Tag: Westminster

Grangemouth workers receive ‘training guarantee’

  • Over 260 workers have received 1:1 skills support from Forth Valley College to support their transition into new, high-skilled jobs, with 184 workers already beginning training   
  • signals swift delivery of the Prime Minister’s commitment to a ‘training guarantee’ to secure a future for workers, as part of the Plan for Change  
  • Energy Secretary and Energy Minister join Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy in first Grangemouth Investment Taskforce meeting today to discuss securing private investment and a long-term future for Grangemouth – backed by £200 million from the UK government, and £25 million from the Scottish Government   

Petroineos refinery workers at Grangemouth are being actively supported through the Prime Minister’s commitment to a ‘training guarantee’ to help secure new well-paid work, as part of the UK and Scottish Governments’ pledge to secure a future for those affected by the closure of the oil refinery.   

The government took swift action to protect workers after Petroineos confirmed their plans to close the refinery, including announcing up to £10 million to provide new skills support that will help the site’s workers into good clean energy jobs, as well as supporting new energy projects in the region. This also included a commitment from the Prime Minister in February to deliver a “training guarantee”.  

This guarantee is now being delivered, with 184 out of 300 workers having now engaged in retraining activity with the majority of the remaining workforce registered for training.  

Workers have been offered a wide range of training opportunities, including renewable energy upskilling courses and wind turbine engineering courses, paid for and supported by the UK and Scottish Governments. This will provide them with the vital skills needed to secure new jobs, including in the clean energy sector – which currently supports more than 42,000 jobs in Scotland.   

Every Petroineos worker affected by the decision to close the oil refinery has now been provided the opportunity for 1:1 interviews with careers specialists at Forth Valley College.  

These will help identify their skills, qualifications and training needs to create a programme of bespoke courses that will ensure their smooth transition into new roles – supporting the next generation of good jobs and driving economic growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change.  

It comes as the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin and Energy Minister Michael Shanks join the Office for Investment, Scottish Enterprise, National Wealth Fund and Scottish National Investment Bank for the inaugural Grangemouth Investment Taskforce meeting today where they will discuss securing private investment in the future of the site – with 66 enquiries received so far.  

Minister for Energy Michael Shanks said: “The workforce at Grangemouth is highly skilled with significant transferrable experience which our training commitment recognises by providing tailored support for workers into new employment opportunities. 

“As well as continuing to work to secure the site’s long-term industrial future, we want to ensure no worker is left behind and that they are equipped with the skills they need to secure good jobs. This is our Plan for Change in action.”

Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin said: “The Scottish Government’s immediate focus has rightly been on supporting workers who have lost their jobs. We committed up to £450,000 to ensure that they are supported and assisted to secure other employment and to contribute their valuable skills to Scotland’s green economy.  

“That is why we are also working to secure Grangemouth’s role in that future and create an investible industrial strategy for the site. It’s clear that real progress is being made on the findings from Project Willow.

“We are working closely with Scottish Enterprise – who are already assessing nearly 70 inquiries aligned to the full range of technologies set out in the report – and we are determined to ensure we realise the full potential for the site’s transformation.”

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “We know this is a worrying time for workers and their families at Grangemouth. I am pleased more than 260 highly skilled workers have already received support from Forth Valley College thanks to funding from the UK government as part of the £100 million Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal package. 

“By offering bespoke training in renewable energy and wind turbine engineering, we’re not just supporting individual workers but also helping Scotland lead the way in clean energy jobs.

“We are determined that Grangemouth will have a green energy future and have committed £200 million through the National Wealth Fund toward that.”

Kenny MacInnes, Principal of Forth Valley College, said: “The College continues to work extremely hard to make sure that all the Petroineos employees affected by the refinery closure, are able to access the support they need as they begin their transition into new training, careers and jobs.  

“We are making learning work in our Forth Valley communities and beyond, and we want to assure everyone that we will continue to be there for them as they take the next steps in their careers and their studies. 

Steven Bell, former Hazardous Areas Technician at Petroineos Grangemouth Refinery, said: “The support I received from Forth Valley College with retraining during the redundancy process has been exceptional.  

“From my 1:1 meetings discussing courses that I would be interested in and what my future career path might be, right through to getting booked onto the courses I had selected, nothing was too much trouble.  

“All in all, I can say I am absolutely delighted with what Forth Valley College have provided for me during this process.”

The training support has helped workers enter new employment. For example, former Hazardous Areas Technician Steven Bell took part in a range of courses that enabled him to renew his Electricians Grade Card, as well as courses in working in hazardous areas which will support him in his new role as a Compliance Supervisor with a company involved in the pharmaceutical and distillery sector.  

It follows the publication of a feasibility report ‘Project Willow’ that provided nine proposals for Grangemouth, backed by £200 million from the UK government and £25 million from the Scottish Government, which will support jobs, unlock investment and drive growth.  

The report sets out various options for the site, including plastics recycling, hydrogen production and other projects that could create up to 800 jobs by 2040. This will help to grow the economy and deliver on both governments’ shared ambition to secure a long-term future for Grangemouth – with Scottish Enterprise already receiving a high level of interest from potential investors.  

The UK government is unlocking Scotland’s clean energy potential and recently awarded £55.7 million to the Port of Cromarty Firth to develop and manufacture new floating offshore wind farms in Scotland.

It has also launched a Skills Passport to support oil and gas workers to identify routes into several roles in offshore wind including construction and maintenance.

‘An affront to devolution’: Scottish Government reacts to UK-EU deal

Fishing deal puts any benefits “at risk”

External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson has welcomed the closer co-operation between the UK and the EU following a series of new agreements but said not involving the Scottish Government in any negotiations was “an affront to devolution”.

In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Mr Robertson said the removal of obstacles to food and agricultural exports, greater support for energy trading and the UK rejoining the Erasmus exchange scheme for students, were all positive aspects of the UK-EU agreement.

But Mr Robertson criticised the lack of consultation with the Scottish Government on key aspects of the deal, particularly on fishing.

He said: “The Scottish Government welcomes the agreement as it represents long-overdue momentum in rebuilding our relationship with the European Union. But no agreement can deliver the economic, social and security benefits we lost with Brexit in 2020.

“We argued for an ambitious package in the interests of people and businesses across Scotland, and there are some positive indicators here, including the agriculture, food and drink agreement which will reduce market barriers; and enhanced cooperation on energy and climate, and a clear intention to rejoin the Erasmus exchange programme.

“The fact that this agreement – not least on fisheries – was reached without the explicit engagement of the devolved governments on the negotiation detail is not just an affront to devolution, it has put at risk, and will continue to put at risk, the benefits of any commitments for the people of Scotland.”

He added: “We still believe Scotland’s best future lies as an independent country within the European Union but we will engage constructively and positively in the next phase of negotiations.

“We also hope to see the UK Government work collaboratively with devolved governments in developing its priorities – as the EU does with its Member States.”

Tracy Gilbert MP Welcomes UK-EU Deal as Major Win for Edinburgh North and Leith’s Young People and Businesses

Tracy Gilbert, Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North and Leith, has welcomed a landmark new agreement between the UK and the European Union.

The Agreement includes:

  • Trade Boost for Local Businesses: Red tape is being slashed on food and drink exports, helping local producers and potentially lowering prices for families. British steel exports, important to Scottish industry, are now protected from new EU tariffs, saving the sector millions.
  • Opportunities for Young People: Steps have been taken to rejoin the Erasmus programme and launch a new UK-EU youth mobility scheme, which would allow young people to travel, work, and study more freely across Europe.
  • Climate and Green Economy Gains: The UK and EU will link their emissions trading schemes, helping British businesses avoid new EU carbon taxes while driving green growth.
  • Travel Made Easier: UK holidaymakers will benefit from smoother travel with more access to eGates, while a new “pet passport” system will make it easier for families to bring cats and dogs abroad.
  • Safer Communities: New talks will allow access to EU facial recognition databases, enhancing the UK’s ability to track down dangerous criminals and improve border security.

Tracy Gilbert MP said: “After years of uncertainty for people and businesses following EU exit, this UK-EU Agreement struck by our UK Labour Government brings certainty through a closer relationship with the EU. This new deal strengthens security, supports trade, and opens the door to new opportunities for our young people.

“This deal delivers real, practical benefits for Edinburgh North and Leith whether that be reducing regulation helping businesses to export making it easier for families and holidaymakers to travel across Europe everyone will feel a benefit.

“I welcome the commitment to co-operate further on a Youth experience scheme such as a Youth Mobility Scheme. Such a Scheme would open the opportunity local young people have with countries such as Australia and New Zealand to EU countries. I know my constituents support a Youth Mobility Scheme and I will continue to push for progress.”

Starmer unveils new plan to ‘end years of uncontrolled migration’

The Prime Minister will today announce an end to Britain’s ‘failed experiment’ in open borders that saw migration soar to one million a year by ensuring people coming here earn the right to stay in the country

  • Migration system will back British workers, boost economic growth and control our borders under the Plan for Change
  • New contributions-based model will extend route to settlement from five to 10 years – with reductions for those who contribute to economy
  • New English language requirements across all immigration routes to promote integration

The Prime Minister will today announce an end to Britain’s ‘failed experiment’ in open borders that saw migration soar to one million a year by ensuring people coming here earn the right to stay in the country.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of today’s (Monday 12 May) publication of the Immigration White Paper, the Prime Minister will say that living in this country is a privilege that must be earned.

New immigration rules will reduce reliance on overseas recruitment, prioritise those who contribute to Britain’s economy and put more money in the pockets of working people, the first priority of our Plan for Change.

The new system will end automatic settlement and citizenship for anyone living here for five years.

Instead, migrants must spend a decade in the UK before applying to stay unless they can show a real and lasting contribution to the economy and society. 

Under a new framework to be rolled out high-skilled, high-contributing individuals who play by the rules and contribute to the economy and society would be fast-tracked, such as nurses, doctors, engineers and AI leaders.

The government will also raise English language requirements across every immigration route to ensure those wishing to live and work in the UK speak a higher standard of English.

For the first time this will also extend to all adult dependents by requiring them to demonstrate a basic understanding of English – helping individuals integrate into their local community, find employment and reducing the risk of exploitation and abuse.

The changes are part of the government’s Plan for Change to turn the page on over a decade of decline that saw Britain’s immigration system spiral out of control with record migration numbers, undermining the confidence of working people. 

The Prime Minister will take a ‘new common-sense’ approach, one that backs British workers over cheap overseas labour and links migration policy with skills to boost economic growth.

The full package of radical reforms will be unveiled by the Home Secretary in Parliament later today and builds on action already taken by the government to restore order to the immigration system.

More than 24,000 people with no right to be here have been returned since the election – the highest rate in 8 years – including a 16% increase in foreign national offender removals.

In a press conference today the Prime Minister will announce his overhaul of the broken system, and is expected to say: “For years we have had a system that encourages businesses to bring in lower paid workers, rather than invest in our young people.

“That is the Britain this broken system has created.

“Every area of the immigration system, including work, family and study, will be tightened up so we have more control. Enforcement will be tougher than ever and migration numbers will fall.

“We will create a system that is controlled, selective and fair.

“One that recognises those who genuinely contribute to Britain’s growth and society, while restoring common sense and control to our borders.

“This is a clean break from the past and will ensure settlement in this country is a privilege that must be earned, not a right.

“And when people come to our country, they should also commit to integration and to learning our language.

“Lower net migration, higher skills and backing British workers – that is what this White Paper will deliver.”

The Immigration White Paper comes after net migration reached nearly one million in the year ending June 2023 – four times the levels seen in 2019.

Public services were stretched, housing costs soared, and employers swapped skills investment for cheap overseas labour. In sectors like engineering, apprenticeships almost halved while work visas doubled and communities were asked to absorb record numbers.

Visas have already fallen by 40% since the government took power, but our new approach will go further and faster – reshaping the system around the needs of the economy and fairness for working people.

There will be tougher rules on who can come to work, study or bring family. Every part of the system is being tightened. Backdoor routes to settlement will be closed, enforcement will be stepped up as we end abuse of the system.

Britain will remain open to the best global talent – but the days of mass recruitment to plug avoidable skills gaps will end. New mechanisms will ensure employers wanting visas must show they are investing in British workers and raising skills in this country to boost economic growth. 

The Labour government says it will support businesses to take on British workers through new industry workforce strategies, while introducing much tighter restrictions on recruitment for shortage occupations.

The full package of policies in the Immigration White Paper will be published later today (Monday 12 May).

Overseas recruitment for care workers to end

International recruitment for care workers will end under plans announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper

The government’s Immigration White Paper, published in Parliament today, will include the change as the government takes action to bring down historically high levels of net migration.   

Care workers from overseas have made a huge contribution to social care in the UK, but too many have been subject to shameful levels of abuse and exploitation.  

Workers seeking to support the UK’s care sector arrived to find themselves saddled with debt, treated unfairly, or in extreme cases discover the jobs they were promised did not exist.   

In March, the Home Office revealed over 470 care providers had had their licence to sponsor international staff suspended since 2022. Under plans to be outlined today (Monday 12 May), the government will go further and put an end to any more overseas recruitment.

The crackdown on rogue care providers has seen around 40,000 workers displaced, many of whom are ready to rejoin the workforce. They will be given the opportunity to do the jobs they were promised, while long-term plans are drawn up to train homegrown talent into the care sector.  

International workers who are already sponsored to work legally in the sector will be able to continue to extend their stay, change sponsors and apply to settle, including those who need to switch employers following a sponsor licence revocation.

The Labour government says it is committed to tackling these issues and has committed to establishing Fair Pay Agreements which will empower worker, employer and other sector representatives to negotiate improvements in the terms of employment. This builds on the announcement in January of the expansion of the Care Workforce Pathway which will support the adult social care sector to professionalise the workforce.

Together, these measures will move the UK away from a dependence on overseas workers to fulfil our care needs. Baroness Casey has also begun work on an independent commission into adult social care – a once in a generation opportunity to transcend party politics and build consensus on the future of the sector.

The Immigration White Paper, published in full today, is part of government efforts to restore order, control and fairness to the system, bring down net migration and promote economic growth.

Women and Equalities Committee launches new inquiry into Misogyny: the manosphere and online content

Westminster’s Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) yesterday (Friday, 9 May) launched a new inquiry into Misogyny: the manosphere and online content.

The inquiry will explore the prevalence and impact of misogynistic views, attitudes and behaviour among young men and boys, particularly in schools and educational settings and the reasons for this.

It will examine ways that boys and young men are also being harmed and if better support, activities and services need to be available to them. 

MPs on the cross-party Committee, chaired by Labour MP Sarah Owen, will examine evidence of rising misogyny among young men and boys, and the role of social media and online communities, referred to as the ‘manosphere’.

It will also look at how online content and the availability of violent pornography, is contributing to sexist and misogynistic attitudes, behaviour and violence against women and girls both online and offline. 

The inquiry will examine how social media influencers are shaping attitudes towards women and girls and the strategies and interventions needed to address this. 

It will also assess what role social media companies and online platforms are playing in the promotion of misogynistic content and what policies they have in place for deplatforming or demonetising this content. 

WEC held an evidence session on April 29 with Jack Thorne and Emily Feller, executive producers of the hit Netflix drama Adolescence, exploring the impact of toxic online misogyny on young men and boys, as well as the public and political reaction to it. WEC’s predecessor committee held an evidence session in May 2024 on incel culture.

Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) Chair Sarah Owen MP said: “The recent television drama Adolescence brought into sharp political and public focus the burgeoning issue of misogynistic views and behaviour among young men and boys and the questions over its prevalence, particularly in schools and educational settings. 

“With young people spending significant amounts of time online, the Committee want to conduct a timely assessment of the drivers for such attitudes, as well as explore the complex interplay with social media content, the online manosphere and violent pornography.        

“This inquiry will examine what more could be done both on and offline to address these trends, and also feeds into WEC’s wider scrutiny of Government work to tackle violence against women and girls.”

Terms of reference

The Committee invites written submissions through the inquiry website addressing any or all of the issues raised in the following terms of reference by Friday, 6 June 2025.

  • How prevalent are misogynistic views, attitudes and behaviour among young people today, particularly in educational settings? What examples are there of these views, attitudes and behaviours? In what other settings are such behaviours prevalent? 
  • How is content on social media and online, such as violent pornography, contributing to sexist and misogynistic attitudes and behaviour and violence against women and girls both online and offline? 
  • How are social media influencers shaping attitudes towards women and girls? 
  • What role are social media companies and online platforms playing in the promotion of misogynistic content?  
  • Who is gaining financially from the marketisation of misogyny online, and how? What policies do social media companies have in place for deplatforming or demonetising this content and are they enforced? 
  • What strategies and interventions are needed to address misogyny among young people?

Radical reforms to reduce migration

Britain’s ‘failed’ immigration system will be radically reformed so the system is controlled, managed and fair under a landmark White Paper

Britain’s failed immigration system will be radically reformed so the system is controlled, managed and fair under a landmark White Paper to be published tomorrow (Monday 12 May).  

The government inherited a chaotic immigration system that saw net migration soar to record levels – driven by a huge increase in overseas recruitment since 2020.

The government is now delivering on the priorities of working people to bring down numbers, restore control of Britain’s borders and make the system work for the economy.  

The Immigration White Paper will deliver on its manifesto pledge to cut migration by training domestic workers, raising the bar on who can come to the UK and ending reliance on overseas labour.    

It will establish tough new controls to restore order to a failed system that saw net migration almost quadruple to one million between 2019 and 2023.   

New measures mean skills thresholds for work visas will be returned to degree level – reversing a system that saw the proportion of lower-skilled visas issued increase between 2021 and 2024.

Meanwhile the government will end the chronic underinvestment in domestic skills that has hindered economic growth.   

We will support businesses to take on British workers through new industry workforce strategies, while introducing much tighter restrictions on recruitment for shortage occupations.

Employers will first need to develop domestic training plans to boost British skills and recruitment levels – increasing productivity and living standards for working people in the UK.

So migration works for the whole UK, the country will remain open to the best of international talent – enhancing economic growth – while ensuring skilled work for migration purposes must truly mean skilled work.  

The announcement follows major steps the government has already taken to crackdown on those exploiting the system and restoring order to the immigration system – ramping up removals to return 24,000 people with no right to be here since July 2024, the highest rate in eight years.

But this government is going further. The White Paper establishes whole new approaches to migration across a range of areas – including work, study and family life – based on the principles of control, contribution and community cohesion.  

It delivers on the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change to reduce the staggeringly high levels of immigration and replace Britain’s failing approach with a new plan that supports national security, economic renewal and restoring the confidence of the public. 

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:  ”Migration must be properly controlled and managed so the system is fair. Instead, we’ve seen net migration quadruple in the space of just four years, driven especially by overseas recruitment.  

“We inherited a failed immigration system where the previous government replaced free movement with a free market experiment.

“Employers were given much greater freedom to recruit from abroad while action on training fell.

“Overseas recruitment soared at the same time as big increases in the number of people not working or in education here in the UK.

“The last government lost control of the immigration system and there was no proper plan to tackle skills shortages here at home.  

“This has undermined public confidence, distorted our labour market, and been really damaging for both our immigration system and our economy. 

“Under our Plan for Change, we are taking decisive action to restore control and order to the immigration system, raise domestic training and skills, and bring down net migration while promoting economic growth.”   

Measures to be set out tomorrow include:   

  • Raising the skilled visa threshold to RQF6 (graduate level) to reduce increasing numbers of lower-skilled workers coming to the UK – with salary thresholds reflecting the higher skill level.  
  • For occupations below this level, access to the immigration system will be strictly time-limited, granted only on the basis of strong evidence of shortages which are critical to the industrial strategy and where workforce strategies are drawn up so employers also commit to increasing domestic skills and recruitment.  
  • Establishing the Labour Market Evidence Group (LMEG) to inform understanding of where sectors are overly reliant on overseas labour and reverse underinvestment in domestic skills. 

For the first time it means that there will be a national approach to ensuring that action on skills, employer strategies and increasing UK workforce participation are the first response to labour market shortages rather than employers simply turning to immigration to fill gaps.

Foreign criminals to face rapid deportation

New reforms to deportation and removal rules will make it easier to remove foreign criminals committing crimes in the UK

The overhaul will make it easier to remove those who commit offences – including violence against women and girls, street and knife crimes – before the threat they pose escalates. 

The reforms will be announced tomorrow as part of the government’s Immigration White Paper, which will radically reform Britain’s failed immigration system. 

The Home Office will consider all offences, not just those that carry a 12-month custodial sentence, and strengthen powers to remove perpetrators of violence against women and girls. 

Any foreign national placed on the Sex Offenders Register – regardless of sentence length – will be classed as having committed a ‘serious crime’ with no right to asylum protections in the UK. 

Since July 2024, the Home Office has removed 3,594 foreign criminals from the UK – a 16% increase on the same period 12 months prior. 

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “It is a basic requirement – those who come to the UK should abide by our laws. The system for returning foreign criminals has been far too weak for too long.

“Already we have increased the number of foreign national offenders being removed since the election. But we need much higher standards. The rules need to be respected and enforced.  

“We need to restore control so that net migration comes down and proper standards and order are returned.”

As part of the White Paper, the government will also update refusal policies and immigration rules to mirror these changes. This means if a person commits an offence while on a short-term visa, they will be refused if they make a fresh application. 

New measures will be explored to swiftly cancel visas to those who commit crimes, ensuring action is taken against offenders before they can put down roots in the UK. 

Risk of ‘two-tier society’ if UK Government does not act on cash acceptance

A lack of action from the Government to tackle declining cash acceptance could lead to a two-tier society with the most vulnerable bearing the cost, a new report by the Treasury Committee finds. 

The Committee heard directly from vulnerable groups, including people with learning disabilities, domestic abuse victims and the elderly, that buying essential goods and services can cost more as the number of places where they can spend their cash is reduced.

People who are already at increased risk of poverty will, therefore, face a poverty premium if cash is not widely accepted by businesses and other organisations. 

 The acceptance of physical currency for goods and services in the UK is not currently specified in any legislation. This means UK businesses and organisations could choose not to accept cash with no legal duty to accommodate customers’ varying needs. 

Evidence submitted during the course of the inquiry sets out the challenge when attempting to assess levels of cash acceptance in the UK. For example, data from LINK in 2024 found half of respondents had been somewhere that did not accept cash or discouraged cash usage in the previous eight weeks. However, when polled by Savanta, 98% of small businesses said they accepted cash. 

The lack of consistent evidence makes it difficult for anyone, including the Treasury, to determine the state of cash acceptance in the UK. In its report, the Treasury Committee calls on the Government to undertake vastly improved monitoring and reporting of cash acceptance levels. If it doesn’t, it risks creating a two-tier system where vulnerable groups become excluded from community spaces such as leisure centres, theatres and public transport. 

When appearing before the Committee, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury stated: “we have no plans to regulate businesses, big or small, to compel them to accept cash”.  

Having heard evidence on the impact of declining cash acceptance on vulnerable communities, MPs on the Committee believe there may come a time in the future when it becomes necessary for the Treasury to mandate cash acceptance if those who rely on physical cash are not adequately supported. 

The report also highlights the national resilience benefits of maintaining the ability to spend physical cash, particularly in relation to recent bank outages which Members were told led to a surge in cash withdrawals. 

Chair of the Treasury Select Committee, Dame Meg Hillier MP said: “The Government is in the dark on how widely cash is being accepted and that is completely unsustainable. We are at risk of a two-tier society where the most vulnerable bear the brunt and this needs to be a wakeup call. 

“Our Committee has sought to give a voice to those groups which are at severe risk of not being heard by Government policymakers. A sizeable minority depend on being able to use cash and they must not be forgotten by Whitehall. 

“As a society, we must avoid sleepwalking into a situation where cash is no longer widely accepted. This is the beginning, not the end, of our scrutiny of this issue. The Government needs to take this seriously.” 

Victory for For Women Scotland

UK Supreme Court rules legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex

Tory party leader KEMI BADENOCH has welcomed the Court verdict: “Saying “trans women are women” was never true in fact and now isn’t true in law, either.

“A victory for all of the women who faced personal abuse or lost their jobs for stating the obvious. Women are women and men are men: you cannot change your biological sex.

“The era of Keir Starmer telling us that some women have penises has come to an end. Hallelujah! Well done @ForWomenScot!”

SCOTLAND’s ALBA Party has also welcomed the judgement. ALBA Women’s Convener Kirsty Fraser said: “Since our inception, the ALBA Party have been steadfast in standing up for the sex-based rights of Women and Girls across Scotland.

“We wholeheartedly welcome the judgement by the Supreme Court which vindicates our longstanding position on this issue.

“Now is the time for our political leaders in Scotland to reflect on their actions over recent years and recognise that the rights of women merit some attention”

ALBA Party Depute Leader, Neale Hanvey said: “The UK Supreme Court judgement has clearly established in law the boundaries between protected characteristics contained in the Equality Act making clear that Sex in the Act pertains to biological natal sex.

“This judgement will reverberate around the world thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Marion, Trina and Susan of For Women Scotland.”

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “The Scottish Government accepts today’s Supreme Court judgement. The ruling gives clarity between two relevant pieces of legislation passed at Westminster.

“We will now engage on the implications of the ruling. Protecting the rights of all will underpin our actions.”

Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman responded on X: “Sending love and solidarity to trans people everywhere.

“We will always fight to protect human rights, dignity and respect for all people.

“We stand with the trans community today, tomorrow and always.”

LABOUR’S Bridget Phillipson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities, said: ” We have always supported the protection of single-sex spaces based on biological sex.

“This ruling brings clarity and confidence, for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges and sports clubs.

“Single sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government.”

Ms Phillipson’s remarks were followed by similar comments by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who said on X this evening: “I’ve always called for the protection of single sex spaces on the basis of biological sex.

“This judgment gives clarity to women and service users about the protections in the Equality Act. The SNP Government must provide clear guidance for Scottish public services so they can implement the Equality Act properly to uphold dignity for all.”

In fact Sarwar voted IN FAVOUR of the SNP’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. The official Scottish Parliament record shows that only two Labour MSPs – Carol Mochan and Claire Baker – voted against!

NHS Fife has issued a statement following this morning’s Supreme Court ruling: “NHS Fife notes the clarity provided by today’s Supreme Court ruling regarding the legal definition of a woman.

“We will now take time to carefully consider the judgment and its implications.”

Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry MP said before the judgement was announced: “Whatever way the judgement falls three extraordinary women will well and truly have cemented their right to be remembered alongside Scotland’s great feminists like Mary Burton, Elise Inglis, and Frances Wright.“

She added later: Today’s judgment is not about rolling back trans rights. It is a victory for grass roots activism because self-funding feminist and lesbian groups have fought the might of the state and won.”

Baroness Falkner, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said:

Government acts to save Scunthorpe steel production

  • Parliament recalled to introduce emergency powers that will allow the Government to protect the Scunthorpe site
  • Unique action to gives the best chance of safeguarding steelmaking, protecting jobs, national security and supply chains.
  • This strategic decision aims to secure domestic steel production for nationally important projects like airports, rail and housing and deliver growth at part of the Plan for Change.

Steelmaking is set to continue in Scunthorpe following urgent action by the UK Government.   

The Prime Minister requested the recall of Parliament to vote on emergency legislation to prevent the blast furnaces being shut down.

The move will maximise the chances of securing domestic steel production – a crucial national capability which was at risk of collapse under the site’s current ownership. This is a very specific intervention taken in exceptional circumstances.

British Steel’s owners Jingye confirmed their intention to close the blast furnaces at Scunthorpe immediately, despite months of negotiations in good faith and a generous offer of co-investment from the UK government of £500 million. 

If the blast furnaces were to be immediately switched off, this would put at severe risk the future of steelmaking at this unique site. 

The legislation will give the Government the power to direct the company’s board and workforce, ensure they get paid, and order the raw materials to keep the blast furnace running.

In the meantime, the Government has instructed the company’s UK management to continue the running of the plant to ensure the furnaces keep burning. This legislation means that anyone employed at the plant who takes steps to keep it running, against the orders of the Chinese ownership, can be reinstated if sacked for doing so.

Steel is vital for both the UK’s national security and manufacturing, and crucial for the Government’s mission to build 1.5 million new homes in the UK as part of its Plan for Change, with construction projects requiring millions of tonnes of steel. 

Given global economic instability, it is crucial that manufacturing is protected at home. That’s why the Government took action earlier this week to support the car industry by easing the path to the EV mandate and deliver a £30 million package to support the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which is expected to support 5,000 jobs and boost the economy by £5 billion.  

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “We will always do what is necessary to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad. We are doing what previous governments have failed to, acting in the national interest to help secure UK steelmaking for the future.

“We negotiated with British Steel’s owners in good faith ever since coming to office. We made a generous offer of support to the company and I am deeply disappointed that we have been forced to take these measures, but Jingye have not been forthright throughout this process, and left us no choice but to act. 

“We’re in a new and changing world where it’s never been more important to support our security and build our resilience, so that we can have strength abroad and renewal at home, and that’s what this government has done.” 

A Bill was voted on by MPs on Saturday 12 April to ensure continuity of production at the Scunthorpe site – avoiding the danger and cost of allowing it to stop.  

Funding for the site will come from the Government’s £2.5bn steel fund, to help rebuild the industry over the next five years.

Over 78,000 People in Edinburgh Set to Benefit from Increase in State Pension

Tracy Gilbert, Scottish Labour Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North and Leith, has today welcomed the announcement that 78,393 individuals in Edinburgh will benefit from an increase in the state pension, a significant boost for pensioners in the constituency. 

The rise will help alleviate some of the financial pressures that many pensioners face, providing them with greater security and stability in their later years. 

Tracy Gilbert MP said: “Across the city 78,393 people will see an increase in their state pensions. This is exactly the kind of action that the Labour Government will take to support those who have worked hard.  

When budgets are tight this will be a much-welcomed increase. It is a reminder that Labour will always fight to protect pensioners and ensure they can retire with dignity and security.” 

Grangemouth: Westminster Committee to question Petroineos, INEOS and EY on Project Willow

Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee will examine the future of the Grangemouth oil refinery as part of its inquiry into GB Energy and the net zero transition on Wednesday 2nd April. 

The imminent closure of Scotland’s only oil refinery at the Grangemouth industrial complex, one of Scotland’s major manufacturing facilities, threatens the jobs of around 400 workers. 

This evidence session follows the publication of Project Willow, a feasibility study co-funded by the UK and Scottish governments to examine the viability of new sustainable opportunities at the Grangemouth refinery site. Carried out by consultancy EY, the study identified nine projects that could be developed with private sector investment.  

The cross-party committee of MPs will question the refinery operator Petroineos, shareholder INEOS, and one of Project Willow’s authors, on the study’s findings.

 

Witnesses at 9.30am:  

  • Anu Bhambi, Head of Energy Transition Strategy, EY Parthenon  
  • Iain Hardie, Head of Legal and External Affairs, Petroineos 
  • Colin Pritchard, Sustainability and External Relations Director, INEOS Grangemouth