Article From Scot Gov: news.gov.scot/news
Justice and Home Affairs discussed at second meeting of JMC (EN).

Living standards, home affairs and membership of the single market, and the importance of freedom of movement to the Scottish economy were central matters raised by Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe Michael Russell during the second meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (European Negotiations) today in Westminster.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson also attended the JMC (EN) to seek assurances that there will be urgent work done to secure continued co-operation with European partners on key justice and security issues. Mr Matheson told the JMC (EN) it is vital the current direct and positive relationships between police, the crown office and other parts of the Justice system with European institutions is preserved and strengthened.

Earlier in the day, Mr Russell appeared in front of the Scottish Affairs Committee to answer questions on Scotland’s relationship with the EU as the deadline for Article 50 approaches.

Minister for Europe Alastair Allan attended the JMC (Europe) this morning. Dr Allan then met with the UK Government’s Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill to discuss the unreasonably vague status of Scotland’s 181,000 fellow EU nationals. It was the first bilateral meeting a UK Immigration Minister has agreed to have with a Scottish Government Minister for more than five years.

Speaking after the JMC (EN), Mr Russell said:

“This is the second time the JMC (EN) has convened since the end of October, and while the frequency of meetings is welcome, and while we had the opportunity to press the importance of membership of the single market to Scotland, the lack of detail from the UK Government remains deeply concerning.

“It only follows that since the UK Government yesterday announced intensions to publish their Brexit plan, the Scottish Government can also expect to see the promised work plan, which is yet to materialise. Scotland cannot merely be treated as an interested party: Scotland deserves the right – and appropriate time – to contribute meaningfully to a proposition that will impact us all.

“The Justice Secretary Michael Matheson also attended today’s JMC (EN) to discuss the matter of home affairs, justice systems and security. Scotland has had a separate legal system for centuries, and sets a solid precedent that two systems can work side-by-side.

“Mr Matheson was clear that while today’s meeting was a helpful initial discussion, individual measures – such as public safety and security – need to be seen as a single package to best secure the fundamental freedoms the people and businesses of Scotland want to continue to enjoy.”

Funding for Scottish Chambers of Commerce to build international links.

Scottish businesses will forge new global trading alliances thanks to new support from the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce will receive up to £400,000 to deliver permanent trading alliances between Chambers in Scotland and the international network of Chambers, and to support new business-led trade missions.

A trading alliance is an agreement between two Chambers and their members committing to shared business priorities and specific trade plans.

The move was announced by the First Minister ahead of her speech to the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Annual Business Address in Glasgow.

The First Minister also confirmed the Chair of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Nora Senior, will be one of the first members of the Scottish Government’s new Board of Trade to encourage new companies to internationalise.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“Internationalisation is a key part of our economic strategy and we are stepping up efforts to raise Scotland’s profile and encourage more Scottish businesses to export. Scotland’s ability to benefit from international trade depends hugely on our continued place in the European single market – the biggest of its kind in the world – and we are exploring all avenues to maintain our membership of it.

“At the same time, we are establishing new hubs in London, Dublin, Brussels and Berlin to boost our business profile, while we will double the number of people working for Scottish Development International on mainland Europe. We are also appointing trade envoys and creating a new board of trade to promote exporters overseas and encourage new companies to internationalise. But we can still do more.

“The membership of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, more than 11,000 companies, already has ties to more than 180 countries and so are ideally placed to make new overseas links with businesses and Chambers, which will complement the activities of Scottish Development International.

“The Scottish Government will provide £400,000 to the Chambers to support new business-led trade missions and forge new trading alliances between Chambers here and abroad. That is a boost to the resource already committed by the Chamber network and will contribute to our shared efforts to boost internationalisation.

“I am also delighted to confirm that Nora Senior has agreed to be one of the first members of the board of trade, a good indication of the level of expertise that we will be able to draw on in the years ahead.”

Liz Cameron OBE, Director and Chief Executive, said:

“Today’s announcement marks a significant new step in our long-standing drive to use the power of the international Chambers network to drive more exports from Scotland. The Scottish Government’s very welcome support will help us to capitalise on the excellent work which our Network have been doing to build relationships with their counterparts in Italy, Iceland, the US, Mexico, Iran and many more. We are now ready to turbocharge that effort.

“It has long been our belief that exploiting grass roots business-to-business international connectivity via the unparalleled reach of international Chambers of Commerce has the potential to deliver a revolution in the way our SMEs trade overseas. Combined with the support of Scottish Development International and the influence of Scotland’s international diaspora in key target markets, this will put our network in a position to have real measurable impact in boosting Scotland’s exports – resulting in jobs, growth and wealth.”

Source: http://news.gov.scot/news/scotland-set-for-new-trade-alliances

"Small countries can be equals in a partnership of many."

Scotland-Ireland relationship to strengthen in years ahead.

Scotland’s response to the vote to leave the EU will define the country for generations to come, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the upper house of the Irish Parliament today.

She made the remarks during a speech to the Seanad, marking the end of a two-day visit to Ireland to further political, economic and cultural links between Scotland and Ireland.

She said that the shared history between Scotland and Ireland had created inextricable links and a bond of mutual co-operation that a consequence of Brexit in Scotland was an even sharper focus on social justice.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Although we share more than a thousand years of history, I hope and believe that relations between Scotland and Ireland are now stronger, warmer and more harmonious than they have ever been.

“And of course these political, economic and cultural links draw strength from, and reinforce, the most important connection of all: the friendship and kinship which is shared by millions of Scottish and Irish people, across these islands and around the world.

“I believe that all of these ties will strengthen further – to our mutual benefit – in the years ahead.

“There is no doubt that the UK-wide vote to leave the EU was deeply unwelcome. For Scotland, as for Ireland, it creates a challenge which is not of our choosing.

“For Scotland, too, we know that how we – and indeed the UK as a whole – respond to June’s vote will define us for generations to come.

“We can choose to turn inwards or we can choose to stand strong for the principles of an open economy and a progressive, liberal democracy.

“I choose the latter. But in doing so, I recognise that we mustn’t just assert the benefits of these values – we must be able to demonstrate them.

“Ireland provides an interesting example. The decisions you took after 1958 to open your economy to the world were transformational. You are a wealthier, more open and more diverse society as a result.

“But recent years have demonstrated that all open, trading nations, and certainly including Scotland – need to ensure that growth is truly sustainable; that all parts of our society have a fair chance to contribute to it; and that everyone can fairly share the fair benefits it.

“There need be no contradiction between being an open, dynamic and competitive economy, and a fair, inclusive and welcoming society. In fact, what we are seeing around the world demonstrates that the two must go together – a fair society is essential, if we are to sustain support for an open economy.

“My hope is that Scotland and Ireland – sharing as we do an open heart for newcomers; and a faith in dialogue’s power to move minds – will work even more closely together in the years ahead. And I hope we will make new works, new meanings, new impacts from our ancient ties and our shared values. If we do so, we can ensure that our small nations send a powerful signal to others. And we can bring benefits throughout these islands, across the continent, and maybe even around the world.”

Background:
A full text of the speech is available here: http://news.gov.scot/speeches-and-briefings/first-minister-address-to-seanad

Source: http://news.gov.scot/news/first-ministers-address-to-seanad

By Alex Aitchison SNP
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) have confirmed that data published last week on MP expenses was incorrect.

The incorrect figures, which under-reported the expenses of Scottish Labour and Lib Dem MPs in 2014/15, were used by Scottish Labour to launch an attack on SNP MPs.

Here are the facts.

SNP MPs are costing less than their predecessors – by over £1 million

IPSA issued a written acknowledgement and apology to the SNP, and new figures published on their website confirm that in 2015/16 SNP MPs in fact cost over £1 million (£1,140,801.64) less than their predecessors did in 2014/15. On average SNP MPs cost over £21,000 less than their Scottish Labour and Lib Dem predecessors.

SNP MPs are working harder than their Labour and LibDem predecessors too.

New figures from House of Commons Library research show that SNP MPs work harder than their Scottish Labour and LibDem predecessors, and are some of the most active MPs at Westminster:

In 2015-16, SNP MPs spoke in an average of 61 debates. This compares to an average of just 27 for their predecessors in 2014-15.
Since the 2015 General Election, SNP MPs have each tabled an average of 80 written parliamentary questions. In total, SNP MPs have tabled over 4,000 written parliamentary questions – holding UK government ministers to account.
Since the 2015 General Election, SNP MPs have tabled over 1,000 EDMs – helping bring attention to the important issues facing local communities, the people of Scotland and the UK.
Since the 2015 General Election, SNP MPs have contributed to the work of 77 Select Committees, Sub-Committees, Bill Committees and Commissions – including chairing 3 Select Committees.

Source: http://www.snp.org/fact_check_snp_mps_cost_less_and_work_harder_than_their_predecessors

By David Livey (SNP)

The Tories are claiming a £820 million Autumn Statement giveaway to Scotland.

To paraphrase the former Tory leader William Hague, it’s a bit like stealing someone’s car and coming back the next day with the hubcaps.

The £820 million announced by Chancellor Philip Hammond is capital spending (in plain English that’s money that can be spent on things like big infrastructure projects like hospitals, schools and new roads) and is spread over the next five years.

While welcome, here’s the bit Chancellor left out: this new funding pales in comparison to the whopping cuts already being made by the Tories to Scotland’s budget.

The reality is that in the ten year period to 2019-20 the UK government – both the Tory-led coalition and the current Tory government – will have cut Scotland’s budget by a huge £2.9 billion in real terms. That’s after the ‘extra’ £820 million is added.

Article Source: http://www.snp.org/fact_check_the_tories_820_million_whopper

Autumn statement a ‘missed opportunity to end austerity’.

Commenting on the first Autumn Statement in the wake of the EU referendum, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said the Chancellor’s plans laid bare the real cost of leaving Europe. The statement also failed to end damaging austerity, does not go far enough to get the economy on track and provide no additional funding for our public services.

Mr Mackay said:

“The truth about Brexit – and the UK’s financial and economic future – was laid bare by the Chancellor today. The real cost of Brexit has now been revealed – and it is a cost which will be paid through lower growth, lower tax revenues, higher borrowing, higher debt and higher inflation. That is the future the Autumn Statement revealed the UK faces as a result of leaving the European Union.

“Above all, this was a massive missed opportunity to end austerity. The Chancellor has failed to ease the punitive cuts that are hitting so many Scottish families. Instead he has continued the damaging austerity that is slashing the budget for public services, hammering family finances and failing to revive the economy.

“Under these plans, Scotland will see a real terms cut to the day-to-day budget that pays for public services. By 2019/20 it is expected to be almost 9% lower over the decade, reducing the scope we have to mitigate against Westminster austerity and invest in growing our economy.

“Even on the much heralded investment in infrastructure, all we have seen is the Chancellor moderating cuts already imposed on Scotland. As a result, Scotland’s capital budget will still be around 8% lower in real terms across this decade.

“Most shocking, perhaps, is the Chancellor’s failure to commit a single extra penny for the NHS today. This blatant disregard of our public services is deeply worrying. I am also concerned by the lack of commitment to the single market which would have provided a level of certainty in light of the weak economic outlook created by Brexit. The Chancellor’s forecast reflects the impact of EU exit with reduced growth forecast and higher borrowing of over £100 billion required over the forecast period.

“Today’s Autumn Statement is effectively tinkering around the edges and while I welcome the focus on capital expenditure, which I have been calling for, there is still not enough to help hard pressed families.

“It is deeply disappointing that the Chancellor has chosen not implemented the strong package of support needed for the North Sea, and affected communities, which continues to be impacted by low oil prices.

“I will publish the Scottish Draft Budget next month that will support our economy, tackle inequality and provide high quality public services for all – underlining the very different approaches our two governments take.”

Background

The Scottish Government has set out key commitments in its Programme for Government around the NHS, early years, attainment, policing and support for business – aimed at supporting the economy, tackling inequality and providing high quality public services. http://www.gov.scot/programme2016

The Scottish Draft Budget 2017-18 will be published on 15th December.

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://news.gov.scot/news/true-cost-of-brexit-revealed