Urgent clarity sought on transition arrangements

(Article via www.gov.scot 27/10/17)

The First Minister has written to the Prime Minister to seek clarity on plans for a transition arrangement as the United Kingdom leaves the EU. The full text of the letter is set out below.

As you know the people of Scotland did not vote to leave the European Union and the Scottish Parliament has made clear on a number of occasions our cross party opposition to your proposals to leave the single market and to end freedom of movement.

Despite our position I welcomed the indication in your Florence speech that you would be seeking urgent agreement on a transition period of two years as a sensible step forward in Brexit negotiations. I have been of the view for some time that in the event of Brexit a transition period is essential in order to allow businesses and governments across the UK and beyond to manage the profound uncertainties of the Brexit process.

However since then, and particularly as a result of your comments in the House of Commons on Monday, the clarity of your intentions, and thus the confidence of business that there will be a sensible transition period agreed quickly, has been seriously undermined. This relates in particular to your comments suggesting no transition can be agreed, or formalised, until there is agreement on the future relationship.

I am therefore urgently seeking your assurances that you are committed to rapidly putting in place transition arrangements that will meet the needs of business.

Given the differences in recent statements both from you and from those ministers with responsibility for Brexit I believe absolute clarity of the UK Government’s aims in this regard is required and would be welcomed.

Can you confirm that:

• You are urgently seeking agreement on a transition arrangement of at least 2 years, with the aim of securing that agreement by the end of this year;
• this will be based on the current structure of EU rules – a steady state transition;
• that you are not making your agreement to such a transition conditional on agreement before March 2019 on the detailed terms of the future relationship between the UK and EU?

I am increasingly concerned by the possibility that your negotiations may result in a “no deal” scenario. The Scottish Parliament gave a clear view this week that a no deal situation would not be acceptable and I believe that if the UK finds itself in that position, that no Brexit would be preferable to no deal – or indeed a bad deal – and that each of the Parliaments in the UK must have the opportunity to take a view on that.

I look forward to your urgent response and clear assurances you can provide to business that you will deliver the certainty promised in Florence.

NICOLA STURGEON

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/first-minister-letter-to-prime-minister-on-eu-withdrawal

Support for guaranteeing rights of EU citizens in the UK

(Article via www.gov.scot 25/10/17)

The Scottish Parliament has backed a call for the UK Government to stop a “no deal Brexit”, guaranteeing the rights of our fellow EU citizens in the UK without imposing charges and amending the EU Withdrawal Bill to respect devolution.

In a debate today, Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell updated Parliament on the latest developments on Brexit. This included the latest on EU negotiations and the outcomes of the recent Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations. He also spoke about the growing public support for Scotland to remain within the EU.

Mr Russell said:

“Scotland’s interests – and the interests of all who live and work here – would be best served by remaining in the EU, and if that is not possible, remaining within the Single Market and Customs Union.

“If there was a ‘no deal Brexit’, the consequences would go from dreadful to catastrophic. The economic, social and reputational damage such an outcome would inflict would be excessive and unwarranted. More and more people across business and in our communities are expressing their concern at the damage being done to our economy and public services.

“It is simply unacceptable that there is still so much uncertainty surrounding the rights of EU citizens in the UK. We urge the UK Government to reach agreement and give EU citizens here, and UK citizens in other EU countries, the certainty to which they are entitled.

“The Scottish Government cannot nor ever will support a no deal outcome and I am pleased the Scottish Parliament has now backed this position.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/parliament-rejects-no-deal-brexit

Fibre connection for over 90% of communities, businesses and homes

(Article via www.gov.scot 22 oct 2017)

More than 800,000 premises in Scotland can now benefit from fibre broadband, following 34,000 connections in the last six months.

The £428 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) scheme is on track to meet its target of 95% by the end of this year.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“Fast internet connection is vital to the economic and social wellbeing of our rural communities, supporting businesses and improving lives of local people.

“Last year we made faster progress than any other part of the UK and we are on-track to meet our Programme for Government commitment of 95% coverage by the end of this year.

“However, these upgrades are not automatic. I would encourage more people to check whether they are eligible on the DSSB website and contact a service provider of their choice to start receiving faster broadband.

“I am not complacent – I am aware that those who do not have access are at a disadvantage and our job is not done until everyone is connected. We are now focussing on the next steps to achieve 100% coverage by 2021.”

Robert Thorburn, Openreach digital partnership director for Scotland, said:

“We’re working flat out to bring high-speed fibre broadband to as many Scottish communities and households as possible and we’re continuing to make good progress.

“It’s fantastic to be reaching smaller communities such as Gairloch, Drummore and Ballantrae and it means many people in these places can now order their fastest-ever broadband speeds from a wide range of providers.

“With around a third of homes and businesses having upgraded to fibre so far, there’s plenty of scope for more Scots to benefit from these much faster speeds.”

UK Minister for Digital Matt Hancock said:

“I’m delighted that more than 800,000 Scottish homes and businesses have now had their internet speeds boosted as part of our UK wide rollout of superfast broadband. By the end of this year 95 per cent of UK properties will have access to superfast speeds, but more needs to be done to make sure no-one is left behind.

“We know just how important broadband is in the digital age, and we’ll continue to support Digital Scotland delivering on the ground so that by 2020 everyone in Scotland, and the rest of the UK, will have access to a fast, reliable and affordable internet connection.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/broadband-coverage-extended

Consultation launched on next steps

(Article via www.gov.scot 20 oct 2017)

Work to establish a Scottish National Investment Bank takes a step forward today with the launch by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon of a public consultation on the details of the Bank’s operation.

Addressing an international conference on inclusive growth in Glasgow, the First Minister set out a number of steps the Scottish Government is taking to reduce inequalities and ensure that all parts of society benefit from economic prosperity.

As was set out in the revised Economic Strategy, the Scottish Government recognises that for long-term, sustainable growth, it is vital that everyone has a stake in our country’s success.

The establishment of a national investment bank was a key measure announced in the Programme for Government in September. Benny Higgins, CEO of Tesco Bank, was appointed to lead the work to develop an implementation plan, and he has convened a small advisory group to support him in the development of this plan.

Views are now being sought from the public on the detail of how best the Bank can meet its objective of supporting the Scottish economy and working for the benefit of the people of Scotland.

The First Minister said:

“The Council of Economic Advisers identified a national investment bank as an important means of delivering infrastructure development, finance for high growth businesses and strategic investments in innovation. Our Programme for Government committed to the establishment of such a Bank and I am delighted that Benny Higgins is leading the implementation work.

“Today, we are launching a consultation on the details of how best the bank can achieve those aims and support Scotland’s economy.

“However, we recognise that inclusive growth is another essential part of our focus on innovation and productivity.

“So we’ve also announced a range of measures to ensure that as we transform our economy, we leave no one in our society behind.

“We will establish a Just Transition Commission – a panel of experts from across society that will advise us on how to make the move to a low-carbon economy as equitable as possible.

“We will look at ways in which we can support the growth of employee ownership, and continue to pursue our fair work agenda.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/scottish-national-investment-bank-1

Scottish employment rates higher than the UK

(Article via www.gov.scot 18 oct 2017)

Scotland’s employment rate grew to 75.3% over the last quarter (June to August 2017). There are now 2,655,000 people aged 16 years and above in employment.

Labour Market Statistics released today by ONS today, show:

• Scotland’s employment rate increased by 1.2 percentage points over the quarter to 75.3%, above the UK rate of 75.1% with 35,000 more people in employment than the previous quarter
• 113,000 people were unemployed with unemployment rates at 4.1%, below the UK rate of 4.3%
• Over the quarter inactivity rates decreased by 1.4 percentage points to 21.5%, just above the UK rate of 21.4%
• Over the quarter Scotland’s female employment rate increased to 72.0%, higher than the UK rate of 70.7%
• Over the year youth unemployment decreased by 1.6 percentage points to 10.6%, lower than the UK at 13.3%.

Minster for Employability and Training Jamie Hepburn said:

“These latest employment figures are encouraging and are among the highest on record with 2,655,000 people in work in Scotland.

“Scotland has higher employment rates and lower unemployment rates than the UK with 91,000 more people in employment compared to the pre-recession peak. Youth unemployment rates continue to outperform the UK. This comes on top of us fulfilling our commitment to reduce youth unemployment by 40%, four years ahead of schedule.

“While these figures are positive we recognise there are still many barriers to getting people into work and are continuing to work to improve labour market conditions.

“We are expanding the range of opportunities available to young people through our Apprenticeship programme and recently announced £96 million of investment to deliver fairer employment support services through the new Fair Start Scotland programme.

“Today’s figures show the Scottish economy continues to perform well against a difficult backdrop with the lack of clarity from the UK Government on Brexit and proposals to leave the world’s biggest single market posing the single biggest threat to our economy.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/labour-market-statistics-1

FM: Tackling climate change a ‘moral imperative’ – and an economic opportunity.

(Article from www.gov.scot 13 oct 2017)

Investing in a low carbon future can bring significant opportunities for northern nations, the First Minister has set out in an address at the Arctic Circle Assembly.

Speaking at the annual gathering in Reykjavik, which is attended by governments and organisations with an interest in the Arctic region, Nicola Sturgeon set out her vision for greater economic collaboration among countries in northern Europe.

With arctic nations already accounting for half of the top ten sources of foreign investment into Scotland, as well three of the Scotland’s six largest export markets, the First Minister has said there are ‘clear benefits’ in forging even closer ties.

She also highlighted that she will host Scotland’s first-ever Arctic Circle Forum in Edinburgh this November.

The First Minister said:

“Action on climate change is, first and foremost, an overwhelming moral imperative – and Scotland is leading the way internationally in combatting it. Yet with Scotland employing almost 60,000 people in low carbon industries, there is still scope for significant further growth. Our northern nation neighbours are obvious partners in this.

“Scotland is taking an increasingly prominent role in the work of the Arctic Circle Assembly and associated cooperation, and I believe there are clear benefits for us all by forming closer ties. That is why I look forward to welcoming representatives from across the region to the Edinburgh forum next month.

“I am determined that Scotland will remain an open, internationalist, outward looking nation. Strengthening our role in the Arctic Circle is an important part of that.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/scotland-and-the-new-north