Thanks for the support for ETV

Cllrs Rae Mackenzie and Gordon Murray would like to sincerely thank all those who signed the petition requesting an ETV to be stationed on the West coast.

SNP MP on the case to bus operator

Bus passengers are reporting difficulties in booking bus services linking Ullapool to Glasgow up to a week in advance and Isles MP Angus MacNeil is now calling on the operator to put on additional buses.

Fighting Poverty in the Western Isles

The Western Isles council SNP group extended an invitation to Councillor Angus McCormack in his role as Chair of the Western isles Poverty Action Group to hear the work Angus Brendan Macneil MP has been doing to address the island’s poverty issues and to support our future campaign.

SNP PLEDGE MORE SUPPORT FOR SCOTLAND’S CARERS

CARERS DESERVE A FAIR DEAL FROM WESTMINSTER
 Angus Brendan MacNeil SNP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar has welcomed the announcement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who has confirmed that SNP MPs would argue for extra support for carers across the UK – in contrast to Labour, who make no mention of the Carers Allowance in their manifesto.

The SNP manifesto has proposed increasing carers allowance to the same level as job seekers allowance, delivering up to £600 extra for over 100,000 unpaid carers in Scotland.

Carers allowance is currently £62 per week, whilst Jobseekers allowance is set at £73.

Commenting Angus MacNeil SNP, Na h-Eileanan an Iar said:

“The issue of carers is very important across the islands, indeed some of the doors I have knocked during this campaign have been answered by people caring for relatives.  I am always impressed by the self-sacrifice and the kindness of such people.

“Across Scotland our 100,000 carers do an invaluable job, but yet they are some of the people who will have been hit hardest by the recession and Westminster austerity.

“Carers are often reliant solely on the social security system for their income because they have to take time out of work to look after others – the same social security system which is under a relentless and sustained attack by this Tory-led government.

“The SNP is determined to support Scotland’s carers - that’s why we are bringing forward legislation to recognise the invaluable role carers play in our communities, ensure all adult carers are entitled to their own support plan and establishing local carer advice and information centres.

“But we know that there is more to be done and that Westminster has overlooked carers for too long.

“It is simply unfair that carers do not receive the same support as those looking for work.  That’s why the SNP will use our influence at Westminster to put carers firmly on the Westminster agenda, securing an increase in carers allowance benefitting carers to the tune of £600 per year.

“In contrast, Labour’s manifesto doesn’t even bother to mention the Carers Allowance – and the Tories are committed to making another £12bn of cuts to the welfare budget. Westminster simply isn’t working for Scotland’s carers – which is why we need a new, more progressive approach which guarantees carers the support they need.

“We will never be able to do enough to fully recognise the incredible work our carers do.  But carers in Scotland – and across the UK – can be confident that the SNP will be a strong voice for their interests in the House of Commons and will use our influence at Westminster to deliver a better, fairer deal.”

Citizens Advice Direct Call-Handling Centre, Stornoway - MP & MSP welcome announcement

The SNP’s MP and MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Angus MacNeil and Alasdair Allan, have welcomed confirmation from Citizens Advice Direct that the call-handling centre in Stornoway will be retained. 

CITIZENS ADVICE DIRECT CALL-HANDLING CENTRE STORNOWAY - MACNEIL RAISES PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

Following a meeting on Saturday with Flora Somerville (Unison), a staff representative fromCitizens Advice Direct (CAD) Call-handling Centre, Stornoway, and local Councillor Gordon Murray, Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP, Angus MacNeil is to table Parliamentary Questions to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to clarify the situation in terms of funding.

Free school meals for P1-3 introduced

Monday 5th of January saw all school pupils from primary one to three become eligible for a free school meal.

Better late than never ......

The Western Isles council SNP group welcome the late arrival of councillor Angus McCormack to a disgraceful issue facing islanders almost a year after Angus Brendan Macneil first raised it in the House of Commons.

Truth will prevail

At the last council meeting, 30 councillors voted to give officers the green light to restore the Stornoway/Benbecula flight to 5 days. Nine of these 30 councillors voted (by way of amendment) to include Benbecula/Barra also.

NEW MALLAIG TO FORT WILLIAM BUS TO DOVETAIL WITH LOCHBOISDALE SAILING

The new Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry is to have a new bus service to meet the ferry and to whisk passengers from the pier in response to the new ferry service following discussions initially between Angus MacNeil MP and Shiel buses, with Highland Council also coming on board with hoped for vital support. 

SNP group call for removal of dumping spurdog at sea

SNP Council Group at Comhairle nan Eilean, strongly support the continued calls from MP Angus MacNeil for the UK Government and Scottish Government to pressure the EU to remove the requirement for boxes of spurdog to be dumped at sea.

Addressing the mobile phone issues on the islands

EE

Na h-Eileanan and Iar SNP MP, Angus Brendan MacNeil met with representatives from the mobile operator EE, the company which runs the EE, Orange and T-Mobile brands in the UK.

Tories revert to selling off public assets

Commenting on the announcement that the Westminster government has confirmed the sale of shares in Royal Mail, Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil said:

Plane service u-turn by council - if only they had listened to the SNP Group

MACNEIL WELCOMES TALK OF COUNCIL U-TURN ON AIR-SERVICES