WHITEFORD WARNS AGAINST FUEL TAX HIKE

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford and SNP colleagues are calling on the UK Government to scrap next weeks planned 2p increase on fuel prices - warning the hike could hinder economic recovery.

The SNP has vigorously opposed previous fuel price rises and Eilidh Whiteford says it is a tax on rural Scotland where car use is a necessity and not a luxury.

With fuel prices once again over one pound per litre the SNP candidate believes that for many families and rural businesses the planned tax hike will put yet more pressure on stretched budgets.

Speaking ahead of the next week's tax deadline the SNP's Eilidh Whiteford said:

"Pushing up fuel prices is absolutely the wrong thing to do in the grip of recession and this increase could actually hinder economic recovery.

"Just when the UK government should be stimulating the economy, the Treasury is intent on slapping another 2p on the price of petrol and diesel - hitting already hard-pressed households and businesses. The increase is especially damaging for the haulage industry.

"Fuel duty now accounts for about 71 pence of every pound the motorist spends at the pump and for areas like Banff & Buchan where many have no choice but to use cars this is a severe financial burden.

"Increases in fuel duty are not a green tax, they are a Brown one, and people across Scotland have had their fill of Labours fuel duty increases. What Treasury Ministers in London forget is that for people in rural areas, a car is a necessity and not a luxury.

"On the back of an income tax hike affecting the lowest paid a further tax increase would be simply scandalous."

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HENDRY CONGRATULATES GRAMPIAN POLICE PIPE BAND

Grampian Police Joint Board member and Mid-Formartine SNP councillor Allan Hendry has congratulated Grampian Police Pipe Band on being crowned Champion of Champions for the North of Scotland.

Councillor Hendry, a former drum major in the pipe band and former police officer, has sent his personal congratulations to Pipe Major Drew Sinclair, Lead Drummer Nicky Gibson and band manager Murray Main.

The band – fresh from a stunning performance at the World Championships in Glasgow – retained their standing as the best pipes and drums at a competition in Mintlaw. SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford also attended the event held in Aden Country Park on Sunday.

The band triumphed in the Grade 1 and Grade 2 sections also won the best bass drum section of the competition and the best overall North of Scotland drum corps in Grade 1 and 2.

Commenting, Councillor Allan Hendry said:

"This is the result of many months of hard work and dedication by all the band members. As a former drum major, I know just how much efforts the band members have put in and their success is thoroughly deserved."

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford who was at the Aden Park event added:

"In spite of the weather, a very large crowd turned out to give support to the bands. I was pleased to be able to attend and congratulate Grampian Police Pipe Band on their success."

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SALMOND PRESENTS AWARDS AT UK TUG-O-WAR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Banff & Buchan MP Alex Salmond was at Banff Rugby Club, Duff House, Banff on Sunday to present some of the awards at the UK Tug-O-War Championships.

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford was also in attendance and met local team Cornhill and chatted with supporters.

Commenting after the event Alex Salmond said:

"I very much enjoyed the Tug-O-War Championships in Banff on Sunday and it was a privilege to present the prizes to the club teams.

"The event drew in huge crowds and was a great chance to highlight what a fantastic place the North-east is to host such a prestigious event. I would like to congratulate all the teams that took part for making it such a fantastic day."

SNP Westminster candidate Eilidh Whiteford added:

"Despite the terrible weather on the Sunday, this really was a tremendous event and full credit must go to the organisers and the teams who took part. I am of course particularly pleased that the local team from Cornhill performed so well.

"I was chatting to some of the Irish contingent in the clubhouse afterwards and they were impressed with their visit to Banffshire. I very much hope that this event comes back to Banff in the future."

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LOCAL MP WELCOMES FURTHER £2 MILLION POUND INVESTMENT AT MACRAE FRASERBURGH

Banff & Buchan MP Alex Salmond today visited Fraserburgh's largest employer, Macrae, to mark completion of the first phase of a £2 million investment programme to upgrade its fish processing factory. Also visiting the Macrae plant was SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford.

Macrae Fraserburgh, part of The Seafood Company, has a core staff of 550 and employs up to 800 staff during peak season, contributing more than £9 million to the local economy.

The company has now finished the £1 million refurbishment to its smoked fish facilities with a new kiln built on site and the addition of new loading bays. A further £1 million of upgrades to the site will be made over the next two years.

Speaking in Fraserburgh, Alex Salmond said:

"Macrae Fraserburgh has a vital role within the local economy. The company's continued growth, investment and employment in Fraserburgh brings significant benefits to the North-east economy. It is the area's largest employer and contributes more than £9 million to the Scottish economy.

"The £2 million upgrade of the factory will provide better facilities for the 800 staff working at the seafood factory and enable even greater outturn of produce.

"The Fraserburgh factory produces 3.4 million packs of fish, largely salmon, every month. I am particularly impressed to hear that 2.6 million salmon are processed each year, 99 per cent of which comes from Scotland. If these were laid end to end it would span 1,250 miles, proving the global reach of the Fraserburgh company!

"Macrae is a key player in Scotland's food industry and a great contributor to our economy. I wish the company and its staff the very best in its improved site."

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford added:

"Macraes are a valued local employer as well as a highly-regarded company. The local Fraserburgh economy benefits enormously from the company's presence here, as does the Scottish fishing industry, from which the company buys £43 million-worth of fish annually.

"I was delighted to be able to visit the company today and to hear at first hand details of this Fraserburgh success story."

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