April Column

Written by Malcolm Bruce MP on Fri 28th Mar 2008

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Budget does not inspire

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Alastair Darling's first budget does not seem to have boosted confidence in the fragile state of the economy. A big hike in spirits duty will raise little revenue but serves to damage the whisky industry's exports just as it was making real progress in a number of key markets.

The last time whisky duty was increased was when Ken Clark slapped it on in a fit of pique after losing the vote on VAT on domestic fuel. It damaged the industry while generating less revenue and was subsequently reversed.

The industry is currently investing in new capacity with new distilleries planned for example in Huntly and Buckie. Hopefully, this setback will not deter new investment.

The ending of the 10 tax rate represents an increased tax bill for lower earners who are also faced with rising food and fuel costs. If lower interest rates are not passed on to mortgages then consumer spending will further depress the economy.

The Chancellor did not have much room for manoeuvre but this budget does not inspire.

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Garioch Life Centre needs considered decision

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Liberal Democrats are currently asking locals in Inverurie for their views on the proposed Garioch Life Centre.

There have been objections from immediate neighbours, those concerned about the football pitch and those who do not approve of the commercial elements in the centre.

However, there is also widespread recognition that Inverurie needs a new health centre and at a time of constraint in public service funding complementary partnership between the providers of health care and related commercial interests may be the best and perhaps the only way to secure the investment.

I understand the site will accommodate the new medical centre, related parking and an upgraded football pitch under the control of the Academy.

The football pitch will therefore not only be secured but upgraded to Sports Scotland specification.

Most of the building will be used by the medical centre with room for expansion, by Aberdeenshire Council health related staff, a spa/gymnasium, pharmacy and other health related units.

This means the building will be overwhelmingly allocated to health and lifestyle related services.

In sum, the commercial elements of the development will contribute to the capital cost of the building, pitch upgrade, parking, running costs and maintenance.

NHS Grampian is facing significant constraints on its capital allocation. It is important that the community takes a balanced and objective view of what is proposed. This is, after all, what the local health service providers believe is the best way forward. To reject it would clearly make future provision of local health services problematic. That is the dilemma facing the planners.

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Post office closure plan flawed

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In the next few weeks the list of post offices facing closure in the North East will be published. We already know that the consultation process is a sham. Elsewhere in the country where a campaign has succeeded in keeping one post office open another one has closed.

What is more serious however is that the strategy behind the latest batch of closures is fundamentally flawed. The theory seems to be that post office business is in decline (largely as a result of Government policy to drive people away) and that by closing offices the remaining business will be shared among the offices which remain open making the business more viable.

However, the Post Office has already closed 3000 post offices and the business has declined more than predicted. So further reduction in the network will weaken the Post Office's unique selling point - its accessibility.

The idea that, if rural offices are closed, people will travel to the nearest surviving one does not bear examination. They will either go elsewhere for services not exclusive to the Post Office or more likely for postal services they will go to the one in a town adding to the queues and inconvenience there.

So we are embarked on a process of attrition when what is required is investment in the fabric and infrastructure of the network, recognition of the social benefit of the post office and imaginative ways of developing new services to generate income.

I am afraid that is too much to hope for and meanwhile we will just have to make the best case we can to keep open the offices that are vital to the rural economy.

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North East Tourism under-promoted

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A snowy Easter was probably not the best way to launch the tourist season although it has provided an unexpected late boost for the ski resorts.

It remains my view that the Scottish tourist authorities underestimate the attractions of the North East and consequently under-promote our area.

For most people Scottish Tourism means Edinburgh and the Highlands. Yet, much as I enjoy the west coast the variety of indoor and outdoor things for people to do in a narrow range is far greater here.

Golfing holidays are popular and with new golf courses being developed across the region can become more so. To that we can add castles, distilleries, coastal, mountain and hill walks and entertainment, leisure and shopping.

That said we need more in the way of modern attractions and it is unfortunate that there is not only a shortage of investment but the financial settlement for Aberdeen City is so tight that what there is, is being curtailed.

As new air services to and from Aberdeen grow we need more attractions and we need to promote and support what we have got. To illustrate two of these I visited the Glen Garioch visitor centre and Dean's new café and shop to mark British Tourism week.

I was, at the same time delighted that the bill proposing to put the clocks permanently forward made no progress in the House. It comes up every year as surely as reports of the first cuckoo.

Geography dictates that time zones are based on the Greenwich meridian. Ninety per cent of the British Isles lie to the west of this meaning that we are firmly in the correct zone but if leaning anyway it is towards Atlantic Time.

It is France and Spain which are in the wrong time zone not us. That is why when we last tried it it was unpopular throughout the UK not just in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is also why Portugal abandoned it and reverted to the same time zone as us.

Changing the clocks will not boost tourism. Investment and promotion will.

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Ministers make progress on sign language

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My call to the Prime Minister to boost support for sign language is making progress. Two ministers, Andrew Adonis and Ed Balls have both been I touch to confirm their commitment and take information from those involved as to how to move forward.

I really hope this may be the start of a move to give full legal recognition of British and Irish sign languages and to train and provide many more interpreters.

At the moment, Wales leads the way. Now I hope England will make advances and Scotland will not be left behind.

Interestingly, last week I met the Polish disabilities minister and interested Polish MPs who are considering giving sign language legal recognition. If they do I believe it will signal to the UK that this is the way forward.

ENDS