Scottish Government – Page 69 – The NEN

£72 million health hub welcomes Cabinet Secretary

New £72 million Glasgow health and social care hub welcomes Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson

Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care, Michael Matheson MSP has taken part in the ‘Topping Out’ Ceremony for a new £72 million health and care hub in Glasgow.

Mr Matheson joined Professor John Brown CBE, Chair of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, at the new North East Hub site on Friday (23rd June).

Delivered through a partnership between, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, Glasgow City Council and Hub West Scotland, and built by BAM Construction, the new health and care centre will be a true community asset and has been designed to offer a range of services, providing Community, Clinical, Office and Training accommodation for both NHSGGC and Glasgow City HSCP.

Mr Matheson said: “I am pleased to be able to visit this Hub as an example of the state-of-the-art facilities we are continuing to invest in, with £578 million committed for health infrastructure and assets in 2023/24.

“Facilities like this are key to supporting people to access the care they need close to home and to our commitment to building an NHS fit for the future with world class amenities, including the network of National Treatment Centres.

“This Hub will also contribute to our mission to be as environmentally sustainable as possible to meet our responsibilities in countering the climate crisis.”

The hub, which is set to open in 2024, will improve access to services and better integrate health and social work services and the voluntary and charity sectors.

The facility will host three GP practices, as well as specialist services to support children, adult community care groups, older people, mental health, addictions, criminal justice homelessness services and health improvement activity – all delivered by a range of public and third sector organisations.

The North East Hub will be Scotland’s first working net zero carbon health and social care facility and the site will also offer community space, including a café and Parkhead Library.

Professor Brown said: “We are delighted to have been joined by Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care for the official Topping Out ceremony at the North East Hub.

“This is a hugely exciting project for the North East of Glasgow and is not only the largest primary care development in NHSGGC, but it is also Scotland’s first net zero carbon health and social care facility, making it a beacon for sustainability while improving public services for those living in the local area.

“By bringing services together in one place, alongside so many community projects, people will be able to access the support they need more efficiently, helping to improve population health and tackle the causes of inequality in healthcare.”

Councillor Chris Cunningham, City Convener for Health, Care and Caring and Older People, said: “Today marks the next step into the delivery of what will be a fantastic community asset for the north-east of Glasgow, bringing together key services in one location.

“The end result is an ambitious new centre, a hub that will bring services and facilities together to build an incredible asset for the area. Our ambition is to ensure that everyone in Glasgow can lead healthier and more fulfilled lives and the new hub and the services it will provide will help us to achieve that.

“This is a great example of co-locating services and partnership working, and will offer a one-stop-shop for a range of services from the city council, Glasgow Life and Health and Social Care Partnership.”

A recent report on design and build of the new hub has revealed the project’s carbon impact rating will come in well under the benchmark target set out in the Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard.

The findings come following a Zero Waste Scotland Embodied Carbon and Circular Assessment which calculates the embodied carbon emissions in the built environment based on a number of key indicators along the project’s build – from resource extraction through to transport, processing and construction.

The report found the North East Hub was particularly strong in areas in relation to waste management, with a concerted focus on recycling at all stages of the project. The project was also praised for building in future flexibility to its design.

Iain Marley, Hub West Scotland’s Chief Executive said “We are delighted to see the excellent progress being made on site on this, our tenth project and most ambitious health project so far under the highly valued partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Glasgow City Council.

“Our thanks also go to the professional team across our supply chain and to BAM Construction for all their commitment to quality and value for money.

“The building will be completed on schedule in summer 2024 and the project is already bringing significant value and benefits to local communities: so far over £11M of social value has been delivered through our education; employment; wellbeing; volunteering and SME development programmes and this will be added to over the future months.”

Increasing access to diabetes technology

£350,000 funding to speed up delivery

Life-changing technology that reduces the risk of complications for people with type 1 diabetes will become more widely available thanks to additional funding.

The Scottish Government has invested a further £350,000 to accelerate the distribution of Closed Loop Systems. The technology is considered the most significant development in type 1 diabetes treatment in recent years and can transform lives, particularly for children and young people.

Closed Loop Systems help people improve their glycaemic control and in turn reduce the likelihood of complications, which at their most serious can include blindness, renal failure, and amputations; as well as unplanned admissions to hospital.

The investment will see a dedicated team created by the national Centre for Sustainable Delivery at NHS Golden Jubilee to support NHS health boards to rollout the technology faster and more efficiently across Scotland.

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “There’s no reason why someone living with type 1 diabetes shouldn’t live a long and healthy life, but some people find managing their condition difficult.

Diabetes technologies make the process easier and can enhance people’s quality of life. That’s why we’re aiming to provide access to Closed Loop Systems at the earliest opportunity and are working with NHS boards to improve access.”

National Diabetes Lead Professor Brian Kennon said: Closed Loop systems are truly transformative technologies and help reduce the day-to-day burden of trying to optimise type 1 diabetes control.

“Creation of a dedicated team to help support the adoption of Closed Loop Systems and standardise our approach to access across Scotland will help ensure that our healthcare system is well placed to realise the massive advantages that these innovative technologies offer.”

MS Victoria: Council Statement

The City ouncil has agreed to write to the UK Government about their decision to use the cruise ship to accommodate asylum seekers.

Council Leader Councillor Cammy Day said: “Over the last year and a half, we’ve shown solidarity with, and support for, thousands of Ukrainian refugees who have fled Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine, as we have for Syrian, Afghani and, most recently, Sudanese refugees.

“Thankfully most of us will never experience the horrors these communities have faced, and we remain absolutely committed to supporting them in whatever way we can.

‘As Ukrainian refugees continue to disembark MS Victoria following the Scottish Government’s decision to end its use next month, we were extremely surprised to be contacted by the Home Office about their intentions to commission the ship to house asylum seekers. All the more surprising given their previous advice that it would be impossible for it to remain.

‘We were not consulted on this and urgently require further details from the UK Government on their plans. I know the Scottish Government and COSLA are in the same position and, having written jointly to the Minister of State for Immigration, Robert Jenrick MP, we’ve yet to receive a satisfactory response to our questions and concerns.

‘The fact that Forth Ports, who own the dock and have said they can’t accommodate the ship, haven’t yet been contacted sums up the complete lack of engagement by the Home Office.

‘The potential consequences for the Council in terms of the pressures on our services – and the city as a whole – are severe and, barring robust partnership discussions involving NHS, police, and other colleagues, we will continue to oppose these plans in the strongest terms.

‘Many of these people have risked their lives to make it to Europe and what they need is recognition and rights, not an unknown future without the support they so desperately need.

‘While the MS Victoria has been a place of refuge for many Ukrainian people, until we have adequate reassurances from the UK Government regarding welfare and ongoing engagement and support, we cannot allow it to become a floating prison for asylum seekers.’

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Home Office has a statutory obligation to provide accommodation for asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute while we consider their claim.

“The significant increase in illegal, unnecessary and dangerous Channel crossings has put our asylum system under incredible strain and made it necessary to continue to use hotels to accommodate some asylum seekers.

“We are committed to making every effort to reduce hotel use and continue to engage with local authorities as early as possible whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation.”

The decision was taken at Thursday’s Council meeting; the motion: 8.11 and addendum can be read on CEC’s website. A webcast recording can also be watched online.

All change for education qualifications? Hayward review published

Considering the future of qualifications and assessment

The views of teachers will be key to Scotland’s education reform journey, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has said, as a major report on qualifications and assessment is published.

Professor Louise Hayward’s report following her Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment (IRQA) recommends reform of the current senior school phase, including the creation of a new Scottish Diploma of Achievement (SDA).

The report, along with the recent Withers Review of the Skills System and National Discussion on Education, sets out the case for significant change across the sector. The Scottish Government will now consider the recommendations made in these reports and respond in due course.

Ms Gilruth said: “I am very grateful to Professor Hayward and members of the review group for the time and effort they have given to bring this report together.

“These recommendations for reform could amount to a radical shift in Scottish education. As Cabinet Secretary I need to be certain that these changes are the right ones for Scotland’s young people – and I am determined that the voices of teachers will be central to this process.

“Scotland has a proud educational tradition – the challenge now is to build on that success and deliver reform which ensures we have a coherent education and skills system that supports children and young people to reach their potential.

“Ultimately we must judge everything we do by those criteria. I will work together across parties to improve educational outcomes – this is a prize worth striving for, to ensure we get this right for the next generation.”

Key recommendations of the Hayward report include:

adopting the SDA (Scottish Diploma of Achievement) as a graduation certificate for all senior phase educational settings
the end of exams in S4 and a wider range of assessment methods used in Highers and Advanced Highers
a digital profile for all learners which allows them to record personal achievements, identify and plan future learning

Professor Hayward said: “This report offers the potential to provide learners with a more valuable senior phase experience, teachers with the resources to do the job properly and colleges, employers and universities with better information about learners’ achievements.

“It would not have been possible without the support and hard work of the Independent Review Group and the vital contributions from schools, colleges, universities, employers, parents, and young people from across the county.

“I’d like to thank them all for their assistance and taking the time to support the work.”

The Scottish Government’s detailed response to the IRQA will be considered alongside wider reform activity being taken forward following the National Discussion , the Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape , the forthcoming Purpose and Principles for Post-School Education, Research and Skills, and establishment of the new national education bodies.

The SDA would be awarded to school leavers when achievements are recognised in each of three elements. The Programmes of Learning element would focus on individual courses, while the Project Learning would focus on learning in practice and may look at areas such as climate change, migration or artificial intelligence while the Personal Pathway would allow a learner to reflect on learning through social, cultural, economic and well-being perspectives.

Legislation to establish new education bodies will be introduced only after Ministers have considered the findings of recent reviews, though work continues in this area. Recruitment for a new chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority will begin shortly. Recruitment for a independent HM Chief Inspector of Education will also be progressed.

The IRQA was commissioned and announced in October 2021 by the then Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Shirley-Anne Somerville.

Brexit: Counting the cost to Scotland

New paper shows scale of damage seven years on

Brexit has limited economic growth, restricted trade, increased food costs and diminished opportunities for young people, according to Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson.

Marking seven years to the day since the majority of people in Scotland voted to remain in the European Union, a paper has been published detailing the impact of Brexit, drawing from reports and official statistics.

These include:

an expected loss of £3 billion every year in public revenues for Scotland
food price inflation at a 45 year high with Brexit responsible for an estimated one third of it
damaged trade with 44% of businesses in Scotland naming Brexit as the main cause of difficulties trading overseas
additional estimated costs of up to £600 per consignment for some shellfish exporters as a result of trade barriers
staff shortages reported by 45% of tourism businesses in the Highland and Islands, as a result of the loss of freedom of movement
loss of access to supporting funds like the €96billion Horizon research programme and Common Agriculture Policy
less efficient law enforcement co-operation, without access to instant EU-wide alerts and intelligence and civil justice co-operation measures
more costly and difficult travel arrangements, with long transit delays, more obstacles for touring artists, and roaming charges reintroduced by most operators

Mr Robertson said: “Seven years after people in Scotland resoundingly rejected Brexit, the Scottish Government has published a paper that lays clear the damage it has inflicted.

“Brexit means Scotland has now left the world’s biggest single market and no longer enjoys freedom of movement, resulting in labour shortages across the NHS, agriculture, and our hospitality sector.

“Consumers and businesses continue to face a cost of living crisis driven by rampant food inflation, while produce rots in the ground, and obstructive trade barriers that are making it harder to import and export goods from the EU.

“Scotland’s rural and research sectors have lost out on hundreds of millions of pounds worth of EU funding, which the UK Government has been unable to match. A generation of young Scots have been deprived of life-changing exchange opportunities to study abroad.

“While we will continue to do all we can to mitigate this damage through our long-standing ties with European neighbours, the fact remains that the only way to meaningfully reverse this damage and restore the benefits Scotland previously enjoyed, is for an independent Scotland to re-join the European Union.”

www.gov.scot/publications/brexit-and-scotland-june-2023-update

Corstorphine Community Centre receives Scottish Land Fund support to buy Westfield House

Corstorphine Community Centre (CCC) in Edinburgh has received £960,000 from the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) in order to buy Westfield House, which the organisation already uses as a community hub.

With the money, CCC will be able to purchase the building and to start making internal improvements, including improving accessibility, while at the same time continuing to provide a wide range of services and space for hire.

The grants are amongst six that have been awarded to groups across Scotland by the Scottish Land Fund, which is funded by the Scottish Government.

Amongst those also receiving funding are Tayvallich Initiative, which has received £565,608 to purchase land in Argyll & Bute where it will build housing for affordable rent, along with a number of environmental initiatives.

And Kingsbarns Community Development Trust has been awarded £590,00 to establish a community hub, which will consist of rooms to let, pub, restaurant, cafe, and community shop.

Shulah Allan, Chair, Corstorphine Community Centre, said: “This is a momentous occasion for the local community who have been raising funds since a fire in 2013 to rebuild a community centre for the area.

“We are grateful to the Scottish Land Fund Trust for providing us with this level of funding, which will be added to the funds which are already in place, to complete the purchase of 5 Kirk Loan.

“We still have some more funds to raise for the refurbishment of the building, but this is the final stage for the purchase and our forever home for CCC.”

It’s a double celebration for Corstorphine Community Centre, who will be marking one year in their new home with a fete this weekend.

Martin Mellor, Chair of Tayvallich Initiative said: “The award from Scottish Land Fund will enable Tayvallich Initiative to move forwards with plans to create housing for affordable rent and to promote the use of Rural Housing Burdens for houses and plots so that more people can live and work in the area.

“We are happy to be starting off with two rental houses as part of the community project. We hope that this long-term project will encourage a good balance in the area between tourism/holidays alongside an established year-round community. Rural areas need enough affordable housing to keep schools open and the day-to-day economy running, and community-led housing projects can help to facilitate this.”

And Sharon Makin, Kingsbarns Development Trust, said: “The Kingsbarns Development Trust is delighted to accept the award of £590,000 from the Scottish Land Fund.

“This will enable us to keep the pub open and is the first step to realising our dream of creating a lively and welcoming community hub in the village including a shop for essentials and local produce.

“Everyone on the team has worked tirelessly to get us to this point. We are so thankful to the Scottish Land Fund, for their guidance and for seeing the amazing potential this funding will mean for the community.”

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs, Land Reform, and Islands, said: “The Scottish Land Fund is continuing to help community groups take control of local land and buildings and manage them in a way which benefits people in their neighbourhoods.

“By 2026 the SLF will have doubled to £20 million which will allow more groups to get involved.

“This SLF aims to place the needs of local communities first and it is clear that the most recent recipients live up to this goal. The successful projects will help to create jobs, mitigate climate change, and tackle social isolation and loneliness.

“I commend them for their efforts so far and wish them all the best in the future.”

Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “From supporting rural housing to strengthening urban communities, the Scottish Land Fund continues to empower local people to deliver services that meet their needs.

“It is about listening to communities and helping them to address their unique local challenges, through ownership of land and buildings.”

And Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at Highlands, and Islands Enterprise, said: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.

“For example, the Great Bernera Community Development Trust in the Isle of Lewis will acquire the former salmon hatchery at Kirkibost to develop into a community-owned social and enterprise hub with space and equipment for businesses, entrepreneurs, and the community. The new hub will be an important asset and helps to create a sustainable future for the area.

“All these projects announced today will help retain the population, attract visitors, and create jobs. Ownership will give the community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”

Other groups receiving funding are:

Eday Partnership: Award – £225,380

Eday Partnership will acquire a two-bedroom house in Eday, Orkney. The project will assist in providing affordable housing on the island of Eday.

Great Bernera Community Development Trust – £101,447

Great Bernera Community Development Trust will acquire The Hatchery building in Kirkibost. The vacant industrial building will be developed into a social and enterprise hub where people can work, learn, and create together.

Papay Development Trust – £208,596

Papay Development Trust will acquire two houses on the island of Papa Westray, Orkney, which will be offered for affordable rent.

Bute Community Land Company – £32,005

Bute Community Land Company will acquire land at Shalunt, Isle of Bute. The group will install a carpark and other infrastructure to improve the accessibility of their community owned Bute Forest.

Evanton Community Trust – £17,166

Evanton Community Trust will purchase land adjacent to the community owned Victoria Diamond Jubilee Hall which will allow them to fundraise to extend the Hall and expand the support they currently provide to the local community.

Tackling criminal exploitation

Safeguarding the most vulnerable

Frontline workers, including in schools and the NHS, are being given new guidance to help prevent children and vulnerable adults from being drawn into organised crime.

The first document of its kind in Scotland, the ‘Practitioner Guidance on Criminal Exploitation’ stems from work commissioned last year by the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce.

It aims to support a shared understanding of criminal exploitation and to help professionals identify those at risk from serious organised crime.

This includes watching out for signs such as: individuals travelling to different areas or locations they would not usually visit; changes in peer groups; and individuals who may have been groomed by crime gangs appearing agitated and nervous about answering calls, or texts and going out.

The guidance will be made available to all front-line workers – including in social work, policing, the NHS, education settings and the third-sector – who come into regular contact with children and vulnerable adults.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Criminal exploitation of anyone, and particularly the vulnerable is truly abhorrent and can leave victims feeling trapped with nowhere to turn while experiencing violence, intimidation, and threats.

“This new guidance seeks to help end that cycle, giving people who work with children and vulnerable adults the confidence to act, enabling help to be more quickly delivered to those that need it.

“Scotland’s organised crime gangs are not confined to the big cities, and they seek to exploit people across the country, impacting everyone. Understanding this and how this despicable practice can finally be ended is crucial in supporting the strong partnerships we have created to tackle these illegal groups.

“We all pay the price for their callous disregard for the law. This guidance is an important step towards better helping victims of exploitation and stifling the organised criminals of the lifeblood they need to keep operating.”

Paul Carberry, Chair of Serious Organised Crime Taskforce Divert strand, said: “This guidance will give professionals from across multiple agencies more comprehensive knowledge, understanding and develop a wider perspective about criminal exploitation.

“It is essential frontline public professionals, such as NHS, Social Work, and school staff, as well as Police Scotland, recognise the signs and have a shared knowledge of criminal exploitation.

“The work of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce will help Scotland realise a vision where all individuals are free from criminal exploitation. This guidance will take us one step further in that aim.”

Scotland Loves Local Awards: nominations are now open

Nominations open for Scotland Loves Local Awards to recognise those whose dedication and innovation is making life better and shaping a stronger future

People in Edinburgh and across the Lothians are being urged to celebrate the remarkable work to make the region a better place to live in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Nominations have opened for the 2023 Scotland Loves Local Awards, which will see heroics on the high street rewarded, along with responses to the climate crisis.

Artistic flair, work to create new town centre homes, encourage enterprise, make streets more attractive and digital innovation will also be recognised.

Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the awards celebrate all that’s great about local towns and neighbourhoods and tireless work taking place to secure a stronger future in them.

Among the winners last year was SOLE (Supporting Our Local Community) which took the Digital Towns category.

Scotland Loves Local Awards 2022, organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership. The Digital Award was won by SOLE / Scottish Tech Army. Pictured at the awards are the Scottish Tech Army’s Kirsty McIntosh and Alistair Forbes. Wednesday November 16th 2022. Picture: Jamie Simpson / Scotland’s Towns Partnership

Led by social enterprise Scottish Tech Army, the place-based app and website had provided a platform for local businesses to trade online, supporting enterprises in Dunbar and East Linton, Fa’side, Haddington, Musselburgh, North Berwick and Preston/Seton/Gosford.

Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Interim Chief Officer, said: “In many ways, the challenges facing our communities have never been greater as we face up to the climate emergency, cost of living and the legacy of coronavirus.

“But many people and organisations in Edinburgh and across the Lothians are stepping up to those challenges. In so many ways, this has brought out the best in our people and places.

“It’s unleashed a desire to make a difference, to create a new future – one which has localism at its heart, with better places in which to live and work.

“The Scotland Loves Local Awards are a chance to shine a spotlight on all of this and so much more.

“To do that, we need you to tell us about the inspiring people and projects whose dedication and innovation is making a real difference in your community.”

The award categories are:

High Street Hero (an individual or organisation making an exceptional difference in their community)
Place Leader Award
Climate and Netzero
Creative Town
Streets and Spaces
Digital Town
Town Centre Living
Enterprising Community

Spearheaded by Scottish Towns Partnership and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local. This is the third year in which the awards have been held.

Nominations can be made at www.lovelocal.scot/awards, where full category criteria can also be found. There, you can briefly share the details of your nominee and why you would like to see them recognised.

The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Monday, September 4th 2023. Winners will be announced at a celebration being held in November.

Designing a National Care Service

FIRST EVENTS TAKE PLACE IN STIRLING TODAY

Social Care Minister Maree Todd will join the first of a series of events where people can co-design the new National Care Service.

Today’s event at Stirling’s Albert Halls will allow carers, people who access and deliver care, including the workforce, and anyone with an interest to contribute to how a new National Care Service could work.

Since the regional forums were announced last month, more than 600 have signed up to take part in-person and online, with additional capacity already being made for the Glasgow event next week.

Ms Todd said: “We want everyone to have access to consistently high-quality social care support across Scotland, whenever they might need it.

“There are unique demands across the country, which is why we’re going to different areas over the next 18 months, ensuring communities across Scotland can help design a National Care Service tailored to local needs.

“Having listened to people who access and deliver care support – both paid and unpaid – as well as care providers, unions and the third sector during the parliamentary process, these meetings will allow us to work with people who access care support, have a loved one that receives care, or works in the sector to think about how to meet the needs we have heard about. This will help us ensure the legislation reflects what people need and know as it progresses through Parliament.”

“I am pleased that there has been such interest in signing up, Spaces are still available, with online events providing another option for those who want to have their voices heard if they can’t make it in person.

National Care Service

28 June – William Quarrier Conference Centre, Glasgow

14 July – Hilltown Community Centre, Dundee

18 July – Stranraer Millennium Centre, Dumfries and Galloway

26 July – The Corran Hall, Oban

1 August – An Crùbh Community Centre, Skye

8 August – Strathpeffer Community Centre, Highland

17 August – Isleburgh Community Centre, Shetland

22 August – The Inkwell, Elgin

24 August – National online event

Building a new Scotland: Embedding rights into the Constitution

First Minister: Equality and rights at the heart of an independent Scotland’s Constitution

An independent Scotland would have a constitution based on the sovereignty of the people and reflect Scotland’s values as a modern, democratic European nation from day one, according to plans outlined by the First Minister Humza Yousaf.

The fourth paper in the ‘Building a New Scotland’ series, sets out how a written constitution developed by the people in Scotland could put rights and equality at its heart, including by protecting the right to strike and giving constitutional recognition to the NHS.

Speaking at the launch of the new prospectus paper, First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “This fourth publication in the ‘Building a New Scotland’ series sets out the Scottish Government’s proposals for how people in Scotland can create a written constitution that puts democracy, rights and equality at the heart of everything we do as an independent country.

“To be a success, our written constitution must be one that the people in Scotland believe in, giving them the direct opportunity to shape and build a better country. It must also have the collective authority of the nation, so that those in power accept that, under the constitution, they are accountable to the people.

“Independence would give Scotland the ability to create a constitution that provides recognition of the NHS in Scotland, giving people the right to access a system of health care, available free at the point of need.

“It would allow Scotland to continue its progressive approach to human rights and equality, without the current restrictions of the devolution settlement and without the threat of the UK Government overruling our decisions or unwinding our advances.

This would ensure that our human rights and equality protections could cover all policy areas, including those currently reserved.

“With independence, we can build a better country on that fundamental right of every person in Scotland to be treated equally, and with a written constitution, Scotland can build a new home for democracy, rights and equality.”

The Scottish Conservatives, the main opposition party at Holyrood, are unsurprisingly less than impressed with the SNP’s priorities.

They say the Scottish government is spending over £1.4 million of taxpayers’ money to fund independence campaigning. The Tories believe this is a waste of public money when our NHS and schools are struggling.

First Minister’s speech – 19 June 2023

Paper: Creating a modern constitution for an independent Scotland