GRAHAM LEADBITTER: Clootie dumplings and spaceport all in a day’s work
Much of what has rightly filled my in-box in recent weeks has been the outrage regarding the Government’s decision to scrap the winter fuel payment.
Hundreds of you have contacted me about the devastating impact this will have.
This decision pushes vulnerable people across the UK into fuel poverty. In the north we know all too well the bitterly cold winters we experience, and the eye-watering energy costs that come as a result.
I’ll do all I can to support folk across the constituency.
In stark contrast to Labour cutting the winter fuel payment, John Swinney has announced the Scottish Government are working with energy companies to provide a social tariff that will slash energy bills for vulnerable Scots.
This will go some way toward undoing the damage done by Keir Starmer’s decision.
Additionally, the continued discrimination against households and businesses here through high standing charges and increased distribution costs is utterly unacceptable.
It is also bizarre that as we strive to reduce reliance on fossil fuels that renewable energy production in Scotland is charged substantially more to put energy on the grid.
This utterly inexplicable energy charging and regulatory system is a prime example of how Scotland would do things much differently with the full and normal powers of independence.
This theme of letting folk down continues with WASPI women. The lack of action from the Government has been hugely disappointing.
The Parliamentary Ombudsman found millions of WASPI women, including thousands in this constituency, have been denied money they’re entitled to.
This wrong must be acknowledged and compensated. SNP MPs have campaigned vigorously on this, a campaign I will continue to take action on until WASPI women receive the recompense they deserve.
The justice theme runs on with the postmasters impacted by the Post Office Horizons scandal. I recently spoke on this.
And pressed the Minister on the need to make the compensation process as simple and as quick as possible.
Closer to home there is much to be celebrated. With SaxaVord Spaceport being headquartered in Grantown, and Orbex headquartered in Forres, with well over 100 highly skilled workers employed.
I recently had the opportunity to press the minister in a Westminster hall debate for stronger support for launch companies to ensure they can reach commercial profitability and continue to be significant contributors to our local economy and the space sector more widely.
I am also grateful to Craig Lambie and the team at The Speyside Centre for the warm welcome on a recent visit to this longstanding family business.
It literally been resurrected from the ashes after a devastating fire in recent years.
It’s fantastic to see them in full swing with dozens of local employees, and I know their famous clootie dumplings go down well with tourists and locals alike!
We discussed both the opportunities for business and the challenges being created by current cost pressures for both businesses and households.
For those who might need my support, my office and I continue to help constituents every day. I regularly hold surgeries and you can find details of upcoming surgeries across my social media channels. Please do get in touch if there’s anything you think I can do to help graham.leadbitter.mp@parliament.uk.
