Tag: Angus Robertson

Angus Robertson: UK Government must reverse decision to suspend aid

UNRWA: Scotland’s External Affairs Secretary calls for Gaza aid barriers to be removed

Holyrood’s External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson has urged the UK Government to reverse its decision to suspend aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), given the continuing deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Writing to the Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, Mr Robertson said he could not “overstate how crucial this decision is, for the very survival of starving children, women and men in Gaza”, given that “UNRWA remains the only organisation with the capacity to distribute [aid] at the scale required throughout the territory”.

He commended the UK Government’s decision to provide £60 million additional funding for Palestinian civilians, including for UNRWA in November and said it was “imperative to the survival of the agency and the irreplaceable function that it provides, that this commitment is fulfilled”.

Mr Robertson also noted the European Commission’s announcement on 1 March that it will proceed to paying €50 million to UNRWA, “based on the swift action taken by UNRWA to immediately dismiss the implicated staff members and to launch an independent investigation”.

Angus Robertson’s letter reads:

Dear Andrew,

I am writing to express my heightened concern for the continuing deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and in particular regarding the suspension of aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) by the UK Government. Given the dependence on UNRWA of 2.2 million people in Gaza, including children who are now dying of starvation, dehydration and infectious disease, I implore you to reverse this decision.

I share the concerns about the serious allegations that a number of UNRWA staff were involved in the abhorrent attacks of 7 October on Israel.  However, I have been reassured that UNRWA is taking the necessary action to investigate these allegations and to mitigate against such risks in the future.

I note that the European Commission announced on 1 March that it will proceed to paying €50 million to UNRWA and increase its emergency support for Palestine by €68 million in 2024. The Commission stated that it took this decision based on the swift action taken by UNRWA to immediately dismiss the implicated staff members and to launch an independent investigation. UNRWA has provided additional assurances that it will facilitate a further review and audit of the Agency by EU appointed external experts and that it will strengthen its department of internal investigations and the governance surrounding it.

I commend the UK Government’s decision to provide £60 million additional funding for Palestinian civilians, including for UNRWA in November. It is imperative to the survival of the agency and the irreplaceable function that it provides, that this commitment is fulfilled and that UNRWA has the necessary predictability of funding for the next financial year.

I also ask you to use your influence to ensure that the barriers to aid getting into and distributed throughout Gaza, which are being imposed in contravention of international law, are removed. I note that the UK and international partners are exploring the activation of a maritime corridor for aid delivery.

When increased levels of aid finally start to enter the Gaza strip, UNRWA remains the only organisation with the capacity to distribute it at the scale required throughout the territory. They must be able to fulfil this critical function.

I cannot overstate how crucial this decision is, for the very survival of starving children, women and men in Gaza.

ANGUS ROBERTSON

As of 11 March 2024, the European Commission, Canada and Sweden have confirmed they will resume aid funding to the UNRWA.

Culture in an independent Scotland

Benefits for culture, events and creative sectors

The culture and creative sectors of an independent Scotland would be enhanced by the establishment of a new Scottish public service broadcaster reflecting the needs and values of Scottish audiences, according to the latest Building a New Scotland paper published by Culture Secretary Angus Robertson.

The tenth paper in the series outlines how the Scottish Government would have the power to determine the list of events that should be available to broadcast free-to-air to reflect the interests of Scottish audiences, including some major sporting events.

It also sets out how re-joining the EU would help mitigate the impact of Brexit on the culture and creative sector’s ability to reach new audiences and generate income in a key export market.

The paper outlines how an independent Scottish Government could further protect, support and enhance Scotland’s culture and creative sectors by:

  • becoming members of multilateral conventions and agreements, organisations like Creative Europe and UNESCO
  • providing greater support to promote the creative sectors on the world stage and collaborating and cooperating on cultural initiatives with other nations
  • using its network of new embassies to promote Scottish culture globally. This would build on the current ‘Scotland House’ model, which fosters connectivity with international partners
  • building on the success of the festivals, ensuring they remain diverse, vibrant and international through supporting touring from international artists and creative professionals

Mr Robertson said: “Our culture and creative sectors, such as music, video games and the screen sector, are a key part of Scotland’s economy, not just in their own right but also as a driver of other sectors such as tourism and hospitality.

“Our creative industries already make an important contribution to our economy but as an independent country, Scotland’s rich and diverse culture would help our economy to thrive.

“Independence means that broadcasting decisions that impact Scottish audiences and our creative industries would be determined by the Scottish public through the Scottish Parliament. For example, decisions about what large-scale sporting events should be made available to broadcast free-to-air, such as international football qualifiers.

“A new public service broadcaster would prioritise content and services that are more representative of diverse audiences in Scotland, enhancing local voices and coverage of community issues.

“Brexit and the removal of free movement has had a major impact on Scotland’s cultural and creative sectors by limiting access to the people, talent and skills the sector needs.

“The increased costs and administrative burdens have also meant that working in the EU is now beyond the reach of many of Scotland’s artists, damaging their ability to reach new audiences and generate income.

“Independence and Scotland becoming a full member state within the EU is the only way for artists and creatives to regain the vast benefits of EU membership, including freedom of movement.”

culture-independent-scotland-paper-10Download

Building a New Scotland: Culture in an independent Scotland

It is the tenth paper in the Building a New Scotland series.

Scottish Government: Placing diverse communities at the heart of events

Against the backdrop of the world’s biggest cycling event in history, discussions are taking place which aim to further boost equality, diversity and inclusion across Scotland’s world-renowned events sector.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships has seen competitions for disabled and non-disabled athletes taking place alongside each other. This inclusive approach has helped to showcase and raise awareness of Para sport.

Yesterday in Glasgow Culture Secretary Angus Robertson hosted a roundtable with partners representing people with protected characteristics, such as race and young people, to explore ways to strengthen the approach to the planning, delivery and legacy of major events.

Along with a public consultation and stakeholder workshops held earlier in 2023, this will inform the refreshed National Events Strategy for 2025-2035.

Mr Robertson said: “It’s important that collectively we make most of the many benefits events can bring to the lives of diverse communities right across Scotland.   

“The UCI Cycling World Championships are a great example of how mega events like this can showcase our cultural diversity, boost accessibility and extend a warm welcome to all communities.

“The inclusion of Para sports in the Cycling World Championships has contributed significantly to the atmosphere. The competitive spirit and level of skill and dedication demonstrated by all athletes taking part side by side has been inspirational and an important part of the success of the event.

“We want our portfolio of world-class events to deliver positive economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits for everyone in Scotland.”

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships runs until 13 August. The event has a focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, including through signing a Ride Together Pledge.

Scottish Labour’s Shadow Minister for Culture Foysol Choudhury MSP said that championships as such are an excellent opportunity to get more people into sports and showcase all that Scotland has to offer to the world.

The Lothians list MSP said: “With our fantastic landscape and cities as backdrops for the event, it’s been great to show the world exactly why so many of us are proud to call Scotland our home.

“Not only that, but it’s really helped to encourage sport, amongst young people and adults alike.

“We not only have breath-taking scenery if you want to cycle outdoors, but we also have excellent velodromes for indoor cycling.

“This is a great opportunity to embrace active travel as part of a healthy lifestyle and start cycling again-I know I’ve definitely been inspired to get back into the habit!”

As part of the build-up to the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, an £8 million Cycling Facilities Fund has been jointly invested by the Scottish Government and Sportscotland to support cycling communities and club facilities across Scotland.

Mr Choudhury continued: “To encourage active travel and sport, we need to make sure that everybody has access to the equipment and facilities needed to participate. That’s why funding to community and club facilities is so important.

“I would like to congratulate two projects from West Lothian – Balbardie Park Pump Track and West Lothian Cycle Circuit, Linlithgow – who have received awards of £45,433 and £636,011, respectively.

“I hope that my constituents can make use of the benefits that these funds can bring.

“Let’s all get inspired by the Championships this summer and join in to feel the Power Of The Bike! “

From Scotland with love

Vital equipment on it’s way to fight Covid-19 crisis in Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia

A grant of more than £270,000 from the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund will fund the supply of 300 items of vital equipment to treat Covid-19 patients in Africa.

The funding will allow Kids Operating Room, a Scottish-based global health charity, to distribute 100 oxygen concentrators each to Malawi, Rwanda, and Zambia.

Covid-19 cases in Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia are rising quickly, with the health system in Zambia especially under severe stress.

One of the biggest impacts of the rise in Covid-19 cases is a shortage of oxygen, and oxygen concentrators are easy to use, are suitable for patients of all ages, and can be used throughout the health service.

External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The Covid situation in Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia has become very serious, very quickly, and we know that the pressure on health services are putting great stress on their infrastructure, especially in relation to the delivery of oxygen to patients.

“This funding for oxygen concentrators will go some way to help ease the current stress on the health services in our three African partner countries, and we are delighted to work with Kids Operating Room to make sure this vital equipment is put to use as soon as possible.

“Scotland remains fully committed to playing our part in tackling shared global challenges, and we are committed to increase the International Development Fund (IDF) by 50% to £15 million.

“As the global pandemic continues, we firmly believe this is not the time to turn our back on the poorest and those in dire need – instead, this is precisely the moment when we should be living up to our core values.”

David Cunningham, the chief executive officer of Kids Operating Room, said: “Our model is to listen to doctors, then give them what they need – right now, the message is coming back loud and clear that what they need is access to more oxygen to fight Covid-19.

“Oxygen concentrators are key pieces of equipment that are needed to meet the region’s critical oxygen shortage. They are suitable for all ages and durable for years to come post-Covid, making them incredibly essential to support the health services in the long-term.”

Kids Operating Room is a Scottish global health charity with bases in Edinburgh, Dundee and Nairobi. It works directly with local surgeons and their teams across Africa and South America to transform hospital spaces into dedicated operating rooms for children’s surgery.

Oxygen concentrators provide a sustainable and cost-effective source of medical oxygen – they draw air from the environment and then concentrate that room oxygen to therapeutic levels for delivery to patients.

The charity will coordinate the distribution of the oxygen equipment.  They will arrange for delivery to doctors in Lusaka, Lilongwe and Kigali, and have the equipment distributed to the most in-demand hospitals.

New role for Ben MacPherson as FM Nicola Sturgeon completes her ministerial team

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon completed her new governmental team last night with the announcement of junior ministerial appointments.

Consisting of 10 Cabinet Secretaries, including the First Minister, the Scottish Cabinet will be supported by 15 Junior Ministers. 

There’s a new role for Northern & Leith MSP Ben MacPherson, who moves from Rural Affairs and Environment to become Minister for Social Security and Local Government.

Edinburgh Eastern MSP Ash Denham remains Minister for Community Safety and new Edinburgh Central MSP Angus Robertson comes straight into government as Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.

The full ministerial team is:

First Minister: Nicola Sturgeon

Minister for Drugs Policy: Angela Constance

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery: John Swinney

Minister for Parliamentary Business: George Adam

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy: Kate Forbes

Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work: (who will also work alongside the Net Zero Secretary), Richard Lochhead

Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise: Ivan McKee

Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth: Tom Arthur

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Humza Yousaf

Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport: Maree Todd

Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care: Kevin Stewart

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills: Shirley-Anne Somerville

Minister for Children and Young People: Clare Haughey

Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training: Jamie Hepburn

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport: Michael Matheson

Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform (who will also work alongside the Rural Affairs Secretary): Mairi McAllan

Minister for Transport: Graeme Dey

Cabinet Secretary for Justice: Keith Brown

Minister for Community Safety: Ash Denham

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government: Shona Robison

Minister for Equalities and Older People: Christina McKelvie

Minister for Social Security and Local Government: Ben MacPherson

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands: Mairi Gougeon

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture: Angus Robertson

Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development: Jenny Gilruth.

Holyrood Elections: Edinburgh Central falls to SNP

The SNP’s ANGUS ROBERTSON has taken former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson’s Edinburgh Central seat.

Mr Robertson said the ’emphatic’ victory is the SNP’s ‘best ever result’ in the city centre seat. His majority is 4732.

The seat is the SNP’s third gain of the election so far.

Ms Davidson is now off to take up her seat in the House of Lords.

RESULT

ANGUS ROBERTSON (SNP) 16 276

Scott Douglas (Conservative) 11 544

SNP GAIN from Conservatives

SNP majority 4732

Turnout 63%