I recently wrote to the Chief Constable for Police Scotland, Sir Stephen House, to ask him to explain to the public the specific rationale behind the police force carrying side arms whilst on patrol in the Highlands.
This is an issue I have been involved with for some time, having raised the matter with the Cabinet Secretary in Parliament on May 20th this year and met along with other MSPs - Assistant Chief Constable Higgins, where the policy was described as “necessary” due to there being information that there was a credible threat to public safety.
As this is an issue of real public concern, I think it is important that the public are made aware as to the specific underlying reasons behind the firearms policy being applied in the Highlands. I am pleased that Sir Stephen House has since taken the time to respond and look forward to seeing what comes of the policy review meeting in September.
I welcome his undertaking to consider the views of politicians and I fully appreciate that operational policing cannot be subject to regular political intervention. It is reassuring to know that only a small number of officers are armed at any one time - the numbers specified equating to less than 2% of the force.
There are several good pieces of news for farmers and crofters in the recent CAP announcements. Crofters can be reassured as their capital grants will remain available only to crofters. I appreciate there has been some concern among crofters that they will only receive €10 per hectare on Region 3 Rough Grazing. However, the system will see crofters receiving an increase in Pillar 1 payments as the coupled support scheme for beef is being retained, with an uplift of around €65 per calf and crofters in Region 3 will also get a €25 payment per sheep. Further there will be support in the form of the new £45m three year beef improvement scheme in Pillar 2. This will mean that the crofting community as a whole should see a roughly 70% increase in support payments. For example, in 2011, crofters received around €19m, but under this revised policy modelling suggests the new system would generate around €32m.
The Scottish Government wish to use 13% of support for coupled payments rather than 8% as originally directed by Westminster and will use part of the Direct Payment funding for Voluntary Coupled Support (VCS) payments to help sectors or regions where specific types of farming undergo difficulties and are important for economic, social or environmental reasons.
Scotland is the only administration in the UK to use coupled support, with consideration also being given to future VCS in the form of support to the beef and sheep sector.
It is encouraging news that a Rural Connectivity Commission will be set up if Scotland votes for independence, to consider how to improve issues such as mobile phone and broadband coverage, postal services and transport links for rural communities.
The Scottish Government has already made excellent progress on these matters, including enhancing the speed of rural broadband services. The Rural Connectivity Commission will become the mechanism by which island and coastal communities will receive 100% of leasing revenues from activities in their adjacent waters, including those from renewables deployment. This will help to put to an end Crown Estate Commissioners taking this money and illustrates yet again that the Scottish Government is taking the needs of rural and island communities seriously.
It is also reassuring that the Commission will commit itself to the Universal Service Obligation (USO). This follows the Royal Mail’s own call on OFCOM for an early review, meaning they might manoeuvre to discontinue the service, which would be terrible news for the Highlands and Islands that rely heavily on the USO. A fair Scotland wide postal service will be maintained in the event of independence as the Scottish Government intends to take the postal service back into public ownership, meaning we will be able to safeguard the USO.
I am pleased to learn that as part of the Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme for 2014/15, a rebate of £140 is now available for eligible low income and vulnerable households to assist with their electricity bills. Please contact your energy provider to see if they are part of the scheme and for information on eligibility.
This follows the news that the Scottish Government have confirmed their Green Homes Cashback Scheme will be available to all householders, including money being directed towards LPG and oil condensing boilers and will be of benefit to off-gas grid properties.
It is great to see that Transport Scotland are continuing to maintain and upgrade the road surface along the A9, as exemplified by the works at and around the Munlochy junction scheduled to occur in the next few weeks. These are being done overnight to minimise disruption for road users.
I was impressed that the upgrade of the Kessock Bridge has been completed well ahead of schedule. Credit must go to everyone involved in bringing this successful project to such a speedy conclusion.
The news that the Digital Superfast Broadband Programme is increasing its coverage to around 95% of Scotland’s homes is fantastic. With details of further exchanges in Fortrose, Beauly and North Kessock already announced as well as numerous other locations in the Highlands, this will have positive implications for the Black Isle’s communication infrastructure, which will ultimately lead to better and speedier coverage for all broadband users The bulk of the remaining 5% it is hoped can be delivered by community wifi schemes, new satellite technology etc.
NFUS hosted an independence debate on 23 July at the Dingwall Mart where I was speaking. Over 100 farmers attended the lively event where numerous scare stories of the NO parties were demolished by myself, the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment, Richard Lochhead MSP and Jim Brown who represents “Farming for YES”.
There will be further debates on independence in the coming months, including one proposed at Dingwall Academy on Friday evening the 15th of August; follow the media and internet for news of these events.
The feedback from volunteers is that the momentum is with “yes” and that not only are folk declaring that they will be voting in favour of Scottish independence but that they wish to help with the campaign too.
It is clear that the positive case for independence is winning hearts and minds and I expect that to continue right up until the big day. However, I am taking nothing for granted, which is why I would encourage every independence supporter to use the next two months to take the hopeful message of what Scotland can achieve to all your family and friends.
With your help, we will win our independence on September 18, 2014.
This website was established while I was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.
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