GRAY THREATENED BY EAST LOTHIAN DISPUTE

GRAY THREATENED BY EAST LOTHIAN DISPUTE

Commenting on the revelations that members of Labour's Holyrood leader
Iain Gray's constituency Labour party are considering setting up a
breakaway group to stand against Labour MP Anne Moffat SNP MP and Shadow
Scottish Office Spokesman Angus MacNeil MP said

"The ongoing dispute in East Lothian is embarrassing for Labour and
embarrassing for Iain Gray.

"This kind of split won't just hurt Anne Moffat's re-election it will
seriously harm Iain Gray's chances.

"After losing one Holyrood seat to lose another would be sheer carelessness."

ACCUSATIONS FISCAL REPORT WAS FIDDLED

ACCUSATIONS FISCAL REPORT WAS FIDDLED
Andrew Hughes Hallett is Professor of Economics and Public Policy in the School of Public Policy at George Mason University. From 2001 to 2006, he was Professor of Economics at Vanderbilt University (Nashville) and before then at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. He is a graduate of the University of Warwick (UK) and London School of Economics, holds a Doctorate from Oxford University, and is a visiting Professor at the University of St Andrews (Scotland). He has been Visiting Professor in Economics at Princeton University (Fulbright Fellow 1992-4), Bundesbank Professor at the Free University of Berlin (2005), and has held visiting positions at the Universities of Warwick, Frankfurt, Rome, Paris X, Cardiff and at the Copenhagen Business School.

Concurrently he acts as a Research Fellow in the Centre for Economic Policy Research (London); a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (Scotland’s Academy of Sciences) and former chair of their Economics Committee; and as joint editor of the Scottish Journal of Political Economy.

Professor Hughes Hallett’s research interests lie in the fields of international economic policy; policy coordination; fiscal policy; the political economy of monetary integration and institutional design; and the theory of economic policy. This includes applications of game theory; fiscal-monetary interactions; exchange rate regimes; optimal policy under uncertainty; risk sharing; policies in transition or developing economies; and the issue of structural reform. In the past he has also worked on commodity markets and problems of financial market stabilisation, numerical methods in economics, and on strategic trade policy. In these areas he has published many papers in leading academic journals; plus 8 books and 16 government or agency reports, and has acted as expert witness to select committees of the Houses of Parliament on several occasions.

CALMAN HIDES FROM CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE

ACCUSATIONS FISCAL REPORT WAS FIDDLED

SNP MSP Keith Brown today called for the Calman Commission to stand up to
it’s political masters and put forward real recommendations for change as
today’s newspapers claim the Commission’s report will offer no new
constitutional proposals.

In today’s Scotland on Sunday Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett - a member
of the Commission’s expert group looking at Scotland's financial
relationship with Westminster described the report as not having “much
legitimacy” and claimed that evidence had been “tampered with” by not
considering all the options.

SNP MSP Keith Brown (Ochil) said;

“On St Andrew’s Day it is disappointing to hear that the Calman Commission
has shied away from properly considering all options for Scotland’s
constitutional future.

“The Calman Commission has been a political white elephant.

“Based in, paid for and run by the Scotland Office the prospects of a
genuinely independent review of devolution and the powers of the
Parliament was always a long shot.

“From the decision to exclude independence which effectively barred the
views of a large part of the Scottish public, to Professor Hughes
Hallett’s claim that the financial report has been fiddled there has been
a clear preference for the status quo.

“In contrast to this exclusive Commission, the Scottish Government’s
National Conversation is open to all members of the public and to all
views on Scotland’s constitutional future. A future that the SNP are
committed to see determined by the people of Scotland in a referendum.

“I hope that before publication on Tuesday the members of the Calman
Commission will do their duty and open up the Commission to recommend the
additional powers or even the independence the Scottish Parliament needs
to do its best for the Scottish people.”

SNP EXPOSE £27.5BN INCREASE SINCE MARCH 30th Nov. 2008.

HIDDEN PFI COSTS ROCKETING OUT OF CONTROL

SNP EXPOSE £27.5BN INCREASE SINCE MARCH

The SNP has rounded on the UK Government over the rocketing cost of the
Private Finance Initiative (PFI), highlighting figures buried in the
Pre-Budget Report (PBR) which show that the UK’s PFI liability increased
between the Budget in March and last week’s PBR by £27.5bn – the biggest
increase between reports ever.
Since 2004 the liability has jumped by £92 billion pounds. The UK
Government buries these figures in an online appendix, but if they were
required, as companies are, to put this on their books it would add
another £216bn to the national debt. PFI liability has gone up almost 75%.
Other key figures from the PBR reveal:
*Final PBR 2008 figure show an increase of 74.42% on the Budget 2004
figure and an increase of 14.58% on the Budget 2008 figure.
*The PBR 2008 figure is a £92.2 billion increase on the Budget of 2004 and
a £27.5 billion increase on Budget 2008.
*Between 2005 and 2007, the average PBR increase on the Budget in the same
calendar year was 6.3% whilst the PBR increase on this year’s Budget is
14.58%.
Commenting on the situation, SNP Westminster Treasury spokesperson,
Stewart Hosie MP, said:
”We have always known that PFI was hyper-expensive, but it is clear from
that the liability is rocketing out of control.
“Labour has absolutely no financial credibility left. PFI is a millstone
round the UK’s neck.
”No wonder Alistair Darling buried the figures deep in the appendices of
the PBR. If the Treasury were required to put this on their books it would
add another £216bn to the national debt.
"We had hoped the pre-budget report would set out when and how the UK
Government is going to bring PFI payments on to the books - instead we see
the piles of secret debt mounting even higher.
"Ironically much of this money is owed to the banks the UK Government has
now bailed out.
"PFI has consistently been shown to be against the long term interests of
the tax payer.
"Instead of sensible investment the Labour Government has been ripped off
by a credit card style con.
"These figures confirm the taxpayer will be paying this hefty credit card
bill for a long time to come.”

SCOTLANDS ELDERLY LOSE FUEL PAYMENTS.

SCOTLAND’S ELDERLY LOSE FUEL PAYMENTS.

FUEL PAYMENTS UNDERPAID FOR SEVEN YEARS.
SNP MSP and Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Ageing Sandra White has hit out at the Department for Work and Pensions after evidence emerged that elderly residents of tenement flats are not receiving their full winter fuel payment despite problems with the system being flagged up by the SNP seven years ago.
Glasgow MSP Sandra White commented after the Sunday Post highlighted the case of Greer Harp of Glasgow who only received half his winter fuel payment after the DWP computer failed to recognise tenement flats as separate addresses.
Pensioners currently receive £250 if they are the only pensioner in thehousehold, but only £125 if there is more than one claimant in the property.
The SNP raised concerns over the DWP’s failure to recognise tenement flats as separate addresses in 2001.
Glasgow SNP MSP Sandra White said;
“This is a disgraceful situation that could easily affect many thousands of pensioners.
“The SNP raised this issue with the UK Government in 2001 and we were told it would be sorted out. Unfortunately it seems pensioners are still missing out.
“Lots of vulnerable pensioners won’t even think to question their payments-some are too proud, others just accept what they’re given.
“Fuel poverty is a major issue in Scotland and affects our elderly particularly hard. That’s why the Scottish Government has installed more central heating systems in its first year than in any previous year and is increasing investment in fuel poverty programmes by 20% over the next two years.
“It is ridiculous that pensioners in Scotland are being short changed bythe UK Government because it does not understand that many Scots live in tenements.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous that DWP expect these people to correct their department’s mistakes and I will be working with my colleagues at Westminster to ensure action is being taken to finally resolve this situation."

HBOS LEGAL CHALLENGE.

HBOS LEGAL CHALLENGE OFFERS NEW OPPORTUNITY

COMPETITION TRIBUNAL MUST ACT

SNP MSP Alex Neil, who has led the campaign at Holyrood against the Lloyds TSB merger with HBOS today welcomed news of a legal challenge to the UK Government’s failure to refer the merger to the Competition Commission.
The Merger Action Group have lodged an appeal at the Competition Appeals Tribunal regarding the decision of Lord Mandleson not to involve the Competition Commission despite the Office of Fair Trading reporting the merger would have a significant impact on the market for mortgages, business and personal accounts in Scotland and the UK.

SNP MSP Alex Neil said;
“This is a serious case for the Competition Appeals Tribunal and is their chance to show that riding roughshod over competition law to keep the Prime Minister happy is not acceptable.
“Throughout this merger Labour has gone out of its way to see that no other deal could be put forward and that no alternative was ever offered to HBOS. That is something that must be looked into.
“The UK Government and the Labour party may be happy to roll over and see competition in Scotland’s banking sector destroyed but I am not and I welcome the efforts of the Merger Action Group to prevent it.
“With the UK Government increasing its financial support to RBS to keep it on the road as an independent bank there is absolutely no reason for this merger to go ahead.
“HBOS requires little additional recapitalisation to remain as an independent bank avoiding horrific job losses across Scotland and the UK.
“With so many questions over this merger and the considerable damage it will do to competition this legal bid should win support from business, savers and investors across Scotland.”

ST ANDREW, PATRON SAINT OF SCOTLAND 30th NOVEMBER 2008.

ST ANDREW, PATRON SAINT OF SCOTLAND 30th NOVEMBER 2008.

ST ANDREW, PATRON SAINT OF SCOTLAND 30th NOVEMBER 2008 is this Sunday coming.
St Andrew's Day marks the launch of the Winter Festival period which runs through until Burns Night on January 25th 2009.
The stepping stone to Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations which runs from Burns Night all the way through until St Andrew's Day 2009.
For those still unsure or reading this for the first time, Homecoming Scotland events are a Scottish Government initiative which is being promoted throughout the World as one huge invite to everybody and not just Scots to come and enjoy Scottish Hospitality first hand.
Have you considered visiting home recently? Don't put it off any longer, come and visit your roots and enjoy the celebrations along with the rest of Scotland.
You can view the St Andrew's video...here!

and you can get more information...here!

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE 28th NOVEMBER 2008.

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE 28th NOVEMBER 2008.

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE 28th NOVEMBER 2008 took another step forward with their new advertising campaign.
The Scottish Government initiative being promoted in conjunction with Events Scotland, Visit Scotland, The European Regional Developement Fund, and of course hundreds of volunteers.
Taking part in the Homecoming Scotland request for Scots Worldwide to visit home are some well
kent faces.
Names like Lulu, Sean Connery, Sandi Thom, Tom Evans, Kelly Brown, Eddi Reader,Sam Torrance,
Chris Hoy, Amy Macdonald, not forgetting the man who penned the beautiful and heart tugging song
"Caledonia" Dougie Maclean.
The graphic above shows a quick snap of todays (28th November 2008) BBC News in Scotland.
To view the video;
http://www.homecomingscotland2009.com/videoplayer.aspx?swfSrc=/common/flash/MainVideo.swf&flvSrc=/Repository/caledonia/60secsad.flv&skinSrc=/common/flash/SkinOverAll.swf&title=caledonia%20clip

More information;
http://www.homecomingscotland2009.com

WHAT £500 MILLION CUTS MEAN FOR SCOTLAND?

LABOUR CUTS WILL HAMMER SCOTTISH SPENDING

WHAT £500 MILLION CUTS MEAN FOR SCOTLAND?

SNP MSP Alex Neil has today written to Iain Gray MSP asking him to clarify where he would cut £500 million from Scotland’s budget as a result of the UK Government’s budget bombshell.

The UK Government’s pre-budget report will remove an estimated £500 million from the Scottish Government’s budget as a result of the UK Health department failure to spend its full capital allocation and so-called efficiency savings to help the UK Government balance its overblown budget.

A £500 million budget cut in the final year of this spending round is equal to the following expenditure from the Scottish Government’s budget for 2010-11 (as in Scottish Budget Spending Review 2007)

1. The entire affordable housing investment programme: £472m

2. Half of the universities budget: £1bn

3. The entire prison budget - £480m

4. The student support budget - £523 million

5. Combination of:Schools budget (£141m)
Climate change budget (£118m)
Alcohol misuse (£47m)
Waiting list budget (£90m)
Abolishing prescription charges (£45m)
Central Heating and Warm deal budgets (£56m)

Total: £497m

SNP MSP Alex Neil said;

“The pre-budget report takes £500 million from the Scottish Government’s budget in 2010 – 11 and exposes the fundamental failure of the current Scottish funding system.

“The Scottish Government put forward responsible plans and won parliamentary approval to spend Scotland’s budget allocation over three years.

“For the UK Government to then come in and take £500 million off that three year deal is a deep disappointment.

“If the £500 million were to be applied directly to Scotland’s budget plans for 2010-11 we could see cuts to the entire prison budget, the halving of the universities budget, the complete abolition of spending on affordable housing or a combination of cuts to schools funding, tackling climate change, supporting an end to fuel poverty and cutting waiting lists.

“Labour has spent months scaremongering about efficiency savings to fund frontline services – now they should explain a genuine cut from Scotland’s budget by the Labour government.

“This cut is an appalling attack on Scotland’s finances, on spending to support Scotland’s economy and public services and must be resisted by all parties in Scotland. As Iain Gray seems so keen to see this money slashed from Scotland’s budget – perhaps he’d like to tell me what he will cut.”

PARLIAMENT VOTES FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS

PARLIAMENT VOTES FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS

LIBDEMS AND TORIES VOTE TO TAKE FOOD FROM CHILDREN

South of Scotland MSP Aileen Campbell has welcomed today's vote in the Scottish Parliament which will allow free school meals to be extended to an estimated 118,000 pupils from 2010.

The legislation to extend free school meals to all P1 to P3 children passed despite the failure of Lib Dems and Tories to support the proposals.

Speaking after the Committee vote Ms Campbell said;

"With an estimated 118,000 pupils poised to benefit from free school meals as a result of today's vote this is excellent news for Scotland's children.

"However the failure of some opposition parties to vote for today's legislation shows where their priorities really lie.

"This was a disgraceful vote by the LibDems – possibly their lowest point in the Parliament since devolution.

"We expect Tories not to care about improving the health of Scotland's children or stigmatising them; but people will be astonished that the LibDems voted to take the food from the mouths of Scotland's children.

"This shows just how right wing and out of touch the LibDems have become – no wonder they lost their deposits in Glasgow East and Glenrothes.

"Despite evidence from across civic Scotland such as charities, churches, trade unions, and anti-poverty groups that this policy will play a key role in improving children's education, health and well being - their failure to support the extension of free school meals speaks volumes about LibDem priorities in these times.

"With 90,000 children in poverty currently excluded from free school meals the SNP's actions will not only improve health but will take steps to tackle poverty across the country and at a time when there are serious economic concerns.

"As the pilot schemes showed free school meals are popular and successful with children, parents and teachers. Today's decision is an excellent step for Scotland's school pupils."

ANOTHER LOCAL LABOUR PARTY IN TURMOIL

ANOTHER LOCAL LABOUR PARTY IN TURMOIL



Commenting on reports that another local Labour party is in turmoil with the resignation of a councillor from the Labour group on Inverclyde Council West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan said it pointed to simmering divisions within the Scottish Labour party across the country.



Councillor Charlie McCallum resigned from Inverclyde's Labour group to become an independent and hoped it would lead to more consensus politics on the council. His decision follows the resignation of councillors from the opposition group on West Dunbartonshire Council for similar reasons and the suspension of East Lothian Labour party after divisions between members.



Commenting Mr McMillan said:



"Councillor McCallum has made a brave and welcome decision which exposes how Labour's constant negativity is backfiring with their own members resigning because they are not putting the interests of local people first.



"Hopefully this resignation will make the minority Labour administration on Inverclyde think again about their approach to politics. The people of Inverclyde are more interested in how politicians can make life better – not how much they can attack other parties and scaremonger.



"This resignation poses fundamental questions for the Labour party in Scotland. With similar resignations in West Dunbartonshire and East Lothian Labour party suspended there is obviously something wrong within the Labour party in Scotland. These events are just the public face of simmering discontents and divisions."

SNP GOVERNMENT FOCUSSING ON FIGHTING FUEL POVERTY

LABOUR SLASHES FUEL POVERTY BUDGET IN ENGLAND



SNP GOVERNMENT FOCUSSING ON FIGHTING FUEL POVERTY



Commenting on figures from the Pre-Budget Report which show that the Labour government in London will slash the budget for fuel poverty programmes by 50% south of the border by 2010 Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris welcomed the First Minister's comments that the SNP Government's programme would, by 2010 see increased funding and be equal to a massive 28% as a proportion of the Labour government's programme south of the border. Between 2008 and 2010 the English Warm Front scheme will see its funding cut by 50%.



In contrast the SNP Government's programme will increase by over 20%



Mr Doris raised the issue at First Minister's Questions today (Thursday) as official figures showed the number of people living in fuel poverty was rising.



Speaking after he raised the matter with the First Minister Mr Doris said:



"These figures expose Labour's hypocrisy on social justice. Far from being a party that helps those most in need these figures from south of the border show the stark contrast between Labour in power and the SNP in Government in Scotland.



"In such economically challenging times it is unbelievable that Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling are slashing the fuel poverty budget in England. This will be greeted with horror by vulnerable families south of the Border.



"Despite the tightest funding settlement since devolution, the SNP Government has actually expanded its fuel poverty programme, and are spending proportionately double the level of Labour's spending in England.



"In addition the Scottish Government is also working hard to ensure a fair share of the money for the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT).



"As well as combating fuel poverty, this is also part of the Scottish Government's programme of investment to help the economy and families during tough times."

WOOLWORTHS - END OF AN ERA? 26th Nov 2008.

WEIR COMMENTS AS WOOLWORTHS ENTERS ADMINISTRATION


SNP Business and Enterprise spokesperson, Mike Weir MP, has described reports that High Street retailer Woolworths has gone into administration as “a worrying sign for the local economies throughout Scotland.



Mr Weir said:



“Woolworths has been a fixture of High Streets the length and breadth of the country for almost one hundred years, surviving several recessions.

”It has been no secret that the company has faced difficulties in recent years but the fact it is now going into administration is very worrying.



“I sincerely hope that that the administrators are able to find a future for the stores. Clearly it is an anxious time for the employees of the group.



“If the business cannot be saved it would leave an enormous gap in High Streets up and down the country. It is an institution especially in small towns throughout Scotland. In many cases it is the only national chain left on the High Street.



“This is yet more evidence of the problems that are facing businesses large and small with the looming recession. The Scottish Government have taken strong action to help small businesses with the small business bonus which slashed business rates.”



Mr Weir, who last week challenged the Prime Minister directly on help for local businesses added that more needed to be done by the Westminster government. Mr Weir said:



“The UK government must step up action and ensure that the re-capitalised banks take a compassionate attitude to businesses in these tough times.”

UNION COULD COST SCOTTISH FAMILIES £50,000

UNION COULD COST SCOTTISH FAMILIES £50,000



SNP Shadow Spokesman for the Scotland Office, Angus MacNeil MP has questioned the value of the Union after it emerged that every Scottish household’s share of the UK Government’s debt will rise to almost £50,000 by 2014.



Commenting from the House of Commons, where he has been participating in an emergency debate on the Pre-Budget Report, Mr MacNeil said:



“According to the Pre-Budget Report, additional borrowing per UK household for present year is £3,058. Next year, it will be £4,192. Over the next 6 years, borrowing per household will increase by over £20,000.



“UK cumulative debt per household last year was £23,630. By 2013/14, it will be £48,384. So much for the so-called Union dividend.



“For years, Labour claimed that independence would cost every Scottish household £5,000. Labour figured that was the size the bogeyman would need to be to scare Scots from the SNP and independence.



“The plan put forward by the Labour Government will cost each Scottish family £50,000. A household debt coming for everyone which will be almost TEN times higher than the straw bogeyman Labour manufactured.



“Indeed, when I made this point in the Chamber, former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke MP agreed that Scotland was owed an apology for decades of scaremongering.”

GREENLANDERS VOTE FOR MORE POWERS

GREENLANDERS VOTE FOR MORE POWERS

GREENLAND TO GET GREATER SHARE OF OIL WEALTH

Jamie Hepburn, SNP MSP for Central Scotland, has welcomed the results of a referendum in Greenland, in which 75% of voters favoured proposals for greater autonomy from Denmark.

Jamie Hepburn today congratulated the people of Greenland on the result highlighting their enthusiasm for taking on greater responsibility under changing economic circumstances. Mr Hepburn called on Scotland's opposition parties to follow Greenland's example and support a referendum on Scotland's constitutional future.

Commenting, Jamie Hepburn said:

“I welcome the fact that the people of Greenland voted overwhelmingly for greater autonomy from Denmark in a peaceful and democratic referendum.

“Greenland has a population of only 57,000, and yet they have had the confidence to take a step closer to the normal status of independence.

"Far from the current economic situation pushing Greenland back to Denmark, it has encouraged them to take more responsibility for their own affairs. Jim Murphy and the UK Government should take note.

“This decision will transfer a greater share of oil wealth and a say in foreign policy directly to the people of Greenland.

"Clearly Greenlanders have no worries about their country’s ability to adapt to changing global economic circumstances.

"This is a positive step for Greenland, Denmark and one I hope the people of Scotland will follow to full independence."

CHANCELLOR DARLING BUCKLES IN WHISKY U-TURN 26th Nov2008.

DARLING ON THE ROCKS OVER WHISKY U-TURN

CHANCELLOR BUCKLES 48 HOURS AFTER PBR

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP has today (Wednesday) welcomed news that the Treasury has tabled a new order to cut an 8 per cent whisky tax increase, announced in the Pre-Budget Report. It is understood that the PBR duty increase will be cut by half to 4%.

Mr Robertson, whose Moray constituency produces more than half of Scotland's malt whisky, said:

”Clearly, I welcome the fact that the Treasury has buckled in the face of the outcry from the whisky industry and the SNP over the last 48 hours.

”It confirms just how much of an afterthought the whisky industry was to the Chancellor that he took such a reckless decision in the first place.

”The decision to cut the increase by half is certainly welcome, but it does not reverse the massive tax increase the industry has been hit with between the Budget and the Pre-Budget Report.

”The way in which the Pre-Budget Report is unravelling is indicative of the disgraceful and dithering way the UK Government is responding to the economic crisis, bringing chaos and confusion where we need certainty and clarity.

”The wheels are coming off the Pre-Budget Report, and serve as a perfect illustration of why the Scottish Parliament should be responsible for all tax and spending decisions in Scotland.”

HOLOCAUST EDUCATION FUNDING FROM SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT 26th Noveber 2008.

HOLOCAUST EDUCATION FUNDING FROM SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT.

WISHART WELCOMES HOLOCAUST EDUCATION SUPPORT

FIRST EVER FUNDING PLEDGE FROM ANY SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

SNP MP, Pete Wishart, today (Wednesday) welcomed news that the Scottish Government has taken action to guarantee the future of Auschwitz visits for Scottish school pupils to learn about the Holocaust.

The Scottish Government has pledged to provide £214,000 to ensure the flights from Scotland continue. Mr Wishart was the only Scottish MP to go on the visit to Auschwitz this year and has been working with the Holocaust Education Trust and the Scottish Government to find a solution when a funding difficulty emerged.

Mr Wishart said:

“Having seen at first hand the work of the Holocaust Education Trust, it is clear that these trips are powerful and worthwhile, and I wholly welcome the action by the Scottish Government to guarantee the future of these visits for Scottish schools.

“The previous Labour/Liberal administration did not provide any financial assistance for these important visits, and it is excellent to see the SNP government take this initiative. I am delighted that their intervention will mean that the visits from Scotland will continue.

“I trust that all those Labour politicians who chose to play politics with this issue will also congratulate the Scottish Government for their action in providing this funding, for the very first time by any Scottish administration.

”We must ensure that these issues are treated sensitively and that Scottish school children continue to learn the important lessons from one of history’s darkest moments.”

UK GOVERNMENT SIGNALS WHISKY DUTY U-TURN.

CHANCELLOR SIGNALS U-TURN ON WHISKY DUTY.



Commenting on the report on BBC Newsnight Scotland tonight (Tuesday) that the Chancellor Alistair Darling may be U-turning on the level of duty imposed on the Scotch whisky industry, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP, whose Moray constituency produces more than half of Scotland's malt whisky, said:

“We need to see the detail of what Alistair Darling is proposing, but hopefully he is U-turning on this damaging tax hike on one of Scotland’s key industries.

“It would be a huge blow to the Chancellor’s credibility if he is forced into a climbdown when the ink on the Pre-Budget Report is barely dry, and it suggests that he didn’t understand the impact of his own PBR measures on Scotland.

“However, the important thing is to get it right for Scotland. At a time when Scotland’s record oil revenues are bankrolling the Treasury, it cannot be right that Scotland’s whisky industry is further hammered, just as the Chancellor’s cuts in 2010/11 are indefensible.”

PERUVIAN F.A. BAN.

PERUVIAN F.A. BAN.

PERUVIAN FA BAN A SALUTARY LESSON FOR UK GOVERNMENT

UK GOVERNMENT MUST STOP THIS CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE PEOPLE’S GAME

Commenting on FIFA’s suspension of Peru from international football as a result of an ongoing feud between the Peruvian Government and the Peruvian Football Federation, SNP Culture, Media and Sport Spokesperson Pete Wishart MP today (Tuesday) said:

“The banning of Peru from international football by FIFA should be a salutary lesson for the UK Government. They have consistently tried to interfere with the operation of the Scottish Football Association, against the wishes of the SFA and in opposition to Scottish football fans.

“If they don’t desist in this unwanted campaign, what has come to pass in Peru may next visit Hampden Park.

“FIFA's statutes are clear - they do not allow political intervention by governments. Despite this, the Labour Government at Westminster is playing politics with the people's game by trying to force through a British Olympic football team with no regard for the views of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish football authorities or the fans of all four home nations, who are united in their opposition to this daft and dangerous idea.

“Now is the time for the UK Government to stop this campaign of harassment against Scottish football and back our SFA, the Tartan Army and the vast majority of Scottish football fans.”

SCOTLAND'S NHS WAITING TIMES FASTEST EVER.

SCOTLAND'S NHS WAITING TIMES FASTEST EVER.
MSP WELCOMES FASTEST EVER WAITING TIMES

Lothians MSP Dr Ian McKee has today welcomed the statistical announcement from the Scottish Government that faster treatment times are being delivered across Scotland and that all of the current national maximum waiting times standards have been effectively met.

The statistics show that NHS Scotland is delivering ahead of the maximum waiting time standard of 18 weeks for a first outpatient consultation and for inpatient and day case treatment.

They also show that NHS Scotland is on track to meet the new targets for reducing the waiting times for outpatient and inpatient treatment to 15 weeks by March 2009, and to meet the target to reduce the maximum wait for key diagnostic tests from nine weeks to six weeks.

Commenting on the figures Dr McKee said:

"These statistics show the SNP Government is taking us in the right direction to make a healthier Scotland. It is a very welcome development that after years of disappointment we are delivering on waiting times.

"The SNP pledged to make a healthier Scotland and these figures are not only proof we are heading in that direction but also underline our determination and desire to achieve that aim.

"These statistics are not the finishing line and I am confident that the SNP and the Scottish Government in conjunction with local health boards will continue to tackle waiting times head on."
Superb news for Scotlands population!

ID CARDS FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS 25th Nov2008.

ID CARDS FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS.

ID CARDS FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS pushes ahead.

“THESE CARDS WILL NOT MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES MORE SECURE”

WISHART ON PHASE ONE OF ID CARDS

As the UK Borders Agency today (Tuesday), begins issuing non-EEA nationals and their dependents granted leave to remain in the UK with ID cards, SNP Home Affairs Spokesman, Pete Wishart MP has repeated his misgivings over the scheme.

Mr Wishart said:

“The SNP has opposed ID cards from Day One. They are unwanted, expensive and unnecessary.

“The UK Government’s abysmal record on data protection is reason enough to cancel the scheme altogether.

“These cards will not make our communities more secure, they will not reduce the terrorist threat and they will not make public services more efficient. Making foreign nationals the guinea pigs in this scheme is also regrettable.

“The UK Government looks even more absurd pushing ahead with this costly project given the dire state of the economy.

“ID cards are a waste of money which would have been better spent supporting the frontline services which actually make a difference to the people of Scotland.”

OECD U.K. ECONOMY REPORT 25th Nov2008.

STRONGER TOGETHER? OECD REPORT SUGGESTS NOT

HOSIE COMMENTS ON REPORTS THAT UK ECONOMY WILL SHRINK

Commenting on warnings by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that the UK is heading towards a "severe" economic downturn in the UK in 2009, SNP Treasury Spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP said:

“The Chancellor’s Pre-Budget Report is not so much unfolding as unravelling.

“Yesterday, Alistair Darling said the UK economy would decline by up to 1.25% next year, but added incredibly that the UK was ‘better placed’ than other countries to cope with the downturn.

“Less than 24 hours later, and the OECD are warning that economic output in the UK will fall by 1.1% next year - more than any other major G7 country.

“Indeed, in the Chancellor’s own Pre-Budget Report contains further forecast by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which foresees a 1.3% fall in output in 2009.

“So the Chancellor says we are well placed, while the OECD and the IMF both say the recession is going to be deepest and darkest in the UK.

“In contrast, yesterday’s Ernst and Young ITEM forecast said that Scottish GDP would only contract by 0.4% and Scottish growth is set to outstrip growth in the UK by 2010.

“The Chancellor’s assertion that the UK is better placed to weather the financial storm than other countries is simply wrong. The most recent IMF forecast for Sweden, Finland and Norway – three small, independent countries – shows growth.

“The Unionist parties claim that Scotland is better off as part of the United Kingdom. The evidence would suggest not.”

SCOTLAND HOUSING MARKET IN THE DOLDRUMS.

SCOTLAND HOUSING MARKET IN THE DOLDRUMS.

LABOUR FAILURE TO BOOST HOUSING SPEND

NO NEW FUNDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

SNP MSP Bob Doris today criticised the UK Government for failing to invest any new money in affordable housing or tackling homelessness.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had urged the Chancellor to invest new money in affordable housing, a move that could have delivered increased housing spending in Scotland.

Figures released today show that whilst there was an increase in new build and completions in 2007 – 08 the house building market is slowing in the current year.

Mr Doris, a member of the Scottish Parliament's Local Government Committee said;

“The Scottish Government has brought forward £100 million of investment in affordable housing to help families, housing associations and house builders through difficult times.

“Unfortunately Labour has failed to deliver a single extra penny for affordable housing or investment in meeting homelessness targets.

“Alistair Darling was simply playing catch up with the early actions of the SNP – there is not a penny of new money for housing in Scotland.

“Unfortunately without the power to borrow money and with no new investment from the Labour the Scottish Government can only increase spending on housing by cutting other services or leaving the housing budget and the housing sector completely exposed in years to come.

“The £100 million brought forward in August has been welcomed by the industry and shows the Scottish Government reacting quickly to the changing economic situation.

“Similarly figures released today show both a decline in sale of houses through right to buy and an increase in lets to homeless people. Both vital steps in tackling our housing problems. It is deeply disappointing that the UK Government could not show the same impetus in addressing housing need.”

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND 2009 CELEBRATIONS.

HOMECOMING SCOTLAND 2009 CELEBRATIONS.
HOMECOMING SCOTLAND 2009 FESTIVAL kicks off in 2009 on January the 25th which is known worldwide as Burns night.
This is the special day throughout the world where Scottish ancestry and modern day Scottish ex-pats enjoy the celebrations of Burns Suppers and traditional Scottish Dancing with toasting usually with some fine Scottish whisky. The Burns Supper is; Haggis neeps and tatties, or, Neeps - Turnip mashed, tatties - potatoes, Haggis - many have suggested the Haggis is an animal with three legs and one is shorter than the other to run round the top of hills, but I think most folks know that the Haggis has four legs but only uses three but the fourth leg comes into play when you pull it and have people on.
Mince - the main meat dish in many Scottish homes is usually served with the above and many also add skirly which is oatmeal stuffing.
The Homecoming Scotland 2009 will last until St Andrews day the patron saint of Scotland, which is the 30th of November.
Many are going to remember Scotland in 2009 as the year when being Scottish will be Scottish pride in action for the whole world to enjoy.
Visit the official Homecoming Scotland 2009 website for more information and don't be shy about telling us how proud you are about Scotland and being Scottish, or even if your not Scottish let us know what you like about Scotland, be it the people, scenery, or the beautiful scenery we want to hear and read about everybody everywhere worldwide who loves our great country.