KATE FORBES: Taking a walk on the wildlife side
It has been a disruptive start to 2025 – with Storm Éowyn hitting the country, and sub-zero freezing temperatures across the constituency, it was a stark reminder of the reality of Labour’s decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment for the elderly.
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With the removal of this vital payment, I cannot stress enough how important it is for those who think they may be eligible to apply for Pension Credit.
In Winter 2025/26, the Scottish Government will provide Pension Age Winter Heating Payments of £300 or £200 for those on Pension Credit, depending on their age.
Crucially, for pensioner households that are not eligible for Pension Credit, the Scottish Government will provide a winter fuel payment (which will not be means tested) of £100 next year.
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The Cairngorm funicular recently began a series of trials following a lengthy period out of service due to safety concerns.
This is welcome news, helping to boost tourism in the area. I am sympathetic to the impact this has had on local businesses.
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I recently visited Tulloch Homes’ Spey Green housing development in Newtonmore. I was impressed to see the work that has taken place so far and I understand that infrastructure works within the affordable phase of the build have also started.
I am also encouraged to see Highland Housing Alliance beginning to advertise their mid-market rents at the Bynack More development in Aviemore.
Whilst I appreciate this does not solve the housing crisis immediately, I hope this goes a small way to providing much-needed affordable homes for some of my constituents.
I fully appreciate that we need to see more of these developments to address the housing shortage.
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I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Highland Wildlife Park recently and see their new facilities as part of their Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre project.
Following a £7 million investment into the park, they have opened three new buildings – An Doras (The Gateway), A' Chaonnag (The Learning Hive) and An Saobhaidh (The Conservation Den).
I was particularly impressed by the Learning Hive which is a brilliant space consisting of classrooms that can provide groups and communities with the opportunity to learn about wildlife, access programmes to connect with nature and conservation, and provides the bonus of outdoor learning.
I also had the chance to hear about the park’s leadership in the Saving Wildcats project which has been highly successful in reintroducing the species to the Cairngorms.
The park has been involved in this project for over ten years and has played a critical role in long-term recovery efforts for wildcats.
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I look forward to meeting with some of you over the coming year and as always, please do not hesitate to contact my constituency office if I can be of any assistance.
I can be contacted by email via kate.forbes.msp@parliament.scot and the constituency office on (01349) 863888.
Kate Forbes (SNP) is Deputy First Minister of Scotland and MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.
