MacNeil says SNP Scottish Government show just what Scotland can do

Speaking on St Andrew’s Day, Angus MacNeil SNP Na h-Eileanan an Iar pointed out just how much the SNP Scottish Government has done to support all age groups in Scotland in the last ten years.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said

“Today, in Scotland the party that speaks for the people of Scotland is the SNP, the party which continues to govern as Westminster sinks; the party of baby boxes, increased child  care, Free University Tuition fees and Bursaries for Nursing and Midwifery Students, Free prescriptions, Free personal care, Free bus travel for over 60’s and disabled people. The benefits of living under an SNP Government cannot be over emphasized.

“ All these measures together with the changes coming through the Scottish Benefits system and the millions spent mitigating the worst excesses of Tory austerity show just what a country like Scotland can do. Imagine how much more we could achieve with full Independence! And now even the Labour Party in the UK want to copy our policies!

“This is an important election for Scotland. On 12^th December we can choose who decides how Scotland is governed and what kind of country we want. Only a vote for the SNP can deliver for Scotland”

Ends

Angus MacNeil SNP Na h-Eileanan an Iar echoes concerns raised by the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation on the current Brexit situation.

Commenting Angus MacNeil said

 “I have raised the difficulties which will be faced by Creel Fishermen in Parliament on a number of occasions. In July 2018 I questioned the then Prime Minister Theresa May about the difficulties of exporting Shellfish post Brexit. It was clear from her answer that she had no understanding of the complications Brexit would create for this important industry and the livelihoods of inshore fishermen. I have continued to raise this in Parliament at every opportunity.

“Alistair Sinclair of the SCFF is right to warn of tariffs on shellfish products and the strong possibility of fresh produce going bad in the lorry parks of Dover as they wait to access Europe. France and Spain are the main markets for our Shellfish producers and they need to know how their produce will get to market.

“I have to agree with Mr Sinclair when he says that the last thing fishermen need is tariffs and barriers.

“Only a strong SNP presence in Westminster will give any protection to Inshore Fishermen.

Only 4 working days left to register to vote

Angus MacNeil SNP Na h-Eileanan an Iar is asking everyone to ensure they have a vote on December 12^th.  The deadline for registering to vote is Tuesday 26^th November and this is also the last day for obtaining a Postal Vote.

Speaking in Stornoway Mr MacNeil said

“ This is a crucial election for Scotland and despite only 6.5 hours of daylight and cold nights it is vital that there is a good turnout at this election.

“ In 2015 non-voters outnumbered the supporters of every single political party, if these people had voted Westminster could have been a very different place.

“It is especially important that 18-30year olds vote. Not only are they the largest block of voters but this election will decide their future – in Europe or out and whether Scotland should be Independent like other normal countries.

“Only by ensuring you have a vote and using it can you choose what kind of country Scotland will be”

Angus MacNeil speaks on ITV leaders debate.

Last night’s leaders debate has drawn a lot of comment with many feeling that despite the SNP not taking part that they have come out of it looking very well.

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

“What people saw last night was the Boris / Corbyn horror show and the chaos that they have created together over the last few months. Fortunately, Scotland has got a way to escape Brexit but we can only do that if we have strong SNP representation at Westminster.” 

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ENDS.

Angus MacNeil SNP candidate in Na h-Eileanan an Iar has called on the next Government to back a committee of MP’s who have urged the BBC and the Government to reach agreement to continue funding free TV Licenses to over 75’s.

The BBC plans to scrap blanket free licences for over-75s, only households with one person who receives pension credit will still be eligible but in October 2019 the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee called on the BBC and the Government to reach an agreement to continue funding free TV licences to over 75’s after 2020.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said: “There are around 3,000 island residents who are over the age of 75 – just over 10 per cent of our islands population.

“They should continue to be exempt from paying for a TV licence and any effort to remove that and impose an additional household bill on older people is shameful.

“For many people TV is just welcome entertainment, but for others it is day to day company which helps combat loneliness and isolation.

“Over the last few months this matter has been raised several times in Parliament and together with my SNP colleagues I will continue to urge whichever Government is in power after the election to ensure the continuation of Free TV licences for the over 75’s”

“The BBC plans to scrap blanket free licences for over-75s, only households with one person who receives pension credit will still be eligible but in October 2019 the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee called on the BBC and the Government to reach an agreement to continue funding free TV licences to over 75’s after 2020.”

ENDS

Angus MacNeil SNP Na h-Eileanan an Iar has echoed the First Minister’s call for Scotland to have an immigration system “fit for purpose and fit for Scotland’s needs”.

Scotland relies on migration for growing our population – more so than anywhere else in the UK.

All of Scotland’s population growth over the next 25 years is projected to come from migration.

The Scottish Government has proposed that a Scottish visa should be introduced with the criteria and rules set in Scotland. The Scottish tax code is a current example of a residence-based framework within the UK. 

Regional immigration schemes operate successfully in other countries such as Australia and Canada. 

Commenting Angus MacNeil said

“Given depopulation and needs for labour in Fisheries, Scotland needs to control migration and work visas so that our islands can become better off. Freedom of movement has enabled a number of people to come and make their homes here in the Islands and actively contribute to our communities, but we also know that is not enough. 

Currently, the UK Government allows five times more migration from the rest of the world than comes from EU Freedom of Movement, we just need to tailor this for Scotland and our islands. These people are crucial to our caring professions, to areas like our NHS, to tourism and of course fishing crews in our inshore waters, which the UK Gov has been working against.

“The SNP would prefer to see Scotland remain in Europe as voted for by more than 60% at the Brexit referendum.

“As the First Minister said, “leaving the EU, and ending freedom of movement, will not only be bad for our economy and our public services but will deprive Scots of our rights to live and work across Europe.”

 “No matter what happens with Brexit, we need a migration system fit for purpose and fit for Scotland’s needs.

“At this election, a vote for the SNP is a vote to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands”

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SNP’s Angus MacNeil calls for a clear timescale for the delivery of interconnectors to Scotland’s islands.

As Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister unveiled SNP plans for a Green Energy Deal to support a transformational shift towards the energy schemes of the future, Angus MacNeil SNP, Na h-Eileanan an Iar called on the UK Government to set a clear timescale for the delivery of the Interconnector in the Islands.

Included in the SNP proposals are reforms of the charging regime that discourages investment in Scotland, delivering an adequately funded tidal and wave energy strategy and ensuring that green energy projects get the long-term certainty needed to support investment.

Most importantly for Na h-Eileanan an Iar is the commitment to set a clear timescale for the delivery of the Interconnectors to the Scottish Islands, something which Mr MacNeil has been urging the UK Government to do for some time.

During the last Parliamentary Session, Mr MacNeil wrote to both Ofgem and the UK Governments Energy Minister, Kwasi Kwarteng and also challenged him in the Commons on this issue. Mr MacNeil expressed disappointment in September when the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Auction results announced by the UK Government awarded just 240MWh to projects in the Western Isles.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said:

“The UK Government must take the green agenda seriously. Ensuring that the interconnector comes to the Hebrides will enable clean, green energy to be delivered across the country. It is a ludicrous policy of the UK Government to award only 240 MWh in CfD round 3 while knowing that 369-400 MWh are needed to make the Interconnector economically viable.

“As an independent country, Scotland would ensure that a cable to the islands was built, to get the cleanest and greenest forms of energy from the wind in one of the statistically windiest places in Europe. It is particularly important to our young people as they look to their future that we ensure energy supplies without the need for carbon dioxide emissions.

“This is a crucial election. Voting for the SNP is a vote to secure a better outlook for our climate, for the next generation and to allow Scot’s to choose Scotland’s future.”

ENDS

Angus MacNeil SNP candidate in Na h-Eileanan an Iar officially opened the campaign hub in Stornoway this morning. 

The campaign hub at 8 Church Street, Stornoway, is the base for the SNP campaign in the islands and will be open Monday to Saturday for the duration of the campaign.  

Launching his campaign, surrounded by supporters, Mr MacNeil said:

“It has been a great privilege to represent the people of Na h-Eileanan an Iar in Parliament and I hope to continue to do that after December 12th.

“I know that people are really fed-up with the situation at Westminster.  For Scotland, this Election is about choosing our own future – about what kind of country we want to be and about taking control of our own affairs. For the United Kingdom, the Election is about Brexit – breaking away from our European partners and exiting the free trade deals we currently enjoy.
“I hope to see as many people as possible in this short campaign and that you will again allow me to use my experience by representing you in Westminster by voting for me and for the SNP on December 12th.”

ENDS

Tory proposals risk raising the pension age to 75 by 2035 have been condemned by SNP Na h-Eileanan an Iar candidate Angus Brendan MacNeil.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said:

“Following on from the betrayal of Waspi women, an influential Tory Think-Tank led by Iain Duncan Smith architect of much of the current harsh Tory welfare system, aim to make changes to pensions for those born between 1961 and 1977.  
“Under their plans, the pension age would rise to 70 by 2028 and 75 by 2035 again giving little time for those affected to plan for their future needs.

“The UK already has the lowest pensions in Europe and leaving the EU will only encourage the Tory Government to reduce further the Welfare system, starting with a further attack on pensions, this is surely a Tory risk we cannot take. In contrast, the SNP voted at their conference to increase State Pension to match the EU average £355 per week in an independent Scotland. 
“In this election, a vote for the SNP is a vote to choose the kind of country we want to live in. A vote for the SNP is a vote for a progressive welfare system which values all ages from the cradle to the grave.

ENDS

SNP’s Angus MacNeil launching his election campaign in Na h-Eileanan an Iar today said:

“It is a privilege to have been chosen by local SNP members to stand as candidate for the 2019 Election. The Election of 2017 was unexpected but this election has been predicted almost every month since June 2017.

“For Scotland this Election is about choosing our own future – about what kind of country we want to be and about taking control of our own affairs. For the United Kingdom the Election is about Brexit – breaking away from our European partners and exiting the  free trade deals we currently enjoy. As Chair of the International Trade Committee, I have seen the World Trade Organisation(WTO)  tariffs and how countries try to join together in blocs to prevent having to pay the higher rates attached to WTO deals. There is no good Brexit – no other trade arrangements will give the UK the benefits it currently enjoys – even the Tory Governments own reports show that.

“The current Labour Party are in disarray as they have been for a number of years – not sure if they support the Tory Brexit or if they are a Remain Party ready to be propped up by the Lib Dems. In Scotland a lack of leadership has left Labour a poor shadow of a once proud party that could claim to speak for the people.

“Today, in Scotland the party that speaks for the people of Scotland is the SNP, the party which continues to govern as Westminster sinks, the party of Free Prescription, Free University Tuition , Free Bus travel for the elderly and the many other privileges that living in Scotland affords.

“I would encourage everyone to vote  SNP on December 12^th  and allow me the honour of representing you in Westminster where I will Stand Strong in the interests of Na h-Eileanan an Iar and Scotland.”