Following two very successful years, HIE have announced that they will be carrying out market research to gauge interest from prospective buyers. Although the facility is not currently for sale, the research is intended to be completed by the end of 2012.

Highland MP Danny Alexander says:

"Cairngorm mountain has had a good last couple of years, but of course the future is unpredictable. HIE must ensure that any new model for delivering the service maintains or improves on current high standards, and that the ski area receives much needed investment so it can continue to be a huge asset to our area.

"It's fantastic that the last two years have been so successful for the Cairngorm Ski Centre. The resort is world famous and one of the most valuable industries for our area. For that reason, it comes as no surprise that HIE now feel that the Centre can be a successful and viable business and that this is the right time to go ahead with a market research programme."

ENDS

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) announced last week that they anticipate contracts for the necessary improvement works will be signed by August 2012 and that BT is now the sole bidder involved in the final stage of negotiations. HIE is leading a UK Government backed project aiming to deliver access to superfast broadband across all areas of the Highlands and Islands over the coming years, with work expected to start in 2013.

Welcoming the news, Danny Alexander said:

"The government made it clear that we are committed to ensuring that people in the Highlands and Islands are not left out when it comes to high speed internet. The investment that is on its way through HIE will help ensure that thousands of homes and businesses enjoy the economic and social benefits of superfast broadband sooner rather than later - and I hope the Scottish Government will consider adding to it so its impact can be even greater.

"It is very welcome that BT are already bringing improvements forward in towns like Nairn and Grantown. I hope we will see that approach continue wherever immediate action is commercially viable so that the publicly funded pilot scheme can focus on solutions for the areas which could otherwise be left behind.

"The internet has come to play a vital role in our economic and social life - and its importance is only set to grow. Boosting services will have a profound impact on the way local companies are able to do business as well as on the way we live at home. It is hugely important that the pilot project paves the way to significant improvements that include the whole of the Highlands."

"HIE are playing a key role in this process and this latest announcement marks a welcome step forward."

ENDS

"The reforms launched early in 2011 were introduced to enable Post Offices to stay open longer and for people to access more services through them. The improvements were set out to expand the financial viability of local post offices like Kingussie Post Office and secure the long-term future of the network - helping to prevent further closures of Post Offices which are essential to our local communities.

"The new 10 year service deal between the Royal Mail and the Post Office will guarantee the future of the Post Office network and ensure that there will be no office closure programmes."

Running until 20 February and open to all 14-18 year olds, Chance to be Chancellor challenges young people to make informed decisions about how the country's finances should be run. Young people are asked to give their views on taxation and spending policies, which will go on to be published in the Youth Budget 2012.

Last year ‘Chance to be Chancellor' engaged 3000 young people across the UK and the Citizenship Foundation want as many young people as possible to contribute to this year's publication. Further information is available online at www.chancetobechancellor.org.uk.

As well as giving you the chance to learn about the big issues ahead of the Budget 2012, the website offers the chance to win prizes and a trip to HM Treasury for those who take part.

Commenting, Mr Alexander said:

"I would encourage all young people with an interest in how our country is run to get on the Chance to be Chancellor website and make their views heard.

"Young people's voices need to be heard in politics. This new scheme will give them a platform to have their say on real government policies.

"Decisions made by the government in this year's Budget will be extremely important so I hope the younger generation take this opportunity to learn about Budget 2012 and contribute towards to the Youth Budget."

ENDS

Scottish organisations will be able to express interest from March and make formal bids on the £4m fund in April. The Highlands is to receive £1.85m from the fund, with £2.05m for the rest of Scotland from the overall £23.7m available throughout the UK.

The Fund will be financed by the Government and will be equal to 50% of the revenues generated by the Crown Estate's marine activities and will be UK wide. Funding for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be determined by the amount of revenue generated in each country.

The UK Government is working with the Big Fund, part of the Big Lottery Fund, to find the best ways to deliver benefits for Scotland's communities.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said:

"Having grown up in a coastal community in Scotland, I am only too aware of the vital role these communities play in the UK. It is fair that we share the Crown Estate's marine revenues equally and I am delighted to launch the Coastal Communities fund prospectus today.

"We look forward to receiving innovative bids from charities, businesses, social enterprises and local organisations, which support the economic development of the community."

"I understand why many people are disappointed by the recent decision by AHR to withdraw from their participation in the High Life Highland scheme.

"The pool is not only an important health and leisure facility for our area; it is a prominent part of our local community.

"Since opening, the resort has received significant funding from the Highland Council as part of the Highlife Scheme and is very popular; it has become an important health and leisure facility for the people of Badenoch & Strathspey.

"Given the good progress that has been made over the last couple of years to build a more positive relationship between the resort and the community, this decision is particularly hard to understand.

"I have been in touch with Aviemore Highland Resort and Highland Council to raise my concerns and I do hope that alternatives can be explored. I will continue to work together with the many concerned people locally to get this decision changed.

"I have offered my support to those coordinating the campaign on behalf of the local community."

The prize, awarded by millions of actual travellers, puts Golf View Hotel and The Old Manse among a small group of hotels worldwide recognised for consistent excellence. Fewer than four thousand hotels worldwide received a Travellers' Choice Award this year.

Danny Alexander says:

"I'm delighted that Golf View Hotel and The Old Manse have won this award. Tourism is a very important industry in the Highlands and its very good news that the excellence of two of our local hotels has been recognised globally by receiving this honour.

"The profile of this award will help to bring new visitors to the area and is a great reflection of the quality of tourism Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey offers to travellers.

"I would like to congratulate Golf View Hotel and The Old Manse for their fantastic achievement and wish them every success in the future."

ENDS

In his New Year message, Local MP Danny Alexander looks forward to 2012 and will continue to build a fairer and more sustainable economy for people living in the Highlands and across the UK. Alexander says:

"2011 was the year we lifted nearly a million low paid workers out of paying income tax altogether and cut taxes for 23m people. There will be further cuts to income tax this April; as we take another step to delivering the Lib Dem manifesto commitment that no one should pay any income tax on the first £10,000 they earn. Our youth contract will ensure that young people's lives are not blighted by long periods of unemployment, by getting every young person out of work earning or learning.

"We also need to redouble our efforts to ensure that those with the broadest shoulders bear the greatest share of the burden. With the highest rate of tax at 50%, increases to capital gains tax, reduced tax breaks for large pension contributions, and the new bank levy, the coalition is raising more from the wealthiest. But with more austerity now needed, and with grossly excessive top pay awards showing total disconnection from reality, we will need to look at further steps to ensure greater fairness this year too.

"2012 will be the year in which many of the new commitments that the coalition has made to the Highlands and Islands will be delivered. The 5p fuel duty discount for island communities starts in March. The delivery of superfast broadband to our communities and the new coastal communities fund will start this year, and new army personnel will start to arrive at Kinloss."

ENDS

In its Rail2014 consultation document on the next Scotrail franchise, the Scottish Government placed the future of the sleeper service in fresh doubt – as well as the daytime direct rail services from Inverness and Aberdeen to London.

In the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the UK Government would offer an extra £50million to save the sleeper links, so long as the commitment was matched by Scottish Ministers in Edinburgh who are responsible for the service.

Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:

"I'm glad that the Scottish Government is willing to match the funding and priority which the UK Government has given to cross-border services, following the £50m investment announced in the Autumn Statement. This shows that Scotland is stronger when our two governments work together within the United Kingdom."

ENDS

Mr Alexander has highlighted the issue of unfair delivery charges in the past – and has helped persuade a number of companies, including Avon, Asda & BHS to stop applying surcharges to rural customers in the Highlands & Islands. In the summer, he met with Highland Council Trading Standards officers to discuss their role in stamping out false and misleading advertising claims.

Mr Alexander said:

"I very much welcome the work that the CABs in the Highlands are doing on this issue. Especially in the run-up to Christmas, the range of dubious delivery charge policies applied by some businesses is a big issue for families across much of rural Scotland.

"In some cases, a bit of information and consumer pressure can go a long way. Good businesses will listen to what their customers are telling them – as Asda, Avon and BHS already have done. Wherever people are being refused delivery or face unreasonable surcharges, I would urge them to complain and – if possible – take their business elsewhere if they do not receive a satisfactory response. The Royal Mail offers a universal flat-rate service for the whole UK for parcels up to 20kg, so there is very often a fair alternative even if companies seek to blame charges on their chosen courier.

"Where false claims about free delivery to the UK mask hidden charges, consumers should report cases to local trading standards officers who can take enforcement action.

"I will keep working on this issue and supporting constituents who bring specific cases to my attention. The only rip-off at Christmas should be the wrapping paper!"

ENDS

Responding to the publication of the Scottish Government's Infrastructure Investment Plan, Highland Lib Dem MP Danny Alexander said:

"This document represents a huge missed opportunity for the Highlands. It confirms that the SNP will do nothing to begin dualling the A9 in two full terms of office.

"Last week's Autumn Statement gave the SNP an extra £433million to invest in Scotland's infrastructure right now – but there is precious little sign of that boost being passed on to people in the Highlands.

"On the A9, the grand promises of 2007 were half-heartedly rehashed in 2008 for the Strategic Transport Projects Review. Three years on, Scottish Ministers still seem to think it's good enough to recycle the same empty promises, while the bare reality is a decade of delay. The drift still continues – with the First Minister's 2020 target date for the A9 becoming 2025 before a square foot of tarmac has been disturbed.

"Even SNP MSPs have been asking for a timetable for the completion of what would be a substantial, complex and important project. A real timetable for the A9, with regular milestones, would help to generate confidence in the economy right along the length of the road, but instead the whole project is still stuck in Nationalist Neverland."

"The news is no better for the A96 from Inverness to Nairn and the promised new link to the A9, which would serve the Beechwood education campus. It's welcome that the college move could be completed by 2016, but these plans suggest work on key infrastructure will not begin before 2020.

"SNP MSPs in the Highlands have spent many years saying work on these projects would begin from 2012. It is extraordinary that they now welcome yet more vague promises for the distant future, when our economy needs action today."

ENDS

Mr Alexander said:

"There is no escaping the fact that the world economic situation remains extremely challenging. We always knew that economic recovery was likely to be choppy, but the debt crisis in Europe has added to the difficulties we face.

"Today's statement takes the necessary difficult decisions to keep the UK safe from the debt crisis and to create an environment for growth with interest rates kept low. The Highlands have big opportunities if we can make swift progress with key infrastructure investment and capitalise on the £100m of extra funding that has been made available for renewable energy developments at sites like Nigg.

"Liberal Democrats have worked hard to keep fairness at the heart of the government's plans – delivering the largest ever increase in the state pension next April, up-rating working age benefits with inflation and protecting the poorest pensioners via the pension credit. At the same time, we are taking the lowest paid workers out of tax completely.

"We are introducing a 5p fuel duty discount for island communities next year, but we recognise that everyone faces pressure from the high price of fuel. That pressure is felt acutely in remote and rural Highland communities as well as in the islands.

"That is why we have rejected the idea of fuel duty increasing by 3p in January. As a result of our plans and the measures in the last budget, pump prices next year will be an average of 10p per litre lower than they would have been under the proposals we inherited from Labour."

ENDS

As Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Alexander has played a key role in securing an offer of £50million towards the replacement of the aging rolling stock which provides an overnight rail link from the Highlands, the North East, Edinburgh & Glasgow to the UK Capital. The Scotrail franchise, under which the sleeper operates, is the responsibility of the Scottish Government in Edinburgh, but UK Ministers are offering help to safeguard it after a Transport Scotland consultation placed its future in doubt.

The offer, made in today's Autumn Statement, would provide half of the funding needed to provide badly needed new trains, creating an opportunity to improve the service offered to passengers and commit to maintaining a sleeper service far beyond the present franchise agreement.

Welcoming the announcement, Mr Alexander said:

"The Caledonian Sleeper is a hugely valuable service to Scotland as a whole, but it is particularly important to Inverness, Strathspey, Fort William and Aberdeen – all of which face very long journey times by rail.

"It is extraordinary that the Scottish Government chose to place the future of those key sleeper links in doubt. The idea that the Highlands would be well served by all our rail services ending in Edinburgh speaks of the inward-looking attitude of the SNP Ministers who signed their consultation document off.

"Our railways are an essential part of the future of transport right across the UK. Putting up barriers at the border is the last thing our economy needs.

"The offer of £50million to secure and enhance the sleeper for the long term presents a huge opportunity to draw a line under this episode. We are challenging the Scottish Government to match that commitment and take this chance of extra funding. Scottish Ministers must act quickly so this funding can boost economic growth and deliver an improved sleeper service as early as possible."

ENDS

The children wrote to Mr Alexander to seek his support with their efforts to take better care of their playground and the park area next to the school.

The class braved the wild weather on Friday morning to get to work removing litter, while the MP and school staff helped remove broken glass. The Highland Council's TECS department supplied litter pickers and refuse bags to help with the effort.

Commenting after the visit, Mr Alexander said:

"I'm really grateful to the children of Merkinch Primary for writing to me to tell me about the work they have been doing – and to raise their concerns about the green space next door to their school.

"The children's enthusiasm for looking after their local environment is an example to us all. I was pleased to help them tackle one of the immediate problems with litter – and to talk to them about some of the longer term solutions which they would like to see.

"I hope the children will be able to see their ideas turn into lasting improvements for local people and wildlife. I will work with the school, the local community and the council to make sure that happens.

"There should be no tolerance of the minority who harm others by leaving litter and smashed glass lying around."

ENDS

Mr Alexander had written to Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, asking for Highland communities to be included – and especially pushing for recognition of Badenoch & Strathspey's close links with Olympic sport.

It had previously been announced that the Highland Capital would be one of the torch relay's major stopping points, but the full itinerary has only just been unveiled, including Glencoe, North Ballachulish, Fort William, Spean Bridge, Fort Augustus, Invermoriston, Lewiston, Drumnadrochit and Inverness (all on Saturday 9th June); Lerwick and Kirkwall (on 10th June); and Stornoway, Inverness, Aviemore, Carrbridge, Grantown & Tomintoul (on 11th June).

Badenoch & Strathspey has been recognised in the past for producing more Olympians per head of population than any other part of the UK, particularly reflecting the area's importance to winter sports in Britain.

Commenting, Mr Alexander said:

"It's great news that the Olympic torch will make such a large number of stops in the Highlands in the build-up to the Games.

"It's right that everything possible should be done to involve communities the length and breadth of the UK in the Olympics – and the excitement of bringing the biggest sporting showcase in the world to our shores.

"I'm particularly pleased that the communities in Strathspey which have contributed so much to Britain's participation in Olympic sport have been recognised on the torch relay's route.

"I know that local people all over the Highlands will give the torch a big welcome – and I hope it will help inspire local children to enjoy the games, get involved in sport and hopefully become the Olympic athletes of the future."

ENDS

ENDS

The new mobile infrastructure development will enable rural users to access not only the 2G network, but 3G as well; and will provide a foundation for a future 4G upgrade. It is thought that the improvement will significantly improve communication for businesses and consumers across the Highlands.

Through their involvement in the Coalition Government at Westminster, Liberal Democrats have pushed for improvements in mobile coverage - up from previous official targets of 95%. It is believed that this latest investment will increase the percentage of users receiving adequate coverage and assist the 5-10% of people who live in an area with poor or non-existent reception.

Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey MP Danny Alexander says:

"I know that poor mobile phone signal is a problem which still affects many homes and businesses – especially in rural communities like those in Strathspey and around Loch Ness.

"With more people relying on mobiles, the standard of reception is becoming more and more important – including in emergency situations and along major transport corridors.

"Along with the ongoing work to bring improved broadband to all areas of the Highlands, this investment in our mobile signal network is part of a concerted effort to improve rural communication - bringing real benefits both to business and individual users.

"Liberal Democrats are determined to make sure the Highlands are not left at the back of the queue for telecommunications technology improvements. If anything, we should be taking the opportunity to lead the way."

ENDS

The projected cost of the Aberdeen to Inverness improvements is £200 million, spread between 2014/15 and 2018/19, while investment planned for the Highland Line within the same period is expected to be worth around £35 million.

Mr Alexander earlier this week addressed the conference of the International Association of Transport Professionals in Aviemore and highlighted the modest scale of current Highland rail investments compared with the £500 million already being borrowed by Network Rail against its assets in Scotland to invest in improving services between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Commenting on today's announcement, Mr Alexander said:

"Today's announcement is welcome confirmation of commitments to our area which were first made some years ago by Scottish Ministers. There is still a troubling lack of detail, both about specific timescale and the detail of plans.

"On one hand, the report acknowledges that new passing loops on single track lines are essential to make a faster and more regular service possible. On the other, it stops short of committing firmly to a long-awaited station and passing loop at Dalcross to serve the airport and enable an improved peak time service for Nairn.

"Getting Highland commuters on to the railway has been one of the great regional transport success stories of the past decade. It is clear that remains the best and fastest way to relieve some of the growing pressure on our most congested trunk roads.

"It tells you something about the urgent need for this investment that Network Rail regards the superiority of the A96 in its current state as an obstacle to the railway's growth. We need to move quickly to firm dates for specific improvements – and Dalcross Station must be among them."

ENDS

The MP has been a longstanding campaigner against unfair and misleading delivery surcharges imposed by many courier firms on Highlanders buying goods on the internet and via mail order catalogues. He took the opportunity to highlight the universal parcels service which Royal Mail provides for packages up to 20kg in weight.

Mr Alexander invited Moya Greene to visit following a meeting in London earlier this year. After their meeting, they met some employees at the Strothers Lane Sorting Office.

Commenting, Mr Alexander said: "I am very pleased to be able to welcome Moya to the Highland Capital. By coming here, she is showing a strong commitment to listen to and understand the needs of our area.

"The future of the Royal Mail and the Post Office network is enormously important to the Highland economy. The Government has demonstrated its commitment with £1.3bn investment in the Post Office network, ending Labour's programme of closures. We will also ensure that Royal Mail gets the investment it needs in the future.

"Amidst the dramatic changes taking place in the postal market, with a sharp decline in volume of letters, the potential threat to that service cannot be ignored.

"I want to make sure the Government helps Royal Mail to adapt successfully to the world we now live in – and the growth of email and the internet especially. Packages and parcels are increasingly important both to consumers in the Highlands and to local businesses.

"Royal Mail currently provides a universal service for all items up to 20kg in weight. I hope we will see the standard and scope of that service maintained and improved across the Highlands & Islands. The Government needs to ensure it has the support it needs not to be undermined by businesses which will not offer the same commitment to our area."

CEO of Royal Mail Group, Moya Greene, said: "I am very pleased to be in the Highlands and to recognise the long-standing positive relationship that Royal Mail has with this part of the UK.

"My colleagues and I understand very clearly how this part of the country differs from more densely populated areas. Royal Mail Group is undergoing major change and at this time we share Mr Alexander's determination that the services we provide continue to give our customers a world class service and are relevant in the world we all now live in. We are also fully committed to the Universal Service and we recognise its importance to rural areas.

"Our meeting will explore a number of issues which I look forward to working on in the future with Mr Alexander, as well as other Highland MPs and representatives."

ENDS

This is the first of four years of funding set aside in the Spending Review, with at least £200,000 available in each year. Funding will be available to 75 teams performing mountain or cave rescue activity across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said:

"I am very pleased to announce this additional funding. This recognises the valuable and unique work that volunteer mountain rescue teams do across the UK and will help support the costs of expensive rescue equipment."

The allocations for each area are calculated based on the number of teams affiliated to that body: £124,000 will be available for England and Wales; £68,000 for Scotland; and £8,000 for Northern Ireland.

ENDS.