Hosie Calls For Action On Carnoustie Speed Cushions
Stewart Hosie inspecting the speed cushions in Caesar Avenue today.
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie has taken up the complaints of Carnoustie residents over deteriorating speed cushions and potholes which have caused damage to the suspension of residents’ vehicles.
The MP has written to Angus Council Chief Executive David Sawers asking him to arrange to have the speed cushions in the Caesar Avenue, Linefield Road and Chapman Drive area checked.
Stewart has had a number of complaints via his parliamentary office in Carnoustie about the speed cushions and several residents have informed him that they have had to have their car suspension repaired as a result of daily driving over the cushions.
Stewart said: “I have asked the Chief Executive to arrange to have the speed cushions checked.
“On a visit to the location today, I noticed that some were in a deteriorating state and had turned up corners. I also noticed that there were significant potholes around them which were possibly exacerbating the problem.
“I hope that Angus Council will take action to solv e the problem as soon as possible.”
MP PRESENTS IT AWARD AT CLAVERHOUSE
Attached picture shows Stewart Hosie MP presenting certificate to a client of Claverhouse training group today during his tour of the premises at Dewar House, Staffa Place.
Dundee MP Stewart Hosie today toured the training premises of Claverhouse in Staffa Place and met staff, instructors and clients. During his tour he presented a Microsoft Digital Literacy Certificate, an Achievement Award from the Industry Alliance for Jobs Scotland to Don Cockburn of Tweed Crescent
Mr Hosie said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to see around the premises and to meet staff and clients and to hear of the range of training provided to unemployed clients through New Deal, Get Ready for Work and Dundee Employability Programmes.”
Claverhouse have found jobs for nearly 550 people across Tayside and have opened two shops , one in Dundee and one in Arbroath as part of the creation of sustainable jobs through social enterprise.
SNP MP Attacks Westminster Raid on Bingo Clubs
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie has warned that the future of Scotland’s bingo clubs is at risk because of a tax hike hidden in the recent budget, which has increased the rate of duty on bingo from 15% to 22%.
The MP has called for parity with other forms of gaming and betting, such as online bingo, sports betting and the football pools.
Earlier, this week, Stewart Hosie moved an amendment to the Finance Bill on the floor of the House of Commons to remove the substitution of 22% for 15% and to restore the pre-budget duty levels. The amendment was defeated when Labour MPs remained loyal to the Government.
Stewart Hosie said: “This tax hike on bingo which is a highly popular social activity, when duty on other forms of gambling including sports betting, casino and online poker and football pools will remain at 15% is unfair.
“In scores of communities across Scotland, the bingo club is a vital part of the social fabric. It offers good quality, safe entertainment and social facilities providing fun, enjoyment and friendship for many people, particularly women. This Westminster tax-hike in the midst of the deepest recession for more than 60 years will affect many in my constituency and across Scotland.
“Bingo clubs may have to close in Scotland in the Labour government will not end its policy of tax discrimination. Since 2006, approximately 90 bingo clubs across the UK have closed. This week, I have received hundreds of letters from customers of Dundee’s bingo clubs and from staff too, all concerned with the situation.
“We are not calling for preferential treatment for bingo clubs, simply a level playing field to allow this important social amenity to continue and to cater for the large number of my constituents who regularly use bingo clubs.”
MP Questions BBC Dropping Dundee-based Radio Show
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie has written to BBC Scotland questioning the decision to axe the weekly radio show ‘Riddoch Questions’.
The MP is concerned that the programme is the only non-news programme produced and broadcast in Dundee and feels that the decision “is bad news for the city’s attempts to boost its standing and its media profile.”
The weekly radio show ‘Riddoch Questions’ is to be axed at the end of its present run, probably in July.
Stewart Hosie said: “I have asked BBC Scotland to provide an explanation for the decision which will mean that apart from occasional news and sport items inserted into the national news output, Dundee will have no involvement in broadcast production for BBC Scotland.
“The decision also represents a considerable reduction in political programming in Scotland. It is very unfortunate, particularly at a time when Dundee is increasingly at the centre of good news stories related to its successful new industries such as digital and new media, bio-tech and life sciences and cultural innovations.
“I believe that part of the problem might lie with historic decisions to downgrade the BBC presence in Dundee which has left the city with a basic news studio that is ill-equipped for anything more than news/sport inserts and up the line interviews.
I have asked BBC Controller Ken MacQuarrie what plans – if any – the BBC has to re-invest some of Dundee licence-payers’ fees in the city and increase its broadcasting output.”
MP Welcomes Council Plans to Extend Recycling Facilities at City Quay
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie has welcomed a reply from Dundee City Council Chief Executive Alex Stephen on the subject of provision of recycling facilities at City Quay.
The MP had taken up the complaints of constituents in the new housing area of City Quay that they did not have facilities for recycling household waste.
The reply from Alex Stephen states that “we cannot yet predict when we will be in a position to offer all recycling services to this area, however, your constituents can be assured that where practical, we are striving to provide this service to all areas of the city.”
The Council’s plans to expand recycling services will “depend on the appropriate level of funding being available.”
Stewart Hosie said: “I was pleased that the Council are hoping to extend recycling facilities to all parts of City Quay.
“At present, blue (paper) bins are provided to households in Thorter Row, Thorter Loan, Thorter Way, Victoria Dock Road and Victoria Dock South.
“I have also been informed that the Council are presently investigating the possibility of providing an underground communal recycling facility and are looking for suitable sites within the development for Neighbourhood Recycling Points for glass and paper.
“Discussions between the Council’s Waste Management and Planning and Transportation Departments and property factors are ongoing for these and for the provision of 1100 litre euro containers for paper recycling.
“I am pleased that these plans are active and welcome these Council actions.”
SUPPORT URGED FOR FUEL DUTY AMENDMENT TO SAVE JOBS
LABOUR’S HIGH FUEL TAX POLICY HINDERING ECONOMIC RECOVERY
INDUSTRY SUPPORT SNP REGULATOR PLAN
SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP has called on Labour, Lib/Dem and Tory MPs to get behind an amendment to the Budget Finance Bill for the introduction of a fuel duty regulator to protect jobs in the transport industry and help motorists and businesses.
The proposal, which will go before the Commons tomorrow (Wednesday) would result in an automatic freeze on fuel duty increases as oil prices rise with a parallel reduction in duty to match the extra revenue from VAT from higher pump prices. The proposal is backed by the Road Haulage Association.
SNP Treasury spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, said:
“This amendment has what it takes to help protect jobs in the transport industry and help motorists and businesses, and I hope Scottish MPs of all parties will get behind these proposals.
“Hauliers, and motorists in rural areas, have been struggling with forecourt prices for some time, but the recession, and now Alistair Darling’s plans to increase fuel duty even further are the final straw.
“A road fuel regulator would see any extra cash raised from VAT on higher pump prices go straight back into an equivalent cut in fuel duty. It would give a real lifeline to Scotland’s hauliers who are unable to plan effectively for the future because they do not know what the price of fuel will be.”
SNP Westminster Transport spokesperson, Angus MacNeil MP, warned that a failure to take action would bring further job losses, and hinder economic recovery from recession.
Mr MacNeil said:
“Further increases in fuel prices would be disastrous in the grip of recession.
“The UK government should be easing the burden faced by business and households, and a fuel duty regulator mechanism would help do just that.
“Fuel duty hikes may temporarily boost empty Treasury coffers, but increases will actually hinder economic recovery.
“Hauliers and people in the Highlands and Islands have had their fill of Labour’s fuel duty increases. What Treasury Ministers in London forget is that for people in rural areas, a car is a necessity and not a luxury.
“It is more than ironic that Scotland, as one of world’s largest oil producers, is hardest hit by Labour’s irresponsible fuel duty increases.”
A spokesperson for the Road Haulage Association said:
“At this challenging time the last thing the haulage industry in Scotland needs is an increase in costs. Moreso now that the cabotage regulations have been relaxed making it easier for European hauliers with lower costs to compete in the UK domestic market with potentially dire consequences for Scottish and other GB hauliers.
“The case for a regulator is as strong now as it ever was – there may have been a short lull in fuel price turbulence but this won’t last. There are already signs that prices are on their way up again. At this desperate time for Scottish road hauliers – with numerous firms going bust – what is needed is a mechanism to ensure a measure of financial stability in these trying economic times. It must be remembered that fuel accounts for over 30% of a haulier’s operating costs.”
SECURING JOBS CENTRAL TO SNP BUDGET AMENDMENTS
TAX FAIRNESS ESSENTIAL IN WAKE OF RECESSION AND CUTS
SNP amendments to the Finance Bill focussed on helping households, businesses and communities will be debated in the Commons tomorrow (Tuesday).
The amendments seek to: introduce a fuel duty regulator to protect jobs in the transport industry and help motorists and businesses; introduce a fair tax regime on alcohol – to protect jobs in the Whisky industry; and proposals to overturn the unfair taxation of licensed bingo clubs.
SNP Treasury spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, said:
“Together we must all work to protect jobs and invest in recovery in the wake of Labour’s bombshell Budget.
“These amendments are about helping households and businesses. In contrast, Labour has chosen to stab at the heart of crucial Scottish budgets. I hope Scottish MPs of all parties will get behind these sensible proposals.”
On proposals for a fuel duty regulator, Mr Hosie said:
“A road fuel regulator would see any extra cash raised from VAT on higher pump prices go straight back into an equivalent cut in fuel duty. It would give a real lifeline to Scotland’s hauliers who are unable to plan effectively for the future because they do not know what the price of fuel will be and prevent the rising food prices that come from increased fuel costs.
“Further increases in fuel prices would be disastrous in the grip of recession. Fuel duty hikes may temporarily boost empty Treasury coffers, but increases will actually hinder economic recovery.
“The UK government should be easing the burden faced by business and households, and a fuel duty regulator mechanism would help do just that.”
On demands for a fair deal on whisky taxation, Mr Hosie said:
“The UK Government is treating the whisky industry as a cash cow. Only last year Labour Ministers announced record 17% in duty hikes, and now the pain continues. The whisky sector is one of the country’s key industries and it is a disgrace that the UK Treasury is treating it so badly.
“Alcohol taxation should be fair taxation with minimum pricing ensuring that the drinks that damage our society such as cheap ciders and budget beers are no longer sold at pocket money prices.
On proposals for a fair deal on Bingo taxation, Mr Hosie said:
“There is widespread support for bringing down the rate of Bingo duty from 22 per cent to 15 percent in line with the tax rate for every other form of gambling. This is about fair play for one of the most popular pastimes enjoyed by people in all communities.”
HOSIE COMMENTS ON FURTHER £50BN MONEY PRINTING PLAN
SNP Treasury spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, has commented on news that the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has said it planned to inject an additional £50bn through quantitative easing, raising the total to £125 billion, from £75 billion.
Mr Hosie said:
“The jury is still out on how effective quantitative easing will be in getting the economy back on track, and the MPC’s decision to print another £50bn suggests that the Treasury has underestimated how much needs to be done to stimulate the economy and bank lending.
“However, the fact remains that parliament has never had an opportunity to debate this formally. We have had no statement from the Treasury on committing another £50bn to this project – now running at an amount equivalent to 20 per cent of the UKs annual tax take.
“It is quite outrageous that Ministers have not allowed time for a proper debate.”
SNP TABLE FUEL DUTY AMENDMENT TO SAVE HAULAGE JOBS
LABOUR’S HIGH FUEL TAX POLICY HINDERING ECONOMIC RECOVERY
As the Office for National Statistics reveal that 15,255 HGV drivers claimed jobseekers allowance in March 2009, up from 3,280 the previous year, the SNP have tabled parliamentary proposals as an amendment to the Budget Finance Bill for the introduction of a fuel duty regulator to protect jobs in the transport industry and help motorists and businesses.
The proposal would result in an automatic freeze on fuel duty increases as oil prices rise with a parallel reduction in duty to match the extra revenue from VAT from higher pump prices. The proposal is backed by the Road Haulage Association.
SNP Treasury spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, said:
“This amendment has what it takes to help protect jobs in the haulage industry. Road haulage workers are losing their jobs more quickly than almost any other sector, and these appalling statistics must be a wake up call for Ministers.
“Hauliers, and motorists in rural areas, have been struggling with forecourt prices for some time, but the recession, and now Alistair Darling’s plans to increase fuel duty even further are the final straw.
“A road fuel regulator would see any extra cash raised from VAT on higher pump prices go straight back into an equivalent cut in fuel duty. It would give a real lifeline to Scotland’s hauliers who are unable to plan effectively for the future because they do not know what the price of fuel will be.”
SNP Westminster Transport spokesperson, Angus MacNeil MP, warned that a failure to take action would bring further job losses, and hinder economic recovery from recession.
Mr MacNeil said:
“Further increases in fuel prices would be disastrous in the grip of recession.
“The UK government should be easing the burden faced by business and households, and a fuel duty regulator mechanism would help do just that.
“Fuel duty hikes may temporarily boost empty Treasury coffers, but increases will actually hinder economic recovery.
“Hauliers and people in the Highlands and Islands have had their fill of Labour’s fuel duty increases. What Treasury Ministers in London forget is that for people in rural areas, a car is a necessity and not a luxury.
“Currently, fuel duty accounts for about 71 pence of every pound the motorist spends at the forecourt.
“It is more than ironic that Scotland, as one of world’s largest oil producers, is hardest hit by Labour’s irresponsible fuel duty increases.”
LENDING CATCH-22 MUST BE RESOLVED
HOSIE: ‘VAGUE PROMISES NOT ENOUGH’
SNP Treasury Spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for action to keep the costs of bank lending down. The call comes as the Treasury Select Committee publish a report which recognises that small businesses are struggling to secure credit.
Mr Hosie challenged the Chancellor on this issue in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Commenting, Mr Hosie said:
“Up and down Scotland, we are hearing reports of businesses struggling to get the credit they badly need to grow. Banks say that a combination of the LIBOR rate, the requirement to strengthen balance sheets and the cost of Government insurance schemes place such a burden that they cannot offer affordable loans. This is an unacceptable Catch-22 which the UK Government has the power to resolve.
“On the floor of the House last week, I called on the Chancellor to examine the pricing policy of insurance guarantee and protection schemes to determine if bringing prices down might lower the cost of lending to business.
“The Chancellor said he will keep the situation under review but vague promises will not help struggling businesses. This is not enough. We need a clear timetable for progressing this situation and delivering affordable lending to Scotland’s businesses. I have written to the Chancellor seeking assurances that such a timetable will be implemented.
“It is right that tax payers’ money is not wasted – but it is equally important to recognise that business is the driver which will pull us out of recession and we must do everything possible to ensure they can get the credit necessary to grow.”