FFeerrgguuss EEwwiinngg MMSSPP ffoorr IInnvveerrnneessss aanndd NNaaiirrnn -- MMoonntthhllyy NNeewwsslleetttteerr

April 2015

Welcome to the April 2015 edition of my monthly newsletter. This edition includes news regarding the third round of funding for the Scottish Clan Events Fund, Longannet power station, the cabinet meeting, The Children and Young People Regional Summit in , and Fergus Ewing MSP Scotland’s progress with renewable energy. You can also find details of my Contact Details upcoming surgeries on page 4. There is more to be found on my website – www.fergusewing.com – such as Telephone real-time news, parliamentary expenses, videos and surgery dates until June. 01463 713004

Email Fergus.Ewing.msp @scottish.parliament.uk

Facebook fb.com/FergusEwingMSP £70k available for Scottish Clan Events

Twitter I am delighted to launch the third round of funding of the Clan Event Fund @FergusEwingMSP and would encourage eligible applicants interested in hosting an event to find out more information. Clan events bring thousands of visitors to Scotland, generating income and providing a colourful spectacle in those communities where they take place. www.fergusewing.com Not only will the Scottish Clan Event Fund help support activities during this year’s celebrations, but will help to provide a legacy of Clan activity through to our planned Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology in 2017.

Last year people from across the world attended clan events throughout Scotland that were supported through the Clan Event Fund - a Scottish Government initiative. Attendance at these events was estimated at 7,700 with almost 4,000 international visitors joining the festivities.

Read more: www.fergusewing.com/scottish-clan-fund-opens/

FFeerrgguuss EEwwiinngg MMSSPP ffoorr IInnvveerrnneessss aanndd NNaaiirrnn -- MMoonntthhllyy NNeewwsslleetttteerr

Parliament updated on Longannet

On March 25th I made a statement to Parliament on recent developments relating to Longannet power station in Fife, reaffirming the Scottish Government’s commitment to support those affected

Scotland has an established policy towards its electricity generation; one which recognises the need to maintain a balanced mix of generation. But, our efforts are frustrated by the UK Government’s unwillingness to consider Scottish issues properly. Clearly, on a wide range of issues we remain at the mercy of decisions Making statement to Parliament taken in Westminster. My foremost thoughts are for the 270 direct employees at regarding Longannet power station Longannet and those affected within the related supply chain.

The Scottish Government-led Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) has contacted Scottish Power to outline the support on offer to affected employees. In addition, I will meet with representatives of the STUC and the Longannet unions on Thursday. The Government and all our partners will strain every sinew to secure the best possible outcomes for those affected and mitigate the local and national economic impact if closure cannot be averted.

Read more: www.fergusewing.com/courier-column-march-31st

Scottish Government cabinet meets in Inverness Visiting Critiqom communications and On the 23rd of March, the Scottish Government cabinet met in Inverness, hearing of their expansion plans ahead of poll card rush following which I was delighted to host a public Q&A session in the Ironworks. The turnout was excellent and the questions posed to my ministerial colleagues varied. In total, fourteen questions were asked and answered.

The following morning, on the early flight to London, I spoke to a Guardian journalist who had attended the meeting to report on it and the SNP. He saw it as Scottish democracy in action, ministers accounting directly for their actions to the public, who asked exactly what they wished.

He said it couldn’t happen down south. Most members of the public enjoyed it – especially the large number of young people who attended – including a group of girl guides. For them is living proof that in Scotland there is nothing to prevent women getting to the top.

The Irish poet William Butler Yeats said: “Education is not about filling a bucket, but lighting a fire.” Our new First Minister is lighting a fire of inspiration With young winners at Inverness Hoteliers Association Primary School Menu amongst young women in Scotland today. That in itself is surely a great thing. Competition Lunch Awards Watch the session on my website homepage: www.fergusewing.com

FFeerrgguuss EEwwiinngg MMSSPP ffoorr IInnvveerrnneessss aanndd NNaaiirrnn -- MMoonntthhllyy NNeewwsslleetttteerr

Renewable energy targets ahead of schedule

Statistics published by DECC show Scotland has almost met its 50 per cent renewable electricity target a year ahead of schedule. The provisional Renewable Electricity Generation 2014 National Statistics show 49.6 per cent of gross electricity consumption came from renewable sources in Scotland last year – an increase from 44.4 per cent in 2013. Harnessing Scotland’s vast energy wealth has multiple benefits – reducing our carbon emissions, creating jobs and investment and helping keep the lights on across these islands. A recent publication on the low carbon sector I am questioned by Charleston showed in 2013 there were 45, 000 people employed across the low carbon Academy students in the Scottish sector and its supply chain in Scotland. Parliament 2014 was also another recording breaking year for wind output up 4 %, and the Scottish Government remains committed to continuing this upward trend. A recent survey by YouGov shows further support for the development of wind power, with an increase to 71% in public backing.

The Scottish Government has made its energy policy a top priority and has achieved great progress, despite being limited in terms of its devolved responsibilities. We look forward to proposals for more powers encompassing the necessary levers to deliver Scottish priorities.

Read more: www.fergusewing.com/renewable-electricity-ahead-of- schedule/

Eyes on the skies – Inverness connection to Heathrow

I participate in a roundtable talk with

Cicero, discussing energy policy, Were proof needed that the UK Government does not serve the Highlands politics and Scotland well, it is in aviation policy – or the lack of it.

This is especially damaging to tourism in the north, but also for business. LifeScan, as Inverness Medical, came here in part because of these links as the then leader Ron Zwanziger said at the time.

Over the years, connections such as those formerly joining Inverness to

Heathrow have been lost. The reason for that is that Heathrow makes more

money from long haul routes. The regions have lost out.

Because of the expectation that the SNP will return a much larger number of MPs to Westminster in May, we are all now being lobbied very heavily. Heathrow is looking for support for its contest with Gatwick for a further runway. As the constituency MSP I have therefore asked if it will guarantee a connection to Heathrow, were it to succeed.

Around 3,000 SNP members attend Read more: www.fergusewing.com/courier-column-march-31st the Spring Conference

FFeerrgguuss EEwwiinngg MMSSPP ffoorr IInnvveerrnneessss aanndd NNaaiirrnn -- MMoonntthhllyy NNeewwsslleetttteerr

Engaging young minds in Inverness

As the local MSP, I was delighted that on the same day that the Scottish Government Cabinet met in Inverness there was a chance for young people to meet together and have their voice heard.

Schools were invited to bring up to 5 students each to attend a regional summit with senior Ministers - including Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning - and have their say on big educational decisions.

I hope that the children and young people involved took part and gained

Nicola Sturgeon meets students in the valuable experience of putting forward their own views.

Inverness The Children and Young People Regional Summit took place at the Ironworks in Inverness on Monday, 23 March, 2015.

Read more: www.fergusewing.com/engaging-young-minds-in-inverness

Upcoming Surgeries

Friday 24th April:  Grantown-on-Spey 9am – 10am APRIL 2015 Council Service Point, S M T W T F S The Square 1 2 3 4

 Nairn, 11:30am – 12:30 am 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Community Centre, King Street 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25  Inverness, 2:30pm – 3:30pm

26 27 28 29 30 Highland Council Service Point, Church Street

Friday 29th May:  Grantown-on-Spey 9am – 10am MAY 2015 Highland Council Service Point, S M T W T F S The Square 1 2  Nairn, 11:30am – 12:30 am 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Community Centre, King Street 10 11 12 13 14 15 16  Inverness, 2:30pm – 3:30pm 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Highland Council Service Point, 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Church Street 31