In advance of the Spending Review, Child Poverty Action Group have joined with other organisations to urge the chancellor to make a firm commitment that the two-child limit and the benefit cap will be abolished as part of the Autumn Budget.
Read our letter to the Chancellor:
The Labour Party has won the Hmailton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, taking the seat from the SNP.
Local candidate Davy Russell took the seat with a 602 majority over SNP’s Katie Louden, with Reform UK coming third.
The by-election took place following the death of former SNP minister Christina McKelvie, who had held the seat since 2011.
The by-election turnout was 44.1%.
FULL RESULT
DAVY RUSSELL (SCOTTISH LABOUR) 8599
Katy Louden (SNP) 7957
Ross Lambie (Reform UK) 7088
Richard Nelson (Scottish Conservatives) 1621
Ann McGuinness (Scottish Greens) 695
Aisha Mir (Liberal Democrats) 533
Collette Bradley (Scottish Socialist Party) 278
Andy Brady (Scottish Family Party) 219
Marc Wilkinson (Independent) 109
Janice MacKay (Ukip) 50.
The Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Bangladesh has called for action to minimise impacts on Cox’s Bazar Rohingya Refugee Camps following recent International Aid cuts.
Convened by MSPs Foysol Choudhury and Miles Briggs, the CPG met on Tuesday, 3 June 2025, to discuss the escalating humanitarian crisis.
The meeting featured an update from Mohammad Jobayed Hosen, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Manchester, who spoke on behalf of the newly appointed High Commissioner, H.E. Abida Islam.
The session drew a wide cross-section of attendees, including members of the Scottish Bangladeshi diaspora, students, local councillors, representatives from the Europe Bangladeshi Federation, the North East Bangladeshi Association (NEBA), entrepreneurs, and academics from the Universities of Stirling, Dundee, Edinburgh, Strathclyde, and Newcastle.
Mr Hosen provided an overview of the situation in Bangladesh, highlighting the ongoing social and economic pressures on host communities as the country enters its eighth year of sheltering over one million Rohingya refugees.
The CPG focused on the deepening refugee crisis, hearing a remote briefing from Maruf Mohammad Shehab, Head of Innovation and Resource Mobilisation Partnerships at ActionAid UK.
Speaking from Bangladesh, Mr Shehab outlined ActionAid’s humanitarian work in Cox’s Bazar, where in 2024 alone, the organisation reached over 901,000 individuals. Their efforts span gender-based violence prevention, youth empowerment, emergency shelter provision, hygiene kit distribution, and psychosocial support.
However, Mr Shehab expressed serious concerns about a growing funding shortfall. The 2025 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya crisis is currently only 43% funded, jeopardising essential services such as safe spaces for women and children, education, and mental health care.
ActionAid warned that deteriorating conditions are fuelling rising violence and eroding community resilience within the camps.
This was followed by a presentation from Geraldine O’Callaghan, Director at the United Nations World Food Programme’s Global Office in London, who addressed the critical issue of food insecurity. Ms O’Callaghan noted that due to funding constraints, food rations have been drastically reduced, placing the refugee population, already vulnerable, at heightened risk of malnutrition.
Background
Cox’s Bazar currently hosts nearly one million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar due to systematic violence and human rights abuses over the past six years. An additional 35,000 are housed on Bhasan Char Island, making this one of the largest protracted refugee crises in the world.
The situation has further deteriorated due to extreme weather events, including monsoon floods and storms that have destroyed shelters and displaced thousands within the camps. Renewed violence in Myanmar has triggered an influx of over 118,000 new refugees as of May 2025, overwhelming an already under-resourced humanitarian infrastructure.
The CPG raised urgent concerns over the lack of sustained international attention and appealed for immediate action, particularly in light of recent USAID funding cuts that have severely impacted vital services, especially for children who make up more than half of the refugee population.
MSPs Foysol Choudhury and Miles Briggs, who visited Cox’s Bazar in 2023, spoke of witnessing the magnitude of the crisis firsthand. They emphasised the critical need for enhanced healthcare infrastructure, particularly in vaccination and disease prevention, and called for ongoing international support to meet urgent health and safety needs in the camps.
MSP Foysol Choudhury said: “The CPG is keen to raise awareness of the Rohingya crisis following the recent USAID cuts. Bangladeshi diaspora have raised their concerns regarding the growing population of Rohingya refugees and lack of action from the international community.
The crisis seems to have been forgotten and needs to be brought back to the forefront of international attention.
“We must ensure that the Rohingya people are not left behind, especially as they face increasing challenges due to funding shortfalls that threaten essential services such as food aid, healthcare, and education.”
He added: ““It was fantastic to hear the update from the new Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh and commitments of the new Bangladeshi Government to work collaboratively with the CPG to continue to strengthen ties between Scotland and Bangladesh and work on common priorities.
“These include addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis, advancing climate resilience, enhancing educational exchanges, and promoting inclusive development. The CPG is committed to facilitating meaningful dialogue and partnerships that reflect our shared values and mutual interests.
“We look forward to continuing this collaboration between Scotland and Bangladesh on the refugee crisis and prioritise areas such as climate change, international development and education.”
Former Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Rahman Habib also attended the meeting to announce the UK’s first Rohingya Memorial Stone in Bradford which is set to serve as a reminder of the ongoing difficulties faced by the Rohingya people and commemorate the victims and survivors of the Rohingya crisis.
CPG Convenors Foysol Choudhury and Miles Briggs warmly accepted the invitation to attend the official unveiling of the Rohingya Memorial in Bradford on 25th August 2025.
The meeting concluded with updates from the Scottish Bangladeshi diaspora on youth leadership, education, and climate justice initiatives, underscoring the strong and evolving partnership between Scotland and Bangladesh.
The Cross-Party Group on Bangladesh remains committed to championing these shared priorities and continuing its advocacy on humanitarian issues, international development, and the concerns of the Bangladeshi community in Scotland.
Here’s the full Bangla translation:
হোলিরুডের বাংলাদেশ বিষয়ক ক্রস-পার্টি গ্রুপ রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থী সংকট নিয়ে জরুরি পদক্ষেপের আহ্বান জানিয়েছে
স্কটিশ পার্লামেন্টের বাংলাদেশ বিষয়ক ক্রস-পার্টি গ্রুপ (সিপিজি) সম্প্রতি আন্তর্জাতিক সহায়তা হ্রাসের প্রেক্ষাপটে কক্সবাজারের রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থী ক্যাম্পগুলোর উপর প্রভাব কমানোর জন্য জরুরি পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণের আহ্বান জানিয়েছে।
এমএসপি ফয়ছল চৌধুরী এবং মাইলস ব্রিগস-এর আহ্বানে ২০২৫ সালের ৩ জুন মঙ্গলবার অনুষ্ঠিত এই বৈঠকে চলমান মানবিক সংকট নিয়ে আলোচনা হয়। বৈঠকে ম্যানচেস্টারে নিযুক্ত বাংলাদেশের সহকারী হাইকমিশনার মোহাম্মদ জোবায়েদ হোসেন উপস্থিত ছিলেন, যিনি সদ্য নিযুক্ত হাইকমিশনার মহামান্য আবিদা ইসলামের পক্ষে বক্তব্য রাখেন।
এই বৈঠকে স্কটিশ বাংলাদেশি প্রবাসী সমাজের সদস্য, শিক্ষার্থী, স্থানীয় কাউন্সিলর, ইউরোপ বাংলাদেশি ফেডারেশন, নর্থ ইস্ট বাংলাদেশি অ্যাসোসিয়েশন (NEBA), উদ্যোক্তা এবং স্টার্লিং, ডান্ডি, এডিনবার্গ, স্ট্রাথক্লাইড এবং নিউক্যাসল বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের শিক্ষাবিদসহ বিভিন্ন শ্রেণি-পেশার মানুষ অংশ নেন।
মো. হোসেন বাংলাদেশে চলমান পরিস্থিতির একটি সার্বিক চিত্র উপস্থাপন করেন এবং উল্লেখ করেন যে, রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থীদের আশ্রয় দেয়ার ফলে দীর্ঘ আট বছর ধরে স্বাগতিক বাংলাদেশি জনগোষ্ঠীর উপর সামাজিক ও অর্থনৈতিক চাপ বাড়ছে।
সিপিজি বৈঠকে রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থী সংকট আরও গভীরতর হচ্ছে বলে আলোচনা হয়। বাংলাদেশ থেকে ভার্চুয়াল মাধ্যমে যুক্ত হয়ে অ্যাকশনএইড ইউকে-র ইনোভেশন ও রিসোর্স মোবিলাইজেশন পার্টনারশিপ বিভাগের প্রধান মারুফ মোহাম্মদ শহাব একটি বিস্তারিত আপডেট দেন। তিনি জানান, কক্সবাজারে ২০২৪ সালেই অ্যাকশনএইড প্রায় ৯ লাখের বেশি মানুষের কাছে সহায়তা পৌঁছে দিয়েছে। এ সহায়তার মধ্যে রয়েছে নারী নির্যাতন প্রতিরোধ, যুব ক্ষমতায়ন, জরুরি আশ্রয় প্রদান, স্বাস্থ্যবিধি কিট বিতরণ এবং মানসিক সহায়তা সেবা।
তবে, শহাব জানান যে বর্তমানে তহবিল সংকট ভয়াবহ আকার ধারণ করেছে। ২০২৫ সালের জন্য রোহিঙ্গা সংকট মোকাবিলায় যৌথ প্রতিক্রিয়া পরিকল্পনা (জেআরপি) মাত্র ৪৩% অর্থায়িত হয়েছে, ফলে নারীদের ও শিশুদের জন্য নিরাপদ স্থান, শিক্ষা এবং মানসিক স্বাস্থ্যসেবার মতো গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কার্যক্রম হুমকির মুখে পড়েছে। তিনি সতর্ক করেন যে এই সঙ্কট আরও সহিংসতা সৃষ্টি করছে এবং শরণার্থী ক্যাম্পগুলোর সামাজিক সহনশীলতা নষ্ট করছে।
এরপর জাতিসংঘের বিশ্ব খাদ্য কর্মসূচির লন্ডন অফিসের পরিচালক জেরালডিন ও’ক্যালাঘান একটি উপস্থাপনা দেন, যেখানে খাদ্য নিরাপত্তাহীনতার ভয়াবহ চিত্র তুলে ধরা হয়। তিনি বলেন, তহবিল সংকটের কারণে খাদ্য রেশন কঠোরভাবে হ্রাস করা হয়েছে, ফলে শরণার্থীরা অপুষ্টি ও অনাহারের ঝুঁকিতে রয়েছে।
সংকটের পটভূমি
কক্সবাজারে বর্তমানে প্রায় ১০ লাখ রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থী অবস্থান করছে, যারা গত ছয় বছরে মিয়ানমারে রাষ্ট্রীয় নিপীড়ন ও মানবাধিকার লঙ্ঘনের কারণে পালিয়ে এসেছে। অতিরিক্ত ৩৫ হাজার রোহিঙ্গা ভাসানচরে অবস্থান করছে। এটি বিশ্বের অন্যতম বৃহৎ দীর্ঘস্থায়ী শরণার্থী সংকট হিসেবে পরিগণিত।
ঘূর্ণিঝড় ও মৌসুমি বন্যার মতো চরম আবহাওয়া পরিস্থিতির কারণে ক্যাম্পে বসবাসরত বহু মানুষ আশ্রয় হারিয়েছে। ২০২৫ সালের মে মাস পর্যন্ত মিয়ানমারে নতুন করে সহিংসতা ছড়িয়ে পড়ায় আরও ১ লাখ ১৮ হাজার নতুন শরণার্থী বাংলাদেশে আশ্রয় নিয়েছে, যা ইতিমধ্যেই দুর্বল মানবিক সহায়তা কাঠামোকে অতিরিক্ত চাপে ফেলেছে।
সিপিজি বৈঠকে অংশগ্রহণকারীরা আন্তর্জাতিক সহায়তার অভাব নিয়ে গভীর উদ্বেগ প্রকাশ করেন। তারা অবিলম্বে পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণের আহ্বান জানান, বিশেষ করে সম্প্রতি ইউএসএইড (USAID) এর অনুদান কমিয়ে দেয়ার ফলে শিশুদের জন্য খাদ্য, স্বাস্থ্যসেবা এবং শিক্ষার মতো মৌলিক সেবাগুলো ঝুঁকির মুখে পড়েছে।
২০২৩ সালে কক্সবাজার সফর করা এমএসপি ফয়ছল চৌধুরী এবং মাইলস ব্রিগস জানান যে, তারা সরেজমিনে রোহিঙ্গা সংকটের ভয়াবহতা প্রত্যক্ষ করেছেন। তারা ক্যাম্পে টিকাদান ও রোগ প্রতিরোধসহ স্বাস্থ্যসেবা উন্নয়নের প্রয়োজনীয়তার উপর জোর দেন এবং আন্তর্জাতিক সহায়তা জোরদারের আহ্বান জানান।
এমএসপি ফয়ছল চৌধুরী বলেন:
“সম্প্রতি ইউএসএইড-এর অনুদান হ্রাসের পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে সিপিজি রোহিঙ্গা সংকট নিয়ে সচেতনতা বাড়াতে আগ্রহী। বাংলাদেশি প্রবাসীরা ক্রমবর্ধমান রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থী সংখ্যা ও আন্তর্জাতিক সমাজের নিষ্ক্রিয়তা নিয়ে তাদের উদ্বেগ প্রকাশ করেছেন। এই সংকট যেন ধীরে ধীরে ভুলে যাওয়া হচ্ছে, যা ফের আন্তর্জাতিক অঙ্গনে আলোচনায় ফিরিয়ে আনা জরুরি। আমরা নিশ্চিত করতে চাই যে, রোহিঙ্গারা যেন এই দুঃসময়ে পিছিয়ে না পড়ে – বিশেষত যখন খাদ্য সহায়তা, স্বাস্থ্যসেবা ও শিক্ষা হুমকির মুখে।”
তিনি আরও বলেন:
“বাংলাদেশের নতুন সহকারী হাইকমিশনারের কাছ থেকে আপডেট শুনে ভালো লেগেছে এবং নতুন সরকারের পক্ষ থেকে স্কটল্যান্ড ও বাংলাদেশের মধ্যে সম্পর্ক জোরদারে সহযোগিতার প্রতিশ্রুতি আশাজনক। এই যৌথ প্রয়াসের মধ্যে রয়েছে রোহিঙ্গা সংকট মোকাবিলা, জলবায়ু সহনশীলতা উন্নয়ন, শিক্ষাক্ষেত্রে আদান-প্রদান এবং অন্তর্ভুক্তিমূলক উন্নয়ন। সিপিজি অর্থবহ সংলাপ ও অংশীদারিত্ব গড়তে প্রতিশ্রুতিবদ্ধ, যা আমাদের অভিন্ন মূল্যবোধ ও পারস্পরিক স্বার্থকে প্রতিফলিত করে।
“আমরা স্কটল্যান্ড ও বাংলাদেশের মধ্যে এই সহযোগিতা আরও এগিয়ে নিতে এবং জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন, আন্তর্জাতিক উন্নয়ন ও শিক্ষা-সহ বিভিন্ন অগ্রাধিকারমূলক বিষয়ে একসাথে কাজ করতে দৃঢ় প্রতিশ্রুতিবদ্ধ।”
নিউক্যাসলের সাবেক লর্ড মেয়র কাউন্সিলর রহমান হাবিবও বৈঠকে উপস্থিত ছিলেন। তিনি যুক্তরাজ্যের প্রথম রোহিঙ্গা স্মৃতিস্তম্ভ ‘রোহিঙ্গা মেমোরিয়াল স্টোন’-এর ঘোষণা দেন, যা ব্র্যাডফোর্ডে স্থাপন করা হবে। এই স্মৃতিস্তম্ভ রোহিঙ্গা জনগণের চলমান দুঃখ-কষ্টের স্মারক হিসেবে কাজ করবে এবং এই সংকটের ভুক্তভোগী ও বেঁচে থাকা মানুষদের স্মরণে নিবেদিত থাকবে। সিপিজি-এর আহ্বায়ক ফয়ছল চৌধুরী এবং মাইলস ব্রিগস ২৫ আগস্ট ২০২৫ তারিখে ব্র্যাডফোর্ডে অনুষ্ঠেয় স্মৃতিস্তম্ভ উন্মোচন অনুষ্ঠানে অংশগ্রহণের আমন্ত্রণ আন্তরিকভাবে গ্রহণ করেন।
বৈঠকের শেষে স্কটিশ বাংলাদেশি প্রবাসীদের পক্ষ থেকে যুব নেতৃত্ব, শিক্ষা ও জলবায়ু ন্যায়বিচার বিষয়ক বিভিন্ন উদ্যোগের অগ্রগতি তুলে ধরা হয়, যা স্কটল্যান্ড ও বাংলাদেশের মধ্যে মজবুত ও বিকাশমান অংশীদারিত্বের প্রতিফলন।
বাংলাদেশ বিষয়ক ক্রস-পার্টি গ্রুপ মানবিক সংকট, আন্তর্জাতিক উন্নয়ন এবং স্কটল্যান্ডে বাংলাদেশি কমিউনিটির বিভিন্ন গুরুত্বপূর্ণ বিষয়ে সচেতনতা এবং সুরক্ষায় অঙ্গীকারবদ্ধ।
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.”
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.
Disability rights campaigners held a protest outside Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray’s constituency office in 31 Minto Street on Saturday. The event was organised to protest against proposed cuts to disability benefits.
Speakers attended from local community groups such as Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty, ‘Crips Against Cuts’ Edinburgh, and local disability rights groups and charities.
Ian Murray was criticised for cutting benefits while receiving an income at taxpayer expense. One attendee broke down in tears describing the effect the proposed cuts to disability benefits would have on their life.
Speakers were followed by live music and an open discussion about how to stop the cuts.
One protester was dressed as the Grim Reaper to emphasise the life-threatening impact of proposed cuts.
The protest was organised by the Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty and the Austerity Resistance Forum.
A member of the forum commented: ”The Austerity Resistance Forum is a political group based in the local community, and on regular assemblies.
“We are sick of years of failed and disastrous austerity policies which are tearing up working class communities. A crumbling NHS, a sky-high cost of living, and social desperation are the direct result of endless government cuts”.
Speeches and statements
John McArdle Co-founder of the Scotland-based grassroots Black Triangle spoke at the demonstration: “The message we need to send to Labour MP’s is that if you vote for this bill we will see you off. You will lose your seat. We’ve done the research. We know that in most constituencies there are more disabled people than the parliamentary majority of those MP’s.
“They are treading on very, very thin political ice, and the only thing they understand is hard political power. Brothers and Sisters, we have that power!
“The message we send to Ian Murray today, and to every Scottish Labour MP who was elected in the new intake is that if you attack us, if you starve us, if you try and kill us – we will shut you down!”
Following the protest, he added: “We have read the ‘Riot Act’ to the PLP [Parliamentary Labour Party] now. We have done our homework and the whole community is on our side: if you vote for these cuts, if you continue your betrayal of us; if you remove our support and try to starve us, make us homeless and ultimately kill us, we and our allies will ensure that your constituency majorities will be wiped out and that the Labour Party ceases to be a political force here in Scotland, Wales or the United Kingdom generally.
“We will take you down with our ship. You know it.”
A speaker from a local disability charity also made a speech at the event: “I’ve worked with disabled people now for eighteen years, and this is the worst attack that we’ve seen ..even worse than the cuts under the coalition government … we’re going to see absolute destitution occurring.
“It’s already happening. In Scotland seventy five percent of food bank users are disabled people or their families. [Audience members shout “shame on scotland”] It is an absolute shame, but it’s also a shame on society, wider society, in the UK… I consider myself a disabled person now… I have stage four cancer.
But, I’m above the age where I’ll lose benefits. It really does mean a lot to disabled people that we have allies in the movement that are prepared to take action…You can tell the amount of support that the public has for this issue by the amount of cars that are honking their horns as they pass… We will win eventually. I’m absolutely certain of that. Thank you very much. [Cheering and clapping].”
A local resident with Parkinson’s disease also spoke, while physically shaking: “There are a lot of elements of Parkinson’s disease which are not included in the measurements for assessing disability.
“Like me, without medication I sleep about four hours a night and day after day, week after week, that’s really hard. They way they cut it, it’s just so arbitrary. If you can tell from my voice, I’m American. I’ve been here twenty years, my life is here.
“But I’ve been getting some close reports with what’s been going on with the Trump Administration, which is in power partly because the democrats did not support the people enough and gave rise to populism. [Applause and drums] I think that is going to happen here. I just want to thank every single one of you for showing up today [tears], for making this issue viable.
“Please continue to do so. Thank you.” [Applause and drums].
The UK will build at least six new munitions and energetics factories and thousands more long-range weapons to strengthen Britain’s Armed Forces and create new jobs across the country.
Through the Strategic Defence Review – published in the coming days – the UK’s defence and deterrence is being bolstered with thousands of long-range weapons and a new £1.5 billion government investment in munitions and energetics factories.
Together the investment will back around 1,800 highly-skilled jobs across the UK, putting money in the pockets of working people, and supporting the government’s Plan for Change by driving growth in every region and nation.
The SDR recommends creating an ‘always on’ munitions production capacity in the UK allowing production to be scaled up at speed if needed. It says the MOD should also lay the industrial foundations for an uplift in munitions stockpiles to meet the demand of high-tempo warfare.
Taking the lessons from Ukraine which shows that our military is only as strong as the industry that stands behind it, the measures will boost British jobs while improving the warfighting readiness of both British Armed Forces and industry.
The additional funding will see UK munitions spend hit £6 billion this Parliament. It follows the Prime Minister’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, recognising the critical importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global uncertainty.
Commitments include:
The SDR sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform defence and make the UK secure at home and strong abroad. It ends the hollowing out of our Armed Forces and will also drive innovation, jobs and growth across the country, allowing the UK to lead in a stronger NATO.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: The hard-fought lessons from Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine show a military is only as strong as the industry that stands behind them.
“We are strengthening the UK’s industrial base to better deter our adversaries and make the UK secure at home and strong abroad.
“We will embrace the Strategic Defence Review; making defence an engine for economic growth and boosting skilled jobs in every nation and region as part of our Government’s Plan for Change.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “A strong economy needs a strong national defence, and investing in weaponry and munitions and backing nearly 2,000 jobs across Britain in doing so is proof the two go hand-in-hand.
“We are delivering both security for working people in an uncertain world and good jobs, putting more money in people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.”
The new investments will form an ‘always-on’ approach for priority munitions. They will provide a steady drumbeat of investment to industry sustaining a thriving defence industrial base that drives growth and jobs to deliver on the Plan for Change, while strengthening the UK’s commitment to NATO.
The funding will help transform the UK’s Armed Forces readiness and ability to endure in prolonged campaigns, providing the industrial foundations needed to support our Armed Forces in warfare, as demonstrated by the conflict in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister will announce today that the UK’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be significantly expanded, with up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS boats to be built.
The increase in submarines will transform the UK’s submarine building industry and, following the £15 billion investment in the warhead programme outlined, will deliver on this government’s Plan for Change, supporting 30,000 highly skilled jobs up-and-down the country well into the 2030s, as well as helping work to deliver 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles across the next ten years.
The announcement comes as the government unveils its new Strategic Defence Review today. The externally-led review is expected to recommend that our Armed Forces move to warfighting readiness to deter the growing threats faced by the UK. The report makes 62 recommendations, which the government is expected to accept in full.
Responding to the report, the government will make significant commitments to its armed forces and deliver greater security for working people through the government’s Plan for Change.
That includes:
The Prime Minister is expected to say: “From the supply lines to the front lines, this government is foursquare behind the men and women upholding our nation’s freedom and security.
“National security is the foundation of my Plan for Change, and this plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering a defence dividend of well-paid jobs up and down the country.
“This Strategic Defence Review will ensure the UK rises to the challenge and our Armed Forces have the equipment they need that keeps us safe at home while driving greater opportunity for our engineers, shipbuilders and technicians of the future.”
Alongside the commitment to expand the UK’s conventionally armed attack submarine fleet, the government is securing the future of the Royal Navy’s Continuous At Sea Nuclear Deterrent, backed by a £15 billion investment into the sovereign warhead programme in this parliament and supporting more than 9,000 jobs.
It is the first time the UK has outlined the full scale of its investment plans in its warhead programmes and is further evidence of the Government’s triple lock commitment to the nuclear deterrent: to maintain our continuous at-sea deterrent; to build the new fleet of Dreadnought submarines; and to deliver all future upgrades necessary.
This will see significant modernisation of infrastructure at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in Aldermaston and supporting more than 9,000 jobs at the Berkshire site, and thousands more across the UK supply chain – from Scotland to Somerset.
The nuclear warhead programme includes some of the most advanced and sensitive science, engineering and manufacturing facilities in the UK.
Both the UK’s sovereign warhead programme and the UK’s conventionally-armed submarine fleet will make Britain and NATO safe for decades to come.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “Our outstanding submariners patrol 24/7 to keep us and our allies safe, but we know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression.
“With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead programme on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering on our Plan for Change with 30,000 highly-skilled jobs across the country.”
Already supporting more than 400,000 skilled British jobs, UK defence is a crucial engine for economic growth, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change – supported by the Government’s historic uplift in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027, and the ambition to hit 3% in the next parliament, when economic and fiscal conditionals allow.
Currently the UK is set to operate 7 Astute Class attack submarines, which will be replaced with an increased fleet of up to 12 SSN-AUKUS submarines from the late 2030s.
The boost to the SSN-AUKUS programme will see a major expansion of industrial capability at Barrow and Raynesway, Derby, with the build of a new submarine every 18 months in the future.
The increase in capacity at the two sites will allow the UK to increase its fleet to up to 12 attack boats, as part of the AUKUS partnership.
To ensure the demands of this expanded programme can be met, government is working closely with industry partners to rapidly expand training and development opportunities, aiming to double defence and civil nuclear apprentice and graduate intakes. This will result in 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles over the next ten years.
The SDR calls for significant investment into the UK sovereign warhead programme this parliament, while maintaining the existing stockpile.
Single-use vapes will no longer be stocked or sold in Scotland under new legislation which comes into force today (Sunday 1 June).
The UK-wide ban has been introduced to prevent the environmental damage disposable vapes cause and to address health concerns associated with vaping as Scotland moves towards a tobacco-free generation by 2034.
An estimated 26 million disposable vapes were thrown away in Scotland in 2023. Of these, more than half were not recycled properly and around 10% were littered. The batteries used within disposable vapes are difficult to recycle, leak harmful waste and can cause fires in waste facilities.
Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Scotland was the first nation in the UK to commit to taking action on single use vapes.
“It’s estimated that over half of disposable vapes are incorrectly disposed of each year in Scotland – creating a fire risk and littering our beautiful environment. They also contain nicotine which is highly addictive.
“This change to the law fulfils a Programme for Government commitment and will help tackle the threat that single-use vapes pose to our environment as well as to our public health.
“We have worked closely across the four nations to ensure a consistent approach to a ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes and will continue to work with regulators regarding enforcement once in force.”
Moves to raise the age of sale of tobacco products and regulate the displays, flavours and packaging of reusable vapes, are being taken forward separately through the 4-nations Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
A ban on single-use vapes was recommended in the four nation consultation ‘Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping’ which ran in 2023.
Single-use vapes will be also be banned from the shelves of all shops in England from today ‘thanks to a Westminster government blitz on sale and supply‘.
The new crackdown makes it illegal to sell single-use vapes at corner shops and supermarkets, putting an end to their alarming rise in school playgrounds and the avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation’s streets.
The Westminster government’s announcement of its intention to ban the use of disposable vapes has already had real effects – with retailers and consumers shifting away from environmentally destructive single-use options.
New data from charity Action on Smoking and Health shows the number of vapers in Great Britain who mainly use single-use devices fell from 30% in 2024 to 24% in 2025, while the use of disposables by 18-24-year-old vapers fell from 52% in 2024 to 40% in 2025. However, usage among young vapers remains too high and with the coming ban into force tomorrow it will continue to drive these figures down further.
As part of tough enforcement measures, any rogue traders breaking the rules will be hit with a fine of £200 in the first instance, and all products will be seized. Those who show a blatant disregard for the rules and reoffend face being slapped with an unlimited fine or jail time.
Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine. That ends today.
“The Government calls time on these nasty devices.”
Caroline Cerny, Deputy Chief Executive, Action on Smoking and Health said: “It’s promising to see that many people switched away from disposable vapes to re-usable products well ahead of the ban. This is particularly marked among young people, who were more likely to use disposable products due to their attractiveness, affordability, and heavy marketing.
“This new law is a step towards reducing vaping among children, while ensuring products are available to support people to quit smoking. It will be up to manufacturers and retailers to ensure customers are informed and able to reuse and recycle their products securing a real change in consumer behaviour and a reduction in environmental waste.
“If behaviour does not change then further regulations will be possible following the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.”
The Government has worked closely with retailers to ensure they are ready for the ban coming into force. This includes producing clear guidance on the devices they cannot sell or supply, as well as how to deplete their stock before 1 June.
Association of Convenience Stores Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Convenience retailers have been preparing for the disposables ban for several months, adapting their ranges and training colleagues on the products that they can sell.
“We have been working with Trading Standards officers across the country to ensure they know what to look for once the ban comes into force, and support robust enforcement activity to take illegal vapes off the streets.”
Libby Peake, senior fellow and head of resources at Green Alliance, said: “Single use vapes should never have been allowed on the market. They’ve been a blight on our countryside, wasted resources needed for important uses like EV batteries and caused scores of fires at waste sites. And they’ve done all this while having a lasting impact on the health of young people, creating a new generation of nicotine addicts.
“The government should rightly be proud of taking this vital step to get rid of these polluting products and encourage people who want to quit smoking to opt for reusable and refillable options instead.”
Justin Greenaway, Commercial Manager at SWEEEP Kuusakoski, said: “We hope this ban will succeed in reducing the amount of vapes being discarded. Every vape has potential to start a fire if incorrectly disposed of.
“Logically vape unit waste will reduce as single use stops and multi-use must start but it does rely on consumers changing from a disposable mindset to refilling.”
Unrefillable and unable to be recharged, single-use vapes have been typically thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than recycled, contributing to the flood of litter blighting the country.
Even when they are recycled, the process is notoriously arduous, slow and costly, with waste industry workers required to take them apart by hand. Their batteries also present a fire risk to recycling facilities and can leak harmful chemicals into the environment.
With the looming ban already encouraging users to seek alternatives, making the sale of single-use vapes illegal will now prevent these toxic products from littering the country’s streets.
The ban complements the Government’s world-leading Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will further tackle youth vaping and safeguard children’s health.
The Scottish Government already had the largest real terms spending review settlement in the history of devolution of £47.7 billion. Following revisions at the Spring Statement and Main Estimates, the Treasury has now confirmed the latest settlement is £50 billion.
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said: “The UK Government delivered the largest spending review settlement in the history of the Scottish Parliament, now Scots rightly expect to see that record finding deliver better results like lower NHS waiting lists, better attainment in Schools, more police on the beat and more housing.
“I was very concerned this week to see that attainment targets for Scottish schools have been reduced and housebuilding has fallen by 4,000, meanwhile police officer numbers are lower than when police Scotland was established and 800,000 Scots are on an NHS waiting list.
“Where the UK government has responsibility for public services, we are seeing NHS waiting lists fall, more housing being built and more bobbies on the beat, all part of our Plan for Change. This historic funding deal for the Scottish Government should be delivering similar results.
A cruise ship levy could help to ensure residents benefit from Edinburgh’s popularity as a cruise ship stop.
In a formal response to be submitted to the Scottish Government’s Cruise Ship Levy consultation, the council has expressed strong support in principle for a levy to help it manage tourism sustainably at Edinburgh’s ports.
The response also calls for any legislation to be based on evidence and involve greater consultation with ports and the cruise ship industry, as well as close working with other local authorities and regional partners.
Close to 217,500 cruise ship passengers visit Edinburgh and the region annually, with a significant number docking in Leith, Newhaven and South Queensferry. Currently, passengers are exempt from paying local visitor levies.
While any legislation to introduce a national Cruise Ship Levy is still to be developed, comparisons to similar sized destinations suggest it could raise over one million pounds for Edinburgh and the region.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Next summer we’ll become the first city in Scotland to launch a visitor levy, but under the Scottish Government’s legislation cruise ship passengers will be exempt.
“We consider it fair to treat all overnight visitors to Edinburgh the same, whether they choose to stay in a hotel, a short-term let, a campsite or a cruise ship.
“With public finances under increasing pressure, we believe this legislation should be used to empower councils to raise more income locally to better manage cruise ship tourism and pollution in our waters. As such, income raised should be ringfenced for the local area.
“In our waters we’re seeing more ships docking year on year, larger ships, and with that comes an environmental impact. Cruise ship tourism affects local communities and services just as other tourism does.”
You can view the City of Edinburgh Council’s draft response to the Scottish Government’s Cruise Ship Levy Consultation.
A final version will be submitted shortly, including amendments agreed at a meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Committee on Tuesday 27 May.
