Tag: Politics

“Festivals Crisis Summit … Now!”

LOTHIAN MSP CALLS FOR CRISIS SUMMIT ON FESTIVAL FUNDING

Foysol Choudhury, list MSP for Lothian and Shadow Culture Minster for Scottish Labour, has today pressed the Scottish Government to heed Scottish Labour’s calls for a crisis summit on festival funding. 

Mr Choudhury questioned the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Angus Robertson MSP, in the Scottish Parliament’s Chamber today (15th May 2024).

MSP Choudhury said: “Although the Scottish Government may claim to support Scotland’s cultural sector, the situation on the ground is very different.

“It is clear that Scotland’s cultural sector is under enormous pressure, with cultural organisations crying out for support and venues and festivals under threat.

“Yet, the Scottish Government still won’t heed Scottish Labour’s calls for a crisis summit on festival funding.

“We need the concrete action of a festivals crisis summit now, not more weak platitudes from the Scottish Government.”

MSP Choudhury also raised concerns about the Scottish Government’s structure and governance and how this is impacting the culture sector.

Mr Choudhury echoed his Labour colleague Neil Bibby’s sentiments, which Mr Bibby raised in the Scottish Parliament today, about the Cabinet Secretary’s conflict of interest.

As Mr Robertson is MSP for Edinburgh Central, and Edinburgh is a major cultural hub, the Labour MSPs argue that the Cabinet Secretary should recuse himself from cultural matters pertaining to Edinburgh.

Something which will be made very difficult, they say, as there is now no specific Culture Minister in John Swinney’s new Scottish Government.

Mr Choudhury said: “Yet again we are seeing the Scottish Government’s contempt for culture as the Culture Minister role has been disposed of-meaning the Cabinet Secretary will have no Minister focused specially on culture to pass Edinburgh based cultural matters to, instead having to rely on the Deputy First Minister to pick up the pieces.

“This is not the first time we have seen the Scottish Government’s poor governance choices impact our cultural sector-whilst Creative Scotland funding is at a standstill level, the Scottish Government have been wasting nearly £2 million on staffing for the “Building New Scotland” Papers.

“Now that the Minister for Independence has been scrapped, which will hopefully stop wasting money which could have been spent to save our cultural sector, I am now also calling on the Scottish Government to scrap the independence papers altogether and reallocate the funds towards culture in Scotland.”

Mr Choudhury says he will continue to pursue the Scottish Government to take concrete action on the crisis hitting the cultural sector in Scotland and to recalibrate their governance priorities, to ensure money spent on party-driven ideologies like independence is instead spent on saving the cultural sector, which he says can benefit the whole of Scotland regardless of party allegiance.

TUC: Government must end its cruel assault on sick and disabled people

The latest government announcement on reforms to financial support for those with ill health or disability is misleading rhetoric. The lives of those with ill health or disability are completely misrepresented, and the language they use is divisive, (writes TUC’s ANJUM KLAIR).

Mel Stride announced the consultation on reform of Personal Independent Payments (PIP). Two immediate observations from us are:   

  • The Government has deliberately confused the purpose of this benefit in order to ramp up its benefit scrounger rhetoric. PIP is not an out-of-work benefit: disabled people in full-time employment can be, and are, assessed as eligible for PIP. It assesses whether someone’s impairment or health conditions affects their day-to-day life and is intended to cover some of the additional costs incurred as a result of being disabled. It is not for assessing if you are capable of work- or work-related activity.  
  • The idea that you can claim PIP for mild mental illness is untrue. The criteria for accessing PIP is stringent. You have to be suffering from severe mental illness. It is a complex application process and have to provide medical evidence. 

If the current data is showing rising numbers of those with severe depression and anxiety claiming PIP, you don’t change the eligibility criteria to reduce claimant numbers – you look at the underlying drivers of ill health.    

More than a decade of austerity under the Conservatives has resulted in crumbling public services. 

NHS waiting lists are at record highs, food insecurity and destitution has increased, and poverty levels are rising. This will inevitably affect physical and mental health. Data shows life expectancy and healthy life expectancy falling, and this is more profound in deprived areas.      

The approach by government is to blame individuals. Only recently the Prime Minister attacked those too sick to work, by saying UK had a sick note culture, yet the data on workplace sickness absence does not suggest any substantial challenges.

And again, government conflates two separate areas, sick notes look at short-term illness for those in work and not long-term illness and disability.  It is the rise in long-term sickness and disability which is alarming.  

The ideas proposed in the consultation also include the insulting suggestion that disabled people are not to be trusted with spending their benefits on essential support. As it moves away from a fixed cash benefit and proposes to reimburse for extra costs, this also assumes that disabled people have the money to pay up front for this.

The consultation also proposes accessing treatments rather than receiving benefits for ill health, yet it is the lack of access to treatment which is exacerbating the increase in ill health.  The long delays are well documented. Just for mental health support there is around1.9 million people waiting for support in England,        

The PIP consultation also adds a further layer of confusion for people not working due to ill health, as the government already set out a plan for health and disability benefits reform last year.  This is proposed for the new Parliament, and includes:    

  • The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to be abolished and eligibility for the health top-up in Universal Credit (UC) ( in this case the health element) will be passported (i.e. approved) via PIP.  
  • The current UC Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element will be replaced with a new UC health element.  
  • Introduce more tailored conversations for claimants with work coaches, to enter suitable employment.  

While we have issues with the validity of WCA decisions, it is supposed to assess people’s ability to work, while PIP clearly does not do this. This proposed change would amount to a huge financial cut to those not well enough to work. The IFS estimates that one million disabled or seriously unwell people who can’t get PIP would lose out by £350 a month. 

Wider problems in the Government’s plan include the proposed introduction of a new personalised health conditionality approach. Disabled people will also face a higher risk of sanctions, as at present people currently identified as being unable to work and prepare for work are protected but could lose this right under the changes.   

Such measures do not consider the structural barriers that stop disabled people from entering into the workplace, such as discrimination from employers, a failure to put in place reasonable adjustments, and inaccessible transport. The result will be many disabled people whose health makes it difficult or impossible to carry out work activity without a realistic chance of getting a job, being threatened with sanctions. 

Separately the Government has made changes to descriptors in the WCA to apply from September 2025 for new claimants. As a result, 424,000 fewer people are expected to be assessed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity by 2028 to 2029.

The theme by the Conservative government is to constantly reduce eligibility to cut social security entitlement for disabled people or those with ill health. Government needs to end this cruel assault on sick and disabled people.  

Deirdre Brock leads Westminster debate on bank branch closures

Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deidre Brock is leading a debate at Westminster this afternoon (Tuesday) on bank branch closures, after recent announcements from both RBS and TSB that their branches in Leith are set to close.

Ms Brock called for the debate after RBS announced last month that a further 18 of its 86 branches are set to close, including Leith. The MP will call for more robust action from government to protect access to bank branches and to increase the roll out of initiatives like banking hubs.

Ms Brock has written to the banks and is meeting with representatives of both RBS and TSB to discuss the proposed local closures in Leith.

Deidre Brock said:- “We have seen almost 6000 bank branches close across the UK since 2015 at a rate of 54 each month. Enough is enough. If banks keep shutting up shop at this pace we will deepen the digital divide and leave many people without access to the financial services they need.

“It’s hard to believe Leith could soon be down to its last branch standing. As one of the most densely populated parts of Scotland, there’s a continued need for accessible services for the many small businesses and customers in the area who don’t use digital.

“RBS was founded in Edinburgh in 1727 and paved the way for much modern banking so it’s sad to see them cut back to just three city centre branches. The success of Edinburgh’s financial sector was largely built on Scotland’s famous multi-bank system which gave stability and security in the sector. While times have changed, the increased centralisation of banking doesn’t seem like progress to me.   

“Banks should still have a responsibility to the community and the customers they serve. The UK government needs to step in and take stronger action to protect our bank branches before they disappear altogether.

“We should introduce a community right to bank branches and incentives to roll out initiatives that help banks cut the costs while keeping face to face services, like banking hubs.

“The RBS website proudly claims “the bank has a history of making life easier for its customers. The bank is committed to serving Scottish communities and putting the interests of customers first.” 

“It’s time for that commitment to be made clear in actions, not just warm words.”

MSPs urged to support an improved equine ID system

International equine charity, World Horse Welfare, together with The British Horse Society and Horsescotland, exhibited at the Scottish Parliament to highlight the importance of equine identification to the health and welfare of Scottish horses. 

The trio of organisations used the opportunity to urge MSPs to support an improved digitalised and enforceable equine ID system to ensure all horses are identifiable and traceable. 

The move from the current paper-based system, which is open to fraud, to a digital service will ensure frictionless trade and movement of equines across borders for those moving their equines compliantly and disrupt the trade in smuggled horses. 

These improvements will mean that real-time updates can be made to individual records, enabling horses, ponies and donkeys to be traced quickly and effectively – crucial in the event of a disease outbreak, when they stray or in instances of theft and ownership disputes. 

The team spoke to 56 MSPs over three days and were sponsored by Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland. 

Kim Ayling, Senior Public Affairs Officer at World Horse Welfare said: “The exhibition in the Scottish Parliament gave us a fantastic opportunity to engage with MSPs from all political parties and representing constituencies from the borders to Orkney.

“We were delighted that almost 50 percent of the current members of the Scottish Parliament spoke to us about the importance of equine identification to the health and welfare of Scotland’s horses, ponies and donkeys.  

“The challenges that current horse owners face with a paper-based process that is too complex, costly and takes too long were highlighted, and it was encouraging that many supported the move to a digitalised system. 

“This is key to protecting Scottish equines from disease threats and disrupting the trade in vulnerable horses being smuggled out of the country in horrific conditions to an unknown fate. As a sector we will continue to work together and now need to build on this increased awareness among MSPs to help drive forward an improved equine ID system.”  

With a consultation on the digitalisation of cattle identification and traceability currently being undertaken in Scotland, the Scottish equine sector is calling on the Scottish Government to follow suit for horses, ponies and donkeys. 

Visa scheme for Palestinians to be debated at Westminster

MORE THAN 103,000 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED PETITION

NEXT Monday 13 May, MPs will debate a petition calling for a visa scheme for Palestinians.

Cat Smith MP, Chair of the Petitions Committee, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. MPs from all parties can take part, and the Government will send a minister to respond.

Create a visa scheme for Palestinians

The petition, which has more than 103,000 signatures, states:

“We want the government to take action and create a Visa scheme that allows Palestinian individuals affected by war, to be allowed into the UK. Just like we did for Ukraine.”

In its response to the petition, provided on 21 December 2023, the Government said: “There are no plans to introduce bespoke arrangements for people arriving from the region. Those wishing to come to the UK who currently have no visa can apply under one of the existing visa routes.”

What are petitions debates?

Petitions debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.

Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means MPs will not vote on the request of the petition at the end of the debate. Instead, the aim is to give MPs an opportunity to discuss the issues raised by a petition, and get a response from the Government.

Petition debates are scheduled by the Petitions Committee. Only e-petitions started on the Parliament petitions site are considered by the Petitions Committee.

First meeting of Scotland’s new cabinet takes place this morning

FM John Swinney chairs Cabinet before visits focused on jobs, NHS and transport

First Minister John Swinney will chair his first Cabinet meeting at Bute House, Edinburgh, this morning, ahead of a series of visits in the afternoon.

Mr Swinney was officially sworn in as Scotland’s seventh First Minister and appointed his Cabinet on Wednesday.

Later today he will meet health staff at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, see near completed works on the Levenmouth Rail Link in Fife, and visit IGS, a highly successful international vertical farm company in Dundee.

The First Minister said: “Today, my colleagues and I embark on a new chapter as we collectively work to build a better, brighter future for the people of Scotland.

“It is my greatest honour to lead us forward on that journey – one that will drive economic growth, tackle the climate crisis and eradicate the scourge of child poverty in our country once and for all.

“I know our health service is operating under sustained pressure and I am absolutely committed to working with health boards to improve standards – starting with our recent £30 million investment to drive down waiting times.

“We will also build on our investment and track record on major infrastructure projects.

“I’m pleased to also be able to visit one example of that record – the Levenmouth Rail Link, a line which will reconnect local communities for the first time in 50 years, and make a real contribution to the Government’s net-zero transport ambitions.

“And I pledge that I will stand with Scotland’s businesses, large and small, and do whatever I can to help them to grow, innovate, and boost our economy for the benefit of those who live here.”

TSB Leith Walk branch to close in September

Banking group TSB has announced plans to close 36 bank branches across the UK in a move that will see 250 job losses.

TSB’s branch on Leith Walk is among the branches on the hitlist. It will close in September.

Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deidre Brock commented: “I’m sorry to read of yet another bank closing its doors in Leith. This comes hot on the heels of the RBS closure announcement and it’s another bad move from the banks.

“It’s time for a pause to be called on these closure programmes and solutions sought to stop this rapid decline in high street banking.

“Plenty of my constituents don’t bank digitally, while others just prefer dealing in cash or dealing with human beings.

“They shouldn’t be expected to hotfoot it up to town whenever they need to do a transaction. Taking away options is not progress.

“I’ve written to the bank and asked for a meeting. I will do all I can to help find a long-term solution which can keep local banking services in the community of Leith.”

The Scottish Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith Mike Andersen has hit out at both the Royal Bank of Scotland and the TSB Group, after they respectively announced the closures of their last remaining branches in Leith. 

Mike Andersen said: “Access to cash is a hugely important issue to the thousands of residents in the north of the city.

“Not only will locals be losing yet another important service, but it hurts tourists and visitors who may be seeking cash out with normal shop hours to use in local bars and restaurants.

“Lib Dems have consistently called on both our governments, in Edinburgh and London, to do more to support local businesses and find a solution to bank branch closures by introducing schemes such as community hubs.

“Both RBS and TSB need to halt these closures and restore the confidence of local people.”

Jack Caldwell, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Leith Walk said: “Leith as a whole is one of the most densely populated areas in the UK.

“RBS and TSB both need to rethink this announcement and ensure local residents are fairly supported.”

Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Forth ward said: “Given that residents are keen for more local services near their homes, it’s incredibly disappointing for my constituents who will now have to travel much further for in-person banking services.“

A spokesman for TSB said: “The decision to close a branch is never taken lightly, but our customers are now doing most of their banking digitally and we need to move to a better balance of digital and face-to-face services.

“We remain committed to a national branch network and through innovation and integration with video, telephone, digital, branch and other face-to-face services TSB customers have more ways to bank with us than ever before.”

John Swinney picks his team

Cabinet of 11 will be supported by 14 Ministers

First Minister John Swinney has completed the appointment of his ministerial team. Consisting of 11 Cabinet Secretaries, including the First Minister, the Scottish Cabinet will be supported by 14 Ministers.

This reduces the size of the Scottish Government by four since the start of the year.

Ivan McKee has returned to Government as Minister for Public Finance. Minister for Parliamentary Business George Adam, Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees Emma Roddick, and Minister for Local Government Empowerment & Planning Joe FitzPatrick have stepped down from their previous roles.

First Minister John Swinney 

Minister for Parliamentary Business Jamie Hepburn

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes

Minister for Business Richard Lochhead

Minister for Employment and Investment Tom Arthur

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison

Minister for Public Finance Ivan McKee 

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth

Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise Natalie Don   

Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans Graeme Dey

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance

Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown  

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan

Minister for Climate Action Gillian Martin

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop

Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie (reporting jointly to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands)

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray   

Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto

Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd  

Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy Christina McKelvie

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville

Minister for Equalities Kaukab Stewart             

Minister for Housing Paul McLennan

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon

Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie (reporting jointly to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport)   

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Angus Robertson

Parliament will be asked to approve the new Ministerial appointments. A detailed breakdown of ministerial responsibilities will be published in due course. 

New First Minister for Scotland

HOLYROOD NOMINATES JOHN SWINNEY

John Swinney has been nominated as the seventh First Minister of Scotland, following a vote in the Scottish Parliament yesterday. 

MSPs voted 64 to 57 to select Mr Swinney as First Minister from a total of four nominees. There were seven abstentions.

He will be officially sworn in at the Court of Session today (Wednesday), 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 John Swinney said: “It is an extraordinary privilege and it is my honour to accept the office of First Minister, committing myself to do the best I can for Scotland.

“I will be unapologetic about bringing to this Parliament the measures we can take to eradicate child poverty and I look forward to seeking the support of others to achieve that aim. I recognise, that is how it is going to have to work. I am leading a minority Government. I will need to reach out to others to make things happen.

If we want to fund our schools and our hospitals, if we want to give our businesses a competitive edge, if we want to take climate action, if we want to eradicate child poverty, if we want to change people’s lives for the better, we have to work together to do so.

“I commit my Government to working to create that agreement across the Chamber. I hope there is the space and the willingness for that to happen in the interests of the people who sent us here.

“To the people of Scotland I would simply say this. I offer myself to be the First Minister for everyone in Scotland. I am here to serve you. I will give everything I have to build the best future for our country.”

Humzah Yousaf tenders resignation to King Charles

EARLIER yesterday Humza Yousaf, the youngest and first person of colour to hold the office of Scotland’s First Minister has formally stepped down. At his time of appointment, he was the first Muslim leader of any Western nation.

Following the First Minister’s election in March last year, he announced his intention to stand down last week, remaining in post until a new First Minister was appointed.  

Mr Yousaf officially tendered his resignation in writing today to His Majesty King Charles III which has been accepted and the Scottish Parliament notified.  

Humza Yousaf said:  “Being the First Minister of the country I love, the country I am raising my family in, and the only country I will ever call home has been a phenomenal honour.  

“As a young Muslim boy, born and raised in Scotland, I could never have dreamt that one day I would have the privilege of leading my country – people who looked like me, were not in positions of political influence, let alone leading governments when I was younger.  

“I am proud to have delivered a council tax freeze for households in every local authority in Scotland, invested record amounts in our National Health Service, removed peak fares on our railways, and approved plans for Europe’s largest floating offshore windfarm. And through our actions, an estimated 100,000 children are expected to be kept out of poverty this year.

“From the backbenches of the Scottish Parliament, I will continue to champion the rights and the voices of those who are often not heard, be they at home or abroad.”   

First Minister Humza Yousaf’s letter to His Majesty King Charles III:  

Your Majesty,

With my humble duty, I write as anticipated in my letter to Your Majesty of 29 April to tender to Your Majesty my resignation from the office of First Minister.  I propose that my resignation take effect from the start of Scottish parliamentary plenary business on Tuesday 7 May 2024.

Throughout my time as First Minister, I have been most grateful for your counsel and the kindness you have shown to both Nadia and I.

It has been my pleasure to serve Your Majesty and the people of Scotland since March 2023.   

Humza Yousaf 

Charity fears over PVG proposals

“These changes will inevitably force a decline in the number of volunteering opportunities organisations are able to support in the future” – LifeCare CEO Sarah van Putten

Foysol Choudhury MSP, Co-Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Volunteering, has today raised alarm bells over Scottish Government proposals to replace the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) membership fee waiver, for volunteers in Qualifying Voluntary Organisations (QVOs), with a fee discount.

MSP Choudhury, who visited LifeCare Edinburgh last month, raised alarm bells over this proposal, which he said would hugely impact organisations such as LifeCare Edinburgh who carry out vital work and rely on volunteers to be able to deliver their services.

Following his visit to LifeCare Edinburgh, Mr Choudhury lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament on Recognising LifeCare Edinburgh’s Contributions to Community Wellbeing. For these essential contributions to continue, however, Mr Choudhury says the Scottish Government must listen to the pleas of integral third sector organisations.

Mr Choudhury said: “LifeCare Edinburgh has worked tirelessly for 80 years providing uplifting, positive and practical support for older people, such as through day clubs, support with household tasks and home care, which allow older service users to thrive in their own homes and community.

“LifeCare Edinburgh and many other organisations foster community wellbeing, both by providing volunteering opportunities and by running essential services using volunteers.

“They therefore rely on the goodwill of volunteers being easily accepted by the system, such as via the PVG fee waiver system which allows volunteers to be easily and freely accredited for volunteering opportunities with vulnerable groups.

“The proposal to remove this fee waiver and replace it with a fee discount will, therefore, mean more barriers to volunteering, especially for those from economically deprived backgrounds, which will have a knock-on effect in terms of decreased wellbeing for volunteers and decreased services available to be run for the community.”

Sarah van Putten, LifeCare Edinburgh CEO, said: “LifeCare strongly opposes the Scottish Government’s proposals to remove the current fee waiver for volunteers and replace this with a fee discount.

“The price of a PVG application, even at the subsidised rate, is not inconsiderable, particularly for those from economically deprived backgrounds. 

“The proposed changes would create a further barrier at a time where the cost-of-living crisis is already limiting access to volunteering. Adopting the proposed changes would worsen this problem and further exclude marginalised and disadvantaged communities throughout Scotland.

“The only way volunteer-involving organisations could conceivably help to mitigate this barrier would be to reimburse the cost of the PVG application back to volunteers. However, the cost of even subsidised membership applications is a substantial burden for charities to bear – particularly for organisations like LifeCare who have been significantly impacted by funding cuts, increasing demand rising costs. 

“These changes will inevitably force a decline in the number of volunteering opportunities organisations are able to support in the future. 

“This will ultimately have an adverse impact on all those who benefit from volunteer-supported services across Scotland, and of course the volunteers themselves whose health and wellbeing benefits through the hugely rewarding experience volunteering can bring.”

Mr Choudhury, following his visit to LifeCare Edinburgh and the submission of his motion recognising their work, is joining LifeCare Edinburgh in highlighting concern over these PVG proposals.

Mr Choudhury says he will, as Co-Convener of the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Volunteering, continue to pursue this matter with the responsible Minister.