Find out what I have been doing for Banff and Buchan this month!


** David Duguid - Newsletter December 2020
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** Dear John
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As I write this, we have just heard the news that the UK Government have accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) ([link removed]) to approve Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for supply across the UK. This fantastic news follows months of rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA who have concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. More information can be found here ([link removed]) .

Last week, the Chancellor pledged even more support for the economy as we continue to face the effects of COVID-19. The spending review delivered for Scotland, with an extra £2.4 billion for Holyrood next year, £570 million extra support for farmers, a £14 million fund for fisheries and a £1.3 million investment towards a global underwater hub in Aberdeen.

These measures taken by the UK Government allow us to meet the challenges posed by the pandemic to people, communities and jobs.

Last month was another busy one in Westminster and in the constituency. Scotland entered a new system of tiered COVID-19 restriction levels, with Aberdeenshire placed in Level 2. At the time of writing, we remain in Level 2. Details on what that means for all us here in Banff and Buchan can be found here ([link removed]) .

Last month saw the passing of the Agriculture Bill, which begins the process of reshaping farm support beyond the Common Agricultural Policy, and the Fisheries Bill, which takes the UK one step closer to taking our place as an independent coastal state at the end of the year.

The UK and Canada signed a vital rollover deal worth over £20 billion to the UK economy. This is important for Scotland as last year we exported more than £400 million worth of goods. From places like Banff in Scotland to Banff in Alberta, this agreement will ensure the continued flow of trade, with 98% of tariffs removed.

Turning back to COVID, which continues to permeate our daily lives, I am concerned to see a steady rise in infections across Aberdeenshire during this last month and I want to urge people to continue to stick to the rules. I am pleased that the devolved administrations agreed to work with the UK Government and allow some flexibility around Christmas so we can all see some a bit more of our family and friends if we choose to do so. These Christmas measures run from 23-27 December and I hope that we all remain vigilant throughout.

With that, I wish everyone in Banff and Buchan and beyond a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Yours sincerely,
David Duguid MP

Serving you in
Banff and Buchan

I wrote to NHS Grampian after hearing numerous complaints from residents who were struggling to access GP appointments. I was pleased to see NHS Grampian apologise to patients who encountered these issues and explain the working systems for GP practices during COVID-19. Read the full story here ([link removed]) .

I welcome the commitment from the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak to extend furlough at the 80% mark for all eligible businesses who need it across the whole of our United Kingdom until March 2021. This will be welcome news to many across Banff and Buchan and again illustrates that the UK Government is continuing to support jobs in all parts of the UK. Click here for more ([link removed]) .

The Prime Minister’s ’10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution’ is something I stand behind 100%. This will create jobs and stimulate private sector investment across the UK. It also presents a fantastic opportunity for levelling up in areas like Banff and Buchan, where we could benefit from significant investment in carbon capture and storage at St Fergus. More here ([link removed]) .


Serving you
in Parliament

The Chancellor’s Spending Review delivers for the whole of the UK at a crucial time. While there is light at the end of the tunnel in terms of Covid-19 vaccines, we are still facing an economic emergency. It is great to see, therefore, the UK Government providing an extra £2.4 billion in direct funding for the Scottish Government next year. This comes on top of the £8.2 billion already committed to Scotland to help deal with the pandemic this year, and I hope SNP Ministers will ensure the money is spent wisely. I was also pleased to see significant funding for agriculture and fisheries – as well as investment in subsea technology here in the north-east. The UK Government has supported jobs, public services and businesses throughout this crisis, and this announcement makes clear that will continue. Read more here ([link removed]) .


The Fisheries Act 2020 – the first major domestic fisheries legislation in over 40 years – officially became law on Monday (Nov 23). It will enable the UK to control who fishes in UK waters through a new foreign vessel licensing regime and ends the current automatic rights for EU vessels to fish in UK waters. I am delighted to see the Fisheries Act receiving Royal Assent after 10 months of scrutiny, debate and revision in parliament. I have been directly involved in this process as a local MP for Banff and Buchan, on a Fisheries Bill Committee and more recently as a Scotland Office Minister, and I know that it places the UK on a firm legal footing ahead of the end of the EU Transition Period. See the full story here ([link removed]) .


I was also pleased to see the UK and Faroe Islands sign a fisheries agreement after a similar agreement with Norway earlier this year. There have also been memoranda of understanding signed with Greenland and Iceland. This is another important step on the UK’s way to becoming an independent coastal state and Banff and Buchan finally being able to grasp the sea of opportunity that lies ahead. More here ([link removed]) .
Local Heroes

Motive Offshore from Boyndie have been named as one of the UK’s ‘1000 companies to Inspire Britain’. I have written to offer my congratulations and recognise the important work that they do for our energy sector and wider economy, providing high skilled jobs and driving growth. Congratulations to them!

Pam McLennan-Brown from Banff has raised a huge amount of money for the NHS after she started crocheting frontline hero bears during lockdown. She has raised over £300 so far and I have even bought a couple of bears myself. Well done Pam!

The Broch T1 Diabetes Group have raised over £4,500 for Diabetes UK by taking part in the one million steps challenge. 13-year-old member Aiden raised over £2,300 himself and walked his way into the top ten of over 25,000 fundraisers across the UK. I wrote to both Aiden and the group and congratulated them on such a great effort and a well-deserved result for a worthy cause.

Amity Fish Company, owned and run by local seafood champion, Jimmy Buchan won Food Business of the Year at this year's Virtual Society Awards. A very well-deserved award for a great local company highlighting one of our greatest resources. Great work Jimmy and the team!

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