MSP in move to ‘prise’ open cash for green energy

Holyrood committee is urged to investigate access to treasury funds

The PRESS & JOURNAL
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1371159?UserKey=
Published: 28/08/2009


A Highland MSP yesterday urged a Scottish Parliament committee to investigate how Scotland can access millions of pounds held by the Treasury for renewable energy development.

It is estimated that at least £150million from the fossil fuel levy is being held by the UK Government.

The levy is paid by electricity suppliers from non-renewable energy sources to help promote green energy power.

The Treasury has told the Scottish Government that any money taken out of the fund will be deducted from the Scottish budget because of limits on departmental spending, cancelling out any benefit.

On Wednesday a report suggested that marine renewables could create some 12,500 jobs and contribute £2.5billion to the Scottish economy. One of the recommendations of the report was “the release of the fossil fuel levy surplus funds to help promote renewables in Scotland”.

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson called on Holyrood’s economy, energy and tourism committee to hold a public inquiry into the situation.

“I want to find a way for Scotland to prise open the door of this bank vault and start investing this money in Scotland’s green future,” said Mr Gibson, the committee’s deputy convener.

“As the recent report into marine renewable potential made clear, we could generate over 12,500 jobs from investment in marine technology alone. Access to the fossil fuel levy is a key part of realising that investment.

“There is universal agreement that, but for Treasury rules, this money should be being invested in Scotland’s green energy industry.

“We have been stuck at a logjam for years now despite repeated Scottish Government efforts.”

Just last month the UK Government rejected the latest Scottish overture when Treasury Minister Liam Byrne told Finance Secretary John Swinney he cannot “agree a further increase” in the Scottish budget which would open up access to the fund

Gibson visits new Nordic centre premises

News release
Immediate release
24/08/09

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP has talked the importance of preserving and understanding the indigenous cultures of the Highlands and Islands after visiting the new UHI Millennium Institute Nordic Studies Centre in Kirkwall.

The Centre focuses on the Norse' Scots and Gaelic cultures of the Highlands and Islands as well as including Highlands and Islands literature studies having moved to larger offices in the town.

Mr Gibson, who was the first MSP to visit the new premises at Kiln Corner in Kirkwall said….

"The Centre carries out great work in the culture of Orkney and the wider Highlands and Islands. I am impressed by the knowledge and dedication of the staff. The expansion and new premises will undoubtedly let the centre go from strength to strength whilst developing understanding of Orkney and surrounding parts. The ethos of long distance learning will allow other from outwith Orkney access to these fantastic courses."

"The Highlands and Islands are a unique place with a varied histories and influences. It's cultures are ancient and rich so to give people an idea of the place they come from or live in is of great importance. I am sure that the centre will go from strength to strength."

Mr Gibson lodged a motion welcoming the expansion of the Nordic Studies Centre and the North Atlantic Fisheries College at Scalloway.

ENDS

Notes to editor:

Photo of Rob Gibson MSP And Director of Nordic Studies Dr Donna Heddle.

Copy of Motion lodged in Scottish Parliament:
*S3M-4721 Rob Gibson: Nordic Studies Centre Expands—That the Parliament commends the UHI Millennium Institute’s Centre for Nordic Studies in Kirkwall for its expansion to new premises on Kiln Corner and in Scalloway in the North Atlantic Fisheries College; notes its vital role in promoting and preserving all the indigenous cultures of the Highlands and Islands by including Norse, Scots and Gaelic elements in its courses which include the literature of Orkney and more widely the literature of the Highlands and Islands, and welcomes the distance learning ethos of the UHI Millennium Institute that contributes to the international reach of this dynamic centre of learning

Gibson attends memorial unveiling

News release
Saturday 22nd August

Highlands and Island SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed the growing friendship and partnership between Scotland and Russia through strong links between Orkney and Ugra Province in Siberia.

Mr Gibson was speaking after the unveiling of a memorial to commemorate the convoy's to Arctic Russia which left from Scapa Flow.

Over 3000 seamen lost their lives during the convoy the memorial at Lyness (Island of Hoy) will stand to remember those that gave and risked their lives on the treacherous journey.

The delegation from Russia was led by Russian Cousul General to Scotland and dignitaries from Ugra the oil Capital of Siberia

After the unveiling Mr Gibson said…

"The memorial remembers the great sacrifices and heroic actions of those who served on the arctic convoy and those who lost their lives. The convoy is something that should not be forgotten their actions played a significant part in World War Two."

"Orkney is playing a key roll in the friendship between Scotland and Russia. This memorial and the high profile delegation is a sign from Russia of the esteem in which they hold Scotland from this friendship great benefits will accrue to each nation."

ENDS

Gibson warns of digital divide

News release
Immediate release
19/08/09

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has written to the UK Government warning against a two tier roll out of Superfast Broadband.

Mr Gibson took the course of action after a report suggested that remote and rural areas like the Highlands and Islands could be waiting longer for the implementation of the next generation of broadband.

Mr Gibson has written to the Treasury Minister Steven Timms raising his concerns that areas of the Highlands and Islands may have to wait longer than other parts of the UK to receive the latest version of broadbaand.

Mr Gibson said…

"I have asked the Minister if they have an all UK wide approach to upgrading broadband or if they are happy to allow other areas such as the Highlands and Islands to lag behind. I think that business users and residents in the North and West who already suffer from snail's pace service should have should not face official approval to ignore their pitiful connection speeds."

"There are many innovative digital businesses in the region which could really develop and expand if they were to have access to the fastest connection speed."

"There is already a broadband divide in the UK however if the UK Government procrastinates about developing less connected areas further whilst other areas race ahead then that dived will grow bigger and it will be rural Scotland loses out most."

ENDS

Glendale Heritage Exhibition

Press release
Monday 17th August 2009

The Glendale Trust today formally opened a two week exhibition on Glendale Life at Borrodale School, Glendale.

Speaking at the opening, the chair of the Trust Ian Blackford said:

“We are delighted to take this opportunity to showcase for locals as well as visitors the rich history of Glendale and the story of its people. Glendale played an important part in the fight for land reform in the 19th Century not least from the well documented activities of John MacPherson and the Glendale Martyrs”

MSP delves into his student past in Glendale

"Rob Gibson MSP for Highlands and Islands since 2003 has contributed a photographic record of the Federation of Student Nationalist's Skye Crofting Scheme which flourished in the 1970s. The Glendale Trust Heritage Centre exhibition which was unveiled on Monday 17th August has given Rob the opportunity to present slides and other memorabilia of the students' work and contribution to the area at that time."

Rob said,

"Land issues figured prominently in our work. These included collaboration with crofters in September 1972 at Strollamus to demonstrate against the laird Horace Martin. Other pictures of students at work on crofts in Duirinish show what a thriving crofting environment looked like in the 1970s. We also supported the Land League Day in August 1976 against rent rises proposed by Borreraig laird Ollaus Martin [no relation to Horace Martin]."

"Many of the issues are still with us today and as a local MSP I have much personal knowledge of the area to contribute to current crofting debates."

The Heritage exhibition is open from the 17-29th August 10am-4pm every day except Sunday.

ENDS

Photo: Rob Gibson MSP with Chair of the Glendale Trust Ian Blackford

Gibson challenges Highland council over waste policy

News release
Immediate release
14/08/09

Easter Ross based SNP MSP Rob Gibson has challenged Highland Council administration to come clean over its waste policy.

His challenge comes in the run up to a meeting next week that will accept or reject a private waste incinerator plant in Invergordon.

The plant which has attracted local opposition (including a two thousand name petition against the development) has been recommended for approval by council officials.

Mr Gibson says that it is time that the Highland Council came clean over their waste policy.

"The Invergordon decision will go some way to telling us where the future of waste strategy of Highland Council is headed. If it is given the go-ahead then the Highlands could become the dumping ground for the rest of Scotland's rubbish. The insistence by the Council that part of the port of Invergordon is given over to holding waste suggests that the waste needed to power the plant is going to be shipped in. What is not stated is where this waste is going to come from. Send us your plastic and rotting rubbish is hardly a call which I would like to hear but it could happen."

"Indeed the CO2 emissions that such a plant would emit raises serious questions which need to be answered. I believe that in order to produce the heat required to make the plant viable the owners would have to burn a lot of plastic. In any era, let alone the climate change era, burning plastic is less and less likely. There is no point in having a world leading Climate Change Bill as was agreed by the Scottish Parliament this summer which commits the nation to deep cuts in Co2 output only to have incinerators popping up all over the North and West requiring the production of waste for incineration from across the Highlands."

"It is time for the Highland Council it's administration and officials to say which waste strategy it backs. Is it a commitment to reducing waste and recycling or is it to sanction large build incinerators throughout the area (as is proposed) which will encourage and increase of waste and may see the area becoming a dumping ground whilst actually margainalising the renewable energy and recycling sector. Additionally very careful assessment of the carbon footprint of such a plant must be available publicly. Also sums for damage to the environment must be revealed in this questionable Highland Council waste 'strategy'."

ENDS

Fresh bonuses row as 'rain-maker' pair paid £10m by RBS

The SCOTSMAN
http://news.scotsman.com/uk/Fresh--bonuses-row-as.5554095.jp
Published Date: 14 August 2009
By David Maddox

THE Royal Bank of Scotland has been accused of failing to learn the lessons from the recent banking crisis after it reportedly agreed to pay £10 million to attract two new bankers.
The poaching of Antonio Polverino from Merrill Lynch on a one-year deal and the hiring of Bruce Van Saun as financial director has raised concerns that big bonus culture is not dead.

RBS, which is 70 per cent owned by the taxpayer, has refused to confirm reports that Mr Polverino had been brought in for £7m.

But it said that the basic salary of Mr Van Saun will be less than the £829,000 earned by Guy Whittaker, his predecessor as finance director.

However, it is understood that, through bonuses, Mr Van Saun will earn a similar package to the £5.4m he received at the Bank of New York.

Privately, the bank and the UK government justify the high bonus "golden hellos" by claiming that the two new recruits are "rain-makers" in the industry.

This means that the pair wield such enormous influence they can make a massive impact on the struggling bank and even change the climate of the industry itself.

The news follows a row over RBS chief executive Stephen Hester's pay. After bonuses, Mr Hester is in line to receive up to £10m for 2009 if he can push RBS's share price to above 70p.

SNP MSP Rob Gibson, a member of the Scottish Parliament's economy, energy and tourism committee, accused RBS of using taxpayers' money to fund "fat cat" salaries.

"It is because of this sort of behaviour, by what are now effectively publicly owned banks, that I and my colleagues support a full and frank inquiry into the banking industry," he said.

"Recently, Gordon Brown said he would not reward failure and with billions of pounds worth of public money in many of the banks, these bonuses will be paid for by the taxpayer.

"A taxpayer which will become increasingly angered that they are paying for people to become instant millionaires."

There have also been concerns raised by shareholder groups.

But Roger Lawson, of the UK Shareholders Association, said that he was still most concerned about the deal worked out for Mr Hester.

A spokesman for RBS insisted the bank would not discuss specific pay deals for individuals.

"We reserve the right to use the tools we need to attract and retain the best," he said.

"Our core reward principles are that there are no rewards for failure and that our approach on deferral and clawback protect the long-term interests of shareholders."

The row comes amid news that RBS is consolidating four London offices in a new 378,000 sq ft premises at Bankside. They are Old Broad Street, New Broad Street, Waterhouse Square and Sampson House.

A total of 2,500 staff are currently in the new premises, with this increasing to 4,000 over the next six months to a year.

Employees based there are in the global banking and markets business, retail banking and IT.

Gibson welcomes renewables figures

News release
Immediate release

10/08/09

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed figures showing that over 70% of Government funding for renewable energy was spent in the region last year.

Enterprise Minister said that initial estimates from 2008-9 budget shows that £10,656,675.00 was spent in Scotland on renewable energy with £7,756,140.00 (or 72.78%) being spent in the Highlands and Islands.

Mr Gibson welcomed the figures

"Renewable energy can transform the fortunes of the Highlands and Islands. However it is only with investment and commitment to the development of both the technology and infrastructure to make sure that it can fulfill its potential. The figures here show that the Scottish Government knows where the potential is for renewable energy development and are investing in it on behalf of the whole nation."

"What is clear from the figures produced by Jim Mather is that the Highlands and Islands are getting a good deal from the SNP Scottish Government. I have been in close contact Minister's over the importance of renewable development and the role which every part of the Highlands and Islands will play. I will keep up that dialogue with Ministers on renewable development. These figures show that they know where best to invest. However there will need to be infrastructure development soon to match up with technological developments."

Further figures also regarding the Highlands and Islands released by Jim Mather showed that provisionally over £14,300,000 of rates relief was being claimed in the region in the last year which amounted to 15% of the Scottish total for 2009-10.
Mr Gibson said…

"The SNP's business rates relief makes a real difference business around the country. I would encourage those in the Highlands and Islands who are entitled but have yet claimed for the relief to do so."

ENDS

Warning over whisky jobs threat

The ROSS-SHIRE JOURNAL
http://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/6573/Warning_over_whisky_jobs_threat.html
By Hector Mackenzie
Published: 07 August, 2009

LIKELY Easter Ross job losses spurred by a major review being carried out by Whyte and Mackay and first revealed by the Journal could devastate generations of local families, a councillor has warned.

Cromarty Firth councillor Carolyn Wilson made her remarks as Whyte and Mackay announced a review which could lead to 33 job losses in the Invergordon and Alness areas.

The drinks company has blamed the worldwide economic situation "and the punitive UK legislative climate" for a review which will see a total of 100 jobs put on the line. The Glasgow-based firm has 574 employees and has entered formal consultation for the next month to review its options "and look at ways of minimising the number of compulsory redundancies".

Cllr Wilson said, "I'm really concerned that this will be a huge shock to people in the industry. It used to be regarded as a good, solid job and traditionally generations of the same family have followed one another into these posts. That has certainly been the case at Dalmore. Therefore there could be families that are really badly affected. I hope that is something that will be taken into account. I also hope it is a proper consultation and not lip service."

Fellow ward councillor Maxine Smith has already voiced her concerns with the company's managing director, John Beard, who, she says, has held out the possibility of staff being re-employed when the recession eases off. He has also held out the prospect of Invergordon staff being able to relocate depending on redundancy packages taken up by colleagues at the company's seven locations. She has also written to PM Gordon Brown appealing for a cut in duty on spirits "as a preventable measure to reduce pay-offs".

Easter Ross-based MSP Rob Gibson said, "As vice-convener of the economy, energy and tourism committee I will be arguing for a full enquiry into the crisis in Scotch. My colleague Willie Coffey (MSP for Kilmarnock) faces the loss of 700 jobs at a bottling plant in his hometown. Here in Easter Ross the loss of jobs at Invergordon and Dalmore distilleries (owned by Whyte and Mackay) is a symptom of a remote ownership of our icon national drink.

"I welcome Whyte and Mackay's Indian owner's assurance to Scottish Ministers that they are doing everything they can to avoid compulsory redundancies.

"But I am calling for each company to pledge to complete all the stages in production, maturing, bottling and export from a Scottish base.

"I cannot believe that their cuts in profits due to the worldwide economic crisis warrant cuts in Scottish distilleries and downstream production staff. At this time new distilleries are being built to meet an anticipated huge rise in demand for Scotch Whisky when the global economy recovers. Therefore multinational companies have a duty to maintain their Scottish workforce and create stability for their workers."

Gibson backs calls for whisky inquiry

News release
Immediate release

04/08/09

Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands is backing the need for an enquiry into the state of the Scottish whisky industry.

Mr Gibson has also written to Whyte and Mackay following the announcement of job losses which will affect distilleries in Easter Ross.

He said...

"As vice Convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee I will be arguing for a full enquiry into the crisis in Scotch. My colleague Willie Coffey (MSP for Kilmarnock) faces the loss of 700 jobs at a bottling plant in his hometown. Here in Easter Ross the loss of jobs at Invergordon and Dalmore distilleries (owned by Whyte and Mackay) is a symptom of a remote ownership of our icon national drink. "

"I welcome Whyte and Mackay's Indian owners assurance to Scottish Ministers that they are doing everything they can to avoid compulsory redundancies. But I am calling for each company to pledge to complete all the stages in production, maturing, bottling and export from a Scottish base."

"I cannot believe that their cuts in profits due to the worldwide economic crisis warrant cuts in Scottish distilleries and downstream production staff. At this time new distilleries are being built to meet anticipated huge rise in demand for Scotch Whisky when the global economy recovers. Therefore multinational companies have a duty to maintain their Scottish workforce and create stability for their workers. I have written to Whyte and Mackay to express my concern."


ENDS

MSP Quizzes Food Agency on Pesticides

For immediate use;

Tuesday 4th August 2009


Highlands & Islands MSP Rob Gibson has queried the Food Standard Agency's latest figures on organic food after revealing that they failed to include pesticide residues in their nutritional study of organic and conventional food. He said he was baffled by the omission when the main reason families buy organic is “to protect the environment" particularly when figures showed that almost half of “conventional” food bought by consumers contained significant traces of pesticides.

Mr Gibson, who will be attending the Black Isle Show this week, will now be urging agricultural show-goers to ask the agency why pesticide residues were excluded from their recent study on organic and conventional food. The MSP pointed out that the organisation will have a stand at this week’s show at Muir of Ord.

Mr Gibson, a co-convener of Holyrood’s cross-party group on food, said:

“The FSA needs to come clean about the real differences between organic and conventional food production.

“Their report last week showed no nutritional differences between the two, but excluded contaminant content such as herbicide, pesticide and fungicide residues from the desktop review.

“The SNP Government has won wide support for a national food policy, based on the natural methods widely practiced in this country.

“We need no muddying of the waters by the FSA, which has given the nod to GM animal feed, while undermining confidence in natural food.

“Surely the body charged with food safety has to explain how its muddled behaviour affects the aims of Scotland’s national food and drinks policy.”

ENDS

SNP MSP calls on FSA to explain pesticide effects to public

3 August 2009
For immediate use

Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands, and a co-convener of Holyrood's Cross Party Group on Food, has urged consumers attending agricultural shows [ such as the Black Isle Show at Muir of Ord this week] to tackle the Food Standards Agency which takes a stall there to ask why pesticide residues were excluded from the FSA's recent nutritional study on organic and conventional food when the main reason families buy organic is to protect the environment.

He said,

"The Food Standards Agency needs to come clean about the real differences between organic and conventional food production. Their report last week showed no nutritional differences between the two but excluded contaminant content such as herbicide, pesticide and fungicide residues from the desktop review."

" New figures revealed in the press this weekend show nearly half of conventional food bought by consumers contains significant traces of pesticides. The SNP Government has won wide support for a national food policy based on the natural methods widely practiced in this country. We need no muddying of the waters by the FSA which has given the nod to GM animal feed while undermining confidence in natural food."

"Surely the body charged with food safety, the FSA, has to explain how its muddled behaviour affects the aims of Scotland's National Food and Drinks Policy ."

"The SNP has long fought for modern methods that avoid GM. We also question what effects pesticides have on bees and we find the gloating of commentators over the FSA report last week a sign that farming methods fit for 21st century consumer demands will have to be far more environmentally conscious. The NFUS should address these same issues and accept that consumers are not fooled by the biotech agenda of the FSA."

MSP wants food agency quizzed on pesticides

Press & Journal
3 August 2009
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1335317?UserKey=

North MSP Rob Gibson wants agricultural show-goers to ask why pesticide residues were excluded from the Food Standards Agency’s recent nutritional study on organic and conventional food.

Pointing out that the organisation will have a stand at this week’s Black Isle Show at Muir of Ord, he said he was baffled by the omission when the main reason families buy organic is “to protect the environment”.

The SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands, and a co-convener of Holyrood’s cross-party group on food, said: “The FSA needs to come clean about the real differences between organic and conventional food production.

“Their report last week showed no nutritional differences between the two, but excluded contaminant content such as herbicide, pesticide and fungicide residues from the desktop review.”

He said new figures revealed at the weekend showed that almost half of “conventional” food bought by consumers contained significant traces of pesticides.

“The SNP Government has won wide support for a national food policy, based on the natural methods widely practiced in this country,” he said.

“We need no muddying of the waters by the FSA, which has given the nod to GM animal feed, while undermining confidence in natural food.

“Surely the body charged with food safety has to explain how its muddled behaviour affects the aims of Scotland’s national food and drinks policy.”