News Article by BBC News 12/10/17
The BBC Reports that the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier says there has not been enough progress to move to the next stage of Brexit talks as the UK wants.

He said there was “new momentum” in the process but there was still “deadlock” over how much the UK pays when it leaves, which he called “disturbing”.

Brexit Secretary David Davis said he still hoped for the go-ahead for trade talks when EU leaders meet next week.

The pair were speaking after the fifth round of Brexit talks in Brussels.

Mr Barnier said: “I am not able in the current circumstances to propose next week to the European Council that we should start discussions on the future relationship.”

The UK’s Brexit Secretary David Davis urged EU leaders at the summit, on 19 and 20 October, to give Mr Barnier a mandate to start trade talks and to “build on the spirit of co-operation we now have”.

He said there had been progress on the area of citizens’ rights that had moved the two sides “even closer to a deal”.

The EU chief negotiator told reporters at the joint press conference he hoped for “decisive progress” by the time of the December summit of the European Council.

He said Theresa May’s announcement that Britain would honour financial commitments entered into as an EU member was “important”.

But he said there had been no negotiations on the issue this week because the UK was not ready to spell out what it would pay.

“On this question we have reached a state of deadlock which is very disturbing for thousands of project promoters in Europe and it’s disturbing also for taxpayers.”

Article Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41585430

Uncertainty impacting companies.

(Article via www.gov.scot news 11 oct 2017)

Business leaders across Scotland believe Brexit may hinder recruitment, hit the bottom line, and curtail future growth prospects, according to new report.

“Brexit: What’s at Stake for Businesses”, looks at the key issues from the point of view of businesses, in their own words, including:

• Glasgow Airport on the possible loss of the legal framework to fly its current EU routes and some long-haul, including to the US and Canada
• Loch Melfort Hotel, Argyll worries about the difficulty of having to attract and retain staff
• The Scottish Salmon Company with 60 sites, employing more than 500 people – on importance of remaining in the Single Market to allow trade relationships to grow

Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell said:

“This report articulates the concerns of Scottish businesses as the Brexit clock ticks towards the UK’s departure from the EU. It is clear that there is a great deal at stake for every business. Their voices must be listened to before irreversible decisions are taken.”

Founder and Creative Director of Maramedia Nigel Pope said:

“I’m delighted to see the publication of this report. As a producer of international wildlife programming with global relationships it’s essential that our business retains access to the Single Market for future growth.”

Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport said:

“The uncertainty regarding the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU is already having an impact on the aviation industry. A number of airlines have stated they will scale back their UK growth plans, focusing instead on adding capacity at airports in the EU. This has the potential to undermine Scotland’s connectivity.”

BBC News report 12/10/17

The Scottish government is to set up a publicly-owned, not-for-profit energy company, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

The SNP leader told the party’s conference that the company will sell energy to customers at “as close to cost price as possible”.

Ms Sturgeon said it would be set up by 2021, and would give people – particularly on low incomes – more choice of which supplier to use.

She also said the SNP will “always make the case for independence”.

Scottish government will create “publicly-owned not-for-profit” energy company, Nicola Sturgeon announces #SNP17 pic.twitter.com/y7qEpf3qpl

— ScottishPoliticsNews (@ScoPoliticsNews) 10 October 2017

And while the Scottish government has delayed plans for a second independence referendum, Ms Sturgeon insisted that the SNP still had a mandate for a vote on the issue.

She described the “essence of independence” as being “in charge of the decisions that shape your destiny” and “being in the driving seat and not simply at the mercy of events”.

The first minister declared: “We are the party of independence. The case for independence doesn’t depend on Brexit. But Brexit does show us what can happen when we don’t control our own future”.

Among Ms Sturgeon’s other announcements were:

A “truly transformational” doubling of spending on early-years childcare to £840m by 2020

A new scheme to provide free sanitary products in schools, colleges and universities from next August

All young people leaving care will be exempt from paying council tax

A £6m fund to help the tourist industry in Scotland’s more remote areas

Confirmed the 1% public sector pay will be lifted in Scotland

Announced that permission has been granted to the people of Ulva, an island off the west coast of Mull, to bring their island into community ownership

Article Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41560397

Huge expansion of free early learning and childcare.

(Article from gov.scot news 10/10/2017)

Spending on childcare will double to £840 million a year by 2021-22 in a bid to transform the life chances of children in Scotland.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s commitment to invest in a near doubling of entitlement to 1140 hours – around 30 hours a week – of free early learning and childcare from August 2020.

The move will ensure high-quality learning and care is available for all 3 and 4 year olds and eligible 2 year olds and is expected to save parents around £350 per child, per month.

The First Minister said:

“Our expansion of nursery education is truly transformational.

“Currently we deliver around 16 hours of early education and childcare a week – that’s already an expansion. But some parents still struggle to find and fund the childcare they need to allow them to work. We are going to change that.

“By 2020, we will deliver 30 hours a week for every three and four year old and eligible two year olds. It will give children the best start in life. It will free parents to find work. And each month it will save families around £350 per child on the costs of childcare.

“Over the past few months, we have undertaken detailed work to assess the investment needed. Right now, we invest around £420 million a year. By the end of this Parliament, that will double to £840 million a year.

“That is the kind of real, practical help that young parents need.”

EU Withdrawal Bill talks continue.

Speaking after today’s meeting with UK First Secretary of State Damian Green on the issues surrounding the current draft of the EU Withdrawal Bill – which was also attended by Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell and Scottish Secretary David Mundell – Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:

“Today’s meeting was a useful opportunity for an exchange of views between ourselves and the UK Government on Brexit and to discuss the current draft of the EU Withdrawal Bill.

“The discussions were constructive but we remain absolutely clear that, as things stand, we will not recommend to the Scottish Parliament that it gives its consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

“We made clear, we are not opposed in principle to UK-wide frameworks in certain areas – but this must be on the basis of agreement among equals, not imposed by Westminster.

“The bill as currently drafted is impractical and unworkable. It is a blatant power grab which would take existing competence over a wide range of devolved policy areas, including aspects of topics like agriculture and fishing, away from Holyrood, giving them instead to Westminster and Whitehall.

“That means that unless there are serious and significant changes to the proposed legislation, we will not recommend that the Scottish Parliament give consent to the bill.

“We will continue to talk to the UK Government so that the bill is changed to protect devolution. We emphasised to the First Secretary of State that the consent of the Scottish Parliament is required if there is to be agreement in this process.

“UK Ministers should be in no doubt – to override a vote of the Scottish Parliament and impose the EU Withdrawal Bill on Scotland would be an extraordinary and unprecedented step to take.

“The current proposals are a direct threat to the devolution settlement which the people of Scotland overwhelmingly voted for in 1997.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/devolution-must-be-protected

The UK Government must ‘urgently stop any power grab’ over policy areas exercised at EU level through the draft Withdrawal Bill, Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe, Michael Russell has warned.

Speaking ahead of a meeting with UK First Secretary of State Damian Green on the issue of the repatriation of powers following Brexit on Monday (25th) – which will also be attended by Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Secretary David Mundell – Mr Russell said:

“Earlier this week, the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales placed on record their disappointment with the current Withdrawal Bill and the reasons why it cannot be recommended to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly. As the bill stands it does not respect devolved policy areas and the UK Government must urgently put a stop to this power grab.

“This meeting provides a fresh opportunity to set out the fundamental flaws in the bill and to encourage the UK Ministers to take on board our amendments. This situation is easy to resolve and our amendments would, if adopted, enable the bill to go forward for the consent of the Scottish Parliament.

“If the UK Government agrees to consider these amendments carefully and stops this attack on devolution, then I have no doubt we can work together to reach a sensible consensus between all governments

“The UK Government has taken a step forward in its negotiations with Brussels so it is now time for them to fully recognise the principle of devolved powers and take a step forward in their relations with the Scottish Government.”