Archive for the ‘Migration’ Category

Labour United with the Tories last night to accuse the Liberal Democrats of planning to use Scotland “as a guinea pig” for an unenforceable and “ridiculous”  Immigration Policy.
Their joint attack on the idea that immigrants would only be allowed into the UK if they promise to work in regions where there is a need for them, followed a promise from LibDem home Affairs spokesman Tom Brake to “Seek to Trial this in Scotland”.
Glasgow South West Labour Candidate Ian Davidson said the proposals would end up with different immigration schems north and south of the border.
And Scottish Tory Campaign Manager said: “The Liberal Democrats want to use Scotland as a guinea pig for their irresponsible policies without giving thought for the pressure this will put on our public services.  Perhaps “Nick Clegg would care to tell us how many thousands he would direct to Scotland and on what basis we have been singled out from the rest of the UK for this treatment”.

Taken from Press and Journal

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Any talk of immigration risks the dreaded R word

By NICOLA BARRY

Published: 05/05/2010

JUST when you think Gordon Brown cannot sink any lower in the opinion of the voters, he does exactly that, in spectacular fashion.

Every time he opens his big mouth, he forgets his microphone is still on.

However, bear in mind that his comment about Gillian Duffy could have been so much worse, especially if it has been made by a woman.

We really know how to bitch. Our prime minister, on the other hand, does not. Men call women bitches when they don’t get what they want from them. So, if a woman turns a man down for a date, she’s a bitch. If she races up the career ladder faster than he does, she’s a big, fat bitch and so on.

Women are far more likely to go for the jugular and drop some interesting bombshell about the target of their gossip.

Bitching is fine, provided you are with people you know and trust. In the case of the PM, the voters are not in that category.

As a result of all the fuss, Gillian Duffy is heading for mega stardom. She might even be the Susan Boyle of politics. An ordinary wee wifie, a widowed granny from Rochdale, suddenly thrust into the media spotlight from nowhere just like SuBo.

Suddenly, Gillian D has been revealed as a major player in the general election campaign, with the prime minister wanting to shake her hand for the TV cameras. Her name is now known nationally – possibly internationally. She is, if you like, notorious.

All because Gordon Brown, in a toe-curlingly embarrassing moment, dared to describe her as “a bigoted woman” after the poor soul raised the taboo subject of mass immigration.

Brown, who is also a poor soul these days, managed to forget for a moment that he is our servant and we are not his.

Mrs Duffy’s concerns are not difficult to comprehend. There are those who say she is not a racist; that she was just questioning Westminster’s immigration policy. Of course, there are thousands of Eastern Europeans here in Scotland and in the rest of the UK; people who have come here to find work. But Mrs Duffy’s choice of words was plain unfortunate. She talked about “flocking eastern Europeans” and it isn’t hard to see why Gordon Brown took this as a slur.

Many of these immigrants work far harder than Scots. They pay taxes. They have a right to our respect. However, whatever you think of what she said, you will probably admit that her sentiments are shared by a lot of other people who are too scared to say the words out loud. And, to question government policy on this matter is to leave yourself wide open to accusations of the R word.

No one can dispute the fact that parts of this country – and the north-east is no exception – have been all but swamped by incomers from abroad. Whether skilled white-collar workers or students seeking higher education, Eastern Europeans have been abandoning their homes in their thousands, in search of a mythical promised land. And to say so does not constitute racism.

Since joining the European Union in 2004, well over 1million Eastern Europeans have come to the UK, thought to be the largest single migration movement in history.

They have good reason to come here. Times are tough at home, with unemployment reaching an all-time high. Yes, membership of the EU has brought economic benefits but not fast enough for the country’s disconsolate army of jobless.

True to their reputation, most immigrants from Eastern Europe work extremely hard and are prepared to do anything in order to earn a living. Their output is, by all accounts, prolific, their work ethic admirable. Those who have not been able to find jobs have been prepared to fill the most menial job vacancies around just to earn a crust. The jobs no one else seems to want. Others have converted derelict buildings into delicatessens or similar businesses.

Whatever anyone says in Mrs Duffy’s defence, to dismiss all these honest folk as a “flock”, implying they resemble sheep, following each other and baa baa-ing, is an insult to their integrity.

As political parties continue to debate the way forward for immigration, many politicians and would-be politicians cash in on our worst fears, on the insecurities of many white, working-class people who say they feel under siege.

But, in 2010, look around you and listen to your friends and neighbours and you will soon hear someone moaning about the invasion of foreigners. They do sound hostile, aggressive and, I’m afraid, racist.

Politicians tell us that unfettered immigration from the extended EU and beyond has stretched this country to breaking point, turning even the most liberal of citizens into something approaching rabid fascists. The popular argument is that people feel like strangers in their own country – an exaggeration, of course – but, it would take a twisted individual not to have some sympathy for their logic. Hence Mrs Duffy’s comments.

You can almost hear the BNP chortling with glee every time a court case comes up involving illegal immigrants and every time you see pictures of foreigners gathering at Calais, trying to reach the UK and its unquestioning benefits system.

I am beginning to sound racist, but, believe me, I’m not. This is what Labour has reduced us to.

Perhaps we are over-reacting to Gordon Brown’s gaffe. After all, if you lined up the number of people in this country who had muttered something about somebody else – the queue would stretch from here to China and back again.

Yet, even here, in Scotland, this simple, straightforward woman has touched us deeply. Could it be that Gillian Duffy, widow and lifelong socialist, is the psychological boost we all need to help us ride out the recession, at a time when we are all worried about our jobs and lifestyle? Or, is it simply the fact that an underdog has finally come up trumps and shown our scandal-ridden politicians where to get off?

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“Liberal Democrats have announced they will add VAT to new build houses. Home building industry body Homes for Scotland, whose membership provides 95% of all homes built for sale in Scotland as well as an increasingly significant proportion of affordable housing, today unsurprisingly slammed Liberal Democrat proposals to add VAT to new build homes if elected to Government and so do I.

We are in desperate need of social and “truly affordable” housing for rental with 10,000 people on the Highland Council Housing Waiting List.
Those on local average earnings have little chance of accessing mortgages since the Banking crisis.
Most work locally and need housing in the areas where they work.  Spiralling petrol and diesel costs make it even more difficult for those on lower incomes who live in rural areas, hence my concern on this issue.

Members of the public have made clear their dismay over Labour Government’s failure to control immigration.
Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrat comments, recently broadcast, have incensed the electorate when stating Inverness and other areas need more migrants! Gordon Brown’s Labour “open borders” policy has been a complete failure. Massive increases in migration have resulted in overstretched Public Services. The increased cost of the Benefits System underpinning the policy could have major economic consequences.

If migrants are to be welcomed, we must ensure crucial infrastructure is in place, including jobs, education, health and housing and naturally the ability to cope with the diversity of languages involved which is particularly difficult in rural areas.

We need to develop Tourism further as it is a principal Highlands industry and vital for local economy creating crucial meaningful jobs and provide the necessary homes for these people.

We need a common sense approach to address Highlands problems.

Jim Ferguson
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Press Release 21^st April 2010

Lib Dem proposal increasing cost of new homes sheer madness

Home building industry body Homes for Scotland, whose membership provides 95% of all homes built for sale in Scotland as well as an increasingly significant proportion of affordable housing, today slammed Liberal Democrat proposals to add VAT to new build homes if elected to Government.

On the day that Tavish Scott launched the party’s manifesto in Scotland, the organisation’s Chief Executive Jonathan Fair said:

“Somehow, the Liberal Democrats seem to be unaware that Scotland, not to mention the UK as a whole, is facing its worst housing crisis since the Second World War.  Not only has our industry lost up to half its workforce, development is touching an all-time low and vital First Time Buyers are struggling to find deposits of up to 25%.  Any measure increasing the cost of new homes, whether in the public or private sector, is sheer madness and will simply exacerbate the problems we as a country already face.”

Ends

Enquiries to:

Jennifer Kennedy, Homes for Scotland – 0131 455 8350

Notes to Editors:

Homes for Scotland (www.homesforscotland.com) represents the country’s home building industry which, prior to the onset of the credit crunch,:

-  was the largest source of private investment in Scotland and the largest user of the planning system

- built 20,000 new homes, contributed £6bn to the economy and directly impacted the employment of 100,000 people (2007 figures)

Half the industry’s directly employed jobs have already been lost and Scottish new build housing output has plummeted, presenting far-reaching and long-term social and economic consequences.

Click here to read Homes for Scotland’s “building for their future” appeal to MPs as they prepare to enter the election season.

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The figures Gordon Brown gave in a podcast about immigration were wrong, the statistics watchdog has told the Prime Minister in an open letter.

The PM’s speech was correct but his podcast was not, the letter says

Mr Brown “did not use comparable” sets of data when he discussed the number of people who had come to Britain in recent years, the note the chair of the UK Statistics Authority said.

A statement from Downing Street said it accepted some of the numbers used were unclear and not strictly comparable.

The Prime Minister used the podcast to talk about his points system and reassure working families that the system is fair.

“Some people talk as if net inward migration is rising. In fact, it is falling – down from 237,000 in 2007, to 163,000 in 2008, to provisional figures of 147,000 last year,” he said.

“Some people talk as if all immigrants stay here forever. In fact, most come for short periods and then return to their own country.”

But the chair of the statistics authority, Sir Michael Scholar, said the figure for 2007 should have been lower – the official number was 233,000, not 237,000.

It means the scale of the fall is less dramatic than Mr Brown implied.

There is an urgent need for immediate steps to properly control immigration instead of the free for all flood of  migrants some with no skills and many who cant even speak English.

Labour systematically ignored the warnings just to rub the rights nose in it and in the hope of getting more votes. They betrayed the interests of Britain and the British people and now growing pressure mounts on all major frontline services with education, healthcare and the prisons bursting under the strain of an endless flood of people invited into the UK by Labour.

Labour lied to us all.

Jim Ferguson

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The national percentage for those who are over 60 in scotland is 19%. That percentage increases to 34% for the Highlands and Islands. This percentage for the Highlands will increase by 10% every 5 years so its imperative that proper planning and a full strategic review is carried out in order to ensure adequate health care provision accross the Highlands and islands.

I am disapointed to see that the Highland Council who now have to make £12 million pounds of savings are cutting front line services in areas such as care workers who are a lifeline to many families across this region.

The SNP, Labour and LibDems have all had an opportunity at running the Highland Council but have failed to achieve the outcomes that the people need. Their in-fighting and petty politics have caused inaction and a failure to properly provide for the elderly community which is growing at an incredible rate.

There really does have to be some common sense introduced so that we don’t end up with a situation where we simply dont have the resources to cope.

Add to this the fact that we have had huge numbers of Eastern Europeans migrating to the Highlands who have not being paying contributions to the country but who quickly claim all their entitlements and we see a recipe for disaster due to not having the care provision and infrastructure to cope. The Labour Government were warned that this would happen but neither they nor the LibDems were prepared to listen and simply used political correctness as a weapon to silence their critics.

The SNP are faring no better and despite thousands of Scottish jobs being lost on a weekly basis they still adopt an insane policy of trying to bring huge numbers of immigrants to Scotland when there is simply no jobs for them.

An already overburdoned NHS is now creaking at the seams and the recent case of having 54 beds at Raigmore hospital blocked is tragic. Almost an entire floor is now taken up with people who have no other place to go because the Highland Council did not make the proper provision when they had the opportunity to do so. The bed blocking situation at Raigmore hospital has seen a 50% increase in just one year and may increase further next year unless a soloution can be found.

Local people who require hospital treatment will likely find that waiting lists will grow and with cutbacks in funding this will conspire to bring greater pressure to bear on local people.

Our elderly deserve better and after a lifetime of paying contributions into the NHS and their taxes they should not be worrying about healthcare provision at a time of life when they should be able to relax and take life at a slower pace.

I hope that people across the Highlands quickly wake up to the failures of those we trusted to lead and prepare this region for the future.

Immediate action must now be taken before it really is too late.

Jim Ferguson

Thought you should see (if you have not already seen), the areas that Highland Council are looking to achieve budget cuts and reduce level of service delivery at front end.

Looks to me as if everything possible is being done to protect the non-performing layers of management earning salaries  in excess of £40,000 per annum.

One example detailed below demonstrates how management level salaries have got completely out of control:

“Schools General Reduce the number of Quality Improvement Officers by 2″ – Saving 0.140 = £140,000 simply staggering, given the average level of earnings across the Highlands of those employed outside of the Public Sector

The areas that appear to be under the knife are the very areas community leaders feel should be strengthened. particularly in relation to Education and Care of the Elderly!

Please click the link to download the Highland Council document concerned:

http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/FD04B6BA-B0E6-4CC5-B3D6-A10FCA5CE352/0/Item9HC4809.pdf

This is the document listing the potential cutbacks for the next two or three financial years within Highland Council and highlights the years of gross mis-management  of public finances by  successive political parties and elected councillors

Large sums of money have been wasted on flights of fancy, such as the Kessock Bridge fireworks display, with no thought as to how the mooey could have been better utilised for public benefit.

The huge external debt running into hundreds of £Millions, run up by successive administrations has never rung any alarm bells, whilst job protectionism has always been exhibited at the highest level of management – this simply cannot be allowed to continue.

Best wishes

Barrie Haycock
Chair Planning Watch UK

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Documentation extract (NOT Edited):

Highland Council Agenda

Item – 4 March 2010 Report

Budget Consultation
Report by Depute Chief Executive & Director of Finance

Summary

Highland Council, on 11 February, noted that budget consultation proposals would be considered by the Council in March. This report sets out the proposed approach to the
budget consultation exercise.

1. Introduction

1.1 The revenue budget for 2010/11 was agreed by the Council on 11 February. While that report set out a range of savings now agreed for 2011/12 and 2012/13, it
highlighted a considerable budget gap remained across those two years, estimated at £36m.

1.2 Recent comments by the Accounts Commission on the 2009 Audit Overview Report, sets in context the challenges faced by Council’s in the wake of the
economic downturn.

“…the scale of the budget challenge they face means councils need to take urgent
action. It is essential that they continue to develop and implement plans to cope
with the tough times ahead, including thinking radically about service design and
delivery.”

1.3 Given the difficult financial prospects for local government over the next few years, and the level of savings the Council is likely to be faced with, the Council agreed to
consult on budget proposals for 2011/12 and 2012/13, prior to the proposals being considered by the Council in the Autumn of 2010.

1.4 This report sets out the proposed approach to the budget consultation exercise.

1.5 This report is produced in support of the Council’s corporate governance process, which in turn is designed to support/augment the Council’s overall/corporate
delivery of all of its obligations in terms of the Single Outcome Agreement.

2. Purpose of Consultation

2.1 The purpose of the budget consultation exercise will be to:-

? Seeks views from the public and other stakeholders, on a range of specific budget proposals the Council may be asked to consider in Autumn 2010.

? Seek views on the more strategic matters the Council is considering in relation to the budget, for example the education provision/school estate review and the
waste collection strategy.

? Ask the consultees for any areas where they feel budget savings could or should be made.

? Raise awareness of the financial challenges facing the Council and actions that may be necessary to address that.

3. Format of Consultation

3.1 A consultation document will be produced to support the exercise. This document will set out:-

? The financial context facing the Council, including the level of savings the Council thinks will have to be made over the next two years.

? Information on what the Council currently spends its budget on.

? The types of strategic review the Council is conducting or considering in major service areas e.g.

? Corporate Improvement Programme to improve efficiency and effectiveness (including procurement, asset management and business support along with other projects).

? Review of management costs.

? Reduction in travel and subsistence costs.

? Business case review for 5 new care homes.

? Review of education provision/school estate.

? Review of waste collection strategy.

? A range of specific saving proposals the Council may be asked to consider in Autumn 2010.

? Any other relevant supporting information.

? The format of response sought, including questions to be asked of consultees.

3.2 As a working draft, the enclosed annex 1 sets out a list of saving proposals that may feature in the consultation document. This list represents those savings identified by Services as part of the 2010/11 budget exercise, over and above those agreed by the Council to date. Some further refinement to proposals, and incorporate of further information where appropriate, will take place before finalised.

3.3 The consultation document will be hosted on the Council website, with consideration given to availability/distribution through other mediums where appropriate. It is not intended to print mass copies of the document, or utilise newspaper advertising or supplements, to minimise the costs of the consultation.

3.4 Consultees will be asked to provide comments via email, or in writing. Consideration will be given to a dedicated email address for responses. Ward
Forum meetings will also be used to discuss the consultation and receive feedback.

3.5 The Council has agreed that a Citizen Panel be established to support consultation on a range of matters, including the budget. Given the time necessary to recruit
and establish the panel, it will not be possible to use the panel for this initial budget consultation. It is expected that once up and running, the panel will be used for
future budget consultations.

4. Questions to be asked

4.1 While the Council could use a ‘blank sheet’ approach, i.e. leave the consultees to determine the format and content of their response, there are benefits in providing
a structure to the expected response, to aid analysis and collation.

4.2 A range of questions could be considered, to provide a structure to the response, while still leaving the consultee as much freedom as possible to give their views.
The questions could also provide a useful structure for discussion at Ward Forum meetings.

4.3 Some example questions that could be included are set out below.

(1) Are there any other areas of the Council, not reflected in the enclosed proposals, where you feel the Council could or should make savings? If so please provide details.

(2) Are there any comments you wish to make about the strategic reviews the Council is conducting.

4.4 The final structure of the document and questions will be prepared over the coming weeks, prior to formal launch of the consultation.

5. Next Steps and Timetable

5.1 Following the Council meeting, the consultation document will be prepared and incorporated on the Council website. The target date for this task is mid to end March.

5.2 The Council will then arrange for a press release, media coverage, posters in Service Points, etc as a means of promoting the consultation.

5.3 The first Ward Forum to be asked for views on the consultation will be the North West and Central Sutherland Ward Forum on 27th March.

5.4 Discussion at further Ward Forum meetings during April and May will also take place, with the consultation exercise estimated to conclude June 2010.

Recommendation

Members are asked to consider this report and agree the budget consultation approach and timetable.
Signature:
Designation: Depute Chief Executive & Director of Finance
Date: 24 February 2010

Ref:

Background Papers
Author: Brian Porter, Finance Manager
Author’s Telephone No.: 01463 702424

Savings Proposals for Consultation 2011/12 – 2012/13 Annex 1

Education, Culture & Sport

Ref. Activity Heading Savings Proposal

Indicative Savings £m

1 & 3 Devolved budgets – schools Review Secondary timetabling methods, curriculum delivery methods and review teacher entitlement formulae 1.791

8 Schools General Review delivery of music tuition and region-wide music support 0.559

9 Schools General Reduce the number of Quality Improvement Officers by 2 – 0.140

12 Schools General Reduction in teaching absence cover funding 0.047

13 Schools General Discontinue the peripatetic janitorial function 0.287

14 Schools General Clothing Grant Allowance – Reduce level of award and change to “voucher” system 0.080

19 Additional Support Needs 20% reduction across Psychological Services, a 5% reduction across other specialist ASL budgets held centrally, at area level and in schools, including some reorganisation of management and administrative structures. 1.000

20 School Residences Income generation opportunities in School Residences 0.060

22 Grants to Voluntary Organisations

Further review of support for Voluntary Organisations 0.312

23 Youth Work Reduction in Youth Work 0.573

24 Community Learning Further reduction in Adult Education 0.050

25 Community Facilities,

Inverness and Nairn

Reduce number of Community Centres in Inverness 0.133

26 Archives Focus provision on new Highland Archive Centre 0.183

27 Culture Removal of the Out of Eden drama provision including the Highland wide Higher Drama course 0.195

29 Museums Reduce museum provision by two thirds through closures or alternative provision 0.400

30 Highland Culture Fund Removal of Highland Culture Fund and Lochaber Events budget 0.509

31 Integrated Library Service Reduction in library provision, including ceasing the Bookstart service 0.394

32 Integrated Library Service Library Support Unit – Reduce logistical support for libraries 0.100

33 Integrated Library Service Cease all development of the Am Baile gaelic heritage web resources, and seek alternative resources 0.172

34 Leisure, recreation and sports development

Reduce number of swimming pools 0.380

35 Sports Development and Play

Reduce support for sports development and play through review of Council and Partner provision 0.138

36 Floral Hall, Inverness Floral Hall – Close or find a social enterprise model to continue the operation 0.115

Total 7.618

ECS

Savings Proposals for Consultation 2011/12 – 2012/13 Annex 1

JCCYP

Ref. Activity Heading Savings Proposal

Indicative Savings £m

9 Review of Teacher input to nurseries

Reduce in line with service rationalisation 0.100

11 Workforce Qualification Standard

Reduction in expenditure to support early years staff qualification standard, as this will largely have been met. 0.050

Total 0.150

JCCYP

Savings Proposals for Consultation 2011/12 – 2012/13 Annex 1

Social Work

Ref. Activity Heading Savings Proposal

Indicative Savings £m

15 Establish Community Health & Social Care Partnerships with NHS Highland

Move towards integrated management of health and care 0.250

16 Community Care Learning

Disability Support Work provision

Review in – house support services for learning disabilities at Cradlehall, Inverness 0.035

18 Learning Disability Day Care Review of day care facility at Beachview, Brora. 0.069

19 Learning Disability Day Care Review learning disability day care service provision at Tigh na Drochaidh 0.020

20 Community Care Establishments

Review Raasay Day Centre 0.014

22 Care at Home Consider tender for all home care (public sector process involving comparator – phased approach) 1.000

23 Orchard Cease providing residential care at Orchard and downsize provision. Restrict the service to short breaks. 0.150

24 Top slice of fostering & adoption budget

Top slice of fostering & adoption budget 0.100

28 Children & Families Overnight provision in Children’s Units 0.100

31 Care Homes Review of all LA care home provision, to ensure best value tbc

35 Day Care Review Older People’s Day Care at Tigh na Drochaid, Portree 0.065

36 Childrens Services Review Staffin respite unit 0.130

Total 1.933

SW

Savings Proposals for Consultation 2011/12 – 2012/13 Annex 1

TECS
Ref. Activity Heading Savings Proposal

Indicative Savings £m

16 Service Review of overall staffing structure 0.075

18 Service Review all income streams. 0.300

20 Roads & Community Works Review standards of cyclic road maintenance. 0.400

21 Roads & Community Works Review standards of grounds maintenance. 0.500

22 Roads & Community Works Use contractors to replace seasonal staff employed on grounds maintenance. 0.050

23 Roads & Community Works Bught Nursery – examine option to procure plant material from external providers. 0.100

24 Roads & Community Works Review standards of street cleaning. 0.500

25 Roads & Community Works Review provision (numbers) of public toilets. 0.200

26 Roads & Community Works Review Pest Control function 0.095

27 Roads & Community Works Remove budget for unadopted roads. 0.050

28 Roads & Community Works

Business Support

Review the burial administration function for Inverness,

Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey Area. 0.020

32 Waste Management Review level of grant to Social Enterprise Groups. 0.050

33 Transport & Infrastructure Review level of service for street lighting. 0.500

34 Transport & Infrastructure Replace external contractors with internal staff (internal transfer from Roads and Community Works to Street Lighting). 0.050

35 Transport & Infrastructure Review levels of subsidies for public transport. 0.500

36 Transport & Infrastructure Review level of grants to Community Transport Schemes 0.050

37 Transport & Infrastructure Review long term arrangements for the Corran Ferry. 0.150

38 Transport & Infrastructure Review Materials Testing Laboratory. 0.050

39 Transport & Infrastructure Review airstrips. 0.026

40A Environmental Health Review staffing level for Environmental Health. 0.060

40B Trading Standards Review staffing level for Trading Standards. 0.060

42 Business Support Review provision of vehicle workshops including options for amalgamation. 0.050

43 Business Support Review provision of materials stores including options for external provision. 0.075

44 Business Support Review business processes. 0.040

TECS
Ref. Activity Heading Savings Proposal

Indicative Savings £m

45 Roads & Community Works Review temporary mortuary facilities at Glen Nevis, Fort William. 0.005

Total 3.956
TECS

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JIM FERGUSON AND MARY SCANLON

Conservatives working together in the Highlands of Scotland

Jim  Ferguson said:

“Blythswood should be highly commended on this worthwhile local community project.

I pay tribute to Lorna Dempster and her team for the hard work and dedication they give to making a real difference to people in desperate need. They have our full support. This is the kind of local community action that reaches out to the people who most need it and I’m proud to see such effort and dedication.”

Mary Scanlon said:

Blythswood Care have been doing sterling work to support people in poverty in many countries throughout the world for many years. I congratulate Blythswood on the excellent local project, “The Highland Foodbank” which has been up and running for almost three years.
The foodbank is supported by donors, churches, volunteers and partner agencies and fulfils a vital role by providing emergency three-day supplies of food to individuals and families who are in financial crisis.

Already in Inverness, Home Start helps people with furniture and household items to make a fresh start. Last year, 1700 people were helped by the Foodbank project which was an increase of 70% from the previous year.

Blythswood have identified a local need and are working very effectively to address this need.”

Working to make a better future.

Join us and make a difference!

Telephone 01463 233986

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Many people in Inverness who are so poor due to delays in receiving their benefits have no money to buy food. The news story broke in Local papers which shocked many of us into action.

I am proud to say that my local Conservative members have donated £250. I went into Tesco today and told them that If they were prepared to match or exceed the amount donated I would also donate £250 from my own company The Castle Group.

We will see if they are big hearted enough to assist us.

Meanwhile Danny Alexander MP for Inverness Nairn Badenoch and Strathspey of the Lib Dems was quoted as saying “It is my impression and evidence from my own constituency contacts that things have got worse for benefit claimants in the Highlands since the system was centralised to a call centre in Clydebank,” he maintained.

“I have no doubt that in some cases the food bank is a lifesaver.”
Wow…..inspiring stuff Danny. You have no doubt eh ! So what exactly have you been doing since you were elected in 2005 ?

What did you do that would have highlighted or solved this problem before it could have become so bad. ? …….  Not a lot.

Its time to put our money up front – despite all the talk of some politicians, actions speak louder than words. Lets see if our sitting MP Mr Alexander can match our initiative.

what about the S.N.P and Labour members ?

What will you do now that I have thrown this your way Mr Alexander ?
Donate some money to these poor and needy folk ? I won’t hold my breath.

Full article:

Stocks low at Highland food bank

By Val Sweeney – Inverness Courier

Published: 04 March, 2008

IN the space of an hour, six people call at the Highland Food Bank in Inverness to collect emergency supplies. They include a single mother-of-three accompanied by a teenage girl whose mother recently died.

“There was no one else to care for her — she is the daughter of my best friend,” she explained. “I felt so sad for her. So, I decided to take her in to help her out until we can get things sorted.”

But finance is tight and a social worker has referred them to the food bank which operates four days a week out of the Free North Church hall in Madras Street, Merkinch.

A few minutes later, the pair depart clutching a couple of carrier bags filled with an assortment of ingredients while they debate who will be cooking the evening meal.

Like many people, the mother was previously unaware of the centre’s presence. “I think it is a fantastic idea,” she said. “I am not too proud to take help when I need it.”

The steady trickle of callers also include an elderly man, who chats to a member of staff over a cup of tea and a biscuit before leaving with his groceries, and a middle-aged man who has to hurry away for a job interview. Two young Polish men who speak limited English are the next to arrive.

“We are looking for jobs,” one explained. “We have been in Inverness for one month and cannot find jobs. We have been looking every day.” The pair now appear to be homeless and down to their last £20. “It is a very difficult situation for us,” he reflected.

It is about two-and-a-half years since the food bank opened its doors to needy families and individuals. Operated by the Christian relief agency, Blythswood Care, it is the only one of its type in Scotland and demand is rising. Last year the food centre helped more than 1700 people in crisis, a 70 per cent rise from the previous year, while in the first two months of this year about 340 people have been given boxes of food.

Co-ordinator Lorna Dempster acknowledged it was “a huge rise” and speculated over the reasons. “Obviously, I think awareness has grown in that a lot more people are being referred to us,” she said. Mrs Dempster had mixed feelings about the increasing use of the service. “It is a concern there is such a great need in Inverness in 2008 but to be able to do something is good — it is good we are able to step in and meet that need,” she said.

The reasons why people are referred are varied. By far, the biggest group are those whose benefit payment has been delayed — 37 per cent so far this year compared with 36 per cent for all of last year. Other reasons include debt (13 per cent), homelessness (12 per cent), low income (11 per cent), refused crisis loan (8 per cent), benefit cuts (4 per cent), domestic violence (2 per cent) and unemployment (1 per cent). The remaining 9 per cent are down to “other reasons” which could include theft of someone’s money, Mrs Dempster explained.

“It could even be things like someone whose fridge has broken down so that the items in the fridge are damaged and not usable,” she said. “It could be a case of getting the fridge repaired, or buying food. They might be told to get the fridge repaired and we would provide the food for a few days.”

Mrs Dempster stressed clients were from a broad range of backgrounds. “Need is no respecter of persons,” she said. “It could happen to anyone. The first guy who came in today used to have a good job but because of circumstances and problems in his life, he found himself in a difficult situation.”

Clients using the food bank have to hand in vouchers distributed by such agencies as GPs, social workers, community nurses, housing associations and citizens’ advice bureaux. In return, they are given a three-day supply of non-perishable foodstuffs.

The arrangements mean assessments are carried out by another organisation other than Blythswood and also ensure clients do not become reliant on the food boxes.

“People can have three vouchers in a given period of time,” Mrs Dempster explained. “That can be extended, if the people distributing the voucher think another couple of vouchers would help the person get back on their feet again.”

The packs, which contain a menu guide on how the food can be used to provide three meals per day, include such items as cereal, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruit, soup, corned beef, ham, tea and coffee.

The food bank recognised, however, there could be difficulties for some clients depending on their domestic arrangements. “If people are in bed and breakfast accommodation they might have a microwave or kettle so we try to give items that they are able to use,” she said. “For cup-a-soups and things like that, people can usually get by with just a kettle.”

Highland Food Bank co-ordinator Lorna Dempster. Gary Anthony

A couple of tables with chairs are also set out so anyone calling in can also stop for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat with the volunteers.

But not everyone lives near enough to collect supplies from the Madras Street centre so boxes of food are available for delivery by care professionals to clients.

Food supplies are donated largely by the public. In 2007 three tonnes of food were donated through harvest thanksgiving services at churches in Inverness and Easter Ross.

The first food bank schools appeal in the spring of 2006 attracted responses from 17 schools in the Inverness area while last year pupils from 26 primary schools in Inverness and Easter Ross participated.

“We are planning an appeal through schools in May but we need donations from the general public.” Mrs Dempster said.

Certainly, awareness of the project is spreading. At Christmas time, for the last two years, the Richard Fraser Charitable Trust donated money to buy festive foods such as Christmas puddings or selection boxes for the food parcels. Supermarkets such as Tesco Metro store in Tomnahurich Street, Inverness, have organised collections for customers to donate.

One former client, grateful to the food bank, is James Boyd, now a volunteer. Mr Boyd (39) of Huntly Place, Inverness, was referred to the project by staff at Caley House in Millburn Road which helps people with alcohol and drug problems.

“Things were not going too well and they gave me a voucher,” he said. “I went along to the food bank and they sat me down with a coffee. They were very nice people. It came along just at the right time.”

Subsequently, Mr Boyd turned his life around and as well as helping to distribute food parcels, he also puts together packs of toiletries with items donated by the Destiny Church which meets at the Columba Hotel in Inverness on Sunday mornings and of which he is a member.

Mr Boyd, a volunteer at the food bank for about nine months, said it was a way of saying “thank you”. “I know what it feels like when you have nothing,” he said.

Danny Alexander, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, praised the work of the food bank but was also concerned about the proportion of clients being referred due to delays in benefit claims. “It is my impression and evidence from my own constituency contacts that things have got worse for benefit claimants in the Highlands since the system was centralised to a call centre in Clydebank,” he maintained.

“I have no doubt that in some cases the food bank is a lifesaver.”

Tinned meat, tinned potatoes, UHT whole milk, dried fruit and packets of rice are the top five items required most urgently by the food bank.

Other items on the list include breakfast cereal, dried pasta, oatcakes and crackers, tinned vegetables, tinned tomatoes, tinned fruit, tinned fish, tinned soup and Cup-a-soup, tinned custard and rice pudding, tea bags, coffee and sugar. Donations can be left at any Blythswood shop, or collection can be arranged by phoning 0845 456 9460.

v.sweeney@inverness-courier.co.uk

As discussed earlier, I along with our Conservative Party members with the Help of Tescos raised between us £837 worth of food. I can confirm that the food has all now been delivered to the Food bank at Blythswood.

If you remember, I had laid down a challenge to the other political parties to get involved and ask their respective members to donate seeing as this was a crisis and local people who had not received their benefits were in desperate need.

I have to say I was very disappointed that not one of the other parties were prepared to help. They made some lame comments about already donating to local charities etc etc but the worst of all was Liberal Democrat MP Danny Alexander for Inverness Nairn Badenoch and Strathspey who despite claiming some of the largest expenses couldn’t be bothered to give anything at all. Instead he said politicians should be doing something so that the situation should not have arisen in the first place.

I’m sure that really made these local hungry people feel much better!

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