Politics: Reduction in National Insurance provides new year boost

Firstly, let me wish all my constituents a very happy new year in my first column of 2024.

On January 6, the year started with a welcome tax-break right across the United Kingdom including here in Banff and Buchan.

This reduction in National Insurance, dropping from 12 per cent to 10 per cent, translates to a nearly £1000 yearly saving for households with two working people on average earnings.

This change is pivotal and shows a UK Government focusing on easing financial pressures for hard-working individuals.

To put this into perspective, a full-time nurse will save about £520, a typical junior doctor around £750, and a teacher approximately £630 on average.

This is a real and tangible benefit that will be felt by working people across the whole country.

While income tax in Scotland is devolved, and significantly higher for Scottish workers thanks to the high tax policies of the SNP, national insurance is set and controlled by the UK Government.

Another positive local story is the inspiring initiative to revive the historic Portsoy Outdoor Pool.

Closed since 2001, this project, led by a dedicated charity group, aims to bring back a beloved local landmark.

The support from local triathlete Jodie Smith, who is undertaking a challenging cycling fundraiser shows the great support for this project.

As the local MP I am fully supportive of this initiative, which promises a real boost to tourism for our area.

But, in order to attract more tourism, our local authority needs to play its part too.

As I travel around the constituency, I see plenty of examples of community-led efforts to spruce up our high streets, often by small bands of tireless and dedicated local volunteers who put so much into making our towns somewhere to remember.

Then I look at the council administered green spaces and all too often am left depressed and disappointed.

It mustn’t be forgotten of course that Aberdeenshire Council is one of those most poorly funded by the Scottish Government.

I was disappointed to read about increasing ambulance waiting times in rural Aberdeenshire.

Figures for 2023 have shown increases in average waiting times in Aboyne, Buckie, Huntly and Macduff.

Having campaigned for a new ambulance in Turriff which finally arrived on November 1 last year, it was encouraging that average waiting times there have reduced from 21 minutes to 17 minutes but is still the second worst after Aboyne.

Hopefully we will see response times continue to reduce for residents in Turriff.

Another factor in ambulance waiting times is the bottle neck at emergency departments in Aberdeen and Elgin.

This is why I continue to campaign for minor injury units – particularly in Banff and Turriff – to be fully reopened.

The issue of ambulance response times is critical, especially in life-threatening situations, and it's vital that the SNP Scottish Government provide the improvements and investment that our area sorely needs.

I would like to end by congratulating the recipients of His Majesty’s New Years Honours from Banff and Buchan; Morag Lightning of Turriff who received a British Empire Medal for services to the community in Turriff, particularly during Covid-19;

Sandy Ritchie of New Deer who received a BEM for voluntary services to cultural heritage and to the community in north-east of Scotland.

Also David Clark who received a MBE for services to education.