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Supporting Gaelic’s growth

Funding for schools and cultural projects

A new Gaelic primary school is set to open in Glasgow next year after a £2 million investment from the Scottish Government.

The funding will complete the refurbishment and extension of the former St James’ Primary School building to establish Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn (Calton Gaelic Primary School) which will become the city’s fourth Gaelic language primary.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes announced the investment as part of a £2.4 million package to support Gaelic schools and cultural initiatives across Scotland.

The funding will also support:

the construction of a second classroom at West Primary School in Paisley
the expansion of two Gaelic cultural centres in the Highlands
cultural events through An Comunn Gàidhealach who will host this year’s Royal National Mòd in Lochaber

On a visit to the site of the new school, Ms Forbes said: “This school will build on the encouraging surge we have seen in the number of Gaelic speakers and learners in Glasgow and support the language’s growth into the future.

“Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good value for money by providing better grade averages across all qualification levels despite costs being no greater than average.

“To support Gaelic’s growth across Scotland, we are providing an additional £5.7 million for Gaelic initiatives this year. We are also progressing the Scottish Languages Bill which, if passed by MSPs, will introduce measures to strengthen the provision of Gaelic education.”

The new school, with space for 416 pupils, will be managed by Glasgow City Council. It meets a growing demand for Gaelic primary education in the city. Census figures published last year show a 45% increase in the number of people with some Gaelic skills in Glasgow compared to 2011.

Alison Richardson, headteacher of Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn, said: “With Gaelic medium education continuing to flourish in Glasgow, our pupils and parents are excited and proud to be moving Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn into its very own repurposed school located in the East End.

“We look forward to supporting Gaelic’s growth in the Calton area, where many spoke it in the past, and for the school to become a real focal point and asset to the local community.”

Projects benefiting from Scottish Government Gaelic Capital Fund allocations for 2024-25 are listed below:

Project	Capital allocated	Summary
Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn (Calton Gaelic Primary School)	£2,000,000.00	Refurbishment and extension of the former St James’ Primary School building.
West Primary School, Paisley	£43,000.00	Construction of a second classroom.
Broadford Primary School, Skye	£60,630.00	Upgrade to Games Hall.
Calder Glen High School, East Kilbride	£51,935.00	Construction of a bothy with computing, cooking and gardening space and provision of laptops, speakers, desks and other equipment.
Greenfaulds High School, Cumbernauld	£38,772.50	Equipment to allow more children from across North Lanarkshire to attend classes virtually.
Whitehills Primary School, Forfar	£5,748.36	Chromebooks, tablet cases and a replacement smartboard.
Inverclyde Academy, Greenock	£2907.00	Installation of bilingual signage throughout the school.
Feasibility study on establishing a Gaelic secondary school in Stornoway	£30,800.00	Study to explore the feasibility of establishing Gaelic secondary provision.
An Comunn Gàidhealach	£65,600.00	Delivery of this year’s Royal National Mòd.
The University of Edinburgh’s Opening the Well Crowdsourcing Gaelic Transcription project	£17,305.00	Transcription of Gaelic audio recordings, which will be added to a free online archive of Gaelic folklore and historical materials.
Ionad Thròndairnis (The Trotternish Centre)	£75,000.00	Extension of a Gaelic cultural centre in Skye.
Co-Chomann Dualchas Shrath Naruinn (Strathnairn Heritage Association	£40,000.00	Establishment of a Gaelic heritage centre in the former Dunlichity Church building.
Fèis Ghasaigh	£36,469.00	Delivery of a two-day Gaelic music event in South Uist.

Glasgow is home to the third largest number of children and young people in Gaelic Medium Education in Scotland with 740 primary pupils in 2023. Census statistics show that 17,380 people in Glasgow had some Gaelic skills 2022, an increase of 7,911 people from 2011.

Glasgow City Council has provided £17.6 million towards works at Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn, within an overall project budget of £23.8 million. The works are supported by the Scottish Government’s £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme which is delivered in partnership with local authorities. Nine school projects included in the programme will open in 2025-26.

Scottish Braille Press proofreaders retire after remarkable 82 years combined service

This month, Suzie and Brian Lewis will retire from the Scottish Braille Press after a remarkable combined 82 years of service.

Suzie, who has a vision impairment, joined the Braille Press in 1979, while Brian followed a decade later, starting on 19 June 1989, coincidentally Suzie’s birthday. The couple, who married in 1996, who are from Edinburgh, have worked alongside one another in various capacities over the years, providing invaluable contributions to accessibility in Scotland.

The Scottish Braille Press, part of the charity Sight Scotland, is a national leader in producing accessible formats including braille, large print, and audio. Its services ensure that blind and partially sighted people across the UK can access personal and essential information, including bank statements, benefit letters, exam papers and insurance documents. The Scottish Braille Press currently supports around 50,000 people and works with some of the UK’s largest organisations.

Reflecting on their careers, Suzie, and Brian shared memories of how much the industry has changed and how their roles evolved over time.

Suzie explains: “When I started, it was all manual. We hand-collated huge Braille documents, some up to 2,300 pages, and stitched them before dispatch. It was physical, team-based work, and we did it all by hand. I did that for about 14 years until technology changed things and demand for Braille reduced.”

Suzie transitioned into proofreading, a role she embraced thanks to her love of books: “It started with a couple of hours helping out, then became a full-time job. I’ve mainly focused on large print proofreading ever since. It’s incredibly detailed work, but so rewarding knowing how important it is for people to receive their information in a format they can access.”

Brian adds: “When I started, we were still using zinc plates to produce Braille, there were very few computers. A few years later we began investing in technology to meet growing demand for financial documents and mailing lists.

“We mostly check financial letters, bank, and pension statements. You must check every detail, even envelopes, to make sure the right person gets the right information. It’s about maintaining trust, privacy, and accuracy.”

Suzie and Brian have also provided unique support to each other throughout their working lives. Suzie shares: “We helped each other, as it should be. Sometimes we worked on the same job, reading different versions of a document. I’m registered blind and Brian has epilepsy, so being in the same space meant we could look out for one another.”

“I’m very proud of the work we’ve done. It’s changed so much over the years. With modern technology, new systems, but at its heart, the mission has stayed the same; to make sure people with sight loss can live independently and confidently.”

Brian continues: “We thought about working a bit longer, but we’re in a good position to retire now and enjoy the time together. It’s the right moment. We are looking forward to a cruise and stay in the Mediterranean in September, then we’re going to Canada in May next year.

“It’s been an amazing time working at the Scottish Braille Press, and I am sure Suzie will agree, I am the best birthday present she has ever had!”

Colin Hilditch, Head of Enterprise at Sight Scotland, said: “Suzie and Brian’s dedication has made a real difference to the lives of thousands of people.

“Their attention to detail, professionalism and teamwork have helped ensure the highest standards in accessible communication. We are hugely grateful for their service and wish them all the very best for a happy retirement.”

For more information visit sightscotland.org.uk.

LAST CALL: Social Security Scotland survey

SURVEY CLOSES AT 6pm TONIGHT

There’s still time to take part in our survey about your experience with Social Security Scotland over the last year. The survey will close at 6pm on Wednesday 4 June. It takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

If you have already taken part please ignore this email and accept a huge thank you from us for your help.

If you haven’t yet done so, you can take part in the survey online.

A dark mode-friendly version of the survey is also available.

Who can take part?

The survey is open to everyone who works with our clients or works in partnership with Social Security Scotland.

We would like to hear from as many people as possible. Please feel free to share the survey with others who deal with Social Security Scotland or work with our clients.

Confidentiality

Taking part is voluntary and your responses will be confidential. No one will be able to identify you in any of the reported results. Only people working in the research team will be able to see your responses.

What do we do with the results?

Your views are very important to us. They help us to understand if we are delivering the commitments of Our Charter and what improvements we can make. After the survey closes, researchers will analyse the results and publish a research report. We also survey our clients and our colleagues and all of this contributes to the Charter Measurement Framework results that we publish annually.

Further questions?

If there’s more we can do to help you take part, please let us know. You can contact us by emailing research@socialsecurity.gov.scot or you can phone our research helpline for free on 0800 029 4974, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.

Yours sincerely,

Charter Measurement and Client Panels Team

Social Security Scotland

Holyrood Committee finishes Stage 2 scrutiny of Housing (Scotland) Bill

Amendments passed to strengthen protection for tenants

Legislation to improve tenants’ rights and introduce homelessness prevention measures has completed Stage 2 scrutiny by a cross-party committee of MSPs.

The Scottish Government introduced the Housing (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament last year to help tackle poverty by improving the experience of renters and introducing a range of new duties to prevent homelessness.

The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee approved a number of Scottish Government amendments to the Bill at Stage 2, including powers to implement Awaab’s Law that would give social tenants greater protection against damp and mould, and measures to set out how rents could be capped in rent control areas.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Housing Bill will play an important role in our efforts to tackle poverty by keeping rent affordable and ensuring people can stay in their homes by securing tenancies.

“Our amendments on rent control not only provide certainty for tenants but also provide more clarity to the housing sector on what our rent control proposals will look like, giving investors confidence to continue to support housebuilding in Scotland.

“We have also introduced plans to implement Awaab’s Law which will mean everyone can have the right to live in a warm, safe and secure home free from disrepair.

“Scotland has led the way in protecting tenants and providing rights for people threatened with homelessness. The Housing Bill will provide even greater protection, so I am pleased the Committee has completed its Stage 2 scrutiny and I look forward to working with Members across the chamber as the legislation goes through the final Stage 3 process.”

Housing (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website

RTS Electicity Meter? ACT NOW!

The technology that supports RTS electricity meters will switch off from 30 June 2025. Without the technology to tell RTS meters when to swap between peak and off-peak rates, they may no longer work properly, and it may mean that a consumer’s heating and hot water supply stops functioning as normal.

If you have an RTS meter, your electricity supplier will get in touch to arrange an upgrade to a smart meter before this deadline.

They must make sure you have a suitable meter installed, and that your service is not disrupted.

OFGEM expect electricity suppliers to replace all RTS meters before the Radio Teleswitch Service technology ends.

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly explains how you can identify if you have a Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meter and what action you should take to upgrade your meter.

Support to upgrade RTS electricity meters

We are working with energy suppliers, distribution network operators, consumer groups and others as part of the RTS Taskforce to support people with an RTS meter. Read more information about the RTS Taskforce.

If you have an RTS meter your electricity supplier will contact you to arrange an appointment to upgrade your electricity meter. You should arrange an upgrade of your meter to avoid losing heating or hot water after 30 June 2025.

Find out if you have an RTS meter

You may have an RTS meter if:

your home has a separate switch box near your meter with a Radio Teleswitch label on it
your home is heated using electricity or storage heaters
there is no gas supply to your area, including households in rural areas and high-rise flats
you get cheaper energy at different times of day, for example, you might be on an Economy 7, Economy 10, or Total Heat Total Control tariff

Get in touch with your electricity supplier if you’re still not sure which meter is in your home.

If you do not know who your supplier is, follow the steps on our find your energy supplier page.

Contact your electricity supplier to upgrade your RTS meter

If you have an RTS meter in your home, view details on your electricity supplier’s website to upgrade your meter.

If you run a business that has an RTS meter, view details on your electricity supplier’s website to upgrade your meter.

If you do not know who your supplier is, follow the steps on our find your energy supplier page.

Upgrading to a smart meter

A smart meter will give you a similar service to your RTS meter. You’ll also get other benefits, including:

electricity readings submitted automatically
access to ‘smart meter only’ tariffs
the ability to monitor your energy usage
accurate bills based on the electricity you’ve used, not estimates

Find out more about getting a smart meter.

If you’re not able to upgrade

In some instances, your supplier may not be able to offer you a smart meter at the moment.

If this is the case, they must make sure you have a suitable meter installed, and that your service is not disrupted.

You should contact your supplier to understand the options available to you.

If you do not want a smart meter

Upgrading to a smart meter is the best option for RTS customers. If you choose not to upgrade:

your heating and hot water may be left continually on or off
your electric storage heaters may charge at the wrong time of day, possibly leading to higher bills
your supplier may be unable confirm your electricity usage during peak or off-peak times, and your electricity costs may be higher than before
you’ll have a more limited choice of tariffs.

Talk to your supplier for more information

If you live in Scotland, you can get advice and information on energyadvice.scot.

Further progress on child mental health waiting times

Staff praised as national target is exceeded again

The national standard on waiting times for children and young people accessing mental health services has been met for the second quarter in row.

Latest Public Health statistics show 91.6% of those referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) were seen within 18 weeks from January to March – the Scottish Government standard is 90%.

The figure is an increase from 90.6% for the previous quarter and from 86% for the same quarter in 2024.

However the Children First charity says the figures are just ‘the tip of the iceberg’.

Visiting the CAMHS service in NHS Forth Valley to thank staff for their dedication, Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd said: “We want all children and young people to be able to access appropriate mental health treatment as and when they need to, and this continued progress on waiting times is testament to the hard-working staff who care for those referred to these services.

“We have exceeded our promise to provide funding for 320 additional staff for CAMHS by 2026 and this will no doubt have contributed to the improvements we are seeing but I am well aware there is still much to be done if this is to be sustained and consistent across Scotland.

“However, we are on the right path and the £123.5 million we have allocated to NHS Boards this year will mean the quality and delivery of all mental health services – including CAMHS – will continue to improve.”

Lesley Dunabie, Department Manager & Head of Nursing for NHS Forth Valley CAMHS, said: “We are delighted that the changes introduced by local staff over the last 18 months have made such a positive impact to our waiting times and significantly improved the services and support available for children and young people with serious mental illness.

“We are committed to building on this by continuing to develop and improve local services for children and young people and working with a wide range of partners to help increase access to support in local schools and communities at an earlier stage.”

Children First: Figures are ‘tip of the iceberg’

Mary Glasgow, chief executive of Children First, said: “We know that today’s figures are just the tip of the iceberg. Every day, Children First teams across Scotland are hearing from more and more children and young people in severe distress. Scotland is facing a childhood emergency. Children need help now.

“Scottish Government must do more to invest in early help and support to prevent children reaching crisis point.

“If you are worried about your child, then Children First’s support line is here to help. You can contact our friendly team on 08000 28 22 33 or on our website at https://www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline .”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Chilldren’s Services Coalition commented: “The latest figures highlighting that 164 children and young people have been waiting over a year for mental health treatment are extremely alarming.

“What we need is not just parity of esteem between mental health and physical health, it’s parity of action and parity of spend.

“We are facing a mental health emergency, and many of our children and young people are at breaking point, with stress and anxiety reaching alarming levels as they battle with the long shadow of lockdown and the rising cost of living. This is also having a negative impact on classroom behaviour, affecting the young people concerned, their fellow pupils and staff.

“Each one of these statistics is an individual, and we would urge the Scottish Government to ensure the adequate resourcing of mental health services for our children and young people so that they can get the care and support they need, without lengthy waits.”

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting times – Quarter ending March 2025 – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting times – Publications – Public Health Scotland

Burdiehouses! New affordable homes approved to tackle housing crisis

A new affordable housing development was given the green light by the Development Management Sub-Committee yesterday.

The approved plans will deliver 49 new homes – comprising a mix of flats, colonies, and terraced houses – on a partly brownfield site adjacent to an established residential area. Of these, four flats will be fully wheelchair accessible.

The site, located east of Burdiehouse Crescent, is ideally located within a 10-minute walk of local amenities, including Valley Park Community Centre, shops, schools, and public transport links. The new homes will also overlook a new recreational and play area.

Designed as part of the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) programme, the project also sets a benchmark for sustainable urban development.

The homes will be fully operational as a Net Zero ready development, utilising air source heat pumps, exhaust air pumps, and photovoltaic panels for heating and hot water, eliminating the need for fossil fuel-based heating systems.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: This approval is a vital step in tackling the housing emergency facing our city. Too many people are struggling to find a safe, secure and affordable place to call home and developments like this are a key part of the solution.

“The 49 new homes will not only provide much-needed accommodation for residents, but they do so in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and community-focused.

“I look forward to seeing work get underway and to welcoming the first residents into a vibrant new part of the community.”

CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “The Edinburgh Home Demonstrator programme, supported by Scottish Futures Trust, is a hugely important initiative which is helping to shape the future of affordable, ‘Net Zero Ready’ housebuilding in the Edinburgh and South East City Region.

“Burdiehouse is the third development to be brought forward since the launch of the programme in 2021. Like those before it – including the first project delivered by CCG – it will be analysed to help the South East Regional partners understand how ‘Net Zero Ready’ homes can be designed, procured, and delivered at scale to meet local housing demand, and support a just net zero transition by 2045.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council once again to bring new homes to Burdiehouse, and we look forward to commencing work on site very soon.”

The project contributes to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal housing programme and represents a new approach to delivering high-quality, climate conscious, and affordable housing.

Queen Margaret University welcomes locals to summer Community Forum

Members of the local community are invited to Queen Margaret University’s upcoming Community Forum on Wednesday 18 June 2025, from 6:30pm to 7:45pm, where attendees can learn more about the University’s efforts to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth across East Lothian.

Held twice a year, the Community Forum is a valuable opportunity for local residents and East Lothian representatives to engage directly with the University, share ideas, and explore areas of mutual interest.

This summer’s forum will take place at QMU’s Start-Up Studio, a new hub dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurial ambition. The Studio, which combines business support from Business Gateway and the new Bright Red Triangle service, provides expert advice, resources, and funding for students, staff, graduates and the local community to turn ideas into impactful services and ventures.

The evening will feature a short presentation from Carolyn Low, QMU’s Knowledge Exchange Manager, and Angela Lamont, East Lothian Council’s Community Wealth Building Officer.

They will highlight collaborative projects designed to stimulate local innovation and economic development as part of the East Lothian Community Wealth Building Charter – an initiative which aims to harness the collective economic and social influence of key institutions to benefit local communities.

In addition to exploring recent developments at QMU, the event will also include an open discussion where attendees are encouraged to share their perspectives on the University’s role in the community and how these relationships can be strengthened.

Jane Scott, Director of Marketing and Communications at QMU, said: “The Community Forum is an important space for dialogue.

“We’re eager to hear from our neighbours and share updates on some exciting developments at the University that we believe will positively impact the region.”

Queen Margaret University always welcomes new members of the community to join the Forum. Anyone interested in attending the summer Community Forum on 18 June should register by emailing marketing@qmu.ac.uk.

The full schedule for the event can be found in the events section of the QMU website:

https://www.qmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/events-listing/qmu-community-forum-spring-2025

Swifties, Robbie fans and Music Lovers – Foxfest at Conifox just got even bigger!

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend this August as Edinburgh’s Conifox Adventure Park brings you FoxFest 2025 – and it’s shaping up to be the biggest and best yet!

Mark your calendars for Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August and prepare for two days packed with live music, top-class entertainment and fun for the whole family.

Calling all Swifties—live out your wildest dreams as the ultimate Taylor Swift tribute act takes the stage on both days. It’s time to shake it off and sing along to all your favourite hits!

Adding even more star power to the line-up, organisers are thrilled to announce a high-energy Robbie Williams tribute will take to the stage on Sunday. With classic anthems like Angels, Rock DJ, and Let Me Entertain You, it’s set to be an unmissable performance for Robbie fans of all ages.

FoxFest 2025 brings together the best in tribute music, live shows, and family entertainment. From massive pop tunes, to mesmerising magic to hands-in-the-air singalongs, don’t miss out on the ultimate summer celebration!

What’s in Store at FoxFest 2025?

Saturday 2nd August

🎤 Totally Taylor – Taylor Swift Tribute
🎤 Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran Tribute

🎤 Sweet like Sabrina – Sabrina Carpenter Tribute
🎤 Steptastic – A tribute to pop icons Steps
🎶 Songs from Musicals Live
🎈 Dizzy O Dare – The Giant Balloon Show
🫧 The World’s Tallest Bubbleologist

Sunday 3rd August

🎤 Totally Taylor – Taylor Swift Tribute

🎤 Liam as Robbie – Robbie Williams Tribute
🎤 A Tribute to Pink
🎤 Little Mix Magic – The ultimate tribute to Little Mix
🎶 Disney Sing-Along – A magical musical journey for all ages

🎈 Dizzy O Dare – The Giant Balloon Show
🎭 Magic Gareth – A spellbinding magical performance

And that’s not all! Festival goers can also enjoy all the exciting activities that Conifox Adventure Park has to offer, including access to the outdoor Adventure Park, delicious food stalls, refreshing drinks, and an onsite funfair with rides and face painting (additional cost applies).

Event Details

📍 Location: Conifox Adventure Park, Kirkliston, Edinburgh
📅 Dates: Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd August
⏰ Doors Open: 9:30 AM
🎤 Hosted by: Mark Martin

Get Ready for an Unmissable Weekend!

Conifox Managing Director James Gammell said: “FoxFest is all about creating unforgettable moments for families. We’re bringing together some of the UK’s best tribute performers, spectacular live acts, and entertainment that everyone can enjoy.

“It’s going to be a fantastic weekend full of music, laughter, and magic, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back!”

General sale ticket prices are £14.95 per adult, £19.95 per child (2-16 years), £11.75 per toddler (12-24 months), babies go free!

For the latest updates, full lineups, and ticket information, visit www.conifox.co.uk.

Prime Minister hails trade deal successes for Scotland

From the Highlands to the Borders, Scottish people are set to benefit from the UK’s landmark trade deals with India, US and EU announced in recent weeks, says UK Government

Prime Minister visits historic distillery in Glasgow to discuss trade deal benefits for the Scotch Whisky industry
Follows UK hat trick of trade deals with India, US and EU – improving people’s lives across the country
Deals will help drive growth in Scotland and put more money in the pockets of the hardworking Scottish people

From the Highlands to the Borders, Scottish people are set to benefit from the UK’s landmark trade deals with India, US and EU announced in recent weeks, says the Westminster government.

The Prime Minister discussed the huge growth opportunities and benefits for Scotland during a visit Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow today.

Visit comes after Prime Minister visited BAE Govan this morning to announce the Strategic Defence Review, which will see significant investment in Scotland . More than £2 billion a year is already spent by the Ministry of Defence with industry organisations of all sizes in Scotland, supporting over 25,000 skilled jobs in Scotland.

The world-renowned Scotch Whisky industry is set to boom globally – with the Scotch Whisky Association announcing they forecast £1 billion of extra exports in five years, plus 1,200 new jobs thanks to the tariff reductions as part of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.

India is an important market for Scotland, with 457 Scottish businesses exporting a total of £610 million in goods there last year.

Under the India trade deal, tariffs have been cut on a range of iconic Scottish goods, from whisky tariffs halved from 150% to 75% and dropping to 40% after 10 years to salmon reduced from 33% to 0%. Iconic Scottish brands like Irn Bru and Scottish shortbread will also see reduced tariffs.

Scotland’s thriving life sciences and health tech hubs will be strengthened by IP commitments on areas such as trade secrets and copyright, helping companies export to India with confidence.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Our trade deals with India, US and the EU will slash tariffs on key industries and open markets set to help drive growth in Scotland and put money in the pockets of the hardworking Scottish people, delivering on our Plan for Change.

“Scotland is home to some of the most world-renowned products, which can now be enjoyed across the globe – all whilst saving Scottish businesses money.

“That is why we have secured these deals, and why we will continue to go further and faster to improve the lives of everyone in the UK.”

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said: “Our trio of trade deals shows we are championing Scottish products and businesses on the global stage.

“From our world-renowned whisky distilleries to our cutting-edge green energy sector, Scotland has so much to offer international markets. But more importantly as part of our Plan for Change this means more money in people’s pockets.

“By securing better access to the European Union, United States and India, we’re creating real opportunities for Scottish businesses to grow, supporting jobs in communities from the Highlands to the Borders.”

Mark Kent, Chief Executive Officer of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “As the UK’s largest food and drink export to 180 markets worldwide, Scotch Whisky producers welcome the work being done to reduce trade barriers around the world.

“The landmark UK-India free trade agreement will be transformational for the Scotch Whisky industry over the longer term and has the potential to increase exports to India by £1bn over the next 5 years and creating 1,200 jobs across the UK.

“It’s also constructive to see a potential reduction in the burden on exporters through the UK agreement with the EU.

“We continue to support the UK government’s efforts to address the issue of tariffs with the US and establish a pathway to return to the zero-for-zero tariff arrangement we have had with the US on spirits for more than 30 years.”

The new agreement with the European Union, the UK’s largest trading market, will directly address challenges faced by Scottish exporters since 2019.

The Scottish salmon industry has estimated that between 2019 and 2023, Scottish Salmon export values experienced a net loss of around £75 million. The deal with the EU makes it significantly easier to sell Scottish goods to European markets.