Adam Comments on Announcement of Net Zero Project Funding - "UK Govt Turns Up Late Again for Scotland"

SNP candidate for Banffshire and Buchan Coast Karen Adam has welcomed the announcement by the UK Business and Energy Secretary today (Wednesday) of funding from the ‘Industrial Decarbonisation Fund’ for Scotland’s Net Zero Infrastructure project, based at St Fergus. However, the amount pales into insignificance compared to the £1 billion grant which was axed by the UK Government from Peterhead in 2015.

In 2015, the Tory Government axed the £1 billion grant which could have created 600 jobs in Peterhead while helping Scotland become a global leader in clean energy technology – despite the funding being promised in their 2015 manifesto and a major promise from David Cameron in the 2014 referendum campaign.

   

Commenting, SNP candidate for Banffshire and Buchan Coast Karen Adam said:

“I think the Tories must think the people of the North-east have really short memories. It was only a few years ago that there was a billion-pound project ready to go and it was ditched by the Tory Government. Indeed, SNP MPs were pushing the Westminster Government to act on carbon capture projects being worked-up in the North-east as far back as 2007.

“The £31million is very welcome but we’d be light years ahead of where we are now and our global competitors if the UK Government hadn’t pulled funding of a much larger magnitude from the Carbon Capture and Storage project all those years ago. It just goes to prove that the UK Government always turns up too late for Scotland.

“Scotland can and should be at the forefront of energy technology - that’s what will secure jobs and investment in our region. We need to take powers into our own hands with independence to make Scotland a global leader in energy and protect jobs in our region. A net zero, a greener recovery and ensuring energy transition to protect jobs in the North-east will be at heart of SNP’s priorities locally.”

Former Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson added:

“The Scottish Government’s £62 million Energy Transition Fund announced in June will support businesses in the oil, gas and energy sectors as they grow and diversify and will help attract private sector investment in the region.

“The investment, with a focus on the North-east, underpins our region’s ambitions to become a world leader in the transition to net zero, helping Scotland meet its ambitious targets on climate change.

“Major projects to be considered for funding include a Global Underwater Hub, Net Zero Solution Centre projects, a Hydrogen Hub, the Acorn project and an Energy Transition Zone.”

Coronavirus Update from Stewart Stevenson MSP

Statement and Q&A from the First Minister of Scotland

In line with advice provided by scientists to the Chief Medical Officer and the First Minister, as someone over 70 years of age, I am obliged to restrict my physical contact with others. I have been asked to stay at home and not attend Parliament for the time being.

This does not mean that I will be distancing myself from providing assistance to my constituents but does mean that for the time being we are not scheduling face to face surgeries and I shall not be attending public events.

The over 70s and vulnerable groups are also advised not to use public transport. However, I have concluded that with trains now running very empty it will be reasonably proper for me to travel offpeak home to Banffshire. Although I shall be in isolation at home I remain in contact with my staff and available by phone, text and email to them and to my constituents.

NHS24.scot is the first port of call for anyone who feels unwell or needs advice. In relation to the Cororavirus they are currently saying:

If you've developed a cough or fever in the last 7 days, stay at home for 7 days from the day your symptoms started.

Only phone your GP or 111 if your symptoms are severe.

Visit the coronavirus (COVID-19) page on NHS inform for the latest advice or phone 0800 028 2816.

I will update this page as required but as I am not qualified to provide medical advice. I shall assist you to find assistance or advice relevant to your personal situation.

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**Message updated at 15:19 hrs, Tuesday, 17th March**

Moray MSP Delivers Immortal Memory at Portsoy Burns Supper

Rod Lovie addresses the Haggis

Moray MSP and Minister for Further Education, Higher Education & Science Richard Lochhead delivered the immortal memory at an SNP Burns Supper held in Portsoy’s Station Hotel last Saturday.

Also in attendance and speaking were Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson who compered the event and the SNP’s candidate at last month’s General Election Paul Robertson.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“It was a pleasure to be able to welcome Richard to Portsoy. Richard delivered a highly-entertaining immortal memory and Paul Robertson gave an extremely though-provoking Toast to Scotland which was enjoyed by the audience.

“We had a very successful evening and thanks must go to the team at the Station Hotel who provided an excellent meal and ensured everything ran smoothly on the night.”

SNP Responds to News on Moray Autism Services

The SNP in Moray have responded to the announcement today [Thursday] that Scottish Autism are to withdraw from their service in Moray.

After a series of meetings between Moray Council and the service provider an agreement could not be reached and they have chosen to withdraw from the service in Moray.

As a result Moray Council will now transfer the service in-house, which will mean staff in the service being TUPE transferred to work for the Council.

Commenting on the news the SNP Opposition Spokesperson on Children and Young People’s Services, Cllr Sonya Warren, said:

“While it is disappointing that Scottish Autism have chosen to withdraw from providing the service in Moray the most important thing is that we need to ensure that the children and families are put firmly at the centre of this.

“I have sought and received assurances that the service will continue to be provided and the staff currently providing the service will be TUPE transferred to the Council.

“There needs to be constructive work done with Scottish Autism to ensure a smooth transition of the service with stability and consistency being absolutely vital to the young people using the service.

“The Council has a team of dedicated and highly skilled staff who provide other autism services in Moray and with the addition of the skills and experience of staff being transferred I believe the Council can deliver good provision for service users.”

SNP MSP for Moray Richard Lochhead said:

“Clearly the uncertainty of the past few weeks has been unsettling for families in Moray who have been concerned about the future of autism services for their children. There will undoubtedly still be some concern about Scottish Autism’s decision to withdraw. However I am pleased that the Council are committed to continuing the service in-house, including the transfer of existing staff.

“It is unfortunate that Scottish Autism are withdrawing from Moray and we will keep a close eye on the transition but there is a strong commitment to making that transition as smooth as possible and maintaining stability for the young people. This may also present an opportunity to further improve the service once the transition period is complete.”

SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast Stewart Stevenson said:

“There have been real concerns for families using autism services in Moray in recent weeks over the future provision of the service and while it has been announced that Scottish Autism are withdrawing from Moray I am heartened that the Council has no intention of dropping the service and will now transfer the provision in-house.

“The smooth transition of this service is obviously massively important and until that is fully resolved people will understandably be nervous about the service provision. However I acknowledge the Council’s commitment to maintaining the service and I know that the staff will be committed to making it work.”

Gove Accused of Ignoring MSP's Letters Over Farming Post Brexit

North-East MSPs have accused the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of twice ignoring a letter sent calling for assurances for farmers in future post-Brexit trade deals.

Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin and Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson wrote to Michael Gove in August after discussions were held by members of the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) at the Turriff Show.

After receiving no reply to their first letter, it was sent for a second time.

During the meeting with politicians at the Turriff Show, farmers expressed concern that standards of animal health and welfare, safety and production should be protected after the UK leaves the European Union.

But two months on, Mr Gove’s department has failed to respond to the concerns highlighted in the letter sent in August and again in mid-September.

In the correspondence, the two North-East MSPs said:

“The Scottish brand is of vital importance to our food and drink industry and is synonymous with quality. That quality is the result of the effort and skills of our producers, as well as the rules and regulations to which they must adhere.

“Farmers we have spoken with have expressed their view that standards of animal health and welfare, safety and production must be protected and the current standards should be maintained after the UK leaves the European Union.

“We therefore ask that you undertake to ensure that any future trade deals granting access to the domestic market require that incoming produce is subject to the current animal health and welfare, safety and production standards applicable to Scottish farmers.”

Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP said:

“Farmers are still in the dark about what future trade deals will mean for them post-Brexit.

“Industry must have a strong voice in shaping the future of trade upon leaving the European Union.

“The voices of this community cannot simply be left to the wayside by the UK Government and we must have clarity on what the impact is going to be for issues around the health and welfare of animals and equipment.”

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said:

“Rural communities like the ones we represent rely on the farming industry. Mr Gove cannot simply ignore the concerns of the sector. The Scottish brand is too important to leave with so many unanswered questions.”

Local SNP Burns Night Success

Cruden Bay, Hatton & Longhaven and Peterhead SNP branches held their 2017 Burns Supper in the Public Hall, Longhaven last Saturday.

The Burns Supper, which attracted around 70 guests, heard speeches from locals and visitors, including an Immortal Memory by Aberdeen South MP Callum McCaig, a Toast to Scotland by Co-Leader of Aberdeenshire Council Richard Thomson, with some recitations from Peterhead Burns enthusiast Kevin Lamb, and the Address to the Haggis being made by East Aberdeenshire MSP Gillian Martin.

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson, who compered the evening, said:

“Our SNP Branch in Peterhead and the Cruden Bay, Hatton & Longhaven Branch always organise a very high quality Burns Supper with a very good local attendance.

“It was a pleasure to welcome Callum McCaig MP and Cllr Richard Thomson as the guest speakers for the evening. Both Callum and Richard gave highly entertaining speeches which also taught us something about Burns himself, as a good Burns Supper contribution should.

“I’m delighted to see this event go from strength-to-strength, now in its 23rd year.”

Praise For Successful Renovation Project At Local Distillery

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson, Councillor Gary Coull and SNP Council Candidate Hazel Thain today [Friday] visited Knockdhu Distillery, base for production of the well respected anCnoc whisky.

The facility at Knock suffered badly from last year's snowfall and has now been lovingly brought back to a high standard with new roofs and rebuilt walls in traditional stone. The work has been undertaken by local builder Alasdair Rennie.

Speaking at Knock, Stewart Stevenson said;

"It was a delight to meet Distillery Manager, Gordon Bruce, and to see his commitment to old buildings coming back to life.

"Scotch whisky is a product that sells on tradition and quality and the investment made in the restoration will surely pay off in added lustre for the brand in the eyes of the discerning buyers of anCnoc."

Stewart Stevenson MSP with
Distillery Manager, Gordon Bruce

Councillor Gary Coull added;

"I have been pleased to work with the distillery to ensure that it has been possible to use a traditional approach to the restoration of buildings while meeting modern standards. These buildings could stand for centuries and show that in the 21st century we had lost none of the traditional skills."

SNP Council Candidate Hazel Thain commented;

"It was impressive to see a happy team at Knockdhu. The distillery is an important part of the local economy and I wish it well."