WEIR PURSUES BETTER DEAL FOR RURAL FUEL POOR

WEIR PURSUES BETTER DEAL FOR RURAL FUEL POOR

MINISTER AGREES TO LOOK FURTHER AT SUGGESTED SOLUTION

SNP Westminster Energy spokesperson Mike Weir MP has called on the UK
Government to take more action to help those in fuel poverty,
especially those not connected to the gas grid. Mr Weir was encouraged
that the energy department minister Gregory Barker promised to look at
his proposed solution.

Speaking in a debate on Fuel Poverty in rural Britain, Mr Weir said
that those off the gas grid “slipped through the cracks” and did not
receive the benefit of social tariffs. He called upon the UK
government to adopt a scheme he put forward during the debates on last
years Energy Act to spread the cost of social tariffs amongst all fuel
providers.

Speaking during the debate Mr Weir said:

“The Act allows the Secretary of State to introduce a reconciliation
mechanism that means that, should one company have more fuel-poor
customers than others it would not be particularly badly hit: the
burden would be spread among all the companies so that each would
meet, as far as possible, an equitable amount of the cost of meeting
the obligations under the social tariff. That principle is a good one,
and it could be extended further to bring in all fuel suppliers, to
allow a general sharing of the burden of the cost of meeting
obligations to help the fuel poor.

“A general reconciliation mechanism that brought those suppliers
within the ambit of the scheme, but which allowed the overall cost to
be shared between all the energy suppliers, would enable us to make
progress and extend the social tariff concept to that very
disadvantaged group.

“The main purpose of my amendment is simply to bring such consumers
into that more general reconciliation fund to bring about more
fairness and to tackle fuel poverty. In deciding to press ahead with
such a scheme, the Secretary of State should bring in all the
suppliers of all forms of energy and allow all their customers to
benefit from the scheme. As well as ensuring that no energy company
was disproportionately hit by having too many fuel-poor customers, it
would make it possible to share out the benefits more widely, and
would ensure that all energy suppliers could operate the equivalent
social tariff for their customers, whether they were in receipt of
electricity, gas or other forms of fuel. Ministers might be attracted
by the fact that it would be a revenue-neutral approach for the
Treasury; it would not impose a greater burden on it.”

Responding to the debate the energy department minister stated he was
prepared to look at the idea.

Commenting afterwards Mr Weir said he was encouraged that the Minister
was at least prepared to give his idea some consideration.

“For far too long the difficulties of bringing help to those off the
gas grid has been rejected as simply too difficult. Radical solutions
are needed to ensure that all those who are living in fuel poverty get
help.”

UK TROOPS DESERVE GREATER CLARITY

UK  TROOPS DESERVE GREATER CLARITY



Commenting on the announcement by Secretary of State for Defence, Liam Fox, that British troops are to relocate from the Sangin area of Afghanistan, SNP Westminster Leader and Defence Spokesman, Angus Robertson MP said:



“British troops serving on the frontline deserve greater certainty than the UK Government is currently offering.



“While moves to reduce troop numbers are welcome, this must be done as part of a clear plan for withdrawal.



“President Obama has already stated his intention to start bringing American troops home by July next year – why is the Tory Liberal coalition fobbing our service personnel off with vague 5 year commitments?”

WELCOME FOR RENDITION AND TORTURE CLAIM INQUIRY

WELCOME FOR RENDITION AND TORTURE CLAIM INQUIRY

The SNP has welcomed today’s announcement by the Prime Minister of an
inquiry into allegations that the British security services were
complicit in rendition and torture.

Responding to the Prime Ministers statement, SNP Home Affairs
spokesperson Pete Wishart MP said he hoped former Ministers would be
called to give evidence.

Mr Wishart said:

“An inquiry into these allegations is the only way to restore
confidence in the actions of our security services abroad.

“Allegations about the UK’s involvement in rendition, and claims that
some detainees were mistreated, have overshadowed the reputation of
our services and we have to find answers to these questions. If
necessary Ministers from the last government must co-operate and give
evidence to the inquiry.

“Our defence and security services do an excellent job and rather than
work under a cloud of suspicion the allegations of illegal activity,
rendition and torture over recent years should be properly
investigated and an inquiry held.”

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY SOLUTION TO BARNETT

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY SOLUTION TO BARNETT

Commenting on the publication of the Holtham Commission Report on Welsh funding, which restates the case for scrapping the Barnett formula, SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP said the only acceptable alternative was full fiscal responsibility for Scotland - allowing the country to raise all the money it spends.

Mr Hosie said:

“The only acceptable alternative to Barnett is full fiscal responsibility for Scotland, allowing the country to raise the money it spends. That is the best and simplest solution – anything less would be messy and unsustainable, and could well leave Scotland worse off.

“All parties recognise that the Barnett formula is no longer sustainable and should be replaced – but it must be replaced with a system of financial responsibility giving Scotland the powers over taxation, including oil and gas, and spending that are needed to effectively manage the Scottish economy.

“And the case for financial independence is reinforced by the most recent GERS report [Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland] which demonstrate beyond doubt that Scotland has built up a surplus of 3.5 billion over a four year period, while the UK as a whole racked up a deficit of £72.3 billion.

“The bottom line is that we must not have another Westminster fix imposed which could leave Scotland worse off than at present – that is why independence and equality represent the best future for Scotland, and why the SNP are the leading party in Scotland.”