Labour machinery within western isles council

Western Isles Council on 21st April confirmed it considered £50 Million required to be saved over the next 5 years reading from the Manifesto of Westminster austerity parties of Labour and Conservative.  On 28th April it issued a press release stating £15million may be the order of magnitude; avoiding any reference whatever to its earlier prediction.

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.”

Scottish Government's war on Fuel Poverty

£224 million national scheme to launch in September.


As many as 28,000 fuel poor and vulnerable households could make their homes easier and cheaper to heat through a new national scheme worth up to £224 million over seven years. 

An open letter to Fergus Ewing and Derek Mackay

Dear Mr Ewing/Mr Mackay,

I am writing to you in my capacity as an elected member in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar regarding the issue of local energy generation and grid capacity in the Western Isles.

SNP COUNCIL CANDIDATE COMMENTS ON LOCAL EDUCATION ISSUES

SNP council candidate for Benbecula and North Uist, Roslyn Macpherson, has highlighted some of the issues for parents relating to Education and Nursery provision in the ward.

SNP: LABOUR OPPOSITION TO LOCHMADDY FERRY IMPROVEMENT CONDEMNED

Statement from Cllr Donald Manford (SNP):

“Westminster Labour candidate Alasdair Morrison’s unenviable reputation for the crass and absurd gets even more outrageous.  Mr Morrison’s claim that urgently needed increased ferry capacity for Lochmaddy should not happen is as puerile as it is objectionable.

“The  Lochmaddy-Uig route is the shortest, most sheltered and least disrupted route there is and is critically needed, especially at this time of year.  It is little wonder that Lochmaddy and with it all communities between Berneray and Vatersay have been held back, while the ridiculous views of Mr Morrison and his Labour cohort held sway.

“Out of political desperation Mr Morrison is trying to resurrect his proposals to reduce Western Isles ferry services to three routes.  These proposals were objected to in 2001 when as Tourism Minister he axed the Mallaig service and ended in 2006 when the people of Scotland ousted his  Labour administration from Edinburgh.  Since then ferry routes have increased as have the number of people traveling to our islands.  Ferries must increase to keep pace; it the dinosaur mentality of Labour and Westminster which must be ended, and their loathsome practice of trying to pitch communities against each other must be seen to fail.

“I am delighted that Roslyn MacPherson has courageously committed to securing for Lochmaddy the level of ferry service that it should have.  This will ably compliment the sterling efforts of Neil Beaton and Uisdean Robertson, and will have my full support.”

SNP COUNCIL CANDIDATE CALLS ON COUNCIL TO LEAD FERRIES RETHINK

With extreme conditions continuing to disrupt ferry services, SNP council candidate for North Uist and Benbecula, Roslyn Macpherson, has called on the Comhairle to take a lead in a collaborative approach to designing ferry services.