision to refuse the Scottish Fisheries Minister the opportunity to speak at critical EU talks on discards this week.

The Scottish Government’s Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead, who has been in post for 7 years, put in the request to the UK Government to speak in the talks. However, Conservative Lord deMauley was instead chosen to represent the UK in the discussions.

Matters being discussed at this week’s EU Council included the landing obligation, or ‘discards ban’, which fishing industry leaders have warned could be disastrous for Scottish fishing if key concessions are not won.

Commenting from Brussels, Mr Lochhead – who is Europe’s longest serving Fishing Minister – said:

“Today we found ourselves in the crazy position of un-elected Lord Rupert Ponsonby, 7th Baron de Mauley, representing the UK Government and making the briefest of interventions – after being passed a note by an official – on a crucial discussion on the issue of fish discards - an issue the Scots industry tell me is one of the most important they face.”

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford, whose constituency hosts Europe’s largest fishing port, added her voice to the condemnation:

“This week’s Council meeting addressed issues which largely impact the Scottish industry yet an unelected Lord with next to no experience of fishing was chosen by Westminster to speak on the industry’s behalf. With the discards ban looming large on the horizon, we need the strongest voice for our fishermen. Instead, Scotland’s interests were completely frozen out of these critical talks.”

North East MSP Christian Allard attended the SFF’s annual dinner in Edinburgh last week where he heard SFF President Ross Dougal call for Scottish ministers to take the lead in negotiations where appropriate. Mr Allard commented:

“Only last week, the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation supported calls for Scottish Ministers to be able to take the lead in fisheries negotiations. News of this farce will disappoint our fishermen at a time when they need the support most.”

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MP Backs New Project to Help Vulnerable Children

A unique new partnership project has been launched in Fraserburgh to support vulnerable children and families in Aberdeenshire.

(l to r): Fiona Allan, Children 1st; Colin Mackenzie; Eilidh Whiteford MP; David Milliken, Home Start Scotland; Alison Todd, Children 1st; John Tait, deputy area manager, NHS Grampian; Christian Allard MSP; Melanie Fraser, Home Start North East Aberdeenshire.

“Working together to support families in Banff & Buchan” is a Public Social Partnership between leading Scottish children’s charity Children 1st and Home-Start North East Aberdeenshire. The project aims to improve and safeguard the well-being of children up to the age of 5 years. It will provide support to families in Fraserburgh and across Banff & Buchan who are not accessing free universal services such as education and healthcare either due to remote location, language barriers or high deprivation.

The project aims to support families to:

• build stronger relationships in their family
• feel less marginalised and more included
• make better use of local services
• help their children have fun and enjoy the opportunity of new experiences
• have happier, safer homes with happier, safer children.

Parentline Scotland, the helpline and email service for anyone caring for, or concerned about a child which is run by CHILDREN 1ST will provide a contact helpline to ensure families can receive immediate counselling support at times outwith the service.

Alison Todd, Director of Children and Family Services for CHILDREN 1ST said:

“CHILDREN 1ST has a strong history of supporting vulnerable children and families in the Fraserburgh area and we are looking forward to working in partnership with Home-Start NEA to offer a tailored support to parents and children who are currently falling through the gap in community services. As a charity dedicated to helping children, we know that often the best way to do this is by supporting families. Parenting is one of the hardest jobs many of us will ever do, and we want to see more emphasis given to providing help for families at an early stage when they need it, rather than waiting until things have reached crisis point.”

Dr Eilidh Whiteford, MP for Banff & Buchan said:

“I welcome the creation of the Working together to support families in Banff & Buchan project to the area and look forward to hearing about the progress it makes in supporting vulnerable families. Parents in rural locations can often feel isolated and unable to access the supports and services they need, whether that’s because of language difficulties or deprivation. This Public Social Partnership is a great example of community services coming together to answer the needs of local people and I wish it every success.”

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Local MP & MSPs to Visit New Deer Show

A previous New Deer Show

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford, East Aberdeenshire MSP Alex Salmond and Scotland’s newest MSP, North-east regional member Christian Allard will be supporting New Deer Show on Saturday. The SNP parliamentarians will be meeting constituents and touring the livestock lines and trade stands at this weekend’s event.

Commenting, Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford said:

"There is a tremendous amount of work goes into planning a successful show like New Deer and the Show President, Secretary and Committee deserve our thanks for pulling together what promises to be another excellent showcase for the best of Buchan and North-east livestock.”

East Aberdeenshire MSP Alex Salmond commented:

“I’m really looking forward to the New Deer Show. It’s an event I’ve had the great privilege to attend for many years now and each show seems to get bigger and better than the last.

“New Deer maintains the highest standards of a traditional agricultural show, with fantastic local produce on offer and plenty of activities to keep the kids amused too.

“With the great weather set to continue through the weekend, be sure to head for New Deer Show – one of the absolute highlights of Scotland’s rural calendar.”

North-east regional MSP Christian Allard added:

“Shows and Highland Games are great opportunities for parliamentarians like me to meet constituents from the North-east’s rural communities. They also showcase what Rural Scotland has to offer.”

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Portsoy Boat Festival Success Praised by Whiteford

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has praised the organisers of the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival on yet another highly successful event.

The MP paid a visit to the event on Sunday and met with Chairman Roger Goodyear. New North-east MSP Christian Allard attended on the Saturday, his first visit as an MSP.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:

"The organisers deserve our praise for delivering another spectacular Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in this, their twentieth year.

"The weather on Sunday unfortunately wasn’t the best we’ve ever had at the Festival but it didn’t dampen the tremendous atmosphere and there was a real buzz, not only around the event but also the whole town.

“Portsoy can be rightly proud that it has a visitor attraction of national importance which draws visitors from not only the length and breadth of the country but also internationally."

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