Nigel Don MSP

I was absolutely delighted to be elected as SNP MSP for Angus North and Mearns with 54.8% of the vote. We have now moved to our new office in Stonehaven … please see the Contacts page for details.

Angus North & Mearns MSP Nigel Don has welcomed Scottish Government support for small businesses in the form of business rates relief. Noting that 65% of businesses in Angus receive relief and 55% in Aberdeenshire, Mr Don said, “This is positive proof that the SNP supports small businesses and is working to create a climate where businesses can flourish, grow, and create jobs.”

In a Parliamentary Written Answer Finance Secretary John Swinney revealed that more than half of non domestic properties across Scotland benefited from rates relief via the Small Business Bonus and other schemes.

Mr Don added, ““Scotland’s small businesses and social enterprises play a vital role in our economy and are at the heart of our communities. So it is extremely encouraging to see that so many are benefitting from reduced or zero business rates.

“This scheme is helping to create a fairer Scottish business rates system, and giving a boost to small companies in the face of economic pressures.

“Another example of support to business is Energy Minister Fergus Ewing’s recently announced small business loans scheme, giving £2.5 million in funding to help companies install renewables technologies.

“These policies are making a huge difference to small businesses – and I would encourage even more to apply.

 ”Successful small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, create local jobs and are a fundamental source of entrepreneurship.

 “That is why the SNP is committed to helping our small businesses withstand the current tough trading conditions and continue to make their crucial economic and employment contribution.”

Angus North and Mearns SNP MSP Nigel Don has today asked the First Minster to provide support for the 80 employees who lost their jobs last week when Ross & Bonnymann went into liquidation.

During First Minsters Question Time Mr Don highlighted the plight of the workers and  asked what support the Scottish Government can provide to ensure the highly skilled workforce find new employment as swiftly as possible.

In response the First Minster said that he shares the concerns of Mr Don, and assured him that the Scottish Government were taking action to support those who had lost their jobs. The First Minister went on to state that the local PACE team would be holding an event in the Reid Hall in Forfar shortly to help those made redundant.  

Commenting Mr Don said;

‘‘The closure of Ross & Bonnymann will have a heavy impact on Forfar and the surrounding area.

‘‘I welcome the reassurances from the First Minster that the Scottish Government and its enterprise agencies are taking steps to ensure those who have lost their jobs can find gainful employment as swiftly as possible

‘‘The workforce employed at the plant are highly skilled and I hope that by working with the local PACE team we can help ensure we keep the skills within the local area’’

Responding to a question from Nigel Don MSP, First Minister Alex Salmond said the SNP policy of free university education for Scottish students had been vindicated by the latest figures on student applications. Mr Salmond told MSPs 　that Scottish Universities are better funded than other similar institutions in the United Kingdom, and noted that in 1979 many academics campaigned for their Universities to be kept out of the devolution settlement. He said that not a single person would suggest that now.

Mr Salmond went on to point out that five Scottish Universities are in the world’s top 200, and that the coalition government’s approach to University funding south of the border had been “destructive”.

Mr Don, who is the MSP for Angus North & Mearns, said, “I asked the question because applications to Scottish Universities have actually risen slightly by 0.2% this year, while the equivalent figure for England is a drop of 8.5%. The National Union of Students have been quoted as saying these figures are a ‘ringing endorsement’ of the Scottish government’s decision to keep Scotland free of tuition fees.

 ”I think it’s important to make the point that the Scottish Government has protected our University sector from what could yet prove to be a disastrous mistake, and I wholeheartedly agree with the First Minister that we must maintain our commitment to free education for Scottish students.”

Detailed figures from Ucas here – http://www.ucas.com/about_us/media_enquiries/media_releases/2012/20120130

The funding of a Forfar youth project will be raised in the Scottish Parliament this week by local MSP Nigel Don. On Thursday the member for Angus North & Mearns will ask Government Ministers what advice they can offer to Pitstop, a youth employment, training and social organisation based in Academy Street.

 “Pitstop is an organisation which helps young people find a positive way forward and make the best of their potential,” said Nigel Don.”They made a very ambitious application for £63,000 to the Enterprise Growth Fund to finance an upgrade of their premises, a new juice bar and a member of staff,” said Nigel Don. “They want to be able to generate some of their own funds by letting out their premises and running their alcohol free bar. Unfortunately they were unsuccessful, but they are determined to find other ways of achieving the same result.

“They do very important work with young people which will help them get ready for employment, meet others and take part in a whole range of social and educational activities. It can be hard to navigate your way through all the different government and charitable funding schemes which exist, and I am hoping Government Ministers will be able to point Pitstop in the right direction. Specifically, is there a way of putting more resources into this particular fund, and also of guiding organisations such as Pitstop through the maze of funding opportunities which exist?

“The Scottish government is determined to give young people the best possible chance of finding worthwhile and fulfilling work through apprenticeships, training places and education. We need projects like Pitstop, and I wish them success in raising the money and finding the practical help they need to bring their vision to life.”

Scotland’s young carer mascots Eryc and Trayc took a trip to the Scottish Parliament, and met Angus North and Mearns MSP Nigel Don. The cartoon characters front up the Princess Royal Trust for Carers’ campaign to spread understanding of the vital role many children play in caring for their close relatives.

 Nigel Don said, “Families look after each other, and usually that job is done by adults. But when the adults themselves are disabled or unwell, children become the carers. They have to grow up fast, and while their friends are on their X Boxes, they’re doing households chores, getting their brothers and sisters ready for school, maybe helping a disabled parent get dressed. There are many thousands of children doing this in Scotland, but they can sometimes become isolated and discouraged, and they need social and practical support. That’s why I strongly support the work done by the Trust in the form of Eryc and Trayc, and I’d encourage any young person who is caring for relatives to look at the campaign website and find out more.”

 Through a dedicated website www.erycandtrayc.com, an animated film and a story book which was distributed to all Scottish primary schools last year, they bring to life in cartoon form the story of a boy and a girl who are looking after relatives who can’t manage without their help. The campaign was given financial support by the Scottish Government.

Through the book and the website, children can find out what young carers do, what challenges they face and where to get further help and support if they are a young carer themselves.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers says there are an estimated 100,000 young carers in Scotland, roughly one in 10 of the school population. The Trust says that early identification and support of young carers is vital. As part of the Eryc and Trayc project, The Trust also created a toolkit for teachers which contains learning materials, lesson plans and assembly ideas teachers can use with pupils.

Louise Morgan, the Trust’s Young Carers Services Development Manager, said: “Through Eryc and Trayc, we want to help primary school aged young carers to identify themselves by comparing their situations to the ones we’ve set out online and in the schools pack. Our initiative will also show teachers that children can be carers from a very early age. These children provide a huge amount of social care in our communities and they deserve our support and recognition.”

Angus North & Mearns MSP Nigel Don has asked the Scottish Government to consider a recent study showing that NHS weight loss programmes could be more effective. At today’s Parliamentary Health Question Time, Mr Don highlighted new research from Birmingham published in the British Medical Journal.

 740 men and women who were obese or overweight enough to qualify for NHS treatment took part in the study. Some were given free use of gym facilities, others had one to one sessions with NHS staff and pharmacists trained in weight loss techniques. Others were placed in group programmes run by NHS dietitians, and the rest of the slimmers were placed in commercial weight groups such as Weight Watchers and Rosemary Conley.

 The research found that after twelve weeks, the most successful slimmers were in the commercial programmes. After a year, the commercial programmes still showed the best results and the study concluded that “Commercially provided weight management services are more effective and cheaper than primary care based services led by specially trained staff, which are ineffective.“

 Mr Don said, “I asked my question because I believe in continuous improvement. The NHS should never be above learning from others about better ways to do things, and I think there are two ways to respond to the results of this research. The first is to examine the techniques used by the commercial companies and learn from them. The second is for the NHS to refer patients to commercial programmes when appropriate.

 “I think we need to be clear that clinical judgement remains with the medical staff, and we should recognise the efforts of those working in all the varied programmes.”

 In response, Shona Robison, Minister for the Commonwealth Games and Sport, said that she was aware of the useful data in the research which would help to inform the Scottish Government’s working strategies. She said the Government had committed funds to ensure Health Boards had the choice of using NHS or commercial services, and it was up to them to decide which services were appropriate in individual cases.

Angus North & Mearns MSP Nigel Don says he is “encouraged” by the response of local authorities to his call for a safe crossing of the A90 at Laurencekirk. Mr Don met officials of Aberdeenshire and Angus Councils along with NESTRANs, the Transport Partnership for Aberdeen City and Shire.

 “No-one disagrees that we need a safer crossing and all present pledged to work towards that end,” said Mr Don. “Both local authorities are prepared to do what they can to assist, but they made the entirely reasonable point that this is a trunk road which is the responsibility of Transport Scotland.

 “Personally I cannot think of another location outside a city on an arterial route where there has to be a 50 mph limit. In my view this is not a permanent solution to a serious problem. We need to make physical improvements to this junction to make it safe.

 “Although there may be some financial contribution from the developers of housing or other projects, it is unlikely this will come anywhere near the cost of a grade separated junction. Therefore we must continue to build the case for investment by Transport Scotland in this busy arterial route which is vital to the economy of North East Scotland.”

 At the meeting Derick Murray, Director of NESTRANS, agreed to draw together information gathered by local planners about the expected increase in traffic flows in coming years. Mr Murray will also contact Transport Scotland to query the sustainability of a 50 mph section on a strategic arterial road such as the A90, and ask Transport Scotland what could be done to make this limit unnecessary.

 Nigel Don said, “It’s clear the Scottish Government simply does not have the resources to make every road improvement required in Scotland. They will set their priorities on the basis of the evidence available to them. That’s why it’s essential we continue to gather evidence to make the best possible case to Ministers for investment in this crossing. I welcome the positive approach of all three agencies who took time to meet me about this.”

 First Minister Alex Salmond today described unfair rural parcel charges as a hugely important issue. He urged online retailers to display their charges clearly, base charges on actual costs and offer the Royal Mail as a delivery option. He also called for retailers to offer a flat rate to the Scottish mainland for any parcel under 20kg and urged UK Minister Ed Davie to act on the issue. He said people throughout rural Scotland are entitled to a fair service.

 Angus North & Mearns MSP Nigel Don had asked the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on the financial impact on rural communities of higher delivery charges for online deliveries.

 Mr Don highlighted the practice of some companies of charging by postcode, quoting the case of a Stonehaven woman who was told she would have to pay extra because she appeared to live in the Highlands.

 Speaking after First Minister’s questions, Mr Don welcomed the First Minister’s assurance and also welcomed the recent Citizens Advice Scotland report which brought these practices to light.

 “People in rural areas have always relied on mail order,” said Mr Don, “and now online shopping is an essential and normal part of rural life. Companies who overcharge for delivery through their ignorance of Scottish geography are simply not helping themselves.

 “I also support the Consumer Focus Scotland recommendation made in 2010 that online retailers should always offer more than one means of delivery, with the Royal Mail being an excellent option.”

Angus North & Mearns MSP Nigel Don has written out to several local charities alerting them to a possible source of funding. The Bank of Scotland Foundation’s Small Grants Scheme provides up to £20,000 for projects designed to promote financial inclusion and improve local communities.

Mr Don said, “People in work are used to having bank accounts, paying bills by direct debit and getting easy access to credit. People living on very low incomes may not even be able to get a bank account. If they do borrow money, it’s often at very high rates of interest. Many parents will be paying for this Christmas for months to come.

“That’s why I’m keen to see local charities apply for funds from this Foundation. Their priorities include promoting financial awareness and money advice and enhancing debt counselling services within the community. They are also keen to support working with people on low incomes, at risk from poverty or with problems finding accommodation, and given the high cost of housing in much of this constituency, that would be extremely useful.”

Mr Don said charities can get more information from the Bank of Scotland Foundation website at http://www.bankofscotlandfoundation.org/small-grants-programme

Angus North and Mearns SNP MSP, Nigel Don, has arranged a meeting of senior officials of Aberdeenshire Council, Angus Council, and Nestrans in an effort to find ways of bringing enough funding together to provide a safe junction on the A90 at Laurencekirk.

The issue of the Laurencekirk junction was raised last week in the Scottish Parliaments Public Petitions Committee where it was agreed that Mr Don’s meeting may be a way forward, with the committee keen to learn of the outcome of the discussions. The meeting will take place on 9^th January.

Commenting Nigel Don said; 

‘‘It is widely recognised that the south junction is a dangerous and busy crossing, and is of particular concern to the local community, as was recently highlighted by a BBC  television programme.’’

‘‘The recent local plan inquiry indicated that further development in Laurencekirk would require the need for grade separated junctions, north and south. As the junction is in Aberdeenshire but the majority of the traffic emanates from the Montrose area of  Angus I have arranged a meeting of senior officials of Aberdeenshire Council, Angus Council, and Nestrans in an effort to find ways of bringing enough funding together.’’

‘‘We must ensure progress can be made towards securing funding for this vital project and I am hopeful that a way forward can be found at the meeting in January.’’