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Politics: Closure of banking and essential services is a concern





Since my last column, the people of the North East have every right to be frustrated and disheartened by the new First Minister’s primary focus on achieving independence, writes MSP Douglas Lumsden.

Scots expect John Swinney to prioritise essential issues like repairing Scotland’s struggling public services, rather than fixating on separating from the UK.

However, he disregards these priorities, knowing that independence is the only topic that unites the fractious SNP.

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On matters such as oil and gas, the First Minister and his deputy, Kate Forbes, offer nothing but empty promises.

Their stance against new oil and gas projects threatens to close the North Sea industry overnight, jeopardising tens of thousands of jobs and abandoning North East communities.

The oil and gas sector is vital to the economy, energy security, and the transition to net zero, particularly for the people of Banff and Buchan.

Another pressing concern for North East communities is business rates. Swinney’s government has consistently failed to extend the rates relief like what is available to businesses in England.

Higher taxes imposed by the SNP deter investment and complicate the recruitment and retention of skilled workers in both the private sector and the NHS.

This is compounded by the troubling news from TSB which has announced the closure of several banks across the UK, including two in Banff and Buchan.

The TSB branch in Banff will close next year.
The TSB branch in Banff will close next year.

This also follows from the removal of the last bank in Turriff in recent months.

For Banff and the surrounding areas, this is unfortunately not new, following the closure of every other bank in town.

The loss of TSB is particularly devastating as it leaves Banff without a high street bank.

While work is under way to provide a banking hub offering similar services, the loss of these facilities will significantly impact the most vulnerable in our communities.

In Turriff, the closures continue as I recently spoke of my disappointment at the decision to no longer staff the front desk at the town’s police station.

While budget cuts to essential services like the police, healthcare, and fire and rescue mean less staff and less resources, it is residents who are forced to carry the stress of not knowing if they can get access to help.

Decisions to stop face-to-face relations with the public only serves to erode trust between residents and these services.

Readers will be well aware of the dangerous decision taken earlier this year to close MIU services across Aberdeenshire overnight.

Now, two months after the decision, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership has announced it is hosting drop-in sessions in Peterhead, Fraserburgh, and Turriff.

They say the aim of these sessions is to meet with communities to explore any impacts the changes may have as well as offer advice on what services are available overnight and how to access them.

I strongly encourage everyone to go along to these sessions and make sure that your voices are heard and taken into consideration.

My Scottish Conservative MP and MSP colleagues will continue to fight for increased health provision and are urging the health board to reconsider its decision for the protection of patients.

The details of these drop-in sessions are as follows:

Fraserburgh: Thursday, May 30, 3-7pm, Robertson Road Resource Centre, Fraserburgh AB43 9BF

Peterhead: Wednesday, June 5, 3-7pm, Rescue Hall, 25 Prince Street, Peterhead AB421QE

Huntly: Monday, June 10, 3-7pm, Stewarts Hall, 15-17 Gordon Street, Huntly AB54 8AJ


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