Category: North Edinburgh News

Chancellor marks military support for Ukraine on visit to Kyiv

Chancellor tells President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Britain will stand with Ukraine for “as long as it takes”

  • Mr Hunt discussed £500 million of new funding and munitions for the country in its fight against Putin’s Russia with the President and counterpart Sergii Marchenko.
  • Boosts Britain’s military aid for Ukraine to £3 billion this year and by at least as much each year going forward, alongside its commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence spending by 2030.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv yesterday to reaffirm Britain’s support for Ukraine for as long as is required to its leaders.

The Chancellor met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko to offer his support and hear how Ukraine plans to utilise new equipment due from the UK. During their meeting, President Zelenskyy told Mr Hunt that the “crucial” support was “very important” to Ukraine.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the £500 million of new military aid for Ukraine this week, alongside the UK’s largest ever donation of critical munitions like missiles and air defences.

It takes Britain’s military support for Ukraine to £3 billion this financial year, on top of the £4.6 billion already committed since Russia’s illegal invasion began. That level of support will be sustained for as long as is required.

Speaking from Kyiv, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “War in Ukraine has raged on for longer than many feared, but today I saw that the resolve of its people remains absolute.

“The onus is now on its friends to pile the pressure on Putin and help restore peace and prosperity in Europe – we’re determined to play our leading part. 

“Ukraine’s security is our security, and the billions in funding and equipment Britain has provided to date is just the start of a longer-term commitment to supporting them in their struggle with Russia for as long as it takes.”

During their meeting, President Zelenskyy of Ukraine told Mr Hunt: “I want to thank you, your team, government, Prime Minister, Parliament and people of the United Kingdom that you are with us – with Ukraine – from the first days of full-scale war. We count on you. We are real partners.“

Whilst on the ground, the Chancellor visited Saint Michael’s Square with Minister Marchenko and laid flowers at the memorial to the soldiers killed in Russia’s war of aggression. He also visited St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery and lit a candle in their memory.

The UK has consistently been a first-mover in its support for Ukraine and the government has this week moved to shore up the support Ukraine needs for the long-haul, with a new assurance to maintain current levels of support for as long as is necessary. This represents the longest-term commitment of any other nation, coming on top of the 100-year alliance forged by the UK-Ukraine Security Pact.

That started with the £500 million of new military funding for Ukraine being unveiled by the Prime Minister on his visit to Warsaw on Tuesday, where he met with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss support for the country. The funding will support the highest priority capabilities, including scaling of UK drone innovation and support so the UK becomes the largest provider of drones to Ukraine. 

With the economy turning the corner and inflation near its lowest level in two-and-a-half years, it was also announced that the government will steadily increase defence spending to £87 billion a year at the end of the decade, thereby hitting 2.5% of GDP by 2030. It secures Britain’s place as the largest defence power in Europe and second biggest contributor to NATO by some margin.

If all NATO partners matched that commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, our collective spending would increase by over £140 billion. Mr Hunt used his visit to Ukraine to urge allies to step up and match that benchmark.

Commitments made this week mean the UK’s total military, humanitarian and economic support for Ukraine now totals over £12 billion since the advent of war in February 2022

The record donation of military equipment to Ukraine being made by the Ministry of Defence includes:

  • 60 boats including offshore raiding craft, rigid raiding craft and dive boats as well as maritime guns.
  • More than 1,600 strike and air defence missiles, as well as additional Storm Shadow long-range precision-guided missiles.
  • More than 400 vehicles, including 160 protected mobility ‘Husky’ vehicles, 162 armoured vehicles and 78 all-terrain vehicles.
  • Nearly 4 million rounds of small arms ammunition.

Film Screening at CAMRA’s Members’ Weekend

An exclusive screening of ‘Desi: A Pub Story’ directed by Zaki Solosho will take place Friday 26 April at the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Members’ Weekend, AGM & Conference 2024

Desi: A Pub Story, a new documentary film directed by Zaki Solosho, made for CAMRA’s educational Learn & Discover platform, will make its debut at CAMRA’s Members’ Weekend for a special viewing.

The film is a fascinating guide to British-Indian pubs and a celebration of our modern multi-cultural country. A poignant and human story of pubs becoming the heart of their communities, the documentary tackles the ugly history of racial segregation in British pubs and the story of resistance which led to the rise of the desi pub. 

Desi: A Pub Story features interviews with publicans, pubgoers and very special guests including radio DJ and TV presenter Bobby Friction, plus lots of food, history and culture.

Desi: A Pub Story expands upon CAMRA’s award-winning Desi Pubs book by beer writer David Jesudason. 

The screening will start at 7pm this Friday and will be followed by a Q&A with the director himself. This session is free to attend, and the audience can bring a drink down from the Members’ Bar to enjoy during the film.

Register to attend CAMRA’s Members’ Weekend here and book your spot at this exclusive screening here.

Along with the private showing at Members’ Weekend, public premieres in both Birmingham and London will feature later in the year. More news about these events will follow shortly.

Zaki Solosho is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of London-based creative video production company Element Move. You can view his showreel and portfolio here: https://www.zakisolosho.com/

To celebrate 50 years of CAMRA in Scotland, the Campaign group is returning to the beautiful Caird Hall in Dundee for its Members’ Weekend, AGM & Conference 2024 between 26-28 April.

CAMRA’s Members’ Weekend, AGM & Conference is held annually in April and is open to all CAMRA members. Not only is it a chance to discuss motions at Conference, but it also gives members the opportunity to socialise in the onsite bar, attend information sessions and explore the beer scene of the host city.

Alongside the screening of Desi: A Pub Story, there a many more organised trips and fringe events, including presentations and brewery tours.

SNP to go it alone as coalition collapses

Bute House Agreement is OVER

The Scottish Government’s formal co-operation agreement with the Scottish Green Party has ended, First Minister Humza Yousaf has confirmed.

Mr Yousaf met Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater this morning and, following a meeting of the Scottish Cabinet, the First Minister informed them formally of the end of the Bute House Agreement, and their tenure as Ministers, with immediate effect.

The full text of the First Minister’s letter:

Patrick, Lorna

I am writing to confirm the decision taken by Cabinet today to bring the Bute House Agreement to an end.  This decision is effective immediately.

As per the terms of the Bute House Agreement, this development also marks the end of your tenures as ministers. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your service to the Scottish Government and for your evident commitment to improving the lives of the Scottish people. The Bute House Agreement delivered bold action on pressing social issues, including securing a better deal for tenants and action to tackle poverty and inequality.  We have worked together, too, to accelerate our transition to net zero, with a focus on fair work, green jobs and more support for active travel and the launch of free bus travel for under 22s. 

We can all be proud of our work together to build a greener, fairer and independent Scotland and for the role you played in working collaboratively to find solutions for the problems confronting the world today.

This spirit of co-operation and consensus-building is in keeping with the founding principles of our Scottish Parliament.  Those principles will continue to guide my Government’s approach and to be innovative in the ways we serve the people of Scotland. 

The cessation of the Bute House Agreement should not be a barrier to our parties continuing to work together to make progress on the policies Scotland needs to thrive; not least our shared commitment to securing independence for Scotland and to giving people the right to choose our country’s future.

Thank you once again for all you have done to deliver for the people of Scotland.  I wish you well for the future.

HUMZA YOUSAF

The Greens have called the decision to end the Bute House agreement ‘an act of political cowardice’ and have accused the First Minister of weakness.

Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater MSP accused the SNP of selling out future generations by walking away from the Bute House Agreement. 

Confirming the end of the cooperation agreement she said: “This is an act of political cowardice by the SNP, who are selling out future generations to appease the most reactionary forces in the country. 

“Voters deserve better, Scotland deserves better. Scottish Green voters certainly deserve better. 

“They have broken the bonds of trust with members of both parties who have twice chosen the co-operation agreement and climate action over chaos, culture wars and division. They have betrayed the electorate. 

“And by ending the agreement in such a weak and thoroughly hopeless way, Humza Yousaf has signalled that when it comes to political cooperation, he can no longer be trusted. 

“In just a few weeks’ time our own members were to have a democratic say on endorsing the co-operation agreement. We are confident they would have supported us in continuing our work for Scotland, as they have done at every turn. 

“Neither they nor SNP members will have that opportunity. Instead, the most reactionary and backwards-looking forces within the First Minister’s party have forced him to do the opposite of what he himself had said was in Scotland’s best interests. 

“By contrast we as co-leaders of the Scottish Greens were prepared to put our own political careers on the line with our members, to defend our achievements in government, despite enduring all that SNP backbenchers and others threw against us. 

“What a pity he didn’t have the fortitude or the bravery to do the same. If they can’t stand up to members of their own party, how can anyone expect them to stand up to the UK Government at Westminster and defend the interests of Scotland? 

“We want, we demand, a fairer greener Scotland. We believed the Bute House Agreement would speed up that process, only to be let down by the SNP time and time again – on council tax, on oil and gas, on 2030 and most obviously, again today. 

“I appeal to those SNP members who do care about climate, trans rights, independence and our country to consider if they are in the right party for their values, or if their home should be with us as we prepare to step up our defence of the planet in opposition. 

“Finally, to all those who will feel hurt and betrayed today, know this: our resolve is absolute, we will not abandon you as the SNP have, we will fight for your future with every breath we take. “

Climate campaigners have said that the end of the BHA ‘does not change the fact’ that the Scottish Government needs to get its climate plans back on track.  

A Friends of the Earth Scotland spokesperson said: “The end of the Bute House Agreement does not change the fact that the First Minister must take responsibility for getting Scotland’s climate plans back on track, strengthen the desperately weak policy package offered last week and recommit to bringing down climate pollution in line with our 2030 legal targets. 

“The announcement that the Scottish Government wants to scrap its critical 2030 climate target has caused huge anger and concern amongst people who, regardless of their political persuasion, clearly recognise that we need urgent action this decade.” 

“The government must urgently clarify how they will deliver the vital climate legislation that will bring down pollution and improve lives through both the Circular Economy Bill and the Heat in Buildings Bill, both of which were being overseen by Green ministers.”  

ALBA MSP Ash Regan commented: “48 hours ago I put a motion of no confidence in against Patrick Harvie, today the Government have agreed.

“I am glad to see the extremely unpopular politics of the Greens have been abandoned and the SNP have found a backbone.”

SNP MP Joanna Cherry has also welcomed the ‘divorce’: “If true this would be excellent news.

“The Scottish Greens have brought nothing transformative to the table on climate change that was actually viable, their science denying response to the #CassReport was disgraceful & their identity politics are toxic.

“Out with identity politics & virtue signalling, in with policies to tackle the bread & butter issues that our constituents bring up on the doorsteps.”

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: “The government is falling apart before our eyes.

“Humza Yousaf is too weak to hold his own government together. Three years into the Bute House Agreement the promises the SNP and Greens made have been torn to shreds.”

The Scottish Conservatives said: “The SNP-Green deal was only ever about one thing – their shared nationalist obsession.

“Humza Yousaf may have been forced to end this disastrous pact before the Greens quit but nothing will really change. He will continue to put his independence obsession above your priorities.”

Tory MSP Craig Hoy said: “The collapse of this toxic coalition is an utter humiliation for Humza Yousaf, who hailed it as ‘worth its weight in gold’ – and continued to back it to the hilt right until the end.

“It beggars belief that the Greens were invited into government in the first place.”

LATEST: At First Minister’s Questions Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has announced that his party will lodge a vote of no confidence in Humza Yousaf’s government

Cash-first approach to help with infant food insecurity

.

A toolkit for people working with families with infants at risk of food insecurity is promoting cash first responses to allow them to safely, responsively and appropriately feed their babies and helping towards reducing the need for food banks.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville and Public Health Minister Jenni Minto visited Cranhill Development Trust’s Baby and Toddler group in Glasgow yesterday to see the help on offer to families with infants who may be facing financial pressure.

They met with local families attending the group to hear about the impact of cross-Government support for families in the cost of living crisis.

Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “All children have the right to the best possible health and an adequate standard of living, which includes appropriate nutrition to meet their developmental needs. These resources are aimed at ensuring that no baby in Scotland is left without the food they need to grow and thrive.

“We continue to allocate around £3 billion each year to a range of actions which help to tackle poverty and mitigate the impacts of the cost of living crisis on households.

“We will do all we can to reduce child poverty while mitigating UK Government austerity – but we could go much further if policies made at Westminster were not actively working against us.”

UNIQLO opens today on Princes Street

UNIQLO is preparing to open the doors to its first and highly anticipated Scottish store in Edinburgh today.

Welcoming the city’s shoppers to the Princes Street store, the opening is set to regenerate the capital’s shopping scene. Boasting a spacious retail space spanning approximately 1,400 sq meters across two floors, the first Scottish store showcases the full collection of LifeWear for men, women, kids and babies. 

Alessandro Dudech, Chief Operating Officer at UNIQLO U.K said: “We are delighted to bring UNIQLO to the thriving city of Edinburgh.

“Our brand is dedicated to providing innovative and high-quality clothing that caters to the needs and preferences of diverse lifestyles. With our presence in Edinburgh, we aim to become an integral part of the local community, offering a unique shopping experience that blends style, comfort and affordability.” 

Housed in the iconic, modernist purpose-built retail store, designed by Johnson-Marshall and Partners in 1965, the UNIQLO Princes Street store features a wide range of popular collections.

Customers will be able to explore linen, BLOCKTECH, the brand’s smart range of water resistant and windproof items, as well as the high-performing AIRism collection, renowned for its lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics that adapt seamlessly to diverse climates.

UNIQLO SS24 collection available in Princes Street store from 25th April.

Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, said: “It’s fantastic news that UNIQLO, a global brand and one of Japan’s foremost casual wear retailers, has chosen Princes Street here in the Capital as the location for their flagship Scottish store.

“This is testament to the pull of our city to major international companies and I’m really looking forward to seeing the store open its doors. I’m encouraged to hear that UNIQLO will be partnering with local charity, Social Bite, working towards ending homelessness.

“Edinburgh is a city that is truly open for business and I’m excited to see what the future holds for Princes Street and beyond. I’m sure UNIQLO will make their mark here and I wish them every success.” 

In-store Experience

The Japanese retailer’s first Scottish store focuses on experience-led features for customers including; RE.UNIQLO Studio and an in-store Japanese tearoom.

Following the success of UNIQLO UK’s first in-store café, which opened last year in the Covent Garden store, the Princes Street store will proudly unveil the brand’s second UK in-store café. Developed in partnership with Japanese tearoom, Katsute100, the space will offer customers Japanese inspired refreshments on the first floor, overlooking a picturesque view of Princes Street Gardens and the spectacular Edinburgh Castle.

Located next to the cafe is the RE.UNIQLO Studio where customers can recycle, repair or remake their favourite UNIQLO items so they can keep wearing and loving them for longer. In partnership with Scotland’s other national drink, IRN-BRU, customers can add BRU-themed embroidery pieces to their UNIQLO items for a limited time only. This is an exclusive to the Edinburgh RE.UNIQLO counter until the end of May 2024.

Limited edition designs in partnership with IRN-BRU, available for embroidery in the RE.UNIQLO Studio until the end of May.

Local partners

UNIQLO will champion local craftsmanship in the Princes Street store, featuring exclusive collaborations with Tom Fraser, Principal of the Chippendale School of Furniture and local artist Arran Rahimian, Tom’s hand-crafted benches will sit across the store’s interior, while Arran’s bespoke artworks will be found in the fitting rooms and adorned upon exclusive goody bags that will be distributed during the launch day festivities.

Other local partnerships that will be featured within the new UNIQLO store include an instore library with a curated collection of books provided by Golden Hare Books, giving customers an opportunity to read while in-store. Botanical studio, PYRUS has also lent its expertise, dressing the store with beautiful floral arrangements inspired by Edinburgh’s natural landscape, adding a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere upon entry to the store.

Curated collection of books provided by Golden Hare Books

Additionally, UNIQLO will partner with local charity Social Bite to support its mission to end homelessness. As part of this partnership UNIQLO is working with Social Bite to develop recruitment pathways by creating in-store job opportunities for the people the charity supports. Edinburgh staff will be volunteering with Social Bite and have provided clothing donations.

Opening Day Offers and Events

To commemorate the grand opening, UNIQLO Edinburgh is hosting special promotions and events, offering customers the chance to discover the latest styles and enjoy exclusive offers.

The first 100 customers through the door will receive a goody bag while UNIQLO app customers will be in with the chance of winning a trip to Tokyo, by scanning the app with any purchase during opening weekend to be entered into the draw. There will be limited price promotions exclusive to the Princes Street store on items such as Ultra Light Down, Extra Fine Merino sweaters, pleated wide pants and selected innerwear for both men and women.

Fans are invited to share their excitement across social channels using #UniqloEdinburgh, when they spot the activity including the UNIQLO branded Edinburgh Trams in the wake of the opening.

UNIQLO currently has 19 stores in the U.K. The new Edinburgh Princes Street store opens hot on the heels of One Oxford Street in London on 18th April 2024.

The UNIQLO Edinburgh store operates during regular business hours, providing shoppers with ample opportunities to experience the brand’s renowned offerings. Whether seeking timeless classics or contemporary trends, UNIQLO invites the Edinburgh community to visit its newest location.

For more information about the new store, please visit:

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/content/edinburgh.html

Book your stall at Corstorphine Community Centre’s Summer Fete

We are getting better with age …

Get involved in the best community Fete in Corstorphine!

Stalls and sites are limited. Booking is open from TODAY 23.04.24 until 14.05.24

Don’t delay in making your booking – first come, first served at this bustling sell out event!

Demystifying Death event at St Columba’s Hospice

DEALING WITH DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS

💇‍♀️💈Calling all hairdressers and barbers!

We know that you hear people’s life stories, their triumphs, trials and tribulations pretty much all day every day, and that some of those conversations can be pretty tough.

Well, to help you navigate these chats, and to help you help those who might be experiencing grief, change or bereavement, we’d like to invite you to a FREE event!

As well as providing a delicious buffet, we will provide you with resources and opportunities to learn more about how to help those who are in need.

To sign up- call our Wellbeing team on 0131 551 1381.

*** Please note, this event is reserved for hairdressers & barbers only. ***

Strachan House quizzers beat the Auld Enemy in Earth Day battle!

Residents and guests at Strachan House care home in Blackhall enjoyed a morning of quizzing and a classic English High tea as they hosted a virtual quiz with Goodson Lodge care centre in Trowbridge.

Residents in the Goodson Lodge Care centre were treated to irn bru, whisky and shortbread as both teams battled it out to see who would be crowned quiz master champion. 

Teams from both the English and Scottish homes provided quiz questions about their country whilst the other side aimed to guess the answers with mouthfuls of their countries’ finest fare.

General Manager, Fran Fisher said, “Our residents had a wonderful morning and were really excited to meet new people and learn lots of amazing new things.

“It’s always great to connect with others in the care industry and we hope we can continue for many years to come”. 

The quiz held on Earth Day was a true celebration of community and coming together. The Scottish team took the win this year but, with this now being an annual event, we will see if the English team can make it a draw next year! 

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. 

Strachan House provides Nursing and Dementia care  for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.

Campaigners urge First Minister: ‘Don’t Break Climate Promise’

Climate campaigners took their anger at the Scottish Government decision to scrap its 2030 climate targets to a protest outside Bute House last night. The protest called on the First Minister and his Government ‘not to break their climate promise’.

Organisers say that scrapping these targets means a weakening of climate action, a reduction in scrutiny on Ministers and is a ‘betrayal’ of those impacted by climate breakdown.

Speakers at the rally highlighted the impact extreme weather is already having on Scottish food production, as well endangering lives in climate vulnerable countries.

Protestors are taking their message directly to the First Minister’s residence because he must take responsibility for the Scottish Government’s failure to deliver on their climate commitments.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Climate Campaigner Caroline Rance said: “People are rightly angry that Humza Yousaf’s Government plans to break its climate promise and slow down action in this crucial decade. Climate science is clear that we cannot allow that to happen.

“The Scottish Government’s repeated failure to act has meant not only have they missed climate targets, but they have missed tangible opportunities to improve people’s lives through providing good public transport, decent home insulation and creating good green jobs.

“The First Minister must take responsibility for this colossal climate failure because the desperately weak policy package announced last week offers no reassurance that his Ministers are serious about getting us back on track.”

Landworkers’ Alliance Scotland Policy and Campaigns Coordinator Tara Wight, who spoke at the rally, commented: “The effects of climate change are already having a devastating impact on farming in Scotland with productive fields underwater, record lamb deaths this Spring and storm Babet last year causing the most drastic loss of crop value ever recorded.

“This has a big impact on our food system, increasing the need for carbon-heavy imports and driving up the cost of food at a time when people are already struggling to make ends meet.

“Farmers and crofters urgently need support to transition their practices to improve both climate resilience and mitigation yet the Scottish Government’s policies for climate-friendly agriculture are the least ambitious in the UK, and fall far behind the EU. This lack of action on climate change and just transition is a betrayal of our farming and crofting communities.”

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) Coalition Manager Becky Kenton-Lake commented: “Scotland’s target to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030 was based on our fair contribution to retaining a liveable planet.

“As the First Minister himself has said, rich nations failing to deliver on climate commitments would represent “catastrophic negligence“, and the Scottish Government’s lack of sufficient climate action to date represents a major breach of trust with the people of Scotland and communities around the world who have done least to cause the crisis but whose lives and livelihoods are already being destroyed.

“The range of largely re-heated measures announced by the Scottish Government are wholly inadequate and fall very significantly short of the transformational acceleration in action needed.”

Liz Murray, Head of Scottish Campaigns at Global Justice Now said, ““We’re at the rally today to urge the First Minister and the Scottish government not to backtrack on its climate commitments.

“The First Minister has in the past spoken out about the catastrophic negligence of rich countries’ failure to act on climate change, so he should be totally ashamed of his own government’s failure to take the action needed to meet its own targets.

“And rather than pulling out all the stops to get things back on track to meet those targets, the Scottish Government is now just going to move the goalposts. This is shameful.

“Climate change knows no borders. People who have had little or nothing to do with causing the climate emergency, from communities in the global south to marginalised communities in Scotland, are suffering its serious effects.

“In a climate emergency, letting itself off the hook is the wrong thing for the Scottish Government to do, and any claims it had to global leadership on climate change now have no credibility.”

Improving gender identity healthcare for children and young people

A new multi-disciplinary team led by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and including paediatric, pharmacy and scientific expertise, will be convened to examine clinical recommendations of the Cass Review, and consider how they may apply to NHS Scotland, Minister for Public Health Jenni Minto has told the Scottish Parliament.

Giving an update on the Scottish Government’s response to the review, which was chaired by Dr Hilary Cass, the Minister also restated the Scottish Government’s commitment to invest £9 million to support the improvement of NHS gender identity healthcare in Scotland. As part of this overall commitment, £2 million will be allocated this year and in each of the next two years.

In her statement, Ms Minto reiterated the Scottish Government’s commitment to make sure services are delivered to the highest standards, including continuing work to develop new National Standards for Gender Identity Healthcare.

These standards will be published in the summer.

Ms Minto said: “I want to start by speaking directly to our young people, and in particular our trans and non-binary people across Scotland. I know these last few weeks and months have been incredibly difficult, with increased media attention and toxic online commentary.

“I want to reassure you that the Scottish Government remains absolutely committed, not just to ensuring ongoing support is available for you, but to reforming and improving gender identity healthcare.

“We are absolutely committed to investing £9 million to support the improvement of NHS gender identity healthcare in Scotland. As part of this commitment, since December 2022, we have invested over £2.8 million to support work to improve access to gender identity healthcare in Scotland, with over £2.2 million of that allocated directly to Health Boards with gender identity clinics.

“Now we will invest a further £2 million, as a part of our £9 million commitment, this year and a further £2 million in each of the next two years and we are committed to long term sustainable funding for these services beyond that point.”

Ms Minto added: “We already have a Strategic Action Framework for the improvement of NHS gender identity services. As part of this work, the CMO has agreed that the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and other Senior Medical Officers will support careful consideration of the Cass Review’s clinical recommendations and engage on the recommendations with the Scottish Association of Medical Directors and other clinical leaders.

“A multi-disciplinary clinical team within the CMO Office in the Scottish Government, including paediatric, pharmacy and scientific expertise, will assess the clinical recommendations and engage with the relevant clinical community and leadership in Health Boards in relation to those recommendations.

“The CMO will provide a written update to Parliament on the outcome of that clinical consideration process before the Summer Recess.”

Ministerial Statement on the Cass Review and Gender Identity Healthcare