Tag: Scottish Government

Poverty Summit: Prioritising those most in need

Tax, targeted support and tough budget choices will all need to be considered as part of bold measures to tackle poverty, First Minister Humza Yousaf said yesterday after meeting poverty campaigners.

The anti-poverty summit, convened by the First Minister, saw political leaders from across the Scottish Parliament meet with people who have direct experience of poverty, campaigners, and third sector organisations.

Speaking after the event, which was attended by around 90 delegates, the First Minister said: “I called the summit to listen to the views of a wide range of partners, particularly those at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis and with direct experience of poverty, about what they believe needs to be done.

“Everything I heard confirmed that poverty and the cost of living crisis is the biggest challenge facing this country – one that has been exacerbated by some of the UK Government’s actions and inactions.

“We have already acted to tackle the pressure on those most in need – for example, our game-changing £25 per week per child Scottish Child Payment, Carer’s Allowance Supplement, and Winter Heating Payment.

“But we must do more. We must be bold in considering future tax decisions. Tough choices will need to be made about existing budgets, and we need to consider whether targeting help is the way forward when money is so tight.

“It’s not enough to wish poverty away. We have to be hard-headed and realistic about what can be done – and then we have to focus on making it happen. That means the debate must now be about tax, targeting and tough choices. We are listening and will not shy away from the decisions needed to reduce poverty.”

COSLA President Councillor Shona Morrison said: “The initiative from the Scottish Government is a good one and one which Local Government can get fully behind. Tackling poverty is a core objective for Local Government working in partnership with the Scottish Government, the third sector and public and private sector partners.

“The cost- of-living crisis we are living through at present is being tackled head-on by Councils the length and breadth of Scotland and partnership working is vital to achieving positive outcomes for individuals, families and our communities across Scotland.”

Commenting on reports around the expansion of universal free school meals in Scotland, Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly said: “The First Minister has to recognise the injustice that leaves so many children in Scotland hungry and without food they need.

“With figures from the Trussell Trust showing record numbers of families accessing food banks, this is not the time to roll back on commitments relating to free school meals.

“We know that many low-income families just miss out on qualifying for means-tested free school meals, and many others don’t claim because of shame or stigma.

“The best way to tackle this problem is through universal free school meals that benefit all of our children and young people.”

Peter Kelly was speaking just after attending yesterday’s anti-poverty summit, chaired by the First Minister.

He said: “The First Minister’s poverty summit was a timely opportunity to refocus on tackling the injustice of poverty in Scotland. Across all those who took part, there was a clear sense of urgency on the need to deliver real change.

“There was no shortage of ideas for action. We can expand funded childcare, use public contracts as a lever to improve pay and conditions in key sectors, and remove barriers to work for those people most affected by poverty – women, disabled people, people from Black and ethnic minority communities.

“Now is the time for the Scottish Government to turn those ideas into concrete action. We look forward to a follow up summit in the coming year to check where progress has been made.”

Positive anti-poverty summit soured by possible roll-back on Free School Meals

THE sCOTTISH Trades Union Congress (STUC) and the STUC Women’s Committee have warned of massive resistance to any reversal on the SNP free school meals pledge and called for an acceleration, not a roll-back of the programme.

STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “We were enthusiastic participants in the summit today. Our key message is that better and fairer wages tied to redistributive taxation must lie at the heart of strategies to tackling poverty and inequality. Current levels of in-work poverty are totally unacceptable and place further pressure on our under-funded benefits system. We need to see real action coming out of this summit.

“Suggestions this morning that the Scottish Government might consider breaking pledges to extend free school meals is not what we are looking to hear. Investing in the health of all of our young people and removing stigma is a key priority and any roll-back will be fiercely resisted.”

Andrea Bradley, Chair of the STUC Women’s Committee and General Secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland said: “The STUC Women’s Committee would be deeply concerned if the First Minster’s comments around a potential reversal of the Scottish Government’s progressive policy on universal free school meals expansion as reported today, were to be put into action.

“1 in 4 children in Scotland were living in poverty before the onset of the cost-of-living crisis, which the previous First Minister declared a humanitarian emergency. Now, food inflation of 20%, together with exorbitant energy costs, and stagnant wages is making life even harder and more miserable for hundreds of thousands of parents in Scotland and their children – many already missing out on a decent meal at school because of the stigma or the bureaucracy of means-testing.

“Now is the time to accelerate the roll-out of universal free school meals – not to roll back on what were essential promises.”

Increasing childcare in disadvantaged communities

£4.5 million for after school and holiday clubs

Councils can now apply for their share of £4.5 million to support the provision of after school and holiday clubs for Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas.

The funding will help improve both indoor and outdoor spaces in the school estate, with schools also encouraged to consider wider community needs.

First Minister Humza Yousaf set out details of the funding as he convened a national anti-poverty summit in Edinburgh yesterday.

The First Minister said: “Tackling poverty must be a shared priority for us all and this summit offers the opportunity to listen to a wide range of views to help us take the right action to drive down inequality across Scotland.

“Helping families deal with cost of living pressures is one of our key priorities and providing further funding for affordable and accessible school age childcare will help deliver that.

“Funded school age childcare supports parents and carers into work and enables them to support their families, while also providing a nurturing environment for children to take part in a wide range of activities.

“Scotland already has the most generous childcare offer anywhere in the UK. All three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds are entitled to 1,140 hours a year of funded early learning and childcare. We are working with partners to make further progress, with plans to develop a funded early learning and childcare offer for one and two-year-olds by 2026, focusing on those who need it most.”

The Scottish Government will provide a £4.5m recurring Capital Fund, managed and administered by Scottish Futures Trust, to deliver improvements to the school estate that will support the provision of before and after school and holiday clubs within Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities.

The intention is that the fund will be limited to the school estate (both indoor and outdoor spaces) for year one, but schools will be encouraged to consider wider community needs and spaces where children want to be after school or during the holidays, particularly where links or partnerships already exist.

The £4.5m fund will be open to all Local Authorities who will be required to demonstrate how they have worked in partnership with school age childcare and activities providers, to be ambitious in their ideas, and to define projects which will deliver benefit for children and families, particularly those from low-income areas.

Funded school age childcare is targeted at families on the lowest incomes, specifically the six priority family types identified in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan (lone parent families, minority ethnic families, families with a disabled adult or child, families with a younger mother [under 25], families with a child under one, and larger families.)

Yousaf: “Nothing off the table” when anti-poverty summit meets today

Tackling poverty and inequality is the biggest challenge facing Scotland, First Minister Humza Yousaf will say at today’s anti-poverty summit.

Led by the First Minister, the summit offers a vital opportunity for the Scottish Government to listen to, and work with key partners, campaigners, cross-party representatives and those with direct experience of poverty, to help inform Scotland’s drive to tackle poverty and inequality.

Opening the anti-poverty summit, the First Minister is expected to say: “The Scottish Government recognises the cost of living crisis is putting a huge strain on households and no-one should have to make the choice between heating, eating or turning the lights on.

“Tackling poverty and inequality is the single biggest challenge facing Scotland and requires continued, urgent and sustained action.

“Today’s anti-poverty summit is an opportunity to get round the table with campaigners, businesses, the third sector, local government, representatives from Holyrood’s main political parties and, crucially, those with direct experience of poverty, to hear their views and insights.

“This is the collaborative approach that people across Scotland want to see their First Minister and political leaders take – to secure real action on the biggest issues facing our country.

“We have a strong foundation to build on, with almost £3 billion allocated this year to support policies which tackle poverty and protect people as far as possible during the cost of living crisis, and we have announced details this week of how tens of thousands of households will be supported as a result of the Fuel Insecurity Fund being tripled.

“But, as we discuss what more can be done, nothing will be off the table and I look forward to hearing all contributions at the summit, which I hope will drive new momentum in the fight against poverty in Scotland.”

Fuel Insecurity Fund: support for those who need it most

Delivering even more tailored support to tens of thousands of households is at the heart of a major expansion of this year’s Fuel Insecurity Fund.

The First Minister announced in March that the Fund will be tripled to £30 million this year. Details have now been announced of how the additional funding will be used to help those who need it most through new and existing services.

This includes £5 million for one-to-one mentoring for households to be provided by a new funding partner, The Wise Group, as part of a longer-term approach to tackling poverty and its causes.

Households will also be helped through additional funding being directed to existing delivery partners, including:

  • £9 million to enable Advice Direct Scotland to administer Home Heating Support Fund grants to those struggling with the rapid increase in gas, electricity and oil prices
  • £8.5 million for the Fuel Bank Foundation to rapidly support more than 85,000 households, including those with prepayment meters and at risk of imminent disconnection
  • £7.25 million to enable the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations to provide more than 55,000 households across Scotland with advice, support with bills and energy- saving items

Details of the additional support were announced ahead of an anti-poverty summit being convened by the First Minister tomorrow (Wednesday). Those with direct experience of poverty, as well as experts from the public, private and third sectors, will take part.

Energy Minister Gillian Martin visited Advice Direct Scotland’s Glasgow headquarters to meet advisers and learn more about how they are supporting people who are struggling to heat their homes.

She said: “The Fuel Insecurity Fund has been and continues to be a direct lifeline for many thousands of households, which is why the First Minister acted swiftly and decisively to triple the Fund to £30 million this year. We want to support even more people facing unprecedented rises in the cost of energy.

“Whilst the key energy policy levers remain with the UK Government, one of our interdependent missions as a government is to tackle poverty and protect people from the impact of the current cost of living crisis, which is why we have taken this action.

“The UK Government has continually failed to take the necessary steps to support people now and make the necessary changes – which only it can take – to ensure households and businesses never experience an energy crisis like this again.

“This includes reversing its decision to end the Energy Bills Support Scheme and making essential reforms to the energy market so the link between the price of electricity and the cost of gas is permanently broken.”

Conor Forbes, Director of Business Development and Policy at Advice Direct Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Scottish Government again to support Scottish citizens struggling with the cost-of-living and energy bills.

“With the UK Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme coming to an end, many are finding themselves having to cut back on energy to afford other things. It’s important that anyone who is struggling reaches out for support.

“Advice Direct Scotland runs a number of services that can offer assistance in various areas related to the cost-of-living, including energy, debt, and support with benefits applications.”

Sean Duffy, Chief Executive Officer at The Wise Group, said: “It’s great to see the Scottish Government taking action to help households struggling with fuel insecurity and poverty.

“We’re proud to be a new funding partner for the Fuel Insecurity Fund, and excited about the opportunity to provide tailored, one-to-one Relational Mentoring to households in need.

“We know that everyone’s situation is different, so we’re committed to taking a personalised approach to support each household in a way that supports sustainable change. We’ve had great success stories, and we’re looking forward to making a real difference to people’s lives through this initiative.”

More information on the Fuel Insecurity Fund

First Minister to convene anti-poverty summit

Targeted action to further tackle poverty and inequality in Scotland will be the focus of discussion at a summit convened by the First Minister later this week.

The anti-poverty summit will bring people together from a variety of backgrounds – those with lived experience of poverty, the third sector, academics, campaigners, local government, business, and cross-party representatives of the Scottish Parliament.

Attendees will share expertise, experiences and ideas that can be used in a collective effort to drive progress and reduce inequality across Scotland.

The First Minister said: “Tackling poverty and protecting people from harm is one of the Scottish Government’s three key priorities.  

“Working within our limited powers and fixed budget, the Scottish Government has already taken a range of actions that are making a real difference, with almost £3 billion allocated both last year and this year to support policies which are helping to tackle poverty and protect people as far as possible during the cost of living crisis.

“Our five family payments, including the Scottish Child Payment, could be worth more than £10,000 by the time an eligible child turns six. This compares to less than £2,000 for eligible families in England and Wales, with Scottish support providing over £20,000 by the time an eligible child is 16 years old.

“There is also much more to be done to reverse the impact of the UK Government’s policies of austerity and lack of concrete action on the cost of living crisis, which have contributed to rising poverty across the UK.

“While the Government’s actions and ideas to tackle poverty are extremely important, I also want to hear fresh ideas about what else we could be doing together. Nothing should be off the table, and I am ready to lead an honest and frank discussion on Wednesday.

“I firmly believe that all of us across society want Scotland to be the best place to grow up and the best place to live. I am determined to harness that shared ambition so we leave no stone unturned in the drive to create a more equal and more socially just Scotland.”

The summit will take place in Edinburgh on Wednesday 3 May.

Planning system: Delivering thriving local communities?

Consultation on planning guidance

People are being asked for their views on how the planning system can support healthy, thriving and connected communities as part of a consultation launched by the Scottish Government.

As part of implementation of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), draft guidance has been prepared to support people to meet the majority of their daily needs within a reasonable distance of their home, preferably through active travel or by using public transport.

The local living and the 20 minute neighbourhood concepts contained in NPF4 will help the planning system to deliver sustainable and resilient places, deliver net zero ambitions, reduce social isolation, promote active travel, and provide access to green space.

Planning Minister Joe FitzPatrick launched the consultation at the Scottish Young Planners Network annual conference in Stirling.

Mr FitzPatrick said: “Local living and 20 minute neighbourhood policies will deliver many longstanding ambitions for the planning system by supporting thriving communities and providing multiple benefits for people and the environment. 

“We want to help people to meet their daily needs within a reasonable distance of their homes, while helping them to live healthier lives and contributing towards the achievement of our net zero targets.

“We can really get to the heart of what matters to people by working with them to shape our towns and communities of the future.”

Euan Leitch, Chief Executive of SURF – Scotland’s Regeneration Forum, said: “SURF warmly welcomes additional guidance on how we develop the value of local living and how planning, third and private sectors, public services and our transport systems will deliver this.

“Well maintained, easy to navigate places can be at the heart of community wellbeing and guidance should give communities the assurance that decisions made will improve their sense of control and enhance their quality of life.”

Local Living and 20 Minute Neighbourhood: draft planning guidance.

The deadline for responding is Thursday 20 July.

Not Proven No More?

‘A BOLD, NECESSARY AND IMPORTANT BILL’ – RAPE CRISIS SCOTLAND

Legislation proposing a significant package of reform to ensure victims are treated with compassion and their voices heard across the justice system has been published.

The Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill will require justice agencies to make efforts to reduce re-traumatisation of victims and witnesses and will address long-standing challenges in the justice system’s approach to serious sexual offences.

Significant reforms proposed in the Bill include abolishing the not proven verdict in all criminal trials to help create a clearer, fairer and more transparent decision-making process. It will reduce juror numbers from 15 to 12 and increase the jury majority required for conviction to at least two-thirds – to ensure fairness, balance and promote confidence that verdicts are decided on a sound and rational basis.

If passed by Parliament, the Bill would also establish an independent Victims and Witnesses Commissioner for Scotland to champion the rights of victims and witnesses and encourage government and criminal justice agencies to put those rights at the heart of the justice system.

The Bill also includes significant new measures to meet the needs of survivors of sexual offences, building on the recommendations of Lady Dorrian’s Review Group on improving the management of sexual offence cases, enabling public confidence in the justice system by:

  • protecting the dignity of victims through an automatic lifelong right of anonymity for victims of sexual offences 
  • establishing a specialist sexual offences court with national jurisdiction to enable complainers to give their best evidence while minimising the potential for re-traumatisation
  • providing an automatic right to state-funded independent legal representation for complainers when applications are made to lead evidence of their sexual history or ‘bad character’ in sexual offence cases
  • enabling a pilot of single judge trials for cases of rape and attempted rape to take place to gather evidence on their effectiveness

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance said: “This Bill will put victims and witnesses at the heart of the justice system. It is testament to the efforts of many campaigners who have worked to ensure that the processes of justice better serve victims, witnesses and vulnerable parties.

“This landmark legislation is among the most significant since devolution and will ensure fairness is cemented into the bedrock of Scotland’s modern-day justice system. Building on the experiences of survivors, victims, and their families, these key reforms will make justice services more sensitive to the trauma it can cause.

“This government has been clear we must take action to improve the experience of those who suffer sexual abuse. The majority are women, who must be supported to have trust and confidence that the processes of justice will serve their needs, allow them to give their best evidence and support them in their recovery.

“By creating an independent Commissioner for Scotland to champion the rights of victims and witnesses we can ensure that they are treated with compassion and their voices are heard.”

While Rape Crisis Scotland has concerns over the proposed reduction in the number of jurors, the organisation welcomes what it describes as a ‘bold, necessary and important bill’:

Today the Scottish Government published the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill. This is a potentially transformative bill which could significantly improve the experience of survivors of sexual violence.

Survivors across Scotland have campaigned tirelessly to highlight the injustices of the current legal process and have played a crucial role in making the case for change.

The bill will:

  • End the not proven verdict;
  • Introduce a specialist sexual offence court;
  • Give ministers the power to begin a pilot of single judge led trials in Scotland;
  • Introduce independent legal representation (ILR) for survivors in cases where the defence seeks to bring evidence on their sexual behaviour into court;
  • Introduce a legal right to anonymity in sexual offence cases.

We are strongly supportive of these proposals. For more information on our positions, please see our policy briefings on criminal justice reform, alongside specific briefings on the proposed specialist sexual offence court, judge led trials and independent legal representation.

Many of these steps were recommended in Lady Dorrian’s review of the management of sexual offences and we pay tribute to her leadership and the work of this group.

In Scotland, conviction rates for rape are the lowest of any crime type. For cases that reach trial the conviction rate is around 51% compared to 91% for all other crimes. Most cases never make it as far as court: in 2021/22 there were 2,298 rape and attempted rapes reported to the police, but only 152 prosecutions and 78 convictions.

There is significant evidence that myths about sexual violence influence juries in their decision making.

There is a huge amount of research and evidence to suggest that these steps will not only make engaging with the justice system easier for survivors but lead to more justice being done.

We asked survivors what they thought justice reform in Scotland needs to look like and why it matters. Here are some of their comments:

“Victims should not feel scared to come forward and report a crime due to the pressures of a court case. Where is the justice in that?”

“it was a horrendous ordeal and completely traumatising – from the court dates being suspended and rescheduled, the actual trial itself… and the way I was perceived by all professionals involved, other than the lovely victim support girls on the day of trial and of course rape crisis, as doing something wrong in speaking out…. So, I would love nothing more than to see some change!“

“For me, the thought of standing in front of the family, the public, the people who have abused and assaulted me or lawyers and judges, is absolutely terrifying and something I could never even consider. The culture of victim blaming in society is so damaging that people who have these experiences are likely to think they’ll be blamed even when the evidence is strong. Or the mental chaos that going through the lengthy court process is, only for the perpetrator to end up with a short sentence is not worth it.”

Making the decision to report rape or sexual violence can be very difficult. It is not made easier by the barriers in place to accessing justice for survivors. We hope this bill will begin to remove some of these barriers and help more survivors in Scotland to get justice.

This is not a perfect bill. We have concerns about its proposed changes to jury majority from 8 out 15, to 8 out of 12. We know that juries are reluctant to convict in rape cases, and any change in jury majority could have a significant impact on convictions.

We are concerned that unless significant and sustained efforts are made to address the impact of rape myths on jury decision making the overall impact of this bill might actually be to reduce the number of rape convictions.

Notwithstanding our concerns about the change in jury majority, the fact that these proposals have been made by the Scottish Government is testament to the incredible work of survivors from across Scotland who have campaigned for change. This is a bold, necessary and important bill.

Scottish Household Survey 2021 results published

Scotland’s Chief Statistician has released the results of the 2021 Scottish Household Survey.

In 2021, most (96%) people rated their neighbourhood as a good place to live, and around two thirds (64%) of households were managing well financially – both the same as in 2020.

Internet access was higher in 2021 (96% of households) than in 2020 (93%), as was internet use (95% of adults in 2021 compared to 92% in 2020). There was a significant increase in internet use amongst older people.

Levels of trust in the health, education and justice systems, and in the police, the Scottish Government and local government, were lower in 2021 than in 2020. Satisfaction with local health services decreased from 88% in 2020 to 78% in 2021.

The percentage of adults who had taken part in physical activity or sport in the four weeks before they were surveyed was similar in 2021 (85%) and 2020 (86%). Frequent participation (active on more than 14 days in the past four weeks) decreased slightly (from 61% of physically active adults in 2020 to 58% in 2021).

In 2021, 70% of adults lived within a five minute walk of their nearest area of green or blue space (such as parks, woods, rivers or coasts), around the same proportion as 2020 (68%). The percentage of adults who visited the outdoors at least once a week decreased from 79% in 2020 to 71% in 2021. People in the most deprived areas saw the largest reduction.

Climate change was more likely to be viewed as an immediate and urgent problem in 2021 (83% of adults) than in 2020 (80%). This includes increases among people aged 75+ (69% in 2020 to 76% in 2021), men (77% to 82%), and people with no qualifications (59% to 69%).

In the 12 months before they were surveyed, 59% of 2021 survey respondents had attended a cultural event or place of culture, including the cinema (up from 44% in 2020), 84% had participated in a cultural activity, including reading (similar to 83% in 2020), and 27% had given unpaid help to organisations or groups (similar to 26% in 2020). 

Satisfaction with Scottish Government funded Early Learning and Childcare was similar in 2021 (95% of households using it were satisfied) and 2020 (97%). Among households with a child aged under 12, the percentage who found it difficult to afford childcare was similar in 2021 (9%) and 2020 (7%).

scottish-household-survey-2021-telephone-survey-key-findingsDownload

Scottish Household Survey 2021 – telephone survey: key findings

The United Kingdom condemns military clashes across Sudan

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at yesterday’s UN Security Council meeting on Sudan:

Thank you, President.  And may I start by  thanking SRSG Volker Perthes, ASG Joyce Msuya, Her Excellency Fatima Mohamed and Special Envoy, Ismael Wais.

SRSG, can I begin by paying tribute to your tireless work, to the work of the UNITAMS team, to the UN agencies and NGO implementing partners on the ground. We are very relieved that the operation to evacuate and relocate international and UN workers was successful and we thank you and your teams for your commitment and dedication to Sudan, and extend our condolences to those colleagues who have lost their lives.

For the UK, we carried out our own operation to evacuate British embassy personnel on 23 April and today we have begun flying out British Nationals.

We would like to thank our international partners for their co-operation in these efforts.  Our priority continues to be the safety of all British nationals in Sudan and support to those in need.

The United Kingdom unequivocally condemns the military clashes that continue to take place across Sudan. We echo the Secretary General’s calls for peace and especially for an end to attacks on civilians, and humanitarian workers.

Hundreds have died, thousands are injured. Adding to acute humanitarian needs across the country.

We welcome the 72-hour ceasefire brokered yesterday by the United States, but we are concerned by reports that once again the parties have failed to uphold their commitments.

We call on both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces immediately to establish a lasting ceasefire across the country and we are in direct contact with the SAF and RSF leadership to end the violence and de-escalate tensions.

We call on both sides to allow humanitarian access, comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, and ensure the protection of civilians, humanitarian and medical workers.

We welcome and encourage continued regional and diplomatic initiatives including those set out today. We will continue to work with all Council members and the UN Secretary-General, to ensure the Council supports efforts towards an end to fighting, a permanent ceasefire and a political resolution.

In closing, we stand in solidarity with the Sudanese people in their demands for a peaceful and democratic future.

Scottish Government call to provide safe routes for people in need of protection

Holyrood’s External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson has written to the Foreign Secretary to express the Scottish Government’s deep concern over the current conflict in Sudan.

In the letter, Mr Robertson said a number of Scots and family members had been in touch with the Scottish Government and he thanked all those in the Armed Forces and UK Government currently working on evacuation efforts.

Mr Robertson also called for eligibility criteria to be eased to enable Sudanese citizens to be reunited with family members already in the UK, and for consideration to be given to the evacuation of non-British nationals who have worked for UK interests in Sudan.

The letter reads:

Dear James,

The Scottish Government stands with the UK Government and international community in deep concern over the spiralling violence in Sudan. While the current, fragile ceasefire is welcome, the situation appears bleak for Sudan, and the wider region, and we fully echo the UK Government’s call for a genuine and lasting ceasefire.

The safety of British Nationals in Sudan is of significant concern to the Scottish Government and a number of Scots and family members have been in touch with the Scottish Government. We fully support the UK Government’s evacuation of all British passport holders and I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to those in the Armed Forces and across the UK Government who are working on this.

The Scottish Government also wanted to put on record our deep concern for Sudanese people at risk in this crisis who will be looking for safe passage out of Sudan. In particular:

  • We would call for consideration by the UK Government of evacuating non-British nationals who have worked for UK interests in Sudan.
  • Secondly we would ask for eased eligibility criteria for family reunion to enable Sudanese citizens to be reunited with family members already in the UK.
  • We seek your assurance that the Home Office asylum caseworker guidance on Sudan has been updated. While I understand that each asylum application must be considered on its individual merits, asylum applications from Sudanese nationals in the UK should be considered quickly and compassionately. I also expect the Home Office to urgently review any cases which are in the asylum appeals process or where people have previously been refused asylum on the basis that any part of Sudan is safe.
  • And finally we would be grateful to know what the UK Government is doing, in partnership with the international community, to provide safe routes for people in Sudan in need of protection.

Within Sudan the humanitarian situation is now critical. Indeed, as the Minister of State for Development and Africa updated the House of Commons yesterday, approximately 16 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. This is deeply concerning, particularly given a global context where humanitarian needs are severe in a number of regions around the world.

The UK Government and the wider international community must do everything possible to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people in need. Like you, I am shocked and saddened that 5 aid workers have been killed during the current violence in Sudan, and we condemn any and all attacks against humanitarian workers.

The situation in Sudan is incredibly grave. I urge the UK Government to do everything possible to work with international partners to address the humanitarian situation and to offer protection for those fleeing the violence.

I look forward to your response.

Angus Robertson

BT secures contract worth up to £350 million to enhance and futureproof Scotland’s public sector connectivity

BT has secured a multi-million pound contract worth up to £350 million over the next six years to become the sole provider to deliver public sector connectivity across Scotland.

The Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) contract, which has been awarded by NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) on behalf of the Scottish Government, will accelerate the digital transformation of Scotland’s public sector including to some of the most rural areas across the country.

The contract will allow for better communication, data sharing and collaboration across more than 6,000 sites, including 94 public sector organisations. Schools, hospitals, GP surgeries, pharmacies, every NHS Board and local government offices will benefit from significantly faster and improved fibre broadband and mobile connections and resilience.

BT’s investment in future-proofing its infrastructure will accelerate fibre and mobile connectivity to some of the most remote parts of Scotland, helping to deliver on the digital ambitions of the Scottish Government.

As well as bridging the gap between urban and rural areas, benefits for the public are likely to include time saving with patients, for example, being able to be seen remotely by clinicians rather than having to travel long distances across islands.

With 22 NHS Scotland boards, 278 general and community hospitals and more than 900 GP practices set to be connected to the network, BT’s investment in SWAN will support essential public health services, reducing costs and increasing the efficiency of connected organisations.

Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care, Michael Matheson said: “This major investment from the Scottish Government, and our public sector partners, will make sure that staff across our public services have access to rapid and reliable connections with a greater capacity and bandwidth.

“The SWAN programme will drive benefits for communities across Scotland, making sure that no one is left behind and can access the benefits of technology.”

BT Group employs around 7,000 colleagues in Scotland who live and work in nearly every community in the country. Relying on the use of public services themselves ensures these colleagues are committed to making these services the best that they can be for their own communities.

Alan Lees, Director for Business, BT in Scotland, said: “BT is committed to playing its part in helping to shape and to deliver transformational public sector services for people across Scotland now and into the future.

“BT is proud to become the sole provider of next generation connectivity services to the Scottish public sector via the SWAN Framework. We strongly believe in the difference that highly resilient and secure connectivity can make to the delivery of public services in Scotland and with our expertise and investment we can accelerate the digital transformation of services to the public.

“This contract will see us deliver a cost effective and innovative communications framework, which will benefit public sector employees, citizens and services in ways that we have not seen before.

“We have access to the largest next generation networks. Our mobile network EE was the first to launch 5G in Scotland and EE now has by far the highest levels of 4G coverage across Scotland’s landmass at 75%, which is 8% higher than our nearest competitor.

“We’re able to help the public sector to do things that they never imagined possible before, supporting our shared ambition of ‘Connecting Scotland for Good.’”

Mary Morgan, Chief Executive of NHS National Services Scotland (NSS), said: “This is a significant milestone for NSS, and for the many partner organisations across the public sector who depend upon SWAN, including NHS Scotland.

“Swift and secure connectivity is at the heart of modern future-facing public services. Robust digital infrastructure is key to successful innovation and service improvements that will benefit citizens, families and communities.

“We are pleased to have secured this long-term partnership with BT in Scotland. NSS will continue to manage the SWAN Network effectively on behalf of its members so that together we can deliver for all citizens and stakeholders.”