Brexit bonus? Scotland to receive extra £2 billion for public services

Scotland is to get a £2 billion funding boost from the UK Government

Public services in Scotland are to receive a £2 billion funding boost from the UK Government. The cash windfall follows yesterday’s announcement by the Prime Minister’s announcement that, in the NHS’s 70th year, she is investing an extra £20 billion a year in health services in England (by 2023-24, compared to today). Continue reading Brexit bonus? Scotland to receive extra £2 billion for public services

“A dark day for devolution”: SNP fury as Brexit inches closer

The UK took another step closer to the Brexit trapdoor when MPs voted 324 – 298 in favour of the legislation last night. The Westminster government made concessions and has promised parliament a “meaningful vote” on the final deal, ensuring Britain remains on track to leave the EU on 29 March next year. Continue reading “A dark day for devolution”: SNP fury as Brexit inches closer

New fund will give communities a voice on Brexit

New support will help ensure community organisations, charities and other grassroots groups are listened to during the ongoing Brexit negotiations. The £150,000 stakeholder engagement fund will provide grants to Scottish organisations who wouldn’t otherwise have the resources to gather and promote the views of their members on preparing for the UK leaving the EU. Continue reading New fund will give communities a voice on Brexit

New figures highlight ‘major concern’ as more EU nurses leave the UK

New figures from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) show a significant rise in the number of EU nurses and midwives leaving the register. Between April 2017 and March 2018, 3,962 people left – an increase of 29 percent. Continue reading New figures highlight ‘major concern’ as more EU nurses leave the UK

Letters: Ask the right questions

Dear Editor

The 52% who in 2016 voted to leave the European Union expressed various reasons for doing so. In the main there was widespreda concern about how the country was being run: frozen wages, rising prices and drastic cuts in both local and national public services – and there seemed to be no end in sight to this policy. It was indeed a deliberate policy, aimed in turn at different sections of the population, a ‘divide and rule’ tactic to exercise control.

Massive confusion was created in the UK and those in power seem to talk about anything but the real problems, such as who own major industries – and are they operated to benefit all, or just shareholders and investors?

Major industries such as electricity, gas, water supply and sewerage, public passenger transport; all these are life essential services for all people – and because they are they should be publicly owned.

These are the questions that should be put to the people, and only the Labour Party is doing that. It is not right that these industries should be privately owned and controlled to make millions in profit for the few.

A. Delahoy,

Silverknowes Gardens

 

Brexit: one year to go

To mark one year to go until Brexit, the Prime Minister is today embarking on a day long tour across the United Kingdom to outline her determination to deliver a deal that works for every community and protects the integrity of the Union. However Michael Russell, Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe, said Scotland had so far been excluded from the Brexit process by the UK Government. Continue reading Brexit: one year to go

Scottish Affairs Committee launches inquiry into Brexit impact

The Scottish Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry to examine the impact of Brexit on trade and investment in Scotland. The inquiry will focus on  looking at Scotland’s priorities for future trade relations with the EU and non-EU countries, and the Committee will also look at how the UK and Scottish governments promote Scottish exports and Scotland as a destination for foreign investment.  Continue reading Scottish Affairs Committee launches inquiry into Brexit impact

MSPs take Brexit “dismay” to House of Lords

Six senior MSPs representing three Holyrood Committees will attend House of Lords talks today on the EU (Withdrawal) Bill and Brexit. The MSPs will set out significant cross-party concerns over Clause 11 of the Bill and the lack of progress from the UK Government on amending the Bill during its Commons passage. Continue reading MSPs take Brexit “dismay” to House of Lords