Tag: Scottish Government

Safeguarding Scotland? Budget to support ‘transformation of essential public services’.

The 2019-20 Scottish Budget will seek to strengthen Scotland’s economy and deliver long term investments to transform public services, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has said. Continue reading Safeguarding Scotland? Budget to support ‘transformation of essential public services’.

New taskforce to lead on Human Rights

A taskforce will be set up to take forward recommendations from the First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership.
The announcement was made by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Human Rights Day, as the group published their final report, with seven recommendations to ensure Scotland is an international leader in building a rights-based society.
Welcoming the report and its ambition for Scotland, the First Minister said: “I set up the Advisory Group to offer advice on how we can further enhance human rights, as I wanted to ensure Brexit does not harm human rights in Scotland and that we remain in step with future advances in EU human rights. I also asked for recommendations to ensure Scotland is an international leader in respecting and enhancing human rights.
“I share the ambition in this report that Scotland should introduce a human rights statutory framework and I support their recommendation that this should be done through public engagement, working across the public sector, civic society and parliament. As a first step I will establish a National Taskforce, early in 2019, to progress these plans.
“It is fitting that the report is published as we celebrate Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the signing the UN Declaration of Human Rights. I would like to thank Professor Alan Miller and all members of the group for their work and hope they continue to support efforts to deliver the human rights that will improve lives.”
The full report can be found below and is available online.

First-Ministers-Advisory-Group-on-Human-Rights-Leadership-Final-report-for-publication

Scottish delegation to make a stand against Brexit

Minister takes Scotland’s case to Brussels on eve of Westminster Brexit vote

Leading figures in education, research and science are taking the message to Brussels that Scotland’s universities remain open and welcoming.

Minister for Higher Education and Science Richard Lochhead will lead the Scottish delegation. The team will meet with EU partners and make the case that strong collaboration with researchers in EU countries and the rest of the world is hugely important for the future.

The Minister will underline that Scotland will continue to welcome EU citizens to study or work in our universities.  

Universities Scotland estimate Scotland’s universities are worth £11 billion gross to the economy. Scotland’s researchers and businesses are highly competitive when it comes to winning EU research and innovation funding from Horizon 2020 and other programmes.  

Speaking ahead of today’s meeting, Mr Lochhead said: “Scotland’s global reputation for ground-breaking research and innovation faces unprecedented risks.

“The message we are taking is simple: Scotland’s universities and research institutions are open and welcoming, and we maintain a strong commitment to research collaboration across Europe.

“The Scottish research community is standing together. We know that Scotland’s research has been strengthened by EU citizens working in Scotland, our membership of the European Union and our active participation in the Horizon 2020 programme. The benefits that such participation has provided cannot be underestimated and we will not stand by and see these benefits eroded and obstacles erected that undermine our future.”

Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland commented: “The quality of the research and eduction Scottish higher education delivers is strengthened because of the partnerships we have across the European Union.

“Those relationships are deeply important to us and that remains the case whatever the outcome of the Brexit process. It’s a message we need to keep repeating so it is not lost amidst the noise and chaos going on elsewhere and that’s why it is good to be out in Brussels this week.”

The delegation will consist of:

  • Richard Lochhead: Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science
  • Professor Sheila Rowan: Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland
  • Alastair Sim: Director, Universities Scotland
  • Professor Wayne Powell: Principal and Chief Executive, Scotland’s Rural College
  • Professor Tim Bedford: Associate Principal, University of Strathclyde
  • Dr Stuart Fancey: Director Research and Innovation, Scottish Funding Council

The Scottish Government published “Scotland’s Place in Europe: Science and Research” in November as part of the suite of papers in this series, illustrating the importance and value of research collaboration with the rest of Europe.

A joint statement was also issued last month from colleges, universities, trade unions and the Scottish Government, setting out a united approach to protecting the college and university sectors in Scotland from the worst effects of Brexit.

Scotland has proportionally more EU staff and students than the rest of the UK:

  • Around 9% of all university students are EU domiciled
  • 27% of full time research staff are EU nationals
  • EU nationals accounted for more than 75,000 college enrolments between 2012 and 2017

On average, 10% of Scottish universities’ research income comes from the EU.

Scotland has benefited from 558 million euros from the Horizon 2020 programme and 64 million euros from the Erasmus programme.

Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever.

Erasmus is an EU programme for education which allows young people to study abroad, and encourages UK organisations to collaborate with international partners.

The Scottish Government has already confirmed that eligible EU students currently studying here or starting a degree this year or next will continue to be eligible for free tuition.

 

Budget “will deliver a healthier, wealthier and fairer Scotland”

Protecting public services: Scottish budget will prioritise health and education spending, says Finance Secretary

Investing in public services and growing the economy will be prioritised in spending plans to help protect Scotland’s prosperity as far as is possible in the face of continued uncertainty over Brexit, according to the Scottish government. Continue reading Budget “will deliver a healthier, wealthier and fairer Scotland”

A Perfect Fit: Brock ‘hugely excited’ by Leith film studio announcement

Screen Scotland has today launched a tender process inviting proposals from private developers to lease, refurbish and operate a permanent world-class film and television production facility at 31 Bath Road (formerly the Pelamis building) in the Port of Leith. Local MP Deirdre Brock has welcomed the announcement and says it’s the perfect location for the new studio. Continue reading A Perfect Fit: Brock ‘hugely excited’ by Leith film studio announcement

‘Shop Social’ this Christmas

More funding to strengthen the social enterprise sector

Over £396,000 in additional funding has been announced to support the delivery of eight new social enterprise programmes.

Since the launch of Scotland’s ten-year Social Enterprise Strategy in December 2016, more than £14 million has been invested to encourage the growth of social enterprises.

There are more than 5,600 social enterprises across Scotland.  They trade for the common good, addressing social needs, strengthening communities, improving people’s life chances and protecting the environment.

One of the programmes receiving additional funding is a ‘Social Enterprise Retail Academy’ aimed at getting more products into shops.

Meanwhile, a new website (www.shopsocialscotland.com) has been set up giving ideas for social enterprise presents this Christmas.

Together with a new marketing campaign coordinated by Social Enterprise Scotland, the funding will help raise awareness of social enterprises locally and nationally and tap into a growing desire from consumers to buy ethically.

The funding will expand the impact which this innovative sector can have on reducing inequality, working with communities to tackle tough social issues at source .

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said:  “Social enterprises are a vital partner in our communities and support ethical and worthwhile causes. We want them to achieve their full potential by ensuring they have access to the right resources, knowledge and networks.

“Particularly in the run-up to Christmas and ahead of Fair Saturday this weekend, I would encourage shoppers to support their local social enterprises and businesses and shop ethically for Christmas gifts. A purchase really could have an impact on a local social cause.”

Founder of the Scottish Design Exchange Lynzi Leroy said: “The Scottish Design Exchange exists to provide a space where local artists and designers, and social enterprise businesses, can sell direct to customers on the High Street.

“By supporting us and other social enterprise businesses at Christmas, you will not only have a direct impact on the local economy, you also help to fund businesses that are working hard for social causes.”

 

 

Scotland takes a health approach to substance misuse

Scotland will help people with drug and alcohol addictions by treating wider problems such as housing and employment, and supporting their families. The Scottish Government’s strategy for preventing and reducing drug and alcohol-related harm, Rights, Respect and Recovery, says Scotland will take a health approach to substance misuse and ensure services treat people as individuals. 

This includes diverting drug users out of the criminal justice system where appropriate, and tackling people’s wider issues such as housing, employment and mental health. Families will also get support and be closely involved in their loved one’s treatment. Continue reading Scotland takes a health approach to substance misuse