Tag: Scottish Office

The press release issued by the Scottish Office on 16 May 2023.

New ONS figures on Scotland’s labour market published.

Responding to the latest LMS publication the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, said:

“The unemployment rate in Scotland remains near record lows and the labour market continues to be resilient in the face of significant economic challenges.

“The UK Government is focused on halving inflation, reducing debt and growing the economy. That includes investing more than £2.2 billion across Scotland through our ambitious levelling up agenda to create jobs and opportunities, and boost trade and investment.”

The press release issued by the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland on 12 May 2023.

Even more community projects will be able to apply for UK Government’s expanded £150 million Community Ownership Fund.

More community projects are set to benefit from funding to rescue prized local assets, such as sports clubs, music venues and historic buildings, as the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities launches the third round of its £150 million Community Ownership Fund today (Friday 12 May).

Changes to the fund will make it easier than ever for community groups to secure local assets that are at risk of being lost forever – helping to strengthen and level up communities.

The amount of funding all projects can bid for will be increasing from £250,000 to £1 million, meaning that groups can bid for more funding to help save bigger projects from being lost.

The requirement for match-funding is also being reduced to as low as 10%, making it easier for communities to acquire assets without raising additional private funding.

For the first time, Scotland’s 1,200 Community Councils will also be able to apply to the Fund, which has previously only been available to charities and community groups.

The fund is already supporting 15 projects across Scotland with £3.1 million, including the UK’s most remote pub in Knoydart, the Lochranza Hotel Country Inn on Arran, Falkirk Rugby Football Club, and Inveraray Pier.

Minister for Levelling Up Dehenna Davison said:

From far-flung pubs to prized community centres, the Community Ownership Fund is putting vital assets back into the hands of communities, to be enjoyed for generations to come.

We want even more communities to benefit from the fund and that’s why we are making these changes so community groups can apply for even more money to save much loved local assets.

We will continue to grow this fund to empower local people, restoring their pride in the places where they live and levelling up communities across the United Kingdom.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said:

I wholeheartedly welcome the launch of the UK Government’s latest round of levelling up funding which so far has seen us invest £2.3 billion right across Scotland.

We’ve listened to feedback and made changes to the Community Ownership Fund (COF) so it is easier than ever for even more communities the length and breadth of the Scottish mainland and our islands to bid for funding to save local assets and grow the economy.

Scotland has already been awarded £3.1 million from COF across 15 projects and I want to see these figures surge upwards by community groups working with us to breathe new life into the places where they live, work and play.

The Fund is already helping communities across Scotland seize ownership of prized local assets that are at risk, including:

• Dornie Community Hub. £280,000
• The Old Forge, community owned pub. £219,096.
• Inveraray Pier. £44,332
• Langside Sports Club: Clubhouse and Pavilion Renovation.  £100,000
• Lochranza Country Inn: A community buyout of the last remaining inn in the village.  £300,000.
• Redevelopment of the New Farm Loch Community Centre.  £200,000
• New Galloway Town Hall. £175,000
• Whithorn Town Hall.  £300,000
• Forres Town Hall. £300,000
• Rannoch Hub: Establishing a pub and community centre in the Old School.  £250,000
• The Aberfeldy Sports Club.  £300,000
• Callander Visitor Information Centre.  £124,843
• Falkirk Rugby Football and Sports Club, Sunnyside Pavilion. £115,000
• Heart of Newhaven Community: Develop the old primary school building into a community space. £300,000.
• Vogrie Hall Refurbishment. £127,251

Further information on these projects can be found on the UK Government’s map of levelling up projects in Scotland.

Director of Rugby Falkirk Rugby Kenny Grieve said:

Our project protects community access to a facility which was at risk of closure and enables us to transform it so that we can offer state-of-the-art changing rooms and a teaching space suitable for both male and female participation. It also provides new medical/physio facilities where we can assess any injuries and a new gym for strength, conditioning, and rehabilitation work.

All of this will be available for other sports groups beyond rugby to use, as well as wider community groups such as our local mental health charity, FDAMH, who can use the facilities to deliver their health, wellbeing and recovery programmes. Access to significant capital funding from the UK Government has been pivotal in turning our vision into reality.

The Old Forge Community Benefit Society said:

We are grateful to the Community Ownership Fund whose support helped The Old Forge Community Benefit Society to achieve its goal of a community-owned pub on the Knoydart Peninsula.

Inspire Inveraray Director Linda Divers said:

Inspire Inveraray are highly delighted to receive this funding. For a long time, the pier has been closed off and an eyesore, to see it open and restored for all to enjoy again will be a great asset to the local community and visitors.

We have all worked extremely hard to make this happen and being awarded this funding makes it worthwhile. Thank you, your funding is greatly appreciated.

Today’s announcement is part of the UK Government’s drive to level up local communities and boost local businesses. This will also contribute to the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country.

The press release issued by the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland on 6 May 2023.

The press release issued by the Scottish Office on 26 April 2023.

Signs of growth are encouraging, says Secretary of State, while focus remains on halving inflation and reducing debt.

The Scottish GDP figures for February 2023 have been published today here.

The economy grew by 0.2% during the second month of this year, after growing by 0.7% in January (revised down from 0.9%). In the three months to February, GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.4%, compared to the previous three month period.

Responding to the statistics, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

It’s encouraging to see further growth in the economy. The economic outlook is looking brighter than expected and, due to the swift action of this Government, we are set to avoid recession .

We are focussed on halving inflation, reducing debt and growing the economy. That includes the UK Government investing more than £2.2bn across Scotland to create jobs and opportunities, and boost trade and investment.

Additional information:

• Scotland’s onshore GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.2% in February.  This follows a growth of 0.7% in January (revised down from 0.9%) and a fall of 0.5% in December (revised up from 0.8%).  Monthly GDP is now 1.3% above the pre-pandemic level in February 2020
• In 2022 Q4, Scotland’s onshore GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.2% compared to the previous quarter (revised up from the first estimate of 0.1% published on 1 March)
• In 2022, annual GDP grew by 4.9% compared to 2021, after growing 8.4% in 2021 and falling by 12.2% in the early stages of the pandemic.
• The UK avoided recession in 2022, and is now expected to avoid recession this year.
• The UK was the fastest growing economy in the G7 last year. Since 2010, the UK has grown faster than Japan, France, and Italy, and at about the same rate as Germany.
• The IMF is predicting that around 90% of advanced economies will see a decline in growth in 2023.
• At Autumn Statement 2022, the government took difficult, but necessary, decisions across taxation and spending to restore economic stability.
• The OBR have said that the measures in the Budget caused them to revise potential output upwards by the largest amount ever in their forecasts.

The press release issued by the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland on 31 March 2023.

Scotland Office Minister John Lamont has been in Madrid for a two-day visit focused on renewable energy, trade and cultural links between our two countries.

During his visit he met with representatives from the Iberdrola Group, one of the largest utility companies in the world and owners of Scottish Power. Their Innovation and Training Campus in Madrid welcomes around 13,000 people each year as they promote talent and innovation from individuals, companies and students from around the world.

He also toured the Johnnie Walker flagship store, similar to the one recently opened in Edinburgh, which sells and showcases Scotch whisky to Madrid residents and tourists.

As well as engagements with Spanish politicians and academics, including Pascual Navarro, Spanish Minister for Europe, Minister Lamont visited the famous Prado museum. This houses paintings from Scottish artists including renowned landscape painter David Roberts from Edinburgh. He spent time in Spain in the 1830s and painted a number of Spanish landscapes.

Speaking at the end of his visit, Minister Lamont said:

“I am delighted to have visited Madrid this week for a range of economic and cultural meetings.

“It was great to meet with Iberdrola Group, a massive energy company, who are very active in Scotland and it was really interesting to hear about their future plans for investment and innovation in Scotland’s green energy sector.

“Of course, you could travel anywhere in the world and know that a key part of Scotland’s economy – Scotch whisky – will be there and it was great to see the range of Scottish whiskies on display at the Johnnie Walker flagship store in Madrid, popular with locals and tourists alike.

“There are deep cultural and economic ties between Scotland and Spain that go back for centuries and this visit was focussed on strengthening those.”

The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 29 March 2023.

Growth at the beginning of the year sees economy rise above pre-pandemic levels.

Responding to the statistics, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

Today’s figures again show the resilience of our economy, despite complex global problems.  The UK Government is taking action to achieve the Prime Minister’s priorities of halving inflation, reducing debt and encouraging growth.

Last month the Chancellor delivered a Budget for sustainable growth, alongside further cost of living support and an extra £320million for the Scottish Government to support public services.

Our Levelling Up agenda is encouraging growth at the heart of every community in Scotland and throughout the UK with more than £2.2bn invested to create and sustain high-quality jobs and two new Freeports progressing in Scotland will boost trade and further investment.

 Background:

The economy grew by 0.9% during the first month of this year, after falling by 0.8% the previous month in December 2022 and is now 1.1% above the pre-pandemic level in February 2020.

The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 28 March 2023.

UK Government announces funding available for projects that will improve recreational sea fishing across the UK.

Up to £1 million has been made available for coastal communities across the UK to invest in new and improved infrastructure for recreational sea fishing.

Eligible applicants can now bid for between £10,000 and £100,000 for projects to upgrade recreational fishing facilities, reduce carbon emissions, support the protection and recovery of the marine environment, and provide training to help recreational sea fishermen operate in a more sustainable way.

Recreational sea fishing involves fishing for the purposes of pleasure, tourism or sport. With an estimated two million recreational sea anglers taking to the water every year, recreational sea fishing contributes over £800 million to the UK economy annually and boosts local economies through activities such as fishing tournaments, boat rental, bait and tackle supply, and local tourism.

Part of the £100 million UK Seafood Fund infrastructure scheme, this funding will ensure recreational fishing continues to prosper by backing projects which could enhance piers and harbours, create more accessible paths, floating walkways and pontoon dockings; and promote fishing tournaments.

Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer said:

Recreational sea fishing is a small but mighty part of our fishing industry. It contributes to the economic growth of coastal communities and is a much-loved sport that can improve the health and well-being of those who take part.

This new round of funding will encourage the development and expansion of the sport in coastal areas, promote and support more sustainable fishing practices, and ultimately make recreational fishing bigger and better for anglers across the UK.

UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said:

The £100 million UK Seafood Fund is a crucial part of our commitment to help level up coastal communities and deliver the Prime Minister’s priorities of growing the economy and creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country.

So far, Scotland’s world renowned fisheries, seafood and aquaculture sectors have won £8.4 million in grants from the fund and I urge eligible applicants to come forward and bid for investment for new and improved infrastructure for recreational sea fishing in Scotland.

The £100 million UK Seafood Fund is supporting the long-term future and sustainability of the UK fishing and seafood industry by backing innovation, skills and job creation around our coastline.

This is the latest funding from the UK infrastructure scheme and will be open until 19th June 2023. Applicants can apply here: Atamis Contracts Search (force.com).

It means at least £65 million in grant funding has now been made available through the scheme to improve infrastructure right across the seafood supply chain, including investment in fleet modernisation and the trialling of hybrid and electric engines; and improved capability at ports, harbours, processing and aquaculture facilities. Successful bidders include Scottish company Denholm Seafoods who will install equipment to increase production of mackerel and herring, and Cornish based Falfish who will invest in new technology to grade, freeze and pack pelagic fish in support of building two purpose-built Sardine fishing vessels.

Nearly £20 million was awarded in the first round of the infrastructure scheme for projects including the expansion of processing facilities for popular British fish like Scottish salmon and Cornish sardines, with a further £30 million made available in round two. The small scale fishing fleet will also benefit from an initial £2 million investment to trial new, greener engines and help create a safer, more sustainable fishing fleet.

The second round of the UK Seafood Fund Skills and Training scheme is also currently open for applications, with up to £10 million available to fund training projects and facilities for workers in the seafood and aquaculture industry and recreational angling sector.

The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 16 March 2023.

The Secretary of State welcomes the publication of national statistics covering the Scottish Labour Market for the three month period November 2022-January 2023.

The press release issued by the Scottish Office on 1 March 2023.

Alister Jack says PM’s pledge to halve inflation, reduce debt and grow the economy is vital in the face of global challenges.

The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 15 February 2023.

The next generation of battery technology will benefit from a new research facility at the University of St Andrews Eden Campus, helped by UK and Scottish Government funding.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord was given a preview of the new battery prototyping facility, or ‘dry lab’, located at the campus at the former paper mill in Guardbridge.

The special ultra-low humidity environment is the first of its kind in Scotland, and will enable companies and researchers to develop and evaluate battery prototypes before they are manufactured in battery gigafactories.

In the dry lab the atmosphere is treated to greatly minimise moisture, creating conditions that allow battery materials to be handled and tested for the most efficient battery operation.

The principal technology produced will be pouch cells – these are stacked together to form large-scale batteries for either electric vehicles or static power storage, both of which are essential to the transition to a net-zero economy.

Commenting on the dry lab UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said:

This dry lab is exactly the sort of facility that Scotland and the UK require to develop our future battery industry.

This will help to deliver on the Prime Minister’s priorities to grow our economy and create better-paid jobs by putting the country at the cutting edge of the transition to net-zero.

The UK Government is investing £24.5 million in the Eden Campus as part of more than £2.2 billion for levelling up right across Scotland.

The £4.7 million Dry Lab Project is supported by £3.3 million from the UK Government as part of its £24.5 million investment in the Eden Campus through the Tay Cities Region Deal.

The Scottish Government is also investing £2 million in the Eden Campus through the deal, and further funding for the lab is coming via the Scottish Enterprise Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund and the Faraday Institution.

The University of St Andrews is pioneering new battery chemistries and leads the Faraday Institution sodium-ion project.  Through this cross-UK research, scientists hope to create a next-generation sodium-ion battery that is cheaper, more efficient and better for the environment than current technologies.  This is important as there are concerns about the environmental impact of supplying the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries.

Last autumn the UK Government awarded a further £211 million to the Faraday Battery Challenge to boost research and development across the batteries sector, including key industries such as Electric Vehicle batteries.

University of St Andrews Quaestor and Factor Derek Watson said:

The development of the Eden Campus as a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship with state-of-the-art facilities like the dry lab, provides opportunities for academia and industry to forge dynamic new partnerships and work on world-leading research together.

This is so important to achieving a sustainable, low-carbon future, as well as the wider economic transformation of Scotland and the UK.

Professor Pam Thomas CEO at the Faraday Institution said:

This new battery facility at St Andrews marks a significant step forward in our mission to support the UK commercialisation of sodium-ion batteries. The state-of-the-art equipment will enable researchers to combine and test cutting-edge materials, paving the way for the development of commercially relevant cells.

The dry lab is part of the Eden Campus at Guardbridge and sits alongside the renovated historic buildings of the old paper mill.

Situated four miles outside of St Andrews, the village of Guardbridge was in steady decline following the closure of the papermill in 2008 and the loss of over 400 local jobs. The Eden Campus is re-purposing the historic buildings to create a new centre for enterprise and innovation. Over 500 people now work at the Campus and by 2030, this number is expected to double.