Address to Scottish Parliament by Nicola Surgeon FM 23/05/17.

This afternoon, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave a statement to the Scottish Parliament about the Manchester terrorist attack.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“Presiding Officer,

“It is with great sadness that I rise to speak today.

“Last night in Manchester we witnessed a horrific attack on innocent people enjoying a music concert.

“My thoughts, those of this Parliament – indeed, the thoughts of all the people of Scotland – are with those who have lost loved ones or sustained injuries in this dreadful atrocity.

“There can be nothing more cowardly than attacking children and young people enjoying a fun night out.

“Across Scotland today we stand in solidarity with the people of Manchester – a great city with which so many people in Scotland share a close affinity.

“I have this morning also written to Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, offering the condolences of the Scottish people and pledging any possible practical support that the Scottish Government or any of our agencies can provide.

“We also express our gratitude to the emergency services who continue to work to ensure that people in Manchester and around the country are safe – and whose dedication and bravery, running towards danger as others run away, stands in such sharp contrast to the cowardice of those who carry out such atrocities.

“Shortly after we received the first substantive reports of the incident, in the early hours of this morning, the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room was activated.

“At 8.30 this morning, I chaired a meeting of the Resilience Committee, which was attended by the Deputy First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, the Lord Advocate and senior officers from Police Scotland. In the last half hour I have received a further update from Police Scotland and will chair a further meeting of the Resilience Committee later today.

“The Scottish Government and Police Scotland have been liaising closely with colleagues in the UK Government and police colleagues in England and Wales throughout the night and during today.

“I was also updated by the National Security Adviser earlier this morning.

“At this point, as has been confirmed, 22 people have tragically lost their lives and 59 have been injured – many of whom, no doubt very seriously.

“In the last hour, an 8 year old girl has been named as one of the victims.

“We know there will be much more heartbreak like that to face in the days ahead.

“Currently, we are aware of 4 people who have presented at hospital here in Scotland. Two have already been discharged and I understand that a third is likely to be discharged during the course of today. Indeed, my information is that none of their injuries are life-threatening.

“Police Scotland are also in contact with and offering support to the families of Laura MacIntyre and Eilidh MacLeod, the two young girls from Barra who are still unaccounted for having attended the concert last night.

“It is hard for any of us to imagine the anguish that their families are going through. They are in our thoughts and the Scottish Government and Police Scotland will do all we possibly can to ensure that they have all the support they need.

“I must stress that we cannot be sure at this stage that there are no other Scots affected – but we continue to liaise closely with Police Scotland to gather information and provide all appropriate support.

“What we do know is that there may be some people travelling home today or in the days ahead who will have witnessed events last night.

“Therefore, as part of Police Scotland’s efforts to assist with the ongoing investigation, they will be present at motorway service stations and working with the British Transport Police at major train stations to identify any possible witnesses returning to Scotland from Manchester.

“What happened last night was a brutal terror attack. At times like this, it is understandable that people feel scared and anxious.

“That is why it is my priority, working with Police Scotland, to ensure that we offer reassurance, but also to ensure that all appropriate protective and precautionary measures are being taken.

“Now it is important to emphasise that at this stage the security threat level remains unchanged, at severe.

“I also want to stress that, at this time, there is no intelligence of any increased threat or risk to Scotland.

“However, as a precautionary measure, Police Scotland have increased security at key locations such as transport hubs and city centres.

“There has also been an increase in the number of armed police and armed response vehicles being deployed across Scotland.

“Police Scotland will keep these arrangements under review, as well as the arrangements for security at the various upcoming events we know about over the next few days,

“These events range from the small daily events and celebrations that make up the fabric of our society to large scale football matches, marathons and VIP events. Police Scotland are looking very closely at every event and the security around them.

“This will include reviewing every single event due to take place over the next 14 days to ensure that a consistent and appropriate approach is taken across Scotland. For example, a full review of the Scottish Cup Final will be taking place with the SFA to ensure that there is an appropriate deployment of police officers.

“This is in addition to the work that will be done to ensure public reassurance around the night time economy and crowded places more generally.

“I am being regularly briefed and updated on the police response and I am sure the public will draw assurance from the substantial uplift of visible policing on the streets.

“However, I would stress, as others have done and as it is important to do, and that such measures are precautionary.

“My message to the public is that they should also remain vigilant, and report any concerns they have to the police – but they should also go about their everyday business as normal.

“Presiding Officer,

“Last night’s attack, as you and others have said, was particularly cruel in its targeting of young people enjoying a pop concert, an event that for many of them will have been looking forward to for months.

“That they should have been confronted with such horror is utterly heartbreaking.

“There will also be many other young people across the country who will be seeing on the news and social media today the kind of images that we wish they never had to see. And many young people may feel particularly vulnerable at this time.

“So this is a time to ensure we talk to our children, at home, at school and when we hear them talking among their friends. We have been in touch with Young Scot this morning, as well as with Education Scotland and local authorities to provide guidance and support to help with those conversations.

“Young Scot have issued the details of an information line which offers a safe space for any young person in Scotland to make contact and get information.

“They are also developing an online resource with key information and content to help meet young people’s needs, emphasising the importance of respecting other people and their opinions, the emotional impact of this event and how to differentiate between accurate and false information.

“Presiding Officer,

“We know that terrorists and extremists seek to divide us and destroy our way of life.

“As human beings, we cannot comprehend the twisted motivations that lead people to carry out such atrocities, particularly when they target children and young people in such a callous way.

“Our best response now – and always – is to stand firm together with determination and in solidarity, to make clear to those who seek to undermine our values, target our children and destroy our way of life, that they will not succeed. Not now and not ever.

“There are, Presiding Officer, many people today suffering pain and grief that we can scarcely imagine. And there are others who will still be consumed by worry and uncertainty about their loved ones.

“Let us hold them firmly in our hearts, today and in the many difficult days that lie ahead.”

Source Link: https://news.gov.scot/news/first-minister-addresses-parliament-on-manchester-attack

Scotland retains top UK region status outside London for foreign direct investment.

2016 was a record-breaking year of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Scotland, according to the latest annual survey into FDI attractiveness published today by Ernst and Young.

The 2017 EY Scotland Attractiveness Survey shows that Scotland has retained its position as the top location in the UK outside London for foreign direct investment (FDI), with investment projects up 2.5% on 2015.

As well as highlighting the record level of investment projects won by Scotland, the report also notes that Scotland now takes over one in 50 of all investment projects in Europe; a clear indication that Scotland is now firmly established as a location of choice for global investors.

2016 was also a strong year for Scotland in attracting research and development inward investment; with 21 individual projects, Scotland has retained its position as number one in the UK for R&D projects.

In terms of projects secured, Scotland has three cities represented in the UK top 10, with Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen featuring in fifth, sixth and seventh place respectively.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Keith Brown said:

“These figures from Ernst & Young confirm that 2016 was a record breaking year for foreign direct investment into Scotland. For the second year in a row we have attracted more projects than ever before – with 2016 up 2.5% on 2015’s previous record – and Scotland has been the top UK region outside London in every one of the past five years.

“The statistics not only confirm Scotland’s position as the top UK region outside London for foreign direct investment, but highlight the underlying strengths of the Scottish economy. We enjoy resources few nations can match, including one of the most highly-educated workforces in Europe, a long-standing reputation for innovation and an internationally-regarded brand.

“Today’s attractiveness survey indicates these assets continue to be recognised on the world stage, with a substantial number of projects from the US, France and Germany. In fact, more than one in 50 of the investment projects across the whole of Europe are located in Scotland.

“We will continue to support the Scottish economy. And we will never fail to highlight, wherever and whenever we can, Scotland’s wealth of resources – the economic strengths that today’s figures show have proved attractive to companies from all over the world.”

Paul Lewis, Managing Director of Scottish Development International, said:

“Scotland has a great track record as a location which holds tremendous appeal to international investors, so it’s heartening to see that position reinforced by the new EY survey, and it’s particularly welcome to hear that Scotland now wins over one in 50 of all investment projects into Europe.

“In a highly competitive inward investment market, this is a huge indicator of Scotland’s global attractiveness and investment performance.

“Through our international network, we continue to promote Scotland as a country which is brilliantly connected for business, and these results reflect the strong partnerships with those who work with us in promoting Scotland as a highly competitive international business location.

“We now have an opportunity to build on Scotland’s international reach and the connections that exist across many parts of our economy, to attract even more new inward investment to the country.”

In terms of geographical source of FDI projects, the top five countries investing in Scotland in 2016 were the US (43 projects / 35%), France (14 projects / 11%), Germany (7 projects / 6%), Ireland (6 projects / 5%) and China (5 projects / 4%).

Article Source: https://news.gov.scot/news/scotland-top-for-foreign-investment

The SNP topped the poll while the Scottish Conservatives finished second.

Report From stv News:
The full results of last week’s council elections have been published by the Electoral Management Board for Scotland.

The SNP came top of the poll with 32.3% of first preference votes cast, with the Scottish Conservatives in second with 25.3%.

A total of 1,889,658 valid votes were cast on Thursday with turnout increasing to 46.9%, the highest for a local election not held on the same day as a national poll in Scotland since 1977.

Turnout was highest in the Western Isles at 56.1% while the lowest turnout was recorded in Glasgow, where 39% of voters came out to vote in the country’s largest local authority.
FULL REPORT: https://stv.tv/news/politics/1387948-full-scottish-council-election-results-published/

Local elections: Full list of Scottish results published https://t.co/VE3VugxkVx

— ScottishPoliticsNews (@ScoPoliticsNews) 10 May 2017

The SNP has won Scotland’s council elections, winning more councillors, more votes and more councils than any other party.

By Liam Furby, 05/05/17 (Article from www.snp.org)

Now more than ever, it’s only the SNP that can stop the Tories in Scotland.

Here’s what you need to know.

1. The SNP won the election nationally, with the largest number of councillors and the highest vote share of any party.

2. We’ve won more councillors, with 431 elected compared to 425 in 2012.

3. The SNP is now the largest group in 16 of 32 councils.

4. The SNP has ended almost 40 years of Labour control in Glasgow, becoming the largest party in the city for the first time.

5. The SNP are now the largest party in Scotland’s four largest cities: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee.

Profit-making private firms won’t carry out benefit assessments.
(Article from scot.gov website)

Scotland’s new social security agency will put people before profits, with no private companies carrying out benefit assessments.

Social Security Minister, Jeane Freeman, firmly ruled this out in a statement to Parliament – where she also outlined the conclusion of the options appraisal process for the model of the new social security agency.

The new agency will have a central location as well as providing a local presence across Scotland so it is directly responsive to individual needs. A decision on where the main agency will be located will be made in the autumn.

It was also confirmed that the new agency will employ at least 1,500 staff – making it one of largest executive agencies of the Scottish Government.

Ms Freeman said: “One of our fundamental principles is that profit should never be a motive nor play any part in assessing or making decisions on people’s health and eligibility for benefits.

“We are building a system based on dignity and respect – this means an assessment process which isn’t demeaning or deliberately difficult.

“I am very clear that assessments should not be carried out by the private sector and I want to give people in Scotland this assurance as we take forward our new social security agency.

“It also means setting up an agency that has a local presence with a human face where people can go to get one-to-one support if required. This is very different to what exists at the moment.

“The new social security agency will be one of the largest executive agencies of the Scottish Government and will employ at least 1,500 staff by the time all devolved benefits are being delivered.

“Setting the new system up is a hugely complex task but a challenge that we relish and one that we are absolutely determined to get right. It is extremely important that we start how we mean to go on – by listening to people and seeking expert opinion to deliver an agency that respects people’s views and is sensitive and responsive to their different needs and requirements.”

Background

The Minister’s full statement to Parliament is available here: https://news.gov.scot/speeches-and-briefings/social-security-agency

(By Nicola Sturgeon, 20/04/17 – snp.org website)

This week it has become clear beyond doubt that, for Theresa May, party comes before country.

For months the Prime Minister has said that a snap, early election was, in her view, the last thing the country needed.

Now was not the time, she said, to be distracted from the job at hand.

But she has suddenly changed her mind – not for the good of the country – but for simple party advantage.

Her motive is clear. She knows that as the terms of her hard Brexit become clearer, the deep misgivings that so many people already have will increase and grow.

So she wants to act now to crush the parliamentary opposition that she faces. Labour’s self-inflicted weakness has presented the excuse.

Theresa May herself has said that politics is not a game, but by calling this election to suit her own party interests she is playing with fire.

No Prime Minister, not even Mrs Thatcher, has complained that there should not be robust debate in Parliament. That is a healthy and indeed necessary in any parliamentary democracy, but Theresa May does not seem willing to acknowledge any views other than hers.

That simply isn’t acceptable in a democracy. A virtual one party Tory state is a horrifying prospect – but given how weak Labour is, and the Lib Dem’s past record of propping up a Tory government, it is clear that only the SNP can offer strong and credible opposition in the House of Commons.

The SNP in this election will, as we always do, stand up for Scotland.

The 2015 election turned UK politics on its head, and over the last two years, SNP MPs have provided the only effective opposition to the Tories at Westminster.

On issues from austerity to wasting billions of pounds on new nuclear weapons, the SNP has been the only clear and consistent voice speaking up for Scotland’s interests.

It was the consistent campaigning of SNP MPs which saw the Scotland Bill, which is seeing new powers devolved to the Scottish Parliament strengthened – though they are still not strong enough.

Mhairi Black, the youngest MP in over 300 years, has campaigned tirelessly on the injustice of women’s pensions being slashed.

Eilidh Whiteford secured a significant victory as her Private Member’s Bill – which will require the UK Government to ratify the Istanbul Convention on violence against women – received the backing of MPs.

Alison Thewliss has led the campaign on the two-child tax credit limit and the disgusting rape clause, which will require women who have been raped to prove this to a professional in order to access financial support for their child.

Rather than stand up for women and families on low incomes, the Scottish Tories have thrown their full weight behind the family cap and the rape clause – a decision which will haunt them throughout this campaign.

And Angus Robertson has regularly been the only leader in the Commons willing and able to hold the Prime Minister to account.

So as we head into this election campaign, the choice facing the people of Scotland is clear.

A vote for the SNP is a vote to protect Scotland’s interests. If the thought of an unfettered Tory government worries you – as it should – a vote for the SNP can help secure a strong opposition that can hold them to account.

A vote for the SNP is also a vote to end austerity and for investment in our public services.

And it is a vote to ensure that the future of Scotland – the kind of country we are – will be decided, not at Westminster but in Scotland, by the Scottish people.

Make no mistake – if the SNP wins this election in Scotland, and the Tories don’t, then Theresa May’s attempt to block our mandate to hold another referendum when the time is right, will crumble to dust

The fact is, there is already a cast-iron mandate for holding an independence referendum.

The SNP was elected, with the largest vote share in the history of the Scottish Parliament, on an explicit commitment that the Scottish Parliament should be able to hold a referendum in exactly the circumstances in which we now find ourselves – so there is an electoral mandate, endorsed by the Scottish Parliament just last month.

This General Election won’t decide the question of whether or not Scotland becomes independent – but it can ensure that the choice in future is one for the people of Scotland to make, not Westminster.

The desperate attempts by the Prime Minister to run from this mandate shows that she knows the damage she is doing in Scotland.

And she is running scared of TV debates in this election because she knows how badly her hypocrisy, contradictions and U-turns will be exposed.

Over the next few weeks we will ensure that the people of Scotland are clear about the choices open to them.

The simple fact is that there is no cost free Tory vote in this election.

We have already seen the damage the Tories have done since 2010, first with no majority of their own, and then with just a small majority.

Every Tory vote risks a strengthened Tory government and we should be in no doubt what that would mean.

It would mean not just the hardest possible Brexit, but also further austerity and deeper cuts.

It would mean damage to our public services and more pain for the vulnerable. And it would mean a rightwards shift in the governance of the UK that just a few years ago, UKIP could scarcely have dreamed of.

In short, the Tories would think they could do anything they want to Scotland and get away with it.

That is why it is so important that Scotland continues to have a strong voice against this Tory Government.

The SNP intend to make sure that in this election, the interests of Scotland come first.

ARTICLE SOURCE: https://www.snp.org/nicola_sturgeon_we_ll_stand_up_for_scotland

(By Nicola Sturgeon, 19/04/17 – snp website)

I’m joined here today by the SNP MPs who, for the past two years, have been the real and only effective opposition to the Conservatives in the House of Commons.

We are making clear today our intention to win this election in Scotland and for Scotland. Now, more than ever, Scotland needs strong voices.

Yesterday, it became clear beyond doubt that, for Theresa May, party comes before country. For months the Prime Minister has said that a snap, early election was, in her view, the last thing the country needed. Now was not the time, she said, to be distracted from the job at hand.

But yesterday, she changed her mind – not for the good of the country – but for simple party advantage. Her motive is clear. She knows that as the terms of her hard Brexit become clearer, the deep misgivings that so many people already have will increase and grow. So she wants to act now to crush the parliamentary opposition that she faces. Labour’s self-inflicted weakness has presented the excuse.

But the SNP has a very different plan.

Scotland’s voice will not be silenced.

We have seen the damage the Tories have done with no majority of their own and then with a small majority. We should be in no doubt what a strengthened Tory government would mean.

It would mean not just the hardest possible Brexit, but also further austerity and deeper cuts. It would mean damage to our public services and more pain for the vulnerable. And it would mean a rightwards shift in the governance of the UK that just a few years ago, UKIP could scarcely have dreamed of.

So the SNP in this election will – as we always do – stand up for Scotland.

A vote for the SNP is a vote to protect Scotland’s interests. Only the SNP stands between Scotland and an increasingly hard-line Tory government.

It is a vote to end austerity and for investment in our public services.

And it is a vote to ensure that the future of Scotland – the kind of country we are – will be decided, not at Westminster but in Scotland, by the Scottish people.

Make no mistake, if the SNP wins this election in Scotland – and the Tories don’t – then Theresa May’s attempt to block our mandate to hold another referendum when the time is right, will crumble to dust.

This is an election that has been called in the narrow party interests of the Tories. That’s why, though we won’t stand in its way, we will not endorse the Prime Minister’s opportunism.

But we intend to make sure that in this election, the interests of Scotland come first.

ARTICLE SOURCE: https://www.snp.org/nicola_sturgeon_statement_at_westminster_on_the_general_election