News release
Immediate release
27/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed a an energy package form the Scottish Government which could help reduce fuel bill and increase energy efficacy.
The Energy Assistance Package which was announced by Communities Minister Alex Neil will see £60 million per year (30% more than the original fuel budget ) aimed at assisting the most vulnerable members of society, pensioners and low income families.
The scheme will take effect on 6th April this year and will include benefit and tax credit and tariff checks to ensure that residents are receiving the correct income and are paying the correct bill, as well as providing central heating and insulation.
Mr Gibson said…
"This announcement shows that the SNP Scottish Government is committed to tackling fuel poverty throughout the Country. Their actions will some way towards helping people of the Highlands and Islands."
"This scheme from the Scottish Government, which follows on from the recommendations of the Scottish Fuel Poverty, will be good news in the current economic crisis. Fuel Poverty in the Highlands and Islands is keenly felt so help with lowering the bills will be welcome."
ENDS
Notes:
Info on new scheme:
The Energy Assistance Package is an holistic package to help maximise incomes, reduce fuel bills and improve the energy efficiency of homes. It will be introduced in April 2009 and will replace the Central Heating and Warm Deal programmes.
It has four stages:
1. An initial energy audit available to anyone who phones the Energy Savings Scotland Advice Centre (ESSAC) network and identifies those at risk of fuel poverty who continue to Stage 2.
2. Help with improving incomes and reducing energy bills.
3. A package of standard insulation measures (cavity wall and loft insulation), as part of the energy companies' obligation under the Carbon Emission Reduction Target (CERT).
4. More enhanced energy efficiency measures (such as heating systems including renewable systems, and insulation measures for hard to insulate homes for those who are fuel poor).
Who benefits?
Stages 1 to 3 are widely available and Stage 4, as recommended by the forum, will be focused on homes with very poor energy efficiency and lived in by those households most vulnerable to fuel poverty.
Stage 1: Anyone can phone for energy efficiency advice from ESSAC.
Stage 2: All those vulnerable to fuel poverty will be offered further help with improving incomes and reducing energy bills
Stage 3: All those vulnerable to fuel poverty will be provided standard insulation measures (cavity and loft insulation, wherever the home can take these). These will be provided free to all those on income-related benefits or aged over 70, and at a subsidised rate to others.
Stage 4: Help is available to the following groups in private sector homes:
* all pensioner households who have never had central heating installed;
* pensioners in energy-inefficient homes who are in receipt of the Guarantee Element of Pension Credit or are aged 75 or over;
* low-income families in energy-inefficient homes with a child under five or a disabled child under 16; and for the first time
* those living permanently in mobile homes.
'Low income' is defined as on income support, maximum child tax credit or guarantee element of pension credit.
'Energy inefficient homes' are defined as those where an energy audit identifies that the dwelling has a performance rating of F or G.
Who will deliver the package?
The package builds on the existing energy efficiency advice network and will be delivered in partnership with existing advice providers, energy companies and the Scottish Government. To ensure a smooth transition to the new package, Scottish Gas will act as managing agent for Stage 4 during 2009/10. Its current contract to manage the existing programmes is being extended by a year to March 2010 to deliver this.
Funding
Friday, 27 February 2009
Gibson welcomes Skills Strategy
News release
Immediate release
27/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed the Scottish Government Skills Strategy updated to cope with the difficult economic times.
Speaking after the announcement by Education Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Mr Gibson said that the updated strategy had the added benefits of improving young people's chances and self esteem as well as helping the wider economy.
He also highlighted the chances that could be available to the Highlands and Islands….
"Young people and those in fear of losing their jobs want to see a clear route to new and rewarding work. That's why the approach of the SNP Government is so welcome. In the past 18 months the Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop has met with all sections of the skill sectors and industry. Her skills utilisation leadership group is a good example. It includes Microsoft First Scotrail and BT.
"I want to see companies in the Highlands and Islands and those that serve us from outside the region like BT to identify training needs and projects that can compete for Scottish British and EU cash in the economic recovery plans."
"A good example for the North is to roll out fire optic cables to enable high speed broadband to leapfrog onto the super speed new services already enjoyed in London and more particularly in other countries of the EU and Far East. It is time that a local jobs summit was convened by HIE to complement their own recovery advice."
"My recent broadband consultation was welcomed by BT officials at a cross party meeting earlier this week. However the need for public support to achieve full coverage of acceptable broadband speeds in the north and islands will need public support. Alongside this identifying trainees and installers has to begin right now."
"Scotland needs a competitive chance to use our knowledge economy on a world scale. If we don't have full broadband services that will be stillborn. The Scottish Government wants a better outcome. That does not mean cuts in public spending a London Labour demands. It does mean borrowing and supporting a leap forward in job prospects in the North."
ENDS
Contact Rob 0787 967 4335
Gibson calls for whisky duty cut
News release
Immediate release
20/02/08
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has called for a 2.5% cut in whisky duty to help stimulate the Scottish economy.
Mr Gibson was commenting after independent economic consultant GEN said that a 2.5% cut could have release £733 million into the Scottish economy. Double the benefit of the equivalent cut in VAT which was put in place at the last Pre-Budget Report.
Mr Gibson said....
"The whisky industry throughout the Highlands and Islands is of great importance not only to the local economy but to that of the Nation also. It helps support jobs and create positive economic circumstances in remote and rural areas which often really needs it."
"A cut would have the dual benefits of bolstering flagging treasury funds whilst helping to protect local jobs thus strengthen small communities which work hard to produce this valuable product."
"Therefore it is incumbent on government to support the industry. However instead of cutting the duty Chancellor Alasdair Darling was set to increase duty last year . It was only the SNP that forced him to back down."
"The benefits to the industry of a cut in duty cannot be ignored and so it is up to the Scotland Office and Labour in Scotland to join with the SNP and call for a cut to help stimulate the local and national economy."
ENDS
Immediate release
27/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed the Scottish Government Skills Strategy updated to cope with the difficult economic times.
Speaking after the announcement by Education Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Mr Gibson said that the updated strategy had the added benefits of improving young people's chances and self esteem as well as helping the wider economy.
He also highlighted the chances that could be available to the Highlands and Islands….
"Young people and those in fear of losing their jobs want to see a clear route to new and rewarding work. That's why the approach of the SNP Government is so welcome. In the past 18 months the Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop has met with all sections of the skill sectors and industry. Her skills utilisation leadership group is a good example. It includes Microsoft First Scotrail and BT.
"I want to see companies in the Highlands and Islands and those that serve us from outside the region like BT to identify training needs and projects that can compete for Scottish British and EU cash in the economic recovery plans."
"A good example for the North is to roll out fire optic cables to enable high speed broadband to leapfrog onto the super speed new services already enjoyed in London and more particularly in other countries of the EU and Far East. It is time that a local jobs summit was convened by HIE to complement their own recovery advice."
"My recent broadband consultation was welcomed by BT officials at a cross party meeting earlier this week. However the need for public support to achieve full coverage of acceptable broadband speeds in the north and islands will need public support. Alongside this identifying trainees and installers has to begin right now."
"Scotland needs a competitive chance to use our knowledge economy on a world scale. If we don't have full broadband services that will be stillborn. The Scottish Government wants a better outcome. That does not mean cuts in public spending a London Labour demands. It does mean borrowing and supporting a leap forward in job prospects in the North."
ENDS
Contact Rob 0787 967 4335
Gibson calls for whisky duty cut
News release
Immediate release
20/02/08
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has called for a 2.5% cut in whisky duty to help stimulate the Scottish economy.
Mr Gibson was commenting after independent economic consultant GEN said that a 2.5% cut could have release £733 million into the Scottish economy. Double the benefit of the equivalent cut in VAT which was put in place at the last Pre-Budget Report.
Mr Gibson said....
"The whisky industry throughout the Highlands and Islands is of great importance not only to the local economy but to that of the Nation also. It helps support jobs and create positive economic circumstances in remote and rural areas which often really needs it."
"A cut would have the dual benefits of bolstering flagging treasury funds whilst helping to protect local jobs thus strengthen small communities which work hard to produce this valuable product."
"Therefore it is incumbent on government to support the industry. However instead of cutting the duty Chancellor Alasdair Darling was set to increase duty last year . It was only the SNP that forced him to back down."
"The benefits to the industry of a cut in duty cannot be ignored and so it is up to the Scotland Office and Labour in Scotland to join with the SNP and call for a cut to help stimulate the local and national economy."
ENDS
GIBSON PROMOTES SCOTS LANGUAGE WITH EU COMMISSIONER
Issued 27 February 2009
for immediate use
Rob Gibson, SNP MSP for the Highlands & Islands, yesterday (26 Feb) met with the EU Commissioner for Multilingualism, Leonard Orban, during his visit to the Scottish Parliament.
As the Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Scots Language, Mr Gibson took the opportunity during the visit to brief the Commissioner on current efforts to raise the profile of the Scots language and have it officially recognised as a national language.
The primary role of the Commissioner is to oversee the EU Commission’s policy on multilingualism and encourage language learning, promote linguistic diversity in society and a healthy multilingual economy, and give citizens access to European Union legislation in their own languages.
Commenting on the meeting, Rob Gibson said:
"It was a pleasure to meet with Commissioner Orban during his visit to our Parliament and have a discussion on the importance of Scots to our national identity and culture.
"I discussed with Commissioner Orban the recently conducted audit of the Scots language by the Scottish Government. It was widely praised by participants at a recent seminar in Stirling as a baseline to build self-esteem for the native tongue spoken in dialects from Shetland to Dumfries."
"The Commission’s multilingualism policy encourages language learning and promoting linguistic diversity in society. It gives citizens access to European Union supports development cash. Our Scots language Cross Party Group in the Parliament will be building on this experience."
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Photo attached - from left to right: Mr Johan Erik Häggman, Commissioner’s Cabinet; Mr Leonard Orban, EU Commissioner for Multilingualism; Rob Gibson MSP, Highlands & Islands Region; Haley St. Dennis, Parliamentary Assistant to Rob Gibson MSP.
The European Commission's website states:
“The European Union is founded on ‘unity in diversity’: diversity of cultures, customs, beliefs and languages. Linguistic diversity is a particularly valuable feature of the European Union.”
“The ability to communicate in several languages is a great benefit for individuals, organisations and companies alike. It enhances creativity, breaks cultural stereotypes, encourages thinking “outside the box”, and can help develop innovative products and services. These are all qualities and activities that have real economic value. Multilingualism also helps to make people more mobile to pursue learning opportunities or job vacancies in different countries. It is good for individuals, business and competitiveness. By extension, it is crucial for achieving the over-arching policy aim for the European Union: the Lisbon strategy to create more jobs and growth. Not only is multilingualism good for the economy, it is also essential to integration in the labour market, social cohesion and makes a major contribution to intercultural dialogue. Language is an integral part of our identity and the most direct expression of culture. It is through language that we socialise, that we organise our thoughts, that we transmit our cultural heritage. Languages build bridges to other people and cultures.”
for immediate use
Rob Gibson, SNP MSP for the Highlands & Islands, yesterday (26 Feb) met with the EU Commissioner for Multilingualism, Leonard Orban, during his visit to the Scottish Parliament.
As the Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Scots Language, Mr Gibson took the opportunity during the visit to brief the Commissioner on current efforts to raise the profile of the Scots language and have it officially recognised as a national language.
The primary role of the Commissioner is to oversee the EU Commission’s policy on multilingualism and encourage language learning, promote linguistic diversity in society and a healthy multilingual economy, and give citizens access to European Union legislation in their own languages.
Commenting on the meeting, Rob Gibson said:
"It was a pleasure to meet with Commissioner Orban during his visit to our Parliament and have a discussion on the importance of Scots to our national identity and culture.
"I discussed with Commissioner Orban the recently conducted audit of the Scots language by the Scottish Government. It was widely praised by participants at a recent seminar in Stirling as a baseline to build self-esteem for the native tongue spoken in dialects from Shetland to Dumfries."
"The Commission’s multilingualism policy encourages language learning and promoting linguistic diversity in society. It gives citizens access to European Union supports development cash. Our Scots language Cross Party Group in the Parliament will be building on this experience."
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Photo attached - from left to right: Mr Johan Erik Häggman, Commissioner’s Cabinet; Mr Leonard Orban, EU Commissioner for Multilingualism; Rob Gibson MSP, Highlands & Islands Region; Haley St. Dennis, Parliamentary Assistant to Rob Gibson MSP.
The European Commission's website states:
“The European Union is founded on ‘unity in diversity’: diversity of cultures, customs, beliefs and languages. Linguistic diversity is a particularly valuable feature of the European Union.”
“The ability to communicate in several languages is a great benefit for individuals, organisations and companies alike. It enhances creativity, breaks cultural stereotypes, encourages thinking “outside the box”, and can help develop innovative products and services. These are all qualities and activities that have real economic value. Multilingualism also helps to make people more mobile to pursue learning opportunities or job vacancies in different countries. It is good for individuals, business and competitiveness. By extension, it is crucial for achieving the over-arching policy aim for the European Union: the Lisbon strategy to create more jobs and growth. Not only is multilingualism good for the economy, it is also essential to integration in the labour market, social cohesion and makes a major contribution to intercultural dialogue. Language is an integral part of our identity and the most direct expression of culture. It is through language that we socialise, that we organise our thoughts, that we transmit our cultural heritage. Languages build bridges to other people and cultures.”
Gibson supports Fairtrade Fortnight
News release
Immediate release
26/02/09
Highlands and Islands MSP Rob Gibson is urging constituents across the area to support Fairtrade Fortnight.
The Fortnight, which runs from 23rd February to 8th March highlights the importance of giving farmers and producers across the world a fair deal for the goods they trade.
Supporting Fairtrade Fortnight Rob Gibson MSP said:
"Fairtrade products have become more and more popular and we have to keep that momentum up by reminding people about the effect they can have on someone else's quality of life by buying them.
"Fairtrade Fortnight is about increasing awareness and goes a long way to cutting out exploitation in the industry. It ensures that farmers and producers get a decent price and one they are entitled to for the goods they produce.
"People are becoming more and more aware of the impact their shopping habits can have on the poorer countries that are producing these goods. One item in one person's trolley can add up to making a big difference.
"Fairtrade products are becoming more and more available in our local shops and supermarkets and I urge people to check the packaging on products before they buy, also this includes fair trade for our own farmers and crofters who deserve fair prices for their high quality product from supermarkets.
"I hope that this increased awareness will encourage people to buy fairtrade products all year round. It might be a simple thing such as their coffee or their chocolate but it all helps.
Ends
Immediate release
26/02/09
Highlands and Islands MSP Rob Gibson is urging constituents across the area to support Fairtrade Fortnight.
The Fortnight, which runs from 23rd February to 8th March highlights the importance of giving farmers and producers across the world a fair deal for the goods they trade.
Supporting Fairtrade Fortnight Rob Gibson MSP said:
"Fairtrade products have become more and more popular and we have to keep that momentum up by reminding people about the effect they can have on someone else's quality of life by buying them.
"Fairtrade Fortnight is about increasing awareness and goes a long way to cutting out exploitation in the industry. It ensures that farmers and producers get a decent price and one they are entitled to for the goods they produce.
"People are becoming more and more aware of the impact their shopping habits can have on the poorer countries that are producing these goods. One item in one person's trolley can add up to making a big difference.
"Fairtrade products are becoming more and more available in our local shops and supermarkets and I urge people to check the packaging on products before they buy, also this includes fair trade for our own farmers and crofters who deserve fair prices for their high quality product from supermarkets.
"I hope that this increased awareness will encourage people to buy fairtrade products all year round. It might be a simple thing such as their coffee or their chocolate but it all helps.
Ends
Gibson supports campaign to reverse anti artistic measures
News release
Immediate release
25/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in Parliament condemning UK Government restrictions which is preventing top musicians, actors, scholars and artists from around the world visiting Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Mr Gibson motion calls on the UK Government to reverse it's tough new controls on visas to non EU Citizens. The measures requires visiting artists to provide finger prints, digital photo, as well as other biometric detail. They also require an established sponsor willing to take full financial responsibility for them while in the country and to vouch for all their activities while on British soil.
As a result shows have already been cancelled and many others put in jeopardy.
Mr Gibson said….
"These new measures from the UK Border Agency is as tight as those for people on bail. It is a shocking way to treat people and hardly portrays Scotland or the rest of the UK as a welcoming place."
"It is ironic that in the Year of Homecoming the UK is doing its best to close Scotland's doors to those involved in arts and music. It assumes that those visiting are guilty of something."
"Celtic Connections, the Edinburgh Festivals and many other arts and music events attract people from all over the world to Scotland. Diverse and eclectic spices up festival programmes whilst adding to the civic and cultural life of Scotland. I am very worried that this is under threat from a paranoid Government which could do more damage to the country than good."
"I am supporting the petition which calls on the UK Government to change it's position and also will raise the matter with the Scottish Culture and External Affairs Minister Mike Russell.
ENDS
Note:
Copy of motion:
S3M-03522 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): Obstructing Global Artistic Expression — That the Parliament notes the petition campaign by leading figures in the arts world calling for a reversal to the new stringent visa controls that are preventing top foreign musicians, actors, scholars and artists from visiting Scotland and the wider United Kingdom; notes with concern the new UK Border Agency (UKBA) regulations requiring foreign artists not only to prove their identity with biometric data, fingerprint scans and digital photographs but also to show that they have an established sponsor willing to take full financial responsibility for them while in the country and to vouch for all their activities while on British soil; notes with concern the huge impact that this will have on both host organisations and visitors, which has already resulted in a number of cancelled shows, and finally believes that the UKBA should encourage and promote the entry of talented global musicians, actors, scholars and artists interested in contributing to Scottish and UK cultural, intellectual and civic life.
For more information on the campaign visit: http://www.manifestoclub.com/visitingartists
Immediate release
25/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in Parliament condemning UK Government restrictions which is preventing top musicians, actors, scholars and artists from around the world visiting Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Mr Gibson motion calls on the UK Government to reverse it's tough new controls on visas to non EU Citizens. The measures requires visiting artists to provide finger prints, digital photo, as well as other biometric detail. They also require an established sponsor willing to take full financial responsibility for them while in the country and to vouch for all their activities while on British soil.
As a result shows have already been cancelled and many others put in jeopardy.
Mr Gibson said….
"These new measures from the UK Border Agency is as tight as those for people on bail. It is a shocking way to treat people and hardly portrays Scotland or the rest of the UK as a welcoming place."
"It is ironic that in the Year of Homecoming the UK is doing its best to close Scotland's doors to those involved in arts and music. It assumes that those visiting are guilty of something."
"Celtic Connections, the Edinburgh Festivals and many other arts and music events attract people from all over the world to Scotland. Diverse and eclectic spices up festival programmes whilst adding to the civic and cultural life of Scotland. I am very worried that this is under threat from a paranoid Government which could do more damage to the country than good."
"I am supporting the petition which calls on the UK Government to change it's position and also will raise the matter with the Scottish Culture and External Affairs Minister Mike Russell.
ENDS
Note:
Copy of motion:
S3M-03522 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): Obstructing Global Artistic Expression — That the Parliament notes the petition campaign by leading figures in the arts world calling for a reversal to the new stringent visa controls that are preventing top foreign musicians, actors, scholars and artists from visiting Scotland and the wider United Kingdom; notes with concern the new UK Border Agency (UKBA) regulations requiring foreign artists not only to prove their identity with biometric data, fingerprint scans and digital photographs but also to show that they have an established sponsor willing to take full financial responsibility for them while in the country and to vouch for all their activities while on British soil; notes with concern the huge impact that this will have on both host organisations and visitors, which has already resulted in a number of cancelled shows, and finally believes that the UKBA should encourage and promote the entry of talented global musicians, actors, scholars and artists interested in contributing to Scottish and UK cultural, intellectual and civic life.
For more information on the campaign visit: http://www.manifestoclub.com/visitingartists
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
CONSENSUS GROWS EVEN FURTHER FOR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
For Immediate Release – Tuesday 24th February 2009
Attn: NEWSDESKS
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS
KERR CONCEDES ON BORROWING POWERS FOR SCOTLAND
Commenting on Labour finance spokesperson Andy Kerr’s interview on Newsnight Scotland last night where he said he was in favour of borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament SNP MSP Rob Gibson – a member of the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy & Tourism Committee – said Mr Kerr’s concession showed that the case for borrowing powers was now overwhelming.
Mr Gibson said:
"With Labour now joining the campaign for more borrowing powers for the Scottish Government the case is now overwhelming and there is little reason for further delay in extending this responsibility to Scotland in these troubled economic times.
"There is a compelling case for greater fiscal autonomy for the Scottish Parliament and opposition to borrowing powers has little to no grounds to stand on. With John Swinney's announcement on fiscal autonomy today it will be interesting to see positive engagement from Labour on that wider issue.
"As we face Labour's recession and Brown's billion pound spending cuts having the responsibility to manage our own budget is vital in ensuring we are able to respond swiftly and effectively to changes in economic circumstances.
"The Scottish Government must have the powers to take the right decisions to reflate the economy according to our own distinct circumstances.
"The examples of Northern Ireland and local councils having the power to borrow shows that the case against borrowing powers is fundamentally weak. In addition the UK Government's refusal to work with the Scottish Government on planning long term finances for projects like the Forth Bridge exposes the ludicrous situation Scotland finds itself in.
"Scotland needs additional borrowing power to allow greater flexibility for the Scottish Government in these difficult economic times."
ENDS
Notes:
1. The exchange from Newsnight Scotland last night is as follows:
GLENN CAMPBELL: You’re personally in favour of giving the Scottish Parliament powers to borrow money.
ANDY KERR: Yeah.
2. Examples of support for borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament – including Iain Gray not ruling them out, and the borrowing powers of the Northern Ireland assembly
The list includes:
STUC
UNISON
Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
Council of Economic Advisers
Royal Society of Edinburgh
Reform Scotland
Scottish Council Foundation
Tavish Scott MSP
Henry McLeish
Church of Scotland
Scottish Episcopal Church
West Dunbartonshire Council
**********************************************
Iain Gray on Good Morning Scotland: 08/01/2009
GARY ROBERTSON: Well to that end should the Scottish Government be allowed to borrow money?
IAIN GRAY: Well I think that's an interesting question and the Calman Commission which Wendy Alexander my predecessor set up is looking exactly at that question.
**********************************************
The details from the Act - the Budget (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/northernireland/acts/acts2002/nia_20020007_en_1#l1g2
"Power of the Department of Finance and Personnel to borrow
2.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Department of Finance and Personnel may borrow on the credit of the sum specified in section 1 any sum or sums not exceeding in the whole £2,481,039,000."
**********************************************
http://www.reformscotland.com/include/publications/fiscal_powers.pdf
Reform Scotland report on Scottish fiscal powers
November 2008
"The lack of fiscal powers limits the Scottish Government's ability to respond to changing circumstances such as those caused by the "credit crunch". With no borrowing powers and the total budget for Holyrood determined at Westminster, there is little that can be done by the Scottish Government to provide a stimulus to the economy such as cutting taxes or increasing public sector spending or bringing forward public sector investment." (page 19)
**********************************************
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/252027/0073770.pdf
The First Annual Report of the Council of Economic Advisers
"34. The Council recommends that the Scottish Government: ... explores the possibility of new means of borrowing, outside the Private Finance Initiative, to help finance public sector infrastructure." (Page 12)
"8.19 The Council believes that any revisions to the financial arrangements between the UK and Scottish Governments should give Scottish Ministers more flexibility." (Page 52)
**********************************************
CALMAN WRITTEN EVIDENCE
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-09-12-scottish-trade-union-congress.pdf
12 September 2008
Borrowing Powers
"STUC believes that it is not consistent that the powers to borrow should be available to local government in Scotland, but not the Scottish Government. Prudential borrowing would enable the Scottish Government to borrow at levels sustained by revenue income and using rules negotiated with the UK Treasury. Prudential borrowing powers would enable the Scottish Government to promote traditional borrowing mechanisms as an alternative to PPP/PFI."
"STUC supports alterations to (or through) the Scotland Act to allow prudential borrowing for the Scottish Parliament. STUC believes that there is a particularly strong consensus amongst its affiliated organisations and a growing consensus in Scotland in support of the measure and it should be considered as a matter of priority by the Commission."
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-09-02-unison-_no.2_.pdf
2 September 2008
Powers of borrowing
"UNISON Scotland believes it is vital that the Scottish Parliament has borrowing powers. Indeed it is illogical that local government in Scotland can have such powers (established by an act of the Scottish Parliament in 2003) but that the Parliament itself does not. Borrowing powers would mean that the Scottish Parliament would have much greater scope in planning and funding efficient investment in Scottish public services such as health and education without having to rely on the discredited PFI methods which have been extensively and expensively used in the past."
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-09-12-west-dunbartonshire-council.pdf
West Dunbartonshire Council
12 September 2008
"As with tax-varying powers, we feel that Scottish Ministers should be given more scope to raise finance by borrowing."
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-09-12-royal-society-of-edinburgh.pdf
Royal Society of Edinburgh
12 September 2008
"58. The Scottish Parliament is unusual among devolved legislatures in its lack of an ability to borrow. This has caused problems when it has chosen not to use PFI/PPP procedures for capital expenditures. A radical solution would be to allow the Scottish Parliament to borrow freely, as happens in Canada, where the provinces are disciplined only by the bond markets. This would violate UK Treasury assumptions about counting public debt as a whole, and probably European rules as well. Less radically, the Scottish Parliament could be given borrowing powers and the ability to balance borrowing and spending over time, while putting into place procedures for limiting overall public debt, as Spain and its regions did in order to meet the Maastricht criteria.
"Another possibility is to allow revenue bonds, under which capital projects could be financed by borrowing, with the capital charges the first call on revenues. This would be suitable for roads and bridges (although the SNP Scottish Government has decided that these will be free) and some other public facilities."
"60. Consideration should be given as to whether the Scottish Parliament should also be assigned borrowing powers, limited within UK Treasury plans for overall Government borrowing."
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-09-19-church-of-scotland-_no.2_.pdf
Church of Scotland
19 September 2008
"We believe that the current limitations on the ability of Scottish Ministers to raise revenue by borrowing – a power enjoyed by local authorities – are unduly restrictive and inappropriate."
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-10-09-scottish-episcopal-church.pdf
Scottish Episcopal Church
12 September 2008
There may also come a time when limitations on the ability of Scottish ministers to raise money by borrowing may appear to be unduly restrictive by a UK government especially as policies will diverge over time. It could be argued that a power enjoyed by local authorities across the country should be available to the Scottish Government.
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-09-19-scott.pdf
Tavish Scott MSP (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
19 September 2008
"The Scottish Government should have borrowing powers and fiscal responsibility which fit into an agreed UK system
"The Scottish Parliament should have the power to borrow, subject to specific criteria and advice provided by the Finance Commission for the Nations and Regions within the UK system."
**********************************************
CALMAN ORAL EVIDENCE
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/transcript-12-September.pdf
12 September 2008
Col 35-36
Henry McLeish: The other side of the coin is that we have no borrowing facility—borrowing is dictated by the United Kingdom Government. We are at a severe disadvantage on fiscal policy, expenditure and borrowing. The big political jump is to recognise that there are both pluses and minuses to taking control of those areas...
...We could be more sophisticated and borrow from the Irish, the Finns, Singapore and Virginia in America. The problem is that we are hidebound.
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/transcript-26-September.pdf
Andrew Harris (Scottish Council Foundation)
26 September 2008
Col 81-82
James Selkirk: Would it be legitimate for the Scottish Parliament to have borrowing powers?
Andrew Harris: Absolutely.
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/transcript-26-September.pdf
Gavin Whitefield (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers)
26 September 2008
Col 115-116
James Selkirk: The borrowing powers of local government have worked well over the years. Would it be a natural progression if the Scottish Parliament were to have limited borrowing powers as well?
Gavin Whitefield: The borrowing powers that have been given to local government, and the more recent changes with the introduction of the prudential framework, have worked extremely well. They have enabled many councils to make a step change in their levels of capital investment. It follows that the Scottish Government should also have borrowing powers.
Attn: NEWSDESKS
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS
KERR CONCEDES ON BORROWING POWERS FOR SCOTLAND
Commenting on Labour finance spokesperson Andy Kerr’s interview on Newsnight Scotland last night where he said he was in favour of borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament SNP MSP Rob Gibson – a member of the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy & Tourism Committee – said Mr Kerr’s concession showed that the case for borrowing powers was now overwhelming.
Mr Gibson said:
"With Labour now joining the campaign for more borrowing powers for the Scottish Government the case is now overwhelming and there is little reason for further delay in extending this responsibility to Scotland in these troubled economic times.
"There is a compelling case for greater fiscal autonomy for the Scottish Parliament and opposition to borrowing powers has little to no grounds to stand on. With John Swinney's announcement on fiscal autonomy today it will be interesting to see positive engagement from Labour on that wider issue.
"As we face Labour's recession and Brown's billion pound spending cuts having the responsibility to manage our own budget is vital in ensuring we are able to respond swiftly and effectively to changes in economic circumstances.
"The Scottish Government must have the powers to take the right decisions to reflate the economy according to our own distinct circumstances.
"The examples of Northern Ireland and local councils having the power to borrow shows that the case against borrowing powers is fundamentally weak. In addition the UK Government's refusal to work with the Scottish Government on planning long term finances for projects like the Forth Bridge exposes the ludicrous situation Scotland finds itself in.
"Scotland needs additional borrowing power to allow greater flexibility for the Scottish Government in these difficult economic times."
ENDS
Notes:
1. The exchange from Newsnight Scotland last night is as follows:
GLENN CAMPBELL: You’re personally in favour of giving the Scottish Parliament powers to borrow money.
ANDY KERR: Yeah.
2. Examples of support for borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament – including Iain Gray not ruling them out, and the borrowing powers of the Northern Ireland assembly
The list includes:
STUC
UNISON
Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
Council of Economic Advisers
Royal Society of Edinburgh
Reform Scotland
Scottish Council Foundation
Tavish Scott MSP
Henry McLeish
Church of Scotland
Scottish Episcopal Church
West Dunbartonshire Council
**********************************************
Iain Gray on Good Morning Scotland: 08/01/2009
GARY ROBERTSON: Well to that end should the Scottish Government be allowed to borrow money?
IAIN GRAY: Well I think that's an interesting question and the Calman Commission which Wendy Alexander my predecessor set up is looking exactly at that question.
**********************************************
The details from the Act - the Budget (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/northernireland/acts/acts2002/nia_20020007_en_1#l1g2
"Power of the Department of Finance and Personnel to borrow
2.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Department of Finance and Personnel may borrow on the credit of the sum specified in section 1 any sum or sums not exceeding in the whole £2,481,039,000."
**********************************************
http://www.reformscotland.com/include/publications/fiscal_powers.pdf
Reform Scotland report on Scottish fiscal powers
November 2008
"The lack of fiscal powers limits the Scottish Government's ability to respond to changing circumstances such as those caused by the "credit crunch". With no borrowing powers and the total budget for Holyrood determined at Westminster, there is little that can be done by the Scottish Government to provide a stimulus to the economy such as cutting taxes or increasing public sector spending or bringing forward public sector investment." (page 19)
**********************************************
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/252027/0073770.pdf
The First Annual Report of the Council of Economic Advisers
"34. The Council recommends that the Scottish Government: ... explores the possibility of new means of borrowing, outside the Private Finance Initiative, to help finance public sector infrastructure." (Page 12)
"8.19 The Council believes that any revisions to the financial arrangements between the UK and Scottish Governments should give Scottish Ministers more flexibility." (Page 52)
**********************************************
CALMAN WRITTEN EVIDENCE
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-09-12-scottish-trade-union-congress.pdf
12 September 2008
Borrowing Powers
"STUC believes that it is not consistent that the powers to borrow should be available to local government in Scotland, but not the Scottish Government. Prudential borrowing would enable the Scottish Government to borrow at levels sustained by revenue income and using rules negotiated with the UK Treasury. Prudential borrowing powers would enable the Scottish Government to promote traditional borrowing mechanisms as an alternative to PPP/PFI."
"STUC supports alterations to (or through) the Scotland Act to allow prudential borrowing for the Scottish Parliament. STUC believes that there is a particularly strong consensus amongst its affiliated organisations and a growing consensus in Scotland in support of the measure and it should be considered as a matter of priority by the Commission."
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-09-02-unison-_no.2_.pdf
2 September 2008
Powers of borrowing
"UNISON Scotland believes it is vital that the Scottish Parliament has borrowing powers. Indeed it is illogical that local government in Scotland can have such powers (established by an act of the Scottish Parliament in 2003) but that the Parliament itself does not. Borrowing powers would mean that the Scottish Parliament would have much greater scope in planning and funding efficient investment in Scottish public services such as health and education without having to rely on the discredited PFI methods which have been extensively and expensively used in the past."
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-09-12-west-dunbartonshire-council.pdf
West Dunbartonshire Council
12 September 2008
"As with tax-varying powers, we feel that Scottish Ministers should be given more scope to raise finance by borrowing."
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-09-12-royal-society-of-edinburgh.pdf
Royal Society of Edinburgh
12 September 2008
"58. The Scottish Parliament is unusual among devolved legislatures in its lack of an ability to borrow. This has caused problems when it has chosen not to use PFI/PPP procedures for capital expenditures. A radical solution would be to allow the Scottish Parliament to borrow freely, as happens in Canada, where the provinces are disciplined only by the bond markets. This would violate UK Treasury assumptions about counting public debt as a whole, and probably European rules as well. Less radically, the Scottish Parliament could be given borrowing powers and the ability to balance borrowing and spending over time, while putting into place procedures for limiting overall public debt, as Spain and its regions did in order to meet the Maastricht criteria.
"Another possibility is to allow revenue bonds, under which capital projects could be financed by borrowing, with the capital charges the first call on revenues. This would be suitable for roads and bridges (although the SNP Scottish Government has decided that these will be free) and some other public facilities."
"60. Consideration should be given as to whether the Scottish Parliament should also be assigned borrowing powers, limited within UK Treasury plans for overall Government borrowing."
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-09-19-church-of-scotland-_no.2_.pdf
Church of Scotland
19 September 2008
"We believe that the current limitations on the ability of Scottish Ministers to raise revenue by borrowing – a power enjoyed by local authorities – are unduly restrictive and inappropriate."
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-10-09-scottish-episcopal-church.pdf
Scottish Episcopal Church
12 September 2008
There may also come a time when limitations on the ability of Scottish ministers to raise money by borrowing may appear to be unduly restrictive by a UK government especially as policies will diverge over time. It could be argued that a power enjoyed by local authorities across the country should be available to the Scottish Government.
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2008-09-19-scott.pdf
Tavish Scott MSP (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
19 September 2008
"The Scottish Government should have borrowing powers and fiscal responsibility which fit into an agreed UK system
"The Scottish Parliament should have the power to borrow, subject to specific criteria and advice provided by the Finance Commission for the Nations and Regions within the UK system."
**********************************************
CALMAN ORAL EVIDENCE
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/transcript-12-September.pdf
12 September 2008
Col 35-36
Henry McLeish: The other side of the coin is that we have no borrowing facility—borrowing is dictated by the United Kingdom Government. We are at a severe disadvantage on fiscal policy, expenditure and borrowing. The big political jump is to recognise that there are both pluses and minuses to taking control of those areas...
...We could be more sophisticated and borrow from the Irish, the Finns, Singapore and Virginia in America. The problem is that we are hidebound.
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/transcript-26-September.pdf
Andrew Harris (Scottish Council Foundation)
26 September 2008
Col 81-82
James Selkirk: Would it be legitimate for the Scottish Parliament to have borrowing powers?
Andrew Harris: Absolutely.
**********************************************
http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/transcript-26-September.pdf
Gavin Whitefield (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers)
26 September 2008
Col 115-116
James Selkirk: The borrowing powers of local government have worked well over the years. Would it be a natural progression if the Scottish Parliament were to have limited borrowing powers as well?
Gavin Whitefield: The borrowing powers that have been given to local government, and the more recent changes with the introduction of the prudential framework, have worked extremely well. They have enabled many councils to make a step change in their levels of capital investment. It follows that the Scottish Government should also have borrowing powers.
Monday, 23 February 2009
Peacock's mischievous motion ignores wider problems of Titian paintings
News release
Immediate release
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands has branded a compensation call for £50 million from the Duke of Sutherland to redeem for the Clearances as only half the story.
Mr Gibson has lodged an amendment to a motion in the name of Labour MSP Peter Peacock who seeks a donation of £50 million for the people of Sutherland as the price of the public rescue of key Titian paintings for the National Galleries of Scotland and England.
He said,
"Mr Peacock claims his motion is mischievous, I would say it ignores the truth, is unhistorical and fails to solve the bigger problem of works of art on loan for decades past to our National Galleries in Edinburgh."
"My amendment deplores the money grubbing move by the 7th Duke of Sutherland but points out that the family fortune stemmed from the Bridgewater Collection made from the sweat of canal builders in north-west England. Surely Mr Peacock should be demanding a share of the £50 million for the communities so disrupted and descendents of the navvies who worked and died to make the canals? These preceded the inheritor of the Bridgewater fortune by decades and before that inheritor, the 1st Duke of Sutherland, had married into the ancient Highland family."
"Mr Peacock conveniently evades the whole issue of works of art on loan that could be reclaimed by their owners from our galleries at any moment. That is unsurprising as UK governments in turn tolerated or ignored the consequences before devolution and the Labour LibDem administrations of 1999 and 2003 did the same."
"My amendment takes an adult approach to this complex issue. A commitment to build up the population and economy of Sutherland again is essential and this is part of the SNP recovery strategy for our nation, but I am writing to the culture minister Mike Russell to ask that he evolves suitable proposals to deal with the art loans issue that includes hundreds of items."
ENDS
Motions lodged:
S3M-03455 Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): Titian's Diana and Actaeon— That the Parliament welcomes the continuing availability of Titian's Diana and Actaeon for viewing in Scotland into the future; regrets the manner in which this issue arose and the threat to a Scottish future for this painting brought about by the approach of the Duke of Sutherland; calls on the Duke of Sutherland to remove any similar threat now or into the future to any other painting currently housed in Scotland by donating those paintings to the national galleries of London and Scotland; further urges the Duke of Sutherland to donate the £50 million received for Titian's Diana and Actaeon to the people of Sutherland, the Highlands and Scotland more widely as one small step toward redeeming a tarnished reputation.
S3M-03455.1 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): Titian's Diana and Actaeon — As an amendment to motion S3M-3455 in the name of Peter Peacock (Titian's Diana and Actaeon), leave out from "calls on" to end and insert "recollects that the Bridgewater Collection, of which Diana and Actaeon is one item, predates the creation of the dukedom of Sutherland in 1830, stemming as it does from the fortune accrued from canal building in England by the uncle of the 1st Duke of Sutherland; notes from the answer to S3W-16020 that "there are hundreds of loans in operation at any one time" of works of art to the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS); recalls that John Leighton, the director general of the NGS, was quoted last autumn, when the 7th Duke of Sutherland made his demands public, as saying that "we have known for decades that a moment like this would arrive"; recognises the urgent need for a comprehensive publicly available review of works on loan, and conditions attached thereto, to the NGS, National Museums Scotland and the National Library of Scotland, and encourages the Scottish Government to make suitable proposals to deal with such loans, the consequences of which were tolerated or ignored by previous UK governments and the Labour/Lib Dem devolved administrations of 1999 and 2003.
Immediate release
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands has branded a compensation call for £50 million from the Duke of Sutherland to redeem for the Clearances as only half the story.
Mr Gibson has lodged an amendment to a motion in the name of Labour MSP Peter Peacock who seeks a donation of £50 million for the people of Sutherland as the price of the public rescue of key Titian paintings for the National Galleries of Scotland and England.
He said,
"Mr Peacock claims his motion is mischievous, I would say it ignores the truth, is unhistorical and fails to solve the bigger problem of works of art on loan for decades past to our National Galleries in Edinburgh."
"My amendment deplores the money grubbing move by the 7th Duke of Sutherland but points out that the family fortune stemmed from the Bridgewater Collection made from the sweat of canal builders in north-west England. Surely Mr Peacock should be demanding a share of the £50 million for the communities so disrupted and descendents of the navvies who worked and died to make the canals? These preceded the inheritor of the Bridgewater fortune by decades and before that inheritor, the 1st Duke of Sutherland, had married into the ancient Highland family."
"Mr Peacock conveniently evades the whole issue of works of art on loan that could be reclaimed by their owners from our galleries at any moment. That is unsurprising as UK governments in turn tolerated or ignored the consequences before devolution and the Labour LibDem administrations of 1999 and 2003 did the same."
"My amendment takes an adult approach to this complex issue. A commitment to build up the population and economy of Sutherland again is essential and this is part of the SNP recovery strategy for our nation, but I am writing to the culture minister Mike Russell to ask that he evolves suitable proposals to deal with the art loans issue that includes hundreds of items."
ENDS
Motions lodged:
S3M-03455 Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): Titian's Diana and Actaeon— That the Parliament welcomes the continuing availability of Titian's Diana and Actaeon for viewing in Scotland into the future; regrets the manner in which this issue arose and the threat to a Scottish future for this painting brought about by the approach of the Duke of Sutherland; calls on the Duke of Sutherland to remove any similar threat now or into the future to any other painting currently housed in Scotland by donating those paintings to the national galleries of London and Scotland; further urges the Duke of Sutherland to donate the £50 million received for Titian's Diana and Actaeon to the people of Sutherland, the Highlands and Scotland more widely as one small step toward redeeming a tarnished reputation.
S3M-03455.1 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): Titian's Diana and Actaeon — As an amendment to motion S3M-3455 in the name of Peter Peacock (Titian's Diana and Actaeon), leave out from "calls on" to end and insert "recollects that the Bridgewater Collection, of which Diana and Actaeon is one item, predates the creation of the dukedom of Sutherland in 1830, stemming as it does from the fortune accrued from canal building in England by the uncle of the 1st Duke of Sutherland; notes from the answer to S3W-16020 that "there are hundreds of loans in operation at any one time" of works of art to the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS); recalls that John Leighton, the director general of the NGS, was quoted last autumn, when the 7th Duke of Sutherland made his demands public, as saying that "we have known for decades that a moment like this would arrive"; recognises the urgent need for a comprehensive publicly available review of works on loan, and conditions attached thereto, to the NGS, National Museums Scotland and the National Library of Scotland, and encourages the Scottish Government to make suitable proposals to deal with such loans, the consequences of which were tolerated or ignored by previous UK governments and the Labour/Lib Dem devolved administrations of 1999 and 2003.
Friday, 20 February 2009
Gibson calls for whisky duty cut
News release
Immediate release
20/02/08
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has called for a 2.5% cut in whisky duty to help stimulate the Scottish economy.
Mr Gibson was commenting after independent economic consultant GEN said that a 2.5% cut could have release £733 million into the Scottish economy. Double the benefit of the equivalent cut in VAT which was put in place at the last Pre-Budget Report.
Mr Gibson said....
"The whisky industry throughout the Highlands and Islands is of great importance not only to the local economy but to that of the Nation also. It helps support jobs and create positive economic circumstances in remote and rural areas which often really needs it."
"A cut would have the dual benefits of bolstering flagging treasury funds whilst helping to protect local jobs thus strengthen small communities which work hard to produce this valuable product."
"Therefore it is incumbent on government to support the industry. However instead of cutting the duty Chancellor Alasdair Darling was set to increase duty last year . It was only the SNP that forced him to back down."
"The benefits to the industry of a cut in duty cannot be ignored and so it is up to the Scotland Office and Labour in Scotland to join with the SNP and call for a cut to help stimulate the local and national economy."
ENDS
Immediate release
20/02/08
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has called for a 2.5% cut in whisky duty to help stimulate the Scottish economy.
Mr Gibson was commenting after independent economic consultant GEN said that a 2.5% cut could have release £733 million into the Scottish economy. Double the benefit of the equivalent cut in VAT which was put in place at the last Pre-Budget Report.
Mr Gibson said....
"The whisky industry throughout the Highlands and Islands is of great importance not only to the local economy but to that of the Nation also. It helps support jobs and create positive economic circumstances in remote and rural areas which often really needs it."
"A cut would have the dual benefits of bolstering flagging treasury funds whilst helping to protect local jobs thus strengthen small communities which work hard to produce this valuable product."
"Therefore it is incumbent on government to support the industry. However instead of cutting the duty Chancellor Alasdair Darling was set to increase duty last year . It was only the SNP that forced him to back down."
"The benefits to the industry of a cut in duty cannot be ignored and so it is up to the Scotland Office and Labour in Scotland to join with the SNP and call for a cut to help stimulate the local and national economy."
ENDS
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Gibson welcomes site announcement
News release
Immediate release
16/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed the latest step towards the development of off shore windfarms In Scotland.
He was speaking after an announcement from the Crown Estates which set up exclusive agreements for companies to survey areas of the seabed to develop off shore wind farms.
However he warned that for Scotland to fully capiltalise on the renewable future the issue of new nuclear in Scotland had to be kicked firmly into touch.
Mr Gibson said…
"This is good news. The opening up of the seabed for off shore wind and other marine renewables marks the start of an new era in Scotland. This could see the centres of the economy move northwards and westwards."
"The waters off the Highlands and Islands hold the potential to help regenerate the economy on the land. Indeed many of the sites announced by the Crown Estate are in Highland waters. Facilities such as Nigg in Easter Ross could see a renaissance to support renewable investment and development ."
"However that future is under threat by the insistence of the Labour Party on both sides of the border that there must be new nuclear build in Scotland. This means that costly structures would be placed in the South of Scotland and means that investment in renewables in the North has a low priority for Labour."
"Rest assured, there will be no nuclear build in the Highlands because the figures and distances don't stack up. That in turn would mean the impetus to create jobs from new energy sources would be lost. Every penny which is invested in nuclear is a penny which may not been invested in renewables. In effect it is money which will be taken away from Highland and Islands development."
"It is not clear that nuclear power is cheaper than that of wave or wind. So in a way the Labour Party are condemning us to uncertainty whilst denying the North a chance to become the renewables power house of Europe with infinite clean energy resources."
ENDS
Immediate release
16/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed the latest step towards the development of off shore windfarms In Scotland.
He was speaking after an announcement from the Crown Estates which set up exclusive agreements for companies to survey areas of the seabed to develop off shore wind farms.
However he warned that for Scotland to fully capiltalise on the renewable future the issue of new nuclear in Scotland had to be kicked firmly into touch.
Mr Gibson said…
"This is good news. The opening up of the seabed for off shore wind and other marine renewables marks the start of an new era in Scotland. This could see the centres of the economy move northwards and westwards."
"The waters off the Highlands and Islands hold the potential to help regenerate the economy on the land. Indeed many of the sites announced by the Crown Estate are in Highland waters. Facilities such as Nigg in Easter Ross could see a renaissance to support renewable investment and development ."
"However that future is under threat by the insistence of the Labour Party on both sides of the border that there must be new nuclear build in Scotland. This means that costly structures would be placed in the South of Scotland and means that investment in renewables in the North has a low priority for Labour."
"Rest assured, there will be no nuclear build in the Highlands because the figures and distances don't stack up. That in turn would mean the impetus to create jobs from new energy sources would be lost. Every penny which is invested in nuclear is a penny which may not been invested in renewables. In effect it is money which will be taken away from Highland and Islands development."
"It is not clear that nuclear power is cheaper than that of wave or wind. So in a way the Labour Party are condemning us to uncertainty whilst denying the North a chance to become the renewables power house of Europe with infinite clean energy resources."
ENDS
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
EURO COURT RULES AGAINST SECRETIVE GM CROPS
For Immediate Release - Wednesday 18th February 2009
Attn: NEWSDESKS
ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENTS
SNP Highlands & Islands MSP Rob Gibson has hailed a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling against the secretive planting of GM crops.
The ECJ said in its decision: "The right of public access to information applies to releases of genetically modified organisms...The information relating to the location of the release can in no case be kept confidential."
Commenting on the ruling Mr Gibson, who campaigned against GM test crops in Munlochy in the Highlands, said:
"Today's news sends a clear signal that GM crops cannot be planted behind our backs or done so in secret to avoid public scrutiny.
"Already the UK government has suggested secret trials. This ECJ ruling stops Gordon Brown's GM friendly policies in their tracks."
"The public across Europe makes it clear they have a deep mistrust of GM food. It's time producers responded and the UK government called off unwanted GM trails of products that fail productivity and sustainability tests wherever they have been planted.
"Scotland wants none of it and I'm glad the SNP Government is taking a firm stand. Now the ECJ has added its voice to stop the biotech companies planting GM crops without public knowledge. They must now face the glare of publicity."
ENDS
Notes:
More details on the decision can be read here:
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4036841,00.html
Attn: NEWSDESKS
ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENTS
SNP Highlands & Islands MSP Rob Gibson has hailed a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling against the secretive planting of GM crops.
The ECJ said in its decision: "The right of public access to information applies to releases of genetically modified organisms...The information relating to the location of the release can in no case be kept confidential."
Commenting on the ruling Mr Gibson, who campaigned against GM test crops in Munlochy in the Highlands, said:
"Today's news sends a clear signal that GM crops cannot be planted behind our backs or done so in secret to avoid public scrutiny.
"Already the UK government has suggested secret trials. This ECJ ruling stops Gordon Brown's GM friendly policies in their tracks."
"The public across Europe makes it clear they have a deep mistrust of GM food. It's time producers responded and the UK government called off unwanted GM trails of products that fail productivity and sustainability tests wherever they have been planted.
"Scotland wants none of it and I'm glad the SNP Government is taking a firm stand. Now the ECJ has added its voice to stop the biotech companies planting GM crops without public knowledge. They must now face the glare of publicity."
ENDS
Notes:
More details on the decision can be read here:
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4036841,00.html
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Gibson raises concerns over disbanded committee
News release
Immediate release
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has raised concerns over news that the Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee (NuSAC) has been disbanded by the UK Government.
The group which was made up of unpaid scientists, academics and trade unionists offered independent advice on nuclear safety issues to the Health and Safety Executive has been shut down with no replacement.
Mr Gibson said...
"This move is counter intuitive. It happens right in the middle of the a new push from the UK government for new nuclear and also in the middle of Dounreay decommissioning. Indeed recent criticism of the committee related to funding for decommissioning and nuclear waste management."
"The decision to disband NuSAC board is wrong headed and retrograde step which was done in a secretive way which will cause more uncertainty and potentially lead to greater dangers in the nuclear industry."
"What is important is that there is an independent watchdog for the nuclear industry pointing out where things are going wrong. The Committee carried out that role."
"Decommissioning at Dounreay needs to be fully funded so that the excellent staff are paid the wages they deserve. NuSAC already raised concerns about the amount of funding for decommissioning I hope that it does not mean that Dounreay will suffer."
Mr Gibson said that he will work with his colleagues in Westminster on the issue and has already written to Energy Minister Jim Mather to seek his views on the matter.
ENDS
Immediate release
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has raised concerns over news that the Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee (NuSAC) has been disbanded by the UK Government.
The group which was made up of unpaid scientists, academics and trade unionists offered independent advice on nuclear safety issues to the Health and Safety Executive has been shut down with no replacement.
Mr Gibson said...
"This move is counter intuitive. It happens right in the middle of the a new push from the UK government for new nuclear and also in the middle of Dounreay decommissioning. Indeed recent criticism of the committee related to funding for decommissioning and nuclear waste management."
"The decision to disband NuSAC board is wrong headed and retrograde step which was done in a secretive way which will cause more uncertainty and potentially lead to greater dangers in the nuclear industry."
"What is important is that there is an independent watchdog for the nuclear industry pointing out where things are going wrong. The Committee carried out that role."
"Decommissioning at Dounreay needs to be fully funded so that the excellent staff are paid the wages they deserve. NuSAC already raised concerns about the amount of funding for decommissioning I hope that it does not mean that Dounreay will suffer."
Mr Gibson said that he will work with his colleagues in Westminster on the issue and has already written to Energy Minister Jim Mather to seek his views on the matter.
ENDS
Friday, 13 February 2009
Gibson welcomes cashback for Lybster Junior FC
News release
Immediate release
A junior football club in Caithness is to receive new changing and storage facilities thanks to a Scottish Government scheme.
Lybster Junior FC has secured £25,000 from the cashback communities scheme which sees profits confiscated from criminals redistributed to young people's organisations.
Commenting on the award Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson said…..
"Playing sports gives a positive outlet for youngsters that is why the support of the Scottish Government for Lybster Junior FC is so important. The vast majority of young people play a vital role in their communities and it is only a minority who fall by the way side. However if there are attractive activities and facilities available to them then the likihood of straying into disorder is diminished."
"The cashback from criminals scheme takes money from those that do ill in our society such as drug dealers and adds something positive which enriches the lives of youngsters."
ENDS
Immediate release
A junior football club in Caithness is to receive new changing and storage facilities thanks to a Scottish Government scheme.
Lybster Junior FC has secured £25,000 from the cashback communities scheme which sees profits confiscated from criminals redistributed to young people's organisations.
Commenting on the award Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson said…..
"Playing sports gives a positive outlet for youngsters that is why the support of the Scottish Government for Lybster Junior FC is so important. The vast majority of young people play a vital role in their communities and it is only a minority who fall by the way side. However if there are attractive activities and facilities available to them then the likihood of straying into disorder is diminished."
"The cashback from criminals scheme takes money from those that do ill in our society such as drug dealers and adds something positive which enriches the lives of youngsters."
ENDS
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Gibson calls for more powers to Scottish Parliament
News release
Immediate release
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has called for more powers for the Scottish Parliament to ease traffic on the A9 north of Inverness and help combat climate change.
He was speaking after he questioned Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson over what powers the Scottish Parliament had to encourage more freight onto the railway.
Mr Stevenson answered that the current planning powers did not allow for him to act and that he only had the power of persuasion and offering financial support.
Speaking after MR Gibson said….
"The Minister agrees that more freight traffic on rail as opposed to the road is a good thing. However at the moment he is hamstrung by the current devolution settlement into mere powers of persuasion, which can only go some way to addressing the problem."
"Getting more freight onto the rail and taking it off the A9 and other roads north of Inverness is as much a climate change issue as it is safety. You have the situation where 95% of supermarkets are within 1 mile of the Far North Line however the bulk of the stock comes from road as opposed to rail. This must change."
"I hope that a consensus can be worked out across the Chamber to ensure that power is devolved to Scotland to lessen the burden of traffic on roads in the North."
ENDS
Note: Photo of Tesco lorry on A9 Ord Of Caithness
Immediate release
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has called for more powers for the Scottish Parliament to ease traffic on the A9 north of Inverness and help combat climate change.
He was speaking after he questioned Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson over what powers the Scottish Parliament had to encourage more freight onto the railway.
Mr Stevenson answered that the current planning powers did not allow for him to act and that he only had the power of persuasion and offering financial support.
Speaking after MR Gibson said….
"The Minister agrees that more freight traffic on rail as opposed to the road is a good thing. However at the moment he is hamstrung by the current devolution settlement into mere powers of persuasion, which can only go some way to addressing the problem."
"Getting more freight onto the rail and taking it off the A9 and other roads north of Inverness is as much a climate change issue as it is safety. You have the situation where 95% of supermarkets are within 1 mile of the Far North Line however the bulk of the stock comes from road as opposed to rail. This must change."
"I hope that a consensus can be worked out across the Chamber to ensure that power is devolved to Scotland to lessen the burden of traffic on roads in the North."
ENDS
Note: Photo of Tesco lorry on A9 Ord Of Caithness
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Gibson welcomes Council Tax Freeze
News release
Immediate release
11/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed an announcement from the Scottish Government to fund a Council Tax freeze for the next 4 years.
The announcement from Finance Cabinet Secretary John Swinney means that the average Highland council tax payers will save up to £251 over the next 4 years.
Mr Gibson said....
"This announcement means that Council tax levels in 2009-10-11 will be the same as they were in 2007. The notional increase for the next 4 year in Highland Council was 22%.
"This is great news form John Swinney and the SNP Government. I am sure that it will be welcomed by hard pressed families throughout the Highlands. Especially at this time of economic strife."
"It is a refreshing change from the record of the Liberal Democrats and Labour. Under the Lib/Lab Executive Council Tax in the Highlands rose by around a massive 77%. Since the SNP have become to power it has risen by 0%. Indeed average council tax payers can look forward to a saving of £251 over the next 4 years."
Mr Gibson also welcomed the reaffirmation by John Swinney that the SNP was determined to scrap the unfair Council Tax and will seek a majority mandate in 2011 to ensure the final abolition of the tax and the introduction of a system based on ability to pay which would ensure the biggest tax cut in a generation for low and middle income families the substantial saving.
He also launched an attack on the alliance of Labour and the Conservatives which effectively brought an end to plans to scrap the Council tax in this parliament.
"The SNP minority Government could not pass the Local Income Tax (LIT) legislation because both Labour and the Tories see nothing wrong with the continuation of the Council Tax."
"It is a shame that they take this stance as LIT would have seen savings to two thirds of the population. In effect they have denied savings of £390 to single pensioners whilst pensioner couples are been denied savings of £730. LIT could have saved families between £150 and £280. Labour and Conservatives have ensured that today is a bad day for families and pensioners in the Highlands and Scotland."
"Thanks to this Labour/Tory pact 85,000 people will remain in relative poverty - including 15,000 children.
"The SNP is determined to ensure that the Labour/Tory pact does not succeed and that pensioners and families in the Highlands can enjoy a fair system of local taxation based on the ability pay."
ENDS
Immediate release
11/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed an announcement from the Scottish Government to fund a Council Tax freeze for the next 4 years.
The announcement from Finance Cabinet Secretary John Swinney means that the average Highland council tax payers will save up to £251 over the next 4 years.
Mr Gibson said....
"This announcement means that Council tax levels in 2009-10-11 will be the same as they were in 2007. The notional increase for the next 4 year in Highland Council was 22%.
"This is great news form John Swinney and the SNP Government. I am sure that it will be welcomed by hard pressed families throughout the Highlands. Especially at this time of economic strife."
"It is a refreshing change from the record of the Liberal Democrats and Labour. Under the Lib/Lab Executive Council Tax in the Highlands rose by around a massive 77%. Since the SNP have become to power it has risen by 0%. Indeed average council tax payers can look forward to a saving of £251 over the next 4 years."
Mr Gibson also welcomed the reaffirmation by John Swinney that the SNP was determined to scrap the unfair Council Tax and will seek a majority mandate in 2011 to ensure the final abolition of the tax and the introduction of a system based on ability to pay which would ensure the biggest tax cut in a generation for low and middle income families the substantial saving.
He also launched an attack on the alliance of Labour and the Conservatives which effectively brought an end to plans to scrap the Council tax in this parliament.
"The SNP minority Government could not pass the Local Income Tax (LIT) legislation because both Labour and the Tories see nothing wrong with the continuation of the Council Tax."
"It is a shame that they take this stance as LIT would have seen savings to two thirds of the population. In effect they have denied savings of £390 to single pensioners whilst pensioner couples are been denied savings of £730. LIT could have saved families between £150 and £280. Labour and Conservatives have ensured that today is a bad day for families and pensioners in the Highlands and Scotland."
"Thanks to this Labour/Tory pact 85,000 people will remain in relative poverty - including 15,000 children.
"The SNP is determined to ensure that the Labour/Tory pact does not succeed and that pensioners and families in the Highlands can enjoy a fair system of local taxation based on the ability pay."
ENDS
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Gibson lodges motion on West Highland Line success
News release
Immediate release
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion congratulating those involved with the West rail Highland Line after it was voted the top rail journey by the readers of the prestigious Wanderlust travel magazine.
Mr Gibson said…
"This is truly a great victory for the West Highland Line in beating off illustrious competition such as the Trans-Siberian Express and the Cuzco which travels to Machu Picchu shows that the Highlands can compete with the worlds very best when it comes to scenery."
"The win will help boost the profile of the West Highlands and wider Scotland to a discerning travel readership which can only help bolster the profile of the Country in the year of home coming. A weak pound has the potential to bring in the tourists which could help the economy through very though times."ENDS
Note:
Copy of motion lodged in Parliament
Title: Wanderlust for West Highland Line
S3M-03410 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): That the Parliament hails the vote by almost 3,000 readers of Wanderlust, an independent travel magazine, naming the West Highland line as the top rail journey in the world; notes that the West Highland line came ahead of the Trans-Siberian Express and the Cuzco to Machu Picchu line in Peru and beat 400 other nominated rail journeys from around the world, and congratulates ScotRail and all those involved in earning this prestigious recognition for Scotland.
Immediate release
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion congratulating those involved with the West rail Highland Line after it was voted the top rail journey by the readers of the prestigious Wanderlust travel magazine.
Mr Gibson said…
"This is truly a great victory for the West Highland Line in beating off illustrious competition such as the Trans-Siberian Express and the Cuzco which travels to Machu Picchu shows that the Highlands can compete with the worlds very best when it comes to scenery."
"The win will help boost the profile of the West Highlands and wider Scotland to a discerning travel readership which can only help bolster the profile of the Country in the year of home coming. A weak pound has the potential to bring in the tourists which could help the economy through very though times."ENDS
Note:
Copy of motion lodged in Parliament
Title: Wanderlust for West Highland Line
S3M-03410 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): That the Parliament hails the vote by almost 3,000 readers of Wanderlust, an independent travel magazine, naming the West Highland line as the top rail journey in the world; notes that the West Highland line came ahead of the Trans-Siberian Express and the Cuzco to Machu Picchu line in Peru and beat 400 other nominated rail journeys from around the world, and congratulates ScotRail and all those involved in earning this prestigious recognition for Scotland.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Gibson calls on borrowing powers for Scottish Parliament
News release
Immediate release
05/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lamented the lack of maintenance to schools throughout the Highlands and Islands during the decade of LibDem/ Labour rule.
Speaking ahead of a debate in Highland on the state of schools in Scotland in Parliament he said….
"The desperate decent of the fabric of Wick High School (and other Far North schools) in the decade of Liberal Democrat and Labour rule in Scotland has been regrettable. Their MSPs were totally silent during that period on the growing crisis.
The building has been deteriorating since Peter Peacock was leader of Highlands Council. Not enough was done in the intervening years to deal with the problem and now we have the situation we are in."
"Earlier today in the LibDem debate on borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament I argued that substantial borrowing powers are needed at all levels of government. Waiting for handouts from the centre is bad for the system and bad for local projects that get neglected. We need a culture change to encourage local bond issues and prudential borrowing to fill the gaps in funds drawn from general taxation."
ENDS
Immediate release
05/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lamented the lack of maintenance to schools throughout the Highlands and Islands during the decade of LibDem/ Labour rule.
Speaking ahead of a debate in Highland on the state of schools in Scotland in Parliament he said….
"The desperate decent of the fabric of Wick High School (and other Far North schools) in the decade of Liberal Democrat and Labour rule in Scotland has been regrettable. Their MSPs were totally silent during that period on the growing crisis.
The building has been deteriorating since Peter Peacock was leader of Highlands Council. Not enough was done in the intervening years to deal with the problem and now we have the situation we are in."
"Earlier today in the LibDem debate on borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament I argued that substantial borrowing powers are needed at all levels of government. Waiting for handouts from the centre is bad for the system and bad for local projects that get neglected. We need a culture change to encourage local bond issues and prudential borrowing to fill the gaps in funds drawn from general taxation."
ENDS
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
WELCOME FOR RAPID ACTION ON RENEWABLES & GREEN JOBS
For Immediate Release
Monday, 2 February 2009
SNP DETERMINES MORE ENERGY APPLICATIONS IN LESS THAN HALF THE TIME OF LIB/LAB EXEC
Commenting on the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney today (Monday) of plans to create thousands of green energy jobs by 2020, SNP MSP Rob Gibson – a member of the Scottish Parliament's Transport and Climate Change Committee – hailed the achievement of the SNP Government in determining more energy applications than the previous Labour/LibDem Executive.
Commenting Mr Gibson said:
"With the recent approval for the Siadar marine energy project in the Western Isles - an internationally significant development - Scotland is leading the way in Green energy.
"The SNP government has approved 24 energy developments in the last eighteen months - more than in the whole four years up to May 2007.
"Siadar, the two bio-energy plants under way at Tullis Russell and Diageo in Fife, offshore energy in the Pentland Firth and Scotland's future role in the North Sea Super grid will all create jobs in construction and in operation as well as cutting our reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
"Nuclear energy is contributing an ever decreasing amount to Scotland's energy mix and as an environmental impact assessment of the new generation of nuclear reactors in Finland shows will create seven times as much waste.
"With new developments like Siadar and the £10 million Saltire prize Scotland is at the forefront of new green technology and well on course to meet our clean energy targets and creating a new generation of green energy jobs."
ENDS
NOTES:
1.The SNP Government has approved 24 energy developments since May 2007. In contrast the previous Lab / Lib Dem Executive approved only 18 developments in the four years from 2003-2007.
2. The Siadar marine energy development on the Western Isles will produce 4Mw of green energy
3. Scotland is to play a key role in developing a North Sea grid to tap off shore resources and to support the export of excess renewable energy to Northern Europe.
4. The Scottish Government is expecting to surpass the interim target of 31% of electricity from renewable sources by 2011.
5. The environmental impact assessment of the new generation of nuclear reactors being built in Finland can be read here:
http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/new-nuclear-reactor%E2%80%99s-waste-seven-times-more-hazardous-greenpeace-exposes
Monday, 2 February 2009
SNP DETERMINES MORE ENERGY APPLICATIONS IN LESS THAN HALF THE TIME OF LIB/LAB EXEC
Commenting on the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney today (Monday) of plans to create thousands of green energy jobs by 2020, SNP MSP Rob Gibson – a member of the Scottish Parliament's Transport and Climate Change Committee – hailed the achievement of the SNP Government in determining more energy applications than the previous Labour/LibDem Executive.
Commenting Mr Gibson said:
"With the recent approval for the Siadar marine energy project in the Western Isles - an internationally significant development - Scotland is leading the way in Green energy.
"The SNP government has approved 24 energy developments in the last eighteen months - more than in the whole four years up to May 2007.
"Siadar, the two bio-energy plants under way at Tullis Russell and Diageo in Fife, offshore energy in the Pentland Firth and Scotland's future role in the North Sea Super grid will all create jobs in construction and in operation as well as cutting our reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
"Nuclear energy is contributing an ever decreasing amount to Scotland's energy mix and as an environmental impact assessment of the new generation of nuclear reactors in Finland shows will create seven times as much waste.
"With new developments like Siadar and the £10 million Saltire prize Scotland is at the forefront of new green technology and well on course to meet our clean energy targets and creating a new generation of green energy jobs."
ENDS
NOTES:
1.The SNP Government has approved 24 energy developments since May 2007. In contrast the previous Lab / Lib Dem Executive approved only 18 developments in the four years from 2003-2007.
2. The Siadar marine energy development on the Western Isles will produce 4Mw of green energy
3. Scotland is to play a key role in developing a North Sea grid to tap off shore resources and to support the export of excess renewable energy to Northern Europe.
4. The Scottish Government is expecting to surpass the interim target of 31% of electricity from renewable sources by 2011.
5. The environmental impact assessment of the new generation of nuclear reactors being built in Finland can be read here:
http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/new-nuclear-reactor%E2%80%99s-waste-seven-times-more-hazardous-greenpeace-exposes
Monday, 2 February 2009
Gibson welcomes broadband USO announcement
News Release
For Immediate Use
2/2/2009
SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands Rob Gibson has welcomed a commitment by the UK Government to introduce a Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband.
In October Mr Gibson launched a consultation throughout the Highlands and Islands on the issue of broadband access in remote and rural communities. Following upon thousands of responses, he will be presenting a report to Ministers as well as to the major UK broadband providers detailing the views of his constituents.
Mr Gibson said:
"Broadband is the communications highway for the twenty-first century and this announcement is a step in the right direction.
"The main response I received on my consultation from thousands of Highland constituents was their frustration over paying the same price as someone in the central belt but receiving a second-rate service. This reach issue must quickly become a thing of the past.
"The Scottish Government has done excellent work in bringing broadband to rural communities but there remain several areas which cannot receive services, or only receive it at a very slow rate.
"Much more has to be done, however, to ensure that every home and business has access to a faster speed and this will require significant investment. Right now, Scotland and the UK is lagging behind in the provision of fibre optics.
"The Scottish and UK Governments have both confirmed the great stimulus that competitive broadband provisions can add to economies through community businesses and international trade. In this time of recession it is all the more vital that we give our communities the tools they need to not only get through it but come out of it stronger.
ENDS
For Immediate Use
2/2/2009
SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands Rob Gibson has welcomed a commitment by the UK Government to introduce a Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband.
In October Mr Gibson launched a consultation throughout the Highlands and Islands on the issue of broadband access in remote and rural communities. Following upon thousands of responses, he will be presenting a report to Ministers as well as to the major UK broadband providers detailing the views of his constituents.
Mr Gibson said:
"Broadband is the communications highway for the twenty-first century and this announcement is a step in the right direction.
"The main response I received on my consultation from thousands of Highland constituents was their frustration over paying the same price as someone in the central belt but receiving a second-rate service. This reach issue must quickly become a thing of the past.
"The Scottish Government has done excellent work in bringing broadband to rural communities but there remain several areas which cannot receive services, or only receive it at a very slow rate.
"Much more has to be done, however, to ensure that every home and business has access to a faster speed and this will require significant investment. Right now, Scotland and the UK is lagging behind in the provision of fibre optics.
"The Scottish and UK Governments have both confirmed the great stimulus that competitive broadband provisions can add to economies through community businesses and international trade. In this time of recession it is all the more vital that we give our communities the tools they need to not only get through it but come out of it stronger.
ENDS
Gibson Congratulates Young Traditional Musician of the Year
News release
Immediate release
02/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating Nairn fiddler Ruaridh Macmillan after he was named BBC Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year.
A former folk musican and former festival organiser Mr Gibson said….
"Congratulations to Ruaridh it is a great achievement for him. The title is testament to his determination to excel at his instrument and it has obviously paid off. Those that have won this award have gone onto great things in their career and I am sure he will be no exception"
"It is further testament to the strength of traditional music in the Highlands and Islands. In recent years the area has had more than its fair share of winners and nominees. It is great to see that trend continue."
"Ruaridh was a key member of the 'Harvest' production (premiered Celtic Connections) which saw young traditional musicians team up with more established acts to play Donald Shaw's composition to great critical acclaim. This is the type of production and interaction which is needed to give young traditional musicians the opportunity and confidence to progress their music."
ENDS
Immediate release
02/02/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating Nairn fiddler Ruaridh Macmillan after he was named BBC Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year.
A former folk musican and former festival organiser Mr Gibson said….
"Congratulations to Ruaridh it is a great achievement for him. The title is testament to his determination to excel at his instrument and it has obviously paid off. Those that have won this award have gone onto great things in their career and I am sure he will be no exception"
"It is further testament to the strength of traditional music in the Highlands and Islands. In recent years the area has had more than its fair share of winners and nominees. It is great to see that trend continue."
"Ruaridh was a key member of the 'Harvest' production (premiered Celtic Connections) which saw young traditional musicians team up with more established acts to play Donald Shaw's composition to great critical acclaim. This is the type of production and interaction which is needed to give young traditional musicians the opportunity and confidence to progress their music."
ENDS
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