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Brendan O'Hara MP
Member of Parliament for Argyll and Bute
Brendan O’Hara MP, Newsletter
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This is a helpful update from West Coast Motors regarding safety procedures in place on school bus services.As schools begin to return from next week, find out more about some of the changes we are implementing to manage dedicated school transport. Maintaining safe and responsible bus travel is at the heart of everything we do bit.ly/2PDPsHj
The SNP has said the Tory government must do more to protect jobs - as fears over mass redundancies grow and Tory cuts to the furlough scheme sink in.
With the Chancellor visiting to Argyll & Bute today, Ian Blackford MP challenged Rishi Sunak to extend the furlough scheme into 2021 and devolve the financial powers necessary to protect jobs and secure a strong recovery in Scotland.
The SNP Westminster Leader said Tory cuts to the furlough scheme in the middle of a global pandemic, when many sectors aren't able to operate fully or at all, are a "grave mistake" that will cause thousands more job losses in Scotland and across the UK - and said the Tory government must act or give Scotland the powers to get on with the job.
It comes as around 10,000 job losses were announced this week in leading companies including WH Smiths, Pizza Express, Hays Travel, Dixons Carphone, M&Co, LGH, DW Sports, Aecom, Prestwick Airport, William Hill, and Sodexo.
Last month, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) warned UK unemployment could surpass the peaks of the 1980s after weaker than expected economic growth, and the UK manufacturing sector warned of a "jobs bloodbath" in the autumn.
Analysis from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found the UK economy is 24.5% smaller than it was in February - with 650,000 fewer people employed. Separately, the British Chambers of Commerce quarterly recruitment outlook revealed almost a third (29 per cent) of firms expect to axe jobs over the third quarter - a record high.
This is the most recent update from BEAR Scotland on efforts to assess the damage at Rest and Be Thankful after yesterday's heavy rain.
Initial clear-up operations are now underway after a large landslide blocked the A83 and Old Military Road (OMR) at multiple locations yesterday.
"Geotechnical specialists have been on site since first light this morning to carry out initial safety inspections of the area and to begin assessing the damage caused by the slips. BEAR Operations teams have mobilised with specialist machinery at both ends of both the A83 and OMR to begin work to clear the debris.
A large landslip around 200m above the carriageway occurred on Tuesday after up to 100mm of rain fell in Argyll, creating a ‘fan effect’ down multiple water channels some of which reached the roadside.
Approximately 1,500 tonnes of debris is thought to have reached the A83, with around 2,000 tonnes of material washed onto the Old Military Road. In total, the landslide is thought to have moved around 6,000 tonnes of debris across the hill.
One of the landslip mitigation catch-pits, built to prevent landslip material reaching the road, caught around 2,000 tonnes of debris material from one of the channels affected by the landslip.
Large car-sized boulders have also been brought down the hillside onto the carriageway, and further safety inspections of the slope are taking place to assess the area for any other potential boulders which were impacted by the landslip and heavy rain.
All traffic is currently being diverted via the standard diversion route via the A83, A82, A85 and A819. The diversion route is being patrolled and monitored to check for any issues and ensure traffic is kept moving. Temporary traffic lights are currently in place on the A82 at Inveruglas after yesterday’s heavy rain affected a retaining wall, causing some damage to the road. Traffic Scotland are also providing additional advanced warning signs for road users to inform them of the closure at the Rest and Be Thankful so motorists can plan an alternative route in advance.
Western Ferries have also added additional sailings on their usual Gourock to Dunoon route to help accommodate motorists.
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative said: “Yesterday’s exceptionally heavy rain caused a large landslip high above the road which reached the A83 and OMR roadside at multiple points, bringing significant amounts of debris.
“Our teams have mobilised at both ends of the A83 at the Rest and OMR and have begun the initial clear-up of the debris.
“Further assessments need to be completed by geotechnical specialists of the hillside and both roads to check for any further concerns, and until these checks and the clear-up is complete the A83 and OMR will remain closed.
“In the meantime, Argyll remains open for business and we encourage road users to follow the diversion route in place for motorists. Western Ferries are also running additional sailings for their Gourock to Dunoon crossing to accommodate road users.
“Please check Traffic Scotland for most up to date travel information.”
Real-time journey information is available on www.traffiscotland.org, twitter at @trafficscotland or the mobile site my.trafficscotland.org.
Network Rail Scotland has posted this video on Twitter to show the extent to flooding on the West Highland Line today.
This has resulted in the line being closed between Garelochhead and Helensburgh Upper.
With the volume of water and debris flowing on the track, it's likely to be closed for the day.
Network Rail has said they will inspect and clear the track as soon as possible.
Network Rail Scotland on Twitter
“🎥 Here's why the West Highland Line is closed between Garelochehad and Helensburgh Upper. With the volume of water and debris flowing on the track, it's likely to be closed for the day. We'll inspect and clear the track as soon as we can. @ScotRail @CalSleeper @GBRailfreight t.co/pHMtY...
The SNP has renewed calls to extend the furlough scheme and devolve financial powers to the Scottish Parliament needed to protect jobs - as Pizza Express and Dixons Carphone become the latest companies to announce job losses amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
The news that up to 2,000 jobs could go at the leading companies follows 2,600 redundancies announced yesterday at the retail and gym chain DW Sports and tour operator Hays Travel.
My Westminster colleague Alison Thewliss MP said the Tory government would "bear the blame" for thousands of job losses if it continued to cut the furlough scheme prematurely and withhold the powers and funds Scotland needs to protect jobs.
The SNP Shadow Chancellor added, "if Westminster won't act then it must devolve the powers so Scotland can get on with the job".
Last month, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) warned UK unemployment could surpass the peaks of the 1980s after weaker than expected economic growth, and the UK manufacturing sector warned of a "jobs bloodbath" in the autumn.
Analysis from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found the UK economy is 24.5% smaller than it was in February - with 650,000 fewer people employed. Separately, the British Chambers of Commerce quarterly recruitment outlook revealed almost a third (29 per cent) of firms expect to axe jobs over the third quarter - a record high.
Good luck to all the young people across Argyll & Bute receiving exam results this morning.
I know the last few months have been really tough, so whatever your results are well done for getting through this difficult period.
For more information on advice available visit www.myworldofwork.co.uk/resultshelpline or call 0808 100 8000.
You can also leave a message on the www.facebook.com/myworldofwork/ page
Applications open on Tuesday (August 4) for the latest round of funding available from the People's Postcode Lottery and I would urge any community organisations in Argyll & Bute to bid for a slice of the cash.
Organisations can apply for grants between £500 and £20,000 between then and the closing date of August 19.
Interested organisations can apply to one of four trusts, which each support projects focussed on different themes:
• Postcode Neighbourhood Trust will help good causes affected by COVID-19. Groups looking to adapt or expand services, or to increase their resilience should apply.
• People’s Postcode Trust funds projects aimed at promoting human rights, combatting discrimination and helping to prevent poverty.
• Postcode Community Trust supports initiatives working to improve health and wellbeing in communities, including those that look to reduce isolation. The Trust also supports projects that increase participation in arts and physical recreation.
• Postcode Local Trust is for groups looking to increase community access to outdoor space and improve biodiversity. Groups looking to improve sustainability or combat climate change are also encouraged to apply.
Good causes should apply to the trust that best supports the aims of their project. Short funding guides and an eligibility quiz can be found on each trust website to help applicants.
The work of good causes in Argyll & Bute during these difficult times has been nothing short of inspirational – the amount of good they do for the most vulnerable in our community cannot be overstated.
I encourage any interested organisations to take the eligibility quiz then apply for the trust that best fits their needs. Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have already raised over £500 million for good causes and I would love to see some more successful applicants from Argyll & Bute.
For more information visit
www.postcodeneighbourhoodtrust.org.uk
www.postcodetrust.org.uk
www.postcodelocaltrust.org.uk
www.postcodecommunitytrust.org.uk
The SNP has renewed calls on the UK government to cover the cost of TV licences for over-75s – as changes come into effect today (Saturday) that will see around 300,000 Scottish pensioners - including 77% of pensioners in Argyll & Bute - lose their free TV licenses in the middle of a health pandemic.
The SNP’s Westminster DCMS spokesperson John Nicolson MP joined Age Scotland in urging Tory ministers, even at this late stage, to reverse the decision which will leave many of Scotland’s poorest pensioners choosing between a TV for accessing key services and other essentials.
When the UK government thrust responsibility for pensioners’ TV licences on to the BBC, the Corporation announced it would means test from Saturday 1 August - only giving free licenses to those in receipt of Pension Credit.
Figures from the DWP show that just 56% of older people in Scotland who are eligible for Pension Credit are currently claiming - meaning thousands of Scotland’s poorest pensioner households will be required to find an extra £157.50 per year to continue accessing the services or face prosecution.
I have raised this issue repeatedly in the House of Commons brendanoharamp.scot/2020/07/10/decision-to-axe-free-tv-licences-for-over-75s-is-a-disgrace/
Decision to axe free TV licences for over 75’s is a disgrace
brendanoharamp.scot
BBC put 77% of Argyll & Bute pensioners under added financial pressure It is disgraceful that the BBC has decided to end free TV licences for most over-75’s on August 1. The UK Government is respons...Brendan on Twitter
Well done to YES Bute for arranging a nice wee send off for the chancellor at the pier .
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It might only have been flying for a wee while but give it the support to win today #Tiree #Scotland #flag #votefortiree @BrendanOHaraMP pls retweet @stewartmccheyne @TyreeGin @balinoeblondie @Skerrypiper https://twitter.com/FlagInstitute/status/1290592070567170048
The Auld Alliance is forgotten today as a French town takes on a Scottish island in the #WorldSeriesOfFlags
The Auld Alliance is forgotten today as a French town takes on a Scottish island in the #WorldSeriesOfFlags
Listen to @BrendanOHaraMP question the Electoral Commission on the CRC/DUP donation; are you left reassured? https://twitter.com/brexit_sham/status/1290250024215965697
In 2019, The Electoral Commission declared that, even if there was evidence, it would 'not be in the public interest' to investigate potential coordination between the DUP and Vote Leave as they had already been fined for giving money to BeLeave.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/dup-s-brexit-ads-who-bankrolled-the-secretive-435-000-campaign-1.4320055?mode=amp
Statement on nuclear weapons from the Bishops of Scotland and England, welcomed by all who seek peace and a nonviolent world https://scmo.org/news-releases/perma/1596531600/article/statement-on-nuclear-weapons-from-the-bishops-of-s.html?utm_source=blog_post&utm_medium=blog_share_button&utm_campaign=blog_social_sharer #Blogging #NewsReleases
Co-working and collaboration is the key to progressive creative endeavours. It will be great to have the space to explore, design and innovate. #weaving #design #oban
https://www.obantimes.co.uk/2020/07/30/looms-weave-a-new-space-for-creatives/
Here on Tiree we feel that our beautiful beaches should be accessible to all. There are many that can be easy to explore but some are a wee bit harder and that's why a few years ago the Ranger Service acquired two beach wheelchairs.
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