The Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce MP

July Column (1)

Tarves pharmacy raises questions for local health services

==========================================================================================================

I share the local community's concern at the decision to give the go ahead for a pharmacy in Tarves. The local GP practice has indicated that the loss of their prescription income could prejudice the services it offers.

Of course, there are plenty of GP practices that offer outreach surgeries and do not prescribe but make use of the local pharmacy. Increasingly too, pharmacists are giving advice to people reducing the pressure on the GPs for minor ailments.

However I had hoped that the GPs clear assertions that a new pharmacy might prejudice the service they provide would be thoroughly examined and tested yet it appears they were not taken into account at all.

Only time will tell if people are better or worse off as a result of this decision.

==========================================================================================================

Different holidays strain the diary

==========================================================================================================

The school holidays have begun and the usual juggling of my diary between my parliamentary duties and fitting round my children's holiday activities.

I mention this not as special pleading for MPs but because I know the wide gap between English and Scottish holidays presents many families in Gordon with difficulties as they have close family ties both sides of the border.

For many Scots families of course the first half of July presents an opportunity to get away before holiday resorts are too crowded and when shoulder prices apply and good luck to them.

It seems crazy however for there to be such a mismatch throughout the school year. I understand Aberdeenshire revert next year to taking the first two weeks in April regardless of the variable dates of Easter. Schools throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland have a half term week at Whit. Most schools have an October half term but the particular weeks vary across the UK

It would be possible to have more co-ordination without completely changing the school holiday patterns.

==========================================================================================================

Liberal Democrats crucial for fairness in a tough budget

==========================================================================================================

The coalition Government has set itself on a five year course to tackle the UK's huge deficit, bring the public finances which have been savaged by Labour back into the black and re-balance the economy between the public and private sectors.

Of course this is hugely challenging but it should lead to a stronger, fitter and more competitive economy. The Liberal Democrats have had a strong input into the coalition programme to ensure it is radical, reforming and fair.

Labour had acknowledged it would have made £50 billion of cuts but refuses to provide any detail of how they would be applied. The coalition are looking for a further £30 billion and have already identified more than £6 billion and will report in the Comprehensive Spending Review on October 20.

Departmental cuts of between 25 and 40 per cent are being sought with Health and International Development exempt. Even deeper cuts would be required if the proposed VAT increase was not included.

Thanks to the Liberal Democrats there are substantial measures in the budget to help those on low and middle incomes starting with a £1000 uplift in the income tax threshold, the restoration of the earnings link for pensioners supported by the triple lock to ensure pensions will rise next year by whichever is the highest of earnings, prices or 2.5% and £150 a year boost for working families tax credits.

In addition capital gains tax is increased to 28 per cent, there will be a levy on banks and a number of other tax changes ensure the greatest contribution comes from the highest earners.

Cuts in corporation tax and special help for new small businesses including new procurement rules will help boost the private sector and coupled with other measures create new jobs.

The reform of benefits to which Labour was committed but has not delivered is designed to ensure that those most in need receive their entitlement but that others are helped off benefits into work. I pledge to monitor this closely on behalf of my constituents and will take up any genuine cases of hardship brought to my attention.

The budget is tough but thanks to the Liberal Democrats I believe it is fair.

==========================================================================================================

Full speed ahead on political reform

==========================================================================================================

Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has lost no time taking forward his proposals for the reform of Parliament. Liberal Democrats are committed to campaigning for a genuinely proportional system of elections.

Nevertheless, most of us recognise the need to compromise to make progress on reform and the alternative vote would be a step in the right direction.

At present MPs are elected by first past the post on unequal sized constituencies and the number of MPs has grown on each boundary review to its present size of 650.

What is now proposed is that apart from Orkney and Shetland and the Western Isles no constituency should vary more than 5 per cent from the agreed quota for a House of 600 MPs provided it is not larger than the largest current constituency which is Charles Kennedy's.

Labour opposed this claiming it is gerrymandering. If anything it reverses some of the gerrymandering from which Labour has benefited. Labour then claims that there are 3 and half million unregistered voters who should be included before any changes are made.

However, boundaries can only be based on the numbers registered. Labour did not address this issue in 13 years and the new Government is giving it priority.

==========================================================================================================

Oil and gas bullish future

==========================================================================================================

Oil and Gas UK published its economic report this week and it presents a bullish picture. The industry still delivers 94 per cent of the UK's oil demand and 68 per cent of gas demand.

Capital investment is expected to rise towards £6billion this year and total spend by the industry last year was £12.3 billion and tax contributions are expected to reach £9.4 billion this year.

In addition the industry made a £27 billion contribution to the balance of payments, exports of £5 billion and supported 440,000 jobs across the UK.

Gordon supports more oil and gas jobs than any other constituency and it is clear that oil and gas activity and the growing offshore renewable energy sector are set to play a key role in our economy for the foreseeable future.

This makes completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, a commuter rail service from Inverurie to Stonehaven with new stops at Kintore and Altens even more essential. The revitalisation of the city centre to make it feel like a 21st century oil capital within a historic city is also required.

Aberdeen and the North East is a great region in which to live and work but it requires continued investment if we are to maximise the revenue it contributes to Holyrood and the Exchequer.