Tag: Scottish Government

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.

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 22 December 2022.

The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill has been supported by the Scottish Parliament.

The legislation improves the system by which transgender people can apply for legal recognition through a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC).

Trans people aged 16 and older applying for a GRC will be required to make a legally binding declaration that they are already living in their acquired gender and intend to do so permanently.

The Bill includes safeguards against misuse of the system. It will be a criminal offence for applicants to make a false application. A new statutory aggravator and a risk‑based approach in relation to sex offences strengthen these protections.

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said:

“This is an historic day for equality in Scotland with the Gender Recognition Reform Bill being approved by parliament and by members of all parties.

“It simplifies and improves the process for a trans person to obtain a gender recognition certificate – which many currently find intrusive, medicalised and bureaucratic.

“The legislation makes no change to the reserved Equality Act 2010 and that principle is enshrined in the Bill. As I have made clear, the Scottish Government continues to support the provision of single-sex services and the rights of women.

“The passing of this bill is a significant step forward in creating a more equal Scotland, where trans people feel valued, included and empowered.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 21 December 2022.

Details of how more than £13.2 billion in Scottish Government funding for 2023-24 will be distributed among local authorities have been published.

They include a cash increase in day-to-day revenue funding of 3.5% for next year, compared with the 2022-23 Scottish Budget.

The settlement represents a total cash increase of £570 million or 4.5%. This is equivalent to a real terms rise of 1.3% to support vital council services and follows the most challenging Scottish Budget settlement since devolution.

The Scottish Government has enabled local authorities to make their own local decisions, with financial flexibility on council tax, employability and homelessness services, as well as early learning and schools workforce provision.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:

“I recognise the challenge which local councils face in delivering services during the current bleak economic climate.

“The 2023-24 Budget confirms that, despite the most turbulent economic and financial context that most people can remember, and the huge pressure on public finances, we are providing councils with a real terms budget increase of 1.3% next year.

“Local government had sought even more funding but – candidly – there was no way in the current climate we were going to be able to meet the request in full. The entire country is having to make difficult choices, including government and local authorities, but we have managed to find an extra £570 million for councils on top of last year’s budget allocations.

“We are building flexibility and autonomy into how budgets can be spent, but a more fundamental shift is required. We will work with local authorities to review how public services are delivered, so that they are designed around the needs and interests of the people and communities of Scotland.

“That means tackling problems through early intervention before they become acute. It means creating a more effective way of working together with local government by focusing on outcomes, not process.”

Background

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE 2023-24: TOTAL REVENUE SUPPORT
	2022-23	2023-24	Increase	Increase
Local Authority	£m	£m	£m	%
Aberdeen City	390.6	435.9	45.3	11.6
Aberdeenshire	499.6	539.0	39.4	7.9
Angus	237.9	255.4	17.5	7.3
Argyll & Bute	219.7	232.5	12.8	5.8
Clackmannanshire	110.2	118.7	8.4	7.7
Dumfries & Galloway	329.0	354.7	25.7	7.8
Dundee City	338.0	359.9	21.9	6.5
East Ayrshire	268.7	290.8	22.1	8.2
East Dunbartonshire	217.7	232.8	15.1	6.9
East Lothian	203.6	221.0	17.5	8.6
East Renfrewshire	205.5	222.3	16.8	8.2
Edinburgh, City of	872.9	948.9	76.0	8.7
Eilean Siar	103.7	108.6	4.9	4.7
Falkirk	327.6	352.0	24.4	7.4
Fife	760.8	820.4	59.5	7.8
Glasgow City	1,407.9	1,529.3	121.4	8.6
Highland	523.6	559.7	36.2	6.9
Inverclyde	187.8	200.7	12.9	6.9
Midlothian	190.3	204.7	14.5	7.6
Moray	188.9	204.8	15.9	8.4
North Ayrshire	314.5	337.7	23.2	7.4
North Lanarkshire	719.4	774.9	55.5	7.7
Orkney	83.9	89.6	5.7	6.8
Perth & Kinross	294.8	320.4	25.6	8.7
Renfrewshire	365.2	393.2	28.1	7.7
Scottish Borders	243.0	260.1	17.1	7.0
Shetland	98.8	103.1	4.3	4.3
South Ayrshire	235.8	256.0	20.2	8.6
South Lanarkshire	651.9	702.9	50.9	7.8
Stirling	196.1	209.8	13.7	7.0
West Dunbartonshire	213.5	228.7	15.2	7.1
West Lothian	369.7	402.4	32.8	8.9
Undistributed	482.9	125.5	-357.4	-74.0
Scotland	11,853.6	12,396.5	542.9	4.6

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 21 December 2022.

Ministers have reached an agreement with social landlords on below-inflation rent increases for the next financial year.

Organisations representing social landlords have announced their members’ plans for average rent increases for 2023-24, which will keep rents significantly below private market levels.

Under the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act 2022, rents are effectively frozen in the social rented sectors until 31 March 2023. Decisions on future plans for the private sector rent freeze, as well as other measures contained in the Act, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie said:

“Our emergency legislation has given people – whether they rent in the private or social rented sector – reassurance within their current tenancies through the worst of the winter, even as their other costs have been rising.

“We recognise the enormous pressures households are facing, and by making this announcement now we aim to give social tenants advance notice, and confidence that any rent increase will be well below inflation.

“The statements of intent from the social rented sector, based on consultations with tenants, will keep rents affordable while allowing social landlords to continue investing in essential services such as home improvements and maintenance.”

Councillor Maureen Chalmers, COSLA’s Community Wellbeing Spokesperson, said:

“This is good news for Local Authority tenants from Scotland’s Council Leaders today.

“In balancing the wide range of competing factors, Leaders with housing stock will seek to reach agreement with tenants over any increase in rents for the year 2023-24. Councils’ consultative arrangements would normally allow them, subject to approval of local governance structures, to raise rents annually to meet rising costs.

“During these difficult times, as providers of social housing and Gypsy/Traveller pitch or site provision, we intend to keep the rental and fee increases to an average of less than £5 a week across the country.”

Sally Thomas, Chief Executive at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), said:

“We welcome the fact that Scottish Government has worked closely with the sector, to understand the evidence and avoid unintended consequences of this legislation, and to find a collaborative way forward. Investing in good quality, warm homes for social rent is crucial to tackling poverty in Scotland and protecting new and existing tenants from the increasing cost of living.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 21 December 2022.

The UK Government has been urged to act to end the long-running dispute over pay and conditions on the railways that continues to disrupt services in Scotland.

The First Minister and the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) called on all parties involved in the dispute to come together to seek resolution.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“The Scottish Government has maintained constructive discussions with the trades unions and settled our own pay negotiations by embracing the concept of fair work. Despite this, passengers in Scotland still face severe disruption as a direct result of the ongoing UK-wide rail dispute between Network Rail, UK Government rail operators and the trades unions and Network Rail employees in Scotland face entering the New Year still with no pay rise.

“The repercussions of this dispute, and the UK Government’s refusal to engage constructively with the trades unions, are continuing to have a major impact not only for the rail workers but for passengers, freight, businesses and the wider public in Scotland over the festive period and into 2023. The Secretary of State for Transport must intervene immediately and work with the trades unions to secure a railway that benefits users, staff and the wider public.”

Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary, said:

“We all want to see an end to the rail dispute, and for workers to be awarded a fair pay offer that is not conditional on cuts to staffing and services. In Scotland workers have already agreed their pay claim, but we are still seeing widespread disruption on our railways.

“This is due to the combative approach to negotiations taken by the UK Government which has led to the protracted dispute between Network Rail and the UK Government.

“The rail unions and Scottish Government have come to a negotiated settlement and we need the UK Government to take a similar approach that results in workers at Network Rail and other UK-Government-controlled rail companies getting the deal they deserve.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 21 December 2022.

Scotland’s onshore GDP increased by 0.4% in October, according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician. Output remains above the pre-pandemic level of February 2020, by 0.5%.

In the three months to October, GDP is estimated to have fallen by 0.1% compared to the previous three month period. This indicates a slight increase in growth in Quarter 4 so far, after GDP fell by 0.2% in 2022 Quarter 3 (July to September).

Output in the services sector, which accounts for around three quarters of the economy, increased by 0.3% in October. Output in agriculture, forestry and fishing, construction and production increased by 0.6%.

Background

The latest publication is available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/gdp-monthly-estimate-october-2022/

All results are seasonally adjusted and presented in real terms (adjusted to remove inflation). GDP growth relates to Scotland’s onshore economy, which means it does not include the output of offshore oil and gas extraction.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures the output of the economy in Scotland. The monthly estimates have been developed to help track the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These are designated as experimental official statistics. This means that they are still in development but have been released to enable their use at an early stage. All results are provisional and subject to relatively high levels of uncertainty.

Further information on GDP statistics is available at http://www.gov.scot/gdp

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 20 December 2022.

A range of measures to help children, parents and carers with costs around school have been set out in the Scottish Government’s budget. These include expansion of free school meals in primary schools, holiday food provision and investment to ensure the school clothing grant national minimum of £120 for primary pupils and £150 for secondary pupils.

The spending plans for 2023-24 allocates £4.85 billion of funding across the education and skills portfolio, including measures to address the cost of living crisis.

New investment will see free school meals expanded to primary six and seven pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment – the next step in Scottish Government plans to deliver universal free school meals in primary schools.

It also includes £22 million of continued support to provide meals during the school holidays to children who need them most, along with £200 million for the Scottish Attainment Challenge.

In addition, the budget allocates £50 million of funding to continue to support the Whole Family Wellbeing programme of activity, a key pillar of The Promise, to support families to thrive.

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

“I am committed to improving the life chances of all Scotland’s children, young people and learners. The measures set out in these spending plans are driven by our ambition to enable everybody to reach their full potential.

“We know the toll that the cost of living crisis has taken on families and households across Scotland and investment is being made in a range of important measures which will help mitigate the impact of this.

“The expansion of free school meals in primary schools continues, providing a benefit in kind of around £400 per child for families, while the ongoing investment in the school clothing grant and access to digital devices will help those who need it most.

“Our ongoing commitment to free university tuition means that, unlike elsewhere in the UK, Scottish domiciled students do not incur additional debt of up to £27,750, and average student loan debt in Scotland remains the lowest in the UK.

“In Scotland we also have the most teachers-per-pupil, along with the highest per-pupil education spend anywhere in the UK. We will continue to provide local authorities with funding of £145.5 million per year to support the teaching workforce, as part of the overall local government settlement of £13.2 billion.

“Our commitment to closing the poverty related-attainment gap remains paramount and that is why we will invest a further £200 million next year in the Scottish Attainment Challenge – as part of our £1 billion commitment in this Parliament.”

The measures set out in the budget to help reduce the cost of school include:

• Providing more than £13 million to uprate the School Clothing Grant in line with inflation.
• Investing an additional £16 million resource and £80 million capital to fund the expansion of Free School Meals for all Primary 6 and 7 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment, as the next step in fulfilling the commitment to universal provision in primary schools
• Continuing to invest £22 million to provide meals during school holidays to the children who need them most.
• Maintaining subsidy arrangements for the provision of milk and working with partners on a phased approach to the delivery of a universal milk scheme, aligned to the expansion of free school meals.
• Investing £20 million towards the commitment to ensure every school-aged child, over the lifetime of the parliament, has access to a digital device to support their learning
• Investment of nearly £2 billion towards Scotland’s universities and colleges to support delivery of high-quality education and training. This includes a cash increase of £20 million in the Higher Education resource budget compared to 2022-23, and a cash increase of £33.7 million in the Further Education resource and capital budget.

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 20 December 2022.

A total of £964 million has been allocated to the Rural Affairs and Islands portfolio in the Scottish budget.

More than £620 million will provide ongoing agricultural support ensuring stability to farmers, crofters and land managers in 2023-24.

It comes as the first tranche of the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme payments are set to arrive in bank accounts ahead of schedule before Christmas.

The National Test Programme, which is helping farmers and crofters achieve statutory emissions targets, will see year two funded with £20 million.

Less Favoured Area Support Scheme payments are being made a month ahead of previous years and total £55.8 million.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “Our farmers and crofters are vital to Scotland’s economy and the Scottish Budget 2023-24 reflects that.

“Despite the difficult financial circumstances we, like governments all over the world, are faced with, the Scottish Government has sought to protect financial support for our farmers – to provide cash flow certainty amid these extremely challenging times.

“In addition, £405.5  million of Basic Payment Scheme and Greening payments have already been made to 17,001 farmers and crofters.”

“Within the latest budget, those working the land in the most remote and fragile areas will continue to receive support through the Less Favoured Areas Scheme, which has been allocated £65 million.”

“Our ambition to make Scotland a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture is underlined by £44 million of funding.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 19 December 2022.

Thousands of vulnerable households will be supported by the continuation of the Scottish Government’s uprated £20 million Fuel Insecurity Fund.

Announced as part of last week’s Scottish Budget 2023-24, the investment will enable third sector partners to continue to provide support to households who are at risk of self-disconnection or self-rationing their energy use. While the Scottish Government remains committed to engaging with the UK Government to deliver a referendum on Scottish Independence, funding that was originally earmarked for a referendum in 2023 will now be used to help tackle fuel poverty.

Last week’s Scottish Budget included additional steps to address inequality while tackling the climate emergency including increased investment of over £366 million next year to support the delivery of the Heat in Buildings Strategy. It forms part of a package of measures introduced by the Scottish Government to protect the most vulnerable households from the impact of the current cost of living crisis.

The decisions taken through the Emergency Budget Review in November enabled the Scottish Government to provide additional immediate support to people most impacted by the cost of living crisis, specifically rising energy prices, by doubling the Fuel Insecurity Fund to £20 million this year. The Scottish Budget is now protecting that investment into 2023-24.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings Patrick Harvie met with people on the frontline of tackling fuel poverty, while visiting the Wise Group in Glasgow, a social enterprise working to lift people out of poverty by providing mentoring support to help with employment and life skills and offering energy advice.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“People across our country are paying a steep price for the economic mismanagement of the UK Government, with the cost of living forcing many to choose between heating their home or eating – the Fuel Insecurity Fund aims to stop that happening.

“The Scottish Government has, and always will, use its currently limited powers to the maximum extent in order to meet the challenges being faced by the people of Scotland right now. Powers relating to energy markets are reserved to the UK Government, so I am renewing my call for further and more urgent action, to support the most vulnerable households.

“With this intervention – as with many others the Scottish Government has set out – we are having to divert funding into policies that aim to minimise the impact on people as a direct result of UK Government policy.

“The full powers of independence would enable us to make different choices and help people facing the devastating consequences of the cost of living crisis.”

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings and Tenants’ Rights Patrick Harvie said:

“Everyone needs a safe, warm and affordable place to call home and yet despite this we know that many people are struggling under the weight of their energy bills and wider cost of living pressures. Last week, the Scottish Budget confirmed £366m for insulating homes and buildings and tackling fuel poverty as part of our £1.8 billion commitment to Heat in Buildings over this Parliament.

“That is essential work to make sure that Scotland has warmer homes which are cheaper to heat for decades ahead.  We also need the full range of powers on matters like energy pricing, consumer protection and energy supply to make the biggest possible difference. But right now, the Fuel Insecurity Fund is a lifeline to many people struggling most with fuel poverty which is why we have made the commitment for next year.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 19 December 2022.

Almost £3.4 billion will be invested across the justice system in 2023-24 to fund vital front-line services, provide continued support for victims and witnesses, and to tackle the causes of offending.

Underlining the Scottish Budget’s priority to support sustainable public services despite the cost-of-living crisis, the funding represents an increase of £165 million or a 5.8% increase on this year’s justice resource budget.

Recognising the crucial role Police Scotland officers and staff play keeping our communities safe, the service will receive substantial additional resource funding of £80 million in the next financial year, a 6.3% increase. Police capital funding has been maintained at £45.5 million for investment in assets including the estate, fleet and technology. This brings the policing budget to £1.45 billion for 2023-24.

Equal access to justice for all is a key priority for the Scottish Government, with an additional £3 million allocated in the budget to safeguard Legal Aid, and £3 million to strengthen access to Justice, to benefit deprived communities and vulnerable groups.

Funding of more than £42 million will be maintained to continue to reduce the backlog of court cases built up during the COVID-19 period and for community justice services, including alternatives to remand. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will receive a £10 million increase to support service delivery and the Scottish Prison Service gets an additional £29 million to support a modern and safe prison system.

Justice Secretary Keith Brown said:

“This Budget will support vital front-line services, provide support for victims and witnesses, and allow us to tackle the underlying drivers of offending.

“Our investment in policing has helped deliver historically low recorded crime rates, we have more police officers per head of population than England and Wales and new officers here start on significantly higher salaries that those in the rest of the UK.

“The further increase of £80 million to police budgets next year builds on this solid track record to keep our communities safe.

“In this difficult financial landscape it is prudent we bring absolute focus to our key priorities which is why this Budget also continues essential funding to provide emotional and practical support for victims, while safeguarding Legal Aid and equal access to justice both now and into the future.

“Across the whole justice sector, this Budget will support delivery of our transformative reforms in a low crime environment where people feel safe.”