Tag: 2023

PRESS RELEASE : Screens for spectators confirmed in London parks as 4,000 NHS workers and veterans invited to special viewing spaces for Coronation [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 16 April 2023.

Huge television screens will be in Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park for public viewing.
Almost 4,000 invited veterans and NHS and social care workers will be given spaces in front of Buckingham Palace for the Coronation

Remainder of route is non-ticketed with dedicated accessible viewing spaces confirmed on The Mall

Almost 4,000 Armed Forces veterans and NHS workers have been invited to watch the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort from special viewing spaces.

Around 3,800 seats have been offered in a specially-built grandstand in front of Buckingham Palace which will host veterans, NHS and social care workers, and representatives of charitable organisations with links to The Royal Family. Additionally 354 uniformed cadet forces will be offered the opportunity to watch the Procession at Admiralty Arch.

These invited guests will be given a special view of the Coronation on Saturday 6 May including the Processions, appearance of The Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace Balcony and the spectacular Armed Forces fly past. Guests will see Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach drawn by six Windsor Grey horses, accompanied by The Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. The King and The Queen Consort will travel back to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach.

The King’s Procession will travel along The Mall, through Admiralty Arch, along the south side of King Charles Island in Trafalgar Square, before going down Whitehall through the east and south side of Parliament Square to Westminster Abbey.

The rest of the route for the Procession on Saturday 6 May is non-ticketed and open to the public on a first-come first-served basis. It is expected that tens of thousands of people will come to watch the Coronation processions in London. Guidance published today by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport outlines how and where the public can watch the Coronation in London, including at dedicated screen sites in London’s Royal Parks.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

As a mark of the nation’s profound gratitude, it is right that in celebrating the Coronation we include and champion those who have dedicated their lives to public service.

The Coronation weekend marks the beginning of a new chapter in our national history and I’m delighted the procession will be lined by people and groups who contribute so much to our national life.

Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance at the Royal British Legion said:

We are pleased to have given 1,000 members of the Armed Forces community the special opportunity to witness part of the ceremonial procession for the coronation of King Charles III at the Queen Victoria Memorial. The Armed Forces hold great importance to the nation as they work to protect us, our freedoms and our society’s way of life. We know that it will be a great privilege for members of the Armed Forces community to see their new Commander in Chief on this significant day.

Big screens will be put in place in Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park offering thousands of members of the public the chance to watch the Coronation on Saturday 6 May. Screens in St James’s Park will also show the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday 7 May.

Details on accessible access for the route and screening sites in London have also been released today. An accessible viewing space for the Coronation will be available along the North side of The Mall and at all screen sites in London. Accessible viewing spaces for the people watching the concert on the big screen at St James’s Park are also available.

The viewing spaces will include first aid and mental health first aid facilities, water refill stations, toilets and accessible toilets, welfare points, and concession kiosks selling food and drinks. Accessible viewing spaces will be at ground level providing a dedicated location for wheelchair users, people with reduced mobility and other accessibility requirements. Hearing loops for use by people with hearing aids and British Sign Language interpreters will be present alongside accessible toilets and changing facilities.

London is expected to be busy across the Coronation weekend with the public urged to plan ahead and take notice of updated travel guidance. Across the UK, more than 57 locations will be putting up big screens meaning that more than 100,000 people will be able to watch the event in their hometowns.
April 17, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK statement on ongoing violence in Sudan [April 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 April 2023.

The UK strongly condemns the ongoing violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support forces in Khartoum and multiple cities across Sudan. It must stop immediately. The UK expresses its heartfelt regret for the loss of innocent lives by those caught up in this violence and calls on the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to cease all hostilities against each other. Now is the time for the Sudanese leadership to deescalate tensions and prevent further bloodshed.

The UK calls on Sudanese leadership to return to dialogue. After months of fruitful political discussion, and real progress towards the return of a civilian-led transition, military action is not the solution. Long term peace is possible, but only through open, honest and pragmatic discussion.

The UK stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan in their demands for a peaceful and democratic future. Innocent civilians should not pay the price of their futures due to this violence.

April 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Scottish Government public sector pay strategy published [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 22 March 2023.

Proposals ‘balance fairness with affordability and fiscal sustainability’.

The framework for public sector pay increases in 2023-24 has been published, recognising the volatility of economic conditions while balancing the need for sustainable public services.

The new Public Sector Pay Strategy recommends public sector workers receive an increase of 3.5%, in line with the UK Government’s recommended pay rise for the public sector.

It sets a maximum pay uplift of 5% where there are justifying circumstances, suggests a £1,500 cash uplift for workers who earn £25,000 or less and commits to a review of Chief Executives’ pay.

Public bodies will be required to pay the real Living Wage at £10.90 per hour, including for internships and Modern Apprentices.

The strategy also maintains the Scottish Government’s commitment to no compulsory redundancies in the public sector as well as the delivery of a public sector pilot for a four-day working week.

It also strongly encourages employers to standardise to a 35-hour working week and puts in place provisions for the ‘right to disconnect’, which would support people to switch off from work and enjoy their free time without being disturbed by emails, messages or calls during non-work hours.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:

“This pay strategy focuses on making sure we balance fairness with affordability and sustainability of public finances while recognising the vital contribution of public sector workers in Scotland.

“The Scottish Government sees fair public sector pay deals and a policy of no compulsory redundancies as a response to the cost of living crisis and the strategy continues to promote our progressive approach to pay by including cash uplifts for those on low incomes.

“At the same time, it recognises that organisations across the public sector, including the Scottish Government, are subject to constrained funding and acknowledges the recurring impact of pay deals. This may mean public bodies need to take decisions on the size and shape of their workforce to ensure affordability in the medium-term. We expect this to be achieved through natural turnover and effective workforce planning.

“The Chancellor’s Spring Budget was silent on public sector pay, despite our calls for additional funding across the UK to support fair pay awards.

“The limited additional funding for the Scottish Government did not go far enough so to fund public sector pay increases, we will have to find money from within our budget to invest in public services and provide fair, affordable and sustainable pay rises.”

Background

The 2023-24 Public Sector Pay Strategy

The pay strategy applies to around 52,000 staff in the Scottish Government and its associated agencies and non-departmental public bodies, such as Scottish Enterprise and NatureScot. It also covers NHS senior management posts and all public appointments, including the Chairs of public bodies.

A full list of public bodies the strategy covers is available on the Scottish Government’s website.

The strategy also acts as a reference point for other parts of the public sector workforce including NHS Scotland, fire-fighters and police officers, teachers and further education workers. For local government employees, pay and other employment matters are delegated to local authorities.

April 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Wildlife management legislation introduced to Parliament [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 22 March 2023.

New laws to protect wildlife and biodiversity.

A new Bill to protect the environment and tackle the persecution of birds of prey has been published.

The Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill aims to:
- end raptor persecution
- ensure grouse moors are managed sustainably
- ban the use of glue traps for rodents
- tighten regulations for the use of other types of wildlife traps
The Bill will also strictly regulate the use of muirburn, the controlled burning of vegetation, on peatland. Licenses for burning on peat will only be granted in exceptional circumstances, such as for wildfire prevention.

The legislation follows the introduction of new measures in recent years to tackle wildlife crime, including the Animals and Wildlife Penalties, Protections and Powers Act, which introduced high penalties for wildlife crimes, as well as the 2023 Hunting with Dogs Act.

Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said:

“The illegal killing of Scotland’s magnificent birds of prey cannot be tolerated. This Bill will seek to tackle the destructive minority who would continue to commit these wildlife crimes.

“I recognise that grouse shooting contributes to the rural economy and this Bill is not about stopping this activity. However, it is clear that grouse moors must be managed in a sustainable and responsible way ensuring any environmental impacts are minimised.

“The public consultation on the Bill, which received over 4,500 responses, made clear that the regulation and protection of our natural environment is an important issue for many.

“The views of both the public and stakeholders have been carefully considered in the formation of this Bill and I look forward to its passage through Parliament.”

Background

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill – Bills (proposed laws) – Scottish Parliament | Scottish Parliament Website

The new Bill has been designed to implement the recommendations set out in the Werritty Review. This independent report recommended widespread changes to grouse moor management and the regulation of traps in Scotland.

Muirburn is the intentional and controlled burning of moorland vegetation to encourage new growth (either heather or grassland) for the management of moorland game and wildlife or for improving the grazing potential of the moorland for livestock or deer.

In 2020, the Committee for Climate Change recommended that there should be a ban on burning on peat soils.
April 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Views sought on school learning hours in Scotland [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 21 March 2023.

Public consultation launched.

People are being asked to share their views on a new legal minimum number of school learning hours.

If approved by Parliament, councils will be required by law to provide the equivalent of 25 teaching hours per week in primaries and 27.5 hours per week in secondaries across the school year.

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced plans to introduce the measures last month to protect the school week and give parents greater certainty about the number of learning hours their children can expect to receive.

The consultation opens today and will run until June 13.

Ms Somerville said:

“The school week is the backbone of our education provision and benefits all of Scotland’s children and young people. We have been clear that any changes to the school week must be based on educational benefit to pupils.

“Any measures that materially reduce the number of hours children spend learning in school could impact pupil attainment and wellbeing, and undermine our collective efforts to close the poverty-related attainment gap.

“This is an opportunity for parents, children and young people and everyone else with an interest to make their views known about the potential impact of this policy.”

Background

The public consultation seeks views on a mandatory requirement of 950 hours per academic year (25 hours a week) of teaching time in most council-run primary schools and 1,045 hours per year in secondary (27.5 hours per week).

The consultation sets out situations where fewer hours may be provided or where councils can apply for an exemption from the regulations.

The next steps will be announced after the consultation closes and responses have been considered.

The Scottish Government will engage with COSLA, the General Teaching Council for Scotland, unions and pupils’ and parent representatives.

Schools are legally required to be open for 190 days each year, but the number of learning hours is currently not legally prescribed. Learning hours are the period of teaching that learners receive within the school day. In most cases, they do not include lunch and other break times or extra-curricular activities or provision such as breakfast clubs.

The Education Secretary announced plans in Parliament to introduce a new legal minimum number of school teaching hours earlier this year.

April 16, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : All new smart motorways scrapped [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 15 April 2023.

New smart motorways to be removed from government road-building plans due to financial pressures and lack of confidence felt by drivers.
- plans for new smart motorways will be cancelled in recognition of the current lack of public confidence felt by drivers and cost pressures
- smart motorways earmarked for construction during the third Road Investment Strategy (2025 to 2030) and previously paused schemes will now not go ahead
- existing smart motorways will continue to benefit from £900 million safety improvements
Plans for new smart motorways will be cancelled, delivering on the Prime Minister’s summer campaign pledge.

New smart motorways – including the 11 already paused from the second Road Investment Strategy (2020 to 2025) and the 3 earmarked for construction during the third Road Investment Strategy (2025 to 2030) – will be removed from government road-building plans, given financial pressures and in recognition of the current lack of public confidence felt by drivers.

Initial estimations suggest constructing future smart motorway schemes would have cost more than £1 billion and cancelling these schemes will allow more time to track public confidence in smart motorways over a longer period.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

All drivers deserve to have confidence in the roads they use to get around the country.

That’s why last year I pledged to stop the building of all new smart motorways, and today I’m making good on that promise.

Many people across the country rely on driving to get to work, to take their children to school and go about their daily lives and I want them to be able to do so with full confidence that the roads they drive on are safe.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

We want the public to know that this government is listening to their concerns.

Today’s announcement means no new smart motorways will be built, recognising the lack of public confidence felt by drivers and the cost pressures due to inflation.

Independent road safety campaigner, Meera Naran, whose 8-year-old son Dev, died in a motorway collision on the M6 in 2018, said:

Since successfully campaigning for the 18-point action plan, £900 million commitment and the pause in the roll out in January 2022, there has been a lot of joined up thinking in mutually coming to this decision.

I thank ministers and executives for inviting me to work alongside them in memory of Dev, towards a mutual goal and for their commitment over the years.

The government and National Highways continue to invest £900 million in further safety improvements on existing smart motorways.

This includes progressing plans on installing 150 extra emergency areas across the network in line with the commitments made in response to the Transport Select Committee, as well as further improving the performance of stopped vehicle detection technology on every all lane running smart motorway.

The government will also continue to give motorists clear advice when using existing smart motorways.

While no new stretches of road will be converted into smart motorways, the M56 J6-8 and M6 J21a-26 will be completed given they are already over three quarters constructed.
April 15, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Minimum Unit Pricing reducing alcohol deaths [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 21 March 2023.

Report estimates the policy has saved hundreds of lives.

Research which estimates 156 deaths were averted each year following the implementation of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) has been welcomed by the Public Health Minister Maree Todd.

A Public Health Scotland and University of Glasgow study indicates a 13.4% reduction in deaths, and a 4.1% reduction in hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol consumption in the first two and a half years after MUP was introduced in May 2018. The report also concludes the policy had reduced deaths and hospital admissions where alcohol consumption may have been a factor.

Researchers say they are confident there is a link between the introduction of MUP and the reduction in alcohol health harms. They also noted there had been significant reductions in deaths in areas of deprivation, suggesting MUP has helped reduce inequalities in alcohol-attributable deaths in Scotland.

Ms Todd said:

“I am very pleased with these findings which point to more than 150 lives a year being saved and 411 fewer hospital admissions, further underlining the value of our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing policy which has helped reduce alcohol sales to their lowest on record.

“We’re determined to do all we can to reduce alcohol-related harm which is one of the most pressing public health challenges that we face in Scotland.

“Minimum Unit Pricing continues to achieve its aim – cutting overall sales, particularly cheap high-strength alcohol, which is often drunk by people drinking at harmful levels.

“It’s also encouraging to see that the research has highlighted that the policy is having an effect in Scotland’s most deprived areas – which experience higher death rates and levels of harms from problem alcohol.”

Background

The study – published by PHS and the Lancet – focused on the first two-and-half years of the policy. It follows a previous report which estimated that alcohol sales had dropped by 3% after MUP. A report bringing together all the evaluation findings on MUP will be published in June this year.

PHS report – ‘Evaluating the impact of alcohol minimum unit pricing (MUP) on alcohol-attributable deaths and hospital admissions in Scotland’.

April 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Scottish Green freeports tax relief [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 17 March 2023.

Incentivising long-term investment.

Incentives for businesses to invest in Scotland’s two new green freeports are proposed in a new consultation.

Changes to Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) rules would offer full or partial relief from the tax on non-residential buildings and land in certain areas within the green freeports.

Relief would be available for a period of up to five years on land or property bought or leased for certain commercial activities.

The green freeports are expected to be operational later this year after being jointly announced by the Scottish and UK governments in January following a rigorous selection process.

The new tax relief will be one of a package of incentives available in the green freeport tax sites, which are designated, underdeveloped areas located in the wider green freeport boundaries.

The Scottish Government will also fund local authorities choosing to offer non-domestic rates relief for certain properties or property improvements within the tax sites for up to five years. This is alongside UK Government support of up to £52 million in start-up funding, and areas such as employer National Insurance relief and customs easements.

Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur said:

“We intend Scotland’s green freeports to become internationally competitive clusters of excellence. By offering LBTT relief we are trying to boost that process by encouraging businesses to expand and invest in underdeveloped sites with economic potential.

“Scotland’s green freeports aim to make a significant contribution to achieving our net zero ambitions and will drive the creation of high-quality, well-paid jobs with fair work practices at their heart, including the payment of the real Living Wage.

“I encourage all interested parties to respond to the consultation which is running for eight weeks. The Scottish Government will carefully consider all responses before regulations are introduced to the Scottish Parliament.”

Background

Consultation on proposed legislation for LBTT relief in Scotland’s green freeports

April 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Scottish Government Support for equalities and human rights groups [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 17 March 2023.

Funded organisations report on progress.

A fund that helps to tackle inequality and discrimination has supported more than 115,000 people in its first year.

The Scottish Government’s Equality and Human Rights Fund is providing £21 million in grants over three years to 48 organisations working with diverse communities to further equality and protect human rights.

Funded initiatives include advice helplines, mental wellbeing sessions, English classes and benefits advice.

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie visited the West of Scotland Regional Equality Council (WSREC) in Glasgow, to see how people have benefited from their work.

Ms McKelvie said:

“We want to build a fairer, more equal Scotland which is free from discrimination and where the human rights of everyone are respected, protected and fulfilled.

“I was very pleased to visit WSREC and see the range of activities that they deliver. For example, their cost of living advice service for people from minority ethnic communities has helped to boost family incomes and lift children out of poverty.

“WSREC is just one of 48 organisations that receive grants from the Equality and Human Rights Fund. From advocacy support to public education, these organisations are transforming the lives of the thousands of people that they work with.”

Ghzala Khan, Executive Director at WSREC, said:

“Based in Glasgow, the West of Scotland Regional Equality Council supports a range of minority ethnic communities across 12 local authorities.

“The Equality and Human Rights Fund has enabled us to deliver bi-lingual, culturally sensitive services to marginalised minority ethnic groups in the areas of advice and information, employability, direct discrimination, civic participation and health and wellbeing.

“Our work reduces inequality, increases opportunity, and supports people and families to achieve their full potential.”

Background

Equality and Human Rights Fund — second progress report.

The Equality and Human Rights Fund will distribute £21 million between October 2021 and September 2024.

48 organisations including Age Scotland, the British Deaf Association and Kairos Women+ are supported through the fund, aligning to six Scottish Government policy areas:
- Age
- Disability/British Sign Language (BSL)
- Gender
- LGBTI+
- Race
- Human rights
The fund is managed by Inspiring Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. Funded projects cover every local authority area in Scotland.
April 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : A ‘missed opportunity’ for meaningful action – Scottish Government Comment on Spring Budget [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 15 March 2023.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney has described the UK Government’s Spring Budget statement as “another missed opportunity” to help households, businesses and public services through the cost of living crisis.

He said Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt had failed to deploy the full range of powers available to him to mitigate the impact of soaring energy prices and high inflation.

While welcoming a number of individual measures such as the extension of the energy price guarantee – and with a typical household’s monthly energy bills set to rise by almost half from March to April – Mr Swinney said substantive actions such as restoring the Universal Credit uplift were notably absent.

He also called for the UK Government to inflation-proof the Scottish Government’s budget so it can better co-ordinate spending across Scotland.

Mr Swinney said:

“This UK Budget is another missed opportunity to take meaningful action to lift families out of poverty, invest in our public services and help businesses so that our economy can grow.

“Instead, the UK Government should have taken more substantive action to increase the Scottish Government’s budget so we can better align spending and deliver for people and organisations right across Scotland.

“While reversal of the planned increase in the energy price guarantee is welcome, with the end of the energy bills support payments, typical household monthly bills will still rise by more than half from March to April, at a time when wholesale energy costs are falling.

“Rising interest rates combined with reduced support means some people are expected to experience a larger fall in living standards this coming year than they have over the last 12 months.

“An uplift on Universal Credit and extending this to legacy benefits would have made a meaningful difference to households struggling to make ends meet.

“The limited additional money for the Scottish Government’s Budget is welcome but will not go far enough and in the long-term our capital funding will fall in real-terms. Without extra funding, we will have to find money from within the Scottish Budget to invest in public services, provide fair pay rises and help people with the cost of living.

“The Scottish Government is doing what it can with its limited powers to ensure people receive the help they need, but the UK Government’s could have done far more to ease the burden affecting so many, demonstrating yet again why Scotland needs the powers of independence.”

Background

In a letter to the Chancellor ahead of the Spring Budget, the Deputy First Minister had urged specific measures to help households, invest in public services and support the economy to grow – including reinstating the uplift to Universal Credit and providing tax incentives for businesses.

Ahead of the UK Budget, the Resolution Foundation estimated that typical incomes among non-pensioner households will fall by 4% in 2023-24 in real terms, compared to 3% in 2022-23.

April 14, 2023