Tag: Westminster

Most vulnerable at risk from Brexit, says new report

The UK’s exit from the EU is highly likely to negatively impact the most vulnerable people in Scotland, a new report has found.

‘The Social and Equality Impacts of Brexit’ is an independent report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, which has identified 137 potential impacts on those already facing inequality, discrimination, or social exclusion.

The report highlights impacts including the loss of legal rights, employment protections, funding opportunities, healthcare rights, and supply and access to food, fuel and medicines.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “The Scottish Government has repeatedly warned that any kind of Brexit will be disastrous for our most vulnerable citizens.

“The UK Government failed to carry out any meaningful assessment on the impact of Brexit, including an Equality Impact Assessment. The Scottish Government asked an independent expert Dr Eve Hepburn to review the social and equality impacts of leaving the EU on people in Scotland and across the UK.

“The Scottish Parliament, like the other devolved nations, has explicitly – and comprehensively – refused to give its consent to the UK Government’s Withdrawal Agreement Bill.

“Although Scotland is being pulled out of the EU against its will, the Scottish Government will not ignore the negative impact Brexit will have on people, including the most vulnerable in our society.

“This report underlines, yet again, why the future of Scotland should be in its own hands.”

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald said: “Any form of Brexit will be bad for Scotland – and will hit jobs and household incomes in our city.

 “With just days until the UK is due to leave the EU, people and businesses in Edinburgh will be understandably concerned with the complete lack of clarity coming from Boris Johnson’s government.

“Far from delivering extra cash for the NHS, as was infamously promised by the Leave campaign bus, people face losing access to public services, the ability to buy daily essentials in the case of price rises and access to affordable housing.

“Every local authority area in Scotland voted to remain in the EU – Edinburgh voted to remain by 74% – and yet we’ve been completely ignored by the Tory government ever since.

“It is clearer than ever that the best future for Scotland is one as an equal, independent European nation.”

“The Social and Equality Impacts of Brexit’ report

PM Boris Johnson signed the Withdrawal Agreement on Friday. He said: “The signing of the Withdrawal Agreement is a fantastic moment, which finally delivers the result of the 2016 referendum and brings to an end far too many years of argument and division.

“We can now move forward as one country – with a Government focused upon delivering better public services, greater opportunity and unleashing the potential of every corner of our brilliant United Kingdom, while building a strong new relationship with the EU as friends and sovereign equals.”

Brexit poses threat to future of Edinburgh Festivals, says MSP

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald raised has concerns in The Scottish Parliament, over the threat that Brexit poses to the future of the Edinburgh Festivals.

The Edinburgh Pentlands MSP asked The Scottish Government “what impact the Tory government’s plans to impose further restrictions on EU workers coming to Scotland will have on our internationally acclaimed festivals.”

Festival organisers have previously described the visa process for performers who want to appear at Edinburgh arts festivals as “humiliating” and “Kafka-esque”.

In response to Gordon MacDonald, the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Fiona Hyslop, highlighted that the additional restrictions on people to coming to this country will affect both artists and visitors. She said that the “attitude of the UK government and its attitude towards Europe will affect how people see this country”.

Gordon MacDonald has repeatedly highlighted the “devastating” impact that the UK government’s hostile environment has had on the ability to attract international guests to Edinburgh’s festivals.

In a Members’ Debate that he led last year, he argued that since the Tory government introduced hard-line visa controls, visa applications for performers have been hit by refusals, errors and delays, with some acclaimed international writers, actors and musicians forced to cancel trips to festivals across the capital.

The SNP MSP has now written to the UK government to raise these additional concerns for the future of the capital’s festivals.

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, said: “The Edinburgh Festivals are world class and have enormous cultural and economic benefits, not only for our capital, but for Scotland.

“The success of the Festivals rely on the seamless flow of artists and people from across the world – something that the Tory government seem intent on preventing.

“For years now, artists have been deterred from coming here because of the UK government’s humiliating application process and their current obsession with a hard Brexit looks like it is going to make this situation worse.

“The UK government need to open their eyes to the damage they are causing to our festivals.”

Gordon MacDonald MSP’s letter to Rt Hon Baroness Nicky Morgan:

Dear Nicky,

Edinburgh Festivals – Restrictions on EU workers

As you will be aware, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival and the city is well recognised for its world-leading festival scene.

Over the last few years it has become apparent that the Festivals have experienced significant challenges due to UK government hard-line visa controls. This is an issue that has been raised by myself, Deidre Brock MP and the industry on several occasions.

However, on this occasion, I am writing to express further concern for the Festivals following the announcement by the UK government of plans to impose further restrictions on EU workers coming to the UK.

The success of the Festivals rely on the seamless flow of artists and people from across the world, and the current immigration system has already had a negative impact on the Festival’s ability to attract international artists. I’m sure you can appreciate the concerns about even further restrictions for workers entering the UK.

Can you confirm that you be attending the Scottish Government’s summit on festival visas in February 2020? Can you commit to meet industry representatives to discuss the UK government’s new plans for EU workers and how this will affect the Edinburgh festivals?

Yours sincerely,

Gordon Macdonald MSP

Prime Minister: NO to Indyref2

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has rejected Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a transfer of powers to enable Holyrood to hold a second independence referendum.

In a letter to the First Minister this morning, Boris Johnson said another independence referendum would cause ‘continued political stagnation’ in Scotland and he urged Ms Sturgeon to work to ‘unleash the potential of this great country.’

I suspect we haven’t heard the last of this …

Nicola_Sturgeon_letter 20200114

Decade of Renewal? Chancellor launches Budget process

  • Chancellor says Budget will set out ambitious plans to unleash Britain’s potential, level up across the UK and usher in a decade of renewal
  • Budget will start a new chapter for the economy, seizing the opportunities that come from getting Brexit done

Continue reading Decade of Renewal? Chancellor launches Budget process

Let’s Get To Work: Prime Minister’s New Year message

That distinctive sound you may have heard at midnight as the bongs of Big Ben faded away was not the popping of champagne corks or the crackle of fireworks from your neighbour’s garden.

Rather it was the starting gun being fired on what promises to be a fantastic year and a remarkable decade for our United Kingdom. Continue reading Let’s Get To Work: Prime Minister’s New Year message

What a waste: Holyrood spends £100 million to mitigate Tory welfare cuts

This year more than £100 million has been spent to mitigate the effects of UK Government austerity and this money could have been better spent on more anti-poverty measures, Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said. Continue reading What a waste: Holyrood spends £100 million to mitigate Tory welfare cuts

Warning to Westminster over Australian-style immigration sytem

Calls for tailored migration policies to support Scottish repopulation

The introduction of any Australian-style points-based immigration system in the UK must recognise Scotland’s unique needs, the Scottish Government has said. Continue reading Warning to Westminster over Australian-style immigration sytem

Queen’s Speech raises fears over ‘no deal’ brexit

UK Government legislation puts the prospect of a damaging ‘no deal’ Brexit more firmly back on the table, the Scottish Government has warned.

The Queen’s Speech made clear the UK Government intends to bring forward legislation to ensure there can be no extension to the implementation period beyond 2020, even if no future partnership has been agreed.

According to Scottish Government analysis, the country’s economy would suffer significant damage under Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. A ‘no deal’ outcome would cause even more damage with profound consequences for jobs, investment and living standards.

Commenting on the Queen’s Speech, Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations Michael Russell said: “Once again the prospect of a disastrous ‘no deal’ Brexit is looming for Scotland if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal.

“The decision to remove Scotland from the European Union, which ignores the will of the Scottish people, is the most serious example of the democratic deficit in our post-devolution relationship with the UK Government.

“A ‘no deal’ Brexit would further and seriously compound the harmful effects of this decision and have a very damaging effect on our economy.”

Collision course: A brighter future for Scotland outside the EU, says Scottish Secretary

Legislation in the Queen’s Speech will allow us to get Brexit done, leave the EU on 31 January, and forge a bright future for Scotland and the rest of the UK, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said yesterday.

Mr Jack was speaking after Her Majesty The Queen had delivered a speech which set out the UK Government’s ‘ambitious and optimistic’ legislative agenda for the coming Parliamentary session.

The Scottish Secretary said: “Legislation outlined in the Queen’s Speech will mean we can finally get Brexit done, leave the EU on 31 January and forge a bright future for Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“We will take back control of our fishing waters, introduce a modern, fairer points-based immigration system. We will free our farmers from the bureaucratic Common Agricultural Policy, and move to a system that works for them. We will put the arguments and uncertainty behind us, agree the Prime Minister’s deal, and go on to strike ambitious trade deals around the world.

“Today, the Prime Minister has once again made clear his unwavering commitment to strengthening the Union and bringing all parts of our country together. People in Scotland are fed up with constant political wrangling and wasteful debate. That is why we will not support the First Minister’s plans for another unwanted referendum on separation.

“We will also take steps to improve the environment and keep the UK at the forefront of tackling climate change. The UK Government is bringing world leaders to Glasgow for the COP26 conference next year. It will showcase our advanced renewable sector, give a huge boost to the local economy and have a lasting legacy for our global environment.”

The Tories’ bright new dawn has now been universally welcomed, of course. Scotland’s First Minister yesterday outlined her alternative future for Scotland (see previous blog post) and the Queen’s Speech also came in for criticism from a number of organisations.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady criticised the Queen’s Speech for failing to live up to the promises made to working families during the election. She said: “Working people will want to check the small print before trusting this government’s promises.

“Ministers should be taking action to outlaw hated zero-hours contracts, which trap working families in poverty. And they should get wages rising by empowering workers to negotiate fair pay.

“We know that many in the cabinet are desperate to drive down labour standards. That’s why the government has launched another attack on the democratic right to strike to make it harder for working people to stand up for their rights.

“No more excuses – the new government must improve rights at work and get wages rising to help working families.”

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of the Local Government Information Unit said: “The big question about this UK government is whether it represents continuity or radical change. This was the most ambitious Queen’s Speech we have seen for some years, seeking to signal that the Government has ambitions beyond Brexit with a wide ranging domestic policy agenda.

“But most of the measures relating directly to local government, will be of only academic interest to Scottish councils as funding and social care are devolved and English devolution is, by definition, concerned only with England. On all these issues, local government in England is likely to feel that it is as far as ever from sustainable solutions.

“In Scotland, interest is likely to focus on the broader issues addressed in the Queen’s Speech, Brexit, climate change and a commitment to a constitutional review. Across all these areas, the stage seems set for a constitutional showdown between Westminster and Holyrood.

“It is clear that we are heading for a difficult period with a UK civil service trying to work with trust and integrity for two very different governments. The key rub will be how the Barnett consequential monies for the NHS and other services are used and applied. And where will that leave local government funding.

“It’s essential that local government and its partners be part of that conversation and that whatever constitutional settlement we end up with recognises the importance of autonomous, well-funded local government as a crucial vehicle for delivering on the hopes and aspirations of communities across Scotland.”