Continue reading Mundell welcomes fall in jobless figures … and has a dig at Holyrood
Tag: Scotland Office
The UK Government delivers for Scottish businesses, says the UK Government’s Scotland Office
The Scottish Business Taskforce of economic and business leaders came together on Friday to discuss ways to support some of Scotland’s most important sectors. The taskforce, announced by Scottish Secretary David Mundell last year, aims to exert a positive influence on the development of UK Government policy and in turn, advance Scotland’s interests. Continue reading The UK Government delivers for Scottish businesses, says the UK Government’s Scotland Office
UK Government raises a dram to Scotch whisky industry
Scotch whisky is a global success story. An iconic product which is enjoyed from Perth to Paraguay and everywhere in between, and has been for centuries. Not only is it a valuable addition to a Burns supper, it is also one of the UK’s most successful export products, worth more than £4 billion in 2017, with 39 bottles shipped overseas per second. Continue reading UK Government raises a dram to Scotch whisky industry
Scottish Secretary David Mundell: “My door remains open”
Speaking just ahead of the turn of the year, Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said: Continue reading Scottish Secretary David Mundell: “My door remains open”
‘Ambitious’ City Deal to bring 21,000 jobs to Edinburgh
Keith Brown: ‘Ambitious’ city deal will deliver opportunities across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders.
The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal will deliver inclusive economic growth across the region through housing, innovation, transport, skills and culture. It is expected that the new deal will deliver 21,000 new jobs for the area – but the city’s Green councillors say the deal sells Edinburgh short.
Continue reading ‘Ambitious’ City Deal to bring 21,000 jobs to Edinburgh
Scotland Office: spinning out of control?
An SNP MP has called for answers after the Tory government was forced to admit that Scotland Office spending on advertising and spin doctors sky-rocketed in the run-up to the June snap election. Continue reading Scotland Office: spinning out of control?
Join the Scotland Office team at the Royal Highland Show
The UK Government has a stand at this year’s Royal Highland Show on 23 – 26 June 2016, showcasing all of our activity in Scotland, from delivering new powers to the Scottish Parliament to supporting the Scottish video game industry. Continue reading Join the Scotland Office team at the Royal Highland Show
General Election a ‘win, win’ for Scotland – Mundell
In an article marking the 100th day since the General Election, Scottish Secretary DAVID MUNDELL writes that Scotland is in a ‘win-win situation’ as Holyrood becomes one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world while we also benefit from remaining part of a strong UK economy:
For the past 100 days our government has acted in the interests of the whole United Kingdom. Every day since the General Election in May we have worked to ensure that every part of Britain benefits from a growing UK economy.
Scotland is enjoying a win-win situation right now. We are winning from the decision we made last year to remain part of a strong UK and keep all the advantages that gives us. We are also winning from the policies this government has delivered in our first hundred days that will provide higher pay and lower taxes for people in Scotland and across the whole of the UK. Scotland’s two governments should be working together at every opportunity to help Scottish workers and Scottish businesses. To protect those who need help most and to provide security in retirement.
This UK Government has made our intentions very clear since May 7th . We will help working people in the UK at every stage of their lives.
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor have set out our stall in the last 100 days. We are moving the UK to a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare society. The next 100 days will tell us more about whether the Scottish Government shares this ambition.
More powers
One of David Cameron’s first ports of call after the General Election was to come to Edinburgh and meet with Nicola Sturgeon. He promised her we would bring forward legislation to make Holyrood one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world. The Scotland Bill was indeed one of the first Bills we published in late May and we are now well on our way to implementing the historic cross party Smith Agreement.
We are entering a new era of devolution in Scotland where the Scottish Parliament is more powerful and more accountable than ever before. Holyrood will have control over billions of pounds worth of tax and welfare powers. They now need to set the Scottish Rate of Income Tax. This money will come out of Scottish paycheques next April. How much will it be? When will they tell us?
If the Scottish Government wants to choose a different path from the UK Government then that is what devolution is all about. If the First Minister wants to increase taxes, create new benefits or top-up existing benefits then that is her choice because these are the new powers Holyrood will have. She should, however, use the next 100 days to explain how Holyrood intends to use these new powers.
Higher pay, lower taxes
The UK Government will keep governing for all parts of the UK. Scotland holds on to the opportunity, security and stability of being part of the UK. This UK Government is committed to driving down borrowing and getting rid of our deficit. We will get our public finances in order and the Chancellor has announced steps to make sure that UK workers hold on to more of their pay and businesses across the UK pay less tax. Britain deserves a pay rise and the Government is establishing a new national living wage which will reach £9.00 an hour by 2020.
New figures this week showed that wages are going up and employment is at near record levels. We are on the right track, providing opportunities for those who work hard and protecting the value of a well-earned UK pension for those in retirement.
Place in the world
In his Summer Budget the Chancellor pledged to increase defence spending. As a Scot, I am proud that this UK Government is meeting both the NATO pledge on defence spending and the UN commitment on international aid spending. This is not an either or decision for us. We will protect ourselves at home and we will continue to help the poorest people in the world.
Scotland will benefit from the security our increased defence spending will provide. Scottish workers and Scottish companies will be at the heart of building the latest UK defence technology for our brave UK Armed Forces.
Conclusion
Last year’s referendum was an historic moment for Scotland. The right decision was made on a once-in-a-lifetime day where a higher percentage of people turned out to vote than ever before in the UK.
We are now building a stronger economy for all parts of the UK and a more powerful devolved parliament for Scotland. It is a win-win situation for Scotland and the rest of the UK.
The first hundred days is just the start. This government will continue to govern for all parts of the UK. We will work with the Scottish Government and others to help those who work hard, create opportunities and support those who need the most help.
Food bank fear factor: Holyrood committee ‘surprised and saddened’
‘It is a sad state of affairs when vulnerable people are frightened to engage with the very system that is supposed to offer them support and care.’ – Michael McMahon MSP
Evidence that shows the link between the UK Government’s welfare reform and an increase in the use of food banks has been sent to Scotland Office Minister David Mundell MP by the Scottish Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee.
This follows a call from Mr Mundell to show him evidence of the impact of these policies after he expressed doubt that an increase in food bank use was as a direct result of welfare reform.
Much of this evidence has now been forwarded to UK Ministers and the Department of Work and Pensions – but many benefit claimants declined to send in their cases for fear that they might be subject to unfair treatment and reprisals from the DWP if their identity is revealed.
Committee Convener Michael McMahon MSP said: “The Welfare Reform Committee has amassed a growing volume of evidence documenting the impact of welfare reform on Scotland’s communities. We have now sent a further batch of evidence to Mr Mundell and the DWP. However, what we discovered during the course of our enquiries has surprised and saddened us. It is a sad state of affairs when vulnerable people are frightened to engage with the very system that is supposed to offer them support and care.”
Deputy Convener, Clare Adamson MSP said: “UK Government ministers continue to turn a blind eye to the appalling impact that their welfare policies are having on some of the most vulnerable members of society. We have now provided Mr Mundell and the DWP with irrefutable evidence that benefits cuts and sanctions are driving people in ever greater numbers to seek the assistance of food banks and other charities.”
The Background:
- Committee’s letter to Rt Hon David Mundell MP.
- David Mundell MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, gave evidence to the Committee on 3 February 2015 link to official report.
- The Committee first evidenced the link between welfare reform and food bank use in its report, published in June 2014.
- The Committee has submitted a file of evidence to Mr Mundell and the DWP. To protect identities, this information is not being published. The Committee received evidence from a number of housing and third sector organisations acting on behalf of their clients, and MSPs on the Committee also brought forward case studies involving their constituents. Evidence includes benefits recipients who have been sanctioned and individuals whose benefits payments has been subject to delay, all of which has led to an increased demand on food bank services.
Scotland’s changing …
2.5 million Scottish households to receive leaflet explaining devolution changes
A leaflet explaining the changes to devolution as the UK Government prepares to transfer powers to Holyrood will begin arriving through letterboxes in Scotland this week.
The 8-page Scotland’s Changing leaflet (see below) will explain the new powers as well as the benefits people in Scotland retain as part of the UK, including the pound, pensions and passports.
It will be sent to every one of the 2.5 million households across the country.
Find out more about Our United Future
The leaflet clearly explains which powers will be devolved and reserved following the Smith Commission and the earlier Scotland Act 2012. Powers going to the Scottish Parliament include income tax, some elements of welfare and choices over new taxes such as Airport Passenger Duty and Stamp Duty.
The Smith Commission recommended action to raise public awareness of devolution and this is part of the UK Government’s response to that challenge.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said:
“Scotland is changing for the better, with new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament.
These powers will have an impact on every person living in Scotland and it is important that we all know what they are and what they mean for us.
From Monday, households across Scotland will receive a leaflet, direct to their door – and that leaflet will spell out the facts.
The Scottish Parliament will soon be given power over the rates of income tax, welfare provision with a starting budget of more than £2.5 billion, and the ability to give the vote to 16 and 17 year olds in Holyrood and local government elections.
Alongside borrowing powers, and continued control over health, education, housing, public transport and so much more, the Scottish Parliament is set to become one of the most powerful devolved parliaments not just in Europe, but in the entire world.
At the same time, Scotland will keep the many benefits which come as part of the UK. We’ll keep our UK pound, our UK passport and our UK pensions. We’ll also continue to benefit from a single jobs market, a single defence system and a single, strong and fast-growing UK economy.
This is good news for Scotland. A united future, built to last.”
Scotland_s_Changing_info_leaflet
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