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This has been a very different summer for all of us, with many people altering holiday plans to stay closer to home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are now accustomed to the changes to normal life to help control the spread of the virus, including social distancing and the wearing of face coverings in shops.
The need to remain vigilant was brought home earlier this month with an outbreak of cases in Aberdeen that led to a re-imposition of lockdown measures in the city.
Here in Banff and Buchan, a primary school in Peterhead had to close its doors while a fishing boat docked in the town’s harbour was linked to a cluster of cases in Orkney.
All of this serves to emphasise that the virus has not gone away, and that we must follow the public health advice.
My own schedule was also affected by the virus, with the usual constituency summer surgery tour unable to go ahead. However, from the beginning of the pandemic, I have held and continue to hold telephone surgeries to provide help to you, my constituents. If you need my help, please get in touch.
As I write this, I have just returned from a ministerial tour of the Western Isles. Following the recently announced ‘Islands Growth Deal’, I met with a range of businesses in the food, drink, textiles, tourism and renewable energy sectors. I also visited the MoD’s Hebrides Missile Range at Benbecula
I was also delighted to join the Secretary of State for Scotland earlier this week to mark the completion of Queen Elizabeth House, a new UK Government hub in Edinburgh that will house 3,000 civil servants from departments including HM Treasury, HMRC, DWP, BEIS and the Office of the Advocate General.
On a final note, it was great to see Douglas Ross, MP for the neighbouring constituency of Moray, announced as the new Scottish Conservative party leader.
Like myself, Douglas has always been a champion for our agriculture, fisheries, and energy industries, and I am sure he will continue to raise the profile of the north-east in his new role.
Yours sincerely,
David Duguid MP
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Serving you in
Banff and Buchan
I was honoured to attend a memorial ceremony in Macduff with local veterans and others to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day. On 15 August 1945 after a long, brutal campaign culminating in the use of nuclear weapons against Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese Emperor announced the surrender of his country to the world. The formal instrument of surrender was signed on 2 September in Tokyo Bay onboard the USS Missouri. The British and Commonwealth forces incurred more than 235,000 casualties during the Pacific war which cost more than 33.5 million lives in total. We will remember them. See more here.
Following on from heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across the north-east, I contacted Openreach on behalf of residents affected. Many were left without internet and landline services after lightning strikes destroyed telephone poles and disrupted signals. I was informed that most services resumed by the next day. You can find out more here.
As Parliament rose for recess, I took the opportunity to tour some of Banff and Buchan's beaches with my family. Our coastline is world class and has so much to offer, from golden beaches to rugged cliffs and historic castles. Increasing tourism to Banff and Buchan is one of my priorities as your MP and as people are encouraged to stay local and take 'staycations', we have a great opportunity to showcase Banff and Buchan. See more here.
As Aberdeen was placed into a local lockdown and cases across Aberdeenshire started to rise, not least in Peterhead, I reminded people to remain vigilant to the threat of coronavirus. We must do what we can to avoid a second wave and another, economically disastrous national lockdown. The restrictions were finally lifted on 24 August which is welcome news for hospitality businesses but it is important that everyone complies with social distancing and hygiene measures put in place by businesses - not only to protect yourselves but also those who work there. Read my full statement here.
I was disappointed to hear that there have been 273 recorded incidents of fly-tipping in Banff and Buchan this year. There is no excuse for this behaviour. It is a blight to our landscapes and affects everyone as our tax payers money has to be diverted to deal with the clean-up. You can read my full statement here.
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Serving you
in Parliament
Parliament is in recess but as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Scotland Office, I continue to do important work on your behalf.
The fantastic support offered by Chancellor, Rishi Sunak is no more evident than in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme which is offering 50% discount up to £10 per person in participating restaurants Monday-Wednesday through August. Coupled with the 75% reduction is VAT for leisure and hospitality Rishi also announced, this means big savings for customers and increased business for restaurants and cafes, protecting jobs and livelihoods across the country including in Banff and Buchan. In its first week the scheme was used over 10 million times. On top of this, the UK Government has directly supported 12,300 jobs, given £8 million to support the self employed and more than £30 million in bounce back loans in Banff and Buchan alone. For more information including a list of participating EOTHO restaurants (not long left!), click here.
On 10 August I joined Iain Stewart MP and Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack at the Opening of Queen Elizabeth house, the new flagship office hub for the UK Government in Scotland. See more including the impressive Union flag decal here.
Protecting the UK's internal trade is a priority for the British Government, helping businesses and protecting jobs across the country, not least in Banff and Buchan. I have promoted the BEIS consultation to local businesses to get their views on these new measures. UK Government plans will support economic recovery & protect jobs, prevent new burdens on business and provide certainty for business. These measures will impact almost all businesses across the UK. Read more here.
Following heavy rainfall, Stonehaven was hit by tragedy as a train from Aberdeen to Glasgow hit a landslip and derailed with the loss of three lives, Driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie and passenger Christopher Stuchbury. As rail accident investigations, pre-devolution rail infrastructure, the British Transport Police and Network Rail are reserved to Westminster, I represented the Scotland Office and accompanied Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on a visit to the crash site where we heard from rescue and recovery workers. The investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has now begun and the Secretary of State has asked Network Rail to produce an interim report by 1 September on the "wider issues" that may have led to the derailment. My deepest condolences to the loved ones of the victims of this awful tragedy. You can find out more here.
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Local Heroes
Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action have announced the community spirit award winners recognising the fantastic work done by people during lockdown to help others.
Over 65 individuals or organisations in Banff and Buchan including a member of my team, Dave were awarded and it is fantastic to see so many people's hard work and dedication to their communities being recognised and rewarded.
Well done to all - it is very much deserved
A full list of volunteers can be found on the AVA newsletter here.
Shirley's Space in Crimond have celebrated a year since they opened to help people struggling with mental health. They have helped hundreds of people and saved over a dozen lives in the 12 months since they started. Watch my birthday video to Shirley's Space here.
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