Scot Gov News: 95.1 % seen, admitted or discharged within four hours.

More than 95% of patients in Scotland’s core accident and emergency departments were seen, admitted or discharged within four hours.

Figures published by ISD Scotland for the week ending 2 July show that performance was 95.1% – up from 94.5% the previous week.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

“I’d like to thank all the health and social care staff who have contributed to the good performance seen in A&E departments over this week. Scotland has had the best performing emergency departments in the UK for more than two years. This has only been possible thanks to the hard work of NHS and social care workers.

“We are seeing progress across Scotland and it is encouraging that these latest weekly statistics show performance above the four hour standard.

“However, we know that the challenge is to ensure that we maintain this target on a consistent basis, as performance can fluctuate from week to week.

“That is why we are continuing to work closely with boards to take action to minimise long waits and improve patient flow through hospitals and into community care. This has been backed by an additional £9 million of investment to help fund this work and I am confident that it will lead to sustained improvements.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/ae-waiting-times-improve-1

Oil and Gas stabilises as economy grows by 0.8%.

(Article via www.gov.scot)

Expansion in the manufacturing sector has helped the Scottish economy to grow by 0.8% – the highest rate of quarterly growth in Scotland since the end of 2014, new figures reveal.

The positive growth figures show the Scottish economy rebounding from negative growth in the previous quarter – with a growth rate for the first quarter of 2017 that is four times the UK wide rate for the same quarter.

Statistics announced by Scotland’s Chief Statistician show:
•The Scottish economy grew by 0.8% in the first quarter of 2017. UK quarterly growth in the first quarter of 2017 was 0.2%
•In the first quarter of 2017, services in Scotland grew by 0.3%, production grew by 3.1%, and construction contracted by 0.7%
•Output in the metals industry, which includes much of the oil and gas supply chain, was up significantly. This follows the re-opening of the Dalzell steel plant after Scottish Government intervention to secure its future, and recent business survey evidence that output in the oil and gas supply chain may be stabilising.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said:

“Today’s figures are welcome and reinforce the fact that the fundamentals of Scotland’s economy are strong. Scotland’s output is now 6% above the pre-recession level and unemployment is at its lowest ever level.

“Since late 2014 our growth rate has been impacted significantly by the fortunes of the North Sea with around two thirds of the slowdown in 2016 attributed to the onshore impact of lower oil prices. Today’s figures show a rise in output in industries linked to the North Sea for the first time since 2014. While there is no room for complacency, these figures – alongside a number of recent business surveys – indicate that there is growing confidence in the sector.

“Manufacturing output is also up, in part due to the resumption of steel production at the Dalzell plant after the Scottish Government intervened to save this key strategic asset. The re-opening of Dalzell is just one of the actions the Scottish Government is taking to boost manufacturing – we are also supporting expansion of the aluminium smelter at Lochaber and the development of a new manufacturing centre in Renfrewshire.

“While today’s figures are positive, we will continue to do everything possible to support the performance of Scotland’s economy, particularly as Brexit uncertainty continues to cast a shadow over the future economic outlook. The Scottish Government will continue to use all of the powers at our disposal, including our £6.5bn infrastructure plan and our new £500 million Scottish Growth Scheme which opened for bids last month. We will also continue to invest in the doubling of free childcare and offer support for key industries including oil and gas, manufacturing, tourism and new technologies.

“Today’s figures are a welcome vote of confidence in our economy and the Scottish Government will continue to work hard to support it through difficult times ahead.”

GDP Statistics announced by Scotland’s Chief Statistician http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/PubGDP/GDP2017Q1/DOCS

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/scotlands-economy-bounces-back

New report examines evidence of impact in Scotland.

(Article via www.gov.scot)

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said today that women, disabled people and young people would be those disproportionately affected by damaging UK Government welfare cuts.

The Minister was commenting on a Scottish Government report detailing the impact of UK Government welfare cuts on people across Scotland published today.

The statutory report, which was submitted to the Scottish Parliament, estimates the impact of all welfare measures passed by the UK Government between 2010 and 2017 drawing upon independent analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Based on the latest forecasts, it is expected that the UK Government annual social security spend in Scotland will reduce by £3.9 billion by 2020/21. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people have lost or will lose some of their benefit payments.

Local authority level analysis suggests that West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire, Dundee, Inverclyde and North Lanarkshire will see the most significant falls in welfare spending by 2020/21 relative to their working-age population size.

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said: “This report presents the stark reality of the UK Government’s austerity programme which imposes unjust welfare cuts that not only continue to cause misery and push more people into poverty, but also directly affect local economies across Scotland and attract international criticism.

“These cuts are damaging our people and they are harmful to our communities. Every pound taken away from those entitled to financial support not only affects those individuals and their families, it is also a pound less that is spent locally.

“Shockingly, with many of the harshest cuts still to come, the reforms will reduce spending on welfare in Scotland by nearly £4 billion a year by the end of this decade. This is in addition to the 9.2% (or £2.9 billion) real terms cuts between 2010-11 and 2019-20 that the Scottish Government will see in the day-to-day budget that pays for public services – and that is before the further £3.5 billion of cuts that are expected to be applied to public spending across the UK in 2019-20.

“That will obviously have an impact on the amount of money the Scottish Government has available within its budget to spend. And while we have used over £350 million since 2013/14 to mitigate against the worst damage, it is simply not possible to for us to mitigate all of the UK Government’s welfare cuts without major reductions in our expenditure in other vital public services, in growing our economy and in providing real opportunity to our young people

“The UK Government is responsible for all of this damage to individual lives and local communities and we will continue to use every opportunity to press the UK Government to reverse these unjust policies. They need to recognise that social security is the foundation of a just and decent society and that everyone, no matter their social or economic status, deserves to be treated fairly and with dignity and respect. ”

Today the Scottish Government laid regulations in the Scottish Parliament to help people by making their Universal Credit payments more flexible.

The regulations, which represent the first use of the new devolved social security powers, will give Universal Credit claimants in Scotland the option of :
•being paid Universal Credit twice a month rather than monthly
•having their Universal Credit housing element being paid directly to landlords

Welcoming this, Ms Freeman continued:

“We have consistently said the new social security system in Scotland will treat everyone with dignity, fairness and respect. Introducing this flexible approach to Universal Credit demonstrates this and I look forward to the new regulations coming into force and making life that little bit easier for a number of people.”

The flexibilities will come in to force on 4 October 2017 and, because Universal credit remains a reserved UK Government benefit, will be delivered by the DWP on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/stark-reality-of-uk-government-welfare-cuts

Funding will provide vital continuity for community projects.

(Article via www.gov.scot)

Over two hundred projects working to promote equality and address discrimination will benefit from more than £20 million investment over the next year.

More than £5 million will be provided to organisations supporting engagement with communities experiencing prejudice on the grounds of age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation – while £2.7 million will go to frontline projects promoting equality and tackling prejudice.

Current funding levels of £11.8 million will be maintained to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls – including domestic abuse, sexual assault, and honour based violence including forced marriage and female genital mutilation. This will include £700,000 for Scotland’s local rape crisis centres to provide specialist services, information and support to rape and sexual abuse survivors.

In addition, a move to providing three year rolling funding over 2017-2020 will give vital reassurance and continuity to these organisations.

At a visit by Equalities Secretary Angela Constance to Fife Migrants Forum, which helps migrants and minority ethnic communities integrate into society and is a beneficiary of this funding, she said:

“We are determined to remove barriers that prevent anybody from making a full contribution to the economic, social and cultural fabric of our society.

“With this funding, we are continuing to support and empower people and groups to tackle inequality and discrimination head-on, helping secure positive and sustained change.

“My visit to Fife Migrants Forum has confirmed just how crucial projects like these are. As a nation with a long history of welcoming people of all nationalities and faiths, integration is essential.

“We want everybody to know that regardless of where they were born, live or what they do, when they live in Scotland they are valued members of our communities.”

Maciek Dokurno, Chair of Fife Migrants Forum said:

“We’re delighted the work Fife Migrants Forum is doing for people who come to live in Fife from outwith the UK is being recognised by the Scottish Government. We see and hear every day in our office about the barriers migrants face to becoming responsible and active members of their new community. The Forum is here to support them in a caring and non-judgemental way on their journey towards a new life whether through conversation cafes, IT skills training, welfare and legal advice or crisis support.

“Promoting equality, diversity and harmony in our communities is equally as important which we also do with our community partners.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/gbp-20-million-to-advance-equality-and-tackle-discrimination

Call for urgent meeting to discuss full implications of the funding agreement.

(Article on www.gov.scot)

In a letter to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has called for an urgent meeting and highlighted that the Scottish Government will invoke the formal dispute resolution mechanism, if this situation is not satisfactorily resolved by HM Treasury.

Mr Mackay said:

I am writing to you following yesterday’s announcement on the financial implications of the deal reached between the UK Government and the Democratic Unionist Party.

I would like to begin by making clear that the Scottish Government fundamentally disagrees with the way in which this additional funding for Northern Ireland has been allocated. All of the areas to which this £1 billion funding package has been allocated – infrastructure development, health (including mental health), education, broadband, deprivation – are devolved matters to which Barnett should apply.

The UK Government’s argument that there should be no Barnett consequentials for Scotland and Wales (or indeed funding for England) from the financial elements of the agreement is unacceptable and inconsistent with the terms of the Statement of Funding Policy. Paragraph 2.15 of the Statement of Funding Policy, is very clear that the “assessment of whether a programme is unique at a UK level [and thus outside the Barnett arrangements] should be exceptional [and that] any such assessment should be evidence-based, be undertaken in a timely manner, and be considered by Treasury ministers and their counterparts in the devolved administrations to ensure all viewpoints are understood before final decisions are taken.” This deal has not been properly considered in this way and no engagement was undertaken with Scottish (or Welsh) Ministers on the proposal and our viewpoints were not therefore considered. The funding situation is also inconsistent with what the Scottish Government had been led to expect as a result of the Secretary of State for Scotland’s statements last week and in the media.

I have also seen in the media that the Prime Minister has written to her Conservative MPs to explain that the DUP funding package is comparable to the way in which City Deal projects have been funded in Scotland and Wales. Mr Mundell has also indicated that in the UK Government’s view there have been precedents set for this type of funding, including allocations following the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements.

The Scottish Government simply does not accept this view about exceptional direct payments, as all the items covered in this deal are part of routine funding channels and not specifically reflective of the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland. Any suggestion that this funding arrangement is analogous to previous funding for City Deals in Scotland is also wrong and not in any way comparable, as City Deal funding is conditional on match funding from the Scottish Government’s own budgets and also requires contributions from Local Authorities and other regional partners in Scotland (again from their own budgets). There is no match funding expectation with the £1 billion offered to Northern Ireland. In addition, the “UK Government Financial Support for Northern Ireland” document published yesterday makes absolutely clear that on top of this £1 billion of additional expenditure, that the UK Government will also work towards “a comprehensive and ambitious set of City Deals for Northern Ireland” – from which the Scottish Government will receive no additional funding. So there is absolutely no direct link between previous City Deals for Scotland (or Wales) and the £1 billion funding arrangement that the UK Government has reached for Northern Ireland.

This UK Government deal prioritises expenditure in Northern Ireland at the cost of all other parts of the UK and leaves Scotland almost £3 billion worse off than it would be if funding had been allocated using the well-established arrangements set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.

During our introductory telephone conversation last Wednesday you made clear that you wanted to continue the process of constructive engagement with the three devolved Finance Ministers and that you were keen to arrange an early meeting.

As this situation is of significant importance to both the Scottish and Welsh Governments, I would request that an urgent meeting be arranged to allow both myself and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government from the Welsh Government, to meet with you to discuss the full implications of the funding agreement that was announced yesterday. This is in full accordance with the procedures set out in the Memorandum of Understanding (para A3.8) in relation to financial disputes.

It is my hope that we will be able to reach a satisfactory resolution to this situation which results in a funding allocation across Scotland, Wales and the rest of the UK that is fair and reasonable for all. However, as this is an issue of such significance to the Scottish Government, if we cannot agree we will look to pursue a more formal mechanism to resolve the situation by invoking the formal dispute resolution mechanism.

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills spoke with the Secretary of State for Scotland yesterday to make clear the Scottish Government’s dissatisfaction with the deal that has been struck. The Secretary of State has agreed to relay the points made by the Deputy First Minister to the Treasury and I would hope that this will bring additional weight to the points that I have made in this letter.

I am copying this letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland and to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Local Government in Wales.

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/uk-governmentdup-deal

Investment for homes in the Highlands

(Article by www.gov.scot)

A £10 million fund to build affordable homes across the Highlands has been announced by Housing Minister Kevin Stewart today (23rd June).

The Highland Infrastructure Fund is a partnership with The Highland Council and will support and accelerate the delivery of affordable housing across the region.

The government will provide £9 million of the fund with the council providing the additional £1 million.

It will allow the council to provide support in the form of either an infrastructure grant or loan to facilitate housing sites to move forward to construction.

The fund is part of the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal which also includes plans to improve transport networks, digital connectivity and the creation of a hub to encourage innovation of high growth businesses.

Mr Stewart said the fund will support the government’s ambitious commitment of delivering 50,000 affordable homes, including 35,000 for social rent by 2021.

He said:

“Increasing the supply of affordable homes is a key commitment and vital to our ambition of tackling poverty and inequality in our society.

“Recent figures show encouraging signs of activity within the sector as a whole and we want to keep that momentum going through continued investment.

“This fund will support the delivery of new housing in the Highlands and means

the council can plan for new affordable homes now.

“It’s a great example of how partnership working can deliver good quality homes in rural areas that suit the needs of local people, allowing them to remain within their communities.”

Leader of the Council, Margaret Davidson said:

“Availability of affordable housing is fundamentally important to the sustainability of communities in the Highlands. The Highland Council is committed, with our partners, through the City-Region Deal, to provide quality affordable homes which will help to retain a young and vibrant workforce and give our young people the best possible opportunities.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/gbp-10-million-for-affordable-housing

EU withdrawal must not see reduction in devolved competence.

(Article on www.gov.scot)

The UK Government must provide greater clarity on its Brexit plans, Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell has said, following the publication of the Queen’s Speech.

Mr Russell added that Brexit must not see the UK Government attempt to reduce devolved competence or attempt to avoid the need for legislative consent from Holyrood. The UK Government has indicated that it intends EU withdrawal would see all repatriated EU competences initially being exercised solely by Westminster, as part of a “transitional arrangement” ahead of discussions with devolved administrations on where powers should lie.

Commenting on today’s Queen’s Speech, Mr Russell said:

“The bulk of the Queen’s speech concerns the legislation necessary for the UK to withdraw from the European Union, demonstrating that as well as being harmful to the country, Brexit is set to take up all the UK government’s resources, forcing other important issues to be sidelined.

“The Scottish Government expects to be closely involved with the UK Government on proposed legislation that affects Scotland and it is time for far more transparency and openness from the UK Government and a joint co-operative approach.

“We expect that the Repeal Bill will require a Legislative Consent Motion, meaning that the Scottish Parliament will be able to express its view on Brexit. However, despite the imminent introduction of the Repeal Bill, the Scottish Government has not seen any of its draft provisions nor do we know the detail of the UK Government’s proposals. I urge the UK Government to share the bill with the Scottish Government as soon as possible”

Mr Russell added:

“The Scottish Government has been consistently clear that repatriated EU competences must return to the Scottish Parliament in areas where it is wholly or partly responsible, such as agriculture, fisheries environmental policy and justice.

“There can be absolutely no question of the UK Government attempting to reserve powers in devolved areas and the Scottish Government would not recommend the Scottish Parliament consents to such proposals. Where it is sensible or desirable to introduce a common UK framework to replace that provided by EU law, this must be achieved through agreement and negotiation.

“It is deeply concerning that the UK Government seems to intend that repatriated powers in devolved areas like agriculture should go by default to Westminster, with no clear recognition of the need for the consent of the Scottish Parliament under the Sewel Convention for such changes. This is clearly unacceptable.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/queens-speech-more-brexit-clarity-needed