Commenting on the continued dispute between the governments of Spain and Catalonia on proposals for a referendum on Catalonia’s constitutional position, Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said:
“The decision over Catalonia’s future direction is a matter for the people who live there, and the Catalan and Spanish Governments are perfectly entitled to take positions for and against independence.
“However, all peoples have the right to self-determination and to choose the form of government best suited to their needs, a principle which is enshrined in the UN Charter.
“The Edinburgh Agreement was an example of how two governments, with diametrically opposed views on whether or not Scotland should become independent, were able to come together to agree a process to allow the people to decide. It is essential that democracy and civil rights are respected in all countries.”
The Scottish Government cannot recommend the Scottish Parliament give its consent to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill in its current form, the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell has told MSPs.
In a statement at Holyrood, Mr Russell set out the Government’s opposition to the Bill’s proposals to transfer responsibility for all EU law to Westminster, even for devolved matters.
He explained that this would mean the Scottish Parliament would have no say on changes to existing EU laws in areas including agriculture, fisheries, justice, forestry or research.
Mr Russell confirmed that a series of amendments, jointly agreed with the Welsh Government, will be published shortly. He also said that if no agreement is reached on the content of the Bill, Scottish Ministers will consider other available options for legislation in the Scottish Parliament to prepare devolved laws for the impact of EU withdrawal.
Pointing out that that the devolution settlement is based on the principle that policy areas are devolved unless they are specifically reserved in the Scotland Act, Mr Russell said:
“The EU (Withdrawal) Bill appears to represent a deliberate decision by the UK Government to use the process of Brexit as cover for taking powers in areas of policy which are clearly within the responsibility of this Parliament.
“In areas of Scottish devolved responsibility vital to the success of our country, such as agriculture, the environment, fisheries, forestry, research, or justice cooperation, the Scottish Parliament will have no say over what comes back from the EU on withdrawal or what is done with these important policy areas afterwards.
“It is not a logical, or essential, part of any Withdrawal Bill that new limitations are placed on the Scottish Parliament’s powers, on the National Assembly for Wales’s powers, or on the powers of the Northern Ireland Assembly.”
Mr Russell added:
“This is not a debate about whether we should leave the European Union. The position of this government and indeed the position of the people of Scotland expressed in last year’s referendum is clear on that matter. We don’t want to leave.”
But, he said: “We have frequently made it clear that, despite our wish to maintain EU membership, we recognise our obligation to prepare Scotland as best we can for what might transpire. Indeed Brexit is going to be such a dramatic, damaging upheaval to the UK’s legal systems and to our laws that it is imperative that we do everything we can to prepare responsibly for the consequences of EU withdrawal.
“The only appropriate way to divide powers between the governments is this: powers in relation to policy areas which are devolved must be for devolved ministers and devolved legislatures. Thereafter, there will be space, time and willingness to agree cooperation over the shared use of these powers in a way which respected the responsibility of this Parliament to hold to account those who make decisions in devolved areas.”
The Scottish Government cannot recommend the Scottish Parliament give its consent to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill in its current form, the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell has told MSPs.
In a statement at Holyrood, Mr Russell set out the Government’s opposition to the Bill’s proposals to transfer responsibility for all EU law to Westminster, even for devolved matters.
He explained that this would mean the Scottish Parliament would have no say on changes to existing EU laws in areas including agriculture, fisheries, justice, forestry or research.
Mr Russell confirmed that a series of amendments, jointly agreed with the Welsh Government, will be published shortly. He also said that if no agreement is reached on the content of the Bill, Scottish Ministers will consider other available options for legislation in the Scottish Parliament to prepare devolved laws for the impact of EU withdrawal.
Pointing out that that the devolution settlement is based on the principle that policy areas are devolved unless they are specifically reserved in the Scotland Act, Mr Russell said:
“The EU (Withdrawal) Bill appears to represent a deliberate decision by the UK Government to use the process of Brexit as cover for taking powers in areas of policy which are clearly within the responsibility of this Parliament.
“In areas of Scottish devolved responsibility vital to the success of our country, such as agriculture, the environment, fisheries, forestry, research, or justice cooperation, the Scottish Parliament will have no say over what comes back from the EU on withdrawal or what is done with these important policy areas afterwards.
“It is not a logical, or essential, part of any Withdrawal Bill that new limitations are placed on the Scottish Parliament’s powers, on the National Assembly for Wales’s powers, or on the powers of the Northern Ireland Assembly.”
Mr Russell added:
“This is not a debate about whether we should leave the European Union. The position of this government and indeed the position of the people of Scotland expressed in last year’s referendum is clear on that matter. We don’t want to leave.”
But, he said: “We have frequently made it clear that, despite our wish to maintain EU membership, we recognise our obligation to prepare Scotland as best we can for what might transpire. Indeed Brexit is going to be such a dramatic, damaging upheaval to the UK’s legal systems and to our laws that it is imperative that we do everything we can to prepare responsibly for the consequences of EU withdrawal.
“The only appropriate way to divide powers between the governments is this: powers in relation to policy areas which are devolved must be for devolved ministers and devolved legislatures. Thereafter, there will be space, time and willingness to agree cooperation over the shared use of these powers in a way which respected the responsibility of this Parliament to hold to account those who make decisions in devolved areas.”
Minister raises concerns over lack of engagement by UK Government.
The process for post-Brexit planning needs to change so that the position of the Scottish Government – particularly in areas that directly affect devolution – is properly represented according to the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe.
In a letter to the UK Government, Michael Russell has asked for the change in process to be made, setting out concerns over the lack of engagement on documents covering devolved areas such as science and innovation and areas that impact significantly on Scotland, such as future immigration and customs arrangements.
Improving the life chances of Scotland’s young people is the cornerstone of the government’s work for the coming year.
Education will be the focus of the Programme for Government, the legislative programme for 2017/18.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will present her vision for Scotland’s future when she addresses the Scottish Parliament later today.
The First Minister will highlight other areas of focus including the economy and health.
And she will outline how she will ensure Scotland continues to demonstrate strong leadership on climate change.
Speaking ahead of the publication, the First Minister said:
“Improving the education and life chances of our children and young people remains a defining mission of this Government.
“In the year ahead, this government will take steps to give children the best start in life. From Baby Box to the expansion of free high quality early learning and childcare, and from our work to tackle child poverty to school reforms that give more power to teachers, this government will build on our record of achievements in the year ahead.
“For changes that need legislation, we will bring forward an Education Governance Bill in 2018. Our priority is to ensure that teachers are given the confidence and the space to teach to the highest standards. We’ll give our head teachers new powers and make sure parents, families and communities play a bigger role in school life and in their children’s learning.
“And we will all – government, councils, and agencies – support our schools to do what they do best: transform the life chances of our children.
“When I address Parliament later today, I’ll be presenting the most ambitious plan ever to be brought forward by this government. I am proud that, ten years on, we are once again proving that Scotland is leading the way as a progressive nation.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today accompanied Her Majesty The Queen for the official opening of the Queensferry Crossing.
The event marked the culmination of six years work to build the structure, involving more than 15,000 people, at a cost of £1.35 billion – £245 million under the original budget.
Following a ribbon cutting ceremony on the south side of the bridge, undertaken by Her Majesty, The Queen was accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to an event on the north side where she unveiled a plaque officially declaring the Queensferry Crossing open.
This was followed a traditional folk performance by singer Karine Polwart, and the recital of a specially commissioned poem by Scotland’s Makar, Jackie Kay.
Showcasing a wide range of Scottish talent, there were also performances by, among others, KT Tunstall and King Creosote. The Red Arrows performed two flypasts above the bridge – going from south to north and also east to west across all three bridges while a flotilla comprising around ninety craft sailed below.
Speaking at the event, the First Minister said:
“This crossing is the tallest bridge in the UK. It has required 150,000 tonnes of concrete, 23,000 miles of steel cabling and 19 million hours of labour.
“But, far more important than those statistics are the benefits this bridge will bring. It will improve journey times, and bring benefits to families and businesses – not just in Fife and the Lothians, but across Scotland.
“It is already attracting global attention. Together, the three Forth bridges will bring people from around the world to admire their ingenuity and their beauty.
“It is an honour to have Her Majesty The Queen opening the new bridge for Scotland’s communities, just as she she opened the Forth Road Bridge, linking Fife and the Lothians.”
(News Article from Scot Govt website www.gov.scot)
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will next week unveil her most ambitious Programme for Government yet, focused around a bold agenda to strengthen and modernise the economy.
The programme – which will include 16 bills to add to the 11 currently in progress – is expected to include major reforms in education, health and justice alongside significant measures to safeguard the environment and improve the quality of housing.
Next year will see the government take forward more legislation than at any point since devolution with 27 bills being taken forward, made up of 16 new pieces of legislation and 11 bills already been announced.
The First Minister said:
“In the last decade, we have achieved many things. We have fashioned Scotland as a modern and outward-looking place.
“I am proud of our work and all that we have achieved. Now we again look to the future. It is time to refocus our efforts and refresh our agenda to meet the changing needs of our people and the unprecedented challenges of our times.
“As technology rapidly advances, so too must our economy. We have a moral responsibility to tackle climate change and an economic responsibility to prepare Scotland for the new, low carbon world.
“This Programme for Government is our plan to shape the kind of Scotland we all seek – an inclusive, fair, prosperous, innovative country, ready and willing to embrace the future.
“It includes major reforms in education, health and justice, new opportunities for our communities and important measures to safeguard the environment and improve the quality of housing.
“Crucially, this Programme for Government also sets out a bold and forward-looking economic vision – sending a clear message to our people, businesses, schools, colleges and universities, and to the wider world: Scotland‘s ambition is to be the inventor and the producer, not just a consumer, of the innovations that will shape the lives of our children and grandchildren.”
The First Minister added:
“Of course, Brexit will continue to provide the backdrop to much that we do over the next year. The Scottish Government will continue to make the case for remaining in the single market and customs union. We will take whatever steps we can to protect our economy from the damage Brexit will do.
“But Brexit poses a threat to more than just our economy. It is also a threat to our rights as citizens. That’s why we will work to protect human, environmental, employment and consumer rights. And we will protect the Scottish Parliament by resisting any attempt at a power grab by the UK Government.
“Over the next few months, we will also set out the case for further extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament in areas such as immigration, social security, employment rights and trade – and highlight where additional powers would enable us to better achieve the ambitions in this programme. We will seek to build consensus across the political spectrum and civic society.
“This programme sets out our next steps in creating the better future we all want for our nation.”
