Q&A: Spot-light on the North-East

What makes the North East an attractive place to live and work?
Mark McDonald MSP: A mixture of things - the people, the geography and the facilities. I am fortunate to live in the community where I grew up, and it sits just on the edge of the city, five minutes and I am into the countryside. That holds a big attraction.
Dame Anne Begg, MP: It is close to the sea while also being close to some of the most beautiful countryside in Scotland. It has a modern dynamic economy with low unemployment while also having a sense of history and place;  good schools and I would have said until recently, good health service.
Councillor Jenny Laing: The people play the biggest role. They are warm hearted and welcoming and when you put them alongside our wonderful educational, cultural and leisure facilities, add in the beautiful scenery right on our doorstep you find that Aberdeen and the North East really is a great place to live and work. 

Have there been missed opportunities for the area?
MM: Undoubtedly, and over many decades, the most obvious being a historic failure by the city council to grasp the opportunities of the oil and gas sector in the same way as, say, Shetland has done. I think the best approach is to focus on grasping the opportunities of the future rather than grieve for those that were missed in the past. There is still a lot to be positive about in the area.
AB: Improvements to infrastructure has been slow, especially roads, as the population has increased.
JL: Yes, without doubt. The Scottish Government’s failure to invest in the region has meant that our infrastructure has not kept pace with the area’s economic growth. This lack of investment means it is becoming increasingly difficult to retain existing businesses and attract new multi national companies to the area. Given Aberdeen’s continuing importance to the Scottish economy it is in everyone’s interest to ensure we anchor the oil and gas supply chain in the north-east and develop other business sectors within the region. Greater investment in our infrastructure from central government would help us achieve this. 

What have you personally done to help improve the lives of people in the area?
MM: I have campaigned on issues related to autism and disability for a number of years, and have managed to secure improvements to services and also the first ever autism-friendly pantomime in Aberdeen, which may not seem like something that improves lives, but when a parent sends you an emotional message that their child was able to go to the panto for the first time ever, that means a lot.
AB: I’ve helped thousands of constituents over the years resolve their individual problems. In Parliament, voting for the minimum wage, introducing tax credits and pension credit have all helped to alleviate poverty.
JL: Since becoming a Councillor in 2007 I have worked hard to represent my constituents and ensure the council provides them with the top class services they need and deserve. As Convener of Education, Culture and Sport I helped to develop policies to promote greater inclusion; deal with educational inequality and ultimately close the gap. I am also extremely proud to have played an instrumental role in bringing the Big Noise Project to Aberdeen. As Council Leader I am working to ensure we continue to provide top quality services and deliver the plans and strategies we have in place to enhance growth, support economic development and secure our future prosperity.

Is there more to the north east than oil? With reserves decreasing, what will life after oil look like in the north east?
MM: There’s plenty going on. We have a vibrant food and drink sector, and life sciences is doing very well also. I would not write off the oil industry just yet, rumours of its demise have, I think, been greatly exaggerated. That said, the need to develop ourselves as a hub for energy, and to focus on the massive potential for renewables and skill and knowledge transfers, is not lost on any of the politicians in the area and I think this is an area where there is both common ground and a common purpose.
AB: Aberdeen is moving from being the Oil Capital of Europe to becoming the Energy Capital of Europe.  Much of our knowledge and expertise of the offshore oil and gas industry is transferable to the renewable sector. And we still have agriculture and fishing.
JL: The energy sector, comprising oil, gas and renewables remains the key driver of the local economy. Diversification, development and internationalisation are putting our products and services at the forefront of global markets. We believe that key development opportunities exist in renewables, hydrogen and decommissioning and we will be working to ensure Aberdeen remains at the heart of the energy industry for many years to come. However, our economy is not solely based on the energy sector, in recent times Aberdeen has driven the north east to the very top of the UK’s economic growth tables with high technology developments in the electronic design and development industry, food, life sciences and tourism.  

What is the biggest strength of the area?
MM: Employment opportunities and a vibrant economy means that the unemployment rates in the city have been historically low, and this means that young people can find work.
AB: The people.
JL: The biggest strength of the area is its people and their talents.

What is its biggest weakness?
MM: The flipside of the strength is that a vibrant economy also creates a bigger wealth gap than exists in other areas. Those who get left behind get left further behind than in other areas of Scotland. This has been exacerbated by welfare reform, and while the Scottish Government has done what it can to mitigate, there are limitations as to how far they can go within the budget pressures they face from London.
AB: Lack of affordable housing for all the people who want to come to live and work in area which means there is a high cost of living. And the bottlenecks!
JL: Our infrastructure is our biggest weakness as it has not kept pace with our economic growth.

What are the most common issues people bring up with you at your surgeries?
MM: Housing is a big issue. Right to buy led to a massive decline in family housing in the socially rented sector, we are starting to address that thanks to progressive policies from the Scottish Government, particularly the cancellation of right to buy, and the first council house building in the city for decades, but you can’t turn such a significant long-term decline around overnight.
AB: Housing, immigration inquiries, problems with tax and benefits
JL: Issues can be varied but the one which is most common is lack of affordable housing within the City. We have some of the highest private rental and purchase prices in the country which makes it very hard for both local people and incoming workers.  

How would you like to see the area change in the next 10 years?
MM: More affordable housing for key public sector workers, and a narrowing of the wealth gap that exists in the area. These two things would make a massive difference to the communities and services of the region. There have been positive moves from the Scottish Government in both these areas, through developments at the former Craiginches site, and the living wage policy, unfortunately the UK Government has allowed the minimum wage to fall behind the cost of living, and that means many staff in the private sector are disadvantaged.
AB: I want to finally see the AWPR finished! And a revitalised Union Street which puts the heart back in the city.
JL: I would like to see improved infrastructure; more affordable housing available throughout the area and real regeneration within our more deprived communities. 

Is it true that the streets of Aberdeen are paved with gold?
MM: That is the perception, the reality is that we have poverty amidst plenty. Because of areas of affluence that poverty is masked when looking at cold statistics, but anyone who came to campaign in my by-election will have seen that there are many areas of Aberdeen where the notion of streets paved with gold just does not ring true
AB: No, but the buildings sparkle with silver in the sun!  More seriously, while many are doing well there are still people living in poverty which is all the more acute because of the high cost of living and obvious affluence.
JL: Whilst we have a very buoyant economy and many people who live in the city are doing well we also have areas of real deprivation where many are struggling to make ends meet. They face challenges every day like many others across Scotland and it is important that politicians across all levels of government adopt progressive policies so they can experience the same life chances as others.

Does the north east have the transport links to match its ambitions?
MM: No, and that has been a problem since before I was even born! We’re getting there though, the AWPR, Haudagain Roundabout and Third Don crossing will assist with the congestion, and the plans to improve the rail infrastructure will hopefully open opportunities for new stations and more localised services.
AB: No.
JL: The sad truth is no we don’t. A lack of investment by national government means Aberdeen is the poor relation when it comes to transport links. Our current road and rail links lag far behind those in the central belt and these need to be addressed urgently if we are to sustain our economic growth.

Complete the sentence ‘The North East is my kind of place because…
MM: The people are warm and generous, and the scenery is breathtaking.
AB: It is where I feel at home.
JL: The people are so friendly and the quality of life is second to none.

Who’s your favourite Aberdeen player and can the club win the Scottish Premiership this season? 
MM: My favourite player is undoubtedly Russell Anderson, he’s been a great servant to the club and I was delighted he was able to lift a trophy as captain when we won the League Cup last season. I think winning the Premiership is a tall ask, but would settle for another cup win!
AB: I don’t follow football but always pleased when the Dons do well.
JL: Johnny Hayes and yes, but it will be difficult. Aberdeen can’t compete with Celtic financially but they can compete in fighting spirit and quality. The season is not even half way through yet so if we can get a run of victories under our belt who knows how successful we will be this season.

Money no object, where is the best place to dine in the area, what would you order and who would you take?
MM: The Sand Dollar Café, at Aberdeen Beach. The owner, Suzi Millard, is a constituent of mine and it is a really lovely place serving delicious food. I would probably order scallops followed by steak, and I would take my wife because we don’t get to go out together much these days, so any chance to treat her to a night out should be taken.
AB: 210 Bistro with my staff. Our office Christmas meal is already booked.
JL: I am a great lover of Italian food so I would choose Mi Amore. The quality of their food is excellent and my favourite is lobster ravioli. I would take my family.

What’s an ideal day out in the north east
MM: As a parent of small children, I would highly recommend some of the fun things to do. Visit Satrosphere Science Centre, go to Codonas and have a walk along Aberdeen beach, play and have fun at Duthie Park and enjoy the Winter Gardens. If you don’t have kids, ask someone else.
AB: Depends on the weather. All day breakfast at the Inversnecky, walk along the prom followed by an afternoon at the cinema. Or lunch at Newton Dee followed by visit to Duthie Park and Winter Gardens. The evening has to be at the theatre - HMT, Music Hall, Lemon Tree or Arts Centre.
JL: I think a visit to the beach would be my ideal day out.  Only a short distance from the city centre, the beach area has a great deal to offer. It has golden sands, wildlife watching points, an array of sporting and recreational facilities and it’s also home to Fittie a peaceful and quaint conservation fishing village.

What makes Aberdeen the happiest place in the UK?
MM: Dodgy statistics…just kidding, I think there’s no one single ingredient and it is a mixture of the people, the environment and the economy all combining.
AB: Although we are a city, Aberdeen has the feeling of a friendly small town.
JL: The quality of life in Aberdeen is exceptional. We have great employment opportunities, wonderful education, leisure and recreational facilities and we have some of the sunniest weather in Scotland so it is little wonder we are the happiest place in the UK.

What is the biggest misconception about Aberdonians?
MM: That we are tight with our money. We’re generous folk really, I might even buy you a drink. If I like you…
AB: We are neither dour nor mean. Aberdeen is the most generous city in the country when it comes to charity fundraising.
JL: That we are tight-fisted. In my experience Aberdonians are generous in both monetary terms and of spirit.