Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 4 January 2023.

Professor John McKendrick has been appointed as the new Commissioner for Fair Access to Higher Education in Scotland.

Currently Professor of Social Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University, he will work across Scotland’s education system to champion increased representation at university for students from the country’s most deprived areas.

Prof McKendrick succeeds Prof Sir Peter Scott who stepped down as Scotland’s inaugural Commissioner for Fair Access last year after six years in the role.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that students from the 20% most deprived communities will represent 20% of entrants to Scottish universities by 2030, and steady progress has been made towards this in recent years.

Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, Youth Employment & Training Jamie Hepburn said:

“I would like to thank Peter Scott for his tireless hard work and effort during his time as Commissioner. I have no doubt that Prof McKendrick will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, alongside a strong passion for widening access to higher education.

“More students from our most deprived areas are attending university than ever before – we have already exceeded the first interim target to have 16% of all entrants to Scottish universities from the 20% most deprived areas.

“This progress is extremely encouraging, but we know we have more to do. Prof McKendrick’s appointment provides an excellent opportunity to continue to drive progress on fairer access to higher education for all at such a pivotal juncture.”

Prof McKendrick said:

“It is a great honour to be appointed Commissioner for Fair Access and I relish the opportunity of working with those committed to tackling inequalities in access.

“Progress has been made toward meeting the ambitious 2030 target to widen access, but the world in which we live has changed. The Covid pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis have intensified the problems for those already facing most disadvantage.

“We now need to upscale our efforts to widen access in Higher Education, if Scotland is to prosper as a high-skill economy, and to do so as an inclusive society.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 3 January 2023.

First-time buyers and others on low to medium incomes are being encouraged to take advantage of the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme to help buy a home in 2023.

The scheme allows people to buy a home without having to fund its entire cost and is available across Scotland to these people who face particular barriers to the housing market:

• people aged 60 and over
• first time buyers
• social renters (people who rent from the council or a housing association)
• disabled people
• members of the armed forces
• veterans who have left the armed forces within the past two years
• widows, widowers and other bereaved partners of service personnel for up to two years after their partner has lost their life while serving

Housing Secretary Shona Robison said:

“We recognise the challenges people are facing in this cost of living crisis and we want to help as many people as possible to buy an affordable home this new year.

“This scheme puts applicants on a more level playing field with other buyers when purchasing an affordable home. Buyers can purchase a share of a property while holding the full title, with the Scottish Government funding the remaining share under a shared equity agreement.

“Scotland continues to be a great place to buy a first home and has led the way in the delivery of affordable housing across the UK. We have now delivered almost 113,000 affordable homes since 2007, over 79,000 of which were for social rent.

“If you’re from one of the priority groups and would like to own a home, I’d encourage you to consider the Open Market Shared Equity scheme.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 2 January 2023.

Scotland’s ambition to become Europe’s leading space nation by 2030 is being given a boost under the guidance of a group of global experts from the space industry.

The Scotland International Space Advisory Committee (SISAC) consists of members of the Scottish Government’s GlobalScot programme – a network of Scots in business around the world – who have come together voluntarily to provide advice and identify opportunities to achieve a £4 billion share of the global space market and 20,000 jobs in the sector over the next seven years.

Scotland is making huge advances in the space sector, with the first orbital launch from Scottish soil due in 2023. Both SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland and Space Hub Sutherland – working alongside Scottish-based launch manufacturers – are months away from lift off. Space Hub Sutherland will host launches by owners Orbex from next year. SaxaVord Spaceport will offer a multi-pad, multi-user, launch facility with multiple launch partners, including Scottish-based Skyrora which has developed its own eco-friendly fuel, Ecosene, made of waste plastics.

As well as its launch capabilities, Scotland is also world leading in small satellite manufacturing, with Glasgow building more satellites than any other place in Europe. Expertise in data gathering and analysis makes Scotland the data driven capital of Europe, hosting the largest centre for informatics and having more than 170 data sciences companies. And our world class research institutions have been demonstrated, as Scottish skills and innovation played an important role in the development of the instruments on board the James Webb Space Telescope.

Business Minister Ivan McKee said:

“Space brings great opportunity for Scotland in terms of the economic development it delivers, its relevance for the climate change agenda and the power it has to inspire the next generation. That is why the Scottish Government has identified it as a priority in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation

“The space sector is a key opportunity for the future, and we will continue to build on our strengths. The expertise and insight offered by the members of SISAC will be hugely beneficial to our progress.

“I am grateful to the members of this new committee for volunteering to come together to help Scotland live up to its full potential in growing the space sector.”

Chair of SISAC Joanna Peters said:

“It is the intent of the SISAC to help fuel and ignite a national passion toward a space-based economy by capitalising on its strong heritage of exploration, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

“Working with the GlobalScot organisation and our network of national and international leaders, we aim to develop strategic recommendations, building upon precise and transparent advocacy, influence, consultation, and development.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 31 December 2022.

The people of Scotland must be given a choice about their future given the damage inflicted by Brexit, Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson has said.

Marking two years since the end of the transition period to leave the European Union after 47 years of membership, Mr Robertson highlighted the negative impacts Brexit continues to have on Scotland’s economy.

Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson said:

“The damages caused by Brexit just continue to mount. In the two years since the end of the transition period, we have seen no advantages to leaving the European Union. The cost of living crisis and recession are being felt more deeply in the UK than anywhere else, with recent research showing food bills in the UK are £210 higher in the last two years due to Brexit. Households on the lowest incomes are the hardest hit.

“The UK economy is fundamentally on the wrong path and there is no real alternative on offer within the current system. The Scottish Government is committed to giving the people of Scotland a choice about the future they want – a greener, wealthier and fairer economy within the European Union, or a sluggish, stagnating economy outside of the European Union. We will continue to publish the Building a New Scotland series of prospectus papers to ensure people can make that informed choice.

“According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, UK GDP is expected to be 4% lower as a consequence of Brexit – this equates to around £100 billion in output and £40 billion in public revenues lost each and every year. Businesses are suffering from lower exports to the EU, labour shortages and recruitment challenges. These issues are also affecting our NHS, with new research by the Nuffield Trust showing that lower EU migration is exacerbating staff shortages.

“Scotland is and always has been a proud European nation and we’re determined to continue to be an active and constructive participant on EU matters, which will ease the process of Scotland’s future return to the EU. This is in stark contrast to the approach being taken by the UK Government, intent on undermining retained EU law which will be hugely damaging to people and businesses in Scotland.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 30 December 2022.

The introduction of Adult Disability Payment, further automation and the increase and extension of Scottish Child Payment has seen more people apply for and get financial support they are entitled to.

Thousands of people have also had their benefit awards transferred to Social Security Scotland from the Department of Work and Pensions.

In March, Adult Disability Payment, which replaces the UK Government’s Personal Independence Payment and is the most complex benefit to be introduced so far, was launched as a pilot project before being made available to eligible disabled adults aged 16 to state pension age in Scotland at the end of August.

In November, Scottish Child Payment increased to £25 and was extended to include eligible children up to age 16 and around 385,000 children are now expected to be eligible.

At the same time, Social Security Scotland introduced further automation. Families and carers who already get Scottish Child Payment will now automatically be paid Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age payments when their child is eligible.

Automatic payments continued for around 90,000 carers eligible for the December payment of Carers Allowance Supplement, as well as around 23,000 disabled children and young people who received Child Winter Heating Assistance to help heat their homes.

Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said:

“There is no doubt that 2022 has been the biggest and most complex year yet for Social Security Scotland. Creating a new social security system at pace has not been a simple task, but the progress made since 2018 has been substantial.

“Introducing Adult Disability Payment to replace the DWP’s Personal Independence Payment was a significant milestone in the growth of the Scottish social security system and marked a step change, delivering an improved experience for disabled people that is compassionate and rooted in trust.

“With many people facing financial hardship during the ongoing cost of living crisis, extending the Scottish Child Payment to under 16 year olds means that now hundreds of thousands more children will get much needed extra financial support.

“Investing in social security is a priority for the Scottish Government. Our commitment in the 2023-24 Budget to uprate benefits by 10.1% will mean more support going to people on low-incomes, disabled people, carers and young people right across Scotland at a time when many are facing tough financial challenges.

“Though there is still much work to do, we are creating a system to be proud of  and building strong foundations to serve Scotland for generations to come, treating people with dignity, fairness and respect. Social security is a human right and an investment in creating a fairer society, together.”

Dad Martin, whose daughter has learning difficulties, says receiving benefits helped his daughter flourish.

He said: “I went on the website and applied for Child Disability Payment. When I got accepted I went from having nothing at the end of the month to having £97 left. This enabled me to do so many things with my daughter and because of that she has flourished.”

Another young woman who received the Young Carer’s Grant this year, said: “It had a positive impact because I needed new clothes so I spent about £100 on clothes and then I shared the rest of the grant with my brother and sister.”

A mum who received School Age Payment for their child said: “I applied for this grant for my child when she started primary one. It was a great help to us to cover the costs of school uniforms and accessories required for school. I would urge all parents to apply for this grant.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 30 December 2022.

Scotland is missing out on more than £300 million in European support under the UK Government’s replacement funding programme.

As the first payments are made to local authorities through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Employment Minister Richard Lochhead said Scotland is suffering from a 60% shortfall in financial help.

The UK Government promised its UK Shared Prosperity Fund would replace in full all EU funding lost to Scotland after Brexit. But it has only allocated £212 million to Scotland over a three-year period, when EU funding would have been worth around £549 million over three years – a shortfall of £337 million.

The new fund is distributed exclusively through local authorities, excluding national, community and Third Sector groups, risking the loss of the services which these organisations provided. The UK Government has also taken sole responsibility for use of the funds; previously the Scottish Government allocated EU funding to ensure the needs of Scotland’s people and communities were properly met.

Mr Lochhead said:

“EU structural funds have made a real difference across the country, helping more people into work and delivering new skills through better training and support. This welcome contribution from the EU has been eradicated by Brexit and the UK Government’s replacement for EU funding has fallen far short in both the quality and quantity of what is required.

“The UK Government has ignored the devolution settlement and failed to recognise the authority of the Scottish Government in devolved areas. This replacement for EU funding ought to be fully devolved, allowing funding to flow to regions and communities in line with shared Scottish policies, designed to best serve Scottish needs.

“Shared Prosperity has also left local authorities racing against the clock to spend their funding by March, or face losing it and see their plans reduced to tatters due to the UK Government’s delay in only now agreeing the allocations.

“The approach taken thus far by the UK Government is against the principles of partnership working and risks diluting Scottish Government efforts to transform the economy and support families and sustainable public services during this cost of living crisis.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 28 December 2022.

Scottish households have saved more than £3 billion in council tax since the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme was introduced almost ten years ago.

The latest figures published by the Scottish Government show 456,790 recipients received CTR in October 2022, meaning around one-in-five households were benefiting from the scheme.

People on low incomes are eligible for CTR if they live in Scotland – there is no equivalent benefit in England where most councils require each household to contribute a minimum amount of council tax, irrespective of ability to do so.

People who receive CTR save on average £750 a year and become eligible for up to 35% off their water and waste charges.

Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur said:

“The Council Tax Reduction scheme celebrates its tenth anniversary in April 2023 and these latest figures show the scale of support it has provided to people in Scotland over the last decade.

“The cost of living crisis is disproportionately affecting poorer households and now, more than ever, it is important everyone is aware of the help that is available.

“Some people are also eligible for other council tax discounts or sometimes full exemptions, including students, people with disabilities and carers amongst others.

“I urge people to check their eligibility for council tax reduction and other financial support by visiting our online resources or by contacting their local council.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 27 December 2022.

Ensuring Scotland looks outwards will be even more vital in 2023 for creating opportunities and delivering on our priorities, External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson has said.

He said the Scottish Government’s international network of nine offices will continue working with the enterprise agencies to attract further investment, jobs and opportunities to Scotland.

This will build on the efforts of recent years which saw Scotland named in the 2022 EY Attractiveness Survey as the most successful nation or region in the UK outside of London in attracting Foreign Direct Investment.

The network will also help to protect and promote Scotland’s interests in the EU and beyond – something that is even more important after Brexit, the Cabinet Secretary said.

The international offices will also look to capitalise on the opportunities flowing from the transition to net zero, including building on agreements with regional governments in Germany to develop partnerships on hydrogen.

Mr Robertson said:

“We are determined that Scotland continues to be a good global citizen and makes a constructive contribution to addressing global challenges. Our international activity creates opportunities at home, broadens horizons, attracts high-quality investment and ultimately benefits Scotland’s people and communities.

“This year saw the landmark opening of the Copenhagen hub.  This will enhance Scotland’s economic and cultural visibility in the Nordic region and enable us to benefit from the experience of Nordic governments in delivering our net zero transition and tackling inequality. We can also look forward to the opening of a further hub in Warsaw before the end of the current parliament, which will support a rich history of education, people-to-people and cultural links between Scotland and Central Europe.

“The international network is instrumental in attracting inward investment and creating domestic opportunities.  With the UK economy entering recession and the continuing impact of Brexit on the economy, jobs and trade, it is vital we continue to look outwards, learn from others and do all we can to attract investment and opportunities to Scotland and grow our economy sustainably.

“Having people working in place in a country or region is hugely beneficial to Scotland. On trade and investment, net zero transition, higher education, tourism, culture and people to people links, our international network will play a vital role next year in helping Scotland build a greener, fairer, wealthier economy and all the benefits that will bring to families, communities and businesses across the country.”

Background

The nine Scottish Government offices are located in Brussels, London, Ireland, France, Germany, USA, Canada, China and Denmark. These offices work alongside Scottish Development International – the trade and inward investment agency arm of Scottish Enterprise – and its network of trade and investment offices  The offices work with partners to help:

• attract investment to Scotland
• help businesses to trade internationally
• facilitate policy exchange enabling Scotland to learn from other countries
• promote cultural exchanges and events
• promote and secure Scottish research and innovations capability, partnerships and funding
• protect and enhance Scotland’s interests in the EU and beyond

“Team Scotland” comprises a broader range of partners supporting efforts across trade, investment, higher education, culture and diplomacy.  This includes:

• a growing network of more than 1,100 GlobalScots
• 11 Trade Envoys in Indonesia, UAE, Spain, Singapore, Scotland, Poland and USA
• alumni and diaspora groups
• public and private sector bodies (e.g. Creative Scotland, Universities Scotland) with their own international connections

The 2022 EY Annual Attractiveness 2022 survey found Scotland was the most successful nation or region in the UK outside London for the 7th year running, in attracting Foreign Direct Investment. Read the EY’s 2022 Attractiveness Survey.

Scottish Enterprise figures show that support from trade and inward investment agency Scottish Development International (SDI) to companies across Scotland in 2021-22 will result in £1.44 billion of planned international sales over the next three years.

Scotland’s international network has served and been supported by Ministers from a range of administrations for decades. The work of the network is in line with the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive which also maintain networks of international offices.