LOCAL NEWS NOVEMBER 21 2023

First Minister to lead Gaza ceasefire motion at Holyrood

A debate is scheduled to take place at the Scottish Parliament today on the crisis in the Middle East with First Minister Humza Yousaf leading a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

In his statement to the parliament, the SNP leader will ask that the parliament unequivocally condemns in the strongest possible terms Hamas’s barbaric and unjustifiable terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens on 7th October.

He will also push for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages; affirm the right of all Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security; and urge that the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza, including women and children who have been besieged by Israeli forces, must stop.

Mr Yousaf will also call on the parliament to associate itself with the United Nations Secretary-General’s statements that there must be an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow civilians to escape harm, for hostages to be released, and for humanitarian aid to reach those in need, and affirm that international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, must be upheld.

Campaigns offer help with cost of living pressures

Skye and Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau is encouraging people to seek advice if they are worried about energy bills this winter through a new campaign

The ‘Worried This Winter,’ campaign comes as research found that an estimated 2.2 million people in Scotland believe energy bills are their biggest financial concern this winter and 1.4 million are worried they won’t be able to heat their home.

The campaign, which runs till the end of January, aims to tell people in this situation that they’re not alone and there’s no shame in being worried and that they can get free advice from the CAB network..

Anthony Donnelly, Money Advice Caseworker said that it was perfectly understandable that people are worried about their energy bills and keeping their home warm, he added that many households across Skye & Lochalsh are really struggling with the cost of living crisis.

Highlighting the support available through Skye and Lochalsh CAB, he said: “We can negotiate on your behalf with your energy supplier to perhaps reduce any debts you have, and sometimes we can find grants and benefits that you’re entitled to but don’t know about.

“I can’t promise that will be the case for everyone, but it doesn’t cost you anything to look into it.

“Last year when people came to a Scottish CAB for advice on energy bills we were able to get them on average £400 in assistance. And when people asked us to look into other debts and financial problems they had we were able to get them an average of £3,700.

He added: “This campaign is all about re-assuring people that help is available. Whether you’re in work or not, own your home or not, whether you have kids or not.

“If you’re worried this winter, Skye & Lochalsh CAB is here. Let us help you.”

The campaign website can be accessed by visiting the Skye and Lochalsh CAB website, or if you prefer you can talk to an adviser face-to-face in the CAB office in Portree or call the CAB on 01478 612032.

Meanwhile, Child Protection Scotland is running a new campaign encourages any parent or carer who is struggling to meet the financial demands of looking after their children to ask for help before reaching crisis point.

In launching #ItsOkayToAsk campaign, Child Protection Scotland said that for many parents and carers
finding enough money for food, heating, and lighting bills, and for things that children need on a day-to-day basis can lead to real stress and anxiety.

Highlighting the impact across the region, the Highland Council’s corporate resources chair Derek Louden said that too many families were already experiencing hardship, or are close to it, and are continuing to have their household incomes squeezed.

He added that the Highlands already has higher than national average rates of fuel poverty, which will only serve to place additional pressures on household finances for many across the region”.

Parents and carers can find sources of help and support on the #ItsOkayToAsk campaign page on the Child Protection Scotland website. The campaign is running now for a period of two weeks, concluding on 3 December 2023.

Highland Council issues bogus traders warning

The Highland Council is warning unsuspecting householders and health centres to be on their guard if the approached by traders offering funding for the installation of home energy products.

The council said it had received reports from two GP practices in the Fort William area, who have been asked to assess patients for an offer of home energy products under Government funded schemes, implying they are approved by Highland Council when this is not the case.

Mark McGinty, Trading Standards Team Leader at Highland Council, said: “This is yet again another instance where the complex marketplace for the provision of such products has led to rogue traders seeking to take advantage. I’d urge any householder to check first the validity of any scheme, product, installer and payment before entering into a contract, whether it is free or not.”

He added: “It is an offence for any trader to claim to operate under the approval of a scheme without the appropriate approval or authority. Highland Council Trading Standards will investigate complaints received and will take appropriate action should any offences be detected.”

You can view the council’s approved list of installers by visiting their website here.

Ferries drop-in forum set for Sabhal Mòr Ostaig 

Transport Scotland will hold a drop-in session in south Skye this evening to gauge community views to shape the new Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.

The drop-in will take place between 6pm and 8pm at Talla Mhor at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig College on Tuesday 21st November.

Transport Scotland’s Ferries Division have said that community feedback will be instrumental in the process of developing the new contract.

n a statement on the ferries services contract at Holyrood on Thursday Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop said the the government are considering two options including a direct award to the current operator.

Ms Hyslop said, that while no decision had been made, a direct award route would help change the ethos of the service by “shifting the focus from a commercial arrangement to a model more focused on the delivery of a public service.”

 

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