Walk to Work Week runs from the 14 to 18 May and is aimed at encouraging people  to walk to, from and during work in order to tackle Scotland’s health inequalities, reduce obesity and improve physical and mental health. 

Commenting Mr Don said; ‘‘I would like to encourage folk to try and make  journeys by foot if possible, even if you commute to work small things like parking further away or getting off a bus stop early can make a difference to your overall health and wellbeing.

‘‘I try to walk to appointments whenever possible and even what seems like a relatively small act like taking the stairs instead of the lift can add up over the week and help you stay healthy.

‘‘Scotland is currently facing rising levels of obesity and an increase in associated diseases such as diabetes, and exercise along with a sensible diet is vital to ensure we have a healthier population.’’

Welcoming the news, Nigel Don, MSP for Angus North and Mearns, said, “I have no doubt that this scheme protects jobs and helps keep shops and businesses open in our town centres. It’s clear from the figures that the scheme is increasingly popular. In the first year of the scheme businesses claimed £5.2 million in rates relief in Angus and Aberdeenshire. This year the figure stood at £30 million. That’s money which businesses can invest in new lines, more jobs or new equipment. In my view, the Small Business Bonus Scheme has been a resounding success”

Mark McDonald, SNP MSP and member of the Parliament’s Finance Committee, said the new figures – which outline an increase in the SBBS awards in local authorities across Scotland – are testament to the huge importance that the SNP Government has placed on helping small businesses during tough economic times.

He said, “These figures show how much of a difference the SNP Government has made to over 80,000 small businesses across Scotland in difficult financial times.

“Anyone speaking to small businesses will know what a fragile environment they operate in. A Federation of Small Business survey from 2009 – conducted during the teeth of the recession – suggested that the SBBS was helping one in eight recipients stay solvent.

“Just this week we have seen that the UK has technically re-entered recession – although we don’t know yet whether this is the case in Scotland, there is no doubt that we still must do all we can to support local economies across Scotland.

“That’s why I’m delighted that SNP Councils have pledged to work with the Scottish Government to protect the Small Business Bonus for the lifetime of this Parliament.”

 Mr Don said, “I asked the question because the most recent statistics show that unemployment amongst women has risen to 8.2%. Two years ago it was 6.2% and this represents a worrying trend. (Regional labour market statistics, April 2012)

“The First Minister recently told the STUC that we cannot and should not allow a position where the talents and abilities of the majority of the population are under-utilised. I entirely agree with him. We should not tolerate it as a country and cannot afford it as a society.　 The women’s employment summit will help identify the reasons for rising female unemployment and co-ordinate action by employers in every sector. “

Mr Don also asked the First Minister what action the Scottish government will take to tackle youth unemployment. In response Mr Salmond said that 26,427 Modern Apprenticeships were delivered last year and noted that a record figure of 11,381 predominantly young women had entered apprenticeships in the same period. He also said the government was rolling out the Opportunities for All scheme which guaranteed a place in education or training for every 16-19 year old not in education or employment.

 Mr Don said, “There is clearly a real effort by the Scottish Government get young people ready for work, and the creation of a unique Minister for Youth Employment, 　Angela Constance MSP, is evidence of that.”

 Commenting afterwards, Mr Don said, “Community radio can assist in the teaching of many subjects, including literacy, numeracy, confidence in presentation, marketing, IT, sound engineering, charitable fundraising, committee skills and general business expertise.  I note the work Mearns FM does with Mackie Academy, with primary schools and others in the area. It is a very effective and enjoyable way of teaching people how to do things.”

 Mr Don added, “Mearns FM is also starting a new initiative broadcasting to the Polish community, the kind of thing which commercial stations would struggle to justify. Community radio can do this, reaching out to smaller groups and helping bring communities together.

 “The station as a whole runs on an extremely low budget and involves very large numbers of people in voluntary activity. It’s an excellent example of what community radio can be, and we should not forget that it took the dedication and persistence of a small band of volunteers to get this station up and running – they deserve great credit.

 “I would be delighted to see new stations start up in parts of my constituency where none currently exist.”

 Responding to the debate, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said, “There is rich potential for the community radio sector to grow and become a vital part of communities across Scotland.”

 Expressing strong support for the sector, she noted that the Scottish government increased spending on advertising on community radio by 48 per cent in 2009-10 to £129,000, and in the following year the sum increased to £134,000. She also reflected on what more could be done if broadcasting were devolved to the Scottish Parliament. Ms Hyslop concluded, “The debate has been extremely useful. It has celebrated community radio, but it has also given us some direction. More important, we have seen a cross-party commitment to community radio. Community radio has a positive future in Scotland.”

“People who claim council tax benefit are amongst the least well off in our community. They include hard working people on low pay and carers as well as unemployed people hit by the recession and young men and women looking for jobs,” said Nigel Don.

“These are the people who could least afford to lose 10% of their council tax benefit. Now they won’t have to, as the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities have agreed to cover the cost.”

The Scottish Government will provide £23 million and COSLA will provide £17 million to cover the total cost of £40 million in 2013/2014.

The Westminster reform transfers responsibility for administering Council Tax Benefit to Scotland, which the SNP welcomes. The problem is that the transfer of powers is accompanied by a budget cut of 10%.

“Taken together with cuts in Housing Benefit, Local Housing Allowance and the so called “granny tax” announced in the Budget,” said Mr Don, “we can see a pattern emerging. Benefit reform has become a means of concealing cuts in the welfare budget, and that will have a real effect on people who already live on very low incomes. There are 23,000 people claiming Council Tax Benefit in Angus and Aberdeenshire, and I am relieved to hear that they will protected from this damaging cut.”

In a letter to Chief Executive Colin Mackenzie, Mr Don writes, “I understand that work is now in hand to strengthen the foundations of the roadway leading down into Stonehaven.  I am also given to understand that whilst this will substantially protect properties under the Braes from future damage it is not expected that the road will be reopened to vehicles. It seems to me that this will be a very disappointing result.

 “There is surely no need for the road to be useable by heavy vehicles of any variety but it would be extremely valuable if family cars could proceed from Dunnottar Castle straight into Stonehaven.

 “I appreciate that it may not be possible to assess the effect of the remedial work until it has been completed but could I suggest that the council takes some independent advice on this?”

 Commenting, Mr Don said, “This is an important tourist route and I believe that Stonehaven businesses would benefit if cars were allowed to use the road. Clearly the stabilisation of the Bervie Braes is the priority, but if in fact light traffic could use this route safely, we should not be overly restrictive.”

 “No-one likes paying too much for food and other goods,” said Mr Don, “but if we pay too little, we risk driving producers out of business or leaving them in poverty. Then the prices go up again.

 “Fair Trade is an entirely sensible idea and I strongly support the efforts of Forfar Fair Trade Forum to make Forfar a Fair Trade Town. There are already 61 towns in Scotland with Fair Trade status or at the very least a Fair Trade steering group. At the same time, the Scottish Government is actively working to win Fair Trade status for Scotland.”

 Nigel is pictured with Fair Trade campaigners Jeanette Gaul and Bob Kidd.

The Transport Scotland Rail 2014 consultation had posed the question of whether a hub should be set up in Edinburgh where passengers from further south would change trains for onward travel, however, this has been dismissed by the Minister today.

 Commenting Mr Don said, ‘‘Today’s announcement is seriously good news, and confirms that the Scottish Government is committed to providing a direct link to London from Angus and Aberdeenshire. The idea of a hub at Edinburgh would have been a major mistake, and a real inconvenience to everyone living north of the capital. 

‘‘There will be a large influx of tourists to London for the Olympics, and having a direct link to Montrose and Stonehaven is invaluable for local tourist attractions and accommodation.

 ‘‘I am pleased that the Minister has listened to the concerns of the local community and ensured that this vital link will remain in place.’’

“GSK is already a major employer in Angus and in a small community, 60 jobs would be a very significant boost to the local economy. The investment confirms that GSK’s roots in this area are strong and I have no doubt everyone in Montrose will welcome this vote of confidence in the workforce and the quality of life in this area.”

 GSK’s investment includes new funding at Montrose to enable the manufacture of key materials for GSK’s portfolio of respiratory medicines. Investment will also be made at Montrose to produce aluminium adjuvants, which are high-tech agents used in the manufacture of vaccines to help stimulate the body’s immune system. GSK is the world’s largest vaccine company and this is the first time a UK GSK site will participate in the company’s vaccine manufacturing supply chain. There will also be investment in green energy production and environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques.

 During General Question Time today Mr Don asked the Cabinet Secretary if alternative routes for the Fastlink  would be considered by the Scottish government

 The Cabinet Secretary responded that there were no plans to change the route and that he was hopeful the vital project would be completed as soon as possible. 

 Commenting Nigel Don said; ‘‘An alternative route for the Fastlink to the AWPR at Stonehaven has been brought forward and it does appear to have some merit, however, I accept the position of the Cabinet Secretary that the priority is to get this much delayed project started to ensure residents and businesses can feel the benefit as soon as possible.’’