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[ ]( # ) David Duguid MP
[ ]( # ) June 2021 Newsletter
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[ ]( # ) Dear John
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Welcome to my first newsletter since this year's Scottish Parliamentary Elections.
 
I am pleased to be able to get back to updating my constituents about what I am doing for Banff and Buchan as your Member of Parliament.
 
It has been a very busy few months as we continue to deal with the effects of the pandemic. The UK vaccine rollout - one of the most successful in the world - continues at pace having, fully vaccinated over half the adult population and at least three-quarters having received at least one dose. Although lockdown measures were extended recently, there are clear signs of the beginning of a recovery – not just from the public health crisis but also from our economic downturn.
 
As an independent global trading nation, outside of the European Union, The UK Government has been getting on with striking new trade deals and rollover agreements with countries across the world, protecting local jobs and industries and providing a boost to exports. So far deals have been agreed with 68 countries as well as with the EU itself.
 
I am aware that there have been reports of concerns about what the impact of these planned deals could be, especially to our agriculture industry. However, I believe that these fears are largely unfounded and exaggerated, and I predict a bright future ahead for our industries when they seize the export opportunities these deals deliver. I continue to join ministers in engaging with industry stakeholders to ensure their concerns are addressed.
 
I also continue to engage with representatives of the seafood industry and look forward to engaging further with them and with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on our continuing journey as an independent coastal state. Earlier this month, the UK and EU agreed on catch levels for the remainder of 2021 – worth approximately £300 million to the UK fleet. This agreement also means that UK and EU fishermen can get back to exchanging quota between them – something of particular interest to the white fish catching sector.
 
Locally, there has been a lot going on too. I have met with the local Police commander to discuss a range of issues including spate of vandalism attacks which caused horrific damage in Turriff, Mintlaw and elsewhere. The police have been investigating these incidents and have asked people to please keep reporting anti-social behaviour and other criminal activity and let them know off any concerns.
 
I also continue to engage with Aberdeenshire Council on behalf of the residents and businesses in King Edward and have received assurances regarding the repair and reinstatement of the bridges there that were washed away in extreme rain back in 2019.
 
I have also been in discussions with The Council on their planned bids for the UK Government ‘Levelling Up Fund.’ If anyone has any ideas of what local community, cultural, infrastructure improvements are required across Banff and Buchan, please do get in touch.
 
I am pleased to see a programme of works has begun to fill in potholes after I made representations in the media on the subject. And it has been great to see local heroes being recognised for their works through the Queens Award for Voluntary Service and the Inspiring Aberdeenshire and Pride of Buchan awards.
 
As we move towards the UK hosting of the UN Climate Change conference – COP26 – in Glasgow later this year, the need to progress towards Government’s objectives of net-zero carbon emissions promises to top the agenda and in the northeast especially, the energy industry will be of much importance. I have been vocal and active in my support of our energy industry and their expertise in leading the sustainable and practical energy transition to meet those objectives.
 
Through the climate crisis, the pandemic and the recovery, one thing is clear, we need and want our Governments to work together, not split apart and so moving forward, the theme must be collaboration and the Scottish Government must work with the UK Government to Build Back Better and level up the whole of the UK towards a full recovery.
 
Finally, I would like to provide my own thanks and tribute to our fantastic Armed Forces, reservists, veterans, cadets – and their families – as part of the recent Armed Forces Week. As well as protecting us here in the UK, overseas and supporting our NATO allies around the world, our military personnel have also been of critical support to our Covid testing and vaccination programme all around our United Kingdom.
 
I’d like to wish all of my constituents a pleasant Summer and look forward to getting out and about and meeting as many of you as I can in the coming months out of lockdown.
    
[ ]( # ) Top Stories
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UK agrees historic trade deal with Australia  

The UK has secured a trade deal with Australia eliminating tariffs on all UK goods and boosting jobs and businesses across the country, in the first major trade deal negotiated from scratch by the Government since we left the EU.   [ Click here for more › ]( [link removed] )  
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David criticises 'ill-informed' blockade  
Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has criticised a blockade of Peterhead Power Station by activists from Extinction Rebellion and Glasgow Calls Out Polluters.    [ Read full story here  ]( [link removed] )
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David hails local Inspiring Aberdeenshire finalists  

Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has hailed finalists from his constituency for the Inspiring Aberdeenshire Awards 2021.
    [ See more here ]( [link removed] )
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David meets Police to discuss vandalism  

 David has met with local police commander to discuss a recent spate of vandalism incidents across Banff and Buchan   [ Full story here ]( [link removed] )
[ ]( # ) Opinions
[ ]( # )   Why the stormy passage of Scottish seafood is calming  

The journey of Scottish seafood from port to plate is easing after a stormy few months, though there is still work to be done.   [ Read my full piece here › ]( [link removed] ) Energy Industry must be prepared for Green Industrial Revolution  

The United Kingdom is on a journey towards net zero emissions and it will take nothing less than a green industrial revolution to get us there.   [ Read this opinion here › ]( [link removed] )  
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UK and Singapore kickstart negotiations on cutting-edge digital trade agreement  

The UK and Singapore launched negotiations on a new ambitious digital trade agreement that could remove barriers to digital trade and enable UK exporters to expand into high-tech markets.   [ Read full story ]( [link removed] )


  End to coal power brought forward to 2024  

From 1 October 2024 the UK will no longer use coal to generate electricity, a year earlier than planned   [ Find out more ]( [link removed] )


 
UK Government spending £6.5million to protect Armed Forced from SNP taxes  

Around 7,000 Armed Forces men and women pay higher income tax simply because they are based in Scotland.   [ Read about this ]( [link removed] )  
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COVID Information
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David Duguid MP
Banff and Buchan
Suite 6, 8 Low Street, Banff, AB45 1AS
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