11 November 2009

Installations of central heating systems across the Highlands and Islands have plummeted under the SNP’s Government’s new Energy Assistance Package.

Since the Energy Assistance Package (EAP) replaced the previous Scottish Executive’s Central Heating Programme (CHP) in April 2009, 429 systems were installed across all of Scotland.

Mr Peacock: “These are shocking figures and expose the lamentable failure of the SNP Government’s Energy Assistance Package.

“I could understand a slight dip in numbers given it is a new package, but only 19 were fitted across the Highlands and Islands.

” On the Western Isles alone, none have been fitted.

“In some cases the reason for this is the lack of mains gas, with people being offered inefficient and costly to run electric storage heaters or oil. Choosing oil means many will need to find significant sums to able to fit them.

“The government are letting down people across the Highlands and Islands.”

Mr Peacock added: “The previous programme was a success story of the Labour Scottish Executive and helped some of the most vulnerable people in society obtain warm and efficient homes.

“It is a travesty the SNP has ruined it with their totally failed and discredited alternative.

“It is either a callous cost cutting measure targeting the vulnerable and elderly or a sign of complete incompetence by the SNP.”

11 November 2009

Peter Peacock, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, is welcoming the publication of the follow through inspection into Wick High School.

Mr Peacock said: “It is pleasing to note the improvements made since the original inspection of Wick High School was carried out last year.

“I applaud all the hard work which has gone into making this happen.

“As with all such reports certain areas continue to require attention and I am sure that the Head teacher and the rest of the school staff will address this into the future.

“The inspector also raises the need for continued improvements to the accommodation within the school and I wholeheartedly agree with that.

“This is something my Labour colleagues and I have continually raised in the past. “

Mr Peacock added: “Although there is a new building on the way for Wick High, this is still some way off.

“It is vitally important that the necessary repairs are not put off and are carried out as soon as possible”

16 September 2009

Commenting on the news that the UK Government rejected Quinetiq’s proposals to axe jobs in the Uists, Peter Peacock, Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands said: “The local task force and community are to be congratulated on their fantastic campaign and Jim Murphy and his Westminster colleagues deserve the utmost credit for doing a great job for the Islands.

“There have been huge efforts behind the scenes to get this result, with Labour in the Islands being active in private lobbying to support the local taskforce.

“Not least in this has been Councillor Donald John MacSween who has persistently championed the cause publicly and privately since the matter first came up for consultation.

“The taskforce had very little time to respond to the threat, despite the fact the local MP had been briefed on the impending problems some two years ago, but failed to tell anyone.”

Mr Peacock added: “The MPs role in this whole affair warrants close examination.

“Even before the consultation was formally announced, his strategy gave all the appearance of seeking to exploit the issue for purely party political advantage for himself by decrying the `decision’ he claimed Labour Ministers and Westminster had already made.

” Only this weekend he was proclaiming Labour was finished in the Islands because of a decision to close the base, well he has a mighty amount of humble pie to eat now.

“It is Westminster Labour Ministers listening to local people and strong arguments that makes this a good day for the Islands.”

07 August 2009

Peter Peacock, Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP, has welcomed today’s cash boost for Dingwall from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Mr Peacock said: “Almost half a million pounds heading to Ross-shire is most welcome.

“The Scottish Government eventually accepted Labour’s arguments for a Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

“It’s opened up a huge range of opportunities with sixty million pounds to distribute across the country, which is even more important at this time of economic challenge.”

Mr Peacock added: “This is only the first round of announcements.

“I would still urge all eligible towns across the Highlands and Islands to submit their bids for the next round of awards.”

30 June 2009

 Peter Peacock, Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP has welcomed Argyll and Bute Council’s positive moves to improve bio diversity in their area.

It comes after the MSP wrote to councils throughout the Highlands and Islands about their roadside verge trimming policy.

Mr Peacock said: “It great to hear that Argyll and Bute Council are actively looking at their policy on trimming roadside verges.

“My correspondence with Stewart Turner, Head of Roads and Amenities with the authority, has revealed that they have been looking at ways to improve biodiversity, while maintaining road safety since earlier this year.

“Failing destroys roadside wildlife environments and impacts on insects and birds.

“Intensive modern farming methods have also meant that roadside verges have become much more important as wildlife environments.“

Mr Peacock added: “Several councils in the UK have now introduced policies to improve biodiversity on their roadside verges.

“Argyll and Bute Council are now among them now, and should be congratulated in helping Honey Bees and other pollinators, which are currently under huge threat.”

17 June 2009

Responding to the announcement of planned defence job losses in the Uists and on Raasay and St. Kilda, Peter Peacock, Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands said, “This is a very disappointing development and represents a real blow to the economy of the islands.

“It is not clear to me whether this is a move initiated by Qinetiq to maximise their convenience and profits within an existing contract framework, or is being driven by specific defence needs.

“It is hard to see how it is driven by defence needs as the Uists and Raasay are facilities which offers a unique combination of assets that it seems to me impossible to replicate elsewhere in quite the same way – that is why the facilities have been there for so many years.

“The sums of money involved represent very small cash savings for the MoD of around £2M per year and my colleagues and I will work with others to make as strong a case as possible for the retention of facilities and jobs within the consultation announced.

“I note that the MoD say they will consider workable alternatives and that is a task everyone must look at closely.

“I have already pledged my support to the Comraihle in any constructive representations they wish to make to the MOD and UK Government and will similarity work with Highland Council and HIE to see what can be done to effectively challenge the proposals.

16 June 2009

Peter Peacock, Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP, has voiced his concerns about the possible threats to a Ministry of Defence missile test range on the Uists.

An announcement on the future of the site will be made tomorrow.

Mr Peacock said: “Any reduction in the work force would be a big blow to the Uists. 

“No decisions have been announced yet, so it is premature to speculate on what might happen, but people are understandably apprehensive.

“If any action is taken, the Ministry of Defence must clearly set out the defence reasons for any change.

“The test range is in the islands for clear defence reasons and if there is to be a change in approach that needs to be clearly set out.”

Mr Peacock added: “I will be contacting Councillor Angus Campbell, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, to offer my support to any representations the Council makes to the MOD on behalf of islanders at the missile test range and in the interests of securing jobs.”

04 June 2009

Peter Peacock, Highlands and Islands regional Labour MSP has urged the Highland Council to do their part to help protect Bees.

Around this time of year, the local authority undertakes trimming of foliage of roadside verges using mechanical flails mounted on tractors.

Mr Peacock said: “In the past this practice has attracted adverse comment due to the effect on the environment.

“This is often done in the interests of road safety and it is important that this continues in appropriate locations.

“However, the practice is also happening on long stretches of single track road where the road safety argument cannot be applied so readily.

“The destruction of roadside wildlife environments by flailing, impacts on insects and birds and reduces biodiversity.

“Intensive modern farming methods have also meant that roadside verges have become much more important as wildlife environments.”

Mr Peacock added: “Several councils in the UK have now introduced policies to improve biodiversity on their roadside verges.

“I would urge the Highland Council to consider following suit and have another look at their roadside verge failing policy given the pressure Honey Bees and other pollinators are under, and the financial pressure the Council is under.”

29 May 2009

That was the plea from the North’s three Labour MSPs this week as they launch a campaign to persuade the Government to take action on the growing congestion on the Kessock Bridge.

Their campaign to ease congestion is underway, already with the backing of people in Ross-shire.

The MSPs will also seek meetings with Transport Scotland, the Highland Council, HITRANS as well as local businesses to push the issue up the political agenda.

Peter Peacock said: “The Kessock Bridge is a key transport route which links the north to Inverness and beyond.

“Over the last twenty years, travelling to and from East Ross, the Black Isle and further north has been revolutionised by its existence.

“We want to find a long term solution to the growing problem and get the issue up the political agenda and we need people to make their voices heard if the share our view.

“As every year goes past the frustration of drivers’ grows.

“The queues now regularly extend back from the Longman Road roundabout right across the bridge and, although moving slowly across, are reminiscent of the queues that used to form either side of the old Kessock ferry crossing.”

Rhoda Grant said: “Most commuters from Ross-shire who use the bridge daily to travel to and from work have found their travel time has increased, along with the volume of traffic.

“Waiting times of fifteen, twenty minutes to cross the bridge aren’t uncommon.

“The long term solution is likely mean some kind of grade separated junction at the south end of the bridge, as well as park and ride schemes and the like on the north side and further improvements to rail and bus services to help ease the traffic pressure.

“Any improvements won for the Inverness trunk link route will also help.”

David Stewart said: “Amazingly the Kessock Bridge where it meets the roundabout on the Longman Road was not even mentioned in the Strategic Transport Projects Review as being an issue.

“As matters stand nothing is even going to be considered before 2020, but the delays on the bridge, which is one of the main arteries to the North and South of Scotland, will only increase if the problem isn’t addressed.

“There will not be a quick fix to the problem.

” We know from responses we received to a small survey in the area just how fed up people are with the problem and we will be giving people the chance to show their support over the coming weeks.

The MSPs also urged people to give them their experiences of using the bridge.

“This can be done by visiting their website, http://www.handimsps.org.uk

and clicking on the ‘End the Kessock Queues’ link.

The petition can also be accessed via – http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/endthekessockqueues/index.html

27 May 2009

I am happy to support Liam McArthur’s motion and to add my voice on this important issue.
I am especially pleased that our expert, David Whitton, is with us tonight.
Members may mock, but his expertise on particular aspects of the sheep flock will be exposed fully in a few moments’ time, when he makes his contribution to the debate.
It is easy to understand that at one point some well-intentioned EU official was clear about the origins and intention of the proposals.
Of itself, traceability is not a bad thing—the NFUS brief makes it clear that it is important.
Disease control is also important.
It supports the guarantees that people get for stock that comes from markets that have traceability, which can improve the price in the marketplace.
I am sure that someone thought that electronic identification was the way in which to ensure traceability in the modern world, to save paperwork and to ease administration.
I can see how the proposal originated but, as Liam McArthur set out, it is utterly impractical in the Scottish context and adds cost to an already fragile industry that is suffering badly at present.
That is cost to the producer, which cannot easily be passed down the rest of the chain.
The proposals are impractical because of the terrain in which most of our people operate, especially in the Highlands and Islands.
Gatherings can never be complete in such terrain—when people lose stock there, they may never understand how they have lost it.
The technology is not yet fully proven.
Naturally, people are worried that, if they infringe, there will be cross-compliance issues that will affect their potential income.
For the reasons that I have set out, the UK Government has opposed the proposals for many years. Clearly, it believed—and still believes—that the costs outweigh the benefits.
It has questioned the proposals from the outset, with the support of the Scottish Government, and the issue has been raised in the Council of Ministers.
The responsible UK minister has met the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development and urged a rethink; I am sure that Scottish ministers have done the same.
At recent council meetings, the UK Government has supported others in urging a rethink and has secured a delay in the proposals’ implementation, the phasing-in of certain recording requirements and agreement that sheep under one year of age will not be tagged for slaughter.
As Liam McArthur indicated, at the most recent council meeting, the Commission began to show signs of keeping open the door to greater flexibility on how the proposals would be implemented, if not on whether implementation would take place.
I understand that the UK Government is happy to keep raising the issue for as long as it takes to get a resolution.
As Liam McArthur indicated, the NFUS has developed the strategy that it will contribute to the debate. Rightly, it is trying to get the support of other farming unions across the EU, so that those unions can put pressure on their state Governments.
As long as the UK, with the support of the Scottish Government, has raised the issue in the European Union, it has done so with little support from other member states.
That is a key point.
Until we get support from other member states, the hard reality is that we will be stuck with the current situation. However, flexibility is now opening up—we need to walk through that door.
I know that the Scottish Government has been working closely with the UK Government on the issue.
I urge it to continue to do so until we find solutions.
I know that the UK Government has been active in trying to recruit more support from other member states, but some states have already implemented the proposals.
Others, as I am sure Jamie McGrigor will tell us, do not really worry about the issue, because they are below the thresholds at which the proposals apply.
The most worrying aspect is that, unless practical solutions are found, it will be yet another reason for people to leave sheep farming in the areas that we represent, on grounds of cost, practicality, worries about cross-compliance and the like.
That would impact on the many other services—including transport, veterinary services and feed supplies—that support the industry and rural communities, and would be another reason for the industry’s decline.
That is why we need to find an answer; I trust that the minister will indicate what further measures will be taken to secure one.