Posts Tagged ‘Inner Hebrides’

Portree set to welcome its largest cruise liner

Aug 18th, 10 / 0 Comments

This Friday (20 August) Portree will welcome the largest cruise liner ever to call at the port. Holland America Line’s 82,500 gross tons ”Westerdam”, carrying some 1800 passengers, is scheduled to be in port
from 8am to 6pm. The giant liner, 11 decks high, will present a spectacular sight anchored in the harbour.

“Columbian carved limestone”

Passengers will be offered a choice of shore excursions including visits to Armadale Castle, Talisker Distillery, Dunvegan Castle, Eilean Donan Castle and a Loch Coruisk Sea-Safari. Most of the excursions are half-day tours so passengers will also have plenty of free time to spend in Portree itself.

Westerdam is the third in Holland America Line’s series of Vista-class ships. Most of her staterooms have ocean views and many have private verandas. Holland America Line ships are renowned for their art
collections and the theme on board Westerdam is Dutch heritage in the New World. Art ranges from paintings of historic Dutch ships to a huge Indian silver-overlaid wood palace doorway, a bone tobacco pipe carved in the shape of a woman’s head and a collection of 5,000 year old pre-Columbian carved limestone figures from Ecuador.

“Breaking all previous records.”

As this will be the ship’s maiden call to Portree, The Highland Council will present the captain with an engraved commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. Commenting on the visit of Westerdam, Highland Councillor Ian Renwick said: “A visit by a liner of this size is a real vote of confidence in Portree as a port of call. Holland America Line called at Portree last year with their smaller vessel, Prinsendam, which they refer to as their pathfinder vessel. The captain was able to give a positive report back to head office and was happy to recommend a visit by big sister Westerdam. Our Tourism Development Officer, Gordon Ireland, has been marketing Portree to the cruise industry for a number of years and business has been growing steadily. This year we will have 15 cruise liner calls, with over 9,000 passengers, breaking all previous records.”

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Local Businesses interested in reaching Nordic countries invited to meet trade experts

Mar 4th, 10 / 0 Comments

“Potentially lucrative trading links”

Highlands and Islands businesses with interests as diverse as forestry, manufacturing, marine science, fine foods and textiles are taking advantage of an opportunity to meet with trade specialists from the Nordic region.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is hosting the fact finding opportunity in an effort to develop further potentially lucrative trading links with our Scandinavian and other northerly neighbours.

In partnership with Scottish Development International (SDI), the UK Trade and Investments Nordic team will be in Inverness on Wednesday 17 March.  They will give an overview of their region, with its population of 25 million people, and will then offer individual meetings to discuss each business’ specific needs.  Businesses of any size who are interested in applying should contact HIE before Wednesday 10 March.

“Excellent trading opportunity”

“There are long standing cultural and trade links with the Nordic region.   The Highlands and Islands share a number of business interests and their close proximity and good transport links make them an excellent trading opportunity,” said Norma MacDonald, HIE’s senior development officer with the international team.

One businesswoman already signed up is Helen Lockhart from Assynt, in North Sutherland.  She has been running her creative textiles company, Ripples Crafts, since 2008.  She is keen to see if there is an opportunity to supply her hand dyed yarns and knitting kits to Scandinavia, which has a strong traditional knitting culture.

“This is a fact finding trip for me.  I have had some success in exporting to America and Europe and am interested to see if there is a market for my unique yarns either to hand knitting pattern designers, wool shops or to distributors.”

Two members of the business team from the internationally renowned marine research institute, the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) based in Oban, are to meet with the Nordic team.

“Identify emerging business opportunities”

“Our core business activities span several market sectors including renewable energy, biofuel R&D, mining, and marine technologies.  In these areas, SAMS provides commercial services on a global scale, however, we have had little involvement in the Nordic Region. At this event, we are keen to identify emerging business opportunities as well as build new collaborations within our existing markets,” said Dr Keri Page.

Traditional music publishing business, Taigh na Teud, based in Skye is hoping to gain advice on ways to grow opportunities for cultural exchange.  Christine Martin researches, collects and collates traditional tunes in original music books, and has been running the business for 25 years. She commented:

“There is a strong link between Scandinavian music and Scottish music, and the Nordic countries enjoy a very strong fiddling culture.  I already have some links with clubs in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and am interested in exploring whether there is a market to promote Scottish music through shops and publishers, with a reciprocal arrangement here.”

Any local business interested should contact Norma MacDonald at HIE in Inverness 01463 244478 for an application or download an application form from http://www.hie.co.uk/Nordic-awareness-event.htm

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles

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NHS waiting lists

Mar 4th, 10 / 0 Comments

“We welcome this review of New Ways”

Commenting on the Audit Scotland report Managing NHS waiting lists – A review of new arrangements published today, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:

“We welcome this review of New Ways – the new system of managing NHS waiting lists.

“We have made significant changes to the way patient waiting lists are managed. Before New Ways tens of thousands of patients were held on ‘hidden waiting lists’ with no treatment time guarantees, now these people are treated within the Scottish Government’s waiting time targets.

“Plans are already underway”

“New Ways has also introduced more flexibility so that appointments and treatments can be made to suit patients’ individual needs and schedules. This means that appointments and are less likely to be cancelled and patients who would previously have had to wait indefinitely can get the care and treatment they need.

“Waiting times are now at an all time low. Staff across the health service have worked extremely hard to make these changes and will continue to keep this progress going.

“We are committed to supporting ways that put patients first in the health service and plans are already underway to put the recommendations made by the report in place.”

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles

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Western Isles salmon producer suspend boss

Mar 3rd, 10 / 0 Comments

The board of Director in Lighthouse Caledonia Ltd have suspended Managing Director OddGeir Oddsen of Lighthouse Caledonia Ltd from his work.

Oddsen strongly refuse that the Board has any justified reason for the suspension and see the Board’s initiative as a consequence of different view on corporate governance in particular the CG rules that should govern the relation and responsibilities between the Board and the management

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Gaelic learning week

Mar 3rd, 10 / 0 Comments

During Easter  Stòras Uibhist are offering a unique opportunity to Gàidhlig learners to spend a ‘Learning Week’ in South Uist and its surrounding communities, enhancing and developing their use of Gàidhlig through a total immersion programme.

The Learning Week will be based at the exclusive Grogarry Lodge http://www.grogarrylodge.com an all inclusive basis.

“Range of culturally based activities”

The week will take the format of interactive tuition in the mornings, followed by a wide range of culturally based activities related to the learning sessions including hill / machair walks, museum and cultural tours, an autobiographical presentation by a local bard, fishing and weather permitting, an exciting and thoroughly memorable boat trip to the second most southerly island of the Western Isles; Mingulay.

Evening entertainment will encompass a range of opportunities to see, hear and take part in traditional dancing, song, ceilidhs and music sessions – so bring your instruments!

“Homeland of the Gaels”

This is an exceptional opportunity for learners at an intermediate level to experience Hebridean culture and apply their Gaelic in an informal atmosphere in the homeland of the Gaels within the exquisite and historical island setting of a traditional Estate lodge.

The programme will run from 10am Monday the 5th April 2010 with departures on Saturday morning, 10th April 2010.
For further details please go to www.storasuibhist.com/gaelic-week or contact Deirdre MacEachen on 01878 700101 or e-mail deirdre.maceachen@storasuibhist.com

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Seeking a major reform of Crown Estate in Scotland

Mar 3rd, 10 / 0 Comments

Michael Foxley

“Marine energy development”

The Highland Council’s Leader Councillor Michael Foxley underlined the Council’s commitment to major reform of the Crown Estate in Scotland when he gave evidence to the UK Government’s Treasury Sub-Committee, which is reviewing the role of Crown Estate in Scotland
In reinforcing the Council’s written submission, Councillor Foxley told the sub-committee at Westminster that a vital concern of the Council was the need to secure major local financial community benefits (in addition to employment, training and business benefits) from marine energy development around the Highlands and Western Isles.

In supporting the renewable energy sector in the Highlands, the Council saw huge opportunities for the development of marine renewable energy in the Pentland Firth.

“Benefit from offshore renewables”

To this end, the Council was now working with the Crown Estate Commissioners and its Highland and Islands local authority partners and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to agree a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commissioners.

He said: “We need to learn from the mistakes of the past to ensure that Highland and Islands communities benefit from offshore renewables. We should seek community benefits similar to those gained by the Shetland oil fund.”

He stressed the Council also wished to see conditions conducive to sustained investment in the Highlands and Islands. The Council accepted that unnecessary delays in allocating leases combined with recent reports of three-fold increases in transmission charges may increase uncertainty, particularly at the early stages of development. Clarity and stability were important prerequisites for potential developers of marine energy.

“New Opportunities for Public Benefits”

He added: “A further concern is that marine renewable energy development takes place in a sustainable manner that is fully integrated with the marine spatial planning process at a national and local level. The importance of appropriate consultation as part of this process is obvious. Highland Council wishes to see greater efforts to fully integrate the role of the Crown Estate Commissioners with the marine planning process at national and local level in Scotland. This implies a need for greater integration with Marine Scotland, which will shortly have responsibility for marine planning and licensing, with the passage of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. ”

Councillor Foxley told the sub-committee the Council was a leading force in commissioning a report entitled “The Crown Estate in Scotland – New Opportunities for Public Benefits”, because of a longstanding dissatisfaction with the Crown Estate in Scotland in terms of dealing with fish farming and harbour and port developments. It was his view that harbour authorities and trusts, who control the waters around ports, should own and control the sea bed.

Councillor Foxley concluded: “I am pleased that we took this opportunity to present our views and we got a fair hearing from the Treasury Sub-Committee. Hopefully, something positive will come from this review.”

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Calmac spring advertising campaign underway

Mar 2nd, 10 / 0 Comments

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne’s (CalMac) latest TV advertising campaign, which aims to lure visitors to the islands of the West Coast of Scotland, gets underway this week.

The message of the 30 second commercial is that some of the best holidays begin with a trip on a CalMac ferry.

Filmed on location on the ferries, as well as at island locations, it is aimed at families, couples and singles in the 35-54 age groups.

The TV advert will run on STV and Channel 4 for the next 3 weeks, followed by a break of a week, and then a further 2 weeks.

CalMac’s Marketing Manager Susan Paterson said:

“We have secured a strong schedule for the adverts and are therefore confident that it will encourage people to sail with us and visit places that might not have otherwise featured in their travel plans.”

The advert will run in STV’s big hitters such as Emmerdale and Coronation Street, plus other popular programmes including Harry Hill’s TV Burp, Wild at Heart, and This Morning. On Channel 4 it will appear during Come Dine with Me, Shameless, Ramsays Kitchen Nightmares, Glee and a host of others.

Ms Paterson added:”The TV advert is only part of the campaign as we are also doing online and outdoor advertising which will start over the next few weeks.”

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‘Deer cull should continue’, says Scottish Wildlife Trust

Mar 1st, 10 / 0 Comments

The largest charity organisation dedicated to the protection of Scottish wildlife has called for starving deer to be culled across Scotland.

Calling for an extension of the stalking season of female deer which ended earlier last month (15 February) in line with current legislation (Deer (Scotland) Act 1996), the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) today claimed that culling starving animals which are battling to survive through harsh winter conditions, would prevent inhumane suffering as well as helping to halt further damage to Scotland’s environment.

Simon Milne, SWT’s Chief Executive, explained:  “We are a wildlife protection charity calling for more deer to be culled.  I understand that this might surprise some people, but our reasoning is sound.  Red deer numbers have been steadily increasing in recent decades to the point where, in some areas, they are causing damage to the natural environment. The most obvious impact is on young trees that have little chance of growing into the forests of future when large numbers of deer are browsing for food.

“As the harsh winter weather continues, some wildlife species are struggling to cope. Red deer are facing a double whammy – they were already stressed because too many animals were competing for limited food resources and now they are being subjected to a long and cold winter. Our deer are ill-equipped to deal with prolonged winters because, by and large, they are living in conditions that do not suit them.  Red deer are really a woodland species and the now treeless environment of many parts of Scotland simply does not satisfy their basic need for shelter, particularly in bad weather.  Too many deer and not enough food is resulting in starvation.

“In parts of Scotland large numbers of deer can currently be seen gathered at roadsides pawing the snow in an attempt to uncover the frozen vegetation .  Rapidly losing condition due to exposure and lack of food many will slowly starve to death.  Extending the culling season means that stalkers can continue to shoot any deer that are suffering or too weak to survive until the spring.

“There is no quick fix to this problem, in fact it will take decades to achieve a balanced deer population.  Deer numbers must be reduced in many areas to a sustainable level which is a difficult, time consuming and expensive business.  The regeneration of our native highland woodland is a priority and requires a massive, sustained and long term effort to achieve; then we might start to see red deer living as they are meant to, as healthy forest animals.  The SWT hopes these are problems which will be addressed in the forthcoming Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.”

Deer populations in Scotland have reached an unsustainably high level due to the absence of any natural predators.  Scotland is home to two native deer species, the red deer and the roe deer.  Together it is thought there are over 350,000 deer inhabiting Scotland today, around twice the population of half a century ago.

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Western Isles MSP welcomes backing for winter weather payments

Mar 1st, 10 / 0 Comments

Alasdair Allan MSP

Western Isles  MSP, Alasdair Allan, has today welcomed the backing of Scotland’s Housing Minister, Alex Neil, for the campaign to have winter weather payments calculated by taking wind chill into account.

Mr Neil has recently been corresponding with Helen Goodman MP, Under-secretary of State in the UK Department of Work and Pensions on this issue.

Mr Neil draws Ms Goodman’s attention to a number of areas which demonstrate that the effect of extreme cold weather can often be worsened in rural parts of Scotland due to the wind chill factor.

The UK Government’s winter weather payment system does not presently recognise this, being calculated purely on the number of degrees of frost.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“As both Angus MacNeil and I have pointed out this winter, there is a compelling case for the winter weather payment system to be revised to take into account the wind chill factor.

This is especially true in the Western Isles, which suffers the highest fuel poverty in Scotland at a shocking level of 47%.

“While the cold weather payments remains the same across the UK, the cost of heating a home does not, and so this benefit is not fit for purpose. The extremes of weather that we face in Scotland, and in the islands in particular, need to be recognised by the UK Government to ensure that this benefit better meets the needs of our pensioners and families.

“This issue is one that both Angus Macneil and I have raised a number of times. I am pleased that the Scottish Government has also been getting involved, by actively lobbying the UK Government, under whose authority the benefits system still comes.”

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Scottish producers go for gold

Mar 1st, 10 / 0 Comments

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is ensuring Scottish companies don’t miss the opportunity to go for gold at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

QMS has registered on CompeteFor – the chosen web site for London 2012 supply chain opportunities – which will enable it to highlight any red meat procurement opportunities to the industry.

It’s been estimated that in the course of the games more than 75,000 supply chain opportunities totalling about £8 billion will be awarded and Quality Meat Scotland wants to ensure that visiting athletes get the chance to taste some of the world’s best red meat.

Laurent Vernet, Head of Marketing for QMS, said: “London 2012 and the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games are both great opportunities for Scottish products to shine at one of the world’s most prestigious events.

“With thousands of hungry athletes to feed over the three weeks of the games, what better way to highlight the quality of our nation’s food by sourcing their red meat from Scotland.

“With the internationally regarded PGI status held by Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb they would be the perfect calibre of product to serve to the thousands of top sportspeople and trainers coming to London for the games.

“We’d advise any interested companies to register on the site now to ensure they know about any opportunities as and when they appear as it’s a great chance to get your products featured on a national and international stage.”

The CompeteFor site not only identifies opportunities in the London 2012 supply chain, it also enables related businesses to identify potential partners for the formation of consortia and onward supply chains.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “It’s great to see QMS rising to the challenge and offering Scottish red meat companies expert advice on how to strike gold and benefit from such high-profile events. We are also working with partner agencies including Scottish Enterprise and Scotland Food & Drink to help Scottish businesses win as many contracts as possible.

“Sporting events – including the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – present an ideal opportunity to enhance our credentials as a land of food and drink. Working together we are spreading the word that Scotland is the destination for high quality produce. The prize is a great one – a healthier, wealthier, more environmentally sustainable nation/country.”

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Hebrides crofters encouraged to respond to Pack report

Feb 25th, 10 / 0 Comments

Western Isles  MSP, Alasdair Allan, has encouraged crofters in the islands to give their views on a review of support for agriculture in Scotland.

Brian Pack has published an interim report into the future of agricultural subsidies for the Scottish Government and crofters have until 5th March to write in with their views, although the date has been extended to the 19th March for crofters in the Western Isles.

This was because public meetings in the islands could not be held until late on in the process.

Alasdair Allan spoke in today’s parlementry debate on this issue. He also asked a question of Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham saying: “whether the Scottish Government agrees that crofters and farmers in most of the Highlands and Islands operate in an unusually harsh environment and that this deserves to be recognised in any changes to the existing subsidy regime.”

Speaking in the debate Alasdair Allan said:

“A whole host of good reasons can be given for continuing investment in crofting and hill farming. If the landscape of my constituency had not been grazed it would have been abandoned by its population virtually entirely many decades ago. We have to recognise in whatever system we have in future that the agricultural disadvantages faced in places like Harris are of an entirely different magnitude to those faced in West Lothian. Yet those places are both currently classed as ‘severely disadvantaged’. We have to find a system that better recognises the difference.

“I would encourage all crofters to take part in the consultation and to make the case for the needs of crofters, particularly on the issue of less favoured area status.”

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Western Isles Whisky

Feb 25th, 10 / 0 Comments

The Western Isles has produced its first legal whisky in more than 170 years.

A cask from the Abhainn Dearg (Red River) Distillery in Uig was donated to the local community and another was sold to a German importer.

Owner Marko Tayburn fulfilled a dream when he re-developed the former salmon hatchery to create the distillery and tastings of the new spirit have received critical acclaim.

Talking about the hard work that has gone into its production, he told Hebrides Today: “The Western Isles is a very resourceful area, with many different products being made using high quality methods. I had felt for a long time that there was an opportunity to make our own whisky and to do it in a traditional way, from field to bottle.”

It is hoped the first bottles of single malt will be produced in time for next year’s Royal National Mod when it returns to Stornoway.

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles

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Historical echo in clan chief tribute

Feb 24th, 10 / 0 Comments

Clan Chief, Iain Roderick MacNeil of Barra

Echoing one of the legendary stories about the MacNeils of Barra, and on the day of the funeral of the much loved Clan Chief, Iain Roderick MacNeil of Barra,

Western Isles  MP, Angus MacNeil said:

“It was nce modestly hailed in Gaelic from the ramparts of Kishmuil Castle.

“Now that the great MacNeil of Barra has dined, the Princes of the Earth may sit down to eat.’

“For Iain Roderick, the 46th Chief of MacNeil, it could be said, ‘One of the greatest MacNeils has taught law; the President of the United States may sit down to legislate.”

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Keep Hebrides wildlife in mind

Feb 23rd, 10 / 0 Comments

The return of sustained freezing temperatures across the Western Isles has prompted Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to ask visitors to the outdoors to be sensitive to the plight of wildlife and birds.

The present frozen conditions means wild birds, particularly those species which rely on wet habitats such as ducks, geese and shore waders, will likely be struggling to find sufficient food to survive.

Dr Andy Douse, SNH senior ornithological adviser told Hebrides news Today:
“The return of the severe cold weather has brought back freezing conditions to many areas of Scotland sustaining significant populations of waterfowl. These scenic locations also naturally attract many people out into the countryside for recreation. We would therefore ask people to be conscious of the birds’ ongoing survival struggle and avoid stressing them further.

“It might be tempting to try and get closer to the birds for a better look but scaring birds during severe weather conditions can mean the difference between life and death as they need all their energy just to keep warm.”

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Cherry picking of Calmac routes

Feb 19th, 10 / 0 Comments

A Strathclyde University professor has warned that state owned ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne could still be vulnerable to cherry picking of its routes by competitors.

Professor Neil Kay said high value freight runs and busy short routes could be targeted.

Last autumn fears about the government funding of such lifeline services were rejected in an official inquiry.

In Professor Kay’s response to the inquiry’s decision he said that although some issues had be settled there were still problems.

He explained that commercial operators were unlikely to be interested in off-season, foot passenger and longer crossing services.

He commented: “Cherry picking is not automatically against the public interest especially if there can be competition amongst cherry pickers within a given market.”

But he warned that in markets served by CalMac competition between cherry pickers on a given route may be small, which may lead to a local monopoly.

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Action needed to save Highland Airways

Feb 19th, 10 / 0 Comments

Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil has called on the Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy MP to intervene to help save Highland Airways.

The airline which provides vital links across the Highlands and Islands is currently in discussions with a potential investor.

Commenting Angus MacNeil said:

“Highland Airways provides an essential service and supports jobs and local businesses in communities across the Western Isles and beyond.

“Time is of the essence for ensuring the long term future of this vital service provider and the Secretary of State must step up and do all he can across the UK Government.

“The Scottish Government are taking steps to safeguard the airline’s survival and I have written to Jim Murphy to ensure these efforts are replicated in London.

“The support of other creditors will be to no avail if HMRC and doesn’t take a realistic view.”

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Private Sector Housing

Feb 15th, 10 / 0 Comments

New legislation is being introduced by the Scottish Government on 1 April 2010 which changes the way private home owners will receive assistance from Local Authorities.

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 replaces the old grant scheme with a Scheme of Assistance, a major part of which re-emphasises that the responsibility to maintain, repair or improve a house lies with the owner.

The Act also changes a local authority’s role to ensure that more advice and practical assistance will be available to help home owners to carry out the necessary works.

The new Scheme will require people to demonstrate that they cannot afford to carry out some or all of the works themselves before any financial assistance will be considered.

Whilst a number of mainland authorities have decided not to offer any financial assistance towards such works Western Isles Council has identified that a strong need remains in the islands, due to the condition of the housing stock, relatively low equity in house values and lower incomes all of which reduce an owner’s ability to borrow to fund the repairs.

Some people will however, find that because the cost of works is low, or their income allows them to borrow sufficient funding to pay for the works, that there will be no financial assistance available.

In these circumstances, advice and practical assistance will be offered by the Comhairle to help people get the works carried out.

Councillor Norman A Macdonald, Chair of Environment and Protective Services Committee said

The Comhairle has always understood the strong need to improve the condition of its private sector housing stock and it wishes to continue to provide support wherever this is possible.  It has therefore been a difficult task to create a Scheme of Assistance which meets the needs of the house owners in the islands whilst still complying with the new legislation.  I believe that we have come up with a Scheme which should still allow necessary works to be carried out and target the available resources where they are needed the most.

The introduction of the Scheme of Assistance does not however change the eligibility for grant where works are required to adapt a disabled person’s home to meet their particular needs.

In these cases Adaptation Grants are still available to enable these works to be carried out.

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Sign up to save a life

Feb 15th, 10 / 0 Comments

campaign aiming to increase the number of organ donors in Scotland launched today.

Nicola Sturgeon said that three people needlessly die each day waiting for a transplant – and ‘all Scots have the power to make a difference’.

Backed by TV adverts with the message Spare Clare, as well as radio promotions, billboards and direct marketing, the £500,000 campaign aims to increase the number of potential lifesavers on the NHS organ donor register.

Ms Sturgeon said:

“Organ transplants transform lives and mean that something positive can come out of a loved one’s death.

“In Scotland, as well as getting more people on the register, we’re working to increase the number of transplants carried out by investing in more donor transplant co-ordinators and raising awareness. And our efforts are paying off – last year we had 72 donors, which is a 10-year high.

“But we can do more and we want to build on our achievement, particularly as international comparisons show we should be able to more than double this number.

“I’ve seen the difference a transplant can make and, by signing up to the organ donor register, we can all become potential lifesavers and give the gift of life.”

To sign up to the Organ Donor Register, go to: www.infoscotland.com/organdonor or text LIFE to 61611

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Consultation on alcohol labelling

Feb 15th, 10 / 0 Comments

Nicola Sturgeon

The Scottish Government, along with the other devolved administrations and Department for Health, has today launched a consultation on alcohol labelling.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said that if compliance with the existing voluntary code does not improve, then mandatory labelling will be a ‘strong option’.

The voluntary agreement, which has not been universally implemented, states that labels should include:

  • Information on the number of units
  • A message about responsible drinking
  • A logo and link for Drinkaware
  • The recommended NHS limits
  • Advice on drinking when pregnant

Ms Sturgeon said:

“Many people now understand the importance of sticking to recommended guidelines when drinking and what the risks are if you drink too much. But it can be difficult to monitor your drinking if you don’t know how many units are in each drink.

“That’s why we believe it’s important that the drinks industry play their part by making this information available.

“While some labels now include this information, far too many do not. This consultation makes it clear that, if the drinks industry does not act responsibly, the government will not hesitate to take action.

“Too many people are drinking far too much and more information to help people drink responsibly is vital if we are to tackle Scotland’s battle with the booze.”

The consultation includes three options:

  • Do nothing and continue with the current voluntary agreement
  • Renew and strengthen the existing self regulatory agreement
  • Introduce a mandatory requirement on labelling

Alcohol labelling is a devolved matter and any decision in Scotland will be for the Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament.

The alcohol industry entered a voluntary agreement on labelling in 2007.

Industry compliance with this agreement has been poor – just 15 per cent of labels provide all five elements, according to an independent report published by the Department of Health today.

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Funding for Scotland’s fire and rescue service

Feb 14th, 10 / 0 Comments

Scotland’s fire and rescue services will receive £24.6 million to assist with their capital investment programmes in the next financial year.

Community safety Minister Fergus Ewing said the investment will be used for the purchase of specialist equipment, the development of training facilities and the building and modernisation of fire stations across Scotland.

Mr Ewing said:

“Investment in Scotland’s public service infrastructure provides both modern public services and jobs for the construction industry – vital in the current economic climate.

“It is vital that the Scottish Government can help ensure our eight fire and rescue services have the right equipment, infrastructure and training to deliver their increasingly diverse role.

“This investment of £24.6 million is in addition to some £330 million of revenue funding received by the services through the local government settlement.

“The funding will be used to purchase specialist equipment, the development of training facilities and the building and modernisation of fire stations across Scotland.”

Mike Bridgman, Chair of the Scottish Fire Conveners Forum said:

“Fire Conveners are delighted that their recommendations on capital projects have been accepted by the Minister. The process has been thorough, demonstrating good partnership working. We are particularly pleased that decisions have been taken in good time to aid FRS financial planning for 2010-11.”

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