Tag Archives: political

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SNP rift over business rate hikes

6 Feb 2017

LiamARI

Pressure is mounting on the SNP after two of its politicians voiced concerns over plans to significantly increase business rates.

Mairi Evans, MSP for Angus North and Mearns, and Stuart Donaldson, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, both admitted that the SNP’s Budget could result in serious issues for many Scottish businesses in the future.

After meeting with Aberdeenshire hotel owners last week, Ms Evans told the Mearns Leader that she will be “asking both Aberdeenshire Council and Scottish Government what actions will be taken to mitigate the impact of the new values”.

Mr Donaldson meanwhile, said: “We met some of the local business people to discuss their concerns over business rates.”

He added: “We both know how vital small businesses are to Aberdeenshire and how much of a driving force tourism is to the local community”.

The comments from the SNP politicians are the latest evidence of the growing internal division within its ranks over the Budget.

Last week during First Ministers Questions Ruth Davidson embarrassed the SNP after she revealed that the SNP’s Banff and Macduff branch had cancelled a reservation for room hire at a local hotel which had been forced to increase its prices due to the rise in business rates.

Scottish Conservative MSP for North East Scotland Liam Kerr said:

“The SNP rebellion against the rise in business rates continues.

“Last week, it was the SNP Banff branch which pulled their business from a local hotel after it was forced to pass on costs. Now two local SNP politicians have jumped on the bandwagon as well.

“I wrote to Derek Mackay last week demanding answers, but I have not had any response at all.

“When will he get it? Fresh from slapping the highest taxes in the UK on people across Scotland, he has totally failed to face up to the outrage from across Scotland over these staggering increases.

“As Ruth Davidson said last week, if even the SNP can’t support these rate rises – isn’t it time the SNP leadership did something about it?”

Please see a copy of the Mearns Leader article here:

http://www.mearnsleader.co.uk/news/politics/mp-and-msps-against-business-rates-hike-1-4355327

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Scottish Conservatives • •

News story: Business Secretary and TUC host corporate governance roundtable

Business Secretary Greg Clark today discussed executive pay and how workers’ voices can be better heard in the boardroom as he co-hosted a roundtable with TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady.

Experts from top businesses, institutional investors, unions and academia also took part in the discussion as part of a series of events to help inform the Government’s consultation on corporate governance reform.

Chaired by the High Pay Centre’s Director, Stefan Stern, the event focused on identifying practical ways of improving the connection between boardrooms and employees, and options for ensuring that executive pay is set on a fair basis.

Following the meeting, Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

“We have one of the most admired systems of corporate governance in the world and it is important that we hear from as many people as possible to understand how we can make further improvements to equip us for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

“It was valuable to host a discussion with such a diverse group, all with the common goal of making sure Britain remains the place where business is done the best.”

General Secretary of the TUC Frances O’Grady said:

“This is an important conversation to have about British corporate governance.

“Workers on boards is a common sense idea to ensure the voices of ordinary workers are heard at the highest levels. Common across much of Europe, the evidence shows that workers on boards are valued by other board members and work well for business, workers and the broader economy.

“We stand ready to help make it a reality.”

The full list of participants at today’s event is as follows:

Big business:

  • Nationwide
  • Rolls Royce plc

Institutional investors:

  • Aberdeen Asset Management
  • Hermes Investment Management
  • Legal and General Investment Management

Business representative bodies:

  • Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
  • Institute of Directors (IoD)

Trades unions:

  • IF Metall, Sweden
  • Prospect
  • Trade Union Congress (TUC)
  • Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW)
  • Unite

Academics and think tanks:

  • Board Intelligence
  • The High Pay Centre
  • Involvement and Participation Association (IPA)
  • IPPR
  • Royal Holloway College
  • Tomorrow’s Company

The corporate governance reform green paper consultation is open until 17 February. The views of businesses, investors, employees and consumers with an interest in corporate governance reform are welcomed. The full consultation paper and views can be submitted online.

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HM Government • • •

News story: Defence Secretary praises ‘good partners’ Croatia during visit

Sir Michael Fallon welcomed Croatia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević to sign an agreement aimed at developing existing security and Defence relations.

At the Ministry of Defence in London today they discussed Britain’s bilateral relationship and explored ways the UK can work together with Croatia on joint activities.

The Defence agreement focuses on developing the UK-Croatian Defence relationship including focus on: existing joint operations to support stability, peace and security; effective deployments together on future international operations; and further opportunities and benefits for defence procurement and equipment support.

By signing the agreement the Defence Secretary has also confirmed the UK will hold annual Defence talks with Croatia, which will be held at policy director level.

This year Croatia is contributing to the NATO high readiness force which the UK is leading, by providing a platoon of Military Police and a Civil Military Co-operation Team. Croatia will also contribute to the German Enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania.

Croatia has around 100 troops deployed on operations in Afghanistan, where 500 UK personnel are based in Kabul to provide officer training and wider assistance and advice.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

Croatia is a good partner of the UK with our Armed Forces’ serving together within NATO in Afghanistan and in Europe. The UK will continue to play a leading role in NATO and I welcome Croatia’s commitment to the high-readiness force that we are heading this year.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon and Croatia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević signed a Defence agreement during the visit. Crown Copyright.

During their meeting the ministers also discussed the Defence Secretary’s meeting with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic in October and HMS Defender’s visit to the port of Split last June.

The UK enjoys good relations with several states in southern and south eastern Europe. In September the Defence Secretary visited Bulgaria and Albania as part of his regional engagement, and last month met UK personnel providing training to the Armed Forces in Ukraine.

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HM Government • • •