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Queen’s Speech – more Brexit clarity needed (Scot Gov)

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

Scottish and Welsh Govts write to Brexit Secretary David Davis

UK’s devolved administrations should be involved in negotiations.

Article via gov.scot website

The Scottish and Welsh Governments have written jointly to the Brexit Secretary David Davis to ensure the UK’s devolved administrations are properly involved in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations.

Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe, Michael Russell, and Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford, set out a series of practical steps to improve engagement between the UK’s four governments.

They said the joint committee set up to provide oversight of the negotiations needed to be re-set so that meaningful discussions could take place and the committee’s remit could be met.





Text of the letter is as follows:

Dear David

JOINT MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE (EU NEGOTIATIONS)

Congratulations on your reappointment as Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. We look forward to working with you over the next few years, which are critical for the future prosperity of all parts of the United Kingdom.

It was inevitable that there would be a pause in the work of the JMC (EN) during the General Election campaign. In our view, now the Election is over, it is vital that we use the opportunity to re-set the work of the Committee, using the agreed Terms of Reference.

Our respective First Ministers have written to the Prime Minister asking for an urgent meeting of the JMC. We are now writing to provide further detail on how the process could move forward without prejudice to any more radical reshaping of the UK Government’s approach to building a broad-based consensus on the approach to the Brexit negotiations.

In our view, we need to:
•Agree how the Devolved Administrations will be represented in the negotiations. As you will know, both the Scottish and Welsh Governments believe that we should be at the table when devolved issues are discussed and in the room for other sessions.
•Resume our meetings at the earliest possibility: while we understand that the unresolved issues in Northern Ireland may be a difficulty, we strongly believe this should not prevent a meeting taking place and we note that a JMC (E) meeting has been arranged for 21 June despite the situation in Northern Ireland.
•Agree a forward programme of regular meetings of JMC (EN), scheduled to fit in with the cycle of negotiating meetings agreed with the European Commission and timed in such a way as to ensure that we both have meaningful discussions on the outcome of the most recent session and can collectively shape the UK’s negotiating position in advance of the subsequent session, in line with the terms of reference. This would allow us to fulfil our remit to provide oversight of the negotiations and to agree the approach to, and objectives for the negotiations.
•Set a clear forward agenda, which, alongside the items directly related to the negotiations, would address our remit to consider issues arising from the negotiation process which may impact on the Devolved Administrations.
•This should include:
•The proposed response to the EU Negotiation Guidelines and Directives;
•Full discussion of future constitutional arrangements around any joint frameworks which may be necessary and replacement funding for streams including EU Structural Funds and those under the Common Agricultural Policy;
•Future immigration policy; and
•Analysis of the economic impact of various scenarios, including ‘no deal’ and of reverting to WTO rules (which we both believe would be disastrous); leaving the Single Market and withdrawing from the Customs Union.

Alongside the JMC (EN) process involving all four administrations it will also be important to have bilateral meetings to discuss specific issues.

We also believe there are practical steps to improve the work of the JMC (EN). These include ensuring that agendas for each meeting are agreed at the previous meeting (in accordance with the overall work programme, which again should be agreed by all four administrations) and that papers are circulated at least five days in advance; and significantly reducing the number of attendees from the UK Government.

It is essential that the UK Government trust the Devolved Administrations to respect the confidential inter-governmental space that the JMC should fill. We want to use JMC (EN) as a forum in which we can have meaningful discussions of key issues, aimed at reaching agreement rather than an opportunity to rehearse well-established public positions. Unfortunately, this was not our experience of the way the Committee operated prior to the Election.

Finally, we need to reiterate that we are deeply concerned about the lack of engagement on the proposed Great Repeal Bill: we would welcome your assurances that we will have the opportunity to see and comment on any Bill well in advance of publication and be consulted more generally in advance about the content of both this Bill and other Brexit-related Bills e.g. on Trade, Customs and Migration).

We hope that this is useful in setting out our approach to the future work of the JMC (EN). We look forward to meeting again soon, and to getting started on this crucial work.

Yours sincerely

Mark Drakeford AM/AC / Michael Russell MSP

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/scottish-and-welsh-governments-writes-to-brexit-secretary-david-davis

First Minister writes to PM ahead of Brexit negotiations


FM: Brexit negotiating team must include devolved governments.

Six days ahead of Brexit negotiations beginning, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has written to Prime Minister Theresa May to express the Scottish Government’s concerns over the UK’s current Brexit plans.

The First Minister has called for membership of the European Single Market and the EU Customs Union to be protected and for the negotiating team to include representation from the devolved governments.

She has also called for the UK government to immediately guarantee the rights of EU nationals to remain in the UK beyond the date of the UK’s exit from the EU.




Text of the letter is as follows:

Dear Theresa

There are now just six days before formal negotiations on the UK’s departure from the European Union are due to start. Following the election, you will be aware that people are becoming increasingly worried about the confusion surrounding the UK’s position. I have seen Carwyn Jones’s letter to you of 12 June and strongly agree with the concerns that he set out.

The EU itself has expressed concern that time is passing and the UK has yet to appoint a negotiating team with a stable mandate, so close to the start of talks. You will be aware that in the EU referendum people in Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain. However, in an effort to reach a consensus, the Scottish Government published compromise proposals in December with the aim of keeping Scotland and the UK as a whole in the European Single Market and Customs Union.

Removing the UK, and Scotland in particular, from the European Single Market and Customs Union, will cause severe long-term economic damage, hitting jobs, growth and living standards. It is therefore essential that membership of the European Single Market, and participation in the EU Customs Union is protected. During the election you sought a mandate for your proposals to leave the European Single Market. That proposal failed to garner support, it is now clear that a new proposal is needed urgently to protect the economy and bring people together.

The proposals to maintain the UK’s European Single Market membership, contained in the Scottish Government’s document, “Scotland’s Place in Europe” provide a blueprint for this approach. Adopting these proposals for the UK as a whole will bring clarity, in place of the current confusion, and provide a coherent base for the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

The UK Government must also adopt a much more inclusive process in reaching UK objectives for the negotiations. Firstly, the Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations should be re-convened immediately and work to fulfil its original terms of reference to agree a UK approach to and objectives for the negotiations. The Scottish Government stands ready to engage fully and constructively in that committee, which must operate on the basis of trust and a genuine opportunity to influence the UK approach. To broaden support for the negotiating position this should be accompanied by the establishment of a cross-party advisory group, comprising those parties represented at Westminster and parties from both sides of the political debate in Northern Ireland, alongside the UK and devolved governments.

Secondly, the negotiating team must include representation from the devolved governments. It will not be possible for the UK to effectively implement the outcome of Brexit negotiations without the co-operation of devolved governments. It is therefore essential that we are part of the negotiating process.

Finally, the UK Government should now – with immediate effect – guarantee the rights of EU nationals to remain in the UK beyond the date of our exit from the EU.

I have said that I will reflect on the election result in Scotland, listen to voters and consider carefully the best way forward for Scotland. I hope that the UK Government, too, will reflect on what the election results mean for the importance of finding an outcome from Brexit that meets the needs and aspirations of all of the people and nations of the UK.

I am copying this letter to Carwyn Jones, Arlene Foster, Michelle O’Neill and David Davis.

Best Wishes,

NICOLA STURGEON

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/first-minister-writes-to-prime-minister-ahead-of-brexit-negotiations

Unemployment rate matches lowest on record

Rate at lowest level since before recession.

Article via gov.scot website

Scotland’s unemployment rate has fallen to match the lowest rate in 25 years.

It fell by 0.6 percentage points over the last quarter to 4.0%, equalling the figure for March to May 2008, and the lowest rate since the recession.

The unemployment level fell by 17,000 over the quarter to 109,000, and decreased by 49,000 over the year.

The Labour Market Stats for Feb-Apr 2017, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show Scotland’s unemployment rate continues to be the lowest out of the four UK nations, and lower than the UK rate of 4.6%.




The figures also show:

• Scotland’s employment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points over the quarter to 74.1% – the second highest employment rate out of the four UK nations – with the employment level rising by 14,000.
• Over the year, Scotland’s employment rate increased by 0.9 percentage points, with the employment level rising by 44,000.
• Scotland continued to outperform the UK on female employment rates (70.6% vs. 70.2%), and Scotland’s female unemployment rate was also lower than the UK’s (4.1% vs. 4.4%).
• Scotland’s youth employment rate also outperformed the UK (57.1% vs. 54.1%), while Scotland’s youth unemployment rate was also lower than the UK’s (8.8% vs. 11.5%).

Minister for Employability and Training Jamie Hepburn said:

“Scotland’s unemployment rate is at its lowest rate since the recession and matches the lowest on record for Scotland since the series began. With the employment rate rising, it’s clear this is hugely positive news for our economy and the jobs market.

“Once again, despite adverse prevailing economic conditions, Scotland’s job market continues to be resilient and robust, with female and youth unemployment rates lower than the UK average.

“The Scottish Government will continue to support growth and jobs in Scotland through our £500 million Scottish Growth Scheme and our £6 billion infrastructure plan.

“Whilst this is good news, we must be clear that the biggest threat to Scotland’s labour market continues to be a hard Brexit – something which the Scottish Government believes there is now no clear mandate for. The UK Government must now seek a broad consensus which would see us retain our place in the single market and in the customs union.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/unemployment-rate-matches-lowest-on-record

£1.75 billion boost for investment in affordable housing

Major long-term commitment to grow number of homes.

Article via gov.scot website

More than £1.75 billion is being allocated to councils in a major Scottish Government commitment to stimulate investment in affordable housing.

It comes as figures published today show the highest levels of activity in the affordable house-building sector in Scotland since the early 1980s.

For the first time, details have been confirmed of each local authority’s full funding allocation for affordable housing over the next three years.

The move is designed to help local authorities and house-builders plan their investment and provide certainty on the amount of funding available until 2021.

In 2018-19, £532 million will be shared amongst local authorities – rising to £591 million in 2019-20 and £630 million in 2020-21.

Announcing the funding, Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said this would support the government’s ambitious commitment of delivering 50,000 affordable homes by 2021.

He said: “We are ensuring Scotland has homes that are high-quality, efficient and affordable.

“Today, we are announcing to local authorities how much money they’ll have to invest in affordable housing until the end of this Parliament. It means they can plan these new affordable homes now – with the certainty that the funding will increase year-on-year.

“This is also an important signal to the house-building sector in Scotland and demonstrates our commitment to the industry and the estimated 14,000 jobs our affordable housing supply programme supports each year.”




New statistics also show a level of activity in the affordable house-building sector not seen since the early 1980s, with 10,276 affordable homes approved in 2016/17 – a 29% increase on the year before. 7,000 of these were for social rent new house building.

In the same year, 9,308 affordable homes were started (an increase of 21% on 2015/16) and 7,336 were completed – up by 13%.

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

“Much has been achieved in our first year of our new affordable housing programme and these figures are evidence that Government investment is stimulating house-building in the affordable sector.

“With a huge number of affordable homes approved last year, we can be confident that our programme is on course to deliver for Scotland.

“Today’s announcement will provide the certainty that local authorities and the sector need to accelerate this progress and ensure we keep up this momentum to reach our goal of 50,000 new affordable homes by 2021.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/gbp-1-75-billion-boost-for-investment-in-affordable-housing

£3.6m boost for Borders economy

Hawick projects to create around 55 jobs

Article via gov.scot website

A business incubator centre in Hawick will help Borders businesses establish themselves and grow, thanks to a £3.6 million funding package.

The funding will also:
•develop four industrial units at the edge of the town
•upgrade existing business facilities in Hawick’s Tower Mill
•secure commitment by Scottish Borders Council to fund and undertake feasibility studies for regeneration of two further redundant mill buildings to inform potential investors

The Scottish Government is working with Scottish Borders Council, local businesses and community groups to further develop the local economy, building upon the Hawick Action Plan.

The support is part of a £10m local economic development capital grant fund, which is also supporting businesses in North Ayrshire, Clackmannanshire and Fife.

Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy Paul Wheelhouse said:

“Supporting economic growth in the South of Scotland is a priority for this government, creating and protecting jobs and enabling local businesses to flourish.

“The business incubator in the former Armstrong’s building will give new and rapidly-developing companies the opportunity to come together and grow. The new and upgraded business infrastructure in and around Hawick will encourage entrepreneurs, generate start-ups and ensure that the region can meet all the business needs that expanding companies may have.

“This will boost the economy in the South of Scotland, creating up to 55 jobs, and will let local businesses build upon the reputation for innovation and hard work for which they are renowned.”




Councillor Mark Rowley, SBC’s Executive Member for Business and Economic Development, said:

“These projects will not only provide new job opportunities in Hawick but will hopefully act as a catalyst for further property redevelopment and inward investment in the town in the future.

“Redeveloping the former Armstrong’s building will deliver new, small office units suitable for start-up firms and existing businesses in the town centre and will also bring life back to a building which has been empty and derelict for many years.”

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/gbp-3-6m-boost-for-borders-economy