Scottish Government to recommend consent is rejected.

Speaking after today’s meeting with UK First Secretary of State Damian Green on the issue of the repatriation of powers following Brexit – which was also attended by Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Secretary David Mundell – Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell said:

“Today was a useful opportunity for an exchange of views between ourselves and the UK Government on Brexit and the repatriation of powers it will involve.

“But following today’s meeting 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.

“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 things 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, the strong likelihood is that the Scottish Parliament will vote against the repeal bill.

“To be clear, that would not block Brexit and we have never claimed to have a veto over EU withdrawal.

“But UK Ministers should still 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.

“What is now needed is a recognition from the UK Government that the bill as drafted cannot proceed. It should be changed to take account of the very serious concerns expressed by the Scottish and Welsh Governments.

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

“As we have 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.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/brexit-bill-talks

Scot Gov News: Hundreds of schools to benefit.

More than £45 million will be provided to primary and secondary schools in 2017/18 to help close the poverty-related attainment gap, Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced today.

Nine local authorities and an additional 72 individual schools have been allocated funding from the Scottish Attainment Challenge, for education initiatives and projects targeting Scotland’s most deprived children.

Mr Swinney made the announcement during a visit to Newark Primary School Holiday Club in Port Glasgow where a range of opportunities for families to learn and play together over the school holidays has been made possible by previous Scottish Attainment Challenge funding. He said:

“Improving the education and life chances of our children and young people is the defining mission of this government. Central to this is the Scottish Attainment Challenge, which is providing £750 million during the course of this Parliament to tackle the poverty-related attainment gap by supporting hundreds of schools develop approaches to improve literacy, numeracy and health and well-being.

“During my visit to Newark Primary School I was able to see first-hand the very real benefit this funding is having on children and young people, their families and the wider community. Today’s announcement ensures local authorities and individual schools where the need is greatest have substantial additional funding for the coming year to tailor their plans based on their own circumstances.

“This work, along with the introduction of Pupil Equity Funding, forms the backbone of our focus to target resources where they are needed the most whilst also empowering schools to ultimately improve the life chances of all of children and young people in Scotland.”

Inverclyde Council Leader Councillor Stephen McCabe said:

“We have been able to more than double the provision of lunch clubs across Inverclyde this summer and hundreds of families have been enjoying the range of activities and lunches on offer.

“We recognise that key to closing the attainment gap is the involvement of parents and families in a child’s education – from attending parents’ evenings, parent councils and home learning – so that teaching in the classroom can be supported in the home.

“Families spending time together over the summer in a fun, relaxed and informal setting is a great way to start that process and also an opportunity for us to let people know about other resources and added support we have available to them.

“Inverclyde is performing very well when it comes to education and our £270 million investment in new and refurbished schools alongside the excellent work being undertaken as part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge to reduce the attainment gap linked to deprivation is playing a major part in that success.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/gbp-45-million-to-close-attainment-gap

Scottish Parliament urged to back move to protect devolved powers.

Members of the Scottish Parliament must come together to ensure that Parliament retains its hard-fought for ability to make laws in devolved areas, Minister for UK Negotiations of Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell said today.

Following publication of the EU Withdrawal Bill, Mr Russell has written to all MSPs to explain the implications of the Bill and to set out the Scottish Government’s position.

Mr Russell said that Scotland risks having to fight for powers that should rightfully belong to the Scottish Parliament, since the UK Government’s EU (Withdrawal) Bill contains no promise to protect these.

The UK Government acknowledges that the Bill requires the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly of Wales, but without an explicit guarantee in the bill of powers going directly to devolved administrations, both governments have indicated that they will not recommend that consent be given.

Despite lifting the restriction on the UK requiring compliance with EU law, the Bill does the following to devolution:
•imposes new restrictions on the Scottish Parliament and Government
•provides Scottish Ministers with only limited powers to make corrections to EU law in devolved areas
•reserves to the UK Government alone control of the scope and extent of any UK-wide frameworks required to replace EU laws

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

“Scotland will stand the best chance of keeping control of its devolved powers if the Scottish Government can act with the full backing of our national Parliament.

“The First Minister has already called on Members of the Scottish Parliament to join us now, with no equivocation, to back demands for the democratically elected Scottish Government to be at the table in the UK’s Brexit negotiating strategy. But we also need to make a stand against the UK Government retaining powers that rightfully should come to Scotland once repatriated from the EU.

“Scotland has been able to make its own decisions on Health, Justice, Education and many more since 1999 and we simply ask for a promise from the UK Government, to be written in the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, that Scotland – along with Wales and Northern Ireland – receive the powers that are justly theirs.”

Text of Mr Russell’s letter to MSPs below:

EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) BILL

Today the UK Government introduced the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill to the House of Commons.

This is a complicated and significant piece of legislation. It has fundamental implications not only for the UK’s membership of the EU, but also for the powers and role of the Scottish Parliament. I am therefore writing to all Members to draw it to your attention.

The published version of the bill can be found via the following link: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2017-2019/0005/18005.pdf

The Bill does four main things. Firstly, it repeals the European Communities Act 1972. Secondly, it saves and incorporates EU law into domestic law as it exists on exit day, which it refers to as “retained EU law”. Thirdly, the bill gives UK Ministers powers in reserved and devolved areas to correct deficiencies in retained EU law arising as a result of withdrawal, prevent or remedy breaches in any international agreements arising from withdrawal and implement the withdrawal agreement. The Bill also gives Ministers from the devolved administrations their own versions of these three powers, although those are subject to a number of detailed restrictions. Finally, the bill imposes a new constraint on all of the devolution settlements which prevents the devolved administrations from modifying retained EU law, in policy areas that are otherwise devolved, unless what they are doing is in line with pre-existing EU law.

The Scottish Government has serious concerns about the bill in a number of areas.

Firstly, and most fundamentally, the competence restrictions imposed by the bill are asymmetrical. The bill lifts from the UK Government and Parliament the requirement to comply with EU law, but does the opposite for the devolved legislatures by imposing a new set of strict restrictions – restrictions which make no sense in the context of the UK leaving the EU.

To put it simply, in reserved areas that are currently subject to EU law, the UK parliament regains the ability to legislate without restriction. In devolved areas, the Scottish Parliament does not – it will only be able to do so in future if the UK government grants permission by Order in Council.

The result of those asymmetrical competence restrictions, will be to leave the ultimate decisions on UK-wide frameworks on matters that are otherwise devolved to the UK Government and Parliament. While the Scottish Government recognises that common frameworks to replace EU laws across the UK may be needed in some areas, the competence in matters that are otherwise devolved should revert to the Scottish Parliament, enabling the scope and content of any UK-wide frameworks to be agreed between the UK Government and the devolved administrations, rather than imposed.

We are also concerned that the scheme in the bill for correcting devolved law is unlikely to be workable in its current form. It creates a complex division of decision-making responsibility that does not reflect the reality of devolution. In particular, it empowers UK Ministers to make changes in devolved policy areas without ANY involvement of either the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliament. This includes policy areas, such as the Scottish justice system, where the Scottish Parliament has primary responsibility.

We have made clear to the UK Government that we are prepared to work with it to ensure that there is coherence and stability for both Scotland and the rest of the UK on the day the UK withdraws from the EU. We will take forward discussion of the bill and the UK Government’s proposals for implementation on that basis. However, we have also made clear that, in light of the concerns set out above, the Scottish Government would not be able to support the bill as it currently stands.

The Scottish Government’s concerns are shared by the Welsh Government. Members may wish to note that a joint statement was made by the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales setting out the position of the two governments on the bill.

https://news.gov.scot/news/eu-bill-doesnt-reflect-reality-of-devolution

Scot Gov News: Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf on-site today.

Minister for Transport and the Islands Humza Yousaf has today marked the start of a £31.2 million project to construct a bypass at Dalry.

Mr Yousaf was on-site to break ground on the new bypass which will be built to the east of the North Ayrshire town.

The project will involve the construction of a four kilometre bypass as well as two new roundabouts, at Hillend and Highfield, and a viaduct to carry the new road over the River Garnock and the Glasgow to Ayr railway line. Works will also be required to connect the new Bypass to the existing A737 Trunk Road east of Highfield.

Transport Scotland appointed contractor Farrans Roadbridge Joint Venture in May to construct the bypass.

Upon completion the bypass will encourage improved economic and employment opportunities through better journey time reliability for motorists and businesses along the length of the A737. In addition, the Dalry Bypass will help separate local and strategic traffic, leading to improved safety for both rural road users and communities.

Mr Yousaf said:

“I am delighted to be here at Dalry today, to mark the start of the first of two major investments on the A737 to improve this key route in the southwest of Scotland.

“Delivery of the scheme will help strengthen the economy for the local communities by providing improved journey times as well reducing the demand placed upon the current road by long-distance road users.

“The Scottish Government is committed to having a safer and more efficient transport network and the start of work today is another step forward to delivering this for the people of Scotland.”

Brian Snow, Project Manager, Farrans Roadbridge said:

“Farrans Roadbridge are delighted to have been selected as the contractor to complete the A737 Dalry Bypass and look forward to a successful partnership with Transport Scotland during the construction period.”

Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2019.

For further information please visit https://www.transport.gov.scot/projects/a737-dalry-bypass/

https://news.gov.scot/news/work-begins-on-gbp-31-2-million-a737-upgrade

Responding to the introduction of the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones have today issued the below joint statement.

“This week began with the Prime Minister calling for a constructive and collaborative approach from those outside Whitehall to help get Brexit right. Today’s publication of The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill is the first test as to whether the UK Government is serious about such an approach. It is a test it has failed utterly.

“We have repeatedly tried to engage with the UK Government on these matters, and have put forward constructive proposals about how we can deliver an outcome which will protect the interests of all the nations in the UK, safeguard our economies and respect devolution.

“Regrettably, the Bill does not do this. Instead, it is a naked power-grab, an attack on the founding principles of devolution and could destabilise our economies.

“Our two governments – and the UK government – agree we need a functioning set of laws across the UK after withdrawal from the EU. We also recognise that common frameworks to replace EU laws across the UK may be needed in some areas. But the way to achieve these aims is through negotiation and agreement, not imposition. It must be done in a way which respects the hard-won devolution settlements.

“The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill does not return powers from the EU to the devolved administrations, as promised. It returns them solely to the UK Government and Parliament, and imposes new restrictions on the Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales.

“On that basis, the Scottish and Welsh Governments cannot recommend that legislative consent is given to the Bill as it currently stands.

“The Bill lifts from the UK Government and Parliament the requirement to comply with EU law, but does the opposite for the devolved legislatures: it imposes a new set of strict restrictions. These new restrictions make no sense in the context of the UK leaving the EU.

“We have explained these points to the UK Government and have set out what we consider to be a constructive way forward in the spirit of co-operation, based on the involvement of, and respect for, devolved institutions.

“Unfortunately, the conversation has been entirely one-sided. We remain open to these discussions, and look forward to coming to an agreed solution between the governments of these islands.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/eu-withdrawal-bill

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