The First Minister chaired the first meeting of his new Scottish Cabinet in Bute House yesterday, charging Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers to take a bold approach to delivering for Scotland.
Cabinet had a substantive discussion on the priorities of the government, ahead of the First Minister giving a planned statement to parliament immediately after recess. They had a further conversation around the budget that will underpin those priorities.
Friday’s discussion highlighted the importance of being an open, accessible government through engagement with the public and stakeholders and by reaching out to members of other parties in a genuine spirit of collaboration.
It also stressed the importance of building relationships with counterparts in other devolved administrations and the UK Government.
Cabinet members also reflected on their experiences in their previous ministerial portfolios and how that often brings useful perspective when taking on roles in different areas of government.
As always, a discussion on the immediate issues Cabinet members will be addressing in the coming weeks took place.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “I was pleased to welcome new and returning Cabinet members to our first meeting this morning. I was clear to them that I want Cabinet to be a forum for open and honest discussion.
“We all look forward to reaching out to stakeholders, the business community, opposition parties and the wider public in a spirit of genuine collaboration.
“This government has a strong track of taking forward ambitious and radical policies and reforms over the last few years, against a backdrop of austerity, economic uncertainty and of course the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Under my leadership the Ministerial team have been tasked with taking a bold approach to how we govern – not just in addressing the challenges facing the people of Scotland, but also maximising the opportunities of our many strengths.
“Our key priorities will include eradicating poverty and delivering a wellbeing economy underpinned by sustainable public services.
“I will set out more detail to parliament following Easter recess – but in the next couple of weeks, Cabinet members will be busy getting down to work on the immediate issues in their portfolios.”
Following the election of Humza Yousaf as SNP leader and his swearing in as First Minister, dentist leaders in Scotland have called for immediate action to ensure the beleaguered service has a future.
The leadership election has delayed the timetable for reform of the low margin/high volume system dentists work to, that has left providers facing the risk of delivering NHS care at a financial loss. In an open letter the British Dental Association has stressed that without immediate action the exodus from NHS dentistry will accelerate.
A recent survey of high street dentists across Scotland showed over half (59%) have reduced the amount of NHS work they do since lockdown, and four in five (83%) say they plan to reduce or further reduce their NHS commitment in the year ahead.
In the letter BDA’s Scottish leadership state: “In 2021 the SNP made a promise to the Scottish electorate: free NHS dentistry for all. The decisions you take in your first 100 days will effectively determine if that promise is going to be kept.”
Humza Yousaf has been nominated to become the sixth First Minister of Scotland, following a parliamentary vote yesterday. As expected the Greens voted with the SNP to secure the nomination.
Mr Yousaf also announced his intention to appoint Shona Robison as Deputy First Minister.
MSPs voted 71 to 57 to select Mr Yousaf as First Minister from a total of four nominees who put themselves forward; he will be formally appointed this afternoon with a Royal Warrant from His Majesty King Charles III.
He will be sworn in at the Court of Session today, where he will take the Official Oath in front of the Lord President of the Court of Session and other senior judges.
First Minister-designate Humza Yousaf said: “This is a really proud day for me and my family. I hope it is also a proud day for Scotland, as it speaks to our values as a country as I stand here as the first ever Muslim to lead a western democratic nation.
“A key priority of my government will be to protect every Scot, as far as we can, from the harm that has been inflicted by the cost-of-living crisis. We will protect and we will reform our NHS and social care and other vital public services – to support our wellbeing economy to improve the life chances of people right across our country. We will rapidly develop plans to extend childcare, improve rural housing, support small businesses, and boost innovation.
“On Thursday, I will nominate the team of Ministers who will deliver on those priorities. I will then set out more detailed policies to this chamber in the first week after the Easter recess.
“I am also pleased to confirm my intention to appoint Shona Robison as Deputy First Minister – her counsel and cross-government experience has been indispensable to me so far, and I look forward to working together as we deliver for the people of Scotland.
“The Parliament has given me the opportunity to help steer this nation’s course, as we make the next stage of that journey together. Doing that will be the honour and the privilege of my life. I will strive every single minute of every day to be worthy of it and will do so in the best interests of our nation.”
No mention of independence, then?
Deputy First Minister-designate Shona Robison said: “I am honoured to accept Humza’s request to be his Deputy First Minister. I look forward to working with him and our Cabinet on the issues that matter most to the people of Scotland.
“I have served alongside Humza for a long time and I know that his leadership will build on the solid foundations we have been left by the former First Minister and Deputy First Minister. His election as First Minister is a historic moment and marks the beginning of a new chapter for the country.”
Lothian Labour list MSP Foysol Choudhury said: “
Responding after the election of Humza Yousaf MSP as First Minister of Scotland, Foysol Choudhury MSP said:“I extend my sincere congratulations to Humza Yousaf MSP on his election as First Minister.
“Whilst we might have our political differences, Humza has always been friendly and supportive since I entered the Scottish Parliament and I wish him well.
“It is important to reflect on this significant moment for Scotland, who will now have its first First Minister from an ethnic minority background.
“This is an excellent reminder that Scotland is diverse and supports people from all backgrounds.
“No matter your background, religion, ethnicity, gender or identity in Scotland, you can succeed.
“Humza’s election as First Minister is a stark reminder of that and marks the road towards a more inclusive and progressive Scotland.”
The Tories – the official opposition at Holyrood – were rather less magnanimous – unsurprising given Scotland’s new First Minister is the man they dubbed ‘Hopeless Humzah’:
Humzah Yousaf’s reign as First Minister got off to the worst possible start, however. Mr Yousaf, who just scraped home in the vote to become SNP leader, effectively demoted main leadership rival Kate Forbes by offering her post of Rural Affairs secretary.
Rather than be humiliated Ms Forbes, narrowly defeated in the leadership contest and widely seen as one of the more able ministers in Nicola Sturgeon’s cabinet, rejected the offer and chose instead to return to the backbenches.
Building bridges in a cabinet ‘of all the talents’ clearly isn’t on the Yousaf agenda so we can expect to see the promotion of those MSPs who swore their allegiance to Yousaf during the leadership campaign when cabinet appointment announcements are made.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Lothian Miles Briggs said:“The figures are an embarrassment for Humza Yousaf and are indicative of the extent to which he failed in his role as Heath Secretary.
“It is completely unacceptable that in the space of 3 years the percentage seen withing 4 hours dropped almost 35% from 94.6% to 60% in Lothian.
“Despite being well into the swing of Spring, the figures for Lothian are now worse than at the peak winter times.
“In taking his eye off the ball and doing his best to appease the independence hardliners during the leadership contest, Lothian and Scotland’s figures have deteriorated further.
“While as Health Secretary he was clearly unable to find a solution to the mess he created, one of his first priorities as the new First Minister must be to get on top of the situation and find someone who can clear up the disaster that he presided over.”
UK GOVT’sANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ACTION PLAN LAUNCHED TODAY
Perpetrators of anti-social behaviour will face swift and visible justice, increased fines and enhanced drug testing as part of a new crackdown launched by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today (Monday 27 March).
Delivering on the Prime Minister’s pledge earlier this year to clamp down on these crimes, the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan will make sure this issue is treated with the urgency it deserves, establish a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of anti-social behaviour, and give the police and local authorities the tools they need to tackle the problem.
Under the plan, 16 areas in England and Wales will be funded to support either new ‘hotspot’ police and enforcement patrols in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour, or trial a new ‘Immediate Justice’ scheme to deliver swift and visible punishments. A select few areas will trial both interventions, and following these initial trailblazers, both schemes will be rolled out across England and Wales from 2024.
Hotspot trailblazer areas will see an increase in police presence alongside other uniformed authority figures, such as wardens, in problem areas for anti-social behaviour, including public transport, high streets or parks. The increased presence will help deter anti-social behaviour, step up enforcement action against offenders, make sure crimes are punished more quickly and drive deterrence efforts, helping to stop anti-social behaviour spiralling into more serious criminality.
Under the new Immediate Justice scheme, those found committing anti-social behaviour will be made to repair the damage they inflicted on victims and communities, with an ambition for them to start work as soon as 48 hours after their offence so victims know anti-social behaviour is treated seriously and with urgency.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Anti-social behaviour undermines the basic right of people to feel safe in the place they call home.The public have rightly had enough – which is why I am determined to restore people’s confidence that those responsible will be quickly and visibly punished.
“This action plan maps out how we will tackle this issue with the urgency it deserves and stamp out these crimes once and for all – so that wherever you live, you can feel safe in, and proud of your community.”
Offenders, who will be made to wear high-vis vests or jumpsuits and work under supervision, could be made to pick up litter, remove graffiti and wash police cars as punishment for their actions, and victims of anti-social behaviour from the local community will be given a say in offenders’ punishments to ensure justice is visible and fits the crime. The trailblazers will be launched as soon as possible and follow research that shows anti-social behaviour is the main reason people do not feel safe in their local area.
Under the zero-tolerance approach, Nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” will also be banned to send a clear message to intimidating gangs, that hang around high streets and children’s parks and litter them with empty canisters, they will not get away with this behaviour. The drug is now the third most used among 16 to 24-year-olds in England and both the police and public have repeatedly reported links between use of the drug and nuisance or anti-social behaviour.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “The British public are fed up with crime and nuisance behaviour in their neighbourhoods inflicting misery on people.
“There is no such thing as petty crime – not only does anti-social behaviour leave people feeling unsafe, it can also be a gateway into serious criminality.
“It has always been my priority to give police the powers they need to deliver a common-sense approach to cutting crime, which puts the law-abiding majority first, and that’s what this action plan delivers.”
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said: “Anti-social behaviour erodes local pride, blights our high streets and parks and is a stain on too many communities across the country.
“We know that it is more likely to flourish in areas that have, for too long, been overlooked and undervalued.
“This government was elected on a mandate to deliver change for those communities, and that is why the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan is critical. So we will intervene directly to prevent high street dereliction. We will deliver tougher, quicker and more visible justice to prevent thuggish behaviour in town centres and we will ensure young people have the opportunities and activities available to them to succeed – all backed by new investment.
“This is about acting on the people’s priorities, delivering safer streets so we can level up across the country.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “I want every young person to have the opportunity to access the kinds of life-changing activities which expand their horizons and allow them to develop vital life skills.
“The National Youth Guarantee will provide these opportunities and support young people with access to regular club activities, adventures away from home and volunteering opportunities.
“We are supporting this today with an investment to create or renovate spaces for youth clubs and activities to support opportunities for thousands of young people across the country who would otherwise miss out.”
Police will also be given new powers to crack down on illegal drug use, often a catalyst for other crimes, including expanding powers for drug testing on arrest so more suspected criminals can be tested, and more drugs tested for, including ecstasy and methamphetamine.
Currently, only suspected criminals who have committed certain offences can be tested in police detention without additional requirements, but we will expand the range of trigger offences to include crimes linked to violence against women and girls, serious violence and anti-social behaviour.
A new reporting tool will also be developed over the next twelve months to act as a digital one-stop shop where people can quickly and easily report incidents of anti-social behaviour when these occur. The tool will help address problems people have faced when trying to report these sorts of crimes because of a lack of clarity around how to raise an issue or who to speak to, or a lack of confidence that these crimes will be dealt with seriously.
As well as being able to report any type of anti-social behaviour, people will have access through the tool to advice and guidance on what to do next in their cases and receive updates on what action is being taken by local police and councils following a report being logged. As well as giving the public confidence that action is being taken, the tool will help support local agencies to share information on perpetrators within their local area more effectively, so they can more quickly identify repeat offenders and take the necessary action to prevent future crimes from happening in the first place
Other measures announced today include:
Increasing the punishment for those who graffiti, litter or fly tip with fines of up to £500 and £1,000– council league tables will be published for fly tipping, and we will work with the Office for Local Government to increase transparency and improve accountability on anti-social behaviour outcomes
Giving landlords and housing associations more powers to evict unruly tenants who ruin their neighbours’ lives through persistent noise or by being drunk and disorderly
Reopening empty shops by giving councils new powers to quickly take control and sell off empty buildings
An anti-social behaviour Taskforce jointly led by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up will bring together national and local partners, with a sole focus of addressing anti-social behaviour and restoring pride in place in communities. This will bring together Police and Crime Commissioners, police and local partners and agencies
An extra one million hours of youth services in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour to put people on the right track and prevent them from offending in the first place
Tackling the awful practice of ‘cuckooing’ or home invasion by engaging with stakeholders on the scope of a potential new criminal offence
Parks and green spaces will also be restored with up to £5 million to make them safer with new CCTV and repairing equipment and playgrounds, and to plant more trees and flowers
Nobody should be criminalised simply for having nowhere to live which is why government committed to repealing the antiquated Vagrancy Act, passed in 1824. This comes alongside last year’s unprecedented £2 billion commitment over three years to accelerate efforts to end rough sleeping for good.
It will be made an offence for criminal gangs to organise begging networks for extra cash, which is often used to facilitate illegal activities. To ensure police and local councils can address activity which is intimidating or causes the public distress, they will have the tools to direct people causing nuisance on the street, including obstructing shop doorways and begging by cash points, towards the support they need, such as accommodation, mental health or substance misuse services. The debris and paraphernalia which causes blight will then be cleared.
The UK Government has also today announced that an additional 43 youth centres are to benefit from the next £90 million investment from the Youth Investment Fund, distributed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
As a result, 45,000 more young people a year will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and regular, out-of-school activities, as part of an overall £300 million to be distributed through 2025.
From Lincolnshire to Liverpool, Peterborough to Portsmouth, the Government’s National Youth Guarantee will support the wellbeing of young people in some of the country’s most underserved areas, giving them opportunities to develop vital skills for life, and empowering them to be active members of their community.
The new cross-government action plan builds on the Government’s focus to deliver common sense policing, backed by an unprecedented recruitment drive of 20,000 additional officers by the end of March, which we are on track to achieve. It works in tandem with our priorities to drive down murder rates, tackle serious violence – including against women and girls – and solve and prevent more burglaries.
Neighbourhood crimes like burglary, robbery and theft have dropped by 24% since December 2019 but government wants this driven down further and to see more burglaries solved, which is why the Home Secretary called for police forces in England and Wales to send an officer to attend every domestic burglary.
The Government has also funded 216 projects via rounds one and two of the Levelling Up Fund, totally £3.8 billion, which is driving the regeneration of town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport and investing cultural and heritage assets.
The 16 pilot Police and Crime Commissioner areas are:
Northumbria (Immediate Justice and Hotspot policing)
Cleveland (Immediate Justice and Hotspot policing)
Derbyshire (Immediate Justice and Hotspot policing)
Durham (Immediate Justice and Hotspot policing)
Nottinghamshire (Immediate Justice)
Merseyside (Immediate Justice)
Sussex (Immediate Justice)
Dorset (Immediate Justice)
Northamptonshire (Immediate Justice)
West Yorkshire (Immediate Justice)
West Midlands (Hotspot policing)
South Yorkshire (Hotspot policing)
Essex (Hotspot policing)
Lancashire (Hotspot policing)
South Wales (Hotspot policing)
Staffordshire (Hotspot policing)
Michael Kill, CEO Night Time Industry Association, said: “We welcome the announcement by the Government today that Nitrous oxide is set to be banned under new government plans to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.
“The industry has faced a long standing battle with the sale and use of this drug, exposing staff and customers to anti social behaviour and petty crime, with the current legislation leaving licensees and authorities powerless to tackle the problem.
“Businesses have been put under immense pressure by Police, local authorities and residents as a result of streets being littered with silver canisters, increased petty crime, anti social behaviour and links to organized crime gangs.
“This intervention by the Government has come at a critical time, as businesses across the UK have seen the challenges around nitrous oxide escalate dramatically in the last 6-12 months.”
John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Network, said: “Neighbourhood Watch welcomes the clear, strong focus on tackling antisocial behaviour. We believe everyone should be and feel safe in their communities and not worry about being a victim of harassment or antisocial behaviour.
“Reducing antisocial behaviour requires organisations and community members to work together, and the wide-ranging plan being launched champions that. It enables the public who take pride in their community to be included.
“Neighbourhood Watch volunteers are local residents who work with neighbours and others to make their area a better place to live, and this plan supports them in achieving this.”
Ellen Daniels, CEO of the British Compressed Gases Association, said: “We welcome the government’s new measures around the misuse of Nitrous Oxide. As a trade body, and experts in the sector, we have been campaigning for almost three years for a change in the law that would drive down Nitrous Oxide abuse and protect the public from the dangers of its misuse.
“It’s now the third most commonly used substance among 16 to 24-year-olds and misusing Nitrous Oxide can cause permanent damage to the central nervous system including loss of peripheral feeling, loss of motor control and paralysis. In some cases, it can be fatal.”
We can expect a response from Scotland’s new First Minister – whoever that may be – later this week.
At this time (1950) a petition had been launched to collect signatures against the proliferatation of nuclear weapons. We in the union branch at the New Cross tram depot decided to set up a Peace Committee to collect signatures for the Stockholm Peace Appeal.
The Cold War was intensely pursued by the Western powers. Charlie CHaplin was thron out of America and Paul Robeson too.
We had a big meeting in Camberwell to support Paul Robeson, to which he sent a recorded message, but we were up against the full wight of an anti-communist media.
I even stood as one of three candidates for the Communist Party local elections in Debtford, as their proposals seemed at the time to best address the needs of ordinary working people. But this was at the time of the Yangtse incident, where the Chinese communists were fired on by a British warship and the McCarthy era in the United States was in full swing.
The Vauxhall Tram authorities gave permission for a stall to be set up for just one day in the garage – and we were successful in collecting over 900 signatures for the Stockholm Peace Appeal, which I delivered to their offices near Regent’s Park.
I would collect the Daily Worker newspaper before my shift and do leafletting after my shifts, early morning or late. The shifts were spaced such that it was impossible to go home in between shifts. They were long days away from home.
Over the seven years I was active in the Transport and General Workers Union we were always under pressure and the canteen was a hive of activity with the early morning sales of all kinds of newspapers. We had to prove we were selling all papers inside the garage and not just the Daily Worker – this we did from outside the garage!
Then we were banned from selling the paper when we had tram uniforms on. The attempts at control were relentless.
There were of course already some big improvements such as improved provision if social services and the formation of the National Health Service in 1948; it is hard today to imagine not having an NHS and having to pay to see a doctor.
I knew that improvements to the lives of ordinary working people would have to be fought for by ordinary people like me and the hundreds of thousands of people who were now finding ways of making progress through sound argument and political pressure.
This was the challenge of winning a better future for everyone and pursuing this has been my lifelong ambition.
Progress is never guaranteed and things are sometimes disappointing, but I have seen poverty, war and destructive chaos and I know that only through ordinary working people struggling together will the devastating evils of poverty and war be avoided in the future.
More funding, more flexibility, and clearer priorities need to be given to Scotland’s college sector according to a report issued by Holyrood’s Education, Children and Young People Committee.
The Committee have been looking at the progress of the regionalisation of Scotland’s college system. Their new report has found that while the reforms have had some positive impacts, Scotland’s colleges are being held back by funding issues. The Committee is now urging the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council to do more.
The Committee is extremely concerned about the significant back log in maintenance work that Scotland’s colleges need. Its report highlights a survey from 2017, which disclosed that one third of the college estate was not wind or watertight. This will also counter any progress with the sector reaching its net zero targets.
In response, the Scottish Funding Council told the Committee that it was providing colleges with around £30 million per year for maintenance. Yet a briefing from Audit Scotland said that this figure meant there was a £321 million shortfall in maintenance funding since 2018-19.
The briefing said that maintenance needs “…pose a risk to colleges’ ability to maintain the suitability and safety of their buildings.”
Scottish Government reforms to the college landscape began in 2012, resulting in the creation of 13 college regions. It was hoped that college provision would be better aligned with employer and learner needs, helping meet national ambitions for jobs and growth.
The report finds that the reforms have had some positive outcomes. The creation of ‘colleges of scale’, which are better placed to engage with educational and economic partners, is one such positive. The report also credits regionalisation with helping to widen access to higher education.
The Committee compliments colleges for their good work in the report, noting that they support skills development and platforms for lifelong learning. The report also says colleges play a critical role in helping the Scottish Government deliver its economic strategy.
However, the financial issues identified by the report are likely to become more pronounced. Colleges must meet net-zero commitments by 2045.
To help, the report asks the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council to ensure colleges have greater flexibility. Changes to colleges’ finances and goals are viewed as vital in ensuring their financial sustainability and delivering on their ambitions to support both the learner and the economy.
Sue Webber MSP, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee said:“Our report lays bare the shortcomings of the current funding model and the lack of flexibility our colleges have.
“During our inquiry we heard witnesses express frustration about colleges finances. The challenges colleges face will make it more difficult for them to respond to Scotland’s needs and priorities.
“However, the critical findings in our report are not a reflection on the hard work of colleges or their staff. Colleges continue to deliver high-quality, highly respected qualifications and professional training.
“Regionalisation has been, on balance, beneficial, but we want to help colleges meet the ambitions of all Scots. The Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council must work together to ensure our colleges have more cash, more flexibility, or clearer priorities.”
Westminster’s Committee of Privileges has published written evidence submitted by Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, ahead of hearing his oral evidence today (Wednesday).
The Committee initially received the written evidence from Mr Johnson on Monday afternoon at 2.32pm in unredacted form.
The evidence submitted had a number of errors and typos, and, a final corrected version was not submitted to the Privileges Committee until 8.02 am yesterday morning.
Redactions have been made in the published version to protect the identity of some witnesses, in consultation with Mr Johnson, particularly junior-ranking civil servants.
Mr Johnson’s written submission contains no new documentary evidence.
The Committee has set out its own views of its processes in reports published in July and September 2022. The Committee will consider carefully the further arguments made by Mr Johnson and respond to them in its final report.
Throughout this inquiry the Committee has received and followed the advice of its legal adviser, former Senior President of Tribunals and Lord Justice of Appeal Rt Hon Sir Ernest Ryder, as well as the impartial Clerks of the House. The Committee remains confident in the fairness of its processes and in its compliance at all times with the rules and practice of the House of Commons.
From the start of its inquiry the Committee has offered Mr Johnson the opportunity to provide written evidence. In its report published on 2 March 2023, the Committee set out a summary of principal issues to be raised with Mr Johnson in oral evidence, at his request, and at the same time disclosed to him all the evidence received by the Committee and the identities of all witnesses.
Mr Johnson has now provided written evidence, which can be read here.
Ahead of the oral evidence session on Wednesday, the Committee will be publishing, again by agreement with Mr Johnson, a “core bundle” of documents to which the Committee and Mr Johnson may refer in the course of the questioning.
These documents will be published on the Committee website at 9.00 am today.
The Committee of Privileges will hear oral evidence in public from Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP from 2pm today (Wednesday 22 March).
The session can be watched on Parliament TV here. There is no approximate end time for the session.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Ukrainian First Minister sign UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement to provide vital support for Ukrainian economy
Department for Business and Trade mobilises UK businesses to engage in future reconstruction projects in Ukraine with major conference
UK pledges to extend the removal of tariffs on all Ukrainian products until March 2024
The UK today [Monday 20 March] signed a pivotal digital trade deal with Ukraine that will support the country’s economy and greatly enhance the UK-Ukraine trade and investment relationship.
The Department for Business and Trade today hosted a number of Ukrainian ministers, as well as 200 UK and international businesses and officials, at Mansion House to lay the foundation for closer future co-operation.
The Road to Ukraine Recovery Conference, geared towards supporting Ukraine’s National Recovery Plan and mobilising UK businesses to engage in future Ukraine reconstruction projects, opened with a welcome from the Business and Trade Secretary. This event, and our mobilisation of UK industry, is a key stepping stone on our route to the Ukraine Recovery Conference that will be hosted in London in June.
Ms Badenoch, alongside Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, virtually signed a ground-breaking new Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) that will help Ukraine support its economy through the current crisis and lay foundations for its recovery and revival.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch MP said: “The historic digital trade deal signed today paves the way for a new era of modern trade between our two countries.
“We are also extending tariff free trade on imports from Ukraine to early 2024, providing much needed support to Ukrainian businesses. These initiatives will help protect jobs, livelihoods and families now and in Ukraine’s post-war future.”
Since June 2022, UK negotiators worked at record pace with their Ukrainian counterparts to deliver a deal after President Zelenskyy highlighted the important role Ukraine’s first ever digitally focused trade agreement could play in bolstering his country’s economy.
Ukraine will have guaranteed access to the financial services crucial for reconstruction efforts through the deal’s facilitation of cross-border data flows. Ukrainian businesses will also be able to trade more efficiently and cheaply with the UK through electronic transactions, e-signatures, and e-contracts.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy for Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko said: “This digital trade agreement illustrates that Ukrainian IT companies operating in Ukraine are in demand around the world despite all the challenges of war.
“The UA-UK Digital Trade Agreement has enshrined core freedoms for trade in digital goods and services. Ukraine believes that an open and free framework for the digital economy is the best investment in future oriented development.”
The UK’s total military, humanitarian and economic support pledged since 24 February 2022 now amounts to over £4 billion. The UK is a key partner for Ukraine in its reconstruction efforts.
We hosted the UK-Ukraine Infrastructure Summit in June 2022, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreeing to play a leading role in the reconstruction of Kyiv Oblast and set up the Infrastructure Taskforce to implement this agreement.
Stuart Senior, Member of the Supervisory Board, Gleeds said: “As international construction consultants, Gleeds has had a presence in Ukraine for many years. We welcome this new agreement which strengthens UK-Ukraine relationships and helps Ukraine’s increasing development as a modern, open economy.
“The DTA will remove barriers to digital trade and enable partnership initiatives and collaborative working to be delivered more effectively. It will also further enhance the acceleration of economic recovery through the faster delivery of critical infrastructure reconstruction projects by implementing better processes and standards.”
In the margins of the Road to URC event, the UK confirmed its intention to extend the removal of tariffs on Ukrainian products until March 2024. This follows the UK’s world-leading decision in May 2022 to cut tariffs on all goods from Ukraine to zero and will provide much needed support to Ukrainian businesses given the impact of the war on Ukraine’s ability to export goods.
The UK also continues to support Ukraine through decisive sanctions against Russia. The UK and its allies have introduced the most severe economic sanctions ever imposed on a major economy, including on £20 billion (96%) of UK-Russia goods trade from 2021.
Sanctions are having deep and damaging consequences for Putin’s ability to wage war. Since the start of the invasion, UK goods imports from Russia have fallen by 99% and goods exports to Russia have fallen by 80%.
Hourglass (Safer Ageing) calls on the SNP leadership contenders to support safer ageing
Hourglass has asked the three contenders for the Scottish National Party leadership to commit to safer ageing and to support older victim-survivors of abuse.
Older people are at risk of becoming victims of physical, financial, sexual or psychological abuse. Many others suffer abuse due to simple neglect. Older people are much less likely to report abuse and when they do the experience can be traumatic.
At present, insufficient data is collected on abuse of older people in Scotland. This lack of information is one reason this issue does not get the attention or resources it desperately needs.
Hourglass have called on the three leadership contenders Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf to commit to the following actions if they become the Scottish First Minister:
1. Collecting all relevant data on the abuse of older people. 2. Develop a safer ageing strategy for Scotland 3. Host a Safer Ageing forum with Hourglass at Holyrood later this year.
Richard Robinson, CEO of Hourglass said:“The Scottish Government need to take action to prevent abuse of older people.
“The first step is to collect the data on reported abuse. The second is to develop a safer ageing strategy which will outline how the Scottish Government intend to tackle this problem. Thirdly, this is an issue that is seldom talked about. We need the Scottish Government to work with us to raise awareness of this issue.
“Hourglass (Safer Ageing) is the only charity in Scotland that specialises in supporting older victims of abuse. We have nearly 30 years of working in Scotland and throughout the UK and Ireland, where we have continued to see an increase in demand for our services.”
George Foulkes, Hourglass Patron said:“We have an ageing population and the next First Minister of Scotland needs to be to take this seriously.
“The Scottish Government need a safer ageing strategy to protect older people from abuse and neglect.”
The charity is urging those keen to support the charity to make a donation by visiting https://wearehourglass.org/donate or Text SAFER to 70460 to donate £10.
Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS.
If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications text SAFERNOINFO to 70460.
