November Newsletter - basic text version

Published date : 10 November, 2021

Richard Thomson MP

Gordon Parliamentary Newsletter

November 2021

A message from Richard Thomson

Hello. Welcome to my November Parliamentary report. Here, you will find information on activities I’ve been involved in over the last month as MP.

I was shocked by the sad death of my fellow MP David Amess. The thoughts of my team and I continue to be with his loved ones at this time.

With parliament in recess, I used the time to meet local organisations and constituents to discuss concerns they have raised with me. Among those, I spent time with NFU Scotland representatives on visits to farms in the west of Gordon. In parliament, I also spoke on the Budget and the appalling decision not to progress immediately with the Acorn Carbon Capture project in North East Scotland.

If my team or I can assist you in any way, please email r[email protected] or call 020 3545 2236 to get in touch.

Sincerely,

Richard Thomson

In Westminster

October 27th: The Budget

I took the time during the Budget debate to highlight that the UK Conservative Government has refused in its budget to match a Scottish Government pledge to invest £500m exclusively for North East Scotland in energy transition and failed to reverse their disgraceful decision over Peterhead CCUS. This is a big blow for the North East and I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure the Government rethinks its decisions.

“The contrast is striking, and my constituents will see it very clearly: the UK Government roll out the pork barrel for the north-east of England, while sticking two fingers up to the north-east of Scotland.”

Watch more: https://www.facebook.com/RichardThomsonMP/videos/4901243166554392

Response to the Budget

I was interviewed to give my response to the Budget on Times Radio, LBC and BBC Radio 5. There were three critical areas that I felt the Chancellor omitted from his budget: the cost of living, the supply crisis and the environmental crisis. I debunked Barnett formula myths. Early Scottish Government analysis shows Scotland is set to receive less grant funding than it has this 2021/22 year.

Acorn: carbon capture and storage project

The Acorn carbon capture project would have been a major boost for the North East, helping Scotland to become a world leader in clean energy and helping the entire UK meet its net zero objectives. The UK Government’s decision not to proceed with the scheme is just the latest example of their complete disregard for the needs of North East Scotland. Over the coming months, I will be using my voice as MP for Gordon to hold the Government to account on this unwise decision.

EDM

Baby loss awareness week 2021 – EDM 492: tabled on 18 October 2021

I supported an EDM marking Baby Loss Awareness Week from 9 to 15 October 2021. This allowed MPs to show sympathy to all families who have lost precious babies and acknowledges that stillbirth, miscarriage, and infant loss is a tragedy that governments across the UK must work to prevent. The EDM asked that the House pay tribute to all the charities and organisations that support parents and families through the ordeal of losing a baby. It also called on Governments to ensure that greater support is offered to parents before, during and after the loss of their child.

Read more: https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/59013/baby-loss-awareness-week-2021

EDMs I have signed

Clarkston gas explosion of 21 October 1971 EDM 484, Death and recognition of Walter Smith OBE EDM 584, and Ministerial responses to hon. Members’ correspondence on Afghanistan EDM 463

Across the Constituency

Celebrate Bookshop Day - On Celebrate Bookshop Day I popped into Better Read Books in Ellon to meet with owner Bill Kelly to discuss the importance of supporting independent bookshops

NovaBiotics - I met with Dr Deborah O’Neil, CEO of NovaBiotics in Bridge of Don, to learn about their research, its potential future healthcare applications and the wider life-science cluster in the North-east

Caledonian Sleeper Meeting - I hosted a meeting at my office between Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, VisitAberdeenshire and the CEO of the Caledonian Sleeper overnight rail service, during which we discussed opportunities to enhance sustainable business and leisure travel options between the North East and England.

Aberdeen Job Centre Visit - On October 8th, I visited the Aberdeen Jobcentre to meet their service team. I met the new Service Leader for North East Scotland, who has taken on the role with the aim of improving services to enable unemployed people to find work, support themselves and their families. We had a good discussion on future plans for supporting jobseekers in the area, particularly when it comes to helping young people find suitable opportunities.

Supporting Local Farmers

I took the opportunity to visit an Aberdeenshire pig farm with senior officials from NFU Scotland to hear about the issues pig producers are facing. It cannot be right that we are facing a cull of responsibly reared, healthy animals because there is a post-Brexit shortage of labour to transport them or process them, while foreign imports of bacon and pork can enter our domestic market basically unhindered.

In the News

Gordon MP welcomes Audit Scotland report on vaccination program - https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/gordon-mp-welcomes-audit-scotland-report-on-vaccination-prog-252890/

North-east welcome for UK hydrogen strategy - https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/19632862.north-east-welcome-uk-hydrogen-strategy/

MP for Gordon constituency pushes for better HGV driver support - https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/mp-pushes-for-better-hgv-driver-support-253104/

Gordon MP backs BHF national defibrillator network campaign - https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/gordon-mp-backs-bhf-national-defibrillator-network-campaign-254980/

Aberdeenshire MP concern at New Zealand trade deal - https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/mps-concern-at-new-zealand-trade-deal-254930/

Gordon MP Thomson urges coastal communities to take advantage of funding - https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/mp-urges-coastal-communities-to-take-advantage-of-funding-254443/

Thank you,

Richard Thomson MP

Email – [email protected]

Website – www.richardthomsonmp.com

Call – 020 3545 2236

Address - Unit F6 Enterprise Centre, Aberdeen Energy Park, Exploration Drive, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, AB23 8GX

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