Tag: Scottish Office

The press release issued by the Scotland Office on 8 October 2025.

A Prime Minister-led trade mission to India this week will drive home the benefits of the landmark UK – India trade deal for Scottish businesses. The deal is set to grow the Scottish economy by £190 million a year.

Scotch whisky is a big winner in the UK Government’s deal with India, the best deal that any country has ever agreed with the fourth largest economy in the world. Indian import tariffs on Scotch are set to be slashed, meaning a potential increase in sales to India of £1 billion a year, growing market share in the world’s largest whisky market.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander and representatives of the whisky Industry are now set to press home the advantages of the historic trade deal with India as part of the Prime Minister’s trade mission this week. The trip will include key meetings with senior Indian government ministers and businesses, to deepen the trade and diplomatic relationships between Scotland and India.

Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said:

“The historic trade deal the UK Government struck with India this year is great news for Scotland and especially our whisky industry. But, having secured the deal, our challenge and responsibility now is to put this deal into action. That requires implementation of the deal by the governments of India and the UK, and the utilisation of the deal by British and Indian businesses.

“Leading this trade mission, the Prime Minister will be beating the drum for Scotland’s finest products. With the strength and support of the UK Government they can be world-reaching in terms of export markets.

“Over the last year, as Trade Minister, I’ve worked closely with the Scotch Whisky Association and other Scottish businesses. I understand the challenges they face and that this deal with India could be transformative for the industry over the long term. On this trade mission we will be looking to take full advantage of the opportunities this crucial trade deal brings for Scotland.”

Before being appointed Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr Alexander was Trade Policy Minister in the Department of Business and Trade and part of the team that helped secure the UK – India trade deal, as well as the trade deals with the US and EU.

Mark Kent, Chief Executive at the Scotch Whisky Association, said:

“We’re delighted to join this visit following the efforts of the UK Government to secure the UK – India Free Trade Agreement, and look forward to its swift and smooth implementation. Delivering liberalised tariffs on all our exports to India will open up access to the world’s largest whisky market in the years to come and give greater choice to Indian consumers.”

The Business and Trade Secretary, Peter Kyle, and the Investment Minister, Lord Jason Stockwood, will also form part of the UK Government’s delegation to India.

The press release issued by the Scotland Office on 31 August 2025.

£10 billion boost expected to support 103 Scottish businesses including 54 small and medium enterprises.

• Major partnership with Norway set to secure 2,000 jobs in Scotland until the late 2030s with a further 2,000 roles sustained across the wider UK supply chain.
• Deal will see a combined fleet of 13 Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates – eight British and at least five Norwegian – operate jointly in Northern Europe, significantly strengthening NATO’s northern flank

Billions of pounds will be pumped into the Scottish economy following Norway’s decision to select Glasgow-built warships for their Armed Forces – securing thousands of jobs in Scotland for years to come.

The UK will supply Norway with Type 26 frigates in a historic deal worth £10 billion announced today, cementing Scotland’s position as a world leader in naval shipbuilding, and on the government’s Plan for Change.

The deal supports 2,000 jobs at BAE Systems’ shipyards in Glasgow and a further 2,000 roles across the UK maritime supply chain until the late 2030s. The agreement is expected to support 103 Scottish businesses which includes 54 small and medium enterprises

Norway’s selection of the UK’s world leading Type 26 frigates builds on decades of close cooperation between NATO allies and strengthens both nations’ strategic partnership and maritime security in the face of increasing Russian threats in northern Europe. Both Australia and Canada have also bought a licence to build their own ships based on the Type 26 design for their Navies.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“This £10 billion deal is what our Plan for Change is about – creating jobs, driving growth and protecting national security for working people.

“This government has forged new partnerships across the world to deliver for people at home and the export of our world leading Type 26 frigates to Norway will do exactly that, supporting well-paid jobs up and down the United Kingdom, from apprentices to engineers.

“This success is testament to the thousands of people across the country who are not just delivering this next generation capabilities for our Armed Forces but also national security for the UK, our Norwegian partners and NATO for years to come.”

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:

“Norway’s decision to choose Scottish-built frigates demonstrates the tremendous success of our shipbuilding industry and showcases the world-class skills and expertise of our workforce on the Clyde.

“This contract is another ‘defence dividend’ for Scotland and supports thousands of jobs and reinforces Scotland’s vital contribution to both UK prosperity and international security. The deal demonstrates that when we back Scottish industry, it delivers for communities, workers, and our allies.”

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

“For over 75 years, Britain and Norway have stood together on NATO’s northern and north-eastern frontiers, keeping the UK and Europe safe. This historic defence deal deepens our strategic partnership.

“With Norway, we will train, operate, deter, and – if necessary – fight together. Our navies will work as one, leading the way in NATO, with this deal putting more world-class warships in the North Atlantic to hunt Russian submarines, protect our critical infrastructure, and keep both our nations secure.

“This deal confirms Scotland’s place as a world leader in shipbuilding. It will support 2,000 high-skilled jobs in Scotland for the next 15 years and beyond, driving forward this Government’s Plan for Change and making defence an engine for growth.”

The frigates are designed for anti-submarine warfare – strengthening the strategic partnership and maritime security of both nations in the face of increasing Russian threats in northern Europe.

The decision comes ahead of a new UK-Norway defence agreement that will bolster Euro-Atlantic security while bringing the two defence industries closer together to boost jobs, growth, and innovation.

The press release issued by the Scotland Office on 13 August 2025.

Public spending is £2,669 per person in higher in Scotland, according to new Scottish Government figures.

The Scottish Government’s Government Expenditure and Revenue (GERS) figures for 2024-25 show that people in Scotland benefit by £2,669 more per head of additional spending compared to the UK average, as a result of the redistribution of wealth throughout the UK, and the impact of our Plan for Change. This is an increase of £358 on the previous year [£2,311 in 2023-24].

In 2024-25, £91.4 billion in tax receipts was raised in Scotland through devolved and reserved taxation, compared to £117.6 billion in public spending for Scotland. That works out to 8.0 per cent of UK revenue and 9.1 per cent of spending.

The figures also reveal that the ‘notional deficit’, or net fiscal balance, in Scotland grew to around £26.5 billion, or 11.7 per cent of GDP, more than double the UK deficit of 5.1 per cent of GDP. This is an increase of £5.1 billion on the previous year [£21.4 billion in 2023-24].

The UK Government is committed to retaining the Barnett Formula and funding arrangements agreed with the Scottish Government through the Fiscal Framework, which enables this higher spending for Scotland. We are also committed to working in partnership with the Scottish Government to drive economic growth in Scotland as part of our Plan for Change.

Despite this, the Scottish Government recently confirmed that its policy is to end the current application of the Barnett formula in Scotland, a move that would mean a funding gap of more than £14 billion that the Scottish Government needed to manage.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:

These figures underline the collective economic strength of the United Kingdom and how Scotland benefits from the redistribution of wealth inside the UK. By sharing resources with each other across the UK, Scots benefit by £2,669 more per head in public spending than the UK average. It also means that Devolved Governments have the financial heft of the wider UK behind them when taking decisions.

That means more money for schools, hospitals and policing, if the Scottish Parliament chooses to invest in those areas. People in Scotland will rightly expect to see better outcomes.

These figures also underline that the Scottish Government’s policy of full fiscal autonomy would mean turbo-charged austerity and economic chaos for Scotland. That’s why the UK Government will stand up for the pooling and sharing resources across the UK as part of our Plan for Change – to grow the economy and put more money in working people’s pockets.

A recent Westminster Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry examined the effectiveness of the Barnett Formula – the mechanism which determines the level of funding the UK Government sends to Scotland every year. The MPs found the measure was “fit for purpose”. The committee also rejected calls for the formula to shift and provide funding to Scotland based on need. The report said Scotland already receives more funding per head than any other country in the UK, and a change in the framework could see funding cut.

At the Spending Review the Chancellor set out a record settlement for the Scottish Government. It will receive an extra £9.1 billion over the course of the Spending Review period, meaning that the Block Grant is forecast to increase in real terms for every year of the Spending Review and will be worth £52 billion by 2028/29, the highest since devolution.

The UK Government is also investing directly in Scotland – including £1.7 billion in local growth projects. £750 million for Edinburgh’s supercomputer, £250 million to upgrade Faslane, and £200 million in the Acorn project. And of course the billions the UK Government is spending on defence disproportionately benefit Scottish jobs and industry.

The GERS figures are published here.

The press release issued by the Scottish Office on 4 July 2025.

Scotland is becoming globally isolated on nuclear power – missing out on much needed skilled jobs and economic growth – because of the Scottish Government’s ideological stance on nuclear power.

• Scotland is becoming globally isolated on nuclear power and missing out on jobs and clean power.
• Ian Murray urges the Scottish Government to drop their ideological opposition.
• Call comes ahead of a visit to Torness Nuclear Power Station.

Scotland is becoming globally isolated on nuclear power – missing out on much needed skilled jobs and economic growth – because of the Scottish Government’s ideological stance on nuclear power.

Nuclear energy could create thousands of new, highly-skilled jobs in Scotland, while delivering clean, secure and more affordable energy for working people. Reliable, cheap nuclear power can support critical modern infrastructure in Scotland, such as supercomputers.

Speaking ahead of a visit to Torness Nuclear Power Station in East Lothian today [Thursday 3 July], Scottish Secretary Ian Murray cited new research which shows that Scotland risks becoming one of few areas in Europe where the devolved government is publicly against new nuclear development.

Mr Murray said:

In other parts of the UK, the UK Government is driving forward nuclear power, as are countries across Europe and indeed the world. But in Scotland the Scottish Government clings to its ideological objection to new nuclear sites. That means that Scotland is being left behind, missing out on thousands of skilled jobs and economic growth, as well as clean affordable energy. I urge the Scottish Government to put Scotland’s interests first.

The research by the Nuclear Industry Association and World Nuclear Association shows that 87 per cent of the world economy is pursuing new nuclear power, including France, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands. Many previously anti-nuclear European countries are abandoning their positions, including Italy, Denmark, and Belgium, while Germany has dropped its opposition to EU-level initiatives on nuclear energy.

The UK Government has committed to building Sizewell C and Small Nuclear Reactors as part of our drive to deliver cleaner, more affordable energy.

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association said:

Nuclear in Scotland will bring jobs and growth as well as a constant supply of secure, reliable and clean electricity that complements other low carbon sources. As countries around the world are increasingly embracing nuclear as an integral part of achieving energy security, decarbonisation and minimising the exposure to the volatility of fossil fuel prices. The Scottish Government’s refusal to countenance replacing Torness when it retires in a few years is indicative of a fundamental lack of seriousness of policy.

Since Torness started operating in 1988, it has contributed more than £16.1 billion to the UK economy and supported more than 2,600 jobs a year. Together Hunterston B and Torness have contributed more than £29.4 billion to the UK economy.

The press release issued by the Scotland Office on 9 June 2025.

Minister Kirsty McNeill teams up with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce to champion Scotland and the UK in Spain

Boosting trade and investment between Scotland and Spain is top of the agenda as a group of 16 Scottish female entrepreneurs, led by UK Government Minister Kirsty McNeill and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC), arrive on Spanish soil today (Monday 9th June).

The Scotland Office led trade mission will meet with Spanish entrepreneurs, business leaders and politicians to maximise the benefits of the recent UK-EU deal, tackle the Scottish gender export gap, promote Brand Scotland’s iconic goods and services and encourage Spanish investment into Scotland.

A recent report found that trade in Scotland could increase by more than £10 billion over two years if women-led businesses exported at the same rate as those led by men.

Women from Scotland’s world class food and drink, tech, manufacturing, energy, tourism, travel, legal services, consultancy, marketing and cosmetic sectors are on the trade mission.

UK Government Scotland Office Kirsty McNeill said:

I’m very proud to be teaming up with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and fantastic Scottish women entrepreneurs on a trailblazing mission to Spain to help kickstart economic growth, create jobs and attract investment to Scotland as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change.

I want the UK to be a leader in promoting gender diversity in international trade and this is a unique opportunity for our women business leaders to build international connections, explore market opportunities, and connect with other female entrepreneurs in one of Scotland’s and the UK’s largest EU markets.

Through Brand Scotland, we are now giving our country the global platform it deserves.

Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Dr Liz Cameron CBE said:

This trade mission marks a bold step forward in advancing Scotland’s global trade ambitions. By connecting some of our most dynamic women entrepreneurs and leaders with key players in Barcelona, we are opening new doors of opportunity, innovation, and growth. Scotland’s businesswomen are global in their outlook, ambitious in their vision, and ready to lead the way in forging deeper connections around the world.

The collaboration between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Scotland Office is a powerful partnership which will boost business growth, increase exports, and champion Scotland as a world-leading trading nation. This mission expands our market access and ensures the future of our business community is more representative, resilient, and internationally competitive.

This visit marks the first Brand Scotland trade mission since the signing of a partnership agreement between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office on Friday (June 6th). The deal, backed by a £100,000 UK Government grant, is focused on showcasing Scottish businesses globally and attracting inward investment.

Spain is the UK’s seventh largest trading partner (2024) and Scotland’s 10th with total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) being £64.6 billion, while the UK is the number one European destination for Spanish investment (€83 billion stock). Last year Scotland’s goods exports to Spain reached £0.7 billion, with food and drink leading the way at over £212 million. Most recent figures show that Spain was the number six export destination for Scotch whisky, with sales worth £196 million in 2024. Spain is also among the most valuable destinations for Scottish seafood exports, including a top 20 destination for Scottish salmon exports.

The trio of trade deals secured by the Prime Minister in recent weeks offers a huge opportunity for Scotland and the UK’s economy.

The agreement with the EU directly addresses challenges faced by Scottish exporters since 2019, especially in the food and drink sector, as it makes it significantly easier to sell Scottish goods to markets such as Spain (see stakeholder quotes annexed below).

The two day trade mission comes after Minister McNeill hosted a gathering of female business leaders from across Scotland in Edinburgh in May to identify and tackle export challenges they face.

While in Spain the Minister will also participate in cultural initiatives, including a concert for Ukraine, being organised by the British Embassy in Madrid.

Further information

Trade mission, list of delegates:

Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Director & Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Dr Jeanette Forbes OBE, CEO, PCL Group

Dr Poonam Gupta OBE, CEO & Founder, PG Paper Company Ltd

Arjumand Ara Sheikh, Principal Solicitor and Associate CIPD, Strand Solicitors

Elaine Borland, Owner, Blowin’Free

Beth Wright, Co-Founder, HCW Consulting Partners

Becky Hain, Co-Founder, HCW Consulting Partners

Katie Cameron, Co-Founder, HCW Consulting Partners

Sophie Rankine, Managing Director, Sophie Gets Social Ltd

Lucy Harper, Head of Public Affairs, Lumo

Shona Cowan, Director, Go-You Ltd

Rebecca Wilson, Owner, Bec Wilson Creative

Arabella Harvey, Founder & CEO, Raven Botanicals

Amber Knight, Director, MacNeil Shellfish Limited

Libby McQuarrie, Commercial Executive, MacNeil Shellfish Limited

Rosalind Wardley-Smith, International & Operations Executive Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Agenda

Today (Monday) the Minister will attend a women in business lunch in Madrid for senior female business leaders. This will be chaired by Sir Alex Ellis, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Spain. She will also meet with the newly appointed CEO of Navantia UK, Donald Martínez, to discuss Navantia’s progress and future plans for their two shipyards in Scotland.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) in Barcelona the Minister and all women trade delegation will meet Spanish women business leaders, Barcelona Chambers of Commerce, the British Chambers of Commerce and Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, Maria Eugènia Gay Rossell. The Minister will also meet the President of Catalonia, Salvador Illa to discuss new opportunities for trade and investment for both the UK and Spain.

Stakeholder quotes

Head of Trade Marketing – Europe at Seafood Scotland Marie-Anne Omnes said:

The timing and geographic focus of this ministerial trade mission are highly relevant. Spain is a key market for Scottish companies and presents significant growth opportunities that initiatives like these can help identify. Spanish consumers are knowledgeable about seafood and Scottish products, with an understanding of the importance of product origin. It is essential to strengthen relationships at both government and corporate levels, especially considering that the new trade agreement could facilitate more direct trade between the two countries.

Director of central Scotland-based MacNeil Shellfish Amber Knight said:

The partnership between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office is a game-changer for Scottish exporters. For businesses like ours, anchored in rural communities and operating across European markets, this agreement provides the visibility, credibility, and connections needed to grow with confidence. Our expansion into Spain, with a new distribution hub in North Spain is just the beginning. With this renewed focus on promoting Scotland’s world-class products internationally, we can scale our reach, strengthen our brand, and help put Scotland’s sustainable seafood firmly on the global map.

The press release issued by the Scotland Office on 6 June 2025.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, joined by his sleeping baby daughter, and Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive Liz Cameron sign the deal in Edinburgh.

A partnership agreement to launch a Brand Scotland overseas trade missions initiative was signed today (Friday) by the Scotland Office and Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC).

This collaboration will be supported by a UK Government grant of up to £100,000 for 2025/26 aimed at promoting Scottish trade and attracting foreign direct investment into Scotland.

As part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, Brand Scotland is boosting economic growth by promoting Scottish products and services while attracting international inward investment.

The initiative will include a series of trade missions focused on showcasing Scottish businesses globally.

Ian Murray and Liz Cameron signed the agreement at the UK Government’s Queen Elizabeth HQ in Edinburgh.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:

This agreement will help give Scotland a global platform to sell everything our brilliant country has to offer – from whisky and seafood to our world class services.

The trio of trade deals secured by the Prime Minister in recent weeks is a huge opportunity for Scotland’s economy – with the most populous country in the world, the richest country in the world and our most important market. This partnership with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce will create valuable opportunities for Scottish firms and help kickstart economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.

I have already been to Norway, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States to bang the drum for Scotland and with this partnership we will take businesses to even more markets. The Scotland Office will be Scotland’s window to the world.

Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive and Director Dr Liz Cameron CBE said:

Delivering impactful trade missions that will sell Brand Scotland and our innovative and dynamic businesses will strengthen our global presence. This partnership with the Scotland Office is vital for economic growth and will help more businesses trade internationally and encourage more inward investment.

The world wants our quality products and services and this significant investment in Brand Scotland will create even more opportunities to sell our nation internationally. Our businesses continue to successfully engage with SCC overseas missions and now by combining forces between SCC and the Scotland Office, we can drive our economy further by providing valuable platforms and alliances for more exporters to sell their fantastic products and services to new global markets.

Scotland is open for business and we welcome Brand Scotland’s support to allow us to trade with confidence on a world stage.

Leading entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors have also welcomed the agreement.

Founder & CEO of Greenock-based PG Paper Dr Poonam Gupta OBE said:

At PG Paper, international trade is the backbone of our business. We have built a multi-million pound business by connecting with over 60 countries. This partnership between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office sends a clear message: Scotland is ambitious, outward-looking, and ready to lead. The Scotland Office initiative will help businesses like ours expand our international reach, forge high-value connections, and drive economic impact both at home and abroad. This is exactly the kind of bold, collaborative action Scotland needs to accelerate exports and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

CEO of Aberdeen-based PCL Group Dr Jeanette Forbes OBE said:

As a global IT and energy tech company operating in over 27 countries, we know first-hand how critical international trade is to business growth and innovation. Trade missions are strategic enablers that unlock new markets, foster long-term relationships, and elevate Scotland’s global standing. The collaboration between Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office is exactly the type of public-private partnership needed to amplify Scotland’s voice on the world stage and grow our economies.

Details of trade missions will be confirmed in due course.

The press release issued by the Scotland Office on 30 May 2025.

The block grant for the Scottish Government this year is £50 billion following Main Estimates 2025-26 published on Thursday.

The Scottish Government already had the largest real terms spending review settlement in the history of devolution of £47.7 billion. Following revisions at the Spring Statement and Main Estimates, the Treasury has now confirmed the latest settlement is £50 billion.

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said:

The UK Government delivered the largest spending review settlement in the history of the Scottish Parliament, now Scots rightly expect to see that record finding deliver better results like lower NHS waiting lists, better attainment in Schools, more police on the beat and more housing.

I was very concerned this week to see that attainment targets for Scottish schools have been reduced and housebuilding has fallen by 4,000, meanwhile police officer numbers are lower than when police Scotland was established and 800,000 Scots are on an NHS waiting list.

Where the UK government has responsibility for public services, we are seeing NHS waiting lists fall, more housing being built and more bobbies on the beat, all part of our Plan for Change. This historic funding deal for the Scottish Government should be delivering similar results.

Background:

• Main Estimates was published on Thursday, providing the Scottish Government with £572m in additional funding in 2025-26, including £454m through the Barnett formula.
• It also confirmed the Scottish Government’s £1.8bn RDEL depreciation funding in 2025-26, including student loans.
• This is on top of a record settlement of £47.7 billion for 2025-26 at Autumn Budget 2024.
• This additional funding brings SG’s overall 2025-26 block grant funding to £50 billion.

The press release issued by the Scottish Office on 28 May 2025.

Thirteen upgraded masts to transform rural connectivity across the Scottish countryside.

The UK Government has today [Wednesday 28 May 2025] announced a significant boost to mobile connectivity across Scotland’s rural areas, with 13 mobile masts upgraded to provide coverage from all four mobile network operators.

Previously, these masts only connected EE customers and those making 999 calls. The upgrades will transform connectivity in remote areas of Scotland that have long suffered from poor signal.

The areas benefiting from the upgrades include Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire, and the South of Scotland – including parts of the Southern Upland Way.

This major connectivity improvement will cover an area equivalent to thousands of football pitches, providing reliable 4G service to residents and visitors in these remote communities.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:

“This significant mobile connectivity boost, funded by the UK Government, will help people in some of Scotland’s most rural communities. It will support local businesses, and improve access and safety for residents and visitors alike. Improving digital connectivity – including in our most remote communities – is a key part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change – it is vital to delivering jobs and economic growth.  And upgrading existing masts rather than building new ones, there will be minimal environmental impact in what are some of Scotland’s most scenic areas.”

The upgrades are part of the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network programme, a partnership with mobile network operators aimed at improving connectivity in rural areas throughout Britain. The programme has already delivered coverage to more than 95% of the UK’s landmass, with further improvements planned until early 2027.

The enhanced connectivity will bring numerous benefits to Scottish communities, from supporting local tourism and business opportunities to enabling more flexible working arrangements and improving access to essential online services.

Scotland areas are:

• Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
• Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
• Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
• Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale

For more information on the Shared Rural Network please visit https://srn.org.uk/

The press release issued by the Scotland Office on 13 May 2025.

Scottish Secretary drives forward Brand Scotland with new campaign fund.

The UK Government’s drive to sell Brand Scotland around the world will get a boost with the launch of a new fund for overseas campaigns.

The Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, is offering the UK’s international network grants of up to £20,000 for innovative and creative activities to market Scotland overseas.

One of Ian Murray’s priorities at the Scotland Office is Brand Scotland – promoting Scottish goods and services overseas and encouraging inward investment in Scotland. This is a key part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change.

The US and India free trade agreements signed last week show just how popular Scottish products are overseas. The India deal slashed tariffs for Scotch – great news for our whisky producers who want to expand their overseas markets.

This new fund will complement an extensive programme of overseas visits planned for Scotland Office ministers over the year, following on from Ian Murray’s recent successful trips to Norway, Malaysia, Singapore, Washington and New York.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:

“Brand Scotland is a fantastic opportunity to promote all that is great about Scotland around the world, and show investors the opportunities of Scotland. Through the Foreign, Development and Commonwealth Office, the UK has an extensive overseas network, which works day in day out to promote our country. This exciting new fund will boost the overseas network’s ability to promote Scotland and all it has to offer in many key markets. Brand Scotland is a key part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, to boost growth and put more money in people’s pockets.”

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

“The UK-India free trade deal slashing whisky export tariffs is a prime example of how the UK Government is unlocking growth opportunities to deliver for people in every corner of the country, as part of our Plan for Change.

“The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is looking forward to showcasing Brand Scotland around the world as part of our mission to turbo charge the economy and put more money back in people’s pockets.

“Kickstarting economic growth is in this government’s DNA so my diplomats will be working tirelessly to shout about everything Scotland has to offer, not least its world-beating food and drink.”

Brand Scotland leverages Scotland’s unique cultural assets and the UK’s soft power. The UK Government’s overseas network will have the opportunity to bid for funds. Projects will support Scotland-focused trade missions and trade events. We expect bids to be creative and go beyond ‘business as usual’.

Bids will be assessed on their ability to deliver measurable outcomes and foster long-term relationships with stakeholders in host countries. Bids will be reviewed by officials from the Scotland Office, FCDO, and the Department for Business and Trade – with the Scotland Office giving final sign-off.