Stone Speaks up for Self-Employed
Stone helps distilleries defeat hand sanitizer supply issue
Stone: close caravan sites as a matter of urgency
"The Highland Council has informed me that at present there is no agreed Scottish Government policy as to whether caravan sites should be allowed to continue to operate and accept visitors from other parts of the UK during the time of the pandemic.
"Clearly this causes concern for my constituents who live near caravan sites. Halting the spread of coronavirus is an absolute imperative if we are to minimise illness and the number of resulting deaths.
"The Scottish Government needs to decide on an appropriate policy as a matter of some urgency. And if caravan sites are required to close for the period of the pandemic, then an appropriate financial compensation package should be offered by the Scottish Government to offset the loss of income owing to closure."
"It is because of this last point that I am copying this letter the Chancellor of the Exchequer. At the end of the day coronavirus is no respecter of a border between Scotland and the rest of the UK. A consistent UK wide approach to halting the coronavirus is an absolute necessity.".
Stop stockpiling and support local shops
- Provide reinforcements for supermarkets nationwide to prevent people from overbuying food and essential items
- Centrally reduce opening hours for supermarkets to give staff sufficient time to restock during the crisis
- Introduce government-mandated hours of shopping specifically for the elderly and those with underlying health conditions who are most at risk from contracting COVID-19
- Limit the quantity of staple goods and essential items people are permitted to buy during the crisis
- Ask the Prime Minister to address shopping habits directly in his daily press
- conferences.
Stone Sets Up Community Action Group amid COVID19
Stone Launches Community Action Group Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
Far North MP Jamie Stone has launched a community action group on Facebook for people living in Caithness, Sutherland, and Easter Ross seeking and offering help amid the Coronavirus outbreak.
Stone thanks NHS Scotland Staff
Stone Thanks NHS Scotland Staff in Parliament
Far North MP Jamie Stone has co-sponsored Christine Jardine MP's motion thanking NHS Scotland staff for their work amid the coronavirus outbreak.
It recognises the immense pressured placed on doctors, nurses and support staff, as well as the risk posed to their own health while carrying out their roles. It goes on to express immense gratitude to these staff members on behalf of the Commons, in a show of solidarity during such difficult times.
After co-sponsoring the motion, Mr Stone said:
“I am glad to have joined Christine Jardine in thanking every single person in our health and social care sector who will be working around the clock to look after us during this very difficult time
"The 150,000 NHS Scotland staff are going to be placed under an unprecedented amount of pressure over the coming weeks and months, especially after years' worth of cuts and under-resourcing.
“We are all well aware in the Highlands of the additional challenges faced by staff when confronted with our rugged geography, pothole covered roads, and the huge distances between our main towns. They, in particular, have my utmost respect.
"If you're a health or social care worker in the Far North, please get in touch if there's anything I can do to help."
Stone welcomes extension to over-75s eligibility for free TV licenses
Stone welcomes extension to over-75s eligibility for free TV licenses
Commenting on the news, Mr Stone said:
"I am delighted that sense has prevailed. This is an issue that has worried me greatly. I will continue to demand that the Government ensures this measure extends well beyond August!
“The over-75s should not have had to worry about their TV licenses in the first place, but I appreciate that the Government and BBC recognises the importance of the concession during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I will continue to call on the Government to ensure the BBC is not forced to demand license fees from the over 75s later on in the year.”
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Stone: Suspend negotiations with the EU till COVID-19 subsides
Stone: Suspend negotiations with the EU till COVID-19 subsides
Far North MP, Jamie Stone, has today co-sponsored a cross-party Parliamentary motion urging the Conservative Government to suspend negotiations with the EU until the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
Early Day Motion 294 urges the Conservative Government to “immediately request an extension to the transition period”; “to suspend negotiations with the EU until the COVID-19 pandemic subsides”; and to “work closely with other European governments in responding to the pandemic”.
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Stone joins cross-party effort to protect social care workers
Stone joins cross-party effort to protect social care workers
Far North MP Jamie Stone has signed a cross-party letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social care, urging him to protect social care workers employed on zero-hours contracts.
Before sending the letter Helen Hayes MP - the letter’s lead signatory - said:
“Currently, care workers on zero-hour contracts are not being granted the same access to sick pay as NHS bank staff and sub-contractors. NHS trusts have been advised to pay all staff in full in order to ensure that they self-isolate when necessary.
“Social care workers who are advised to self-isolate face the difficult choice of financial hardship or continuing to work and risk passing on the coronavirus to their patients. It is vital that social care workers have the same sick pay arrangements as NHS staff”.
After signing the letter, Mr Stone said:
“It is right that the Government do what they can to protect social care workers during this national crisis.
“It goes without saying that they should have the same sick pay arrangements as NHS staff, so they are not discouraged from self-isolating for fear of financial loss.
“I will continue to work with other parties and the Government to ensure we support all aspects of our health and social care system at this critical time.”
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Tain Office Closed To Public But Work Continues
Stone to Host Over-The-Phone Surgeries and a Live COVID19 Q&A Stream
Far North MP Jamie Stone will hold surgeries over-the-phone every Friday in place of face-to-face meetings amid the Coronavirus outbreak.
Mr Stone will be available to take calls every Friday for the foreseeable future between 10:00 and 12:00, and 13:00 - 15:00 on 01862892726. He will also be hosting a live COVID-19 Q&A on Facebook this Friday (20 March) at 16:00. Constituents are asked to send questions to jamie.stone.mp@parliament.uk by Friday 10:00.
As usual, he will be available on email throughout the week, and his team will be taking calls on his behalf from 9 am till 5 pm every weekday on the number above.
However, to prevent infection and to encourage social distancing, the Tain office will be closed to the public. Mr. Stone is writing to all his constituents aged 65 and over to inform them of how best to contact him and what the most recent advice is.
