How the Flow Country can boost rural economy and benefit nature

Holyrood Notebook by Rhoda Grant

We have seen with the wildfires across the Highlands recently a stark reminder that the perils of climate change are no longer waiting for us in the future, they are here now and need to be faced.

This is not something that can be left for our grandchildren to deal with.

Locally, for Caithness, the contribution to helping that fight from the peatlands is now changing. Peatlands matter and have a vital role to play in tackling climate change and reversing biodiversity loss.

With the world’s largest blanket bog on our doorstep in the Flow Country, this is live and important. Unfortunately, much of the Scottish peatlands are degrading and are now contributing to, rather than helping in the fight to arrest climate change.

I am pleased to be sponsoring a reception in parliament this June with RSPB Scotland and IUCN Peatland Programme to celebrate Scotland’s peatlands and their importance in Scottish culture as well as in tackling climate change.

The Flow Country Partnership will be delivering the lecture, and we will be looking at how the world’s first and only peatland Unesco World Heritage site can play its part in nature restoration and through strengthening local partnerships contribute to the rural economy of the local area.

This also links to the pressing need to increase the provision of clean energy. Labour’s plans to make Scotland a clean energy superpower are progressing well. GB energy is now located in Aberdeen, progressing towards Labour’s second mission, clean energy by 2030.

Economic growth, energy security, lower bills and addressing climate change can be complementary. The failure to invest in energy infrastructure and improve the energy efficiency of our homes landed Scottish families with high energy bills. Labour’s plans to harness clean power and invest in home insulation upgrades will deliver the lower bills, good jobs, energy security and climate leadership we all need.

Another of the real-life benefits of the new Labour government has been the rise in the minimum wage this month. This has seen the previous hourly rate of £11.44 increase to £12.21 per hour for those over 21. For younger adults aged 18-20 starting out on their working life, the rate has seen an increase to £10 per hour.

Across the country that has meant a pay rise for 200,000 Scots. Living standards is a real concern for many and declining real incomes needed to be addressed. The decision to raise the minimum wage and retain the triple lock for state pensioners mean that most of the poorest are now a little better off.

I have watched the difference the UK Labour government has made to the NHS in England since taking the reins last July. Whilst one in six of Scots are languishing on NHS waiting lists, in pain and discomfort, we have seen a government that has the courage, capability and competence to deliver on improving public services at speed.

The NHS in England has met its target to deliver two million more appointments seven months early. It has also set an 18-week treatment target by the end of this parliament. Contrast that with the SNP’s lack of ambition, to introduce a waiting target of a full year to be seen. It almost beggars belief that a party in power since 2007 believes this is acceptable.

Add to that the focus on the lack of health service provision in Caithness by the UN, showing starkly how poor our health services are. The fault for this lies at the door of the SNP government, who leave their NHS staff to battle against the odds.

Finally, I have been in touch with power companies, the regulators Ofcom and Ofgem, plus the UK Labour government on constituents’ behalf raising their concerns and seeking advice about the forthcoming Radio Teleswitch (RTS) electricity meter switch off. From June, the signal that controls these meters is being switched off. Some homes could be left without heating or hot water.

For RTS customers, the solution to the loss of the RTS signal will be to have a new smart meter installed and power companies are working to have offered every customer, impacted by the RTS switch over, the opportunity to book a smart meter installation appointment by April.

I want to help raise awareness of the switch off and strongly encourage affected customers to book a smart meter appointment when contacted by their supplier, ahead of the RTS switch off and to avoid any impacts to their heating and hot water. So, if your energy supplier has been in touch about getting a new meter, don’t delay – contact them today!

• Rhoda Grant is a Scottish Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands.

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