That this House notes with concern that one of the consequences of the falling oil price is the pressure this is putting on many businesses in the North East of Scotland; recognises the importance of the North Sea oil and gas industry in keeping export-earning businesses and the associated supply chain anchored to the UK; further notes the risk of losing valuable expertise from the UK as a result of job cuts; and calls on the Government to work with North Sea businesses to help them retain jobs and skills during this downturn.

That this House notes with concern that one of the consequences of the falling oil price is the pressure this is putting on many businesses in the North East of Scotland; recognises the importance of the North Sea oil and gas industry in keeping export-earning businesses and the associated supply...

That this House welcomes the news that Andy Samuel has been appointed as the future chief executive of the Oil and Gas Authority; recognises this appointment as an important step in the implementation of the Wood Review recommendations to maximise oil and gas recovery in the North Sea; notes that the oil and gas industry plays a significant role in the UK's economy; and calls on the Government to continue to support the industry by encouraging new exploration and production projects.

That this House welcomes the news that Andy Samuel has been appointed as the future chief executive of the Oil and Gas Authority; recognises this appointment as an important step in the implementation of the Wood Review recommendations to maximise oil and gas recovery in the North Sea; notes that...

That this House notes with concern the number of businesses and households who have experienced telecommunication problems because of the failure of BT Openreach contractors to install telephone landlines and repair faults within a reasonable timeframe; recognises that reliable telephone and broadband connections are crucial for businesses and families across the UK; further notes the frustration and difficulties experienced by those who have been left without a telephone line or broadband access; further notes that people cannot complain directly to Openreach but must go through their service provider often causing further inconvenience to consumers; and calls on Ofcom to ensure that the minimum targets imposed on BT Openreach are met and their performance is monitored to ensure that future customers do not experience the levels of poor service that have been reported.

That this House notes with concern the number of businesses and households who have experienced telecommunication problems because of the failure of BT Openreach contractors to install telephone landlines and repair faults within a reasonable timeframe; recognises that reliable telephone and broadband connections are crucial for businesses and families across...

That this House notes with concern the expansion of end-to-end postal services by TNT Post UK in major UK cities; further notes that the sustainability of the Universal Service depends on Royal Mail being able to use revenue from easier-to-serve, densely populated, areas to cover the cost of a nationwide network; is concerned that cherry-picking of urban and suburban areas by TNT Post UK could have a serious impact on the financial sustainability of the one-price-goes-anywhere, six-day-a-week Universal Service; expresses its support for the Universal Service that many people, including rural communities and small businesses, rely on; and calls on Ofcom to undertake a full review of end-to-end postal competition as a matter of urgency, and determine quickly any regulatory changes needed to protect the Universal Postal Service.

That this House notes with concern the expansion of end-to-end postal services by TNT Post UK in major UK cities; further notes that the sustainability of the Universal Service depends on Royal Mail being able to use revenue from easier-to-serve, densely populated, areas to cover the cost of a nationwide...

That this House notes that people living in the north east of Scotland and the Highlands and Islands are often asked to pay substantial surcharges for the delivery of goods ordered over the internet; is concerned that such charges are often not clear to customers ordering products online; believes that such charges are unfair and discriminate against people living in the areas of the UK which are affected; welcomes the commitment of the UK Government to hold a delivery charge summit with major retailers; and backs calls from the Fairer Delivery Charges campaign for retailers to end excessive delivery surcharges and to offer delivery by Royal Mail when this is the cheaper option.

That this House notes that people living in the north east of Scotland and the Highlands and Islands are often asked to pay substantial surcharges for the delivery of goods ordered over the internet; is concerned that such charges are often not clear to customers ordering products online; believes that...

That this House notes that 6 July 2013 marks the 25th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, the world’s worst offshore oil disaster, in terms of fatalities; remembers the 165 men who died on the rig and the two men who died trying to save them; further notes the pain of the survivors, both physical and mental which they have carried with them since 1988; welcomes the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s Parliamentary Reception on 2 July 2013 as well as the Piper 25 Conference run by Oil and Gas UK in Aberdeen from 18 to 20 June, and the Workforce Engagement Day to be run in parallel with the conference, which will mark the disaster and discuss future challenges in the offshore industry; acknowledges the progress made to offshore safety due to the co-operative approach of the industry, the workforce, trades unions and the Government; further acknowledges, however, the concern caused by the recent reorganisation of the Health and Safety Executive and the abolition of the Offshore Safety Division without consultation; and calls on the Government to continue working with the regulator, the industry, the trades unions and health and safety bodies to do all it can to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again.

That this House notes that 6 July 2013 marks the 25th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, the world’s worst offshore oil disaster, in terms of fatalities; remembers the 165 men who died on the rig and the two men who died trying to save them; further notes the pain...

That this House welcomes the publication of the UK Oil and Gas strategy; recognises the important role the oil and gas industry plays in the UK economy, employing over 400,000 people; further recognises that the UK supply chain also plays an important role in the UK economy with 1,100 companies achieving a combined revenue of £27 billion in 2011; notes that the oil and gas sector contributed £11.5 billion to the Exchequer in 2012 which is more than any other sector in the UK; further notes that the UK is a global leader in the oil and gas and subsea engineering sector with significant opportunity for growth in overseas markets; further notes the important symbolism of three Secretaries of State launching the strategy in Aberdeen, highlighting the UK Government's recognition of the industry; and calls on the Government to continue its support of an industry that is so important to the Scottish and UK economy.

That this House welcomes the publication of the UK Oil and Gas strategy; recognises the important role the oil and gas industry plays in the UK economy, employing over 400,000 people; further recognises that the UK supply chain also plays an important role in the UK economy with 1,100 companies...

That this House welcomes the publication of the UK Oil and Gas strategy; recognises the important role the oil and gas industry plays in the UK economy, employing over 400,000 people; notes that the UK supply chain also plays an important role in the UK economy with 1,100 companies achieving a combined revenue of £27 billion in 2011; further notes that the oil and gas sector contributed £11.5 billion to the Exchequer in 2012 which is more than any other sector in the UK; further notes that the UK is a global leader in the oil and gas and subsea engineering sector with significant opportunity for growth in overseas markets; further notes the important symbolism of three Secretaries of State launching the strategy in Aberdeen, highlighting the UK Government's recognition of the industry; and calls on the Government to continue its support of an industry that is so important to the Scottish and UK economy.

That this House welcomes the publication of the UK Oil and Gas strategy; recognises the important role the oil and gas industry plays in the UK economy, employing over 400,000 people; notes that the UK supply chain also plays an important role in the UK economy with 1,100 companies achieving...

That this House is concerned by the findings of The Postcode Penalty, a new report from Citizens Advice Scotland, which shows that at least one million Scots are being hit with surcharges, late delivery and even being refused delivery when they buy goods online, because of where they live; notes that consumers in Scotland's island communities pay a postcode penalty of nearly 19 for delivery, a mark up of over 500 per cent, and consumers across the Highlands are charged an extra 15; further notes that of all the surcharges levied by the 534 retailers that Citizens Advice Scotland investigated, more than 70 per cent applied to consumers in Scotland, indicating that Scots are disproportionately affected by poor delivery practices; further notes that this problem affects businesses as well as consumers; calls on retailers to change their delivery policies to ensure fair, affordable and understandable delivery for consumers wherever they live; applauds Royal Mail forits universal service obligation which ensures a fair price for post and parcels across the whole of the UK; and congratulates the Scottish CAB Service forits campaign to secure a fairer deal for consumers.

That this House is concerned by the findings of The Postcode Penalty, a new report from Citizens Advice Scotland, which shows that at least one million Scots are being hit with surcharges, late delivery and even being refused delivery when they buy goods online, because of where they live; notes...

That this House notes the fatal accident inquiry report into the tragic road traffic accident that led to the deaths of Ann, Niamh and Ciara Copeland; further notes the report's conclusion that the probable cause of this accident was hydraulic fluid leaking from a poorly maintained mobile crane; further notes that in his report the sheriff strongly recommended that the Government enact legislation as a matter of urgency with the effect of removing the current exemption applying to mobile cranes from undergoing a regular MOT; further notes that the Department for Transport's own consultation document recognised that the UK currently does not meet an EU Directive in this regard; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislation as soon as possible.

That this House notes the fatal accident inquiry report into the tragic road traffic accident that led to the deaths of Ann, Niamh and Ciara Copeland; further notes the report's conclusion that the probable cause of this accident was hydraulic fluid leaking from a poorly maintained mobile crane; further notes...

That this House welcomes the campaign by Citizens Advice Scotland and Citizens Advice Bureaux across Scotland to tackle unfair delivery practices for consumers in remote and rural areas; notes the publication of Free Delivery*, the report from Citizens Advice Scotland which shows that consumers in rural and remote parts of Scotland are often refused delivery or charged more than people in urban areas when ordering goods online; supports Citizens Advice Scotland in urging online retailers to ensure that they comply with the law on distance selling by clearly stating delivery costs before customers enter the purchasing process, reform their delivery policies so that any charges are kept to a minimum and are based on actual costs incurred and offer delivery via Royal Mail wherever possible; and believes that the Royal Mail's Universal Service Obligation must be maintained in order to protect rural and remote consumers from high costs for delivery.

That this House welcomes the campaign by Citizens Advice Scotland and Citizens Advice Bureaux across Scotland to tackle unfair delivery practices for consumers in remote and rural areas; notes the publication of Free Delivery*, the report from Citizens Advice Scotland which shows that consumers in rural and remote parts of...

That this House notes the recent period of cold weather and the upward trend in energy costs; further notes the difficulties that many people have had heating their homes this winter; and welcomes the ongoing and important work of the Home Heat Helpline in advising people who are worried about the cost of heating their homes.

That this House notes the recent period of cold weather and the upward trend in energy costs; further notes the difficulties that many people have had heating their homes this winter; and welcomes the ongoing and important work of the Home Heat Helpline in advising people who are worried about...

That this House notes with concern that the Maritime Coastal Radio Station at Stonehaven, a listed building, has been allowed to fall into a state of decay and disrepair since its closure in 2000; recognises the historic significance of the station, especially its role in replaying news from the Sea Quest rig of the first discovery of oil in the North Sea; welcomes the efforts of the Stonehaven Radio Station Halls charity to purchase the site to save the buildings as a heritage site and provide a sustainable future based on a radio museum along with various community purposes; and calls on BT and Telereal to enter into negotiations with the group before putting the radio station on the open market, which may result in the buildings not being available for the benefit of Stonehaven and the local community.

That this House notes with concern that the Maritime Coastal Radio Station at Stonehaven, a listed building, has been allowed to fall into a state of decay and disrepair since its closure in 2000; recognises the historic significance of the station, especially its role in replaying news from the Sea...

That this House notes with great sadness the recent deaths in Aberdeenshire of two secondary school pupils, who were killed in separate incidents while alighting from their school bus; expresses its sympathy with the friends and families of the victims; is concerned that no statutory safety regulations exist to prevent other vehicles from overtaking stationary school buses; notes that other countries have such legislation, including the US and Canada; recognises the increasing sense of concern shown by parents and teachers for the safety of pupils travelling by school transport; supports clearer demarcation of school buses; and calls on the Government to take urgent action to review the situation and consider introducing legislation to make it illegal to overtake a stationary school bus which is picking up or dropping off pupils.

That this House notes with great sadness the recent deaths in Aberdeenshire of two secondary school pupils, who were killed in separate incidents while alighting from their school bus; expresses its sympathy with the friends and families of the victims; is concerned that no statutory safety regulations exist to prevent...

That this House welcomes Oil and Gas UK's 2008 economic report; recognises the value of the oil and gas industry to the UK economy, given that it employs 450,000 people and benefits the UK balance of payments to the tune of ??45 billion a year; further notes the untapped potential of the industry to contribute to the nation's future security of energy supply, with 25 billion barrels or more of oil and gas equivalent recoverable from the UK continental shelf, including the West of Shetland reserves; recognises that substantial investment and exploration activity will be required over and above current plans to extract these reserves; and therefore calls on the Government to build on its constructive engagement with the industry to ensure the necessary investment is made to unlock this country's full potential to produce its own oil and gas.

That this House welcomes Oil and Gas UK's 2008 economic report; recognises the value of the oil and gas industry to the UK economy, given that it employs 450,000 people and benefits the UK balance of payments to the tune of ??45 billion a year; further notes the untapped potential...

That this House notes that around 400,000 people currently choose to receive pension and benefit payments by Department for Work and Pensions cheques; further notes that the Pension Service is pressing those recipients to receive the benefits through direct payment into a bank account; recalls that in 2004 the Government recognised that recipients who require a cheque payment were likely to include those who are least able to cope with change; therefore urges the Government to again recognise that direct payment is not an appropriate method for some of the most vulnerable members of society; and calls on the Government to continue to allow cheques to be used as a means to withdraw state pension and benefits at local post offices.

That this House notes that around 400,000 people currently choose to receive pension and benefit payments by Department for Work and Pensions cheques; further notes that the Pension Service is pressing those recipients to receive the benefits through direct payment into a bank account; recalls that in 2004 the Government...

That this House welcomes the decision announced in the Budget to defer legislation on what has been described as income shifting within small limited companies and partnerships; and calls on HM Treasury and other affected departments to use the additional year that they have allowed themselves for consultation on this issue to undertake a thorough review of more appropriate means of providing smaller enterprises with a suitable legal entity designed for use in the 21st century, and not the 19th century as the limited company was, that will simultaneously reduce the taxation, accounting and regulatory burdens on smaller enterprises, so freeing them to generate wealth and employment in the UK economy, whilst ensuring that they can with minimum effort comply with the taxation and other requirements imposed upon them by law in a way that minimises risk of tax avoidance, creates a level playing field in which all in the sector can compete fairly and ensures that the right person is taxed on the reward they have earned at the right time and in ways which do not create artificial and inappropriate incentives to recategorise employment as self-employment, and the reward for labour effort expended as investment income.

That this House welcomes the decision announced in the Budget to defer legislation on what has been described as income shifting within small limited companies and partnerships; and calls on HM Treasury and other affected departments to use the additional year that they have allowed themselves for consultation on this...

That this House notes that Scottish Power has announced average price increases for its electricity customers of 14 per cent. and for its gas customers of 15 per cent.; further notes that this decision follows similar above-inflation price increases by Npower, EDF Energy and British Gas; recognises that in light of such increases more must be done to make homes as energy efficient as possible to address rising fuel poverty in the UK; welcomes Energy Action Scotland's `VAT for Warm Homes' campaign and its recommendation that the Treasury uses the estimated ??175 million of additional VAT raised through energy price increases to give extra funding for Government programmes that provide insulation and efficient central heating systems to vulnerable households; and calls on the Government to support this campaign.

That this House notes that Scottish Power has announced average price increases for its electricity customers of 14 per cent. and for its gas customers of 15 per cent.; further notes that this decision follows similar above-inflation price increases by Npower, EDF Energy and British Gas; recognises that in light...

That this House notes with concern the proposals for a new tax on income shifting; is aware of the disquiet expressed at the proposals by small businesses, the self-employed, freelancers, accountants and other affected parties; is concerned that the new tax will make it impossible for jointly-owned businesses to self-assess their tax liability with any certainty; observes that ever since the introduction of the independent taxation of spouses, it has been standard practice for married couples to own businesses jointly, that this was recommended by the Government for many years and that people who followed this advice now face being penalised; is concerned that the proposals are in direct conflict with the Government's stated aim of encouraging enterprise and small businesses; observes that the new proposals will be inconsistent with divorce law and capital gains tax, so that spouses will be entitled to an equal share of the value of a business when they divorce, or of the proceeds from it when sold, but not of the profits while it is operational; and urges the Government to reconsider its proposals ahead of the Budget.

That this House notes with concern the proposals for a new tax on income shifting; is aware of the disquiet expressed at the proposals by small businesses, the self-employed, freelancers, accountants and other affected parties; is concerned that the new tax will make it impossible for jointly-owned businesses to self-assess...

That this House condemns energy companies that issue irregular, inaccurate and estimated bills to consumers; believes this carelessness is costing consumers money and threatening competition; notes that estimated bills have put as many as 2 million energy consumers into debt; applauds Energywatch's Better Billing campaign, which aims to put an end to irregular and inaccurate billing; calls upon energy companies to improve the layout of bills so that they are easier for consumers to understand; believes that companies should compensate consumers for distress caused; encourages the industry to increase the use of meter readings; and urges Energywatch and Ofgem to secure better billing for energy consumers across the UK.

That this House condemns energy companies that issue irregular, inaccurate and estimated bills to consumers; believes this carelessness is costing consumers money and threatening competition; notes that estimated bills have put as many as 2 million energy consumers into debt; applauds Energywatch's Better Billing campaign, which aims to put an...