Scot Gov Report

Matheson: work goes on to keep driving down violent crime.

The number of homicides in Scotland fell to their lowest on record last year – and around half their level from a decade ago, according to official figures published today.

A total of 57 homicide cases were recorded by police in Scotland in 2015-16 – representing an 8% fall on the previous year and 52% down on the 119 cases recorded in 2006-07.

The figure of 57 – contained in a new bulletin published by Scotland’s Chief Statistician today – is the lowest number for a single twelve-month period since 1976, the first year for which comparable data are available.

Responding to the figures, Cabinet Secretary for Justice Mr Matheson said:

“While it is encouraging to see continued falls in homicide cases alongside the long-term decline in violent crime, the sustained efforts that have helped achieve this – through education and enforcement – must continue, because each of the lives lost is one life too many.

“There is a clear role across a range of public services, in addition to the critical work of our police, to continue to support communities that may remain at risk from violent crime and to challenge irresponsible attitudes both to alcohol misuse and to so-called ‘casual’ violence.

“We will continue to work with partners and invest in a range of projects to help steer our young people away from the risks of a life of violence and crime, while also ensuring our law enforcement agencies and the courts have the powers and resources needed to deal with those who do harm to others.”

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Homicides-fall-to-record-low-2cec.aspx

FM announces help for developing countries to measure and tackle climate change.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has reaffirmed Scotland’s commitment to global leadership with £1 million to support developing countries tackle the challenge of climate change.

The Scottish Government funding will help developing countries better measure climate change and track its impacts, improving global assessment of progress following the Paris Agreement.

The move was announced by the First Minister at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, a gathering of around 2,000 delegates from 50 countries with an interest in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the planet.

Ms Sturgeon said:

“Scotland may not geographically be part of the Arctic Circle, but like every delegate here today we are committed to acting on climate change and limiting global temperature increases to below 1.5 degrees.

“We know the most damaging effects of climate change are in developing nations and fall disproportionately on the very young, the very old and the very poor.

“That’s why Scotland was the first national government in the world to establish a Climate Justice Fund, which now supports 11 projects in some of the world’s poorest communities in four sub-Saharan African countries.

“Following the Paris Agreement on climate change, countries can’t just stand back and wait – we all have to deliver. The funding I am announcing today will help developing countries better measure and track climate change, leading to a greater global understanding of how effective we are in limiting its effects.

“This is also a clear signal that we’ll do everything we can to remain an open, outward looking country that works to strengthen our partnerships around the world.”

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/International-action-on-climate-change-2c90.aspx

UCG will have no place in Scotland’s energy mix.

The Scottish Government will not support underground coal gasification (UCG) developments in Scotland following the publication of an independent report that highlights serious environmental concerns.

UCG should not be confused with hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, or coal-bed methane both of which are Unconventional Oil and Gas (UOG) technologies. Today’s announcement has no bearing on the policy on either of these technologies, which remain covered by the Scottish Government’s moratorium on UOG technologies.

The Scottish Government put in place a moratorium on UCG in October last year so that evidence on the practice could be gathered and considered.

Professor Campbell Gemmell of University of Glasgow was tasked to undertake an independent examination of UCG. Having received his report, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy Paul Wheelhouse today [Thursday, October 6] updated Parliament on the Scottish Government’s response to the findings.

The report finds that it would appear logical “to progress toward a ban” of UCG, based on a variety of reasons, including:

• the UCG industry having a history of incidents of pollution and losses of containment and;
• UCG presenting a serious issue to face in reducing Scotland’s carbon/greenhouse gas emissions without an operational storage method, such as carbon capture.

Mr Wheelhouse said:

“Having considered the report in detail, it is the Scottish Government’s view that UCG poses numerous and serious environmental risks and, on that basis, the Scottish Government cannot support this technology. Accordingly, UCG will have no place in Scotland’s energy mix at this time.

“In Professor Gemmell’s report he recommends it would be wise to consider an approach to UCG based upon a precautionary presumption against the technology, and that it would appear logical to progress toward a ban.

“I cannot predict what kind of clean energy technologies may be available in the decades to come, but what is certain is that this this resource will still be there. As a result of today’s announcement, our Energy Strategy for Scotland will set out an energy mix for the future that does not include UCG. The position I have announced on UCG is a clear validation of the evidence-based approach this government is taking and I thank Professor Gemmell for his work in preparing the report.”

Mr Wheelhouse has written to the UK Government, requesting that it issues no further UCG licences in Scotland and that existing licences are revoked. The Scottish Government will continue to use planning powers available to it to ensure UCG applications do not receive planning or environmental permission.

Professor Campbell Gemmell, Professor of Environment Research, Policy, Regulation and Governance at the University of Glasgow, said:

“I have consulted widely, including with industry, communities, regulators, academic specialists and NGOs, and studied the available evidence on the technologies and impacts involved in Underground Coal Gasification, including the variety of international experience. It is extremely difficult to conceive of UCG progressing into use at this time. Despite there being few longer-term operations at scale to consider, and no directly comparable operations in siting, regulatory and policy terms, there is both a history of incidents of pollution and losses of containment.

“In my view, the Scottish Government has responded appropriately to the available evidence on this technology.

“Should industry wish to progress this technology at scale here or overseas at some future date, several key factors would need to be addressed, including managing the potential impact of the greenhouse gases produced. The onus would also clearly be with the industry to demonstrate and provide evidence that it can operate to the high environmental standards that the government and public should expect.”

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Underground-coal-gasification-blocked-2c9f.aspx

£29M programme for innovative poverty measures part of Fairer Scotland Action Plan

Fifty bold and ambitious actions to achieve a fairer Scotland for everyone have been outlined in a landmark plan published today by Communities Secretary Angela Constance.

A £29 million programme, including £12.5m from the European Social Fund, is being established for communities and the third sector to design, test and deliver new approaches to tackling poverty and improving lives.

The Fairer Scotland Action Plan (FSAP) lists 50 actions to be achieved in the next 14 years under five themes of a fairer Scotland for all, an end to child poverty, a strong start for all young people, fairer working lives and a thriving third age:

•setting a target for councils to make at least 1% of their budgets available for community-designed projects
•making funds available to support disabled people running for elected office
•helping refugee families settling in Scotland under Family Reunion rules access grants as quickly as possible
•delivering 100% superfast broadband and helping low-income households reduce costs
•convening an affordable energy summit
•the first national plan for BSL
•help to promote family-friendly working
•introducing a Bill to establish domestic abuse as a specific offence.

And for the first time anywhere in the UK, the FSAP commits the Scottish Government, councils and other public bodies to a Socio-Economic Duty – assessing the impact certain policy or service changes will have on tackling poverty – which will soon go to consultation.

Already backed by specific pledges from some of Scotland’s best-known employers and third sector bodies, the plan was launched at the Prince’s Trust’s Glasgow headquarters, where Communities Secretary Angela Constance joined in a workshop with local teenagers.

Ms Constance said:

“Our ambition is for a fair, smart, inclusive Scotland with genuine equality of opportunity for everyone.

“Our Fairer Scotland Action Plan backs up that ambition with concrete action.

“It contains 50 specific steps to create a more equal society – including eradicating child poverty – and a new £29 million programme to tackle poverty.

“We are also the first in the UK to commit to making all public bodies consider how our big decisions tackle poverty, by implementing a socio-economic duty.

“In addition, some of our best-known employers are joining us in these efforts by signing pledges to do more. They see it’s not only the right thing to do but also good business.

“This is a watershed moment in Scotland and a significant milestone in our quest for equality.

“Through these bold and ambitious steps, Scotland will be a fairer, more equal country for everyone by 2030.”

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said:

“The Fairer Scotland Action Plan’s new £29 million programme, which has secured £12.5m from the European Social Fund, will enable communities and the third sector to develop and deliver innovative solutions to poverty and disadvantage.

“We all know that in June, Scotland voted to remain in the EU and the Scottish Government firmly believes that membership delivers many social, economic and cultural benefits for individuals, business and communities.

“This investment from the European Structural Funds is yet another illustration of these advantages and is why maintaining our EU membership and preserving this kind of funding for the long term is a top priority.”

Allan Watt, Prince’s Trust Scotland, Director, said:

“Too many young people lose hope and leave school or college with few qualifications, low levels of confidence and low aspirations for the future. An important focus of our Fairer Scotland pledge is to help close the education attainment gap for disadvantaged young people.

“The Prince’s Trust’s new education programme, Achieve, will support those young people by giving them more chances and opportunities to change their lives.”

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, Chief Executive of Virgin Money, which has pledged in the plan, said:

“The publication of the Scottish Government’s “Fairer Scotland Action Plan” is a timely challenge to us all to do our bit to make Scotland a fairer place in which to live and work.

“I firmly believe that businesses as well as individuals have a key role to play in this movement. I fully support the Scottish Government for taking this positive step forward.”

Jim Sweeney MBE, YouthLink Chief Executive, said:

“YouthLink Scotland, the National Agency for Youth Work in Scotland, are delighted to support disseminate and contribute to the Action Plan for A Fairer Scotland.

“With our hundred plus member organisations and networks we will promote equality and diversity, rights and participation for the 400,000 young people involved with youth work on a regular basis.”

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Fifty-actions-to-achieve-a-fairer-Scotland-2c80.aspx

Scot Gov Health Secretary condemns UK Government’s “short-sighted” approach

Scotland’s Health Secretary, Shona Robison, has today said that doctors from abroad will be welcome to train and work in the NHS north of the border.

Ms Robison condemned comments from the UK Government this morning that overseas doctors will only be able to stay in the NHS until they are replaced by UK doctors.

Ms Robison said: “These are irresponsible comments that will hamper NHS efforts to recruit doctors to vacancies and training places now – and that in turn could have a real impact on patient care.

“As such, the UK Government’s position is short-sighted in the extreme.

“Medical professionals from outside this country have played a vital and valued part in our NHS for decades, and continue to do so, and their contribution should not be dismissed in this way.

“In Scotland we want the best and the brightest from around the world to stay, build their careers here and contribute to the economy and our society.

“Of course it is also very important to invest in our workforce at home too. That is why we have already announced an additional 50 medical student places in Scottish Universities from August 2016, and a new Graduate Entry Medical programme with up to 40 places available.

“Our young doctors want good quality, attractive training places which offer rewarding experiences and flexible working.

“But it has also long been a common practice that young doctors go abroad to experience the different opportunities and challenges of health services across the world – we shouldn’t deprive them of these experiences, because the UK Government’s actions also risk shutting down such opportunities for our own young medics.”

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Overseas-doctors-welcome-in-Scotland-2c75.aspx