Connecting the Country

We are all living in the 21st century and everyone, not just those in cities and urban areas, should be able to enjoy the advances in technology that come along with that. I want those living in the rural areas of my constituency of Banffshire and Buchan Coast, to be able to enjoy better services that only an independent Scotland can offer.

Following a vote for independence, a Rural Connectivity Commission will be established focusing on areas such as improving mobile and broadband coverage, postal services, and transport links. With the spotlight clearly on rural communities and businesses, the people in my constituency will benefit greatly.

A new Scottish regulatory landscape will be established and make certain that Scotland’s vital utilities remain sustainable and that markets work in the long-term interests of all customers, the North-east included.

I have heard people’s frustrations with digital connections, mail services, and transportation and the Scottish Government are striving to address these. Our rural communities contribute so much and have great potential for further development.

With a yes vote, the Scottish Government will have the powers to regulate and remove barriers that are standing in the way of rural communities and businesses pushing forward and reaching this great potential.

There are five areas of rural connectivity that will be addressed in this commission, and I see all as having a great impact on Banffshire and Buchan Coast.

The first is improving digital connectivity, which includes mobile telecoms and broadband. This will allow businesses to carry out work online in rural Banffshire and Buchan Coast and help people stay in touch with friends and family via email and other online services.

The second area is fairer post and parcel delivery charges. An independent Scotland will return Royal Mail to public ownership, making prices fairer for all areas, rural included. The Universal Service Obligation will be maintained and as a minimum, a six days a week mail service.

Fuel prices and energy bills will also be impacted. Independence will allow the Scottish Government to examine the benefits of introducing a Fuel Duty Regulator to stabilise prices for all consumers and evaluate how this would work along with our Scottish Energy Fund. The Scottish Government plans an on-going and permanent cut in energy bills, which includes cutting the Warm Homes Discount and Energy Company Obligation from household energy bills. This proposal will be funded by general taxation allowing those who can afford it to contribute to these schemes.

The fourth area, one I find especially important to my constituency, which is further removed from the urban and city areas, is having better transport links. The Scottish Government has made it a priority to improve transport and that goal is still on going. This includes upgrading the A9, A96, and creating the Aberdeen West Peripheral Route and the Balmedie to Tipperty Dualling (A90). The Scottish Government still maintains its commitment to reduce Air Passenger Duty by 50 per cent, with the intent to eventually abolish it.

There have been repeated requests for APD to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament, as recommended by the Calman Commission, to give our aviation industry the economic boost it needs. Most recently this subject has been brought up in relation to the cancelled BA Aberdeen to London City flight route, with BA’s executive chairman citing APD as a factor in the closure of the service.

The last area to be tackled by the commission is making sure that rural communities benefit more from renewables. The Scottish Government has made the commitment that, with a yes vote in September, island and coastal communities would receive 100 per cent of all leasing revenues from activities in adjacent water, which includes renewables deployment. As of right now, this income is taken by the Crown Estate Commissioners, but we have the ability to change this.

I am anxious and excited for all these changes that could occur with an independent Scotland, and all the benefits that will potentially come to my constituents in Banffshire and Buchan Coast. It’s time that we have more control and powers that will not only affect the now, but will undoubtedly shape our futures.